My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE DODDS, one of the leading business men of Xenia and one of its most highly respected citizens, located in the young and growing city as early as 1864, and engaged in the marble business which he has since successfully conducted. His high character as a man and a citizen are too well known to need an extended notice here, as his name is practically a household word among nearly all classes in this part of the county.

The subject of this notice who is the son of George and Isabel (Taylor) Dodds, was born on the other side of the Atlantic at Primside Mill, near Yetholm, in County Roxburgh, Scotland, February 19, 1837, and comprised one of a family of six children, who were reared to mature years, four of whom were sons and two daughters. The eldest, Andrew, died about 1872 in Florence Heights, N. J. while there for his health; he was engaged in business in St. Louis at the time; James is a resident of Dayton, this State; Margaret lives in Toronto, Canada; George, our subject, is the next in order of birth; Mary is a physician at St. Louis, Mo., conducting a hygienic institute; William is a resident of Xenia. The parents were of pure Scotch ancestry and spent their entire lives in their native land.

Mr. Dodds emigrated to America when a youth of seventeen years, landing on this side of the water in July, 1854. He proceeded westward to Madison, Ind., where his eldest brother was carrying on a marble shop, having come to the United States three years previously. George thereafter employed himself at Madison, Ind., until the spring of 1859 when he and his brother Andrew established a marble shop at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where the latter had located soon after his marriage which occurred in 1857. The latter and his wife had been studying medicine and the wife subsequently attended Dr. Trail’s Hygienic institution in New York City; she is now with Mary Dodds in St. Louis, Mo.

The partnership spoken of above was dissolved July 1, 1868, when Andrew Dodds who had already opened a branch establishment at St. Louis, went there and remained. George, our subject, has since given his close attention to his business here, at times employing a force of from twelve to fifteen men. He was first married in October 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Ferguson of Madison, Ind., and they became the parents of one son, George Fremont, who is now in London, this State. Mrs. Elizabeth Dodds departed this life at her mother’s in Madison, Ind., while on a visit in the summer of 1865. Mr. Dodds was subsequently married October 11, 1866, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Hiram and Rebecca (McKnight) Brown. Mr. Brown removed from Troy to Xenia and is now deceased. Of this union there have been born seven children, the eldest of whom a daughter, Carrie B., completed her education in Delaware, this State, and is now undergoing a course of training as a hospital nurse in Chicago, Ill.; Frank W. is also in that city; Leslie J., Charles J., Earle C., Ralph C. and Jessie Kate are at home with their parents. The latter with the four eldest children are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 202 West Second Street, and its inmates enjoy the acquaintance and companionship of the most cultured people.