Biography of A Hudgens, Clay Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Date: Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** From: The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of N. E. Ark. Biographical Information. A. Hudgens was born in Robertson County, Tenn., in 1834, and is the son of John and Nancy (Durham) Hudgens, and the grandson of James Hudgens, a native of Virginia. John Hudgens was also a native Virginian, but later moved to Tennessee, where he married Miss Durham. He had limited opportunities for an education, but made up for this to some extent by studying at home. Besides his work on the farm he conducted a store in Marion, Ill., and at one time was in quite comfortable circumstances, but was obliging enough to place his name on a friend's bond, in consequence of which he was compelled to pay a large sum of money. Thus he was badly harassed for some time. A. Hudgens attained his growth in Tennessee, learning the carpenter's trade, and went with his father to Illinois in 1852. He was married in that State to Miss Harriet McIntosh, a native of Williamson County, Ill., and the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Mason) McIntosh, who came from Robertson County, Tenn. After living in Illinois until 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Hudgens moved to St. Francis, there being but one dwelling there at that time, and put up the third house in the village. Here they now live and have a very nice residence. He has followed his trade and has built more than half the houses since he came. He has followed contracting and building, and is now holding the office of justice of the peace in the county. To his marriage were born seven children, all in Illinois. They are named as follows: Emma, received her education in the high school at Marion, Ill., and after teaching in that State for some time is now teaching in Arkansas; Sula, at present finishing her education at Carbondale, and is studying stenography, having-take one course in St. Louis; Minnie, is attending school at the State University at Fayetteville, Ark., and will graduate in the class of 1889; Oscar, is also attending the same school and will graduate in 1889; Frank is at home; Gertrude is also at home, and Bessis, an infant. Mr. Hudgens is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located at St. Francis, as is also his wife, and he affiliates with the Democratic party in his political views.