WI BIO - Dane Co - DOTY, Erastus E.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 633-634

Erastus E. DOTY, a well known and highly respected farmer of Burke Township, 
Dane County, WI, was born in the town of Grove, Allegany County, NY, 20 Mar 
1834. His father, Edward DOTY, was, it is thought, a native of CT. Little 
is known of the early life of the grandfather our subject. The father was 
reared to agricultural pursuits, and he gave his attention to farming in 
Allegany and Livingston Counties, NY, until his removal to IL in 1864, from 
Livingston County, NY. Edward DOTY purchased a farm in McHenry County, IL, 
and passed his remaining years in IL, his death occurring at a ripe age in 
1866. Edward DOTY was twice married; his second wife was Permelia (LOMBARD) 
BUTTON. He was a Presbyterian, true to the faith until the end, and a Whig 
in politics in early life, and became a steadfast Republican after the 
formation of the party, until his death.

Erastus E. DOTY was very young when his parents removed to Livingston County, 
NY, and there he was reared and educated. He resided there until he was 23 
years of age, and then began his independent career as a farmer by working 
land on shares in Blooming Grove Township, Dane County, WI, for two years. 
At the expiration of that time he purchased 20 acres of land in the town of 
Burke, Dane County, WI, upon which he located, and which he cultivated in 
connection with his brother-in-law's farm of 160 acres. [p 634] Two years 
later he bought 80 acres of land on section 13, Burke Township, of which 60 
acres are included in his present farm, which now comprises 150 acres of well 
improved land, provided with a good class of buildings, and everything about 
the place is kept in fine order.

Erastus E. DOTY was married in 1858 to Amanda Melissa HILL. She is likewise 
a native of NY, born in Livingston County, in Sep 1835, a daughter of Samuel 
and Fanny (CHITTENDEN) HILL. The pleasant marriage of Erastus E. and Amanda 
Melissa (HILL) DOTY has been hallowed by the birth of four children: Fora, 
Frank, Alice, and Maxwell Dorr. Maxwell D. is a lad at school; Alice is a 
student at the Whitewater Normal School [Walworth Co., WI]. The two elder 
have also been liberally educated and are teachers. Frank, a graduate of the 
State University, is principal of the schools at Las Vegas [San Miguel 
County], NM; Flora was educated in the city schools of Madison, WI. The 
family are all members of the Episcopal Church, and are of high social 
standing in the community.

Erastus E. DOTY is a Republican of unshaken principles and has borne an 
honorable part in the public life of his township, which he has served as 
Assessor. He was also a member of the Town Board six years, acting as 
Chairman three years. He is a man of sound character and exemplary habits, 
who is straightforward in his dealings, and enjoys the full confidence of his 
neighbors and friends.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly