HUDNALL, Robert A - Lafayette Co, MO Biography ***** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the files submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ***** file submitted by: Kathy Gaines Source: History of Lafayette County, MO Publication Info: St Louis, Missouri Historical Company, 1881 page 486-487 Clay Township Robert A Hudnall p486 farmer and stock-raiser, P.O. Napoleon. The subject of the following is the son of Jabez Hudnall; born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, Decem- ber 6, 1834. Lived there until 1849, when he went to Bedford County, and engaged in clerking for different parties until 1852. The first year, he received for compensation, the munificent sum of $11, and his clothes; the second year, $24; the third year, $50, and the fourth year, $100. Verily, money was scarce--with him. In 1852, he made a loan of $250, with which he entered into a partnership with two other men, in a business which they were experienced and he was not. At the end of the year and a hald, he had the experience, and they the money. This unforntunate transaction left him $250 in debt. In 1855, he went back to one of his former employers, and engaged with him again, at the old salary of $100 per year. In 1857, he came to this state locating in Jackson county, having, at the time he arrived, only twenty-five cents in his pocket. He engaged in his old occupation--that of clerking--which he fol- lowed until 1861, when he commenced business for himself, at Napo- leon. He had but little money, but had good credit. He purchased hemp, but, on account of the war, was not allowed to ship it with- out a permit. He, however, succeeded in shipping a cargo, upon which he realized the snug little profit of $5,500. Continued in this business, with a moderate degree of succes, until the 31st of July, 1863, when the federals set fire to his warehouse, which, with its contents, was entirely consumed, leaving him, not only penniless, but $700 in debt. Nothing daunted, however, he next went to Carroll county, and dealt in hogs; realizing enough by this venture to pay off his indebtedness, thereby re-establishing his credit. Furnished with what money he needed by a St. Louis commission house, he continued in the hemp trade, in which he realized $20,000, in the short space of four months. He then purchaseda fourth investment in the steamer "Shreveport," plying on the Missouri river. This proved to be a "white elephant," which coupled with his losses in gold speculation, left him with only $4,500 in his exchequer. In 1865, he entered into partnership with Capt. John Keiser and William M. McPher- son, of St. Louis, and purchased a stock of goods to take to Montana. The stock, at Helena, Montana, cost them $34,200. In twenty days after arriving there, he sold the entire stock for $52,000 in gold. After paying out $16,000, for transporting goods, he sold the remainer, $36,000 in gold, at 40 per cent, premium. In 1866, he started from St. Louis, en route to Fort Benton, with a steamboat load of merchandise. The boat sunk seven miles below Souix City; he, however, sustaining no loss. In the same year, he went to Montana, where he engaged in trading and freight- ing. In 1868, he went to Bedford county, Virginia, and in 1869, came to p487 Lafayette county, Missouri, and purchased the fine farmof 300 acres, upon which he now reside, pleasantly located upon the divide between the Sni- abar creek and the Missouri river. His residence and outhouses are models of neatness and convenience. In November, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, of Jackson county. They have five children living--four daughters and one son. The eldest daughter mar- ried Mr. T.B. Fishback, of Napoleon. The second is attending Central College, of Lexington. Few men, indeed, have experienced teh viissi- tudes of such an eventful life, as that of the subject of the foregoing sketch; who, now, surrounded by a loving famiy, is reaping in comfort, the fruits of a life of toil and trial.