A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 127

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

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tinued in business since as a merchant talior and as a dealer in men's furnishing goods.

On the 29th of March, 1867, Mr. Blue was married to Miss Sarah A. Nodine, a daughter of Jerry and (Arvilla) Nodine. Five children have been born of that union: Willie, Pearl, Ivy, Arastarcus and Verne, but all are now deceased. the last named having been twelve years of age at the time of death. Mr. and Mrs. Blue reside at 216 Pine street, where he built his home in 1875. Since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln he has been a Republican.

CHRISTOPHER ROESKE, of the firm of Roeske Brothers, millers and brick manufactur- ers and proprietors of the Eureka Flouring Mills at Michigan City, has been in business here for thirty-five years, and is one of the most respected and esteemed citizens. He came to this country when a boy of seventeen, and worked his way for some years before he could get an independ- ent start. He is a self-made man, and is per- sonally responsible for the success he has made in business. He has also taken part in general affairs, especially those having to do with the progress and improvement of town and county, and his place in the citizenship of his county is that of the diligent, enterprising and astute man of business and of the conservative and loyal member of society, seeking to perform well the part assigned to him in life.

Mr. Roeske was born in Prussian, Germany, April 27, 1847, and is a son of Christian and Au- gusta (Pahl) Roeske. His paternal grand- father died in Germany before Christopher was born, and little is known of his life save that he was a shepherd, died in middle life, and was the father of five children. The maternal grand- father Pahl also died in Germany, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-eight years, and his wife lived to be eighty-three years old.

Christian Roeske was a shepherd in Germany, . and in June, 1864, came to America, and on the 25th of the same month arrived in Michigan City. He owned a farm of eighty acres in Michi- gan township, and farmed during the remainder of his life. He died at the age of fifty-four and his wife lived until 1898, being eighty- five years old at the time of her death. Both were members of the Lutheran church. They had nine children, six sons and three daughters. and the three now living are August, Christopher. and Augusta, the wife of Herman Blessien.

Christopher Roeske lived in Germany until he was seventeen years old, and in that time re-

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ceived his schooling and also worked for his father. He came to the new world with his parents in 1864, and for a time he did construc- tion work on the Michigan Central Railroad, after which he worked in a factory and on his father's farm. He then began working for Charles Kellogg in the latter's brickyard, and in 1868, having learned the business, he started a yard of his own on land which he leased of Reynold Cowden. He conducted this for seven years, and then bought the brickyard and sawmill of Denton Miller, and carried on both enterprises until 1880. In that year he quit the sawmilling, and by the side of his water power built his large flour mill. The mill is five stories high, including the basement, and has a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. He and his brother Au- gust own this plant, and they also have a large brickyard; where about six million brick a year are manufactured. Employment is furnished to about fifty men, and theirs is one of the import- ant manufacturing concerns of the town, valu- able to the owners and to the city in general. The brothers also own the Denton Miller farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres. Mr. Chris- topher Roeske is a director in the Citizens' Bank, and his position in the business circles of Michi- gan City is ample testimony to his life of indus- try and application of sound business methods.

On December 5, 1877, Mr. Roeske married Mrs. Augusta Matthias, the widow of Peter Mat- thias, and her maiden name was Messe. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Roeske are Ar- thur, Oscar, Martha and Lydia, all of whom are at home except Arthur, who is bookkeeper and salesman for his father ; he married Emma Dar- man, and they have one son, Gerald. Mr. and Mrs. Roeske are members of the St. John's Lu- theran church, and he affiliates with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., Michigan City Chapter No. 25, R. A. M., and Michigan City Commandery No. 30,K. T. His politics are Democratic, and he has served the county two terms as commis- sioner, and is now a member of the county coun- cil.

August Roeske, who is the brother and part- ner of Christopher in all their business enter- prises, has always co-operated with his brother, and this harmonious union of forces has been largely responsible for their continued success. May 11, 1874, August Roeske married Miss Fredericka Gloy, and the seven children born to them are all deceased. Mrs. Roeske also died in 1902. She was a member of the, Lutheran church, as is her husband.

A. W. L. GILPIN, D. D. S. This well known and efficient dentist of Michigan City, Indiana, was born in St. Mary's, Ontario, Can- ada, on the 7th of April, 1878, being the only child of Joshua and Anna (Kerr) Gilpin, natives also of Ontario. His paternal grandfather was William Gilpin, who was born in Sligo, Ireland, but subsequently removed to St. Mary's On- tario, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Margaret Read, and they be- came the parents of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Gilpin was Rev. J. L. Kerr, a Wesleyan Methodist minister and also a native of Sligo, Ireland. He was there married, and when only sixteen years of age became a minister of the gospel, and while carrying on his ministerial work he was also engaged in the carriage manu- facturing business. Selling his interests in the Emerald Isle, he removed to Canada when twenty-eight years of age, and thereafter was engaged in preaching at various points until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was well advanced in years. For his wife Rev. Kerr chose Margaret Rutledge, and in their family were two sons and four daughters. He became one of the most prominent ministers of Canada, and was well known as a beautiful singer. Joshua Gilpin, the father of Dr. Gilpin, was interested in the salt business in Canada for a number of years, and now makes his home at Brussels, On- tario. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.

Dr. A. W. L. Gilpin was reared from the age of two years in Brussels, Canada, receiving his literary education in its public schools, and when eighteen years of age he entered the To- ronto University dental department, graduating from that institution in 1900. Two years later, in 1902, he completed the course in the Chicago Dental College, and in December of that year he came to Michigan City and opened an office over the First National Bank, where he has ever since continued the practice of his chosen pro- fession. His office is well equipped with all mod- ern appliances, and although a young man he has already established an enviable reputation as a dentist of great skill. In his fraternal re- lations Dr. Gilpin is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political support is given to the Re- publican party. He is also a member of the Methodist church, and in. both social and. pro- fessional circles he occupies a prominent position.

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WILLIAM A. STEIGELY, a contractor on public works and ex-county commissioner of La- Porte, is well known in this county, having spent almost his entire life here, while for many years he has been active in business circles. He was born in this city in 1858. His father, Frederick Steigely, was a native of Germany and about the year 1850 emigrated to America, settling first in Chicago, but coming soon afterward to LaPorte, where he established a meat market. This he conducted with success for many years, and is spoken of as a pioneer in that line of business in LaPorte. His business dealings were strictly fair and honorable, and because of the sterling traits of character which he manifested in his relations with his fellow men he was highly respected. He married Wilhelmina Schoettle, and both are now deceased, he having passed away in 1882.

In the LaPorte public schools William A. Steigely began his education, which was con- tinued in Phelon College of this city. After put- ting aside his text books he learned the miller's trade in the J Street mill of LaPorte, where he remained for one year. He then went to Minne- sota, remaining for two years in that state, one half of which time was spent in St. Cloud in the milling business. He then returned to LaPorte and took charge of the J. Street mill, which he operated for four years, when, in 1882, he re- moved to Kingsbury, in Union township, where he established the Kingsbury mill for the manu- facture of flour, and conducted it for more than twenty years, or until the spring of 1903. On selling his mill he removed with his family to LaPorte, where he erected a very fine residence on Indiana avenue. Here he takes and executes contracts for the construction of city sewers, the paving of roads and bridge work.

While residing in Kingsbury Mr. Steigely was elected a trustee of Union township, which office he held for several years. In the campaign of 1896 he received the Democratic nomination for county commissioner and was elected. He was favored with the nomination at the succeed- ing election, and was again chosen by popular vote for that office, wherein he served altogether for six years, during which time his part in hand- ling the county affairs was characterized by care- ful, conservative and business-like methods, highly satisfactory to the public.

The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Steigely was in her maidenhood Miss Fredericks Wegner, and they have three children : John W., a stu- dent in Purdue University ; Arthur, a senior stu- dent in the LaPorte high school, and Edith, who

is also attending school in this city. The chil- dren have made exceptional records for punctu- ality and continued attendance as well as for scholarship, this being a matter of note among local educators.

WILLIAM B. MANNY, who is now filling the position of commercial agent with the Monon Railroad and makes his home in Michigan city, was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, on the 3d of August, 1862. He is one of the four children born to William C. and Mary ( Bloom) Manny. The ancestral history of this family can be traced back to William Manny, the great-grandfather, who came to America from Tyrone, county An- trim, Ireland. He was born in that country, but was of Scotch parentage. His wife's maiden name was Jane Kneer. Their son and the grand- father of William B. was Hugh Manny, who was a native of Middlebury, Vermont, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. By occupation he was a farmer. He wedded Miss Mary Mac.Neal, a daughter of John and Jane (McCaustland) Mac- Neal, and to them were born thirteen children. Both the grandparents lived to be about eighty- five years of age.

The maternal grandfather of Mr. Manny was Jacob Clinton Bloom, a native of Canada and of German lienage. He represented an old family of Hamilton, Ontario, his ancestors having come to Canada from Pennsylvania in 1796. On leav- ing the Dominion he removed to Chicago, where he began contracting in 1837, the year in which the city was incorporated. For a time he made his home in Waukegan, Illinois, but about 1870 became a resident of Michigan City, Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife bore the maiden name of Atossa Maria Porter, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and At- ossa (Nichols) Porter, early settlers in Wauke- gan, Illinois. Jeremiah Porter was a member of an old New England family and was a descendant of Israel Porter, the latter being a son of John Porter, who came from Dorset, England. to Massachusetts, in 1595. Israel Porter, who be- came the grandfather of General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary war fame, married Elizabeth Hawthorn, the daughter of Major William Haw- thorn, who was an ancestor of Nathaniel Haw- thorne. Jeremiah Porter's great-grandmother was Hannah Endicott, who was the great-grand- child of Governor John Endicott, of Massachu- setts, and she was also the great granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Skelton, the first minister of Salem, that state. Jacob C. and Atossa M. (Por-

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ter) Bloom became the parents of four children, and her death occurred in Michigan City when seventy-five years of age.

William C. Manny, the father of William B. Manny, was born in Middlebury, Vermont, and was joined in marriage to Miss Mary Bloom, a native of Illinois. They had four children, of whom three are now living: William B .; Hugh J., a resident of Tacoma, Washington ; and Frank A., of New York city. The father was a mer- chant of Michigan City, and after following that pursuit here for a number of years removed to the west in 1879.

William B. Manny was a lad of ten summers when he accompanied his parents on their re- movel to Michigan City, where he has since spent the greater part of his life. He entered the pub- lic schools here and is a graduate of the high school with the class of 1879. On putting aside his text books he became connected with railroad service as a clerk in the office of the Monon Rail- road Company. For five years he acted as cash- ier there, and for a similar period was traveling auditor, but during the past twelve years has been commercial agent for the road. In addi- tion to this he is the proprietor of the Milwau- kee Dock Coal Company, which does a large bus- iness in steam coals, a large part of which is used by vessels running into this port. He is also the proprietor of the Hoosier Slide Sand Com- pany, which has a large trade with the various manufacturing concerns throughout this state, particularly in the gas belt. Throughout his buiness career Mr. Manny has been connected with the Monon Railroad, and his long service is unmistakable evidence of his fidelity to duty and his capability in the line of the duties that have devolved upon him.

In June, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. Manny and Miss Olive K. Priest, a daughter of William and Cynthia (Green) Priest. There are two children born of that union, Norman P. and Carter H. In July, 1902, Mrs. Manny died, passing away at the age of forty-two and in the faith of the Congregational church, of which she was a consistent member. In November, 1903, Mr. Manny married Lula Moore Finley, a daugh- ter of Edwin and Harriet (Tibbets) Moore, of LaPorte, Indiana. The family home is located at the corner of Washington and Boston streets. In his political affiliations Mr. Manny is a Re- publican, and he is a valued member of Acme Lodge, No. 83, F. A. & M. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, his membership being with the Indianapolis Con-

sistory. He belongs to Washington Lodge No. 94, K. of P., and to the society of Ben Hur. Having spent almost his entire life in Michigan City he is well known here, and his career has been such as will bear close investigation and scrutiny. As a representative of the railroad com- pany he enjoys the unqualified confidence of those whom he serves, and in social life has gained the friendship of many because of a genial man- ner and cordial disposition.

PROFESSOR PAUL A. COWGILL is the superintendent of the city schools of Michigan City, and has now entered upon his third years' service, which has been most acceptable to the people of this place because of his practical work, and the skill and ability with which he has man- aged and forwarded the educational interests. He was born in Cassopolis, Michigan, on the 29th of August, 1872, and is the only son and child of Joel and Sarah (Adamson) Cowgill, both of whom were natives of Ohio. His pater- nal grandfather, John Cowgill, resided in Ohio for a number of years, and then removed to Michigan, locating in the town of Penn, where he conducted the only store in the place. . He also acted as postmaster there, and his death oc- curred in that village when he had reached an advanced age. He wedded a . Miss Harrison, and they became the parents of a large family. His father was a Revolutionary soldier. The maternal grandfather of Professor Cowgill re- sides near Brownsville, Cass county, Michigan, and was a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss Erwin, and they, too, had a large family.

Joel Cowgill was reared in Logan county, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years he re- sponded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in the Second Michigan Infantry as a private in defense of the Union cause. He served through- out the entire period of the Civil war, and was wounded at the battle of Bull Run. After the close of hostilities he returned to his home and was elected register of deeds in Cass county, Michigan, where he served for three terms. He then purchased the abstract books of Cass county and was engaged in business throughout his re- maining days. He died in 1900 at the age of fifty- seven years, and his wife, surviving him for only a few months, passed away at the age of fifty-six years. Both were members of the Society of Friends.

Professor Cowgill spent the first seventeen years of his life in Cassopolis, Michigan, and was graduated in the high school there with the class

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of June, 1890. He afterward went to Ypsilanti, able position, and in all life's relations is esteemed where he became a student in the State Normal because of his upright character and his fidelity to duty. College, spending three years there. In 1893 he was graduated, and at once entered upon his work as an educator, going to Newaygo as su- MRS. MARTHA STONER. The history of LaPorte county contains the life reviews of many worthy and successful men and women who were the bone and sinew of the commonwealth of the county. To such citizens as the subject of this memoir, Mrs. Stoner, a debt of gratitude is due for rapid strides in civilization and progress that northwest Indiana has made. The pioneer mother, who with her worthy progenitors, braved the adversities and disadvantageous conditions of a pioneer land, were the men and women of iron will and energy, to cause the virgin forest to blossom into beautifully cultivated estates. handsome residences, beautiful cities and towns, trunk lines of railroads and all the modern equip- ments and conveniences, which adorn the confines of LaPorte county. Mrs. Stoner is a lady whose beautiful and motherly character will ever be a guiding star to her children. She is the widow of Jacob Stoner, deceased. perintendent of the public schools at that place. There he continued for two years and was mar- ried there. After leaving that place he became a student in the Uinversity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in 1896 won his degree as Bachelor of Pedagogy, while in 1897 the same institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science in acknowledgment of the work which he had completed in the scientific department of the school. In 1898 he went to Lapeer, Michi- gan, as superintendent of schools, and continued in that city for four years, following which time he came to Michigan City and is now superin- tendent of the schools here. While residing in the state of Michigan, during the periods of va- cation he had charge of several state teachers' institutes, and he prepared a paper which was read before the National Superintendents' Asso- ciation, of which he was a member. In Michi- gan City he has under his direct supervision eight schools, in which in 1902 there were en- rolled twenty-four hundred and twenty-five pu- pils, and since that time this number has been quite largely increased. He is continually striv- ing to promote the efficiency of the schools through the introduction of practical methods that will fit the children for the responsible duties of life that come in later years.

On the 21st of June, 1894, Professor Cow- gill was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Simmons, a daughter of John and Amelia (Ben- nett) Simmons, and they now have three chil- dren: Lois, Gertrude and Eunice. The Pro- fessor is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife belongs to the Episcopal church. He is now serving as church treasurer and both take an active interest in the advancement of Christian work. Fraternally he is connected with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M .; Newaygo Chapter, R. A. M., of Newaygo, Michigan; Michigan City Council, R. & S. M .; and Michigan City Commandery No. 30, K. T., of which he is pre- late. In the council he is a past grand officer for the state of Michigan. He is now patron of the Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Cowgill is also a member, is past regent of the Royal Arcanum, is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan and the Modern Woodmen of America. In edu- cational circles he has already attained an envi-

Jacob Stoner, now deceased, is remembered by many citizens of LaPorte county as a reliable business man, active in his farming operations and worthy the regard of his fellow men as a suc- cessful business man. He resided on section 19. Wills township, where he had a good property. He was born on the 15th of April, 1832, and was a son of David and Margaret (Shelley) Stoner, who were pioneer settlers of LaPorte county. Throughout his entire life Jacob Stoner resided in this county and prospered in his undertakings, becoming the owner of a large amount of land. In fact, he was one of the most extensive land- holders of the county, and in his business af- fairs he carried forward to successful comple- tion whatever he undertook. As he found oppor- tunity he made judicious investments in real es- tate, and prosperity attended him in his business dealings.

Mr. Stoner was united in marriage to Miss Martha Harris, who was born in the city of La- Porte, March 20, 1841, a daughter of David and Julia (Russ) Harris, who were pioneer settlers of this locality. Mrs. Stoner is the only child born of her father's first marriage and her girl- hood days were spent in northwestern Indiana and since her marriage she has lived in the same locality. She has become the mother of the fol- lowing children: The eldest child is Isadore, who wedded D. B. Miller, a resident of Wills township. Andrew wedded Miss Jennie L. Rog-

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ers, and they have two daughters-Flossie May, in sixth grade of the schools and bright in her studies, and Laura Belle. Albert, resident of Kankakee township, wedded Miss Alvira Car- penter, and they have four daughters-Lillie, Rosa, Vera and Aletha. Ellsworth, a resident of Wills township, married Miss Aretta Hostatler and has one daughter, Edna. David, a resident of Wills township, wedded Miss Clara Whit- comb, and they have two sons-Marvin and Floyd. Etta married Sylvester Dudley, a resident of Hudson township, and they have one son, Walter. Vernon is at home with his mother on the old homestead. Katie wedded John Hunt, residing in Lincoln township, and they have two children, Paul and Neva. There were four of the Stoner children who died in infancy. All were born and reared in LaPorte county.

Mr. Stoner was at one time a member of the Baptist church and was a life-long Repub- lican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and thus giving an earnest support to the party of his choice. As a citi- zen of means he was active in developing his township, and he took an interested part in every thing pertaining to the progress of the county. He died March 19, 1903, and was laid to rest in the Baptist cemetery and in the Stoner family burying round. In his business affairs he pros- pered and became the owner of a very desirable farm so that he left his family in comfortable circumstances. His widow, who is now sixty-two years of age, has spent her entire life in LaPorte county, and she owns the farm upon which she is living, comprising five hundred and twenty-six acres of very valuable land now being alloted to the children. The residence stands on section 19. She also owns other farm property in the county and is thus enabled to enjoy the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Mrs. Stoner resides on the old homestead, where she is surrounded by her many friends and her dear children, who look up yet to mother for kind counsel and advice. She is a lady who is endowed with that true motherly love and care for her children, although they are well located in life and command the respect of all who know the name Stoner. Mrs. Stoner has so lived be- fore God and man that no blot has ever rested on her fair name, and this beautiful heritage she can hand down to her living children so that in the years to come, when mother has passed away, they may cherish and hold sacred this bequest.

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 127

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