David L Hedges
Submitted By:  Lynn Mack
 
David L. HEDGES, a substantial agriculturist residing in Independence,
is specializing in the growing of hops and his efforts along this line
have been attended with substantial and gratifying results.  He is one
of the honored pioneers of Oregon, having resided within the borders
of the state since 1851, and he has been an interested witness of its
subsequent growth and development, to which his labors have
contributed in large measure.  He was born in Morgan county, Ohio,
February 25, 1838, and is a son of Israel and Mary (JENKINS) HEDGES,
the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio.  The
father was reared and educated in Ohio, to which state his parents had
removed about 1830.  On laying aside his textbooks he became a farmer,
purchasing land which he cultivated and improved, and he also learned
the trade of a blacksmith.  In 1851 he heard and heeded the call of
the west and with ox team and wagon crossed the plains to Oregon,
settling on a donation claim in Polk county, one and a half miles
south of Independence.  This he cleared and developed, and was active
in its cultivation for about twenty years.  He then removed to
Independence, where he engaged in business as a blacksmith and
gunsmith, conducting his interests along that line for many years,
when he retired.  He was familiar with every phase of pioneer life and
served in the Yakima Indian war of 1855-56.  He passed away on the 22d
of October, 1894, at the age of eighty-two years, and the mother's
demise occurred in September, 1885, when she had reached the age of
sixty-five years.
 
Their son, David L. HEDGES, was reared in Ohio to the age of thirteen,
when he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Oregon, and here
continued his education as a pupil in the district schools.  He is a
veteran of the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856, having served in the
campaign against the Yakima Indians in eastern Oregon when a youth of
seventeen years.  He remained at home until he attained his majority
and then started out in life independently, taking up a claim of one
hundred and sixty acres in Polk county.  He at once set about the
arduous task of clearing and developing his land, which he continued
to cultivate for about five years, when he sold and purchased land
about one and a half miles north of Independence.  This he operated
for two years, paying seven hundred dollars for his eighty-acre tract
and selling it for nine hundred dollars.  He then went to eastern
Oregon, where he turned his attention to ranching and cattle raising,
becoming the owner of three ranches in that section of the state.  At
the end of four years he returned to Polk county and purchased school
land just across the river in Marion county, operating that farm for
about five years, when he sold out and going to eastern Washington he
there engaged in the sheep business, with which he was connected for
three years.  He then returned to Polk county and bought one hundred
and sixty-seven acres situated three and a half miles north of
Independence, on the Willamette river.  He has since cultivated this
farm, specializing in the raising of hops, which he finds a most
profitable line of activity.  He brings to the operation of his ranch
a scientific knowledge of modern agriculture and has equipped his
place with all of the newest devices in farm machinery, erecting
commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings and bringing his
fields to a high state of development.  He is now living retired at
Independence, in an attractive residence at the corner of Monmouth and
Seventh Streets.
 
On the 20th of April, 1860, Mr. HEDGES was united in marriage to Miss
Amanda Jane FUDGE, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1843, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David FUDGE, also natives of Illinois.  In
1847, when but four years of age, she accompanied her parents on their
removal to Oregon.  Her father subsequently went to California to
engage in mining and died on shipboard while on his way back to
Oregon.  The mother passed away in Washington.  To Mr. and Mrs. Hedges
were born four children:  Minnie, who became the wife of Henry
PATTERSON and died May 4, 1902; Lottie, who married J. G. MCINTOSH, a
prominent merchant of Independence; Gertrude, the wife of A. D.
DAVIDSON, a resident farmer of Independence, who is specializing in
the growing of hops; and Pearl L., who is engaged in raising hops on
Mr. Hedge's farm.  The wife and mother passed away on the 25th of
March, 1915, after a brief illness, and her demise was a severe loss
to her family and the many friends she had won during the period of
her residence in Polk county.
 
Mr. HEDGES has been a lifelong republican casting his first
presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln and ever staunchly supporting
the principles and candidates of the party.  He is much interested in
the welfare and progress of the community and has served as a member
of the city council, his influence being ever on the side of
advancement and improvement.  His religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his life has been
guided by its teachings.  He is one of the venerable citizens of
Independence and his years rest lightly upon him, his interests and
activities being those of a much younger man.  He deserves much credit
for what he has accomplished as a promoter of local enterprises, and
Polk county is the richer in citizenship and resources by reason of
his honorable, successful and upright life.
 
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 407-408.

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