The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-12-23

Died, in this village, on the morning OF
Dec. 18th, 1851. Major Gilbert j. Hudson,
aged 81 years.
Major Hudson was born at Auburn, n. u,
ON the sth day of May, 1890, and removed
to Michigan, near Dexter, Washtenaw Co.,
in 1886, where he resided few years, work
ing at farming during the summer season
and teaching school winters. Prom there
he came to Van Buren, county and cleared
up farm between this place and Kalamazoo,
near the Annable farm, and also purchased a
half interest in a drug store in this place
with Mr.. j. NJ. Longwell. About this time
he was married to Mrs. Maria Longwel,
widow of Theodore Longwell and daughter of
William Prater. In 1852, Mr.. Hudson sold
his interest in the drug store to his partner,
Mr. Longwell, and went the overland route
to California in company with Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph Kilburn, Mr.. and Mrs. A. Mears, G.
w. Longwell, David Woodman I'd, Daniel
Osborne, j. J. Woodman, Riley Woodman
and others. He returned from California in
1856, and in company with Mr.. Kilburn re-
purchased the drug store in which he was
formerly interested, and their partnership
continued until short time since, period
of twenty-five years. Major Hudson was
man universally respected and his reputa-
ton as straight forward, honorable man,
was well deserved. He Always took great
interest in the improvement of his native
town, and has at different times been Super
| visor of the township and President of the
village. He was for many years prominently
identified with the educational interests of
this village and served, perhaps, longer
term on our Board of Education, than any
other person ever did. During the war he
was an earnest patriot, and was very active
in organizing and equipping the Lafayette
Light Guard, the first company that went to
the front from Van Buren, county. Suisse
quently in August and September, 1861, he
assisted in raising Co. "C' of the I'd Mich,
Cavalry and was commissioned as its first
Captain, and subsequently was promoted to
the rank of Major in the same regiment. AS
military officer he was active, thorough,
brave and reliable and won an enviable
| reputation. He had the misfortune to have
each of his legs broken, at different times,
while in the service, and there contracted
the disease which eventually caused his death.
He served until June, 1866, when he was
honorably mustered out and returned to
] Paw Paw, and resumed his business here.
He has long been in ill health and for several
weeks past his death has been expected at
any time. Mr.. Hudson had been a faithful
member of the Masonic fraternity from the
time he joined the lodge, Dec. 9th, 1S49, to
the time of his death. He was elected mas
ter in 1867, which position he continuously
held until 1876. In the work of the chapter
he always had a deep interest and held the
position of High Priest from 1869 until his
death. He was one of the most thoroughly
posted members of that fraternity, and u
capable and efficient presiding officer. As
an honorable man, as an upright citizen, al
q valuable member of community, AZ an
indulgent husband and kind parent, he
will be missed and mourned by large circle
of scquaintances, friends and relatives. His
funeral was held at the N. E. Church, on
Wednesday last. He was buried under the
auspices of the Masonic fraternity. DR..
Metcaf of Kalamazoo, conducted the servi-
ces. Representatives were present from
nearly every lodge in the county.