Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Hoge, Solomon October 18, 1809 - May 30, 1892
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 7:19 am

Author: Bio/Gen Rec LaSalle/Grundy Counties 1900

One of the remarkable characters of Grundy county was Solomon Hoge, who, after 
an exceedingly busy and eventful life, passed to his reward a few years ago.  
His memory is enshrined in the hearts of a host of his lifelong friends and 
acquaintances, many of whom will take pleasure in perusing the story of his 
career.

The birth of Solomon Hoge took place in Virginia, October 18, 1809. His 
parents were Joshua and Mary (Poole) Hoge. Farming and stockraising were the 
chief occupations of his early manhood and prime, and by industry and economy 
he amassed a competence before he decided to come to Illinois. It was in 1870 
that he permanently located in Saratoga township, and here he spent the 
declining days of his life, loved and honored for what he had accomplished, 
and for the fortitude with which he had met and overcome the obstacles in his 
pathway. That he was recognized as one of exceptional ability, judgment and 
resource was manifested in many ways, and in this connection a quotation from 
the "History of the Sauks and Blackhawk War," written and published by Perry 
A. Armstrong, of Morris, Illinois, in 1887, may be of interest. In referring 
to the excitement and alarm existing at that time at Ottawa, Illinois, he 
says: "Captain Solomon Hoge, now one of Grundy county's prominent citizens, 
put in his appearance. He is a man of cool courage, fine presence and a born 
leader of men, and had been captain in the Virginia militia. His quiet 
demeanor and sensible questions as to the cause of the alarm were such as to 
gain the confidence of all. Captain Stadden at once resigned all kind of 
leadership to Captain Hoge, who, as if by magic, brought out of chaos, 
confidence; out of doubt and fear, security. First, viewing his surroundings, 
he selected his guards, went with them to their places, told them what to do, 
and how to do, assured them that they were in no present danger, and that they 
would be relieved at such an hour by others. In this way he returned 
confidence to the wavering, and converted cowards into good soldiers, that, 
too, in a few minutes' time. But all this precaution and excitement were 
without cause, for there were no hostile Indians near Ottawa. After Captain 
Hoge took command of these settlers no further alarms occurred, and the people 
felt perfectly secure. Such is the influence that one cool-headed, brave man 
can exert over an excited and badly frightened community."

The marriage of Solomon Hoge and Sarah Bashaw, who survives him, was 
solemnized March 17, 1872. She is a daughter of Robert H. Bashaw, who was born 
in Virginia, August 5, 1823, and whose death occurred at the residence of his 
daughter, Mrs. Hoge, January 26, 1896. Her mother, whose maiden name was 
Virginia Rector, was born in 1832 and departed this life June 30, 1872. The 
only child born to Solomon and Sarah Hoge is Herman Hoge, now on the old 
homestead with his mother. His birthplace was in Saratoga township, the date 
of the, event being May 20, 1875. The happy, successful life of our subject 
came to an end at his home, May 30, 1892, he then being eighty-two years, 
seven months and twelve days old. Within his lifetime, which almost spanned 
this wonderful century, he witnessed the progress of his beloved land from a 
country little esteemed or considered among the powerful nations of the world 
to a first place in the councils of the globe, and, as he was a true patriot, 
he had no greater pleasure than that of tracing the epochs of its growth.  
Personally he performed his full share as a citizen toward this desirable end, 
and coming generations shall find his name inscribed among the founders of 
Illinois and the United States.

Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p590-592

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