California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


SAMUEL L. HOGUE. During an early period in the settlement of America the Hogue 
family became identified with the history of Virginia. From that state the grandfather of Sam- 
uel L. Hogue migrated to Illinois and settled in Warren county, where he held the office of 
sheriff at the time that Stephen A. Douglas was circuit judge, and the two were warm friends. 
Thomas Gibson Hogue, who was born while the family lived in Virginia, spent his early man- 
hood years in Illinois, but during the '60s came to California. For a time he engaged in mining 
and lumbering in Nevada county, and later was similarly engaged in Fresno county, where he 
died about 1893. During his active years he was a prominent local worker of the Republican 
party. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Elizabeth Reed, was born in Kentucky 
and died in Illinois, leaving four children. Through her father, Richard Reed, a native of 
Massachusetts, she traced her lineage back to the Mayflower, while her mother was a member 
of the Merrifield family, of southern lineage. 

In the family of four children, all still living, Samuel L. Hogue was the eldest. He was born 
near Monmouth, Ill., July 21, 1857, and in 1872 came to California to join his father. He was 
then fifteen years of age, alert and ambitious to make his own way in the world. For a time he 
assisted his father in lumbering and mining, but he made a specialty of shake-making and while 
working at Pine Ridge he established a record by splitting seven thousand shakes in ten hours. 
Meanwhile, however, he had not neglected educational matters. In 1877-78 he attended the 
San Jose Normal School, and later taught school in Fresno county for five years, the last term 
being principal of the Selma schools. As an instructor he was painstaking, accurate and en- 
ergetic, skillful in the imparting of knowledge and a wise disciplinarian. 

Ever since coming to Fresno county Mr. Hogue has been more or less interested in poli- 
tics. Loyal to the Republican party at all times, he has been a leading local worker in its ranks. 
The first Republican ticket placed before the voters of Fresno county contained his name as 
candidate for county auditor, but in those days Republicans were largely in the minority and 
he suffered defeat. Later he was elected justice of the peace, serving four years in Selma and 
two years in Fresno. His next position was that of deputy county auditor under H. E. Barnum. 
It is worthy of note that he has served as a delegate to almost every county and state con- 
vention since he attained his majority, and has also been a leading member of the Republican 
state central committee, and identified with the executive committee of the State League of Re- 
publican clubs. For some years be acted as secretary of the Fresno Board of Education, in 
which capacity he proved a helpful factor in the promoting of the city schools. March 1, 1900, 
he was appointed and commissioned deputy collector of internal revenue, for which work he 
was qualified by his experience as a special deputy during the Spanish-American war. The 
counties included in his district are Tuolumne, Mariposa, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, 
Kings and Kern. His selection for this responsible position gave satisfaction to the people of 
Fresno, where he has a host of warm personal friends in both parties. A man of fine physique, 
he creates a favorable impression at first acquaintance, and this invariably deepens into 
esteem upon closer companionship. His methods in business and politics have ever been con- 
scientious, upright and honorable, and his many quiet acts of kindness prove him to be the  
possessor of a generous heart. 

In 1881 Mr. Hogue married Erne H. Brown, who was born in Yolo county, her father, J. W. 
Brown, having crossed the plains from Illinois, making the journey with a team of oxen and 
settling in Yolo county. In the family of Mr. Hogue there are two sons and two daughters, 
Lassen E. ; James E. ; Hazel and Lucile. Fraternally Mr. Hogue was made a Mason in 
Fresno Lodge No. 274, F. & A. M., of which he has been secretary. In addition he is con- 
nected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and 
Independent Order of Foresters, having officiated as high vice-chief ranger of the latter organ- 
ization.