Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-06-18
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hlh VI AVilsf 1ndEN ~ WI ~ NAAh
street, Is one Of the most popular and in.
fluential merchants Of New York. lie is
also mos. efficient public man, taking an
active interest in politics, and particular
ly in all religious, moral, and educational
movements. He is the son of the late
David Dodge, an old merchant of New
York Of the highest standing There
were quite a number of sons and daught.
ers, who made excellent marriages and
Were prominent in church circles, The
subject Of our notice was born in the city
of New York, and is now between fifty
and sixty years Of age, At an early age
he entered the dry goods store Of Qua.
ker gentleman named Merritt, at salary
of fifty dollars year. lie relates that il
was one Of his duties to 20 with the son
of his employer 10 the auction houses
where goods had been bought, and bring
them home ON their backs, 10 save the
cost OF the porters' carts of that day.
His employer kept the keys of his store
at his house, and the clerk had to go there
for them in the morning, waking up the
servants for the purpose Of receiving them,
and had also to return them in the even
ing. At that period there was much am
bition among the young clerks to see
whose store should be opened first in the
morning, The fashionably dressed clerks
of this day, who sauntcr down town after
all the mornings dirty work about the
stores and offices has been done by por-
tiers, have little similitude 10 their preie-
cessors Of the olden time"
1t was in this strict school of discipline
and integrity that young Dodge grew TO
manhood. At home he found a select, pi-
GUS family circle aud at the store the rig
id duties of a strict and honorable husi-
ness life. He was youth without vices,
Of most exemplary character in every
respect, had great aptitude for business;
and was frugal and ambitious to succeed
Among the persons who eyineed an inter
est IL his career was that distinguished
merchant, Amos c. Phelps, the founder of
the house of Phelps, Dodge X Co. who
took him into his employ. and finally adj
vanced him to partnership, Mr. Phelps
was man of ardent religious principles,
and devoted much OF his means to the
support of missions and other religious
enterprises. When he died he was a mem
Der of the Mercer Street Presbyterian
Church Mr. Dodge became still more
closely allied to him by the marriage OF
one OF his daughters, who is now living
in the possession Of an immense proper
ty-some two hundred thousand dollars
yearly-in her own right, and j. noted as
one of the most earnest, religious, and be-
nevolent women in New York. Although
so wealthy she is not a lady Of fashion,
but plain appearing and most unasSum
ing person. The children Of this marriage
are number of sons, several OF whom
have been married TO wealthy New York
ladies. VIM. L. Dodge, Jr., married the
daughter of David Hoadlcy and is a mem
Der of his fathers firm. and reports an in
come of ninety-five thousand dollars He
is very prominent in religious and moral
reform movements, and treads strictly in
the footsteps OF his father.
Phelps, Dodge Il Co, are dealers in
metals, and manufacturers al copper,
brass and zinc, and enjoy a commercial
reputation equal to any house in the world.
Mr.. Phelps was man OF strong character
and Mr.. Dodge, as his compeer and sue
cessor, has exhibited traits as
business man and citizen equally
noteworthy as man Of sterling princi
pie. They conducted a business ON prin-
ciple, never deviating from it tn serve any
interest or gain, however great. In the
course Of their business considerable sales
of metal had been made to one Of the So
ciallstic communities which exist about
the country, but as soon as the principles
of the body were discovered further bust
ness Intercourse with them was de-
clined.
Mr.. Dodge is President Of the New
\ ork Chamber of Commerce, and in com
mercial circles exerts the largest indu-
enee from has extensive experience and
rare intelligence and Judgment For
many years he has been largely. interest
ed in the mining and the manufacturing
interests Of the country. lie is prom
inent owner in the Lacawana Iron and
Coal Company, under whose auspices the
present town Of Scranton has grown from
settlement of FIVE small dwellings, to be-
place OF fifteen thousand inhabitants.
In all OF these varied connections Mr..
Dodge has shown the same foresight, en-
terprise, and desire to promote public
good as much as private cads, that have
characterized him III his other relations of
life.
But if Mr. Dodges business career has
been honorable his moral and religious
| career has been illustrious In the past.
and in the present as well, there are no
enterprises and movements of henevoltnce
and moral and religious advancement but
what have had his concurrence, and in
most eases his active and personal labors
His large wealth, the fruit Of his own
integrity, has been scattered far and wide
in aid Of churches colleges. and schools
He has lately made large donation to
Yale College. He is Presbyterian, and
some Of the strongest churches in New
York to-day have been nurtured hy his
influence and wealth. He attends the
| church Of the Covenant, Rev DR. Prem
tiss. Among other obligations which he
imposed upon himself, is to maintain some
thirty meritorieus young men in the diff
ferent theological seminaries, to be instruct
cd for the work of the ministry. He is
much interested in Sunday schools, and
in the temperance and other moral reform
movements. During the war he was very
active in aiding the Christian Commission
anu naue many eIltCtlFe addresses III Its
behalf in the New York ohurchca He j.
prominent member in the Union League
Club He speaks and lectures very fire.
quently, and is a fluent, interesting speak
er. lie reports an income OF one hundred
and five thousand dollars.
Mr.. Dodge was nominated as a candi-
date for the Thirty-ninth Congress by the
Republicans against the Hon. james
Brooks, who received the certificate of
election. The seat was contested by Mr.. |
Dodge, and after severe struggle in the
Committee of elections and warm de- |
bate in the house, it was awarded to him
At the close of his Congressional term
he did not seek reelection, but retired
again into private life. He joined in the
4 Il IL n Ii 4