John S. Louderback, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of John S. Louderback
JOHN S. LOUDERBACK, grocer and baker, was born in Cass County, Ind., August 28, 1835. His father Andrew Louderback, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his grandfather Louderback was a native of Germany, coming to American shortly after the Revolutionary war. Andrew Louderback came with his parents to Brown County, Ohio, when about twelve years old, and were there reared to manhood. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed that as a business until about 1840, when he worked at that in connection with farming. He was married to his first wife, Nancy Washburn (who was the mother of our subject), in about 1823. This lady was born in Kentucky in 1802, her father being a native of Massachusetts and of Irish descent. They moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1830; in 1834, removed to Logansport, Ind., and in 1836, removed to Fulton county, Ind., where Mrs. Louderback died in 1858. To her marriage with Mr. L. there were born ten children, nine of whom are yet living. Mr. L. married for his second wife Martha Jones, who is yet living, but Mr. L. died in March 1864. John S. Louderback was reared on a farm until seventeen years old, when he began learning the wagon and carriage maker's trade with Otis Whipple of Delphi, Carroll Co., Ind., and when nineteen years old began at his trade on his own responsibility at Fulton. He enlisted in Company I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, August 14, 1862, and in October of that same year, was made Eighth Sergeant. He was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant in March 1863, and a few months afterward was made Orderly Sergeant, retaining that position until July 1, 1864, when he was promoted to a First Lieutenancy. October 1, 11864, he was made Captain of his company, but owing to the previous Captain being wounded, Capt. Louderback had, for one year previous to being commissioned, served in that capacity. He was made Quartermaster of the regiment on its being mustered out of service, and he disposed of its effects to the Government. He was a participant in the campaign in Kentucky against Morgan, and assisted in the thirty days' raid that resulted in Morgan's capture. They joined the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee in 1863 and participated in the engagement at Knoxville and a number of its surrounding battles. Their horses being worn out, they were dismounted and going to Paris, Ky., were remounted, after which they joined Sherman's army at Ringgold, Ga., and were placed under Gen. Stoneman's command. For seventy-one days they were in active fighting duty, participating in battles of Resaca, Lone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain and various others. July 24, 1864, under Gen. Stoneman, they started on their trip South, with the intention of releasing the prisoners at Andersonville, GA., and passing through the enemy's line at Stone Mountain they fought an engagement at Macon, and afterward learned that a General who was to co-operate with Stoneman had been defeated. They fought until all ammunition was used up, when the officers, holding a council, deemed it wise to surrender, which they did July 28, 1864. Capt. L. was taken to Andersonville the 1st of August, and instead of going into other quarters as an officer, remained with his men, and remained there suffering all the agonies of that place until October 1, 1864, when they were removed to Charleston, and after being there twenty-six days they were removed to Florence; here he received his liberty, and was sent to Annapolis. Receiving a thirty days' furlough he went home, then rejoined his company, remaining with them until the close of the war, receiving his discharge June 27, 1865. Succeeding that he was at Fulton a short time, and in August, 1865 came to Valparaiso, buying a grocery stock and engaging in that trade in partnership, continuing as such for six years. In 1869, he came to his present place of business and embarked in the grocery and bakery business, which he has ever since continued with success. He was married in Fulton County, Ind., May 29, 1866 to Sarah J. Clevenger, and by her has had nine children - Andrew J., Effie F., Judson D., Eddie, Cora, Mamie and Gracie, living; and Edgar and Alva, deceased. Capt. Louderback is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Source: Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882. Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana: Historical and Biographical, Illustrated. Chicago, Illinois: F. A. Battey & Company. 771 p.
Page(s) in Source: 256-257
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook