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         DAVID DOTSON, SR., one of the early settlers of Louisa County, now residing on section 34, Wapello Township, was born in Fayette County, Pa., Oct. 18, 1818, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Sutton) Dotson, the father a native of Maryland, and the mother of New Jersey. In their younger years the parents removed to Pennsylvania, where they were married, and eight children were born to them, six of whom lived to be adults, and two are yet living: Esther, widow of John White, whose home is in Louisa County, and our subject. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and also engaged in carpentering. In his political views he was an old-line Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were everywhere known for their integrity and just lives, and had the confidence and good-will of the entire com- . . .

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. . . munity in which they resided. In 1840 the death of Mr. Dotson occurred, and six years later his wife departed this life.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent in Fayette County, Pa., until seventeen years of age, and there he received a good common-school education. Choosing the trade of carpentering for his life work he became an apprentice, serving a term of three years, for which he received his board and clothing as a compensation for labor. He worked at that trade in Pennsylvania, and after coming to this county the first work obtained was on the Jamison House.

In 1846 Mr. Dotson and Miss Mary Jackman were united in marriage. The lady is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Woodfield) Jackman, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Jackman were the parents of seven children, three of whom are yet living: Catherine, wife of William Taylor, of Jefferson County, Ohio; Bernard, who is living in Columbiana County, Ohio, and Mrs. Dotson. The parents, who were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in Pennsylvania.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dotson five children yet living have been born: Bazzle, who married Miss Eliza Jane Paisley, is now a resident of Shelby, Neb.; Oella, wife of LaFayette Packwood, of Des Moines County, Iowa; Samuel, who lives in Louisa County; Hattie and George, who are at home.

In 1854, accompanied by his family, Mr. Dotson came by boat to Louisa County, landing at Port Louisa. The country was then in a wild, uncultivated state, but settling on section 25, Wapello Township, he immediately began to develop a farm. He first moved his family into a brick house which was owned by a Mr. Bell, but the following year built a home of his own. He there resided until 1865, when he sold out and moved to the farm where he now resides, on section 34 of the same township, which has now been his home for twenty-three years. When he first came to the county the nearest trading post was Wapello, and his crops had to be hauled there in wagons. Many hardships incident to pioneer life had to be encountered, but with a determination to succeed Mr. Dotson overcame all difficulties, and by industry and economy has become one of the well-to-do farmers of the county, now owning 210 acres of land, 160 of which are highly cultivated. In his political views in early life Mr. Dotson was a Whig, and cast his first vote for Gen. W. H. Harrison, but on the dissolution of that party, and the organization of the Republican in 1856, he joined the latter, and has since been one of its supporters. Strictly honest in his dealings, his word is as good as his bond. He and his wife are members of the Holiness Church.