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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Jefferson Monroe Hodge. A wide-awake, industrious farmer, and also postmaster of Woodlawn, where he is naturally thrown into daily contact with his fellow citizens, Jefferson Monroe Hodge ranks very high in business, political and social circles in the county where he resides. Indeed the history of Nevada County would not be complete without an account of his life, and it is to be deplored that a pen picture can scarcely render full justice to this worthy citizen. Born October 25, 1848, in Ouachita County, Ark., he is a son of Charles and Anna J. Hodge, both of whom were born in the State of South Carolina, the father in 1806; the mother in 1817, the former was of Irish descent, and a tanner by trade. He moved to Arkansas in the spring of 1844, locating at Camden, Ouachita County, and established a tannery eighteen miles west of Camden, at which point he continued to reside until death claimed him from the scene of earthly pleasures on December 6, 1885. He was prepared to die, being a worthy man, highly honorable, and besides a devout member of the Christian Church. He was twice married, first to the mother of Jefferson Hodge, who was a daughter of John Basden, and who died in 1852, leaving seven children. Of these, five are living at the present date, viz.: Charles W., Jefferson Monroe, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Rogers), Alexander C. and Sarah F. The subject of this sketch began his business career by working in his father’s tannery, after which he turned his attention to tilling the soil. He was married December 24, 1868, to Miss Mary J. Simpson, a daughter of George Simpson, of South Carolina, being born in the year 1852. To them have been born ten children, all of whom are living. They are named as follows: Carryette (Mrs. Churchwell), Charles C, Francis Eugene, Edward Lee, Ethella G., William Pinkney, Elizabeth, Mattie, Wachis, Wady Sofronia and Oliver Carl. Mr. Hodge owns about 180 acres of fine farming land. He and Mrs. Hodge are members of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the County Wheel. In politics, affiliates with the Union Labor party. Mr. Hodge manages always to exert quite a good deal of influence in all public matters, and has been postmaster since 1867, with the exception of about two years, and is one of the oldest men in the postal service in all of Uncle Sam’s wide domain.

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This family biography is one of 96 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Nevada County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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