From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 586.

The birth of our subject occurred in the northern part of the Emerald Isle in 1836. He is a son of Michael and Anna Dougherty, who like him were natives of Ireland, where they passed their entire lives. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed near the place of his birth and he received such school advantages as the neighborhood afforded until he was fifteen years of age. He was a great reader and an ambitious young man and early made up his mind that he would try his fortunes in America. Accordingly in 1851, when in- his sixteenth year, he took passage on a sailing-vessel bound for New York City. On reaching his destination he proceeded to Cambria County, Pa., and secured employment for a time near Johnstown. As he was possessed of industrious and persevering qualities, and was ready to work at whatever came to hand by which he could make an honest dollar, he managed to lay aside regularly a small sum, and five years after landing in the United States a stranger without any means, he came to Iowa and secured a contract on railway construction work. In that line of business he acted as a foreman for some years and made a good success of his undertakings.

During this time his home was mainly in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but he kept his eyes and ears open to opportunities, and becoming confident that Jones County was an ideal location for enterprising farmers, he came here in 1867 and became the owner of a small tract of land. To this as the years have passed he has continually added adjoining land until his farm now numbers two hundred and eighty acres. This property, which is very fertile, is finely adapted for the raising of certain crops and brings in the owner a steady income, amply sufficient for the needs of his family; he is also enabled to lay aside a certain sum for his declining years. The property is well improved with good barns and a substantial residence and the owner takes great pride in keeping everything about the place in good order. July 3, 1861, Mr. Dougherty was married in Cascade, Iowa, to Miss Mary Hayes, who was born in Ireland. The worthy couple have had born to them nine children, four sons and five daughters, who in the order of their birth are as follows: Maggie, John, Annie, Mary, Barney, Sadie, Tressa, Grace and James.

Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty were reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which they still adhere and are regular attendants of the congregation of Buffalo. Politically our subject is a Democrat and takes great interest in all matters relating to the affairs of his party, He lives in Linn County but owns land in Jones County, where he carries on business.

From Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History, 1894, pg. 186, and submitted by Becky Teubner.

Submitted by John Charles Doxsee.

J. W. DOXSEE, attorney at law, Monticello; is a native of Summit Co., Ohio, and was born January 17, 1857; when 6 years of age, his parents came to Iowa, and he grew up and received his education in this State, completing his collegiate course at the State Agricultural College, at Ames, in 1877; he entered the law office of M. W. Herrick and commenced reading law, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1879, and is preparing to enter the practice of his profession.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 665.

JACOB WILBER DOXSEE, attorney-at-law, is also editor and proprietor of Monticello Express, which is one of the leading papers of Jones County and exercises a marked influence on the affairs of this section of the state. Our subject was born in Summit County, Ohio, January 17, 1857, and is the eldest son of Alfred and Mary (Bennett) Doxsee, both of whom were also natives of the Buckeye State. The parents came to Iowa in October, 1863, locating at Bowen's Prairie, on a farm which the former operated for many years, although previous to settling here he had been a blacksmith. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Doxsee are now living at Rolfe, this state.

Jacob W., of this sketch, was given the advantages for obtaining a fine education, attending Lenox College and the Iowa State Agricultural College, from which he was graduated with the Class of '77. He then read law in the office of M. W. Herrick, of Monticello, and was admitted to the Bar to practice two years later. He immediately formed a co-partnership with his former instructor, and until 1888 they carried on business under the style of Herrick & Doxsee.

While engaged in his law practice with Mr. Herrick, our subject and M. W. Herrick published a work of which they were the authors, entitled "Probate Law and Practice." It sold rapidly to members of the profession, and received special favor in the Law Department of the Iowa State University, where it is used as a reference book. The second edition was given the public in 1887 and was published by Callahan & Co., of Chicago, who were also the printers of the first work.

In December, 1833, the firm of Herrick & Dosee purchased the plant of the Monticello Express, which paper was established in 1865. Their connection existed until March, 1888, when our subject bought his partner's interest in the paper and has since edited it alone. The Express is a sound family paper, well supplied with solid and useful information and keeps its readers well informed regarding current topics. Through his columns Mr. Doxsee supports the Republican party, and his readers know that whomsoever he supports or disapproves, his course is actuated by conscientious motives and after careful consideration. The usual amouut (sic) of praise and fsult-finding have beenmeasured out to him as an editor, but his character as a man of honor, integrity and public spirit has never been questioned.

February 3, 1887, Mr. Doxsee was married to Miss Jessie, daughter of Dr. Charles and Eliza Fawcett, of Salem, Ohio. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Charles A. and Mary E. Our subject has been President of the Monticello Electric Company, which he assisted in organizing, and in many other enterprises has aided in the building of the city.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894, pages 365-366. Submitted by Sandy

"Wayne Township", History of Jones County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879), p. 623.
Submitted by Mary Kay Kuhfittig.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 654, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel