Taylor County, West Virginia Biographies: John W. DUDLEY ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Tina Hursh , March 2000 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 73 John W. Dudley was a citizen who made for himself secure place in the confidence and high regard of the people of Parkersburg, West Virginia, in which city he was reared from boyhood and in which he achieved prominence and success as a business man, the while his sterling character and fine civic loyalty caused him to wield much influence, though he was signally averse to all that smacked of ostentation or self-seeking. His life was one of exalted personal stewardship, and his kindliness and generosity endeared him to all who came within the compass of his benignant influence. He was one of the well-known and best-loved citizens of Parkersburg at the time of his death, which occurred on the 3d of July, 1906. Mr. Dudley was born in Oswego County, New York, but was a child when his parents came from the old Empire State and established their home in West Virginia. He was reared to manhood in Wood County, and such were the exigencies of time and place that his early educational advantages were very limited, but his alert and receptive mind enabled him effectually to overcome this handicap, and he became a man of broad imformation and mature judgement. As a boy he drove the first milk wagon placed in and finally he established himself in the wholesale and retail flour business, in which he built up a substantial and prosperous enterprise. Mr. Dudley was twice elected sheriff of Wood County, and his able administration in the office thus covered a total period of eight years. He lived a clean, sincere, upright life, was tolerant in judgment and was ever ready to aid those in suffering or distress - those "in any ways affected, in mind, body or estate," Generous to a fault, he found ample opportunities for helpfulness, and many there were who were by him aided in the time of their misfortune, the while he invariable extended such aid with characterictic modesty, as one who would "do good by stealth and blush to find it fame." He was an earnest member of the First Baptist Church of Parkersburg, and was liberal in the support of the various departments of its work. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. Mr. Dudley married Miss Emma Leonard, a daughter of Deacon Albert Leonard, who was the organizer of the first Presbyterian Sunday School at Parkersburg, and their ideal companionship was severed when the devoted wife and mother was summonded to eternal rest in the year 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Dudley were born thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy and the others of whom still survive the honored parents, namely: William, Grace M. (widow of Thomas L. Shields, to whom a memoir is dedicated on other pages of this work), Charles P., Louise, Helen (Mrs. lawrence O'Neal), Hattie (Mrs. Frank Coffman), Albert, Emma Gertrude (Mrs. George D. Heaton), Brainard J., Elizabeth (Mrs. Dorsey Evans), and Clara (Mrs. Frederick Wood).