Civil engineer Grenville Mellen Dodge (1831-1916) distinguished himself as a Civil War general and railroad builder. He served as the chief engineer of the Union Pacific leg of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. An opportunist as well, Dodge amassed a fortune through land speculation and other ventures. Theodore Roosevelt once confessed publicly to Dodge: "I would rather have had your experience in the Civil War and have seen what you have seen and done than to be President of the United States."

Dodge was born in Danvers, Massachusetts on April 12, 1831 to Sylvanus and Julia Theresa Phillips Dodge. From the time of his birth until he was 13 years old, Dodge moved frequently while his father tried various occupations. In 1844 the fortunes of Sylvanus Dodge improved. An ardent Democrat, he became postmaster of the South Danvers office and opened a bookstore. Good fortune also was in store...