Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-26
J. LEDYARD HODGE.
A Sketch of the Great Republican
kfeptOmauiac.

The embezzlement from the United
States Treasury at Washington by Major
j. Ledyard Hodge has caused much sur
prise in Philadelphia, where he had been
so well and favorably known that he
would readily have been trusted with
any amount of money. The Inquirer
thus speaks of him: .t8
Of relations in this city he has many.
They are highly respectable, and the
name Of Hodge, for honesty and probity,
has never before the present instance
been tarnished in any manner. The
family is also one of the Oldest in the
city. Major Hodge was born in Phila-
delphia, and is about thirty.six years of
age. He attended school here, and af.
terward graduated with honor at Prince
ton College, where distant relative of
his, DR.. Hodge, was an eminent profess
sor. After leaving he returned to his
home in Philadelphia, and shortly after
entered the law office of Hon. Alexander
Henry. Here he studied, and after the
usual course, was admitted to the bar.
His sign was placed under that of Mr..
Henryt as q practicing attorney, but
he did very little business. He was
kept employed, however, by Mr..
Henry in, attending to his private
business, which was always discharged
with zeal and ability. From boy he
was considered as very bright and intel
igent, and destined to make his mark,
and his friends looked forward to
promising future for him. After hfhad
been admitted to the bar he remained
with Mr.. Henry but a short time. His
father had been living in Washington
for some time, and thither he followed.
de obtained a position in one of the
departments, and discharged his duties
satisfactorily. His father, Mr.. William
l.. Hodge, who has been dead several
years, was man of great respectability,
and held several positions of honor and
trust under the Government. For some
years he was managing editor of
newspaper in New Orleans, and for
long time was Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury at Washington. Several years
ago his father died and left quite large
to be disposed of among his
family. Belonging to the estate was a
property at Chestnut Hill, which was
placed in the hands of Messrs. C. III. q
II. 7. Muirheid, real estate attorneys.
for disposal. In the disposition of this
the Major took an active interest
and it is probable that it was settled to his
satisfaction, Messrs. Muirheid after this
transacted considerable business for
Major Hodge, the details of which they |
decline to make public. He |
low has very fine property on Fishers
ane, Germantown, in the hands of this
irm for sale. 1t is valued at about
l0, 900. While living at Washington
he Major became acquainted with and
married a very estimable lady from
Maryland, and he now has four children
n conversation with many of his friends
We found them to be greatly surprised
It his recent transactions at Washing
on. The blow falls heavily upon his
1ife and mother, both of whom now re-
ide at Washington. His friends can
My account for his criminal conduct
y the fact Of his desiring to make an
stentatious display. "9He was always
rather reckless as far as
pending money was concerned and, as
J too often the case it has brought him
ruin and blotted the fair names of his
life and children.