A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 74

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

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Besides holding various offices in the gift of the people at LaPorte, Mr. Hinsey served as a member of the common council in Milwaukee for twenty-one consecutive years, and for six terms of two years each was president of the council. While in that city he also was a member of the county board of supervisors, and for several years a member of the school board and a trustee of the public library. He is a strong Democrat, and cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce.

Mr. Hinsey has been one of the foremost members of the Knights of Pythias fraternity,

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having held official positions in the various de- grees in Milwaukee and done much to promote the interests of his order, and is at present a member of Interdomain Lodge No. 506, of Chi- cago. Mr. Hinsey was married at Morenci, Michigan, in April, 1855, to Miss Sarah Jane Wise, and they have three children: William A. Hinsey, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Laura Middleton, of Milwaukee; and John M. Hinsey, of Minne- apolis.

JOHN WOLF. The Teegarden Hotel is one of the oldest and perhaps the best known and most historic of the public buildings of LaPorte, Indiana. At one time it was one of the finest hotels in northern Indiana, and, during its long history, many notable guests have been enter- tained within its walls. Dr. Teegarden, whose life history forms a part of this work, began his construction in 1849, and it was completed in 1852. It has had many proprietors, the first being Captain Ely, who was succeeded by James Lou- gee, and the latter, in turn, about the close of the Civil war, by Captain I. D. Phelps, a well known veteran soldier of LaPorte; then followed Will- iam Axtell, Ed Marshall, Tom Marr, Walter Dodge and J. C. Gilbert; after Gilbert, a Mr. Short, of Chicago, by his mismanagement; so in- jured the reputation of the hotel that on his de- parture the place was closed for some time. J. Q. Hamilton reopened it, to be succeeded by D. L. Kinny, and the latter by N. S. Sellers, of whom Mr. Wolf bought the furnishings and proprietary proprietor. The building is still owned by the heirs of Dr. Teegarden.

interest, in September, 1900, and is its present . dertaking, and still more extensive operations may

In taking charge of the hotel Mr. Wolf ex- pended about eight thousand dollars in improve- ments, and has restored it to its former prestige as one of the best hotels in this section of the state. Since he took hold of it the hotel has done the largest business in its history. It is in every way a first-class establishment, and reflects especial credit upon its proprietor.

Mr. Wolf is the son of Peter and Margaret (Weber) Wolf, the former a son of Kaspard Wolf, both natives of Bavaria, Kaspard having been born there when it was French territory. Peter Wolf learned the trade of baker before he left his native land, and he followed this with marked proficiency and success all his life. In 1855 he emigrated to the United States, and lo- cated at Buffalo, New York, where he worked at his trade for a few years. On January 1, 1861, he arrived in LaPorte, and not long afterward es-

tablished the Wolf bakery, which has been in con- stant and successful operation ever since. When his sons became old enough to go into business, he started a grocery store in connection with the bakery, and the firm became Wolf & Sons as it is to-day ; the sons are Peter, Martin and John, but the last named withdrew from the firm when he engaged in the hotel business. This well known business is located at 314-316 Main street, and has always enjoyed a prosperous custom. Mrs. Mar- garet (Weber) Wolf, the mother of John Wolf, was also born in Germany.

John Wolf was born at LaPorte, February 21, 1868, and was educated in the Catholic parochial schools, and also spent two years in the high school at LaPorte. He has been a "hustler," was endowed from the first with a good business in- stinct, and at the age of twenty-one was made a partner in his father's business. In 1896, in addi- tion to his grocery interests, he branched out into a side line, starting a bicycle store. In this he did not wait for trade to come to him but went after it with his usual energy, with the result that he reaped a good financial return. During the win- ter he engaged in another successful venture. He refitted Lay's Opera House, which for some time was used as an all-purpose house, making a suc- cess of the venture. In September, 1900, he bought the hotel, and has been giving the major share of his attention to its profitable manage- ment, with the results noted above. Mr. Wolf is a born trader, and has the indomitable persever- ance and tact that make him victorious in any un-

be looked for from him. He is also half owner and manager of the City and Hotel Transfer Company, in which his brother-in-law, Al Rumely, owns the other interests.

June 24, 1896, Mr. Wolf married Miss Marie Rumely, daughter of Meinrad Rumely, president of the M. Rumely Company, whose history is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Wolf is a graduate of St. Rose's Academy of LaPorte. Two children have been born of this union, Edmund M. and Louise T. Much of the success which has come to the Hotel Teegarden must be credited to the able and painstaking care of Mrs. Wolf.

In the fall of 1902 Mr. Wolf was elected, on the Democratic ticket, which party's cause he has always espoused, a member of the council of La- Porte county, and at the first meeting of the body was chosen its chairman.

Of late Mr. Wolf has projected a still newer enterprise, which promises to become, eventually, one of the most important in which he has thus

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far engaged. February 23, of the present year, he and others organized a stock company for the manufacture, purchase, sale and repair of auto- mobiles, having previously purchased an exten- sive building, on an eligible site, for the ostensible purpose of conducting this new enterprise. A company, known as the Automobile Company, has been formed, and is already under full headway, its future being even now bright with promise. Mr. Wolf is vice president and manager of the company.

In other ways Mr. Wolf has been interested in affairs of general welfare, and is everywhere accounted a public-spirited and worthy citizen.

ALBERT H. TAYLOR. The Taylor fam- ily, with its descendants and connections, is well known in south and central LaPorte county. Mr. A. H. Taylor is the son of James H. Taylor, the ex-county commissioner and general merchant of Stillwell. He was born in Pleasant township, De- cember 3, 1870, and is the second of three sons. Frank L., the eldest, is now janitor of the La- Porte county court house. He was also born in the same township, and was educated in the pub- lic schools and got a diploma in the business course at the LaPorte high school. He devoted a good deal of his early life to mercantile pursuits, having been a salesman in his father's store. He married Miss Katie Johnni, and they have five children, three sons and two daughters. His wife was also a native of LaPorte county, and comes from a good family. She was educated in the public schools and received a teacher's certificate, and was a teacher in this county. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and is a member of the Macca- bees, being a charter member of that tent at LaPorte and an official. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at LaPorte.

Mr. Albert H. Taylor was reared and edu- cated in the county of LaPorte. He spent nine years as an agriculturist, and of recent years has been a salesman in the firm styled James H. Tay- lor & Son at Stillwell. He is a young man of integrity and character, and his whole life has been spent among the people who know him to be such. He comes from a stock that figured con- spicuously in the pioneer epoch, and the name has always been without blemish.

Mr. Taylor married Miss Rosella M. Reilley, a native of the county and a daughter of Thomas and Katherine Reilley. She was reared in La- Porte county and was educated in the common schools. To this union have been born three chil- dren, one son and two daughters, James Egbert,

Jennie Loretta and Anastasia Katherine. Mr. Taylor owns his own pretty cottage home. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Cleveland, and has supported each Democratic candidate since. He is a member of the Macca- bee Tent No. 25, at LaPorte. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are young people who stand high in the estimation of the citizens of Stillwell.

ALBERT W. COLE is one of the native sons of La Porte county, his birth having occurred here about two-thirds of a century ago. His natal day was May 13, 1837, and he was the second of five children, three sons and two daughters, whose parents were John W. and Eliza (Payne) Cole. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born about 1800, and his death occurred in 1856. He was a farmer by occupation, and in the year 1832 left the east and started for Indiana, which was then a frontier state. This county was largely in its primitive condition, and he purchased a part of his land from the Pottawottomie Indians, se- curing his title from the government. His first home was a little log cabin, and he lived in true pioneer style, experiencing many of the hardships and trials incident to life on the frontier and yet enjoying many of its pleasures. He was a Jack- son Democrat in his political views, and a Uni- versalist in his religious faith. His wife, a native of New York ( was born about 1814 and died in 1886. All of their children are living, namely : John A., who is married and follows farming in Ohio; Albert W .; Eliza, the wife of Philander Baird, a resident of New Durham township; Henry P., who is married and practices veter- inary surgery in Westville, Indiana; and Sarah C., who was the wife of James Pedro and is a resident of Westville.

Albert W. Cole was born and reared in the locality in which he now makes his home, and through sixty-six years has been a witness of the development and progress of LaPorte county. Great changes have occurred within this period, for time and man have wrought a wonderful transformation. He has seen deer in the county and many kinds of wild game. The highways were few, and it is within his recollection when the line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad was built. He has a souvenir in the shape of a crowbar which was used in the con- struction of this road. He and his wife were edu- cated in LaPorte county, first attending school conducted on the subscription plan. On attain- ing his majority he was united in marriage to

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Miss Mary A. Crawford, the wedding being cele- brated on the 10th of January, 1861. She was born February 4, 1840, and is the fifth in a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. All of these are yet living with the exception of two, and four are residents of Indiana. Her father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, October 30, 1799, the year in which Gen- eral Washington died.

To Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been born two children, the elder being Charles W., who is a resident of LaPorte, where he is engaged in busi- ness as a salesman. He was educated in the com- mon schools in Westville high school and in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, in which he spent one term. He wedded Miss Louisa Tay- lor, and they have two children, Harriet and Florence. Charles W. Cole is a Mason, while his wife belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, and he is also connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur. Walter C. Cole, the younger son, attended the common district schools and also continued his studies in Westville. He married Miss Eda Payne, and they reside in Michigan City, where he is an agent for the Pere Marquette Railroad Company. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows and Masons.

Mr. Cole is a Democrat in his political views, having supported the party since he cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. He has been its representative to county conventions on more than one occasion and has always loyally upheld the banner of true Democracy. He has never cared for public office, preferring "to give his time and attention to business affairs, and yet as a citizen he is loyal and progressive, doing everything in his power to promote public wel- fare. He and his wife hold membership in the New Durham Methodist church, contribute gen- erously to its support and are active and zealous in extending its influence and usefulneses. He is now serving as a steward and trustee, and is also superintendent of the Sunday-school, having held the last named office for about twenty years more or less.

The home farm of Mr. and Mrs. Cole com- prises one hundred and sixty-two and a half acres of fine land, and theirs is one of the hospitable res- idences in the township, their friends being always sure of a hearty welcome. For forty-two years they have traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. Theirs has been a congenial re- lation, their mutual love and confidence increas- ing as the years have gone by. They have trav-

eled quite extensively, having visited Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and other states. They attended the Atlanta exposition, have seen the battlefields of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain and other places of interest in the United States. The pleasure which they derived from travel was the greater because in earlier years they had applied themselves earnestly and diligently to business cares, and now they are en- abled to enjoy many of the comforts of life.

JOHN C. SCHULTZ, a leading real estate dealer of Chicago, and a native and resident up to the time of his majority of LaPorte, Indiana, was born August 8, 1870, a son of Henry and Caroline (Silverstorf) Schultz, both of whom were natives of Germany. During the forties and later, perhaps mainly as the result of the Ger- man revolutions and internal dissensions, a con- siderable emigration of a fine class of citizens re- sulted, and a number of these made homes in La- Porte county, Indiana. Among these was Henry Schultz, who arrived in 1843, and was thus one of the pioneers of the county. One of the in- teresting facts about his life at that time was that he cut and hauled fuel wood for the old-fashioned wood-burning locomotives on the Lake Shore Railroad, before the introduction of the better and more economical coal. Most of his life was spent in the employ and association with Captain A. P. Andrew, one of the early bankers of 'La- Porte, for whom he conducted a farm for nearly forty years. He died in 1896. His wife is also deceased. Among their children, Charles F. Schultz was city treasurer of LaPorte for several terms; he died in 1902. Herman and William are contractors and live in LaPorte. Frank lives at Farina, Illinois.

John C. Schultz, after receiving a practical education in the schools of LaPorte, came to Chicago in 1890, and for the following two years worked in the construction department of the Pullman Company. He was one of those who were wide-awake to the opportunities of the World's Fair, and in 1893 opened a hotel on Lake avenue, which he conducted throughout the fair. Having been successful in this venture he later went to Atlanta, Georgia, and carried on a similar enterprise during the Cotton States Ex- position. Mr. Schultz had become interested to a considerable extent in real estate operations in the meanwhile, and when he returned to Chicago in 1896 he represented the Drexel financial in- terests of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also en- gaging in real estate brokerage and in building,

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which continued to occupy him for several years. His most successful and extensive venture on his own account was made in June, 1902, when he purchased, for twelve thousand dollars, the south- west corner of Ashland boulevard and Sixty- third street, on which he erected a fine two-story brick block, one hundred and twenty by one hun- dred and thirty-five feet, known as the Schultz building, with stores on the ground floor and offices on the second. This has proved a wise in- vestment, for the property is constantly increas- ing in value.

One advantage that Mr. Schultz has over many in his building operations is that he draws his own plans and makes his own specifications, in which he has become very proficient. Mr. Schultz is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and as a Republican takes a lively in- terest in ward matters and city politics, having a practical part in municipal affairs owing to his real estate operations. Mr. Schultz is absolutely a self-made man, and the success he has achieved has come through his own efforts.

LOUIS C. SNYDER, for many years a large and successful merchant of Otis, Indiana, and now retired and living on his fine farm estate in the vicinity of that town, has passed his entire life in LaPorte county, and his career has been one of honest industry, sterling integrity, and high bus- iness and moral principles.

William and Matilda (Hoffman) Snyder, the parents of Louis C. Snyder, were natives of Ger- many, and there the name was spelled Schneider, but it is now generally and legally recognized as Snyder. They are both living at Otis, Indiana, the father being sixty-eight years of age, and they are worthy and esteemed people. They had five children, all of whom are now living, the eldest being Louis. The others are: Emma, the widow of William L. Reglein, formerly a merchant of Otis, and she has one daughter living, Renetta, in school ; Lizzie is the wife of George D. Weigner, the agent of the Three I Railroad at Knox, In- diana, and they have two children; Edward, a prosperous farmer of New Durham township, married Miss Amelia Witt and has three chil- dren ; Mary, the wife of Alfred Kamper, a farmer of Cool Spring township, and has five children.

Louis C. Snyder was born July 10, 1861, in LaPorte county, and passed the first eleven years of his life on the farm. He received a common school education, and also took a commercial course in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He may be said to have been reared in

a. store in Otis, and his long experience in mercan- tile life gave him the full measure of success as a country merchant, which he also won by his fair dealing and courteous treatment of customers and his energetic methods in prosecuting his business. He was in the mercantile business for about twen- ty-one years. About 1879, when his father built the Otis Mills, he conducted them for a year. In 1887 he took charge of the estate which by inher- itance came to him and his wife from the latter's father, and for the following six years he carried on the farm and his business in conjunction. In 1893 he disposed of his store to Mr. Reglein and his brother Ed. His best annual sales as a mer- chant had amounted to twenty-five thousand dol- lars, which indicate how extensive his patronage was and how much confidence the people had in his reliability. The farm on which Mr. and Mrs. Snyder now reside and which he is carrying on with great success, consists of two hundred and seventy acres of fine agricultural land, with ex- cellent improvements and a handsome residence, and he also owns another tract of thirty acres in New Durham township. Mr. Snyder is a Demo- crat, and cast his first vote for Cleveland. At the present time he is a member of the county council of LaPorte county, and is always alert and ready to promote in any way possible the public wel- fare of LaPorte county.

On December 25, 1883, Mr. Snyder married Miss Emily Hackett, and two sons have been born to them: Fred completed the high school course in Valparaiso and is now a student in the full electrical engineering course at Purdue Uni- versity, where he is making excellent progress ; Ralph is now in the ninth grade of the Otis public schools.

Mrs. Snyder was born in Porter county, Indi- ana, July 15, 1862, a daughter of Samuel C. and Ann (Weston) Hackett, the former of whom was a pioneer of Porter county and a man of prom- inence there, and was a California forty-niner in the days of the Eldorado excitement. He died September 29, 1903. There were four children in the family, of whom three are yet living, Mrs. Snyder being the oldest; Elmina, her sister, is the wife of Professor C. W. Benton, principal of the commercial department in the Northern In- diana Normal School ; and William, who married Miss Nona Williams, resides on the old home- stead in Porter county. Mrs. Snyder finished her common school education at the normal school at Valparaiso, and has been a faithful and valu- able assistant to her husband in all his undertak- ings. She is a member of the Christian church at

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Westville, as is also her husband. The follow- ing obituary notice of Mrs. Snyder's father ap- peared in the Westville Indicator, October, 1903: "Mr. Hackett was an old resident of this vi- cinity and his life was an active one. Mr. Hackett was born in Seneca county, Ohio, March 1, 1829, and was the eldest of a family of three children born to Henry and Sarah Hackett, the former of Vermont. The father of the deceased died when the latter was five years of age. At the age of seventeen Samuel Hackett went to Lake county, and at twenty-one he was overtaken by the gold fever and crossed the plains to California and en- gaged in mining with varied success for two years. Failing in health he came to LaPorte county, and after a year went to Porter county, where he since resided. Mr. Hackett then gave attention to lumbering and furnishing wood for the Lake Shore Railroad and Chicago markets, at which he continued until 1868, when he superin- tended a large tract of land at Janesville, Wis- consin, when he purchased a major part of the company's land and began manufacturing char- coal, as well as clearing the land. He believed he produced more charcoal than any man in Indiana. In 1881 he began farming. He was married while in LaPorte county, January, 1855, to Ann J. Weston. They had four children, three of whom are living : Will C. Hackett, of Otis, Emma Sny- der, of Otis, and Mrs. C. W. Benton, of Val- paraiso. Mr. Hackett was a member of West- ville Lodge No. 192, Masons. Previous to 1872 he was a Republican, but since affiliated with the Democratic party. He has held all the township offices and was prominent in politics and a most respected citizen. By hard work and good man- agement he obtained over one thousand one hun- dred acres in LaPorte and Porter counties."

CHRISTIAN LOUIS RICHMAN is one of the most prosperous and progressive agricultur- ists of LaPorte county, his home being near Un- ion Mills. He has made his special field of indus- try an eminent success, and he stands high in business circles, being thoroughly reliable in all transactions.

Mr. Richman was born in the city of Indian- apolis, Indiana, August 18, 1848, and is a son of Christian F. and Caroline Louisa (Miller) Richman, both natives of Germany, the former born June 22, 1823, and the latter November 18, 1819. They came to America in early life, and for some years made their home in the Hoosier state. In 1869 the father went to Kansas for the purpose of buying land in that state, and was

murdered near Fort Scott, being shot the 16th of October, 1869, and robbed of six hundred dollars in cash, and several checks were torn to pieces by the robbers and left near the body. His wife met her death by falling down stairs, December 15, 1889, at the age of seventy years. In the fam- ily were eight children, who in order of birth were as follows : Caroline, born in 1846; Christian L., in 1848; William, in 1850; Mary, in 1852; Charles, in 1854; Eleanora, in 1856; George, in 1858; and Matilda, in 1860. The oldest daugh- ter died in 1901, and the four youngest of the family died of typhoid fever in 1880, within a few weeks of each other.

During his boyhood and youth Christian L. Richman had the advantage of a district school education, and while aiding in the work of the home farm he became thoroughly familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agricult- urist. Throughout the years of his manhood he has engaged in farming, and has met with marked successs in his undertakings. His first purchase of land consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, which he bought in 1876, and he has since added to his property from time to time until he is now the owner of seven hundred and fifty acres of rich arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and im- proved with good and substantial buildings.

January 25, 1876, Mr. Richman was united in marriage to Miss Ottilie Amelia Rosenbaum, who was born in South Wanatah, LaPorte county, December 28, 1856, and is a daughter of John W. and Dora (Wagner) Rosenbaum. Six children have blessed this union: Emma Ma- tilda, born December 29, 1876, married Herman Wothke, a farmer of Clinton township, and they have one son and three daughters; William John, born August 30, 1878, died March 1I, 1879; Louis Christian, born November 26, 1880, is a farmer of Clinton township and married Miss Abbertina Hundt, and they have one son ; Herman Gutlip, born January 21, 1884, died February 1I, 1884; Otto Frederick, born March 17, 1885; Edward Herman, born October 25, 1887. The children living all had a German as well as an English education, and can speak both languages. Mrs. Richman can speak and write the German language.

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 74

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