Arthur McKenzie Dodson (c. 1819–1874) was a member of theLos Angeles Common Council, the governing body of that city, from 1859 to 1862.[1]
Dodson was born inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania, circa 1819.
In 1849, he took part in theCalifornia Gold Rush, but had no luck and so settled in Los Angeles in 1850, where he set up abutcher shop and one of the first grocery stores in thePueblo de Los Angeles. He was also the firstsoapmaker in Los Angeles. He was in partnership with John Benner. Dodson also established a coal and wood yard at the corner of Spring and Sixth streets, and he "started there a little community which he called Georgetown as a compliment to the famous Round House George[,] whose bakery, [...] was located on that corner."[2]
Dodson was married in Los Angeles to Reyes Dominguez, the daughter of Nazario Dominguez, part owner ofRancho San Pedro. The couple had twelve children, of which "only four grew to maturity": James H., Emma, John F. and Caroline.
Dodson died inTucson, Arizona, in 1874, and was buried inWilmington, Los Angeles.