~ Robert Davidson ~

Robert Davidson, a popular resident of Palo Alto Township, Jasper County, was born in the North of Ireland, November 4, 1836, being the son of George and Jennie (Jamison) Davidson. His father was a native of the island of Jamaica, and throughout his entire life was engaged in sea-faring pursuits. At the age of five years Robert went to Scotland, where he grew to a sturdy manhood. Early orphaned by his father's death, he was obliged to become self-supporting, and had none of the advantages or pleasures now enjoyed by the young.

When about seventeen years or age, Mr. Davidson determined to immigrate to America, and accordingly, taking passage at Glasgow, he proceeded to Liverpool, and there boarded the steamer "City of Manchester." After an uneventful voyage of sixteen days he landed in Philadelphia, from which city he proceeded to Ohio, and for a number of years engaged in mining for coal in Mahoning County. In 1864 he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and has here been extensively engaged in coal mining and farming.

On the 26th of November 1855, Mr. Davidson and Miss Annie McVay were united in marriage. Mrs. Davidson was born in the North of Ireland October 3, 1836, and is a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Young) McVay, also natives of the North of Ireland, and descendant of Scotch ancestry. In 1854, in company with her mother and other members of the family, Mrs. Davidson immigrated to the United States, taking passage at Liverpool in a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of four weeks landing in the city of New York. The family settled in Mahoning County, Ohio, where Mrs. McVay died in May 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living, viz.: Margaret, who is the wife of Daniel Jenkins; John, who married Miss Wilhelmina Dittmar; Ella, Thomas A. and James M.

The farm owned and operated by Mr. Davidson consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres. He has made a success of life in every sense of the word, and by judicious investments and careful management has acquired a valuable property. His record in all the relations of life, and in the duties devolving upon him as an honorable man and loyal citizen, is the highest. In his political belief he binds himself to no organization, preferring to cast his ballot in support of the best men and the best principles, irrespective of political ties. In his social affiliations he is identified with the Masonic order at Newton.

There is in the development of every successful life a principle, which is a lesson to every man a lesson, which leads to higher and more honorable positions than the ordinary. Let a man be industrious, ambitious and honorable in his aspirations, and he will rise, whether having the prestige of family or the obscurity of poverty. Such has proved to be the case in the career of Mr. Davidson. He had in youth no advantages whatever, but, notwithstanding adverse circumstances, he has achieved success, and is now numbered among the most active and progressive of the citizens of Jasper County. Page 436.

~ John Davis ~

John Davis, who resides on section 9, Buena Vista Township, is one of the honored pioneers of Jasper County. As he has witnessed the growth and development of the county for many years, and has borne his part in its up building, he well deserves representation in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we present his sketch to our readers.

A native of Kentucky, Mr. Davis was born in Montgomery County, July 7, 1820,and is a son of Nathan and Nancy (Kidd) Davis, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia. The Davis family is of Welsh origin, and the father was a soldier in the War of 1812. He removed with his family to Montgomery County, Ind., becoming one of its early settlers. John was there reared to manhood and experienced the usual its slab seats, puncheon door, huge fireplace and other rude furnishings. The advantages of that day were not equal to those of the present, but through life he has been a great reader, and as he possesses a retentive memory he has made himself a well-informed man. The occupation to which he was reared has been his life work and we recognize in him a practical and progressive farmer.

Mr. Davis was married in Indiana in September 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Fleece, a native of Kentucky, who went to the Hoosier State with her parents and there grew to womanhood. By their union were born three children, two of whom are yet living: Mary C., wife of Milton Vanscoy, and Benjamin. George W. is deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Davis was again married, in 1854, his second union being with Mary Zimmerman, who was also born in Kentucky. They became the parents of ten children, seven of whom are now living: Henry C.; Uriah, Trustee of Buena Vista Township; Nancy J., Josephine, Anthony, Antonia and Charles. Ulysses and Robert F. are now deceased.

In 1854, Mr. Davis came to Jasper County, Iowa; and settled upon his present farm, but in its condition at that time it bore little resemblance to the highly improved and valuable place of today. Mr. Davis at one time owned three hundred and eighty-five acres of land, but he bas given a considerable portion to his children and now owns one hundred and twenty-eight acres. He is a self-made man and in his business dealings has been very successful. Walnut Grove Farm, which he now owns, is one of the most desirable places of the community and in connection with its cultivation he engages to some extent in raising stock. He possesses good business ability, and his well directed efforts have brought him a handsome competence.

In religious belief Mr. Davis is a Methodist, and in political sentiment he is a stanch Republican. His wife, too, was a faithful member of the Methodist Church. She passed away January 19, 1892, amid the deep regret of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteemed her highly for her many excellencies of character. This community has ever found in our subject a valued citizen, who manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare. Honorable and upright in all things, alike true to public and private trusts, he has the confidence and good wishes of all who know him, and is respected by young and old, rich and poor. Page 416.

Contact Tracy Turek, E-mail: Fezz1@aol.com for more informayion.

~ Henry C. DeWolf ~

A man's life work is the measure of his success, and he is truly the most successful man who, turning his powers into the channel of an honorable purpose, accomplishes the object of his endeavor. He who weds himself to a great principle lays the foundation of a successful life. In the study of every man's life we find some mainspring of action, something he lives for. In Henry C. De Wolf it seems to have been an ambition to make the best use of his native and acquired powers and to develop in himself a true manhood. A native of Vernon, Ohio, born November 11,1843, he is the son of Henry C. and Lucy Hobert, both of whom were natives of Vernon, Ohio.

T. R. De Wolf, the grandfather, was born in the Nutmeg State, and his father, Joseph De Wolf, was a Frenchman. The family first settled at Vernon, Ohio, in 1805, and the grandfather, T. R. De Wolf, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was an educated man, far in advance of his time, and served two terms in the Legislature, being a leader among the people of his section. He was a prominent member of the Christian Church, and died at Vernon in 1862. He had several brothers, three of them prominent physicians. His brother Joseph was one of the most noted physicians of his time. The father of our subject had one brother, A. B. De Wolf, who was a prominent physician at St. Charles, Ill.

The original of this notice was but one year of age when his father died (1844). His mother was one of ten children, all of whom had names commencing with L. Her father was one of the pioneers of Vernon, Ohio. She died in 1853, when our subject was ten years of age, and the latter went to live with his Grandfather De Wolf. He was the only son, but had one sister who grew up; she married W. H. Curley, and died in Prairie City.

Grandfather De Wolf, being a man of wealth, gave our subject good educational advantages, and he was a student at Hiram College, in Portage County, Ohio, when the Rebellion broke out. In November 1863, he left school and enlisted in Company F, Sixth Ohio Cavalry, and was with General Grant's army all through the Virginia campaign. He participated in many prominent engagements during the two years he was in service, and was promoted to tile rank of Second Lieutenant, holding that position when the war closed. He was present at the surrender of General Lee, April 9, 1865, and was honorably discharged July 8, 1865, after serving most faithfully.

Returning to Ohio, he remained there but a short time and then turned his face toward the setting sun, determined to find a home in the west. He first went to Wisconsin, where his sister was then living, and after traveling over the northwest, finally came to Iowa, and liking the outlook at Prairie City, he decided to locate here. He had some means, and in company with others he engaged in the dry goods business under the firm name of Bartlet, Sheldon & De Wolf. Since that time he has been engaged in the dry-goods business, but there has been many changes in the firm, and he has remained with it through all changes. At the present time the firm is H. C. De Wolf & Co. Mr. De Wolf is a careful, thoroughgoing man of business, and made money from the start. He is now one of the wealthy men of the place, although about 1892 he lost $30,000 by the failure of the Citizens' Bank.

Mr. De Wolf was married in 1868 to Miss L. Tibbles, a native of Ft. Washington, Wis. Her father at that time was a hotel man at Prairie City, and she is a lady of superior education. Four children have been born to them, only two now living. Clara lived to be eighteen years of age; Laura died when seventeen years of age, and at the time of her death was a student in Iowa College; Leeta is now nine years of age, and Elsie seven. Mr. De Wolf is a Knight Templar in Masonry, and is one of the charter members of the Council at Newton. He has been Master of the blue lodge five years. He is also a Grand Army man and the present Commander, a position he has held for five years. Mrs. De Wolf is quite a worker in the Woman's Relief Corps and was Secretary for two years. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one of the Trustees, but his special work has been in the Sunday school, to which he is much devoted, having been Superintendent for eighteen years in succession. Page 275.

~ Joel Dodge ~

One of the finely improved farms of Jasper County is located in Malaka, and is the property of Mr. Dodge, who, through perseverance and tile exercise of good judgment has gained a prominent place among the agriculturists of the community. The farm consists of two hundred and eighty acres, upon which, in 1888, he erected a suitable equipment of substantial buildings. He has also introduced other valuable improvements, and has placed the soil under a high state of cultivation.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Dodge were among the earliest settlers of Sullivan County, their home being on the Delaware River. His father, Israel I., was born there in 1804, and at an early age became familiar with the work incident to pioneer life. In his youth he was employed in lumbering, but later engaged in farming. In 1858, he came to Iowa and settled in Jasper County, where he acquired the ownership of one hundred and eighty acres. He still makes his home in this county, although now, owing to the infirmities of age, he is retired from active work. A man of mild and kind disposition, generous and persevering, he is popular among the people of the community where he has for years resided. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Israel I. Dodge was thrice married, his first wife having been a Miss Green, by whom he had two children: Israel, who died in the army in 1862, and Elmira, who lives in Postville, Iowa. Unto the union of Israel I. and Betsey (Fitch) Dodge, there were born five children, four of whom are living: Bessie, Emma, Ida and Joel. The third marriage was childless. The only son was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., November 27, 1839, and was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, meantime conducting his studies in the schoolhouses, which, with their primitive furnishings, bear a marked contrast to the complete and cozily furnished buildings of today. At the opening of the Civil War, his sympathies were on the side of the Union, and August 26, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Tenth Iowa Infantry, Captain Garrett commanding. He served for fifteen months, and participated in a number of important engagements, including the two days' battle of Corinth. In the latter battle he was wounded in the hand and thigh, losing the use of the former from the effects of the injury. He now draws a pension of $24 per month.

At Liberty, N. Y., December 19, 1867, Mr. Dodge was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of David Gage. Mrs. Sarah Dodge was born in New York, November 11, 1839, and died November 16, 1879. Her three children were: Anna, who was born October 4, 1868; Flora E., December 16, 1873; and Arthur J., November 11, 1879. The second marriage of Mr. Dodge occurred February 8, 1882, and united him with Miss Asenath K. Kerr. Her father, George Kerr, was one of the early settlers of Fayette County, Iowa, where he located in 1852. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Dodge, namely: Edith N., who was born May 4, 1883; Bessie B., April 13, 1885; Mabel, July 17,1887; Imogene, May 12,1889; and Wallace K., October 27, 1891, all of whom are living.

While not an active worker in party affairs, Mr. Dodge is a stalwart adherent to Democratic principles, and upon the ticket of that party was elected Assessor of his township in 1893. With his wife he holds membership in the Congregational Church, to the support of which he is a generous contributor. He takes an active interest in all measures calculated to advance the welfare of the people, and is numbered among the public-spirited citizens of the community. Page 461.

~ Charles A. Dotson ~

In a record comprising the history of the principal old settlers of Jasper County, the name of Mr. Dotson cannot properly be omitted. In May 1848, he came to this county and located in Poweshiek Township, where he entered a tract of land that had not yet been placed on the market. Under his judicious management the property has become highly productive, and he now owns two hundred and forty-five acres, upon which, for many years he conducted general farming and stock raising. Since 1889 he has resided in Colfax, where he lives somewhat retired from active business cares.

In this connection it will not be inappropriate to mention, somewhat briefly, the parental history of our subject. His father, Henry Dotson, was a native of Greene County, TN, and was reared to farming pursuits, following throughout his entire life the occupation of a farmer. After his marriage, he removed to Indiana, about 1826, and located on land which he entered from the Government and which was situated in Morgan County. There he cleared and improved a farm and continued to make his home until 1839, when he removed to Edgar County, IL, and for two or three years rented a farm there.

Coming to Iowa in 1848, Henry Dotson entered a tract of land from the Government, and with the assistance of his sons cleared and improved a farm. There he remained until the death of his wife, after which he made his home with our subject until his demise, at the age of seventy-five.

In politics he was a Whig. A man of liberal spirit and progressive ideas, he was a valued citizen in every community in which he resided, and possessed noble qualities of heart and mind, which endeared him to all his associates. But little can be learned of his ancestry, but it is supposed that his father was a native of Virginia.

The mother of our subject born the maiden name of Saluda Shelton, and was born and reared in Virginia. Her death occurred at the age of fifty-five. She was the mother of four sons and three daughters, all of whom attained years of maturity, and all are now living, with one exception. Our subject, the second in order of birth, remained with his parents until he was fourteen years old, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a wheelwright. Not satisfied with that occupation, he commenced learning the trade of a tanner and currier, at which he served an apprenticeship of five years in Morgan County, IN. Later he followed his trade for two years.

After spending a year upon a farm in Kentucky, Mr. Dotson removed to Illinois where, in 1842, married Miss Miriam York, a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Swaford) York, who were born in North Carolina. Mrs. Dotson was born November 30, 1820, and remained in the state of her birth until sixteen years of age, when she went to Illinois, residing in that state until her marriage. In 1842, immediately following his marriage, Mr. Dotson located in Jasper County, IL, where he remained until May of 1848, the date of his arrival in Jasper County, Iowa.

As a farmer, Mr. Dotson is energetic, prudent and judicious, a man of abundant energy and tireless industry. As a result of his efforts, he brought his farm in Poweshiek Township under excellent tillage and embellished the land with a commodious dwelling, barns and granaries. While he has devoted his attention mainly to agriculture, he has not been unmindful of his duties as a citizen, and has maintained a deep interest in all matters of local and national importance. In politics he adheres to the Republican Party. He has been elected to various positions of matter, having served as Trustee of the township, Road Supervisor and School Director, as well as in other positions of responsibility.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Dotson has resulted in the birth of eleven children, six of whom are living. Eli E. was born in Jasper County, IL, and is now engaged in farming and stock raising in Washington Township, Jasper County. Mary I. is the wife of John Rhodes, of North Dakota; Lizzie A. married Seymour McFarland of Chicago; Sadie, Mrs. Hurst, with her two sons, Glenn and Dale, makes her home with her parents; Charlie L. is a resident of Des Moines; Julia B. is the wife of W. M. Reese, and lives in Davenport, Iowa.

In his social connections Mr. Dotson is identified with Riverside Lodge No. 389, A. F. & A. M. In the Christian Church, of which he has been a member for many years, he is serving as Treasurer. He is a generous contributor to all religious and benevolent enterprises. He is justly regarded as one of the solid reliable citizens of Colfax and in every department of life he has always been faithful to his duties and responsibilities, and as a husband, father, neighbor and citizen, it may truly be said that his character is such as to inspire respect and esteem. p. 214.

~ Hon. E. E. Dotson ~

Hon. E. E. Dotson, a well known citizen of Jasper County, and the owner of a finely improved farm situated in Washington Township, engages in agricultural pursuits upon three hundred and twenty-four acres which he owns At the time of locating upon this place, he purchased eighty acres upon which a few improvements were noticeable. As the years have passed by, he has been enabled through constant effort and judicious management to add to his property, until his estate is now one of the largest, as well as one of the best and handsomest, in the township.

Born in Edgar County, Ill., February 20, 1847, the subject of this notice is the second child of C. A. and Miriam (York) Dotson. When one year and five months old, he was brought to Jasper County by his parents, with whom he remained until 1866, meantime conducting his studies in a log schoolhouse in Poweshiek Township. He then entered the preparatory course of Iowa College at Grinnell, and after conducting his studies in that institution for some time, engaged in teaching school at Colfax for thirteen months, and also taught at various schools throughout the county.

The first marriage or Mr. Dotson occurred October 20, 1867. In 1870 he located upon a farm of his own in Poweshiek Township; where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and school teaching for six years. In 1876 he came to the farm where he has since resided, and where he engages in the raising and feeding of livestock, principally hogs and cattle. At the present time (1893) he has about one hundred and twenty head or cattle, in addition to other stock of high grade. As an agriculturist and stockman, he is industrious and level-headed, and the success which he has attained is richly merited. He has served as a member of the Jasper County Agricultural Society, and is at present one of its directors.

Alike in private life and public affairs, Mr. Dotson has proved himself the friend of progress and development. He has held a number of important positions, and is a prominent member of the Republican Party. In 1879 he was elected Representative of his district in the Legislature, where he served with such acceptance to the people that he was re-elected in 1881. While filling that position, he was Chairman of the Committee on Schools. Socially, he affiliates with Riverside Lodge No. 399, A. F. & A. M., at Colfax, and the Silver Spray Lodge No.4, K. P., of Colfax.

Mr. Dotson again married in 1886. Mrs. Dotson is a lady of great worth of character, and while she is popular in social circles, her interest chiefly centers in the welfare of her husband and children, to whom she is devoted. Mr. Dotson's children are nine in number: Ulysses S., who is engaged in teaching school on the Pacific Coast in Washington; Charles, a student in the Portland (Oregon) University; Sarah B., the wife of Edward Bolen of Poweshiek County, Iowa; Eli E., Jr., who is a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa; Seymour H. and Hugh Logan, who are at home. Three children are deceased, viz: Lizzie, formerly the wife of Charles Triplett; Mamie, who died at the age of three years; and Webbie, who died in infancy. Page 472