John Poulston DOPPS

Biography from The History of the Early Settlement of Norton County,Kansas John P. was born in Ohio April 20, 1821; moved with his parents toVermilion county, Illinois, in 1828; lived in that county for 45years. He was married August 25, 1842, to Miss Susanna Starr who wasborn in Ohio March 20, 1820. Eleven children were born to them. Nineof them grew to manhood and womanhood; the eldest son, Peter, was bornSeptember 1, 1843; enlisted in 37 Illinois Infantry in September 1862,died March 1863 of measles while in the service. Eli E. their second son was born in Vermilion, county, Ill., August 3,1845 where he lived as a farmer boy until January 27, 1864, when heentered the volunteer service and was mustered in the 149th regimentfor one year as a private. After coming home he continued to farm inthe same place until the fall of 1872. He was married to Lizzie A.Matthews April 2, 1871, who with him moved to Norton county, September1873 and took a homestead on the Prairie Dog 3 1/2 miles below Norton.After proving up on the same took a pre-emption one-half mile northof Norton. To them were born five children, Grace S. on January 8,1875, died April 15, 1878; Jennie May born May 22, 1876 died July 10,1879; Nellie E. born May 13, 1879; Jessie Edna born April 1883; OscarLeroy born May 21, 1885, died March 1, 1888. In 1879 he moved to Norton and went into the harness business, inwhich he remained until June 1885 when he sold out to Payne &Chamblin, then he embarked in the furniture business with W J. Bower,in which he remained until the fire of January 2, 1886 in which hesuffered a loss of $4000 including his building and stock, after whichhe sold out to his partner and bought the general merchandise of C.H.Fry, in which he continued about one year and then sold the stock toN. A. Johnson, after suffering a loss by fire, by the burning of anadjoining building. He went back in the harness business in companywith T. N. Martin, but after the big fire everything seemed to goagainst him, and in 1888 they failed in business but in a few monthshe started in the harness business by himself on a small scale, butthought he could not compete with larger shops, so sold out and inJuly 1889 moved to Washington territory. He at one time held theoffice of township trustee of Center township, by appointment, and wasurged to run again but would not; he was treasurer of school districtNo. 1 for three years. He is now in Washington, Clark County, threemiles from Vancouver, a city of between five and six thousandinhabitants, on a small fruit farm, and is prospering financially. Milton Dopps was born May 8, 1847; he took land three miles north ofCalvert. He married Miss Rose Bradley in March 1878; they have threechildren. Ellen, their only daughter, was born February 22, 1849; she wasmarried to David Close October 31, 1869. David Close was born inHolmes county, Ohio March 25, 1846. There have been born to Mr. andMrs. Close four children: their eldest, Etta May born August 23, 1871,died of measles March 17, 1872; Maud born May 1, 1873, died of measlesJune 8, 1888; Wilbur born March 24, 1877: Burton born November 19,1873. He enlisted May 2, 1864, in company H, 166 regiment Ohio volunteers,discharged Sept 9, 1864, was in Virginia all the time but in nobattles. Mr. Close first settled on land now owned by Isaiah Williamsfive miles east of Norton. He was elected justice of the peace in1874; moved to Norton and went into the mercantile business in companywith Philip Bruner in February 1876; in 1878 he purchased of LigeCollins one half interest in the mill; in 1880 he sold his interest inthe store to Bruner and shortly afterward purchased Collins' interestin the mill which he has owned and operated ever since: he was electedcounty commissioner in 1882 and again in 1885. He fed the first car of cattle shipped from the county in 1875. Simon Dopps was born December 17, 1851; married Myra Decker in 1876,they have three children. David Dopps was born December 7, 1853, married Hattie Bradley in 1875.They have one boy 12 years old, and one girl 3 years old. Jacob Dopps born February 27, 1856; he married Emma Hasleau in 1874;five children were born to them; Mrs. Dopps died in October 1888. Charley Dopps born November 7, 1857, died August 13, 1875. Ellsworth Dopps born August 17, 1863; married Henrietta Morris inMarch 1883; they have four children and reside at Vanconver,Washington. John P. Dopps was elected justice of the peace for Buenavistaprecinct, Almena township in the spring of '74, and at the Novemberelection of that year he was chosen probate judge of Norton county. Hewas elected justice of the peace for Rock Branch township in 1878.Mr. Dopps has been a republican ever since the party was organizeduntil lately, but for the last few years has voted the prohibitionticket.

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