Bartholomew-Franklin County IN Archives Biographies.....Doty, William A. 1850 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 24, 2007, 12:46 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) WILLIAM A. DOTY. Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of central Indiana is the subject of this sketch. His life most happily illustrates what may be accomplished by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his connection with various business enterprises and industries have been a decided advantage to this section of Indiana, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner. William A. Doty is a native of Franklin county, Indiana, his birth having occurred in Mount Carmel, on the 27th of July, 1850. He is a son of John and Caroline (Ardery) Doty. His father was born in Indiana in November, 1823, and the mother's birth occurred in Franklin county. She died, however, when her son William was only thirteen years of age and the father soon afterward came to Bartholomew county, where he first rented a tract of land. When he had gained a sufficient capital, however, he purchased a farm, becoming the owner of one hundred acres, upon which he made some improvements. Farming has been his life work and he died January 19, 1904, at the age of eighty years. Viewed from any standpoint his life might be said to be a success, for he gained prosperity in his business-career and won for himself an enviable reputation because of his fidelity to honorable principles and manly actions. His study of the political issues of the day led him to give an earnest support to the Democracy. He held membership in the Christian church and was ever true to its teachings, realizing that after all the only thing of real value in this world is a character that is above reproach. One may acquire wealth, but this cannot be carried beyond the grave. The good deeds of the individual, however, follow him and gain him entrance into the eternal life. Mr. Dory's children are as follows: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Joseph Viley, a farmer of Bartholomew county; William A.; Frank, who wedded Mary Morris and is a farmer who owns property in Columbus and also a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Rock Creek township; Martha, the wife of Henry Smith, a resident farmer of Butler county, Ohio: Catherine, the wife of Ellis Smith, also an agriculturist; and Carrie, the wife of John Smith. William A. Doty has always lived in Indiana and in the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared, attending the public schools through the winter months while in the summer seasons he worked upon his father's farm. Agricultural pursuits have also claimed his attention since he has attained to man's estate and at one time he was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in this county, devoted to farming purposes. He is well known as a stock dealer, buying, feeding and selling cattle, hogs and sheep. He also deals to some extent in horses and he is an excellent judge of stock of all kinds so that he is enabled to make judicious purchases and to realize a good profit upon his investments. Mr. Doty also deals in real estate, buying and selling land, and he keeps well informed concerning realty values in this part of Indiana. He is a man of keen foresight and excellent business sagacity and takes advantage of many opportunities which would be lost upon others if they had not the ability to see and recognize them. Mr. Doty owns a third interest in the Grammar Telephone Company, which corporation owns and controls thirty-five miles of telephone line. His home is a very attractive residence in Grammar and he has other town property. Mr. Doty has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Martha Morris, a daughter of John R. and Minerva (Robertson) Morris, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of William Morris, who is now county auditor of Bartholomew county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Doty were born three children: Frank, who was formerly a physician, but is now engaged in the practice of dentistry in Old Mexico. He married Pearl Smith, a daughter of Jonathan Smith, and for his second wife he chose Gertrude Long. Minerva, the second child of Mr. Doty, is at home and has been well educated along literary and musical lines. Lola, the youngest child, is attending school. For his second wife Mr. Doty chose Miss Mollie Elliott, a daughter of J. Q. and Elizabeth Elliott. Her father was a farmer who resided in Decatur county, Indiana, and there died in the year 1895. In his family were four children: Wilbur; Mrs. Doty; Ella, who is the wife of Arthur Doty, a brother of the subject now employed in the bicycle factory in Indianapolis; and George, who occupies a position in a factory in East St. Louis, Illinois. Mr. Doty gives an earnest support to the Democracy and keeps well informed on the issues of the day so that he is enabled to support his position by intelligent argument. For two terms he has served as township trustee, being called to this office by the vote of his fellow townsmen who recognized his worth and ability. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church and by his activity in its work, his efforts for the extension of its influence and: the accomplishment of its mission. Mr. Doty is a man of pleasing appearance, with a strong face, a genial manner and a self-reliant nature. His sterling qualities have made him popular and he is well liked throughout the community. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation as a business man and at all times is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and position. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/doty751gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 6.4 Kb