Lewis Hudson

LEWIS HUDSON, a prominent conductor running both, local and extra passenger trains out of Parsons, Kansas, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, is a native of Virginia, having been born in Lynchburg, May 28, 1844. His father, William Hudson, is deceased, and his mother died when Lewis was but an infant. He has one sister, Mrs. Mary Montgomery, who is a resident of Louisville, Kentucky. William Hudson, although not particularly active in politics, was a stanch Whig.

After the death of his mother, Lewis Hudson lived with his paternal grandmother in Virginia, until he attained the age of eleven years. He then went to live with his father, who had married a second time. When thirteen or fourteen years old, he ran away from home, and has made his way in the world ever since. He had limited educational advantages, and worked nights and mornings for several months, in order to pay for his board while he obtained a little schooling; he gladly accepted any kind of work he could obtain.

In 1874, he began his railroad career, first working on the Vandalia line of the Pennsylvania Railroad system, upon which he was employed seven years. Within nine months, he was promoted to be a conductor, having first been examined by the general manager at St. Louis, Missouri. That gentleman gave him a letter of recommendation to the train master at Terre Haute, Indiana, who assigned him to a train. He was first placed in charge of a bridge train; and assisted in building bridges all over the system; he continued to run bridge trains during the summers, and through freight trains during winters for the next three years. Afterwards, he worked in a similar capacity for the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield Railway Company.

In 1881, Mr. Hudson accepted a position on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, as extra conductor under Train Master H. Wagner. He was placed on local passenger and through freight service from Parsons, Kansas. Several years later, he left that road and for two years ran a steam-shovel excavator on the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield Railway, - working mainly in Illinois. Returning to Parsons, he again entered the service of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, under Superintendent Welch, for whom he has worked for the past fourteen years, - first running freight trains, and later, both local and extra passenger trains, out of Parsons. This last position he has maintained up to the present writing, and is one of the most reliable and trustworthy conductors on the system.

Mr. Hudson was united in marriage with Jennie Gilispie, of Tuscola, Illinois. They have reared one son, Charles, who is now twenty-one years old, and who intends to follow a railroad life. He was given a thorough course in the Parsons Commercial College.

Politically, Mr. Hudson is a Republican, and believes the principles of that party to be right. He stands high in fraternal circles, affiliating with the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic order, of Parsons, the A. 0. U. W., and Division No. 161, 0. R. C., of Parsons, having held office in the last named order.

Mrs. Hudson's father and mother make their home with the subject hereof and his wife, who have a fine, large residence at No. 1824 Crawford avenue. The family favor the M. E. church, to the support of which they contribute; they also occupy a high position from a social standpoint. Such is the career of a man who has made himself what he is by his industry, self reliance and fidelity to the obligations of his chosen occupation. His unqualified success is well deserved.