Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-11-13
sTILMaN II HODsMba DEAD.

IIe was a Prominent Citizen and One of
The Best Known Raiir6ad sIen in the
Country.
After an Illness of about four weeks
Stilmnn a, Hodgman died yesterday
morning at his residence, 1921
Washington street Mr.. Hodgfnan fell
down q flight of stairs at his home
about four seeks ago, and until last
Friday appeared to improve. His death
was caused by heart failure.
Mr.. Hclgman was born in Stoddard.
N. H., April 18th, 1881. His ancestors
on both sides were among the early
settlers of New England. They we're
intelligent and industrious, and became
distinguished in public affairs and the
learned professions. The subject Of
this sketch was left an orphan at 4
years OF age, and poor his earlyyad-
vantages were few. he grew up on the
farm, attending the public school only.
in winter, yet he was always in advance
of others of his age. Al 16 he spent q
year at the high school at Lowell.
Mass. After working two years in q
woolen mill and on cotton machinery
in Middlesex and Manchester he re-
turned to Lowell and entered tho works
of the Lock and Canal Machine Co.,
under throes years apprenticeship.
After two vars his employer, Mr..
Colby, moving to Philadelphia, he
completed his apprenticeship at Wal
| than.
His first experiences in railroad and
locomotive work was in 1851, with
liinckley Il Drury, Boston, and in
| l951-3, he was with Hittinger & Cook,
machine buihlers, at Charlestown. In
1854, David Upton, mechanical superin-
i tendent Of tho K. L. & N. Il. Railroad
| Co, at Rochester. solicited Mr.. Hodg-
man to take d responsible position IL
| these works. Mr.. Upton was native
4 Of Stoddard and we'll knew Mr.. Hodg.
niafl's antecedents and ability. He was
one Of the ablest railroad mon Of his
day, and under his instruction Mr..
4 loignan learned the railroad business
thoroughly.
After year in the shops he spent
two years on the read as engineer,
when, in 1857, ne was maie foreman
OF the repair shops, which POSITION he
filled with great ability and acceptance
for several years. During that perioc
complete revolution took place in the
construction OF locomotives end railroal
machinery, yet Mr. Hodgman KEEP
Il fully abreast Of tho times and attained
q wide reputation among the railroad
men Of the country. In 1854 the z.
W. G. B. Railroad Co. sought his ser
vices and he became assistant superin
teudent of motive power under G. NJ
Perry. In the spring OF 1872 he re-
signed TO become general surerin
tendent of the Wilmington q Westeri
railroad, which, under his eble manage
ment, was completed tho following
, October. Subsequently he becam
superintendent OF the plant of the Lob
| dell Car Wheel Co., but had lived re
tired for some time.
Mr.. Uocgman was married. in lS5
. TO Miss Eliza H. Searles Of Cattar
angus county, New York, who die
j July a6th, 1873, having two children
! George p, who died in South Americ
) two years ago, and Adelaide Eliza
/ Mr.. Hodgman WIS again married i
i April, 1875, to Annie L. N heaton c
4 this city, and they had three chill
dren, two of whom survive, Florenc
4 and Stilman A., Jr.
t Mr.. Hodgnan was member {
t Eureka Lodge, A. f. & A. NJ. !; Delt
Chapter, r. a. NJ; St Johns Con
= mandery, X. T., and also one OF th
Q Oldest directors of the Masonic Ha
q Co. He was one of the leading an
n most active members Of Second Baptii
It Church. He was we'll and favorabl
Il known in the community, and b
J. death is a shock to a wide circle
o friends.
The funeral takes place on Saturds
d afternoon Services will be held ;
# the house at o'clock.