Ruth Ruddock.
Ireneous died at his home near Walnut, Illinois, Jan. 21, 1897. He
spent two years in school at Carlisle, PA and graduated in Violin from the Boston
Conservatory of Music. He came to Illinois with his uncle, W. D. Bruce,
at the age of twelve years.
He joined the Baptist Church in LaMoille, Illinois and raised
all his children in that faith.
He settled on a large farm in Bureau County near Walnut,
Illinois. In September he returned to Carlisle, PA, where he married Matilda
Carothers on September 30, 1849. They returned to Walnut, IL and lived on their
farm all their lives. Matilda Carothers was born in Plainfield, Cumberland
County, PA, Nov. 18, 1828 and died Jan. 2, 1895.
Ireneus and Matilda raised 11 children: Mary, Will, Warden,
Carrie,
Arthur, Anna, Cebe, Alice, John, Frank and Charles.
Charles Edson Dodge was born on his parents farm near Walnut,
IL, in
Bureau County, May 22, 1868. He was the youngest of 11 children. The
school
they all attended was known as the Dodge School, as the land was given
by their father, Ireneus Bruce Dodge and served as a community school
for
over 100 years. Charles Dodge was a jeweler and owned his own store in
Walnut, IL. He was an expert engraver having graduated from a school in
Chicago, IL. He passed away from a heart ailment, May 16, 1928 at his
home
in Galesburg, IL, and is buried there.
Charles Dodge married Edith Frances Wood at the home of her
parents
in Shelby, IA, Oct. 24, 1900. Edith's parents were Fannie Pierce and
Aaron
Wood who ran a store in Shelby, IA. Edith was a milliner having been
trained
in Chicago, IL. She took her first position with Mary Dodge who owned
her
shop next door to her brother's jewelry store in Walnut, IL.
Charles and Edith had 4 children: Maurine Lura was born at
their home
in Walnut, IL, June 6, 1901 weighing only 3 1/4 lbs. Seven month babies
very seldom lived in those days, but Maurine was encased in cotton
battling
and cared for by the Dodge aunts and Mrs. Stone, the Dodge's next door
neighbor, plus a practical nurse. It was considered a miracle that she
lived and did so well.
Arminda Matilda Dodge was born at home in Walnut, Il on
Thanksgiving
Day, Nov. 29, 1906; weight 6 lbs.
Lour Charles Dodge was born at the home in Olewein, IA, May
25, 1914;
weight 7 lbs. Grandparents, Aaron and Fannie Wood drove from Galesburg,
IL to Olewain, IA in their new Overland automobile to help welcome
their
1st grandson.
Vaughn Aaron Dodge was born at home on Beecher Ave.,
Galesbury, IL,
April 4, 1916; weight 7 1/2 lbs. Dr. Corbin was the physician.
Grandfather
Wood came over and stayed until the baby arrived and all was well.
Edith Frances Wood was born in West Mitchell, IA, Feb. 2,
1878. Her parents were Fannie Pierce and Aaron Wood. She helped her
father in his department store until going to Chicago to train as a
milliner. Her first position was with Mary Dodge in Walnut, IL, where
she met Charles Dodge. They were married in Shelby, IA, Oct. 24, 1900.
Edith Dodge was a devoted wife and mother known for her cheerful
disposition. She was an expert seamstress and excellent cook. The Dodge
home was the gathering place for many family celebrations. She was
raised in the Presbyterian Church but transferred her membership to her
neighborhood East Main Congregation Church, Galesburg, IL, April 1924.
She passed away in her sleep at her home, 100 Allens Ave., Galesburg,
IL, March 30, 1933. She is buried with her husband in the Dodge plot in
Memorial Park.
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