William Chidsey Hedges (1839-1917) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

Rev. William Chidsey Hedges

Born 17 Mar 1839 in Daviess County, Kentucky

Ancestors

Son of John Riley Hedges and Mary Lucinda (Stallings) Hedges

[sibling(s) unknown]

Husband of Elizabeth Jane (Witcher) Hedges — married 1868 in Daviess, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Father of Frederick Freshet Hedges and Robert Fulton Hedges

Died 19 Apr 1917 at age 78 in Ina, Jefferson County, Illinois

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Profile last modified 25 Feb 2024 | Created 19 Jan 2018

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Biography

From Findagrave.com:

William Chidsey HEDGES was the son of John Riley HEDGES and Mary Lucinda (STALLINGS) HEDGES.

[original Obituary for Rev. William Chidsey Hedges]

IN SEVENTIETH YEAR

William C. Hedges, Former White County Pioneer, Died Tuesday At Ina, Illinois.

(Contributed)

Wm. C. Hedges was born March 17, 1839, died April 19, 1917, aged 78 years, 1 month and 2 days. He was married in 1877 [sic---actually was 1858] to Elizabeth J. Witcher. To this union was born 13 children, three have already passed to the great beyond. The following survive: W. P. Hedges, Light, Ark.; Daniel K., Herald, Ill.; Mrs. Cynthia Williams, Herald; Mrs. Martha Renn, West Frankfort; John R. Hedges, Ruddells, Ark.; Elder Fred Hedges, McLeansboro; Mrs. Lila Wagner and Mrs. Lily Hart of Carbondale; George Hedges, West Frankfort and Eld. Fulton Hedges of Ina.

He entered the Civil War in 1862 and served to near the close, when he was given an honorable discharge on account of disabilities. He was in no great battle, but he endured the hardships common to the lot of the soldier---the long march, the sentry duty on bitter cold nights, and the illy cooked food. These privations, especially the latter, caused him to contract chronic diorrhea [sic] from which disease he spent several months in the hospital; although he partially recovered, he never again had the robust physique he had before entering the service. Throughout his life he was a tireless worker. He cleared more ground and made more rails than any one man in this community.

Early in life he professed faith in a personal savior, and ever afterward lived a devout Christian life. Few, if any can be found with a more religious fervor than he. He had two avocations in life---one was work, the other was worship. His entire life was spent in these, and he always found ample time for each. Each morning of life he thanked the Almighty Father for the day that lay before him. Each night of his life he asked His divine protection.

He united with the Baptist Church at Walnut Grove in 1860. Helped organize the church here [Tennessee Bend Baptist Church in Herald, Ill.] in 1880 and was a charter member, later went to Norris City, thence to Ina.

His religious life was his real life, and was not worn like a cloak one day in each week, and then laid aside,---it was a part of him in the home, in the church and in the war.

His wife died January 20, 1912, and sleeps in the cemetery nearby.

He suffered much in life---not being a strong man physically and was confined to his bed in his last illness nine weeks. During his conscious moments, he often prayed the Father, and often quoted the blessed promises of God. He possessed the true Christian characteristic of wanting to go home. Now they desire another country, that is a heavenly. Sometimes before the summons he said, "I do not know if this is death, but I greatly rejoice."

Funeral services at Herald, Sunday, April 22, conducted by Eld. E. A. Marlin, after which the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery near the church.

Beautiful floral offerings were contributed by each of the churches where Eld. Fulton Hedges is pastor.

Mr. Hedges was a great church worker and often in life, walked to church at a distance of three to five miles. Since the war almost his entire life was spent in this county. The last year or two he resided at the home of his son, Eld. Fulton Hedges. It was there he died April 19, 1917.

"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."

[Obituary for Rev. William Chidsey Hedges, undated but from context would be 22 or 23 Apr 1917, from a White County, Illinois, newspaper; Glued into the scrapbook of Lillie Ann (Hedges) Hart, daughter of the deceased. Scrapbook now in the possession of Lillie's grandson Kenneth Wayne Hart of Shreveport, LA. Typed by Lillie's great-grandson Matt Underwood.]

87th Regiment Infantry

Organized at Shawneetown, Ill., and mustered in October 3, 1862. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., January 31-February 4, 1863. Attached to District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee, to March, 1863. 3rd Brigade, District of Memphis, Tenn., 5th Division, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 12th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to August, 1863, and Department of the Gulf to September, 1863. Unattached Cavalry, Dept. of the Gulf, to November, 1863. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to January, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to July, 1864. Cavalry Brigade, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1864. Cavalry Brigade, Reserve Division, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. Cavalry District of Eastern Arkansas, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.--Duty at Memphis, Tenn., until May, 1863. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., May 9-11. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assault on Vicksburg May 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Moved to Natchez, Miss., July 25; thence to New Orleans, La., August 10. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30. Regiment mounted in November. Washington, La., October 31. Grand Coteau November 3. Vermillionville November 11. Camp Pratt November 20. Grosse Tete Bayou February 19, 1864. Banks' Red River Campaign March 10-May 22, 1864. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Monett's Ferry and Cloutiersvtlle March 29-30. Natchitoches March 31. Wilson's Farm April 7. Sabine Cross Roads April 8. Pleasant Hill April 9. Retreat to Alexandria April 10-26. About Cloutiersville April 22-24. Monett's Ferry, Cane River Crossing, April 23. Occupation of Alexandria April 26-May 13. Wilson's Landing May 2. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Avoyelle, or Marksville Prairie, May 15. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 18. At Morganza, and on steamer Baltic, Marine Brigade, May to September. Scouting in Bayous between Mississippi, Atchafalaya and Red Rivers and Bayou Plaquemine. Expedition from Morganza to the Atchafalaya May 30-June 5. Livonia May 30. Near Morganza June 4. Bayou Grosse Tete June 19. Atchafalaya July 21. Scout from Morganza August 10-12, Bayou Letsworth August 11. Operations near Morganza September 16-25. Williamsport September 16. Moved to mouth of White River, Ark., September 4, and duty there until January, 1865. 3 Companies at St. Charles. Moved to Helena, Ark., and duty there until June. Scout from Helena to Madison, Ark., February 8-13. Friar's Point February 10. Skirmish near Madison February 12. Scout from Helena to Clark's Store February 24 (Detachment). Mustered out June 16, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 15 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 219 Enlisted men by disease. Total 238.

(Source: Civil War Archive, Union Regiments, Illinois 87th Infantry)