Born in Edgar county, Illinois, on February 20, 1847, and was brought to Jasper county, Iowa, in June, 1848, by his parents. He was reared on the home farm and attended the common schools. Then, showing a fondness for books and education beyond that of most farm boys, he attended Grinnell College. For several terms he taught school in Jasper County and for a time in Colfax, and in this capacity became well known, and because of his forceful personality and mastery of his profession he exerted a strong influence for good on the pupils who came under his instruction. He became the owner of a large tract of land west of Colfax in Washington Township, and resided on the farm from 1876 to 1897, during which time he prospered. In 1897 he moved to Colfax. At the organization of the First National Bank of Colfax Mr. Dotson became vice president and later cashier, and his ability had much to do with the progress and prosperity of that institution. Mr. Dotson is a Republican in politics and early held the offices of township clerk, trustee, member of the school board, and other local offices. In 1879 he was elected to the Iowa Legislature from Jasper County, and re-elected in 1881. He served in the sessions of 1880 and 1882, and in the latter session was chairman of the committee on schools, which was in that session one of the most important committees, as several significant laws in regard to education were considered by the Assembly. Here Mr. Dotson's experience and reputation as a teacher had equipped him to render efficient service. Mr. Dotson has been chairman of the county central committee and has long been very active in county and state politics. In fraternal relations he is a member of the Masons, the Mystic Shrine, and the Knights of Pythias. In 1868 Mr. Dotson was married in Jasper County to Mary Ellen Hurst, the daughter of Alfred Hurst. Mr. Dotson is well known to the people of Colfax, and they fully realize the value of his services to the community and the worth of his character.

Born in Edgar county, Illinois, on February 20, 1847, and was brought to Jasper county, Iowa, in June, 1848, by his parents. He was reared on the home farm and attended the common schools. Then, showing a fondness for books and education beyond that of most farm boys, he attended Grinnell College. For several terms he taught school in Jasper County and for a time in Colfax, and in this capacity became well known, and because of his forceful personality and mastery of his profession he exerted a strong influence for good on the pupils who came under his instruction. He became the owner of a large tract of land west of Colfax in Washington Township, and resided on the farm from 1876 to 1897, during which time he prospered. In 1897 he moved to Colfax. At the organization of the First National Bank of Colfax Mr. Dotson became vice president and later cashier, and his ability had much to do with the progress and prosperity of that institution. Mr. Dotson is a Republican in politics and early held the offices of township clerk, trustee, member of the school board, and other local offices. In 1879 he was elected to the Iowa Legislature from Jasper County, and re-elected in 1881. He served in the sessions of 1880 and 1882, and in the latter session was chairman of the committee on schools, which was in that session one of the most important committees, as several significant laws in regard to education were considered by the Assembly. Here Mr. Dotson's experience and reputation as a teacher had equipped him to render efficient service. Mr. Dotson has been chairman of the county central committee and has long been very active in county and state politics. In fraternal relations he is a member of the Masons, the Mystic Shrine, and the Knights of Pythias. In 1868 Mr. Dotson was married in Jasper County to Mary Ellen Hurst, the daughter of Alfred Hurst. Mr. Dotson is well known to the people of Colfax, and they fully realize the value of his services to the community and the worth of his character.