DODD, JAMES E. - The farming interests of Sangamon County are in the hands of men well capable of handling the, the high standard of the farms there comparing favorably with those of any other county. James E. Dodd, of Section 11, Talkington Township, who has carried on agricultural operations all his life, and been prominently identified with the public interests of his section for many years, was born August 24, 1838, in Bradley County, Tenn., son of Charles and Mary (Jones) Dodd and grandson of William L. Dodd. William L. Dodd, who had removed from Botetourt County, Va., to Jefferson County, Tenn., at an early day, came to Morgan county, Ill., about 1825, and remained until failing health caused his removal to Iowa. He then went to Bradley County, Tenn., but in 1844, returned to Illinois, settling in Sangamon County, where his death occurred seven years later. His life was devoted to farming and he was a man of high moral character, being a devout member of the old Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he was a Jacksonian Democrat. He had the following children: Anna, Josiah, Sarah, Margaret, Charles, Mary, William L., Jessie and John. He died in Sangamon County and his wife in Jefferson county, Tenn.

Charles Dodd was born in Botetourt County, Va., and went with his parents to Jefferson County, Tenn., but in 1836, went to Bradley County in the same State, and was married in McMinn County, Tenn. He purchased land and commenced farming in Bradley County, but in 1851, brought his family to Sangamon County, settling on a farm east of Loami, which property he sold one year later, and purchased the200 acre farm in the southeast part of Loami Township, which had been partly cleared, for $11 per acre. The tax in those days was about $18 on this farm and the personal property thereon, but Mr. Dodd improved the farm to such an extent that his taxes became $200. He resided in his beautiful home until his death, which occurred November 19, 1881, at the age of seventy years and five months, while his widow survived him until June 4, 1906, being ninety years old at the time of her death. She was an active member of the Methodist church which she had joined in young womanhood while Mr. Dodd belonged to no special religious organization, although he gave freely of his means towards all movements of a religious and charitable nature. In politics, he was a stanch and active Democrat, and his fraternal connection was with the Masonic Order, which conducted his funeral. The children born to him and his wife were as follows: Catherine, married Rev. A. A. Lawson of Springfield, Mo.; Nancy, married b. R. Weir of Loami, Ill.; Josiah, Joshua, James E.; William H., who met his death October 8, 1862, while a member of the Seventy-third Illinois Volunteers, and was buried on the battlefield at Perryville; Mary Ann deceased, was the wife of J. W. Hall of Quenemo, Kan.; Amelia married John Mahard, a farmer living near Loami; Sarah married William P. Campbell, both now deceased; Charles, a farmer of Macoupin County, Ill.; Jesse W., residing in Springfield; and Alexandra, deceased.

James E. Dodd's school days were spent in Tennessee and in 1851 he accompanied the family to Sangamon County, Ill., remaining home until 1859, on February 10th of which year he married Annise Jacobs, born in Loami Township, October 10, 1840. After marriage, he rented 120 acres of his father's land in Loami Township, on which was located a three-room house, and in this they resided until 1866, when he moved to Greene County, Mo., and purchased 280 acres of land. This he sold and bought 210 acres in Lawrence Co., Mo., but in 1867, he sold this and returned to Sangamon County, buying eighty acres of land in Section 11, Talkington Township. He kept adding to his property from time to time, and as the children grew up and left the parental roof each was provided for. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Dodd were as follows: Charles O., now deceased, born December 19, 1859, married Lizzie L. Haddix, who resides north fo Lowder, and they have seven children, - Rachel, Amy, Edna, Clara, Charles, James E., Vivian, living, and Clarence and an infant who are deceased; Isabelle, born February 5, 1861, is the wife of Frank A. Johnson, of Coldwater, Mich., and they have five living children - Melvin, Vernice, Rebecca, Anna and John, besides one who died in infancy; Louise, born November 14, 1862, died June 19, 1906; Mellie, born January 14, 1865, married J. F. Haun, resides at Lostine, Ore., and they have two children living, Joy and Edith, and one child died in infancy; James E. Jr., born January 26, 1868, who is connected with the Hershall Manufacturing Company, of Peoria, Ill., married Fannie Gish, of Auburn, and they had one child who died in infancy. Rachel, daughter of Charles O. Dodd, married Luther Funderburk, and they have one child, Mary Corine, the one great-grandchild in the family, and live in Chicago. Amy, married Willis Hunley who resides in Chatham, Ill.; Edna, married Alvin D. Meyers, of Chicago.

For more than half a century, Mr. Dodd has been identified with the development of Sangamon County, and not only has he seen the many changes that have taken place, but he has been an active participant in them. He has devoted his time to farming and stock raising, has been very successful along both lines, and has also found time to serve in positions of public preferment to which he has been elected, as his fellow townsmen have recognized his ability and integrity. For twelve years he served as School Trustee and Treasurer of Talkington Township, was Supervisor ten years , and served as Commissioner of Highways in both Loami and Talkington Townships. In his official duties, he recognized no party rule, but protected his constituents to the best of his ability and thus won their confidence and esteem. Fraternally, he is connected with the Masonic Lodge No. 450, of Loami, being one of the original nine persons to organize this lodge, and was first master, and he has been active in building up this organization. Mr. Dodd is a great believer in the benefits of education and as a consequence his children have received exceptional advantages. Charles O. was a teacher in Sangamon County for a long period; Isabelle was for twelve years one of the leading educators of the section, and Mellie, when but sixteen years old was an instructor in the schools of Sangamon County and was finally offered the principalship of the Lostine High School in Oregon, and later married J. F. Haun, a member of the School Board and a banker and extensive landowner in