Berkeley County, WV Biography of Emory HEDGES ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** File contributed by Suzanne March 1999 ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Book: HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN CO. Page 653-Urbana Township: EMORY HEDGES, farmer: P.O. Urbana. The father of Emory Hedges, Jonas Hedges, was born in Berkeley Co., VA, in 1789. His marriage to Miss Elizabeth Robinson, of that county was celebrated in 1811. They had three children, born in that state—Joseph, Mary and Ann. In 1818, they emigrated to this township, and their entire business life has been connected with its interests. Jonas was a remarkably successful business man, and his first purchase of 160 acres was added to until he was owner of 900 acres prior to his death. He served in the war of 1812, and was a pensioner at the time of his death. He built the first house on Sec. 11, Urbana Township, and this tract is still in possession of our subject. They were the parents of twelve children, five of whom are living—Elizabeth Hamilton, Hamilton J., Samuel R., James R., and Emory. All but James live in the county, and will be represented in this history. The wife and mother died in 1834, and Jonas, her husband, in 1864, at the ripe old age of 74. He lived long enough to see the county interlaced with railroads, and the forests disappear, and in their stead appear beautiful fields of waving grain. The best years of their lives had been given to the development of this county, and too much honor cannot be given to the pioneers who reared families of noble sons and daughters to perpetuate their names, who are possessed of the same spirit of enterprise that characterized their ancestry. Emory was married in 1858 to Nancy J. Gainer, of this township. They have six children living—Jonas H., Rebecca E., Wilber R., Marlay, Mary E. and Annie. The children are being well educated, and Jonas has been engaged in teaching, but as yet has chosen no profession. Their parents are both able and willing to give them all an academic education. The family history of the Hedges will form a very important part of the biographical series of Urbana Township. Mr. Hedges was a volunteer during the war of the rebellion, and served in Co. G, 134th Ohio V.I. He served in front of Petersburg, and was principally engaged in doing guard duty on the Appomattox and James Rivers.