BARNARD DOLL has been one of the fixtures of Kent Township for the last thirty years, and is a member of the thrifty German community to whom Stephenson County is largely indebted for the early development of its resources and its present prosperous condition. He is the owner of 240 acres of finely cultivated land, on which he has erected substantial buildings, and by his thrift and industry has presented to the observant eye one of the most desirable homesteads in this part of Stephenson County. He is a man prompt to meet his obligations, and for his other excellent traits of character is held in the highest esteem among the surrounding farmers.

Mr. Doll was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, about 1838, when he lived until a lad thirteen years of age, when he embarked with his parents on a sailing-vessel bound for the United States. He distinctly remembers the preparations for the long voyage, which were a constant source of pleasure to one of his years, and the arrival in New York City, where they remained but a short time, thence proceeding directly westward. His parents, Michael and Mary A. (Brown) Doll, took up their abode in Kent Township, locating upon a tract of uncultivated land, where the father built up a comfortable home and spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1863. The mother afterward made her home with her daughter at Lena, where, ripe in years, she died in the fall of 1884.

The seven children of the parental household lived to become men and women, and of these our subject was the third in order of birth. He remained under the home roof until reaching his majority, and, with the exception of eleven months spent in Iowa, has been a resident of Stephenson County since his parents first came here. After leaving the farm and returning from Iowa, he was engaged in the livery business at Lena four years, and afterward conducted a saloon one year. Farming, however, appeared to be his proper pursuit, and that in which he was destined to secure most success, and after these two experiments he purchased forty acres in Kent Township, to which he subsequently added, and has now a fine property.

Mr. Doll was married in West Point Township, Oct. 19, 1862, to Miss Catharine Hater, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Henry and Barbara Hater, natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States, locating first in Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Doll was born Oct. 8, 1845. The family subsequently came to this county and settled on a tract of land in West Point Township, which the father cultivated a few years, resting from his labors in 1855. The mother still survives, and is a resident of West Point Township. The parental household included four children, who lived to mature years. To Mr. and Mrs. Doll have been born eight children, four now living, namely, Bertha E., Elmer E., Barbara A. and Lyda M. Those deceased passed away in infancy.

Mr. Doll is independent in politics, acting for what he believes to be the best interests of the community. He has held some of the minor offices of Kent Township, and is numbered among its most enterprising citizens.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888