Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-03-01

single town. Without attempting to emu
meratc all of his public services or his con-
nectlon with benevolent institutions, re-
mark that he was elected a Senator from
Rutland County, for 1915, '46 and Al,
and for the last two years his tact, courtesy
and impartiality won for him the honorable
position of President pro-tempore, post
for which few mercantile gentlemen have
either experience or especial claims In
1913 he was one of the Vermont Presiden-
tial electors, and gave his vote for ZACHARY
TAYLOR for President, and MILLABD FILL
MORE for Vice President
For more than quarter Of a century,
Major HODGES was the President Of the
Bank of Rutland. An influential New
York paper remarks that that Bank owes
to his unriyalIed Judgment prudence and
sagacity, the high and honorable stand it
holds among the moneyed institutions of
New England.
He was President of the Western Yer
mont Railroad Company in 1853, and
Director of the Rutland & Burlington
Railroad Company from the time of its
organization until 1852.
Ever on the alert to advance all enter
prises by which the interests Of his native
State could be promoted, he was an early
and efficient friend Of the Vermont State
Agricultural Society; and, perhaps, to no
ermonter-if we except the late TIMOTHY
FoLLETr-is the success of the Rutland &
Burlington Railroad more indebted than
to GEORGE TIsDALE HODGES.
Although he was always an active busi-
ness man-his energy and method ensuring
him large measure of pecuniary success
yet he always found time and opportunity
for the conscientious discharge those high
and responsible duties which he owed to God
his feliow-creaturcs. He was one Of the
chief instruments in the hands of Provi-
dence in maintaining the Episcopal Church
in Rutland, which has always depended
largely upon his liberality; and in his daily
walk and conversation he was a christian
gentleman, a gentleman "in the best sense
of that best Of titles worn by those Of the
Anglo-Saxon race" Surrounded by those
whom he loved, and aided by those who did
the honors of his household with rare grace
fulness, ,Ihis special delight was to render his
house the home of genuine hospitality.
Full Of honors and years, Mr.. HoDGEs
died of paralysis after an illness Of two
weeks duration, at his residence in Rut-
land on the 9th August, 1850, in the 72d
year of his age.
His funeral was attended on Saturday
afternoon, August 11th, at Trinity Church.
All places Of business in Rutland were
closed, and the funeral ceremonies were
performed by Rt. Rev Bishop HOPKINS,
in the presence of a large concoursc near
and remote from Rutland, who had assem-
bled to pay their last respects to a faithful
friend and truc-hcarted man.
Such Is a too brief and imperfect sketch
Of the career Of one who was, indeed, no
ordinary man, and whose loss will be long
and widely deplorcd 1t cannot be better
closed than by quoting the language of one
of our honorcd associates, who now occu-
pies a seat in Congress as his Successor
The Hon. EMAKM =. WALTON speaks Of
his deceased friend and predecessor in these
warm and glowing terms Through sound
Judgment, practical knowledge, thorough
business habits, great energy, an unblem-
ished reputation and gentlemanly presence
and bearing, Mr.. HODGES has had large
influence in the politics of Vermont, in all
its business circles and in all public enter
prises. Few men have been more promi-
nent, and few so worthy of confidence and
high esteem. His death is a loss not only
to the Town and the County where he has
had so large interests and influence, but to
the whole State of Vermont
st Albans, October, 1860.