My Genealogy Hound

JOHN MUDD was for many years a prominent and highly respected citizen of Randolph County, and when he passed away, the following words were spoken of him at the funeral service. “Mr. Mudd was one of those old pioneer citizens of Randolph County whose number is growing painfully less, as the cold, pitiless hand of death plucks them, one by one, from the seclusion of the life they have chosen after the life which developed our civilization and the religion which their posterity practice. No better, nobler old gentleman has gone to the realms of shade, and no truer Catholic and broad-hearted philanthropist, than he who sleeps beneath the humble mound in the cemetery where rests so many of old Randolph’s noble dead. Born in Kentucky, he was a genuine American, and was a true and tried Christian. He had the satisfaction, which is so gratifying to the aged, of seeing his family filling honorable positions in society and the business walks of life. Having lived far past his three-score years and ten, he was an exemplification of the promise of the Almighty, ‘Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give to thee.’ ”

Mr. Mudd was born in Shelby County, Ky., in February, 1802, and when but seventeen years of age came to Randolph County, locating in the neighborhood of Prairie du Rocher. Returning to his native state, he married Mary Brewer, and then brought his bride to his new home. They became the parents of six children: Vincent, who is married and with his family resides near the old homestead; Harrison, who died leaving four children; F. Celine, who died leaving three children; Sophia, wife of James Daily, of Monroe County; William T.; and John E., who is engaged in farming near Red Bud.

After coming to Randolph County, Mr. Mudd worked by the month, but by economy and industry he soon secured enough capital to purchase a small farm. To this he added from time to time, until at his death he owned a valuable farm of two hundred acres. He was an unusually active man, and his success was well deserved. He was long a prominent worker in the Catholic Church, and in politics was an uncompromising Democrat, but would never accept public office. Charitable and benevolent, he gave so freely that his liberality was almost a fault. His death occurred in April, 1883, at the age of eighty-one. His wife survived him until July, 1893, when she too passed away at the age of eighty-one. An active Christian woman, like her husband she held membership with the Catholic Church.

William T. Mudd was born in this county, September 14, 1843, and was educated in the common schools. In the spring of 1861 he went to Colorado, where he spent about four years on account of ill-health. In 1864 he returned, and the following year was united in marriage with Miss Ella, daughter of James Roscow, one of the pioneers of this county, who died in July, 1879, at the age of sixty-seven years, leaving a family of six children, four of whom are yet living. His wife bore the maiden name of Maria Palmer and was a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Mudd have one son, John T., who works in his father’s store. He married Tillie Havermann, and they have one child, Roscoe.

William T. Mudd and his family are all members of and active workers in the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He came to Red Bud about 1868, and worked in mercantile stores for others until 1883, when he began business for himself. Five years later he sold out and formed a partnership with Mr. McQuillan, under the firm name of Mudd & McQuillan, and the partnership has since continued. They deal in general merchandise, and also in farm implements, and are doing a good business.