J. C. HODGE was born November 4, 1843, in Livingston County, Ky., and is a son of Blount and Elizabeth Hodge. The father was a native of North Carolina and the mother of Kentucky. The father of Blount Hodge was Robert Hodge, a native of North Carolina and one of the early settlers of Livingston County. He was a farmer, and died near Salem Village about 1848. Blount Hodge was born in North Carolina, and came to Kentucky, when but seven years of age. He was one of the successful business men of Livingston County, having been extensively engaged in merchandising, farming and banking, in all of which he was very successful, accumulating a large estate. His death occurred in Smithland in 1877. Subject's mother was a daughter of William Rice, a native of Kentucky. She was born in 1808, and died in 1864, aged fifty-six years. J. C. is the third of a family of four children. He enjoyed good educational advantages, attending the public schools, and in 1858 entered Centre College at Danville, Boyle County, where he remained one year. He next became a student in St. Joseph's College at Bardstown, from which he graduated at the age of seventeen years. After graduating Mr. Hodge returned to Smithland, and commenced the study of law with Judge C. Bennett, in whose office he remained until after attaining his majority, when he received license to practice from Judges W. P. Fowler and O. S. Marshall. After being admitted to the bar, Mr. Hodge effected a co-partnership with Judge Bennett, with whom he remained until the latter's election to the judgeship, since which time he has been alone. As an attorney, Mr. Hodge takes a high rank, and is one of the readiest orators in west Kentucky. He has a large and lucrative practice. He was married September 7, 1876, to Miss Julia Scantland, daughter of John and Amanda Scantland, of Franklin County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge have a family of four children: Laura C., Blount, Annie E. and James C.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 822-823.