THOMAS LEDWICH
Hon. Thomas Ledwich, of the firm of Ledwich, Hunt & Long, dealers in lumber, coal, lime and cement; was born in Canada in 1841; came to the U. S. with parents, and located in N. Y. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the 2nd N. Y. Cav.; was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run. He was at the battle of Fredricksburg, the fall of Mobile, and several other important battles, and was discharged in 1865; remained in Ky. two years; then removed to Avoca, Ia., and in June, 1869, shipped the first car-load of lumber into that place that was ever received there, and opened a lumber yard. In 1871 he started the first newspaper of the place, called the Avoca Delta, which he sold after two years. He removed to Harlan in 1879, and formed his present partnership. Their office is on Market street; adjoining it is the door and sash room, and in connection they manufacture Fry's patent combination wood and wire fence, having the right for Shelby county. They keep four men employed, make sixty rods per day. Their large and well stocked lumber yard fronts Market and Court streets. Mr. Hunt was in business with Mr. L. at Avoca previous to coming to this place, and was the builder of the first steam mill there. Mr. Ledwich is president of the Shelby county fair association; has been president of the 'Botna Valley District Agricultural Society, he is mayor of the city, and has been a member of the council several years.
Transcribed February, 2018 by Cheryl Siebrass from: History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth, published in Sioux City, IA.: Western Publishing Company, 1882, pg. 420.
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