ISAAC HUDSON, of the law firm of Spitler & Hudson, and Master in Chancery, was born in Moultrie County, Ill., January 8, 1867, and is the son of J. J. and Susan (Souther) Hudson. The parents, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky were quite young when they came to Illinois and settled in what is now Moultrie County. Jeremiah Souther, our subject's maternal grandfather, secured some Government land in Moultrie County, and after making extensive improvements and becoming the owner of about eight hundred acres, died in March, 1889, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was a man of great influence in his community, and his death, which occurred in Shelby County, was widely mourned. He was twice married and his second wife, who still survives, makes her home on the farm in Shelby County.

The father of our subject was born in April, 1810, and accompanied Mr. Souther to Illinois in the early '30s. He immediately set to work to gain a livelihood and so successful was he in his efforts that at the time of his death, January 3, 1875, he was the owner of about one thousand acres of splendid land. His property was in Sullivan Township, Moultrie County, where he spent his active life. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously a member of the Christian Church. He was ever a liberal contributor to charitable purposes and no man worthy of his confidence was ever unkindly turned away when he sought a favor at the hands of J. J. Hudson.

The wife of J. J. Hudson was the daughter of his benefactor with whom he had come to Illinois and afterward resided. This most estimable woman passed from the busy scenes of earth May 15, 1874, at the age of forty-six years, having been born in 1828. In her early girlhood she had united with the Christian Church and in that faith she died. For some years before her demise she had been an an invalid and passed away, the victim of consumption. A good and noble woman, and a true helpmate, she was mourned not only by those nearest to her, but by the neighbors and friends who still hold her memory dear. She was the mother of eleven children, six of whom died young. Laura died March 30, 1891, the wife of J. H. Michael [though not mentioned here in the original text as was done in other cases, J.H. Michael's biography appears in the book]; Barbara is the wife of Isaac Horn, a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser of this county; Jerry chose as his wife Addie Wheeler and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Lovington Township; Sarah became the wife of Samuel Elder, a prominent farmer of Sullivan Township.

Under careful influences at home our subject was reared and the good common-school education which he obtained from the home schools was supplemented by a thorough course in the Christian College at Eureka, this State, an institution of prominence and influence. In 1888 he began the study of law with his present partner and after a thorough course of reading he was admitted to practice at the bar of Illinois. He way appointed Master in Chancery in December, 1888, and fills the office to the general satisfaction. He owns a fine property divided into three good farms and aggregating three hundred and twenty acres. He also has invested some in city property in Sullivan and possessing good judgment, will undoubtedly attain prominence in political and public affairs in the State. His political convictions are strongly with the Republican party, and he is ever interested in matters of public interest and is wide-awake to the progress of the town.

Mr. Hudson was married September 9, 1891 to Miss Kate Evans of Sullivan who is also proud to claim Moultrie County as her birthplace. Mrs. Hudson is the daughter of Benjamin Evans, deceased, and possesses the nobility of mind and geniality of disposition which wins her friends wherever she may be. The citizens of the community, who are proud of the acquaintance of herself and Mr. Hudson, wish them every happiness in the union upon which they have recently entered.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 651/652

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb