My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

M. J. Ludlam is one of the successful agriculturists of Desha County, Ark., and, although his farm is not as large as some, it comprises 160 acres of fertile land, eighty acres of which are carefully tilled, and therefore yields a better crop than many larger farms. He also finds the sale of his stock an excellent source of revenue, and therefore this branch of industry receives considerable of his attention. He was born in 1831 in Sandusky County, Ohio, but his parents, William and Mary (Brown) Ludlam, were born in York State and came to Desha County, Ark., in 1833. Here the early life of the subject of this sketch was spent, but his early educational advantages were not good, owing to the scarcity of schools at that day. After remaining with his father until twenty-three years of age he began tilling the soil for himself, starting out in a very modest way, as his capital was quite small. He continued his farming operations until 1862, then joined the Confederate service, becoming a member of Dobbin’ regiment, but was soon after captured and taken to Helena, Ark., where he was kept a prisoner for three months. Upon being released he returned home and resumed business, and has acquired the above-mentioned property. He is one of the county’s most worthy citizens, and is much esteemed and respected by the people of the community in which he resides. Although he votes the Democratic ticket he does not take an active interest in politics. His marriage to Miss Jennie D. House took place in 1872, she being a daughter of William and Alice House, natives of New Foundland. Their union was blessed in the birth of the following children: Annie K., Alice B., Edmund G. and William K. The first two children are deceased, as is also their mother, whose death occurred in 1882. Mr. Ludlam and his surviving children live alone.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Desha County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.