Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 355- 356

ERNEST E. HODGE, editor and publisher of the Valley Center News, claims Pope County, Ill., as the place of his nativity. He made his first appearance upon the stage of life April 8, 1860, beneath the roof of his parents, John E. and Mary (Randolph) Hodge. The former was a farmer in Pope County, where he also was engaged in teaching school, carrying on the duties devolving upon him in both situations with great credit to himself. He had received in his early days a most excellent education, and not wishing to bury his talent, adopted the profession of pedagogue in addition to his agricultural labors. He was a strong Republican politically, taking an active interest in all political campaigns, and in indorsement of his own principles, enlisted in 1861 in the 29th Illinois Infantry. He remained in the service for four years, and participated in most of the battles where the flag of the gallant 29th was thrown to the breeze. At Ft. Donelson, at Shiloh, and on many another stricken field, his heroism shone out conspicuously, and having entered the service a simple private in the ranks, he was mustered out at the close of hostilities with a First Lieutenant's commission. After the war he returned to his home in Illinois, where he died Nov. 13, 1872. His wife is still living, and makes her home upon the farm in Pope County, Ill. They were the parents of four children: Ernest, the subject of this sketch; Loren; Julia, who died at the age of four years, and Effie.

     The subject of this sketch remained under the roof-tree of his parental home until he was some eighteen years of age, going to school and assisting in the labors of the farm. His father, appreciating the advantages of a first-class education, placed at the disposal of his son Ernest all the facilities for acquiring a thorough acquaintance with the fountain of knowledge, which the latter gladly availed himself of. When but eighteen years old he taught a term of school in the county of his birth, after which he was engaged for about two years in farming. Leaving the tilling of the soil to others, preferring the cultivation of the minds of the community, he embarked in journalism, and commenced as city editor of the Golconda Herald, located at the county seat of Pope County, Ill., where he remained a little short of a year, in full charge of the paper. Removing to Elizabethtown, Hardin County, in the southeastern part of the State of Illinois, he remained about nine months acting as Deputy Postmaster. From the latter place became directly to Sedgwick County, and settling in Valley Center Township, taught school for one term.

     In 1886 Mr. Hodge became interested in the Valley Center News, of which for a time he filled the position of associate editor, but in December, 1887, he assumed his present place as editor and publisher of the same lively sheet. Although but a young man in years, he possesses a wonderful ability and wields a facile and powerful pen. The editorial tripod has no more worthy occupant in this portion of the State of Kansas than the subject of this brief sketch, and excellent judges of these matters have no hesitation in saying that there is no such paper, outside of Wichita, in Southern Kansas. He takes a great interest in all local affairs, and is an ardent and powerful advocate of every movement looking to the advancement and benefit of the community.

     The marriage ceremony which united the destinies of Ernest E. Hodge and Miss Mary McAmis took place March 29, 1883. The lady in question was born in Elizabethtown, Hardin Co., Ill., July 24, 1861, and is the daughter of T. A. and Minerva (Mott) McAmis. Her father for some sixteen years occupied the position of Postmaster at Elizabethtown, Ill., but is now engaged in the mercantile trade in Hurricane, Ky. He was the father of a family of six children - John, Ross, Mary, Laura, Minnie and Norah. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hodge two children, Rena and Rae, the former born Dec. 30, 1883, and the latter Aug. 27, 1887.

      Mr. Hodge is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and has filled the positions of Recording and Financial Secretary, and is the present incumbent of the latter office. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Hodge was inducted into the office of Town Clerk, which place he is filling at the present writing.

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