My Genealogy Hound

William D. Hodges, who is classed among the most independent and progressive farmers of Northeast Arkansas, was born August 18, 1833, and is a son of Fleming and Sarah (Kimzey) Hodges, both natives of North Carolina. The father died in the State of Alabama about the year 1843, and the mother was again married some time afterward, her second husband being David C. Whitehead of that State. They emigrated to Arkansas in 1855, where the mother died in 1878. The birthplace of William D. Hodges was in Flat Rock, N. C., and he received the greater portion of his education at Burrett College, in Spencer, Tenn. In 1879 he was married to Mrs. Mary Hinkle, a charming widow, by whom he had one child, William D., Jr. Mr. Hodges commenced in business for himself in 1855, and continued up to 1862, accumulating in that time considerable property, and being quite a large slave-owner. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served about three years in the commissary department, and at the close of hostilities he returned to Independence County, and again commenced farming and milling. In connection with those two branches he operates a cotton-gin, which has been one of the most successful in that section. Mr. Hodges is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and is always foremost in aiding and encouraging anything, which, in his judgment, will advance the interests of his county and State. He is a Democrat in politics and has held several offices, but has declined time and again to fill any political office for the last year or two. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church with his wife, and is always interested in educational and religious matters, and in secret orders he is a member of Jacksonport Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M., as well as of Danlis Chapter of the R. A. M., at Oil Trough. Mr. Hodges is one of the largest land owners in this section, his land comprising 8,000 acres, with some 850 acres under cultivation. The balance, which is almost all bottom land, and situated in Jackson and Independence Counties, is rented by tenants, and some of it used for grazing purposes. He owns 200 head of cattle, horses and mules, and at one time kept a great many sheep, but finds the latter are not an advantage financially.