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Note: Founder's Grandfather Passed in 1831 - William Hodgson Scanning the files of the Village Record, Cloyd R. Baldwin was interested in noting a sketch of William Hodgson, grandfather of William H. Hodgson, founder of the Daily Local News, this in the library of the Chester county Historical Society. The Rev. Mr. Hodgson, who had much to do with establishing the Methodist Church here, departed this life April 2, 1831, and the following sketch appeared in the paper named on April 8: "In this borough on Saturday morning the 2nd inst., after a long and painful illness, the Rev. William Hodgson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, passed away, aged 56 years." "About 14 years ago Mr. Hodgson came to West Chester, with his family, to reside, having recently arrived from England, the place of his nativity." "In all his relations of life it may be truly said, he was an excellent man." "His enterprise and industry contributed to the business and improvement of the town-as a neighbor he was obliging and friendly-to the poor charitable-as a citizen liberal and public spirited." "As a preacher, Mr. Hodgson was sensible, pious, impressive, and in prayer highly gifted and eloquent." "While to his amiable family the deprivation of husband and family is irreparable, it is also felt as a public loss." "During his long and distressing visitation, under the certainty of an approaching death from an incurable malady, he bore up with a fortitude and cheerfulness which nothing but the buoyant hope and sustaining faith of Christianity could inspire." "He met the messenger sent by the divine Master to call him home, with the feelings of a man who was bound here by the tenderest ties, and yet with the unrepining firmness of one in relation to whom death had no sting, the grave no victory, supported by confidence in his Savior and the certainty of a Resurrection to Glory beyond the tomb." "We presume a more full biographical sketch of the valuable and amiable will be prepared for the Christian Advocate, for he is worthy to be kept in remembrance as an example." The Village Record at that time was published weekly by Asher and Charles Miner. CCD 4-12-1831 Died, in the borough of West Chester on Saturday monring the 2nd inst. After a long and painfull illness, the Rev. William Hodgson of the Methodist Episcopal Church, aaged 56 years. VR 4.20.1831 Estate of Rev. Wm. Hodgson Late of the borough of West-Chester, dec. All persons indebeted to said Estate, are requested to make immediate payment and thos having demands will please present them for settlement, to Excecutors Ann Hodgson -. Thos. Ogeden VR 4.8.1818 WILLIAM HODGSON, Boot & Shoemaker, --- from England, -- begs leave to inform the inhabitants of Westchester and its vicinity, that he is about to commence his business in the place above mentioned-humbly solicits the patronage and support of the inhabitants, and trusts by his unremitting attention to their orders, to merit a portion of the same. April 8, 1818 A STORE ROOM FOR RENT The rooms occupied by the late William Hodgson as a shoe store at the upper end of Gay street, West Chester. The rooms are separated by a partition, which can be removed if required. It is a pleasant part of the town and the situation would be a good one for business. ALSO, a stable for rent, and possession given immediately.-Enquire on the premises. William Hodgson came from England about 1817 with his wife Ann, sons Francis and John, sisters Sarah, Ann, Mary and Jane. In this country, three more children were born to them, Benjamin, William D. and Esther. William Sr. had been duly declared a citizen of the United States many years before the year 1894. This came out when his son William D. in 1894 ran for public office in Pottstown, one of the charges which were made against him was that he had not yet been naturalized.
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