Hodgkin - Charles V.
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913
(1913) p
916
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes not as the
caprice of chance, but as the legitimate result of well applied
energy and unflagging determination in a course of action once
decided upon by the individual. Only those who diligently seek
the goddess Fortuna, find her - she never has been known to smile
upon the idler or dreamer. Charles VanDake (sic) HODGKIN, the
present trustee of Union Township, Crawfordsville, and for years
a successful business man of Montgomery County, early understood
that success comes only to those who work diligently and
honorably, so he did not seek any royal road to success, but
sought to direct his feet along the well-beaten paths of those
who had won in the battle of life along legitimate lines. He had
their careers in mind when casting about for a legitimate line to
follow, and in tracing his life history it is plainly seen that
the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable
qualities, and it is also his personal worth which has gained for
him the good standing among his fellow citizens in Montgomery
County in which he has spent his active life and is well known.
Mr. Hodgkin was born in Ft. Wayne Indiana July 25, 1848. He is a
son of Edward C. and Diana (SCOTT) Hodgkin, an excellent old
family, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this
volume, hence will not be necessary to repeat same here.
Charles
VD Hodgkin, received a fairly good education in the common
schools and in Russellville College, in Putnam County, Indiana
and when 19 he started to learn carpentering and a year later
took up railroad carpentering which he continued one year. For
the next 14 years he was contractor and builder at Russellville,
and did a large business, many of the best buildings in the
vicinity of that place standing as monuments to his skill and
honesty as a builder. He then turned his attention to the grain
business which he followed with equal success for a period of 13
years, during which period he was regarded as one of the leading
men in this field of endeavor in western Indiana. During that
time he was elected trustee of Russell Township, Putnam County
and served 5 years to the satisfaction of all concerned. He came
to Crawfordsville in 1898, and continued the grain business in
partnership with WM DARTER under the firm of Darter &
Hodgkin. He sold out a year later and engaged in the real estate
and loan business here for 3 years, enjoying a good business. Hen
then went to Indianapolis where he remained 18 months in the
grocer/meal business. He then returned to Crawfordsville and was
elected township trustee which office he has since held, with
entire satisfaction of all concerned and is looking after the
interests intrusted to him most faithfully. Mr. Hodgkin is a
Republican politically. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and
is a member of the Christian Church. He was married in October
1886 to Martha J. ALEXANDER, a native of Putnam County and to
this union one child, a son, was born Edward F. Hodgkin, who is
connected with his father in business. - typed by kbz