The subject of this sketch, G.W. Doak, one of the enterprising and honorable citizens of Arion township, town seven, is an old pioneer of Kansas. He first settled in Osage county, and with his brother assisted in moving the Indians to the Creek reservation. In June, the following year began a residence in Cloud county, filing on the homestead where he now lives, before he had gained his majority.

Mr. Doak is a native of Virginia, born in 1849, and possesses the true southern hospitality. (For ancestry see sketch of Nathan Doak.) Mr. Doak is altogether a self-made man. He had but $2.50 left alter filing on his claims. The first few years he lived in a dugout and subsisted principally on game. He has feasted on many juicy buffalo steaks. He owns at the present writing, two hundred acres of finely improved land. Ash Creek and a small branch of Wolf creek run through his farm. Mr. Doak gained his present good financial circumstances by raising, feeding and shipping cattle and hogs, but the last few seasons has turned his attention largely to wheat growing. He has one of the best residences in the township, a commodious, well built eight room house.

Mr. Doak was married in 1876, to Alice E., a daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth (Garner) Dotson. The Dotson's were old settlers. They came to Cloud county in the early part of the year, 1870, and settled on the west branch of Wolf creek. They recently sold their land, retired from farm life and are living in Concordia. Mrs. Doak is one of a family of six girls and four boys. Two sisters are in the western part of the state, a brother and sister in Clay county, and the rest of the family, reside in Cloud county. The Dotsons are of old Virginia stock. Mrs. Doak's grandparents from both sides of the house emigrated to Kansas and both died in Cloud county. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of the Fourteenth Virginia.

To Mr. and Mrs. Doak three children have been born, viz: Watt V., married Ora Bevin, a daughter of Lafe Bevin, one of the old residents of Arion township. Watt V. is a farmer and owns land adjoining his father on the west. He graduated from the Concordia high school in 1898. Daisy is a student of the Concordia high school. Nellie, is the wife of S. Steele. Mr. Steele bought a portion of his father's original homestead is a farmer. Mr. Doak's political views tend toward populism. He has served as trustee of his township for several years. He is a member of the Select Knights of Concordia.

When Mr. Doak came to Cloud county and filed on his government land it was rather a desolate outlook - a wild unbroken prairie as far as the eye could reach, but he set energetically to work and conquered the hardships which strew the pathway of the early settlers in any country, and has made for himself and his family an enviable home, where surrounded by peace and plenty he can enjoy the fruits of his labors. He is one of the most esteemed and useful citizens of the locality in which he lives.