DR. E. F. DODD. Among the many influential and enterprising families of Washington county, the name of Dodd stands among the oldest and most esteemed of the early pioneer settlers, and of that honored name our subject is a worthy representative. Daniel Dodd (1) was born in England and in 1642 immigrated to America, locating in Branford, Conn., where his son Stephen (1) was born. The latter married in Connecticut and reared a family of whom a son Daniel (2) also married and passed his life in that State. Of Daniel's (2) sons are recorded the names of Stephen (2), Daniel and John. Stephen Dodd (2) was born April 15, 1703, in Guilford, Conn., and in early life moved to New Jersey, first locating in Newark and finally settling in Mendham same State. Of his children, two sons Thaddeus and Daniel became pioneer settlers of Washington county, Penn. Thaddeus Dodd was born March 7, 1740, in Newark N. J. His parents were "poor in worldly goods, but rich in faith," and his boyhood was passed under the influence of the most devout Christians, and in the midst of religious revivals. In early youth he evinced a strong inclination for study, and passed much of his time in delving into the mysteries of mathematics (in which he especially excelled) and the ancient languages. On July 18, 1764, he was converted during the progress of a great revival, and this important event molded and directed his future life, which was to be so full of service for the Master. He entered Princeton College in his thirty-first year, and graduated in the autumn of 1773. The following is quoted from the sketch given at the centennial celebration of the Ten-Mile Churches, August 28, 1879, by Rev. James Allison, D. D.: Soon after graduation he went to Newark, N. J. where he married Miss Phoebe Baldwin, and entered upon the study of theology, under the direction of Rev. Dr. McWhorter. One year later he removed to Morristown N. J., and continued the same line of study under Rev. Dr. Johns, who had been his first instructor in Latin. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of New York, but there is no existing record of the date at which this took place. Through the winter of 1776-77 he suffered from a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism; but in the month of March, though still feeble, he started upon a journey to the West. After preaching in parts of Virginia and Maryland, he crossed the mountains, visited the settlements on George's creek, Muddy creek and Dunlap's creek, and then came to Ten-Mile. He remained here until August, preaching in private houses, in the woods, and in Lindley's and Bell's forts. After his return to the East he was ordained by the Presbytery of New York as an evangelist on some day of the week preceding Sabbath, October 19, 1777, as there is a record of baptisms by him on that Sabbath, in which it is said that this was the first Sabbath after his ordination. Shortly after this he left New Jersey with his wife and daughter (three years old) and a son still younger, accompanied by two brothers and their families. On the 10th of November they arrived at Patterson's creek, Hampshire Co., Va., and after hearing of the formidable attack which had been made by the Indians upon Wheeling, and the consequent alarm and confusion prevailing in all the frontier settlements, it was thought best not to proceed any farther at that time. But in a few days he crossed the mountains alone, came to Ten-Mile, preached in the forts, and baptized the children. In a short time he returned to his family, and it is not known that he visited this place again until he brought his family and settled down permanently in the fall of 1779 one hundred years ago. In the interval he had not been idle, but had been busily engaged in preaching the Gospel in the adjacent parts of Virginia and Maryland, where no churches seem to have been then organized, at least there were no church buildings, as all the services were held at private houses or in the woods. He was entreated to remain, and inducements apparently stronger than any held out by Ten-Mile were brought to bear upon him, but he had given his pledge to the people here his heart was here and hither he came in September, 1779. In personal appearance Thaddeus Dodd is thus described: "A pale, slender youth with jet- black hair, dark, piercing eyes, and a countenance highly expressive of mental power and activity." After coming to Washington county, Mr. Dodd first resided near the Lindleys, in what is now Morris township, and on November 22, 1786, he took a patent for 400 acres of land in Amwell township called "Fame" (which was situated on the middle fork of Ten-Mile creek), and there made his permanent home. To Thaddeus and Phoebe (Baldwin) Dodd were born two sons and three daughters: Cephas, Stephen, Hannah, Sarah and Mary. The Rev. Thaddeus Dodd was an exceptionally cultured and scholarly man. His early years of preparation and association with the most cultivated minds of the day, combined with his natural gifts and experience as a teacher, especially fitted him for his brilliant and useful career as a leading educator and minister of the Gospel. Always a student he was familiar with the languages, and excelled in the natural sciences and mathematics. Deeply realizing the need of a broader education for young men in the West, Dr. Dodd opened a classical and mathematical school in 1782, especially designed to prepare young men for the ministry. This school continued three years and a half. In 1789 he became principal of an academy at Washington, Penn., which position he filled fifteen months. On August 15, 1871, the first Presbyterian Church was organized, and in 1785 the first church building was erected, but just as the Society was beginning to grow, and success was crowning his efforts, the heroic minister yielded to the disease (consumption) that had so long been weakening his system, and on May 20, 1793, passed to his reward. His funeral sermon was preached from Revelations xiv: 13, by Rev. Dr. McMillan, his associate pioneer minister of Washington county, and he was followed to the grave by a grateful and sorrowing people, for a "Prince in Israel had fallen." Cephas Dodd was born October 12, 1789, on his father's farm in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., and studied at home during his earlier years, receiving his later education at Canonsburg, where he early evinced the ability which distinguished his later life. While a student he spent his leisure time in the study of medicine, and at the time of his graduation had so thorough a knowledge of the science, that he was often consulted professionally. After leaving college, he entered the ministry, in which he zealously labored many years, but when his skill as a physician became known, his services were so often needed that he continued to practice both professions till his death. He preached his last sermon and visited a distant patient two days before yielding to his last sickness. He practiced both in Greene and Washington counties. In 1805 Cephas Dodd was united in marriage with Ruth Flenniken, of Greene county, Penn., and the young people immediately settled in Amwell township, this county, where the following children were born: Jane (Mrs. Dr. Simon Strouss), Sarah (Mrs. John McFarland), Thaddeus, Cornelia, Eliza, Hannah, James, Cephas and Elias F. In reference to the personal qualities of Cephas Dodd, we quote the following from the address of Rev. Allison: "This son (Cephas) is said to have possessed a clear and strong mind, enriched by manly culture and varied learning; remarkable gentleness and amiability of temper; great practical wisdom; a tranquil and steady piety; high devotion and loyalty as a friend; in short, a combination of qualities, a character complete, harmonious and symmetrical in an unusual degree." Concerning his work as a pastor, Rev. Allison says: "He was the second successor of his honored father, and was installed as pastor of the Ten-Mile congregations in Amity, with, as Dr. Wines declares, 'the open canopy of heaven for a temple, the snow for a carpet, and the wind whistling through the leafless branches of the trees as an accompaniment to the solemn music, as it pealed forth from a choir of hundreds of voices.'" In politics Cephas Dodd was an adherent of the Whig party. He died January 16, 1858. Dr. Elias F. Dodd, the subject proper of this sketch, was born December 1, 1823, in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth on the home farm until the year 1841, then he entered Washington College, from which he was graduated in 1848. After his graduation he at once began the study of medicine, commencing to practice in 1853, and has since followed the profession, being now regarded as one of the leading physicians of the county. On May 12, 1853, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Eli Bradford, of Greene county, Penn., and immediately afterward settled in Franklin township, this county. In 1867 he moved to his present residence. Dr. and Mrs. Dodd have had a family of four children: Cephas T., Lillie J. (deceased in infancy), Elias F. (also deceased in infancy), and Samuel B. (on the home farm). Of these Samuel B. married Mary C., daughter of David Clark, of Buffalo township, and two children have been born to them: Lizzie and William; Samuel B. was a school director. Dr. Elias F. Dodd has always been a leading member of the Whig and Republican parties, and for the past two years has been a justice of the peace. Dr. Cephas T. Dodd was born April 24, 1854, on the home farm in Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his general education at Washington and Jefferson College. He secured his medical training at Cleveland Medical College, from which he was graduated in March, 1881, and he then immediately began practice as a physician. On June 30, 1881, he was united in marriage with Ella C., daughter of James W. Patterson, and two sons have come to cheer their home: John A., born September 7, 1882, and Frank C., born July 23, 1888. In politics Dr. Cephas T. Dodd is a Republican. In 1877 he was clerk in the treasury office at Washington, and traveled for four months over the county under Col. A. L. Hawkins, county treasurer, collecting taxes; in 1879 he was chief clerk in the county treasurer's office under S. C. McGregor, county treasurer.

Text taken from page 108 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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