A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 136

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 136

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HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

for fifteen years, and is an exemplary member of the fraternity. His admiration for its teach- ings is manifested by his exemplification of the principles of the craft in his daily life. Politi- cally, he is a Republican, and for four years served as a member of the city council, while for five years he was police commissioner. He owns a fine home at 219 West Sixth street and two store buildings in Franklin street. He has reached the Psalmist's span of threescore years and ten, and he can look back without regret over a life that has ever been useful, active and honorable. He made no mistake in chosing America as a place of residence, for here he found the business opportunities he sought and gained the advancement which comes in recog- nition of true merit and capability.

FRANK M. HOBART, a dealer in cigars, tobacco and smokers' articles in Michigan City, was born here on the 16th of January, 1865. The family is of French lineage, and his paternal grandfather, Christopher Hobart, was a native of France. Becoming the founder of the family in the new world, he settled in Detroit, Michigan, where he died at the very old age of ninety- five years. His son, Francis Hobart, the father of Frank M. Hobart, was likewise born in France, and when about three years of age was brought by his parents to America. He was then reared in Detroit, Michigan, and in early life learned the shoemaker's trade. He remained a resident of Detroit until twenty-five years of age, when he came to Michigan City, arriving about 1855. Here he worked at his trade and also conducted a shoe store, being for a time in partnership with Addison Phillips. In business circles he became a well known and respected factor, and contin- ued as an active representative of commercial and industrial interests here until 1877, when he passed away at the age of forty-seven years. He had wedded Miss Elizabeth Seeger, a native of Germany, who still survives him. She is a mem- ber of the German Lutheran church.

Mr. Francis Hobart was reared in the Catho- lic faith, but left that church and united with no other denomination, but became a prominent Odd Fellow, and his life exemplified the bene- ficient and helpful spirit of that fraternity. At the time of the Civil war he served his country for three years as a member of the Twelfth In- diana Cavalry. He acted as harness-maker in the army. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy. To Mr. and Mrs. Francis Ho- bart were born six children, two sons and four

daughters, of whom two are living: Mary, the wife of Fred Dennison; and Frank M. The father of Mrs. Francis Hobart was Jacob Seeger, who was born in the province of Wurtemberg, Germany, and in early life learned the butcher s trade. About 1850 he crossed the briny deep to the land of the free and located in Michigan City, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1873, when well ad- vanced in years. His wife, Mrs. Mary Seeger, also lived to a good old age and died about ten minutes after the death of her husband. They had a family of thirteen children. Mr. Seeger at the time of the war of the rebellion joined the northern army in defense of the Union cause.

Frank M. Hobart was reared in Michigan City and attended the public schools. When his education was completed and his text books were put aside he began learning the machinist's trade, which he followed for seventeen consecutive years. In 1889 he accepted the position of a fire- man on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail- road and was there employed for three years. During that time he lost his left leg through necrosis of the bone. After his recovery he engaged in business on his own account, open- ing a cigar store and poolroom, which he has conducted for the past eight years.

On the 21st of September, 1891, Mr. Hobart was married to Miss Mary Felton, a daughter of John and Dorothy (Arndt) Felton. Four chil- dren have been born to them: Katie, Esther, Elmer and Ruth. The family home is at 303 West Market street. Mr. Hobart holds mem- bership relations with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, while politically, he is an earnest Republi- can.

JAMES POWELL, who for many years has filled the office of postmaster at Rolling Prairie and is also engaged in general merchandising at that place, was born in Springville, Erie county, New York, on the 22d of March, 1833. His father, Joseph Powell, was a native of the same state, born at Port Edward in 1801, and was a son of Joseph Powell, Sr., who was also born in New York. It is supposed that the great- grandfather came to this country from Ireland. In the state of his nativity the father of Mr. Powell grew to manhood and married Miss Anna Osgood, who was born at Port Ann, New York. In 1839 they removed to Jackson county, Mich- igan, where he followed farming until called to his final rest, when in his eighty-seventh year.

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He was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as trustee, and his wife also held membership in that church. She died when about seventy- three years of age. This worthy couple had seven children, all born in New York. One of the number died at the age of thirteen years, but the others reached years of maturity.

James Powell is the fifth child and third son in this family. He was only six years old when he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Michigan, and in the district schools of that state he acquired his education. When not in school he assisted in the work of the home farm and remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he commenced work- ing by the month, doing anything which he could find to do.

In 1856 Mr. Powell first came to LaPorte, Indiana, and was in the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad for about three months, after which he was night watchman for the same railroad for a year and a half, and for the following two years bought grain for various firms. About this time he was married, in 1860, to Miss Delilah B. Pro- volt, who was born in Kankakee township, La- Porte county, a daughter of Ezekiel and Eliza Ann (Ireland) Provolt, early settlers of this locality. After his marriage Mr. Powell re- turned to Michigan, but in 1861 again came to LaPorte county, and this time settled at Roll- ing Prairie. He was appointed postmaster here during President Lincoln's first administration, and served for four years, after which he re- turned to Michigan. One year later we again find him in Rolling Prairie, where he engaged as a laborer until 1869. The following six years were spent in Michigan, and during four years of that time he served as postmaster of Francisco. In 1875 he returned to Rolling

Prairie and bought property, making his home here uninterruptedly ever since. He embarked in general merchandising at that time, and has since carried on business with good success. On the Ist of July, 1875, he was again appointed postmaster, and held the office until 1885; was reappointed in 1897 during the Mckinley ad- ministration and is still the incumbent. It is needless to say that his official duties have al- ways been most promptly and satisfactorily dis- charged, as his long retention in the office plainly indicates that fact. He has filled the position for twenty-four years, and the people of the town have never yet had occasion to regret their choice.

To Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born four chil- dren, as follows: Effie, now the wife of E. E. Reese, a hardware merchant of Rolling Prairie ; Anna, wife of F. L. Strutz, of Chicago; George, who married Ethel Maunder and resides in Niles, Michigan; and Grace, at home with her parents.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Powell has affiliated with the Republican party, supporting Fremont for the presidency in 1856 and Lincoln in 1860. He is one of the leading members of the Christian church of Rolling Prairie, with which he has been connected for a quarter of a century, and during that time he has never missed but three regular church services. His upright, honorable life has gained for him the confidence and respect of all, and it is safe to say that no man in the community is held in higher regard than James Powell.

HIRAM P. BARNES is the owner of a unique business which has taken an important place in the line of productive industries and has become a very profitable venture. He is a scenic artist, and has in LaPorte a studio in which he paints scenic backgrounds for photog- raphers. Alert, enterprising and progressive, he is recognized as one of the leading business men of LaPorte, and is meeting with well merited success.

Mr. Barnes was born in Union township, La- Porte county, in 1862, a son of S. D. and Susan (Joslin) Barnes. His father was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1816, and came to this county in the early forties, during the formative period in the county's history, when this section of the state was just emerging from frontier conditions. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, but on coming to LaPorte county he pur- chased a tract of land and devoted his remain- ing days to farming, save that at the time of the Civil war he served for two years as a car- penter in the quartermaster's department. He died in 1877, and his widow, who was born in Oneida county, New York, near Syracuse, is now making her home with her son Hiram.

In taking up the personal history of Hiram P. Barnes we present to our readers the life record of one widely and favorably known in LaPorte county. He was reared upon the home farm in Union township, remaining there until his father's death. In April, 1879, he came to LaPorte, where he has resided continuously since. Here he entered the employ of J. W. Bryant, the owner of a papier-mache factory,

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manufacturing photographic supplies. Later Mr. Bryant entered a new field of business, the painting of scenic backgrounds for photograph- ers, and with him Mr. Barnes thoroughly learned the art, his natural talent in that line making his progress more rapid. In 1895, in partner- ship with E. G. Wair, Mr. Barnes bought out his employer's business, and the firm of Wair & Barnes was formed. This partnership continued until December, 1900, when Mr. Barnes pur- chased his partner's interest, and since that time has conducted the business alone, with ever in- creasing success. He has a well equipped studio, and among photographers and artists every- where his work, which is done in both water colors and oils, takes highest rank, being con- sidered second to none. For this reason his trade has become world-wide. He has recently made shipments of scenic backgrounds to pho- tographers in England, Denmark, Australia, the Strait settlements and Nicaragua, and he has a very extensive domestic patronage, shipping to all sections of this country.

The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Barnes was in her maidenhood Miss Adele Thompson. She was born in this county, a daughter of Joseph Thompson. They have one son, Lynn LaMotte Barnes. Both Mr. Barnes and his wife have a large circle of friends in this county, and the hospitality of the best homes in extended to them. Fraternally, he is connected with the Elks and the Maccabees, and he also has mem- bership relations with the Tribe of Ben Hur. Genial and cordial in manner, his deference for the opinions of others and his loyalty to his own honest convictions are qualities which have gained for him friendship and favor in both business and social circles.

A. G. TILLOTSON, M. D. The world in- stinctively pays deference to the man whose suc- cess is worthily achieved and whose prominence is not the less the result of high professional skill than of an irreproachable private life. Dr. Tillotson stands to-day as one of the leading residents of Michigan City and ranks second to none in the medical fraternity, his skill and abili- ty having long since gained for him a distin- guished position as a medical practitioner of northern Indiana.

He was born at Crown Point, Lake county, on the 15th of April, 1847, and is a son of James and Melissa (Hall) Tillotson, who were natives of New York. The ancestral history of the fam- ily is traced back to Bishop Tillotson, of the

Canterbury cathedral, one of the most distin- guished divines ever connected with the Church of England. In colonial days the family was founded in America, and the paternal grand- father of the Doctor was born in the Empire state. The maternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania and became a carpenter by trade. Removing westward he located in Mer- rillville, Lake county, Indiana, being one of its pioneer settlers.

James Tillotson, the father of Dr. Tillotson, engaged in agricultural pursuits in early life and subsequently conducted a hotel at Crown Point. He had come to Indiana about 1845 and located near Crown Point, and in or near that city he spent his remaining days. He died about 1869, · when fifty-two years of age, and his wife de- parted this life about 1865, when fifty years of age. She was an earnest Christian woman and held membership in the Methodist church. To them were born two children, both of whom have become physicians, the younger son being Dr. Homer J. Tillotson, of Chicago.

Dr. A. G. Tillotson was reared in Lake county and pursued his early education in the country schools, while later he continued his studies in Crown Point, and was graduated on the comple- tion of the high school course, about 1864. He afterward engaged in teaching school in differ- ent parts of Lake county for several terms, and as an instructor he was very capable. To fit himself for the successful conduct of business interests he attended Bryant & Stratton's Com- mercial College, of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1865, and having de- termined to make the practice of medicine his life work he matriculated in Bennett's Medical Col- lege, of the same city, from which he was gradu- ated in 1870, being the first person to receive a diploma from that institution.

Dr. Tillotson entered upon his professional career as a practitioner in Toleston, Indiana, where he remained for two years or more, and then came to Michigan City, where he has since remained. He has been connected with the med- ical profession here for a longer period than any other practitioner of Michigan City, and easily maintains a foremost place in the ranks of the fraternity, for his efforts have been attended by excellent results, and he has kept fully abreast with the progress of the times, his reading and investigation, as well as his broad experience. adding continually to his knowledge. He is now the senior member of the firm of Tillotson & Blinks, who are conducting a splendidly equipped

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hospital here. They opened this in 1898, and it has since been necessary to enlarge it in order to accommodate the patients who come not only from the city but also from long distances. The building is commodious, light and airy, and is surrounded by beautiful grounds, the well kept lawn, flowers, shrubs and trees giving the ap- pearance of a beautiful home rather than a hos- pital. The institution is provided with private rooms for patients, as well as the men's and women's wards, diet kitchen and nurses' apart- ments. The entire building is lighted by gas and electricity and heated by warm air. There is an emergency ward for the treatment of cases demanding immediate attention, and in addition to the operating room there is an electrical de- partment for the treatment of diseases by gal- vanic, faradic and statical electricity. All the latest electrical appliances, including X-ray gen- erator, are to be found here, and the hospital has been accorded a most liberal patronage.

On the 9th of June, 1871, Dr. Tillotson was married to Miss Frances Amelia Combs, a daugh- ter of David and Eliza (Scribner) Combs. One child was born to them, Florence, now the wife of Dr. E. G. Blinks, of Michigan City, and they have two sons, Harold T. and Edward T. Mrs. Frances A. Tillotson died on the 23d of October, 1898, at the age of fifty-eight years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and a lady whose many excellent traits of heart and mind endeared her to a large circle of friends. On the 18th of June, 1901, the Doctor was married to Mrs. Celia A. Mannheimer, the widow of Sig- mund Mannheimer and a daughter of Andrew and Rose (McDonald) McLaughlin.

Dr. Tillotson belongs to the Presbyterian church, his wife to the Methodist church. He belongs to Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M .; Michigan City Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M .; Mich- igan City Council, No. 56, R. & S. M .; Michigan City Commandery, No. 30, K. T .; and Lake Michigan Chapter No. 98, O. E. S. All this indicates his close connection with Masonry in its various branches, and to the teachings and tenets of the craft he is most loyal. In 1902 he was elected most excellent grand high priest of the most excellent grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Indiana, which office he most acceptably filled until October, 1903. He has been honored with the highest offices in these various bodies at different times; and he also belongs to Indiana Consistory, S. P. R. S., and to Murat Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Politically he is a Democrat and has served as coroner of

the county. He was also a member of the city council, has been president of the school board and was its secretary for one term, the cause of education finding in him a warm and helpful friend. In the line of his profession he is con- nected with the Michigan City Medical Associ- ation, of which he was the president from its or- ganization until July, 1903. Aside from his practice he has some business interests, being the second vice president of the Indiana Transporta- tion Company and the owner of some good city property. He has a fine home of his own at the corner of Sixth and Washington streets, which he built in 1892. Honored and respected by all, he occupies a most enviable position in profes- soinal, business and social circles.

WILLIAM H. HECKER, who was formerly identified with educational work, but is now liv- ing a retired life at Rolling Prairie, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1839. His father, Jesse Hecker, was born in Northamp- ton county, Pennsylvania, and was reared and married there. In 1852 he came to LaPorte county, locating in Kankakee township, upon a farm. There he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and spent his last days in Rolling Prairie in retirement from business cares. He lived to be seventy-two years of age. His father, John Hecker, was also born in Pennsylvania and was a carpenter by trade. Emigrating to the west, he established his home in Kankakee town- ship, LaPorte county, where he died about 1865. The mother of William H. Hecker bore the maiden name of Abigail George, and she, too, was born in the Keystone state, and was of Ger- man lineage. Her death occurred in LaPorte county when she was about seventy-three years of age. By her marriage she became the mother of three children, a daughter and two sons: Sarah A., who resides at Rolling Prairie ; Frank- lin J., a resident of South Bend; and William H.

The last named was a youth of twelve years when he came with his parents to Indiana, and his early education, which had been acquired in the common schools of Pennsylvania, was sup- plemented by study in the district schools of Kankakee township. His father received as- sistance from him in the work of the home farm until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when, in September, 1861, he offered his ser- vices in the defense of the Union and joined Company G of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry. He served as the company bugler for about three years, and in 1864 he re-enlisted in the same

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command and was promoted to the rank of first sergeant. His regiment was attached to the Wetesrn Army and he received an honorable dis- charge in November, 1865. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and in many minor engagements, and throughout the four years of his connection with the army was never absent from any battle in which his command participated nor did he receive a single wound in all that time.

When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Hecker returned to his home in LaPorte county, and soon afterward became a student in Hillsdale College at Hillsdale, Michigan. He then engaged in teaching school, which profes- sion he followed until 1885, covering a period of nineteen consecutive years. He was principal of the school at Walkerton for one year, at Un- ion Mills for one year and for five years was principal of the high school of Rolling Prairie. He was a most capable educator, imparting clearly and concisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired and under his direction the schools of which he had charge made rapid and satisfactory advance. Since putting aside his work in the schoolroom he has given his time to the supervision of his business and invested in- terests, and he makes his home at Rolling Prairie.

Mr. Hecker has been twice married. In 1867 he wedded Miss Olive Goit, who traveled life's journey with him for about eighteen years, pass- ing away in 1885. For his second wife he wedded Miss Alzora Shead. They have a pleas- ant and attractive home in Rolling Prairie and enjoy the hospitality of all the homes of the com- munity. In addition to his property there he owns land to the amount of three hundred and forty-five acres in Galena and Kankakee town- ships, which he rents. In 1891 he built his pres- ent residence, and is now enjoying a well merited rest. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Hathaway Post No. 110, G. A. R., of which he is now the commander. He has taken a very active part in the work of the post, and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity at Rolling Prairie. A stanch Republican through many years, he has served as township trustee for several years, and in mat- ters of citizenship is loyal and progressive. He is likewise a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and made liberal donations for the erection of the house of worship. He has always taken an active and helpful part in its work, and was instrumental to a larger de- gree than any other man in the building of the

church. His influence has ever been given on the side of the right, justice, reform and im- provement, and his labors have been an import- ant factor in advancing the general welfare.

JOHN N. McCURDY. On the roster of county officials of LaPorte county appears the name of John N. McCurdy, who is now filling the position of county recorder for a four years' term, and in this incumbency he is proving him- self a faithful official, prompt, accurate and re- liable in the discharge of his duties. He has spent his entire life in this county. His birth occurred in New Durham township, April 7, 1843, his parents being John and Rhoda (Lucas) McCurdy. His father came from Ohio to La- Porte county about 1834, and lived in this and in Porter and St. Joseph coun- ties up to the time of his death, which occurred in St. Joseph county in 1891. He followed farming throughout his entire life, with the exception of the last few years, when he lived retired. A stanch Union man at the time of breaking out of the Civil war, in 186r he went to Chicago, where he enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, but after six months' ser- vice he was discharged on account of illness. Later he re-enlisted in Porter county, becoming a member of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, in which his son John N. also enlisted. He served for two years with this command, and then re- sumed farming. His wife died during the in- fancy of John N.

John N. McCurdy was reared upon his fath- er's farm, and spent his boyhood days in the manner of most farmer lads of that period. his time being alternated between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields upon the home farm. The first very important event which occurred to vary the routine of life for him was his enlistment at Tassinong, in Porter county, in 1862, as a mem- ber of Company B, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry, from which he was discharged about seven months later because of sickness. When he had recovered his health he again joined the army. this time as a member of Company M. Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, being enrolled at Wanatah, La- Porte county, where the company was organized. He first went to Michigan City and thence to Kendallville, and from there the command pro- ceeded to the front in Tennessee, joining the Army of the Cumberland. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Williams and was in ser- eral engagements in Tennessee and northern

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 136

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