Dodge, Israel D. – 1805-1894

CUTLER, DODGE, FAIR, HARRAH, MOTT

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 10/20/2010 at 12:05:54

Israel D. Dodge, was born in Rockland, Sullivan Co., N.Y., April 4, 1805. He was 88 years old last April. He grew to manhood in his native county. For the most part, he followed the business of lumbering. He spent 30 years of his life in the hard and dangerous business of rafting on the Delaware river. He associated, naturally, with his regular business that of hunting, and his courage and great powers of endurance were many times put to the test in the pursuit of the wild animals then found in the rough, timbered country of New York state. In 1838 he moved with his family to Jasper county, Iowa, and soon settled on the farm near Wittemberg which ever since has been his home. After living 36 years of his life in the rough country of New York, the change was a great one, and to him a delightful one, to live on the beautiful prairie of Iowa. He called this “the garden of Eden,” and coming here as a pioneer, he has witnessed with great delight the marvelous development of Iowa, during the 36 years of his life here. In early life he attended the Methodist church. For many years he has enjoyed attendance at the Congregational church at his home. He has always been of liberal thoughtful mind, and has cordially sympathized with and supported all Christian work. His early religious advantages were very poor, in the new country and rough life he had, but he improved what he had. Mr. Dodge has five children living; one of the sons died in the army. He was a member of Capt. Miller’s company, 13th Iowa infantry. The surviving children are, Mrs. John Mott, of Postville, Iowa, Joel Dodge of Newton, Iowa; Mrs. Bessie D. Harrah, Newton, Iowa; Mrs. Emma D. Fair, Maxwell, Iowa; and Mrs. Ida D. Cutler, Newton, Iowa. The funeral services were held at the Wittemberg church, Thursday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. C. C. Harrah. The attendance was large. The body was laid to rest in the cemetery there.
Source: Newton Herald; January 19, 1894, page 5