Doan, Elias, farmer and stock raiser, S. 12; P.O. Vinton; was born in Washington Co., Ind., June 5, 1814; came to this county June 24, 1850; has 217 acres of land, valued at $8,000; held the office of School Director, Township Trustee, etc. Married Catherine Coffman; she was born in Montgomery Co., OH, March 3, 1827; is the mother of five living children--Thos. C., Florence A., Francis M., Wm. W., George H. Emigrated direct to this county, where he has resided since; came through with teams, and camped out; was three weeks making the trip; came here when Taylor Tp. extended to the Iowa River; was here when it was divided up and helped to organize the town of Big Grove; was also at the first election; at the time he came to the county there were not more than ten votes polled in the township, in 1850; to do his trading he had to go to Cedar Rapids; would make a trip without striking a fence; had one son in the 28th Regt. Iowa Inf., Co. A; was in the battles of Vicksburg, Red River Expedition, Winchester and Cedar Creek; was wounded by a musket ball through the thigh; was struck in five places at about the same time. When Mr. D. came here he was poor with the rest of the emigrants, but by good management and economy has made a good home.
