Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-06-18
Tribute-Miss EIeanora Hodges.

/ He knoweth, despite my will
| I'm weak when 1 should be most strong,
/ And after earnest wrestling still
l see the right yet do the wrong.
/ Is it that | may learn at length
| Not mine, but His the saving strength.
His perfect plan may not grasp,
! Yet can trust love infinite
And with my feeble fingers clasp
| The Hand that leads me into light.
/ My soul upon His errands goes
| The end I know not-but God knows"
Susan Eleanora Hodges was born in
township Of Lancaster, Grant county,
Wisconsin, February %, 1874. She
never had residence elsewhere. She
began teaching at the age of nineteen
and followed faithfully that voca-
tion forty four years.
She. with her sister Henrietta
united with the NJ +. church Of Lam
caster fifty seven years ago. She
remained consistent follower of its
teachings until her death which &C.
CURED at the home of her sister, Mrs.
John Ellis, this city June the End,
1918, at .. m She was woman
of extremely frail physique and was
/ frail in health ali her life. She was
the possessor of a courage and a
determination which undoubtedly had
much to do with the frightening of
her days unto within less than a year
of her allotted time of man. After
the death of her parents, she and
her sister Henrietta kept the old
homestead where they were born and
| lived there until the latter was re-
moved to the better land in 1894.
Since that event she has made her
home with Mrs. Ellis, except when
visiting among her friends. Miss
Hodges had taken when a small
boy Terrence Craig. He was the gift
of dying father. She reared him
as her own, bestowing all Of a
mothers affection and indulgence.
Even in her last extremity when
nearing the end her weakening hand,
guided by her love for her boy and
a will power next to the marvellous
penned the message that swiftly
brought him to her bedside.
Her decline for the past year has
been rapid Yet with a zest and
pleasure and a strength remarkable
she kept going. Her sister, fearing
for her safety-tried to prevail upon
her to rest at home.
Yet up to little more than week
before demise she was in her place
of worship at public service; but a
few short hours before the end she
talked with her pastor, Rev. G. 7.
Beers. and said Il have kept the
faith. She gave him the following
beautifully written lines, which he
read at her funeral.
II said, L will walk in the felds;'
God said, Nay, walk in the town.
1 said, There are no flowers there. ,
He said, No flowers, but a crown.
I said, But the fogs are thick, and
the clouds are yelling the sun He
answered, But hearts are sick and
souls in the darkness undone !
said, But the skies are black, there
is nothing but noise and din. And
He wept as He led ME back. There
is more, He said. There is sin. !
said. L shall miss the light and
friends will miss me, they say He
answered, choose ye tonight if l must
miss you or they
I pleaded for time to be given, He
said, is it hard to decide p 1t will
not seem hard in Heaven to follow
the steps of your Guide. -
Miss Hodges had a wide acquaint-
ance, and was respected by all. That
esteem, and the respect and sympathy
felt for Mrs. Ellis and her family was
manifested by the large attendance at
the M. E. church, June 4th, at 2 o..
M, where last services were held
Rev. Beers speaking comforting words
of faith and hope from the appropriate
text. Il know that my Redeemer
liveth. The old songs Rock of
Ages, Nearer my God to Thee, and
Asleep in Jesus, loved by the de-
parted sister, were beautifully render
ed. Burial was at Hillside.
The only survivors of the Hodges
family, one of the Oldest in Grant
county, are now Mrs. Ellis and Mrs.
Virginia E. Huftill. The latter 8
residence could not be ascertained at
time of funeral. Mr.. Craig now of
Davenport was present. Also Mr..
Dawald Garner, son George and wife,
of Cobb, came to pay last tribute
They all with Mr.. and Mrs. Ellis
wish to hereby extend their sincere
thanks to the many friends who gave
such generous help and sympathy