Among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Lee County may be mentioned this gentleman, who resides on section 27, Lee Centre Township, where he owns a fine farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres, highly cultivated, and on which he has placed many good improvements.

His parents, Jesse and Margaret (Bartlette) Hodges removed from Indiana to this State, in 1849, going to La Salle County, and settling in Lamoille, where the father died the same year. The mother departed this life in Lee Centre Township.

Our subject was born in Lawrence County, Ind., September 19, 1839, where he spent the first nine years of his life. He accompanied his parents to Illinois in 1849, and after the death of his father, lived with his brother Joseph in this township, where he grew to manhood. When he was twenty-one years of age, the Civil War broke out and he at once entered the service of his country, enlisting August, 1861, in Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, in which he served for three years. He was remarkably fortunate in passing through this season of conflict uninjured, and returned home none the worse for his soldier's life. He worked on the farm with his brother for one season and then purchased a farm on section 27, on which he settled and where he has ever since been a resident. Our subject has been twice married, his Brat wife being Miss Harriet G. Cook, to whom he was united in Dixon, IL, December 8, 1868. By this union four children were born: Jessie M., Philenn M. (Mrs. Eugene Tennent), Joseph G. and Hattie G., wife of H. B. Lyon. The mother of this family died September 19, 1877. Mr. Hodges was again married in Belvidere, November 19, 1879, to Ellen A. Shaw, a daughter of John L. Shaw. She was born September 29, 1845, in Hancock County, this State.

Mr. Hodges is a public-spirited and genial gentleman, who has acquired a competency by industry and perseverance. He has erected good buildings on his fine farm, which gives evidence of careful oversight and cultivation. In politics, he is a Republican and has served as Collector for his township. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Portraits and Biographical Lee County IL 1892 Pg 788