Compendium Of Biography
History Of Henry County, Indiana
B.F. Bowen
Surnames in this biography are: HUDELSON, Craig, Black, Elliott,
JOHN C. HUDELSON.
Among the many excellent men of central Indiana who stamped the
impress of their strong personality upon the communities wherein they lived,
none are entitled to more worthy mention than John C. Hudelson, of Henry
county. In the hearts of his fellow citizens his name is destined to occupy
an enduring place and for years to come he will be remembered as one of the
leading public characters and prominent men in a section of the state long
noted for the intelligence and high moral tone of its citizenship. His life
has been a practical exemplification of what is honorable, upright and noble
in manhood and his example in common affairs and. as a public servant is
eminently worthy of emulation. John C. Hudelson was born in Nicholas county,
Kentucky, August 24, 1820, the son of James and Esther (Craig) Hudelson, both
natives of that state, the father's birth occurring in Nicholas county and
the mother's in the county of Harrison. John Hudelson, the subject's
grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania, but in an early day moved to
Kentucky and took part in many of the stirring scenes which marked the
pioneer history of the "Dark and Bloody Ground." At the breaking out of the
Revolutionary war he entered the American army, and served gallantly until
independence was achieved, losing an arm while bravely fighting the enemies
of his country. By occupation he was a farmer and the subject remembers him
working with his remaining arm and performing as much labor as those not
lacking such a member. He died many years ago in Kentucky and sleeps where he
originally settled in the county of Nicholas. When a lad of eleven years old
his parents brought the subject of this review to Henry County, the family
settling in the southern part of Spiceland Township nears the Rush county
line. His father purchased a quarter section of land on which a small log
cabin had been previously erected, the place containing but little beside
this improvement to distinguish it from the surrounding forest. Within a
couple of weeks after moving his family to the new home, James Hudelson was
taken sick with typhoid fever of the most virulent type and before the
disease could be checked he answered the summons which must finally come to
all, dying about the twentieth day following his arrival, at the age of
forty-four years, leaving a widow and eight small children. Deprived of a
husband's protection and guidance and a father's tender care and wise
counsel, the family's prospects were anything but encouraging. But little had
been done in the way of clearing and the resources of the good mother were
taxed to the utmost to keep the family intact and provide for its
necessities. Being the oldest son, nearly all of the outdoor labor fell to
John C., and right nobly did he acquit himself under such trying
circumstances. He worked diligently from morning till night, chopping down
trees and cutting them into lengths for rolling and after dark the mother and
sisters would pile and burn the brush, frequently prolonging this kind of
labor far into the wee hours. By thus uniting their strength, in due time a
respectable area was cleared and fitted for cultivation, the mother securing
help to roll the logs by weaving for the settlers in the neighborhood. She
owned the only loom in her part of the county and it was by work of this kind
that she secured not only the above assistance but also the necessary
provisions for the family until the farm provided a support. Mr. Hudelson
relates that when he had the requisite number of logs cut for a stable it
required every neighbor within the radius of three miles to raise the
structure, he and his mother exchanging work to repay them for their
services. He also tells of going on horseback to mill, a long distance away,
the only road being a mere trail through the woods in many places only
distinguished by blazed trees. Wild game of all kinds abounded in treat
numbers, deer frequently coming close to the stable to feed with the domestic
animals and often of nights the family would be kept awake for hours by the
dismal howlings of the wolves, the most dreaded of all denizens of the
forests. The Hudelson family experienced their full share of the privations
and hardships of pioneer life but by hearty cooperation they got along fairly
well and lived comfortably. The strong arms of the oldest son made rapid
progress in clearing and developing the land and until his twenty-seventh
year he remained at home and proved the main stay of his mother and the
younger brothers and sisters. He managed carefully, Spared no pains in
looking after his mother's affairs and at the above age had succeeded in
getting the farm in such shape as safely to trust it to other than his own
hands. Meantime Mr. Hudelson had become
Widely and favorably known throughout the county by reason of his
intelligence, public spirit and the interest he took in political
affairs. In looking about for an available candidate for county treasurer the
leaders of the Whig party finally invited him to make the race. He
did so, with the result that in the fall of 1847 he was triumphantly
elected. Previous to that date he had served as justice of the peace for
Spiceland Township, an office of much greater importance in the early times
than it is at the present day. He served in the latter capacity from
about his twenty-third year until his election as treasurer, earning an
honorable reputation by the soundness of his opinions and the justness of his
decisions. Much important litigation was brought to him and there were few if
any appeals taken from his court to a higher one. He also achieved
considerable repute as a successful campaigner and took an active part in the
national election of 1840, casting his first presidential ballot four years
later for Henry Clay. During the progress of the campaign in the latter year
he went to Indianapolis, with thousands of others, to hear the distinguished
Whig candidate speak and remembers the trip there and return on horseback as
one of his most interesting and pleasurable experiences. While still a young
man, Mr. Hudelson became a recognized power in local politics and for a
number of years his leadership as a champion of the Whig cause was never
questioned. He served two terms as treasurer with marked ability, conducting
the office on strictly business principles and proving a most faithful and
obliging public servant. He received for his services as custodian of the
public funds the modest salary of one thousand dollars per year and it was
during his incumbency that some very important- public improvements were
made, among which was the purchase of a poor farm and the erection of the
necessary buildings thereon. Mr. Hudelson was chairman of the county central
committee for several years and was serving as such in 1852 when the doom of
the old Whig party began to be foreshadowed. He early took a decided stand
against the infamous institution of human bondage and on learning the action
of the Baltimore convention protesting against any further agitation of the
slavery question, made a public statement to the effect that the days of the
Whig party was ended. The editor of the leading party organizer being present
when the remark was made indignantly replied that such language called for
the immediate resignation of his position as chairman. The defeat of Gen.
Scott that year fully verified the correctness of Mr. Hudelson's prediction,
although he gave up the chairmanship, refusing longer to affiliate with a
party so lamentably lacking in moral courage as to refuse to face
one of the greatest political issues that ever forced itself upon the
American people. At the expiration of his second official term, Mr. Hudelson
was made paymaster of that section of the Pennsylvania railroad running
through Wayne and Henry counties, then in course of construction. When the
road was completed he was given the position of passenger conductor and as
such he ran his first train into New Castle in the month of April 1854.
His career as an active railroad man was not of long duration, but while he
remained with the company his services were very valuable and redounded
greatly to the interest of the road in this part of the state. He continued a
potent factor in politics and bore a prominent part in the deliberations of
the Whig party in 1854, insisting both publicly and privately that its
mission was ended and that the American people demanded a party more in
accord with the spirit of the age touching the great issues that became
paramount a few years preceding the outbreak of the Civil war. Early in 1854
the chairman of the county central committee, Isaac Parker called a
preliminary meeting for the purpose of taking action relative to the
forthcoming campaign of that year. Mr. Hudelson was present at this meeting,
which was slimly attended, and at the earnest solicitation of certain friends
was urged to remain for the regular convention, which convened the following
day. During its deliberations he introduced a resolution advocating the
postponement of the convention, for which he was publicly called to order and
stigmatized as a disorganizer and for a time it looked as if he would be
forcibly ejected from the ball in which the meeting was being held. There was
hardly a man present to stand by him, and the convention nominated a Whig
ticket. Within six weeks of that time a call was issued for all who opposed
slavery to meet in mass convention at Indianapolis for the purpose of
adopting appropriate resolutions and nominating a state ticket. This
convention, made tip of Democrats and Whigs alike, met in due time, took a
bold and decided stand against the further encroachments of slavery and put
candidates into the field under the name of the People's party that were
elected by over fifteen thousand majority. In this convention Mr. Hudelson
was a conspicuous figure and he played a prominent part in the deliberations,
also using his influence in making a platform, which was one of the most
radical and outspoken against slavery adopted by any party in the United
States up to that time. In the year 1855 Mr. Hudelson was elected
by the newly organized People's party clerk of the Henry county circuit
court. He was given a warm and hearty support, though bitterly opposed by the
"know nothing" element, which put up an independent candidate. Mr. Hudelson
resigned his position as conductor and entered upon the discharge of his
official duties, serving with great acceptance as clerk until the expiration
of his term in 1859. Mr. Hudelson was married in July of the above year to
Amanda V. Black, daughter of James Black and a niece of Judge Elliott, of
this county. In 1860 he moved to his farm in Henry Township, five miles
southwest of New Castle, and turned his attention exclusively to the pursuit
of agriculture. After remaining on that place for a period of sixteen years,
he returned to the county seat, but a little later bought out the heirs'
interests in the Black estate and changed his abode to that beautiful old
home. Mr. Hudelson still keeps up his large agricultural interests and gives
personal attention to the management of his farm, a large and splendidly
cultivated place of two hundred and forty-five acres. In addition to this he
also owns a valuable tract of five hundred and eighty-five acres of land a
few miles north of New Castle the greater part of which is in a successful
state of tillage and highly improved. Mr. Hudelson has long been one of the
largest and most successful farmers of Henry County, also one of its most
extensive stock raisers. He has made much of his money from cattle and hogs,
of which he raises large numbers, feeding at the present time over one
hundred head of the former, among which are many blooded animals representing
great value. He sells but little grain, finding it more remunerative to use
the products of his lands to prepare his livestock for market. Mr.
Hudelson has not been unmindful of the public interest of his county, having
long been identified with the leading enterprises having for their
object the general good of the country. He has been a close observer
and careful student of current events and for over sixty years he has
been a potential factor in the civic and political history of this
part of the state. He was a prime mover in the organization of the New
Castle Shredder Company and is still a large stockholder in the concern,
besides being connected with various other enterprises. Upon the
organization of the Greenback party Mr. Hudelson became one of its strongest
champions in Indiana and continued to support it actively until the party
ceased to exist. Since 1884 he has given his allegiance to the Prohibition
Party, attending all of its meetings in this part of the state and taking a.
leading part in formulating its policy. In 189o he was nominated by the
Prohibitionists and Populists f or the lower house of the general assembly
and carried the county outside of New Castle, but the overwhelming strength
of the Republicans in the city lost him the election by a margin of
less than three hundred votes. The campaign was a most interesting and
exciting one, during which Mr. Hudelson visited every part of the county,
addressing large and appreciative audiences and making friends by his fine
social qualities as well as by his logical speeches from the stump. Like the
majority of humankind, Mr. Hudelson has felt the band of bereavement laid
heavily upon him. In September 1881, the death angel entered his household
and took there from the faithful and devoted wife who had so long traveled
life's pathway as his loving companion, wise counselor and true helpmeet. She
was the mother of four sons: John C., cashier of the First National Bank,
Trinidad, Colorado; William E. and Charles T. twins, both farmers of
Henry county; James B., the eldest, died when about ten years of age. Mr.
Hudelson was reared in the rather austere faith of the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian church, but later united with the Methodists and for many years
has been an active worker in the latter body, and has been identified with
the congregation in various official capacities ever since, holding the
office of trustee at the present time. The foregoing brief review cannot
adequately represent the life of John C. Hudelson; it can scarcely be more
than an index pointing with exultant finger to years of patient toil and
final success and to scenes of courage and endurance. Ever aspiring
to principle, he was carried outside his own party, but in whatever situation
he has been placed no man has ever impugned his motives or cast reflection
upon his good name. Few have a wider acquaintance throughout the county and
state and none have enjoyed warmer friendships and more loyal associates.
Domestic in his tastes, his life has been largely within his own home and
now, surrounded by loving and devoted grandchildren and by the closest and
most tried friends, he is taking the satisfaction that only comes to
one who has lived an honest, fearless, upright life. He is remarkably strong
and vigorous in body and though eighty-two years old has never used glasses
to aid his eyesight while his other physical powers are almost equally well
preserved. Mentally he is as keen and alert as in his prime and by much
reading keeps himself in close touch with the trend of the age, being well
informed upon the great questions and issues of the day, especially those
relating to state and national legislation. From the age of fourteen the
responsibilities of manhood has rested upon his shoulders and every duty that
came to him, whether in public station or in the private walks of life was
faithfully and conscientiously discharged. No more familiar figure is to be
seen than that of this bright-faced, keen - eyed, intelligent and beloved old
gentleman as he daily drives to and from his farm, attending to his
business affairs and managing his large interests with the ability
and vigor of a man in the very prime of his powers. Mr. Hudelson has
been and still is one of the strong and notable men of his day and
generation in the county of Henry and his achievements are destined to be the
common heritage of the people.
I am not researching this family, just thought I would type this from my
book. Nothing else is mentioned.