Obituary of Edwin HODGSON, Tazewell County, Illinois This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Deborah Huffman This is the obituary of my gr-gr-grandfather Edwin Hodgson. He was born in Tazewell Co. in 1842, and died in Woodford Co. in 1915. He was an importer/breeder of French draft horses in the 1870-80's. He was also the County Treasurer in 1894, and was in the middle of another run for the same office when he passed away. His obit mentions many names of local officials, etc., so it may be useful/interesting to other researchers. I transcribed the article verbatim from the El Paso Journal--so I'm not to blame for all of the run-on sentences! From the El Paso Journal El Paso, Illinois, Thursday June 24, 1915 ED HODGSON DEATH COMES TO PIONEER RESIDENT OF EL PASO TUESDAY EVENING-FUNERAL FRIDAY --Tuesday evening at 9 o'clock the light of life went out for another of El Paso's most prominent and highly respected citizens when Ed Hodgson pass ed away after a comparatively brief though severe illness. Some two months ago his health seemed not so good as usual, although he insisted that there was nothing seriously the matter with him. However, four weeks ago yesterday he was forced to take to his bed and his failure from that time was daily marked. He was found to be suffering from cancer of the liver, and last Saturday sank into a coma from which he never aroused. Edwin Hodgson was born January 1, in the year 1842, to Mr. and Mrs. William Hodgson in Tazewell county, Ill. His mother's maiden name was Bennett. Both his parents were natives of Ohio and of English descent. At the age of 21 and while yet a resident of Tazewell county Edwin was married in Nov ember 1863 to Miss Sarah E. Worley, also of Tazewell county, she being 16 years of age at the time of their marriage. Soon after their marriage they moved to Panola township, Mr. Hodgson having purchased 80 acres of land to which his father added as a gift another 40. Here the young couple took up their home amid the prevailing pioneer surroundings. Eight children were born to them, four girls and four boys, the daughters all passing away in childhood. Mrs. Hodgson also died in 1876. In 1875 Mr. Hodgson became interested in the breeding of draft horses, that year purchasing his first stallion. From this small beginning he gradually added to his stables until in later years he was one of the most wi dely known breeders and importers in the west. In 1882 he made his first trip to Europe, bringing back with him fourteen finely bred animals. The following year he imported twenty of his own selection in France, and in 1884 brought over thirty-one. In later years his importations were considerable, although these were through his European agents. In 1881 Mr. Hodgson was again married, to Miss Kate Gibson who with his four sons survive, the latter being William of Brazoria, Tex., Lester an d Charles of Wallace, Ida., and Eugene of Minonk, Ill. He also leaves two s isters and one brother, Mrs. Mary Ann Hill and Miss Eliza Hodgson of Pekin, and Newton Hodgson of Des Moines, Ia. After his second marriage Mr. and Mrs . Hodgson resided for a time in the west Third ward and in 1887 Mr. Hodgson purchased the old Gibson homestead first built by Mrs. Hodgson's father, th e late G.L. Gibson. The house was remodeled and here they have resided ever since. Mr. Hodgson was one of the organizers of the Woodford county fair association in 1880, serving as president for the first five years and later in the same capacity in the years 1886, 1887, 1890, 1891, 1894, and 1895. In the interims he was on the board of directors and for many years officiate d as superintendent of grounds. From the roster of superintendents, as printed in their first fair book of 1880 it is learned that most of the founders of the association have preceded their first President to the great beyond, many of them long ago. Those deceased are J.L. Patton, F.T. Waite, C. Jone s, E.S. Fursman, Daniel Hill, John Render, Porter Bassett, John Ellis, Robe rt Nethercott, Thomas Hurd, S.T. Rogers, P.H. Biggers, C.M. Stephenson, P.H. Tompkins, Charles Tucker, Jacob Engel, Mr. F. Cole, G.H. Campbell, W.S. Bullock, Ed Hodgson, and perhaps others of them whom we cannot now recall. During his more active years in the horse business he made many exhibits at the county fairs and larger expositions, taking numerous prizes at St. Louis, New Orleans, and the Columbian exposition at Chicago, and many of the state fairs of the country. In politics Ed Hodgson was a Republican and took an active part in the conferences of his party. He was elected county Treasurer in 1894 and served as county central committeeman from this township for many years. At different times he was a member of the board of education, and elected alde rman from the First ward for the term 1908-1909, resigning after serving one year. Last summer he received the nomination for county treasurer at the primaries and at the fall election on the face of the returns came within 26 votes of election. The election was contested in the county court and the decision on the recount left only onevote between the two can didates. Mr. Hodgson's attorneys carried the case to the April term of the the supreme court and it is expected that this tribunal's decision will be handed down before the court adjourns the last of this month. Mr. Hodgson was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and a charter member of the El Paso Commercial club. He enjoyed the acquaintance of a very large circle of lifetime friends, not only in this community but in many other localities, who deeply regret his passing. Funeral services will be held from the home Friday morning at 10 o'clock, Rev S.S. Cryor of the Presbyterian church officiating. While the services will not be private it is requested that friends send no flowers. The remains will be taken to Pekin on the 12:43 train for interment in the Hodgson family lot at Lakeside cemetery. ***************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ***************************************************************** Contributed by: Deborah Huffman