My Genealogy Hound

D. D. Hodges, of the mercantile firm of D. D. Hodges & Co., Paragould. A review of the business of Paragould discloses the existence of a number of houses which compare favorably with those of any city, and enjoying a foremost position as one of such is the establishment of D. D. Hodges & Co. Mr. Hodges was born in East Tennessee, his parents, B. Marshall and Mary (Adams) Hodges, also being natives of that section. D. D. Hodges was but six years of age when he moved with his parents to Metropolis, Ill., and there the father died in 1869 and the mother in 1879. They had a family of six children, four now living, viz.: William T., Charles F., Lizzie, wife of Joseph Wyess, and David D., who is the youngest of the family living. The latter was principally reared in Illinois and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twelve years he entered a store at Metropolis, Ill., as clerk, and there remained until sixteen years of age, when he took charge of a branch house at Woodville, Ky., and remained with this firm all together ten years, thus forcibly demonstrating the fact that he was reared in the mercantile business. In 1877 he was employed as traveling salesman for Fisher & Farley, of Paducah, Ky., with whom he remained two years. He then engaged in business for himself at Woodville, Ky., and in 1881 he came to Arkansas, where he sold on commission for Col. Beal on the ‘‘Cotton Belt’’ Railroad until the spring of 1882. Later he served as clerk for C. D. Pruet and in 1886 bought an interest in the store, after which a partnership was formed as C. D. Pruet & Co., which continued until January, 1888. Mr. Pruet’s death occurred in August, 1887, and in January, 1888, the firm was changed to D. D. Hodges & Co. The firm members are: D. D. Hodges, W. F. Pruet and E. C. Deakin. A large stock of goods of general merchandise is carried, occupying two large store rooms in a brick building. Mr. Hodges was married in 1875, to Miss Ella V. Settle, a native of Kentucky. Two children were born to this union, Walter D. and Mary O. Mrs. Hodges is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Hodges is a member of the K. of P. and also belongs to the K. of H. He is well respected and is one of the enterprising citizens of Paragould.