John H. Dobson was a Canadian immigrant who came to the Valley in about 1896 to farm with his brother, Wesley. After marrying Electa "Letchy" Scott, he and his brother, Wesley, began acquiring ranch land in Mesa and Tempe. John eventually owned 4,000 acres of land in the Salt River Valley, and several thousand more in the White Mountains. John was active in the Chandler business community, building the Dobson Building on San Marcos Place in Downtown Chandler in 1912, and partnering with John Andersen in opening the First National Bank. He got into the sheep business in 1929, purchasing a herd of 10,000 head. John, his sons, and his grandson, Dwayne, continued to raise sheep until 2012. They drove the sheep up to the White Mountains on the Heber Reno Trail every spring, and drove them down the trail to winter in the Valley in the fall. John retired from ranching in 1941. Before his death in 1949, he split his ranch into five ranches, one for each of his children: Roy Dobson, Clifford Dobson, Mildred Dobson (Fitch), Earl Scott Dobson, and Ruby Dobson (Patterson).
He was president of First National Bank, according to the 1920, 1921, 1923 and 1925 Chandler City Directories.
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To read a transcript of an oral history with Vinson and Dwayne Dobson, where they talk about their grandfather John H. Dobson, click here.
04-57-13 Description: The John Dobson family From left: Earl Dobson, unidentified, John H. Dobson, Lecty Dobson, Henry Clifford Dobson, Ruby M. Dobson Patterson, F. Roy Dobson Accession #: 04-57-13 Gift of: Found in Chandler Historical Society Collectiona | 04-57-12 Description: John H. Andersen home located on the golf course behind the San Marcos Hotel, no date. Accession #: 04-57-12 Gift of: Found in Chandler Historical Society Collection | 94-16-1 Description: Anniversary celebration for John and Letchy Dobson, 1945 Accession #: 94-16-1 Gift of: Florence Knox Mitten |
94-16-2 Description: Back row (standing), left to right: Charlie Hogan, Jim Armstrong, George Dobson, Emma Dobson, Jennie Dobson Argue Accession #: 94-16-2 Gift of: Florence Knox Mitten | 88-39-6 Description: John and Letchy Dobson on their 45th wedding anniversary. Written on back: "Mom and Dad were married April 4, 1900. Dad passed away July 28, 1949, Mother died March 9, 1965" Accession #: 88-39-6 Gift of: Eileen Dobson | 88-39-7 |