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John Dodge, deceased, one of the honored pioneers of Muscatine County, Iowa, became a resident when the city of Muscatine consisted of but two houses. He was born in 1812, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and was a son of Daniel and Mary Dodge. When twenty-two years of age he left his native State to cast his lot with the people of the then Far West, and in the fall of 1834 emigrated to Illinois. Remaining there but a short time, he then crossed the Father of Waters and landed in Muscatine County, Iowa, which then formed a part of the Territory of Michigan. In this county he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Jan. 24, 1889, and his life was identified with its history for more than half a century. After his arrival he secured employment in the mill owned by Mr. Nye, whose sketch will be found on another page of this work. He continued this enployment for many years, but later engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 17, Montpelier Township, until his retirement from active life. Our subject was united in marriage with Flora Fix, a native of Germany, and a daughter of John and Appeline (Repsom) Fix, who were the parents of seven children. They came to this county in 1847, the father working as a laborer at such employment as he could find in Muscatine for a few years, after which he removed to Montpelier Township, where he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred in 1881. The following year his wife also died, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the family burying grounds. By the union of our subject and his wife seven children have been born, only four of whom are now living---Mary J., George W., Augustus C. and John W. Religiously, Mr. Dodge was a member of the Universalist Church, while politically, he was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, strongly advocating its principles as taught by its recognized leaders. He also took a great interest in aiding the cause of education by securing good teachers, and served as Treasurer of the School Board for several years. In fact he always gave his support to any enterprise which had for its object the public good, and did as much as any man in his circumstances toward the upbuilding of the county. He witnessed its development, participated in its growth and progress, and gave his influence and support to all moral and social reformations. Honest and upright in all his dealings, every year of his long residence in the county saw others added to his large circle of warm friends, and in the hearts of Muscatine County's best citizens he held an enviable place. In his declining years he retired from active life, the management of his farm of 240 acres being left to his sons, who performed their duties with that earnest fidelity and trustworthiness which was due to the loving father, who protected and cared for them during their earlier years. n the death of Mr. Dodge the county lost a pioneer who will always be held in grateful remembrance, and we are pleased to give the readers of this work this brief sketch. Of the living children, Mary J. is now Mrs. Marder, and is a resident of Adams County, Iowa; George W. married Nora I. Purcell, and is farming on the old homestead; Augustus C. is a farmer of Guthrie County, Iowa, and John W., the youngest, is unmarried. |