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Jane Elizabeth (Jane2, John1) was born in Parma, Ohio, August 19, 1827. Her girlhood was spent in her father's home in the enjoyment of the pleasures and trials incident to pioneer life.
On January 2, 1849, she was married to Oliver Hodgman, a nephew of Robert Hodgman. From that time until 1867, her life was a migratory one as they moved from place to place as her husband found employment. A daughter writes: "I have counted up fifteen different houses in which mother has lived for a time." These places of residence were in Parma, Brooklyn and Middleburgh, Cuyahoga County, and in Eaton in Lorain County, Ohio, and in Bloomingdale, Mich.
In 1861 her husband enlisted in the 2nd Ohio Cavalry and served three years. Upon Mrs. Hodgman devolved the care of their five young children. Her burden of care was greatly increased by the sickness of her husband, who for several weeks was in the hospital with typhoid fever. On her husband's return from the army, in October, 1864, he went with his family to Bloomingdale, Mich. He was employed there in a lumber camp. In 1867 he took up a homestead claim in Michigan near Lacota. The land was heavily timbered and it took years of hard labor to clear it. There were numerous swamps around them and for years the family suffered from malaria and ague. At one time all were sick but the daughter Ellen. They passed through many hardships and endured much suffering before the farm was cleared. But at last they had a comfortable as a reward for the years of toil and hardship. Mr. Hodgman died August 18, 1878. He was born ____, 1825.
Mrs. Hodgman united with the Freewill Baptist church when she was 16 years old. Throughout her long life she has been an earnest, consistent Christian. In her youthful days she was proud and high spirited and at times she was rebellious over the hardships and deprivations she was called to pass through. But the grace of God enabled her to triumph over these things.
Children
Mary Ellen, b. Feb. 11, 1850.
Olive Elma, b. Aug. 10, 1851.
Oliver Willis, b. Oct. 24, 1853.
Winfield Scott, b. Feb. 16, 1856, d. Dec. 3, 1878.
Jennie Eliza, b. Aug. 22, 1860.
Asa Burton, b. Nov. 13, 1867.
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M. Ellen, (Jane3, Jane2, John1) oldest child of Jane and Oliver Hodgman, was born in Parma, Ohio, February 11, 1850. Her childhood was spent in Parma where she gained a common school education. In October, 1867 the family moved to Michigan. Ellen was of a loving, unselfish disposition, ready at all times to sacrifice herself for the comfort of those about her. She was a devoted daughter and loving sister, the comforter and helper of her family circle. When the family moved to Lacota, Mich., Ellen taught school for a few years. Her earnings were spent for the family, not for herself. During the months of her brother Winfield's sickness, she was his devoted nurse and helper.
On May 20, 1883 she was married to Alfred Bordine and lovingly cared for his two motherless girls. Three children were born to her, but God called them from her in their infancy.
Mrs. Bordine saw the lack of religious instruction in a neighborhood near her. Assisted by her sister, Jennie, she gathered the children into a Sunday School which she superintended and carried on until her last sickness compelled her to relinquish the work. Out of this Sabbath School grew a church which carried on the work which she organized in the community.
She was a great sufferer for many months but no word of murmuring passed her lips. She witnessed a good confession and kept the faith until called, May 6, 1909, to receive her crown.
She had no thought of self. Her whole life was lovingly devoted to those around her. No matter what trail or vicissitude came to her, her faith and trust in her all-wise, all-loving Father never failed.
Children
Alice J., b. Dec. 26, 1884, d. Sept. 18, 1885.
Gladys, b. Dec. 15, 1886, d. Dec. 20, 1886.
Cecil E., b. July 10, 1889, d. Oct. 19, 1889.
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Winfield Scott, (Jane3, Jane2, John1) second son of Jane and Oliver Hodgman, began his brief earthly life in Parma, Ohio, on February 16, 1856. When he was eight and one-half years old his parents moved to Michigan. Winfield was an active, resolute, industrious youth and young man. He shrank from no toil or hardship which would add to the comfort of his family.
His sister Jennie writes: "He was of a happy, sunny disposition. He united with the Evangelical church near our home and was an earnest, faithful Christian boy." The year 1877 he spent in Clover, Henry County, Ill., working on the farm of his uncle, R. F. Beals. From there he went to South Haven, Kansas, to visit his sister, Mrs. Olive Robinson, who writes this: "Winfield visited me in the winter of 1878. He was a good Christian boy and made many friends while here. The Bible was his daily companion. He never failed to read it daily. He was taken sick while here and returned home in March."
His sickness proved to be hip disease, and for nine months he suffered such agony as cannot be described. His sister, Ellen, was his devoted nurse and comforter during these terrible months. The following stanza is the first one in his favorite song that his sisters sang to him daily:
"When my final farewell to the world I have said,
And gladly lie down to my rest;
When softly the watchers shall say, 'He is dead,'
And fold my pale hands on my breast;
And when with my glorified vision at last
The walls of 'That City' I see
Will any one at the beautiful gate,
Be waiting and watching for me?"
No word of murmuring passed his lips during all those months of excruciating suffering. On December 3, 1878, the gates of "The City" opened to him and he entered in where there is no more pain.
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Jennie Eliza (Jane3, Jane2, John1) was born August 22, 1860 in Parma, Ohio. The family moved to Michigan in 1864 and in 1867 to Lee Township near Lacota, where much of her life since then has been spent. She shared with her family in the hardships of their pioneer life. Their hardships were greatly increased by the destruction caused by forest fires, and by the ague and malaria arising from the great swamps near them.
In 1880, Jennie visited her aunt, Mrs. Hat E. Stevens, at Adamsville, Cass County, Mich. Here she met Eugene F. Martin to whom she was married March 20, 1881 at her home in Lee, Mich. They went to Muskegon, Mich., where Mr. Martin secured a position as superintendent in one of the large lumber mills there. He was also elected superintendent of the Sunday School there.
On the morning of August 11, 1882, he went to the mill to give some orders connected with the work there and was then to join his Sunday School at the church and accompany them on the picnic to be held that day. He was caught between two cars loaded with lumber and instantly crushed to death.
Mrs. Martin soon returned to her mother's home. A baby girl was born to her, but in a few months the Good Shepherd called the little one to His bosom. Mrs. Martin is an earnest consecrated member of the M.E. church. For several years she was active in church and Sunday School work, but for a number of years now her mother has been a helpless invalid and it has taken all of Mrs. Martin's time and strength to nurse the invalid. She is still caring for her with unwearied love and patience.
Child
Eugenia M., b. April 10, 1883, d. Feb. 11, 1884.
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Asa Burton (Jane3, Jane2, John1) was the youngest of the children of Jane and Oliver Hodgman. He was born November, 1867, in Lee, Allegan County, Mich. Soon after the family moved to their home in the woods. He grew to be an industrious, energetic young man, and upon his young shoulders fell the care of the farm and the maintaining of the home of his widowed mother. Hard work resulted in heart trouble and for the past few years he has had to give up farm work. He still resides on the farm but is engaged in commission business and in a meat market. Since boyhood he has had trouble with his heart. He is unmarried.