Ludvig E. Ludvig

LUDVIG, SANDEN, HONSEY, WAUGNESS

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/2/2010 at 05:51:10

LUDVIG E. LUDVIG

Ludvig E. Ludvig, president and general manager of the Lake Mills Implement and Hardware Company, is a business man of more than the usual initiative and ability as is evidenced by the importance of the company of which he is the head. He was born in Norway township, Winnebago county, February 11, 1879, and his parents, John A. and Brunhilde (Sanden) Ludvig, were natives respectively of Söndfjord, Norway, and of Wisconsin. In early life the father crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located in Winnebago county, Iowa, where he followed the carpenter's trade for a number of years. He then purchased land in Norway township, to the operation of which he devoted the remainder of his life. He died in January, 1910, and the mother's death occurred in February, 1881.

Ludvig E. Ludvig was reared in Winnebago county and received his early education in its public schools. Later he attended the Luther Academy at Albert Lea, Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1899, and the succeeding year was spent upon the home farm. At the end of that time he became bookkeeper for Eckert & Williams of Lake Mills, so continuing until 1905, when he bought out the T. S. Tweed implement business, which he operated under the name of L. E. Ludvig & Company for five years. In 1910 he consolidated his interests with the business of Eckert & Williams, the new company being known as the Lake Mills Implement and Hardware Company, with Mr. Ludvig as secretary. He has ever since had the direction of the affairs of the company and in 1915 bought out the interest of Mr. Eckert, at that time becoming president of the company. He still holds that office and he is likewise treasurer and manager. The company deals in plumbing and heating supplies, buggies, wagons, harness, windmills, farm machinery of all kinds, automobiles and hardware and its stock is much larger than that usually found in a city the size of Lake Mills. Its annual volume of trade has reached a highly satisfying figure and its patronage is still showing a steady growth.

Mr. Ludvig was married June 27, 1901, to Miss Bertina Honsey, a daughter of T. G. and Turi (Waugness) Honsey, of Norway township, Winnebago county. Mr. and Mrs. Ludvig have two children, namely: Bennett J., twelve years of age; and Homer T., aged seven. He casts his ballot in support of the candidates and measures of the republican party but has never had time to take an active part in political affairs. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and gives his heartiest support to the promotion of its work. His successful management of his important business interests has brought him financial prosperity and has also made him a factor in the general commercial development of the city.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 123-124.