Sullings Fox Hodgdon (1908-1988)

From the Burlington Free Press, February 5, 1969.

 Hardworking Granby, Vermont resident Sullings Fox Hodgdon could claim several titles during his life, including farmer, poultryman, logger, school director, and two-time state legislator. One of thirteen children born to Albert Cole (1883-1970) and Cecile (DePoutee) Hodgdon (1887-1966), Sullings Fox Hodgdon was born in Victory, Essex County, Vermont on January 6, 1908.

  Referred to by most sources as "S. Fox" or "Fox" Hodgdon, Hodgdon's early schooling took place in his native town of Victory, and, after removing with his family to Granby, Vermont in 1918, continued schooling in that town. He would marry in Granby in December 1929 to Jennie Edna Wilson (1911-1991). The couple's near six-decade marriage saw the births of five children, who are listed as follows in order of birth: Murray Calvin (1931-2009), Vivian May (1932-2008), Frederick William (1933-2017), Barbara Louise (1936-2018), Donald Fox (1947-1991). 

  The majority of Hodgdon's life was spent quietly in Granby, where he earned a reputation as a thrifty citizen, helpful neighbor, and avid outdoorsman. A longtime farmer in his area, Hodgdon plowed snow for his fellow Granby citizens during the 1930s, "trapped fur-bearing animals", and further supplemented his income by logging. Acknowledged as the "poultry king of the Northeast Kingdom", Hodgdon gained local distinction as a chicken breeder, having "nearly 1,000 hens" on his property, and with that number, a substantial egg production. 

From the Burlington Free Press, February 5, 1969.

   A holder of several political offices in Granby, S. Fox Hodgdon was elected as a town school director in 1947 and was later a town lister and road commissioner, serving in the latter post in the early 1960s. In 1960 he was elected to his first term in the Vermont house of representatives from Essex County and during the 1961-63 session was a member of the Municipal Corporations Committee. Hodgdon wasn't a candidate for reelection to the house for the 1963-65 term but won election to a second term in 1964. His second house stint proved to be brief, and in 1965 saw his state undergo an extensive redistricting plan, which would lower the state house of representatives membership from 246 to 150.

  With Granby on the chopping block due to redistricting, Hodgdon was forced into a special election for his seat, a contest that saw him pitted against his nephew, Amos Clark Colby (born 1937). On election day 1965 Colby won out over Hodgdon, and would serve as representative until 1974. Following his loss, Hodgdon was interviewed by the Burlington Free Press in February 1969 in regards to Vermont's extensive redistricting. Lamenting on his defeat and the loss of representation for many Vermont small towns, Hodgdon remarked:

"I don't think the representatives we've got now know what the small towns need. But I know one thing that nobody needs, and that's higher property taxes...Something has got to produce revenue to pay for education, roads and all the things they want. The money has got to come from somewhere and there are few places left."

  Sullings Fox Hodgdon resided in Granby until his death at age 80 on October 17, 1988. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at the Appleton Cemetery in that town.