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, who, 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 baseball. 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; Winchester two years, and renovated the church and entertained the Annual Conference; Roanoke Station three years, paid four thousand dollars on a nine thousand 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 he paid $5,400.00 in one year. He is now (1922) in his second year at Wheeling, where the church is being renovated at a cost of four thousand dollars.
Mr. Hodges believes the greatest single need of the race is Christian education. After the Bible his favorite reading is biography. His secret orders affiliations are with the Elks, the Wise Men and the Odd Fellows.