Preston County, West Virginia Biography of CHARLES F. DODGE This biography was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: ********************************************** ***The submitter does not have a connection*** ********to the subject of this sketch.******** ********************************************** This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg. 563-564 Preston CHARLES F. DODGE, of Terra Alta, has had a busy and effective career in Preston County, covering forty years or more as teacher, farmer, business man and, latterly, in the service of Uncle Sam at the Terra Alta Post Office. The Dodge family was established in Portland District of Preston County about 1846 by his grandfather, Amos Dodge. He was probably born in New York State and as a young married man left Block Island, New York, and moved out to Ohio overland. He remained in the Ohio Western Reserve for a number of years, until forced out by malarial conditions there, and with team and wagon returned East and located permanently in Preston County, West Virginia. He lived until death in Portland District and resumed farming as his vocation. His old homestead, on which he and his wife and other members of the family are buried, is now the property of T. B. Taylor. Amos Dodge married Rachel De Long. Their children were: Marvin, a Union soldier, who died in Preston County; Austin; William; Hiram; Alien; Eliza, who became the wife of James Childs; and Jane, who married John Lewis. All these children settled about their parents and all left descendants there. Austin was another soldier in the Union Army. Austin and William became republicans, while Hiram and Alien retained the family allegiance with the democratic party. Hiram Dodge, father of Charles F. Dodge, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1830, and was about ten years of age when the family settled in Preston County. Though his early advantages were confined to the subscription schools, he subsequently taught school, though his main vocation throughout his years was farming. He died at the homestead near old Daugherty. His wife was a Dunkard, and he joined with her in that religious faith and became a factor in the progressive wing of the church. Her maiden name was Sevilla Ridenour. Her father, John Ridenour, came to Preston County from Germany and always conducted his affairs in the German language, and when he died it was necessary to secure someone familiar with the German tongue to settle up his estate. Sevilla Dodge died July 23, 1918, when about eighty-four years of age. The children of this old couple were: Doctor W. B., of Stuarts Draft, Virginia; John A., a farmer near Terra Alta; Mary A., wife of George W. Wiles, of Preston County; Eliza E., who married T. P. Albright, of Cumberland, Maryland; Charles Franklin, whose record follows; Emma J., wife of W. J. Rader, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia; Jennie, who married D. A. King, of Accident, Mary- land, and died at Eglon in Preston County; M. Howard, an implement dealer at Terra Alta, who married Emma Shaw, daughter of A. Staley Shaw; and Scott T., who lives in Cali- fornia. Charles Franklin Dodge was born at old Daugherty in Pres- ton County March 8,1863, and he kept his home and interests in that community until recent years. He attended the public schools of the district, took a normal course and at the age of seventeen taught his first term. Thereafter teaching was his regular vocation every winter for twenty years. It supple- mented his efforts as a farmer, and when he finally gave up the farm and the schoolroom he removed to Terra Alta and for three years was in the implement business. He then entered the Government service as a mail carrier, and when the new postmaster took charge in 1921 he was assigned to clerical duties in the office. Mr. Dodge for a number of years owned the Dunnington Hotel at Terra Alta, which he improved and enlarged, finally disposing of it. He still owns his farm, and for several years it has been worked by his son, Bruce A. Dodge. Mr. Dodge is a democrat, and some years ago he made a most creditable race as a candidate for the House of Delegates, running far ahead of his ticket. He is a Methodist, and formerly was a trustee and member of the Building Committee of the Cedar Valley Church. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In Portland District May 1,1890, Mr. Dodge married Miss Clara A. Beatty, daughter of George R. and Sarah (Trow- bridge) Beatty, farmers in that locality and now deceased. Mrs. Dodge has a sister, Martha S., wife of Sheridan A. Chi- dester. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dodge. Their only son, Bruce A., is a prosperous young farmer at the home place, married Reba Teets, and they have two children, Clarence and Marie. Miss Bessie is still in the home circle. Georgie E. is the wife of L. S. Wilson, of Kingwood, and their children are Mervyn, Argyle Deane, Sara Etta, Martha and Marjorie.