Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012,
                           All Rights Reserved
                          U.S. Data Repository

    Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Judith Anne Weeks Ancell
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
=========================================================================
U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.
Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so.
=========================================================================
Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================

Portrait And Biographical Album Of Mecosta County, Mich. Containing
Portraits And Biographical Sketches of Prominent And Representative
Citizens of the County together with Portraits And Biographies of All The
Presidents Of The United States  And Governors of the State.  Also
Containing A Complete History of The County, From Its Earliest Settlement
To the Present Time.  Chicago, Chapman Bros. 1883

===========================================================================
HUDNUTT, EDWARD W.
===========================================================================

Page 262

Edward W. Hudnutt, of  the firm of Crocker and Hudnutt, architects,
contractors and builders, and proprietors of the Falcon Planing Mill at Big
Rapids, was born at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 15, 1852; a son of Joseph O. and
Marcia (Webster) Hudnutt.  His father was a civil engineer and was many
years chief of the construction corps of various canal and railroad
companies.  In 1859 the family settled near Waverly, Bremer Co., Iowa, and
the following year the father represented the district in the Legislature
of that State, resigning on the breaking out of the civil war and returning
to Waverly, where he enlisted in the 38th Iowa Vol. Inf., with the rank of
Major.  He was chiefly on detached duty and assigned to the staff of Major
Gen. Herron.  He served as engineer of fortifications, and was in severe
engagements with his regiment.  It was badly disrupted and finally
consolidated with the 34th Iowa Vol. Inf., when he was promoted to a
Colonelcy and afterward to the rank of Brigadier General.  He served the
Union cause three years, and on leaving the army went to Chicago and
entered the University as Professor of Civil Engineering.  Later he was
employed by the Chicago & Illinois River Canal Co., and afterward by the
Chicago & Northwestern R. R. Co.; was on the Union Pacific and Northern
Pacific R. R’s.; surveyed the route of the Grand Rapids & Indiana R. R.,
and went to South Carolina and surveyed the Richmond & Atlanta Air Line R.
R.  He came to Big Rapids in 1869 and bought into the Tioga Manufacturing
Co., afterward selling out and buying the Tioga Flouring Mill, where he
operated for a time and then went to Leadville, Col., and became interested
in mining and in mining engineering.  he went thence to Montana to survey
under a Government contract, where he is occupied at present.

Mr. Hudnutt, of this sketch, was at the age of 14 connected with the
engineering corp of the Union Pacific R. R., and continued three years,
when he became connected in the same capacity with the

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 263:

G. R. & I. R. R., serving two years.  He passed the winters of these years
in the University at Rochester, N. Y., where he was graduated with the
class of 1873.  He was employed by the Rochester Water Works Co., as
draughtsman two years, and in 1875 came to Big Rapids and bought the Falcon
Planing Mill, and with Caleb S. Hanks and Luther D. Henderson, the firm
name being Hudnutt, Henderson, Hanks & Co.  Mr. Henderson sold to his
partners the next year, and in 1877, John M. Crocker succeeded to the
position and interest of Mr. Hanks.  Messrs. Crocker and Hudnutt have built
the principle business blocks of Big Rapids and many of the residences.
Their works are turning out a large amount of sash, doors, blinds and all
builders’ materials.  As their business has increased they have made
additions to their mills in proportion.  They are located in upper Big
Rapids, near the upper Bridge.

Mr. Hudnutt was married at Big Rapids, to Thyrza J., daughter of Ferdinand
and Juila Fairman.  She is a native of Adams, N. Y., and is the mother of
one child, Marian Hudnutt.  Mr. Hudnutt is a member of the order of Masonry
and Knights of Pythias.

===========================================================================