A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 116

Author: Rev. E. D. Daniels
Publication date: 1904
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1273

USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana > Part 116

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On the Ist of July, 1888, Mr. Andrus was united in marriage with Miss Zoda Van Matre, a daughter of Samuel and Rhoda (Pickering) Van Matre. One daughter has been born of this union, Bessie May Andrus. The family reside in an attarctive and commodious residence at III12 East Market street. Mr. Andrus gives his political support to the Republican party, and he is always loyal in his support of all measures intended to benefit the community or the general public.

JOHN GRENVILLE MOTT, vice presi- dent of the extensive cooperage firm of J. H. Win- terbotham and Sons, Incorporated, of Michigan City, has been a resident of Michigan City for thirty years, and during all the time has been con- nected in some capacity with the above named firm. Mr. Mott is a fine type of the successful business man. Close application, strong pur- pose, unflagging industry, and strict and un- swerving integrity are the principal elements which have led to his success, and these qualities are worthy of imitation by every man who wishes to reach a successful position in commercial or industrial life. But while so devoted to his indi- vidual accomplishments, he has not risen by trampling others down, and he can enjoy his pros- perity the more because it has been well earned and thoroughly merited. As a man in his every- day relations with friends and members of his family, as a citizen and. unit of city, county and state political organization, and as a part of the world of commerce and industry, he has earned the respect and esteem of all, and gained a repu- tation for integrity and worth that is a creditable reward for any life.

Mr. Mott's paternal ancestors have lived in America for many generations, their original seat being in the county of Essex, England, whence, in 1666, James Mott came and made settlement in Westchester county, New York. Represent- atives of the first five consecutive generations in America bore the name of James Mott, and one of these was the great-grandfather of John G. Mott. The latter's grandfather was also James Mott, who was born in Dutchess county. New

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JOHN GRENVILLE MOTT. . dent of the extensive cooperage firm . i. ... t :' tham and Sons, Incorporated. "i (iv, has been a resident of Michig sei thirty years, and during all the tune be- i nected in some capacity with the at ;. hrm. Mr. Mott is a fine type of the si Insiness man. Close application. .. pase. unflagging industry, and stra swerving integrity are the principal which have led to his success, and th are worthy of imitation by every man, wie to reach a successful position in c industrial life. But while so devi ... . vidual accomplishments, he has n! trampling others down, and he can (": pority the more because it has been and thoroughly merited. . As a man day relations with friends and ne family. as a citizen and unit of cit state political organization, and as . world of commerce and industry. i. the respect and esteem of all, and s. tation for integrity and worth that : reward for any life.

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York. January 13, 1750, was reared on his fath- er's farm in Dutchess county until the age of six- teen, and then went to sea, and about the com- mencement of the Revolutionary war was captain of a vessel trading to the West Indies. He then became an ensign in the Sixth New York Regi- ment, and served throughout the war, taking an active part in the struggle which brought inde- pendence to the nation. He married Mary Den- ton, whose father was also an officer in the Revo- lution. James Mott died in 1808, at the age of fifty-eight years, but his wife survived him until 1840, and was eighty-two years old at her death.

In their family of nine children was Egbert Benson Mott. the father of John G. Mott. In 1843 he removed from his native state of New York to Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana, where he was a successful lawyer and also served as judge of the district court, with jurisdiction over DeKalb and Steuben counties. He filled this office for four years, and retired in 1860 with a most creditable judicial record. He died in 1865 at the age of seventy years. By his wife, Mary Winterbotham. a native of England. he had four sons and one daughter, but only two are now living: Julia, the widow of Chester P. Hodge ; and John G. Mary ( Winterbotham) Mott was a daughter of John Winterbotham, who was born in England. and came to the United States in 1811. settling in Derby, Connecticut. He was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and after living in Connecticut for a number of years removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he died February 21, 1854. at the age of eighty-four years. He was twice married. and by his first wife, Rachel Wrigley. he had three daughters: he later mar- ried her sister. Annie Wrigley, and to this union were born five sons and two daughters.

John G. Mott was born in Knox county, Ohio. January 23. 1843, and was but an infant when brought by his parents to Indiana. He was reared in Auburn and acquired his education in the public schools. When he was twenty years old he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and for some time was engaged in the. mining supply business on the Pacific coast. Af- ter his return to Indiana in 1874 he located in Michigan City and became a member of the firm of Winterbotham and Sons, manufacturers of cooperage. The principal contribution which he made to this firm was his enterprise and youthful energy and ambition, but they were worth more to the business than much moneyed capital. He has been one of the important factors in the sub-

sequent promotion and development of this in- dustry, which has expanded to large proportions. In 1892 the enterprise was incorporated as the J. H. Winterbotham and Sons, Incorporated, with Mr. Winterbotham as president and Mr. Mott as vice-president. They manufacture tight-barrel cooperage, with which they supply some of the large packers at Chicago. The extent of the business is in a measure indicated by the fact that they employ three hundred and fifty men in the three factories which they control, besides a large number in the south at their mills for the manufacture of staves and headings.

On the 24th of March, 1874, Mr. Mott was united in marriage to Miss Rue Winterbotham, a daughter of John H. and Mahala ( Rosecrans) Winterbotham. They have two children, Rus- sell and Genevieve; the former is now a student in Harvard University, and the latter has just completed a course of study in Boston. The fam- ily are members of the Protestant Episcopal church, and Mr. Mott has for many years been one of the vestry of Trinity, the cathedral church of the diocese. Politically he was a Democrat before 1896, but is now a Republican. He has been president of the board of park commission- ers of Michigan City since its organnization, and is deeply interested in anything tending to im- prove the city. He is also president of the Indi- ana State Society of the Sons of the Revolution. He has been active in pushing forward the wheels of progress here, and conducts his business af- fairs upon terms just both to employer and em- plove and resulting in the mutual benefit of both, while at the same time they prove of value to the city in promoting its commercial activity.

JOHN PROVOLT. More than seventy-two years ago John Provolt came to LaPorte county, and during this long period. which covers nearly the whole span of the county's development from a primitive state to its present flourishing condi- tion, he has been actively interested in its pro- gress. He has seen its wild lands transformed into fine farms and villages grow into cities of considerable importance.

Mr. Provolt is a native of Indiana. born in Tippecanoe county, August 24. 1830, and is a son of E. and Eliza A. ( Ireland ) Provolt. natives of Ohio and New Jersey, respectively. His pa- ternal grandfather. John Provolt, came to this country from Germany and settled in the Buck- eve state. In the state of his nativity the father of John Provolt grew to manhood, and on first coming to Indiana he located on the Wabash

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river in Tippecanoe county, where he spent about a year, the 24th of May. 1831, witnessing his ar- rival in LaPorte county. He entered land in Kankakee township and took up his residence in what is now Rolling Prairie. erecting the first cabin in the town. He engaged in the cultivation of his land throughout the remainder of his life, and died on his farm March 29. 1842. He was an honored pioneer of this county, and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. On leaving her native state his wife went to Ohio in early life, and when a young woman took up her residence in Clinton county, Indiana. where she was married. She was about sixty-five years of age at the time of her death. With the exception of John, all of her six chil- dren were born in LaPorte county and all grew to manhood and womanhood.

John Provolt, the oldest of the family, was only nine months old when brought by his par- ents to LaPorte county, and here he was reared amid pioneer scenes. his playmates being Indian boys and girls, the red men being still numerous in this locality at that time. His education, which was rather limited, was obtained in an old log schoolhouse. He was only twelve years old when his father died. but being the eldest of the chil- dren he assumed the responsibility of caring for the family, and kept the children at home until they married and went to homes of their own.

In 1851. Mr. Provolt wedded Miss Mary Jane Line, a native of Ohio, by whom he had four chil- dren, all born in Kankakee township, namely : Ezekiel, Jane, Etta and Isabel. The second child died at the age of six years, and the wife and mother passed away in 1855. For his second wife Mr. Provolt married Emeline Wilson, who was born in LaPorte county, and is a daughter of John and Nancy ( Hatfield) Wilson. Two children blessed this union: Eliza and Maggie. but the former died in infancy.

Mr. Provolt well remembers the Harrison campaign of 1840, when the cry of the Whigs was "Tippecanoe and Tyler. too." On attaining his majority he became a supporter of that party, and has never missed casting his vote for the Republican presidential candidates since the or- ganization of that party. He has held local of- fices in Kankakee township, but has never sought political preferment. Religiously, he holds mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church in Rolling Prairie, and has been trustee of the same and sexton for many years. He and C. W. Mc- Carty, who was born on the same day, month and year. have celebrated the anniversaries of their

births together for many years and they have proved very enjoyable affairs. Mr. Provolt is the only living representative of the first families of Rolling Prairie to continue their residence here uninterruptedly. He has taken a deep interest in the upbuilding of his town and county, and throughout the long years of his residence here has been numbered among the valued citizens of the community. He is held in the highest esteem by all who know him, and has a host of warm friends.

AUGUST SHULTZ, who follows farming on section 33, Lincoln township, was born in the province of Posen. Germany, on the 27th of No- vember, 1844, and was there reared. In early life he began earning his own living, and from that time has been dependent upon his own re- sources. Ere he attained his majority he worked by the day, and when he became twenty-one years of age he joined the army in accordance with the laws of his native country and served for two years. When his term had expired he began to work as a farm hand, being employed by the year. and thus his time was passed until he came to America in 1869.

After landing on the Atlantic coast he contin- ued his journey into the interior of the country and spent about two months near Milwaukee. Wisconsin. He next went to Green Bay in that state, where he worked in a sawmill. and on the expiration of that time removed to Wanatah. Indiana, where he remained for three years, be- ing employed on the Panhandle railroad. He next went to Stillwell, wher he lived for two years, during which time he was employed by the Lake Shore Railroad. He next removed to Fish Lake and purchased a small farm, comprising forty-six acres of land. Taking up his abode thereon, he lived upon that place for seventeen years, engaged in general farming, and as the time passed he added to the place until he had about ninety-nine acres. In his undertakings he prospered, and about 1890 he purchased the farm of five hundred acres upon which he is now liv- ·ing. On this place he engages in general farm- ing, and the well tilled fields and excellent im- provements indicate his careful supervision and his progressive methods. Annually he harvests good crops as the reward of his labor. and his work has been attended with success, for he has gradually advanced from a humble position to one of affluence.

In 1870 Mr. Shultz was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Brafes, also a native of the

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province of Posen, Germany, where her girlhood days were passed. She came to America about the same time Mr. Shultz crossed the Atlantic, but made the voyage on another vessel. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom ten are living, six sons and four daughters : Augusta, now the wife of , Wesley Smith : Phena, the wife of Levi Barthel; Otto, who married Grace Hall; William, who is a telegraph opera- tor living in Kingsbury: Albert, at home : Johnnie, who is also under the parental roof ; Mary, the wife of John Fritzen : Fritz, Clara and. August. who are also under the parental roof. One child died in infancy, but the others have all lived to become a comfort to their parents, and several of the children are now married and in comfortable homes of their own. All were born in LaPorte county.

Mr. Shultz deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He started out in life as a poor boy, but he resolved to win success if it could be accomplished through strong purpose and untiring labor. He now engages in general farming and stock-raising, and his valuable tract of land of five hundred acres is so well improved that it constitutes one of the best farming prop- erties of this locality. A Democrat in his politi- cal faith, he is serving on the advisory board of his township and proves a capable officer. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and are held in high esteem by those who know them.

MOTIER L. ORR, who is now living retired in La Porte, was for many years an active repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of this part of the state and is a member of one of the most prominent and honored pioneer families. He was born upon his father's farm in Center town- ship. January 28, 1836. his parents being General Joseph and Harriet ( Foster) Orr. The ancestral history of the family is traced back to General Joseph Orr. the great-great-grandfather of Mr. Orr, who was one of five brothers born in Scot- land and who joined the fortunes of William and Mary during the religious persecutions under King James II. Two of these brothers were at the battle of Boyne in 1690; also at the siege of Derry. Ireland, near which place they finally settled. The father of Motier L. Orr bore the name of Joseph Orr and was born at Mount Rock, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 28. 1794. His father, David Orr, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in 1770. and emigrated with his father to America in 1774, the family

home being established in the Keystone state. He afterward removed to Ohio and finally to Union county, Indiana, where he located in 1832 and where he died twenty years later, passing away at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca Stev- ens and was a cousin of Thaddeus Stevens, the Pennsylvania commoner. Her death occurred in Union county, Indiana, in 1852.

General Joseph Orr emigrated with his father's family to the Northwest Territory, locat- ing in that part of it now known as Ohio. They arrived at Cincinnati April 1, 1799, when that city had only six hundred inhabitants. At the age of eighteen he was bound out to a carpenter to learn the trade, and at the end of two years he had not only mastered the business, but had suc- ceeeded in saving much of his earnings, which he devoted to educational purposes, for his school privileges in early life had been very limited. However, he had studied much at nights and had thus greatly broadened his knowledge.

In 1818 General Orr was united in marriage to Harriet Foster, a native of Southampton, New York. She died at LaPorte, Indiana, December 1. 1892, but for many years they traveled life's journey happily together, their married life cover- ing six decades. After his marriage General Orr continued to work at his trade in Cincinnati until June, 1823, when he removed to Putnam county, Indiana, and took up some government land ad- joining the present town of Greencastle. Here in addition to clearing his land and making a farm he trained the neighborhood boys in military tac- tics. In August. 1827, Governor J. B. Ray gave Joseph Orr a commission as brigadier general of the sixteenth brigade of state militia. In Decem- ber. 1830, he was made a major-general. In the meantime he had also become prominent in political circles, and in 1829 was chosen to fill a vacancy in the state senate. The following year he was elected to that position for the regular term of three years. and took an active part in shaping the early legislation of the state. In 1831 he made a trip through northern Indiana. stopping at Door Prairie, in LaPorte county, which was later destined to become his home. In 1832 he again visited this locality, being here at the time of the Black Hawk scare. There were but few inhabitants in this region, and it was feared that the chief Black Hawk and his follow- ers intended to wage war upon them. General Orr reported the trouble to Governor Noble, who thereupon, in June. 1832, commissioned him to organize a company of Mounted Volunteer Rang-

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ers for service against the Indians on the frontier of Indiana. He rendezvoused the company at Attica, Indiana, and went into camp at Hickory Creek, reporting to General Winfield Scott, who at that time was at Fort Dearborn (Chicago) in charge of the Army of the Northwest. General Orr kept his command in readiness but was never called into active service.

The following year General Orr removed his family to LaPorte county, and here had his first experience in farming. He succeeded from the beginning and eventually became a wealthy man. He added farm to farm, and gave a tract of land to each of his sons as they attained majority. In public affairs in this state he was very promi- nent. He was one of the commissioners ap- pointed by Governor Baker, in 1867. to establish the Indiana House of Refuge for Juvenile Offenders. In 1874 he donated lots worth four thousand dollars to the LaPorte Public Library, upon which to construct the library building. He was the prime mover in the establishment of the county fair, and for many years was the president of the State Fair Association, and thus along many lines of usefulness he directed his energies, his labors proving of great benefit to the public. Several years prior to his death he removed to LaPorte, where he lived retired until 1878, when he was called to his final rest. One of the noted characters of the county, his memory is still cherished by those who knew him, and his name is indelibly engraved on the pages of LaPorte county's history.

Motier L. Orr was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the public schools. On attaining his majority he went to a farm of his own on section 29. Center township, and with characteristic energy placed the prop- erty under a high state of cultivation. This place has increased in extent and valuation until now his farm of four hundred and sixty acres, all in one body, is as valuable as any to be found in the state. Several years ago he built upon his farm what was then and is yet. perhaps, the finest frame farm residence in the county. equipped with all modern improvements and costing several thousand dollars. He continued in active farming until May. 1888, when he rented his property and removed to LaPorte, where he now resides.

In 1857 Mr. Orr was married to Miss Ange- line Replogle, a native of LaPorte county and a daughter of Jacob and Sina ( Jones) Replogle, her people being among the most prominent and well-to-do pioneer families of the county. Her father was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania.

in 1800, afterward lived in Miami county, Ohio, and in 1834 came to LaPorte county, where he was soon known as a prosperous farmer, having a fine residence and three hundred acres of very valuable land on section 21, Center township. In later life he retired to LaPorte, where his death occurred in 1887. He was greatly esteemed by all who knew him. A number of other repre- sentatives of the Replogle family also settled in Center township, and have been successful in their chosen work and have become prominent residents of the county.

In his political views Mr. Orr is a stanch Re- publican, never wavering in his allegiance to the party, and for a number of years was a director of the LaPorte County Agricultural Society. His business affairs were well managed, and as a suc- cessful, honorable citizen and a worthy repre- sentative of one of the leading pioneer families. he well deserves mention in this volume.

CHARLES P. SMITH is a pioneer citizen of LaPorte county now ranking with the leading farmers. His home is on section 15. Pleasant township, where he owns a valuable tract of land that is highly improved. He was born in Oneida county, New York, October 30, 1830. His pa- ternal grandfather was born in Connecticut. He took an active part as a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war, and was with General Washington and his army at Valley Forge during the mem- orable winter when the American troops under- went such suffering there. He came of a family of English lineage.

Mr. Smith's father. Isaac Smith, was a native of Waterbury, Connecticut, born on the 3d of May, 1787. In the place of his nativity he re- mained until he had attained his majority. when he removed to the Empire state, settling in Onon- daga. By trade he was a carpenter. and he fol- lowed that pursuit in New York for a number of years or until his removal to Lenawee county. Michigan. On the 19th of September. 1835. he located in Paw Paw, Van Buren county. Michi- gan, but afterward returned to Lenawee county. where he died on the ad of November. 188. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church throughout almost his entire life, and his daily conduct was in consistent harmony with his profession. In politics he was a Democrat. never faltering in his allegiance to the party. and was a justice of the peace and assessor, in which posi- tions he discharged his duties with marked fidel- ity and promptness. He became well known as one of the pioneers of Michigan. In early man-

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HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY. 1 . 657

hood he had wedded Mary Selleck, a native of Waterbury, Connecticut, born in the year 1790. She was of Scotch-Irish descent, and lived to be eighty-nine years of age, passing away in 1879. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith were born thirteen children, eight of whom reached years of matu- rity.

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 116

Author: Rev. E. D. Daniels Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1273

Author: Rev. E. D. Daniels
Publication date: 1904
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1273