1896

Last September the citizens and banking fraternity of Hannibal, Mo., honored our classmate Frank T. Hodgdon (Kid-Hodgdon) with a dinner celebrating the completion of his 50-years service with the Farmers and Merchants Bank and Trust Company. The Hannibal Currier Post commented editorially on the occasion as follows:

A half century with the same institution in the same community is a worthwhile distinction within itself. When those fifty years have been studded with many brilliant achievements which have gone far beyond the community's confines the golden anniversary becomes outstanding.

That was the situation which distinguished the celebration and banquet last evening by the Hannibal Clearing Association to honor Frank T. Hodgdon's completion of fifty years with the Farmers and Merchants Bank and Trust Company.

Too, his influence has been felt in broader fields. He held offices in both the Missouri and the American Bankers associations and was widely known in financial circles. He was chairman of the first commission which undertook to inaugurate a program for relief and eradication of cancer in Missouri, appointed by Gov. Lloyd C. Stark, and under his administration was built the hospital at Columbia which has attracted nationwide attention for its splendid facilities. That, Gov. Stark declared last night was the most important appointment of his term and the results constituted the outstanding achievement of his governorship, as well as "Frank Hodgdon's greatest monument."

The compliment of his co-workers, his fellow bankers and his friends and neighbors testified to work well done.

In March the Manchester, N. H., Leader took note of the 71st birthday of Robert Frost which occurred on the 26th of that month. After listing many of Mr. Frost's honorary degrees and Pulitzer prizes, the paper goes on to speak of the warm friendliness of the man who has a deep appreciation and loving understanding of New England and its people. The Leader, speaking for New Hampshire, extended felicitations and reaffirmed its pride in his poetry which tells of the sterling qualities of New England and its inhabitants.

Secretary and Treasurer, 21 Forest Rd., Cape Elizabeth, Maine