THE DODSON FAMILY, one of the oldest in Lawrence County, Indiana, settled
here as early as 1818.  The father, GEORGE W. DODSON, a native of North
Carolina, was reared there and when a young man married MISS MARY THOMPSON,
and soon after the marriage moved to Kentucky, and in 1818 came to Indiana,
locating in this county, where he died January 24, 1835, and his wife in
1858.  Mr. Dodson's life was devoted to agricultural pursuits.  He was well
known and highly respected.  In his family were five children.  JOHN L.
DODSON, his third child, was born in Palestine, Lawrence County, Ind.,
October 19, 1819.  He is said to have been the first male child born in
Palestine.  He was reared on the farm, and lived with his mother until he
became of age, continuing on his father's estate until about 1847.  In
January, 1847, he and two brothers purchased 352 acres of land, which they
farmed conjointly for about two years, when it was sold.  In 1850 Mr. Dodson
purchased his present farm (Marion Township), at that time comprising 333
acres, but now 500 acres, and also 400 acres near by in Spice Valley
Township.  He has been married twice, his first wife being MISS NANCY BASS,
to whom he was married July 10, 1849.  She was the daughter of JOHN and
SALLIE (FENDER) BASS, and was born in Lawrence County, dying January 1,
1877.  To this union were born these children:  EMMA, LAURA, MARY, LYMAN,
SARAH and FRANK.  His second wife was DEMMA BASS, a native of Lawrence
County. To this union have been born two children:  RAYMOND and BERTHA.  Mr.
Dodson is a man of integrity, a public spirited citizen and highly esteemed.
GEORGE W. DODSON, fifth and youngest of the children of the Dodson family,
was born in Lawrence County, Ind., June 20, 1826.  He was reared on the
farm, and early in the fifties settled in Woodville, where he kept store,
but later began teaching school, which he followed two years.  He was then
for several years engaged in various kinds of business;  general
merchandizing, hotel, drugs, school teaching and Deputy Postmaster.  He has
an orchard of eighty acres.  He has been School Trustee of his township, and
is the patentee of the Dodson Coffee Roaster, which has given satisfaction
to all who have tried it, and has had quite an extensive sale.  In 1883 he
located where he is now in the drug trade.  March 13, 1855, he married MISS
ADALINE OLINGER in Woodville.  She was born in Harrison County, March 22,
1837, and three children have been born to them:   LILLIE, now MRS. W. T.
MOORE;  MARY F., and LIZZIE, deceased.  Mr. Dodson and family are members of
the Presbyterian Church.  In politics he is a Republican.  Mr. Dodson is the
oldest resident merchant in Mitchell, and is a man of fine business
qualifications.  Another brother, ALEXANDER T., was born in Marion Township,
in 1823.  He was reared on the farm.  He is a man of great foresight, strong
memory, and is remarkably well read in ancient and modern history.   He now
resides in Missouri.  He married CATHARINE DAVIS, and to them were born
several children, three of whom are still living:  WILLIAM, MARY and ELLA.


Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn  "ivie@tima.com"