DANIEL DOTY was born in Essex county, New Jersey, on  the 23d of March, 1765.  When he arrived at manhood he formed the resolution of exploring the western country, the fame of whose fertility and beauty he had heard.  Accordingly, on Sept. 10, 1790, he left his home and proceeded to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburg), whence he descended the Ohio river in a flatboat to the then infant settlement of Columbia, at the mouth of the Little Miami river, where he arrived on October 23d.  Here he concluded to remain.  Almost his first experience was his enlistment as a member of the militia company of the place, of which Gano was captain and Ephraim Kirby was lieutenant.  At that time General Harmar wac commander of the military forces of the country, and John Cleves Symmes, the proprietor of the Miami country, was the chief magistrate and at the head of the civil department.
     General Harmar was then out on his expedition against the Indians.  He returned to Fort Washington about ten days after Mr. Doty landed at Columbia.  During the year 1791-2 the country was almost continually in a state of alarm, on account of of the depredations of the Indians.  Mr. Doty turned out with the company which went to the relief of Dunlap's station, in January, 1791.
     On Apr. 24, 1792, Dr. Doty left Columbia in a flatboat and descended the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, from whence he went by sea to New York and returned to his native home in New Jersey.  He remained there until the fall of 1795, when he returned to the Miami country.  Wayne's treaty with the Indians had previously been concluded at Greenville, and peace restored to the country.  In the spring of 1796 Mr. Doty, with his wife, Betsy, and their children, removed to near where Middletown now is, where he commenced an improvement on a tract of land which he had previously purchased.  Her he spent the remaining portion of his life, and died near where he had built his first log cabin.
     He built his first cabin on the bank of the Great Miami, about one mile below the present site of Middletown.  There were few settlers in the neighborhood.  There was a black-house inclosed by pickets, and a few cabin on the south side of the prairie, near Dick's creek.  His neighbors were Mr. Brady, Mr. Carson, John Reed and Joseph Henry.  No crops had been raised to supply those coming to the country, consequently Mr. Doty had to go to Cincinnati for provisions for his family.  He had to pay one dollar per bushel for corn meal, and then pack it home on horse back, where it was baked into "johnny cakes" on a clapboard before the fire.  As for meat, wild game was abundant and Mr. Doty took great delight in hunting.
     Mr. Doty was the first collector of taxes in the part of the county where he settled.  His district was twelve miles wide, from north to south, comprising two ranges of townships, extending from the Great Miami to the Little Miami rivers.  The whole amount of duplicate committed to him for collection was two hundred and forty-four dollars, of which he collected every dollar, and paid it over to Jacob Burnet at Cincinnati, who was then treasurer for the county of Hamilton.  Mr. Doty's own tax, for some years previous to his death, was upward of one hundred and thirty-four dollars - more than half the amount he had collected from the whole district when he was collector.  In the discharge of the duties of his office as collector he must have ridden more than one thousand miles.  For these services, including his time and expenses, he received one per cent, on the amount of the duplicate, - two dollars and forty cents, and no more.
     Mr. Doty lived to witness the Miami county transformed from a wilderness covered with dense forests, inhabited by wild beasts of prey, and Indians, to a high state of cultivation and improvement.  From a poor adventurer in a strange land, he became a man of wealth and influence in society.
     On Monday, May 8, 1848, Daniel Doty passed away, in the eighty-eighth year of his age.  His wife survived him many years.  To them were born twelve children, ten of whom survived and were brought up in the habits of industry.  All grew to maturity, married and lived respectably in the world.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 909

GEORGE R. DOTY.     At this point it is eminently fitting to enter a brief memorial tribute to one who stood as 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 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 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 initiates 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 one of signal usefulness and one marked by sincerity and inflexible integrity of purpose.  His educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period and he early learned the lessons of industry and personal responsibility, so that he was well fortified to play well his part on the stage of life's activities.  He was a man of strong mentality and distinct individuality, firm in his convictions, but ever tolerant and kindly in his judgment, so that he retained the regard and esteem of those with whom he came in contact in 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 widen 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 precinct of his home, to which he was ever devoted and which figured as the center of his hopes, ambitious and affections.  In politics he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, 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 hallowed 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 16th 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 10th 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 Stoutenburough, of Warren county; John Russell, who has charge of the home farm, and who married Elizabeth Stoutenborough, of Warren county; Sarah Jane, who is the wife of Edward Deardorff, and Homer, who died at the age of nineteen years. 
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 634

MRS. L. D. DOTY.    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 of one 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.
     Hugh Vail accompanied his father to the new home in the wilderness of Butler county about the year 1800, and a little later entered a large tract of land north of Middletown, which he cleared and on which he made a number of substantial improvements.  He was active in promoting the growth and development of the town, took the lead in directing its various business interests and for many years was a man of wide influence in the community.  He erected and for some years resided in a fine brick dwelling at the corner of Third and Clark streets, now owned by Mrs. Hiet, and later occupied the house on the corner of Curtis avenue and Fourth streets, now owned by Mr. Harwood.
     Miss Lydia J. Vail was born in Middletown, Nov. 15, 1833, and spent her childhood amid surroundings and under influences conducive to the best possible physical and mental development.  Her early home life was exceptionally exemplary, and in the schools of her native place she enjoyed the best educational advantages which the part of the state at that time afforded.  Being naturally studious and ambitious to excel, she spent several years in a high-grade academy conducted by Professor Nathaniel Furman, one of the leading educators in this part of the state fifty and sixty years ago.  In addition to a pretty thorough intellectual training in the above institution.  Miss Vail spent a number of years under the direction of the old-fashioned singing teachers, and was a member of the glee club directed by Stephen Vail, this with her general education making her one of the cultured and refined young ladies of Middletown.  She moved in the bet social circles of the place, enjoyed wide personal popularity among the large number of friends and acquaintances with whom she associated and stood high in the esteem of all with whom she came in contact.  On Apr. 11, 1850, was solemnized her marriage with L. D. Doty, a native of Butler county and a representative of one of the oldest families of Middletown, his grandfather settling on or near the site of the city about the beginning of the nineteenth century, or perhaps a little earlier.  Like the Vails the Dotys came from New Jersey and were among the intelligent, substantial and progressive people of Butler county, the name from an early date to the present time being synonymous with all that is honorable and upright in manhood and citizenship.  L. D. Doty was reared to agricultural pursuits, but in his young manhood took up the legal profession and after graduating from the law school at Cincinnati opened an office in Middletown, where he soon built up an extensive and very successful practice.  He rose to a conspicuous place among the leading members of the Butler county bar, enjoyed the reputation of an eminently honorable as well as able practitioner and achieved marked prestige in the profession to which his life and energies were devoted.
     In addition to his chosen calling, Mr. Doty always manifested an enthusiastic interest in the cause of education and religion and for many years was an influential member of the Baptist church of Middletown and a leader of the various auxiliaries under the auspices of the same.  He was active in promoting missions both at home and abroad; was a great Sunday school worker and long the efficient superintendent of the Baptist Sunday school.  Few theologians were as profound and critical and few excelled him in his knowledge of religious subjects in general.  Mr. Doty was for many years a power in public affairs and until the breaking out of the great Civil war he stood high in political circles as a leader of the Democratic party in the county of Butler.  Being a strong friend of the Union and an uncompromising foe of any agency tending to its dissolution, he became dissatisfied with the policy of his party and severed his connection therewith, threw his aid and influence with the Republican party of which he continued a strong and zealous supporter to the day of his death.  The life of Mr. Doty was a strenuous one, also successful in a material way and sufficient has been said to indicate the stand he always took in relation to public issues and moral questions.  He lived as nearly as possible according to his conception of right, exemplified in his relations with his fellow men the spirit of truth and righteousness by which he was ever animated and as a public-spirited citizen, keenly alive to the best interests of the community, state and nation, was easily the peer of any of his contemporaries.  This good man was called to his final reward on the 5th the October, 1902, and his memory is gratefully cherished by the people among whom he lived so long and so nobly and to whom he was largely indebted for much of the success he so signally achieved.
     The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Doty resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Annie, wife of Dr. T. E. Reed, of Middletown; Frank, a civil engineer of this city; Ida, who married Frank Marshall and resides in Atlanta, Georgia; Edna, now Mrs. E. H. Edson, of Kansas City, Missouri; Charles, who is connected with the United States mail service, and Lucile, who is still with her mother at the old home.
     Little of interest can be said of a woman wholly devoted to her home and domestic duties, whose life is a ceaseless round of activity, doing through all the best years of her life the humble work that lies before her.  And yet the labors and far-reaching influence of such a woman is impossible to measure by any worldly standard, for to her has been committed the high and holy office of making and presiding over the home; of bringing children into the world and of forming characters that are destined to live through the countless ages of time and eternity yet to be.  The noble tasks peculiar to wifehood and motherhood have been ably and unselfishly performed by the worthy lady of whom the biographer has essayed to write in the preceding paragraphs, and throughout a long and useful career she has well sustained the character and reputation which have won her the love and gratitude of her immediate family circle and the unbounded esteem of the community in which her life has so long been an influence for good and an inspiration to noble aims and ideals.  Hers has indeed been a full life, true to the highest conception of right, and thoroughly consecrated to the good of others, hence all who know her call her blessed and are proud to be numbered among her friends.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 641

MRS. MARTHA A. DOTY.      This estimable and well-known lady, whose life has been as an open book in which there are no pages marred 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, born 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 duty characteristic of the majority of prosperous country households.  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 Nov. 1, 1864.  Miss Harkrader entered the relations of matrimony, the husband of her choice being George R. Doty, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, Jan. 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 Sept. 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 true 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.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 637

WILLIAM C. DOWTY, fire marshal of the city of Hamilton, was born on the 14th of November, 1855, and has been a resident of Hamilton all his life.  He was the second child in a family of two sons and two daughters born to James Wilson and Anna (Matthias) Dowty, both of whom were natives of Butler county.  The father died of consumption in young manhood, thus ending a promising career of usefulness in1861, at the age of thirty-three years.  He was serving in the capacity of a county officer at the time of his death, and was prominent and well known in local political circles.  He was a young man of exemplary habits and a high order of intellectual attainments.  His wife was a daughter of Isaac Matthia, a well-known early pioneer of Butler county, and died in 1894, at the age of fifty-five years.  Both the Dowty and Mathias families came to this county from Pennsylvania and were of German extraction.  Mrs. Lida Eberling, of Hamilton, was the eldest child born to James W. and Anna Dowty, and William C. of this sketch was the second.  The third born was James Wilson, who tips the scale at three hundred pounds, and is employed as watchman at the county treasurer's office in Hamilton.  Carrie, the youngest of the quartette, died in infancy.
     William Dowty was reared and educated in the city of his birth, and when quite young learned the tinner's trade, a did also his brother, and they were in business together for a number of years.  In 1879 Mr. Dowty first became connected with the fire department and from that date he served three years in the capacity of "runner,"
 or pipeman, in 1882 becoming the driver of a hose wagon.  He filled this position, with entire satisfaction to his superiors and the city he served, for a period of eleven years, hence is one of the oldest men now connected with the department.  In October, 1903, he was appointed fire marshal, a position second in importance and authority to that of chief.  But aside from being the chief's assistant at fires, he has specific duties outside of that sphere.  The position carries with it a good salary, and the appointment of Mr. Dowty is a compliment worthily bestowed upon a faithful guardian of the city's interests.  He is prompt and reliable in the discharge of his official duties and is held in high esteem by his co-workers in their exciting and dangerous work.
     Mr. Dowty was married on the 7th of June, 1876, the lady of his choice being Ella, a daughter of Jacob and Isabel Rutter, of Princeton, Butler county, Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Dowty are the parents of four daughters, three of whom are popular young ladies in society, while the fourth is yet a student in the city high school.  Their names are Bessie, Pearl, Mina and Josephine.   The three first named are graduates of the high school, while the younger one is entering upon her second year's work in that institution.  The mother and daughters are much interested in religious work, and are worthy members of the Reformed church.  The only secret society with which Dowty is connected is Butler Court, Tribe of Ben Hur.  In political affiliations he is a Democrat, though not aggressive in politics.  He supports the candidates of his party, as bet representing his views on the political issues, and leaves the selection of candidates to the machinations of party manipulators.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 455