Clint Hodgins: Harness Racing Legend (1907-1979)

Today marks the 113th anniversary of the birth of harness racing legend, Clint Hodgins.

Clinton Theodore Hodgins was born 18 June 1907 near Clandeboye, Ontario, Canada, just northwest of Lucan. 

Clint inherited his love of harness racing from his father, Sidney Grant Hodgins (1873-1945), known as "Racer Sid." Sid was a well-known harness racer and horse trainer in Canada and the United States.

You can't talk about the Lucan-Biddulph area without mentioning harness racing; a sport that dates back in the area to around 1910 when Lucan's first racetrack was estabished. Lucan was known as the "Kentucky of the north" in harness racing circles. If you're a Culbert descendant, you had relatives who enjoyed the sport, and who certainly would have known Sid and his son, Clint.

Clint was lucky to have survived a serious bacterial infection in 1924 when he was 16 years old. He was wounded by a gunshot and developed tetanus (also known as lockjaw.) At St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ontario, Clint was treated with a new treatment for tetanus, and he recovered.

Source: Exeter Advocate, 28 Feb 1924, page 4.

He left home at age 21, and went on to make a name for himself in the world of harness racing. Winning race after race for many years, Clint Hodgins was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1973 in Goshen, New York, and the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1977. The newspapers described him as "one of the greatest harness racing drivers who ever lived."

Clint Hodgins with the world-record smashing Proximity whom he described as "the best trotting mare I ever drove." When Proximity retired, she was the leading money-winning Standardbred.

Clint with Proxmity at the end of her career as she was about to be honoured at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury, New York in 1951. She was known as the "Miracle Mare of the 20th century" and "the Queen of the Trotters," holding nine world records and ten track records.

Clint made his film debut as one of the harness racing drivers in the movie, "Home in Indiana." Released in 1944, the film starred Walter Brennan, and was based on the novel, The Phantom Filly by George Andrew Chamberlain.

Clint Hodgins' name appears in this advertisement for Home in Indiana, showing at Leavitt's Theatre in Exeter, Ontario. Source: Exeter Times-Advocate, 11 Jan 1945, page 8. Clint's father gets a mention, too.

Clint Hodgins isn't a descendant of John Culbert and Mary Ward but he is related to some of you who have Hodgins on your trees. A few of you have asked me how Clint is related to you. Since I'm no expert on the Hodgins family, I can't answer that. However, I can provide you with Clint's lineage, going back as far as his paternal great-great-grandfather, Robert Hodgins, Sr. (known as "Old Robert" Hodgins) of Clandeboye, Ontario.

Clint Hodgins' paternal line. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Clint Hodgins' Family Tree:
Robert Hodgins, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Lewis (2xgreat-grandparents)
Thomas "Tom" Hodgins and Mary Casey (great-grandparents)
Thomas Casey Hodgins and Sarah Maria Grant (grandparents)
Sidney Grant Hodgins and Jessie Florence Wiggington (parents)

I hope this tree helps those of you with Hodgins blood to figure out how Clint is related to you.

There's a hidden Culbert connection here, albeit not a blood connection. Robert Hodgins, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Lewis (Clint's 2xgreat-grandparents) had a son named Robert Hodgins, Jr. (also known as "Young Robert" Hodgins). "Young Robert" was the brother of Clint Hodgins' great-grandfather, Thomas "Tom" Hodgins. "Young Robert's" second wife was Margaret Emily Lewis. Margaret Emily Lewis's first husband was William Culbert of Birr, Ireland who is related to our ancestor, John Culbert but I haven't yet found out how they're connected. (Genealogy can make your head spin.)

As for another Culbert connection, Clint Hodgins was friends with Milward Taylor "Mel" Culbert (1920-1958) of Lucan, Ontario.

Clint Hodgins (left) with Terry Culbert, the son of Clint's good friend, Mel Culbert. Photo taken in 1957 at the home of Mel Culbert above Mel Culbert's Dry Goods Store on Main Street in Lucan, Ontario.

Speaking of Terry Culbert, Terry devoted a chapter of "Terry Culbert's Lucan: Home of the Donnellys" to harness racing. The chapter, Kentucky of the North is on pages 163-166 of the book, and it includes more information about Clint Hodgins and other harness racers of Lucan, Ontario. 

When asked where he learned so much about "the game" of horse racing, Clint replied...

Clint never married or had children. He was known for his philanthropy, giving generously to causes in his home area. He died 21 Oct 1979 in St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ontario, age 72. 

On the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame website it says, "Since the United States Trotting Association was established in 1939 through 1974, Hodgins won more than 1,750 races – and no one, including Clint, knows how many he had won in the U.S. and Canada prior to that date."

June 14 Weddings

Oh, they say when you marry in June,

You're a bride all your life.

And the bridegroom who marries in June

Gets a sweetheart for a wife.

-- June Bride

From "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"
(Music: Gene DePaul / Lyrics: Johnny Mercer)

For descendants of John Culbert and Mary Ward, June 14th appears to be a popular day to marry.

The following couples were married on June 14:

Myron Manford Culbert (1884-1961) and Effie Pearl Taylor (1886-1957). Myron and Effie married in Exeter, Ontario, Canada on June 14, 1911. You can read about their honeymoon here.
 

Myron and Effie's wedding day. Photo courtesy of Jane (Gras) Heigis.

Clifford Burton Culbert (1912-1991) and Gladys Lillian Beattie (1919-2018). Cliff and Gladys married in Lucan, Ontario on June 14, 1941 so Cliff shared a wedding anniversary with his parents, Myron and Effie.
 

Cliff & Gladys' wedding day. The best man (right) was Cliff's brother, Milward Taylor "Mel" Culbert.

  

Wendy Lyn Schloendorf (born 1965) and Ken Reid. Wendy and Ken married on June 14, 1986 in London, Ontario. Happy anniversary, Wendy and Ken!

Wendy and Ken's wedding day.

So, if you're a Culbert descendant planning a June wedding, why not choose June 14th and carry on the tradition?

Richard Culbert's Moustache Cup

Behold the marvelous moustache of Richard Culbert (1853-1932) the youngest son of John Culbert and Mary Ward, who lived at Poplar Farm on the Coursey Line (Lot 19, Concession 2) near Lucan, Ontario, Canada...

Hipster moustaches of today aren't anything new. Facial hair flourished during the second half of the Victorian era. That's why you see so many photos taken during that time of men with beards and moustaches. 

To maintain a moustache of this grandeur, various accoutrements were required. Richard Culbert would have used a moustache brush and/or moustache comb, and moustache wax to keep the hairs in place.

The downside of moustache wax is that it melted when it came into contact with a hot beverage. To remedy this problem, the moustache cup was invented by a British potter named Harvey Adams, around 1860.

Richard Culbert's porcelain moustache cup.

At first glance, the moustache cup looks like a regular tea cup. However, when you look more closely at the photo below, you'll see a ledge (the "moustache guard") attached to the inner rim of the cup. A small opening in that ridge allows a gentleman to drink his tea without wetting or damaging his moustache.

Porcelain "moustache guard" on the inner rim of Richard Culbert's moustache cup.

Richard Culbert's moustache cup is now in the possession of his great-grandson, Phillip Myron "Phil" Culbert of Vernon, British Columbia.

Phis says that this cup (along with a saucer which is now lost) had pride of place in the china cabinet of Phil's grandparents, Myron Manford Culbert and Effie Pearl Taylor of Lucan, Ontario. Myron was the son of Richard Culbert. 

Phil says, "since Myron Culbert never had a moustache, it is assumed that it belonged to his father, Richard Culbert as that is what my father, Ivan Culbert told me. I was given this cup after Grandpa (Myron Culbert) died in November, 1961." 

On the photo below, you can see the initials of the manufacturer, C.T. and the official emblem. C.T. stands for Carl Tielsch, a German merchant who founded a porcelain factory in 1845 in Altwasser. The company was known for its high quality products and artistic value. You can also see the number 187 on the bottom of the cup. We assume this means #187 in a limited series. 

If anyone knows anything more about the provenance of this cup, please contact me (Mary Jane) at this email address...

And if anyone else would like to submit a photo of an heirloom that's been passed down to them, please contact me at that same address.

Jane (Fairhall) Culbert & Richard Culbert at Poplar Farm on the Coursey Line near Lucan, Ontario.

Happy 70th Birthday, Paul Hodgson!

Paul Hodgson of Nairn, Ontario celebrates his 70^th birthday, today. Paul is the great-great-grandson of John Culbert and Mary Ward. 

Paul Robert Hodgson was born in London, Ontario, Canada on 7 June 1950. 

Paul was the second of three children born to John Wilmer “Jack” Hodgson (1920-2015) and Marion Annie Morley (1922-2008) of McGillivray Township, Middlesex County, Ontario.

 

Paul Hodgsons's father, John Wilmer "Jack" Hodgson (1920-2015).

Paul grew up on the family farm in McGillivray Township at Lot 11, Concession 4. Lot 11 had been the home of his paternal grandparents, Eldon Hodgson (1884-1966) and Mary Elsie Culbert (1888-1988).

The Hodgson residence on Lot 11, Concession 4, McGillivray Township.

Paul is a former employee of Ontario Hydro. Paul and his family spent two years in Nigeria from May 1977 to May 1979 on a teaching assignment for Ontario Hydro foreign projects. He then spent another six months in Belize providing safety training for linemen to rebuild the country's electrical system. 

Paul collects and restores antique tractors and gas engines.

Paul Hodgson at his workshop in Nairn, Ontario.

Paul competes in the annual International Plowing Match, the Middlesex County Plowing Match, and others. 

Paul Hodgson married Shirley Ens in 1972. They lived in London, Ontario for a year and a half, and then built a house in Ailsa Craig. In December, 1986 they moved to Nairn where they have lived ever since. 

Nairn is about a 15 minute drive southwest of Lucan, Ontario.

Paul and Shirley have two daughters, Shannon and Sherri. 

Shannon Hodgson married Greg Millman and they have a son, NHL draft pick Mason Millman (born 2001), and a daughter Carson Millman (born 2003).  

Sherri Hodgson married Rudy Van Hooydonk and they have two daughters, Riley Van Hooydonk (born 2005) and Taylor Van Hooydonk (born 2007).
 

Paul Robert Hodgson’s Family Tree:

Ancestors:

John Culbert & Mary Ward (great-great-grandparents)

Richard Culbert & Jane Eleanor Fairhall (great-grandparents)

Mary Elsie Culbert & Robert Eldon Hodgson (grandparents)

John Wilmer “Jack” Hodgson & Marion Annie Morley (parents)
Descendants (Children):
Shannon Marie Hodgson
Sherri Marie Hodgson 

Note: You read about Paul's brother, Wes Hodgson in a previous post, here.

Mel Culbert's Humidor

Today marks the 100th birth anniversary of the late Milward Taylor "Mel" Culbert (1920-1958). Mel was born 29 May 1920 at Poplar Farm on the Coursey Line near Lucan, Ontario, Canada to parents, Myron Manford Culbert and Effie Pearl Taylor.

Mel Culbert with his son, Terry in 1943.

Mel died on 20 July 1958 when his son, Terrence Patrick "Terry" Culbert was just 16 years old.

In the previous post, I asked readers of the Culbert Family History blog to submit photos of an item that has been passed down to them from a previous generation. In remembrance of his father, Mel Culbert, Terry sent me this photo of Mel's humidor...

Mel Culbert's humidor, now in the possession of his son, Terry Culbert. Humidors were designed to store tobacco and to keep it fresh.

One day, when he was a young lad, Terry and his parents were in the car on their way to the Culbert farm on the Coursey Line near Lucan. Terry was prattling on about how cool it is when old farmers and baseball players chew tobacco and spit it out.

Chewing tobacco - popular with baseball players and farmers, alike.

Mel, sensing the opportunity to teach his son a lesson, pulled the car over to the side of the road. "Here, son. Try some of this," said Mel as he handed Terrry a wad of his pipe tobacco. Terry was disgusted by the bitter taste.

After that incident, it's not surprising that Terry never became a smoker. Well, there may have been a few occasions when Terry had a smoke. We'll get to that part, soon.

When Terry grew up, he would purchase the best quality pipe tobacco for his father's humidor. Terry would add a slice of apple to the tobacco to keep it fresh. He had a few pipes of his own, as well.

You may be wondering why Terry kept fresh tobacco and pipes on hand if he didn't smoke. Well, sit back and picture this...

Once each season on a rainy day (it had to be a rainy day to capture the right atmosphere) Terry would add a bit of tobacco to his pipe, fling open the garage door to the elements, and light his pipe. There he would stand, smoking his pipe and looking out to (an imaginary) sea, PRETENDING HE WAS A SEA CAPTAIN.

Sea captain fantasy: how Terry imagines himself.

Terry Culbert with a pipe. This was not taken during one of his "sea captain fantasies." You'll just have to use your imagination, folks.

Mel Culbert smoking a pipe.

To learn more about Mel Culbert, click here to read Terry's memoir of his father.

Milward Taylor "Mel" Culbert's Family Tree:

Ancestors:

John Culbert & Mary Ward (great-grandparents)

Richard Culbert & Jane Eleanor Fairhall (grandparents)

Myron Manford Culbert & Effie Pearl Taylor (parents)

Descendants (Children):

Terrence Patrick "Terry" Culbert

Dana Elizabeth (Culbert) Garrett

Mary Jane Culbert (author of the Culbert Family History blog)

Family Heirlooms

When you think about family heirlooms, you may think of jewellery, furniture, quilts, recipes, or old diaries and letters. It's unlikely you think about fruitcake.

A fruitcake has been passed down through five generations in a Michigan family. Fidelia Ford baked the cake in 1878 but she died before it was eaten. Her husband considered the cake her legacy, and he enclosed it in glass. The rock-hard cake has been passed down through five generations for over 141 years. Full story here.

You might not have inherited an old fruitcake but chances are that something has been passed down to you by an earlier family member.

In the previous post, we saw Judy Luker Massey's spaniel figurine which survived the voyage when her ancestors immigrated to Canada in the mid-1800s.  

Judy Luker Massey's spaniel figurine - passed down to her from generation to generation.

If you have an heirloom you'd like to share with the rest of us, please email me (Mary Jane) at this address, and include a photo of the item, and some details.