Biographical Sketch of

Monroe Dodson M. D.

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 425 - 426

Monroe Dodson, M. D., who for thirty-eight years has successfully pursued the practice of his profession in 
Wisconsin, was born in the town of Huntingdon, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 26th day of June, 1826, 
and is a son of John and Sophronia (Monroe) Dodson. His father, who was a farmer in easy circumstances, was 
born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and was of English descent. He passed his life in his native State 
and was highly respected in the community where he resided.

Our subject was reared on his father's farm, receiving his early education in the public schools. When eighteen 
years of age he entered Berwick Academy as a student, where he pursued his studies a few terms, teaching school 
during the winter months. He began the study of medicine in his native State, but before completing his studies 
moved to Iowa. The following year, 1849, he went to Madison, Wisconsin, where he further fitted himself for his 
chosen profession and then attended lectures in the medical department of the Iowa State University, then located 
at davenport, and was graduated in the class of 1850. Returning to Madison, he embarked upon his professional 
career, continuing practice in that city until February, 1851, when he settled permanently at Berlin, where he 
has since resided. From the time of his coming to the present, Dr. Dodson has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice 
and has won a reputation that entitles him to rank among the leading physicians and surgeons of the State. He is 
a member of the Rock River Medical Society, also the State Medical Association, and in each organization has borne 
an active part, having served as President of the last named. He is also a member of the American Medical Association. 
Appreciating the necessity of keeping abreast of the times in the progress of medical science, he has on two occasions 
absented himself from home and attended lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College and the Bellevue Hospital College 
of New York City, and has been a liberal patron of the best medical journals of the country.

In 1862 Mr. Dodson opened a drug store at Berlin, which he carried for twenty years, doing an extensive business in 
that line, in addition to the regular practice of his profession. Since 1882, he has devoted his attention exclusively 
to his profession, and to his official duties as Superintendent of the city schools. The Doctor has always taken a 
warm interest in educational matters: for twenty-five years he has been a member of the Belin School Board, and for 
twelve years has held the office of Superintendent. During this time the schools of the city have rapidly improved 
and the high standard of perfection to which thay have now attained, reflects great credit upon those who have had 
charge of their management and especially upon the Superintendent. Dr. Dodson possesses studious habits and is a 
thorough scholar. His interest in mental culture and scientific research has led him to take a leading part in 
securing the services of lecturers on literary and scientific subjects, thus affording superior opportunities for 
mental improvement for all who are disposed to benefit by them.

On the 1st of September, 1857, Dr. Dodson was married in Cayuga County, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth O. Abbott, daughter 
of John and Mary (Osborne) Abbott, and a native of the county in which her marriage was celebrated. Two children, 
sons, were born of their union: John M., the elder, was born in Berlin Jan. 20, 1859, was educated for the medical 
profession in the Rush Medical College of Chicago and the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating from 
the former in the class of 1882, and from the latter in 1883. He is now successfully engaged in practice in Chicago.  
Charles Millard, the younger son, was born in Berlin, Sept. 20, 1860, educated in the city schools, graduating from 
the High School after which he studied pharmacy and for several years was engaged in the drug business at Milwaukee 
and at Hayward, Wisconsin. He now resides in Berlin.

Dr. Dodson is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Berlin Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M.: Berlin Chapter No. 13, R. A. M., 
also of Berlin Lodge, No. 56, I. O. O. F.  He has passed all the chairs in the last named order but is not now an 
active member in either order. In political sentiment he is a Republican, but has never been a politician in the 
ordinary sense of the word. The only official positions he has ever been induced to accept are those of School 
Commissioner and School Superintendent. In the practice of his profession the Doctor has been eminently successful, 
and his services have been in demand over a wide range of territory, where confidence in his skill, both as a 
physician and surgeon, are firmly established. As a druggist he was recofnized as an enterprising and successful 
business man, and a competent pharmacist, who employed none but careful and skilled assistants. As a school officer 
he has been indefatigable in his efforts to promote the educational interests of the city, in which he has succeeded 
in a marked degree. As a citizen he deserves and enjoys the highest esteem and respect of a wide circle of acquaintances 
among whom he has passed the mature years of his life. 






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