My Genealogy Hound

MRS. SARAH J. PATE, a highly esteemed resident of Jackson County, has passed her entire life in Somerset Township, where she was born on the 3d of October, 1839. Reared amid the pioneer scenes of those early days, she became a strong, self-reliant and useful woman. As the daughter of a brave and industrious pioneer and the wife of an influential and successful citizen of this county, she is in every way worthy of her father and husband. She possesses excellent judgment and sound common sense and is a wise manager, so that her husband’s estate has not diminished in value since it came into her hands.

The father of our subject, William Doty, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., February 6, 1787, and about 1816 accompanied the other members of the family to Illinois, sojourning for a short time in what is now Williamson County. Thence he came to Jackson County and located in the northern part of Somerset Township, where in the midst of the dense woods he built a log cabin and commenced the arduous task of clearing the land. After making his home for some time in that primitive abode he built a hewed-log house, a more substantial structure, which still stands on the farm. He was the first settler in this part of the county and purchased his farm from the Government.

The trials that fell to the lot of William Doty were such as every pioneer was obliged to endure. The task of clearing the land was one of great difficulty and was only secured after years of struggling. Money was scarce in those early days, and often the family was deprived of what today would be considered the necessities of life. Recognizing his ability, Mr. Doty’s fellow-citizens frequently elected him to positions of honor in the township, and as time passed by and the county became more densely populated his influence constantly increased. He served as Associate Judge of the county and was one of a number who assisted in arranging the county records after the court house was burned at Brownsville, then the county seat.

In the death of Mr. Doty, which occurred in March, 1867, Somerset Township sustained a severe loss, as he was in every respect a desirable citizen and had done a great deal to advance the material prosperity of the community. He was a considerate husband, a loving father and a good neighbor, ever just and upright in his dealings. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Tedford, and who was a native of Tennessee, passed away November 25, 1847, many years prior to his demise. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom the following survive: Nancy D., wife of Thomas Steele, a resident of Ava Township: Elizabeth, who married James T. Cox and lives in Somerset Township; and Sarah J., of this sketch.

Our subject was married July 26, 1863, to Sabe Pate, who was born in Tennessee February 11, 1833. For further mention of the Pate family the reader is referred to the sketch of Anthony Pate, which is presented elsewhere in this volume. When a boy, Sabe Pate accompanied his parents to Illinois, and upon a farm in Jackson County attained manhood. He and his wife became the parents of four children, of whom three are now living: Matthew W.; Elvira, wife of Edward Hughes; and Sarah E., who married William Franklin. John is deceased.

A sound Democrat in his political views, Mr. Pate deemed that in working for the good of his party he was promoting the best interests of his country. He was a devoted member of the Free Will Baptist Church, contributed liberally to the support of the Gospel, and was prominent in the management of the affairs of his church, occupying its various offices. His death occurred December 27, 1872, and was deplored throughout the township as a public loss. Since his demise his widow has continued to reside upon the old homestead of one hundred acres, the soil of which is carefully tilled by her only son, Matthew W. He and his wife, formerly Mary N. Franklin, with their two children, Edgar and Grover, also live on the old home farm. Like his father and grandfather, he is a Democrat in politics, and though scarcely yet in life’s prime, has already attained a prominent place among the agriculturists of the township.

The present representatives of this family are in every way worthy of their distinguished lineage. They are justly proud of the fact that Grandfather Ephraim Doty fought for the Colonies during the trying times of the Revolution, and it is one of the family traditions that this brave soldier was present at the famous tea party at Boston Harbor.