Biography of Philip DODSON, Ronald Township, Ionia County, Michigan


Copyright © 1997 by Rebecca Bishop. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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 From the Portrait and Biographical Album, Ionia and Montcalm Counties,
1891, pages 229-230:

    "Philip DODSON. The life of this worthy citizen of Ionia County has
been devoted to industrious efforts and he has probably done as much hard 
work as any man of his years. When he came hither and took possession of a 
tract of land on section 4, Ronald Township, he made a home in the midst 
of the forest, where the brush was so thick that he could not see the road 
from his doorway. 
 	He removed the dense thickets and the heavy timber, built fences and
erected buildings, and brought his property up to a high valuation. He has 
no waste land on his estate and but thirteen acres that is not devoted to 
tillage. 
 	Conspicuous among the buildings is one of the finest barns in the 
county, which cost $2,000 and he hauled all the lumber himself. It is 40x80 
feet, with nine-foot beams and a basement, and is twenty feet above. There 
were twelve  hundred pounds of nails used in its construction.
    Mr. Dodson was born in Indiana County, PA, May 14, 1826, and is a son
of James and Jane (Cribbs) Dodson. His paternal grandfather, Michael 
Dodson, is believed to have been born in Maryland, and his maternal 
grandfather, George Cribbs, was a native of Germany. The parents were born 
in the same Pennsylvania county and took up their residence their after 
their marriage. The father died about 1885 and the mother some thirty-five 
years before. They had fourteen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity,
and ten are still living (1891). Philip is the third in order of birth and 
the eldest son. He remained in his native place until he was about sixteen 
years old and during his boyhood pursued his studies in the common school. 
He then entered the race of life for himself and going to Ohio found work 
as a farm hand, remaining in the Buckeye State twelve years.
    Thence Mr. Dodson went to Noble County, Ind., where he bought a farm 
located southwest of Kendalville. He cleared thirty-five acres of the land 
and made several improvements, there being but a small log house on the 
place when he bought it. He lived there nine years, then came to Michigan 
in 1863 and located where he has remained. His first purchase here was of
eighty-two and a half acres and he has since added eighty acres. Although 
it has taken much hard work to bring his property to its present condition, 
he is well satisfied with the result, and had he his life to live over 
again would not be less industrious than he has been.
    In Wayne County, Ohio, December 21, 1844, the marriage of Mr. Dodson
and Miss Emeline Nye was solemnized. The bride was born in Vermont January 
7, 1827, but her parents removed to the Buckeye State when she was but five
years old and her education and training were received there. She has nobly
borne her part in the affairs of life, devoting herself to the interests of 
her loved ones. Mr. and Mrs. Dodson have seven living children and have 
been bereft of three. The survivors are: Carrie, wife of George Trowbridge,
whose home is in Belding; Harriet, wife of Hiram Minier, whose home is in 
Palo; Alma, now Mrs. Edward Rork, also living in Palo; Harmon B. and J. 
Edward, who are residents of Palo; Willard P., whose home is in Hubbardston;
and George D., who lives in Palo.
    Mr. Dodson has made quite a study of political issues and is fully 
 persuaded that the principles underlying the Republican party are the
just ones and he therefore casts his vote in that direction. For the part 
he has had in promoting the growth of the country by developing her 
agricultural resources and elevating the standard of her citizenship, Mr. 
Dodson is entitled to commendation and we are pleased to represent him in 
this Album."
 





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