8
21
1858
Professor Charles E. Hodgin, Superintendent of the City Schools of Albuquerque since their organization in 1891, was born in Indiana, August 21, 1858, of English and Welsh descent. His ancestors were early settlers of the South. His parents were residents of North Carolina, were farmers by occupation, and were Quakers in their religious faith. The father, Tilnias Hodgin, was born in 1817, was educated in his native State, but from his youth loathed the institution of slavery, and did everything in his power to alleviate the suffering of the oppressed. On account of his opposition to slavery he moved to Indiana, in 1837, where he became one of the pioneer farmers. He married Miss Rachel Hinshaw, born in a county adjoining that of her husband in North Carolina, and they had eleven children, five of whom are now living. Tilnias Hodgin died in 1885, and his wife several years previous to that time.
Professor Hodgin, their tenth child in order of birth, received his education in the public schools and in the State Normal School of Indiana, graduating in 1881. He taught three years in the village schools of Trafalgar, Johnson county, and was two years Secretary of the Richmond Normal, teaching special branches. In 1884 Mr. Hodgin left Indiana and spent seven months in North Carolina. He had been married in 1883 to Miss Sarah Overman, of Indiana, they being graduates of the same class in the State Normal. In 1885, on account of the ill health of his wife, he came to Albuquerque, New Mexico; but she died in 1891. During his first year in this city Professor Hodgin taught the Highland school, for the following year was a teacher in the intermediate department of the Albuquerque Academy, and was then principal of that institution for four years. At the organization of the city schools in 1891, he was elected their Superintendent, a position which he has since constantly and efficiently filled. He has witnessed the growth and development of the city, having been an active factor in the great progress made in the public schools of the city, and has taken a deep interest in all educational matters of the Territory. Professor Hodgin was one of the organizers of the Educational Association of the Territory, in 1886, and served as president two different years; was a delegate to the National Association held in San Francisco, of which he was elected sixth vice-president.
In 1893 the Professor was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Brooks, of Indianapolis, Indiana. They have a delightful and happy home in Albuquerque. Both he and his wife are Congregationalists, and are active and useful members in the church. During his connection with the city schools Professor Hodgin has endeared himself to the citizens of Albuquerque, and most fortunate has this city been in securing a man of his talent and high moral worth to take charge of her educational interests and press them to the success already attained.
Lifelong educator, Charles E. Hodgin became the first superintendent of the Albuqueurque school system, and eventually became a dean at the University of New Mexico.
Reference: An Illustrated History of New Mexico: Containing a History of this Important Section of the Great Southwest, from the Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of it Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-page Portraits of some of its Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Citizens of To-day. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1895.