1914 Delaware County History pgs. 413-414
Henry Dolley
Henry Dolley, a retired farmer living in Delhi, belongs to that class of
representative men who owe their success to well-directed and persistent
efforts. He was born in Prussia, Germany, April 23,
1838, a son
of Christopher and Catherine Dolley. In 1842 the
family came to America, landing at New York city, whence they made their way
westward to Chicago over the Erie canal route. They remained in that city
until 1852 and then came to Delaware county, Iowa, which was then a frontier
district giving little promise of the rapid development which would bring about
the present day conditions of advancement and prosperity. They settled at Buck Creek and the father entered two tracts
of land of forty acres each and also purchased forty acres. Thereafter he
engaged continuously and successfully in general farming and stock-raising to
the time of his death, which occurred on the 5th of
December, 1888. For about ten years he had survived his wife and was then laid to rest
by her side in the Buck Creek cemetery.
Henry Dolley had meager educational opportunities and throughout his
active life was a most industrious, energetic man. He early learned the meaning
of earnest toil and in all the ensuing years down to the time of his retirement
his life was a busy and useful one, his untiring energy bringing to him a
substantial measure of prosperity. As his financial resources increased he kept
adding to his property until he now has about four hundred acres in his own
name. While upon the farm he handled Red Polled cattle and also carried on
general farming and stock-raising.
In 1868 Mr.
Dolley was united in marriage to Miss Theresa File, and
to them were born seven children, of whom five are now
living: Melvin O., Henry, Emma, Theodore and William. The only daughter is now
the wife of Willis Willard. The mother passed away in 1889 and Mr. Dolley afterward wedded Mary Mohr, a daughter of Claus and
Margaret (Hanka) Mohr. By the second union there has
been born one child, Lena, now the wife of Henry Spahl,
living near Ryan.
For many
years Mr. Dolley worked hard and thus accumulated a competency.
In the fall of 1909 he took up his abode in Delhi, where he purchased an attractive little
home which he has since occupied. It was his intention to retire altogether
from business life, yet indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his
nature and he says he has to do some work in order to feel at his best. In
politics he has always been a democrat, but never an office seeker, preferring
to concentrate his attention upon his private interests. He has been an
interested witness of the growth and development of this county for more than
six decades, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past
and the progressive present. He has seen the wild lands claimed and converted
into good farms and as the years have gone on his labors have brought to him a measure
of success that is gratifying. At the same lime he has contributed to the
agricultural development of the county and in his business and other relations
has so conducted himself as to win the high respect of all who know him.
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