My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM DOZA, a well known resident of Randolph County, who successfully carries on farming in township 7, range 8, is a native of Tennessee. He was born in the city of Natchez, and is the eldest child of Elexe and Elizabeth (Pledger) Doza. The Doza family were among the first settlers at Kaskaskia. Elexe Doza, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was a great Indian fighter, and also a famous hunter, as was his son Elexe. The latter was born in Kaskaskia, and when a young man made a hunting trip to Tennessee. While there he met and married Miss Pledger, and continued his residence in Tennessee for two years. Soon after the birth of our subject, he returned with his wife and son to Kaskaskia, where he followed farming and hunting until his death, which occurred about 1860. His wife died when William was a youth of ten summers.

Mr. Doza of this sketch had very limited school privileges in his youth, for he was needed at home to aid in the labors of the farm. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and early in life became familiar with all the arduous tasks connected with agriculture. When he began business for himself he continued in the same pursuit which he has followed through all the years of his manhood, except for a period of four years, when he was engaged in merchandising in Dozaville, a small town in Randolph County, which was laid out by our subject and named in his honor. He has been very prosperous, and as the result of his close economy and industry he today enjoys a goodly portion of this world’s goods.

In February, 1850, Mr. Doza was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Lincoln, a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, and from the Bay State emigrated to Kaskaskia, Ill. Unto our subject and his wife were born thirteen children, but three died in infancy, while Mary, who became the wife of Addison Dobbs, was called to the home beyond in 1888. Those who still survive are, William H., who married Mary LaFleur; Philip; Lexe, who married Sarah Gendron; John, who married Sarah Curry; Joseph, who married Mary Derouse;.Edward, who married Maggie Menard; Laura, wife of William Gendron; Alonzo, who married Lydia McFadden, and James, at home. The members of the family are all living in the neighborhood of Dozaville. Our subject and his, children are all members of the Catholic Church, and he and his sons are supporters of the Democracy. He is recognized as one of the influential and leading citizens of the community, a man deeply interested in the welfare of the neighborhood, and does all in his power for its advancement and upbuilding. He is also one of the substantial citizens of the community, and his success in life is well deserved.