The daily gazette., 1880-03-29
Obituary.

ired, whose death occurred ON the gath
lay of March, 1880, was notable man
snd one whose memory deserves more
than passing mention. -
He was born on the Gath day of
March, 1897, on the farm adjoining
his late residence. and on which his
father, grandfather and great-grand-
father had lived and died, and where
he spent his long and useful life, liter
ally on his ancestral acres, which had
to him through three gen.
Fl o1 lsas, n
On the paternal side his great-grand-
father came from England with Will
liam Penn, first settling near Phila-
but in short time moving
upon the lands in Brandywine hun
dred, above named. This grandfather
was a strong man Of sterling. worth,
one of the hardy pioneers, who tanned
the wilds of the upper Delaware, and
with keen perception, selected the
beautiful sites on the westside Of the
river. From him descended the large
and influential Lodge family, now
represented by such men as William
P. Lodge, Isaac N. Lodge and Will
liam G. Lodge. On the maternal side
he was descendant of the Webster
family, among the early Swedish set
tiers who located on the rich high lands
between the Brandywine and Shellpot.
A part Of the original lands, we be-
lieve, is still held by descendants of
that name. These Websters were
among the founders of the Old Swedes
Church and worshipers there for more
than century. The maternal grand
mother of the deceased was remark
able for her energy, sagacity and great
mental endowments. q
In any community and in any avo-
cation Of life George Lodge would have
been marked man. In q remarkable
degree he combined clearness of per-
ception, sincerity and honesty of pur-
pose, and direct and incisive mind,
which being coupled with a grand
physique, strong will and pure life
made him power in any undertaking
to which he directed his attention.
In private life he was universally
loved and honored. Strict integrity
and chivalric devotion to every duty
made him model wprthy of all imi-
tation. He scorned to do little things;
none came into his presence and con-
versed with him but felt that his life
was fashioned in nobler mould than
fell to the common lot. He was a
model husband, father and neighbor.
In early manhood he married Ann
Cloud, a,Sister of Lot Cloud, leading
resident of Brandywine Hundred, and
the affection which began in childhood
was never broken. She died two years
after marriage, leaving an only child,
William q. Lodge, and the legacy of
a sweet memory, to which the deceas-
ed showed his fidelity through more
than half a century by constant devo-
tion. ..slI.
His well-known probity, justice and
umpire, referee and commissioner
among his neighbors, and for nearly
fifty years his services were in con-
slant demand settling disputes, adjust
ing lines, dividing estates, laying out
roads, and like work, SO that there is
scarcely tract of land or public high
way in his native Hundred, but shows
evidence of his Judgment or handi-
work. His judgments were seldom
questioned and had the rare merit OF
giving satisfaction to all concerned.
Politically, he was lifelong Demo
crat, casting his first vote for Thomas
jefferson, and for sixty years, never, il
is said failing to vote for the men and
measures whom his judgment approx
ed, deeming it sacred duty as well as
high privilege to protect his county by
giving her good rulers SO far as he
could exercise any control. 81
Shrinking from public life, he could
not always escape Office. Atthe public be.
hest he became q Presidential Elector
once. Twice he was a member of the
House of Representatives of the State o.
Delaware. Met with, and was the peel
of the Booths, Rogers, DuPonts, Van
Dykes, Ridgleys and other leading men
Of that day. Although farmer, he had
more than usual range Of knowledge and
facile adaptation to every phaze of life
He has filed nearly every local Office
with honor, the last being that of Trustee
of the Poor for Brandywine Hundred
where his practical good sense, secondins
the efforts of such men as z. Hill Brin
ton and his associates, placed our Aims
house on its present sound and healthy
foundation.
As colonel of the volunteer forces o
1920, he leaves his great sword ant
epauletts as heir looms to his family.
But Mr.. Lodge was more at home Ia
the country-on his broad acres, minis
tering to the good of his neighbors with
generous hand and dispensing hospitality
to those he loved and honored. 1t was
his pleasure to improve the fertility oi
his lands, and prove himself benefac
tor by making many "spears of grass
grow on impoverished and steril soils
He delighted to feed his sleek beeves anG
train his noble oxen, and fifty years age
his fine teams OF horses drawing spen
ashes from the soap works of Enoc!
Roberts from the then town of Whining
ton were obj ects of interest to the peo
pie. By prudent foresight he enlarged
his patrimony of less than one hundle et
acres to several hundred, by the pur
chase of contiguous lands, and addin,
the homestead of John Dickinson torme
Governor of Delaware, upon all o
which he left traces Of his improvinl
hand.
From early life he had been a faithful