According to his death certificate he was born 12 Nov 1885 in Leicester, NC and died 20 Jun 1948 in Asheville, NC. He was a minister. His father was listed as Frank Gudger, but his mother was unknown by James' widow. www.ancestry.com/.../592334:1121 But his WWI draft card lists his birthdate as 16 Oct 1884. www.ancestry.com/.../34191667:6482 According to the 1910 US Census for Asheville he had been married twice. At the time he was living with his second wife Julia and their daughter Bertha. He was a common laborer at the time. www.ancestry.com/.../152423895:7884 In 1920 he was a laborer on a fruit farm in Reems Creek, Buncombe Co, NC. In additon to his wife, Julia, his 3 children (Elizabeth 16, Bertha 10, and James D. 9) and his mother-in-law, Emeline Lancaster 70 lived with him. In the next household was the family of Charlie Gudger 39 & his family, who might be his brother. www.ancestry.com/.../10327714:6061 By 1930 he is a Baptist minister in Asheville. www.ancestry.com/.../77745831:6224 In 1940 his occupation is listed as janitor in an apartment house, but one would assume that he also was a minister. In addition to his wife, Julia, his daughter Elizabeth Watkins, 25, her husband Robert Watkins 30, and her 2 sons live with him. Next door is James Gudger 30 and his family. www.ancestry.com/.../152369041:2442 Some records list his father as Frank and there are several possible Frank or Franklin Gudgers in Buncombe Co, NC who could be his father.
