Mrs. John J. Hodges

Also from this Hodges' scrapbook... an article from April of 1939:

http://floridamemory.com/items/show/150688
On the steps of Goodwood, from left to right:
Margaret Hodges, Senator William C. Hodges, Eva Parker Hodges

MRS. JOHN J. HODGES

Mrs. John J. Hodges, an early resident of this community, and for the past forty years a resident of Florida, passed away at three o'clock Monday morning at the age of about 87 years.  She was the mother of Senator William C. Hodges, of Tallahassee, Florida, and made her home with her son.  Her husband died March 2, 1923.

Mrs. Hodges was a native of Illinois, her maiden name being Eva Parker, and she was born at Garden Plain in Whiteside county.  She came to Ashton as a bride when she was united in marriage with John J. Hodges.  The Hodges family were among the pioneer settlers here, he having come to Ashton with his parents when but a boy.

To Mr. & Mrs. Hodges were born two children, William C. and John, the latter having been killed in a railroad crossing accident is 1895.  William C. who survives his parents has been Senator of the 8th district in Florida for many years.  He has been president of the senate and in the last election was defeated by a small margin for the governorship of Florida.

For many years the Hodges family lived on the farm at the northeast part of town owned now by John Ventler.  They were active in the early life of the village and were members of the Methodist church.

Mr. Hodges was chosen postmaster of Ashton during President Grover Cleveland's second administration, and the Gazette's entry as a second class newspaper was signed by Mr. Hodges.  After serving about two years as postmaster Mr. Hodges resigned and he and Mrs. Hodges moved to Jacksonville, Florida.

Here the Hodges lived a very active life and were prominent in the city, maintaining a beautiful southern home in an orange grove on the banks of the St. John's river.  Mr. Hodges was active in public life, and served as a clerk of the district court, United States Commissioner, and referee in bankruptcy.

Mrs. Hodges was a woman of culture and refinement, sympathy, a kind neighbor, devoted mother, and a true friend, and withall a woman of heroic mould in bravely meeting the stern requirements and often the disappointments of life.  For a number of years Mrs. Hodges had poor health, but in the later years her health was good and two years ago at the age of 85 enjoyed a visit to Europe with her son.  Mrs. Hodges had spent part of the late winter in Orlando, and was taken ill two weeks after her return.  She was very ill for a month, her death resulting from an obstruction in the intestines caused by adhesions from an old operation.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock at Goodwood, the estate of Senator and Mrs. William C. Hodges at Tallahassee, Florida, where Mrs. Hodges spend many happy years.  Interment took place in Oakwood at Tallahassee.  

from www.findagrave.com