Guide to the George F. Hodges Collection 2009.76

Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Henry
History San Jose Research Library
1650 Senter Road
San Jose, CA, 95110
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
09/03/2010

Note

The original guide was created in MS Word by Elizabeth Henry; the online guide was created using Archivists Toolkit by Catherine Mills.


Title: George F. Hodges Collection
Identifier/Call Number: 2009.76
Contributing Institution: History San Jose Research Library
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 1.0 Linear feet (1 box)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1940-1945
Date (inclusive): 1927-1978
Abstract: This collection contains materials related to the family of George F. Hodges, with a significant contribution of materials from his daughter, Grace Evelyn Wahrer (nee Hodges). Many of the materials relate primarily to the Hodges’ experience in the WWII home front in San Jose. Hodges was active in the San Jose community and in the San Jose Defense Council as a Senior Precinct Warden. Included in this collection are photographs of the Wahrer family, recipes, a substantial assemblage of play and concert programs, posters and ticket stubs, and newspaper clippings from attended shows, as well as magazines, newsletters, newspaper clippings of the “When Santa Clara County Was Young” column, and various other ephemera.
Language of Materials note: The bulk of the materials are in English, some in Chinese.
creator: Hodges, George F., 1887-1971

Scope and Contents note

This collection contains materials related to the family of George F. Hodges, with a significant contribution of materials from his daughter, Grace Evelyn Wahrer (nee Hodges). Many of the materials relate primarily to the Hodges’ experience in the WWII home front in San Jose. Hodges was active in the San Jose community and in the San Jose Defense Council as a Senior Precinct Warden. Included in this collection are photographs of the Wahrer family, recipes, a substantial assemblage of play and concert programs, posters and ticket stubs, and newspaper clippings from attended shows, as well as magazines, newsletters, newspaper clippings of the “When Santa Clara County Was Young” column, and various other ephemera.
The collection has been arranged into four series reflecting the different time periods and activities in Hodges' life.

Preferred Citation note

George F. Hodges Collection, 2009-76, History San Jose Research Library, San Jose, California 95112-2599.

Conditions Governing Use note

Property rights reside with History San Jose. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact History San Jose Research Library.

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open to the public for research by appointment.

Processing Information note

The collection was processed by Elizabeth Henry in 2010.

Biographical/Historical note

George Franklin Hodges (1887-1971) was born on December 5, 1887, in Warrensburg, Ohio, living in Delaware County until 1910 when, at the age of 23, he moved to Bowles near Fresno, California. Here, Hodges worked in fruit and dairy farming until, in 1914, he completed a business course at the Fresno Heald’s Busines College. Hodges then accepted an accounting position with the Santa Fe Railroad where he worked for three years, then moved on to a position at Sun Maid Raisin Growers where he worked for eight years in charge of Plant Accounting and Auditing. In 1927, Hodges moved with his family to San Jose where he spent 12 years in the accounting department of a large canning and dried fruit company. During World War II, Hodges was active in San Jose Civilian Defense, serving as a precinct captain for San Jose Precinct 145. After the war, Hodges was appointed to a position as Auditor for the United States Maritime Commission in Richmond, California, then transferring to the National Housing Agency in Vallejo, California where he remained until retirement. Hodges married Laura “Audie” Helen Bagby (1887-1968?) on July 7, 1914 in Fresno, CA. The Hodges had four children, all born in Fresno County - Grace “Evelyn” Hodges, George “Wilfred” Hodges, Warren Franklin Hodges and Mary Leona Hodges.
Grace “Evelyn” Hodges (1915- ) was born in Fresno County. She moved to San Jose in 1927 with her family. Evelyn completed two years at San Jose State College and worked at the O.A. Hale department store before she married Lee Edward Wahrer in 1940. The Wahrers had 3 children, all born in San Jose, CA – Sharon Lee Wahrer, Jo Ann Wahrer and Debra Lynn Wahrer.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

The collection was donated by Debbie Avant in December 2009.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Kaiser Industries Corporation.
Permanente Cement Company.
Wahrer, Grace Hodges, ("Evelyn"), 1915-
Wahrer, Lee Edward
Civil defense
Commonwealth Club of California
Concerts
San Jose State University
Santa Clara County (Calif.)
Theaters
World War, 1939-1945

 

World War II 1940-1945

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (5 folders and one small box)
 

War-related Ephemera 1940-1945

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Includes various items related to the home front during WWII in Santa Clara County, CA such as ration books, Selective Service classification cards, various mailing and publications, war saving stamps books and unused stamps, etc.
 

Commonwealth Club of California 1942-1943

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter and enclosed card soliciting enrollment in active service and in one of the club’s War Service committees, as well as six copies of "The Commonwealth: Official Journal of the Commonwealth Club of California."
 

Civilian Defense Materials 1941-1942

Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet (2 folders and 1 small box)

Scope and Contents note

Includes 2 folders and one small box of materials and communication related to George F. Hodges' position as a Precinct Warden in the San Jose Defense Council.
 

Recipes 1940-1945

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Recipes clipped from newspapers, magazines and products containers related to war-time food preparation. Also contains a Victory Garden Guide published by Standard Oil Company of California.
 

Work, Education and Civic Involvement 1930-1960

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (4 folders)
 

Santa Clara County Forum 1928-1944

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, a roster of members, and minutes, mainly comprising of a list of resolutions, from the Forum.
 

Permanente Cement Company & Kaiser Industries publications, etc. 1947-1950

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Various publications and materials distributed by the Permanente Cement Company and Kaiser Industries.
 

American Steel Institute Publications 1945-1960

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Several issues of the "Steel Facts" publication as well as some publication inserts.
 

Education/school related materials 1930-1952

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Materials related to education and schooling in San Jose, CA. Materials from San Jose Public Schools' Department of Adult Education, San Jose High School, San Jose State College (San Jose State University), and the San Jose State College alumni organization.
 

Concert and Performance Attendance Paraphenalia 1934-1955

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (3 folders)
 

Concert and performance newspaper clippings 1939-1950

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Clippings from local newspapers related to various performances attended by Grace “Evelyn” Wahrer and guests in the San Jose area.
 

Event programs, posters, souvenir magazines, and ticket stubs 1938-1955

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Programs, posters, souvenir magazines, and ticket stubs from concerts, performances, speeches and other events in the San Jose area. Some materials are autographed.
 

Scrapbook of local concerts and performances 1934-1938

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet (1 scrapbook)

Scope and Contents note

One scrapbook containing programs, newspaper clippings, and ticket stubs from local concerts and performances.
 

Ephemera 1927-1945

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (4 folders)
 

Ephemera 1935-1978

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Business cards, rulers, concrete calculator, nail file books, and ad cards from Santa Clara County businesses; sample ballots, campaign posters, items from the Santa Clara County Fair, etc.
 

Correspondence 1927-1945

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Includes 1 postcard and 2 letters. The postcard was addressed to Mary Leona Hodges and the letters to Grace “Evelyn” Wahrer.
 

Newsletters and publications 1943-1950

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Various newsletters and publications from PG&E, California Sate Automobile Association, Reliance Life Insurance, Goodwill and Joshua Hendy Iron Works.
 

Magazines 1941-1942

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Copies of Newsweek, Better Homes and Gardens, Fortune, and McCalls.
 

“When Santa Clara County Was Young” clippings 1941-1942

Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

Nearly continuous collection of newspaper clippings from the Santa Clara Evening News column.