From: "1893 Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana: together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead"
Alexander Dotson 1826-1902
Alexander Dotson is a retired farmer of Elkhart county, Ind., who has fought the battle of life successfully, and after the burden and heat of the day, is living in the enjoyment of a competency which his early labors and
perseverance won him. His advent into this world occurred in Bedford county, Penn., October 13, 1826, to Samuel and Sarah (Moses) Dotson, who were also born in the Keystone State, the father's family being of Irish origin, and the mother's of German. The paternal grandfather emigrated from the Isle of Erin to America at an early day and settled in Pennsylvania, as did also the mother's family. Samuel Dotson was an iron manufacturer and worked for old Dr. Shonenberger, whose forge was in Blair county, Penn. He and his wife became the parents of five children that grew to maturity, only two members of which family are now living. Alexander was reared in Pennsylvania, in the subscription schools of which State he was educated. He helped to build the first free school house in Bedford county, Penn., at the town of Freedom, when eighteen years of age. He crossed the Alleghany Mountains and located in Venango county, Penn., where he was married in May, 1850, to Miss Catherine Downing, by whom he became the father of ten children, eight of whom survive: Samuel, Daniel, John, Charles, Mack, William, May and Nellie. In 1864 Mr. Dotson went to the lower oil regions of Ohio by steamboat, but remained in that State only a short time, coming to Elkhart county, Ind., in 1865, and here purchased a farm of 122 acres on "Two Mile Plain," where he lived a short time, then removed to where he now resides, purchasing 194 acres of land north of Elkhart, which he soon sold to the Hydraulic Company, with the exception of twelve acres on which his residence is situated and on which he is residing. This property is now nearly all in town lots. Mr. Dotson built the house in which he is living, and for his farm of 192 acres paid $11,500, but sold it six months later for $100 per acre, which netted him a handsome surplus. He soon after purchased 204 acres in Cleveland township, but after farming this land for three years sold out, and has since returned from active life. He is the owner of seven dwelling houses and a store building in Elkhart, and is in receipt of a very comfortable annual income. His second marriage was celebrated in October, 1891, to Mrs. Emeline (Yant) Conrod, a native of Ohio, who became the mother of five children by her first husband: Edward, Hattie, William, Clyde C. and Floyd N. Mr. Dotson is one of the substantial citizens of Elkhart county, and has numerous friends who wish him well. His honesty is well known; his kindness of heart is recognized and his liberality and public spirit are unquestioned.
