Persis M CHURCHILL
Obituary

Mrs. Persis M. Hodgdon

Mrs. Persis M. Hodgdon of Lewiston died Saturday morning at her home, 147 Park street, aged 77 years.

Mrs. Hodgdon was born in North Raymond, Sept. 17, 1827, and was the daughter of Matthew and Dorothy (Hall) Churchill.

In early life she was a mill operative, learning to weave in one of the mills in Biddeford and later worked in the mill of the Hamilton Corporation in Lowell, Mass. During her residence in Lowell, she became acquainted with Samuel S. Hodgdon, whom she married. He died last October. Four children survive her, namely, Samuel S. Hodgdon, Alfred L. Hodgdon and Nellie Hodgkins, wife of John P. Hodgkins, all of Lewiston, and Mabel Haines, now residing in Portland, Oregon. Her oldest child, Elizabeth, died some years ago at Raymond. Two children died in early infancy.

Mrs. Hodgdon came to Lewiston on her fiftieth birthday and as she was wont to say, with just $50 in her pocket. She lived for several years on lower Lisbon street, keeping a boarding house. About 23 years ago she began the purchase of her property at 147 Park street, and by dint of great industry, frugality and economy gathered together a handsome property. For twenty years Mrs. Hodgdon furnished meals to the prisoners at City Building, a long and faithful service. She kept boarders until about two years ago.

Mrs. Hodgdon was a very remarkable woman. In many ways, a type of the old New England stock, country bred in the old solid virtues of her early days. Honesty was her characteristic virtue. But perhaps not less characteristic was her industry and her economy. But she was not stingy far from it. She cared nothing for style and dress for herself, but she had a warm, kind heart and did unnumbered kindnesses that are known only to the recipients. Not long ago she gave $100 to place a poor old acquaintance and friend in an old ladies' home. This was a sample of her kindness and generosity. But in these matters, she let not her right know what her left hand had done. Her religious sympathies were with the Free Baptist denomination. Her illness was brief, but she bore her sufferings heroically, cared for attentively by her children and sympathizing friends. And she had hosts of friends, friends who knew and appreciated the real excellence of her sturdy, honest character. In their mother's life her children have the memory of tender, patient love, of unremitting kindness and service until death closed her eyes.

Of her own family, one sister, Mrs. Sarah Small of South Portland survives.

The funeral will occur at her late residence on Monday at 10 A.M. The interment will be in the family lot at North Raymond, Me.

Lewiston Saturday Journal, Lewiston, Maine
February 11, 1905



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