HODGKIN, Robert Hugh - Putnam

HODGKIN, Robert Hugh, one of Montgomery County's successful farmers, a worthy descendant of one of the early families of this section of the Hoosier state and here he has been content to spend his life and has never cared for other lines of endeavor than husbandry, and, having thus given it his undivided attention for many decades it is no wonder that he has succeeded and now owns a valuable farm and has a comfortable home. Mr. Hodgkin was born in Parke County, Indiana March 31, 1853, and is a son of Edward C & Dianna (Scott) Hodgkin, the former a native of England and the latter a native of Scotland. The father emigrated to the US when a young man, landing in NY City and remained in the East for many years, and there got his education, studying for a minister in the Episcopal church. He finally came to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he preached and taught school, subsequently joining the Christian Denomination, and he became widely known in that part of the state and was popular with the people wherever he went, for he was not only a scholarly man and an earnest, forceful speaker but was a man of genial address, always obliging and delighted in helping others, and the good he did in that early day cannot be estimated. He preached and taught school all his life. He finally came on to Parke County and established the permanent home of the family and there his son, our subject was born. The elder Hodgkin spent the rest of his days, teaching and preaching in Putnam and Parke Counties, his death occurring in the town of Russellville in 1866 where he was connected with the Russellville Academy, at the early age of 47. Rev. Edward C. Hodgkin was twice married, and two children were born by his first wife, Frank and Fred. Six children were the result of his second union, named as follows: Henry, Charley, John, Robert, Hugh (our subject), William and Edward. Robert H. Hodgkin received his education in the common schools of Putnam county and the Russellville Academy, then took up farming for his life's work and this he has continued to follow to the present time with ever increasing success. As a general farmer and stock raiser he has shown himself to be eminently capable. He is the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of valuable and well tilled land in Brown Township, which he has brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement. Everything looks prosperous and well up-to-date about his place, showing good management and good taste. Mr. Hodgkin was married on September12, 1878 to Clara Cowan, daughter of Aaron and Sarah (Crist) Cowan, who were early settlers of Montgomery County and here became well known and well established through their industry, in fact, they were among the first settlers, and entered land from the government which they transformed into a good farm. This place is now owned by Mr. Hodgkin, of this review. Seven children have been born to Robert H. Hodgkin and wife, namely: Ethel, who married Andrew Stilwell; Jessie, who married Raymond Deere, Nellie married Irvin Deere, Mary, Earl, Nelia and Ruth are all living at home. Politically, Mr. Hodgkin is a loyal Republican and has long been active in the ranks. As a member of the advisory board of Brown Township. for a period of 12 years he did excellent work, and is still serving in that capacity, doing much for the general good of the community and winning the hearty approval of all concerned. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a trustee in the local congregation for a period of six years, in fact, has long been a pillar in the same. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the lodge Rathbone No. 232 at Waveland.   --- kbz