John Barnett Hodgson

Years Elected: 1898, 1899

History:
Born October 1819 in Georgia, USA. Family returned to the UK in 1821,
settling in Penrith, Cumberland where he entered work as a clerk in
April 1837.

In 1842 he came to Ramsgate, and was appointed to Post Master in
July 1845, holding the position for 46 years, longer than any other
man in Kent.

In 1860 he first sought election to the Board of Improvement
Commissioners. He was firstly a member of the old Board of
Commissioners in 1856 and was for many years on the board. He was
also a church-warden of the Parish around that time.

In 1862 (February 3rd), he was elected commissioner in the room of
Mr. Samuel Sharwood. He retired on 31st December 1891.

Cllr. Hodgson was first elected to the Corporation in 1894 at a
bye-election caused by the death of Cllr. Welland. He was re-elected
in 1895 and 1898. The latter being the year he was elected to the
office of Mayor and Chief Magistrate. He was re-elected at the end
of the first year of his office. Being re-elected on Thursday 9th
November 1899, a dinner was held at the Royal Hotel honouring the
re-elected Mayor, who was celebrating his 80th birthday.

As secretary of the Isle of Thanet Building Society, in August 1900
he celebrated his 50 year association with the society. At Ramsgate
Town Hall a ceremony was performed by Mr. John Kennett J.P., a
testimonial in recognition of his association for half a century with
the Isle of Thanet Permanent benefit building Society. He was
presented with an illuminated address and a pair of silver
candelabra. A testimonial was presented in the form of an album
bound in royal blue morocco.

He died on Friday 24th January 1908.