William Ora Dudgeon

W. ORA DUDGEON, a successful coal operator and farmer, located on the northwest quarter of section 27, Oswego township, Labette county, Kansas, is a native of Fulton county, Indiana, and was born in 1865. He is a son of William Dudgeon.

William Dudgeon was born in 1827, in Pennsylvania, and at an early period settled in Ohio, where he remained several years. He then went to Fulton county, Indiana, where he lived ten years, after which he moved to Marshall county, Indiana. In 1883, he located in Oswego township, Labette county, Kansas, where he carried on farming until his death, in 1896. He married Miss McElravey, who is a native of Pennsylvania, and now lives in Oswego, Kansas. They reared the following offspring: Joseph; Mary (Zink), deceased; Daniel; W. Ora, the subject of this sketch; Hugh; and Marion.

W. Ora Dudgeon was reared and schooled in Marshall county, Indiana, and Labette county, Kansas. He began his business career, as a farmer, and in 1896 ]eased the property on which he now lives. Coal veins, averaging 14 inches thick, are found in various places on this land. Mr. Dudgeon operates a coal bank, and mines the coal by plow and scraper. The coal is found at a depth of from 10 to 12 feet. He has been very successful in this line, and in 1898 bought the property. He also carries on general farming.

Mr. Dudgeon married Elizabeth Kastor, in 1896, and they have two children, William and Charles. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Populist party. He is also a member of Red Bud Camp, No. 91, Woodmen of the World, of which he is banker. A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Dudgeon and their family accompanies this sketch.