David F. Dudley, a prominent lawyer of Concord, was born in China, Me., October 17, 1857, son of Matthew F. and Patience A. (Hutchins) Dudley. John Dudley, his grandfather, was a native of Kennebec County, where he passed the greater part of his life in farming. The maiden name of John’s wife was Eunice Winslow.
Matthew F. Dudley, also a native of China, Me., was a farmer in that town, and died there when he was forty-eight years old. He married Patience A. Hutchins, daughter of James Hutchins, and had a family of three children. These were: Charles E., who died when sixteen years of age; Cynthia J., now deceased, who married John R. Meader, and had three children; and David F., the subject of this sketch.
When a boy David F. Dudley attended the schools of Saco and Biddeford for a time. After his father’s death his mother married again; and he removed to New Market, N.H. After graduating from Pembroke Academy in the class of 1879, he spent some time in the occupation of school teacher. Having chosen the law for his profession in life, he subsequently entered the office of Leach & Stevens, where he remained three years. In August, 1883, he was admitted to the Merrimack County bar, and began the practice of law in Concord, where he has since been actively engaged in his profession. Having won the confidence and good will of his fellow-townsmen, he was elected to the City Council in 1884 and 1889, and to the Board of Aldermen in 1894. In politics he is a Republican, and he cast his first Presidential vote for General Garfield in 1880. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Order of Odd Fellows of Concord. He married Blanche L. Fowler, daughter of Trueworthy L. and Catherine L. Sargent; and he has four children-Gale, Trueworthy F., Roy, and Ethel May. They have a charming residence at Penacook.
