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Continued: Frederick Henry Hudson was the second child born to Velva Mae Mortonand Willie M. Hudson in Blytheville, Arkansas. Fred was sent toCatholic school while Frencella attended public school when the familylived in Appalachicola, FL in 1928-29. (Pert said Fred was afraid ofthe nuns in their black habits and would hide in the outhouse untilschool was out).
Fred lived with Uncle Theodore in 1930-31 and attended first grade atBirmingham School in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH. Birmingham School wasintegrated and Helen Lang was his teacher. Ms. Lang noted that "Fredhas been a very good student". He only missed 1/2 day of school andwas promoted to second grade. Fred also attended the first threequarters of second grade in Toledo. It is unclear from family sourceswhy Fred was sent to Catholic School or to Toledo to attend school.Uncle Theodore seemed to take an interest in his nieces and nephewsand Velva and Willie's children were his first. Theodore and Marthawere married in 1939 but did not have their first child, Margueriteuntil 10 July 1950.
In 1932, Fred attended the fourth quarter of second grade in DistrictNine in Bragg City, Pemiscott Co., MO. Mrs. Ella Steward was histeacher. Mrs. Steward indicated that Fred's attitude toward hisschool work was: he wasted time and under conduct, he annoyed othersand whispered too much. He was promoted to third grade.
According to Fred's Military Records, he received his 8th gradediploma and completed 3 years of high school at Hayti High School inHayti, MO in 1941.
Fred and Frencella were very close as they grew up. Frencella, wewere told, used to bounce Fred around as a kid if he didn't watch hisstep. We also heard "chicken-yard" tales about Frencella from VelvaMae. We used to hear about the time when the family lived inAppalachicola, FL and Pert and Fred brought an alligator home with astring tied onto it's tail. I can imagine the expression on Mama'sface when she saw that! We've also heard about Fred's 92 mile trip onhis bicycle to Aunt Princess' house in Joiner, AR after a trip to thewoodshed for something that he did at home in Blytheville, AR. Daddysaid he hauled Fred and the bike home in his Model-T Ford where Fredprobably had another trip to the woodshed. Fred was about 12 years ofage at the time.
Marriage License: Frederick Henry Hudson of Bragg City, PemiscottCo., MO, under the age of 21 and Ella Mae Griffin of Kennett, DunklinCo., MO who is over the age of 18. The father of Frederick HenryHudson is present and gives his written consent to this marriage.Judge C. M. Burcham of the Second District performed the marriage 29Dec 1941. The license was filed on 6 Jan 1942. The license wassigned by John Vardell, Deputy and Lee Shultz, Recorder of Deeds atthe Dunklin County Courthouse. Fred was 19 years of age.
Fred and Ella Mae lived across the street from Luna and Frank inDyersburg, TN for about one month shortly after they were married.They roomed with a Mrs. Clay and Ella would come to Luna's house tocook her meals. Fred worked at a restaurant and took his meals there.
According to Fred's Military Records, he was employed by UsonaManufacturing Company of St. Louis, MO for 1-1/2 years prior to hisinduction into the Army-Air Corps where he made floor and bench molds,poured brass, bronze, aluminum and brass-aluminum alloys. He alsoground castings down to rough finish using a power grinder.
Family sources and Fred's letters to Velva confirm that Ella Mae waspregnant with her second child, a son, which Ella Mae lost during adomestic family infraction with Fred sometime after their marriage insoutheast MO. In a letter written to Velva dated 25 Aug 1944, Fredwrote that " he didn't think this baby (Glenda Ann) would be like thelast one because Ella Mae was being more careful and going to thedoctor twice a month and the doctor said Ella Mae was doing fine". On16 Sep 1944 Fred wrote that " he hoped she'd come through alrightbecause he did not want to lose this one. He wanted to bring thisgrandchild home". Then on 8 Oct 1944 Fred wrote "Ella Mae said onlyone thing was missing on the picture, our little junior". During thistime, El la Mae was pregnant with Glenda who was born on 20 Oct 1944.
Fred was drafted into the Army just prior to his 20th birthday, on 24July 1943 at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, MO. On 30 Jul 1943,Fred wrote that he had left St. Louis from Jefferson Barracks at 3 PMon Wednesday and arrived in NC at 1 AM Friday morning, travelingthrough Atlanta, GA. He asked mama to tell Mable to send him apicture of Annie Bell (Sonja's mother) and to exchange his addresswith her (Fred and Anna Belle Wakefield had a daughter, Sonja togetherwho was two years, 2-1/2 months old at this time). He asked aboutCalvin and said he was going to write Allie Mae (his wife) andFrencella. Fred said he hoped to see about five more 20's (speaking ofhis birthdays). He mentioned 'Flathead' (sister Mable), sent regardsto the siblings and daddy and said he'd do his best to make a goodsoldier. A quilt pattern dated 1944? from the Weekly Star wasincluded in this letter. Military postage was free and mama and daddylived in Bragg City, MO., Box 58.
Fred was on a train traveling to basic training with the Army AirForces to the 303rd Training Wing in Greensboro, NC on his 20thbirthday, 30 Jul 1943. Fred was assigned Serial Number 37617859.
On 29 Aug 1943, Fred wrote to Velva that Allie Mae was in Greensboroand planned to get a job and stay, which she did until Fred wastransferred to Wichita Falls, TX, Sheppard Field, Army Air Forces,320th Technical School Squadron around 1 Oct 1943. Here, Fredunderwent five months of training to become an airplane mechanic,flyer/gunner. (Fred spelled Ella Mae's name with both an 'A' and an'E' in his letters).
On 22 Oct 1943, Fred wrote that he had had two teeth pulled and neededothers filled. He said Allie Mae had arrived in Wichita Falls, TX andgot a job in a restaurant on the post working from 3 to 11 PM. Fredwas in school from 3 to 9:30 PM and said he went to Allie Mae's roomto study each evening as his barracks was very noisy. Fred saidstudying was hard as he'd been out of school for a while.
On 8 Nov 1943, Fred remembered that it was Robert's 9th birthday, thathe was broke and regretted not sending a gift. Fred said he hopedRobert lived to be an old man and never saw the inside of an Armycamp. Robert did neither. Fred promised to send a photo soon.
On 16 Nov 1943, Fred wrote that he was broke and had been "red-lined"on the payroll due to a misspelling of his given name. His pay hadbeen held up. Mama sent $5.00 and he was overjoyed. He asked for aThanksgiving box with fried chicken, caramel cake, fresh fruit andanything else. He promised to share the box with Ella Mae. Ella Maeand Fred were off on Sundays and she had cooked a meal of turnipgreens and baked ribs which they really enjoyed. Fred was glad Mablehad gotten off to school and he knew she would like it (Mable came toSt. Louis to live with Pert and John Henry and was attending VashonHigh School). Fred often referred to 'Flathead' in his letters whom Ibelieve was Mable.
On 25 Nov 1943, Fred received a box from mama which contained friedchicken, sausage and peaches. He said he took the box to Ella Mae'sroom and they really enjoyed eating Bragg City food in Texas, "theworse state in the 48". Fred had received a letter from Pert who saidMable had started school. Fred said he had received the $1.00 daddysent and still had $.70 left. Fred was telling mama to encouragedaddy to go to St. Louis to look for work and to keep his truck. JoeLouis had visited the Colored Troops on the base and Wilkie had made aspeech on the base. (I think Wilkie was running for president).
Based on Fred's letter of 30 Dec 1943, I think mama had sent aChristmas box as Fred said he had the sausage in his trunk and wouldeat some around ten o'clock at night. Fred asked when they wouldleave Bragg City; he was tired of seeing Bragg City on his letters.Fred said daddy should go on up there (St. Louis) and start to workbecause it would be a good while before the people moved out of thehouse. He wanted to know where the house was and asked if it was inthe county. Fred had received letters from Pert and Mable and askedif the children were still in school. He'd stayed with Allie MaeChristmas day and the weekend and had a nice dinner. He asked aboutJean (Ella's sister) and her family and hoped the war would end nextyear.
On 23 Jan 1944, it was apparent that daddy had left Bragg City for St.Louis. Mama's address changed from Box 58 in Bragg City to Rt. 1, Box212. Fred was hoping the family would hurry and get moved so he couldvisit them in St. Louis when he got a furlough in March. The peoplein the house on Whitney still hadn't moved out. Mama had written alot of news and Fred said he'd carried the letter and let Allie Maeread it. Something had happened to Mersie V., Lillian, Rosa and Jean(I think they were all pregnant). Fred asked about Lorine and made acomment about Mr. Willis buying his wife new clothes to make her comeback. Fred was going to write to daddy and hoped he would get a goodjob that would last after the war. He said he knew mama would likeSt. Louis once she got settled and her and the kids could go to churchevery Sunday. He sent regards to Rev. Carter and spoke of Chester andRev. Carter dying on their farms there in Bragg City.
On 6 Feb 1944, Fred wrote that he didn't think mama would be anyhappier to leave Bragg City than he would be to leave Texas (he hatedit there). He said they wanted to visit Jean when he got a furloughand Ella Mae's little brother in Kennett, MO. He asked if daddy hadgotten his Pullman job yet and said he'd had a letter from Calvin whowas trying to get a discharge from the Army.
On 24 Feb 1944, Fred's letter was forwarded to 6512 Whitney in St.Louis as mama had moved. There was a letter from Susie Lee encloseddated 26 Feb 1944. Fred said he was staying in town with Ella Maeeach night and returned to the base each morning at 8 AM. Fred saidElla Mae weighed 125 pounds and he had gained 20 pounds. The lastcard Fred received from daddy, he was in Oklahoma headed to St. Louis. Fred was concerned that daddy would be drafted into the war again(daddy was over 45).
Susie Lee thanked mama in her letter for money sent. Susie said Thordwas up on the side of the bed some days by being propped up butcouldn't make a step. She said she would send a car for mama and thekids if he got worse but she wanted mama to get moved. Susie was gladWillie had a good job and was not out in the woods. Susie sent Velvaa picture of one of her brothers and promised to send one of Warren.Susie hadn't heard from Booker and thought he had 'gone across' (tothe war in Europe) Susie said when Thord's fever rose and he got outof his head, he would call for Booker. She felt sorry for him. Susieasked if mama knew where Mrs. Foster was (the mid-wife who deliveredJuanita?). She wanted mama to help her get Winie a birth certificate. Susie said she let Winie go in her daddy's name-'Henley'. Susiespelled Juanita's name Jaunati Henley, and gave her DOB as 9 Apr 1934. Susie wanted mama to get this certificate before she left Bragg City,where Juanita was born.
When Fred answered mama's letter on 13 Mar 1944, he made no referenceto Susie's letter. He did say that he had asked Pert to send $10 andwas asking mama for $10 to come home on furlough. He thought he'd besent to Alabama afterwards as he did not pass his overseas exam. Hesaid Ella Mae had been sick and they had to use her money that she'dsaved for that (Ella Mae was pregnant with Glenda). Fred said hisone-way fare was about $20 and Ella Mae was getting another job whenthey left. Daddy was in Mexico when Fred last heard from him.
On 22 Mar 1944, mama had sent Fred money and he was waiting to getmoney from Pert. He had four days of school left and hoped to be homeby Easter Sunday. Fred wrote as if he'd been to St. Louis anothertime other than his military trip. He wanted to see daddy and hissiblings.
On 22 Apr 1944, Fred was assigned to the 332nd Avn. Squadron atLaughlin Field in Del Rio, TX. He talked about the long ride back andthe hard rain. ( I don't think Ella Mae came to St. Louis with Fred). Fred said there were 100 boys in his new group and 50 had notreceived training similar to his. He said it was only a dozen Coloredpeople there, it was real hot and he would be real black and thefamily wouldn't know him next time. He sent regards to Jonnie (JohnHenry), Pert and 'Flathead'. Fred wanted Pert to keep his war bondsand not give them to Ella Mae; to save all of them until he got homebecause they were his. He asked about daddy and wanted Kirk'saddress. He asked mama to send his coveralls and cap.
On 5 May 1944, Fred was writing to 'Sis and Bro' (Pert and John Henry)through mama. Someone had stolen his shoes and he needed a shoe stampand $10 to get another pair. Fred said he forgot to lock his shoes inhis trunk. He also wanted to earn some stripes. Fred said he'd senta photo and thought it would keep the bears off. Fred said he'd cutoff his bond to set up an allotment for mama. He wrote "I guess youknow by now my wife is down here just like you said". Fred wasworking from 4:15 PM to 12:15 AM and said he couldn't even go to theshow.
Their second child who survived, Glenda Ann, was born in Del Rio, TXon 20 Oct 1944. Glenda attended school in St. Louis and attendedFontbonne College, acquiring a degree in education. Glenda went on toobtain additional higher degrees in education and psychology.
Fred and Ella Mae had previously lived in St. Louis in the 3600 blockof Finney Ave near Frencella who lived at 3653 and in Dyersburg, TNacross the street from Aunt Luna and Uncle Frank for about a monthearly in their marriage.
Fred trained for and became an airplane and engine mechanic at theArmy Air Force TS, Sheppard Field, TX. He worked as an airplane andengine mechanic in the 2514th AAF-BU assembling engines of airplanesby mounting generators, fuel pumps, connecting rods and cam shaftswhile at Del Rio, TX. He also acted as crew chief inspecting C-47 andAT-7 airplanes for required repair work.
Fred was hospitalized for a burned left foot in May 1945 due to a workaccident and also for urethritis in Jan 1946 while stationed in DelRio, TX. He was treated for STDs, acute on 22 Feb 1946 while apatient at the Station Hospital, Jefferson Barracks, MO and releasedon 28 Feb 1946.
Fred served 44-1/4th months in the Army Air Corps, serving 1-1/4months as a Private and 43 months as a Corporal. He was separated bythe 2517th Army Air Force at Ellington Field, TX and was honorablydischarged on 2 March 1946 at Jefferson Barracks, MO. He received theVictory Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Medalwhile in the service and qualified to use a Carbine MKM weapon on 7May 1945.
Fred and Ella Mae settled in St. Louis after Fred's discharge from theArmy and Fred established a scrap iron business which became a veryprofitable operation for him over a 37 year period.
Fred and Ella's third child, Frederick Henry, Jr.," Butch", was bornin St. Louis at St. Louis County Hospital on 7 Feb 1947 when theylived on Spring and Finney Avenues. Fred Jr. attended Catholicschool in St. Louis and he attended Southeast Missouri University. Hehas a daughter Nicole and two grandchildren.
Fred and Ella's fourth child, Gregory, was born in St. Louis. Gregoryattended school in St. Louis and acquired a degree in geology andscience from the University of Arizona.
In Aug 1965, Fred and Ella Mae were vacationing in Denver, CO.
Fred's funeral service was held 11 Jan 1985 at the Officer FuneralHome-Ellis Chapel, 1905 Union Blvd., St. Louis, MO with Brother LeeHarrison officiating. Fred died at Barnes Hospital after a longstruggle with cancer.
Newspaper Article: A funeral service for Fred H. Hudson, a scrapmetal dealer, was at noon Friday at Officer-Ellis Chapel, 1905 UnionBoulevard. Burial was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Heand wife Ella Mae share a flat, military headstone in the NationalCemetery.
Mr. Hudson, 61, of Frontenac, died of cancer Tuesday at BarnesHospital. He had been under treatment for cancer about six months.
He had owned and operated Fred Hudson Scrap Iron and Metal, Inc. at3960 Page Boulevard for 37 years. He was active in the business nearthe time of his death. Mr. Hudson served in the Army as a major(corporal) and was discharged in 1945 after serving during World WarII.
Surviving are his wife, Ella Mae; two sons, Fred Jr. of Black Jack andGregory, of Normandy; a daughter, Glenda Bryant of Rock Hill, foursisters, Opal Simms of Northwoods, Frencella Bonner of Normandy, MableBlair of Maywood, and Eloise Hunt of Rock Hill; a brother, Virgil, ofNormandy and two grandchildren.
Fred's Certification of Death indicated that he died of natural causesin St. Louis City, MO.
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