Richard Hudson was born in 1827 in Co. Kerry - probably in Duagh - to Richard Hudson and Margaret Finucane who settled in Kilbaha, Newtownsandes (now Moyvane), Co. Kerry around the 1840s.

In 1849 Richard emigrated to the United States and in 1854 in Philadelphia he married Irish-born Johanna O’Connor. A couple of years later Richard, Johanna and the first of their three children moved from Pennsylvania and settled in Wisconsin. Between December 1861 and June 1862 Richard saw service during the American Civil War with the 3rd Regiment of the Wisconsin Cavalry.

Richard died in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1902. A younger brother of his, John, had also settled in Oshkosh and died there in 1907.