The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-04-16
DEATH OF JOHN DODDS|
Pioneer Mahaska County Resident
Passes Away.

county, Pa, August 25th, 1920. Hell
was OF Irish parentage, his father,
James Dodds coming from Ireland in
the early days. His boyhood was
spent in the east but he was still al
young man when he arrived in Iowa
In 1861. He settled in Mahaska
county and secured good farm in
Adams township. He worked upon
and improved this with much success
until 1880 when he came to the city.
His agricultural work had earned him
a competence and in 1880 he left the
farm and came to the city to take life
in an easier vein. He purchased and
occupied a property at the corner of
High avenue and G street that is
to this day as the John Dodd's corner.
The family recently secured the Chas.
Leighton place, No. 1913 South Third
street where death occurred at one
thirty o'siock, p. m, Friday afternoon,
April 10, 1908.
John Dodds was married in 1853 to
Miss LYDIA Bobo, in Ohio, and they
had residence in that state several
years before coming to Mahaska
county. Eight children came to bless
their union and all of the children
were at the bedside of the parent at
the time of his death. The children
are James p, formerly county super
intendent of MahasKa schools, Will
liam E., practicing physician of Rich
land, SADIE e., the wife of Paul Chan
ey, q business man of Kansas City,
Esther Virginia, tae wife of Joseph
Larimer, an Iowa Central engineer,
of Oskaloosa, John c., of Kansas
City, Wayne F., of Oskaloosa, Carrie
L.. the widow of Herbert Gamble and
Ida L., employed In brokerage
Office In New York City. ...., s-..,
John Dodds was a remarkable man,
and notably so in a physical sense.
He was possessed of remarkable
vitality and strength. The statement
that he had not known sick day in
his life would not be an exaggeration.
The man did not know the meaning
Of illness. His death was not due to
any sickness, but the deceased be-
came weaker and weaker and drop
ped into the last long sleep without
pain or complaint-the lamp fiickered
and went out. For some weeks prior
to the date of death the old gentle
man has been sleeping much of the
time. He would take nourishment
with difficulty and seemed to pass into
stupor induced by the deep sleep.
The slumber became deeper and in
longer periods, strength began wan
ing until the sleeper awakened no
more. He died at the age of 81 years,
months and 10 days. The remark
able vitality seems family charac-
teristic. A brother. william Dodds,
| of Washington, Ia, survives at the
| age of "a years, and a sister now re-
siding in Pennsylvania is 80 years
old, and the children are all of the
rugged, healthful nature.
Mr.. Dodds in his earlier years was
a teacher of ability and followed this
line of work with considerable sue
cess. AS the years passed he became
we'll known in the county. ne was
always interested In the doings of
the day, having a keen interest in
life and in his fellow man. He was
honored and respected by everyone
and was frequently called to duty in
public way. He was postmaster OF
"Buckhorn," afterwards Bueyms Office
and also held all places of trust and
responsibility in his township. Then
the county called him and he served
in the state general assembly for a
part of term, filling a vacancy. He
was later a justice of the peace. In
politics he has always been a republi-
odist Episcopal church and was also
connected with the Masonic fraterni-
ty. He was man of sterling charac-
ter, acute business ability, that en-
abled him to accumulate a property
of over 500 acres of fine farming
land, and he was possessed of an
even temperament that added to his
admirable qualities as a man. He
was also a great student and a reader
over a wide field.
DODDS.-The funeral of the late
John Dodds took place from the fam
lily residence Sunday afternoon and
was largely attended. Interment was
made in Forest cemetery.
The services at the house were con-
Quoted by Rev. Alexander McFerran
of the First Presbyterian church, and
music was furnished by Misses Pig
con Boyer, Maine Rosebrook and Mae
Millar, and Messrs. Herbert Davis
and Clair Gordon. At the grave the
services according to the Masonic rit-
ual were led by F. w. Glaze, the Mas
ter of the lodge, of which the deceas-
ed had been member. The pail
bearers were members of the lodge
and comprised S. W. Jones, j. G. Har-
rold, M. ID. Gilchrist, j. M. Heron.
Lewis Cruzen and ]. w. Doak. Many
beautiful floral offerings gave testi-
mony of the high esteem in which this
pioneer and well known citizen was
held. 49,.
Those from distance in attendance
at the funeral, In addition to the men,
bers OF the family were: T. l.. Dodds
and Mrs. Sarah Harris, the children
nf thu hrofba- NUill{an, noIa,