J.W. Ludlum; Orleans, then Morehouse Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller Thanks! Mike, for all the hard work and information you contribute to the Morehouse Parish Archives. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** J. W. Ludlum for nearly half a century has been a resident of Bastrop, where his abilities gained for him leadership in the commercial life of the town. When in consequence of the recent great industrial progress of the city a leader was needed to become the chief executive in handling a large program of public improvement. Mr. Ludlum was elected mayor, and is now giving practically all of his time to the duties of that office. He was born in New Orleans, in 1861, son of Oliver and Mary (Sullivan) Ludlum. The Ludlums came from Scotland to America 125 years ago and for many years their home was in the City of Cincinnati. Oliver Ludlum was born in Cincinnati, and prior to the Civil war settled in New Orleans. J. W. Ludlum acquired his education in New Orleans, and in 1876, at the age of sixteen, moved to Bastrop, parish seat of Morehouse Parish. He grew up in the mercantile business and that became his own line of activity. For a number of years he was one of the leading merchants in the town, and when he retired from merchandising, he engaged in general insurance. Mr. Ludlum was honored by election to the office of mayor of Bastrop in April, 1923. His administration is coincident with the adoption of plans for and the beginning of construction of public improvements that are transforming Bastrop from a country town into one of the progressive cities of the state. His first important improvement was the construction of a general sewerage system, beginning in the fall of 1924. Then came a paving program and similar improvements. The executive details of a large scheme of public improvement such as outlined at Bastrop constitutes an immense volume of work and responsibility. Mayor Ludlum has been busy with the arrangements for financing such projects by bond issues, the making of contracts, and all the duties of general supervision. His business ability and character constitute a complete assurance to the citizens of Bastrop that the funds proposed for these public improvements will be expended to the utmost efficiency. Bastrop has had a remarkable development in recent years. owing to becoming the center of a great natural gas field, attracting pulp mills and other industries. Prior to taking the office of mayor. Mr. Ludlum was for about thirty-five years town treasurer. He married Miss Susie Tisdale, member of an old and prominent family of Bastrop. Of nine children born to them, seven survive, as follows: Lucius Lazell, Lawrence Wesley, Joseph Reginald, Clarence Vernon, Joseph Wesley, Eloise, and George Tisdale, Oliver K. and Karl 0. are deceased. A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 232-233, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.