My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES LUDLOW, a prominent pharmacist of Springfield, in which city he was born February 3, 1842, occupies a well-arranged room at No. 55 East Main Street. He carries a large and varied stock of drugs and medicines, and in addition to his large business in that line, makes a specialty of handling lubricating oils. The handsome fittings of his establishment make it an ornament to the business section of the city, and his beautiful residence on East High Street is an equal addition to that section.

The father of our subject was John Ludlow, who about the year 1840 established one of the first drug stores in this city, to the business of which the son Charles succeeded. The widow of John Ludlow and mother of our subject is Elmina, daughter of Capt. Frederick Getman, who was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., and is still living in Springfield, now in her seventy-fifth year. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was descended from natives of Holland. A further history of the family will be found elsewhere in this Album.

The early school days of our subject were passed in Springfield whence he departed in 1859 to an institution of learning elsewhere, finally completing his studies at Dayton. In 1861, he became a member of Company H, Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, being made Second Sergeant on the organization of the company. The regiment, which was under the command of Col. Thomas Ford, was sent to the mountainous regions of West Virginia where for some months it rendered efficient service under Gen. Reynolds. In the following year young Ludlow was transferred to the regimental hospital where he acted in the capacity of Hospital Steward until October 24, 1862, when he received his discharge.

Returning to his native place Mr. Ludlow became interested in his father’s drug store, to which as before stated, he finally succeeded, on the death of his parent. He belongs to Mitchell Post, No. 145, G. A. R., and it is hardly necessary to state, affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are active members in Christ Episcopal Church and he is a member of the vestry. He is fortunate in being able to surround himself with the home comforts which are desirable, to bestow upon his children good advantages, and to assist in many good works as a less prosperous business man could not.

The refined woman under whose care Mr. Ludlow’s dwelling is a home in deed and in truth, became his wife in 1866. Prior to that time she was known as Miss Ella R. Spencer, having many friends in Springfield, which is her native city and the place in which she received her education. Her parents, Richard S. and Ellen Spencer removed from Lynn, Mass., to this city, her father having been a native of his former place of abode. Mr. and Mrs. Ludlow have three children — Frederick R. B., Ellen S. and Charles R. The elder son is a partner in the store.