The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-02
l8O5--ALLEN DODSON--l897.
sketch of a Life that Spans Much OF
the Past-An Interesting History.

Greenwood, =. g., May ~ 1877.
Editor Press and Banner,;
We are told in Holy Writ, that OF twelve
men appointed by the Lord TO do certain
work-spy out the land of Caanau-only Two,
Caleb and Joshua, were faithful anu receiVeu
the promised reward, while only one ot these
-Joshua-grew TO great renown as leader
and a ruler and had his DEEDS, valorous OF
otherwise chronicled by himself or other
contemporaneous Wr,ers7and IN nus eS,hn eHapIef pof
emulation 1t was easy enough then
aud is easy enough now TO speak
aud write of Joshua Not so with Caleb, he
then and not uncommon now hence we know
very little about him. However ne was none
the less an honored servant OF Goa, lor the
Record tells US he too Lived stiil; May ne
IL was in unosten q tatious style on his compar-
atively small possessions at Hebron. but Inc
same authority says"it had rest from war
which for those times speaks volumes LOT
Caleb's goodness and wisdom. III we loIIoW
the smile down TO The present We flad
men and women all about US. OF whom CALEB
and Joshua are prototypes. Men IN the secu-
lar and religious world who from superior
endowments or greater opportunities, write,
or have written, their names high on the
scroll OF fame In church and State, men who
receive the plaudits OF nations and AT whose
feet blograpners delight 10 bow, ana 10 whom
the press Of the world counts 1t a privilege 10
do homage-The Joshuas.
There is another Class, by far more Dume-
rous, and not the least important: Men VINO
occupy that humber sphere that makes home
life monentous-that citadel OF virtue or oi
Vice-from whence may radiate sunshine
enough to illumine Il whole community or
may be pent up In It's own tmpenetraole uun-
geon OF sin-who live in unprelentious style
In the quiet retreat OF their own surround
ings, at peace with all mankind, their record
clear as nOon-day sun, no blot on their
escutcheop, tower OF strength for good In
their communities, not known far from home
but as Tar as known their names are syno-
MINIS for Christian uprightnesS. Few are the
newspaper men who dare invade the sancity
OF that halo which surrounds theul-the re-
suit OF q pure LIE and cariect living. There Is
nothing here upon which the sensationalist
or scandal monger may feed and their modes
ty precludes the possibility of job Tor the
so-fnuch-p -per-coum biographer-The Calebs.
Of this later CLASS the subject OF this sketch Is
d type.
est aud only surviving child, out OF fourteen,
OF James Dodson, was born december p,
1905, within one mile OF where he now lives,
near Ware Shoals, in Abbeyilie county. bis
father, lived In the same neighborhood the
greater part OF his long life, having died but
few years ago at the age OF VI years. Allen
Dodson's mother was Miss McGee. sister 10
Abuer MCGEE. who also lived TO Il ripe old
age. Mr.. Dodson received only such educa-
tion as the country schools then afforded and
has made farming the occupation OF his life.
He bought and settled the place on which he
now lives in 1880, and has lived there consG.
cutively except four years be spent in MiSsis-
slppi. whittier he eniigrated With some of his
DrOtlerS ABOUT he Ildb Ueeu THRICE mar
ried and, boasts. that OF all the blessings he
has enjoyed, the greatest has been three OF
the best wives in the world.
His first marriage was to Miss Nancy An.
derson in 1879. From this union nine chill
dren were born and raised. Mrs. Dodson died
in 1878, at the advanced age of Il years. His
second marriage was to Mrs. Martha Cooper
in 1879. She having died in 1857, he was
married to his present wife Miss Sallie White
in 1883 who being much younger In years Is a
real comfor and help-mete TO him In his last
days My reference to James Dodson's fani-
ly only Included those of his first marriage
he has one son, James Calvin, by his second
wife who lives in Graves county, Kentucky.
Allen Dodson has been member OF Turk ey
Creek Baptist church for g. years and is still
q regular attendant at all its services. AL
though possessed OF uncommon health and
strength Tor one Of his years, he lives in daily
expectation Of q summons TO his home be.
yond the skies where the weary shall have
rest from their labors. Living at peace with
all the world death has no terrors for HMM
fact it IL a theme on which he delights 10
dwell. He enjoys the confidence and esteem
OF all who know him. his honesty Of purpose
none wilt gainsay-he has no enemies-great
attributes his remarkable health and
longevity of years to strict observance OF
hygenic laws and temperate living. He has
never used tobacco in any form, or been ad
dicted 10 the use of alcoholic stlmulants
"Reminiscences from Mr.. Dodson's long career
would of course be interesting, and would
fill columns. but cannot be undertaken in
short newspaper article such as this Is intend
ed to be-. For want Of space many importan,
.events in his life have been omitted.
To undertake the geneaogy Of Mr.. James