Louisa County Iowa Dotson Biographies

Biographical Sketches of Dodson and Dotson Pioneer Families


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From Frederick County, Maryland to Fayette County Pennsylvania to Louisa County, Iowa

Preface:

Joseph Dodson/Dotson is probably the Joseph in Chester County PA in a 1765 tax list, but was gone from there about two years later. It is believed he is the same Joseph who appears later in Frederick County Maryland, married to Catherine Plaine, and is the same Joseph, who with most of their adult children, migrated to Fayette County Pennsylvania around 1800. Children and grandchildren of one of their sons, Daniel, are found later migrating to Louisa County Iowa and appear in the history of that county.

From: History of Louisa County Iowa From its Earliest Settlement to 1911, Volume II. Arthur Springer, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1911. And also from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Louisa County, Iowa"


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 community 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 his labor. He worked at that trade in Pennsylvania, and after coining 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 twentythree 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.

SUSANNA DOTSON

On the 4th of December, 1856, Mr. (Alexander) Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Dotson, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to Louisa county. Iowa, in 1844. She is a daughter of Bazel S. and Mary (Davidson) Dotson. natives of Pennsylvania and England respectively. Both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been born nine children, as follows: Anna Letta, who married G. W. Schofield, of Wapello township; Juan Darilla, the wife of William Torode, of Louisa county; A. G., also of this county; T. T., a resident of the state of Washington; Adaline, who married William O. Syphrit. of Louisa county; Bertha, the wife of E. E. Campbell, also of this county; Frank, residing in this county; George, filling the position of express agent for the Rock Island Railroad Company; and Charles, yet at home. The mother of this family was called to her final rest on the 4th of December, 1900. She was a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind and was highly esteemed in the community.

Son of David:
SAMUEL DOTSON

Samuel Dotson. an enterprising and progressive business man of Wapello, is numbered among Louisa county's native sons, his birth here having occurred on the 25th of March, 1858. His parents, David and Mary (Jackman) Dotson, were born and reared in Pennsylvania, but resided for many years in Louisa county. They are now deceased, the father passing away at the age of eighty one years and the mother when seventy-nine years old. In their family were eight children, as follows: John, now deceased; Basil, of Nebraska; William, who has likewise passed away; O. Ella, who married Lafe Packwood, of Nebraska; Nancy Jane, deceased; Samuel, of this review; Hattie K.. at home; and George W., a resident of Wapello township.

Samuel Dotson was reared to farm life, acquiring his education in the country schools, and remained with his parents until after attaining his majority, assisting in the work of the fields and thereby gaining a thorough and practical knowledge of agriculture. When twenty-two years old he took up the carpenter's trade and since that time has divided his attention between that occupation and general agricultural pursuits. His home is located on a tract of fourteen acres, all of which is under cultivation and upon which he raises good crops, and he is also interested in Texas land, being the owner of ten lots in that state. In his trade he is proving himself capable and efficient, doing all kinds of general carpentering work, and in the conduct of both branches of his business he is meeting with gratifying results.

Mr. Dotson was married, on the 3d of February, 1909, to Mrs. Nellie E. (Brady) Allen, of Louisa county, who by her former marriage has two children, Roy and Samuel G., the latter four years old. By her marriage to Mr. Dotson she has become the mother of a daughter, Mary Evelena, one and a half years old. The religious faith of Mr. Dotson is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, and he also is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political support to the republican party and has held several minor township offices, including that of trustee, the duties of which he has ever performed in a most faithful, efficient and satisfactory manner. His life has been one of well directed activity and intelligent effort, resulting in the attainment of a fair measure of success, and wherever he is known he is honored by reason of his genuine worth and high personal character.


Bazzle S Dotson has several children and grandchildren referenced:

JOSEPH M. DOTSON. 

A veteran of the Civil war, Joseph M. Dotson is now living retired at Columbus Junction where he has made his home and has been favorably known for nearly forty years. He is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born February 21, 1837, a son of B. S. and Mary (Davidson) Dotson. The father was born in Maryland, but the mother was a native of England and emigrated to America in childhood, the families locating in Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and in 1844 Mr. Dotson arrived with his family in Des Moines county, Iowa. In 1849 ne removed to Louisa county and located upon government land in Wapello township. Here he built a frame cottage of two rooms which was one of the first frame buildings of the county and was regarded as an object of great interest by the early settlers. The father and mother continued to live at the old homestead during the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom survive, namely: Joseph M.; Sarah J., the wife of George Turner, of Washington; Mark, who makes his home in Louisa county; Harriet, now Mrs. E. Stevens, of Wapello; Irene, a resident of Spokane, Washington; Oliver P., of Eldon, Iowa; and Eva, the wife of George Deal, of Wapello.

Joseph M. Dotson, of this review, came to Louisa county with his parents and continued at home until after reaching his majority. Upon the breaking out of the Civil war he responded to the call of President Lincoln for defenders of the Union and enlisted in Company K, Second Iowa Cavalry, in which he served continuously for four years and two months. He participated in several of the great battles of the war and in many minor engagements, passing through almost unscathed, as he received only a slight wound on the head during the entire period named. He was a good soldier and was always to be found at his post of duty. He was honorably mustered out of service at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Louisa county, where he purchased seventy acres of land in Wapello township, and which he cultivated for two years. He then sold out and spent two years at Wapello, after which he rented a farm for a period of two years. In 1872 he located in Columbus Junction and entered the hotel business, which proved a successful venture. He gained an enviable reputation as a hotelkeeper on account of his pleasing manner and the generous accommodations available at his house and continued in the'business for twenty years. He has since lived in honorable retirement, being the owner of a handsome residence and of other property in Columbus Junction.

In October, 1865, Mr. Dotson was married to Miss Amanda C. Van Horn and to them was born a daughter, Buena V., who is the wife of F. Abrams, of Columbus Junction. Mrs. Dotson departed this life in 1867, and in 1868 Mr. Dotson was married to Josephine W- Welch, a native of Indiana, who has proven to him a true and helpful companion. Mr. Dotson cast his first vote for John C. Fremont as president of the United States and he has ever since continued as a stanch supporter of the republican party. He served with general acceptance as mayor of Columbus Junction and also as a member of the town board. A valiant soldier in the time of his country's need, he has been an honorable, energetic and progressive citizen, and in the evening of his life he enjoys a comfortable home and the respect of a large circle of friends. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also with the Grand Army of the Republic.

Eva E Dotson

On the 1st of January. 1880, Mr. (George R) Deihl was united in marriage to Miss Eva E. Dotson, a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Basil and Mary (Davison) Dotson who were born in Pennsylvania and England respectively. They came to this county in 1844 and here spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Dotson passing away in March, 1872. while his wife was called to her final rest in April, 1896. Their union was blessed with fourteen children, seven of whom are yet living. Mrs. Deihl was the youngest member of the family. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children, as follows: Blanch A., the wife of Stephen Pandel, of Louisa county; John D., the cashier of the State Savings Bank of Wapello; J. Ross, who was graduated from business, college and is,now an employe of Armour & Company of Chicago; Frank, who is now a high school student; and Margaret M.community.

Grandson of Bazzle, son of David:
THURMAN A. DOTSON. 



Thurman A. Dotson, a prosperous farmer of Wapello township, is the owner of an eighty- acre tract of land located on sections 34 and 35, known as the Twin Willow Farm. He is a native son of Louisa county, his natal day being September 22, 1867. He is a son of David, Jr., and Lydia A. (Bier) Dotson, the former born October 15, 1841, in Pennsylvania, and the latter in Louisa county. The father brought his family to Louisa county in an early day and here spent his remaining years, his death occurring in 1906. The mother still survives and yet makes her home in Louisa county on the old home place in Wapello township. Unto them were born five children: Thurman A., of this review; Sionilli, the wife of George Mellinger, of Louisa county; Bazella, the wife of William Westfall, also of this county; Etta, at home; and one who died in infancy.

Thurman A. Dotson was reared on the home farm, early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to the farm lad as he assisted in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting in the spring and summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district school. When he attained his majority he started out upon an independent business venture, choosing as his life work the occupation to which he was reared. For five years he operated rented land, and at the end of that time began the manufacture of brick and tile in Newport, which he conducted for four years. However, this did not prove congenial to him, and he disposed of his business interests and invested his money in the farm which is now his home, this tract comprising eighty acres on sections 34 and 35, Wapello township. His place, known as the Twin Willow Farm, is well improved with good buildings, while the land has been placed in good condition through the efforts of Mr. Dotson. He makes a specialty of raising seed corn and he also raises good grades of stock.

Mr. Dotson was married November 19, 1889, to Miss Minerva Jamison, who was born in Louisa county, January 29, 1872, a daughter of J. W. and Rachel (Vaughn) Jamison, likewise natives of this county and both still living, their biographies appearing on another page of this work. Mrs. Dotson is the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, and by her marriage has become the mother of a son and daughter: Walter Elsworth, who was born July 21, 1890, and is still with his parents; and Lois Alta, who was born May 6, 1897.

In his political views and affiliations, Mr. Dotson is a republican and at the present time is serving as assessor of his township, and he is also filling the office of school director. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church and they enjoy the high regard of a host of friends.



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