My Genealogy Hound

Rev. William Dod was born November 25, 1808, in Mendham, N. J., and graduated with high honors from Princeton College in 1835, and was professor of mathematics for twelve years in Centre College, Danville, Ky. In 1836 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Jones, daughter of George Jones, of Wilmington, Del., by whom he had nine children, five of whom are living. He resigned his professorship in 1848, and enjoyed two years of private teaching in Covington, Ky., which was followed by four years’ teaching in New York City, in a public classical school. In 1856 he immigrated to Knox County, and settled upon a farm. William Dod was the first man who voted the Republican ticket in Jeddo Township, the time being before Lincoln’s election. Prof. Dod foresaw that the late war was inevitable, and for this reason resigned his professorship. He was a strong Union man, and greatly assisted in shaping public opinion upon important subjects. He was a licensed Presbyterian minister for thirty years, but was never ordained, as his life was principally devoted to teaching, which calling he loved with a true teacher’s affection for his lifework. He possessed a beautiful Christian character, and his influence will long be felt by those who were fortunate enough to know him. He died in April, 1883. His widow resides upon the old homestead with her daughter, Lillie, and her son, Albert G. Dod, who manages the farm, which consists of about 600 acres. William Dod was a nephew of Daniel Dod, who made the engines of the “Savannah,” the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. He was also a cousin of the late Prof. Albert B. Dod, of Princeton, N. J. Three of his sons are married, and living upon farms in Jackson County, Mo., viz.: John M., George J. and Archibald A.