My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. DOZA, a son of William Doza, was born September 12, 1852, on the banks of the Grand Cooley, two miles east of Dozaville, where the family then resided. He well remembers when there was water in the Grand Cooley and fine fishing where is now dry land under cultivation, the fine old forest that once lined its banks having disappeared and given place to smiling fields of wheat and corn. William H. was about five or six years of age when his father removed to his present home a half-mile north of Dozaville, and well remembers when the fine farm was still all in timber. So small was he that once in going ‘coon hunting he was carried on their man’s shoulder.

Our subject’s education was secured in the school a mile north of Dozaville. The first building was constructed of logs and was later replaced by a frame structure, which is now the residence of J. G. Burch. A short time at Cape Girardeau completed his education so far as schools go, but in the school of experience in the affairs of men, he has made a place for himself such as few of his colleagues have done. When twenty years of age he took a trip to Colorado for his health, which has never been good. He remained some eight months, visiting San Leonis Valley, Pueblo, and Wet Mountain Valley, near the postoffice, Ula, where he worked for a stockman on his horse and cattle ranch.

During the holidays of 1874 our young traveler reached home and began farming on his own account, working for his father when his own crops did not demand his time. After two years thus occupied, in the spring of 1876, Mr. Doza and two neighbors started for California, leaving home on the 25th of March. This trip to the west occupied a year. Going first to Los Angeles and then on down as far as San Diego, where they remained but a short time, our travelers set out for Portland, Oregon. Then they worked for two months on a farm near that place. It was on the trip from San Francisco to Portland that our subject first experienced a sail on the ocean and the delights of mal de mer.

After three months in Oregon our travelers returned to San Francisco and went out to Antioch, a small town near by, and worked some days for a thresherman, running the engine. While in this situation, Mr. Doza met a Mr. Veale from St. Clair County, Ill., who took a fancy to William and invited him to make his home with him while there. He also secured an agreeable situation for him on levee work at Grand Island, in which position he continued for six months. After finishing the levee work he returned home, bought a team, and in company with his father conducted farming operations and purchased a threshing machine, which they operated in common.

William H. remained under his father’s roof until the time of his marriage, which took place October 21, 1884. The bride was Maggie E., daughter of Eli and Mary (Carpelspin) Unger, natives of Kaskaskia Point. Her birth took place in March, 1844. Mrs. Doza was second in order of birth of a family of three children born to her parents. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, as follows: Mary E., Raymond B., Ada F., Leon G. and Alma E.

Mr. Doza has operated quite extensively for a St. Louis firm, sending out from twelve to fifteen barge loads from near Dozaville, and one year rafted logs from up the Missouri near St. Charles. He has also supplied large quantities of piling for the Government contractors for use in improving the Mississippi. He is operating altogether about one hundred and eighty acres of land. Mr. Doza is a stirring business man, always keeping something for his hand to do. His experience in California made him a suitable person to take charge as foreman of the extension levee work done near Dozaville in the winter of 1893-94, of which he was also one of the Directors.

In public affairs Mr. Doza has served as Constable, was School Director for a number of years, and also Road Commissioner, which place he has recently resigned. In the spring of 1892 he secured a piece of land near Dozaville and purchased the old Governor Bond House in Kaskaskia, wrecked it, and built a fine brick residence in the village which bears his father’s name. Here he makes his home, surrounded by an interesting family, enjoying the comforts of life. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church of Kaskaskia, the oldest congregation in the Mississippi Valley. In politics he is a Democrat, supporting the principles and candidates of that party. He is one of the leading men on the Island and is respected by all who know him.