Contributed by:  Rosemary Stein, Salem Oregon.
Contributed to the US Biographies Project

Rufus C. Dodge's Obit as it appeared in a Jefferson County, WI
Newspaper.

..."In this city, Friday morning, March 5, 1886, Rufus C. Dodge, aged nearly
75 years.

But two months have passed since the grim messenger of Death visited the
Dodge household and took away the beloved wife of him who now lies buried
beside her. The list of pioneers that long ago commenced to decrease by the
inexorable law of life, is now nearly finished, and only a few survived
know to aught but history. Of the above named the husband and wife
mentioned were perhaps as widely known as any we could mention and their
departing has left a blank, much greater than usual, never to be filled.
The deceased had been dangerously ill for some time, but fortunately held
out long enough to greet for the last time, a week or so ago, all of the
members of his family. He passed away easily. The funeral was delayed
until Monday at 2 o'clock to enable absent members to be present. The
services, which was held at the residence of the deceased, on Madison
Avenue, were attended by Rev. Leavitt of Oshkosh, a former pastor, assisted
by Dr. Hilton, who succeeded him as the spiritual leader of the church of
the deceased. A large number of Odd Fellows, of which order Mr. Dodge had
long been a member, and of neighbors and friends came by to pay their
respects to the friend and brother, and the remains of one who had "fought a
good fight" were laid peacefully at rest in Evergreen Cemetery. At the
request of the family, Rev. Edgar Leavitt prepared an excellent obituary
notice, which we here gladly append:

Mr. Dodge was born in Smithfield, Madison County, NY, April 1st, 1811 and
therefore lacked but a few days of 75 years. His mother died when he was
about 14 years of age -- then the family circle was broken and he went out
to learn his trade -- blacksmithing -- and has cared for himself and other
ever since. He was married June 11, 1835 to Miss Rebekah S. Foster, a
sister of Dwight and Edward Foster, early settlers of Fort Atkinson, at
their father's home, Augusta, Oneida County, New York, on whose farm he had
a short time previous, established his blacksmith shop. In 1836 he came to
Hebron and worked one season in the mill and dam at that place, returning to
the east for his wife and child with whom he returned in 1837. They came all
the way with teams, accompanied by Robert Barrie, and a family named
Clements, who left them at Milwaukee. On the way Mr. Dodge was attacked
with rheumatism so severely that Mrs. Dodge had to drive much of the
distance. In Michigan, they overtook Norman Pratt, who was coming west,
horse-back, who was thoroughly tired out, and waited for them to come up and
came the rest of the way with them. At Calumet, Indiana, not feeling able
to bring oats at $1.25 per bushel, from NY, he fed his horses wheat and as a
consequence, lost a valuable four year old colt. He hired a man there for
$10 to come on with his horse to Milwaukee. They forded the river at
Waukesha, and came to Hebron, camping the last time in Sullivan. The horses
were so tired that when they got into a mud hole they could not get out -
but had to be lifted out. When they were about three miles from "The
Point", Mrs. Dodge tired of her long ride, got out and went a long afoot in
the dusk - her husband telling her he did not know whether he could get
through that night or not. She came to "The Point" hallooed and her
brother, Mr. Foster, recognized her voice. All got in that night. Mr.
Pratt left with them a yoke of oxen and two cows. Mrs. Dodge made the first
butter in Jefferson County, from those cows on shares, and Mr. Dodge broke
ten acres in Whitewater near the Normal, for the use of those oxen. Mr.
Dodge built his log house on the cross road near Wm. Whitney's and owned at
one time over four hundred acres of land, embracing the Whitney and Snell
farms extending to the river, and land both sides the road down to the
present residence. He hauled all the lumber for the present Wm. Whitney
residence from Milwaukee. Less than a year ago, Mr. and Mrs. Dodge
celebrated their golden wedding, having lived together fifty years. Since
the formation of the Universalist Church in this place he has held the
office of deacon, worthily and well. He was a sincere Christian, devout and
upright in his dealings, a good citizen and neighbor, a tender and indulgent
father, a true friend and honest man.

The wife of his youth preceded him to the other life Saturday, December 26
last, so that they who had so long, so affectionately and so helpfully lived
together, were not long separated in their deaths. They have left behind
them a good name and an affectionate remembrance to their children and
friends. The children, who with their companions were all present, with the
exception of Frane (Mrs. West, deceased) are Dr. E. F. Dodge of Fond du Lac,
Mrs. Wm. Cassler of Chicago, Charles R. of this city, Mrs. Brandon of
Jefferson, Mrs. Lawrence of Kansas, Mrs. White and William now at home. May
the Lord show them blessing, even in affliction and help them to honor the
memory of their parents, by following their example of a worthy life.


Rebekah's information

In Rebekah Foster's Obit as it appeared in the Local Jefferson County, WI
newspaper:

At her home in this city Saturday evening, December 26 of dropsy and
pneumonia. Mrs. Rebecca S. Dodge, wife of R. C. Dodge, aged 72 years, 6
months and 19 days.

Tuesday the day set for the funeral, a large number of relatives and friends
assembled at the family residence on the north side and listened to the
service as conducted by Revs J. Hilton and Edgar Leavitt. The bad state of
the weather and roads kept many a friend them attending, but a long
procession, nevertheless, followed the remains to Evergreen cemetery, when
they were laid to rest.

In attendance at the funeral services were Mrs. W. C. Cassler, of Chicago,
Dr. E. F. Dodge of Fond du Lac. Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Pratt of Baraboo, the
last named sister of R. C. Dodge and E. J. Foster of Fond du Lac.

OBITUARY READ BY REV. EDGARD LEAVITT.
Rebecca S. Foster the last of her father's family was born in Augusta,
Oneida Co., NY, June 8, 1813, where she grew to womanhood and was married
June 11, 1835 to Mr. R. C. Dodge. In 1836 he came to Wisconsin and worked
on the dam and mill in Hebron, returning the next February for his wife and
infant son. They came not by the way of the Erie Canal and the lakes as so
many afterwards came but came all the way by team through Erie, PA through
Ohio and Indiana to Chicago, thence up to Milwaukee, and out through the
woods by Waukesha and Hebron, to Ft. Atkinson and settled on the place owned
by Wm. Whitney, west of the city, on the Madison Road. Only Edward Foster,
Mrs. Dodge's brother, was here then. As the years went by they prospered,
and there were born to them besides Edward now a physician of Fond du Lac,
two sons and four daughters - Mrs. Cassler, now of Chicago; Charles R. who
now lives near his parents; Mrs. West who died in 1868 leaving a daughter
Luella who has every found in her grandmother a true mother and a constant
friend; Mrs. Brandon of Jefferson; Mrs. Lawrence, of Kansas; Mrs. White and
Wm. W. now at home. And it is one of the mitigating and comforting facts in
the midst of the inevitable sorrow of this affliction that all the children
were so near during the last illness. Suffering and sorrow are always
lightened by the presence and sympathy of those who are dear to use and it
must always be a source of comfort and satisfaction to husband and children
in all the years to come, that they were permitted by their faithful and
tender care to soothe the sufferings and cheer the heart of the departing
one as she slowly descended to the valley of shadows.

Mrs. Dodge with her husband became a member of the Universalist church at
its foundation in this place and has since been a steadfast and faithful
member adoring the gospel of God and our Saviour.

She was a truly Christian women, a kind neighbor, a devoted loving and
tender wife and mother. At last after long years of sickness and suffering
patiently borne the long expected hour of release. The sublime and
inevitable moment has come and passed and henceforth for he is -
immortality.

Another Letter:

A VOICE FROM THE PAST

Mrs. F. W. Hoard hands us a letter written by her grandmother, Mrs. Rufus
Dodge, to a friend in Madison County, NY. Mrs. Dodge was one of the
earliest settlers of this section, coming here only two years after the
first settlement was made by Dwight Foster, who was her brother, in 1836.
It will be noticed that she dates the letter at Rock River, which was the
name of the post office here in those days. The farm she speaks of was
taken up from the government by Mr. Dodge, it lies west of the city on the
Madison road and is now owned by William Whitney. It is a good thing for
the present generation to read such letters and then get a view of what it
cost to plant the civilization they now enjoy. The pioneer conditions of
those days made brave men and women. Only brave men and women would face
such conditions. Mrs. Dodge and her husband, Rufus Dodge were among the
best citizens of that early day.

ROCKRIVER, NOV. 9, 1837.

Dear Friend: - You will doubtless hear of the death of my father, before the
arrival of this. He was taken on Sunday evening and continued in most
excruciating pain until the next week on Friday. We sent for Dr. Gorham of
Milwaukee. He arrived on Sunday afternoon, on leaving him he said that he
thought father would get relief before morning, calling his complaint
gravel, but in the morning he was no better, but failed very fast and so
continued to do until he died.

The Doctor not being satisfied what the disorder was, requested the
privilege of opening him which was granted and found it to be a tumor of the
bladder, weighting less than six ounces which caused an entire stoppage of
water. It will be natural for our eastern friends to think that if medical
aid could have been obtained sooner, he might have had relief, but it was
out of the power of man to save his life.

On being told that he was dying he expressed a willingness to die and was
very much composed.

The funeral was on Sunday and there was a respectable delegation of people,
more so than was expected. As we had no minister the church service was
read with due solemnity.

He seemed much pleased with the country and said his expectations were more
than answered, and said that you would do well to come. He seemed to enjoy
himself as well as I have seen him for many years -- and finally, we all
have enjoyed ourselves the past summer, but our enjoyment was not long to
last; mother is quite of out of health and seem quite dejected. The rest of
the family are in tolerable health. Your boys are well; William (Barrie) is
working for Alvin (Foster) and Robert (Barrie) is at work in Bark Mills
(Hebron) and has recovered from his hurt. William (B) says he would like to
have mother come but says he does not urge much for fear she would not be as
well pleased as he is himself. We live in the house with brother Alvin and
shall remain here through the winter.

Rufus (Dodge) has made a claim in the openings about one mile and a half
from AlvinÆs and has ploughed eleven acres which is better than money at the
interest. We have one cow and one yoke of oxen, he works at this trade
(blacksmith) which is quite profitable. Provisions come very high. I
presume Robert (typists note: this name is very hard to read) has given you
a detail of our journey, which was very tedious for me, and I cannot say I
have gotten over it yet. (They drove from New York State and were 7 weeks
on the road).

I saw some very beautiful county in Michigan, but it was soggy and bad
weather and in Ohio some parts of which was beautiful; of such no empty
purse could buy. I donÆt pretend to be a judge of land, but I do think that
the boys garden looks as well as those that are well cultivated in the east.

It seems to be very natural for vines; as we are deprived of apples, we had
plenty of melons.

As for the face of the country it is very handsome, and then the beautiful
Rock river makes it much more charming. The Rock is the prettiest river I
have seen and there is some prospect of getting a steamboat started next
summer.

The river abounds in fish, and we occasionally have a dish of ducks and we
frequently buy venison of the Indians; our men have not been lucky enough to
kill a deer.

This country is fine for grazing; the cattle are fatter than in the east,
cows give richer milk and butter is harder. Alvin and Dwight have killed
two cows, one the last of August and the other the last of September and
they were as fat as corn fed beef.

You will also like to know about the fruits of this land. We have
strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries, plums, crabapples, grapes, walnuts
and hazel nuts, also butter nuts. You will think that I over rate, but the
only way for you to know is for you to come and see.

If you think of coming I think you will do well to come soon. You will
make quite an objection to coming on account of society; to be sure our
society is not large, but is respectable.

There are two ministers going to settle in our vicinity. Mr. Pillsbury and
Mr. Halsted, brother to one who used to preach in Vernon and there will be
preaching for the first time next Sabbath in our neighborhood.

Mother send her love and would like to have you settle near us, if you
thought it best. Mary send her love to you. I have no more to write, give
my love to all inquiring friends and accept the same yourself. REBEKAH
STRONG FOSTER DODGE.