Isaac Taylor Dodson began a very active and energetic life when very young. His first prominent notice came from the fact of his taking and finishing a contract for the building of a bridge across the Susquehanna River at Berwick, Pa., when but eighteen years of age. This was considered at the time a most wonderful achievement for a man of his years, and it was the starting point of his life. Soon after this he went to Mauch Chunk and entered the employ of Erskine Hazzard, who was then the general manager of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, which position he filled acceptably for a number of years. After this he embarked in the business of contracting, in which he was very successful. August 31, 1835, he was commissioned by Governor John Andrew Shultz as Colonel of the 128th Regiment of the militia of the State, to which position he was re-elected for several years. November 10th. 1851, he was elected Associate Judge of Carbon County, Pa., of the Court of Common Pleas, and his commission was signed by Governor Wm. H. Johnson on the above date. Later on he was re-elected for another term. He was a most active and influential citizen and highly esteemed in the community in which he had his home, for his integrity and worth.