Category: Portland Valley Scottish Rite

John Milton Hodson

Grand Master of Masons in Oregon 1899-1900

26^th Inspector General Honorary 33° in Oregon 1902

John Milton Hodson was born near New Vienna, Clinton, Ohio on August 24, 1839. According to the Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, John M. Hodson was descended from Robert Hodgson (ca. 1615), an officer in the English Army under Oliver Cromwell. He served in Ireland from 1645 to 1650. According to that source, after his death two sons and a daughter came to America, about 1660. The daughter and one son went to New York, while the other son George (ca. 1640) settled on Sassafras creek in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. His son John (ca. 1670) lived and died on the old homestead.[1] John was said to be the father of Robert born 1738, but such a scenario omits at least one generation, depending on the assumed dates included above. George Hodgson, born 1701 is the father of Robert, born in 1738. For these two genealogies to fit together Robert would have to be the grandson of John and not his son. Also the story included below about the family coming to America in 1710 would be erroneous. The fact that the family names are consistent, for the most part, and the place of origin in Ireland matches may indicate a connection between the two stories. From a genealogy of the family on Ancestry.com we find the following story; it seems that the names and dates are likely accurate, but for one story to fit with the other some of the details concerning their arrival would have to be reconsidered.

George Hodgson was born in Dorcaster, York, England on January 6, 1701, to John Hodgson and his wife, both members of the Quaker community. The Hodgson family moved to Ireland when George was very young and from there sailed to America in 1710. During the crossing John Hodgson, his wife and two of their three sons took sick, died and were buried at sea. George, age nine arrived in Philadelphia an orphan. We can assume that a Quaker family took him in and he was likely raised in a Quaker community in the Philadelphia area. In about 1730 George married 18 year old Mary Dix Thatcher, also a Quaker, whose grandfather Richard Thatcher had come to Pennsylvania in 1685 from Uffingham, Berkshire, England. The Thatcher’s were from Chester, Pennsylvania and it was here that George and Mary settled and had at least six children. “In the early 1750’s George and his family joined the Quaker Migration to North Carolina where in 1761 he had a land grant of 640 acres, in what is now Guilford County. They lived near and worshipped at a Quaker church called Centre Meeting about 10 miles directly south of present day Greensboro, North Carolina. George died in Guilford County in August of 1774.”[2]

Robert, son of George and Mary Hodgson was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania on May 11, 1738. He settled with his family in North Carolina and on November 25, 1758 he married Rachel the daughter of Thomas Mills, who had come to Rowan County, North Carolina from Frederick, Virginia. Robert and Rachel had 12 children before her death on April 24, 1791 at the age of 53. Robert was said to have been a Quaker Minister. He married Rachel’s 1st cousin, also named Rachel Mills on February 6, 1794, she was 20 years younger than Robert and gave him four more children before her death on July 24, 1811, coincidently at the age of 53. Robert died two years later on April 12, 1813. Being of a Quaker family there is no indication that Robert served during the Revolution, although the Southern Campaign of 1781 came through their neighborhood. On March 15, 1781 a “2,100-man British force under the command of Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis defeated Major General Nathanael Greene’s 4,500 Americans. The British Army, however, sustained such heavy casualties that the result was a strategic victory for the Americans.”[3] The advance guard met near the Quaker New Garden Meeting House, this was the house of worship used by the Hodgson family.

Jonathan Hodson[4] was born on October 16, 1763 in Guilford County, North Carolina, as was noted in the New Garden records. Jonathon Married Mary the daughter of Aaron Fraizer on October 1, 1789 in Guilford. Mary was born October 18, 1769 in Randolph County, North Carolina. Jonathan and Mary Hodson had eight known children in Guilford County, North Carolina before relocating to Ohio in about 1810, where Mary died that year in Fairfield County. Jonathan eventually settled in Clinton County, Ohio where he died on January 3, 1821.

The 2nd son and 4th child of Jonathan and Mary Hodson was Matthew, born on July 29, 1795 in Guilford County, North Carolina. Coming to Clinton County, Ohio with his parents and siblings Matthew married in Clear Creek on October 18, 1821 to Hannah daughter of Asa Hunt. The Hunt family was also from Guilford, North Carolina were Hannah’s birth was recorded at New Garden on January 31, 1799. The couple had four known children born in Clinton County, including our subject John Milton who was born near New Vienna in 1839. Still holding strongly to his forbearers’ Quaker beliefs Matthew was a strong opponent to slavery. “Matthew Hodson, was a farmer in (Clinton) county, and remained there until 1852. In that year, he removed to Hancock County, Indiana, and in 1867 to Rush County, Indiana, where he died in 1873, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and in the ante-bellum days was a pronounced Abolitionist. He acted in concert with the managers of the famous “Underground Railroad”, and often sheltered fugitive slaves, and assisted them on the way to liberty. He was a man who always occupied a high place in the estimation of those who knew him, and was always recognized as a good citizen and honorable man.”[5] Hannah Hunt Hodson died in Rush County, Indiana in 1869 and Matthew was laid to rest in the same County, the date actually being April 7, 1874.

John Milton Hodson

As noted John Milton Hodson was born in Clinton County, Ohio in 1839. “The subject of our sketch moved with his parents to Indiana, and spent his boyhood on a farm, attending the district school.” [6] Subsequently, he attended an excellent school in Westland, Hancock Co. Indiana, conducted by the Friends.[7] “In 1856 he began to teach in the district school in winter, and working on the farm during the summer. In order to gain the means for a further education, when 19 years of age, he paid his father $200 for the remaining two years of his minority. In 1859 he entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio and in 1860 completed the Scientific course, afterwards receiving the honorary degree of Master of Science. In 1861 he bought and operated a steam saw mill, and two years after owned a Drug Store, for two years, and then engaged in teaching.”[8] On October 17, 1861 John Hodson married Martha Ann Rawles of Stark County, Ohio. The couple had five children, the first four died young. The youngest child, a daughter named Gertrude, born in January of 1874 in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana, survived childhood, married William Pringle Muffley and died in Portland, Oregon on February 20, 1943.

“By his previous preparation, (Hodson) was well qualified for the profession of school teaching, which he adopted in 1858. He taught two years in Hancock County, Indiana, and for a period of sixteen years, was engaged in teaching in the counties of Hancock, Hamilton, Rush, Henry, Hendricks and Randolph, respectively. From 1867 to 1869 he held the office of School Examiner of Rush County, Indiana; he was Superintendant of the Schools of Knightstown, Indiana, for one year, having under his supervision seven teachers and 500 pupils. He served two years in the same capacity at Plainfield, Indiana, where there were six teachers and 450 pupils. As a teacher, he always ranked highly, and gained the good will of the scholars, while under his supervision the schools were marked by progress and improvement.”

“In 1872, Mr. Hodson came to Winchester, and in July of that year purchased a half interest in the Winchester Journal, of which he was joint proprietor for nine years, or until July, 1881, when he sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Beeson.”[9] At the time of the 1880 census John is listed as an Editor in Randolph County, Indiana. That same year John’s wife Martha Ann became ill and the Hodson family moved to Florida in hopes of recouping her health. The attempt was unsuccessful and Mrs. Hodson died in Florida in 1881 at the age of 53. John and his daughter Gertrude returned to Indiana where John sold his interest in the Winchester Journal as mentioned above. On April 4, 1883 John M. Hodson married Winona Coffin in Indianapolis, Indiana. Winona was born in Wisconsin on September 23, 1855. The couple did not have any children. Winona died in Los Angeles, California on September 14, 1933, her remains were returned to Portland, Oregon where they were laid to rest near her husband at the Riverview Cemetery.

After his marriage in 1883, John Hodson, his new bride and nine year old daughter headed west and settled in Eugene, Oregon. Here John met a brother Mason, Silas Yoran and commenced a lifelong friendship and business association. Silas Yoran had come to Eugene from Iowa in 1883. Upon his arrival he found that the city had two Democratic leaning papers.[10] Brother Yoran determined to start weekly paper to promote a Republican prospective, and so the Eugene Register was born. The Papers founder, Yoran teamed up with Editor Hodson and the paper began circulation. John Hodson worked as editor of the Weekly Register for 4 years[11] “Disposing of his interest in that enterprise, he removed to Portland and three years later received the appointment of deputy collector of customs, which position he held until the advent of the Cleveland administration, when he resigned and purchased an interest in the Irvin-Hodson Company. He was secretary and accountant for that firm for four years. After leaving that firm, he devoted his attention to the real estate business in which he continued until ill health compelled him to cease his activity.”[12]

John M. Hodson was a subject of the “History of Randolph County, Indiana” in 1882 and in his biography it was noted that in “politics, he is an enthusiastic Republican, having been identified with that party ever since he was old enough to vote. He is an uncompromising temperance man, and has rendered effective service to the cause be precept and example. He is in all respects a good citizen and a valued member of society.”[13] At that time it was noted that “Mr. Hodson is yet comparatively a young man, but his life has been a busy one, and the energy and enthusiasm with which he has entered into his labors have been fairly successful and repaid from a financial Standpoint. He is not a member of any religious denomination, is a Unitarian (Quaker) in belief, yet more liberal toward all candid opinions of others.”[14]

In 1910 John M. Hodson took ill and died it was recorded as follows:

Founder and Former Editor of Eugene Register Devoted Much of Long Life to Fraternity.

Funeral This Afternoon

John Milton Hodson, ex-grand master of the Oregon lodge of Masons and one of the most prominent members of the Masonic fraternity on the Pacific coast, founder and ex-editor of the Eugene Register, ex-deputy collector of customs for the Port of Portland and ex-secretary of the Irwin-Hodson Company, died at his home, 603 East Madison street, yesterday morning, after an illness extending over several months and following series of paralytic strokes. He was 71 years of age.

While Mr. Hodson was prominent in business and industrial affairs of Portland and the state, it was through his Masonic connections that he became best known. Through his work in that fraternity he became acquainted, by correspondence, with the jurisdictions in all parts of the world. He was probably the best informed man in the history of Masonry on the Pacific coast. The later years of his life were devoted almost entirely to his work for the organization which he loved.

Illness is Contracted.

It was while serving as a member of the committee that selected the rite for the present Masonic temple at West Park and Yamhill streets that he contracted the illness that led to the first and subsequent attacks of paralysis.[15]

FUNERAL NOTICES.

Hodson–At his residence, 603 East Madison, Sunday, October 9, John M. Hodson, aged 71 years, 1 month, 15 days. Funeral services tomorrow (Monday) October 10 at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 9 o’clock p.m. by nights Kadosh, Tuesday, Oct. 11, at same place at 2 o’clock P.M. services conducted by the grand lodge of Oregon. A.F. and A. M. Friends invited to both services.[16]

Masonic Service

John Milton Hodson “was made a Mason in Golden Rule Lodge, No. 16, of Knightstown, being raised March 13, 1865. He received the Capitular degrees in Knightstown Chapter, No. 33, being exalted January 7, 1870. He obtained the Cryptic Rite in Knightstown Council, No. 29, January 10, 1870, and was Knighted in William Hacker Commandery, of Knightstown, receiving the Templar degree January 29, 1870; and since his residence in Oregon has attained the thirty-second degree, A. & A. Scottish Rite, and has traversed the burning sands in Al Kader Temple, No. 1, A. O. of the Mystic Shrine.

His official relations with the Craft have been almost continuous since he was made a Mason. He was Master under dispensation, and afterward for three years under charter of Carthage Lodge, No. 179, of Carthage, Indiana; He removed to Winchester, Indiana, in 1872, and affiliated with Winchester Lodge, No. 56, Randolph Chapter, No. 35,· Winchester Council, No. 20, and Richmond Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar.· He was High Priest of Randolph Chapter two terms, and twice elected Illustrious Master of Winchester Council. Removing to Oregon in 1883, he affiliated with Eugene Lodge, No. 11*, Eugene Chapter, No. 10, Oregon Council, No.2, of Corvallis, and Ivanhoe Commandery, No.2, of Eugene, which affiliations he has maintained, with the exception that he is now a member of Washington Council, No. 3, of Portland. He served as High Priest of Eugene Chapter one year. He participated in the organization of the Grand Commandery of Oregon, and, after serving in nearly all the subordinate positions was elected Grand Commander in 1894. He has served on the Committee on Correspondence and has prepared all the reports from the Templar Jurisdiction of Oregon. He has been a member of the Grand Chapter of Oregon at nearly every convocation since 1884, and after serving in many of the minor positions, was elected Grand High Priest in, 1895. He has served the Grand Chapter as chairman of its Committee on Correspondence since 1891.

He has been present at nearly every annual communication of the Grand Lodge since 1884, serving on its committees and in several subordinate offices. He was elected Grand Master in 1899, and is now the Committee on Correspondence of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. He is the only Mason in Oregon who has presided over all the Grand Masonic bodies of the York Rite, being at this date M..Ill. Grand Master of the Cryptic Rite He served two years as President of the Grand Council of the Order of High Priesthood, 1894 and 1895. He is an earnest supporter of the fundamental principles and philosophies of the world’s greatest fraternity, and believes that their most perfect illustration by its members is to be found in their daily life and conduct.”[17]

Foreign Correspondant for Oregon Masonry

Of the Grand Lodge since 1900 to his death Oct. 1910

Of the Grand Chapter since 1893 to his death Oct. 1910

Of the Grand Commandery since 1890 to his death Oct. 1910[18]

*After his arrival in Oregon in 1883, John M. Hodson Affiliated with Eugene City Lodge No. 11. His petition was read on December 8, 1883 and was rejected. Another committee was formed and gave their report on January 2, 1884, this time the vote was favorable and Worshipful Brother Hodson was elected a member by Affiliation. Although he was only in Eugene for a few years he maintained his membership in Lodge No. 11 for the rest of his life.

[1] Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon, Chapman Publishing Company Chicago 1903. Pages 169-170.

[2] Findagrave.com George Hodgson 1701-1774

[3] Wikipedia Battle of Guilford Courthouse March 15, 1781

[4] The “g” was dropped in this generation going from Hodgson to Hodson.

[5] History of Randolph County, Indiana, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches by E. Tucker A. L. Klingman, 1882, page 215.

[6] “Masonic Records of the Oregon Scottish Rite”, biographical sketch of J.M. Hodson by Seth L. Pope, dated Jan. 1903.

[7] History of Randolph County, Indiana, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches by E. Tucker A. L. Klingman, 1882, page 215.

[8] “Masonic Records of the Oregon Scottish Rite”, biographical sketch of J.M. Hodson by Seth L. Pope, dated Jan. 1903.

[9] History of Randolph County, Indiana, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches by E. Tucker A. L. Klingman, 1882, page 215.

[10] (Including the Eugene Guard which was founded in 1867 by J. B. Alexander, the Charter Senior Warden of Eugene City Lodge No. 11.)

[11] One record says 6 years.

[12] The Historical Oregonian, Oct. 10, 1910, page 8. Findagrave.com

[13] History of Randolph County, Indiana, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches by E. Tucker A. L. Klingman, 1882, page 215.

[14] Ibid

[15] The Historical Oregonian, Oct. 10, 1910, page 8. Findagrave.com

[16] The Historical Oregonian, Oct 10, 1910, p. 11. Findagrave.com

[17] Proceedings of the Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M.of Oregon June 1900, pages 140-141.

[18] “Masonic Records of the Oregon Scottish Rite”, biographical sketch of J.M. Hodson by Seth L. Pope, dated Jan. 1903.