The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-09
l8O5--ALLEN DODS0N--l897.
Sketch OF IL Life that Spans Much OF
the Past-An Interesting History.
Greenwood, S. g., May p, 1897.


Sketch OF Life that Spans Much Of
the Past-An Interesting History.
Greenwood, S. e., May p, 1897.
Editor Press and Banner; ~
We are told in Holy Writ, that OF twelve
men appointed by the Lord TO do a certain
work-spy out the land OF Caanan-only two:
Caleb and Joshua, were faithful and received
the promised reward, while only one OF these
I-Joshua-grew to great renown as leader
and Il ruler and had his deeds, valorous or
Otherwise chronicled by himself or other
held up unto this day" as one worthy Of
emulation. 1t was easy enough then
and is easy enough now TO speak
was not his own biographer. as was common
then and not uncommon now hence we know
very little about him. However he was none
the less an honored servant Of Goo, for the
Record tells US he too Lived STILL" May be
| IT was in unostentatious style on his compar-
atively small possessions at Hebron. but the
same authority says mad rest from War,
which for those times speaks volumes for
Caleb's goodness and wisdom. Ii we follow
the smile down 10 the present we hnd
men and women all about US, or whom Caleb
lar and religious world who from superior
endowmenls or greater opportunities write,
or have written, their names nigh on the
scroll OF fame in church and State, men who
| receive the plaudits OF nations and at whose
feet biograpners delight to bow, and TO Wnom
the press OF the world counts 1t a privilege TO
| 90 QOndSG-l u6 JObuud
There Is another class, by far more nume-
rous, and not the least important Men who
occupy that humber sphere that makes nome
| life momentous-lhat citadel OF virtue or OF
| vice-from whence may radiate sunshine
| enough TO illumine whole community or
may be pent up in It's own impenetrable dun
geon OF sin-who live In unpretentlous 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
escutcheon, tower OF strength for good In
| . nj B ia
but as lar 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 themEthe re-
suit OF a pure lie and carrect living. There is
nothing here upon which the sensationalist
or scandal monger may feed and their modes
So o-much-per-coIum biographer-The Calebs.
or this later class the subject OF this sketch IL
type. -
Allen Dodson-post.o st.octogenarian-th cid.
est aud only surviving child, out OF fourteen,
OF James Dodson, was born December u,
1906, within one mile OF where ne now lives,
near Ware Shoals, In Abbevilie county, his
father, lived in the same neighoorhood the
greater part OF his long life, having died but
few years ago at the age OF 81 years. Allen
Dodsons mother was Miss MCGEE. sister to
Abner MCGEE, who also lived TO ripe old
age, Mr. Dodson received only such educa-
tiOn as the country schools then aHorded ana
has made farming the occupation OF his life
| He bought ana settled the place on which ne
now lives in 1880. and has lived tnere conss'
cutively except four years he spent In Missis-
slppi, whittier he enigrated with some OF his
brothers about 1850. He has been thrice mar.
rled 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 10 Miss Nancy An
derson in 1870. From this union nine chill.
dren were born and raised. Mrs. Dodson died
In 1878, at the advanced age Of II years: His
second marriage was TO Mrs. Martha Cooper
in 1879. She having died In 1887, he was
married to his present wife Miss Sallie White
IN 1883. who being much younger In years Is q
real comfort and help-mete TO nim 10 his last
days- My reference 10 James Dodsons fami-
| ly only included those Of his first marriage
he has one SOL, James Calvin, oy hls second
| wife who lives in Graves county, Kentucky.
| Allen Dodson has been member OF turkey
Creek Baptist church for 81 years and is sti!l
regular attendant at all us services Al
| though possessed OF uncommon health and
strength ior one OF his years, he lives In daily
expectation of q summons TO his home be-
yond the skies where the weary snail nave
rest from their laborsL Living at peace with
all the world death has no terrors for HMM
fact IL is a theme on which he delights 10
dwell. He enjoys the conf nfdence and esteem
none wilt gainsay-he has no miesIgreat,
but merlLed eulogium. Mr. Dodson
attributes his remarkable health and
longevity Of years TO a strict observance OF
| hygenic laws and temperate living. He has
never used tobacco in any form, or been ad-
dicted TO the use Of alcoholic stimulants.
"reminiscences from Mr.. Dodson's long career
woald of course be interesting, and would
all columns, but cannot be undertaken in q
short newspaper article such az THIS ls intend
ed to be. For want Of space many important
events in his life have been omitted.
To undertake the genealogy OF Mr.. james
Dodson's multitudinous progeny down 10
the present would be task for which am
| wholly Incompetent, l Will say, IN passing
In the West from my earliest recollection and
| they have, without exception, preserved an
untaruished record, In church, lp state, In
peace and in war. Although no relationship,
| save q strong attachment to our father, and
friendship for our mother during her widow
hood-to mis- fourth son, Mr.. Abner II. Dod-
son, one sister, brother ana myself are ln-
continuation Of our mental, moral and physi-
cal training, from the time we were lett
homeless orphans, by the death OF our moth
er, in the West until we were grown.
tweniy-lhree years ago, at which place his
| wIdoW-our foster moIher-Mrs. Jane G. Dod-
son, still lives In ease and happiness In her
declining years IN fui enjoy ment OF d te acond
Children by. all OF whom she is surrounded.
II has been the privilege OF the writer 10
know more of Allen Dodson, his home liie
triarchs now living but every community
has its living represep tatives OF Caleb. Some
Of whom have received anu are epJoying
their length OF days as reward ior isitntui isiti
three score years and ten. They may oe
nothing by blood TO Us but we love them 1or
what they are and have been TO others; we
honor them because God has honored them
we pay them reverence for their furroWed
cheek and sllvered brow-the badge OF
beautiful, honorable and lovable old ageNan,a ,1,a
| aftentionE To them assist In strewing roses in
their path way, that they may know that
though the beau auty OF Spring, the splendor OF
Summer and glory OF Autumn are az gone,
lected or forgotten by the whirl of gaiety and
busy hustling thropg about them.
They will not be with US mucn longer anu
LET us never tire in our efforts 10 convince
| iheln that they are not Old and only IN the