Ludwig, Cornelius

LUDWIG, PETERS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 3/19/2005 at 11:56:00

Cornelius Ludwig

Cornelius Ludwig, a native of Luxemburg, Europe, and a well-known farmer and stockman of Remsen township, this county, was born on October 16, 1873, the son of Theodore and Maggie Ludwig, who also were born in Luxemburg and there received their education and were married. Theodore Ludwig was a small farmer and he and his wife continued to live for some time in their native land after their marriage, before they decided to come to America, where they might have better opportunities to obtain a home for themselves and their family. On their arrival in the United States they came direct to Iowa and located in Dubuque county. There Theodore Ludwig rented a farm and engaged in farming for a number of years. In 1907 he came to Plymouth county and had a home of twenty-five acres in Remsen township. In 1910 he was killed by an Iowa Central Railway train at Remsen. His widow died eighteen months later. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living in Plymouth county: Cornelius, John, James, Martin, Frank, Michael, Mrs. William Tentinger and Mrs. May Tentinger. John lives one mile south of Remsen. James lives in Remsen township and Martin lives five miles south of Remsen. Frank lives at Oyens and Michael lives one-half mile south of the town of Remsen. One died and three live in Dubuque county. Theodore and Maggie Ludwig were members of the Catholic church and were long prominent in the social and religious life of the community, where they were held in the highest regard by all who knew them.

Cornelius Ludwig received his schooling in the public schools of Luxemburg and was eighteen years of age when he came to America. On his arrival in this country he came direct to Iowa and located in Dubuque county, where he worked as a farm hand for a time, and then was engaged as a clerk in a store, later engaging in farming, and was thus engaged there until 1896, when he came to Plymouth county and rented a farm six miles east of Remsen. Four years later, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Frank Beelner, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Marion township, which they developed and improved and later sold, and purchased thirty-seven acres near Remsen. Mr. Ludwig continued in the business of buying and selling land until 1912, when he purchased two hundred and twenty acres in the northwest corner of Remsen township, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising, paying particular attention to the breeding and the raising of fine Belgian horses and high-grade Shorthorn cattle. He now has the greater part of his farm in pasture, where roam some of the best-horses and cattle in the county.

In February, 1898, Cornelius Ludwig was united in marriage to Mary Peters, daughter of William Peters and wife, and to this union eleven children have been born, Maggie, Florence, Virginia, Anna, John, Matilda, Henry, Clara, Irene, Leona and Hildagard. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig are members of the Catholic church, take much interest in church work and are prominent in the social and the religious life of the community. They belong to the local organizations of the church and are prominent in the charity and reform work of their home community.

Cornelius Ludwig is identified with the Democratic party, has had much to do with the civic and the political life of the township and is now recognized as one of the substantial and successful residents of the county. When he came to the state from his home in Luxemburg, he had but ten cents. By hard work and close application to business he has risen to his present position as one of the influential men of the township and his farm home, "East View Stock Farm," is one of the finest in the community.

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917