Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-08

/IyW W ~
CHAs. e. HoDaKIN.
Mr.. Hodgkin first saw light in Washington,
April %, 1861, and. like a number Of other sue
cessful business men. he started out in life as
newsboy. He secured his eariv training while
with prominent gass establishment of this
city, and, being ambitious. he soon began to
look around to get in business for himself.
With very small amount Of cash and a verv
large amount of pluck he opened small store
about five doors above his present large estab-
ilshment with handful" of glass and wheel
barrow, and. furthermore. he furnished the
motive power for that wheelbarrow for some
months.
HE BUYS HORSE AND WAGON.
In year and a half the business had
grown to such proportions that a horse and
wagon became a necessity. Mr.. Hodgkin could
not naturally afford a MAUD S." SO he got the
best horse he could for his money-some S35
The first load happened to be glass for st,
Peters Church on Capitol Hill The horse
stood the load until he got to 7th and Pennsyl-
vanla avenue. There he stopped, unable to
proceed further. Mr.. Hodgkin had to hire
another team. unload his wagon and lead his
horse back to the store. He Immediately traded
the horse for better one with horse trader,
and the horse which he parted with died few
weeks later. and he laughingly SAYS today that
he believes he is the only man that ever secured
the best Of horse trader.
From that period to this Mr.. Hodgkin's in
domitable will and <ireless energy has resulted
in creating steady growth in his business,
until today it is the most extensive in the CITY,
Not only does he carry the largest assortment
OF glass. but also large quantity OF each par
ticular size and quality, in order to meet any
and all demands upon him at short notice. To-
fha 90
fourteen employees and three wagons. His large
establishment, 913 7th street. twentv-six bv
ninety feet and four stories high, is stocked
with glass to its utmost capacity.
LOVES DIFFICULT JOBS.
Seven years is indeed q short period in which
to achieve much Of a success in commercial
life, especially in such times Of stirring COM
petition as these. There are. in fact, MANY
merchants in business today who have barely
held their own, and many others who have re-
trogaded within that period, which facts go to
make Mr.. Hodgkins success all the more
marked and deserving. Il consider no Job too
Hodgkin to the writer. '.In fact, have made
it q business to solicit difficult jobs. Before
was worth the amount successfully placed a
plate in certain large establishment in this
city upon forfeiture Of ss00-the value Of
the plate. This was not only the largest plate
in this city, bat one Of the largest in America.
1t required the services of nineteen helpers
and can assure you that our nerves were pretty
well unstrung when We finished the job
Many Of the largest plates of glass In this city
stand today as fitting testimonials OF Mr.
Hodgkin's ability in handling glass. He placed
the large plate glass windows in Robinson,
Parker Il Co. s, Saks Co.'S W. H. Houghton
Manufacturing Company's.W. b. Moses, Wood
ward & Lothrops, the B. H. Warder building
the Atlantic Coast Line building, Metzerott's
Nnayn Hall and ha has -
United States Capitol. Smithsonian, a number
Of churches Of various denominations and glazed
many OF the finest residences in the northwest
He has just finished putting in the glass in Sem
ator Sherman house, on street between 18th
and 14th streets.
Mr.. Hodgkins business i, not confined 10 this
city. He has just made two or three large ship
ments Of glass to the worlds fair buildings in
Chicago, to be used in making exhibition cases.
Many architects and builders in this city have
such confidence in Mr.. Hodgkin's ability and
integrity that they simply hand over their speci-
fcations with instructions ''to go to work.
In reciting the causes to which he attributed
his success, Mr.. Hodgkin said: Il have always
made it point to be prompt in executing con-
tracts, and would turn down the best order
In the world If it was stipulated that it was to
be finished at a certain time and l felt abso-
lutely sure that it would be impossible to do
within the required time. l make it point to
have the glass ready, whether the building is
ready for the glass or not, and have been told
by more builders than one that 1 was q little
too quick, as it pushed the other work too fast
have made it a point to study my business
thoroughly" Mr. Hodgkin's business career
should inspire our young men with new life and
energy.
Not many years back the average buyer looked
upon the seller and his wares with suspicion,
and but few tradesmen there were who would
not take advantage OF the buyer il possible
MIR. Hodgkin has always realized that CON
hdence begets confidence" and also begets
business and he has secured the confidence of
his patrons by never violating it, and this fact
is no doubt responsible to a great extent for his
remarkable success. 1t has been truly said
that dissatisfied customer has AZ many friends
as satisfied one and can do even more harm
than the other can do good. Hence Mr.. Hodg-
kin has made it point to satisfy all OF his
patrons regardless Of personal financial loss or
sacrifice.
LARGE PLATES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Mr.. Hodgkin thinks it is great shame that
the Executive Mansion should be spoiled by
the small, inferior panes Of glass, which, he
says, are but relics of past ages, when large
plate glass panes would make such q mar
velous improvement. It can be truly said
that much of the beauty OF . fine residence or
store fronts Of modern design is due to the flaw
less, highly polished plate glass. Mr.. Hodgkin
has always advocated the substitution of large
plates for the small ones and has one eye on
the Executive Mansion and believes he will get
in there one day. il only temporarily.
Mr.. Hodgkin believes that what Is worth do
ing at all Ii worth doing we'll. When he fur
nished the motive power for his wheelbarrow he
did that we'll, and today he holds the reins over
the largest plate glass business in this city
with the same studious care and precision that
has marked his early career. II all the paues
Of glass put in buildings in this city by him
could sing they would, indeed, make the city
resound with one grand chorus.
Mr.. Hodgkin married Miss Fannie Wilson,
the daughter Of MIR. L. G. Wilson, November
%. 1887. and the result Of that union has been
lovely little girl Of three years and fine boy Of
two. He is . member Of Columbia Com
mandery, No. 2, Centennial Lodge, No. Il, ''F
A. A. NJ" is trustee OF McKendree Church and
has many warm friends who are proud cf his
success.