My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM LUTHER HEDGES, M. D., one of the most able practitioners of Johnson County, enjoys a large and paying practice in Warrensburg, where he has been located since August, 1871. In 1877 he was appointed Pension Examining Surgeon, and held the place sixteen years, being Secretary of the Board much of the time. He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the Western Academy, and the Missouri Institute of Homeopathy. In 1879 he was President of the last-named organization, and is now an honorary member of the Kansas State Institute of Homeopathy. Before these various societies he has frequently read papers, and has taken part in discussions before them.

The parents of the Doctor were James F. and Ruth J. (Brown) Hedges. The former is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and of English descent, some of his ancestors having settled in Maryland as early as 1534. The mother was born in Nicholas County, Ky., and was of Irish descent. James F. Hedges, who is still living, was born in 1822, and moved to Putnam County, Ind., in 1852, buying a farm of two hundred and forty acres, on which Carpentersville was afterwards laid out. Mr. Hedges soon sold his place, buying another farm, on which he lived until 1856. Then, going to Macoupin County, Ill., he invested in a large farm, which he cultivated several years. During the war he moved to Girard, Ill., where he remained until 1869, and then, on account of business reverses, went to Emporia, Kan., where he owned land. In 1872 he came to this city, but after living here a year went to Fredonia, Kan., and in 1881 moved to Rich Hill, Mo. His wife died at the latter place in 1882, leaving seven children, one having preceded her to the better land.

Dr. W. E. Hedges was born in Bath County, Ky., December 17, 1842, and received a good education, attending the academy at Scottville, Ill., about three years. In the spring of 1862 he taught a country school two miles and a-half from home, and received $20 a month in gold. August 13 of that year he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. He came within three votes of being elected Lieutenant, but on account of his youth preferred to serve as a private. In the battle of Parker’s Cross Roads, in western Tennessee, his company was cut to pieces, and December 31, 1862, the bursting of a shell knocked young William over, but did not injure him to any extent. From April 15 to 25 following he was in the fight at Town Creek, Ala., and July 14, 1864, he fought in the noted battle of Tupelo, Miss. Then, starting after Price, the company followed him to Missouri, and in October, 1864, marched from the barracks at St. Louis, by way of Jefferson City, Sedalia and Independence, to Harrisonville, Mo., and back, by Pleasant Hill, Lexington, Glasgow, Columbia and St. Charles, to their starting point, a distance of about seven hundred miles, all inside of sixty days. In the battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864, the regiment lost twenty-six men. Thence they were sent on a march to Eastport, Miss., from there were transported to New Orleans, and later went by steamer to Mobile. April 9 and 10 they assisted in taking Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakeley, losing about twenty in killed and wounded. Arriving in Montgomery, Ala., after a march of over two hundred miles, they learned of Lincoln’s assassination and Lee’s surrender. Returning to Mobile, Mr. Hedges was made mail messenger, running from that point to New Orleans by boat, and receiving extra pay during his six weeks’ service in that capacity. He was mustered out July 15, and arrived in Springfield, Ill., August 4, 1865.

Resuming his interrupted educational progress. Dr. Hedges entered Lombard University, in Galesburg, Ill., the following September, and attended that institution until February, 1867. He would have graduated in June, but was obliged to leave on account of his brother’s illness. While teaching school in 1862, he had read medicine with Dr. J. P. Mathews, and now again took up the study with Dr. Fountain Jones, of Girard, Ill. In October, 1867, he entered Hahnemann College, in Chicago, and at the close of the year’s work practiced with his preceptor. In the fall of 1868 he went to St. Louis, and in February of the following year was duly graduated from the Missouri Homeopathic Medical College. Returning to Girard, he engaged in practice until August, 1871.

Politically Dr. Hedges is prominent in the ranks of the Republican party, having been a member of the Congressional Committee of the Sixth District and Temporary Chairman of the Congressional Convention of the Sixth District at their meeting in Butler, Mo. Three times has he been elected as Mayor of the city, and for five years was President of the School Board and Chairman of the Educational Committee. He helped to organize the Johnson County Building Association, of which he has since been President, and is a Director and stockholder in the People’s Bank of Warrensburg and the Center View Bank. For three years he has been a Knight Templar, and was made Master Mason in 1865. With the Ancient Order of United Workmen he holds the rank of Select Knight.

Since 1857 Dr. Hedges has been a member of the Christian Church, and a very active worker. For fifteen years or more he has been an Elder, and he is also a member of the State Board of Missions. May 30, 1877, he was united in marriage with Virginia Gilkeson, who was born in Warrensburg, September 20, 1856. She graduated from the normal in 1875, and is much interested in literary and religious work. She is Corresponding Secretary of the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions of Missouri, and for three years was President of the Equal Suffrage Association of Missouri.