Arthur McCafferty Dodson
and sons James H and John Fletcher
Born about 1819 in Pennsylvania - died about 1874 in Arizona
From: A History of California and an Extended History of Its Southern Coast Counties Volume
1, J. M. Guinn, Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California, 1907
ARTHUR MCKENSIE (McCafferty) DODSON was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1819, remaining in the east until the year previous to the finding of gold in California. The year
1848 found him a miner in this state, but from the fact that he gave up this life two years later and was ever after engaged in commercial pursuits. it is safe to presume that his efforts in this direction were not all that he had anticipated. Coming to the old pueblo of Los Angeles in 1850, he opened one of the first butcher and grocery establishments in the place and was the pioneer soap manufacturer here also. A later enterprise was the establishment of a wood and coal yard at what is now the corner of Sixth and Spring streets, in the very heart of the city. This in fact was the nucleus of a little town to which he gave the name of Georgetown, in honor of �round house� George, then a prominent character in that locality. At a later date Mr. Dodson removed to the San Fernando valley and began raising wheat and barley, this being the first attempt at farming in the valley. Still later he became superintendent of the O�Neill ranches in San Diego county, but meeting with an accident there he was
compelled to give up the management. After recovering from the injury he went to Tucson, Ariz.. and engaged in the cattle business, and it was while there that his death occurred about I886.
The marriage of Mr. Dodson united him with Reyes Dominguez, a member of one of the oldest families of the state, she being a native of this county and a daughter of Nazario Dominguez, well known to all early residents in this part of the state. He and his brothers, Pedro and Manuel, owned the Rancho San Pedro, which extended from Redondo to Compton and on to Long Beach. Mrs. Dodson died in Los Angeles in I885, having become the mother of twelve children. only three of whom are now living. James H. and
John F. are in partnership in business and reside in San Pedro, and Emma, now Mrs. Thompson, resides in Hobart Mills, Nevada county,
California.
Additional Information from: Harbor District of Los
Angeles
The California progenitor of this family was Arthur McKenzie Dodson, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and was one of the horde of adventurers that started for California in 1848, attracted by the discovery of gold. For two years he searched for the elusive metal, but the results were disappointing and in 1850 he located in Los Angeles, where he opened the first butcher shop and grocery store to operate in the old pueblo. In 1893 he became the pioneer soap manufacturer. "Georgetown" was created by him, at the corner of Sixth and Spring streets, Los Angeles, by the establishment of a wood and coal yard at that location. He was married in Los Angeles to Reyes Dominguez, a daughter of Nazario Dominquez, who with his brothers, Pedro and Manuel, owned the great Rancho San Pedro, which extended from Redondo to Compton and thence midway to Long Beach. The founder of the family, Juan Jose Dominguez, came to this section of the state when in a primitive state and was given the grant of ten or eleven leagues in 1822. Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dodson only four grew to maturity: James H., the subject of this sketch; Emma, now Mrs. Thompson, of Hobart Mills, Nevada County, California; John F., who died in San Pedro in 1922; and Mrs. Caroline Steele, who died in Reno, Nevada in 1901. The father died in Tucson, Arizona, in 1874, and was buried in Wilmington, California. Mrs. Dodson died in Los Angeles while the surviving children were young.
From: A History of California and an Extended History of Its Southern Coast Counties Volume
1, J. M. Guinn, Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California, 1907
JAMES H. DODSON. A native of the state, James H(ilsey) Dodson was born in Los Angeles February 26, I861, and in his home county was reared and educated. attending both public and private schools. A turning point in his career came at an early age, for while still a boy he was taken into the home of George Hinds, a large stockman and butcher of Wilmington, this county, he also serving as county supervisor. He was the junior member of the firm of Vickery & Hinds, wholesale butchers. who had stores located in all of the principal towns along the coast. and in the management of these Mr. Dodson assisted for twenty years. In I883 they established a store in San Pedro, it being the pioneer market in the town. and of this Mr. Dodson had charge until resigning to take charge of a similar business of his own. carrying this on until I899.
The year last mentioned was the beginning of an eventful period in the life of Mr. Dodson, and witnessed his removal to Manila, Philippine Islands. where as a member of the firm of Simmie, Swanson & Co. he was interested in the first sawmill in the town. In addition to carrying on the mill the firm had the contract for carrying the mail, and later established the first American carriage works in Manila. In I901 Mr. Dodson began traveling throughout the Philippine Islands, Asia Minor and Arabia. returning by way of the continent and England, and in so doing had circumnavigated the globe. Locating once more in his native state, in 1902 he leased of George Porter a part of the Old Mission ranch, the seven thousand acres which he rented being devoted entirely to the raising of wheat. Coming to San Pedro the following year, he established a partnership with his brother John F. as general contractors for grading and cement work, and in the meantime the name and fame of the Dodson Brothers have become synonyms for all that honest, straightforward dealings would suggest. James H. Dodson was one of the organizers and is manager of the Pacific Manufacturing and Supply Association, manufacturers and dealers in ornamental and building brick and builders� supplies. In I881, while in
Wilmington, Cal.. Mr. Dodson was united in marriage with Rudecinda Sepulveda,
a union which associated him with one of the most prominent families in the state. On the old Palos Verdes rancho Mrs. Dodson was born, the daughter of Jose Diego Sepulveda, he being one of the five owners of this vast estate, which extended along �the sea coast from San Pedro to Redondo Beach. and for miles back into the foothills. The land was originally owned by Mrs. Dodson�s grandfather. Dolores Sepulveda. who was killed by Indians while he was returning from Monterey, where he had gone to obtain a patent to his ranch. l\Inch of the property was handed down to his son, Jose Diego, who was born on the old ranch near San Pedro in I813. During the war of the United States with Mexico he was loyal to the former, contributing generously of cattle, horses, money and provisions from his own private store, and materially aided in extending the dominion of the United States to the Pacific ocean.
Six children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dodson. those living named in order of birth as follows: Florence, James H., _]r., and Carlos D. All that the term
public spirited implies is found in the make-up of Mr. Dodson, who for eight years has been a member of the city council, serving as its president for one term. He has also served in the capacity of license collector. and for eight years he was on the hoard of school trustees. His influence in the upbuilding of San Pedro has further been felt through his association with the Chamber of Commerce. where his opinion has great weight and consideration. Fraternally he is a member of San Pedro Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M., having joined the order in \\/ilmington, where he became master of his lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Dodson have hosts of friends in San Pedro, not restricted to the upper classes alone, for they have given generously of their means to sustain those less fortunate and in fact no helpful beneficence has been denied their support.
JOHN FLETCHER DODSON. As a member of the firm of Dodson Brothers. John F. Dodson is well known throughout San Pedro and vicinity, having established himself in business here as a contractor for cement and grading work about 1898. For about six years he carried on the business alone, during which time he laid some of the best work to be found in the city today. V\/itli the growth of the city and the corresponding demand for work in his line his business grew to such proportions that the assistance and co-operation of some one with an equal interest in the affairs became essential. This want was supplied in his brother, James H., the two uniting their forces in 1904 under the name of Dodson Brothers, a firm which today stands for all that is best and most dependable in their line in this part of the county.
A native of the state, John F. Dodson was born on the San Pedro ranch near what is now Compton April 8,
1867, a son of Arthur McKenzie and Reyes (Dominguez) Dodson. Up to the age of thirteen years John F. Dodson attended the public schools of Los Angeles, after which he went to make his home with his father�s
old time friend, George Hinds, at Wilmington. Mr. Hinds� attachment for the elder Mr. Dodson was strengthened in the fact that the latter had rendered him financial assistance when he came here from the east, a kindness which he never forgot, and one which he has never been able to repay to his own satisfaction. The keen interest which he has ever taken in the sons of his benefactor has been of a substantial character and of lasting benefit to the recipients. For ten years Mr. Dodson was superintendent of one of Mr. Hinds� numerous ranches, this being known as the Henrietta Stock Farm, located near Compton. and devoted to breeding and training standard horses. The knowledge and experience which l\Ir. Dodson gained during this time made him an expert horseman, and in the Southern California circuit he became especially well known. as during "all of the time he was with
Mr. Hinds he drove in the races on that track.
