Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Hudnutt, Edward W. December 15, 1852 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 March 28, 2009, 1:02 am

Author: Chapman Brothers

EDWARD W. HUDNUTT, of the firm of Crocker & Hudnutt, architects, contractors 
and builders, and prorietors 

of the Falcon Planing Mill at Big Rapids, was born at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 
15, 1852; is a son of Joseph 

O. and Marcia (Webster) Hudnutt.  His father was a civil engineer and was many 
years chief of the 

construction corps of various canal and railroad companies.  In 1859 the 
family settled near Waverley, 

Bremer Co., Iowa, and the following year the father represented that district 
in the Legislature of the 

State, resigning on the breaking out of the civil war and returning to 
Waverley, where he enlisted in the 

38th Iowa Vol. Inf., with the rank of Major.  He was chiefly on detached duty 
and assigned to the staff of 

Major Gen. Herron.  He served as engineer of fortifications, and was in severe 
engagements with his 

regiment.  It was badly disrupted and finally consolidated with the 34th Iowa 
Vol. Inf., when he was 

promoted to a Colonelcy and afterward to the rank of Brigadier General.  He 
served the Union cause three 

years, and on leaving the army went to Chicago and entered the University as 
Professor of Civil 

Enginerring.   Later he was employed by the Chicago & Illinois River Canal 
Co., and afterward by the 

Chicago & Northwestern R. R. Co.; was on the Union Pacific and Northern 
Pacific R. R.'s; surveyed the 

route of the Grand Rapids & Indiana R. R., and went to South Carolina and 
surveyed the Richmond & Atlanta 

Air Line R. R.  He came to Big Rapids in 1869 and bought into the Tioga 
Manufacturing Co., afterward 

selling out and buying the Tioga Flouring Mill, where he operated for a time 
and then went to Leadville, 

Col., and became interested in mining and in mining engineering.  He went 
thence to Montana to survey 

under a Government contrat, where he is occupied at present.

Mr. Hudnutt of this sketch, was at the age of 14 connected with the 
engineering corps of the Union Pacific 

R. R., and continued three years, when he became connected in the same 
capacity with the G. R. & I. R. R., 

serving two years.  He passed the winters of these years in the University at 
Rochester, N. Y., where he 

was graduated with the class of 1873.  He was employed by the Rochester Water 
Works Co., as draughtsman 

two years, and in 1875 came to Big Rapids and bought the Falcon Plaing Mill, 
with Caleb S. Hanks and 

Luther D. Henderson, , the firm name being Hudnutt, Henderson, Hanks & Co.  
Mr. Henderson sold to his 

partners the next year, and in 1877 John M. Crocker succeeded to the position 
and interest of Mr. Hanks.  

Messrs. Crocker and Hudnutt have built the principal business blocks of Big 
Rapids and many of its 

residences.  Their works are turning out a large amount of sash, doors, blinds 
and all builders' 

materials.  As their business has increased they have made additions to their 
mills in proportion.  They 

are located in Upper Big Rapids, near the upper bridge.  

Mr. Hudnutt was married at Big Rapids, to Thyrza J., daughter of Ferdinand and 
Julia Faiman.  She is a 

native od Adams, N. Y., and is the mother of one child, Marian Hudnutt.  Mr. 
Hudnutt is a member of the 

order of Masonry and Knights of Pythias.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/hudnutt414nbs.txt

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