George Ellis Doty Sr.

George Ellis Doty was born Sep 20, 1875 in Richmond to Benjamin Landon and Mary Jane Butterfield Doty. George was a veteran of the Spanish American War.

Early History

Very uncommon for early Richmond citizens, the Doty's were not farmers. They worked in a sawmill up Cherry Creek Canyon, and after his father's accident trying to run from a brown bear, they set up a chopping and grain grinding mill. However, for much of George's early life, the Doty family was in deep poverty.1

George would be hired out as a farm boy wherever he could get work. At times, he worked for Marriner Wood Merrill for 50¢ a day, and one of his wives (not specified which one) would give George bread and honey for lunch each day.1

"In the winter he would go up the canyon to get wood for his parents. When he got the logs home he would have to saw them up for firewood. That was hard work for a boy to do alone, so Dad got his inventive mind to working. He rigged up a saw and using a horse for power, would saw those logs into blocks and then split the blocks into fire wood.

"One day his mother's churn broke while she was making their butter. She didn't know what she was going to do. She didn't have money to buy another one.

"'Never mind, Ma,' said Dad when he saw what had happened. "Just put that cream away and I'll get you one in just a little while."

"He went out to the corrall fence, dug up the corner cedar post, and fashioned a new churn for her--top, bottom, dasher, staves and all! His Mother was surely pleased and used it for years. Dad was always repairing things. I don't believe there was any thing he couldn't repair."1

George attended the early school system in Richmond, graduating at the third grade, and gained a love for reading.1

Spanish American War Service

On April 21, 1898, the United States of America declared war against Spain. On the 23rd, U.S. President William McKinley issued a call for volunteers for service in the Army. Richmond citizens Oscar A. Anderson, Dio Rogers, James Thompson, and George E. Doty heeded the call.2 The U.S. only needed 50,000 men, but was surprised when 220,000 men signed up. Because of this, only George was selected to serve, and was the only Richmond citizen to participate in the war.

He enlisted on April 29, 1898 in Battery A, Utah Light Artillery. The battery went to the Philippines, and served with his section as cannoneer until March 1st, then was engaged as a cook. However, he took part in three engagements while a cannoneer, and was honorably discharged on Aug 16, 1898 in San Francisco, California.

"The boys left for Fort Douglas, May 5, 1898. I was the only one from Richmond that was accepted. We left via train for San Francisco, May 20, 1898 and embarked on the U.S.S. Colon for the Philippine Islands, June 4, 1898. We arrived in Cevite Harbor July 17, disembarked the next day. We were sent to the trenches before Fort Malote, July 29. We engaged in several battles--one being the surrender of Manila, another in the first engagement of the Philippine Insurrection, Feb. 2, 1899.

"The peace treaty was signed Dec 10, 1898, but several of the provinces took part in insurrection. It wasn't until 1901 that peace was finally accepted.

"The company that I belong to--Battery A. Utah Light Artillery set sail for home on the U.S.S. Hancock. We visited Japan on the way. We arrived at San Francisco harbor July 29, 1899 and arrived home Aug. 20."

The following newspaper describes the party once George returned home:

"As early as 7 o'clock, young ladies were on hand at the pavilion arranging and decorating the tables, and that they deserve credit, was manifest by the artistic display of flowers, bunting and ornamental decorations that were seen on every hand.

"By 11 o'clock such a throng of people had gathered on the Public Square that it was plainly evident they had decided to make this above all, a general holiday.

"A procession three blocks long marched to the depot. When the head of the procession reached the depot, they lined up in single file on each side of the road, preparatory to a return counter-march. Upon Mr. Doty alighting from the train, the band struck up the national air 'America' and the militia fired a salute of thirteen vollies.

"... People cheered our hero to the echo, keeping up a continual shouting from the time they left the depot until they arrived at the Public Square, when they were supplemented by the ringing of bells, blowing of steam whistles, firing of guns etc. The patriotic enthusiasm of the people was wrought to the highest pitch.

"There were no high or low upon this occasion, but all joined in the general rejoicing. Without distinction or caste the people sat down to the banquet so generously supplied.

"By an actual count there were fully 600 people over 16 years of age seated at the first table. And it was estimated that about 1000 participated in the baquet.

"Hon. Jos. Monson was teastmaster of the occasion. Mayor J. I. Shepard made a speech of welcome. Invocation and thanks were offered by the Chaplain, W. L. Skidmore, for the preservation and return to us of our soldier boy."4

Life in Richmond

During the celebration of his leave for the war, a young girl from the Richmond Ward Young Women's pinned a badge on him. Out of earshot from most, he said he would marry that girl. Once he returned, the two began to date, and George married Hannah Elizabeth Adelaide McCarrey on June 26, 1901 in the Logan, Utah Temple.1

After his return from his mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, George began a career as an architect and builder. The first house he built was the home they would live in for the rest of their lives.1 George also helped with the construction of the Sego Milk Plant and the first drug store in town.

Member of the City Council (1912 - 1914)

Epilogue