My Genealogy Hound

ELIAS RUDE, a prosperous farmer of Huntington, was born in that town, November 29, 1834, son of Zara and Elizabeth (Patch) Rude. Mr. Rude’s great-grandfather, John Rude, was a native of Norwich, Conn., and settled in Huntington, Mass., when there were but three houses in the town. He cleared and improved the farm, which is now owned and occupied by his great-grandson, and successfully followed agriculture until his death. He raised a family of three children, of whom John Rude, Jr., was Mr. Rude’s grandfather. Grandfather Rude was born in Norwich, Conn., succeeded to the possession of the farm, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1848. He was the father of seven children, as follows: Zara, Alvin, Clara, Elias, Harvey, Esula, and Norman.

Zara Rude, Mr. Rude’s father, was born in Huntington and reared to agriculture, which he followed successfully through life. He was a Whig in politics, was highly esteemed, and was very popular with his fellow-townsmen. He died at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, who was a native of Huntington, became the mother of twelve children, of whom Elias Rude is the sole survivor. They were as follows: Thomas, who married Miranda Demon; John, who married Maria Holmes; Lucy, who became the wife of James Stevenson; Eliza, who married Ora Miller; Jerome, Lydia, and Electa, who died young; Nancy, who died at the age of twenty-two; Electa (second), who died at the age of twenty; Ora, who died aged twenty-four; Weltha, who died aged eighteen; and Elias, the subject of this sketch. The mother died in Huntington.

Elias Rude succeeded his father in the ownership of the old homestead, and has since resided there. He carries on general farming and dairying, and is engaged to a considerable extent in the manufacture of maple sugar. On December 14, 1857, Mr. Rude was united in marriage to Nancy A. Merritt. She was born in Conway, Mass., November 3, 1833, daughter of Austin Merritt, a prosperous farmer of that town. In politics Mr. Rude has always supported the Republican party.