Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p.
1253
Surnames: LUCKENBILL, KLINE, ROTHERMEL, HECKMAN, WINK, De TURK,
MENGEL, STETZLER, MUNTZ
Cyrus Luckenbill, one of the good, practical farmers of Berks
county, at present carrying on operations in Perry township, was
born Dec. 24, 1847, in this township, not far from the village of
Virginville, son of Thomas Luckenbill.
The progenitor of the family was Johan Tost
Luckenbill, who came from Germany on the ship Thistle, landing at
Philadelphia, Sept. 20, 1730. It is believed that he and his wife
were buried at Bowers Church in the aforesaid township, and it is
traditional that he was married when he came to America, that his
wife was a Swiss, and that he came from that part of Germany that
bounds Switzerland. He had two sons, Christian and Abraham, the
latter of whom is said to have settled in Schuylkill county. In
1759 he was a taxpayer in Rockland township, and he later moved
across the line into Maxatawny township.
Christian Luckenbill, grandfather of Cyrus, was
born in 1767, and died about 1852. He was married to Catherine
Kline, of Maxatawny township, and they had these children: Thomas;
David, who settled in Jefferson county, Pa.; Benjamin, who settled
in Iowa; Elizabeth, m. Jacob Rothermel; and a daughter, m. Mr.
Heckman.
Thomas Luckenbill was born in Perry township in
1800, and died there in 1863. He was a farmer and owner of the
Luckenbill homestead, and was a school director and useful citizen.
His wife was Annie Wink, daughter of John Wink, of Maxatawny
township, and ten children were born to this union: Augustus;
Edwin; Lucy, who died in infancy; James; Thomas; Sarah; Jacob;
Simon; Alfred and Cyrus.
Cyrus Luckenbill was educated in the common
schools of his native township, which he attended until twenty-one
years of age, when he located on his present farm, on which he has
been engaged to the present time. It consists of 195 acres of well
cultivated land, well supplied with substantial and modern
buildings, and the latest, most up-to-date machinery. His residence
is one of the fine ones of the section, and around it during the
summer months great masses of roses grow, making it one of the
beautiful sights of the locality. Mr. Luckenbill is also the
fortunate possessor of a fine orchard. He is a progressive,
enterprising agriculturist, and well deserves the success which has
attended his efforts. Mr. Luckenbill is greatly interested in
educational matters, and has been a school director of a number of
years. He and his wife attend the Zion's Lutheran Church, of which
he has been a trustee for three years.
Mr. Luckenbill was married May 15, 1880, to
Susan De Turk, daughter of John and Susan (Mengel) De Turk, and to
this union thirteen children have been born: Cora, m. Jeremiah
Stetzler; John T.; Nicholas P.; Even C., m. Clara Muntz; Annie B.;
Howard C.; Lucy F.; Mary L.; Robert G.; Jerry G.; Minnie E., who
died in infancy; Nevin J.; and Lovie May, who died when less than
two years of age.
p.
1551
Surnames: LUCKENBILL, WINK, DEIBERT, DIVERT, WEBER, LENGEL, WEST,
KLINE, BECKER, HEINLY, ADAM, HELLER, LESHER, MAURY, DeTURK,
FOLK
Thomas Luckenbill, a retired farmer of Perry township, who for
many years carried on operations here, is a native of Berks county,
born in Greenwich township, March 7, 1836, son of Thomas and Anna
(Wink) Luckenbill.
Johan Ekel Luckenbill, the ancestor of this
family in America, emigrated from Germany, near the Swiss boundary,
on the ship "Thistle," which landed at Philadelphia Aug. 29, 1730.
On the same ship was one Hendrick Luckenbill, and it is traditional
that these two pioneers were brothers. Johan E. Luckenbill had
eight children: (1) Maria m. Michael Deibert or Divert, and settled
in Schuylkill county. (2) Heinrich m. Catherine Weber, who
tradition says was of Swiss extraction. In 1759 he was a taxable
resident of Maxatawny township, Berks county, owning land in the
vicinity of Bowers. He removed later to Wayne township, Schuylkill
county, and shortly before his death became totally blind. His
children were: Adam, Henry, Solomon, George, Susanna, Sophia,
Rebecca and Beckie. (3) Abraham m. Eva Lengel, and had these
children: John, Abraham, Jonas, Emanuel, Kate, Rebecca, Sallie and
Eva. (4) John m. Polly West and had two children: Isaac and Mary.
(5) Andraes m. Miss Lengel and their children were: George, Joel,
Sallie, Judith, Diana and Maria. (6) Christian. (7) George, of
whose history no records are in evidence. (8) Another son whose
name is unknown.
Christian Luckenbill, son of Johan Ekel, lived
in Berks county for some years, but in 1790 he and a brother,
George, were taxable residents of Manheim township, Schuylkill
county. His date of birth, number of children and date and place of
death are not known, but it is traditional that after 1800 he
returned to Berks county, and was buried at Bowers Church in
Maxatawny township, where he had a farm.
Christian Luckenbill, grandfather of Thomas W.,
was an extensive farmer, owning 407 acres of land, and built the
house and barn on the homestead, in the vicinity of which he was
well and favorably known. He was married to Catherine Kline, of
Maxatawny township, (born Nov. 13, 1780, died April 20, 1854) , and
they had five children: Thomas, Leah, Elizabeth, Benjamin and
David.
Thomas Luckenbill, son of Christian, was born
in 1800, and died at the age of sixty-three years. He lived in
Greenwich township above Lenhartsville for four years before
locating, in 1835, on the old homestead which consisted of 254
acres. He was an upright and honest citizen and an elder of Zions
Union Church, of the Reformed denomination. Mr. Luckenbill was
married in 1830 to Anna Wink, daughter of Jacob Wink, and to this
union there were born children as follows: Augustus, died aged ten
years ; Edwin m. Sophia Becker ; James m. Eliza Heinly ; Thomas ;
Sarah Ann m. Simon Adam ; Louisiana died in infancy ; Jacob m. Mary
Heller ; Simon m. Elizabeth Lesher ; Alfred m. Mary Maury ; and
Cyrus m. Susanna DeTurk.
Thomas Luckenbill obtained a good education,
first attending pay and later public schools for several winters,
and then worked on his fathers farm until thirty years of age. In
1868 he bought the homestead and began farming on his own account,
at which he successfully continued until 1882, when he retired and
rented his farm. It consists of 140 acres of good fertile soil.
Politically Mr. Luckenbill is a Democrat, and a strong party man,
attending county conventions of his party, serving as delegate from
his district and in many ways proving his public spirit. Among
other trusts given to the care of Mr. Luckenbill was the
guardianship of the four children of Simon Adam, namely: Thomas F.,
whose son Wilson J., lives on Mr. Luckenbills farm and who married
a Miss Mengel, by whom he has had a daughter, Mabel Louise ; Cyrus
; Simon and Annie.
Mr. Luckenbill was married Feb. 1, 1868, to
Angeline Heinly, daughter of Jacob D. and Polly (Folk) Heinly, and
granddaughter of Johannes Heinly. No children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Luckenbill.
p.
1466
Surnames: LUCKENBILL, WINK, ADAM, DREIBELBIS, BUSHEY
Thomas R. Luckenbill of Virginville, Richmond Township, is engaged
in the butcher business, and has a large trade in first class meats
among the residents of this section. Mr. Luckenbill was born in
Perry Township, son of Simon Luckenbill. The great-grandfather of
Thomas R. Luckenbill was Christian Luckenbill, one of the earlier
settlers of Perry Township, a farmer by occupation, and an owner of
some land. It is probable that he was one of the sons of Johan Ekel
Luckenbill, who was emigrated to this country from Germany on the
ship "Thistle," which landed at Philadelphia Aug 29, 1730. He had
with him his brother Hendrick, and these two are the progenitors of
the Luckenbill family in this country. Thomas Luckenbill, one of
the sons of Christian, was a farmer and land owner of Perry
Township, and owned the 200 acre tract that later belonged to
Thomas, his son. He married a Miss Wink of Maxatawny Township, and
they had these children: Edwin; James; Thomas; Alfred; Simon;
Jacob, who died at the age of forty-five years; Cyrus; and Sarah
Ann, wife of Simon Adam, deceased.
Simon Luckenbill, father of Thomas R., owned a
farm of 96 acres of good land in Perry township, about two and one
half miles west of Virginville. He stands high in his community and
is a member of Zion's Reformed Church of Perry Township. Although a
stanch Democrat, he had never had a desire to hold office. His
children are: Samuel of Virginville; Thomas R.; Sarah Ann, m. to F.
F. Dreibelbis, a grain and coal and lumber dealer of Virginville;
Simon who died at the age of six years; and Augustus, a clerk of
Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Thomas R. Luckenbill was reared on his father's
farm in Perry township, and worked for him until twenty years of
age. He was equipped mentally by study in the common schools of his
native township, and by personal application at home at leisure
hours. After leaving his father, he worked for three years in a
creamery, and later, with F. F. Dreibelbis, formed the firm of
Dribelbis and Luckenbill, engaging in the manufacture of brick for
three years, when the firm was dissolved by mutual consent. In
1886, Mr. Luckenbill engaged in butchering, and this he has
continued successfully ever since. He owns a large brick house in
Virginville, and seventeen acres of excellent farm land, on which
he raises feed for his horses and cattle.
Mr. Luckenbill was married in 1891 to Louisa,
daughter of David and Catherine (Adam) Bushey of Richmond Township,
and to this union were born: Edna, Carrie, Curtis, Paul, Mable and
Thomas. The family are members of the United Evangelical Church of
Virginville. In politics Mr. Luckenbill is a Democrat, but is not a
politician or an office seeker. He is a plain, practical business
man. By honesty and fair dealing, he has built up a paying
business, is a good citizen, and is well thought of in his
community by those who know him best. He is truly a representative
citizen of Richmond Township, Berks County.
p. 768
Surnames: LUDEN, KISSINGER, RITTER, SHEARER, MUSSER, BAILEY, ETZEL,
MARSH, BENSON
William H. Luden,
prosperous manufacturing confectioner since 1879, with a national
reputation in his branch of business, was born at Reading March 5,
1859, and received his education in the local schools. In 1879,
before he was of age he began manufacturing candy in limited
quantities and disposed of it successfully, which encouraged him to
continue. This modest start in business life was made at No. 37
North Fifth street, where he was brought up and where his father
had carried on the jewelry business. He continued there ten years,
gradually increasing his production of various confections, and
then moved into larger quarters which he had secured at the
northeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets, and equipped with
improvements to meet the demands of his trade. He occupied the
entire building (four stories), employed nearly one hundred and
fifty hands, and worked up a car- load of sugar weekly, and by this
time his trade had come to reach out into the Eastern, Middle and
Southern States. By the year 1900 his trade was developed to still
greater proportions, so that he was again obliged to secure larger
quarters, and he accordingly purchased a property on North Eight
street, beyond Walnut, with a siding extended from the Philadelphia
& Reading railroad, where he erected a substantial and
commodious four-story brick structure (165 feet front and 110 feet
deep) and supplied it with all the necessary improvements and
appurtenances for his business and employes. The building was
dedicated with appropriate ceremonies in June of that year, and the
enterprising proprietor was given many earnest congratulations. And
here, too, his business kept on increasing year after year until
1909, when he enlarged the building by erecting a four-story
addition at the south end, 60 feet front and 110 feet deep, making
his establishment altogether 225 feet front and 110 feet deep and
one of the prominent industrial enterprises of Reading. He now
employs between four hundred and five hundred hands constantly and
produces all kinds of confections, in large quantities, which are
shipped to all parts of the United States. During the last several
years, his establishment has made a specialty of "Luden's Menthol
Cough Drops," which have become very popular throughout the
country, the annual sales amounting to five million five-cent
packages. From twenty to twenty-five tons of sugar are required
daily in the manufacture of his various confections; and the siding
from the Philadelphia & Reading railroad to his plant affords
the necessary facilities for his enormous shipments, which shows
its importance as a factor in the dispatch of his large and growing
business.
Mr. Luden is recognized as one of the largest
and most successful manufactures of candy in the United States.
During his career, from the beginning, he always treated his
employes with great consideration and as a natural consequence they
have come to be as much devoted to his prosperity as he is to their
comfort and welfare. For a number of years past he has given them
an annual "outing," at different places, along some railroad,
paying all the expenses himself, which evidences his generous
spirit. The high degree of mutual respect and confidence which has
been developed between him and his employes is truly admirable and
worthy of imitation by other large manufacturers.
Mr. Luden has been a devoted and generous member
of the "Church of Our Father" (Universalist) from his early
manhood, and his straight-forward spirit has contributed a great
deal toward the welfare of the congregation. He served as a trustee
of the church for a number of years. In 1890, Mr. Luden assisted in
organizing and establishing the Schuylkill Valley Bank of Reading
and since then has served as one of its directors ; and upon the
decease of John Kissinger, the president, in 1906, he was selected
to officiate in his stead, which important position he has filled
until the present time. In 1904 he established the "Reading
Natatorium," on North Fifth street, which was immediately
appreciated, and since then it has been patronized extensively. The
basket-ball exhibitions there during the winter and spring seasons
have been highly appreciated by large and enthusiastic audiences.
Mr. Luden is prominently identified with the National Confectioners
Association, the Wyomissing Club, the Berkshire Club, and the
Reading Board of Trade.
In 1889 Mr. Luden married Annie Ritter, a
daughter of William Snyder Ritter and Julianna Shearer, his wife,
and they have eight children (four sons and four daughters) : Harry
Ritter, Albert Musser, Dorothy, Marjorie, Frederick Shearer,
Milford Dirk, Jeanette and Wilma. His wife and children have also
taken great interest in the welfare of the Universalist Church.
Mrs. Luden is a member of Berks Chapter of the Daughters of the
American Revolution, being a lineal descendant of John Christopher
Shearer, who emigrated from Germany in 1769 and then settled at
Reading, in Berks county, where he came to enlist in the
Revolution, and subsequently filled the office of justice of the
peace for nearly twenty years, dying in 1830, aged seventy-seven.
She is also a lineal descendant of Francis Ritter, the progenitor
of the Ritter family in Exeter township, who died in 1825 and left
four sons- Daniel, John, Jacob and Samuel- and four daughters,
Daniel having been her grandfather.
Jacob Luden, the father of Mr. Luden, was born
at Amsterdam, Holland, where he learned the trade of watch maker
and jeweler and followed that business until about 1850, when he
emigrated to Pennsylvania and settled at Reading. In 1855 he
established a store on North Fifth street (now Nos. 35-37) and
carried on business as a jeweler successfully until his decease in
1864, aged forty-two years. He was married to Sarah A. Musser, of
Reamstown, Lancaster county, a descendant of one of the early
families of that vicinity, and they had six children: Caroline (m.
William L. C. Bailey) ; Edward Musser (m. Lizzie Etzel) ; William
H. ; Sallie A. (m. James B. Marsh) ; Jacob C. (m. Annie Benson) ;
and one that died in infancy.
p. 1079
Surnames: LUDWIG, DAVIDHEISER, BECHTEL, LUTZ, De HART, SCHAEFFER,
SPANG, MOSER, NEIN, STERN, DEETER, MILLER, LORAH, POTT, MARQUART,
HOLLOWAY, ROTHERMEL, GREINER, ALDENDERFER, ALTHOUSE, BREIDENBACH,
GRUBB, KIRLIN, BOWERS, GILBERT
Brooke Ludwig. The name of Ludwig is well known throughout the
State of Pennsylvania to horsemen, and lovers of fine stock are
quite familiar with the Valley View Stock Farm, in Amity township,
the property of Mr. Brooke Ludwig.
In 1733 the ship "Pennsylvania Merchant" landed
at Philadelphia, and among the passengers on that trip was Michael
Ludwig, a native of Germany, who came to Berks county,
Pennsylvania, and settled in Amity township, on the farm later the
property of William Davidheiser. He married into the Bechtel
family, and among his children were two sons, Michael (m. to a
Lutz) and Philip.
Philip Ludwig was born in Amity township, March
10, 1759, and became a prominent farmer in his native locality. He
was a man of strong religious convictions, and was one of those
early interested in the building of the Amity church. He married
Anna De Hart, born Aug. 16, 1769, died Dec. 25, 1825. He died Feb.
5, 1827. They had seven children: Abraham ; Thomas m. Mary A.
Schaeffer ; Jacob m. Sarah Spang ; Benjamin ; Mary m. George Moser
; Ellen m. (first) a Nein and (second) Wesley Stern ; and Rachel m.
Daniel Deeter.
Abraham Ludwig was born in Amity township March
7, 1788, and after attending the Molatton school engaged in
farming. He m. Sarah Miller, born Jan. 8, 1786, died July 26, 1878.
He died Jan. 18, 1863. They had seven children : Harriet m. William
Lorah ; Augustus m. Carolina Pott, daughter of John ; Elizabeth m.
Peter Marquart ; Mary Ann m. Jacob Holloway ; Elam Miller ; Sarah
m. Jacob Schaeffer ; and Lewis m. Elizabeth Rothermel, daughter of
Peter.
Elam Miller Ludwig, son of Abraham, was born
March 7, 1828, and his boyhood and youth were passed in attending
the township schools and assisting his father on the farm. When
twenty-three years of age he began for himself on one of the Brooke
farms in Union township, which he later bought, selling it three
years later at a good profit. He then bought the Eagle farm in
Amity township, and has since then been interested in farming and
the breeding of fine horses. The Berks County Agricultural Society
has served to exhibit some of his finest. He has owned some of the
most noted trotting stock in the country. He introduced "Ironsides"
to the track, this horse trotting in 2.36, a wonderful speed for
the time, and when sold at auction in Amityville brought $2,650.
Mr. Ludwig was exceedingly successful in buying colts and training
them for the track. He married Hannah J. Greiner, daughter of
Samuel Greiner, of Amity township. There children were: Calvin C. ;
Morgan died in infancy ; Brooke ; Bard lives on the homestead ;
Harriet m. Elmer Aldenderfer, of Pottstown ; Mahlon is training
horses at the Phoenixville Stock farm, belonging to William D.
Althouse, where he has been since 1891 ; Millie m. Charles
Breidenbach of Pottsville ; Sarah C. m. Carl Grubb, of Baltimore,
Md. ; Abraham died aged twenty-five years ; Lewis is a horse
trainer at Baltimore, Maryland.
Brooke Ludwig was born near Birdsboro, Pa., July
19, 1855, and was educated in the common schools of Amity township.
He was early given charge of the stock on the home farm, and has
always been a lover of horses. In 1876 he began to train for other
people, and from that time until 1891 he conducted a public
training stable. He had his first stable at Pottstown, then went to
Birdsboro, and from there to Three Mile House. In 1890 he purchased
his present place in Amity, known as the Valley View Stock Farm. He
has 150 acres, and he has made many improvements on the place. In
1891 he built the present barn, which has sixteen box stalls and
all modern equipment. He has from forty to fifty head of horses all
the time, and breeds trotting stock. He is the owner of
"Nutbelview," 2.12 1/4 ; and of "Steel Penn" (by William Penn),
2.16 1/4. He is known all over this State, as well as in New Jersey
and other neighboring States as a thorough horseman. His residence
has not been neglected, and he has a charming home, with everything
there that makes life worth living. Mr. Ludwig is very proud of a
grandfathers clock he owns, which he obtained from his father, who
acquired it from an aunt, Catherine Kirlin.
On Dec. 24, 1884, Mr. Ludwig married Ella M.
Bowers, daughter of Amos K. and Matilda (Gilbert) Bowers, the
former of whom was a native of Amity township, but lived in
Lancaster a number of years, returning, however to Amity, where he
died. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig, namely :
Earl, Harold, Orrin and Roy.
p.
1311
Surnames: Ludwig, Rapp, Berry, Ruth, Hertz
Charles R. Ludwig, who has been a popular school teacher in Spring
township for a number of years, was born on the old Ludwig
homestead in that township, near Montello, Nov. 13, 1879. He was
brought up to farming and continued to follow that work, for his
parents, until he was eighteen years old, since which time he has
devoted himself to his profession. His early education was gained
in the public schools of his native township and was supplemented
by a course in the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. He was
first licensed to teach in the spring of 1897, by County
Superintendent E. M. Rapp, and in the fall of that year commenced
to teach. He has only missed two terms since. His first charge was
the Marshall school in his native district, and since 1904 he has
been teaching the intermediate school at Sinking Spring. Mr. Ludwig
has the respect of his pupils and the confidence of the community,
which he has won by conscientious and successful work, and he is
held in high esteem wherever known. He has been active in local
affairs, particularly as a devoted worker in the ranks of the
Democratic party, which he has supported ever since he became of
age. He is at present township committeeman, having served as such
since 1903, and was a delegate to the State convention held at
Harrisburg in June, 1905, which nominated Hon. William H. Berry for
State treasurer; he was the first Democrat to hold that office in
about forty years. Mr. Ludwig is a member of various fraternal
orders, belonging to Lexington Lodge, No. 155, K. of P., of Sinking
Spring; Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 600, I. O. O. F.; and to
Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., of Womelsdorf,
Pennsylvania.
On April 13, 1904, Mr. Ludwig was united in
marriage to Miss Sarah Ruth, daughter of Michael and Sarah (Hertz)
Ruth, of Fritztown, this county, and to them have been born two
children, Stanley and Charles M. Mr. Ludwig and his family belong
to St. John's Reformed Church at Sinking Spring, where the Ludwigs
have worshipped and been buried since its organization, in 1794.
p. 1123
Surnames: LUDWIG, LOOSE, RHODE, FAHRBACH
Clayton C. Ludwig, an energetic young business man of the city of
Reading, Pa., formerly of the Franklin Specialty Company, was born
at Tower City, Schuylkill county, in 1875, son of John B. and Katie
(Loose) Ludwig, the former of whom died Jan. 30, 1907. The children
in their family were as follows: Eliza, John, Peter, Sallie, Harry,
Rose, Clayton C., Charles, Mary, Emma and Olive.
Clayton C. Ludwig attended the public schools in
the coal regions, and for a time was employed in the coal mines.
When thirteen years of age he came to Reading with his parents, and
learned the cigar-making trade, at which he worked until 1901, in
which year he engaged in business with Luther A. Rhode, at No. 343
North Eighth street, this being the origin of the Franklin
Specialty Company. These partners remained together for a year, at
the end of which time Mr. Ludwig bought Mr. Rhode's interest,
taking Mr. H. E. Fahrbach into partnership. They located at Nos.
807-809 Cherry street, in April, 1903, and here they continued
until Jan. 25, 1909, when they sold out to parties from Newark.
The Franklin Specialty Company as conducted by
Messrs. Clayton & Fahrbach manufactured hammers, hardware and
household specialties, and for workmanship, style, quality and
durability had one of the finest lines of goods on the market.
Among the company's products were found the "Cracker Jack" hammer
and claw hammer, the "Korker" hammer, the "Winner 1/2 lb." hammer,
the "Franklin" hammer and the "Hub" shoe hammer; the "Royal" iron
stand and the "Acme" pot stand; the "Rambler" fishing-rod holder;
the "Imperial" roller towel rack; the "Dandy" ice pick; the "Full
Weight"1lb. hammer; the "Marvel" rotary nutmeg grater, and many
other specialties so necessary to the house-wife. They made a
specialty of job, nickel, brass and copper plating, oxidizing,
bronzing and electroplating; and their work was of the highest
grade. The company employed from fifteen to twenty skilled hands at
all times.
Mr. Ludwig is a member of the Aerie No. 66,
Fraternal order of Eagles, and the Red Men, and is president of the
Electric Wheelmen. He makes his home with his mother at No. 304
North Ninth street.
p. 1310
Surnames: LUDWIG, SADLER, SUTER, KEIM, MOYER, RUTH, SCHAEFFER,
DIEFENDERFER, TEXTER, LAMBERT, HAIN, HENDEL, MATZ, ULRICH, HERTZ,
ZECHMAN, RAPP
The Ludwig family of Berks county was founded in America by Daniel
and Michael Ludwig, brothers, who landed at Philadelphia Sept. 18,
1733, having come from Rotterdam on the ship "Pennsylvania
Merchant," Capt. John Stedman. Their father's name was Michael, and
besides him they left in Germany one sister and four brothers,
Emmanuel, Philip, Jacob and Abraham. Both the brothers settled in
Berks county, Daniel about a mile southwest of Sinking Spring and
Michael in Amity township.
Jacob Ludwig, son of Daniel, one of the brothers
who emigrated to America, was born Feb. 22, 1761, and died Jan. 26,
1813. He was the first of the family to own the old Ludwig
homestead in what is now Spring township, having moved thither from
Oley township, and the property was continuously in the possession
of members of the family from the time he acquired it, in 1794,
until its sale in 1902. In 1814 Jacob Ludwig built the barn which
is still standing on the place, and the present dwelling was
erected in 1902 by the estate of Charles S. Ludwig, under the
supervision of the latter's son, Philip D. Ludwig. In 1902 the
homestead place was sold by the estate of Charles S. Ludwig to the
Montell Brick Company at $115 an acre. Some years before Charles S.
Ludwig had himself disposed of twenty acres to the same concern at
he unusual price of $350 an acre. When approached by
representatives of the company and requested to name his figure for
twenty acres of the property he set a good price, as he did not
care to sell, and looking out of the window he remarked that he
would take $350 an acre. The offer was accepted at once, the
company having been prepared to pay $500 an acre if necessary.
During Jacob Ludwig's time this land was included in Cumru
township. Jacob Ludwig married Ellenora Sadler, who was born Feb.
26, 1761. Both were buried at Sinking Spring.
Philip Ludwig, sixth child of Jacob and
Ellenora, was born July 9, 1793, on the homestead, where he spent
his entire life engaged in farming. He married Katie Suter, who was
born July 15, 1793, and to them were born the following children;
Richard, born March 18, 1821, married Esther Keim; John, born Feb.
12, 1823, died young; Frank, born Jan. 24, 1826, married Rebecca
Moyer; Catherine, born June 6, 1828, died in 1898; and Charles S.
born in 1830, died in 1898.
Charles S. Ludwig was born Sept. 24, 1830, on
the Ludwig homestead in Spring township, where he was reared, and
which in time came into his possession. There he spent his entire
life, engaged successfully in farming, is death occurring Dec. 11,
1898. He was a lifelong Democrat in political matters, and he and
his family attended Sinking Spring Reformed Church, of which he was
a member at the time of his death. In 1853 Mr. Ludwig was married
to Ellen Ruth, born April 14, 1833, daughter of John and Elenora
(Schaeffer) Ruth. Mrs. Ludwig died Nov. 18, 1886, the mother of
eleven children, namely; Catherine R. born June 9, 1855, died in
infancy; Frank, born Aug. 13, 1856, died in childhood; James M.
born Nov. 25, 1858 is mentioned below; Mary R., born Feb. 16, 1860,
married C. E. Diefenderfer, of No. 1321 Spruce street, Reading;
Ellen R. was born April 25, 1861; Annie Laura was born July 23,
1863; John born Feb. 17, 1866, married Kate Texter and lives on the
homestead farm; Sallie, born Aug. 30, 1869, married Harry Lambert;
Emma, born June 22, 1871, married Howard Hain; Philip D., born Feb.
28, 1873, is mentioned below; Charles R., born Nov. 13, 1879, is
mentioned below.
James M. Ludwig, a successful hatter of Reading
was born Nov. 25, 1858, in Spring township, and until twenty-five
years old lived on the farm. He received his education in the
township schools, which he left at the age of nineteen years. In
1883 he engaged in the lime business in Spring township, burning
12, 000 bushels during that year, and he spent the following three
years in the brick manufacturing business, in which he was also
quite successful. He then learned the hatter's trade at Montello
with John Hendel, with whom he remained until 1900. Mr. Ludwig is a
substantial business man and a public-spirited citizen. In politics
he is a stanch Democrat, never having missed voting at an election
since he attained his majority.
On Sept. 15, 1882, Mr. Ludwig was married to
Annie Matz, daughter of David and Mary (Ulrich) Matz, farming
people of Spring township. To this union have come four children;
Walter J., born Sept. 23, 1883, who is a clerk in the Farmers Bank,
Reading; Paul, born May 19, 1886, who died Dec. 10, 1887; Mary
Mabel, born July 31, 1889,; and Earl F., born March 14, 1892. Mr.
and Mrs. Ludwig are members of St. John's Reformed Church at
Sinking Spring. He purchased his present residence, at No 237 South
Twelfth street, Reading in 1902.
Philip D. Ludwig, farmer of Spring township was
born there Feb. 28, 1873, on the old Jacob Ludwig homestead near
Montello. He received his education in the local district schools,
which he attended during thirteen winter terms. He learned the
trade of house painting from D. A. Zechman, of Sinking Spring, and
followed that business for four years, but he was principally
engaged in working for his father until the latter's death, in
1898. From the spring of 1898 until the spring of 1908 he farmed
the old family homestead, doing his work in the most approved
modern fashion, with up-to-date implements and intelligent methods,
the effect of which was clearly shown in the fine condition of
things about his place. He kept especially fine live stock,
including five horses and four mules, but in the spring of 1908
sold his farm stock at public sale. He is now engaged in painting,
at Sinking Spring. Mr. Ludwig is an energetic and enterprising
young man, has traveled to some extent, keeps well read on current
affairs, and is wide awake to all the responsibilities of practical
good citizenship. Like most of his family he is a Democrat in
political opinion and active in the ranks of the party. He served
four successive years as committeeman of his district, being
succeeded in that position by his brother Charles. Socially he
belongs to Washington Camp No. 282, P. O. S. of A., of Sinking
Spring, and to Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 660, I. O. O. F., and he
is a zealous member of St. John's Reformed Church at Sinking
Spring, which he has served as deacon.
Charles R. Ludwig, who has been a popular school
teacher in Spring township for a number of years, was born on the
old Ludwig homestead in that township, near Montello, Nov. 13,
1879. He was brought up to farming and continued to follow that
work, for his parents, until he was eighteen years old, since which
time he has devoted himself to his profession. His early education
was gained in the public schools of his native township and was
supplemented by a course in the Keystone State Normal School at
Kutztown. He was first licensed to teach in the spring of 1897, by
County Superintendent E. M. Rapp, and in the fall of that year
commenced to teach. He has only missed two terms since. His first
charge was the Marshall school in his native district, and since
1904, he has been teaching the intermediate school at Sinking
Spring. Mr. Ludwig has the respect of his pupils and the confidence
of the community, which he has won by conscientious and successful
work, and he is held in high esteem, wherever known. He has been
active in local affairs, particularly as a devoted worker in the
ranks of the Democratic party, which he has supported ever since he
became of age. He is at present township committeeman, having
served as such since 1903, and was a delegate to the State
convention held at Harrisburg in June 1905, which nominated Hon.
William H. Berry for State treasurer; he was the first Democrat to
hold that office in about forty years. Mr. Ludwig is a member of
various fraternal orders, belonging to Lexington Lodge No. 155, K.
of P., of Sinking Spring; Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 660, I. O. O.
F.; and to Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., of
Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania. On April 13, 1904, Mr. Ludwig was united
in marriage to Miss Sarah Ruth, daughter of Michael and Sarah
(Hertz) Ruth, of Fritztown, this country, and to them have been
born two children, Stanley and Charles M. Mr. Ludwig and his family
belong to St. John's Reformed Church at Sinking Spring, where the
Ludwig's have worshipped and been buried since its organization, in
1794.