Townships of Jefferson County Illinois

   Dodds township next township south of Mount Vernon. Dodds is principally down in timber, as there is very little prairie but lots of creek bottom in her territory, but no better or more productive land in the whole county. It is tradition that the township was named for James Dodds, who came to these native wilds in 1818, and perhaps built the first cabin in the township.
   Joseph Jordan settled the Isaac Garrison place at the parting of the Benton and McLeansboro roads. This place was transferred to the Frizzles and many will remember the sad event of nearly the whole family dying with cholera in 1847, and of their being buried at Old Union. And then the farm went into the hands of Isaac Garrison, then came Doctor Adams, who afterwards figured in county matters; then Frank Hicks; he was the father of J. R. P. Hicks, who was chosen school Commissioner of Jefferson county. Then came Stephen Arnold, then Absolom Estes, from whence all the Esteses spring; then Joseph Pace, twin-brother of the County Clerk, Joel; then came the Rogerses, William Davis, David Shaffer; the latter put up a horse mill; also Frank Hicks did the same.Isaac Watson was one of the pioneers, of what was then Jackson precinct, now Dodds township. W. T. Sanders taught school in a log house built on government land. Rev. Rhodam and George Allen (the latter father of John R. and Thomas Allen), held meeting in the cabins of Jackson precinct.
   A Methodist church was organized at an early day. Joel Pace, John Rogers, Will Edington and James Bradford were members. The first voting place was the old Dodds house. John Baugh and H. Gorham were the first justices of the peace. R. D. Roane was the first Supervisor. Capt. Samuel Gibson, now retired, of Mount Vernon, was for many years as a valued citizen of Dodds township and improved his surroundings by importing and selling good stock. Politically, Dodds is almost a "stand off," but generally gives a Republican majority.