DR. WILLIAM S. DODD, a leading
physician of Charleroi, is a representative of one of the oldest and most
distinguished families of
Pennsylvania. Their lives were indissolubly linked with the early history
of Washington county,
with whose progress they
were most prominently identified.
Rev. Cephas Dodd, M.D. and
D.D., son of the famous Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, was born October 12, 1779,
on
Ten-Mile stream, Washington
county, Penn. Cephas Dodd took a thorough classical course at the Canonsburg
Academy, then studied theology
with Rev. John McMillan. In 1801 he began preaching in Ohio, and in 1817
came to
the church at Ten-Mile,
Washington county, Penn. He then began to study medicine, and being finally
led to believe
that he could do more good
as a physician than pastor, devoted his later years principally to medical
work.
Thaddeus Dodd, a son of Cephas,
was born March 22, 1810, near Amity, Amwell township, Washington county,
Penn. His early education
was obtained at the subscription schools, and he then took a course of
study at Washington
College. He afterward attended
medical lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, having previously
studied
with his father. After receiving
his degree, Dr. Dodd began to practice his profession in Millsborough,
Washington
Co., Penn., where he remained
about three years, and then lived in West Bethlehem township a short time.
He
afterward moved to Amity,
and ten years later located in Dunningsville, remaining there four years,
and finally
returning to Amity. On April
24, 1860, he was united in marriage with Mary Stockdale, who was born February
8,
1817, daughter of William
Stockdale, a native of Greene county. The following children were born
to the union of
Thaddeus and Mary Dodd:
Hannah, born September 16, 1840, deceased February 28, 1847; Cephas D.,
born July 16,
1842, a decorator by trade,
living in Montgomery, Ala; Agnes B., born June 29, 1844, deceased August
12, 1845;
William S., born June 23,
1846; Sarah E., wife of W. C. Sargeant, born February 3, 1848; Thomas D.,
born November
16, 1849, deceased March
17, 1852; Norton McGiffin, born June 23, 1851, living at Charleroi; Alice
born May 15,
1853, wife of J. W. Thatcher,
of Columbus, Ohio; Ruth, born April 17, 1857, living in LaFayette, Ind.,
and Mary M.,
born July 6, 1859, wife
of John H. Jewel, of Charleroi. The father of this family wad a Whig and
Republican, and in
religious faith a member
and elder of the Presbyterian Church. He died August 25, 1877, and Mrs.
Dodd was laid by
his side July 27, 1883.
Dr. William S. Dodd was born
on the farm in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended
the
public schools of the neighborhood.
He then began to study medicine in his father's office, afterward taking
a thorough
course in the Cincinnati
College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he graduated in 1878. He began
his professional
life at Amity, having been
given his father's practice, and remained there until November, 1889, when
he went to
Pittsburgh, and in 1890
came to Charleroi, this county. He was married June 9, 1886, to Sarah R.,
daughter of J.
Wesley Chambers, a native
of Amwell township, and they have had one son, John Wesley Chambers, born
May 22,
1889. Dr. Dodd has acquired
an enviable reputation, both as a citizen and physician. He is a stanch
supporter of the
principles embodied in the
Republican party, and in religion is a member and elder of the Presbyterian
Church.