• James Doty, the eldest son of Abraham Doty and Mary Barr, was a lad of thirteen years when his parents moved from Brooke Co., Va. to their newly selected home in the woods a few miles west of the town of Ashland, Ohio in 1814. This part of the country had not as yet been cleared of the hostile Indian and for a time their pioneering life was an anxious, trying ordeal. Here he grew to manhood surrounded by the trying experiences of all who first braved to break into the wilderness west of the mountains.
In 1623 he married Sarah Croninger, daughter of Leonard Croninger and wife, Mary. His pioneering experiences had made him quite popular and when, in l816, Ashland County was set apart principally from the territory of Richland County, he received the appointment of Sheriff until the regular election irrespective of politics. He was then elected for one term by the Democratic Party. His deputies were Mathew Glugston and Isaac Hull. He refused further political honors and a Mr. Gates was his successor. In I856 he moved to Plymouth Township, Richland County, and was a very successful farmer there.3393, p 14

• 9 children3393, p 15