W. P. Dator

W. P. Dator, born at Claverack, Columbia county, N. Y., December 5, 1822, is the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Bowe) Dator, whose ancestors date their settlement on the Hudson to the first Dutch colonies there. His grandfather, also Philip, served throughout the War of the Revolution, and was discharged as a commissioned officer. In 1839 W. P. Dator entered mercantile life in New York City; returned home after some time, but in 1844 resumed mercantile life in Wayne county, N. Y. In 1849 he married Miss Emma Loretta Soverhill, and subsequently was engaged in farming and store- keeping in that state until 1857, when he sold his interests there, came west, and settled in Marshall, county, Ill., where he was an agriculturalist for some years. In 1805 he removed to Tiskilwa, Bureau county, and in 1869 to Bradford, where he has since carried on a large general store, and in 1873 established his lumber yards. As shown in the official history of Bradford, and in the sketch of the schools, he has taken a full share of the honors of official life. Also in the Masonic and Odd Fellows' history his name finds a place, while in that of the Baptist church Mrs. Dator is mentioned. Of their children, Anna is the wife of William P. Plummer, postmaster at Bradford; Elizabeth married Lyman Allen, of Johnson county, Neb.; Hattie J. married F. P. Wright, now of Furnas county, Neb.; Sarah is the wife of A. J. Green, a jeweler of Oxford, in that county, while Jennie resides with her parents.