John Dodson 1771 - 1859
From: Dodson Genealogy 1600 - 1907 by Thompson P Ege
John Dodson, the oldest living son of Samuel and Elizabeth Rhodes Dodson, after the death of his father, became
practically the head and representative of this branch of the family line. At the
age of twenty-one he left the place of his birth, in the Mahoning Valley, Penn Township, Northampton County, and moved to Huntington Township, Luzerne County, where he purchased and settled upon a farm which he continued to occupy during his long life, and which is still in possession of his descendants. In 1797 he married the daughter of Stephen Harrison, who had recently emigrated to this section of Luzerne, from Canaan Litchfield County, Connecticut. Of this union were born eleven children. His wife, Clarissa, died in 1820, eight of the eleven children surviving her. He soon after married Soiphronia Monroe, daughter of Nathan Monroe, a native of the same State and county as his first wife. She dying in 1841, left him nine children.
He was an active and industrious man, full of energy and good judgment, and greatly valued and admired by his
neighbors, friends and acquaintances for his sterling worth and integrity. He took especial interest in public affairs and in promoting the welfare of the community among whom he
dwelt, aiding greatly in securing and maintaining both public and private schools, in the opening-, extension and improvement of public roads, and in the encouragement of local industries.
For many years he held the office of justice of the peace by the appointment of several Governors of the State,
irrespective of parties. After the office became elective, by almost unanimous choice of the citizens of the township he continued to serve them, until advancing years made it necessary to decline further service. In politics he was an ardent "old line Whig," until the organization of the Republican party, when he espoused its
principles and its cause.
His wise counsel and advice were eagerly sought by his neighbors and acquaintances, and freely given. His
hospitality was proverbial, while his unbounded charity to the poor and unfortunate was limited only by his means. No applicant left his presence without substantial assistance. Withal he was a perfect specimen of the gentleman of the "old school," and was known by his stately mien, dignified appearance and neatness of person, as "Gentleman John."
This sketch is largely taken from an article by his son, Charles M. Dodson, of Bethlehem.
From: History of Luzerne County (Pennsylvania) by H. C. Bradsby, 1893
JOHN DODSON, the subject of this sketch, was the son of Samuel Dodson and Elizabeth (Rhoades) Dodson, and was born in Mahoning Valley, Penn township, then Northampton county, Pa., on the 26th day of February, A.D. 1771, being the fourth child and the second son in a family of ten children. After attaining the age of twenty-one years he left his father's house and moved to Huntington township, Luzerne county, and purchased and settled upon a farm, which he continued to occupy during his long life, dying May 9, 1859. In 1796 he was married to Miss Clarissa Harrison, a daughter of Stephen Harrison, who had recently emigrated to this vicinity from Canaan, Litchfield county, Conn. She died in 1820, leaving eight children, and he afterward married Miss Sophronia Monroe, a native of the same town, county and State as his former wife; she died in the year 1841, leaving him nine children. He was an active, energetic, industrious man, greatly valued and admired by his neighbors, friends and acquaintances for his sterling honesty and strict integrity. He took a special interest in public affairs, and in promoting the welfare of that section of the county, aiding greatly in securing and maintaining public and private schools, the opening, extension and improvement of public roads, and the encouragement of local industries. For many years, he held office of justice of peace by appointment of several governors, irrespective of politics. After this office became an elective one, he continued by almost unanimous choice of the citizens of the township, to hold it until advancing years rendered it necessary for him to decline further services. In politics, he was an ardent Old-line Whig until the organization of the Republican party when he joined its forces. His wise council and advice were eagerly sought by his neighbor and acquaintances. His hospitality became proverbial, while his unbounded charity to the poor and the unfortunate was limited only by his means. Indeed, no applicant left his presence without substantial assistance.
From: Genealogy of Josiah Munroe, Revolutionary Soldier . . . by Guildford Smith Northrup
Nathan Monroe's daughter Sophronia, married John Dodson, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Rhodes Dodson. John was born February 26, 1771. He married (1) July 6, 1797, Clarissa Harrison. By this union eleven children were born to him, one of his sons being the late Stephen Harrison Dodson, (1814-1904), a respected citizen of Huntington township. Clarissa died December 22, 1820, and he married Sophronia Monroe, who bore him nine children.
The ancestors of John Dodson were English Quakers who came to Burlington, New Jersey, in 1667. His grandfather settled near Philadelphia and joined the Moravian Brethren. John (subject) came to Huntington from Mahoning Valley (Penn township), Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1791. He was the most public spirited and best known citizen of the township, and devoted himself with great zeal, not only to the rearing of his twenty children, but to matters of public education and civic improvement.. He was cultivated, hospitable, and courtly, and was familiar known as "Gentleman John."
Newspaper Records of John Dodson:
1807 13 Nov The following claims have been exhibited to the State Commissioners, under the Act of General Assembly, passed the 4th April 1799 for offering compensation to the Pennsylvania claimants, in the 17 townships of the County of Luzerne, and the several supplements thereto, during their attendance, since 22nd June last, for the purpose of receiving the claims of the Connecticut settlers. Are now published that all persons concerned may take notice thereof. If there are no objections files within four weeks, the Commissioners will award Certificates to the said Claimants. By order of the Commissioners, Jesse
Fell, Clerk. Huntington Township John Rhoades and John Dodson
1814 1 April - Gleaner Newspaper - Description of Mill - For Sale - A small improvement on land situated in the township of Union, about three miles from Potters and Dodson's mills, containing about twenty acres, one fourth of which is meadow, the other plowland, there is on the premises a tolerable comfortable, log house and three excellent springs of water. The above lies on the west branch of Dodson's mill creek, and is an old possession, with a privilege of four hundred acres of land, well timbered, part of which is good meadow land, a considerable part of which well timbered and watered, with a small sugar works which will be disposed of on reasonable terms, if good pay can be made and possession given by the first of May next. Jonathan NICHOLSON, Union.
1825 Susquehanna Democrat 18 Feb Married - In Union, on Thursday the 10th inst., by John DODSON, Esq., Samuel
Koons, of Huntington, to Miss Polly Croop, of the former place.
Several other marriages are recorded, performed by him as Justice of the Peace.
1837 indication of location of land: Re: Sale of land by sheriff: Also parcel in Huntington Township, bounded by Caleb
Williams, Matthias Williams, containing 200 acres. Also 40 acres on Huntington Creek, bounded by John
Dodson 2nd, Luther Trescott, Amos Forbes, Septimus Bacon, on which there is a saw mill.
1837 July 26 Officers of the Nanticoke and Hughesville Turnpike Company: President - John
Koons Treasurer - Daniel Koons Managers - Henry Funston, Abraham Bodine, George
Rhoane, Elias Dodson, John Dodson Esq., John R. Dean
1837 4 Nov Sheriff's Sale: Land in Huntington Township, being south end of Lot No. 4 in first division, bounded by township line, Lot No. 4, Samuel EARLE, containing 50 acres. Seized and taken in execution at the suit of John Sadler against John Dodson, admin. of William Brandon, dec'd.
1850 census of Pennsylvania, Luzene County, Huntington Township age 79.
Son: Monroe Dodson 1826 - 1908
From: Portrait and biographical album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties,
Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1890.
MONROE DODSON, M. D., who for 'thirty-eight years hns successfully pursued the practice of his profession in Wisconsin, was born in the town of Huntingdon, Luzerne Co., Pa., on the 26th day of June. 1826, and is a son of John and Sophronia (Monroe) Dodson. His father, who was a farmer in easy circumstances, was born in Northampton County, Pa., and was of English descent. He passed his life in his native State and was highly respected in the community where he resided.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm, receiving his early education in the public schools. When eighteen years of age he entered Berwick Academy as a student, where he pursued his studies a few terms, teaching school during the winter months. He began the study of medicine in his native State, but before completing his studies moved to Iowa. The following year, 1849, he went to Madison, Wis., where he further fitted himself for his chosen profession and then attended lectures in the medical department of the Iowa State University, then located at Davenport, and was graduated in the class of 1850. Returning to Madison, he embarked upon his professional career, continuing practice in that city until February, 1851, when he settled permanently at Berlin, where he has since resided. From the time of his coming until the present, Dr. Dodson has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice and has won a reputation that entitles him to rank among the leading physicians and surgeons of the State. He is a member of the Rock River Medical Society, also the State Medical Association, and in each organization has borne an active part, having served as President of the last named. He is also a member of the American Medical Association. Appreciating the necessity of keeping abreast of the times in the progress of medical science, he has on two occasions absented himself from home and attended lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College and the Bellevne Hospital College of New York City, and has been a liberal patron of the best medical journals of the country.
In 1862, Dr. Dodson opened a drug store at Berlin, which he carried for twenty years, doing an extensive business in that line, in addition to the regular practice of his profession. Since 1882, he has devoted his attention exclusively to his profession, and to his official duties as Superintendent of the city schools. The Doctor has always taken a warm interest in educational matters; for twentyfive years he has been a member of the Berlin .School Board, and for twelve years has held the office of Superintendent. During this time the schools of the city have rapidly improved and the high standard of perfection to which they have now attained, leflects great credit upon those who huve had charge of their management and especially upon the Superintendent. Dr. Dodson possesses studious habits and is a thorough scholar. His interest in mental culture and scientific research has led him to take a leading part in securing the services of lecturers on literary and scientific subjects, thus affording superior opportunities for mental improvement for all who are disposed to benefit by them.
On the 1st of September, 1857. Dr. Dodson was married in Cayuga County, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth O. Abbott, daughter of John and Mary (Osborne) Abbott, and a native of the county in which her marriage was celebrated. Two children, sons, were born of their union: John M., the elder, was born in Berlin, Jan. 20. 1859. was educated for the medical profession in the Rush Medical College of Chicago and the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating from the former in the class of 1882, and from the latter in 1883. He is now successfully engaged in practice in Chicago. Charles Millard, the younger son, was born in Berlin, Sept. 20, 1860, educated in the city schools, graduating from the High School, after which he studied pharmacy and for several years was engaged in the drug business at Milwaukee and at Hayward, Wis. He now resides in Berlin.
Dr. Dodson is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Berlin Lodge, No. 38, Berlin Chapter, No. 13, R. A, M,, also of Berlin Lodge,