My Genealogy Hound

James B. Dodson, clerk of the circuit court, and county recorder, was born in Adair County, Mo., April 12, 1801. He was reared on a farm, and was educated at the State Normal School from 1879 to 1883. After this he taught school for several terms, and read law with Millan & Johnston, a leading law firm of his town and county. In 1886 he became the Republican nominee for his present office, and was elected by 837 majority. He serves with satisfaction as an officer, and is popular as a citizen. He is a leader of the younger element of his party, and, for one of his age, has gained considerable reputation as an orator and public speaker. Isham B., the father, was a native of Kentucky, and was born in Wayne County on December 7, 1818. The mother, Nancy J. Murphy, was born in Illinois. The parents moved to Missouri in 1841, and located in Adair County. He served in the Federal ranks as major, throughout the war. He was prominent also in civil life, serving as sheriff in Adair County, and besides representing the county in the Legislature. He was a member of the constitutional convention that emancipated the slaves, and also served two terms in the State Senate. He also practiced law here for several years previous to his death in 1879. The mother and her ten children still survive him. Most of the family are members of the Christian Church, of which the father was also a member. At present James B., with his three brothers and one sister (Don, Will, Bently and Effie), live with their mother on Dodson Street, in the southern suburbs of the city, near the old home, and almost within the shade of a magnificent elm set out by their father in the early settlement of the county.