"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a compilation of this work....by a number of writers". Chapman Publishing Co; Chicago, 1903. p. 169. JOHN MILTON HODSON The Hodson family are quite numerous, being represented in England, Canada and all the states and territories of the United States, particularly in the middle states. There are three forms of spelling the family patronymic: Hodgson (the old English form), Hodgin, and Hodson, the latter being used by probably ninety per cent of the members of the family. The genealogy of the particular branch to which the subject of this article belongs is traced to Robert Hodgson, an officer in the English army, who served in Ireland from about 1645 to 1650. After the death of Robert, his children, two sons and a daughter, came to America, in 1660, the daughter and one of the sons locating in New York. The other son, George Hodgson, settled on Sassafras creek, in Susquehanna county, Pa., in which vicinity many of his descendants now reside. His son John lived and died upon the old homestead. Robert Hodgson, the son of John, removed to North Carolina about 1750, settling near Guilford Courthouse, where he reared a large family, eight sons and two daughters. Nearly, if not quite, all of the latter about 1800 found homes in the then new territories of Ohio and Indiana. Jonathan Hodgson removed to Clinton county, Ohio, with his family in 1811, and there cleared out a large farm and reared a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom were born in North Carolina, prior to the removal of the family to Ohio. Matthew Hodgson was born in North Carolina in 1795, and came with the family to Ohio, where in 1820 he was married to Hannah Hunt. About this date, by almost unanimous consent, at least ninety per cent of the Hodgson family dropped the letter "g" from the name, as in the pronunciation of the same it had always been considered a silent letter. Matthew Hodson, who was a farmer and wheelwright, continued to reside in Ohio until 1852, when he removed to Hancock county, Ind., his death occurring there in 1875. The Robert Hodgson who removed from Pennsylvania to North Carolina was a minister in the Society of Friends (Quakers) and nearly all of his descendants have adhered to the faith of that church. The family of Matthew Hodson consisted of two sons and three daughters. Asa H. Hodson removed from Indiana to Oregon in 1879, settling in McMinnville, where he engaged in the hardware business. His death occurred in 1889. His son, Orlando 0. Hodson, continues the business established by his father and is meeting with success in his undertakings. John Milton Hodson was born near New Vienna, Ohio, August 24, 1839, and removed with his parents to Hancock county, Ind., in 1852. The education which he received in the public schools of Ohio and Indiana was supplemented by a course in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and for several years he was engaged as teacher and superintendent in the schools of Indiana. In 1872 he engaged in the newspaper business as editor and joint proprietor of the Winchester (Ind.) Journal, but in 1880 he sold out and engaged in the orange business in Florida, following this for some time. Not being pleased with the conditions prevailing in that country, he returned to Indiana in 1881, and two years later removed to Oregon, locating in Lane county. He founded what was known as the Eugene Register, publishing the same until 1888. In 1890 he came to Portland as deputy collector of customs for the port of Portland, which position he held for three years, or until Cleveland's administration was inaugurated, when he resigned. For four years, dating from the fall of 1894, he was interested in the firm of Irwin-Hodson Co., printers and blank book manufacturers, as secretary and accountant. All through his busy life he has been engaged in buying, improving and selling real estate, which is his principal business at the present time. October 17, 1861, Mr. Hodson was united in marriage with Martha A. Rawls, who passed to the spirit life in 1881, leaving a daughter, Gertrude. In 1883 he married Winona Coffin, a great-niece of the famous abolitionist, Addison Coffin. In 1865 Mr. Hodson was made a Mason in Golden Rule Lodge No. 16, of Knightstown, Ind., and was exalted a Royal Arch Mason and knighted in the bodies of Knightstown in 1870. Since coming to Oregon he has attained the thirty-third degree. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, being crowned an honorary inspector general of the Supreme Council of the southern jurisdiction, by Illustrious I. W. Pratt, in January, 1902. At this writing he is preceptor of Oregon Consistory No. 1. His official relations with the craft have been almost continuous since he was made a Mason, having served in nearly every station within the gift of his brethren. He is a past M. W. grand master, past M. E. grand high priest, past M. E. president of high priesthood, past M. Illustrious grand master of the Cryptic Rite, and past grand commander of Knights Templar of Oregon. He enjoys the distinction of being the only Mason who has passed the presiding chairs of all the grand bodies in the state. For a number of years he has been the writer of the reports on correspondence for the grand lodge, grand chapter and grand commandery. He is an earnest supporter of the principles and philosophies of the world's greatest fraternity, believing them the most profound and valuable of any human organization, and that their most perfect demonstration should be found in the daily life and conduct of its members. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.