Charles Ludlow

As printed in 1908

CHARLES LUDLOW, whose recent passing away deprives Springfield of one of her early residents and most reputable business men, was a native son, born in Springfield February 3, 1842, son of Dr. John and Elmina (Getman) Ludlow. He was a grandson, on the paternal side, of Cooper Ludlow, who came to Ohio as a pioneer from the State of New Jersey.

Dr. John Ludlow, the father of the subject of this sketch, learned in Cincinnati the trade of druggist, which he followed in Springfield for many years, prior to 1851 being proprietor of the first and only drug store here. He was one of the promoters and for some time president of the Springfield Bank, and was one of the founders of the Ferncliff Cemetery, and in many ways heli>ed to advance the material prosperity of the city. By his wife, Elmina, who came from an old family of Herkimer County, New York, he was the father of three children: Ellen, who is the widow of the late Gov. Asa S. Bushnell; Frederick G., who died January 18, 1906, after having been for a number of years a resident of Los Angeles, California; and Charles, whose name appears at the head of this article.

Charles Ludlow, the date of whose nativity has been already given, was reared and educated in the city of Springfield, Ohio. Under his father's supervision he learned the drug business, and on the death of Dr. Ludlow, succeeded to the latter's interests. This pioneer drug store, with which Mr. Ludlow was connected for over fifty years, was situated on East Main Street, near Limestone Street. Here Mr. Ludlow conducted a prosperous drug business from 1865 to 1896, and during much of this time was also associated in business enterprises with his brother-inlaw, the late Gov. Asa S. Bushnell, of Ohio. A few years ago he practically retired from all active business enterprises, except that he remained interested with his son, Frederick B., in a pine-apple plantation in Florida. Shortly previous to embarking in this enterprise he was engaged for some time in a wholesale oil business, which he gave up on account of ill health. In 1905 Mr. Ludlow received a warning of his approaching end in a stroke of paralysis, which was afterwards followed by a nervous breakdown which resulted finally in his death.

Mr. Ludlow was a Civil War veteran, and he also belonged to the Societv known as the Sons of the Revolution, ancestors of his having taken part in the war that delivered this country from British rule. He was also a member of the Ohio Pharmacy Society. Though he never took any active part in politics, he was a stanch Republican and a warm supporter of every movement calculated to advance the moral or material interests of Springfield. The Ferncliff Cemetery Association, his father's connection with which has been already noticed, always received his cordial support. Like his father, also he was a member and vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church, to which all the members of the family belong.

Mr. Ludlow married Ella R. Spencer, who is a daughter of Richard S. Spencer, formerly a prominent citizen of Springfield. Of this union there are three children: Frederick B., now a resident of Caxambas, Florida, where, as already intimated, he is engaged in pine-apple culture; Eleanor S., who married J. B. Pauley, of Chicago; and Charles R., who is associated with the First National Bank, and who married Nellie Hollenbeck.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.