DODGE, (Capt.) Lyman J., Oswego, NY., then St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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CAPT. LYMAN J. DODGE, MELVILLE.--Capt. Lyman J. Dodge, the oldest railroad man
in the State, was born in Oswego, N. Y., December 30, 1825.  He is the son of
John and Sarah (Bullen) Dodge, both natives of Massachusetts.  They were
married in New York and removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where they resided the
remainder of their lives.  John Dodge was an architect.  He built a great many
structures in Western New York.  He retired from business when our subject was
a boy. 

The subject of our sketch was the youngest of four sons and three daughters.
He graduated from a private school near home.  After the completion of his
literary education he commenced the study of law.  Although prepared, he did
not apply for admittance to the bar, but gave his attention to railroad
construction.  In 1849 he came to the State of Louisiana, and in 1853 was
superintendent of crib work for the Jackson & New Orleans Railroad Company.
He was afterward employed by the New Opelousas & Great Western, now Southern
Pacific Railroad Company, in the capacity of road master; he was connected
with the above named railroad company for a period of seventeen years.  During
its occupancy by Confederate troops he was its Military Superintendent.  He
also commanded an engineering corps with the rank of captain.  He has been
connected with nearly every road in the State.  His place of residence, until
1882, was New Orleans, when he removed to Melville, St. Landry parish, and
located.  He assisted in building the celebrated bridge across the Atchafalaya
River at this place.  Through his instrumentality a post-office was
established here and he was appointed postmaster, which position he has since
filled.  He was married in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth F. Brantley.  Mrs. Dodge is
a member of the Episcopal church.  Our subject's a Knight Templar, with a
membership in New Orleans.

Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section, pp.
28-29.  Edited by William Henry Perrin.  Published in 1891, by The Gulf
Publishing Company.