RUDD, Sheldon Watson
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 480-484 (Portrait p 481)

Sheldon Watson RUDD, deceased, formerly of Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI], was 
for many years one of the most prominent and respected citizens of Sauk 
County. He was born in Willoughly, Lake County, OH, 02 Mar 1828, and passed 
to his rest 08 Feb 1900. He was the son of David and Julia (BOYCE) RUDD. 
They were married in OH, though both were natives of MA. The paternal RUDD 
was born at Beckett [Becket, Berkshire County], MA, and was of Scotch 
lineage. He came west when a young man, and was one of the pioneers of the 
Willoughby settlement, where he lived [p 483] on a farm and did much to help 
in the transformation of the wilderness into a garden of civilization. He 
removed to WI in 1854, and settled on a farm near the present city of 
Reedsburg [Sauk County], and there he lived until his death in 1865, at the 
age of 76. Mrs. Julia RUDD survived her husband some seven years, and died 
in 1872. She was born in Blanford [Blandford, Hampden County], MA, and when 
quite young was brought by her parents to Lorain County, OH. There her 
father, David BOYCE, spent the remaining years of his life, and died when 
over 80 years of age. He served in the American army during the war of 1812, 
and was always a good neighbor and an upright man.

Sheldon Watson RUDD spent his early life on the OH farm. When he reached the 
age of 21 he left the old homestead to seek his fortune in what was then the 
wild and unbroken regions of WI. He drove seven head of cattle through from 
OH to Walworth County, WI, where he traded his cattle for two yoke of oxen. 
He had made the long journey on horseback, and showed a sturdy physique and a 
ready mind. He found a home in Sauk County [WI], where he bought a farm of 
160 acres in Excelsior Township. Here was his home for many years, and here 
he made a name as a model farmer and an honorable man. Following his coming 
to this state he spent the greater part of three years in charge of a crew of 
loggers at RUDD's Mills, getting out timbers for the mills at that point 
under the charge of his brothers.

Mr. RUDD was a gallant soldier in the Union army, and did good servcie in the 
great struggle for the Union. He enlisted 20 Feb 1864 and was with the Army 
of the Potomac. He was assigned to Company B, 36th WI Volunteer Infantry, 
and joined his command at the close of the battle of Spottsylvania. He 
participated in every subsequent engagement in which his regiment bore a 
hand, and made a good record. He was in the closing scenes at Appomattox, 
and marched in the Grand Review at Washington. He was one of seven men who 
enlisted in Madison [Dane County, WI] on the same day, and of these seven 
three were killed, one badly wounded, one died in a rebel prison, and one 
from disease. Mr. RUDD was the only one of the seven who returned home alive 
and uninjured.

Mr. RUDD was married in Mar 1858 to Miss Ann TATOR, of Reedsburg [Sauk 
County, WI]. She was born in NY, and her father died at Delavan, Walworth 
County, WI, during her childhood. After his death her mother settled in 
Reedsburg. Mrs. RUDD died in Aug 1864. She was a member of the 
Congregational church, and left two children: (1) Louis D., an extensive 
farmer of Excelsior Township [Sauk County, WI], and (2) Julia I., formerly a 
stenographer in the office of Governor Scofield, of Madison, now the wife of 
J. W. HILL, of Richland Center [Richland County], WI. Mr. RUDD's second 
marriage was in 1871 with Miss Emily CADY, of Buchanan [where?]. She died in 
1884, leaving one son, Harry. He passed away in 1894, at the age of 22.

Mr. RUDD was conspicuous for his genial disposition and affable manners, and 
took a prominent part in public affairs. He was deeply interested in 
religious matters, and helped to found the Congregational church of 
Reedsburg, to which he was always a liberal contributor. In 1893 he sold his 
farm and moved into the city to spend his remaining years. He was a member 
of the H. A. Tator Post, of the G. A. R., named in honor of his wife's 
brother, a gallant member of the 19th [p 484] WI Volunteer Infantry. Mr. 
RUDD was an ardent Republican and a devoted friend of education. He held 
various important local offices, and for two years was chairman of Excelsior 
Township.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly