Dudley Family Collection
Abstract The Dudley Family Collection—housed in the McFarland-Dudley House at 895 Seventh Street, Charleston, Illinois—was donated to the Coles County Historical Society in 1982. Tilford Dudley donated the home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The McFarland-Dudley House takes its name from the Dr. Gerry Brown Dudley family, whose members occupied the home from 1920 until its donation.
Gerry Brown Dudley served as a captain in the United States Army during World War I. He was part of the Army of Occupation in Germany until his voyage home in April 1919. He resumed his medical practice in Charleston after his discharge, and assisted as a physician during World War II.
Tilford Dudley graduated cum laude from Wesleyan University in 1928 and received his law degree from Harvard University in 1931. He practiced labor law in Aurora, Illinois for three years before moving to Washington, D.C. to serve in the New Deal Administration of President Franklin Roosevelt.
The EIU Historical Administration Class of 2008-2009 began the process of providing an online finding Aid to this collection. Please click on the above links to learn more about one of Charleston's mast famous families.
Tilford Dudley Digital Archives
Coles County Historical Society
Historical Administration Program
