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Note: Keosauqua Republican newspaper obit. 11 Jun 1936. John F. Dodds, ninth child of John Dodds and Susan Wallace Dodds, was born January 21, 1855 and departed this life May 12, 1936 at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 21 days.Practically all of his life having been spent in Harrisburg township, Van Buren Co, Ia. He was the oldest of the once large family. He was married December 21 1881 to Sallie Katherine Keck, who survives him. To this union were born four children. Harry of Bonaparte; Mrs Arthur Barker of near Keosauqua; Ralph L. of near Bonaparte; and Donald K. of Hillsboro; all of whom survive him. Besides his wife and children he leaves to mour his loss eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren; also a host of friends. ( The two great grandchildren were Dorothy Dodds and Jean Dodds, Children of Kenneth Morrison his grandson.) When a young man he was converted and united with the Harrisburg Baptist church of which he was a faithful and consistent member. April 15, 1899 he was elected Deacon of the church and until failing health prevented his regular attendance Deacon Dodds was usually found in the house of the Lord each Sabbath day. Quiet and unassuming a kind neighbor, a faithful friend. Always ready to go to the assistance of those who needed help or comfort. He will live in the hearts of those who knew him best. Funeral services were held at the Harrisburg Baptist church on Thursday afternoon. Interment was in the Vale cemetery.
Origional record of death found at Keosauqua court house on July 11th, 2000. Large book of Records of Death.
Dodds, John Franklin M. age. 81 Date of death. May 12, 1936. Married. Cause of death Arterio Sclerosis.
Newspaper clipping sent by Wanda Barker Sheets, grand daughter of John Franklin and Sallie Keck Dodds.
Pioneer Has lived here eighty years.
Mr. J. F. Dodds of Harrisburg township observed his eightieth birthday anniversary, Monday Jan 21 at his home. His family spent the day with he and his wife at their home where he has lived for fifty years. It was in this home that he and Mrs. Dodds celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, Dec 21, 1931. He is the only living member of a family of ten children. The oldest sister lived to be ninety nine and "Uncle John" as he is familiarly known, looks like he might be headed for the century mark. Mr. Dodds enjoys very good health; his hair is not grey for one of his years, and he can out-walk many younger men. He was born in east Harrisburg township and that community has been his residence all his like except two and one-half years.
Eighty years is a long time to live to see a country develope. Many are the interesting stories he has to relate.
He spent six months in Page county in 1876; while there he contracted typhoid fever. He says, "I have never been sick since." Later the same year he went to California to visit the Frank Tade Family. While in the west he drove a freight train from Carson City, Nev. to Bishop Creek, Calif. The train was composed of thirteen or fourteen horses and two or three wagons coupled together. Between two and three weeks were spent on this trip. Incidents of the trip such as lack of water for both man and beast, water too hot to drink; some places where there were pleasant resting places with plenty of water make interesting stories of pioneer life.
While a young man he drove five yoke of oxen and plowed brush and prairie on the farms now owned by J. A. Campbell and Philip Dingley.
He remembers very well, when he was a small boy of going some little distance west of Utica to get the mail from the post office at the home of the father of the late J. W. Rowley. He also remembers very distinctly of seeing the Union soldiers mustering for service on the farm where Nellie Phelps now lives. He has four children, Harry, Ralph, Donald and Mary. He is a member of the Harrisburg Baptist church; has the esteem of all that know him. He is always willing to do a neighborly act and believes in "living and letting live."
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