|
Walter H. Dudley
Walter
H. Dudley, who conducts the second largest general store in Greene
county, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, March 17, 1868, a son of
A. J. and Susan (Bachelor) Dudley, the former born in Ashtabula, Ohio,
September 3, 1844, and the latter a native of La Salle county,
Illinois. In 1875 the father removed to Grand Junction, Iowa, where he
settled on a farm, on which he made his home until March, 1882, when he
came to Churdan and opened a store for the sale of hardware and farm
machinery.
Walter H. Dudley is one of a family of seven children and acquired his
education in the schools of his native county. He accompanied his
father to Grand Junction, Iowa, in 1875, and also came with him to
Churdan in 1882, being at that time a lad of fourteen years. Under the
capable direction of his father he became familiar with merchandising
in all its essentials and after the retirement of his father in 1892,
Mr. Dudley of this review took entire charge of the business, being now
in control of the second largest general store in this county. In
addition to the sale of hardware he also deals in furniture, dry goods,
groceries, crockery, clothing, etc., the excellent quality of its
output bringing to the concern the high degree of prosperity which it
is now enjoying. Six clerks are employed in the store. Mr. Dudley built
the first brick building in 1895, but, as the gradual increase of the
business demanded larger facilities, he has since added to the
structure until it is now a brick business block forty-four by one
hundred and twenty-eight feet. He possesses untiring energy, is quick
of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their
execution, and his close application to business and his excellent
management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is
today his. It is true that he became interested in a business already
established, but in controlling and enlarging such an enterprise many a
man of even considerable resolute purpose, courage and industry would
have failed, and he has demonstrated the truth of the saying that
success is not the result of genius but the outcome of a clear judgment
and experience.
Mr. Dudley was united in marriage to Miss Winnie Smith, a native of
Cedar county, Iowa, and unto their union were born three children,
Eunice, Edith and Elizabeth. Our subject supported the democratic party
until 1896, since which time, owing to a change in his political
convictions, he has been a stalwart advocate of the republican
organization. That he is prominent in the local ranks of his party is
indicated by the fact that he has been a member of the council and has
also served as mayor, his administration being characterized by
progress, reform and improvement, and at the present time he is
acceptably serving the county as supervisor. Fraternally, Mr. Dudley is
connected with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and
the Knights of Pythias, the beneficent principles of these various
organizations finding exemplification in his life. He is also acting as
undertaker of Churdan and is widely and favorably known in this
locality, having resided here longer than any other of its residents.
This alone, however, has not gained him the warm regard and admiration
in which he is uniformly held, for he has ever displayed those traits
of character which in every land and clime win respect and esteem. He
is widely recognized as one of the prominent and representative
business men and citizens of the county and as such certainly deserves
mention in this volume
|
