The Doty Families of Butler County, Ohio

GEORGE R. DOTY.

At this point it is eminently fitting to enter a brief memorial tribute to one who stood as a leading and influential citizen of Lemon township, where his entire life was passed and where he ever commanded the most unequivocal confidence and esteem, being a man of sterling character and one who lived an upright, earnest and fruitful life, so that his name merits a place of honor upon the roll of those who have dignified Butler county by their lives and services. Mr. Doty devoted his life to the great basic industry of agriculture, in connection with which he attained distinctive success and prestige, his beautiful farmstead being now owned and occupied by his widow.

George Russell Doty was born where Middletown now stands, in Lemon township, this county, on the 2d of January, 1836, and on the ancestral estate he continued to live until he was summoned into eternal rest, his death having occurred on the 23d of September, 1876. He was a son of Joseph and Mary (Vail) Doty, whose marriage was solemnized on the 16th of December, 1832. The father was born in 1808 and the mother in 1814, and both were representatives of families which settled in Butler county in the early pioneer epoch. The farm now owned by the widow of the subject of this memoir was secured from the government by the paternal grandfather of the subject, and was heavily timbered and entirely unreclaimed when he took up his residence here and set himself to the strenuous task of improving a farm in the midst of the primeval forest. Upon the death of this honored pioneer his son Joseph came into possession of a part of the old homestead, and here he passed the residue of his life, having been one of the prominent and influential men and successful farmers of Lemon township, and upon his death this fine property came into the possession of him whose name initiated this sketch. Thus George Russell Doty practically passed the entire span of his life on a part of the farm which was his birthplace, while it was his < to uphold and heighten the honor of the; name which he bore, his life having been 1 one of signal usefulness and one marked by t sincerity and inflexible integrity of purpose, s His educational advantages were such as I were afforded in the common schools of the i locality and period and he early learned the s lessons of industry and personal responsibility, so that he was well fortified to play ik e well h,s part on the stage of life’s activities. - He was a man of strong mentality and dis- ' tmct indmduality, firm in his convictions, but ever tolerant and kindly in his judgment, 3 so that he stained the regard and esteem 1 of those with whom he came in contact in 1 the various relations of life. He was broad in his intellectual capacity and was an appreciative reader, keeping himself well informed on the questions of the day and showing the same interest which led him to apply himself so diligently to study when a youth. In his early life he worked hard during the day and studied nights in order to siden his scope of knowledge, and thus he became a man of liberal education, having been especially proficient in mathematics. He was progressive and enterprising and made his farm one of the model places of the county, while he was a good neighbor, a loyal citizen and a kind and indulgent husband and father, the strength and beauty of his noble character being most in evidence in the sacred precincts of his home, to which he was ever devoted and which figured as the center of his hopes, ambitions and affections. In politics he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic part, and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Doty also is a devoted member. The fine homestead farm comprises one hundred and eighty-four acres, and is equipped with the best of permanent improvements, including a substantial and attractive two-story brick residence and other excellent farm buildings. Mrs. Doty still remains on the homestead, which is allowed to her by the memories and associations of the past, and the management of the farm is in the hands of her son, who is one of the able and popular citizens of this part of the county, where he has resided during the entire course of his life.

On the 1 6th of November, 1864, was solemnized the marriage of George R. Doty to Miss Martha Ann Harkrader, who was born in Lemon township, this county, on the loth of June. 1844, being a daughter of John and Sally (Kyle) Harkrader. Of this union were born four children, namely: Mary S., who is now the wife of Charles Stoutenbu rough, of Warren county; John Russell, who has charge of the home farm, and who married Elizabeth Stouten bo rough, of Warren county: Sarah Jane, who is the wife of Edward Deardorff. and Homer, who died at the age of nineteen years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

, This estimable and well-known lady, whose life has been as an open book in which there are no pages married or soiled by conduct unbecoming true womanhood, and whose influence has always made for the good of the large circle of friends with whom she associated, is a native of Warren county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Sarah Harkrader. John Harkrader’s father was Benjamin Harkrader, and his wife was the daughter of Samuel Kyle, both families having been among the early settlers and substantial citizens of Warren county.

Martha A. Harkrader was born June 10. 1844, grew to maturity on a farm and early became accustomed to the routine of characteristic of the majority of prosperous country household. When young she accompanied her parents on their removal to Butler county, and in the district schools of Lemon township, where the family settled, obtained a fair English education. Meantime in the rugged school of experience she received a practical training which fitted her for the duties of womanhood and until her twentieth year she remained under the parental roof, assisting her mother by every means at her command. On November 1 6, 1864, Miss Harkrader entered the relations of matrimony, the husband of her choice being George R. Doty, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 2, 1836. The Dotys came originally from New Jersey and were among the early settlers of Butler county. The first of the family to become residents of this part of Ohio were Daniel C. and Elizabeth (Crane) Doty, who settled in what is now Lemon township, about the year 1800; among the children of this couple was a son by the name of Joseph Doty, who married, when a young man. Miss Mary Vail, daughter of Samuel Vail, a soldier of the war of 1812, the union resulting in the following sons and daughters: George R., Gilbert H.,

Ruth Jane and Zina Doty. George R. Doty, the oldest of this family, was reared to agricultural pursuits and after his marriage with Miss Harkrader engaged in farming for himself and made.that vocation his life work. He became a man of considerable local prominence, was highly esteemed as an energetic, public-spirited citizen and took an active interest in whatever made for the material development and moral advancement of his community. In politics he wielded a strong, influence for the Democratic party. In religion he was a prominent member of the Baptist church and in all essentials of manhood and citizenship he was easily the peer of any of his friends and associates. He died on September 23, 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Doty were born four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Mary, John Russell, Sarah Jane and Homer.

Socially Mrs. Doty and her family stand among the best and most widely respected people of Lemon township and the name has long been synonymous with integrity and the high sense of honor which never fail to gain and retain public confidence. A shining example of tine wifehood and motherhood, and a typical representative of the intelligent. clear-brained, practical class of women whose sterling virtues and devotion to duty contribute so much to the stability and moral tone of society, Mrs. Doty has made her influence felt for good in the community and all who enjoy the privilege of her acquaintance speak in high terms of her beautiful Christian character and the many amiable qualities which make her life worthy of emulation.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

This estimable and popular lady is second in a family of four children. Her father was Hugh Vail, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of New Jersey, and the maiden name of her mother was Jane Porter. The Vails came to Butler county during the. pioneer period and settled on the site of Middletown. Stephen Vail, grandfather of Mrs. Doty, made the original plat of the town in the year 1802, placed the first lots on the market and was the real founder of what has since become one of the most important industrial and general business centers in the county of Butler, also one of the most beautiful and flourishing cities in the southern part of Ohio.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.