|
Augustus Villars Dodge Descendent of Tristram Dodge |
|
Augustus Villars Dodge, of Burlington, Iowa, is a native of Missouri, born
Jan. 31, 1842, and was the son of Gen. Augustus C. and Clara A. Dodge. His
education was received in Paris, Madrid, and at Roxbury Latin School, of Boston,
Mass., and began business with Hayden & Co., of Chicago, later employed by John
H. Gear, with whom he was employed as a traveling salesman. A0 In 1868 he
engaged in the grocery business for himself, and in 1871 formed a partnership with
a Mr. Rankin in the wholesale produce and ice business.
On the 15th of April, 1873, at Fairfield, Iowa, Mr. Dodge was united in marriage with Virginia A. Temple, a native of that city, and a daughter of George D. and Sarah J. (Thompson) Temple. A0 Her father came to Burlington, with his parents, one year prior to the arrival of Gen. Dodge. A0 Two children graced this union -- Henry Temple, born June 4, 1874, and Villars Atherton, April 29, 1876, Burlington being the birthplace of both. A0 The death of Mr. Dodge occurred March 25, 1888. A0 He was highly educated, and a man of A0 literary tastes and studious habits, fond of music and the drama. A0 He was a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and also belonged to the Modern Woodmen. A0 In politics he was a Democrat. A0 Mrs. Dodge is a member of the Episcopal Church. Charles Jones Dodge, Prosecuting Attorney for Des Moines County, Iowa, was born in Washington, D. C., July 31, 1852, and is the son of Gen. Augustus C. and Clara A. (Hertich) Dodge. He spent four years of his childhood at Madrid while his father was United States Minister at the Spanish Court, and on his return to America made his home at Burlington, Iowa, the permanent place of residence of the family. His preparatory education was received in the city schools, and when fifteen years of age he entered the University of Notre Dame, Ind., where he took a classical course, and, after an attendance of six years, graduated in 1874 with honors. He distinguished himself while at the University by his studious habits and good scholarship. In his junior year he won the class medal, and later, as a prize for the leader in elocution, he was awarded a fine Maltese cross, valued at $50, and at the close of his senior year, he won the honor of being chosen to deliver the valedictory. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Dodge entered upon the study of law in the office of Judge Tracy and attended the State University of Iowa, where he took a regular law course, receiving his diploma June 30, 1875. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Burlington, trying his first case in court on the 12th of July following. Mr. Dodge was married at Burlington, Jan. 6, 1876, to Miss Ella Craig, daughter of Robert E. Craig of St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Dodge was born in New Lis bon, Ohio. On entering upon the practice of law at Burlington, Mr. Dodge was first associated with W. S. Fegan, and in 1876 formed the existing partnership with his brother, Senator W. W. Dodge. He is a Democrat in politics. The first official position he was chosen to fill was that of City Solicitor, holding the same for one term. At the regular election of 1886, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Des Moines County, and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Dodge comes of an illustrious Democratic family, his immediate ancestors, father and grandfather having been eminent statesmen of national reputation. His father, Gen. A. C. Dodge, was conspicuous in the public affairs of Iowa, represented the State in the National Congress from 1848 to 1855, and was United States Minister to Spain during the years 1855-1859. His grandfather, Henry Dodge, was prominent in the early history of Wisconsin, was the first Governor of that State, and was elected to the United States Senate. A peculiar incident in the family history, well worthy of mention, was that of father and son, Henry and A. C. Dodge, sitting side by side in the United States Senate as members of that body, representing different States. Charles J. Dodge inherits many of the brilliant qualities which made his illustrious father so popular. He is gifted as an orator, and has won a foremost place as a lawyer. Hon. William Wallace Dodge, a prominent lawyer of Burlington, Iowa, and the present State Senator from the Ninth Senatorial District, was born in Burlington, April 25, 1854. His father was the late Gen. Augustus C. Dodg e, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in this volume. His grandfather, Gov. Henry Dodge, was the first Governor of Wisconsin and also served as United States Senator from that State. |