West Dodd was born in Scotland, to Scottish parents. He immigrated to America in 1863, and became a naturalized citizen.

In 1900, he and his family were living at 1680 Eighth Street in Des Moines, Iowa. The 1900 US Census takers asked all widows and married women how many children they had, and how many were still living. West was manufacturing lightning rods in Des Moines, and later did the same in Omaha, Nebraska. The 1900 US Census lists:
West Dodd, 48, head, proprietor, lightning rod company, imm. 1863, b. Feb. 1852 Scotland
Mary Dodd, 49, wife, 9 children, 7 living, imm. 1865, b. Jan., 1851 Canada (her father came from Scotland and her mother was born in Canada)
Francis E. Dodd, 18, dau, at school, b. Nov. 1881, IA
Edna M. Dodd, 14, dau, at school, b. Sept. 1885, IA
Lenna B. Dodd, 13, dau, at school, b. April 1887, IA
Rhea M. Dodd, 11, son, at school, b. March, 1889, IA
Liela Dodd, 9, dau, at school, b. Feb., 1891, IA
Venus Dodd, 7, dau, at school, b. Jan., 1893, IA
Christina Dodd, 75, mother, 13 children, 7 living, b. July 1825 Scotland

DODD, West; 89; 17 Jul 1941 OWH eve p 24 (x2) @ Hillcrest**

Printed in the Thursday, July 17, 1941 Lincoln Journal Star, p. 10

(Omaha-AP) West Dodd, 89, native of Scotland and retired Des Moines manufacturer, died here Wednesday night. He came to the United States at the age of 11 and lived at Los Angeles before coming to Omaha a year ago. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Thomas Bicket, Dinsdale, Iowa

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Greater Omaha Genealogical Society; National Archives
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The Traer Star Clipper, Friday July 25th, 1941 – page 11
WEST DODD DIES AT OMAHA AT AGE OF 89
Was Member of North Tama County's Wilson Clan—Brother of Mrs. Thomas Bicket, of Dinsdale
Another of the oldest members of the far-flung Wilson clan was claimed by death with the passing of West Dodd, son of Andrew and Christina Wilson Dodd, at Omaha, Nebraska on July 16 at the age of 89. The decedent was the fifth son in a family of ten boys and three girls. Two of the boys died in Scotland. The eight remaining sons came to America with their parents in June, 1863, and all of the girls were born in this country. West had attended school in Scotland, and he completed his high school study in Waterloo, often walking twenty-five miles each way to spend a weekend at his home near Traer. He also attended Iowa State college at Ames, then worked as a farm hand for Peter Whannel and James Wilson. He was a successful school teacher many years. .
He was married January 23, 1878—over sixty-three years ago—to Mary Bicket, who survives at the age of 90. Mr. and Mrs. Dodd were probably among the oldest couples in the entire Middle West at the time of the former's death last week. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom also survive. Two children died in infancy. Those living are Mrs. Frances Stotts, of Goshen, Indiana; Mrs. Edna Dodd, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mrs. Laurabell Wilkinson, of Los Angeles, California; Ray Dodd, of Hollywood, California; Mrs. Leila Jordan, of Waukesha, Wisconsin; and Mrs. Gladys Caywood, of Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Dodd also leaves several grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as one brother, James W . Dodd, 94, of Omaha, Nebraska, and one sister, Mrs. Thomas Bicket, of Dinsdale, one of the grand old women of north Tama county.
Rites were held at the Crosby-Meyers Funeral Home in Omaha, and burial was there in Hillcrest Memorial park.

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kind assistance of FindaGrave volunteer George 48419540
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