Ernest Easter Hedges
1898 - 1941 (43 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Ernest Easter Hedges was born on 5 Feb 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (son of Ambrose Dudley Hedges and Sarah Clark); died on 21 Jul 1941 in Monrovia, Morgan County, Indiana; was buried on 25 Jul 1941 in Floral Park Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Other Events:
- Census: 1930, Decatur, Marion County, Indiana
- Census: 1940, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; 801 Sadie Street
Notes:
Hedges – Ernest, entered into rest Monday, age 43 pears, father of Pearly June, Robert and Joan Hedges; son of Mrs. Sarah E. Eaker and Dudley Hedges, brother of Robert and Earl Eaker. Services Friday, 2 p.m., at Second Free Methodist church, Pershing and Wilkins sts. Friends may call at Harry W. Moore Peace Chapel until noon Friday. Burial Floral Park cemetery.
The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana. Wednesday, 23 July 1941.
Fire Levels Home Jobless Man Built Himself; Climaxes Year of Bad Luck
By Heze Clark, Times Staff Writer
This is the first day that Ernest Hedges has broken into headlines.
His home, at 803 Sadie-st, burned down, and the fire department made such a clatter going there that people wondered what had happened.
Well, that’s about all there is to it, so far as Ernest Hedges is concerned. The oil stove exploded, and the two-room frame house he built with his own trained hands from lumber he salvaged burned to the ground.
Two suits were burned, too, and in the pocket of one of them was “410, his total savings since last January and his only cash laid away against the coming winter.
Two hundred cans of food he grew in his garden this summer and canned himself over that perfidious oil stove also exploded and were ruined. That was the food he had against the winter.
Ernest Hedges is 37. He is the father of three children, two of whom are ill with tuberculosis in Sunnyside Sanatorium. The other, Robert, 4, lives next door at 823 Sadie-st with Mrs. Sarah Eaker, his grandmother.
Mrs. Eaker is the mother of Mrs. Hedges who died of tuberculosis 10 months ago, after Ernest, a carpenter before the depression, had finally constructed the little house that burned today and had hoped that in it she would regain her health.
Then Pearly, 5, and Joan, 2, became ill and were taken to the sanatorium. Then Ernest lost his FERA job and had to give up Robert.
He has a horse and with that plowed the gardens, hauled ashes and did odd jobs and made enough money to support himself, and miraculously to save some.
It was while he ws trying to catch the horse in the pasture today that the stove exploded and burned his home. Firemen save the home of the horse, a shed on the rear of the lot.
While the ruins still smouldered, and lines of smoke wove through the crumpled steel bestead, Ernest hedges took a stoical look and went off to find a place to stay until –
Well, no one thought to ask him until what?
The Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Indiana. Thursday, 25 July 1935, page 1.
Wounded in Quarrel
(International News Service)
Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 10 – Ernest Hedges, 29, was shot and slightly wounded by his step-father, William Eaker, 55, in a quarrel over a wagon here today. Police found that Eaker fired a load of birdshot at Hedges several of the pellets found their marks in the younger man.
The Times, Munster, Indiana. Friday, 10 December 1926, page 1.
Indianapolis – Despite insistence that he fed his calf and donkey from the seventy-five gallons of mash unearthed at his home Ernest Hedges, 28, was arrested on a blind tiger charge.
Evansville Press, Evansville, Indiana. Saturday, 25 April 1925, page 7.
Want ads.
Personals section
Want board for boy with dependable family, near school. Earnest Hedges, 803 S. Sadie st.
The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana. Wednesday, 18 August 1937.
News of the Courts
Superior Court. Room 1
93031. Ernest Hedges vs. Ethel Hedges. Divorce. Albert L. Fishman.
The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana. Saturday, 3 April 1937, page 18.
Two Persons Die In Crash Near Monrovia
Mrs. Laverne Eaker and Ernest Hedges were victim of accident Monday night.
Car Struck Tree at Curve
Two others were severely injured and were taken to the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis
Mrs. Laverne Eaker, age 27, and Ernest Hedges, age 27, were instantly killed about 11:30 o’clock Monday night when the car in which they were riding failed to negotiate a curve safely on road 42 east of Monrovia near the Sedwick farm, and crashed into a tree.
Mrs. Edna Lovall and Mr. Eaker were seriously injured and were taken to the Methodist hospital in the ambulance of E.F. Harvey, Mooresville funeral director. Mrs. Lovall suffered a broken femur bone, dislocated hip and cuts on her face. Her condition is considered critical. Mr. Eaker’s injuries were not so serious.
The Eakers address is 827 South Sadies street, Indianapolis.
E.F. Harvey, undertaker, and Dr. Kenneth Comer, both of Mooresville, were summoned to the scene of the accident. When they arrived they found Mrs. Eaker dead, lying across the lap of her husband in the front seat of the car. The husband was unconscious.
Hedges and Mrs. Lovall were in the rear seat. He was dead, and Mrs. Lovel was also unconscious. An examination disclosed that she had suffered a broken femur bone, a dislocated hip and cuts on the face. Her condition is reported critical.
Eakers was bruised and cut, but his condition is not considered dangerous.
The bodies of Mrs. Eaker and Hedges were brought to the Cure & Hensley undertaking parlors in this city and this morning were taken to the Harry Moore funeral home in Indianapolis.
Sheriff Ray Rainwater was called but the injured persons had been taken away when he arrived at the scene.
Hedges died of a fractured skull and broken neck and Mrs. Eaker’s neck was also broken.
Dr. Leon Gray, county coroner, conducted an inquest and gave his verdict as death by accident.
Hedges is the son of Dudley Hedges of Indianapolis.
Mrs. Eaker is the daughter of Theodore Strate, of Indianapolis. It is understood here that the Eakers have three children.
A card found on the body of Hedges gave his address ad Martinsville R.R.6, but Undertaker Harvey was informed that he was a resident of Indianapolis.
The car, a 1934 Ford two door, was badly damaged and was taken to a garage in Mooresville.
The Reporter-Times, Martinsville, Indiana. Tuesday, 22 July 1941, page 1.
Crash Kills Two on Monrovia Road
Two Indianapolis persons were injured fatally and two other injured seriously early yesterday when their automobile careened off Ind. 42 east of Monrovia, near the J.L. Martin farm, and crashed against a tree.
Mrs. Laverne Eaker, 27 years old, 823 Sadie street, and Ernest Hedges, 44, formerly of 801 Sadie street, were killed instantly.
Earl Eaker, 28, husband of Mrs. Eaker and half brother of Mr. Hedges, suffered sever cuts and bruises. Mrs. Edna Lovall, 38, Corrill street, a friend of the others were injured seriously.
State police, who investigated the accident, said Mr. Eaker, driver of the car, failed to negotiate a turn in the road and lost control of the car.
Brought to City Hospital
Mr. Eaker and Mrs. Lovall were brought to the City Hospital. Bodies of Mrs. Eaker and Mr. Hedges were returned to Indianapolis yesterday. Mr. Hedges moved from Indianapolis recently and was farming in Morgan county.
He is survived by three children, Pearly June Hedges, Robert Hedges and Joan Hedges, who make their home with a grandmother here; his stepfather, Dedly Eaker, and two half-brothers, Earl Eaker and Robert Eaker, all of Indianapolis.
Surviving Mrs. Eaker, besides her husband, are three children, May Eaker, Earl Eaker Jr., and Raymond Eaker; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Strate of Indianapolis, and a brother, Robert Strate, who is in the army at Fort Warren Wyo.
Double funeral services for Mrs. Eaker and Mr. Hedges will be at __ o’clock Friday afternoon at the Second Free Methodist Church. Both wil be buried in Floral Park Cemetery.
Newspaper clipping from Find a Grave, no publication information available.
Goes To Trial On Grave Charge
Indianapolis man, Earl Eaker, is defendant other court news
Earl Eaker was on trial today before Judge O’Harrow on the grave charge of reckless homicide while under the influence of intoxicants.
The case grew out of a fatal crash near the Sedwick place east of Monrovia the night of July 21, 1941. Eaker was arrested on a grand jury indictment. It was charged that while under the influence of liquor he drove his car recklessly and while going to high speed he crashed into a tree. His wife, Laverne Eaker, and his half-brother, Ernest Hedges was killed in the wreck. The parties were all from Indianapolis.
Prosecutor Foley represents the state in the trial and Attorney Gilbert Butler appears for the defendant.
It was expected that the case would be concluded during the day.
The Reporter-Times, Martinsville, Indiana. Tuesday, 22 December 1942, page 1.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64937835/ernest-easter-hedgesErnest married Lucile Lawrence on 22 Dec 1928 in Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana. Lucile was born on 12 May 1911 in Indiana; died on 25 Sep 1934 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 28 Sep 1934 in Floral Park Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:- Pearley June Hedges was born on 23 Feb 1930 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 21 Mar 2017 in Cameron, Marshall County, West Virginia; was buried in Locust Hill Cemetery, Chester, Hancock County, West Virginia.
- Robert Junior Hedges was born on 29 Jul 1931 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 13 Apr 2014 in Chester, Hancock County, West Virginia; was buried in Locust Hill Cemetery, Chester, Hancock County, West Virginia.
- Elizabeth Joan “Joy” Hedges was born on 1 Oct 1932 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 12 Mar 2022 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana; was buried in Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.
Family/Spouse: Ethel Frances Lydle. Ethel was born on 19 Nov 1921 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 18 Feb 1986 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 21 Feb 1986 in West Newton Cemetery, West Newton, Marion County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:- Cecille Lorene Hedges was born on 25 Aug 1937 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 12 Jan 1998 in Beach Grove, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 15 Jan 1998 in Concordia Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
2. Ambrose Dudley Hedges was born on 1 Jul 1860 in Nicholas County, Kentucky (son of Monroe Hedges and Julia A. Sparks); died on 19 Oct 1947 in Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 21 Oct 1947 in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Other Events:
- Census: 1900, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; 807 Maxwell Street
- Census: 1920, Wayne, Henry County, Indiana
- Census: 1940, Wayne, Henry County, Indiana
Notes:
City News in Brief
Marriage licenses were issued yesterday to Buschman G. Jaquett and Cora E. Champlia, Edward Krause and Anna M. Singer, Ambrose D. Hedges and Sarah E. Clark.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Sunday, 9 September 1888, page 10.
Newspaper notices of the births of Sarah and Ambrose D. Hedges' children.
LKH note:
* * *
This would be Robert (1890-1893)
Death Returns
[list of people who died includes Robert]
Robert W. Hedges, 3 years, 539 W. Maryland, burn.
The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana. Saturday, 28 February 1893, page 7.
* * * *
This would be Ambrose (1894-1895)
Births
[list of births including Sarah & Ambrose Hedges]
Sarah and Ambrose Hedges, 5 Coe street, boy.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 11 May 1894, page 7.
* * * *
Unknown child – we don’t have his name
Births
[list of births including]
Sarah and Ambrose Hedges, 4 Coe street, boy.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 10 April 1896, page 6.
* * * *
This would be Pearl Hedges (1899-1900)
Vital Statistics – March 3
Births
[list of births including]
Sarah and Dudley Hedges, 1012 Rhode Island street, girl.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Saturday, 4 March 1899, page 7.
The City Defeated.
Some time ago the city brought suit against Ambrose Hedges, charging him with violating the city ordinance prohibiting the keeping of a dairy in the city limits. The case came up before Judge Howe yesterday, and the motion of Hedges to quash the writ was sustained. A judgement of coasts was rendered against the city.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Wednesday, 16 October 1889, page 5.
24 Sept.
It Proves a Murder
Fatal Results of a Fight on the Commons North of the City.
Dan Gaddis Dies at Whitestown – Was Struck with a Neckyoke by Ambrose Hedges – No Arrest Made.
Dan Gaddis, of Whitestown, Boone county, died yesterday morning from the effects of a blow administered by Ambrose Hedges, of this city. Gaddis has been suffering for two weeks from a bad wound in the head, which was inflicted by a heavy neckyoke. He received the blow in a quarrel and fight that ensured over an argument with hedges. Gaddis and his wife have been traveling about the State trading horses, and two weeks ago camped in the river bottoms, north of the city.
One day, Ambrose Hedges, who lived in the commons east of the City Hospital, went over to the Gaddis camp, and became involved in a quarrel with the couple, which finally ended in the woman attacking him with a knife. Hedges was severely cut, but managed to get hold of a neckyoke, and dealt Dan Gaddis a blow with the implement that stopped hostilities on the part of the wife. Hedges was taken to the City Hospital, and Police Sergeant Kurtz went out to arrest the horse traders but learned that they had pushed on toward Whitestown. Hedges recovered from the knife wounds and arranged to swear out warrants for the arrest of the Gaddis woman, but learning that her husband was at the point of death from the injury received at his hands he decided to pursue the matter no further. Yesterday Coroner Beck received official notice of the death, but referred the Whitestown officers to the Boone cunty coroner. Hedges has not been arrested.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Sunday, 24 September 1893, page 8.
29 Sept.
Hedges Locked Up.
He Is Charged with the Murder of Dan Gaddis, of Whitestown.
On a warrant from the Boone county coroner, charging him with murder, Ambrose Hedges, living near the City Hospital, was arrested yesterday and locked up. Three weeks ago Hedges got into trouble with Dan and Mary Gaddis, of Whitestown, while the couple were with a band of horse traders in camp at the end of Indiana avenue.
In the fight which ensued Dan Gaddis was struck in the head with a neck yoke wielded by Hedges, frm the effect of which Gaddis died last week. Mary Gaddis then attacked Hedges with a knife and cut him so severely that he was confined to the City Hospital for a week. He yet shows the marks of the infuriated woman’s knife. He states that he struck Gaddis purely in self-defense and to save his own life, as the latter came at him with murder in his eye. Hedges will be taken to Boone county for trial.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 29 September 1893, page 6.
13 Oct
Arrested for Gaddis’s Murder
Mary Gaddis and Cecil Bunnells Brought Here from Boone County.
Deputy Sheriff Nieland yesterday afternoon arrested Mary Gaddis and Cecil Bunnells, at Whitestown, Boone county, and brought them to this city, where they were lodged in jail. The couple were arrested on a grand jury warrant charged them with assault with attempt to kill Ambrose Hedges. The latter is at present in the Boone county jail awaiting trial for manslaughter, his victim having been Dan Gaddis, the husband of the woman arrested yesterday. The affray which resulted in the death of Gaddis and fearful knife wounds to the person of Hedges occurred on the evening of Sept. 7 on the bank of Fall creek at the end of Indiana avenue. Dan and Mary Gaddis and Cecil Bunnells, all of Whitestown, were strolling around the State engaged in trading horses. Here they met Hedges, who lived with his mother near the City Hospital, and quarreled with him over a trade. In the trouble Hedges secured a neckyoke and struck Gaddis a blow over the head form which he died within a week. His wife got hold of a knife and severely stabbed Hedges, while Bunnell fired a shot at him. Two weeks ago Hedges was arrested on the charge of murder, and was taken to Boone county, but before leaving filed information before the grand jury which resulted in the arrest of the wife of his victim.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 13 October 1893, page 8.
28 Nov
In The Criminal Court
Mary Gaddis on Trial for the Assault on Hedges
On account of the illness of Judge Cox Francis J. Reinhard was appointed special judge, and presided in the Criminal Court room yesterday. Mary Gaddis was place on trial before a jury for assault and battery with intent to kill Ambrose Hedges on Sept. 8. She was jointly indicted with her husband, Daniel Gaddis, and Cecil Bunnell, the latter of whom is now serving a term in the penitentiary for the crime, and her husband has died since the returning of the indictment. Gaddis and his wife and Hedges and his wife were all gypsy horse traders, and quarreled over the virtues of horses which they proposed to trade. Gaddis and his wife came to the city and met Bunnell, who was told of the trouble. He armed himself with a revolver and Mrs. Gaddis with a knife, and all three returned to Hedges’s camp, where the quarrel was renewed and ended in a fight, in which Gaddis received the injuries from which he afterwards died, and the Gaddis woman stabbed Hedges.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Tuesday, 28 November 1893, page 3.
16 Nov
Indiana State News
Ambrose D. Hedges Not Guilty of Murder
(Special to the Indianapolis New)
Lebanon, November 16 – The case of the State vs. Ambrose D. Hedges for the murder of Daniel Gaddis in September last, which was begun on Monday in the Circuit Court, terminated this morning by a verdict of not guilty. The evidence showed that Gaddis and his family and Cecil Burk approached Hedges, while the latter was encamped near Fall creek, close to Indianapolis, and proposed trading horses. A quarrel arose, but the Gaddis family left at the time, going to Indianapolis. While there they became intoxicated, and Burk purchased a pistol, with which they returned and renewed the quarrel with Hedges. A fight ensued in which Hedges struck Gaddis on the head with a neck yoke, from the effect of which the latter died two weeks later. Burk shot at Hedges, and Mrs. Gaddis inflicted eight ugly knife wounds upon Hedges’s body. The verdict could have been nothing else under the evidence. Burk has been sentenced to two years imprisonment from Marion county for attempting to murder Hedges, and Mrs. Gaddis is indicted under the same charge.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Thursday, 16 November 1893, page 6.
17 Nov.
Hedges Set Free by the Jury
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
Lebanon, Ind., Nov. 16 – The jury in the case of Ambrose Hedges, who has been on trial here for the past week for the murder of Daniel Gaddis, returned a verdict of not guilty at noon to-day, after being out twenty-four hours.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 17 November 1893, page 2.
27 Nov.
In The Criminal Court.
F.J. Reinhard Appointed Judge Pro Tem – Horse-Traders’ Trouble.
In the Criminal Court this morning F.J. Reinhard was appointed judge pro tem, in the absence of Judge Cox, who is ill. John Kramer, charge with grad larceny, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two years in penitentiary.
Mary Gaddis, charged with assault with intent to kill, was place on trial before a jury. This woman was indicted jointly with Daniel Gaddis (her husband) and Cecil Bunnell. Daniel Gaddis has since died. Bunnell has been tried and convicted and is now in the State’s prison. The assault was committed on Ambrose Hedges. It occurred on September 8. Hedges and his wife were vagrant horse-traders. Gaddis and his wife followed the same occupation.
They offered to trade horse. The two women got into a quarrel over the respective merits of their husbands’ horses. Gaddis and his wife returned to town. Here they met Bunnell. They told him of the quarrel. Bunnell got a revolver and the Gaddis woman armed herself with a knife. They went back to the Hedges camp and at once assaulted Hedges. Hedges defended himself stoutly. During the struggle he inflicted wounds upon Gaddis, from which he has since died. The fight ended by the stabbing of Hedges by Mrs. Gaddis.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Monday, 27 November 1893, page 2.
Superior Court
Room 1
82654. Ambrose E. Hedges vv. Sarah E. Hedges, Divorce. James H. Storm.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Wednesday, 11 January 1911, page 13.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42067093/ambrose-dudley-hedgesAmbrose married Sarah Clark on 9 Sep 1888 in Marion County, Indiana, and was divorced on 11 Jan 1911 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Sarah was born on 28 Jan 1876 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana; died on 22 Apr 1950 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 25 Apr 1950 in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Sarah Clark was born on 28 Jan 1876 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana; died on 22 Apr 1950 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 25 Apr 1950 in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Notes:
City News in Brief
Marriage licenses were issued yesterday to Buschman G. Jaquett and Cora E. Champlia, Edward Krause and Anna M. Singer, Ambrose D. Hedges and Sarah E. Clark.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Sunday, 9 September 1888, page 10.
Newspaper notices of the births of Sarah and Ambrose D. Hedges' children.
LKH note:
* * *
This would be Robert (1890-1893)
Death Returns
[list of people who died includes Robert]
Robert W. Hedges, 3 years, 539 W. Maryland, burn.
The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana. Saturday, 28 February 1893, page 7.
* * * *
This would be Ambrose (1894-1895)
Births
[list of births including Sarah & Ambrose Hedges]
Sarah and Ambrose Hedges, 5 Coe street, boy.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 11 May 1894, page 7.
* * * *
Unknown child – we don’t have his name
Births
[list of births including]
Sarah and Ambrose Hedges, 4 Coe street, boy.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 10 April 1896, page 6.
* * * *
This would be Pearl Hedges (1899-1900)
Vital Statistics – March 3
Births
[list of births including]
Sarah and Dudley Hedges, 1012 Rhode Island street, girl.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Saturday, 4 March 1899, page 7.
Superior Court
Room 1
82654. Ambrose E. Hedges vv. Sarah E. Hedges, Divorce. James H. Storm.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Wednesday, 11 January 1911, page 13.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15979294/sarah-l-eaker
Inscription
PRECIOUS GRANDMOTHER
SARAH L. EAKERChildren:
- Robert William Hedges was born on 21 Mar 1890 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 21 Feb 1893 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- Maggie Hedges was born in Oct 1892 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 23 Mar 1893 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- Ambrose Hedges was born in May 1894 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 7 Feb 1895 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- 1. Ernest Easter Hedges was born on 5 Feb 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 21 Jul 1941 in Monrovia, Morgan County, Indiana; was buried on 25 Jul 1941 in Floral Park Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- Pearl Hedges was born in Feb 1899 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 30 Mar 1900 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
Generation: 3
4. Monroe Hedges was born on 11 Feb 1803 in Fleming County, Kentucky (son of Levi Hedges and Rosannah Ribelin); died on 18 Oct 1899 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer / shoemaker
- Census: 1850, Fleming County, Kentucky
- Census: 1860, Nicholas County, Kentucky
- Census: 1870, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky
Notes:
MHR note: He may have been named "Levi" Monroe Hedges as a "Levi Hedges", brother of Sarah (Hedges) Gilkison used to visit her at times, walking in and was from some distance away - said Martin "Luther" Gilkison to MHR on his 82nd birthday. He said he had supposed his father, Levi "Monroe" Gilkison, had been named for that brother, who did not enjoy being scuffled with by Luther and his brothers, and "Luther", himself was a small tike. He thought the great uncle looked about 65 years old. He would say "Get away; get away; get away" when they wanted to scuffle.
LKH note: MHR only listed three children: Francis M. Hedges, Hiram C. Hedges, and James Hedges. She gave estimated birth years all prior to 1850. However only Francis M., age 10, and Hiram C. Hedges age 6 appear in the 1850 census record. However, James Hedges age 14 does appears in the 1860 census record.
LKH note: information for all other children born after James are added from census information from 1860 and 1870.
LKH note: Article about centenarians in Indiana includes description of Monroe Hedges.
Some Centenarians
Five Pioneers Who Found Indiana’s Climate Conducive To Longevity.
Some Centenarians
Anderson special: Action has been brought by one of Alexander Ferguson’s daughters to have a guardian appointed for him. Ferguson lives in Gilman. He has just passed his one hundred and seventh birthday. The action for the guardian has brought to light the fact that there are five people in this (Madison) county who have passed the hundred-year mark. Ferguson is the dean of the men, and his sister, Mrs. Bettie Carrolton, who lives near Franklin, heads the women with 111 years to her credit. Summitville claims the next distinction, presenting Thomas Wells, age 104. Wells was born in Falmouth, Pendleton county, Kentucky, in 1793, but has lived in Indiana since 1824. Monroe Hedges was 105 years of age on the 11th of last February, and he looks it. He has been a cripple for fifteen years, and is scarcely able to move. Mentally, however, he is active and he sees the bright side of life. He is poor and lives with his eight-year-old wife and two sons. He is a Kentuckian by birth.
[article continues with descriptions of Julia (Owens) Hamilton, age 100; and David Lynch, age 119, who died recently.]
Boonville Standard, Boonville, Indiana. Friday, 17 February 1899.
LKH note: Monroe's age and certain facts about his life change in different news articles.
Whipped His Baby
Monroe Hedges, 106 years old, whipped his 80-year-old son Hiram at Indianapolis the other day and placed him in the hands of surgeons. The father lives in a little house in Anderson, Ind. He claims the distinction of being the man who drove the first spike on the first railway ever constructed in Indiana. His 89-year-old wife died recently. His strength and metal activity war something marvelous. Hiram was one of the babies of the family.
The Hamilton County Ledger, Noblesville, Indiana. Friday, 13 October 1899.
LKH note:
news article gives some details about how the family was living.
Centenarian Dying.
Monroe Hedges is Said to be 105 Years Old.
In a ramshackle hut in the rear of 1012 Rhode Island street, lies an old man, who says he is 105 years old, at the point of death. The old man is Monroe Hedges, known in the part of the city in which he lives as “Granddad Hedge.” The house in which he lives, with several sons, was, at one time, a stable. It has since been turned into a house of two small rooms. Until Tuesday of last week the old man retained all his faculties, and pulled himself about the small, dirty yard in a chair. In someway (the sons could not explain) blood poisoning affected his right arm and leg and gangrene developed.
Hedges has five sons and one daughter living, the oldest son, Hiram Hedges, being seventy-one years’ old. The youngest member of the family is Fames Hedges. Another member of the family says James is about forty years old. The names of the other children are Jonas, Roe, Dudley and Louanna. The old man is said to have been born in Flemingsburg, Ky., on the site of the court-house, 105 years ago the 11th day of last February. He has often spoken of fighting in a are, but the members of the family can not tell in what war he served. They think, however, that it was the Mexican war.
Hedges moved with his family to this city twenty-two years ago. His wife died about three months ago, eighty-seven years old. The family lives on a pension paid to Monroe Hedges for the death of a son in the civil war.
The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana. Wednesday, 18 October 1899.
LKH note:
Article names son of Monroe Hedges as Jonas Hedges, leading one to assume this is our Monroe Hedges.
A Disgraceful Row.
A row occurred yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock at a picnic of thirty or forty drunken men and women in the woods north of the Insane Asylum, which cam near resulting in another Sunday murder. The crowd was composed of a very disreputable class, which had gone to the woods with two kegs of beer for the deliberate purpose of getting drunk. About 3 o'clock Monroe Hedges, an old man, who had taken a part of the crowd out in this wagon, began hitching up the team, and announced his intention of coming to town. George Barnaby declared that he should not leave until the rest were ready to go, and a fight followed, in which Barnaby knocked the old man down with a club. A general fight ensured, in which nearly the whole crowd took a hand. It was at first supposed that Hedges had been killed, and a telephonic message to that effect was sent to town. The superintendent of police and several officers went out to the place, but found that Hedges had recovered consciousness, and no one was dangerously injured. George Barnaby had an ugly gash cut in his forehead, where he had struck with a whip-stock by Jonas Hedges, a son of the old man, with whom the fight begun. One shot was fired, but no one was wounded. The police returned to the city without making any arrests, but al who participated in the row will probably be prosecuted before the justices this morning.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Monday, 2 July 1883.
Indianapolis Sentinel---October 19, 1899
MONROE HEDGES IS DEAD
RELATIVES CLAIM HE WAS 105 YEARS OLD
Monroe Hedges, who was thought to be the oldest person in Indianapolis, died at 3o'clock yesterday afternoon in a ramshackle hut in the rear of 1012 Rhode Island Street. His relatives claim that he was 105 years old.
Hedges was known in the part of the city where he lived as "Granddad Hedges." He was a familiar figure about the streets and enjoyed good health until a few weeks ago. Until Thursday of last week he retained his mental faculties and was able to pull himself about the small, dirty yard in a chair. Blood poisoning set in, however, and gangrene affected his right arm and leg. Hedges leaves five sons and one daughter. The oldest son is seventy-one years old and the youngest about forty-five years old.
He was born in Flemingsburg, KY., on the spot where the court house now stands. He was a soldier in the Mexican War and was also a member of the "home guards" during the Civil War. He located in Indianapolis shortly before the war broke out and he delighted to tell of the skirmishes the guards had with the "guerillas."
Until recently Mr. Hedges boasted that he was never whipped in his life and made the assertion that he never expected to be. Recently his son Hiram got into an argument with his wife and decided to give her a whipping. His father interfered, however, and knocked him out with a cane. The incident caused considerable comment and New York and Chicago papers sent here for accounts of the old man. Mrs. Hedges died about six months ago at the age of eighty-seven years. The surviving children are: Hiram, James, Jonas, Ross, Dudley, and Louisa.
Indianapolis News---October 18, 1899
Monroe Hedges died late yesterday afternoon at his home in the rear of 1012 Rhode Island Street. His extreme age attracted many curious people to the ramshackle hut in which he lived. Members of the family say there is no doubt that he was nearly 106 years old, although they can not prove it.
Hedges often boasted that he had never been whipped in his life, and recently beat his seventy-one year old son with a cane. Undertaker Weiss said the dead man looked at least 106 years old. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon and the burial will be in Mount Jackson Cemetery, at the side of his wife, who died last May.
Dying of Gangrene.
Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 19. – Monroe Hedges, 105 years old, is dying of gangrene. He is a native of Kentucky, a soldier of two wars and quite recently he came into particular prominence by knocking out one of his sons, 70 years old, who came home intoxicated and attempted to whip his wife. It was the old man’s boast that he had “never been licked and never expected to be.” His wife died six months ago. She was 87 years old.
The Richmond Item, Richmond, Indiana. Thursday, 19 October 1899.
Monroe Hedges Dead.
Monroe Hedges, a Mexican war veteran, is dead. He was supposed to be over a hundred years old. His home was in the rear of 1012 Rhode Island street. He leaves five sons and a daughter.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Friday, 20 October 1899.
Name:
William Monroe Hedges
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64926496/william-monroe-hedges
Section 11, Row 4, Grave 25Monroe married Julia A. Sparks. Julia was born on 28 Aug 1809 in Bracken County, Kentucky; died on 1 May 1899 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Julia A. Sparks was born on 28 Aug 1809 in Bracken County, Kentucky; died on 1 May 1899 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Notes:
AGED WOMAN DEAD
MRS. JULIA A. HEDGES WHO CAME HERE SEVENTY YEARS AGO
Julia A. Hedges, who is believed to have nearly been 100 years old, was found dead in bed at her home, 1012 Rhode Island Street, yesterday morning by her son, Jonas Hedges. Her husband, Monroe Hedges, who says he was 105 years old Feb. 11, survives her.
Mrs. Hedges came with her relatives from Flemingsburg, Fleming County, Kentucky, about seventy years ago and settled in Indianapolis. At that time Indianapolis was a village, and the greater part of the houses were located west of the river. Mr. Hedges arrived a few weeks later and he and Mrs. Hedges were married. At first they lived in a tent, but soon secured a house. Mr. Hedges was a wagon maker and he also worked on the old Madison Railroad. At present he lives in a little house back of the one occupied by his son. There is an old wagon shop on the lot, where he spends the greater part of his time. Coroner Nash held an autopsy on the remains of Mrs. Hedges yesterday and decided that death was due to senile debility.
The Indianapolis Sentinel---May 6, 1899
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64926818/julia-ann-hedges
Section 11, row 5, grave 25Children:
- Francis Marion Hedges was born in 1840 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died in Aug 1881 in Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana; was buried in burial details unknown.
- Hiram C. Hedges was born in 1845 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 15 Feb 1917 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 17 Feb 1917 in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- James K. Hedges was born in 1848 in Nicholas County, Kentucky; died on 28 Dec 1862 in Cumberland County, Kentucky; was buried in Crab Orchard Cemetery, Crab Orchard, Lincoln County, Kentucky.
- Monroe Hedges was born on 23 Oct 1850 in Nicholas County, Kentucky; died on 4 Nov 1910 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 7 Nov 1910 in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- Oliver Hedges was born about 1851 in Kentucky.
- Jonas Hedges was born about 1856 in Kentucky; died after 1899.
- Louise Ann Hedges was born on 25 Dec 1858 in Nicholas County, Kentucky; died on 2 Jul 1944 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 5 Jul 1944 in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- 2. Ambrose Dudley Hedges was born on 1 Jul 1860 in Nicholas County, Kentucky; died on 19 Oct 1947 in Marion County, Indiana; was buried on 21 Oct 1947 in New Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
Generation: 4
8. 
Levi Hedges was born on 24 Nov 1775 in Frederick County, Maryland (son of William Hedges and Elizabeth Dern); died on 1 Apr 1847 in Fleming County, Kentucky; was buried in Old Crain Cemetery, Fleming County, Kentucky. Other Events:
- Census: 1800, Montgomery County, Kentucky
- Census: 1820, Fleming County, Kentucky
- Census: 1830, Fleming County, Kentucky
- Census: 1840, Fleming County, Kentucky
Notes:
MHR note: Levi used to have family worship at their home and he loved to sing. He sat on his porch the evening before his death and watched the sun set, and sang his favorite song:
The day is past and gone,
The evening shades appear:
Oh, may we all remember well
The night of death draws near.
We lay our garments by,
Upon our bed to rest.
So death may soon disrobe us all
Of what we now possess.
He was taken suddenly in the night by an attack of acute indigestion and was gone.
MHR note: Levi Hedges worked as a blacksmith, tanner, carpenter, and of course, farmed also.
MHR note:
Levi's father, William, had stated in his will that his son Andrew could keep the plantation Hedgehogg is he could, which Andrew did by buying out the other two sons, Levi and William.
1800 tax list. Montgomery County, Kentucky. Levi Hedges.
Census 1820. Fleming County, Kentucky. In 1820, the age brackets indicate that Levi's household included 11 people: Levi (age 45); Rosannah (age 40); William (age 22); Monroe (age 17; Addison (age 13); Jesse (age 10); Levi (age 6; David (age 3; Jonathan (age 1); Mary Ana (age 20); [possibly Elizabeth age 16]; and Sarah (age 8).
Census 1830. Fleming County, Kentucky. In 1830, the age brackets indicate that Levi's household included 8 people: Levi (age 55); Rosannah (age 50); Monroe (age 27); Addison (age 23); Jesse (age 20); [possibly Levi age 16]; David (age 13); Jonathan (age 11); [possibly James age 10]; Sarah (age 18), and Louvina (age 7).
Census 1840. Fleming County, Kentucky. In 1840, the age brackets indicate that Levi's household included 5 people: Levi (age 65); Rosannah (age 60), Sarah (age 28); Louvina (age 17), and a female aged 5 to 9.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64938628/levi-hedges
Mary Hedges Reiner visited the cemetery in November 1950 when it was known as the Graham Cemetery. Two Flemingsburg High School boys went with her to hunt for headstones and they found them completely covered with earth. She took photographs of the two stones.Levi married Rosannah Ribelin in 1795 in Kentucky. Rosannah (daughter of William Ribelin and Mary Ann Kiher) was born on 2 Sep 1780 in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina; died on 29 Sep 1848 in Fleming County, Kentucky; was buried in Old Crain Cemetery, Fleming County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
9. 
Rosannah Ribelin was born on 2 Sep 1780 in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina (daughter of William Ribelin and Mary Ann Kiher); died on 29 Sep 1848 in Fleming County, Kentucky; was buried in Old Crain Cemetery, Fleming County, Kentucky. Notes:
MHR note: Rosannah (Ribelin) Hedges was the neighborhood nurse and midwife. There is a story told of a black servant who came to take her to attend a birth in the home of his master. He rode a horse and led one with a side saddle. The river was in flood, and she was swept out of her saddle in the dark. The servant caught her and held her head above water until the horses swam to the shallow water and they went on. She attended to her duties as midwife and next morning the water was down so she could go home.
She told fortunes with tea leaves.
Levi Hedges left Maryland and came to Kentucky probably around 1795. That is also the year that he met and eloped with Rosannah, the oldest daughter of William Ribelin (who had moved his family to Kentucky from Yadkin Valley, North Carolina). Levi was about nineteen and she was not quite fifteen years old. Her father threatened to scratch her name from the family Bible, but he did not do so as Mary Hedges Reiner saw the family Bible of William Ribelin (probably in the 1950's) in the Historical Society in Lexington and Rosannah's name was still there.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25751032/rosannah-hedges
Mary Hedges Reiner visited the cemetery in November 1950 when it was known as the Graham Cemetery. Two Flemingsburg High School boys went with her to hunt for headstones and they found them completely covered with earth. She took photographs of the two stones.Children:
- William R. Hedges was born in 1796 in Montgomery County, Kentucky; died in 1796.
- William Ribelin Hedges was born on 14 Mar 1798 in Montgomery County, Kentucky; died on 28 Nov 1885 in Rowan County, Kentucky; was buried in Three Lick Cemetery, Rowan County, Kentucky.
- Mary Ann Hedges was born on 7 Sep 1800 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 28 Oct 1838 in Fleming County, Kentucky; was buried in Hargis Cemetery, Morehead, Rowan County, Kentucky.
- Rosanna Hedges was born about 1803 in Fleming County, Kentucky.
- 4. Monroe Hedges was born on 11 Feb 1803 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 18 Oct 1899 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- Addison W. Hedges was born on 27 May 1807 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died about 1875.
- Jesse Hedges was born about 1810 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 29 May 1894 in Rowan County, Kentucky; was buried in New Hope Presbyterian Cemetery, Fleming County, Kentucky.
- Sarah Hedges was born on 3 Sep 1812 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 16 Jul 1892 in Fleming County, Kentucky; was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Cranston, Rowan County, Kentucky.
- Levi Hedges was born in 1814 in Fleming County, Kentucky.
- David R. Hedges was born about 1817 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 27 Oct 1878 in Fleming County, Kentucky.
- Jonathan Kiher Hedges was born on 31 Jul 1819 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 15 Nov 1912 in Smoot, Greenbrier County, West Virginia; was buried in Andrew Chapel Cemetery, Williamsburg, Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
- James Hedges was born about 1820 in Fleming County, Kentucky.
- Louvina Jane Hedges was born on 18 Jul 1823 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 14 Jul 1891 in Fleming County, Kentucky; was buried in Gilead Cemetery, Bath County, Kentucky.