R. W. DODDS, an energetic and prosperous young farmer of Donegal township, is a native of Washington county, Penn., born September 12, 1858, in Independence, Independence township. His grandfather, John Dodds, was born in 1771, in County Donegal, Ireland, and when but a mere boy ran away to sea, first becoming an apprentice on a British merchantman bound for India. He followed a sailor life for some time, but at length became tired of adventure, and when ashore one day while his ship was in the harbor of Philadelphia, he concluded to remain on land, and did so. He afterward entirely abandoned "a life on the ocean wave," and deciding that a home in the forest wilde offered superior attractions to "a home on the rolling deep," he came west, walking the entire distance from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, Penn. On his arrival in the latter city he engaged in the river trade with Malcolm Leech, taking merchandise to New Orleans, which at that time was a good market, the return journey to Pittsburgh being made on foot. After steam power was applied to river navigation, this practice was abandoned, and he did but little in that business after 1836. In 1818 John Dodds was united in marriage with Sarah McKeever, of West Middletown, Penn., who was born in 1797, and they had the following children: Agnes (deceased), Thomas (deceased), James, Margaret (widow of Lewis Applegate, of Brooke county, W. Va.), Mary Ann (Mrs. William Dodds of Washington, Iowa), and William (deceased). Soon after his marriage Mr. Dodds purchased the farm known as the "Old Dodds homestead," lying two and one-half miles south of Independence. In 1826 he moved to West Middletown, in order to secure better educational opportunities for his children, but ten years later he returned to the farm, and lived a retired life. He was of a very generous disposition, and many poor Irish emigrants received money from him to pay their passage to America. Among the number he brought a brother and family from Ireland, and purchased a home for them in Harrison county, Ohio. Politically he was a Whig, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1850; his widow is now living with a daughter in Iowa, almost a century having passed over her head.
James Dodds, father of subject, was born February 26, 1822, on the farm in Independence township which is his present home. He received a common-school education, working on the home farm during his younger years. In 1848 he was married to Elvira Vance, and they had three children: James V. (residing in Independence township), Joseph C. (living at home), and R. W. Mr. Dodds resided on the home farm in Independence township for some time after his marriage; then farmed two years in Brooke county, W. Va., and afterward lived in Independence seven years, where he was dealing in stock. In 1859 he purchased the "home farm," upon which he is now living. Mr. Dodds has traveled a great deal, and is a representative man of his neighborhood. In politics he is an active Republican, and has held various township offices.
R. W. Dodds was brought from the village of Independence to the old home farm in Independence township at an early age, and obtained a common-school education at the schools of the township, as well as the necessary experience for the making of a prosperous farmer. On December 21, 1882, he was married to Laura Hair, who was born November 7, 1864, in Fayette county, Penn., a daughter of Abraham Hair, of Donegal township, and to their union the following children were born: Mary, Alma, Bertha M., Carrie and James A. Mr. Dodds lived with his parents some time after his marriage, and in 1887 purchased a part of the "Dickey tract," located in Donegal township, about one and one-half miles south of Dunsfort, near the West Virginia line. He has since been engaged in general farming and stockraising. He is a very progressive and energetic young agriculturist, sure to succeed in life. In political opinions he is a Republican.
Text taken from page 435 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed June 1997 by Marion L. Smith of San Diego, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]