Representative Eli Euphrates Dotson View All Years

HON. ELI DOTSON

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorating the life and service of the Honorable Eli Dotson, late of Jasper county, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following memorial:

Eli Euphrates Dotson was the son of Charles A. Dotson and Marion Dotson, born in Edgar county, Illinois, February 20, 1847. He came with his parents to Jasper county, Iowa, on March 20, 1848, and his parents at that time located on the homestead about two and one-half miles north of Colfax, Iowa, where he spent his boyhood days. He attended the rural schools, Mitchellville Seminary, and graduated from Grinnell College. He taught in the rural schools and later was principal of Colfax High School for several years. He served in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth General Assemblies. He was a member of Riverside Lodge No. 389, A. F. & A. M.; Geber Chapter, Knights Templar, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and Eastern Star. He was married to Mary E. Hurst in 1868, and to them were born nine children, four of whom are living, Ulysses S. Dotson of Salem, Oregon; Mrs. Ed. Bolen of Grinnell, Iowa; Eli E. Dotson, Jr., of Escondedo, California, and Seymour H. Dotson of Belle Flower, California. He and his first wife were divorced and he afterwards married Mrs. Anna Triplett, who died October 2, 1925. To them were born one son, Hugh L. Dotson, now of Exeter, New Hampshire. December 16, 1926, he married Mrs. Olivia York who survives him. He died Saturday noon, December 26, 1928, after a short illness at Colfax, Iowa, and was buried at the McKeever cemetery, which is located about three and one-half miles north of Colfax.

Eli Dotson was one of the earliest settlers of Jasper county. He identified himself with agriculture and was at the time of his death owner of about three hundred acres of the best of Iowa soil. He was one of the directors of the First National Bank of Colfax, was an enthusiastic church worker, and always identified himself with any worthy community activity. The people of his community were never in doubt as to his position on any question. He never decided any question on expediency, but on its merits. Mr. Dotson’s acquaintance and influence was not limited to his county. He was well known by the leading men of the state, and his influence was felt wherever he was known. His influence in shaping the destinies of his community and county cannot be overestimated. He left with his friends a memory of an honest, strong, upright life and they feel they have sustained an irreparable loss.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-third General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That the foregoing memorial be adopted as its appreciation of the life and character and public service of the Honorable Eli Dotson.

Be It Further, Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the records of this House, and an enrolled copy thereof be sent to the family of the deceased.

CHAS. E. BAKER,

FRED W. NELSON,

AZEL MCILRATH,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 8, 1929.