Carroll County, Missouri Obituary - William E. Hudson, October 21, 1955 Source: The Daily Democrat Carrollton, Missouri, October 22, 1955 DEATH TAKES W. E. HUDSON AT HOME IN CARROLLTON, FRIDAY Well Known Banker Had Been A Resident of Carrol1 County His Entire Life; Funeral Sunday W. E. Hudson, one of the best known and highly respected citizens of Carrollton, died at his home 119 North Jefferson Street shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, October 21, 1955. He had been failing rapidly for a few days before his passing and the end did not come unexpectedly to the members of the family and his many friends. The life of W. E. Hudson has long been associated with the farming, banking and civic interests of Carrol1 County and Carrollton. By a life of persistent application and consistent endeavor along conservative and legitimate lines, the well known banker of this city made for himself a name which was unanimously accorded a proud position among the foremost citizens and businessmen of this section of Missouri. His marked success in bringing to conclusion large schemes in the business world, contributed largely toward the development of this locality. William E. Hudson, was born March 3, 1862, on a farm east of Norborne, the son of Repps B. (Bedford) and Catherine (O'Rear) Hudson, both natives of Virginia, from which state the father came to Carroll County, Missouri, about 1842, locating among the pioneers in Moss Creek Township. He moved to Carrollton in 1877 where he lived until his death in 1901. W. E. Hudson was reared on a farm, where he worked during the summer months and attended the district schools in the winter time. He was further educated in the pubic schools of Carrol1ton and graduated from the Jones Commercial School in St. Louis. On the 12th day of September, 1881, he entered the Farmers Bank of Norborne, of which his father was president. He worked there four years as bookkeeper, then for four years, he assisted his father and brother, the late Repps B. Hudson, on the farm in the cattle business. In 1889, Mr. Hudson assisted in the organization to the First National Bank of Carrollton and became the first cashier. He was assisted in the formation of this institution by James R. Clinkscales, who was its first president and whose death occurred in the fall of 1893. In January, 1894, Mr. Hudson was elected president, being only thirty-one years of age at the time. He was one of the youngest bank presidents in Missouri. After serving 54 years as president of the First National, he retired from active work to become president of the Board of Directors. He was succeeded at that time by Homer E. Dunham as president of the bank. W. E. Hudson was the last surviving charter member of the Missouri Bankers Association. It was on August 1, 1953, when he stepped down as chairman of the board, a director, and an employee of the First National, thus ending a career of 68 years in the banking business. His retirement was spent mostly at home but he found great pleasure in calling at the bank almost daily. There, seated at his desk, he visited with his many friends as they stopped to pass the time of day. Although he was well up in the-nineties he remembered many of them and discussed such things with them as crop conditions, finances or possibly an occasional word about politics. Mr. Hudson had been in many activities other than banking. Until recently he had maintained an active interest in cattle raising and farming. He owned farms in the county, and had always looked after their management. He had always taken an interest in the civic affairs of the city. ,In the organization of the Carrollton Development Company, he took and active part. He served as treasurer of the Carrollton school district through the years. He served as a member of the city council at one time. For many years, he served on the official Board of the Christian Church and the greater part of that time as deacon. Mr. Hudson was married November 7, 1889, to Minnie Combs. There are two surviving children: Leslie C., of Carrollton and Marguerite, wife of William G. Curry. They reside at Liberty, Missouri. Mrs. Hudson died June 28, 1946. There are four surviving grandchildren: Mrs. J. S. Trotter, Mrs. Clayton Bridges, Mrs. Robert L. Wiley, and William Hudson Curry, and five great grandchildren: Susie and Leslie Trotter and Becky Bridges, Leslie Bridges, and Carolyn Willy. Mr. Hudson was the last surviving member of a family of seven. Those brothers and sisters preceding him in death were: John David Hudson, Elizabeth Hudson Goodson, Sallie Florence Hudson, Dora Hudson Cooper, Repps Bedford Hudson, Jr. and Laura Hudson Guitar. Funeral services in his memory will be held from the Christian Church in Carrollton, Sunday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by the Rev. J. Kenneth Powell. Internment will be by the side of his wife in Oak Hill. The Pallbearers: H. E. Dunham Charles Rutt L. Ludwig R. Ludwig E. C. Johnson Lee Dickson ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Leslie Kohler USGENWEB NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. 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