Benton Co., AR - Biographies - A. T. Hedges

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        Date: 20 Jun 1998
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SOURCE:  Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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A. T. Hedges, of Batie Township, was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., February 16, 1826, and is
the son of Samuel M. and Martha (Mitchell) Hedges. The father was born in the District of
Columbia, and lived there until a man. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools,
and his first wife was a Miss Browner, who bore him two children, one now living, Merideth B.
Hedges. The one deceased was named Robert. The mother of these children died in Virginia, and Mr.
Hedges then married Martha Griffith, and by her became the father of five children, only one,
Ambrose T., now living. Ignatius, Elizabeth and Mary K. and another are deceased. At the time of
her marriage with Mr. Hedges Mrs. Griffith was a widow and the mother of one child. Henry J., who
was educated at West Point, and after graduation received a lieutenant's commission. While in the
service during the Rebellion he was drowned at Rock Island, where he was buried by the
Government. After his second marriage S. M. Hedges immigrated to Kentucky, leaving his
comfortable home in the east for one of privation and hardship in that wild and unsettled west.
Here he remained for seven or eight years, and then moved to Bartholomew County, Ind., where he
purchased land, and there remained until A. T. was about twelve years old. They then moved to
Missouri, where they remained for about six years, and then started for Texas, but on the way
stopped for a short time in Benton County, Ark. They continued their journey to Texas, and were
in that State before it was admitted into the Union. They did not tarry long in this State, but
in 1844 returned to Benton County, Ark., and here the father died in 1867. The mother had died
previously while the family were living in Missouri. Their son, A. T. Hedges, at the time of
coming to Arkansas was eighteen years of age, and until that time lived with his parents,
although depending on his own work and his own resources for a means of living. He secured a fair
education, and in 1853 he married Miss Eliza J. Denton, daughter of John Denton, who was from
Missouri. Two children were born to this union, one now living, Child S., and Elenora M. After
his marriage Mr. Hedges continued to make his [p.847] home on the old farm, where he has lived
for forty-four years. He was among the few first white settlers of the county, and the Indians
were still quite numerous. There was a school and church building in the neighborhood, but little
attention was paid to either, school being taught on the subscription plan. During the war Mr.
Hedges enlisted in Capt. Hendren's company of volunteers, in the Indian brigade, under Col.
Standwatie, and served from 1863 until the close of the war in the Confederate service. He was in
the Fayette fight and numerous other encounters. Mr. Hedges is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, of which he has been a member for thirty-five years, being one of the oldest in this
section of the country. He has ever taken an interest in all public affairs, such as schools,
churches, etc., and politically is a strong Democrat, always voting the Democratic ticket, for
Pierce and the same ticket down to Grover Cleveland. His only son, Child Hedges, has always lived
with his father, and was educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty-seven he married
Cynthia A. Torbutt, daughter of J. O. Torbutt, of Benton County, Ark. To this marriage have been
born three children, two now living, Maud and Parra. The one deceased was named Grover Cleveland.
Since his marriage Mr. Hedges has lived on the home place, engaged in agricultural pursuits and
in stock raising. He, like his father, is a Democrat in politics. He and his father are the
owners of 700 acres of land, 500 under cultivation.