JOSEPH C. DODGE
Joseph C. Dodge, farmer and mechanic, residing five miles north of Caseyville, is the son of Richard and Sallie (Wallace) Dodge. His father died in 1845, and his mother died in 1874. They moved to UnionCounty from Virginia, in 1805, and married in 1814. His father first settled near the mouth of Cypress Creek, but afterward removed to where Joseph now lives. His paternal grandfather was Capt. Richard Dodge, a great Indian fighter of the Revolution. His paternal grandmother was of English descent. His maternal grandfather was a Scotchman, who moved to Virginia and distinguished himself in the Revolution, and then moved to UnionCounty. His maternal grandmother, whose name was Hardin, also had folks in the Revolution. The subject of this sketch was born at the mouth of the Cypress, in 1816. He received about two years training in the Union County schools. He has been married twice; the first time in 1838, to Julia Ann Collins, a native of Virginia, but resident of UnionCounty. She bore him seven children, five of whom are dead. The second time, in 1853, he married Miss Evaline Barnes, another native of Virginia, but she had come to UnionCounty from Jefferson County, Ky., where she had been residing for some time. Six children have been born to this union, four of whom are dead. Of his dead children, Sarah married Luther Collins, and he dying, she married John Mathias. Mary (deceased) married Henry Bass. The children of these deceased daughters were cared for by their grandfather Dodge. Of his surviving children, Minerva married John Jones. Emma married George W. Ray, and Julia Ann married James Hall. His only surviving son, Azariah, is living in Indiana. "Squire Dodge," as he is familiarly called, was formerly a cabinet maker, but of late years has been occupied in farming and in blacksmithing. He does both wood and iron work in making farming implements and wagons. He owns sixty acres of land, forty acres of which are cultivated, and all of which he manages personally. He has always lived in sight of his present home, having traveled only to Louisville and St. Louis. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for thirty years, and is one of the fathers in Masonry, being a Council member in that order, and having filled all the offices in the Blue Lodge, and all in the Chapter, except High Priest. He has been to the Grand Lodge six times. In politics he is a Democrat. He held the office of Constable for three years, and is one of the Magistrates of the Caseyville Precinct at the present. Whether in private life as a kind and affectionate father; or in the fellowship of his bretheren, as a true Mason or Christian; or upon the bench, as an impartial and able jurist, he bears the esteem and respect of all. He has filled out the measure of his threescore years and ten with credit to himself, and with profit to those who have been thrown under his influence.
