Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1919-05-15
HER LIFE WELL LIVED.
Mrs. Herbert J. Hodge. After Useful
Years, Is at Rest.

were held this afternoon the last rites
for Mrs. Mildred Hendricks Hodge,
wife OF Herbert j. Hodge.
The casket was borne from Her
Nil Gables, their home, to St John s
Episcopal church, which was filled TO
overlooking with friends who came
to show their sympathy and respect
The Reverend Robert Nelson Spencer.
rector Of Grace and Holy Trinity
church, Kansas City, read the i'm
pressiye service. Mrs. o. A. Sterl, Mrs.
ID. N. Gleissner, Mrs. Arthur Hurd,
Miss Jessie Arndt, Miss Lucille Coop
or. who had been members OF the
church choir with Mrs. Hodge, as
sisted by Mr.. Lynn Covert, with
Mrs. G. c. Schiveley, organist, sang
the Burial Chant" Lead Kindly
Light" Jesus, Lover of My Soul
land, as the service ended, Fight the
Good Fight with All Thy Might. =
The pallbearers were J. NJ. Gleissner,
ID. Il. Gordon, c. NJ. Harger, II. W.
Wilson, Joseph White and ]. e.
Johntz. The members of the church
vestry-M. II. Malott, junior war.
den; G. +. Snyder, o. A. Sterl, w
M. Sterl, VIII Green, Il. ii. Kessin-
ger. G. G. Schiveley-were honorary
pallbearers. The burial was In
Abilene cemetery.
The service was marked by sim
plicity and taste in accordance with
the wishes Of her who slept. She had
selected those who were to take part,
had chosen the music and order of
service and wished that 1t be, as it
was, reyerent farewell to her
earthly form.
The business houses of the city
were closed during the hour of the
service as a mark of respect to the
memory OF the departed.
More than ordinary interest at
taches to the passing of Mrs. Hodge
because of the large part she has
filled in the history and social life Of
Abilene. Born on october IL, 1858,
at Madison, Indiana, the daughter of
John A., and Fanny Norwood Hen
bricks, she came Of one of the first
families of that state. She came to-
Abilene in 1877, a most beautiful and
attractive young woman, and two
years later, February II, 1879, was
married to Herbert J. Hodge, with
whom all these years have passed In
ideal happiness. Gifted with must
cal talent, charm and social grace,
she had leading part in the develop
ment of the cultural side Of Abilene
as 1t grew into a modern city. Her
home was the center of scores Of de-
lightfu gatherings and she gave to
her church the sincere devotion that
came Of her joy In its ministrations.
One Of the founders and president or
the Columbian club for many years,
the last Of Its charter members to
pass away; for many years president
Of the Kansas Chapter of the Daugh-
tiers of the King. serving under
Bishop Thomas and Bishop Mills
paugh, member of the ID. A. H.,
Eastern Star and the City Fedora
ton of Women's clubs-all these IN
dictate some Of the many activities
for the worlds betterment that oc-
cupied her life. The memory of
earlier days recalls many an oeca-
sion both here and in neighbOring
cities when her voice charmed her
audience and she generously gave of
her talent for the community good.
1t was Characteristic of her warm
heart that she knew no caste or sta
tion but had the same smile and
cheer for rich or poor, the lOwly orl
the powerful, looking upon the world
with the broad charity Of true gen
tlewoman. And the tears shed ana
the tributes that came even from
humble homes evidenced how widely
she was loved.
Opportunity gave her far wider
acquaintance than often comes to the
dweler in a little city. Attending
the Western and National Implement
Dealers associations, IN which Mr.,
Hodge has long been an officer, she
made over the entire Middle West
friends who held her in high esteem. |
At the last session of the National
Dealers Federation in Chicago, when
IL was known that she was critically |
i'll, the entire body stood in silent
for her recovery.
All this came not because Of high |
place or commanding position but be-
cause tbruout her life she had shed
abroad upon all with whom she came
in contact never-failing gentle
and the cheer Of smile
that came from the heart And what
better memory may be left behind
than that?
Mrs. Hodge died May 10, 1919.
after weeks Of illness during which
she faced calmly and brayfy thet