HUDSONPILLER, R. F.
Source:
Norton, Kansas Champion Thu 22 March 1894 p 1
“Norton County
early history …” – Ranselier F. Hudsonpiller was born in Putnam County, Indiana
January 16, 1846 enlisted at Chariton Iowa Sept 1861 in the 13th
Iowa Infantry; was in the battles of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, Corinth, Iuka
(?) second Corinth, at Kennesaw Mountain he was wounded July 22, 1864 the day
McPherson was killed. He was a member of Crocker’s Iowa brigade; was taken
prisoner July 25 and was in Andersonville prison six weeks; was taken from
there to Savannah and from there to Charleston from there to Florence from
Florence he and a man by the name of WO Mitchell, who is prominent in Iowa
politics, escaped. Mr. Mitchell was
speaker in the Iowa house of representative sin 1890 and 1892. They made their
escape by hiding in the sick camp while on detail to carry water. They traveled
21 nights and were then recaptured and taken to Saulsbury prison and kept there
until January 1865 was then sent to Libby at Richmond and was held there until
March 9, 1865 when they were exchanged and sent to Davenport, Iowa and mustered
out having served 3 years and 6 months. Dick Curry was in the same regiment and
taken prisoner at the same time. WW Robinson was also in the same regiment. RF
Hudsonpillar (sic) married Mary J. Deal. They had five children, the eldest
three died. The fourth child, Edna T is 14 years old and Harry R their youngest
is 12 years old. Mrs. Hudsonpillar died
Jan 8, 1886. He married again in April
1892 Mrs. Edgar Page. He was elected county commissioner from the first
district in 1877 and served one term. He was a candidate for sheriff in 1889
but failed to get the nomination. He was always a republican until 1890; he has
since been a populist. He is one of our successful farmers. - kbz
