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- Manassas Journal, Friday, 4 Jun 1920, p. 1
B. T. H. HODGE PASSES TO REST
Confederate Soldier, Mason and Scholar Succumbs to Extended Illness Here.
Prof. Benjamin Templeton Hooke Hodge, Confederate veteran, Mason and scholar, passed away early Sunday morning at Roblay Cottage, his home in Main street, after an extended illness culminating in pneumonia. He was seventy-three years old.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church by the pastor, Rev. DeForest Wade, assisted by Rev. Alexander Stuart Gibson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, who offered prayer, and Rev. T. D. D. Clark, pastor of the Baptist Church, who paid eloquent tribute to the deceased. Members of Manasseh Lodge, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and Ewell Camp, Confederate Veterans, in uniform attended the service.
The body was laid to rest with Masonic ceremonies in the family lot in the Manassas cemetery, in the shadow of the Confederate monument and amidst a profusion of flowers. The pallbearers, all Masonic brethren, were: Messrs. Thomas H. Lion, G. Raymond Ratcliffe, C. J. Meetze, Thomas E. Haines, D. J. Arrington and O. D. Waters and Dr. C. R. C. Johnson, of Manassas, and Judge C. E. Nicol, of Alexandria.
Prof. Hodge was born on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1847, in Highland county, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hooke Hodge, his father also being a soldier of the Confederacy. Early in life he moved with his family to the neighboring county of Augusta and at the age of sixteen, during the war between the states, enlisted in the Augusta guards. He served the Confederacy until the surrender at Appomattox, taking part in the battle of Piedmont and in many skirmishes. Although hardly more than a boy he was one of a company in command of a large field gun and at one time was a member of a party of thirteen soldiers who successfully made a perilous journey to recover horses stolen from the Confederacy.
After completing his academic studies Prof. Hodge entered upon a post-graduate course at the University of Virginia, later being graduated as a theological student from the Presbyterian College of Hampden-Sydney, receiving his license as a preacher. Becoming convinced that teaching offered a better opportunity for the exercise of his talents, he gave up the ministry to enter the teaching profession, devoting his interest particularly to the founding of high schools. He also took up the study and practice of law and was a successful surveyor.
Early in life he married Miss Katherine O'Farrell, a sister of Governor O'Farrell. In 1907, some years after the loss of his first wife, he was married to Miss Chloe Elizabeth Lay, of Montreal, Canada, who survives him. At the suggestion of special friends in this community he brought his bride to Manassas, opened a law office here and was made a justice of the peace. He was called to Eastern College to teach Hebrew, Latin and Greek and, relinquishing the legal profession, devoted himself entirely to educational work until entering the government service during the war.
When overtaken by his last illness, Prof. Hodge was writing a comprehensive book, for which he had selected as the title "The Organization of Mankind: Socially, Politically and Religiously."
In addition to his widow he leaves one brother and one sister, Mr. Milton Hodge, of Washington, and Mrs. M. V. Irvine, of Clifford, Amherst county, together with several nieces and nephews.
Among the relatives and friends who came to Manassas during Prof. Hodge's illness and later to attend the funeral were Mrs. Ballantyne Patterson, only sister of Mrs. Hodge, who has been her constant companion for several weeks; Col. William Lay Patterson, of Camp Taylor, Ky., and Lieut. Lyman Patterson, of Bowling Field, Washington, eldest and youngest of Mrs. Patterson's seven sons; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Hodge, of Washington; Mrs. M. V. Irvine, of Clifford; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hodge, the former a nephew of Prof. Hodge, Mrs. A. M. Combs and Mrs. Webster, all of Washington, and Major J. Ogden Murray, of Roanoke, a Confederate comrade who attended the funeral with Ewell Camp.
Prof. Hodge was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and known to be representative of the highest type of Christian gentleman. The session of the church has adopted the following resolution of respect and sympathy:
Whereas, it has pleased God in His infinite wisdom to take from our midst our highly esteemed friend and brother elder, Prof. B. T. H. Hodge, who departed this life on the 30th day of May 1920, therefore it be resolved by the Session of the Manassas Presbyterian Church of Manassas, Va.:
That in the death of Mr. Hodge our community and our church has suffered the loss of an upright, honest American citizen, a devoted husband, and an honorable Christian gentleman, whose place cannot be filled.
That all men of whatever party or race were his neighbors and he never knowingly wronged any of them even when opposed to him in business, religion or politics. In the numerous affairs of a busy life, covering a long period of more than three score and ten years, he always aimed to be on the right side of every question, and always acted under the full conviction that he was doing right.
That his devotion and loyalty to his state and church were only [?] our loss is his eternal gain, and our hearts are cheered by the remembrance that the victory of the cross of the Son of God abolished death, and that His gospel brought life and immortality to light, in order that we may be sustained as we mourn the loss of our brother and our co-worker.
That we extend to the loved ones our heartfelt sympathy in this dark hour, and pray that our Heavenly Father will sustain and keep them till we shall again be united at the Master's feet.
That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family, to each of the local papers, and inserted in the minutes of our session.
DeForest Wade, pastor,
J. H. Dodge,
J. L. Bushong,
E. K. Mitchell,
C. J. Meetze,
Elders.
Among the many messages of sympathy received by Mrs. Hodge was a telegram from Prof. Hodge's associates in the ordinance division of the Washington navy yard. The telegram, signed for the officers and employees by Mr. J. B. K. Lee, chief clerk, was as follows:
"It is with deepest regret that I learn of the death of Mr. Hodge, and extend to you and his family the sympathy of all the employees of the office. Mr. Hodge enjoyed the most friendly relations with all the employees with whom he was brought in contact, and his sterling qualities, gentle disposition and inborn nobility of character were recognized and admitted by all."
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1847 - 1920 (73 years)
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