Department of Michigan Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War   Herrick Hodges, PDC Department Commander 1883 - 1884

Herrick Hodges enlisted in the army in 1861 in Paw Paw, Michigan, at the age of 20 years. After serving in the Excelsior Brigade, New York Infantry for four months he was discharged for disability. In 1862, he enlisted in the 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment. One month after being mustered in, he was wounded at the Battle of Antietam, and was discharged the following June with three-fourths disability.

Herrick joined a carriage shop business in South Haven, Michigan. Later on he operated a drugstore and also the local library. He also served as the township clerk. He and his wife, Portia Selkirk Hodges, had two daughters and three sons.

In 1881, Herrick helped to organize the Zach Chandler Post No. 35, Department of Michigan, Grand Army of the Republic. He served two terms as the Post's first Commander. He also assisted in forming the Zach Chandler Relief Corps No. 1, Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. In addition he was Secretary of the Soldier's Relief Commission of Van Buren County.

Herrick Hodges was an originator of the Sons of Veterans, U.S.A., in Michigan, organizing one of the Department's first Camps. He served two years as the first Division (now called Department) Commander of Michigan.

Comrade Herrick Hodges died on 6 Nov 1913 in South Haven, Michigan, and was buried there in Lakeview Cemetery. A bullet received in battle 51 years earlier was still lodged in his chest