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TAYLOR COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
Tina Hursh
frog158@juno.com
December 18, 1999
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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).
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