My Genealogy Hound

I. J. DODSON, merchant, of Lebanon, Tenn., was born July 3, 1853, in Wilson County, Tenn., and is one of four children of Isaac J. and Levina (Edwards) Dodson. The father was born in Davidson County, but was a resident of Wilson County at the time of his marriage. He was twice married and the father of eight children. He died in 1853. His widow married S. T. Nix, with whom she lived until her death in 1883. Our subject was left without a father at the age of one month. His education was obtained in Lawrence College, De Kalb County, Tenn., and Cumberland University, Lebanon. November 17, 1874, he married Sallie Cox, daughter of T. J. Cox. She was born September 8, 1857, and is the mother of five children: Tommie, Sallie L., Maggie, Harry and Isaac J. From 1871 to 1873 Mr. Dodson was salesman for Fondill & Bennett, grocers, of Lebanon, and he then engaged in the business on his own responsibility. A year later he sold out, and he and his father-in-law formed a partnership in the hardware business, the firm being known as Dodson & Cox. Later they disposed of their stock, and Mr. Dodson purchased 400 acres of land and began tilling the soil. In 1879 he sold out and returned to Lebanon, and with John W. Price started a hardware store, and later became connected with J. T. McClain in business, and the firm was later known as McClain Bros. & Co. They have about $30,000 stock, and are doing an extensive business. Mr. Dodson is a man of fine business capacity, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of the K. of P. and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His wife is a Baptist.