A History of Hodgenville's Mayors, Part I: 1950-Present

by Gary Dean Gardner, Independent Scholar and Historian

In communing with the dead, which for me equates to either walking through Red Hill Cemetery to visit our most content populace or perusing musty tomes of local record reflecting their long-ago anguish and joys, I’m generally rather quickly reminded that “history”, despite my personal proclivity toward the antebellum, can be a rather modern theme as well.  I suppose, at least, we all still experience anguish and joys!  For that very reason, to make a stronger connection between the living and the dead that might perk the ears of the eyes, I’m starting off this initial look at former Hodgenville elected administrations with some names mostly still remembered by the local citizenry they served.

In truth, until more recent times, the position of Mayor for small towns like ours wasn’t bestowed with significant power, authority, or at times even respect.  It was a part-time job generally held by a local business man old enough and established enough to be able to donate much of the time required in the oversight of the community.  As was, and is, typical in Kentucky, the entity of the county & its leaders took precedence in most matters.  Even the local paper at times come November failed to mention who won the race for mayor, while the winners for county positions were consistently reported. 

That period after World War II was a time of change and growth for Hodgenville, yet the voice of the Mayor was a rather weak one in those early years of the “Cold War.”  Always a man, even in a somewhat more progressive rural hamlet like ours when it came to matters of stereotypical gender bias, he seldom made the headlines, much less the news at all, but for rare moments of great crisis or valor.  A quick review of the Herald News from the 1950s might even lead the less astute scholar to wonder if the town had a mayor at all, much less an active council, but for the few brief mentions generally made only around election time. 

No, unlike the half-century before that was marked at times by destruction and graft, even a degree of backwardness and shame, the decades near the middle of the 20^th century constituted a quiet and peaceful time of recovery from war and the long-fluctuating debate over liquor.  The county had gone “dry” in November of 1919, wet again in May of 1934, then took up the local option in favor of prohibition once more in 1942.   That question seemingly settled, Hodgenville set its sights on its growing number of visitors.  Thanks to the post-War economy, America was becoming mobile and taking to the roads by the 1950s, with more and more travelers motoring to us thanks to a newly burgeoning United States tourist industry centered upon its roadway arteries.  It was a time of picnics, revivals, football games and Lincoln Luncheons, without much undue or unsettling friction.  To most of the town, the latest feature film at the Mary Anderson Theater was far more important than the lackluster motions of the Mayor and his Council.

But war came again, and along with it we saw overwhelming social change and greater exposure to the world at large.  Women, having had the vote for two generations, began to discover their first names, but somehow lost their gloves and hats along the way, yet they still feared to enter the world of male-dominated local politics.  Isolation of the early 1900s was virtually forgotten, and modern life, even in Hodgenville, was fast becoming a more homogenized American experience.  Leaders changed, but the political cycle persisted and represented the climax of social anticipation each fall.  The Mayor of Hodgenville was fast-becoming a leader and not just a part-week administrator presiding over haphazardly scheduled meetings.  The pace of life everywhere was rapidly mounting, and so were the responsibilities of a small city mayor.  Fast-forward forty years from the beginning of the “American Graffiti” era, and the candidate profile itself takes on a radical change and a marked loss of testosterone.

Despite the growing complexities of leadership, the Mayor of Hodgenville has remained an important ambassador to the community, and to the world, giving of themselves beyond compensation, answering calls in the late night hours, kissing babies, pressing the flesh, making promises, dodging failures, juggling needs with budgets, and proudly greeting the world each February turned October as they dust off their festival garb once again as Hodgenville’s beloved master of ceremonies.  From 1950 until the 21^st century began, our Mayors have instilled civility, provoked outrage, planned the future, and worked miracles with duct tape, pretty much as their predecessors did from the Civil War to the First World War.  In short, they’ve been but fallible men (and woman!), who have given of themselves to a community they loved.  For that, in the least, we thank them and, hopefully, remember them.

Dates referenced are the election year followed by the first year in office for a four-year term, generally commencing 1st January.  An asterisk denotes the subject is deceased.  As a caveat to the potential reader, this article is my own work, based upon my personal research, and is not sanctioned by or affiliated with in any shape, form, or fashion, our officially endorsed local history committee or amateur genealogy group. Neither am I personally affiliated with either group.  Comments are my own, as are the historical perspectives expressed herein.  While I derived no assistance from the aforementioned groups, I do give thanks to the LaRue County Herald News, which is a part of the county/city historical committee, for allowing me access to archived papers not currently in the holdings of the LaRue County Public Library.

1949/50                Mayor Claude Dixon Polley*

The son of Pleas & Emma Dixon Polley of Magnolia, Claude Dixon Polley was born 23 June 1898.  Claude was a local business man, owning and operating the C. D. Polley Motor Company in Hodgenville.  He served on the board of the Hodgenville Housing Authority and was the namesake of that agency’s address on Polley Avenue.  Claude was married to Willie Ree Brooks, and the had two children, Juanita and Robert.  Mayor Polley died 30^th December 1979 and is buried in Red Hill Cemetery.

1953/54                Mayor Claude Cundiff*

Claude was born 1 August 1914, the son of Felix Cundiff Jr. and Annie Lafollette of Nelson County.  Claude married Mattie Josephine Parrish.  He was a businessman in Hodgenville, owning and operating the Hodgenville Motel in addition to his being a self-employed building contractor.  It was there at the motel’s office, about half-way through his second term in office, that Mayor Cundiff had a heart attack and died on 20 January 1960.  Cundiff joined the Hodgenville Baptist Church after moving to LaRue County but maintained an active membership in the New Haven Masonic Lodge.  He and Mattie had two daughters, Mona & Myra. 

1957/58                Mayor Claude Cundiff*- 2^nd Term

Cundiff, and his city council, ran not as Democrats or Republicans, but rather on their own “Fair Deal Group” ticket.

Lincoln's 150th Birthday Celebration in Hodgenville 1959; Kentucky Museum collection

1960/61                Mayor Clayton Owens*

On 25^th January 1960, the Hodgenville City Council met and chose Clayton Owens as interim Mayor to fulfill the term of the late Claude Cundiff.  Mayor Cundiff, retired owner of Clayton Owen & Co department store in Hodgenville, had previous served on the City Council from 1954 until that date.  Clayton was born 25^th December 1906 in Carter County, the son of George Washington Owens and Florence Stallard.  He married Gladys Akers the 4^th December 1927 in Carter County, Kentucky, and had two sons, Dr. Jack W. Owens and Dr. Harold W. Owens, and a daughter Phyllis who died young.  The family moved to LaRue County from Muhlenberg County sometime after 1935 and resided on Greensburg Street in Hodgenville by the time of the 1940 US Census.  Mayor Owens died in Louisville on 17^th April 1991. 

1961/62                Mayor Clayton Owens*- 2nd term

Owens was elected as Mayor of Hodgenville for the next term.

1965/66                Mayor Cad Phelps Thurman*

Mayor Thurman was the quintessential businessman turned local politician.  Born 4 March 1895, son of Nancy Alice Phelps and George William Thurman, Cad learned the role of public servant early on from his father, who served as LaRue County Tax Commissioner, Magistrate, Police Judge & Chief, and Master Commissioner to the LaRue Circuit Court.  Cad first, though, as a young man entered into a profession in retail.  He was announced the “successor to Solomon Hardware and Supply Co.” of Hodgenville in the October 1917 edition of Hardware and House Furnishing Goods magazine.  Shortly afterwards Thurman went into the insurance business as an agent in Hodgenville and by 1922 he was “appointed special agent for the Continental (Insurance Company) in Kentucky with headquarters at Louisville” per The Insurance Field publication of 2 March 1922.   Cad was clearly a rising star in the insurance field, eventually becoming Kentucky State Insurance Commissioner in the late 1940s and serving during the administrations of Governors Clements, Weatherby, and Chandler.  It was a public position he used to the advantage of the people of Kentucky, bringing in the point system to lower consumer auto insurance premiums.  He married Suda Bess, the daughter of George Miles Slaughter of the Methodist church, who would join Cad as members of Hodgenville Baptist.  The raised a daughter Mary Alice.  His retirement from state service was marked in 1964 when Governor Waterfield conferred upon him the honorary title of “Squire of Hodgenville.”  In his race for Mayor in November 1965, Thurman defeated O. B. Peyton and Edwin Ochs.  Mayor Thurman died 18^th December 1972.  Our current mayor is, by the way, no relation to Mayor Phelps currently in office.  Mayor Thurman’s maternal ancestors were Revolutionary veterans hailing from Fort Boonesborough in Madison County who settled in LaRue County early in the 19^th century. 

1969/70                Mayor Robert Jewell Brown*

Running as a Democrat, Jewell Brown was unopposed in the fall 1969 election.  Brown was a native of far western Kentucky, born 18^th May 1909 the son of George Albert Brown and Lula Escue Brown of Livingston County, and married to Gladys Green, sister to Grace Green Middleton, also of Livingston County.  In fact, the Browns apparently followed Grace and husband Chester to Hodgenville where Mr. Middleton was from and where he established a grocery on the square.  During his tenure as Mayor, Brown garnered a choice mention in Billboard Magazine 11 Sept. 1971 when he proclaimed “Bobby Lewis Day” to celebrate the career of the hometown boy turned country music notable.  Jewell & Gladys had one daughter, Laura.  Mayor Brown died 6^th December 1994.

1973/74                Mayor Charles Ray “Red” Hazle*

Mayor Charles Ray “Red” Hazle was born 30^th of September 1926 to Albert Leslie and Ora Milby Hazle.   Albert was a merchant in Maxine, opening a store there in 1922, and later moving to Tanner and ultimately to Hodgenville where he sold Case farm implements and Purina Feed.  It was here on Water Street that most remember his son Charles, nicknamed “Red”, carrying on the old family establishment, Hazle Farm Supply, providing feed, seed, hardware and fresh vegetables to the farming families around Hodgenville from 1957 until 2013.  Per his obituary, Mayor Hazle as well, “proudly served his country as a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic or meritorious achievement and service.”  “Red” was a former city councilman before being elected Mayor in 1973.  Mayor Hazle died January 13, 2017 at Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Hodgenville at the venerable age of 90 and was survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis Wagoner Hazle, and three children, Kathy Ross, Connie Baker, and Dr. Charles Hazle, Jr.

1977/78                Mayor Charles “Red” Hazle*- 2nd term

Much appreciated and respected by the Hodgenville community, Mayor “Red” was re-elected to a second term in 1977.

1981/82                Mayor Robert (Ray) Kenneth “R. K.”  Keith*

The LaRue County Herald News sadly reported that, “R. K. Keith, (age) 84, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Hodgenville. The former three-term mayor of Hodgenville and two-term Kentucky State Representative was a member of the Buffalo Baptist Church, taught agriculture courses to veterans, co-owned and operated Hawkins & Keith Insurance Agency, served as treasurer for the LaRue County Fair Board, was past member of the Buffalo Lions Club and Buffalo Masonic Lodge, former LaRue County School Board member and past director of the Hodgenville Housing Authority. One of R.K.'s greatest joys was serving as a community volunteer at Sunrise Manor Nursing Home. He was also honored with the "Jean Bocko Humana Volunteer of Kentucky Award" in 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Maude Vance Keith, three sisters, Thelma Parish, Helen Stewart, and Dorothy Johnson; and a brother, Dale Vance Keith. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma Moore Keith; two sons, Dale Keith and Craig Keith, (both) of Hodgenville.”

Known affectionately to all since childhood merely as “R.K”, Mayor Keith had begun his leadership of the city as a non-partisan candidate defeating the Democratic incumbent Mayor “Red” Hazle in November of 1981.   He was a native of Buffalo, born there 4 January 1925, his father Oscar having operated the family’s Buffalo Roller Mill there.  The mill had been established by R. K.’s grandfather, William Dale Keith, sometime after the Civil War.  His mother was Maude Vance Keith.  Originally named “Rhea” per his birth record, he was called “Robert” briefly as a toddler before giving up all given names for his better known initials, and later legally went by Ray Keith, but would be known to all as simply “R. K.” 

courtesy Kentucky Museum, WKU Bowling Green

1985/86                Mayor R. K. Keith*- 2nd term

In November of 1985 Mayor Keith ran against and defeated Ned Bradshaw to win his 2^nd term in office.

1989/90                Mayor R. K. Keith*- 3rd term

Up against his Democratic opponent Wayne Morehead, Mayor Keith would become, in the fall of 1989, the first Mayor elected to three consecutive terms in office by the people of Hodgenville, a symbol of their great faith and trust in this man’s leadership.

1993/94                Mayor Glenda Perkins Wathen

With experience in leadership stemming from service on the City Council, Mayor Mrs. Paul Wathen firmly defeated Norman Copley 611 votes to 235 to become the first woman to lead Hodgenville as its Mayor, and the first Mayor to hail from the “holler”, that being the Ball Hollow section of the southern part of the county.  She grew up the only girl of the 8 children of Everett and Alva Mae Sprowls Perkins in the Pleasant Ridge Church community.  She would continue to serve her community on the City Council in the years following her time as Mayor, in addition to directing the Hodgenville Housing Authority.  Mayor Wathen made great advancements for the people of Hodgenville & LaRue County in gender equality and has left an important legacy for future generations of female politicians and civic leaders.  She & her husband, retired auto mechanic Paul, have one daughter, Tracy.

1998/99                Mayor Joseph Darrel Florence*

Hodgenville’s first woman Mayor was able to serve only a single elected term, losing overwhelmingly in the fall of 1998 to Darrel Florence by a final vote of 123 to 610 after belatedly choosing to run at all.   Disappointed at her failure as a “write-in” candidate, she would comment, “If that’s what the people want, then so be it.”  Florence was a true hometown boy, born in Hodgenville 25^th August 1937 to James Henry Florence & Mary Germaine Bartley Florence.  He married Judy Walters, and they were parents to daughter Dara Ann and son John David Florence.  Darrell Florence d. 1st Jan 2003- HODGENVILLE -- Darrell Florence, 65, of Hodgenville, died Wednesday, January 1, 2003, at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. He was beginning his second term as Mayor of Hodgenville, a retired administrator for the Barren County School System and a member of the First Baptist Church in Hodgenville. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Henry and Germaine Bartley Florence and two sisters, Joyce Phillips and Judy Fehrman. He is survived by his wife, Judy Walters Florence; daughter, Dara Ann Rogers of Hodgenville; son, John David Florence of Glasgow, KY; three grandchildren, Shelby Rogers, Kylie Rogers and Jill Taylor Florence; three sisters, Shirley Smith, Wilma Priddy and Sharon Florence, all of Louisville; and two brothers, George William Florence of Elizabethtown, KY and Kenneth Florence of Louisville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. EST Saturday, January 4, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Hodgenville, with Rev. Duane Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Red Hill Cemetery in Hodgenville. Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. EST Friday and after 8 a.m. EST Saturday at the Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home in Hodgenville. Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association Ohio Valley Affiliate, Kentucky Region 333 Guthrie St., Suite 207, Louisville, KY 40202, American Diabetes Association, 1941 Bishop Ln. Suite 110, Louisville, KY 40218, or the Gideons International Hodgenville Camp, P.O. Box 25, Hodgenville, KY 42748.

2002/03                Mayor Joseph Darrel Florence*- 2nd term

If Darryl Florence was opposed by any other candidate for Mayor in the fall of 2002, it went unnoticed by the Herald News, much as his ultimate victory in November was apparently not worthy of mention but for the recording of the 500 votes he received.  Mayor Florence was sworn in for his second term in office on 30^th December 2002, but tragically suffered a heart attack and perished the following New Year’s Day.  Daphne Loyall, administrator for the Sunrise Manor nursing home, remembered that Florence had been, “a calm, soft-spoken person who went about trying to take care of the serious business of a city with limited resources.”

2003/03                Mayor Roger L. Truitt*

Mayor Truitt was chosen by his fellow city councilmen to complete the uncompleted term of Mayor Florence, resigning his position on city council on the 8^th of January to be sworn in as Hodgenville Mayor.    Roger was born in 1940 to George Benjamin and Doris Irene Dutton Truitt shortly after his parents and 3-year-old sister Loreyann moved from their home in Maryland to Delaware for George to accept work in the engine house of the Pennsylvania Railroad.   A native of Delmar, Sussex County, Delaware, Truitt settled in Hodgenville after a career in the United States Marine Corps.  Civic minded as he was, he was an active leader in his chosen home church at Hodgenville United Methodist as well as serving on the city council and ultimately as Mayor.  Truitt would accept leadership within our county schools, serving as Transportation Director and retiring as Superintendent.  He died Friday, April 13, 2012 at Avon Medical Center in North Carolina, being survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Ann Green Truitt, a son Larry and a daughter, Lori Truitt.

2006/07                Mayor Terry Cruse

Despite a term of professionalism in administering the business of the city, incumbent Mayor Truitt was defeated 396-433 by former LaRue County Deputy Sheriff Terry Cruse.  Many remembered Terry for having answered a call in Magnolia on the L & N Turnpike back in 1992 in which he was shot in the line of duty.

2010/11               Mayor Terry Cruse- 2nd term

Rita Williams ran against Mayor Cruse in the election of November 2010 but was soundly defeated 392-544 by the popular incumbent city leader.  Mayor Cruse would afterwards quip, “Four years ago I ran that I would run the city like a business within our means.  That’s what I said, and that’s what I did, and that’s what the voters saying they want again.”  “I’ll do my best to do what I’ve done in the past four years…”  And so, he did.

2014/14               Mayor Kenny DeVore

Selected from the current Hodgenville City Council upon which he had served for many years, DeVore, a "Louisvillian" by place of birth but more correctly by family heritage a Hart County native, was chosen 15 May 2014 to serve as interim Mayor after former Mayor Cruse was removed from office by the same administrative body.

2014/15             Mayor Kenny DeVore- 2nd term

A sense of solidity and permanency were required by the voters, and so Mayor DeVore was elected to a second term in the tradition of many of his predecessors.

2018/19             Mayor James Phelps

Mayor Phelps is certainly not new to city government, having many years of experience in service on the City Council.  Running on a platform of change, he will be relying his city administrative skills upon years of business savvy as owner & president of Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc., a family business begun in 1933.