Barak L. Rudd, proprietor of the Forest Hall Hotel, at Diamond Lake, near Cassopolis, was born in Newburg township, October 21, 1846, and belongs to that class of citizens who find in the faithful performance of each eay’s duties opportunity for the exercise of their talents and energies and gain through their industry, perseverance and diligence the success which is the desired goal of all business endeavor.

Mr. Rudd is descended from New England ancestry. His father, Barker F. Fudd, was a native of Rutland, Vermont, born in 1810 and in 1834 he came to Cass County, being then a young man of twenty-four years. He found here a district largely wild and unimproved, and he established his home in what is now Newberg township, being one of the first settlers of the county, and aiding in its primitive development and progress. He assisted in organizing the township, in formulating its plan of government and he was afterward called to the offices of justice of the peace and supervisor. In politics he was originally a Whig, and upon the organization of the new Republican party joined its ranks, continuing to give it his support until his death, which occurred when he was seventy years of age. In early manhood he married Lucinda Brakeman, a daughter of Lewis Brakeman, who was captain of a schooner and was lost on Lake St. Clair. The Rudds were of Scotch and Irish descent. In the father’s family there were four daughters and four sons.

Barak L. Rudd, the second son and fourth child, was reared upon the old family homestead and in his youth attended the common schools, while in the summer months his attention was devoted to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He was a young man of but seventeen years when in response to his country’s call for aid he enlisted in 1863 as a member of the Fourteenth Michigan Battery of Light Artillery. He joined that command as a private and served for two years, or until the close of the war, being largely engaged in duty in the vicinity of Washington. Following the cessation of hostilities he returned to his native township, where he was engaged in farming. He continued to till the soil until 1880, when he turned his attention to commercial pursuits, opening a store in Vandalia, where he carried on business for six years, or until 1886. The same year he was elected supervisor of Penn township, and was also chosen to the office of county clerk, which position he held for four years, or two terms. In 1891 he purchased the Forest Hall Hotel, which he has since been conducting. It is a well known hostelry, containing about forty rooms, and is pleasantly situated on the north shore of Diamond Lake. A liberal patronage is accorded, the hotel having become a favorite summer resort, and in connection with its conduct, Mr. Rudd also maintains a boat livery. He closely studies the needs and wishes of his patrons, and does everything in his power for the comfort, welfare and happiness of his guests. At the same time he manages the business interests of the house with capability and is meeting with good success.

In 1880 Mr. Rudd was united in marriage to Miss Alice G. Gephart, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Gephart, and unto them has been born a son, Leo B. Rudd, who died when eleven years of age. When age gave to Mr. Rudd the right to franchise he acknowledged his belief in the principles of the Republican party, and has since been one of its stalward advocates. He is a member of the Albert Anderson Post, No. 157, G.A.R., and maintains pleasant relationships with his old army comrades at the camp fires and in the work of the organization. His devotion to his country is manifest in the same loyal spirit of helpfulness and progress which he displayed when upon the southern battlefields he fearlessly defended the old flag and the cause which it represented. He has always lived in Cass county and the fact that many of his staunchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood days down to the present is an indication of an honorable and upright life.

Enlisted on 9’9/1863 at Newberg as a Private. On 9/23/1863 he mustered in the Michigan 14th Light Artillery. He was mustered out on 7/1/1865 at Jackson, Michigan.501