Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-06-12
OBITUARY.
DIR. LEWIS W. HoDaKINs.

! Inc ueatu cI LIT. Lewis W. nuu8klus
yesterday afternoon came as surprise to
many people in this community, who had
not realized that be was 50 i'll. Although
he had been ailing for some time, he still
managed to get to his office, and it was
only q week ago that be had to give up,
after which he failed rapidly until the
end came. His death removes man who
in former years was one OF Ellsworth's
first practitioners, and citizen OF fine
public spirit.
His life began in Lamoine nearly sew
enty-eight years ago. He was born Dec.
30, 1873. He was the only child of Isaac
L. Hodgkins, and spent his boyhood days
in Lamoine until he went to the academy
in Corinth to receive his secondary educa-
tion. From there he went to Waterville,
where he took partial course in Water
willie (now Colby college.
His medical course was taken at the Al
bany medical school in New York, and
after graduating from that institution he
settled in Troy, n. Y, where he practiced
for short time. 1t was here that he met
for the first time Miss Julia L. Thomas,
who afterwards became his wife.
During his stay in Troy the possibilities
Of the West as field for men OF his. pro-
! fession impressed him, and his next move
was to the state OF Indiana, where he was
actively engaged in practice until the war
broke out. He thereupon enlisted ~ sur
geon in the 6sth Indiana volunteers, and
saw service during the whole of the war,
at times having charge Of hospitals, and
| being twice captured.
In q letter from Ex-Governor Morton, OF
Indiana, accompanying recommendation
for DR.. Hodgkins' appointment as q per-
manent army surgeon, he said, "his only
fault is tendency to expose himself to
unusual danger in the discharge of his
duties".
Before the close Of the war his wife and
two sons moved East, and after the close
of that great struggle he came back to the
scenes of his youth, and finally opened an
Office in this city. where he had been in
practice for over forty years. For years
he had been the acting assistant surgeon
of the marine hospital corps for this port.
and was also chairman of the examining
board for pensions.
The above is only an outline of his life,
and does not give one an adequate idea OF
the man. DIR. Hodgkins brought to his
chosen profession wealth of fine mental
power, and this, added to his keen insight
OF human nature, his resourcefuIness in
his large experience, made him a man in
much demand. In the prime of his use
/ fulness he was much sought after for
advice and aid in difficult cases, and his
practice in this particular became county
wide. His experience as an army surgeon
made him especially effective in cases
requiring surgical skill.
| He was man of fine literary tastes also,
and became deeply interested in the study
OF theology, having knowledge of that
subject showing the result OF deep and
patient study. As conversationalist he
was most Entertaining especially, because
| of his varied life, and this, coupled
with his wit and keen sense Of humor,
made him an attractive personality.
! Perhaps he will not be missed any more
| by those outside his home than by those
friends who used to climb his office stairs
that they might have chat with the
| doctor. He was man Of deeply religious
spirit, and had been greatly interested in
the Baptist church, in former years being
on OF the strong helpers of that organiza-
ton. He was one who rendered SPLEEN
did service to his country, his fellowmen
and his Maker. For several years he had
| been doing Office practice only, as failing
| health would not permit larger service.
His frank nature, strong convictions and
| generous disposition made for him a host
of friends who will mourn his loss.
| 1t is gratifying to know that up to the
last day his mind was unimpaired, and he
was given every care by the members of
the family who have ministered to him so
| faithfully.
The funeral will be held on Friday at
/ O'Clock, from the home on Hancock
street, and the services will be conducted
by Rev. P. A. A. Killam, of the Baptist
church.
OF the children surviving DIR. Hodgkins
there are four DR.. Lewis Hodgkins,
practicing physician in this city; Isaac l..
Hodgkins, special mechanic at the foun-
dry; Charles Hodgkins, who is in Massa-
chusetts, and Miss NJ. A. Hodgki ms, who
has been the homekeeper for her father
since the mothers death few years ago.