HODGES, Silas Henry, lawyer, born in Clarendon, Vermont, 12 January, 1804; died in Washington, D. C., 21 April, 1875. His ancestors settled in Bristol county, Massachusetts, in 1630. His grandfather, Dr. Silas Hodges, was a soldier of the Revolution, and his father, Henry, was judge of Rutland county, Vermont, from 1821 till 1824. The son was graduated at Middlebury in 1821, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1825. In 1832 he abandoned his profession, studied theology, and became a Congregational clergyman, preaching till 1841, when he resumed his law practice in Rutland, and continued it till 1861. From 1845 till 1850 he was auditor of accounts for Vermont. He was appointed commissioner of patents on 9 November, 1852, and held this office till 25 March, 1853. On 5 April, 1861, he was made examiner-in-chief in the United States patent-office, which post he held until his death.