California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


JULIUS DOTY AND SONS. Three generations of the Doty family have given their constructive efforts to 
the upbuilding and progress of California. Representing the second generation, the late Julius Doty 
had a part in the pioneer activities of several communities included within the scope of this historical 
survey, and the qualities which distinguished him as a successful rancher and public spirited citizen 
have been continued through his stalwart son.
 
A native of Illinois, the late Julius Doty was a small boy when he accompanied his father, Martin Doty, 
across the plains to California in 1852. He remained in California until 1858, then went back East, but in 
1861 recrossed the plains and from that time forward for forty years was a busy and useful citizen. The 
family located in Calavares Valley in Santa Clara County. In 1869 Julius Doty moved to Hollister, then in 
Monterey County, and was one of the builders of that now flourishing town. His father, Martin Doty, 
was one of the organizers of the San Justo Company, which laid out and built the Town of Hollister and 
developed the surrounding country.
 
Following his early efforts at Hollister Julius Doty returned in 1879 to San Jose in Santa Clara County, 
and in 1883 moved to Naples and bought the 2O0-acre ranch which he and his four sons, Julius 
Edward, Francis G., Lawrence A. and Russell E., developed as one of the finest of the older ranching 
properties of Santa Barbara County. Julius Doty continued his active superintendence of his varied 
interests and lived on his ranch until his death in 1901. He was a quiet, unassuming citizen, and though 
repeatedly tendered political office the only public position he ever would consent to hold was that of 
forest ranger.  
 
Surviving him were his widow, his four sons already mentioned, and five daughters, whose names are 
: Minnie E. and Mary E., both at home ; Bertha Edith, wife of G. S. Chamberlain, a farmer at Goleta; 
Lucy Edna, wife of Alex Main, a rancher at Lompoc; and Hattie Alice, wife of Herbert Beattie, a Lompoc 
rancher.
 
Lucy (Roberts) Doty, widow of the late Julius Doty, is now living on the old homestead in Naples. She 
likewise represents a prominent pioneer California family. She was born at San Jose, a daughter of G. 
M. Roberts. Her father was a contractor and carpenter of San Benito County, and through that 
vocation and other material ways he did much for the upbuilding of the new Town of Hollister, already 
mentioned. G. M. Roberts came to California in 1852 and acquired a number of distinctions during his 
long residence in the state. He was a member of the Legislature for two terms in the early '70s. His 
death occurred in December, 1915, at the age of eighty-five, and he was laid to rest on Christmas day. 
 
Since the death of Mr. Julius Doty his four sons have taken the active management of the 200 acres, 
and with increasing experience and ability they have also leased 500 acres, which for the past two or 
three years they have cropped in lima beans. Prior to that their main crops were hay and grain.
 
Julius Edward Doty, the oldest son of the late Julius Doty, was born December 23, 1872, in Hollister, 
then in Monterey County, was educated in the public schools of Hollister, and in early youth began 
assisting his father on the farm. He has proved one of the valuable members of that combination of 
four brothers who now carry on the operations of 700 acres of the rich, fertile farming land of Santa 
Barbara County. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Uniform Rank of that order.
 
Lawrence A. Doty, the second son, was born in Hollister December 30, 1876, was educated in the 
public schools there and at Naples, and his career since the completion of his schooling has been 
worked out with his father and his brothers.
 
Francis G. Doty, who was born at Hollister May 22, 1879, has the practical qualities which have 
distinguished all these brothers as farmers. His education was acquired in the Den school district of 
Naples. He is school trustee of that district, for the term of three years beginning with April, 1915. 
Fraternally he is a Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Pythian Sisters, is an active 
republican in politics, and belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West. On October 19, 1910, he 
married Orabelle Jamison, a native of Santa Barbara County and a daughter of S. I. Jamison, of Goleta. 
They have one daughter and one son, Frances Belle and Martin Thomas. 
 
Russell E. Doty, the youngest son, was born at Santa Barbara January 3, 1892, had the advantage of 
grammar schools and for one year attended high school at Santa Barbara, and as soon as old enough 
took his place among his brothers in the work of the farm. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.