My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT M. HOGUE, a practical farmer and prominent citizen of Berrien County, Mich., residing upon section 10, Sodus township, has held with efficient service the offices of Clerk and Supervisor, and now discharges with able fidelity the duties of Justice of the Peace and Treasurer of the township, and as Inspector of the School Board has materially aided in the rapid advancement of the scholarship and instruction of the district schools of his home locality. Mr. Hogue was born July 5, 1846, in Mercer County, Pa. His paternal grandfather, a native of the North of Ireland, was a man of worth and broad intelligence, and early in life determined to seek his fortune in America. Crossing the ocean, he landed safely on our shores, and was one of the very few Protestants who came at that period from the Emerald Isle. Grandfather Hogue was a tailor by trade, and, finding his way to Ohio, located in Youngstown, then Trumbull County now Mahoning. Here the grandfather bought land, and, still plying his trade, also cultivated the soil of his adopted country. James W. Hogue, the fourth son and father of our subject, was born in Youngstown October 5, 1812.

The father remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, and assisted them, working mainly upon the Ohio homestead. Finally beginning life for himself, he went to Mercer County, Pa., and two years later returned to his native State, married Miss Hannah Moore, of Youngstown, Ohio, and, with his wife, journeyed to Pennsylvania, and resumed farming, in which occupation he continued until his death, in March 1882. Eight children blessed with their cheerful presence the home, four sons and four daughters. Robert M., the third child of the family, resided in his birthplace until eight years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Pipestone Township, Mich. At this time the advantages for an education were limited, but our subject attended the public schools and acquired a good common education which, when sixteen years of age, he supplemented with a course of private instruction. At the age of seventeen Mr. Hogue taught school, and later entered the college at Adrian, completing his studies afterwards in the State University of Ann Arbor.

Returning home, our subject resumed teaching and successfully continued the avocation of an instructor during the winter terms of school in Berrien County until within the past three years. Mr. Hogue has extensively improved the land he bought on section 10 many years ago. His handsome residence is of modern design and attractive architecture, and, with its surroundings fully in keeping, is a beautiful country home. The farm to which our subject now devotes his entire attention is under a high state of cultivation and yields excellent annual returns.

Upon May 7, 1874, Robert M. Hogue and Miss Mary Rector, daughter of David Rector, were united in marriage. David Rector was a pioneer citizen and leading man of Berrien County, widely known and universally respected. Four bright and intelligent children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hogue: Mabel E., Roy S., Arthur L. and Alice May. Mabel is teaching; Roy is attending school at Benton Harbor; and Alice May and Arthur are pupils of the home school. Our subject is fraternally connected with the Patrons of Husbandry, and has been one of the active workers of the order, and a member of Sodus Lodge since its organization. Politically a Republican, and an earnest supporter of the party, he has been a local leader in the councils of his constituents, and has for a great number of years continuously engaged in the cares of public work, giving universal satisfaction to the entire community of friends and neighbors of the township.