Contra
Costa County
Biographies
ALBERT
E. HODGES
There are few native sons of Contra
Costa county now approaching fifty years of age who
are still living on the farm upon which they were born. Such a one, however, is
Albert E. Hodges, who was born November 1, 1856, a son of Samuel and Mary Jane
(Whitcomb) Hodges, and grandson of David Hodges. David Hodges settled in
Wisconsin in the early 30s, finding there a dreary wilderness, uninhabited as yet
by any pale faces save those who had traveled hither as fur traders or
missionaries. With his faithful wife he built a rude cabin, and out of the soil
took the competence which enabled him to surround himself and family with
material comforts. His son Samuel grew into a fine, strong youth, who, in 1850,
left the home fireside and courageously turned his face towards the west.
Accompanying him was a brave hearted young wife, the daughter of a near-by
farmer, whose girlhood name was Mary Jane Whitcomb. For a year after the
arrival in the west Samuel lived in the mining districts on the American river,
and in 1851 came to Contra Costa county where he bought two hundred acres of
land, where had already been erected a temporary house. On a very small scale himself
and wife started into brave the loneliness and deprivation of their new home,
their cattle being the chief source of revenue until their land could produce
crops. There were no fences, and they were allowed the whole range surrounding
them, a distinct advantage, since some time must elapse before the settlers
could find time or means to build fences. Mr. Hodges found his land extremely
fertile, and after erecting his fences planted wheat and barley almost
exclusively, grains upon which he has since almost entirely depended. In time
he erected a handsome residence, large barns, and provided modern agricultural
implements, becoming one of the substantial and prominent men of the county.
His death, October 3, 1889, removed a man to whom the county had looked for the
promotion of its best interests, and who had invariably lent his influence to
worthy and lasting efforts. Albert E. is his only son and oldest child, besides
whom he had two daughters, Elizabeth and Rhoda. In the meantime, David Hodges,
hearing good news from his son on the coast, sold his farm in Wisconsin and
brought his family to California in 1852. Purchasing the property now owned by
Mrs. Morton, he engaged in general farming and stock-raising until shortly
before his death in Lafayette, at the age of seventy-five. His wife lived to be
eighty-five.
From his father, Albert E. Hodges
learned to be a model farmer, and while continuing on the farm taken up by his
father in the early days, has made many fine improvements over those of the
older man, and now has a valuable and highly cultivated ranch. He is one of the
most successful grain raisers in his neighborhood, and one of its most
prosperous and public spirited farmers. Mr. Hodges married Hattie Donner, a
native of Illinois, and daughter of John Donner. The children born to Mr. and
Mrs. Hodges are: Sumner, Frank, Harold, and Alberta. The youthful appearance of
Mr. Hodges has always caused him to be the object of good natured jest on the
part of his friends, and it is probable that to-day he is the youngest looking
man for his age in the county, if not the state. The years have made hardly any
impression on his face, and his spirits and enthusiasm are as keen and
infectious as when he used to engage in sports with the boys during his school
days. His children inherit his mental activity, and, judging from the
opportunities which it is the intention of their parents to place in their way,
should develop into not only useful, but gifted men and women. In the early
days Mr. Hodges joined Alamo Lodge, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 366-367. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Cecelia M. Setty.
Contra Costa County Biographies