Randolph County, Indiana
Albert E. Fudge
It is always a delight to look over such a farm as that owned by Albert E. Fudge, which lies just outside the corporate limits of the city of Winchester and which may well be described as one of the show farms of Randolph county. Such a place would be the envy of many a city man who has tired long ago of the grind, the dust and the heat, the endless strife that shrivel the soul and bend the body. Indeed, many a man who now is weary of the toil and bondage of the metropolis, which he eagerly entered when a youth, fresh from the farm-not being able to see clearly what awaited him in the oncoming years-would be delighted to be able to leave it all and establish himself on this fine farm, with all its picturesqueness, comfort and freedom. Mr. Fudge has been wise enough to stay away from the city and build up a splendid home like this where he can spend his life satisfactorily.
He was born November 5, 1863, on a farm, five miles south of Winchester, Indiana, He is a son of Francis M. and Margaret (Hall) Fudge. The father was born in Preble county, Ohio, while the mother is a native of Randolph county, Indiana. The elder Fudge was a farmer, and his death occurred on September 3, 1888, his wife having preceded him to the grave in March, 1864.
Albert E. Fudge was reared on a farm and he received his education in the district schools, doing general farm work during the summer time, however, his months of school were few and far between. He remained with his father until he was twenty years of age when he began working out at farm work by the month which he followed until his marriage on October 10, 1888, to Geneva Diggs, a daughter of Jesse and Julia (Hobbick) Diggs, of Randolph county. One child was born to this union, Edna, now the wife of Claude Wilson, of Winchester. The wife and mother passed away on August 26, 1893, and Mr. Fudge married for a second wife, Louise Hormel, on January 21, 1896. She is a daughter of Jarvis Hormel, of Wayne county, Indiana. Both parents of Mrs. Fudge died when she was quite young. Two sons have been born to this last union, namely: Frank C., born November 6, 1896, and Walter H., born July 3, 1900.
After his first marriage Mr. Fudge rented the home farm, which lies one and one-half miles northeast of Winchester, which his father had bought and had moved to some years previously. The place consists of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable and productive land. Here Mr. Fudge, of this review, has resided continuously to the present time. He has managed well and has prospered with advancing years, adding to the original place, until he now has two hundred and eighty-two acres, all in one body, and extending to the corporate limits of the city of Winchester. It is well-improved in every respect, and on it stands an excellent set of buildings. General farming is carried on, together with stock raising, on an extensive scale. Mr. Fudge feeds stock and buys and ships in large numbers, handling both hogs and cattle. He ships to the Indianapolis market, also Cleveland.
Politically, Mr. Fudge is a Democrat, and has been actively interested in public affairs for many years, but has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the Winchester Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Fudge has been exceptionally successful as a business man and his place shows thrift. He has one of the most attractive modern residences in the township. He has an automobile and, in fact, every modern comfort and convenience. He keeps his fine farm up to the highest point of productiveness, making a careful study of soils, crop rotation, fertilizers and every thing necessary to success.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson