My Genealogy Hound

JAMES M. HODGE. Clark County is the home of a number of men who are not only fine representatives of the farming community, but have done much to improve the grade of stock in the county by introducing and breeding blooded animals of various kinds. Among these gentlemen is James M. Hodge, of Moorefield Township, who has made several trips to Kentucky, to buy fine Shorthorn cattle. He now has about seventy-five head of these, and raises Poland-China hogs, Merino sheep and improved draft horses. His beautiful home is located on section 33, and the estate comprises over five hundred acres of land, the most of which is under excellent cultivation. With the exception of one hundred and eighty acres received from his father’s estate, the property has been accumulated by his own efforts.

The subject of this sketch is a grandson of Andrew Hodge, who, when a single man, was a companion of Daniel Boone, the noted Kentucky frontiersman. Andrew Hodge was a native of Virginia, and to him and his wife, Isabel Hodge, were born six children, namely: William, John, Eli, James H., Sarah and Jane M. James H., the father of our subject, was born in the first year of the present, century, and was about eight years of age when his parents crossed the Ohio River, settling in Pleasant Township, Clark County. Here grandfather Hodge bought land from the Government, and began his labors as one of the earliest settlers of the township. The family tented during the first winter and afterward built a log cabin, still later erecting a second and larger log house.

Here James H. Hodge grew to manhood, doing the usual amount of pioneer labor in developing the land, and receiving but a limited education, for the advantages afforded in this section at that time were very meagre. He became an extensive stock-raiser, as well as the owner of a large landed estate, and is numbered among the best pioneer workers of the township. He died September 23, 1878, when he had reached the age of nearly four-score years. His wife, known in her girlhood as Elizabeth Sailor, survived him some time, dying August 10, 1883. She was a native of Virginia, and a worthy companion and helpmate. To them were born six children, of whom the following survive: Samuel M. and John H. live in Champaign County, Ohio; the next is the subject of this notice; Sarah J. lives in Pleasant Township, this county.

The natal day of James M. Hodge was May 2, 1837. He grew to manhood in his native county, where he has continued to reside, continuing the labors in which his ancestors were engaged. During his earlier years he bore a share in developing the section from the somewhat primitive condition of those days, and in the meantime took advantage of the opportunities afforded in the common schools to acquire as good an education as the circumstances would warrant. He keeps himself well informed regarding current events and general topics of interest, especially those which relate to his life work. In politics, he is a sturdy Republican, and is a member of the Grange Lodge. He is recognized as one who possesses progressive ideas, and is interested in all movements which tend to advance the prosperity and elevate the society of his native State, and whose private character is such as to give him good standing among his fellow-men.

Mr. Hodge chose for his companion in life Miss Mary A. Hunter, a native of Pleasant Township, with whom he was united in marriage March 15, 1864. Mrs. Hodge is a daughter of Lemuel and Nancy (Marsh) Hunter, who are still living in Pleasant Township, where they settled many years ago. She is a woman of intelligence, housewifely ability, and many sterling traits of character. To her and her husband eight children have been born, those who are yet spared to them bearing the names of Asa W., Ida M. and Anne I. Three children died in infancy, while Emma and Lewis S. passed away in later years.

In connection with this sketch the reader will be pleased to notice lithographic portraits* of Mr. Hodge and his estimable wife.

*Portraits were included in the original printed volume.