Lewis Ludington

Lewis Ludington (June 25, 1786 – September 3, 1857) was a real estate developer who helped settle Columbus, Wisconsin.

Lewis Ludington
Lewis Ludington, c.1855
Born(1786-06-25)June 25, 1786
DiedSeptember 3, 1857(1857-09-03) (aged 71)
NationalityAmerican

Personal life

Store at Kent, New York, built by Lewis Ludington and Frederick Ludington, c.1808

Ludington's father, Henry Ludington of the Ludington family, was a soldier in the French and Indian War. Henry married his cousin Abigail on May 1, 1760. They had twelve children, all born in Kent, New York (then known as Fredericksburgh). Lewis was youngest, born on June 25, 1786. His sister, Sybil Ludington, was the oldest and born on April 5, 1761.[1]

Ludington was partners with his brother Frederick in a store near their home in Kent, New York.[2]

Settling Columbus, Wisconsin

Bird's eye view of Columbus, Wisconsin, in Columbia County, c.1868

Ludington entered into a deal with Elbert Dickason to improve land in Wisconsin Territory.[3][4] Dickason built a cabin on this land acreage along the Crawfish River and dammed up the river for a sawmill and gristmill.[3] Dickason was unable to meet his payments to Ludington and Ludington took back the property.[5][3]

Ludington's Plat was recorded on November 11, 1844 a plot of nine blocks,[3][6] and other additions were recorded through 1850.[7]

References

  1. Johnson 1907, pp. 35–45.
  2. Johnson 1907, p. 224.
  3. "National Register of Historic Places – Bellack, Albert M. and Alice, House". National Park Service. 23 April 2010. p. 2 & 3, section 8. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  4. "More Light for Ludington". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. October 21, 1875. p. 2 via Newspapers.com open access.
  5. Jones 2016, p. 228.
  6. Butterfield 1880, p. 673.
  7. Butterfield 1880, pp. 669–673.

Sources

Further reading

  • Beers (1905). Record of New London County. J.H. Beers & Company. His partners, who conducted the business (Mr. Ludington never resided in Wisconsin) were, Harrison Ludington, a nephew, afterward governor of Wisconsin, and Nelson Ludington, afterward president of the First National Bank of Chicago.
  • Downs, Winfield Scott (1934). Encyclopedia of American biography. American Historical Society.
  • Fuller, George Newman (1941). Michigan History Magazine. Michigan Historical Commission.
  • Pelletreau, William Smith (1886). History of Putnam County, New York. W.W. Preston.
  • The Commission (1994). Wauwatosa Landmarks. The Commission. Lewis Ludington, was founder of Columbus, Wisconsin, and his cousin James founded Ludington, Michigan.
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