George Fielden Hedges
1866 - 1950 (83 years)-
Name George Fielden Hedges Birth 27 Dec 1866 Morehead, Rowan County, Kentucky 
[1, 2, 3, 4] - Note from Marjorie (Fox) Block: Birth date and place from the family Bible owned by Cora Belle (Gritton) Hedges.
Gender Male Occupation farmer Religion Center Point Church [5, 6] Census 1900 Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census 1910 Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census 1920 Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census 1930 Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census 1940 Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Death 19 Feb 1950 Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois [1, 2, 3, 4, 7] Burial Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois [2, 4] Person ID i82 Hedges Last Modified 18 Sep 2025
Father William Riley Hedges, b. 10 Mar 1841, Farmers, Rowan County, Kentucky d. 25 Oct 1925, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri (Age 84 years) Mother Sarah Lavina Allen, b. 21 Aug 1845, Greenup County, Kentucky d. 16 Jun 1916, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri (Age 70 years) Marriage 28 Nov 1863 Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio [4, 8, 9] - Married by Allen Ken, magistrate.
Marriage date and location from Civil War pension application.
Family ID F15 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family George Fielden Hedges, b. 27 Dec 1866, Morehead, Rowan County, Kentucky d. 19 Feb 1950, Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois (Age 83 years) Marriage 28 Jul 1892 Vermilion County, Illinois [1, 3, 10] Children 1. Sophia Cordella Hedges, b. 10 Nov 1892, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois d. 19 Sep 1974, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois (Age 81 years)2. Ralph Jewell Hedges, b. 27 May 1894, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois d. 22 Jun 1969, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois (Age 75 years)+ 3. Grace Gertrude Hedges, b. 29 Oct 1895, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois d. 9 May 1988, Vermilion County, Illinois (Age 92 years)Family ID F60 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 18 Feb 2018
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Event Map 
Birth - 27 Dec 1866 - Morehead, Rowan County, Kentucky 
Religion - - Center Point Church 
Marriage - 28 Jul 1892 - Vermilion County, Illinois 
Census - 1900 - Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census - 1910 - Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census - 1920 - Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census - 1930 - Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Census - 1940 - Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois 
Death - 19 Feb 1950 - Fairmount, Vermilion County, Illinois 
Burial - - Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois = Link to Google Earth Pin Legend 
: Address
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Photos 
Hedges, Geo and Cora, Emma Gardner, Anna May Hedges Bagley and Charlie Bagley in Wyoming
Emma Analiza Hedges and her husband Charles Gardner lived in Fremont County, Wyoming
Hedges, Geo F and Cora Belle 
Hedges, Geo, Cora, Ralph, Grace and Sophia at Center Point Church Hedges, George F. 
Hedges, George F, Cora and their children Sophia and Ralph 
Hedges, George Fielden 
Hedges, Geo F on the left 
Hedges family of William R. and Sarah L.
The family of William R. and Sarah L. Hedges
L to R – standing: Jasper Newton Hedges, Lucy Malinda Hedges, Peter Thompson Hedges, Mary Dalton Hedges, James Alva Hedges, Anna May Hedges, George Fielden Hedges, Emma Analiza Hedges, John William Hedges. Seated: William Riley Hedges and Sarah Lavina (Allen) Hedges
Hedges, George, Cora and family 
Hedges, William Riley with brother, sons and grandsons 
Hedges, William Riley with brother, sons and grandsons 
Hedges, George F. 
A gathering of the families of Sarah Lavina and William Riley Hedges in Missouri
We need help identifying some people in this photo. Is that Lucy Malinda Hedges Jenkins seated on the far left with a child on her lap?
The Morehouse place 
Center Point Church after it was remodeled 
sons of William Riley Hedges 
Center Point Church 
Hedges, Peter Thompson and George Fielden 
Location is farm southwest of Jamaica, Illinois where George and Cora Hedges children were born. People in the photo are unidentified.
Unidentified, 1900 or so
Hedges Reunion - best guess for date is before 1939 
Hedges Reunion 
Hedges Reunion 1946
The Seventeenth Annual Hedges Reunion was held Sunday, August 18, 1946 at Lincoln Park, Danville, Illinois with 99 relatives and friends present. A basket dinner was served at the noon hour. George F. Hedges presided at the business meeting in the afternoon. Talks were given from those from distances and was enjoyed by all. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year. President J. W. Hedges, Vice President P. T. Hedges, Secretary Treasurer Anna Bagley. The next meeting will be held the 3rd Sunday in August 1947 in Missouri. Gifts were presented to the oldest man present, George F. Hedges, 79. Oldest woman was Mrs. Cora Hedges, 76 years old. The youngest was Robert Alan Yeazel, 3 month old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Yeazel. Newlyweds were Mr. and Mrs. John Hanks. The one coming the farthest was Jasper N. Hedges of Dubois, Wyoming, 1650 miles. There were 6 marriages, Betty Buckman and Dale Wood, Geraldine Hedges and Frank Pesorara, Betty Lou Smith and Frank Day, Lois Smith and Max Dodd, Roy Hedges and Inez Cola, Irene Smith and John Hanks. There were 9 births [transcriber has omitted this section to preserve privacy] Two deaths: Ercel Eldon Simpson and James A. Hedges. Greetings were received from those from a distance who could not attend.
July 24 1913 picnic 
Hedges Uncles Jim, John, Geo, Tom. Aunts Ona, Cora, Beulah 
Simpson's wife, Aunt Mary Simpson, Geo and Cora, Willis, Eva 
George, Grace Hedges, Harold and Howard Yeazel 
Hedges, Geo, Cora and grandchildren 
Hedges, George and Cora grandchildren 
Hedges, James A, George F and Rollie Yeazel 
Cora, George, Grace and many others 
George F. Hedges 
Hedges 
The Morehouse Place 
Hedges families
around 1912, no later than 1916
Hedges, George and Cora family 
Hedges, George and Cora family 
Hedges, George F. 
Cousins: Hedges, Horn, Brown, Smith, Bagley, Denger, Cronkite, Gilkison 
Hedges family reunion - need identification
HedgesAlbum133
Center Point Church 
Hedges, Cora, George, Cora, Win Reece 
Hedges Reunion 1946.jpg 
Hedges, Geo and Cora home.jpg 
1913 picnic back 
HedgesAlbum024.jpg 
HedgesAlbum117.jpg 
HedgesAlbum118.jpg 
HedgesAlbum120 
HedgesAlbum129.jpg Sophia, Ralph, Grace, George F. and Cora Hedges 
HedgesAlbum187.jpg 
Hedges_Sept019.jpg 
need identification - possibly Center Point Church 
Rollie Yeazel, Sophia, Howard, Grace and Willis Fox, Florence Reece Kidder, Geo and Cora Hedges, Florence and Winfield Reece, Marjorie, Joe, Marion Fox 
Rollie, Sophia, Howard Yeazel, Grace and Willis Fox, Howard Yeazel, Geo and Cora Hedges, Cora and Winfield Reece Marjorie, doll, Georgie Bell, joe Fox, Marion Fielden Fox, Joseph Benton.jpg 
Hedges Reunion 1932 
George Hedges with corn stalks 
Hedges men 
reunion007.jpg 
Group Photo at Adams house
Group of friends at the home of Maude and Joe Adams. Standing on porch: Sid Smith, Grace Hedges, "Grandpa" (no relation to us) Edmund Hawkins, June Elliott, Joe Adams, Annie Adams.
Standing: Ed Pletch, baby with father, Ralph Hedges, Mollie Pletch and baby, unidentified man, unidentified woman and boy in front, another unidentified woman with a boy in front, Maude Adams's mother who is married to Edwin Hawkins, unidentified boy, Sophia Hedges, Muriel Elliott, Emma Elliott, Maude Adams, Cecelia Elliot, Grant Elliott, Henry Adams, Cora Hedges, George F. Hedges, Ernest Gritton. (Identified by Grace (Hedges) Fox)
Group Photo at Adams house
Group of friends at the home of Maude and Joe Adams. Standing on porch: Sid Smith, Grace Hedges, "Grandpa" (no relation to us) Edmund Hawkins, June Elliott, Joe Adams, Annie Adams.
Standing: Ed Pletch, baby with father, Ralph Hedges, Mollie Pletch and baby, unidentified man, unidentified woman and boy in front, another unidentified woman with a boy in front, Maude Adams's mother who is married to Edwin Hawkins, unidentified boy, Sophia Hedges, Muriel Elliott, Emma Elliott, Maude Adams, Cecelia Elliot, Grant Elliott, Henry Adams, Cora Hedges, George F. Hedges, Ernest Gritton. (Identified by Grace (Hedges) Fox)
Morehouse Place
George's parents, William Riley and Sarah Hedges, are seated behind George. Frank Marshall Gritton is seated to Cora's left. Frank's wife, Cynthia Daley is seated behind Frank's right shoulder, Frank's sister-in-law, Frances E. Bell Gritton is to his left. https://hiltner.com/gritton/getperson.php?personID=I462&tree=tree1
Documents 
Hedges, Geo F. Public Sale 1919 
Hedges Reunion flyer 
1946reunion003.pdf 1946reunion003.pdf 
George F Hedges obituary in the Sidell Journal 
George Hedges obit
Headstones 
Hedges, George F and Cora Belle Gritton
Plot: Block 25, #203
Albums Center Point Church (7)
Stories of historical days in Vermilion County, Illinois
https://archive.org/details/storiesofhistor0tugg/page/56/mode/2up
CENTER POINT CHURCH
By WlLINORE Moreman, Dist. 170 Teacher, Edna White
I have chosen this subject because I am one of the fourth generation of my family to attend the Center Point Church.
This church is located about six miles southwest of Fairmount and three miles from Jamaica. In the year of 1891 this church was dedicated by Reverend Brooks of Paris, Illinois.
Prior to this time, the people worshipped in the Center Point schoolhouse. It was in the year of 1891, while a revival meeting was being held, that a young lady, Miss Ada Hedges, now Mrs. Ada Smith of Homer, Illinois, desired to enlist in the services and work of her Lord. Her parents, being members of the Church of Christ, sought to start their daughter in the Gospel training and their own faith. A preacher of the New Testament was then called. This minister was the Reverend B. N. Anderson, who held a three weeks' meeting in the Center Point Schoolhouse, and in which building Sunday School and Church were held until February 14, 1891. Sunday School and Church had been held in the schoolhouse in former years occasionally, but there was no organization until 1891.
Then the disciples named below met and organized themselves into a congregation of the New Testament teaching:
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Hedges, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKee, Mr. and Mrs. David Sconce, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Greer, Mrs. Matilda Hitchcock, Mrs. Jennie Hopper, Mrs. Lucy Hedges, Mrs. Anna Elliott Sullivan all now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Ellis of Macy, Indiana
Mrs. Emma Elliott Carrington of Georgetown
Mrs. Ada Hedges Smith of Homer
Mr. Harvey Elliott of Sidell, Illinois.
Elders of the church chosen at the time the church was organized were: Richard Elliott, James A. Hedges. Deacons of the Church when organized: Ed. Ellis, Harvey Elliott.
Thirty-two members were received in the first revival meeting, many of whom have "crossed the bar" but whose children and grandchildren are still carrying on the work.
The Sunday School attendance on each Sunday is from 35 to 50. There is one man attending who has not missed Sunday School in five years. This man is George Hedges of Fairmount, Illinois. Many have a one year record.
Reverend I. L. Cummins of Danville has been the minister of the Church the last five years, and it is thought that his good work has kept the Church thriving and growing.Hedges Reunions and Gatherings (20) Cora Belle Gritton and George Fielden Hedges album (81)
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Notes - Clark (Near Homer).
Mr. and Mrs. George Hedges and daughter Grace of Fairmount and Edith Gritton of Danville took supper Friday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Rolla Yeazel.
The Urbana Daily Courier, Urbana, Illinois. Saturday, 26 August 1916, page 3.
- Chosen `Good Neighbors` On Breneman Program.
Mr. and Mrs. George Hedges, who live north of Jamaica, were chosen the good “Good Neighbors” last Thursday morning on the popular “Breakfast in Hollywood” program presided over by Tom Breneman. A letter signed by 27 friends and neighbors whom they had befriended was read over the air. Friday evening they received an orchid from the grogram, which had been sent by air express. Mr. ad Mrs. Hedges have been married 56 years, he is 81 and she is 77. They have three children, Ralph of Sidell route, Mrs. Sophia Yeazel and Mrs. Grace Fox of Fairmount. They also have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They purchased the farm home where they now live in 1919. Since the broadcast, they have received many interesting cards and letters from all over the United States. Some were from people named Hedges who were trying to trace their family.
Sidell Journal, Sidell, Illinois. Thursday, January 29, 1948. Page 1.
[11] - George Hedges of Jamaica, Ill, and P.T. Hedges of Shreveport, Lou., spent Xmas with their father, Uncle Billy Hedges, and other relatives.
The Browning Leader-Record, Browning, Missouri. Thursday, 3 January 1924, page 4.
[12] - Funeral rites held Tuesday for George F. Hedges of Jamaica.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Catlin Church of Christ for George F. Hedges, 83, retired Jamaica farmer, who died at noon Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. R. Yeazel of Fairmount. The Rev. Thomas Overton officiated at the services, and burial was in Springhill cemetery, Danville with the Carrington funeral home in charge.
Mr. Hedges' death was attributed to coronary thrombosis, following an attack two years ago. He was living with his daughter while his home in Fairmount was being completed. He retired from the farm in Jamaica township in October after 29 years.
Mr. Hedges was born December 29, 1866, in Rawland [Rowan] county, Ky., a son of William and Lavina Hedges. He was married to Miss Cora Gritton of near Fairmount in 1892, and spent most of his life in Vermilion county. He was a member of the Center Point church, and after it was sold transferred his membership to the Catlin Church of Christ.
He is survived by the widow; a son, Ralph of Sidell; two daughters, Mrs. Yeazel and Mrs. Willis Fox, Fairmount; two sisters, Mrs. Mary S. Wood of Rockport, Texas, and Mrs. Anna Bagley of Purdin, Mo.; three brothers, P.T. Hedges of Natchetoches, La., J.N.Hedges of Riverton, Wyo., and J.W. Hedges of Purdin, Mo.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
The Sidell Journal. Sidell, Illinois. 22 February 1950. Page 1.
[4, 11] - 1900 US census enumerated 11 June 1900
Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
George F. Hedges, age 39, farmer, renting farm
Cora, age 29
Sophia C, age 7
Ralph J, age 6
Grace G, age 4
Lewis Cox, age 22, servant
[13] - 1910 US census, enumerated 30 April-2 May, 1910
Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
George Hedges, age 43, farmer, renting farm
Cora, age 38
Sophia, age 17
Ralph, age 15
Grace, age 14
[13] - 1920 US census, enumerated 8 January 1920
Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
George F. Hedges, age 53, renting farm
Cora B, age 49
Grace G, age 24
[13] - 1930 US census, enumerated 11 April 1930
Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
George F. Hedges, age 63, farmer, owned farm
Cora B., age 59
[13] - 1940 US census, enumerated 15 April 1940
Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
George Hedges, age 73, farmer, owned farm
Cora, age 69
[13] - member of Center Point Church
On 8 April 1901 E.L. Hawkins and George Hedges were elected as elders, joining James Alva Hedges and F. Pletch. George was a nephew of James Alva Hedges.
On 3 June 1906, George F. Hedges and E. L. Hawkins were elected trustees of Center Point Church, joining A. W. Shelly.
On 19 October 1919 the following were elected elders of Center Point Church: Geo F. Hedges (one year), John Edwards (two years), and Harve Elliot (three years).
Geo. F. Hedges was also elected clerk and treasurer.
On 11 July 1920 T.J. Smith, and J.T. Edwards were elected trustees of Center Point Church, joining Geo. F. Hedges.
When Center Point Church closed and was sold, George F. Hedges, Cora B. Hedges, Rollie Yeazel and Sophia Yeazel united with the Catlin Church of Christ on 17 September 1946.
[6] - George F. Hedges served as Justice of the Peace for the township of Jamaica from April 1902 through 1921 and again from 1939 to 1941.
Justice of the Peace for the Town of Jamaica appointment dates:
11 April 1902-May 1905
17 April 1905 - May 1909
28 April 1909 - May 1913
25 April 1913-May 1917
26 April 1917 - May 1921
24 April 1939 - May 1941
Source: Certificates of appointment. In the library of Linda Hedges.
From the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois State Archives:
"Justice of the Peace.
Justices of the peace were judges of local courts with limited jurisdiction. They heard legal actions for small claims, tried persons accused of misdemeanors, and conducted preliminary examinations of prisoners. Appeals from justices of the peace were always allowed. Justices did not keep records of testimony, but they were required to keep dockets, from 1827 to 1962."
https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/IRAD/jp.html
- In the 1924-1925 List of County and Township Officials for Vermilion County, State of Illinois booklet:
George F. Hedges is listed as a member of the Vermilion County Board of Supervisors for Jamaica Township.
He is also listed as Assessor for Jamaica Township for 1924.
- Clark (Near Homer).
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Sources - [S2] Mary Hedges Reiner, The Hedges Family by Mary Hedges Reiner.
- [S6] Find a Grave.
- [S16] Family Bible, George F. Hedges.
- [S9] Obituary.
- [S83] Compiled for the school libraries by L. A. Tuggle, County Superintendent of Schools, Stories of historical days in Vermilion County, Illinois, (https://archive.org/), https://archive.org/details/storiesofhistor0tugg/page/n8/mode/2up.
- [S100] Records of the Center Point Church, Library of Linda Hedges.
- [S11] Hedges Reunion Book, Library of Linda Hedges.
- [S1] Family Bible, William Ribelin Hedges.
- [S10] Declaration for Pension, US military.
- [S19] Marriage certificate.
- [S88] newspaper clipping, Library of Linda Hedges.
- [S87] Newspaper article.
- [S25] Census.
- [S2] Mary Hedges Reiner, The Hedges Family by Mary Hedges Reiner.