James William Hodges (1895 - 1965)

Born 13 Apr 1895 in Temple, Bell, Texas, United States

Husband of Sophronia Louise Farris — married 7 May 1921 (to 16 Feb 1965) in Bell, Texas, United States

Died 16 Feb 1965 at age 69 in Bell, Texas, United States

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Biography

James William Hodges was born on April 13, 1895 in Temple, Bell County, Texas, United States. In his military records he was recorded as William James Hodges. He was the son of William Virgil Hodges and Frances Ann Robinson.^[1][2]

In the 1910 U. S. Census (April 2, 1910) the family of William and Frances Hodges were living on a rented farm in Justice Precinct 2, Bell County, Texas, United States. They were the parents of twelve children with ten alive at the time of the census. "Willie" was fifteen, could read and write and was still attending school. He was also listed as a farmer on the home farm.^[3]

On June 5, 1917 James registered for the World War I draft at Precinct 4 of Leona, Leon County, Texas. He was twenty-two years old and had no dependents. He listed his present trade as farming and listed his employer. He was described as medium height, slender with brown eyes and dark brown hair.^[2]

On September 19, 1917 James enlisted and became a private in the 22nd Company of the 20th Engineers Regiment. The 20th Engineer Regiment had just been formed on September 9, 1917 at American University in Washington, D.C. when the earlier 10th Regiment did not prove up to the task of providing the supplies needed. The 20th regiment's primary function during World War I was forestry to provide timber and ties; docks, and buildings to provide shelters, hospitals etc. They were sent to the front lines to provide lumber for dugouts and trench construction. They also provided the lumber for compounds for prisoners, bridges, coffins and a great variety of other uses. The 22nd Company was stationed near Bauge in northeast France not far from the Regimental Headquarters which was in Tours, France. The Armistice ending the war was signed on November 11, 1918. James was discharged from service on July 26, 1919.^[4][5]

On May 7, 1921 Miss Sofrona Farris and Jas. (James) W. Hodges were issued a marriage license in Bell County, Texas by J. W. Dice, Deputy Clerk. They were married on the same day by J. C. Morgan.^[6]

On the 1930 U. S. Census (April 18, 1930) James and Sophronia were living on a rented farm south west of Killeen, Bell County, Texas, United States. Sophronia was thirty-three years old. They had one daughter, six year old Dorris.^[7]

On the 1940 U. S. Census (April 27, 1940) the family likely lived in the same location as 1930. The area was described as Justice Precinct 7 outside Killeen City and south and west of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, Nolanville (Part). Both James and Sophronia reported they had completed fifth grade. Doris was listed as sixteen years old and still attending school. The record indicates that Doris was temporarily absent from the home.^[8]

James Hodges died of a pulmonary embolism on February 16, 1965. The informant was "Mrs. J. W. Hodges". His residence was listed as 1016 North Gray Street in Killeen. The home was inside the city limits and he was listed as a retired farmer. He was buried at the Killeen City Cemetery.^[9][10]

Research Notes

Parents

William Virgil Hodges and Frances Ann Robinson^[1][3]

Siblings

• 1) Odie Hodges - b. 1888, d. 1889
• 2) Arena Mae Hodges - b. 30 May 1890 in Texas, m. Rone^[3]
• 3) Mary Pearl Hodges - b. about 1892 in Texas m. Bishop^[3]
• 4) Emma Lou Hodges - b. about 1893 in Texas m. Bishop^[3]
• 5) James Willie (William) Hodges - b. about 1895 in Texas^[3]
• 6) Luther Marion Hodges - b. about 1898 in Texas^[3]
• 7) Mildred Hodges - b. about 1901 in Texas^[3]
• 8) Rosa Hodges - b. about 1903 in Texas^[3]
• 9) Ossie Hodges - b. about 1905 in Texas^[3]
• 10) Jessie Gordon Hodges - b. about 1907 in Texas^[3]
• 11) Early Hodges - b. 1908, d. 1908
• 12) Alma Cora Hodges - b. about 1909 in Texas^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LVM-LFN2 : 14 February 2020), b. 13 April 1895; Parents: William Virgil Hodges and Frances Ann Robinson; James William Hodges, 1895.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YYB-9W3H?cc=1968530&wc=9F41-92S%3A928338201%2C928415801 : 24 August 2019), Texas > Leon County; A-Z > image 1586 of 3937; citing NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). b. 13 April 1895 in Temple, Bell, Texas; Registered 5 June 1917 In Leon County, Texas; WILLIAM JAS HODGES
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11} "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYY1-S3DF?cc=1727033&wc=QZZH-TLC%3A133641501%2C134299601%2C133663901%2C1589089276 : 24 June 2017), Texas > Bell > Justice Precinct 2 > ED 6 > image 6 of 36; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Dwelling 54, Family 58, Lines 70-81, WILLIAM V HODGES FAMILY
4. ↑ "The 20th Engineer Regiment", World War I (https://20thengineers.com/ww1.html, accessed 8 Aug 2021)
5. ↑ "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1G-SCSY-3?cc=2968245 : 5 December 2018), > image 1 of 1; citing NARA microfilm publication 76193916 with Image (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985). U. S. Veteran's Bureau; b. April 13, 1895; d. 16 February 1965; enlisted September 19, 1917; discharge July 26, 1919: Private in 22 Company of 20 Engineers: Belton, Texas; WILLIAM JAMES HODGES
6. ↑ "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9P3D-NZS?cc=1803987 : 22 December 2016), > image 1 of 1; multiple county clerks, Texas. License and Marriage 7 May 1921, Bell County #1523; Mr. Jas. W. Hodges and Miss Sofrona L. Farris
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRZX-JRS?cc=1810731&wc=QZFW-Z9V%3A648808001%2C649160901%2C648900503%2C1589282479 : 8 December 2015), Texas > Bell > Precinct 7 > ED 33 > image 19 of 28; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002). FHL microfilm: 2342024: Dwelling 204, Family 207, Lines 26-28, JAMES W HODGES FAMILY
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-03984-00603, accessed 7 Aug 1021). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Bell, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-03984; Pages 11B Line 80 & 12A Line 1 & 2; Enumeration District 14-39: Description: JUSTICE PRECINCT 7 OUTSIDE KILLEEN CITY S AND W OF GULF, COLORADO & SANTA FE RAILWAY; NOLANVILLE (PART); JAMES W HODGES FAMILY
9. ↑ Ancestry.com. Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982 , (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2272/images/33154_b062686-00605, accessed 7 Aug 2021). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data:Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982. Austin, Texas, USA. b. April 13, 1895 in Texas, d. 16 February 1965 in Bell, Texas; JAMES WILLIE HODGES
10. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/75804484/james-willie-hodges : accessed 07 August 2021), memorial page for James Willie Hodges (13 Apr 1895–16 Feb 1965), Find A Grave: Memorial #75804484, citing Killeen City Cemetery, Killeen, Bell County, Texas, USA ; Maintained by Red (contributor 48097430.