Eliakim Ludlum
Eliakim Ludlum, a son of Smith and Mary Ludlum, was born in Warren County, Ohio, on the 20th day of September, 1822. In 1839 he began working at the carriage making trade in Lebanon, Ohio, and continued in the business until 1844, when he turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed, and now owns a. good farm of 160 acres in Franklin Township. In April, 1844, he came to Shelby County, and settled on the farm where he now resides. In 1845 he was elected to the office of treasurer of Franklin Township, and served until 1850, when he retired from the olflce two years, but was re-elected in 1852, and filled the office until April, 1876. On several occasions, when re-elected, he received the entire vote of both parties in the township. In 1855 he was elected to the oflice of justice of the peace of Franklin Township, and still holds the ofiice. In 1865 he was elected commissioner of Shelby County, and re-elected in 1868.
On the 18th day of February, 1844, he married Miss Sarah A. Persinger, daughter of Madison and Elizabeth Persinger, aided by whom he reared a family of twelve children, viz., Mary E., Joseph B., James S., Sarah C., Elias L., Martha E., George W., Rilla R., Anna A., Madison W., Carrie E., and Ida M. Mary E. and Anna A. are now dead.
Miss Persinger was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 19, 1827, and in February, 1829, she was brought to Shelby County by her parents, who settled in Franklin Township on the farm in section 1, where she now resides. Her father died August 12, 1829. Her mother shortly after the death of her husband moved to Warren County, Ohio, and made her home with her father, Elias LeFevre, where Miss Persinger passed her minority days. In April, 1844, Mrs. Persinger returned to Shelby County with her daughter, Mrs. Ludlum, and remained with her on the old farm in Franklin Township until her death, on the 24th day of August, 1868.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883