DAVID DODGSON was born in Greene county, Ill., Oct. 27, 1849, his parents being Peter and Jane (Brown) Dodgson, early settlers here. His father located on section 33, in this township, where he entered quite a tract of land, and later on bought a great deal of second handed land. When he entered his land in this county, he had but $50 to start with, and he built a little log cabin and lived in it until he made enough money to build another house. He erected a fine brick residence, and lived in it until his death, Oct. 28, 1868. At the time of his death he owned about 600 acres of land and was a well-to-do farmer, although he started with merely nothing. Being a minister, he preached at a great many funerals, and performed a great many of the marriage ceremonies in his neighborhood. David remained with his parents on the farm until he was about 23 years of age, when he was married, April 20, 1854, to Sarah C. Chinn, daughter of James and Sarah (Williams) Chinn. He then began life for himself, buying 12 acres of land on Sec. 4, T. 10, R. 12, on which he moved, and resided there about 18 months. He then sold out there and bought 180 acres on section 13, on to which he moved, and remained there about seven years, adding another 80 acres to his farm during that time. He then traded that tract of land for what was called the Farmer's Home, near Alton, and there resided about a year, when he sold it to Peter Wise for $3,200, and moved on to section 4. He bought 300 acres of land north of Apple creek after coming from Alton, but soon afterwards sold it for $4,500, to B. F. Baldwin. With the money he purchased 175 acres of land within a mile of Virden, in Macoupin county, which he kept about 11 months, and then sold for $6.500. He then bought 160 acres of land, within one and one-half miles of where he now resides, for which he paid $1,500, and afterwards added 80 more to it, for which he paid, $3,300. The land that his father left to be divided among his two sons was valued at $50 per acre, and cost David about $28.50 per acre, cash. Mr. and Mrs. Dodgson have had seven children born to them, four of whom are living - Leonard P., married Salina N. Lee, resides in Carrollton township; Alice J., wife of Daniel H. McLaughlin, residing in Piatt county; Carrie B. and Edgar D., at home. The deceased are - Peter W., Sept. 18, 1885; Laura, Aug. 12, 1876; Sarah Caroline, July 5, 1872. Mr. Dodgson was called to mourn the loss of his wife, March 29, 1872. He was again united in marriage Aug. 31, 1877, with Elizabeth (Edwards) Goode, daughter of Ezekiel and Polly (Ruckle) Edwards, natives of Tennessee. Mr. dodgson now owns 485 acres of land, all in this township. He deals in stock of all grades, buying and selling. He is a very prominent man, and an intelligent enterprising citizen, and much credit is due him for his having made his own way up in life. In 1864 he erected a large two story brick residence at a cost of about $5,000, cutting all the wood used therein, and burning all the bricks, himself. About the year 1865, he built a store at the corner opposite the C. & A. depot, in Carrollton, which cost him about $1,700, and there engaged in business a short time, when he sold out for $2,000. Through the first tract of land which he owned, he gave the right of way, for half a mile, to the C. & A. R.R., this showing his liberality and enterprise. He also gave $100 for the erection fo the C. & A. depot, at Carrollton.