A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 146

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

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Mr. Bennett comes from a family of war- riors, as both of his grandfathers were in the Revolutionary war the whole period and many times saw General Washington. Mr. Bennett was himself a soldier in the Civil war. He en- listed April 16, 1861, at the first call of Presi- dent Lincoln, in Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry, at Greensburg, Indiana, and his regi- ment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was in a number of leading battles in Vir- ginia, was never taken prisoner and never wounded, and came home when he received his discharge.

Mr. Bennett voted with the Democracy until W. J. Bryan became a candidate of the party for the presidency, but in his views is independ- ent, casting his ballot as he thinks best without regard to party affiliations. He has been a mem- ber of the advisory board since its organization, being first appointed by the court to that posi- tion, and since that time elected by the people. He is zealous and earnest in his advocacy of all that tends to contribute to the general progress of the county in which he has so long lived. In his business affairs he has been strictly honora- ble and upright, and his record has been a cred- itable one, justly entitling him to the respect which is so uniformly given him.

PETER SCHOLL. Germany has furnished to America many of her best citizens, and among those of German birth residing in LaPorte coun- ty none stand higher in public esteen than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Although born on the other side of the Atlantic, he is thoroughly American in thought and feel- ing, and that he is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes was manifest by his service in the Civil war.

Mr. Scholl was born in Prussia, Germany, October 28, 1844, and was seven years of age when brought by his parents to America. On landing in New York they went direct to Chi- cago, and from there removed to Lake county, Indiana, where they located on a farm. There our subject grew to manhood. In 1862, when only eighteen years of age, he entered the Union army as a substitute for his father, who had been

drafted, and was in the service for ten months as a member of the Eighty-third Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry. After leaving the army Mr. Scholl went to Chicago, where he learned the carriage-maker's trade, and after completing his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman for about thirteen years, four years of that time being spent in Chicago and the remainder in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. In 1871 he removed from Lafayette, this state, to LaPorte, where he carried on business for himself for the last two years that he continued to follow his trade. In 1877 he removed to his present farm on section 28, Kankakee township and has since given his attention to general farming and the dairy busi- ness, which he has found quite profitable. In his home place he has one hundred and eighty- five acres of fine farming land under a high state of cultivation, and also owns forty-four acres of his father's estate. He now has twenty-six cows for dairy purposes, but usually keeps from thir- ty-five to forty head and enjoys a good trade. To some extent he is also interested in the breed- ing of horses and is the owner of Alfred, an im- ported Norman draft stallion, which took first premium at the fair in LaPorte and sweepstakes in 1903.

In 1871 Mr. Scholl was united in marriage to Miss Emma Webber, by whom he had one son, Joseph, now engaged in the dairy business in the city of LaPorte. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Clara Hanna, and to them were born the following children, namely: Barbara, now the wife of John Kohn, a resident of Mishawaka, Indiana; Peter, who is learning the jeweler's trade with Mr. Hutchinson at La- Porte; William, who is in the shoe business in Chicago; and Frank, who is now nineteen years of age and is manager of the hat department in Wolfe's clothing store in Chicago. For his third wife Mr. Scholl married Ella Luso, and five sons and one daughter bless this union, namely : John, Clara, Edward, George, Frederick and Herbert, all at home.

Mr. Scholl is independent in political matters, voting for the best man regardless of his politi- cal views. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and are people of promi- nence in the community where they reside. He is well known throughout the county as a good, reliable business man and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of earnest effort and untiring labor, for he has made his way in the world unaided since an early age.

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NOAH ZARING is a retired farmer resid- ing in Hudson. Years of labor brought to him a comfortable competence, and, thus enabled to put aside further business cares, he retired to private life and is spending his days in the enjoy- ment of the fruits of his former toil. His busi- ness career was characterized by laudable ambi- tion, strong purpose, unfaltering energy and hon- orable dealing.

Mr. Zaring was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, August 30, 1837. His father, Jacob Zar- ing, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsly- vania, and was a son of Adam Zaring, who was also born in the Keystone state and was a farmer by occupation. Removing westward, Adam Zar- ing became a pioneer settler of Montgomery county, Ohio, where he died at the age of about sixty-seven years. He cleared a farm in Allen county, Indiana, during his residence in that state, but afterward sold that property and re- turned to Montgomery county in the Buckeye state. He was of German lineage. His son, Ja- cob Zaring, accompanied the grandparents on their removal to Montgomery county. Ohio, when he was but ten years of age, and there he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Well- baum, who was born near Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Well- baum, who in an early day removed to Mont- gomery county, Ohio, casting in their lot with the early settlers of that district. They were members of the Dunkard church and Mr. Zaring was a deacon in that church. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Zaring continued to reside in Montgomery county, Ohio, until 1859, when they removed to Darke county, that state, where they remained until 1868. In that year they became residents of St. Joseph county, Indiana, where Mr. Jacob Zaring died at the age of sixty-six years. For about forty years he was an active member of the Dunkard church, assisting largely in its work and up- building. His early political support was given to the Whig party, of which he continued an ad- herent until the Republicain party was formed, when he joined its ranks. His wife lived to be seventy-two years of age. They were the par- ents of nine children, four sons and five daugh- ters, but two of the sons died in early youth. The daughters are all still living.

Noah Zaring, the eldest of the family, remain- ed in his native county until about twenty-five years of age, and because of the fact that he was the first of the children much of the responsi- bility of cultivating and improving the home

farm devolved upon him. His educational privi- leges were limited to about one or two months attendance at the district schools in the winter seasons. In 1858 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Darke county, Ohio, and there in the following year he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Ludy, whose birth occurred in Darke county, on the 30th of July, 1841, her par- ents being Daniel and Mary Ann (Stanford) Ludy. She remained in her native county through the period of her girlhood, and is indebted to its public school system for the educational privi- leges she enjoyed. Her parents were among the pioneers of that locality, her father establishing his home there at a time when much of the land was still in possession of the government. He en- `tered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and with characteristic energy began its cultivation and improvement. There he and his wife re- mained until called to their final rest, Mr. Ludy passing away at the age of seventy-two years. while his wife reached the age of fifty-three years. Their family numbered eight children. of whom Mrs. Zaring was the second.

At the time of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Zaring took up their abode in Darke county. Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits up to the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. As the months passed and it seemed that hostilities were no nearer termination than at the beginning of the strife, he joined the army in 1862, enlisting to protect the state of Ohio. He served for two years, and when Governor Bluff issued a call for forty thousand men to serve for one hundred days Mr. Zaring respond- ed and joined the boys in blue of Company B. One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1863. With that command he went to the front and remained until after his term of enlistment had expired, having charge of the wagons and teams. He then returned to his home, and on the expiration of his military ser- vice in behalf of the state he engaged in general farming, making his home in Butler township, Darke county, Ohio. In the year 1867 he ar- rived in Indiana, settling in St. Joseph county. where he rented land and engaged in lumbering for four years. He then rented two farms in Hudson township, LaPorte county, which he conducted for four years, and on the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and six- ty acres of land in Galena township, Berrien county, Michigan. There he resided for some time, developing a splendid property, which was improved with a large residence and substantial

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barns and outbuildings. He added to his origi- nal tract at one time eighty acres of land and he also bought sixty acres near, on which was a good house. He also built a large barn upon that place, and for a long period was one of the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Berrien county. Eventually, however, he took up his abode in Hudson, where he purchased the property that he now occupies. He owns in the village fifty acres in town lots, and he still re- tains possession of his farms in Michigan. At the present time, however, he is living retired from active business, save the supervision which he gives to his invested interests. His property in Hudson is continually increasing in value, and its sale will add very materially to his income. His three farms in Galena township, Berrien county, constitute three hundred acres, and this land is valuable and very productive so that the rental brings an excellent annual financial return.

To Mr. and Mrs. Zaring have been born six children, of whom three are living: David L., who wedded Mary Bratney and resides upon the old family homestead in Galena township, Ber- rien county ; Laura, the wife of Lincoln Hinman, who resides upon one of her father's farms in Michigan ; and Charles, who married Nellie Smith and resides on another farm belonging to his father. Three of the children of the family died in infancy. Mr. Zaring has been a Republican from the organization of the party. His first presidential ballot was cast for the candidate of the Whig party, and in 1860 and again in 1864 he voted for Abraham Lincoln. He belongs to Decon Post No. 115, G. A. R., at New Carlisle, of which he has served as sergeant. Coming to this portion of the country with the hope of ben- efiting his financial condition, he has never had occasion to regret the change in his place of residence, for here he has prospered and as the years have gone by he has gained many friends as well as a most comfortable competence.

JUDGE WILLIAM P. ANDREW was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1809, a son of James and Catharine ( Piatt) An- drew, the former of whom was a native of New Jersey but emigrated to Ohio at a very early day, while the latter was a member of the well known Piatt famil of Ohio. Their son William was reared on a farm, receiving his elementary education in the common schools of those days, which was later supplemented by private in- struction under the tutelage of an elder brother, who had enjoyed superior educational advant-

ages. Having determined to enter upon a pro- fessional career Mr. Andrew left home at the age of twenty years and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, there entering the office of the renowned jurist, Bellamy Storer, under whose preceptorship he pursued a two years' course of study. From that city he made his way to Lexington, Ken- tucky, where he continued his studies in the law department of Transylvania University, there completing his law course and was present in Lexington during the terrible cholera epidemic in 1833.

Returning thence to his home in Ohio, Mr. Andrew practiced there but a short time. Being a student by nature and finding the greatest pleasure of life in the acquisition of knowledge, it was natural that his investigations should take a wide range, and theology as well as law re- ceived a share of his attention. Qualifying him- self for the ministry, he became a clergyman of the Christian denomination, his first charge be- ing a congregation in the vicinity of the city of New York, and later preached at Salem, Massa- chuetts, from whence he came to LaPorte, Indi- ana, in August, 1837, attracted to the little western village by the presence here of his broth- ers, James, Captain A. P., Dr. J. P. and L. C. Andrew, also their father, James Andrew, Sr., who were among the founders of the town. After locating here Mr. Andrew, of this review, entered upon a law practice, also continuing his ministerial work to some extent, and was among the early circuit riders as a lawyer, also serving for many years as prosecuting attorney for his judicial district. In 1846, under the old con- stitution, he was elected associate circuit justice without opposition, serving in that capacity for six years. His connection with the bar has been continuous, and he is now the oldest living mem- ber of the bar of LaPorte county, although now retired. As one of the founders of the LaPorte Medical College, an insitution which flourished during the early years of the city's history, Judge Andrew became interested in medicine, completing a regular course of study, and fol- lowed its practice to a limited extent for a few years. He is remarkable for being an exponent of three professions, but has had his keenest pleasure in religious study and ministration. For many years past his affiliations have been with the New Jerusalem church, whose "religion of light and love" has been fittingly exemplified in his stainless life.

Judge Andrew was first married in New York city in 1835, to Miss Jane Kent, who died

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on the 2d of March, 1857. On Thanksgiving day, November 28, 1861, he was again married, Miss Harriet Ross, of Cincinnati, Ohio, becom- ing his wife, her father, Ogden Ross, having located in that city in 1801. For sixty years Ogden Ross was a member of the New Jerusa- lem church, and his daughter, following in his footsteps, makes complete the harmony in Chris- tian sentiment in Judge Andrew's home. Our subject's nephew, Captain A. P. Andrew, a vet- eran of the Civil war, is a broker and one of the most prominent citizens of LaPorte. Others of the family have achieved wealth and distinction, and its history is closely interwoven with the founding, growth and development of this city and county to a larger extent perhaps than any other one family.

CHARLES H. DALSON. The prosperity of any community, town or city, depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore the real up- builders of a town are those who stand at the head of the leading enterprises. Of this class Charles H. Dalson is a representative, being now engaged in the city express and transfer business in Michigan City. He was born here December 6, 1861. His paternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers at Valparaiso, Indiana, and there lived for many years, passing away in 1896 at an advanced age. His wife bore the maiden name of Emily Livins and unto them were born two children, of whom Hamilton Dalson, the father of our subject, was the elder. His birth occurred in Canada and when about nine years of age he was brought by his parents to Michi- gan City, arriving in the year 1843. Here he was reared to manhood and spent his remaining days. About 1858 he established a livery busi- ness, which he conducted until 1876, and in 1881 started a city express and transfer business, in which he continued up to the time of his death, on the 12th of July, 1887, when he was about sixty-three years of age. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Elizabeth Clough, a native of New York as were her parents. Alonzo and El- mira E. (Miller) Clough. Her father was a farmer by occupation and was a son of David Clough, who was also a native of New York and was a blacksmith by trade. The latter came to LaPorte county at a very early epoch in the de- velopment of this portion of the state, and he and his wife died in Michigan City in April, 1843. there being only two weeks difference in the date of their deaths. Alonzo Clough, the

grandfather, died in Center township at the age of seventy-four years. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, eleven of whom reached years of maturity. Among this number was Mrs. Dalson, who passed away a number of years prior to the death of her husband, being called to her final rest in 1876, when about for- ty-two years of age. She was a member of the Methodist church and was a most estimable lady. Mr. Dalson was identified with the Republican party and was honored with a number of local offices, in which he served most faithfully. For three terms he was a councilman of Michigan City, was marshal for one term, was justice of the peace for a year or two and was also deputy sheriff. Unto him and his wife were born five children, two sons and three daughters, but only two are now living: Charles H. and Aminta May, the wife of A. H. Van Riper.

Charles H. Dalson has always resided in Michigan City and to the public-school system he is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth. After putting aside his text books he followed various occupations until 1881, since which time he has been connected with the transfer business. For twelve years he was associated with his father and later ran teams of his own until his father's death, when he became his successor. He now owns several teams whoch are used in the express and trans- fer business, enjoying a liberal patronage.

On the 18th of August, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dalson and Miss Mollie Schwinkendorf, a daughter of Frederick and Lizzie (Willert) Schwinkendorf. Her parents were early settlers of Indiana and came from Kendallville to Michigan City about twenty-four years ago. Here they still reside, her father be- ing employed in the Haskell & Barker Car Works. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Dalson, Fannie and Irene, but the former died when only seventeen months old. Mr. Dal- son belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to the Maccabees Lodge and to the Tribe of Ben Hur, and his wife is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church. A believer in Republican principles, he votes for the men and measures of the party and is interested in its success, yet has never been an aspirant for office. preferring to give his attention to his business affairs.

ALVIN H. VAN RIPER. a locomotive en- gineer residing at Michigan City, was born in New York city on the 14th of March, 1851. and

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represents an old family of the Empire state, although the family is of German origin. Abra- ham Van Riper, the grandfather, was born in New York and was connected with manufactur- ing interests there. Unto him and his wife, Cathareine Van Riper, were born eleven chil- dren. The grandfather died at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and his wife has also passed away. John A. Van Riper, the father of our subject, was born in New York, and, becoming a resident of the eastern metropolis, was there engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods for some time. About 1857 he removed to La- grange, Michigan, where he followed the same line of business, and his death occurred in Buchanan, Michigan, when he was about seventy years of age. His wife survived him until the spring of 1903, and died in Dowagiac, Michigan, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. They held membership in the Methodist church and were most loyal to the teachings of the denomi- nation. She bore the maiden name of Leah Zebriska, and was also a native of New York. Their marriage was blessed with nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom five are now living: George, a resident of Sedalia, Missouri ; Jacob, a resident of Niles, Michigan ; Lewis, of New York city; Alvin H., of Michi- gan City; and Catherine Matilda, the wife of J. R. Edwards, of Dowagiac, Michigan.

When a little lad of about six summers A. H. Van Riper accompanied his parents to La- grange county, Michigan, where he was reared to manhood and attended the public schools. When about twenty-one years of age he began learning the miller's trade, which he followed for several years or until obliged to give it up on account of ill health. In the spring of 1880 he came to Michigan City and accepted a position as fireman on the Michigan Central Railroad, acting in that capacity until the 4th of March, 1885, when he made his first trip as an engineer. Since that time he has served in that capacity and is now running on a passenger engine be- tween Michigan City and Chicago.

Mr. Van Riper has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Stella Merwin, a daughter of Jesse Merwin, and they have one son, Claude. The wife and mother having passed away, Mr. Van Riper was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Loraine Brown, who died in 1897. On the 24th of November, 1898, he mar- ried Mrs. Arminta M. Phillips, the widow of William A. Phillips and a daughter of Hamilton and Elizabeth (Clough) Dalson. Her father was

a native of Canada, her mother of New York, and in their family were five children, of whom two are now living-Charles H. Dalson and Mrs. Van Riper. The father came to Michigan City in 1849, and died here in 1898, at the age of fifty-four years, while his wife passed away in 1877, in the fortieth year of her age. She was a member of the Methodist church. In public affairs. Mr. Dalson was quite prominent and held a number of public offices of trust and responsi- bility. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Riper was Alonzo Clough, who was a native of New York and a farmer by occupation. He came to Indiana at a very early period in the settlement of the state and made his home about half way between LaPorte and Michigan City. His death occurred when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Almina Miller, and they became the parents of ten chil- dren and also reared two adopted children. By her former marriage Mrs. Van Riper had two children, James Clough and Addison Eugene, who have recently been adopted by Mr. Van Riper.

Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and he holds membership re- lations with a number of civic organizations, in- cluding the Knights of the Maccabees, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In politics he is a Republican. He owns a good home at No. 232 East Fourth street and another good residence adjoining it on the west, and his property has been acquired entirely through his own efforts. Mr. Van Riper is a strictly temperate man, having always refrained from the use of intoxicants, nor has he ever played cards or billiards. His example in this respect is worthy of emulation by all men every- where. He began life a poor boy and by industry and economy has secured a very comfortable home and other property, and his interest centers in his family, with whom he spends his leisure hours, in the enjoyments of the pleasures of home life.

GEORGE R. HARMISON. Among the representative citizens of LaPorte county we present a brief biography of Mr. George R. Harmison. He is a native of LaPorte county, born January 16, 1861, and is the youngest of a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Cor- nell) Harmison, as follows : J. W., born Novem- ber 22, 1843; Mary E., December 28, 1844; Samuel S., April 24, 1846; John A., September

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24, 1850; Nancy J., January 3, 1853; William A., January 20, 1855; Sarah A., July 20, 1857; and George R.

Samuel Harmison was a native of Darke county, Ohio, born April 6, 1812. He was a gentleman of sterling character, and figured among the first settlers of northwest Indiana in LaPorte county. He received only the common- school education peculiar to that early period, and tilling the soil was his chosen occupation. He married, November 27, 1842, Miss Elizabeth Cornell, and located as a settler in Pleasant town- ship on section 16, which part of Pleasant town- ship is now Johnson township. The land which he purchased was school land, and farming and stock-raising was his vocation throughout life. His wife was born in Fayette county, Ohio, No- vember 27, 1822.

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 146

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