Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 79

This enterprising agriculturist of New Castle township is the proprietor of the Chappaqua Mountain farm, and his management of the place is marked by the scientific knowledge and skill which characterizes the modern farmer. He was born on his grandfather's homestead. May 25, 1840, and is a son of Henry Dodge. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Hannah (Reynolds) Dodge, who reared six children, one son and five daughters, namely: Henry, Mrs. Sarah Hammond, Mrs. Anna Birdsell, Mrs. Ann Washburn, Mrs. Abbie Washburn and Mrs. Phoebe Washburn. Henry Dodge, the father of our subject, was a carpenter and undertaker, and in the latter occupation did quite an extensive business, digging the grave and making the coffin for eight dollars and up. He married Miss Rebecca Kipp, a daughter of Benjamin and Phoebe Kipp, and the only child born of this union was our subject. The father died at the age of fifty-four years, the mother at the age of seventy-six. Both were Hicksite Quakers, and were highly respected by all who knew them.

Upon the old homestead Charles H. Dodge early became familiar with every department of farm work, and is to-day recognized as one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of the community. His literary education was obtained in the local schools. On the 4th of March, 1868, he wedded Miss Mary L. Cronk, a daughter of James and Charity (Acker) Cronk, and granddaughter of Henry and Amy (Dusenbury) Cronk. Her paternal grandfather was a native of Holland, while her maternal grandfather, Wilbert Acker, was the hero of Washington Irving's novel, " Wilbert's Roost," which place was afterward the home of the famous novelist, the name being changed to Sunnyside. To James and Charity Cronk were born five children, of whom three are still living: Willot A., a resident of Peekskill; Ezra J., of New Castle township; and Mary L. , wife of our subject. The two deceased are Leonard, who was an officer in the Union army during the civil war and was killed in the service, leaving a widow and one son, Frederick, now a resident of Tarrytown; and Robert, who died at Port Chester, leaving a widow and three children. The father of Mrs. Dodge died at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years, and the mother at the age of eighty. In early life they were members of the Methodist church, but later united with the Society of Friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Dodge were born three children, namely: Henry, who married Millie Halsey and died August 10, 1893, at the age of twenty-four years; Rebecca, who died May 5, 1894, at the age of twenty-one; and James, who was born June 4, 1876, and is the only one now living. They have an adopted daughter, a niece of Mrs. Dodge — Josephine R., daughter of Robert Cronk — who has entered into the affections of her foster parents and in some respects fills the place of the loved ones they have lost. She has made her home with them since two years of age. The family is one of prominence in the community with whose interests they have long been identified, and it is safe to say that none are held in higher esteem than Mr. and Mrs. Dodge.