Military History in Paulding County

By: Mark Holtsberry

James Guy Hudkins Sr. was born in February 1893 in West Union, Doddridge County, West Virginia. He was the son of Byron J. Hudkins, born in September 1859, and Laura Emorigee (Brown) Hudkins, born January 25, 1863. The couple was married in 1886.

By 1900, the couple, along with their children, Folsom R., born in 1888; Ami P., born in 1890; James G., born in 1893; and Paul B., born in 1895, were living in West Union, West Virginia. Byron was a watch and clock repairman. James attended school through the end of the eighth grade, when he quit.

By 1910, the family was still living in West Union. In 1911, Byron and Laura were divorced. In 1912, Byron married Bertha M. Mayhugh. In 1913, a daughter, Francis, was born. On May 14, 1914, Byron became postmaster of Amma, Roane County, West Virginia. All the children were in school. Byron later became a physician after brief training and education.

On March 20, 1917, Laura Hudkins passed away.

On April 27, 1918, James joined the National Army out of Akron, Ohio. He served in Company K, 315th Infantry, until May 25, 1918. He then served with the Engineers Training Regiment at Camp Humphreys, Virginia, until August 23, 1918.

James was promoted to Sergeant on September 16, 1918, and to Sergeant First Class on December 10, 1918. He then served with Company C, 209th Engineers, until he was honorably discharged on February 4, 1919.

After coming home, James was living at 1920 Camden Street, Ward 1, Akron, Ohio. In 1922, James married Irma E. Gill in Wood County, West Virginia. She was born in 1903 in West Virginia. On July 22, 1924, a son, James Guy Hudkins Jr., was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

By 1930, the Hudkins family was living at 1557 Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. James was a tire builder in a rubber factory. By 1940, James and his family were still living at the same residence. James was working as a shipping clerk at the rubber factory, and James Jr. was in school.

In 1942, James Sr. was required to register for the World War II draft. James’ father, Byron, passed away on August 29, 1944.

By 1950, James and Irma were still living at the same house in Cuyahoga Falls. James continued working as a shipping clerk at the rubber factory. James Jr. was teaching at Kent State University. He, too, had registered for the World War II draft.

Irma passed away in 1959 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

On December 18, 1963, James Guy Hudkins Sr. passed away at his home. He was buried with full military rites conducted by American Legion Post #281. James Guy Hudkins Jr. later retired from education and passed away in 1993.

Now, you, the reader, are probably wondering why I wrote this article. Well, now for the rest of the story.

I met a collector of military items from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He found out that I had a World War I saddle pad from the 9th Ohio Cavalry that he wanted. He has the saddle that was issued with the pad.

He offered in trade a World War I saddle belonging to—you guessed it—James Guy Hudkins Sr.

I met him in Napoleon at the Henry County Fairgrounds for “Pickers Paradise.”

I am currently restoring this saddle.

…Until Next Time!