William M. Hudson

WILLIAM M. HUDSON, one of the leading and substantial business merchants of Westmoreland county, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1857, son of George and Mary R. (Mansfield) Hudson. 

He is a descendant of James Hudson, a native of Wales, who emigrated to the United States, locating in Chester county, Pennsylvania. On the maternal side, William M. Hudson is of Irish ancestry, his great-grandparents having lived and died in Ireland, his grandmother being the first of the family to leave her native land, and whose mother lived in Ireland at the advanced age of one hundred and five years. His paternal grandfather was James Hudson, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. In early manhood James Hudson learned the trade of carpenter. He resided for some time in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and abut 1816 removed to Westmoreland county, location on a small farm of about forty acres, which he purchased in Unity township, near Pleasant Unity, where he lived for about twenty-five. He then purchased a farm of about one hundred acres near Crabtree, residing here until four or five years prior to his death, when he removed to Allegheny township. He was independent in politics, voting always for the man whom he considered best fitted for the position. He married and had nine children, George being the only surviving member of his family. James Hudson's death occurred in Allegheny township, when he was about eighty-four years of age, and his wife, Mary (McCasland) Hudson, also passed away in that township. 

George Hudson, father of William M. Hudson, was born in Unity township, November 24, 1819, received his early education in the common schools of his native place, and subsequently attended the old Greensburg Academy. When about twenty-one years of age he commenced teaching school, continuing in this employment for about sixteen years, becoming one of the well-known early teaches of Westmoreland county. He then turned his attention to farming, following this occupation in Salem and Hempfield townships until 1879, when he removed to Ludwick borough, where he lived a retired life until 1905, when he moved into Greensburg proper. In 1849 Mr. Hudson married Nancy R. Mansfield, of Unity Township, daughter of Abraham an Isabelle (McGee) Mansfield. To them eight children were born, three of whom are still living : William M., of whom later ; Martha Alice, and George E. George Hudson is a Republican and is now serving his second term as member of the school board. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and is one of the esteemed men of the county. 

William M. Hudson was reared at home and educated in the common schools of his native place. In 1879 he removed to Ludwick borough with his parents, and for several years was in the employ of the firm of Donahue & Kuhns, at Crabtree, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he had entire charge of the grain business. In 1891 he became a member of the firm, and two years later Mr. Kuhns died, his son, J. U. Kuhns, taking his interest in the business. Some time later the death the death of Mr. Donahue occurred, and Mr. Hudson and Mr. Kuhns purchased his interest in the business, which has since been conducted under the firm name of Hudson & Kuhns, and which has proved a very successful business. Mr. Hudson is a man of character and standing, has made his own way in the world, and is in every way worthy of the success which has crowned his efforts. In politics Mr. Hudson affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as auditor of the borough and two terms as councilman. As a citizen he is popular an well-liked, and has served with honor and credit the positions of trust and responsibility which he has held. He is unmarried an makes his home with his father. 

Source Pages 41 & 42 History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N. Boucher, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906 
Transcribed June 9, 1999 by Marilynn Wienke for the Westmoreland County History Project 
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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