THOMAS JENKINS DOTY, a well known farming man and a pioneer resident of Green Township, Madison County, was born near the place where he now makes his home, on August 25, 1838. He is the son of John and Sarah A. (Parsel) Doty, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Madison County some time prior to 1838, and here lived the remainder of their lives. John Doty entered government land and established a home on the virgin soil of Indiana, ultimately gaining a prominent place in the agricultural activities of the County in which he located with his family. He became the father of nine children, two of which number are living at the present time (1913). One of the two is Margaret Doty, who never married, and who makes her home with Thomas J. Doty, her brother.
Thomas J. Doty was reared on the farm where he now lives and his early education was received in the local schools, being somewhat limited in its scope as a result. He helped his father to improve the government homestead upon which they settled, and in time, as owner of the place, came to reap the further benefits of his early years of toil on the old farm. He continued with his mother until he had become of age, his father having died when he was a boy of tender years, and set out for himself in the activities of life. With the call of President Lincoln for troops in April, 1861, Mr.. Doty was among the first to respond, and he was with Captain Edwards in Company B of the Second Indiana Cavalry. He took an active part at Chickamagua and remained in the service until the end of the war, being one of those to receive a pension from the government for his service at that crucial time. Upon the close of the war he settled down to farm life once more, and though he was utterly lacking in capital, he met with success in the agricultural industry. In recent years he has been retired from active farm life, but still retains his fine place of one hundred and forty-six acres in Green Township.
Mr. Doty was married on February 28, 1878, to Miss Sarah A. Davis, who was born in Fall Creek Township, a daughter of Bailey Davis. To Mr. and Mrs. Doty four children have been born, concerning whom mention is made briefly as follows: Arlie, the eldest, is a graduate of the common schools of this community, and is married to Ida Miller, and is engaged in farming in Green Township. Vinnie is the wife of Ott Kinkade, living in Fall Creek Township. Anna is the wife of Walter Reidenbach and lives in Hamilton County, Indiana, and Louella is the wife of Ira Schmiler, of Ingalls.
Mr. Doty is a member of the G. A. R. and attends the Methodist church. He is a stanch Republican in his politics and is one of the valued citizens of Green Township, where he has passed his long and useful life thus far.