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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. B. Dodds, one of the leading planters of Jefferson County, and a prominent citizen of Pine Bluff, was born at Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, October 25, 1832, and is a son of Joseph and Eleanor (Ewing) Dodds, the former born near Philadelphia, Penn., and the mother a native of Kentucky. The elder Dodds was reared on a farm and educated in the city of Philadelphia. After his marriage he removed with his wife to Ohio, in which State they passed the remainder of their days, the father dying in Dayton and the mother in Shelbyville. Seven children were born to their marriage, of whom three are yet living: Matthew M., Joseph B., and Jennie (wife of Dr. John C. Slocum). J. B. Dodds, the principal in this sketch, was reared and educated in his native State, attending the public schools. He remained with his father, looking after the management of the farm, until the year 1855, when he moved to Paris, Ill., and embarked in mercantile life with his brother and brother-in law, remaining in that city for seven years. At the close of the war he, in company with his brother and a Mr. Wolf, went to Memphis, Tenn., and established a wholesale grocery business, which they carried on successfully until the latter part of 1867. Mr. Wolf then withdrew from the firm, and the brother moved to Pine Bluff, where he again started in business, J. B. joining him later. They carried on the business until 1877, when the latter retired from the firm and turned his attention to planting, which calling he has followed ever since. Mr. Dodds now owns 260 acres of very fertile land, with about 150 acres under cultivation, and has rented for the past five years over 1,200 acres, which he has placed in cotton every year. Added to this, he owns a business block in Pine Bluff, from which the rentals form a considerable income alone, and, together with his plantation interests, make him one of the solid men, financially, of Jefferson County. Mr. Dodds was married in 1859 to Miss Fannie Molton, an adopted daughter of S. W. Molton, by whom he has had five children: Charles N., George, Gamer, Samuel, and Mamie. Mr. and Mrs. Dodds are members of the Presbyterian Church, and liberal in their aid to all religious and educational matters. In secret societies Mr. Dodds has been a Mason for over thirty years—Royal Arch, and also belongs to the Knights Templar. He is one of the most substantial and enterprising citizens of Pine Bluff, and a man of great popularity and influence. His wealth has accumulated by his own individual efforts, business tact and judicious management, although he has several times lost a fortune in mercantile life. While in business at Memphis his shipments were among the largest coming to that city, one shipment alone from Cincinnati to Memphis amounting to $75,000. He is a prominent figure in the affairs of Jefferson County, especially those tending to its advancement and progress, but as a rule prefers the quiet of his comfortable home and family to the excitement of social pleasures.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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