Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-05-06
Harrison Ludington.


appropriate for those who have the
honor and success of the Republican
party at heart to give expression to
the manifest preference of the people
ia the selection Of candidate for the
governorship. Although every indi-
cation prophesias Republican victo-
RI at the State election in November,
it would be vain to assume that the
political parties in Wisconsin are not
pretty evenly balanced except when
important issues bring out the full
Republican strength 1t is, there
fore, Of vast Importance that candi-
dates should be presented for every
office, and especially for the govern
orship, who are pre-eminently worthy
and qualified to fill the various offices
Of the State, and, further, who pos
sess those elements which will COM
mand the harmonious support of the
entire party and ensure decisive
victory.
We know Of no man in Wisconsin
who combines these qualities to so
eminent degree as Hon Harrison
Ludington of Milwaukee, We find
evidence Of it, not only in his long
and honorable career since his settle
ment among the pioneers of the
State, but in the tribute which has
been repeatedly accorded to him by
his FLOW citizens in Milwaukee,
whore, Notwithstanding his avowed
and active Identification with the Re-
publican party, he has three times
been elected to the May orship of
that otherwise strongly Democratic
cjtt.
Mr. Ladington is a native Of Put
nam county, New York. His early
life was passed upon a farm, and to
thi- is due 70 some extent the sturdy
constitution an4 plain habits for
which no is noted. His emigration
70 Wisconsin dates at tho period of
its carly settlement he having come
to Milwaukee in 1898 Engaging in
mercantile business in 1889, flor
twelve years Ludington's store was
universally known as place Of ex-
tensive and prosperous trade. IL was
u period when the emigrants who
sought new homes in tho forests and
prairies of tho West were subject to
the vicissitudes of an undeveioped
country, without railroads, and desti-
tute of many facilities to relieve their
hardships. Many are the reminiscen-
ces among the older citizens of the
eastern counties of incidents illustra-
tive Of the integrity and of the kind
hearted iberality Of the thrifty
merchant. Many Il pioneer settler
who had exhausted his little capital
in building and furnishing a home in
the new land, was supplied with the
necessities of life for his family, from
"Luiington's store" and the debit
entry remained unbalanced till tho
profits of his labor or the products of
his farm could cancel the debt. In
1851 Mr.. Ludington became engaged
10 the lumber trade. and his interests
in manufacturing and shipping that
commodity are probably larger than
any other person ID the State, il not
in the entire West. For the past five
years his time has been about equal
ly divided between the management
of this business, the duties of respon-
sibIe public stations, and the super
vision of his magnificent farm locat-
ed few miles from Milwaukee.
His first experience in public life
was, We believe, in the Board Of Al
dermen of Milwaukee, to which be
was twice elected the second time
in the face of the most determined
opposition of 8 railroad combination
which he had offended by his fearless
forts to defeat an attempt to accom-
plish legislation in aid of their
schemes without proper protection
to the municipal taxpayers. In 1871
be was elected Mayor, after a vigor-
Gus contest. He declined an urgent
call flr reelection in 1872. but was
induced reluctantly TO accedo to the
public wish in 1873, when be was
elected by 1900 majority, and again
in 1874 by 500 majority. At the
last general election Mr. Ludington
was candidate for Congress in the
Fourth District, against Hon. Vim
Pitt Lynde, the Democratic nominee.
With scarcely possibility of success
in district which had but year
previous given Democratic MAORI
~ Of over 1900, the country was
astonished by the reduction of thi,
odds to $500, with hardly any per.
sonal effort on the part of our can
didate.
M Ludington's popularity seem.
to be due to the most sterling quail.
ties Of mind and heart Frank, firm
decided, even brusque in his address
and manner. he is known to perform
daily deeds Of transformations kind
ness. His public policy has always
been such as to inspire and retain