Thomas P. Dodd
Thomas P. Dodd was born in Jan. 1849 about five miles west of Wooster, in Wayne Co., Ohio. He grew up on the farm as a sturdy son of toil respected by all his acquaintances. Some eleven years ago he married Miss Sadie E. Seawright [sic.], of Fredericksburg, O. They moved to this place in Jan. 1882, when he bought O.H. Gurney & Son's Hardware Store. By his business integrity and his genial social ways he soon won the confidence of every one. His store was burned in the disastrous fire of Sept. 22, 1882, which almost wiped out the business portion of our town. Nothing daunted he started again in the room now occupied as a Photograph Gallery. After the rebuilding of "the burnt district" he returned to one of the large new rooms. The first of Nov., 1883, H. Farber went into partnership with him. After a successful business of more than two years they dissolved partnership, Jan. 11, 1886, Mr. Dodd retiring. Shortly after this he formed with Henry Howard the new foundry firm, every one wishing them success in this enterprise toward forwarding the business interests of our town. Early last spring they built the Foundry and were just in working order when disease laid Mr. Dodd aside. He filled very acceptably two terms as Township Clerk in this (Jefferson) township and was a member of our Town Council at the time of his death. He passed calmly away on the 17th. inst., as the short autumn day was drawing to a close. Memorial services were held at his late home on Main St., at 3:30 p.m. of the 18th. inst., conducted by Revs. Anderson and Philpott. The remains were taken to Fredericksburg, the place of burial, on the evening train accompanied by his widow and her brother and sister, Dr. Searight and Miss Searight. Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Howard, the former his late business partner, Mr. and Mrs. W.H.A. Raudebaugh, and Hub Sargent, also went to Fredericksburg where the funeral service was held on the afternoon of the 19th. inst. conducted by Rev. W.P. Moore. Thomas P. Dodd was the youngest of eleven children, and the first one of that band of brothers and sisters to pass over the river, whither his parents had preceded him. He was in the thirty-eighth year of his age, and leaves a widow to the care of a Heavenly Father, with the precious hope that this sad earthly parting will be followed, in God's time, by the eternal heavenly reunion. -- W.W. Anderson.
From The Bellville Star: November 25, 1886, Vol. 10, No. 9