Harry R. Budd, a very prominent member of the Macoupin
County bar, ex-mayor and leading citizen of Bunker Hill, was born on a farm
in Brighton township, Macoupin County, Illinois, September 14, 1855. He is a
son of the late William and Elizabeth (Cage) Budd.
The Budd family
is of English extraction, and the father of our subject was born in England
of prominent and wealthy parentage. The son enjoyed educational and social
advantages and came to America as a traveler and student. The great
agricultural possibilities of Illinois attracted him and after his marriage
in Virginia, he settled in Macoupin County where he became an extensive
land-owner and large farmer, owning at one time 1,500 acres. After 25 years
of residence he started on a journey to Brazil, South America, with the
intention of investing $100,000, but succumbed to fever and died in 1868, at
the age of 70 years. He was a man of remarkable business faculty as well as
one whose trained intellect fitted him for any profession he might have
chosen. He was very active in the Masonic fraternity and was a member of the
Alton lodge. In politics he always defended the principles of the Democratic
party. In religious connection he was an Episcopalian.
Of the family
of 10 children, these survive: James W., of Kansas City, traveling auditor
for the Pacific Express Company; Harry R., of this sketch; William N., a
prominent druggist of Bunker Hill; Mrs. Emma Lane, of Kansas City;
Katherine, of Kansas City; and George, of Arkansas.
Until he was 14
years old, our subject remained on the home farm pursuing his studies in the
local schools and constantly inspired to effort by his father and was
prepared at this early age to enter Rugby College, where he was graduated in
1872, having taken the elective course. After studying law for a year and a
half with Palmer & McMillen, at Carlinville, he located in Bunker Hill where
he was elected the first city attorney, when but 19 years of age. Serving
out his term of one year, Mr. Budd then went to Missouri and was admitted to
the bar after the necessary examinations. Upon his return to Bunker Hill,
Mr. Budd became associated with his brother in the drug business and they
established a store at Bunker Hill and another at Gillespie, and later
bought the Delano drug store, which he conducted for three years. After
disposing of this business, he entered upon the active practice of his
profession in which he has been successively engaged ever since, his
clientage extending through Macoupin and contiguous counties.
Mr.
Budd was reared to believe in and uphold the principles of the Democratic
party and he has consistently followed his early teachings. With his
brother, he shares the honor of being one of the only two mayors of his
political faith that Bunker Hill has ever had, and he bears a fine record of
consistency to the party of his choice. On several occasions he has beenhis
party's chosen candidate and is one of the most influential workers in his
section of the county.
On June 19, 1894, Mr. Budd was married to
Anna Delano, who was born in Bunker Hill and is a daughter of Dr. John A.
Delano, an old medical practitioner of Bunker Hill.
Fraternally Mr.
Budd is a Master Mason, being a member of the Bunker Hill lodge, and belongs
also to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 138-139.
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