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HUDSON HISTORY 1869-1969
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The first school was south of town near what is known as the Reformed Church Parsonage.  This was destroyed by fire in 1873 or '74. A dance ball north of the present David Boyer home was then used for a school.  There were no desks, just rough wooden benches; scholars laid their slates and hooks on the floor.  The teachers were Amelia Clark and Frank Ritter.  They both taught in this room at the same time, for two years. There were 112 pupils enrolled. In 1877 a frame building known as the "white school house" was erected in the central part of town on the location of the present Van Ransburg property.  In 1883, a brick building was constructed in the northeast part of the village in Steuben Township.  Because of increased enrollment, two residences were utilized or school purposes, the Adam Bickel house in the northeast part of town, and what is known as the Mrs. Elmer Gorrell home in the southwest part.

On July 12, 1894, the town contracted for the purchase of eight lots in Brugh's addition at a price of $600 for the purpose of erecting a new school building. Bonds were issued to the amount of $2,500 for the construction of the building. That same year a fine two-story brick building with modern improvements was built.  The eight grades and three years of high school, then four years, were taught here until about 1920. The building was used as a grade school until recent years when the children are transported by bus to either Prairie Heights Consolidated or Angola Metropolitan Schools. A list of the early teachers is hard to compile, but the following is a list of some of the people who have served the Hudson Schools: Marshall Dunlap, Aaron Wolf, William Baker, Amelia Clark, Frank Ritter, Frank Baker, Lynn Weaver, Blenn Crays, Susan Dodge, Lute Wicoff, Ina Craig, Asutie Mountz, Seth S. Avery, Charles Kettering, Sanders Van Auken, Enos Parsell, Prof. Elbert Bradner, Allie Ewing, Jennie Grosbeck, Jennie Clink, Prof. J. B. Munn, Reba French, Perth Crays, Mate Ewing, Prof. Fred Frederick, Ethel Chard, Prof. Eddy, Irma Sniff, Prof. Hardy, Dessa Davis, Bernice Mountz, Winifred Walcott, Mildred Butler, Dale Hughes, Wilma Hughes, Hazel Wertenberger, Prof. Jesse Fleming, Lucile Libey, Stella Phingstag, Cleota Lint, Prof. Harold Harmon, Kary Bodley, Ray VanDusea, Dena Bright, Dolores Christ- offel, and Rowena Ringler.* * A few other teachers would include Marian Cole, Marjorie Conrad, Dwight Putt,  Rachel Collins Blair and Raymond Rensch.

The first commencement held here took place on June 12, 1896 at the Methodist Church with a class of 20.  The music was furnished for the occasion by Lacey's Orchestra.  Each member of the class delivered a three minute production and the class address was presented by Prof. L.W. Fairfield.  Members of this class were: Della Synder, Worthy Shuman, Pearl Leas, Florence Day, Bertha Ketchum, Huma Brugh, Vesta Kimmel, Bert Libey, Bertha Henning, Leone Miller, and Fred Kirkland, Valedictorian; all these being from Hudson; and the following from the other township schools were: Chester Klink, Salutatorian,; Dessa Metz, Etta Ringler, Grace Kelley, Mattie Clink, George Noll, Maude Doerrer, Eva Kimmel, and Maude Skelly.  Floral souvenirs were presented to each member of the class by Mrs. Charles Kirkland.

In the early days, religious services were held in various homes, and out of these came the organized churches.  A log church was located across the road from what is now known as the County Line Cemetary.  Joseph Miller.  A local preacher, conducted a revival in this log church in 1854, assisted by John Johnson, a United Brethren.  Many were brought into the fold, some uniting with the Methodists and some with the United Brethren.  This was the start of both denominations in this section.  In the same year, Rev. John Kissel organized St. John's Reformed Church south of Hudson.  The Nazarenes organized a church south of Hudson in 1941. The Methodists first held their meetings in private residences.  A Methodist church was built in 1874; this was a frame structure 34 by 56 feet.  In 1916, under the leadership of Rev. D.A.J. Brown this building was remodeled, being enlarged and covered with brick veneer. In the early days the United Brethren erected a building for worship on what is known as the Dave Leas Corner, one-half mile north of town.  Prior to this, about 1859, the membership of 20 worshipped in a barn on this same location. A few years later the new building was moved to the village lot south of the Joseph Zonker property and became a general purpose hall for town meetings, school plays, medicine shows and other activities.  When no longer needed in this capacity, Carl Hardy purchased it and used it for onion storage.  Later he gave the building to the United Brethren Church (the lots adjoin) for a Fellowship Hall.  In 1885 the United Brethren had built a substantial brick building, and this, too, has been enlarged and remodeled.

Fraternal, social, civic and cultural organizations have been important to the history of the town.  Hiawatha Loge No. 528, Free & Accepted Masons was organized in 1876.  The Eastern Star Chapter, Hudson No. 373 was instituted in 1910.  G.A.R. Post No. 183 was formed in 1883 and the Woman's Relief Corp in 1896.  The Knights of Pythias organized in 1890 and the Odd Fellows in 1892. Both had women's auxilaries, but all have disbanded.  Through the efforts of Mrs. Bernice Faulkerson a study club was formed in 1919.  By the suggestion of Mrs. Ester Whittig it was named "The Pollyanna Club" and it has continued fellowship throughout the years.  Through the suggestion of Rose Ella Kneubuhler Mills, a younger group met and organized "The Work and Play Club" in October 1948.  The Hudson Economic Club, now the Hudson Home Demonstration Club, is now in its thirty-sixth year.

Hudson became an incorporated town in 1892.  George Simon was President of the Town Board and H.G. Garmire, Clerk.

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