Mecosta-Branch-Oakland County MI Archives Biographies.....Hodskey, Leister C. August 10, 1822 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 17, 2009, 4:20 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

LEISTER C. HODSKEY, jeweler, at Big Rapids, was born at Parma, N.Y., Aug. 10, 
1822, and is a son of Willard 

and Permelia (Rowe) Hodskey.  His parents were farmers, and he received the 
education and training common 

to farmers' sons.  At the age of eight years he went away from home to work on 
a farm, and when 12 years 

old came to Michigan and located in Highland Tp., Oakland Co.

In the spring of 1848, he bought 40 acres of land, which he owned about one 
year.  When he sold his farm he 

engaged in traveling in the interests of a firm selling jewelry and Yankee 
notions.  In 1851 he built the 

first hotel in Holly, Oakland Co., now the Anderson House, which he kept three 
years, and then exchanged 

for a farm of 40 acres, on which he resided until 1857, when he moved to 
bronson, Branch Co., and there 

embarked in the grocery and liquor trade, and was soon after elected 
Constable.  He continued to manage his 

first enterprise about one year, when he sold out and engaged in the jewelry 
business.  He operated in 

Bronson three years, and exchanged his property there for a farm of 80 acres 
in Matteson, in the same 

county.  Three years later he again sold and moved to Colon, St. Joseph Co., 
where he again embarked in the 

jewelry business, and there continued three years, going thence to Clarence, 
Shelby Co., MO., where he 

pursued the same calling, returning after three years to Bronson.  His stay 
there covered a period of a few 

months only, and he went thence to La Grange, Ind., was was similarily 
occupied there eight months, when he 

came to Big Rapids (May, 1873).  He opened a jewelry and grocery store, which 
he ran eight years, and then 

exchanged his store for a residence and three lots on West Hemlock street.  He 
transferred his stock to the 

store occupied by Charles Crandall as a grocery, and etablished his business 
in one half of the premises.  

Six months after, he moved into a building next the present establishment of 
Freyburg, clothier.  In July, 

1882, he removed to his present location, where he is doing a prosperous 
business.  He has in stock a full 

line of all article common to the branch of trade he represents - watches, 
clocks, jewelry, musical 

instruments, etc., besides keeping a repair department.  His stock is worth 
about $1,800, and his annual 

business amounts to $3,000.  He also owns a vacant lot in Rose's addition.

He is a member of the Odd Fellows Order.  Mr. Hodskey was married in Highland, 
Oakland Co., Mich., Dec. 25, 

1847, to Amanda, daughter of Noble and Annie (Merchant) Ruggles, born in 
Colesville, Broome Co., N.Y., May 

4, 1831.  Lydia A., elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hodskey, was born in 
Highland, Mich., May 26, 1852, and 

Jessie M. was born in Bronson, Branch Co., Mich. Sept. 1862.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/hodskey556nbs.txt

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