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Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Charles E. Hodges (1892-1968) Papers, A&M 2144, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Scope and Contents

Charles E. Hodges (1892-1968) was the editor and owner of the Dominion News of Morgantown, West Virginia, in the 1920s; West Virginia state senator from 1931 to 1939, and managing director of the Charleston, West Virginia, Chamber of Commerce from 1937 to 1963. He also served in France during World War I. Letters and other personal materials from 1913 to 1919 and from 1932 to 1969 chiefly pertain to Hodges' military service with the 15th U.S. Army Engineers; his work with the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, and his involvement with various civic issues in Charleston in the mid-twentieth century.

This collection is divided into two series:

Series 1. Letters, 1938-1969 and undated (bulk 1962-1968)

Series 2. Personal Papers, 1913-1919, 1932, 1952-1968 and undated

Series 1. Letters, 1938-1969 and undated (bulk 1962-1968) includes original letters and photocopies that document Hodges' European travels and his reflections on his military service with the 15th Engineers during World War I; his work with the Charleston, West Virginia, Chamber of Commerce from 1937 to 1963; and his involvement in civic issues in Charleston, West Virginia. Letters from 1953 and 1963 document Hodges' trips to Europe and his return to France, where he fought during World War I. Letters from 1964 and 1965 document his efforts to contact former members of the 15th Engineers and gather information about their life after the war. Letters from 1963 and early 1964 concern Hodges' work and retirement from the Chamber of Commerce. Other letters from the 1960s illustrate Hodges' involvement in his county and state communities and include from Hodges to the editors of the Charleston and Morgantown newspapers related to county and state politics, zoning, labor practices, roads and highway systems, state parks and forests, taxes and the coal industry, and mining. Other items of note include an 1864 letter from Eddie Rickenbacker of Eastern Air Lines and letters from 1965 related to the naming of Hodges Hall at WVU after his father.

Series 2. Personal Papers, 1913-1919, 1932, 1952-1968 and undated also pertain to Hodges' military service with the 15th U.S. Army Engineers; his work with the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, and his involvement with various civic issues in Charleston in the mid-twentieth century. Series contains military papers and certificates; biographical materials; speeches give about the Chamber of Commerce; and speeches give by Hodges. Topics of Hodges'speeches, give in the 1950s and 1960s, include state government, West Virginia tourism, and coal. Many are undated.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Charleston Chamber of Commerce (Charleston, W.Va.)
• Civic leaders -- West Virginia -- History -- 20th Century
• Civil society -- West Virginia
• Hodges, Charles E., 1892-1968
• United States. Army. Engineers, 15th.
• World War, 1914-1918 -- France