John T. Ludeling

[1][2] Born in Monroe, Louisiana,[3] Ludeling entered Saint Louis University at the age of 12, but did receive a degree.

[1] He was a lifelong Republican,[4] opposing secession at the outset of the American Civil War, and refusing to take up arms against either side.

[1] His principled neutrality won him political support, and after the war he was called to serve in the 1867 Constitutional Convention.

[1] In 1868, Governor Henry C. Warmoth appointed Ludeling Chief Justice of the state supreme court, making him the fifth person to hold that office,[3] but the first Louisiana native to do so.

[1] Ludeling thereafter attained great wealth as president of Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railway.