Alexander Hodge Pegram
Alexander Hodge Pegram
b. 16 Apr 1887 Charlotte, Mecklenburg, NC
d. 25 Mar 1958 York County, SC
m. 9 Dec 1917 Kansas City, Jackson, MO
Parents
Daniel Theodore Pegram (1821-1901) Feriba Almina Cooper (1845-1934)
Hodge was born in the Steele Creek community of Mecklenburg County North Carolina. He was the youngest of his father’s 17 total children. Daniel Theodore Pegram first married Lavinia Stowe in 1849 and had 8 children, 4 of which died early. Lavinia died in 1864 he married Feriba Almina Cooper 5 years later and had 9 additional children, 3 of which died in infancy. So, Hodge’s oldest living half sibling was 34 years older than him. A very large family to say the least.
My mom and aunt had always heard that their grandfather had killed someone, a man they believed, but could never suss out the truth. Discovering this article written 1 Jan 1898 shed light on the mystery. Though the article does not specify which of Daniel Theodore’s sons was involved, the age points to Hodge. It could possibly have been his older brother, Thomas Murray, but sometimes rumors aren’t that far from the truth and we believe that Hodge was involved. This must have been terribly traumatic for he, his family, and obviously his friend’s family.
Yorkville Enquirer, York, South Carolina · Saturday, January 01, 1898
Dispite this, it appears Hodge was very outgoing and popular young man as was made evident by the many articles found with his name included as a guest. He was a member of the Steele Creek Band, playing the clarinet and was in several local plays. In the fall of 1916 at the age of 29, Hodge went west to Kansas City, MO. It is only speculation, but the only reason we could come up with as to why he would leave for Missouri was to possibly keep from being drafted. Regardless, Hodge was drafted from Missouri and enlisted 27 Apr 1918 into Co. M 354th Infantry, 89th Division. In June he was deployed and in September he was in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.
In May of the following year, Hodge returned home to his wife and his 5 month old son, Edward Hodge Pegram. He ramained in Pleasant Hill, MO with his father in law, Lou and he having 2 more children, Anna Lou (my grandmother) and Thomas Winchester who died at birth. About 1926, they left to return to the area of Hodge’s youth, making Steele Creek their final home. They had 2 additional children, Thomas Murray and Lelia Elizabeth who died at a year old.
The Pleasant Hill Times, Pleasant Hill, Missouri · Friday, May 09, 1919
Hodge worked as a farmer and was also employed by the State of North Carolina being a night man in charge of the pumps at at the local prison camp.
Alexander Hodge Pegram died 25 Mar 1958 York, SC at the home of his sister.
The Gastonia Gazette, Gastonia, North Carolina · Friday, March 28, 1958
