NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899, p404-405.

He whose name initiates this review was born on the 0th of January, 1860, on the old Hedden farmstead, which through several generations has been in possession of the family. His great-grandfather, Thomas Hedden, was the first of the name to come to Morris county, and in Randolph township established a home and improved a farm which has since been in possession of his descendants. Upon that farm the birth of Oliver Hedden, the grandfather, occurred. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Nancy Ayres and to them were born four children, namely: William M., Charles M., Millicent and Henry O., the last named now deceased.

The eldest son, William M. Hedden, was born on the old homestead and for his first wife married Rhoda Lamson, who was born in Randolph township in the ancestral home of the Lamsons. Her father, Daniel Lamson, was there born and was the son of John Lamson. Mrs. Hedden died in 1870, leaving a family of four children: Frank O.; Alfred L.; Laura J., wife of William H. Pierson, of Dover; and William M. After the death of his first wife, the father was united in marriage to Miss Francis E. Lamson, a niece of his first wife, and three children were born of that union: Allton S., Bertha and Florence A. The father died in 1891.

Alfred L. Hedden, the subject of this review, spent his boyhood days in his parents' home and the farm which was the place of his birth became his playground in youth and his training school in early manhood, for there he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He received a common-school education and when fifteen years of age began assisting his father, who engaged in the butchering business and conducted a meat market. After his father retired our subject and his brother Frank carried on the business until October, 1897, when they closed out. Alfred Hedden having turned his attention to the raising of poultry about five years previous. He has since conducted this industry. He hatches his chickens by the incubator process, and in the summer of 1897 hatched over five hundred in this way. He has upon the place every facility for the successful conduct of this business. His coops are large, and arranged so as to be easily ventilated and kept fresh and clean. He has made a close study of the needs of poultry and knows exactly the conditions required to produce the healthiest, best chickens, and on the market he always finds a ready sale for the poultry from the Hedden farm. This business is a paying one, and he is now reaping a desirable income.

Mr. Hedden was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Youngs, who was born in Randolph township, a daughter of William B. and Martha (Pierson) Youngs, and a sister of George Pierson, former surrogate of Morris county. The following children grace this union: Pierson A., Frank, Ella, Jennie, Rhoda, Arthur and Elmira.

In exercising his right of franchise, Mr. Hedden votes the Republican ticket in state and national elections, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, supports the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He served for two terms as a member of the school board under the old law and for four years under the new law. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and he and his wife hold membership in the Mt. Freedom Presbyterian church.

Transcribed by Brianne Kelly-Bly

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