Joseph R. DODDS, businessman of Corning, was born near Burlington, Iowa on January 1, 1841. Raised on a farm, he obtained his
education in the common schools. For a short time he was engaged in trading, but principally farmed in Iowa. He relieved the monotony
of farm life by corresponding with newspapers.
He married Sarah E. MAINS of Burlington on Feb. 7, 1861. In 1872, he came to Missouri, and
became the express and station agent at Corning, in Holt County, a position he has since held.
In politics, he has always been a Republican.
He came into prominence in 1874, in a series of letters published in the Oregon Sentinel in a discussion carried on with the editor
of the Mound City Spy, referring particularly to local politics. The articles were widely read and gave their author a reputation
as a logical and vigorous writer. In 1876, he failed to obtain the Republican nomination for State Senator by one vote.
During the Civil War, he served 3 years in the Union Army. He enlisted in August, 1862 in the 14th Iowa regiment and was deployed
to the northwest against the Indians, his company being one of three detailed from the 14th Iowa to relieve the regular troops
stationed in Indian country. While in the service, he became familiar with the Black Hills area and in 1863 wrote for the
Yankton Dakotian the first account ever published of that since famous region.
Mr. DODD'S ancestors were originally from Kentucky. His father, William R. DODDS, was one of the first pioneers to Iowa,
immigrating to that state, then known as the Wisconsin Territory, in 1833. Mr. DODD'S brother, William D. DODDS, was the
first citizen of Iowa born in that state.
Source: "An Illustrated Historical Atlas Map, Holt County, MO.
Published by Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia, 1877
Provided by Dave Roberts of Lyon County, Kentucky,
a former Holt County resident.
