From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Laurie Birks Dean

pp. 461-462

William R. DUDLEY, dealer in agricultural implements in Wheeling, 
West Virginia, is one of the enterprising citizens of that thriving 
city.  He was born at Benwood, Marshall county, West Virginia, 
December 23, 1857, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Thomas) Dudley.
	Joseph Dudley, the father of William R., was born in England, 
April 7, 1827, and came to the United States in 1849.  He settled in 
Wheeling, and is now a resident of this city, employed at the 
Riverside Iron Works, where he held the office of superintendent many 
years.  His two brothers, - John and William, - who were employed 
there, are deceased.  In 1854 Joseph Dudley married Mary Thomas, who 
was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and came 
with her parents to Wheeling in 1849.  Ten children  were born to 
this couple, of whom five are now living, namely:  Eliza and Sarah 
A., who live with their father; John J., who works at the Riverside 
Iron Works in Steubenville, Ohio; Joseph E., who is secretary of the 
Schrieber & Mabis Company, of Wheeling; and William R., the subject 
of this sketch.  Joseph Dudley is an elder and trustee of the Third 
Presbyterian church, having served almost thirty years in that 
capacity.
	William R. Dudley, whose name opens these lines, moved with his 
parents to Wheeling i 1861, when he was but four years old.  He 
attended the public schools of Wheeling, and later took a full course 
at Frasher's Business College.  At the age of nineteen years he was 
engaged at the Riverside Iron Works, and followed his trade of a 
nailer for a period of ten years.  He then went into business for 
himself, handling farm implements, buggies, wagons, and seeds, with 
his place of business at the corner of Twentieth and Market streets.  
In 1895 he moved to the large building belonging to the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad Company, which is two stories high and has a floor 
space of 10,000 square feet.  The business is carried on under the 
name of W. R. Dudley, and Mr. Dudley buys his stock outright and not 
on commission.  His store is well stocked and his patronage is large.  
He is successful business man, and is well known in Wheeling and Ohio 
county.  He employs three and sometimes four clerks, and often during  
the busiest seasons is obliged to employ more.
	Mr. Dudley was married to Carrie M. Adams, a daughter of the 
late A. J. Adams, who was a merchant tailor and a native of Wheeling.  
The mother of Mrs. Dudley died in 1896.  Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have one 
daughter and three sons, namely:  Margaret; Howard A., aged eighteen 
years, who is now with Robert Hazlett, civil engineer; Joseph Frank, 
aged sixteen years, who is attending the Wheeling High School; and 
John Varney, who is twenty months old.
	Mr. Dudley was first elected a member of the board of education 
in the fall of 1894, representing the Webster district.  He served 
acceptably for six years, and in November, 1900, was elected for 
another term of six years.  He has always been a steadfast member of 
the Republican party.  Fraternally, he is past master of Nelson 
Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M.  He is a member of the Second 
Presbyterian church and is chairman of its board of trustees.  Mr. 
Dudley has a comfortable home at No. 2903 Chapline street, Wheeling.