This issue of the Journal features the three men who founded the Scudder Association in 1912 and the Association’s first eight presidents. Townsend Scudder II was both. What was their vision?
On February 22, 1912, three gentlemen with the surname of Scudder sent out a Call to “the Scudders of America” with the mission statement of their vision of “summoning the Scudder Clan to a gathering in New York for the purpose” to organize the descendants of the “sturdy Pioneer Puritans, Thomas of Salem and John of Barnstable” into a cause bigger than themselves,
![1917 Letter from S. D. Scudder [Jr.], President, Scudder Association of America to the Members](http://old.scudder.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Letter-to-the-Scudders-400x250.jpg)
To The Scudders (Everywhere) Greeting: Referring to my letter of May 1, our sixth annual gathering took place on May 19, as scheduled. While nearly 150 replies were received in response to the call, unusual circumstances made the actual attendance smaller than in recent years.
The Scudder Memorial Association was founded in 1911, the year prior to the founding of the Scudder Association of America in 1912. In 1913, Mrs. John L. Scudder wrote a history of the Scudder Memorial Association stating that it was founded on 10 March 1911 for two reasons: “to honor the Rev. John Scudder, M.D., for his self-sacrificing work as a pioneer medical missionary in India
JUDGE TOWNSEND SCUDDER 1865–1960 Served as First president of the Scudder Association in 1912 and again in 1924
Lineage: Townsend8 Scudder II (Townsend7 I, Henry6, Lt. Henry5, Timothy4 II, Timothy3 I, Thomas2, Jr., Thomas1 (T)). Spouse: Married Mary Dannet Thayer, 3 June 1891. Mary was b. 26 November 1866, daughter of George A. Thayer.
Two in the First Decade, One for 1928–1939, and Two Between 1949 and 1962, and Three Other SA Presidents in the First Three Decades Were Also Townsends Plus Three Others Later
As historian David McCullough said, “Personality is often the determining factor of why things turn out the way they do.” Therefore, these brief biographies that follow, compiled from the Scudder Association Archives and other artifacts and sources, explain why these early leaders of the Association were successful and were met with great enthusiasm by its members.
Myron was a visionary founder of the original Scudder Association in 1912, but also a progressive educator, open to new or unconventional ideas who founded his own school in 1911.
Wallace M. Scudder graduated in mechanical engineering undergrad, then studied law: WALLACE M. SCUDDER (1853–1921) studied engineering at Lehigh University and law at Harvard, being admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1876.
Moses authored a number of books, but for family historians his greatest contribution was recognizing the need that a copy of the handwritten records of the First Church of Huntington during the ministry of Rev. Ebeneezer Prime be transcribed and published with an index.
Silas Downer Scudder (1860–1931) born in India, received his education in Germany and in England. He became a banker in San Antonio, Texas; president of the Jefferson Bank in New York City, He was for many years in charge of banks which were in receivers’ hands in Virginia, North Carolina and elsewhere. As he phrased it, he was a doctor for sick banks.’ He was a commander of the Knights Templar.
Rev. Henry Townsend Scudder was a graduate of Columbia University and the Episcopal Seminary. He became rector of St. Stephens Church in Brooklyn and Later of Christ Church in Tarrytown, N.Y. He served as chaplain of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.
Winthrop9 Saltonstall Scudder was a Scudder through and through. He was descended from immigrant siblings, John2 Scudder (J) of Barnstable, Plymouth Colony on his Scudder direct line and on other lines more than once from Elizabeth2 Scudder (E), John(J)’s sister. John2 (J) and Elizabeth2 (E) were the children of John1 Scudder and Elizabeth1 Stoughton
Marvyn Scudder was a Yale man. He worked with a number of investigating companies and among others he was aide to Charles Evans Hughes in the Armstrong Insurance Investigation and to Mayor Mitchell in the investigation of the New York City Board of Education. He often acted as financial expert with House and Senate Committees. He became head of his own firm of investors and of the Investors Agency of New York.
Thank You Donors!
Please use this money for the severely disabled and bedridden elderly.
Thank you for the Scudder Foundation.
Here's a gift for you!
Merry Christmas, remember where you came from.
I am a distant relative of Ida Scudder. My grandmother Rose Geukes Strauss' first cousin Dr. Bernadine Siebers De Valois was a Dr. with Ida Scudder from 1930-1960 at the … Read more
I am a distant relative of Ida Scudder. My grandmother Rose Geukes Strauss' first cousin Dr. Bernadine Siebers De Valois was a Dr. with Ida Scudder from 1930-1960 at the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Valore S. India
Congratulations to Jim and Jack for sponsoring this project
This is a great program. James Taylor is a very effective fundraiser.
Bazarsky Family Foundation
What a wonderful project, Aunt Ida would be proud
maternity hospital
Thank You Donors!
I will have the check drawn on the philanthropic account of my employer, Vohra Post Acute Physicians. I look forward to the benefit of lifetime membership. Thank you for all … Read more
I will have the check drawn on the philanthropic account of my employer, Vohra Post Acute Physicians. I look forward to the benefit of lifetime membership. Thank you for all you do! Best regards.
For COVID-19 expenses
As stated " When one is all, and all is one" Stair Way to Heaven. Led Zepplin.
God bless you all. We are praying from St. Clare Episcopal Church in Snoqualmie Washington, USA
Dedicated to Lena Scudder Beyer
Thanks Betsy for all your hard work.
Donated in loving memory of Gordon Sherman Jr.
Blessings, healing and provision, I pray for you????
A loving gift in memory of Lena Scudder Beyer
Helping my friend, Betsy Steel, help the people of India with a small contribution.
I've sent the link on to many including my church congregation.
Praying for you all. Thank you so much for your work. May the Lord bless and keep you.
Thank you for helping
Thank You Donors!
Thank You Donors!