Obit: The Free Lance, Hollister, CA; Dec 17, 1897, p. 4: HODGES -- In Hollister, Dec. 15, 1897, James I. HODGES, a native of Tennessee, aged 67 years, 2 months, and 15 days. (Deceased was one of the best-known pioneers of this section of California, having settled in this county in 1868. He was a native of Tennessee, and at an early age left home and started out in life for himself. In 1846 he enlisted in the army for the war between the United States and Mexico but was rejected on account of his age. He then went to Arkansas and worked for a man by the name of WOOD, with whom he remained until May, 1849. During that time he was employed on a pony express route from Rockwood to Morrow, Louisiana, a distance of 150 miles. It was the intention of deceased to make the journey to California via water that spring, but circumstances prevented him from doing so. Still, however, determined to come to this Coast, in the spring of 1852 he left Clarksville, Arkansas, with Capt. JAMISON’s Company, April 14th being the day on which they started. Their company consisted of about 380 persons. They crossed the plains with ox teams, and their experiences were similar to those of many other emigrants. When they reached the North Platte Mr. HODGES was taken down with mountain fever, and remained sick for some 2 weeks. After he had sufficiently recovered to take charge of his team he had a runaway and was thrown into a creek. Getting wet caused a relapse of his illness which came near being fatal. Sept. 18, 1852, was the date of their arrival in Stockton, California. Mr. HODGES turned his team out, took his pack, and left for Sonora, Tuolumne county, where he engaged in chopping down timber for building purposes. He remained at this place one month, receiving $4.00 a day and board, after which he returned to Stockton. He then began hauling goods from Stockton to the mines, and the last load he took stuck fast in the mud. He sold flour at $1.00 a pound. In 1853 he and 5 others took up a claim. After they had opened it up and began to work it, a man came along and wanted to buy out Mr. HODGE’s interest. He sold to the stranger for $500. He was next engaged in hauling lumber from the mines to Stockton for about 3 months. After that he went back to the mines and was engaged in mining until 1865, when he sold out for the sum of $70,000. Returning again to Stockton he remained there until 1866, thence to Santa Rosa, and from there, in 1867, to Watsonville. In the fall of 1868 he went to Soquel, and the following fall located at Hollister. On November 28, 1860, deceased was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. SHIRLEY, by whom he had 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters. 1 daughter is deceased. The funeral will take place this (Friday) afternoon from his late residence on Fourth street, at 2 o’clock. The obsequies will be under the auspices of the local Masonic and Workman lodges. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend.)