History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p.1144

John Dobson, ice dealer, was born in Leeds, England, in 1830; came to Massachusetts in 1849, and to Plattsburg in 1851. He came to Oshkosh in 1853 and engaged as engineer on a steamboat here; he run as engineer of the first steamboat from here to Green Bay. In 1860 he opened a machine-shop; sold out in 1865, and engaged in farming; began dealing in ice fall of 1872. He is sole owner of the Winnebago Ice Company. It does the largest business here; ships ice every year; one year it shipped 50,000 tons to a Chicago firm. Mr. Dobson got up the first American brass band here; was Alderman also. He was married to Miss Cecelia H. Moore in 1850. They have one child, Mary Hettie.