-
Charles E. Hodges
- West Virginia University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
west virginia edition 107 at Bluefield. They have three children, T. Edward, Jr., Carolyn D. and Helen S. Hill. Among the secret orders he is identified with the Odd Fellows, Pythians , Golden Rule, and the Masons. He is treasurer of the Odd Fellows Mutual Endowment Association, and a member of the Board of Directors and attorney for the Odd Fellows Building and Investment Society. He belongs to the N. A. A. C. P. and is secretary of the West Virginia Negro Bar Association. He has travelled in this country, Canada and the West Indies and through his reading also has kept in touch with Negro literature, so his opinion as to the progress of the race is of value. He believes it “depends on cooperation between the races, mutual understanding between the better classes of both races, honest and efficient work in every occupation, education of both races, thrift, industry and economy , clean, honest, fair and fearless Negro leadership, confidence and cooperation in the Negro race.” During the war Mr. Hill was chairman of four minute men for McDowell County, assistant food administrator for McDowell County , publicity agent for the Fuel Administration for the purpose of increasing the production of coal by Negro miners in the state of West Virginia, director of the United War Work campaign among Negroes in West Virginia. Mr. Hill is the only Negro member of the West Virginia Editorial Association, and in 1922 was elected a member of the board of directors. Charles E. Hodges While ever intelligence and character count for more than material things, educational and religious leaders will be more important than mere traders, for they deal with matters of eternal worth. The work of the preacher can never be measured in dollars and cents; charles edward hodges and family [3.239.149.56] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 15:18 GMT) west virginia edition 109 his standard is the sign of the cross, and not the dollar sign. Yet such men constitute the greatest asset of the race, without which it would be poor indeed. One of these constructive religious leaders is Rev. Charles Edward Hodges, A.B., B.D., now (1922) stationed at Wheeling, W. Va. Mr. Hodges first saw the light at Camden, N. J., on November 26, 1872. His father, William Hodges, was the son of Emmett and Martha Ann Hodges; his mother, before her marriage, was Alice Butcher, the daughter of Emily Butcher. Our subject was married on June 3, 1896, to Miss Virginia E. Morsell of Calvert County,Md.They have a fine family of five children,who are being given the best educational advantages within their reach. The names of the children are Ira B., Charles E., Jr., Morsell E., Altia E., and Edith May Hodges. Young Hodges laid the foundation of his education in Pennsylvania and New York. He did his college preparatory work at Princess Ann Academy, finishing there in 1892. Then he passed to Morgan College, Baltimore, for his college and theological work. His religious experience began when he was converted at about the age of seventeen. He became active in the M. E. church and was licensed in 1894, and joined the Conference two years later under Bishop Warren. He made a brilliant record at college and won all prizes and scholarships open to him except one and he did not enter the contest for that. He was active in college athletics, especially base ball. He made his own way in schools, but instead of discouraging him this proved an incentive to put forth his best effort. His first pastorate was at Union, W. Va., where he preached for two years. He was well equipped and entered upon his work with enthusiasm, and it is not strange that he was successful from the beginning . His next charge was Central Church, Washington, D. C., which he served one year; then he went to Bridgewater, Va., for three years and there built a new house of worship. After that he served the Augusta Circuit two years, paid four thousand dollars on a nine thou- 110 history american negro sand dollar debt; Leigh Street, Richmond, two years; Emory Grove, Md., one year, built parsonage and paid for it. He was then promoted to the district and superintended the Alexandria District five years, resigning at Staunton. During his superintendency new churches were completed at Roanoke and at Richmond. His next charge was Asbury Church, Baltimore, where he bought property for $17,400.00, on which...