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GEORGE W. DODDER, a representative farmer of Louisa County, residing on section 18, Grand View Township, was born in 1844, in the county which still continues to be his home. To Joseph W. and Sarah (Yeomans) Dodder were born nine children, of whom he was the fifth in order of birth. His parents, who were natives of New Jersey, were pioneer settlers of Louisa County of 1840, the father purchasing 160 acres of land, which he greatly improved, and also building a very fine brick residence. He made that his home for several years, but in 1873 removed to the farm known as Green Hill Springs. In 1858 he prospected for coal on that farm, drift coal having been noticeable, and in boring found the mineral water, which contains medicinal qualities. He made many important improvements on the place, beautifying it to a great extent, until it is now known far and wide as one of the best summer resorts of the West. The father died in 1884, at the age of seventy-four years, the mother departing this life, in 1886, also aged seventy-four.
Our subject grew to manhood upon his father’s farm, and received his education in the district schools of Louisa County, also attending one term at the seminary at Grand View. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Mary Jane Brown, one of . . .
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. . . Louisa County’s fair daughters, in which county their union was celebrated. Her parents, Joseph and Margaret (Shellabarger) Brown, were natives of Ohio, and pioneer settlers of Grand View Township. In 1836 the father there purchased land and improved a farm, upon which he resided until 1852, when his death occurred, the mother surviving until 1870.
After their marriage Mr. Dodder and his wife settled upon a farm on section 18, Grand View Township, which still continues to be their home. Two children have been born to them: Jennetta Margaret, born April 4, 1873, died in August, 1873; and Vera May, born May 30, 1881. They also have a little boy, who has been living with them for ten years.
Our subject is the owner of 165 acres of fine, arable land, highly cultivated and finely improved, which is stocked with a good grade of Durham cattle. The farm is well tiled, and pleasantly situated about two and a fourth miles from Letts. He also owns ten acres of timber land in Concord Township, and is one of the stockholders in the Co-operative Store at Letts. Independent in politics, he casts his vote for whomever, in his judgment, will fill the office to the best interest of the community, and for the past twelve or fourteen years he has been a School Director in his district.
