Obituary of James Calvin Rudd
Temple Telegram 5-7-1921
(C. Avis Catalog entry #170)
(Document ID #469)
MORTUARY
James Rudd.
After an illness of just one week's duration, James Rudd, one of the best known and oldest residents of Temple, passed peacefully away in his 71st year at the family residence, 916 South First street, at 2:30 o'clock yesterday morning. His illness was not generally known to his many friends and the news of his demise cames as a great shock and sorrowful surprise to numerous scores.
Mr. Rudd, or "Capt." Rudd, as his closest friends affectionately referred to him, came to Temple in the eighties - in the early days of the city's history - from Dalton, Ga., and from the day of his arrival to his last day on earth was actively and prominently identified with the progress and development of the town and surrounding country. Born in Madisonville, Tenn., on May 22, 1850, he was a mere boy of 11 with the great conflict between the sections broke in all its fury and before its conclusion he was drawn into its vortex and its impress imprinted upon his subsequent career with painful severity. At the age of 13 he moved with his parents to Dalton, Ga., where he made his home until his coming to Temple some twenty years later.
His history is that of a man of untiring industry, close attention to business, unflagging zeal and love of family. He was twice married, his first wife being lost to him prior to his coming here and surviving that union are Lowrey Rudd of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Mrs. Maud Stokes of Philadelphia, Pa.. In 1892 he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Mooring, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Mooring of this city, a happy and ideal companionship resulting that endured with constancy and an ever increasing idyllism until death challenged its continuance. To them were born five children, Mrs. Fay Rudd Chiles of Birmingham, Ala.; Chas. M. Rudd, Misses Hilda, Madge and Mildred, all of whom save the gallant young son, survive.
"Capt." James Rudd was a man of the old school, reared to respect the honor attaching to honest toil, the virtues of thrift and frugality and the reward that comes from doing all things well. These who were closest to him and had opportunity of judging the rugged, sterling composition of his character, learned to respect and venerate the attributes which were unconsciously disclosed. Devotion to his family verged on the passionate with him and their welfare and safe keeping were bound up in every thought which he possessed. To them he was ever true and loyal.
The tragic death of his only son, Lieut. Chas. M. Rudd in an airplane accident in California over a year ago, was a blow from the effects of which he never recovered, although outwardly bearing his burden with placid resignation. In his removal to another world the community suffers the loss of a staid and valuable citizen and the family is bereft of a doting and affectionate husband and father.
In addition to his immediate family two sisters survive, namely, Mrs. Florence Hubbard of Temple and Mrs. Andrews of Atlanta, Ga.. Miss Madge Rudd who makes her home at Greensboro, N. C., is en route home and will arrive Sunday in company with her brother-in-law, Dr. C. D. Chiles, of Birmingham. Mrs. Chiles has been here with her parents for nearly a month. Miss Hilda Rudd, who is a student at college in Denton, reached here yesterday afternoon. The son, Lowrey Rudd, is also due to arrive in time for the funeral, which will be held Sunday afternoon ????? o'clock.