Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-10-21
DECATUR HEDGES.
OLD AND Retired
FARMER, is DEAD
FATHER or DR.. q. 8. HEDGES
DIES MONDAY EVENING AT
5 O'CLOCK.
WAS ONE OF THEl couNTYs
FOREMOST FARMERS AND
BUSINESS MEN
FORMERLY DIRECTOR AND FIRST
VICE PRESIDENT OF OLD
NATIONAL BANK

Decatur Hedges, one of the Oldest
and most prominent citizens in the
county. died Monday afternoon at the
home OF his daughtera Mrs. Thomas
H. Speck, of HedgesviHe. with whom
he resided the past three years. at
) o'clock OF acute Indigestion. with
which he had suffered only one day.
During the past ;hfce years Mr.
Hedges had been in Failing health.
and about a year ago he sustained So.
we're injuries in a fall from which
he never fully recovered After re
ceiying those injuries his health de-
clined very rapidly and he was I'M
able to leave the house Although
frequent visitor to the city he was
compelled TO foreso fhat pleasure.
his last trip being mad here year
ago. During his visits here he was
always warmly greeted by his numer-
Gus friends
Mr. Hedges was the son OF Dir.
John r. and Elizabeth Hedges prom
inent people in the early history of
the county. and was born at the old
homestead. west of Hainesyille. Feb
ruary q, 1892 being at the time Of
his death in his eighty-ffth year. The
greater portion of Ills long and use
ful life was spent within the ceun,
tvs confines. He lived a short while
in Cumberland, and also in Virginia.
but returned TO his former home and
continued to reside in the county the
remainder of his life.
Having been born on h farm and
being especially adapt u IA faFming
pursuits he became recognized as one
of the best in the county Turning
his attention in other directions he
engaged in the banking business, and
for many years was a director and
first vice president of the Old Ma
tional Bank. resigning when i'll health
prevented him from giving the bust
ness immediate attention. He was
one OF the promoters of the Williams.
port bridge. and was the first vice
president of the company. retiring
when advanced age compelled him to
relinquish his duties He was also
Interested in the Hagerstown Fair
Association, and was a director from
Berkeley county.
Mr.. Hedges was twice married. his
first wife being Miss Mary Zeall, OF
Cumberland or that union the fol
lowing children survive DR.. G. y.
Hedges. of West Burke street; Mrs
y. F.. Evans, of Denver. Coll Mrs
w Samuel Goodwin, of Emporia. Va. :;
Mrs. Mary H. Rodgers. Of Bowling
Green. KY, mother Of Attorney D. II.
Rodgers, and Mrs George r. Whit
ney. of Denver. Col
His second wife was Miss Martha
McCue. of Fishersvile. Va. and to
this union the following children sur
vive Mrs. Thomas H. Speck. OF
Hedgesville Mrs. Harry w. Miller
and Mrs c. w Cunningham, both OF
Paw Paw.
Mr. Hedges was a deyout member
of the Falling Waters Presbyterian
church at Spring Mills. and through
ont his connection with that body
gave literally of his time and means
to promote the cause in which he was
so vitality Interested He lived the
life of a true christian man, and was
everywhere recognized as a man who
not only believed in christianity but
practiced 1t daily He was also a
member of the Hcdgesville Masonic
lodge. which will have charge Of the
funeral In politics he was Demo
crat. but never held office.
In the death Of Mr. Hedges, Berke-
ley county loses a splendid citizen.
man who always stood for honesty.
sobriety and all that goes to make an
upright man Having lived to a ripe
age he could lay aside his labors.
realizing that his earthly task had
been well done.