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  1. Walter Dennison Hodgson: Death: 1924


Notes
a. Note:   William Hall Hodgson
  After a long period of patient suffering, William H. Hodgson, President of the Daily Local News Company, passed quietly away this morning at his home on South Church street, where he had lived for many years. He had been bedfast for some weeks, but retained his mental faculties up to a period near the end, and spoke cheerfully with his faithful nurses and others who were about him. He was 87 years of age on Monday of this week.
  Mr. Hodgson was a native of this state, having been born in Doylestown October 15, 1830. His father, John Hodgson, came from England to America when he was five years of age, with his father, William, and mother, Ann, a brother Francis, and sisters, Sarah, Ann, Mary and Jane. In this country three more children were born to them, Benjamin, William, and Esther.
  John Hodgson, father of the family, learned the printing trade in the office of the Village Record, in West Chester, and soon after went to Doylestown, where he worked as a compositor on the intelligencer of that place. There he married Elizabeth Hall, and after a time located in Norristown, and purchased the Herald, which he published for a few years, then selling it. And removing to Philadelphia, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and there it was that his wife died. She was the mother of five children, namely, William (the subject of this sketch), Elizabeth, Annie, Charles and John, all of whom are now deceased. All the sons, like their father, learned the printing trade.
  In 1842 John Hodgson, the father of the family named, returned to West Chester and established the Jeffersonian, a Democratic weekly which continued until a few years ago. He remained the owner of this paper until he disposed of it to his sons, William and Charles, he continuing in the capacity of its editor up to 1865, when his son, William, became its sole proprietor.
  In 1857 John Hodgson was elected a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, at which time the two political parties were so evenly balanced in strength as to require the change of only a few votes to win victory.
  He left West Chester in the year 1870 and went to West Virginia, where he founded a Democratic paper, which failed of success, and he then located in Chester. He died in 1877 in Chester, shortly after establishing the Times, which is now a prosperous paper in that city.
  William H. Hodgson, the eldest son of John Hodgson, became apprenticed to the trade of printing when he was only twelve years of age, and never engaged in any other business. As an artist of the "art preservative" he was always regarded by members of the craft as well as the general public, a master. Because of his clean, intelligent work and the excellent taste displayed by him in job printing, and in the makeup of his newspaper, he won the distinction of bringing into these lines examples which were of value to his fellows, as well as a means of education to all brought into contact with the results of his painstaking work.
  In 1872 the West Chester Daily Local News was started by him as publisher, with W.W. Thomason as editor, and these have been uninterruptedly at the head of the paper up to this time, a period of over forty-five years.
  In this connection it is not out of place to mention that several of the employees have been in their respective positions for unusual lengths of time, thus proving that such ties of association could not have existed but for a mutual respect and satisfaction felt alike by employees.
  The News has won a place in the affections and esteem of the people of Chester county and in many places beyond the county line, because of its newsy fairness to all parties and sects and its correct manner of serving its clientage, which is the largest of any of the inland dallies of Pennsylvania. Its equipment in the way of presses, typesetting machines and other features necessary to the publication is not surpassed in any borough of the United States, and its general success is a marvel to newspaper makers throughout the country. This enviable position it has won upon its merits, by strict attention to business and unfaltering determination to make it a paper for the people, a fireside necessity and a welcome daily visitor to the homes of an enlightened public. Some years ago the ownership was transferred to the Daily Local News Company, of West Chester, incorporated, in order to insure its permanency.
  In the work of making the Local News he in the early days demonstrated courage but few would have put forward. In a financial way he took chances, believing that some time in the near future the end would justify the means, in which he happily was not disappointed.
  He was always of a kind amiable disposition. He was never found wanting in extending a helping hand to the poor, while his gifts to public institutions and enterprises were invariably given with a freedom accentuating his interest in the general public. His generous nature served to give practical help to many in their hour trial and need.
  In the days of the State Militia before the Civil War, he was for years a member of a company commanded by Captain Apple, in which he was prominent for his marksmanship and soldierly bearing.
  William H. Hodgson was married three times. His first wife was Alice Clayton, who died in about two years without issue. Sarah Rich, youngest daughter of Anthony and Maria Rich of Buckingham Township, Bucks County, was the second wife. She died in August 1865, leaving no children. The third wife, now also deceased was Wilhelmina Pierson, nee Dennison, of Philadelphia, their marriage-taking place in that city in 1872. One child was born to them, a son, Walter Dennison Hodgson, who is married and residing in West Chester. Mr. Hodgson continuously resided in West Chester for nearly seventy years, except a few months in 1857, which he spent in the West on a business prospecting tour. In 1901 he and his son made a three months' tour of Europe, and previously visited Bermuda on a pleasure trip. He was a Democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in religious faith. At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, of the Odd Fellows, Patrons of Husbandry and the West Chester (social) Clubs.
  Hodgson- In West Chester, Pa., on October 18, 1917, William H. Hodgson, aged 87 years.
 Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from his late residence, 104 Church street, on Saturday, October 20, 1917, at 3 o'clock p.m. Interment private at Oakland Cemetery.
  L10.22.1917
 Nearly all the printers in West Chester joined the procession of the employees of the Daily Local News on Saturday afternoon, making a company of about thirty five, to call at the late home of the President, William H. Hodgson, and attend his funeral services. Among them nearly every one could tell some incident of personal favors received from Mr. Hodgson, who was held in highest esteem by them. Many members of West Chester Lodge, No. 322, Free and Accepted Masons, also turned out and these, in addition to the members of the family, made a large company. Rev. Washington R. Laird, Ph.D., pastor emeritus of the First Presbyterian Church, offered a most appropriate prayer, referring to Mr. Hodgson as one who "dispensed blessings upon those about him," and Rev. Samuel C. Hodge, of Lincoln University, stated supply at the church, read the familiar burial service and also offered prayer. In a score of automobiles the family and near friends were conveyed to Oaklands, where the body was interred amid a profusion of flowers and autumn leaves.
  During a Masonic Lodge of Sorrow held in the same afternoon the speakers were James L. King,
 Cloyd R. Baldwin and W.W. Heed.
  A superb cluster of roses was received from Dingee and Conard, West Grove, this in addition to floral offerings mentioned in the Local News of Saturday.
  L 10.20.1917
 This afternoon the body of William H. Hodgson will be conveyed from his late home of South Church Street, and laid at rest in the family plot in Oaklands Cemetery, following services which a large number of friends and relatives will attend. During last evening and this morning many who had known and loved and honored him in his long and useful life, called to pay a parting tribute to his memory.
 Numerous Beautiful floral designs are presented, including tokens from the son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. Hodgson, and the two granddaughters, Miss. Mina Hodgson and Miss. Ann Hodgson, to whom their grandfather was much devoted.
 At the house of Rev. Samuel C. Hodge, of Lincoln University, stated supply for the First Presbyterian Church, will have charge of the services, and Rec. Washington R. Laird, Ph. D., pastor emeritus will lead the assemblage in prayer. At the grave the Masonic ritual will be observed by West Chester Lodge, No. 322, Free and Accepted Masons, John S. Groff being Worshipful Master and William W. Heed, Chaplain. A lodge of sorrow will be held at two o'clock in the Lodge room, where various members will speak in commendation of their departed brother's exemplary life.
  Pall bearers will be William W. Heed, a veteran printer, who had been a warm friend of Mr. Hodgson for many years and is Secretary of the Masonic Lodge here, and five employees representing various departments of the Daily Local News, L. Herbert Sheilds, Walter A. Clark, Edwin S. Turner, Edward M. Mc Fadden and E.L. Mc Kinstry.
  Wreaths were received from the Masonic Lodge and the West Chester Fire Company, No 1, and a broken column from the employees of the Daily Local News.
  MR. 7.24.1897
 William H. Hodgson, of this borough, was somewhat surprised recently upon being accosted by a young stranger, who held out his hand in cordial salutation.
  "How do you do," said Mr. Hodgson, "Pardon me, but when did I have the pleasure of meeting you before?" Don't you know me, Uncle William?" asked the visitor. "I'm your nephew." "Why bless my eyes, if it isn't my brother John's son," exclaimed Mr. Hodgson. "How are you, anyhow?" and then followed mutual expressions of good will over the meeting.
  When Mr. Hodgson was much younger he had a brother named John, whose son he wished to adopt, having taken a great fancy for the boy, but circumstances were not favorable and the youth drifted out to the West, where he engaged in the struggle for wealth in which so many gallant men have succumbed.
  He thus passed out of his uncle's life for a time, but it happened that the conditions in the West were not suitable for the accumulation of a fortune and he returned East. After being here for a while he determined to try his fortunes in Ohio, but before starting for the neighboring State he thought he would call upon his uncle, and the pleasure he experienced has already repaid him for the renewal of old ties.
  L10.15.1910
 This being the eightieth birthday anniversary of Mr. William Hall Hodgson, proprietor of the Daily Local News, his employees, by way of accentuating their well wishes and esteem presented him with a handsome cut glass vase filled with white chrysanthemums.
 The presentation took place in the editorial rooms of the office, where some thirty employees assembled in an informal manner at 9:30 o'clock, and surrounding their employer, visited upon him a surprise which was as happy in its conception as it was gratefully acknowledged by the recipient.
 Mr. A. Wayne Elliott was the chosen spokesman of the occasion, who, in presenting the gift, fully echoed the feelings of those about him in the following brief but fitting address:
  Mr. Hodgson: -You have reached another milestone in your pathway of life, and we, your employees, desire to present you a slight token of our regard. To us you have been more than an employer-a friend, one to whom we have felt free to go for counsel and advice. We feel it has been a privilege to labor with and for you in the work of producing the Daily Local News, a proof of our satisfaction being the long terms of service which we have been permitted to render. We congratulate you upon the achievements of the past, and earnestly and sincerely hope that many years of activity are yet to be yours. And now, in behalf of these, your employees, I present to you this vase and these flowers. As the chrysanthemum reaches its perfection in the Autumn, so may the early Autumn of your life be its best time, and may you enjoy to the full the blessings of a life well spent.
  Mr. Hodgson is to-day one of the sprightliest men for his years to be found in this State. He is active as many men are in their fifties. He is alert to the doings of the world and every day finds him at his office.
 Good health in his advancing years is the reward for a life consistent with the laws of nature. In the past forty years of his life he has been absent only two days from his duties, through indisposition.


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