307 N. Broadway Street
Her name was Sarah Benjamin. She was a farmer’s wife, minister’s wife, and mother of six children. In 1884, thirteen years after her husband’s death, she purchased a “town residence” in the Village of Hudson. The property consisted of lots 4 – 9 of block 7. In 1891 Sarah Benjamin bought lots 3 & 10 of block 7 making her the owner of 8 of 12 lots of block 7 (Silas Hubbard owned the other 4 lots where the Hubbard home sits today).
The house was built in 1875 although it is unclear who constructed the house. The first Recorder of Deeds office lists that in 1883 Joseph & Martha Sealy owned the property and sold it to John & Flora Aldrich. Sarah died in July 1892 leaving this residence to her son Luther Benjamin. Scott & Anna Laura (Benjamin) Price moved into the home for three years to help settle the estate. The 1900 census lists Luther as owner of the property and Aura Johnston (and family) as renters. In the 1910 census Luther is listed as owner and George Ramsey (and family) as renters. The 1920 census lists Luther as owner and Albert Stagner (and family) as renters. In 1924, Luther Benjamin sold the property to Doctor A. H. Stagner, DVM and his first wife Bessie. The small building on the property was used as Doc Stagner’s veterinary clinic. Doc Stagner graduated from Chicago Veterinary College in 1913. His wife, Bessie, died at the age of 42. They had four children. In 1943 Doc Stagner sold the property to Park & Bessie Eicher. Over the years the home was bought and sold numerous times (this history is listed in the “Homes of Hudson – Book One” binder in the Hudson History Room of the Library). It is noteworthy that from 1891 until 1974 lots 3 – 10 stayed together as one unit in block 7. The house sits on lots 8, 9 &10.
In 2002 Wayne and Linda Henry bought the house and worked on renovations. They shared this beautifully renovated house with others by hosting open houses. Linda Henry spent countless hours researching the property and its owners. After Wayne Henry’s death, with a heavy heart, Linda sold the property to current owners, the Lellelid family in the spring of 2018.
Thank you!
We hope you enjoyed this Historical Walking Tour of Hudson, Illinois. Please send any comments or feedback to hudsonhistoryroom@gmail.com. We invite you to visit the Hudson Area Public Library to view the artifacts contained in the Hudson History Room or to research your particular interest in the history of Hudson. The History Room’s website offers a list of the many things you can find in the Hudson History Room at Hudson Area Public Library.