JAMES W. HODGENS. Among the leading representative and progressive young farmers in Buffalo township, this gentleman occupies a prominent position. He was born May 23, 1856, in Buffalo township, this county, on the farm whereon he has since resided. He is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Wilson) Hodgens, the latter of whom was a daughter of William Wilson, late of Buffalo township. Thomas Hodgens was a native of the same township, whither his parents had come in an early day, and here he was reared to the many and varied arduous duties of farm life. His winter months were, to a considerable extent, devoted to attending the neighboring subscription schools, and, improving what he may there have learned by study at home, acquired in course of time, by earnest application to his books, a good useful education. While yet a young man Mr. Hodgens was married to Margaret Wilson, and the young couple then took up their residence on the farm now occupied by R. W. Crothers, from which after a few years they moved to the place which is at present the home of our subject and his brother. This farm was totally unimproved, and was brought to its present state of cultivation by the assiduous labor, industry and perseverance of Thomas Hodgens, the buildings thereon having been erected by him and his family. The children born to Thomas and Margaret (Wilson) Hodgens were William and Ella (both deceased), James W., Isaac and Clara. In 1862 the father passed from earth, and was followed to the grave by the mother in 1869. They were constant attendants and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, and enterprising citizens, earning a reputation of which the family are justly proud. Mr. Hodgens was a stanch and loyal Democrat, and, although rarely accepting political preferment, was ever a zealous worker for the party's cause. James W. Hodgens was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, and received his education at the common schools of the district. On March 8, 1876, he was married to Mary L., daughter of James and Caroline (Horr) McMannis, prominent citizens, in their day, of Buffalo township, and the children born to this union were Thomas, Clara and Glenn. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgens are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in his political preference he is an uncompromising Democrat. Mr. Hodgens is liberal of his means toward, and the pronounced champion of, all measures tending to the welfare and advancement of the community at large.

Text taken from page 1459 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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