Biographical Sketch of

Dodge P. Blackstone

Transcribed by Barbara Voss



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 433 - 434

Dodge P. Blackstone, Clerk of Circuit Court and Surveyor of Green Lake County, is a resident of Berlin, Wis. The branch 
of the Blackstone family to which he belongs, traces its origin back to a brother of Sir William Blackstone, the great 
legal commentator. The first member of the family to come to the American colonies was an Episcopal minister, who is 
said to have been the first white person that ever set foot upon the site of the present city of Boston. From 
Massachusetts the family branched to different States, until its members are now widely scattered throughout the Union. 
Edward Blackstone, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, but in an early day removed to New York, 
Settling in Oneida County, where he was numbered among the first settlers. He afterward. However, returned to his native 
State, where he was married to Elizabeth Wood. He then took her to his new home in Oneida County, where they spent the 
remainder of their lives. Mr. Blackstone followed the occupation of farming, and upon the old homestead farm was born 
unto them nine children. Of the Dodge family comparatively little is known, save that the grandfather, Laban Dodge, 
was a New York farmer, and the father of a family of eight children.

Russell Blackstone was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in the year 1799, and there grew to manhood. He never sought or 
desired political preferment, but was an active, wide awake business man, who carried on varied lines of work, such as 
farming, milling, etc. For a companion in life he chose Miss Sarah Dodge, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., born in 
1801. When she was about fifteen years old, her parents removed to Oneida County, where she and Mr. Blackstone were 
married and ever made their home. To them were born nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom eight are 
still living. Both parents have passed away, the father dying at the advanced age of seventy eight years the mother 
at the age of seventy.

Dodge P. Blackstone was the sixth child and the fourth son in that family of nine and his birth occurred in Utica, 
N. Y., on the 3rd of February, 1833. He received most liberal educational advantages and improved every opportunity. 
He desired to become a man of knowledge and knew that if he accomplished that end he must thoroughly master each branch 
of learning which he undertook. He received his elementary education in the common schools, after which he was a student 
in Sauquoit Academy and then fitted himself for college in the preparatory department of Oberlin (Ohio) University. In 
1878, he was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., Having taken a classical course, giving special attention
to mathematics. After graduation, he was offered and accepted the chair of mathematics In Brownwood University of La 
Grange, Ga., where he remained a year, after which he was for an equal time employed as principal of the Male Academy at 
Enon, Ala. Returning to New York, he then served for two years as principal of Sauquoit Academy, of which he had formerly 
been a student, and for eight years had charge of the West Winfield Seminary in Herkimer County, N. Y. 

On the 25th of August, 1863, Mr. Blackstone was joined in wedlock with Miss Frank H. Howard, a native of Dutchess County, 
N. Y., Born January 1, 1832.

Three children have come to make bright their home by their presence, namely; Howard R., Libbie and Hattie.

In 1871, accompanied by his family, Mr. Blackstone emigrated to the West, locating in Berlin, Green Lake County, where 
he has since continued to reside. On his arrival, he purchased the Berlin Courier, a leading newspaper of the county, 
of which he was editor for two years. For six years he held the position of Superintendent of the public schools, since 
which time he has been engaged in merchandising, civil engineering and as a dealer in real estate. He has taken quite 
an active part in city and county affairs and was chosen by the people of the community to serve as Assessor and 
Supervisor of Berlin, and for several terms has been elected to the position of County Surveyor, which he still 
occupies. In 1888 he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court. He displays much ability in the discharge of his public 
duties, acting with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Few men are more widely known and 
none are held in higher regard. His ancestors on both sides were supporters of the Whig party, and Mr. Blackstone 
labors for the interests of the Republican Party. He has identified himself with but one secret organization, the 
Masonic fraternity, being a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of the Academy of Science, Arts and Letters of the State 
of Wisconsin and Takes great interest in scientific researches, especially in the line of mathematical as economy. 
Public spirited and progressive, he is a man of more than ordinary ability and is a valued citizen. 






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