Bio: Arthur E. Dudley (1869  - ?)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Tue, 13 Feb 2001

 

Surnames: DUDLEY, MCARTHUR, BROKAW, REICHENBACH, MARKEY

 

----Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

 

ARTHUR E. DUDLEY, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Neillsville, where he holds the position of police judge, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Cambridge, Dane County, Mar. 28, 1869, son of Philip S. and Maria (McArthur) Dudley. His paternal grandfather was Noah Dudley, of Schoharie County, New York, a harness-maker by occupation, and of English descent, and whose wife's family name was Sternburg, she being of Dutch (Holland) ancestry. In 1856 Noah Dudley settled in Delevan, Wis., where he opened a harness shop and carried on business until his death. During the Civil War he did contract work for the government, making bridles and saddles.

 

Philip S. Dudley was born at Schoharie, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1840. He learned the trade of harness maker under his father and accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, afterwards going into the harness business for himself at Cambridge, Dane County. In 1869 he came to Neillsville and started the first harness shop in the village, it being located on the site of the present shop of Mat Marks. Among his early customers were the men engaged in the logging industry, and with the introduction of more horses into the county, in place of oxen, his business increased. He became a well-to-do and prominent citizen and did his share in helping to build up the industries of this county. His death took place in Neillsville, Jan. 1, 1906. His wife, who is still living, resides in the state of Washington. There were five children born to them: Barbara, who died in infancy; Bertha, who is now deceased; Mable, wife of A. D. Brokaw, of Hackensack, Minn.; Ella, who is now Mrs. John Riley of St. Paul Minn., and Arthur E., of Neillsville. Arthur Dudley was reared in Neillsville, where he attended school and when old enough learned the trade of harness-maker with his father. This he subsequently followed until he took up paper-hanging and painting. He was engaged in the latter occupation until he was appointed by the city council to fill the unexpired term of justice of the peace, which office he later filled for ten consecutive years by re-elections. In accordance with an old time custom connected with his office he often practiced before the court.

 

During President Roosevelt's administration Mr. Dudley was appointed postmaster of Neillsville, serving the full term. He then held office under President Taft one full term, and was held over for one year, three months and eight days under the Wilson Administration until he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Mr. Huntly. He has served in the office of police judge for the last three years.

 

Mr. Dudley is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank, having formerly held stock also in the Greenwood Bank. In 1887 he joined the order of Woodmen, in which he passed through all the chairs, serving as clerk and in other offices. He has also passed all the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was member of the Encampment when it was held in Neillsville before being removed to Merrillan, Wis.  He has served in the order as district depute grand master and is now secretary of his lodge. In the Masonic order he has advanced as far as the Commandery, being a Knight Templar, and has served as secretary of his lodge, No. 163, and of the Chapter and Commandery. In addition to the above mentioned offices, he is treasurer in his lodges of Woodmen of the World and the Loyal Order of Moose.

 

Dudley was married Feb. 3, 1892, to Alice Reichenbach, who was born in Alma Township, Jackson County, Wis., daughter of Joseph and Jane (Markey) Reichenbach, her father being a native of Germany and her mother of Ireland. Mr. Reichenbach came to the United States at the age of 17 years on a visit and remained in this country, settling on timberland and developing a farm. He acquired a competence and is now living with his wife at Black River Falls, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have had two children: Harold, who died in infancy, and Francis J., who was born Mar. 27, 1891, and who is an excellent musician and pianist, having receive high praise from all his teachers.

 

The above brief outline of Mr. Dudley's career shows him to be a man of enterprise and ability who has raised himself from an humble position to one of local prominence and responsibility as well as usefulness. He has gained the confidence of his fellow citizens whom he has served conscientiously in every office to which he has been appointed, and there are few men in this part of the county more highly respected and esteemed.

 

 


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