Joseph York Hodsdon

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Joseph York Hodsdon
Hodsdon pictured in the late 19th century
BornOctober 20, 1836
DiedFebruary 24, 1901(1901-02-24) (aged 64)
Resting placeRiverside Cemetery, Yarmouth, Maine, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Businessman, politician
Years active1853–1906
SpouseGeorgia Anna Hodsdon (née Small)

Joseph York Hodsdon (October 20, 1836 – February 24, 1901) was an American businessman and politician from Maine. A resident of Yarmouth, he was a Republican state senator from 1899 to 1901 and a shoe manufacturer.

Early life

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Hodsdon was born on October 20, 1836, in Portland, Maine,[1] to Andrew Hodsdon and Rachel May York.

Career

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Between 1869 and 1880, Hodsdon operated Caldwell & Hodsdon, a shoe factory in Portland.[2] In 1880, he relocated to Yarmouth, taking over the former Farris tannery,[3] where he established Hodsdon Brothers & Company by the town's Fourth Falls, at the western end of today's Royal River Park.

Hodsdon was one of the six founders of Pumgustuk Water Company in 1887.[4]

In 1888, he built a large, modern factory building in the town.[2] Hodsdon renamed his business as the Hodsdon Shoe Company in 1896.[3]

He was also a director of the Yarmouth Manufacturing Company.[2]

In 1899, he was elected to the Maine Senate for Cumberland County.[5] He was re-elected shortly before his death.[2]

Personal life

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Hodsdon was married to Georgia Anna Small, with whom he had one son, Grenville Andrew, in 1864. He was named for Georgia's brother, who died five years earlier.[1]

Hodsdon was a member of Yarmouth's First Universalist Church on the town's Main Street, and was also a freemason.[1]

Death

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Hodsdon died on February 24, 1901, aged 64, while in Augusta, Maine, attending the Maine Legislature.[6] He had been ill with appendicitis for around ten days, although his condition had been improving immediately prior to his death.[2] His body was brought south to Yarmouth in a special train carriage arranged by Maine Central Railroad.[1]

His funeral was held on February 27 – a service at his family home, followed by burial in Yarmouth's Riverside Cemetery.[2]

His business closed upon his death.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Lewiston Evening Journal, February 22, 1901
  2. ^ a b c d e f Portland Daily Press, February 25, 1901
  3. ^ a b c Chamber of Commerce Journal of Maine, Volume 13 (1901), p. 15
  4. ^ Maine (1887). Acts and Resolves as Passed by the Legislature. Kennebec Journal. p. 320.
  5. ^ Acts and Resolves Passed by the Legislature of the State of Maine (1899), pp. 50 & 92
  6. ^ Chamber of Commerce Journal of Maine, Volume 13 (1901), p. 340