Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-09-24
|UPE'S RACE IS ENDED,
DR.. J. N. HODGE PASSES AWAY
PEACEFULLY.
An Honored Citizen Ends q Busy Ex.
istence- One Of Abilene's Most
Prominent Residents Sketch Of
His Life Work.
From Saturdays Daily. |


failing fast in health, fell asleep in
death. For several years lung and
heart troubles, technically called as
thenia, have battled against strong
vitality and indomitable will power
and at last they won. The deceased
realized the coming Of the end and
gathered wife, sons, brother and
family near him; then the heart
ceased beating and the end Of busy
life had come.
Dr. J. M. Hodge was born in Car
roll county, Ohio, February 4, 1925
He was educated in his native sta.c,
studying medicine in Willoughby
medical college and at the medical
college Of Cincinnati, at the latter be-
ing graduated as a doctor Of medicine
in 1850. For many years he was as
ISOLATED in the practice Of his profess
sion with the eminent DR.. Alvin Ben
nett
Early in 1861, at the solicitation OF
Governor Dennison, he accepted the
position Of quartermaster OF the Fifty
first Ohio volunteer infantry, Col.
Stanley Matthews, commanding. He
acted as quartermaster of Camp Jen'
kins, near Louisville, Ky, under Gen.
0. M. Mitchell. At Camp Wyclitfe,
KY, he acted as quartermaster of the
brigade commanded by Brigadier Gen.
eral Jacob Ammon, Of the Twenty
fourth Ohio. In July, 1862, he be-
came acting brigade quartermaster OF
the twenty-third brigade, Army of the
Ohio. Col. Stanley Matthews COM
handing. Col. Matthews said of his
work: "In all Of these different posi-
tions, most Of the time serving under
my personal supervision, he dis
charged his duty in all respects per-
fectly, showing untiring zeal, great
faithfulness and complete knowledge
Of his business. In my opinion he is
the best officer in the quartermaster's
department that | have met with in
the service" Although the condition
of bis health almost precluded the
continuation of service, he struggled
on, animated by a patriotic zeal that
was characteristic of his life, doing
splendid work until after two years
of arduous duty he was compelled by
aggravated sickness to resign. his
record in the army was an envlabl'
one, as numerous official and private
documents, emanating from the high
est authorities attest, all of which
confer upon him a degree of loyalty
and of executive ability second tt
none.
In his political life he was none thu
less earnest and successful. AL thu
early age of 81 he was presidential
elector on the Republican ticket fol
Fremont, a rare honor in that stage
of American politics In Kansas hi
has been one of the prominent Repub
licans Of the state He represented
Dickinson county in the Legislature
twice. in 1874 and 1879 He has re
peatedly been delegate to the con
ventions Of the Republican party il
the state, district and county and i
has been of his own will when he wa
not named for such places. In TIN
summer Of 1874 DR.. Hodge was nance
as the receiver of the United State'
Land office at Cawker City and with i
removed to Kirwin in 1875. He re
NAMED there until 1878. In 1880 hi
was appointed register in the salin'
Land office and held this place unde
Republican rule until the office wa
abolished. He was a near friend AM
staunch admirer Of Hon. John A. An
derson, whose political fortunes h
greatly advanced. he has been a
the forefront of the party in thi
county and was for several term
chairman Of the county central com
mitee. He always made a winning
fight and believed as implicitly in tn
doctrines Of Republicanism as he di'
in his religion.
Alter the war he partially regaine'
his health and located in MENDOZA
HIS, engaged in mercantile pursuits
until his removal to Abilene in 1870
For more than quarter OF a centur
he has been one Of this city's mos
esteemed citizens. He was ever pre-
eressiye and DESTROYS Of the town
advancement. As physician, busI
nessman and politician he occupied
bioh place in the city's life. iii