In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1911) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1839
From Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; (1911), Portrait and biographical album of Polk County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1890)
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
When a youth, our subject entered the common schools, there piepering himself for teaching, which profession he followed for a time. Not content with the educational advantages which he had received, after acquiring sufficient means, he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which institution he was graduated with honor in the class of '6.5. Immediately thereafter he entered upon the study of law in IJavenna, Ohio, where he renuiiiii'd until the spring of 1867. when he be came a resident of Des Moines. During the following autumn he was admitted to the bar of Polk County% and in 1869 formed a law partnership with Levi J. Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Dudley, which connection continued until the death of his partner, in 1883. Mr. Dudley shortly afterward formed the existing partnership with John Mitchell, late Judge of the Circuit Court, and together they have carried on a successful business. On the 15th of April, 1871, in this city Charles A. Dudleywas married to Miss Sarah A. Washburne, a daughter of Lieut. Gustavus Wasliburne. Her native city was Rlontpelier, Vt., but in her early childhood she came with her parents to Des Moines, which has since been her home. A family of six children, four sons and two daughters, was born 'of their union, but only two sons and one daughter are now living, namely: Cora May, Frank and Plimmon H. The others died in infancy'. The parents are members of the Presb-- terian Church.
Mr. Dudley has ever been regarded as one of the leading and enterprising business men of the Capital City, and has done not a little towards the promotion of its enterprises and interests. In January, 1883, he was one of the incorporators of the Iowa Loan & Trust Company, the most important financial institution in the State, and has been connected with it officially since its organization, as a director, counsel and trustee, holding the first two named offices continuallyand the latter since 1880. The Iowa Loan A- Trust Company- h.as a working capital of half a million dollars, and has four and a half millions of dollars of loans in force at this date. February, 1890. The total amount of business done by the company to date aggregates $15,000,000.
Associated with Mr. Dudley, as trustees of the above-mentioned company, arc Messrs. George M. Hippel and Ira Cook, and the importance and responsibility of their trust may be inferred from the fact that they are the custodians of all the securities for the debentures of the company, amounting to upwards of 1.000,000.
Mr. Dudleyhas also taken an active interest in educational matters and has served on the Des >Ioines School Board for eleven years, from 1871 i:o:\ until 1882, ani] for seven years of that time was President, of the Board. His efforts in directing and aiding the management of the city sciiools resulted in placing them on a level with the best city schools in Iowa. As a law3'er, Mr. Dudley stands deservedly high He is painstaking and studious, and is noted for his thorough preparation of cases, their strong presentation in court and a conscientious devotion to the interests of his clients. In all his relations in life, his course lias been characterized by the strictest integrity and a firm sense of honor. Those who know him respect him, and all speak of him in the highest terms.
As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Polk County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1890). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
CHARLES ASHMAN DUDLEY.
Charles Ashman Dudley, who comes of distinguished American ancestry and for many years has been prominently known in Des Moines as a lawyer and one of its most progressive citizens, is a native of Freedom, Portage county, Ohio. He was born November 14, 1839, a son of Charles and Sarah (Leete) Dudley, both of whom were born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. The father engaged in farming in Portage county, Ohio, and he and his wife continued there during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Dudley of this review descends on the paternal side from Governor Dudley, of Massachusetts, and on the material side from Governor Leete, of Connecticut, being in the sixth generation from the persons named.
In the common schools of Portage county Charles Ashman Dudley received his preliminary education. In 1858 he became a student of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, at Hiram, Ohio, and continued there for three years. Desiring to pursue his studies further he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1862, and was graduated from that institution with the degree of A. B. in 1865. The honorary degree of A. M. was awarded him by his alma water in 1906, Drake University having two years previously given him the title of LL.B. Mr. Dudley has been a resident of Des Moines since 1867. He early showed an ability in his chosen calling which attracted a lucrative clientage. By courage, industry, perseverance and indomitable will power he worked his way to the front in his profession and has been identified with much of the important litigation in central Iowa. Lie has also been prominent in business affairs and was one of the incorporators of the Iowa Loan & Trust Company of Des Moines, becoming a director of the company and one of the trustees for its bondholders. Unostentatious, quiet and mild mannered, but firm and decided in his opinions, he has been a lifelong student of human nature, a good diplomatist, a man of even temperament and a prosperous and influential citizen.
At Dubuque, Iowa, in April, 1871, Mr. Dudley was married to Miss Sarah A. Washburn, a daughter of Gustavus and Sarah E. Washburn. To this union three children have been born: Cora M., who became the wife of Arthur E. Kenyon; Frank L., who married Gertrude Peirterson; and Plimmon H., who
C. A. DUDLEY married Hazel Potter. Politically Mr. Dudley gives his earnest support to the republican party and his religious belief is indicated by membership in the Central Presbyterian church of Des Moines. He has taken a great interest in education and served nine years consecutively, from 1871, as member of the board of education of Des Moines, filling the chair as president during a portion of that time. At college he belonged to the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity but has never since been connected with any secret organization. He is a member of the Prairie Club and formerly held membership in the Grant Club. Although he has passed the seventy-first milestone on life’s journey, Mr. Dudley is still actively connected with his profession and his clients are among the leading citizens of Des Moines and Polk county. In all matters pertaining to citizenship he has represented progress and improvement and his influence has ever been exerted m behalf o what he regards as just and right. Few men could be named m Des 'Moines who stand higher in the estimation of the people of the city than Charles Ashman
Dudley.
As printed in Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Ira Cook John Mitchell (b. 1830)
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.