The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1891-04-17
col. JOHN o. HODGES.
. uopor To whom Honor is Due"

"Honor To whom Honor Is Due"
Among the many distinguished Ken
tuckians who have rendered faithful and
efficient service TO their mother, may be
mentioned the subject of this brief
sketch. He was born in Cynthiana, KY,
December IL, 1882. His early life was
spent ON his fathers farm, which, after
a thorough preparation by a private tu-
tor. he left to enter upon full course of
study at Centre College, Danville, Kyr
from which he graduated in June, 1855
The Glass of '55 may be justly proud
of its record both IN and OUT of College.
Many of its members, as will be seen
from the following partial list, have not
only become distinguished, but illustrl'
Gus.
Gov. T. T. Crittenden, now of Mis-
souri,.
Hon. w. C. p. Breckenridge, National
House of Representatives.
Hon. Boyd Winchester, ex-Consul OF
United States, at Berne, Switzerland.
Hon. T. u. Morrow, ex.Judge.
Hon. John Young Brown, ex-member
National House of Representatives.
Revs. Messrs. H. H. Allen, II. NJ.
Scudder and William George.
In 1866, Mr.. Hodges was unanimously
elected Secretary of Lexington School
Board, which position he filled for years
without any compensation. During that
wear he visited New York City, at his
own expense, aud upon his return ne
organized the Lexington schools, taking
the New York plan as his model. For
such service the city of Lexington now
pays at the rate of 81 500 per annum.
Mr.. Hodges severed his connection
with the schools of Lexington in 1870.
but in the year 1880 he was again called
to the position of Superintendent, which
he held for eight years. During this
time the attendance of the schools was
increased three-fold, and four modern
and well-equipped school-houses were
erected.
When he took upon himself the duties
of Superintendent, he conceived the idea
that his work would be materially aided
by the establishment of a weekly paper
for the dissemination of such literature
as would emphasize the necessity of pop
ular education. The Lexington Obser-
yer then began its dutious service, which
has not only produced much fruit in
Lexington, but throughout the Blue
Grass region also.
In 1889, the material prosperity of the
State was the absorbing question before
the people, but Mr.. Hodges, still true to
faith in popular education, resolved that
he would do what he could TO lead the
people into proper channels of thought
upon that most vital subject. So he dis.
continued the publication of the Obser-
yer, and, in lieu thereof, he launched the
Kentucky Trades Journal upon its mis-
sion. He only changed the point from
which he began his argument, according
to which he ever labors to show the SUI
periority of mind over matter-that the
true glory of the State lies not in its
material wealth, but in its intelligent
and virtuous citizens.
Mr.. Hodges has been member of the
Kentucky State Board of Education for
nearly ten years. He has rendered the
State faithful and efficient service in
this capacity, and that without any COM
pensation.
No true lover of his State can be made
acquainted with these facts of unselfish
devotion without realizing that he owes
a debt of gratitude to the one who thus
exercises himself in promoting its best
interests. wv" in The Educational
Courant.