Submitted by: John Charles Doxsee

J. W. DOXSEE, attorney at law, Monticello; is a native of Summit Co., Ohio, and was born January 17, 1857; when 6 years of age, his parents came to Iowa, and he grew up and received his education in this State, completing his collegiate course at the State Agricultural College, at Ames, in 1877; he entered the law office of M. W. Herrick and commenced reading law, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1879, and is preparing to enter the practice of his profession.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 665.

JACOB WILBER DOXSEE, attorney-at-law, is also editor and proprietor of Monticello Express, which is one of the leading papers of Jones County and exercises a marked influence on the affairs of this section of the state. Our subject was born in Summit County, Ohio, January 17, 1857, and is the eldest son of Alfred and Mary (Bennett) Doxsee, both of whom were also natives of the Buckeye State. The parents came to Iowa in October, 1863, locating at Bowen's Prairie, on a farm which the former operated for many years, although previous to settling here he had been a blacksmith. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Doxsee are now living at Rolfe, this state.
Jacob W., of this sketch, was given the advantages for obtaining a fine education, attending Lenox College and the Iowa State Agricultural College, from which he was graduated with the Class of '77. He then read law in the office of M. W. Herrick, of Monticello, and was admitted to the Bar to practice two years later. He immediately formed a co-partnership with his former instructor, and until 1888 they carried on business under the style of Herrick & Doxsee.
While engaged in his law practice with Mr. Herrick, our subject and M. W. Herrick published a work of which they were the authors, entitled "Probate Law and Practice." It sold rapidly to members of the profession, and received special favor in the Law Department of the Iowa State University, where it is used as a reference book. The second edition was given the public in 1887 and was published by Callahan & Co., of Chicago, who were also the printers of the first work.
In December, 1833, the firm of Herrick & Doxsee purchased the plant of the Monticello Express, which paper was established in 1865. Their connection existed until March, 1888, when our subject bought his partner's interest in the paper and has since edited it alone. The Express is a sound family paper, well supplied with solid and useful information and keeps its readers well informed regarding current topics. Through his columns Mr. Doxsee supports the Republican party, and his readers know that whomsoever he supports or disapproves, his course is actuated by conscientious motives and after careful consideration. The usual amouut (sic) of praise and fault-finding have been measured out to him as an editor, but his character as a man of honor, integrity and public spirit has never been questioned.
February 3, 1887, Mr. Doxsee was married to Miss Jessie, daughter of Dr. Charles and Eliza Fawcett, of Salem, Ohio. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Charles A. and Mary E. Our subject has been President of the Monticello Electric Company, which he assisted in organizing, and in many other enterprises has aided in the building of the city.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894, pages 365-366.
Submitted by: Sandy

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