Just forty-five years ago Samuel Grant Dudgeon arrived in Mendota, where
he has since been numbered among the most enterprising and public-spirited
citizens. The best years of his manhood have been devoted to the upbuilding
of this place. When it has prospered he has prospered, when it has suffered
financial depression he has shared the burden, and at all times he has
sought earnestly to perform his full duty toward the community with whose
interests his own are linked.
Mr. Dudgeon comes of the sturdy
Protestant Scotch-Irish stock, which is one of the best of the old-world
race types, its strong traits being of especial value in this democratic
country. His paternal grandfather, Richard Dudgeon, was a native of
Scotland, and for many years prior to his death he resided in the northern
part of Ireland. He attained a ripe age, and died respected and mourned by
all. One of his eight sons was Gail Grant Dudgeon, the father of our
subject, born in county Donegal, Ireland. He learned the shoemaker's trade,
which he followed for some years after his arrival in America. His first
location here was in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio and
carried on the manufacture of boots and shoes in Wintersville. Later he
executed a contract for a wagon road and then resided in Cadiz and
Moorefield, Ohio. In 1857 he came to Mendota, where he was employed at his
trade until his death in 1861, in his sixty-fourth year. He had married, in
Ohio, Miss Annis McConnell, a daughter of Samuel McConnell, a farmer, who
though born in the Emerald Isle was of Scotch lineage. He died at his home
in the Buckeye state when well along in years. Mrs. Dudgeon departed this
life in 1865, at the age of sixty-five years. Both herself and husband were
faithful members of the Methodist church.
Samuel G. Dudgeon was born
in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 29, 1831, one of six children, four of
whom were girls, and he now is the only survivor of the family. He passed
his boyhood chiefly in the town of Moorefield, Harrison county, Ohio. Having
learned the carpenter's trade by the time he was twenty, he proceeded to
take up the burdens of life, and has since been actively occupied in various
kinds of building and contracting. On the 11th of May, 1854, he landed in
Mendota, and, being favorably impressed with the place, he decided to locate
here. He found plenty of employment, and as the years rolled by specimens of
his skill were to be seen upon every hand. In 1889 he opened a lumber-yard,
which he is still successfully carrying on. Many of the substantial business
blocks and houses of this town and vicinity were constructed by Mr. Dudgeon,
whose work has been thoroughly satisfactory to all concerned. Honorable and
exact in the fulfillment of his contracts, prompt and reliable in every
respect, he enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens. Great changes have
come to pass in the town during his residence here, as may be judged when it
is stated that the first railroad through the place was not completed until
some time after his arrival.
Prior to the organization of the
Republican party Mr. Dudgeon was allied with the Whigs, and of later years
has given his allegiance to the first-named party. In 1890 his fellow
townsmen honored him by electing him to the mayoralty, where he served
acceptably for two years. During a period of nine years he officiated as one
of the city fathers, using his influence in the council for progress and
advancement in all lines. He was the assessor and collector, also, acting
for one year in each position. Fraternally he is a master Mason.
In
September, 1856, Mr. Dudgeon married Miss Mary Finley, a daughter of Alvin
and Hannah Finley, and after nearly sixteen years had elapsed she was
summoned to the silent land, in August, 1872. She was a member of the
Methodist church, and possessed many admirable traits of disposition which
endeared her to all. Of the six children born to this worthy couple, John A.
married Mayme Wallace, and has two sons and a daughter, — Carrie, Samuel and
John. Francis Grant married Annie Thelo, and has two children,— Oran and
Pearl. Alice J. became the wife of Emil Otto, and their three sons are
Edgar, Walter and Samuel. Charles W. wedded Vie Freeland, by whom he has two
children, — Gladys and Grant. Samuel O. married Sarah Lawrence and their
little son is named Harold. Miss Carrie Belle, the youngest daughter of Mr.
Dudgeon, is living at home. He was united in marriage with Mrs. Augusta C.
Baumbach in April, 1880. Mrs. Dudgeon, who is a daughter of Jacob and
Augusta Stahl, was the wife of Dr. Baumbach in her early womanhood, and the
only child of that union, Tillie, is now Mrs. W. P. Butler, of Bloomington.
Mrs. Dudgeon is identified with the Methodist denomination. In 1896 the
beautiful residence of the family at the corner of Indiana and Jefferson
streets was erected by our subject, and here, surrounded with the comforts
which his own industry has provided, he passes his happiest hours.
Extracted 22 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 537-539.
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