A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 142

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

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Mr. Pietz remained with his parents until their death, and after his marriage he located on his present homestead, which he has im- proved in many ways, having erected a good, substantial residence and barns, and is now the owner of two hundred and thirty-seven acres. The land is now under an excellent state of cul- tivation, and Mr. Pietz is numbered among the progressive agriculturists of Cass township. He was married on the 18th of March, 1875, to Matilda Madaus, who was born in Wisconsin, September 27, 1852, a daughter of Ludwig and Sophia Madaus. She was reared in Cass township, LaPorte county, having been brought

to this locality by her parents when only two years old. Five living children are the result of this union,-Otto, Eddie, Sophia, Amanda and Mary. They have also lost three children, two of whom passed away in infancy, and one, Lena, became the wife of Gust Colwitts and at her death left two childern, Laona and Esther, the last named being reared in the home of our subject. The Democracy receives Mr. Pietz's active support, and religiously, the fam- ily are members of the Evangelical church, in which he has held several offices in the church and is a trustee of the church property.

EMIL JOHNSON, the president of the La- Porte Harness Company, comes from the land of Sweden, and he brought to the new world the sterling traits of character of that national- ity, perseverance, enterprise and absolute honesty, which are marked elements in the lives of the sons of Sweden are manifest in his career, and have been the foundation upon which he has builded his success and gained a place as a representative of the industrial life of LaPorte.

Mr. Johnson was born in Ostergothland, Swe- den, June 18, 1860, and spent eight years in learning the harnessmaker's trade in a country where absolute thoroughness is demanded of the boy who undertakes to master any pursuit. When twenty-one years of age he bade adieu to his native country and came to America, hoping and believing that he would find better business op- portunities on this side of the Atlantic. He lo- cated first in Chesterton, Indiana, where he fol- lowed harness-making for two and a half years. on the expiration of which period he removed to LaPorte, where he established a small retail har- ness-making shop of his own on Main street. In this work he prospered, and his trade gradu- ally increased as his proficiency was recognized. In 1896 he admitted Charles F. Peterson to a partnership in the business, which had been con- tinually growing, and the firm name of the John- son Harness Company was then adopted. They began to do a wholesale business on a small scale, in addition to their retail, and the John- son Harness Company maintained a prosperous existence until 1902. The rapid expansion of the business up to that time seemed to justify still larger operations and Mr. Johnson therefore organized and incorporated the LaPorte Har- ness Company to succeed the old firm. The of- ficers of this company are: Emil Johnson. presi- dent ; Frank C. Mann, vice president : and Oliver Ludlow, secretary and treasurer. This company

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Matilda Gistz

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Carl Pet

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controls one of the important industries of the city. Their establishment occupies three stories and the basement of the building at 913 Main street, which was purchased by Mr. Johnson in 1894. The retail department occupies the first floor, and the factory, which is equipped with the best machinery for manufacturing harness, is on the third floor, while the remainder of the building is utilized by the wholesale department. The building is heated by steam and equipped with an electric elevator and all modern improve- ments. The company manufactures and sells at retail and to the trade a full line of harness, saddlery and horse goods, and does a large busi- ness in both the retail and wholesale departments.

In 1893, in LaPorte, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Peterson. They belong to the Swedish Lutheran church and Mr. Johnson holds membership in the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and the Business Men's Club. Coming to this country empty-handed, but with firm resolution and determination to succeed, he has steadily worked his way upward, his capability and honorable business methods gaining for him a constantly increasing patron- age. An analyzation of his character and life work shows that he belongs to that class which has won for Sweden the term of "the home of the honest man."

JESSE HAINES. LaPorte county fur- nishes excellent opportunity to the agriculturist, for the land is rich and arable and returns excel- lent crops to the tiller of the soil. Jesse Haines has long been connected with farming interests in this section of the state, his home being in Hudson township. He was born in Greene coun- ty, Ohio, May 10, 1829, and belongs to an old American family, of French origin. His pater- nal grandfather, Joseph Haines, was a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, and died in Fred- erick county, Virginia. In religious faith he was a Quaker or Friend.

Nathan Haines, the father of Jesse Haines, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, and when a young man emigrated westward to Ohio, set- tling in Greene county. There he was married and established his home, and in 1830 he came to LaPorte county, Indiana, locating upon the farm on which Jesse Haines now resides. He was one of the first settlers of the county. He found here a district wild and unimproved, the prairie tracts were largely uncultivated and the forests stood in their primeval strength. There were no railroads, and few wagon roads had been

made. Mr. Haines took up land from the gov- ernment, and also bought land from the Indians, for the red man had not yet left this part of the country for reservations farther west. He began the development of a pioneer farm, and at first lived in a little log cabin. He drove oxen to his breaking plow, and in primitive manner began the development of this place, and as the years advanced he secured the improved farm imple- ments which greatly facilitated his work. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wool- man, a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, born about 1799. In 1812 she removed with her parents to Warren county, Ohio. Her father, Eben Woolman, was also a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, and was a descendant of the renowned John Woolman, of England. To Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Haines were born eight children, who reached years of maturity, but only two are now living, the brother of our sub- ject being Nathan Haines, a resident of Kansas. The father passed away in 1858 when seventy- seven years of age, and his wife died at the age of sixty-one years. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, and always adhered to that religious belief. In politics he was a Jackson Democrat, but was also a great admirer of Henry Clay, with whom he had a personal acquaintance.

Jesse Haines was about a year and a half old when brought by his parents to LaPorte county, and the farm upon which he now lives was his playground in youth. Indians were frequently seen in the neighborhood, and he can relate many interesting incidents concerning the. red men and their ways of living, gleaned from personal knowledge of the subject. In his boyhood he pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse and his training at farm work was begun at an early age. He con- tinued to assist his father upon the home farm until about twenty-three years of age, when he began the operation of a sawmill and also did general farm work. Later he engaged in clerk- ing in a general store in New Carlisle, and for one year followed school teaching. He then re- sumed farm work, and was thus engaged until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in 1862, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in Company M, Third Indiana Cavalry, with which he remained for a year as private. On the expiration of that period he returned to his home and purchased a portion of his father's farm. On this tract he erected a house, planted trees and made other substantial improvements,

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which in due course of time have been followed by still others, until his farm is to-day one of the valuable properties of this portion of the state. It is pleasantly located on section 28 Hudson township, and its richly cultivated fields form an attractive feature in the landscape.

Mr. Haines has been twice married. He first wedded Lauretta Murray, who died two years later, and in 1871 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Grover, by whom he had two chil- dren : Wade, who is at home and assists in the operation of the farm; and Laura, who is a teacher in South Bend, Indiana.

Mr. Haines owns eighty acres of land, and in his business has prospered as the years have gone and gained a comfortable living as the re- sult of his untiring industry and perseverance. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Great changes have been wrought by time and man since his arrival here, and he has co-operated in measures for the general good so that as a citizen his record is above reproach. In private life and business circles he is also known for his sterling worth, and he well de- serves honorable mention in this work.

JAMES H. TAYLOR. The pioneer epoch of LaPorte county is an interesting period, as well as instructive to the younger element of the pres- ent era. Reminiscences of the early times, woven into the lives or life memories of citizens who have been born or reared here since 1835 or '38, tell fully of the hardships and privations they underwent.

Mr. James H. Taylor, born and reared in LaPorte county and a resident of sixty years, can relate many scenes which are indelibly stamped on his memory. The red men of the forest, the Pottawottomie Indians, were plenti- ful, and their tepees or wigwams were staked upon his father's farm, just east of Fish Lake, in Lincoln township. The bounding and fleet- footed dear were numerous, and many a venison steak has graced his father's table. The howl of the wolf was a common occurrence, as he says, at the midnight hour, and many a hapless pig or lamb was carried off by the vo- racious animals. The roads amid the dense forests of Pleasant and Lincoln townships were blazed ways only, and the screech of the loco- motive was not dreamed of. The now popu- lous cities of LaPorte and Michigan City were but hamlets, while now they have respectively eight and ten thousand population. The tele-

phone, the interurban and the great trunk lines of railroad, of which thirteen cross the county,- all the great civilizers were unthough of when he was a boy.

Mr. Taylor has grown up in LaPorte county and has witnessed all these remarkable and won- derful developments, which have been perfected since his boyhood. Where the little log cabin schoolhouse stood, now the modern and well equipped school building is erected. The col- lege, university and high school are now com- mon in northern Indiana, while in the early thir- ties the northwest was devoid of any institu- tions of learning with a classical or scientific curriculum of study. In that era it was com- mon for the whites to see bands of Indians, with ponies, ready for the chase or warlike excursions.

Mr. Taylor relates an incident worthy of recounting, which came under his father's obser- vation. When his father resided in his little log cabin on the east bank of Fish Lake, Lincoln township, one hundred Pottawottomies were camped on his farm. The old Indian chief's son came to his home one day and wanted to barter for fire-water, but he was refused and became obstreperous and impudent, when Mr. Taylor grabbed up a hoe, broke off a piece of the handle, and delivered a telling blow which laid out the young brave. After the latter became con- scious he went to the near-by camp and related the occurrence. Mr. Taylor foresaw trouble, as he thought. The Indian squaws came to the cabin and took the old gentleman in camp, and there they had a powwow and Indian dance. They would step up to Mr. Taylor, pat him on the shoulder and exclaim in the Indian tongue -"Me-an-et," meaning "no good Indian," pointing to the young Indian; then again they would pat him on the shoulder and say, "Good Shee-mor-kee man." So he escaped, and always afterward the Indians were friendly to him. Many has been the time when Mich-sa-ba, the Pottawottomie chief, has slept by the fireside in Mr. Taylor's humble cot.

Mr. James Taylor has used the old-fashioned four-fingered cradle and the scythe of the pio- neer age, when the reaper and mower were not thought of.

James H. Taylor, who is now serving for the sixth year as county commissioner, and who has both farming and mercantile interests in LaPorte county, resides in Stillwell. He was born in Pleasant township, April 11, 1843. at which time the district was yet largely an un- improved region, although it was some time be-

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James. N. Taylan

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HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

fore that the family had been established in this part of the country.

His father, John W. Taylor, was a native of England, born and reared in Devonshire. He was married ere he emigrated to the new world in 1832, crossing the Atlantic in a sail- ing vessel which was six weeks upon the voyage. Four years later he traveled from New York to Indiana by team, locating in Pleasant town- ship, LaPorte county, which was then a wild region, much of the land being in its virgin con- dition, the settlers in the township being very few. John W. Taylor built the first house upon his place, turned the first furrows in the fields, and as the years progressed developed an ex- cellent farm property, upon which he made his home until his death, which occurred when he was seventy years of age. He was well and favorably known throughout the township and county. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Deborah Amor, and was reared in England, her native country, also died in Pleasant town- ship, when about seventy-three years of age. In the family were three sons and two daugh- ters: Harriet, who was born in England, No- vember 11, 1831, and is now the wife of Charles P. Smith, of Pleasant township; Caroline C., who was born in New York and is the widow of W. S. Phillips, a resident of Pleasant town- ship; John H., who was born on the old home- stead in Pleasant township and now resides in Lincoln township, LaPorte county ; James H .; and William H., who was a resident of the city of LaPorte and died when about fifty-five years of age, for many years having been proprietor of a meat market.

James H. Taylor, the fourth of the family, was reared on the old home farm, and attended the early schools of the county, acquired a good practical educaton. He assisted his father until his marriage, which occurred December 19, 1867, the lady of his choice being Eliza J. Dair, a native of Lincoln township, St. Joseph county, Indiana, and a daughter of William Dair, one of the old settlers of that township and a native of England, coming to America in the same year in which the Taylor family crossed the Atlantic. After his marriage James H. Taylor continued to reside on the old homestead and greatly improved the property by building a house and other buildings, and by adding modern equipments. He remained there until June 21, 1885, when he turned his attention to merchan- dising in Stillwell, where he has conducted a general store for seventeen years, enjoying a

large trade that is constantly increasing and is therefore bringing to him a good profit. He likewise operates a farm, owning eighty acres of good land, but he makes his home in Still- well.

To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born three sons: Frank L., who is janitor of the courthouse at LaPorte; Albert H., a clerk in his father's store; and Arthur W., who is in partnership with his father. The family is well known in the county, where the Taylors have been prominent, honorable and useful citizens through almost seventy years. Mr. Taylor served as township trustee for four years in Pleasant township, and although a Democrat living in a Republican district, he received a good majority when a candidate for office. He has been elected twice as county commissioner, and is now serving his sixth year in the office- one of the leading, active and worthy members of the board. Fraternally, Mr. James Taylor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, LaPorte Lodge No. 36, Encampment No. 23, and Canton No. 10; he was one of the twelve charter members of the canton, which was organ- ized about 1884. He is also a member of Lodge No. 396, B. P. O. E., of LaPorte. He and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge at La- Porte. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. To the tenets of the dif- ferent fraternal organizations and the teach- ings of the church he has conformed his life, and through an active career has commanded the respect of his fellowmen, while winning for him- self a handsome competence.

JEHU L. WOODMANSEE, a prominent and respected citizen of Galena township, well deserves representation in the history of La- Porte county. He took up his abode here in an early day, and for many years followed general farming, and is now in possession of a handsome competence gained through his earnest labor, which enables him to live a retired life. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 9, 1834, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lewis) Wood- mansee.

The paternal grandfather, Isaac Woodmansee. is supposed to have been a native of Wales, and on coming to this country located in New Jer- sey, whence he afterward removed to Highland county, Ohio, where he died. The grandparents of Mr. Woodmansee, on the Lewis side, were stanch Quakers. Daniel Woodmansee was born in New Jersey on the 21st of February, 1808,

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and when about eighteen years of age removed to Highland county, Ohio, where he was married on theIIth of January, 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Lewis. Her birth occurred in that county, Sep- tember 17, 1812, her parents being Jehu and Eleanor (Cadwallader) Lewis. Her father was an early settler in Highland county, Ohio, and also became a pioneer resident of La Porte county, where he made his home for more than a half century, not only witnessing its progress during this period, but also aiding in its development. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee settled upon a farm in Highland county, Ohio, where they remained for many years. His death, however, occurred in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 18th of March, 1848. In politics he was a Whig, and in religious faith was a Methodist. Mrs. Woodmansee passed away in April, 1889. To them were born four sons and two daughters, of whom one died in infancy, while another died at the age of three years. The others of the family were Wesley, now deceased; Leonidas M. C., a resident of California ; Jehu L .; and Isaac D., who is living in Galena township.

Jehu L. Woodmansee is the second in the family, and was reared on the place of his na- tivity until eighteen years of age. In 1852 he came to LaPorte county with his widowed mother, locating on section 19, Galena township. He had obtained his education in the district schools of Ohio, and for a short period was a student in the district schools of Galena township. At the time of his arrival here he began clearing land and making a good farm. Later he pur- chased a tract of land with the money which he had made on his first farm. From early morn- ing until late at night he labored in the fields, and his career has ever been characterized by un- flagging industry and perseverance. He was married on the 19th of August, 1854, to Miss Martha M. Heckman, who was born in Galena township, LaPorte county, on the Ist of January, 1838, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dodd) Heckman. Her father was born in Virginia, April 8, 1794, and died on the 5th of March, 1886. He held membership in the German Baptist church. He was one of the pioneer residents of LaPorte county, coming to this district from Niles, Michigan, where he had resided for about two years. He then took up his abode in Galena township and purchased large tracts of land, afterward giving to each of his children a quar- ter section and retaining one for himself. His wife was born in Virginia near Richmond, March

18, 1800, and died April 24, 1864. She, too, was a consistent member of the German Baptist church. By her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Woodmansee is the tenth. Her girlhood days were spent in Galena township, and, acquiring a good edu- cation, she thus prepared for teaching. She is particularly well read in the scriptures, and can repeat from memory long passages from the Bible. In her life she exemplifies the Christian spirit, and her kindliness, charity and good deeds are indications of her belief in the teachings of the Holy Word.

After his marriage Mr. Woodmansee located upon the farm which has since been his home. It is on section 19, Galena township, and when it came into his possession it was largely covered with timber, but soon the sound of the wood- man's ax was heard in the forests, and tree after tree fell before his sturdy strokes. He first built a log house, later erected a part of his present residence, and to it he has added from time to time until he has an attractive and commodious home. He owns two hundred acres of land, and at one time was the owner of three hundred acres, but in 1901 sold one hundred acres of this. On account of his health he has retired from active business, but for many years was a most pro- gressive, enterprising and industrious agricul- turist.

To Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee were born four children, but all are now in the spirit land. These were Daniel J., David Q., Annie E. and Purity M. Annie E. passed to the spirit land November 18, 1890. She was devoted to her parents and lived up to the highest dictates of her conscience, which were noble. The other chil- dren passed to the spirit land in infancy, and Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee are now waiting to join their family in the spirit land. Their golden wedding will come in 1904, on August 19. Mr. Woodmansee is one of the prominent Spiritual- ist of this locality, and for forty-eight years has been a follower of its faith. He has in his house a rare collection of portraits of his children. taken through the spirit agency of the noted mediums, the Bangs sisters, of Chicago. Mir. Woodmansee is well known in the county, where for fifty-two years he has resided. He has con- tributed to the upbuilding of this portion of the state, and as a business man has been success- ful, winning the reward of earnest, persistent labor. In politics he has always voted with the Republican party, but takes no active interest in political work as an aspirant for office.

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SIMEON S. BOSSERMAN. As one re- * views the history of the county and looks into the past to see who were prominent in its early development, he will find that from an early pe- riod the name of Bosserman has been closely con- nected with the progress and advancement of this section of the state. The life history of Simeon S. Bosserman is also closely identified with the history of LaPorte county, which has been his home for over fifty years, and through- out all these years he has been closely identified with its interests and upbuilding.

Simeon S. Bosserman is a native of the coun- ty, for his birth occurred in Pleasant township, LaPorte county, March 7, 1847, being a son of George and Minerva ( Walker ) Bosserman. The former was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, and as early as 1834 came to LaPorte county, Indiana, purchasing an un- improved farm in Pleasant township. He then

returned to his home in Pennsylvania, but in 1836 came again to LaPorte county, and here he con- tinued to make his home until he was called to his final rest, his death having occurred in 1888. He became a prominent factor in the early his- tory of this section, and for several terms served his township as its trustee, while in his business affairs he also rose to a position of prominence. His wife, who was a native daughter of Ken- tucky, also passed away in death in 1888. They were people of the highest respectability, and will long be remembered as prominent and worthy old pioneers of LaPorte county.

Simeon S. Bosserman was reared to years of maturity on his father's farm in Pleasant town- ship, and in the district schools of the neighbor- hood he received his elementary educational train- ing. In 1869, at Stillwell and LaPorte, he estab- lished the business which has ever since con- tinued to be his prinicpal occupation, embarking at that time in the grain trade, with his main of- fice in LaPorte. In addition to this he has also given considerable attention to the stock busi- ness. For a few years he was one of the heaviest live stock dealers in this section of the state, hav- ing in 1893 purchased twenty-eight thousand sheep in the west and shipped eighteen thousand of them to Europe. Mr. Bosserman is the own- er of a fine farm of four hundred acres in Pleas- ant township, and one of two hundred and forty acres in Johnson township, both of which are rented, and he devotes nearly his entire attention to his grain business in LaPorte. His is truly a successful life, and the extensive business inter- ests of LaPorte county place him among the leaders in industrial circles. He has always been a man of large affairs.

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 142

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