William H. Dudley

DUDLEY, MOORE, PATTERSON, WHISLER

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/29/2006 at 12:25:29

William H. Dudley, holding the office of postmaster at Earlham, was appointed to that position in July, 1913, and has since ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that capacity. His birth occurred in Panora, Guthrie county, Iowa, on the ist of December, 1869, his parents being Elisha and Frances (Whisler) Dudley, the former a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and the latter of Virginia. Elisha Dudley came to this county with his parents in 1854, when seventeen years of age, and after carrying on agricultural pursuits for some time, his father removed to Guthrie county, Iowa, there entering a tract of land which he cultivated until 1884. In that year he made his way to Nebraska, where he was engaged in farming for some time and lived with his son until he passed away in 1889, when seventy-nine years of age. The demise of his wife occurred in 1904, when she had reached the ripe old age of ninety years. Elisha Dudley, father of our subject, also purchased a tract of land in Guthrie county, Iowa, which he improved and operated until 1912, since which time he has lived retired with his children, being now seventy-nine years of age. His wife was called to her final rest on the 30th of January, 1912, at the age of seventy-two years.

William H. Dudley was reared and educated in the place of his nativity and taught in the public schools for four years. Subsequently he was busily engaged in the cultivation of rented land for about eight years and on the expiration of that period purchased a tract of one hundred and ten acres which he improved and operated for six years. He then disposed of the property and embarked in the real-estate and insurance business at Redfield, Dallas county, but at the end of a year removed to Earlham in 1908 and was here successfully engaged in the same business until appointed to his present position. It was in July, 1913, that he became postmaster of Earlham and in that office he has since made a most commendable and highly satisfactory record.

In October, 1894, Mr. Dudley was united in marriage to Miss Alice Moore, a daughter of John and Almira (Patterson) Moore, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Guthrie county, Iowa, where the father purchased and improved a tract of land, which he cultivated throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in April, 1913, while his wife was called to her final rest in May, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have been born two children, namely: Dolores D., nineteen years of age, who is engaged in the profession of teaching in this county; and Velma M., who is seventeen years old and attends school.

In his political views Mr. Dudley is a stalwart democrat. He has served for three years on the town council, also acted as clerk for two years and is now a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is that of the Christian church. He is well known and highly respected throughout the community and is numbered among its enterprising citizens. He is a man of unblemished character and always to be relied upon to give his influence to any cause seeking the advancement of the moral and educational interests of the people.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.