Laurence C. Hodgson

Laurence Curran Hodgson (November 6, 1874 – March 24, 1937) was an American newspaper journalist, poet, and politician from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Laurence C. Hodgson
Laurence C. Hodgson circa 1919
34th & 36th Mayor of Saint Paul
In office 1918–1922 and 1926–1930
Preceded by	Vivian R. Irvin Arthur E. Nelson
Succeeded by	Arthur E. Nelson Gerhard J. Bundlie
Constituency	Saint Paul, Minnesota
Personal details
Born	November 6, 1874 Hastings, Minnesota
Died	March 24, 1937 (aged 62) Saint Paul, Minnesota
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Minnesota
Occupation	Journalist

Biography

Hodgson was a newspaper reporter and columnist, writing at different times for the Minneapolis Times and the St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press. He had a column that appeared daily on the back page of the Dispatch called "Cabbages and Kings," a reference to Lewis Carroll's poem, "The Walrus and the Carpenter."

He commonly wrote under the pen name "Larry Ho." The name came about when he had written his first feature article for the Times. He was signing his name, "Larry Hodgson," but his pencil broke after the first "o." The city editor, James Gray, reportedly said, "Better let it go at that–'Larry Ho.'"

He served as secretary to both St. Paul mayors Winn Powers and Vivian R. Irvin, and upon the expiration of Irvin's term, he was elected mayor by a large majority. He served two non-consecutive terms as mayor from 1918 to 1922, and from 1926 to 1930.

Hodgson also ran for governor in 1920, but came third in the race, garnering only 81,293 votes.[1]

After Hodgson's death in 1937, his son, Laurence K. Hodgson, edited and published a book called "Howdy Folks: Selections from the Writings, Verse and Speeches of Larry Ho."

References

1. "Minnesota vote for governor since 1857". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2013.

• Saint Paul Police Historical Society