HISTORY
Hudson’s original platting took place on August 14,
1869. The town was named North Benton by
Elizabeth Clark, an early resident.
The first store and post office opened in North Benton in
1868. To avoid mail confusion with
Benton, a town to the west, North Benton was renamed Hudson, January 15, 1875.
Hudson was incorporated in 1892. In early 1893, the Town area was defined.
Through the years, Hudson has had a wide variety of
businesses: wagon maker; blacksmith; harness maker; dry goods; grocery stores;
novelty store; and millinery shops.
There have also been a shoe repair shop, cabinet shop, hardware, two livery stables, pool
rooms, and taverns.
In 1854, the Methodists organized and then built a frame
church in 1874. In 1859 the U. B.
The Town Hall was built in l915 and still serves the
community as Town Hall and Senior Center. In 1917, the Farmers State Bank was
located here. On April 13, 1933, five
bandits made a daring hold up of the bank taking $1,337. The holdup was
climaxed by an exchange of shots by the Town Marshal, Lee Clark, and the
bandits. No one was injured and the
bandits escaped.
What makes a town?
The philosophy is reflected in the following verse written by Mrs. Ada
Strock, an early Hudson resident and historian.
Just folks they
are, that walk our walks from day to day,
Yet different
from the masses we would say,
Because we live
as heart to heart,
And not, as in
cities, each one apart.
Our sorrows and
our joys are shared;
Our belief is
in the One who cared;
Small though
our town may be,
Much beauty in
God’s world we see!
HUDSON HISTORY
1869-1969
Steuben County Genealogical
Society Steuben County History and
Genealogy
