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"Pioneer in Auto Industry Dies at Pine Lake Home.
George S. Hodges, 89, pioneer Pontiac automobile builder, died Saturday evening at his home at Pine Lake where he had lived for 73 years.
He was the son of Ira G. and Mariva Hodges, and was born on March 3, 1864, in the Hodges House in Pontiac, a hotel built by his grandfather, Schuyler Hodges. He was educated in the Pontiac Schools and Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake.
In 1892 Mr. Hodges went to Paris where he studied art. His work was shown at Detroit art exhibits and at other prominent art showings throughout the country.
He followed painting as a hobby most of his life. He was a charter member of the Scarab Club in Detroit.
He also made violins and had been granted the patents on the original reflex type camera and on other inventions.
He organized the Hodges Vehicle Co. which made horse drawn carriages and buggies.
Around the turn of the century Mr. Hodges became secretary of the Welch Motor Co., the nucleus of Pontiac's automobile industry. This was finally absorbed by General Motors.
Mr. Hodges was a close associate of Henry Ford and had many dealings with him when when Ford was endeavoring to get his auto manufacturing underway.
He built the Pine Lake Country Clubhouse, Rotunda Inn and several other buildings. He later sold the clubhouse and golf course to the club.
He was married in 1888 to Agnes Bacon, who died in 1923. She was the daughter of Levi Bacon, chief clerk of the U.S. Patent Office at Washington.
He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church.
Mr. Hodges is survived by one son and seven daughters: George S. Hodges Jr., of Lake Angelus; Mrs. Harlan S. Smith and Mrs. Clarence K. Patterson of Pontiac; Mrs. Ferris H. Fitch of Grosse Pointe; Mrs. George W. Malcomson of Arlington, Va.; Mrs. Earle W. Parcells of Grosse Pointe; Mrs. Julian A. Spottswood of Palatine, Ill. and Mrs. Donald S. Patterson of Orchard Lake. He also leaves 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. from the Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home, with the Rev. William H. Hamm officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family requests that flowers be omitted."
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("The Pontiac Daily Press" Monday, April 13, 1953)