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Henry Dolley, a retired farmer living in Delhi, belongs to that class of
representative men who owe their success to well-directed and persistent
efforts. He was born in Prussia, Germany, April 23, 1838, a son of Christopher
and Catherine Dolley. In 1842 the family came to America, landing at New York
city, whence they made their way westward to Chicago over the Erie canal route.
They remained in that city until 1852 and then came to Delaware county, Iowa,
which was then a frontier district giving little promise of the rapid
development which would bring about the present day conditions of advancement
and prosperity. They settled at Buck Creek and the father entered two tracts of
land of forty acres each and also purchased forty acres. Thereafter he engaged
continuously and successfully in general farming and stock-raising to the time
of his death, which occurred on the 5th of December, 1888. For about ten years
he had survived his wife and was then laid to rest by her side in the Buck Creek
cemetery.
Henry Dolley had meager educational opportunities and throughout his active life
was a most industrious, energetic man. He early learned the meaning of earnest
toil and in all the ensuing years down to the time of his retirement his life
was a busy and useful one, his untiring energy bringing to him a substantial
measure of prosperity. As his financial resources increased he kept adding to
his property until he now has about four hundred acres in his own name. While
upon the farm he handled Red Polled cattle and also carried on general farming
and stock raising.
In 1868 Mr. Dolley was united in marriage to Miss Theresa File, and to them were
born seven children, of whom five are now living: Melvin O., Henry, Emma,
Theodore and William. The only daughter is now the wife of Willis Willard. The
mother passed away in 1889 and Mr. Dolley afterward wedded Mary Mohr, a daughter
of Claus and Margaret (Hanka) Mohr. By the second union there has been born one
child, Lena, now the wife of Henry Spahl, living near Ryan.
For many years Mr. Dolley worked hard and thus accumulated a competency. In the
fall of 1909 he took up his abode in Delhi, where he purchased an attractive
little home which he has since occupied. It was his intention to retire
altogether from business life, yet indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to
his nature and he says he has to do some work in order to feel at his best. In
politics he has always been a democrat, but never an office seeker, preferring
to concentrate his attention upon his private interests. He has been an
interested witness of the growth and development of this county for more than
six decades, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and
the progressive present. He has seen the wild lands claimed and converted into
good farms and as the years have gone on his labors have brought to him a
measure of success that is gratifying. At the same lime he has contributed to
the agricultural development of the county and in his business and other
relations has so conducted himself as to win the high respect of all who know
him. |
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