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all who, in his maturity, had the opportunity of knowing him. To them he was loyal to the last degree.
If ever man was entitled to be called a faithful friend, Hodges was that man.
All who knew him well say the same of him, and the eminent lawyers with whom he studied bear testimony to his peculiar excellence in his profession also.
‘When I first heard of the death of your son,’ Mr. Chandler wrote to Hodges's father, ‘I thought I would write you a note at once .... It may be some consolation to you to know how much your boy was loved and respected by others, and to feel that you have the sympathy of all who knew him. Nor is there any reason why I should not repeat, now and here, what I have often said of him while alive, that I never knew his superior in many respects.
In point of ability he stood in the very first class.
His great success as a lawyer appeared to be absolutely certain.
More than this, he was faithful, sincere, truthful, and simple-hearted.
In simplicity, manliness, and other similar qualities, I never knew his superior.
He was a universal favorite in my family, and I never heard one of his college mates speak of him except in terms of praise.’
And
Mr. Shattuck says of him:—
Hodges was a very diligent student, and by constant application for more than three years, had become a thorough master of the principles of the common law. Every day's acquaintance brought out more distinctly his high character and his remarkable moral and intellectual strength.
He carefully weighed all questions of duty which were presented; and when his convictions were once formed, nothing seemed to deter him from acting in accordance with them.
I well recollect the seriousness with which for several days he considered the question of entering the army.
He carefully considered his duty to his family, his friends, and his country; but when the question was once decided, he seemed to have forgotten himself, and seized the first opportunity to serve his country by enlisting as a private.
Hodges was unobtrusive, but very active in benevolent labors.
While studying law, he regularly taught in the Evening School of the Warren Street Chapel.
When he tried his first case, and was successful, he carried part of the fee he earned to its Treasurer, saying to him, “This is one half of my first fee. Take it, that it may do good to others.”
