Biographical Sketch of Gen. John R. DOBSON (1881); Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Candace Roth 
<clroth1229@earthlink.net>.

***********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial  
individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter 
information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites 
requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. 
We encourage links to the state and county table of contents.  

http://www.usgwarchives.net/
***********************************************************************

From THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope (1881);

pg. 524

DOBSON, Gen. John R.,-James and Hannah Dobson, of the Society of Friends, 
emigrated from London, England, in 1750, and settled in Pennsylvania. 
Their son, John R. Dobson, married Sarah A., daughter of John and Mary
(Haybisen) Richesson; the former an emigrant, in 1756, from Manchester, England, 
and the latter born in the State of German parents.  To John R. and Sarah A. 
Dobson was born in Cumberland County, Dec. 6, 1818, John Richesson Dobson.  He 
received a common-school education, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to 
the iron business.  In 1848 he entered upon the duties of superintendent in the 
Phoenix Iron-Works.  In December, 1848, he married S. A. Slackhouse, born in 
February, 1828, in Dover, N. J., and their family now consists of one son and 
two daughters.  In 1858 he was burgess of the borough of Phoenixville.  In 1860 
served as school director. In 1861, at the call of the President, he recruited a 
company, and on the 19th of april offered its services to Governor Curtin, and 
was succeeded in the iron-works by his brother, Joseph Dobson.  His company was 
accepted and mustered into service, and known as Co G, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps.  He served with his company in the Army of 
the Potomac until the battle of Gettysburg, where, in the charge on Little Round 
Top, Capt. Dobson was so severely wounded that he was rendered unable to resume 
active duties in the field.  For his bravery on that occasion he received from 
the War Department a major's commission.  In 1864, at the expiration of his 
three years' service, he was mustered out with his regiment, and returned to 
Phoenixville to resume the duties which he had left to enter the army.  In 1866 
he was elected school director, and served as secretary of the board.  In 1867 
an effort was made to erect a monument in Morris Cemetery to the memory of those 
who had fallen in defense of the nation, in which he took a prominent part, 
serving as president of the organization.  In 1869 he was appointed postmaster 
of Phoenixville.  In 1870 he was commissioned by Governor Geary as captain of 
Reeves Rifle Company, and in 1871, by same, as major-general of the Third 
Division National Guard of Pennsylvania, and bore a conspicuous part in the 
dedication of the soldiers' monument in Phoenixville.  In 1873 was reappointed 
postmaster, and the next year resigned his position in the iron-works to perform 
the duties of this office, and was again succeeded in the former by his brother.  
In 1876 he was reappointed by Governor Hartranft major-general of the Tenth 
Division National Guard of Pennsylvania.  In 1877, at the outbreak of the riot 
in Pittsburgh, by order of the governor, he assembled his division at Malvern 
Station, on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and moved with Governor Hartranft to 
Pittsburgh. 
After a week's stay in Pittsburgh, the Tenth Division was relieved from further 
duty and returned home.  In 1878, by act of the Legislature, the National Guard 
of Pennsylvania was reorganized by consolidating the existing ten divisions into 
one division, thus terminating the commissions of field and staff officers.
  He most bravely and loyally aided the government in the war in defense of the 
Union and for the suppression of the Rebellion.