A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 128

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

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Already the sun is fast setting below the west- ern horizon of Mother Stoner's life, the golden

sheaves are being garnered of her life's labors, and in the future, children and grandchildren will peruse these lines, and they will rise up, with love and admiration, and call mother's name-blessed.

HENRY ROBERTSON BISHOP, a loco- motive engineer residing at 618 Wabash street in Michigan City, is a native son of LaPorte county, born on the 5th of February, 1838. His parents were Elijah and Ruth (Jones) Bishop, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of North Carolina. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Benjamin Bishop, who was probably born in Ireland, but lived for some years in Wales. At length he left that little rock- ribbed country, and, crossing the Atlantic to the new world prior to Revolutionary war, became prominent in public affairs. He was a sailor at that time, and when the colonists became in- volved with England in a war to establish their rights, he joined the army and fought for the independence of the nation. He afterward learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a number of years, and then engaged in farm- ing. He lived in Preble county, Ohio, for a time, and then removed to Indiana, establishing his home among the pioneer settlers of Wayne coun- ty, where he died more than one hundred years ago. His wife's given name was Mary.

Their son, Elijah Bishop, devoted his entire life to farming. He came to Indiana in the year 1833, and located in Kankakee township, LaPorte county, near the city of LaPorte, where he took up government land. After devoting several years to the development of a farm there he sold his property, and bought another tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Galena township. At once he began the tilling of the soil there, and made his home upon that property throughout his remaining days. He wedded Ruth Jones, a daughter of Micaga and Sarah (John- son) Jones. Her father was born in Wales, and on crossing the Atlantic to the United States settled in North Carolina, but after a few years removed to Wayne county, Indiana. He was a shoemaker by trade, and in connection with work in that line he also owned and operated a farm. His death occurred in Huntington, In- diana, when he was eighty-five years of age. His family numbered ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Bishop were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom four are now liv- ing : Esther J., who resides at Rolling Prairie ; Henry R .; Harrison, of this county ; and Eliza E., the wife of Benjamin Finley. The father de-

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parted this life in 1891, when between eighty and eighty-five years of age, and his wife died in 1890, having passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey. Both were members of the Society of Friends.

Henry R. Bishop was reared in LaPorte coun- ty, and has spent his entire life here with the ex- ception of two years passed in Michigan. He attended the district schools and remained upon the home farm until eighteen years of age, as- sisting in the work of field and meadow. He then went to Michigan City, where he secured employ- ment in the machine shops of the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad Company, and a year or so later he went upon the road as fireman. In 1863 he became a locomotive engineer, and has followed that pusuit continuously since, covering a period of forty years, during the greater part of which time he has been a passenger engineer. He real- izes fully the responsibility which rests upon him in this connection and is most careful and reliable. No higher testimonial of his service could be given than the fact that he has been so long re- tained in the employ of one company.

On the 21st of March, 1865, Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Desta Smith, a daugh- ter of Reuben and Sarah (Van Vleet) Smith. Her paternal grandfather was John Smith, a native of New York, who on leaving the Empire state established his home in New Buffalo, Michigan. There he died at an advanced age. His family numbered nine children. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Bishop was William Van Vleet, who spent his entire life in New York city, as did his wife. Their children, however, came to the west and settled in Niles, Michigan, where all but two died and were buried. The other two have since passed away, one in California and one in Kansas. Reuben Smith, the father of Mrs. Bishop, was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, New York, and his wife was a native of Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Bishop was their only child. By trade Mr. Smith was a shoemaker and followed that pusuit for a number of years, but later in life carried on agricutural pursuits. Emigrating westward he settled in New Buffalo, Michigan, some time in the forties, and died there September I. 1888, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away January 10. 1850, at the early age of twenty-seven years. He was a Univer- salist in religious faith, while she belonged to the Methodist church.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop has been blessed with five children: Eva, who died in 1868, at the age of eighteen months; Edith, the

wife of William Pinn, of Michigan City, by whom she has two children, Desta and Edith; Charles, who died at the age of three and a half years; Marion, who died when thirteen years of age; and one that died in infancy. Mr. Bishop is an advocate of the faith of the Society of Friends, and his wife is an earnest Methodist. Both are consistent Christian people, whose lives are permeated by upright principles. Frater- nally he is connected with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M .; Michigan City Chapter No. 25, R. A. M .; and Michigan City Commandery No. 30, K. T. He also belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and is one of its oldest living members. His right of franchise is exer- cised in support of the Republican party, but he has neither time nor inclination tor public office, his attention being given in undivided man- ner to the duties of the position which he has so long actively, capably and honorably filled.

HARRY M. MILES, city engineer of Michi- gan City and one of the well-known younger business men of the city, is a native son of Mich- igan City and has lived here all his life. He is largely a self-made man, having acquired his profession through his own efforts, and he has made a very creditable record in every line of ac- tivity in which he has engaged. Musical talent had also added much to his personal enjoyment as it has also added to his usefulness as a mem- ber of society, for he has been one of the moving spirits in the musicial organizations of the city. He is a man of such character that the business and social world can rely upon his early efforts and ideals coming to fruition and his filling a prominent part in every relation of life.

Mr. Miles is one of four children born to George W. and Mary A. (Alexander) Miles, but his brother William, of Great Falls, Montana, is the only other one living besides himself. His father was a native of New York state, and also the son of a New Yorker, the latter being a mu- sician, whose talent was probably inherited by his grandson. Grandfather Miles, who died in middle life, married Lucia Cushman, and they had a large family.

George W. Miles was a wagon-maker, and some time in the fifties came west to Niles, Mich- igan, and thence to Michigan City, where he was in the hub and wagon manufacturing business for many years. He was a councilman of the city for a number of terms, and prominent in public and business affairs. He and his wife were both Congregationalists in religion. He

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died in 1879, aged sixty-three years, but his wife still survives and resides with her son Harry. Mrs. Miles is a native of Pennsylvania, and is one of her father's five children by two marriages. Her father was also a native of the Keystone state, and lived to an advanced age.

Harry M. Miles, was born in Michigan City, March 25, 1862, and gained his education in the graded and high school. He then learned cabi- net-making, and for about fifteen years worked at that trade for the Hitchcock Chair Company. While thus employed he took up civil engineer- ing, and by home study, self-culture, and the as- sistance of a correspondence school perfected himself in this profession. In January, 1899, the common council of the city recognized his ability by appointing him city engineer, where he has since done work that reflects the highest credit on his professional skill and good judgment. Mr. Miles began studying music when a small boy, and is an especially gifted clarinet player, besides having talent and tact in conducting a band. He was leader of the Ames Union Band and its predecessor for ten years, and he is still a member of the organization.

January 8, 1882, Mr. Miles was married to Miss Florence M. Gibson, a daughter of Charles C. and Henrietta (Combs) Gibson. Three chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miles, Beulah, Russell, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Miles affiliates with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. He built his comfortable home at 119 East Ninth street in 1886, and he also owns a forty-acre tract of land near the State Prison and seven acres bordering the south line of the city limits.

CHARLES L. FETHKE has from small be- ginnings developed a very profitable and extensive business in Michigan City, that of the manufac- ture of cigars, which he sells to the wholesale trade, and the gratifying results which have at- tended his efforts indicate that his methods have been very effective in meeting competition and winning patronage. He was born in Prussia, Ger- many, February 6, 1856, and is a son of Ludwig and Minnie (Will) Fethke, who were also born in Germany. His paternal grandfather engaged in the operation of a flour mill in that country, and there he died at a ripe old age. His son, Ludwig Fethke, was a cabinet maker, and, hop- ing to better his financial condition in the new world, he sailed for America in 1865, and con- tinued to work at his chosen vocation in Michi- gan City to the time of his demise, in 1898. when

he was sixty-eight years of age. His wife died in 1900, at the age of seventy-eight years, and like her husband she was a member of the Luth- eran church. They had two children, but Her- man, the elder, is now deceased.

Charles L. Fethke spent the first few years of . his life in the fatherland, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to the new world, since which time he has lived in Michigan City, and here he continued his education, which had been begun in the public schools of his native country. When a young man he learned the trade of cigar-making, and followed it for some years in the employ of others. In 1874 he began business on his own account on a small scale, and as the years have passed he has increased his facilities to meet the growing demands of his trade, which is now large and profitable. He now employs an average of twenty-five hands through- out the year, and he has a retail store on Frank- lin street in addition to his factory on Michigan street, from which he ships direct to the whole- sale trade. He manufactures several good brands of cigars, and is now reaping a good reward for his continued effort. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank.

On the 14th of July, 1874, Mr. Fethke was married to Miss Adelia Freyer, a daughter of Ferdinand Freyer, and they have had three chil- dren : Herman, who is a partner in his father's business ; Louis, who died at the age of five years ; and Ida, who died at the age of eighteen months. The mother, who was a member of the Lutheran church, died in 1901. On the 28th of February, 1902, Mr. Fethke married Mrs. Elizabeth Bid- well, the widow of Samuel Bidwell and a daugh- ter of Washington Edie. Mr. Fethke is a mem- ber of the Elks fraternity, and he votes with the Republican party. His residence at the corner of Pine and Michigan streets was erected in 1891, and is a visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift, his capable management and laudable ambition.

FRANK M. BOECKLING, a well known florist of Michigan City and one of the native sons of the town, was born January 28, 1862, his par- ents being John and Hannah (Smith) Boeckling, natives of German. His father was a son of Peter Boeckling. who was born in that country, where he spent his entire life, passing away at the age of eighty-two years. He was twice married and had a large family. Mrs. John Boeckling was a daughter of John Smith, who was born in Ger- many and came to America in 1860, locating in

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Michigan City, where he lived until his death. He was a tailor by trade and died at the age of seventy-seven years. He married a Miss Hilde- brandt, and among their children was a Adolph, who served in the war of the Rebellion and died a victim of yellow fever, contracted while in the army.

John Boeckling became a painter by trade. He spent his boyhood and youth in his native country, and in the year 1851 came to the United States, establishing his home in Michigan City, Indiana. His marriage occurred in LaPorte in 1855. Here he followed his trade until 1877, when he turned his attention to the grocery busi- ness, and conducted his store with good success until his death, which occurred October 9, 1893, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. She still survives him and is yet a resident of Michigan City. Of the two sons and four daughters born to them, only two are now living : Emma, the wife of William A. Bray ; and Frank M.

The latter has always lived in Michigan City and is, therefore, well known to the majority of residents here. He attended the public schools until fifteen years of age, when he began clerking in a grocry store, and for a quarter of a century was connected with the grocery trade, being a partner of his father until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the business and continued in the store until August, 1902. He then sold out and has since engaged in business as a florist, having begun that pursuit before he disposed of his grocery store.

On the 21st of June, 1899, Mr. Boeckling was united in marriage to Miss Linnie E. Dutton, a daughter of David S. and Mantha (Ingersoll) Dutton, of Buchanan, Michigan. They have one son, John Dutton. The parents are mem- bers of the Episcopal church, take an active part in its work, and Mr. Boeckling is serving as a vestryman. Fraternally he is connected with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M .; Washington Lodge No. 94, K. P .; and the Royal Arcanum. His political allegiance is given to the Demo- cracy. Mr. Boeckling represents the Creditors Commercial Report in Michigan City, which em- braces a plan for protecting the retail merchants, and of this plan he is the originator. He is a manufacturer and sole owner of the "Gem Sinker" for fishing, which is claimed to be su- perior to any other. He is also the father of the stone-roads movement for the building of stone roads through the county, in connection with H.

O. Weller, who circulated the first petition to call for an election to consider the proposed road building. Taking an active interest in everything pertaining to public progress and improvement, his efforts have been helpful along such lines. In business, too, he has made steady advancement, pursuing his work undeterred by obstacles and difficulties, and achieving a prosperity of which he has reason to be proud because of the hon- orable methods which form its basic element.

HON. GEORGE W. ROGERS. It augurs well for LaPorte county, its opportunities and ad- vantages, that so many of her native sons have remained residents of this part of the state, and among these is numbered George W. Rogers, who is to-day one of the most prominent and influential men of his community. He was born on the 10th of May, 1844, on the farm in Scipio township where he now lives, and throughout life he has been actively identified with interests of this locality.

His father, Aquilla W. Rogers, was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, January 26, 1798, and made farming his principal occupation throughout life. During his infancy he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where he resided until thirteen years of age. During the war of 1812 the family removed to Jackson county, Indiana, and three years later to Clark county, this state, where he took a con- tract to carry the mail on horseback, it requir- ing from ten to fourteen days to make one trip, the route was a long one and there were only bridle paths to follow, no roads having been laid out. In 1826 he removed to Monroe county, and eight years later came to LaPorte county, lo- cating on the farm where G. W. Rogers lives. Here he continued to engage in agricultural pur- suits until called to his final rest, on the 26th of January, 1872.

On the 29th of May, 1821, Aquilla W. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Arnold, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, January II, 1803, and died February 26, 1864. They had eleven children, of whom Mr. Rogers is the tenth in order of birth and now the only survivor. The others were as follows: Napoleon B., born April 9, 1822, died July 4, 1837 ; Henry, born February 18, 1824, died March 16, 1824; Ephraim Arnold, born April 16, 1825, died in March, 1900; Benjamin F., born November 18, 1827, died October 19, 1849; Mary E., born January 25, 1830, died October 19, 1875: John W., born December 19, 1832, died August 25.

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1852; Andrew J., born March 13, 1835, died December 19, 1884; Elizabeth C., born Decem- ber 17, 1837, died October 12, 1839; Sarah A., born December 18, 1840, died June 18, 1877; and Indiana C., born August 4, 1847, died De- cember 1, 1881.

During his boyhood and youth George W. Rogers attended the district schools of his na- tive township, and completed his education in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. He never left the parental roof, and now owns and operates the old home farm, which is a very de- sirable place, well improved and under excellent cultivation. He is a practical and systematic farmer and is meeting with good success in his place.

On the 26th of January, 1870, at the old homestead, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rogers and Miss Louisa B. White, who was born on her father's farm on section 21, Scipio township, March 30, 1850. Her parents are Robert and Mary Ann (Traverse) White, who were married in Scipio township, August 23, 1836, and are to-day the oldest couple who were married in this county. Her father was born June 28, 1817, in Ohio county, Indiana, and her mother's birth occurred in Washington, D. C., November 13, 1815. They are earnest, consistent Christian people and are held in the highest re- gard by all who know them. Their children are William, born August 11, 1837; Margaret, born April 12, 1839; Elizabeth, born June 11, 1841 ; Sarah, born November 27, 1843; George, who was born in 1847, and died in infancy; Louisa B., wife of Mr. Rogers; Ella, who was born February 26, 1856, and died in 1875; and Peter, who died in infancy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were born seven children; Ralph, who was born February 17, 1872, died August 8, 1872; Ella, who was born June 15, 1873, died May 27, 1886; Nannie, who was born February 25, 1875, died at the age of fourteen months; a twin of Nannie, who died in infancy; Grace, who was born January 8, 1878, and died November 1, 1887; Indiana, who was born September 2, 1882, and died March 28, 1896; and Andrew Jackson, who was born September 26, 1885, and died September II, 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers hold membership in the Methodist church at Door Village, and are among the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of their community. Since attaining his majority Mr. Rogers has affiliated with the Democratic party, and his fellow citizens, re-

cognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to fill several official positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he has most capably and conscientiously discharged. For six years he served as county commissioner, and in 1896 was elected to the state senate. He has been president one year, and secretary of the Old Set- tlers' Association at different times. It is seldom the case that a couple of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, age have been born and reared and have lived in one township and never changed their place of abode.

EDWIN J. BOWER. In this enlightened age when men of industry and perseverance are steadily pushing their way to the front, advance- ment is not easily secured save through merit and capability. This is especially true in the legal profession, where wealth and influence avail little or naught, but where progress is made by a thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence and through accurate application to the points in litigation. An as attorney Mr. Bower has gained a good clientage, which is an indication of his ability. He was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, December 27, 1861, his parents being Benjamin B. and Ellen L. (Henry) Bower, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the lat- ter of Ohio.

His father was a merchant in Millersburg, Ohio, for a number of years, and afterward re- moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he en- gaged in farming for a number of years and then removed to Noble county, Indiana, where he carried on farming until a short time prior to his death, when he returned to DeKalb county. To him and his wife were born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom eight are now living, as follows : James B., of Fairfield Center, Indiana; Henry C., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Chalmers L., a farmer near Kendall- ville, Indiana; Francis B., also a farmer near Kendallville; Alonzo B., of DeKalb county, In- diana; Edwin J .; Rebecca J., the widow of Dr. Mercer, of Montpelier, Ohio; and Wilhelmina, the widow of John Bair, of Fairfield Center, In- diana. The father passed away in 1900, at the age of eighty-nine years, and the mother died in 1902, at the age of eighty-one years. They were consistent Christian people, holding merbership in the Presbyterian church.

Upon the home farm in DeKalb county. In- diana, Edwin J. Bower spent his boyhood days, and was early trained to habits of industry, econ- omy and integrity. He assisted in the operation

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of the home farm when not attending school. His early education was acquired in the district schools, and later he attended the public schools of Noble county, Indiana. On the completion of his literary course he took up the study of law in Anderson, Indiana, and later was a law stu- dent at Bluffton, Indiana. In 1896 he was ad- mitted to the bar at LaPorte, and opened an office in Wanatah, where he continued in prac- tice for two years, after which he came to Mich- igan City, where he has now been located for five years and has obtained a good clientage.

On the 14th of February, 1888, Mr. Bower was married to Miss Julia L. Hall, a daughter of Edward J. and Atlanta Hall, of Noble county, Indiana. The family reside at 116 Cedar street. Mr. Bowers belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 94, K. P. and in politics is an earnest advocate of Republican principles. For one term he served as city commissioner of Michigan City. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are favorably known here. He en- tered upon his professional career well equipped for the duties of the calling, and his ambition supplementing his careful preparation has en- abled him to steadily advance until he is now one of the successful practitioners in Michigan City.

EDWARD J. CHURCH, D. D. S. The an- cestry of the Church family, both lineal and collateral, has been distinctively American through many generations. The founder of the family in this country came from England in 1636 and settled in Connecticut. Captain Church was prominent in King Philip's war, and another representative of the name was a participant in the capture of Louisburg from the French. Israel Merwin, an uncle of Dr. Church's paternal grandmother, was an ensign in the Continental army during the Revolution, and was killed at the battle of Hubbardton, July, 7, 1777, aged twenty-eight years.

Edwin Church, the father of Dr. Edward J. Church, was a native of Connecticut, and when a young man, at the solicitation of an uncle who had moved to Canada after the war of 1812, he went to Prescott, Canada, and became a clerk in his uncle's store. He later bought out the business and conducted it for a number of years. He removed from Canada to Ypsilanti, Michi- gan, and some years later lived in Mishawaka, Indiana, and in Fulton, Illinois. He was one of the first daguerreotypists in the United States,

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 128

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