William Thomas Hodge (1874 - 1932)

Born 1 Nov 1874 in Albion, Orleans, New York, United States

Husband of Helen Perley (Cogswell) Hodge — married 13 Jun 1909 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Died 30 Jan 1932 at age 57 in Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Pierce [send private message]

William Hodge is Notable.

Biography

William Thomas Hodge was "an American actor, playwright, and theatrical producer. He appeared in the original 1904 Broadway hit play Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch, Dream City (1906) by Victor Herbert and the huge hit play for which he's best remembered The Man from Home (1908). The latter play was a huge success for him and he revived it over the years. With it he became along with other stars such as David Warfield and Rose Stahl an actor noted for a single huge success."^[1]

William was born in 1874, the son of Thomas Hodge and Mary Anderson. ^[2] His father was a businessman and real estate agent. William was educated in the local public schools until 1891, when, at the age of seventeen, he ran away from home, determined to became an actor. He began his career as a property man for the Hill Repertoire Company, which was managed by his brother Joseph. "During his stay with the coampany, he gained experience in virtually all aspects of the theater, becoming a member of a number of lesser touring companies that frequented the small towns in New York."^[3]

He married the stage actress Helen Hale, Helen Perley Cogswell, 13 June 1909 in Manhattan, New York City.^[4]

He passed away in 1932 at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut at the age of 57.

Obituary:^[5]

William Hodge, Actor, Dies in Greenwich Today

Known Best as "The Man from Home," Had a Brilliant Career.

Greenwich, Conn., Jan. 30 (AP)--William Hodge, one of American's best loved actors, who was known to thousands as "the man from home," died of pneumonia at his home, today, at the age of 57.

Hodge made his first appearance on the stage in 1901 and seven years later, came to New York to appear in "The Heart of Chicago." After several other roles he toured the country in his own "Eighteen Miles From Home" and established himself as an actor-playwright.

His greatest success was undoubtedly his "The Man From Home," which played for a year in Chicago, operning there in 1907. He toured the country with this play until 1913.

Born in New York State.

For several years, he appeared in "The Road to Happiness," which he wrote. More recent plays of which he was the author were: "The Judge's Husband" in 1926, and "Straight Through the Door," in 1928. He also wrote and appeared in "Fixing Sister," "A Cure for Curables," "The Guest of Honor," "Beware of Dogs," and "For All of Us."

Hodge ws born at Albion, NY., November 1, 1874, the son of Thomas and Mary Anderson Hodge. He married Helen Hale, the actress, on June 13, 1909. He is survived by his widow, two daughters, Miss M. Hodge and Mrs. Theodore law, and a son, William Hodge, Jr.

Will Be Cremated

He had been living quietly mostly in his home here since May, and had been in good healthy until the last few weeks. His last stage appearance was in the leading role of his own play "The Old Rascal," in Chicago. The body will be cremated, following private funeral service at the home tomorrow afternoon.

Sources

1. ↑ William Hodge on Wikipedia.
2. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6JS-VNH : 23 February 2021), William Thomas Hodge, 1917-1918.
3. ↑ William Thomas Hodge American National Biography.
4. ↑ "New York Marriages, 1686-1980", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6HC-G4H : 21 January 2020), William Thomas Hodge, 1909.
5. ↑ Daily Advocate, Saturday, Jan 30, 1932, Stamford, CT, Page: 6.