Alonzo Judd

Alonzo Judd is one of the most substantial citizens of Moscow, Clermont County, and belongs to one of the oldest families of the region. He is a self-made man and has a good helpmate in his wife. He was born in Higginsport, Ohio, April 11, 1840, son of Joshua A. and Sarah (Akels) Judd. The father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1795, and died in 1881, and the mother was born in Hagerstown, PA., and died in 1881. Both parents are buried in Mars cemetery, Pendleton County, Kentucky. They came to Ohio in 1815, landing near the mouth of the creek, not far from Moscow, Ohio. There was but one house in Moscow at that time and there were Indians on both sides of the river. At the same time, Jesse Dugan came and settled at Higginsport; Samuel Ebersoll came and located at Palestine, and Minnie Selby came and located at Point Isabel. All these men came from Pittsburgh.

After coming to Ohio, Joshua Judd was a ferryman on the Ohio River, and made forty-two trips from Higginsport to New Orleans and return, on flat boats and produce boats. Twice he walked back to Higginsport. In 1825 he left Clermont County and lived in Higginsport until 1841. He then removed to Nashville, Tenn., but not liking the institution of slavery, remained there but one year, although he had a sister and a brother there. He returned to his old home near Moscow, and in 1843, took charge of the ferry, which he and his sons kept some sixty-four years. This business was sold but a few years ago, passing out of charge of the family. He was known as Captain Judd and participated in the War of 1812, also belonged to a company of militia at Georgetown. He was a Whig before the formation of the Republican Party, which he joined later. He and his wife had ten children, two of whom were born in Clermont County Ohio, namely: Samuel R, served in the 197th regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was born in Ohio, and now resides in Kentucky; Daniel, born in Ohio, served three years in Company B, 59th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, now resides in Indiana.

Alonzo Judd received his education in Moscow, and when still a boy began working on his father's ferry and gasoline boat himself. He remained on the river until 1864, and then enlisted in Company K, 196th regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving for ten months. He participated in a few skirmishes near Winchester, Va., and performed every duty. Returning to Moscow, he again took up the business of ferryman, which he continued until selling out a few years ago. He conducted the business in a way that was most satisfactory to the public. Like his father, he is Republican in politics, and a fraternal member of the Odd Fellow. He is a prominent member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is well known in various ways.

On March 20, 1866, Mr. Judd married Miss Melissa Fassett, born in Pendleton County, Ky., in 1847, daughter of Jacob and Emily H. Fassett.

Seven children have blessed the union of Alonzo Judd and wife, all born in Moscow: William H., born in January, 1867; Minnie J. married Edward Langh of Moscow; Cora, wife on Charles McCoy, lives in Cincinnati; Robert died when 18 months old; Everett died at about the same age as Robert; Elsworth Lee died at age two years; Stella married Clarence Holland, and they live in Moscow.

Mr. and Mrs. Judd belong to the Christian church, in which he is an elder, and both are active in its work. They have a very pleasant home on Third Street. Having practically spent his life in the community, Mr. Judd is one of the best know men of Clermont County, and is reasonably proud of the part taken by the family in its early history.