Ludden, Alonzo Payson

From Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany County, NY
Alonzo Payson Ludden - Berne 1863 - Courtesy Berne Historical Society

Birth

Alonzo Payson Ludden was born on July 11, 1819 in Cropseyville, NY.[1][2] His parents Sylvanus Ludden (D. abt 1820) and Sophia Hanaman (D. 1830) both died when he was young.[1]

Education

Alonzo Payson Ludden paid his own way through Amherst College by renting land and raising broom corn.[2]

Occupation

After graduating from Amherst, Alonzo taught school for four years at the Academy at Stephen's City, Va. and while there studied theology.[2] He then became a Lutheran minister.

Marriage & Children

He married Caroline Grove, daughter of Col. John W. Grove[3] of Stephen's City.[4][5][6][2] They had a large family that included:

Life

Alonzo's parents died when he was young and after their deaths, his two older brothers sent him to work for a Massachusetts farmer.[2] It was at this early age that Alonzo heard the calling from God..[2] After graduating from Amherst, he moved to Stephen's City Virginia where he taught school, studied theology and married his wife Caroline.[2] His first job in the Lutheran ministry was at Mt. Tabor Church in Augusta County, Va.[2] He took over the leadership the the Hebron Lutheran Church in Madison County, Va. on June 1, 1850.[4][2] He was highly thought of by his congregation increasing its size and introducing Sunday School.[2] He resigned that position in May of 1856 and started the next month at the Lutheran Church in Berne, Albany County, NY.[5][2] By 1870, Alonzo P. Ludden had moved to Cobleskill, Schoharie County, NY where he continued to work as a Lutheran minister.[6] He served Lutheran Churches in the Northeast for 30 years before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska at the end of his life to be near his son Reverend Luther P. Ludden.[2]

Character and Personality

Alonzo P. Ludden was described as a forceful preacher and was very successful at influencing people.[2]

Death

He died on April 2, 1892 in Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]

Obituary

Additional Media

Note with picture at Berne Historical Society: Alonzo P. Ludden was my great grandfather. He came to Berne to be pastor of the Berne Lutheran Church in June 1856. He was there until Nov. 1867. His daughter Laura Ludden married Charles E. Deitz - date Jan 23, 1867. Rev. Ludden married them

Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Ludden, Wallace, "James Ludden the Old Planter 1611-1692 and descendants, 1971
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Huddle, William Peter, "History of the Hebron Lutheran Church, Madison County Virginia from 1717 to 1907", Published by Henkel & Co., New Market, Va. 1908
  3. 3.0 3.1 Landmarks of Albany County, NY, Edited by Amasa J. Parker, Albany, NY
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 1850 US Census, Madison Co, Va
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 1860 US Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 1870 US Census, Cobleskill, Schoharie Co, NY
  7. General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States, "Convention of the General Synod", 1915, page 271