Alexander Dodson, aged 93
Berwick’s oldest resident and oldest Civil War Veteran in this section, passed away at his home on Susquehanna Avenue this morning at 11 O’clock after an illness for several months. Mr.Dodson was born at Nuremburg, Luzerne County, on September 9,1835, and spent the greater part of his life in that section. For many years after his discharge from the Union Army he was engaged in conduction a general store at Sweet Valley and Hunlock Creek to Berwick Twenty-four years ago.He was the son of Joseph B. and Martha Park Dodson. He is survived by his wife and two children by a former wife, Mrs.D.S. Rittenhouse, of Hunlock Creek and Mrs. J.A. Bear of Honesdale. Two sister and two brothers also survive;Mrs Addie Matthews, and Mrs.Mary Wolf, of Muhlenburg; Fred Dodson, of Prescott, Arizona; and Jonathan Dodson of Jonestown. Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive.
Mr. Dodson was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and was active in all church affairs until old age prevented it. He was also a member of Captain Jackson Post G.A.R., of Berwick. Six months of the time he served with the Union Army from the Civil beginning of the Civil War to the close were spent in the notorious Libby Prison as a prisoner of the Confederates. Mr. Dodson, then served as a private with the Company F, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, was captured while taken part in an engagement on the Richmond Peninsula. Prior to that time, he had taken part in the sledge of Fredericksburg. After serving from some time in the prison, he was allowed to go with a number of his fellow prisoners to Savage Island (Savage Station) where they were to care for wounded Union prisoners. Some time later, thought an exchange of prisoners, Mr.Dodson was restored to his company at Arlington Hill, Virginia. After rejoining his company, he took part in the battles of Gaines Mills,Fredericksburg, the Wilderness. He was under Grant, and fought his last battle at Bethesda Church. At Fredericksburg, Mr.Dodson was struck in the Hip by an enemy bullet that carries to his grave. In 1865, he was honorable discharge with his company from the Union Services at Bethsaide Courthouse in Virginia.
A military funeral will be conducted by the Sons of Veterans on Monday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock. Dr. R.S. Oyler, paster of the First Methodist Church will conduct short services at the home after witch the body will be taken to Hunlock Creek for further services. Interment will be made at the Sorbertown Cemetery. Friends who desire to view the body may do so on Sunday evening between the hours of 6 and 9 o’clock. At the request of Mr.Dodson flowers will be omitted.
