Obit: Dudley, Judge A. E. (1869 - 1939)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Dudley, Longenecker, Cook, McArthur, Reichenbach

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thurs., 7 Dec. 1939

Dudley, Judge A. E. (28 March 1869 - 5 Dec. 1939)

Funeral services for Judge A. E. Dudley, 70, well-known public official and long-time resident of Neillsville, who died Tuesday afternoon after a two-day illness, will be held from Masonic temple at 2 p.m. Friday. Masonic services will be conducted, and the Rev. George W. Longenecker will speak. Burial will be made in the Neillsville Cemetery.

A former Neillsville postmaster and police justice here over a period of many years, Judge Dudley suffered a stroke at his home Sunday morning. Unconscious when he was found in his bed about 1 p.m. Sunday, he slipped on into death at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Judge Dudley had been tired greatly by a trip to Black River Falls Friday, where he sought to aid some old friends; and early Sunday morning he told Mrs. Kate Cook, his housekeeper and friend of over 50 years, that he was "very tire" and would remain in bed to rest.

Mrs. Cook said she heard a noise in the bedroom between 12 and 1 p.m., and expressed belief that he had been stricken about that time. Judge Dudley had not enjoyed good health for several years, although he seldom missed a day at his courtroom in the city hall.

He was born March 28, 1869, in Cambridge, Dane County, to Philip S. and Marie (McArthur) Dudley, and was the youngest of five children. A few months after his birth the family moved to Neillsville, where Philip Dudley started the first harness shop in the community.

The harness business became a flourishing one in the years immediately following, and the fire prospered. Mr. Dudley learned the harness-making trade from his father, and carried on in the business for a few years after the death of his father in 1906.

For a few years, following he followed the paper-hanging and painting trade, and was engaged in this occupation when he was appointed by the city council to fill an unexpired term as justice of the peace. For 10 consecutive years he filled the office by re-election, and, in accordance with an old-time custom of his office, he frequently practiced before the court. For several years he also held the appointment of court commissioner.

For more than nine years Judge Dudley held the postmaster-ship of Neillsville, Wis. His first appointment was made during the second term of Theodore Roosevelt, and the second appointment was made by President Taft. He was held over at the end of his second term for a year and three months under the Wilson administration.

During his earlier years Judge Dudley was active in fraternal orders of the community. He was a member of the Blue Lodge, the chapter and the Commandery of the Masonic order, and was a member and officer at various times in the Woodmen of the World and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

President of the First National Bank in Neillsville since its reorganization, Judge Dudley, with his father, was closely identified with the early development of Neillsville the surrounding areas.

He was married February 3, 1892, to Alice Reichenbach, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Reichenbach of Black River Falls, who survives her husband. One son, Francis, at home, also survives. A second son, Harold, died in infancy.