Henry O. Ludwig
This prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Pickaway County is at present residing on his fine farm, situated on section 7, Circleville Township. His estate is finely improved and its owner has reached that stage where he is enjoying a pleasing degree of success. Mr. Ludwig was born in Circleville Township, December 16, 1832, and is thus more interested in his community than he would be had he been born in some other place.
Our subject is the son of Jacob Ludwig, whose father, Daniel Ludwig, was born in Berks County, Pa., June 4, 1748. His father, also named Daniel, and his mother, Mary Ludwig, came from Germany. Daniel Ludwig was associated in a store with Gov. Joseph Heister at Reading, Pa., for a number of years, and in the fall of 1806 emigrated to Ohio, bringing his family, which consisted of a wife and nine children, together with a small stock of goods, in wagons drawn by horses. He opened up a store in his dwelling, and some time later erected a large brick residence which was the home of of Jacob Ludwig for more than seventy years and in one portion of which he intended to keep his store. Three of his sons on whom he depended to aid him in that project died and the store was never established, the goods being disposed of to his neighbors. The house alluded to was built in 1809 and was the first brick residence in Pickaway County,
The grandfather of our subject puichased a half section of land in Circleville Township and entered lands in this and other counties until he became the owner of three thousand acres. He was the original owner of the land upon which the town of Logan, Hocking County, now stands and stood very high in business circles. He was married three times, his first wife, to whom he was united in 1778, being Appelona, daughter of Michael and Susannah Miller. Mis. Ludwig was born March 14, 1760, and became the mother of four children, namely: John, who was born January 29, 1779; Christena, born November 27, 1781; Daniel, born October 11, 1783, died January 28, 1790; George, who was born September 3, 1785, died February 8, 1810. Mrs. Appelona Ludwig died May 14, 1787, and March 11, 1788, Mr. Ludwig was married to Eva, daughter of Casper and Rebecca Grissmer, who was born November 12, 1766. By that union were born two children: Thomas, born January 15, 1789, died February 15, 1810, and Joseph, who was born October 1, 1790, died September 10, 1807. Mrs. Eva Ludwig died on the 21st of October, 1800. Daniel Ludwig was a third time married, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizalieth Shupert, their wedding taking place in 1802. Mrs. Ludwig was born March 31, 1776, and became the mother of the following-named children: Catherine, who was born July 7, 1803; Mary, November 30, 1804; Jacob, April 17, 1806; Elizabeth, March 13, 1808; Rachel, November 25, 1810; Susannah, August 9, 1812. Daniel Ludwig died June 9, 1825, and his wife. May 3, 1816.
Jacob Ludwig, the father of our subject, was the third child and only son of the third marriage, and was six months old at the time of his parents' removal to this State. His early education was received in the district school, which was later supplemented by a two-year's attendance at the schools of Circleville, when Dr. Brown, President of the First National Bank, was his teacher. He was married, November 18, 1830, to Evelina Morris, the daughter of Henry and Charity Morris. Mrs. Ludwig was born July 12, 1812, and died February 23, 1818. Their family included seven sons and one daughter, namely: Daniel, who was born November 23, 1831; our subject, who was the second in order of birth; Isaac, who was born September 21, 1834; George, January 14, 1836; John, born December 17, 1837, died April 7, 1848; Mary E., born April 28, 1839; David S., June 16, 1842, and Jacob, Jr., born January 27, 1848, died July 10 of that year. The father of our subject passed from this life October 12, 1881, at a ripe old age. He was a prominent man in the farming community, owning at the time of his death about two thousand acres of land.
The original of this sketch received his education in the pioneer log schoolhouse, and being an apt pupil made the best of his limited opportunities. He remained under the parental roof until 1870, when he began farming on his own account. Mr. Ludwig and Miss Amelia Geoller were united in marriage April 6, 1875. Mrs. Ludwig was born in Circleville, and was the daughter of Leonard and Jessie Tina Geoller, natives of Germany. Her parents emigrated to America about 1860 and located in Circleville, where the father worked at his trade of machinist. He died in 1890; the mother is still living and makes her home in Circleville. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living.
In his political belief, Mr. Ludwig is a stanch Democrat. He served his fellow-townsmen as Land Appraiser of Circleville Township in 1880 and 1890. His wife is a member of the German Lutheran Church and is an active worker in that body. Our subject is the owner of three hundred and thirty-eight and one-fourth acres of land on section 7, which is one of the finest estates in the township. He gives his entire time and attention to raising the cereals and has his place stocked with the best grade of cattle and horses. For a number of years, he was engaged as a drover, buying and shipping cattle and hogs to the city markets. His present residence, which was erected in 1887, is a comfortable and substantial structure, as the reader will judge by a glance at a view of the home presented on another page. The attention of the reader is also invited to the portrait of Mr. Ludwig shown in this connection.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]