The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-07-17
MR., ROBT. III. HUDGENS
PASSES TO THE BEYOND
wen known Citizen of this Flaee
Died Saturday Morning After an At
tack OF Paralysis q few DAYS Before

Mr.. r. H. Hudgens, g. prominent
and influential citizen of this place
died at his summer home a few miles
from the city Saturday morning at
three o'clock, after an illness of only
few days. Wednesday afternoon Mr..
Hudgens was driving to his home in
the country in his automobile i'm
provised for carrying his farm pro-
duc and home supplies. He left here
with a large load Of materials lust
before a shower of rain, which he
iater ran into. Getting about a mile
from nome he was stricken with
paralysis on the left side. Sticking
grimly to his machine, he succeeded
In driving 1t all the way home and in
to the shed when assistance came He
gradually grew weaker and weaker
until this morning when the end came.
The funeral services were held at
Chestnut Ridge cemetery Sunday after
noon, the services being conducted by
Rev. w. e. Thayer, assisted bv Rev
A. I. Jamison, superintendent of the
Connie Maxwell Orphanage. Here his
wife, who proceeded him to the grave
70 years ago, and other relatives are
buried. The services were attended
by the largest assembly of people ever
seen at funeral in this county. The
floral offerings We're magnificent and
bounteous Flowers came from num-
berless friends both in this county and
elsewhere. The Southern Cotton Oil
company sent magnificent cluster
of flowers while several other large
boxes were received from different
managers of oil mills both In South
Carolina and Georgia.
Mr.. Hudgens was 60 years of age
and was still healthy and strong when
stricken. He was born in Chestnut
Ridge section Of this county and at
the age of fourteen years went to the
from with the Confederate army. Be-
ing but a boy at the beginning of
the war, he kept at the side of his
brother but as soon as he became
large enough he took a mans place
in the conflict and fought througout
the war Returning to his native
county, he took up work upon the
farm and was very successful.
Moving to Laurens in the early nine
ties, he became interested in differ
ent enterprises He bought the old
Laurens iron foundry and machine
works and later ginnery. These
enterprises he conducted very success
fully. The Laurens Bonded Ware
house was built by him. During the
nineties he beacme interested i'm the
present plant and became manager
Of it for a stock company When the
company sold out to the Southern
Cotton Oil company he remained as
manager and held that position at
his death. All of this time. he conduct
ed his farming operations using pro-
gressive methods and producing re-
suits. At his death, Mr.. Hudgens was
the pOssessor of considerable prop
erty.
In his early life, Mr.. Hudgens mar
ried Miss Mamie Barksdale, died in
1886. Their children are Mrs. c. II.
Roper, Miss Fay Hudgens matron
in the Connie Maxwell Orphanage.
Messers A. l.. and f. S. Hudgens,
Mrs. w. E. Meng, Mrs. b. T. Roper and
Miss Mamie Kate Hudgens.
Mr.. Hudgens was prominent
figure in the life of Laurens During
his early and middle period of life he
took a great deal of interest in what
ever tended towards the progress and
wellbeing. He was several times an
alderman and one time an intcndent
Of this city He unselfishly worked
for its advancement, giving his time
and money whenever needed, though
in latter years he had left this to
younger hands. He was very liberal
and charitable, though giving In quiet
and unostentious way, never turning
down a call from one in need. He was
substantial business man, always
honorable and upright in his dealings.
His friends were unnumbered and his
enemies few. He was a real credit
to the community and one whose
loss will be felt by all.