Born: New York, 1808.
Died: Illinois, 1890.
In early life, Mr. Rude learned the blacksmith's trade. He spent some time in Ohio, where, at Harrison, he became a Christian and at once entered into active service in the church. He became associated with George Campbell and Sidney Rigdon, who afterward became a Mormon. Later, Mr. Rude moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and just outside its limits he had his shop. In this city his devotion to the Lord and his ability as a public teacher of the Word was recognized. He was associated with Mins. John C. New, John O'Kane, Henry R. Pritchard and Love H. Jameson.
Mr. Rude came to Edgar County in 1855 and located a few miles northeast of Paris. Here, upon his farm, he opened a blacksmith shop, united with the Paris Church and began to preach on Sundays. The passing years were more and more given to the work of the ministry. He went where he was invited. His work extended into Coles County, and in Edgar County there were few communities where he did not preach, oftentimes without money and without price. Through life he was an incessant and discriminating reader. His knowledge of the Bible was such that he would locate quickly almost any passage read or quoted to him. He clothed his thought in good language. His style was clear, argumentative and very dogmatic. In his best years his ministry turned many to the Lord. Withal he was a good singer, and usually started the songs in his meetings. He was generous, benevolent and kindly in heart.
He was, during the Civil War, an ardent Unionist and the incarnation of moral courage. Political feeling was unusually warm in the southern part of Edgar County, as well as elsewhere, during that period. Mr. Rude was preaching in those parts then. Before beginning his discourse there on one occasion, he said: "Some people are always crying peace, peace. In the name of God, if you want peace, why don't you have it? You cry peace with a revolver in each pocket and the devil in your heart." People often became so angry with him for his preaching that they furiously declared that they would never hear him again; but these generally did hear him again and many of them, sooner or later, became Christians only.