Lapeer-Macomb-Barry County MI Archives Biographies.....Dodge, Winchester T. 1828 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 20, 2007, 6:53 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

WINCHESTER T. DODGE. A resident of Imlay City, our subject was born in the town
of Dunham, Cisco County, in the Province of Quebec, October 6, 1828. He is a son
of Brewer and Temperance (Sweet) Dodge, the father being a native of New
Hampshire and of English descent, the mother a native of Canada and of Welsh
descent. The paternal grandfather, Brewer Dodge, served through the whole period
of the Revolutionary War.

  Our subject was about ten years of age when his parents came to Michigan in
March, 1838, landing at Port Huron on the 7th of that month. His father was a
tanner and shoemaker by trade, but was quite a large landowner. He had a tannery
in Romeo, Macomb County, and also made boots and shoes there. Our subject
received a good common-school education and attended a select school for a
number of terms. This school, or academy, was taught by Prof. Lutting.

  Our subject began for himself at the age of eighteen years; when he was
nineteen he taught for a term of four months. He had worked enough at the
shoemaking trade to have learned it and also had learned the harness-maker's
trade. He worked one year as an apprentice under Joseph Ayers, of Romeo, being
with him two years longer as journeyman. He then started in the shoemaking and
harness business, hiring a competent foreman for the last-named department and
under him he finished learning his trade. He carried this out for a few years
and then sold out and went to Barry County and purchased a farm near Perryville.

  Although totally inexperienced in agricultural work, our subject made a
success of farming. He had previously married at the age of twenty years Miss
Charlotte H. Wing. The marriage was solemnized October 22, 1848. There were no
children and Mrs. Dodge died April 10, 1858. After an experience of two years in
farming our subject sold his place and then purchased other land, after which he
devoted himself to farming for twenty-five years.

  Soon after the breaking out of the war our subject entered the army as Second
Lieutenant in Company F, Seventh Michigan Cavalry, being mustered in in October,
1862. In January, 1863, he was transferred to the United States service, and
July 8, 1863, was promoted to the post of First Lieutenant. He served under
Custer and was with him in many battles, escaping with but two slight flesh
wounds. Our subject was honorably discharged in October, 1864, having resigned
his post on account of disability. Mr. Dodge's second marriage took place June
20, 1859. By this union there are three children living, the family comprising:
William T. who lives at Big Rapids; Arthur B. who died at the age of three
years; Cora B. and Annie T. William was born April 2, 1860, at Orangeville,
Barry County; he is a physician and surgeon, having been graduated from the
medical department of the University of Michigan and having taken a post
graduate course at Bellevue Hospital, New York; Cora B. keeps house for our
subject. Mrs. Dodge died June 1, 1887, in Imlay City.

  He of whom we write removed to Plainwell, Allegan County, in 1870, and was
there engaged in the general merchandise business, still owning his farm. He
conducted the business for two years and then sold out both store and farm and
removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he leased a large plantation near the city
furnishing milk at wholesale for the inhabitants. He was there but one year when
he sold out and returned to Romeo in 1873, and in October, 1874, he removed to
Imlay City and engaged in the harness and livery business. He sold out the
harness business in 1887, but is still engaged in the livery business in
partnership with Mrs. R. T. Dodge under the firm name of W. T. Dodge & Co. Our
subject was formerly a Douglas Democrat but voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1864
and has been true to the Republican ticket ever since. While in Barry County he
was Supervisor for a number of years and has been on the Village Board for
twelve years, being President of it two terms. He was Assessor for two years. He
is a member of the Congregational Church and socially belongs to the Masons.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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