My Genealogy Hound

W. H. HODGINS, a well known citizen of Sedalia, is one of the oldest and most trusted employes of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. He holds the position of Storekeeper, furnishing supplies for track, bridge, car and station use, in fact everything needed in the operation of the railroad, and has more than a dozen men under his charge. By his superiors he is justly esteemed, for he has ever shown great interest in their success and has faithfully served them.

Our subject’s grandfather, John Hodgins, emigrated from Ireland to London, Canada, with his family, at the beginning of the present century, and engaged in farming. His son, John D., father of W. H., was born in Queen’s County, Ireland, and for forty years was a police magistrate. He was in the Rebellion of 1837, and for years was in the Canadian militia. In addition to his public duties he managed a farm. When he was eighty-five years of age he was called to his final rest, dying in the faith of the Episcopal Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hodgins (not a relative, however), was born in Canada, and was a daughter of William Hodgins, a farmer of English birth. Mrs. Hodgins died when forty years of age, and left twelve children, seven of whom are yet living.

W. H. Hodgins is a native of London, Canada, born September 1, 1838, and was reared on a farm. When he was eighteen years of age he came to the United States, first going to Detroit, and later to St. Louis, Mo., where he ran as clerk on a line of steamers plying between that point and New Orleans. During this time he bought a farm near Baton Rouge, Miss. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company H, Ninth Louisiana Volunteers, but at the battle of Gettysburg served as Lieutenant. In the fall of 1864 he was captured by some Ohio troops, but managed to make his escape and went to Canada.

In March, 1865, Mr. Hodgins returned to the States and embarked in farming near Champaign, Ill., there remaining until the fall of 1867. Desiring to see something of the country, he then traveled extensively, and at length, in 1868, located in this city. At the corner of Main Street and Kentucky Avenue, he soon opened a grocery, and continued in the business until 1870, when he was burned out. March 24, 1871, he received the appointment of Storekeeper of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, and has since held the position. He handles all the supplies for the three divisions, and also furnishes station agents and trainmen from Parsons to Hannibal and St. Louis. Besides, he supplies the car departments between St. Louis and Dennison, Tex.

In 1861 our subject was married, in Canada, to Agnes McMahon, also a native of the Dominion. She became the mother of two children. Archie A., who graduated from the high school here, learned a trade and is now foreman in the Illinois Steel Works of Chicago; and Gertrude, who was educated in Canada, resides with her father. The faithful wife and mother was called to her reward in 1882, leaving a host of friends who sincerely mourn her loss.

Mr. Hodgins is Past Officer of the Royal Tribe of Joseph and of the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to the National Reserves. Politically he is a thorough-going Democrat and a firm believer in free trade. Though never desirous of official honors, he consented to serve as a member of the City Council for one term. In manner he is genial and pleasant, readily making friends, and, what is more, has the faculty of keeping them.