Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Hoge, Ralph L. 1939
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Marilyn Ransom mransom311@gmail.com August 28, 2014, 8:57 pm

The Carson City Gazette, Thursday, February 2, 1939


Ralph L. Hoge, the last veteran of the Civil War residing in this vicinity, 
passed away Friday evening, January 27, 1939 at the home of his son Albert in 
Bloomer township, two miles south of Carson City.  He had reached the age of 90 
years, four months and 22 days.

Mr. Hoge was born in Bellefountaine, Ohio, September 5, 1848.  Of his childhood 
days not much is known.  When 16 years of age he enlisted in the Union Army at 
Alton, Illinois, giving his residence at Manchester, Ill.  He served in Co. of 
the 144th Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Sept. 10, 1864, until Feb. 13, 
1865.  During the month of January 1865 he had been stricken with typhoid fever 
and other complications from which he never recovered and has gone through life 
lame and deaf as a result.  But that which he suffered is the lot of many who 
serve their country in wartimes.

Following his discharge from the army he came to Michigan where he worked for a 
number of years for Mr. Elliott at Manchester.  Later he came to the John Vance 
farm, south of Matherton where he worked for a period of eight years.  It was 
during this period that he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Weeks on 
March 30, 1877.  Following their marriage they lived for some time at St. 
Louis, Michigan but soon returned to Hubbardston where Mrs. Hoge took care of 
her parents.  Later they purchased a home in Hubbardston where they lived until 
failing health compelled them to live with their son about nine years ago.  
During the time of their residence in Hubbardston his vegetable and flower 
gardens attracted the attention of the country side.  Many came to see them and 
took flowers away.

Mr. Hoge was public spirited and served as Deputy Township Clerk, Village 
Assessor and other offices.  He was active in the O. H. Read Post of the Grand 
Army of the  Republic and which at one time had 69 members.  His interest in it 
brought to him the honor of being its Quartermaster and in which capacity he 
served 35 years or more.  In his early years he attended a business school in 
Kalamazoo and became  a splendid penman.

Among the mementos which he treasures was the gavel of the G.A.R. Post which he 
made from wood brought from Libby Prison.  The handle was of oak and the head 
of black walnut.  For many years he decorated the graves of soldiers in the 
surrounding cemeteries with flags on Memorial day.  The record which Walter T. 
Roach Post of the American Legion has of these soldiers is due largely to his 
interest in preserving the location of their graves and too great credit cannot 
be given to Mr. Hoge for this record.

For some time Mr. Hoge has been in failing health and during the recent weeks 
has been a constant sufferer until he passed away during the evening hours of 
last Friday.  He was a pioneer who withstood the hardships of life and even in 
his burial the storm raged through unknown to him who had passed to peaceful 
rest.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Hubbardston Monday 
afternoon with Rev. John W. Brozholm officiating.  Interment was made in the 
West Side cemetery, Hubbardston, beside his wife who died Novembers 8, 1938.


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