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Tracking Down Lost Lives: A Family For Sale on eBay
William P. Rudd circa 1910
William T. Rudd passed away in 1903 at the age of 86. The newspapers carried lengthy articles about the state's oldest conductor and his long career. He evidently earned much respect and affection from the many who knew him. Almost to the end, he remained in good health. We can only infer that his was a good and interesting life.
Through these years, life went well for son William P. Rudd as well. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Union, a prestigious university in nearby Schenectady. He would join the Harris brothers in the law firm of Harris and Rudd. A major client would be his father's employer, the New York Central Railroad, which evidently made his dad quite proud. Over the years, he would serve in an incredible number of organizations as his prestige grew. He was President of the Young Men's Association, first President of the Albany County Bar Association, president of a hospital, President of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Law School, President of the University Club, Regent of the Sons of the Revolution, Trustee of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the Albany Institute of History and Art, Vice-President of the Albany County Savings Bank and the Diamond Paste Company, a vestryman in his church, and a member of many other organizations. He served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Albany.
William P. was also involved in politics, though the extent of his influence is unclear. In 1894, he was elected to fill a vacancy on the Albany School Board, which was controlled by Republicans. At the time, Rudd was described as "somewhat prominently identified with Republican politics" and as being a member of the party's general committee. Indeed, that quote sort of sums up his career, "somewhat prominent." He served for seven years on the school board.
The first decade of the twentieth century would find Rudd in private practice, with a new law firm, and managing much legal work for the Railroad. A few clippings give a hint to his prestige. There is a picture of a banquet held by the University Club, which was attended by President William Howard Taft. Rudd is seen next to the President, to his right, with the Governor of New York, future Republican presidential nominee and Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, to his left. Nearby are Canadian Governor-General Earl Grey and former Missouri Governor and U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Francis, who would be the U.S. Ambassador to Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution. In 1906, he received an audience with the Pope. Then, in 1910, William P. Rudd was elevated to the Supreme Court of New York. He remained there until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. From there, he returned to private practice and civic responsibilities, which he maintained until his death.
