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Egbert D. Doolittle

Egbert D. Doolittle, deceased, was born in New York, June 29, 1823. His early life was spent in the usual manner of farmer lads and in the common schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. When a young man he emigrated to Rock County, Wis., where he formed the acquaintance of Diana House. They were married and and upon a farm in that county began their domestic life. About 1852 they removed to Fayette County, Iowa, and settled some three miles northeast of West Union, but Mrs. Doolittle was not long permitted to enjoy her new home being called to her final rest December 23, 1859. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Julia J. Abbott who resides in Dakota; James F. C., a resident of Texas; Mrs. Ida C. Peterson who resides in Barren County, Wis., and Mrs. Adah L. Miller whose home is in Washburn, Wis.

On the 1st of September, 1861, Mr. Doolittle was united in marriage with Delia L., daughter of Lewis and Mary (Hitchcock) Davis. Her father was born within a half-mile of Hanover, N. H., May 26, 1800, and traces his ancestry back to Anna Mayhu who came to this country in the Mayflower. His wife was born in Springfield, Mass., December 26, 1803, and they were married January; 21, 1827. Mr. Davis was a carpenter by trade and followed that occupation until his removal to the West. His wife died November 23, 1836, leaving five children: Delia L. who was born in Springfield, October 29, 1827; Milton L. who served in the Union army during the late war and died near New Orleans in 1863; Charles H. is located in Oregon; Lester V. a resident of Norton County, Kan., and Augustus W. who served two and one-half years among the boys in blue. He was then discharged on account of ill health but never recovered and in 1865 his life was ended.

Mr. Davis, father of this family, was again married April 19, 1838, his second union being with Sarah Olds, by whom he had six children: Walstein, the eldest, now deceased, served his country throughout the entire war, belonging first to the Third Iowa Infantry and then to the Ninth Cavalry; Sarah L. is deceased; Patten also served in the Ninth Cavalry and died of smallpox in St. Louis; Martha and Eleanor are deceased, and David W. is living in Wisconsin. In 1854 Mr. Davis emigrated to this county where he made his home until his death, which occurred January 6, 1865. He owned a large tract of land which he improved and cultivated, transforming it into one of the best farms in the community. However, he began life in this county in a log cabin but by energy and perseverance acquired a competence. There were three families of children in the home but they lived as peaceably as brothers and sisters. He was a Democrat in politics until Jackson vetoed the bill creating a national bank, after which he supported the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party when he joined its ranks. He held a number of township offices but was never an office-seeker.

On coming to this county in 1852 Mr. Doolittle gave his attention to farming, which he followed with good success until 1862, when believing it his duty to aid his country in her struggle to preserve the Union he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-eighth Iowa Infantry on the 15th of August. He served faithfully for one year and then died on the 16h of August, 1863. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the United Brethren Church, while in the community where he made his home he was held in high regard. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. In 1888 she left the farm and removed to West Union where she makes her home.