Biographical Sketch of Reverend J. S. Hodges, Johnson County, Missouri, Rose Hill Township. >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Reverend J. S. Hodges, proprietor of "Sunny Slope Stock Farm" in Rose Hill township, is a native of Ohio and one of the widely known minis- ters of the Baptist church. He was born August 22, 1865, a son of J. W. and Mary (Bennett) Hodges. The father was a son of Charles W. Hodges, a native of Maryland, who settled in Ohio, late in life and spent the remainder of his years in that state. He was of English lineage. Mary (Bennett) Hodges was a native of Pennsylvania and when but a mere child moved to Ohio with her parents and in that state was reared, educated and married. To J. W. and Mary Hodges were born six children, four of whom are now living: T. B., Case, Missouri; J. S., the subject of this review; Mrs. Aletha Ann Snedeker, Jonesburg, Miss- ouri; and Mrs. Alice Laura Smith, Warrenton, Missouri. In 1866, the Hodges family moved from Ohio to Missouri and settled in Warren county on a farm of 160 acres of land and on this place both the father and mother died. J. W. Hodges departed this life February 4, 1905 and Mrs. Hodges followed him in death ten years later. She died in April, 1915. Reverend Hodges attended the public schools of Warren county and later, was a student for two years at the William Jewell College, where he specialized in theology. Previous to entering college, Reverend Hodges was a successful farmer in Warren county. After receiving his theolog- ical training, he entered the ministery and preached many years in several of the different country churches in Warren county. In 1911, Rev. J. S. Hodges was appointed Colporter Missionary of his church and for six years worked in connection with the different Baptist associa- tions, namely, those of Bear Creek, Saltriver, Quiver, St. Francis and Johnson county. He delivered, on an average, from 25 to 30 sermons each month and was continually traveling. He is not now devoting his entire time to church work but, is planning to do so in the near future. In 1917, "Sunny Slope Stock Farm" was purchased by Reverend Hodges, who is at present engaged in general farming and stock raising. This place comprises 240 acres of land which are well watered and splendidly adap- ted to the growing of stock. The farm is nicely improved, being very plentifully supplied with all necessary farm buildings, all of which are in good repair. The residence is a comfortable house of seven large rooms conveniently arranged. One hundred twenty acres of "Sunny Slope Stock Farm" are in grass and pasture land and Reverend Hodges harvested seventy tons of hay this season, of 1917. He raised twelve hundred bushels of oats and had sixty-five acres in corn. There are forty head of cattle on the place now, five of the herd milch cows, and a large number of high-grade hogs. Reverend Hodges advocates crop ro- tation, the liveral use of commercial fertilizer and manure, and of a larger stock production. He will devote some attention to dairy work within a short time. Reverend Hodges finds time from the manifold duties of his stock farm to frequently preach the doctrines of Christ- ianity and it is the plan to have his son, John, who resides on the farm with his parents, to assume the management of "Sunny Slope" and then he will be at liberty to resume active church work. In October, 1890, Reverend J. S. Hodges and Frankie P. Lytle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Lytle, of Montgomery county, Missouri, were united in marri- age. To this union have been born four children: John R., Holden, Missouri, who married Laura Garrett in December, 1915, and to them has been born one child, a daughter Helen and they reside on the farm with his parents; Harry B., who is deceased; Mary and Murle, at home. Rev- erend and Mrs. Hodges are fine, upright, Christian people, enrolled among the county's best and most valued citizens. ==================================================================== 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. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================