Hedrick, Roy

Born in Shirley, Indiana, in 1883, Roy Hedrick was raised by his maternal step-grandparents before relocating to Laton, California, in 1903. After several years of working on local ranches, he invested in real estate, acquiring a seventeen-acre farm east of Laton and multiple town lots. In 1916, he entered the automotive industry by leasing the Laton Garage, which he subsequently purchased in 1919, turning it into a thriving business as the local agency for Chevrolet automobiles and trucks alongside a full repair and supply service.

Alongside his commercial ventures, Hedrick served for seven years as the constable and deputy sheriff of Laton, gaining a strong reputation as an efficient and courageous peace officer. Married to Susan McGuire in 1905, with whom he had three children—Le Roy, Charlotte, and Naomi—Hedrick was an active member of the Odd Fellows (Laton Lodge No. 148) and a prominent figure in the town’s civic and commercial development.