From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, publ. 1912, Page 1421-1423 WILLIAM HODGES. Among the well known and influential pioneers of Walworth county was the late William HODGES, who, after a useful and successful life, passed on to higher fields of endeavor. When he came here with his parents, some sixty-six years ago, they found a wooded country, and the settlers of that period had to clear away the trees and brush before a crop could be raised, consequently the subject was set to work at an early age and soon learned from practical experience what was the meaning of the words "hard work." Mr. HODGES played well his part in the work of upbuilding his community and always tried to be fully abreast of the times, doing such good as he could in all the relations of life, consequently his memory is revered by those who knew him well, for he was a man of sterling character and many attributes to be admired. Mr. HODGES was born in New York, May 20, 1837, the son of William and Mary Ann (MAY) HODGES, both natives of England, and there they grew up and were married, and emigrated to the United States in 1831, locating in Oswego, New York, and there they remained until 1846 when they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, locating in Lafayette county, on a farm of forty acres, to which the father later added fifty acres, owning ninety acres at the time of his death, and here his death occurred in 1870, and his wife died on October 23, 1878. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living. He and his wife were members of the Episcopal church, and were people of old-time honesty and hospitality. William HODGES, of this sketch, was educated in the public schools, such as they had, in his home community, and he was reared on the farm where he worked when of proper age. Early in life he turned his attention to farming for a livelihood and became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-one acres in Lafayette and Sugar Creek townships, and he was regarded as one of the best farmers of this community. Politically he was a Democrat, and his wife belonged to the Methodist Church. Mr. HODGES was married twice, first in 1864 to Sarah WEBSTER, who was born in Chautauqua county, New York, the daughter of Lemuel and Lydia WEBSTER, who came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in pioneer days. To Mr. and Mrs. HODGES five children were born, all of whom are living. The wife and mother died in 1877 and on December 12, 1886, Mr. HODGES was united in marriage with Mrs. Coris A. HARE, widow of Levi HARE, who was born in the state of New York, May 26, 1837, and he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in an early day and here he spent the rest of his life. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Levi HARE, namely: Otis, Nina, Mary , Earl, Jean, Levi Benjamin and Serena. Mrs. HARE was known in her maidenhood as Coris A. BARTLETT, who was born in Essex county, New York, July 21, 1843, the daughter of Truman and Serena (STRONG) BARTLETT, the father born in Vermont on August 3, 1815, and the mother is Essex county, New York, on February 18, 1823. They came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1844, locating in Spring Prairie township, and in the fall of 1856 moved to Lafayette township where he became the owner of a farm of one hundred acres, also eighty acres in Troy township. His death occurred in Lafayette township on September 4, 1907, and his wife died on June 9, 1890. They were the parents of three children, all of whom are living. Politically, Mr. BARTLETT was a Republican and in religious matters a member of the Methodist church. William HODGES was widely known as a manufacture of sorghum molasses, which he made at his place for a period of about fifty years, and it was such superior quality that it was eagerly sought after, and this caused his farm to be familiarly known as "Sorghum Hill." The death of Mr. HODGES occurred on March 24, 1911, after a successful and useful life, a life of honor and uprightness, and he will long be missed in this locality. Submitted by Carol