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Seward Dodge (William, John, John, Jonathan, Miall, Seward) Son of Seward Dodge and Lydia Wallace; Grandson of Mial Dodge of Hamilton, Massachusetts Source: Biographical Review, Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Middlesex County, Massachusetts 1898 Biographical Review Publishing Company - Boston "Who among men art thou, and thy years how many, good friend?"- Xenophanes. p.826 |
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Seward Dodge a well-known blacksmith of Somerville,
Massachusetts, was born in Hamilton, MA son
of Capt. Seward Dodge and wife, Lydia (Wallace)
Dodge. He belonged to one of the oldest Essex
County, MA families. His grandfather was
Mial Dodge a prosperous farmer at Hamilton,
MA. The father, Capt. Seward Dodge of the
State militia was a native of Hamilton where
he followed the mason's trade for the greater
part of his life; and he died at the age
of forty-seven years. Lydia, his wife, was
the dau. of David Wallace, a blacksmith and
farmer of Hamilton. They had six children,
namely, Susan H. Dodge wife of William Stanley
of Beverly, MA and Seward Dodge of Somerville,
MA. Seward Dodge, the subject of this sketch, obtained his education in the old south school, Hamilton. By the death of his parents when he was fifteen years old, he was thrown on his own resources and entered upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade in Beverly, MA He worked as a journeyman in South Danvers (now Peabody) and in 1845 he went to Charlestown, MA where he was employed by Hittinger & Cook for about two years. At that time Somerville was a farming community which had but recently been set off from Charlestown, and incorporated as a town. Considering it a favorable location for business he opened a blacksmith and carriage repair shop upon the site of Union Square. He witnessed the growth and development of Somerville from a small town to a thriving city and during that time, by diligently applying himself to his business ammassed considerable property. In politics he was originally a Democrat but seceded from that party in order to support the candidacy of Abraham Lincoln and from then on was a Republican. He took an active interest in public affairs, having served with ability for two years in each branch of the city government and his desire to increase the general prosperity of the city had, on various occasions, been effectually manifested. Mr. Dodge married Sarah E. Cole dau of Oliver Cole of Beverly, MA and had two daughters, namely, Harriet Dodge who became the widow of George Sturtevant and Mary Abbie Dodge, wife of Ireson B. Walker of that city. Mr. Dodge was a member of John Abbott Lodge, F. & A. M. and occupied the principal chairs of New England Lodge, I. O. O. F., of East Cambridge. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth |