James M. Dodson, proprietor of the Dodson House, at Linden, Perry Co., Tenn., was born in Hickman County in 1835, and is a son of Marshall and Emily (Brown) Dodson, who were born in the Old Dominion, and wer.e brought to Tennessee by their respective parents when quite young. They were married in Williamson County, and soon after moved to Hickman County, where they remained until 1851, when they came to Perry County, where they resided the remainder of their lives. The father died in May, 1863. His widow resided with our subject until her death in July, 1883. At the age of twenty-two James M. united his fortune with that of Martha Jane Harris, who was born in Perry County and is a daughter of David R. Harris. Our subject farmed until the breaking out of hostilities between the North and South, when he enlisted in Company E, Sixth Tennessee Federal Cavalry, and was afterward transferred to Company G, of the same regiment, and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he was elected sheriff of Perry County, serving two years, and then resumed farming. In December, 1872, he moved to Linden and has since kept a first-class hotel. To him and his wife eleven children were born, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Dodson is a member of the K. of H., and his wife is identified with the Methodist Church.