Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Samuel G. Dugdale
The honored subject of this memoir was at one time closely identified with the business interests of Richmond, Indiana, being one of her most prominent and influential merchants. He was very successful in his business and had lived a retired life several years previously to his death. His parents were Benjamin and Hannah (Kaighn) Dugdale, to whom he was born in Trenton, New Jersey, June 2, 1821. His mother was a native of that state, and his father came to New Jersey from Mount Melick, Ireland, and moved to Richmond in 1837, with a family of four children, of whom Samuel was the youngest. The father was a tanner by trade, but followed that business only a few years and then engaged in the drug business, first in Trenton and later in this city, and was succeeded by his sons, James, Thomas and Samuel. Mrs. Dugdale departed this life in 1842, and her husband followed her eight years later. Thomas soon retired from the business, leaving James and Samuel to continue it as Dugdale & Company. Some time in 1849 they disposed of the stock.
Samuel G. Dugdale then embarked in the confectionery, notion and wall-paper business, carrying it on until 1871. In 1879 he took up his residence in the country near this city, and lived in retirement until 1892, when he was stricken with paralysis and he once more moved to Richmond, where he passed away December 28, 1897. He was quite prominent in fraternal circles. He was made an Odd Fellow in White Water Lodge, No. 41, and became a member of the Oriental Encampment in 1862; he was also a member of the grand lodge of Indiana. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Susanna Downing, sister of the late H. R. Downing, a leading undertaker of this city. Their nuptials were solemnized in 1848 and resulted in the birth of two children, George B. and Horace L., both deceased. Mr. Dugdale then led to the altar Miss Emma E. Salter, of Richmond, in 1859, and their home was blessed by the advent of a daughter, Emma L., who makes her home with her mother in Richmond.
Mrs. Dugdale is a lady of culture and refinement, and is the daughter of a physician, Dr. James W. Salter, whose name is held in affectionate remembrance by the older residents in this community. He was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1808, and was a son of William and Hannah (Wilson) Salter. William Salter was born in England and came to this country in 1806, locating first in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade of a printer. He was a Quaker in his religious affiliation, and founded and published "The Friend," a paper devoted to the interests of the Society of Friends. He married Hannah Wilson, of that state, where he remained but a short time, then returning to Philadelphia, and resuming the publication of "The Friend." His wife died in Philadelphia in 1838, and three years later he came to Richmond with his family, where he died on March 1st of the following year.
Dr. Salter entered a drug store in Philadelphia when eleven years old, and made his own way through life from that time. He became familiar with the use of drugs, and at the age of eighteen took up the study of medicine under Doctor Snow, of Philadelphia. In 1830 he graduated from the Jefferson Medical College and located on what was then known as "Fox Chase," since a part of Philadelphia. He remained there two years and October 4, 1832, was united in marriage with Miss Caroline L. Pyle, of Philadelphia, and four years later removed to Richmond, Indiana. He was the third physician to locate here, the others being Drs. Warren and Plummer. He soon became very popular, and built up a large practice. In 1842 he moved onto a farm on the Elk Horn, near Richmond, and gave up a large practice, but was induced to take it up again in 1849, when the cholera broke out, and traveled almost night and day in his endeavors to relieve the afflicted. He was untiring in his efforts, and many families had reason to bless his ministrations. About 1866 he purchased the Weekly Telegram, Richmond, which paper he edited and conducted for a few years, when he sold the property and finally retired once more from active life, his death occurring August 21, 1886, in Topeka, Kansas, where he had located two years before his death. His wife passed away May 21, 1869. Mrs. Dugdale was one of seven children left to perpetuate his memory.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899