From these schools he received the degrees of B.S., A.B., B.D., and D.D. After graduation from these institutions he followed the teaching profession for some years, teaching in the public schools, Grove City College, and after entering the ministry McElwain Institute and Thiel College.

Answering “Yes” to the call to the ministry he was licensed in 1887, received on trial in the Erie Annual Conference in 1888, and into full connection in 1890, at which time he was ordained Deacon and two years later received Elders Orders. 

His appointments were Fredonia, Pa.; Epworth Church, New Castle; First Church, Punxsutawney; Grace Church, Oil City; Dunkirk, N. Y.; Superintendent of Meadville District; Grace Church, Warren; Jamestown, Pa.; Kingsley Church, Erie; Farrell; and finished his services for the King at Second Church, Greenville, Pa.

March 5th, 1885, Dr. Dodds was married to Miss Emma A. Burns, and to them were given two children, Wesley Burns Dodds and Mrs. Marian Elizabeth Shellenberger, who with the mother are left to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate husband and father. Dr. Dodds was an honor student at Drew and was awarded a trip abroad but family conditions made it impossible to accept the prize.

Dr. Dodds’ father was a soldier of the Civil War receiving his discharge in 1865. He was a member of the 18th Battery of Ohio Artillery volunteers. This soldier father died in i866 leaving a widow and five young children, the eldest only twelve years old, and the subject of this Memoir but nine years of age. The family knew the pinch that comes from straightened circumstances for several years, but rising above that Dr. Dodds made his way to the scholarship and Christian influence which he attained. 

While Dr. Dodds’ father and only son were soldiers—the latter in the World War—his own warfare was of a kind that tends to peace. In writing of this type of soldiering Paul says: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against all the various forms of evil that hold sway in the darkness around us, against the wickedness in high places; therefore take up the full armor of God, that when the evil day comes you may be able to withstand the attack, having fought to the end, still stand your ground.”. In this warfare Dr. Dodds wore the appointed armor and fulfilled the injunction "Be thou faithful unto death” and in so doing won the reward, "and I will give thee a crown of life.” 

Dr. Dodds was the writer’s District Superintendent and his courtesy and kindness never failed. Horace Dodds was faithful to his trust and blessed the people whom he served. As an administrator he was kindly and patient, and as an expounder of the Word distinctly helpful, and the people hailed his coming with pleasure. 

We meet, clasp hands, unite in our vows and efforts for the uplift of the world, listen to her sighs and sobs, weep and smile with her then separate; but we shall meet again. Dr. Dodds will be gladly hailed in the better land by a large company who will greet him as spiritual father and devoted friend, as together they may say, 

“From life’s heavy hurtful burden 

Now my spirit is released;

I am done with fasts and scourges, 

And am hidden to the feast.” 

Besides the mother and children Dr. Dodds is survived by two brothers—Oren F. Dodds, Radford, Va.; Ernest Dodds, Butler, Pa.; also three sisters—Miss Elzimina Dodds, Pueblo, Colo.; Mrs. R. H. Graham, Butler, Pa., and Mrs. Alex Stephenson, Prospect, Pa. 

Written by C. O. Mead. Memoirs of Deceased Preachers, Erie Conference Journal and Yearbook, Ninety-first session, 1926, pages 605-606.