Alfred Budge, prosecuting attorney of Bear Lake County, was born in Providence, Utah, on the 24th of February 1868, of Scotch-English and Welsh ancestry. For full details in regard to his lineage and the immediate family history, we refer the reader to the sketch of the life of his father, Hon. William Budge, appearing elsewhere in this volume. Alfred Budge received his preliminary education in the academy at Provo, Utah, and later matriculated in the law department of the famous University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was duly graduated as a member of the law class of 1891. He was at once admitted to practice, and he began the work of his profession in July 1892, at his home in Paris, Idaho, where he has since continued in the active practice of law.
In his political adherency Mr. Budge is a stanch advocate of the Republican party, and, as such, was elected district attorney of the fifth judicial district of the state, in which office he served, with great acceptability, for a period of four years, his term expiring January 15, 1899. In the meanwhile, in November 1898, he had been elected prosecuting attorney of Bear Lake County, of which important office he is the present incumbent, discharging its duties with marked ability and resourcefulness.
It is worthy of note that while the political complexion of the county is Democratic by a majority of about two-thirds of its voters, both Mr. Budge and his father were candidates on the Republican ticket, the one for prosecuting attorney and the other for state senator, and both were elected. They were the only Republicans elected, and had made no personal efforts in the way of electioneering. Such facts are significant, standing in evidence of the popular recognition of their fitness for official position, and also indicating the great personal popularity in which they are held in the county in which they have both so long resided.
Mr. Budge is now also a member of the Paris city council. He was born a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and has rendered his church eminent service as a traveling elder. He acquired the German language and for two and one-half years traveled and preached in Switzerland and in Germany. His labors abroad were well received, and he effected several organizations of his church. He also visited and spent some time in England and France and has visited nearly all sections of his native land.
On the 5th of July 1894, Mr. Budge was happily married to Miss Ella Hoge, the daughter of Walter Hoge, a respected pioneer citizen of Paris. Their union has been blessed with two sons, Alfred Hoge and Drew William Stanrod. They have a delightful home on a hillside over-looking the valley. Mr. Budge has also a ranch and is a stockholder in a large roller-process flouring mill, recently built in the city. There is a large local demand for the flour, and the product of the mill is also shipped to other towns.
Mr. Budge is polished in manner, a gentleman of much natural and acquired ability, and he and his family are very highly esteemed, having a wide circle of friends.