David Low Dodge

David Low Dodge

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Low_Dodge
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12298977/david-low-dodge

He was a merchant, born in Brooklyn, Connecticut on 14 June 1774; died in New York City, New York on 23 April 1852. He received a common school education, and was for several years a teacher, but in 1802 became a dry goods dealer in Hartford, Connecticut, and in 1807 removed to New York City. At one time Mr. Dodge had charge of the first cotton factory built in his native state, near Norwich.

In 1827 he retired from business. He married on 7 June 1798, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut to Sarah Cleveland, the daughter of the Rev. Aaron Cleveland. Mr. Dodge published " The Mediator's Kingdom not of this World" (New York, 1809), and "War inconsistent with the Religion of Jesus Christ" (1812). See "Memorial of David Low Dodge" (Boston, 1854).

He continued at the head of this house till 1879. Mr. Dodge was one of the first directors of the Erie Railroad, and was interested in other railways and in several insurance corporations. He also owned large tracts of woodland, and had numerous lumber and mill interests, besides being concerned in the development of coal and iron mines.

He was elected president of the New York Chamber of Commerce three times in succession. He was a trustee of the Union Theological Seminary, one of the founders of the Union league club of New York City, vice president of the American Bible Society, president of several temperance associations, and took great interest in the welfare of the freedmen. He was a member of the peace convention of 1861, and in 1866-7, having successfully contested the election of his Democratic opponent, James Brooks, was a representative in congress, serving on the committee on foreign affairs.

U.S. President Grant appointed him a member of the Indian commission. He left a large fortune, and made several bequests to religious and charitable institutions. A bronze statue of him has been placed at the junction of Broadway and Sixth Avenue, New York City, New York.

His son, William Earl Dodge, merchant, was born in Hartford County, Connecticut on 4 September 1805 and died in New York City, New York on 9 February 1883. He received a common school education, and worked for a time in his father's cotton mill.

At the age of thirteen he removed to New York City with his family, and entered a wholesale dry goods store, remaining there for eight years. Afterward he engaged in the same business on his own account, continuing till 1833, when he married on 24 June 1829 in New York City, Melissa Phelps, the daughter of Anson G. Phelps, and became a member of the firm of Phelps, Dodge & Company.

He gave his time and attention to the administration of an extensive mercantile business and was connected with the allotment and sanitary commissions during the civil war. In 1887, he was president of several religious and benevolent societies.

Another son, Charles Cleveland, soldier, born in Plainfield, New Jersey on 16 September 1841, was commissioned as captain of New York mounted rifles on 6 December 1861, and as major on 30 December was in command of the outposts at Newport News, and a cavalry column of General Wool's army that marched on Norfolk, and received the surrender before the arrival of his superiors. He commanded in successful engagements at Suffolk, Virginia, and Hertford Ford, North Carolina, was made colonel on 14 August 1862, promoted brigadier general on 29 November 1862, was in command at Suffolk during Longstreet's siege, and resigned on 12 June 1863.

Grace Hoadley, daughter of the second William Earl, has been for some time officially connected with New York City charities, and other organizations for the relief of the poor and the care of needy women. In November 1886, she was appointed by the mayor of New York City one of the board of school commissioners, together with Mrs. Mary Mash Agnew, wife of Dr. Cornelius R. Agnew. Miss Dodge has been a prominent member of the New York state charities association, and is president of the Working girls' society, and vice president of the Industrial education association.