Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-05-02
". A. DODSON FOUND
DEAD IN BATHROOM IN
HOME THIS MORNING
Death, Due to Natural Causes,
Probably Ensued About,
6 O'clock
BODY FOUND AT z a. M.
Funeral Services WiH Be Held
Thursday Afternoon AT
$3.50 O'clock
BODY FOUND AT z a. M.

William A. Dodson, aged SO, and
one of the best known lawyers in
this section of Georgiaf was found
dead in the bathroom at his home
here at o'clock this morning.
Death was due to natural causes
and probably produced by paraly-
tic stroke. Mr.. Dodson, who had
been in Ill health during past year,
went into the bathroom between 4
and O'Clock this morning, and did
not return. Members Of the family
who went there about Z o'clock
found the body. He had been dead
some time when found.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs.
Matte Lewis Dodson, who was a sis
ter OF the late Elijah B. Lewis, Of
Montezuma; one son, W5lliam A.
Dodson, Jr., of Americus; and two
daughters, Mrs. Augustus O. B.
Sparks, Of Macon, and Miss Georgia
Bena Dodson, of Americus A grand
son, A. 0. B. Sparks, Jr, of Ma
can, and brother, j. G. Dodson,
of Atlanta, also survive.
Funeral services will be held from
the family residence on South Lee
street Thursday afternoon at $3.50
O'Clock, Rev. James B. Lawrence,
rector of Calvary church, officiat-
ing at the obsequIes. Intermenv will
be in Oak Grove cemetery.
Mr.. Dodson was born in Marion
county, May 12, 1864, being son
Of James and Georgia Murray Dod-
son, both native Georgians. He
received his early education in the
schools OF Lee county, and grad
uated from the. University OF Geor-
ga in the class of '82 with an A.
b. degree. Shortly thereafter he
was elected principal of the high
school at Montezuma, in which po-
sition he served during two years.
While principal Of the Montezuma
High school he studied law and was
admitted to practice in 1884 by
Judge Allen Fort, of Americus. He
Immediately began practiclng his
profession in association with his
lather, the firm being continued un-
til the death OF James ,Dodson. He
represented Sumter county in the
legislature OF Georgia, 1893-1897,
and during the session 1869
served as speaker protein in the
house of representative at Atlanta.
In 1897 he was elected state sena-
tor for the Thirteenth Georgia dis
trict, in which body he served as
president 1898-99. he was the au-
thor of the Dodson insurance act,
which compelled insurance compa-
MES doing business in Georgia to
pay the full amount of policy claims
without attempting to negotiate
compromises or partial payments,
and as a member of the Public
Utilities of Americas he was lnstru-
mental in the establishment of gas
and electric service here. On Oc-
tober 30, 1880 he married Miss
Martha Lewis, daughter Of John F.
and Lavinia Butts Lewis, who for
merly represented the Seventh Geor-
gia district in congress. lie was
prominent in fraternal circles, be-
ING a member of the Knights OF
Pythias, Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, and Woodmen Of the
World. Though reared in the faith
of the Baptist church, of which his
parents were Jealous members, Mr..
Dodson attended and supported Cal
vary Episcopal church in Americus,
Mrs. Dodson and their children be-
ing communicates in that congre-
cation.