The Dudgeons were farmers in Taylor County, Kentucky. Things appeared to be fine for the Dudgeon family until 1875. Their home was ravaged by a bout with diphtheria killing Shelby, Emma and Martha all within two weeks. George Senior would have been left with three children under the age of ten. Two years later he married a woman named Linda Lyle and the couple had three more children.
Sometime between 1883 and 1886 the Dudgeon family left Kentucky and moved to Ray County, Missouri. I determined this based off of the birth places of two of George's half siblings: Ernest, born in Kentucky in 1883, and Fannie, born in Missouri in 1886. George Tate Dudgeon married Elizabeth Riffe on March 20, 1890. If documentation is correct, Elizabeth or Lizzie was only 15 at the time. The couple were farmers and lived in Grape Grove township of Ray County. The couple had six children and the 1900 census states one of them had died by that time. I have been unable to locate the name or burial place of that child. I only assume they fall between Ottie and Alberta based on the large gap between birth dates there.
The Dudgeons lived in Grape Grove for the rest of their lives. George remained a farmer and he rented his land. I do not know much about the Dudgeons. Like many rural residents, they are not mentioned in any local histories. I have not done an extensive search for them in the local paper, but I'm fairly sure I wouldn't find much.
George lived to be 72 and died as the result of a stroke on February 14, 1941. He is buried next to his wife in the New Hope Cemetery, near Millville, Missouri.
George's Obituary (Sadly, I do not have the paper source, but have still chosen to post)
Millville, Missouri 1941
Funeral services for George Tate Dudgeon, 72 years old, were held at the Millville Methodist church Sunday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. H.T. McGrew. Mr. Dudgeon died Friday afternoon at his home in Millville.
He was born September 17, 1868, the son of George and Mattie Lou (Phillips) Dudgeon, and had spent 50 years of his life in Ray County.
On March 20, 1890 he was married to Elizabeth Riffe, who survives. Other survivors are: two sons Elmer Dudgeon, Millville; and Cecil Dudgeon of St. Joseph; three daughters, Mrs. Minnie Lee White, Mrs. Ottie may Carter, and Mrs. Bertie Layman all of Orrick; two brothers, Thurman Dudgeon of Orrick and James Dudgeon of Cameron; a half-brother and two half-sisters and fifteen grandchildren.
R.R. Boggess Funeral home of Hardin was in charge of arrangements. Burial was at the New Hope Cemetery.
Due outs for George Dudgeon:
- Find out more about why the family left Kentucky
- Search local papers for information on Dudgeon family
- Locate source for obituary
2 comments:
I love the color gradation to show the generations. It is a great visual. Great post.
Thank you, Joan and thanks for stopping by!
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