California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 DAVID BROWN DUDLEY. Worthy of mention among the pioneer agriculturists of California who have attained success from a financial point of view is David Brown Dudley, residing near Los Banos, where he has a clear title to two highly-cultivated and well-improved farms. He is one of the progressive and energetic farmers and dairymen of this section of Merced county, and is complete master of the honorable calling which he is following, while his sterling integrity and upright manhood fully entitle him to the position which he holds in the estimation of the people of the community. A son of John Dudley, he was born, August 10, 1840, in Readfield, Me., of English ancestry, being able to trace his descent from the Duke of Dudley. His Grandfather Dudley served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, after which he settled as a farmer in Kennebec county, Me., purchasing land in Readfield. A life-long resident of Readfield, Me., John Dudley chose the independent calling to which he was reared, spending his days as a tiller of the soil. Patriotic and loyal as a citizen, he- served in the war of 1812. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Brown, was born in West Hampden, Me., and died on the home farm, in Readfield. She bore her husband twelve children, nine of whom grew to years of maturity, David Brown, the subject of this sketch, the youngest child of the household, being the only one now living. Brought up on the parental homestead, David B. Dudley acquired his elementary education in the district schools, completing it at Kent's Hill Seminary. Thus equipped, he subsequently taught school several terms, turning his attention to farming during the long vacations. After the breaking out of the Civil war, Mr. Dudley, fired with the same patriotic zeal that inspired his ancestors, tried to enlist in a Maine regiment, but having lost the sight of one eye was rejected. In 1863, on account of ill health, he started for California, hoping in this sunny climate to regain his pristine vigor. Leaving New York on the liner North Star in November, he sailed by way of Panama, where he took passage on the ship Constitution, which landed him in San Francisco in June, 1864. Going at once to Eureka, Cal., Mr. Dudley taught school there during the summer, and then entered the employ of a stockman, and for eighteen months was engaged in gathering up cattle and taking them in large herds to Bald Hill. Starting then in business on his own ac- count, he located about fifty miles south of Eureka, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land in the Mattole country. To this he afterward added by purchase until he owned eight hundred acres of land, and on this ranch he was extensively and successfully en- gaged in dairying and stock-raising for a number of seasons. Leasing his ranch in 1878, Mr. Dudley started out on a camping expedition, and in the two ensuing years visited twenty- three different counties in this state. Subsequently locating in Pacheco, Contra Costa county, he purchased a ranch, and was there engaged in raising fruit, hay and dairying for seven years. Disposing of that property in 1892, Mr. Dudley came to Los Banos, intending to settle here permanently. Buying ten acres of alfalfa, lying north of the park, he enlarged and re- paired the buildings, and embarked in the dairy business. He has been exceedingly prosperous in his undertakings, and has since bought adjoining land, having now one hundred and fifty acres, all under irrigation, and the most of it planted to alfalfa. He made improvements of great value on the estate, putting up windmills, and stocking his dairy with over one hundred head of cattle. Renting this large ranch in 1903, Mr. Dudley sold all of his cattle, and in 1904 bought a smaller farm, consisting of forty-five acres of land almost adjoining his other ranch, and is here busily and profitably engaged in raising alfalfa and dairying, his farm being one of the best in this locality. In San Leandro, Cal., June 4, 1865, Mr. Dudley married Addie M. Bean, who was born in Readfield, Me., and came to California in 1865. She comes of New England Quaker stock, being a daughter of John Bean, and granddaughter of Joel Bean, prominent mem- bers of the Quaker Society of Maine. Her father, who followed the occupation to which he was brought up, was a woolen manufacturer and miller, and one of the brave soldiers of the war of 18 1 2. He married Sophronia Dorr, who was born in New Hampshire, and died in Los Banos, Cal., at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dudley, at the venerable age of ninety years. Her father, Stephen Dorr, was a prominent attorney of New Hampshire, and served in the state legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley are the parents of three children, namely: Chester D., in partnership with his father ; Annie A., the wife of J. E. Smith, of Pacific Grove ; and Serene S., wife of R. L. Miller, of Pacific Grove. Politically Mr. Dudley is a steadfast Republican.