Dodge, Joel

DODGE, GREEN, FITCH, GAGE, KERR

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/3/2008 at 12:31:58

DODGE, Joel
Farmer and Stock Raiser; Sec. 34; P. O. Newton; born in Sullivan Co., N. Y.; Nov. 27, 1839. Married Sarah D. GAGE in New York Dec. 19, 1867. She was born in Delaware Co., N.Y., Nov. 11, 1839. They have two children - Anna and Flora; they were born in Malaka Tp. Iowa. Mr. Dodge has 240 acres of good improved land, valued at $50 per acre, with fine buildings, orchards, groves, etc. He enlisted in Aug. 1862, in Co. I, 10th Iowa V. I.; was in the army of the Mississippi; was in the battles of New Madrid, siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth and fall of Corinth and Iuka; was wounded at the battle of Corinth in the left hand; lost two fingers and injured the balance of the hand so it remains almost useless; was also injured in the thigh and carried the ball two years; served fifteen months and was discharged by reason of his wounds. Mrs. Dodge is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Dodge had a bother[sic] (Israel) in the 13th Iowa V. I., who died at Bolivar, Tenn., from sickness contracted while in the service. ~ "Malaka Township Biographies," The History of Jasper County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)================================================
Joel Dodge

One of the finely improved farms of Jasper County is located in Malaka, and is the property of Mr. Dodge, who, through perseverance and tile exercise of good judgment has gained a prominent place among the agriculturists of the community. The farm consists of two hundred and eighty acres, upon which, in 1888, he erected a suitable equipment of substantial buildings. He has also introduced other valuable improvements, and has placed the soil under a high state of cultivation.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Dodge were among the earliest settlers of Sullivan County, their home being on the Delaware River. His father, Israel I., was born there in 1804, and at an early age became familiar with the work incident to pioneer life. In his youth he was employed in lumbering, but later engaged in farming. In 1858, he came to Iowa and settled in Jasper County, where he acquired the ownership of one hundred and eighty acres. He still makes his home in this county, although now, owing to the infirmities of age, he is retired from active work. A man of mild and kind disposition, generous and persevering, he is popular among the people of the community where he has for years resided. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Israel I. Dodge was thrice married, his first wife having been a Miss Green, by whom he had two children: Israel, who died in the army in 1862, and Elmira, who lives in Postville, Iowa. Unto the union of Israel I. and Betsey (Fitch) Dodge, there were born five children, four of whom are living: Bessie, Emma, Ida and Joel. The third marriage was childless. The only son was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., November 27, 1839, and was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, meantime conducting his studies in the schoolhouses, which, with their primitive furnishings, bear a marked contrast to the complete and cozily furnished buildings of today. At the opening of the Civil War, his sympathies were on the side of the Union, and August 26, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Tenth Iowa Infantry, Captain Garrett commanding. He served for fifteen months, and participated in a number of important engagements, including the two days' battle of Corinth. In the latter battle he was wounded in the hand and thigh, losing the use of the former from the effects of the injury. He now draws a pension of $24 per month.

At Liberty, N. Y., December 19, 1867, Mr. Dodge was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of David Gage. Mrs. Sarah Dodge was born in New York, November 11, 1839, and died November 16, 1879. Her three children were: Anna, who was born October 4, 1868; Flora E., December 16, 1873; and Arthur J., November 11, 1879. The second marriage of Mr. Dodge occurred February 8, 1882, and united him with Miss Asenath K. Kerr. Her father, George Kerr, was one of the early settlers of Fayette County, Iowa, where he located in 1852. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Dodge, namely: Edith N., who was born May 4, 1883; Bessie B., April 13, 1885; Mabel, July 17,1887; Imogene, May 12,1889; and Wallace K., October 27, 1891, all of whom are living.

While not an active worker in party affairs, Mr. Dodge is a stalwart adherent to Democratic principles, and upon the ticket of that party was elected Assessor of his township in 1893. With his wife he holds membership in the Congregational Church, to the support of which he is a generous contributor. He takes an active interest in all measures calculated to advance the welfare of the people, and is numbered among the public-spirited citizens of the community.
Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 461.