Hon. Benjamin F. Hogg

HON. BENJAMIN F. HOGG. The death of Hon. Benjamin F. Hogg, at Pasadena, California, on November 13, 1896, removed one of Cherokee County's large capitalists, and a citizen who had distinguished himself as a soldier, as a local public official, and as a wise legislator. Mr. Hogg was born at Lyndonville, New York, April 23, 1842, and was a son of George and Abigail (Reynolds) Hogg.

The Hogg family is of Scotch extraction, the grandparents of the late Mr. Hogg coming to America from Scotland and settling in Philadelphia. Later they moved to Lyndonville, New York, where George Hogg and his wife spent their lives. They had nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Five still survive, all of whom are residents of the Empire State except one, Adam, who resides at Lawrence, Kansas,—he is the father of Prof. Archibald Hogg, who is a member of the faculty of the State University of Kansas.

The late Benjamin F. Hogg attended the common schools, where he prepared for a useful career. The outbreak of the Civil War changed his plans and probably turned the whole current of his life, as it did that of many another young and loyal youth of those stirring days. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company I, 104th Reg., New York Vol. Inf., in which he served without injury until the dreadful slaughter of Gettysburg, where the gallant young soldier lost a hand. Subsequently he was honorably discharged. For several years following this disaster, he served in State official life, as an officer of the Soldiers' Home at Albany, and later in the New York City Post Office, under Postmaster James.

After his marriage, in 1869, he moved with his wife to Cherokee County, first locating in Pleasant View township, but later moving to Mineral township. His natural ability was shown in the success which met his endeavors in farming and stock-raising. He became the owner of much rich farming land, aggregating 560 acres, 480 acres of which are still owned and managed by his widow. Almost from the period of his settlement in Cherokee County, Mr. Hogg took an active and intelligent interest in political life and devoted his time, strength and means to the advancement of such legislation as seemed to him likely to promote the welfare of hes adopted State and County, In 1880 he was elected by the Democratic-Populist party to the State Senate, where for four years, by pen, voice and influence, he faithfully served his constituents.

On June 28, 1869, Mr. Hogg was married at Franklinville, New York, to Julia A. Searle, who was born in New York, and was one of a family of 11 children. Her parents were A. D. and Jane M. (Scott) Searle, both of whom were born in America, of German and English ancestry, respectively. Mrs. Hogg is the only member of her family residing in Kansas. One brother, Judge D. B. Searle, has been a resident of Stearns County, Minnesota, for the past 15 years. Another brother, Frank, is a prominent attorney of New York City, and the others all reside in the vicinity of the old home.

Mrs. Hogg has three children, viz; Abigail J., who is at home; John, who is connected with the Citizens State Band of Joplin, Missouri; and James, who is associated with the Continental Creamery Company at Topeka. The last named completed the law course at the State University of Kansas, and was admitted to the bar. John attended the State University, and Abigail J., the State Normal School at Emporia. Mrs. Hogg, who is a highly cultivated lady, is a graduate of the New York State Normal School at Albany. In the management of the large interests left in her care, she has shown admirable judgment and business sense. She is a valued member of the Presbyterian Church in Columbus, and both she and her daughter belong to the city's exclusive social circles.

The death of Mr. Hogg took place while sojourning in California, where he was in search of health, a change of climate having for some years been found necessary. He left behind many who appreciated his excellent qualities of mind and heart, and felt that his demise was a great loss to the county, with whose development he had been so long and prominently identified.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Andrea Dinger, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 11-21-96.