Relatively Speaking Blog

Alpheus Henry Ludwick, my great grandfather, lived the latter part of his life in the small town of Youngwood, PA. My mother remembered Alpheus, her grandfather, who would walk through town and shake his cane at motorist he thought were driving too fast. From her stories I picture him as a gentle and loving man, despite a number of sad life experiences.

Alpheus was born April 11, 1858 in South Greensburg, where his mother’s family resided. By the 1860 census, his parents, John and Esther, had moved to McKeesport in Allegheny County, which was now closer to John’s parents. John was a miller in 1860—as well as a millwright when he got married—revealing that he was a skilled laborer. This census also listed Alpheus’ two brothers, Eden, age 3, and, Willie or William age 1. The two oldest siblings, Isaac and Anna Maria were said to have died in childhood and since both were not enumerated in 1860, it is evidence that they likely died before it.

During the decade of the 1860s, the three Ludwick children suffered misfortune with the loss of both their parents. From McKeesport they had moved back near Greensburg when Alpheus’ father became ill; at 41 years of age, John Ludwick died in 1864 leaving the care of the family to Esther. Perhaps this burden took its toll on her, as Esther, a young widow of only 34, died in 1869, leaving the Ludwick boys orphaned. Within the next year, the brothers were separated, with Alpheus residing with the Shrum family in Hempfield Township, near Greensburg. Eden and William were sent to other families in the area.

1870 census Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County PA
Name	Age	Occupation	Place of Birth
John Shrum	36	Farmer	PA
Catherine Shrum	25	Kept House	PA
William Shrum	4		PA
Daniel Shrum	2		PA
Solomon Shrum	6/12		PA
Sarah Shrum	59	Kept House	PA
Frances Keighly	17	Farm Laborer	PA
Mary Keighly	16	House keeping	PA
Alfred Ludwick	12		PA

No close connection between the Shrums and the Ludwick family has been found. It is assumed that Alpheus lived with them until he was an adult. Alpheus, listed as Alfred in this and subsequent censuses, did attend school according to the enumeration. From bits of family stories though, the impression was not a happy one for the Ludwick children; they were more of a laborer to do farm chores, than a loved member of the family. The brothers, although separated when children, were close as adults, writing often and visiting each other.

By 1880 Alpheus had left the Shrum household. As the 1880 census shows, he was on his own, living with his wife of one year, Mary Frances, or Fannie as she was often called. They had married on March 19, 1879. For the first ten years of their married life they resided in Unity Township near Pleasant Unity, the vicinity where Fannie grew up with her maternal grandfather, Joseph Blackson, who lived until shortly before they moved. Over this decade Alpheus and Fannie’s family grew with five children, namely Stella, Harry, Ira, Edith, and Anna.

On May 31, 1889, the town of Johnstown was hit with a devastating flood. Family stories assert that shortly after the flood, Alpheus, whose trade was a plasterer, moved to Johnstown to help rebuild the town. Their daughter Anna is said to have been born in Johnstown; however, I noticed the date I have for her birth is January of 1889, several months before the flood. It seems hard to imagine that Alpheus and his family were in Johnstown, or nearby, when the disaster hit in May and that portion of the story was never mentioned.

It is possible Anna was born later, or not born in Johnstown as previously thought. Unfortunately, the 1890 census was destroyed by fire, so confirmation of where Alpheus was living in 1890, and how old Anna was, will need to be done by other means. Another question relates to their son, Harry, who died before reaching his teenage years. The 1890 census might have helped reveal when; some family members think he died at age two, others have stated age twelve. However old Harry was, his death was yet another tragic loss for Alpheus.

I remember a house on Mt. Pleasant Street in Greensburg, and when we passed it my mom would often say that was where my grandfather was born. This was where the Ludwick family resided in 1900. The family had moved back to South Greensburg in Westmoreland County around 1894, and had their last two children, Pearl, and William, my grandfather. In the 1900 census Alpheus was at his trade as a plasterer; he and Fannie were married 21 years and she had 7 children, with 6 living, Harry the one who died. All six of their children lived with them, including their oldest daughter, Stella, who was widowed when her first husband died one month before their first child was born.

In the 1910 census Alpheus was enumerated in Hempfield Township, although family have contended that he had settled in Youngwood around 1902 when it was incorporated. Alpheus was renting in this census, so perhaps the family lived on the outskirts of Youngwood proper, as the town is situated in Hempfield Township. Their son Ira was enumerated in the borough of Youngwood with his family. Alpheus continued to be enumerated as Alfred, and at the age of 52, his occupation remained plastering houses. Only the two youngest children remained at home and both had jobs; Pearl did housework for a private family, and William, who was 14, drove a delivery wagon. Alpheus and Mary Frances, age 48, were married 31 years, and the census confirmed it was the first marriage for both.

Ten years later, in the 1920 census, Alpheus and Mary were living in Youngwood in a house they owned. Their youngest daughter Pearl, still resided with them, but now she worked as a saleslady in a grocery store. Alpheus continued his work as a plasterer, and was age 63; his wife Mary Frances was 55. Two of his children were living in Youngwood with their families: William with his wife and son, and Stella with her five children; she had remarried, but her second husband died from tuberculosis in 1913. Ira, who had been residing in Youngwood, tragically died from the 1918 influenza pandemic; his widow and children had returned to Blair County.

Alpheus would be enumerated one final time in the 1930 census. At age 72, he was now retired, as no occupation is listed for him. This census recorded the age at which a person first got married; Alpheus was 22 and Mary Francis was 17. Daughter Pearl was single and still lived with them, but she now worked as an evangelist doing religious work. Alpheus would live five more years until the age of 77. Mary Frances was enumerated in the 1940 census; as a 78 year old widow, she lived with her daughters Pearl and Stella at 230 Fifth Street, the same place where they lived in 1935. Mary Frances died in 1947 and both she and Alpheus are buried in the Youngwood Cemetery.

Although Alpheus lost his parents at an early age, he was rooted in Westmoreland County, particularly to a small region from South East Greensburg to Youngwood, a place close in proximity to where he lived with his parents before their deaths. Perhaps this area was special to him, as he lived there much of his life as confirmed by the census enumerations. He made a home in Youngwood, raised his children, and enjoyed twenty-one grandchildren. Many of the stories my mother told about Alpheus, described him as a man who enjoyed life, despite the sorrows that he faced. Or maybe, his joy was amplified because of them.