Biography of Abigail Hudiberg

Abigail Hudiberg was a pioneering figure in Montgomery County, arriving in 1869 from Johnson County, Indiana, with fifteen other families. She vividly recalled their challenging journey and the harsh first winter in Independence, contrasting it with the comforts of her later home. Born on March 7, 1843, she married Louis Hudiberg in 1863 and they established a successful life together, raising nine children after Louis’s passing in 1890. Abigail and her family were well-respected members of their community, known for their strong capabilities and values.

ABIGAIL HUDIBERG—One of the worthy pioneers of Montgomery county, whose memory runs with remarkable clearness back to the days of 1869, the date of her arrival here, is Mrs. Abigail Hudiberg of Independence township. The events of the long and weary overland journey hither from Johnson county, Indiana, together with fifteen other families, are as happenings of yesterday to her, and that first winter in their strange new home in the straggling village of Independence, with the boundless prairie all about them, peopled with Indians and coyotes, yet howls its lonely requiem in her ears. The comfortable farm house of the present day is in strange contrast to the 14×16 board shanty in which they shivered through the winter, and the little log hotel, the four “straw” houses, and the single general store of that time make an odd picture in contrast to the splendid business and residence properties of the present.

Mrs. Hudiberg was born in Johnson county, Indiana, March 7, 1843, the daughter of Robert S. and Letitia (Henry) Parkhurst, a full sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. In 1863, she married in that county, Louis Hudiberg, son of John and Elizabeth Hudiberg, whose other children were Samuel, Thomas, Mary A., Lorinda and Elijah (twins) and John. Mr. and Mrs. Hudiberg resided in Johnson county for six years and then came to Kansas. When spring came after that first uncomfortable winter, they located on a claim six miles from the village, where they have since, in the main, maintained their home. Here the parents and three children began the battle of life anew and succeeded, before the death of the husband, in making a very comfortable home. Mr. Hudiberg died in 1890, leaving Mrs. Hudiberg with a family of nine children, as follows: Robert S., a farmer of Chautauqua county, who married Anna Gray and has four children—Nellie, Alice, Matthew and May; John E., Independence; George, a farmer of Sycamore township, married Jessie Webber and has two children—Leo and Bessie; Lorinda and Wilfred are twins; Lorinda lives at home; Wilfred married Mattie Berger and resides with his mother, with his two children—Louis and Amy; Albert, a farmer of the county, married Lillie Drennen and has two children, Hazel and Glenn; Walter S., Myrtle and Elmer are at home.

These are all “likely” children, well trained, and of good capabilities, who, together with their revered mother, are highly regarded in the community where they have so long made their home.