Gov. George Hartshorn Hodges

About

GEORGE H. HODGES, the nineteenth governor of Kansas, was born in Orion, Wisconsin on February 6, 1866. In 1869, his family moved to Kansas and settled in Olathe, where young Hodges was educated in the public schools. He eventually established a successful career as a businessman, with holdings in the lumber, hardware, and loan industries, as well as owning a newspaper, the Johnson County Democrat. Hodges entered politics as a member of the Olathe City Council, a position he held for four years. He also served one-term as mayor of Olathe, was a member of the Kansas State Senate from 1905 to 1913, and served as chairman of the 1906 State Democratic Convention. Hodges won the 1912 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was sworn into the governorship on January 13, 1913. During his tenure, a corporation tax was sanctioned, a women’s suffrage amendment to the state constitution was authorized, the board of administration was granted power to control all state agencies, and women’s roles were advanced in state government. Also, the “direct election of senators” amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted. After losing his reelection bid, Hodges left office on January 11, 1915, returning to this various business interests. From 1925 to 1927, he served as a member of the State Board of Regents, and also served on the State Textbook Commission. Governor George H. Hodges passed away on October 7, 1947, and was buried at the Olathe Cemetery.

Source

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

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