Dodrigard Emlen Willowstump was born in hole under a willow tree, on the banks of the river Shirebourn – as have all Willowstumps before him been born.  While the Willowstumps are now predominantly Fallohides by blood and less inclined to live by a river, Dodrigard’s Great-Gammer Willowstump, a Stoor, insisted on the family remaining under the willow – despite her being the last Stoorish relation in four generations. 

A cheerful yet quiet lad growing up, Dodrigard preferred wood-carving and drawing as he watched the other Hobbit-lads and lasses dance and play games – content to simply be in the presence of others, if not partaking in their pursuits.  Growing up among the river-folk, he was marked amongst the others for avoiding the water.  As the other children (who were far more Stoorish than he) swam and paddled about, Dodrigard would settle himself on the riverbank.  Because this peculiarity brought about disapproving looks from the neighbors, in his twenty-eighth year, Dodrigard set out for the woods and fields of the Shire.

Still five years short of adulthood, Dodrigard found work across the Westfarthing as a hired hand – working for farmers by clearing, plowing, sowing, and harvesting fields, as well as chopping wood and performing other menial chores.  It was in the employment of these farmers where Dodrigard became known as “Doddy Stump” – a name he happily took up as befit his new life.

Eight years passed, and he has since returned home and made amends with his family, amongst whom he is still known as “Dodrigard”; however, he continues to reside and work in the Westfarthing – wayfaring and quite content.