Biography of William D Hodges, Independence Co, AR

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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. 
Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
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page 677

William D. Hodges, who is classed among the most independent and progressive
farmers of Northeast Arkansas, was born August 18, 1833, and is a son of
Fleming and Sarah (Kimzey) Hodges, both natives of North Carolina. The father
died in the State of Alabama about the year 1843, and the mother was again
married some time afterward, her second husband being David C. Whitehead of
that State. They emigrated to Arkansas in 1855, where the mother died in 1878.
The birthplace of William D. Hodges was in Flat Rock, N. C., and he received
the greater portion of his education at Burrett College, in Spencer, Tenn. In
1879 he was married to Mrs. Mary Hinkle, a charming widow, by whom he had one
child; William D., Jr. Mr. Hodges commenced in business for himself in 1855,
and continued up to 1862, accumulating in that time considerable property, and
being quite a large slave-owner. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army,
and served about three years in the commissary department, and at the close of
hostitilities he returned to Independence County, and again commenced farming
and milling. In connection with those two branches he operates a cotton-gin,
which has been one of the most successful in that section. Mr. Hodges is a
public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and is always foremost in aiding and
encouraging anything, which, in his judgment, will advance the interests of his
county and State. He is a Democrat in politics and has held several offices,
but has declined time and again to fill any political office for the last year
or two. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church with his wife, and is always
interested in educational and religious matters, and in secret orders he is a
member of Jacksonport Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M., as well as of Danlis Chapter
of the R. A. M., at Oil Trough. Mr. Hodges is one of the largest land owners in
this section, his land comprising 8,000 acres, with some 850 acres under
cultivation. The balance, which is almost all bottom land, and situated in
Jackson and Independence Counties, is rented by tenants, and some of it used
for grazing purposes. He owns 200 head of cattle, horses and mules, and at one
time kept a great many sheep, but finds the latter are not an advantage
financially.