A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 81

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

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ABRAM WING. Back to the land of Eng- land must we turn for the early ancestral history of the Wing family, but in a very early day they left that country and crossed the ocean to the United States. There have been strong men and true as one generation has followed another,- men leal and loyal to our national institutions and to the duties of patriotism. The paternal grand- father of Abram Wing, David Wing, was born in the state of New York, and was a farmer by occu- pation. In that commonwealth Israel Wing, the father of Abram, also had his nativity, and there he was reared, educated and married. During the war of 1812 he served the government as a team- ster, and in 1847 he came to LaPorte county, In- diana, where he made his home until his life's labors were ended in death, when he had passed the seventy-fifth milestone on the journey of life. In his early life he gave his political support to the Democracy, but later affiliated with the Re- publican party. For his wife he chose Alice Sherman, a native of Rhode Island and a daugh- ter of John Sherman, who was a member of the same family as General Sherman. Her father served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and her grandfather, Rodger Sherman, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

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The Sherman family were also of English de- scent. The union of Israel and Alice Wing was blessed with ten children, five sons and five daugh- ters, who grew to mature years, but only two of this number are now living, the sister of Abram being Mrs. Eliza Reynolds, a resident of Minn- esota.

Abram Wing, the sixth child and fourth son in order of birth of the above family, was born in Otsego county, New York, on the 25th of Janu- ary, 1825, and in the town of Cherry Valley of that county he was reared to years of maturity. In 1846, by the Lake route, he came to LaPorte county, Indiana, being at that time twenty-one years of age. He immediately turned his atten- tion to farming in Pleasant township, where he remained for four years, three years of the time being spent as an agriculturist on his own ac- count and one in work for others. He then pur- chased a farm in Center township, which he later sold, and then became the owner of a small tract of sixty-two and a half acres, a part of his present possessions. Here he first erected a little log cabin, fourteen by twelve feet, which was called the Rosebud Cottage, and there he was often vis- ited by the hunters. His land was situated in the dense woods, but as the years passed he succeeded in clearing the place, and from time to time added to his possessions until at one time he was the owner of three hundred and forty-two and a half acres, but he has since divided his land be- tween his two sons. His farm is now under an excellent state of cultivation, is improved with a good residence, commodious barns and well kept fences, and everything about the place indicates the supervision of a progressive owner.

The marriage of Mr. Wing was celebrated on the 16th of March, 1865, when Miss Hettie Rhodes became his wife. She is a native daugh- ter of LaPorte, her birth having occurred in this city on the 17th of November, 1844, her parents being Benjamin and Lutecia (Miller) Rhodes, the former of whom was a native of of England and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were num- bered among the early pioneers of this county, dating their arrival here as early as 1833, and her father erected a grist mill and brewery at LaPorte, also a brewery at Springville, and as- sisted materially in the upbuilding of LaPorte county. He was seventy-six years of age when called to his final rest, and the mother passed away at the age of forty-three years. They were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Wing was the fourth child in order of birth. She was reared in La-

Porte until eight years of age, when she accom- panied the family on their removal to Springfield township.

Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wing, the elder of whom, Benjamin, married Dora Mays, and has two children, Earl and Lottie. The second son, Abram C., married Lena Ewalt, and they also have two children, Els- worth B. and Amilda Bell. During the long per- iod of fifty-seven years in which Mr. Wing has made his home in LaPorte county he has been prominently identified with its leading interests, and has given a stalwart support to the principles of the Republican party. The social standing of the family is high, and they are active in all good work looking to the material and substantial bene- fit of the community.

ENOCH L. PRESTON. The student of his- tory cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of LaPorte county without learning of the Preston family, for at a very early day in the development of this section of the state the family was established here, and its representatives have been substantial citizens, taking an active and helpful part in the progress and welfare of the community. Mr. Enoch L. Preston resides on section 8, Kankakee township, and was but a boy when brought to LaPorte county. His birth occurred in Union county, Indiana, February 13, 1828.

His father, Zenas Preston, was born in Penn- sylvania, but when about twelve years of age was taken by his father, John Preston, to Virginia. The latter was killed by accident in that state. The former was reared to manhood in the Old Dominion and in the year 1824 he came with his father to Indiana, establishing his home in Union county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1833. He then came to LaPorte county and made a home in the midst of the green forests in Kankakee township. From the government he secured a claim and improved a farm, meeting all the hardships and trials of pioneer life, in which his family also shared. He passed away when about seventy-nine years of age, and his wife died at the same age. She bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Stanton and was a native of North Carolina. Both were members of the So- ciety of Friends, active in church work, honorable in all life's relations, and throughout the county they were widely and favorably known. Of their family of seven children, six were sons, and the only daughter died in infancy. The others are : Albert, Vickers and Urbin, all now deceased;

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Elam, who resides in Nebraska; and Calita, of Kankakee township.

Enoch L. Preston is the youngest of the fam- ily, and was but six years of age when he arrived in LaPorte county. Upon the home farm in Kan- kakee township he was reared, and in his early youth pursued his studies in a log school build- ing. It had primitive furnishings, including slab benches, an immense fireplace and a writing desk which was made by putting a board upon pins that were driven into the wall. He worked on the home farm throughout the period of his boy- hood and youth and gave to his father great as- sistance.

In 1847 Mr. Preston was united in marriage to Miss Martha Cooley, who was born in Indiana and died in 1896. She was an estimable lady, de- voted to her family and faithful in friendship, and thus her loss was deeply mourned throughout the neighborhood. By her marriage she had five daughters: Angeline, who is the wife of Charles Carpenter, of Kankakee township; Emma, the wife of Albert Pease,, of Kankakee township; Ella, the wife of J. C. Taylor, of the same town- ship; Adelia, the wife of W. O. Fail, of Kanka- kee township; and Alice, who became the wife of Dr. Smith, of LaPorte city, and died in 1898. All were born in Kankakee township, and those who are still living reside there. For his sec- ond wife Mr. Preston chose Isabel Chafin, the wedding being celebrated January 23, 1900. She was born in Greene county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Seth and Nancy (Clemonds) Smith. Mrs. Preston was reared in Ohio, and first gave her hand in marriage to Buris Chafin, by whom she had two children: Rosa, the wife of Milton A. Thomas; and Albert, who married Victoria Stanbaugh. Both are residents of Indiana, the son residing in Rensselaer and the daughter in Monticello.

Mr. Preston is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He cast his first presidential ballot for Martin VanBuren, and in 1860 gave his vote to Abraham Lincoln, since which time he has been a follower of Republican banners. He has held a number of local offices, to which he has been called by his follow towns- men, who recognized his worth and ability. He owns a farm of two hundred and sixty-four acres which is well improved, and the splendid condi- tion of the place is due to his own efforts. He has lived a life of thrift and industry, and has carried forward to successful completion what- ever he has undertaken. Great changes have oc-

curred in the county since his arrival here. Time and man have wrought a wonderful transforma- tion, and long since have all the evidences of frontier life disappeared, being replaced by the conditions of an advanced civilization. Mr. Pres- ton takes pride in what has been accomplished, and in many instances has assisted in the material upbuilding of this portion of the state.

DR. JOHN J. STEDMAN, at present a South Chicago dentist and capitalist, was for a number of years engaged in the practice of his profession at LaPorte, and is well remembered there as one of the prominent citizens and suc- cessful business men. Dr. Stedman was born at Ontario, Wayne county, New York, in 1831, the son of Benjamin and Abigail (Sheldon) Sted- man, the former of whom was born in Rhode Island and came to Wayne county in 1820, settling on a farm, and the latter was born in Vermont. The father died in Wayne county, New York, and the mother at Edgewood, Illinois.

Dr. Stedman had a district school education, and later worked in a flouring mill owned by members of his family. He took up the study of dentistry while still a young man, attending pro- fessional schools at Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Dental colleges were not so elaborately equipped then as they are now, and Dr. Stedman thought it well to do considerable study in the office of a general physician, which he did, and in this way gained a well rounded preparation for his calling. In 1852 he made a trip to the west, but did not remain. He came out again in 1855 and located for the practice of dentistry at Hillsdale, Michigan, where he lived for five years, and was subsequently at Edgewood, Illinois, for four years, and also at Mattoon, Illinois, and later in Ohio. In 1879 he came to LaPorte anu estab- lished himself and got a good patronage, remain- ing there till 1895, when he came to South Chi- cago. His office is at the corner of Ninety-second street and Commercial avenue, but, in addition to his professional work, he has of late years de- voted considerable attention to real estate invest- ments, business buildings and flats, in South Chi- cago, which have been made with such good judgment that they are now very valuable and bring in large rentals.

Dr. Stedman has been married twice. He mar- ried Miss Varina E. Thompson in Hillsdale, Michigan, and from this union there are two children, Mrs. Frances M. Denby, and Mrs. Lou- ise Finley, the latter being the wife of Dr. C. A. Finley, a native of LaPorte and Dr. Stedman's

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partner in dental practice. Dr. Stedman after- ward married Mrs. Nettie (Love) Chapman, who is still living. Dr. Stedman is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the commandery at LaPorte, where he has a large and pleasant acquaintance, owing to his activity in social and political affairs while there.

JOHN TAYLOR, SR., was born in Liver- pool, England, September 30, 1825, and is a grandson of William Taylor, who was born in the north of Ireland. After arriving at years of maturity his grandfather wedded Catherine Tay- lor and they reared a large family. In order to provide for their support William Taylor follow- ed the occupation of farming. Among his chil- dren was Thomas Taylor; who was born in Eng- land and became a cooper by trade. He followed that pursuit in early manhood and later secured a position as local inspector in the revenue depart- ment of the English government. In 1860 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, but re- turned to England in the following year, and died there some years later, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Patterson, and was also a native of England. She survived him for some time and departed this life at the ex- treme old age of ninety-five years. Both were members of the Church of England, and they so lived as to win the regard and confidence of all with whom they came in contact. Mrs. Nancy Taylor was a daughter of William Patterson, a native of Scotland, who spent the greater part of his life in the land of the heather and died in Glasgow. Mrs. Taylor was his only daughter, but there were two sons in the family. By her marriage she became the mother of four children, three sons and a daughter, and two are now liv- ing: John and Agnes, the latter a resident of Liverpool.

John Taylor, Sr., resided in the city of Liver- pool until twelve years of age, and acquired his elementary education there. It was then that he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, landing in New York, in 1837. For eight or ten years he remained a resident of the eastern metropolis, and then went to Onondaga county, New York, where he resided until 1850. In that year he made his way westward to Chicago, where he lived until 1852, and for more than a half century he has resided in Michigan City. He was employed at coopering in the Empire state, and also followed that pursuit to some extent after coming to the west. Later, however, he began dealing in real

estate, in which he is still interested, and he yet owns considerable property here.

In 1848 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Gardner, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Truax) Gardner, who were natives of New York, living in Schenectady for a num- ber of years. In 1853 they came to Indiana, set- tling in Michigan City, and here her father died in the year 1861, at an advanced age. . His wife survived him until 1865. In their family were four children, but only two are now living : Cath- erine, the wife of C. W. Palmer, a resident of Waterford, Indiana; and Joseph Gardner, Jr., who is engaged in the real estate business in Ot- tumwa, Iowa. The father of Joseph Gardner,. Sr., was named Martin Gardner and was born in the Empire state and made his home in Syra- cuse. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Taylor was Edward Truax, who was a resident of Schenectady, New York, and some of his descend- ants are still living there. To Mr. and Mrs. Tay- lor were born five children, three sons and two. daughters, but Ellen and John, the first two, died' in infancy. Thomas is engaged in the plumbing: business in Michigan City. John, the second of the. name, is also in Michigan City ; he married Miss Mary Voss, and they have two children, Carl and: John. The youngest member of the family is. Katie. The wife and mother died March II, 1901, at the age of seventy-three years. She was most devoted to the welfare of her husband and children, and was a consistent and faithful mem- ber of the Methodist church. Mr. Taylor belongs to the Odd Fellows society, and he votes with the Republican party. For some time he served as deputy marshal in the city and for one term was constable, but during the greater part of his life he has neither sought nor cared for political office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs.

ISAAC HOOVER. For many years Isaac Hoover has been prominently identified with the business interests of LaPorte county, and in this time has become recognized as one of its most valued and useful citizens. He was born in Leb- anon county, Pennsylvania, on the 3rd of August, 1830, and in that state his father, John Hoover, was also born. After his marriage the latter removed from Center county, Pennsylvania, to Indiana, first taking up his abode in Porter coun- ty, and later coming to Center township, LaPorte county, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in death when he had reached the age of eighty-two years. His wife bore the maiden

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name of Mary Doonen, and she, too, was a native of the Keystone state, and there she also paseed to her final reward. The union of John and Mary Hoover was blessed with two sons, the brother of Isaac having been John D., who died in La- Porte county.

Isaac Hoover, now the only living representa- tive of this family, was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, and with the exception of three years which he spent in Kansas, he has ever since made his home in this state, his education being prin- cipally received in the public schools of Porter county, in a little log schoolhouse in Center town- ship, furnished with slab benches and boards for desks. Until reaching mature years he remained with his father, asisting him in the work of the farm, but he then decided to begin the activities of life on his own account, and accordingly en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Center township, LaPorte county. In addition to this pursuit he was also for a time engaged in the lumber busi- ness and the manufacture of brick in partnership with his brother, continuing in the former occu- pation for twenty-one years. When Mr. Hoover arrived here there was not a brick house in the county, and many of those now standing are made of brick of their manufacture, while in many other ways he has proved an important factor in the upbuilding and development of the locality in which he has resided for so many years.

The marriage of Mr. Hoover was celebrated in 1855, the lady of his choice being Leah Hoover, and to this union five children, four sons and one daughter, have been born, namely: John H., a successful farmer of Center township; Benjamin F., who is in Oregon; Eli, a farmer and brick manufacturer of Center township; Elmer F., who is also engaged in agricultural pursuits and brick-making in this township; and Sarah E., the wife of B. F. Bowen, of Oregon. In his political affiliations Isaac Hoover has been a life- long Republican, and farternally is a member of the noble order of Masons. His religious prefer- ence is indicated by his membership in the Bapt- ist church.

JAMES R. DEWOLFE, of Michigan City, and interested in agricultural pursuits in LaPorte county, was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, Febru- ary 27, 1844. Although the ancestral history can- not be traced back in direct line by Mr. DeWolfe, it is a well authenticated fact that the family to which he belongs was connected with one of the old and distinguished families of Saxony, con-

nected with the nobility. In the genealogical his- tory of that country mention is made of many eminent and honored representatives of the fam- ily.

Charles E. and Mary (Baum) DeWolfe, the parents of Mr. DeWolfe, were natives of Nova Scotia. The maternal grandfather was a farmer and owned a tract of land which is now in the very center of the city of Pittsburg, but, selling his property he removed to Canton, Ohio, at an early day, and thence went to White Pigeon, Michigan, where he died when past the age of sixty years. He made the journey to Ohio and also to Michigan by team and wagon, and was a pioneer settler of both districts. In his business he prospered, and was well to do at the time of his death. His wife survived him several years, and died in Valparaiso, Indiana, when more than eighty years of age.

Charles E. DeWolfe was a merchant and came to the United States at about twenty years of age and in the early 30's went to Valparaiso, Indiana, casting in his lot with the pioneer set- tlers there. He gave his attention to merchandis- ing in the embryo city, and also entered large tracts of land from the government, which he afterward sold as an increased population created a demand for more property. In 1848 he re- moved to Michigan City, and in 1850 brought his family, making a permanent location. For twenty years he engaged in merchandising here, and was a leading business man, his enterprise and energy adding to the commercial activity of the place and thereby promoting the general progress. He died in Michigan City on the 11th of September, 1894, at the age of eighty-two years and thus passed away one of the honored pioneer settlers of Indiana. His wife died in 1889. They attended the Congregational church, and Mr. Charles DeWolfe gave his political support to the Republican party.

James R. De Wolfe was only six years of age when his parents removed to Michigan City, and there he was reared to manhood, while in the public schools he acquired his primary education, which was supplemented by study in Wabash College, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he was graduated with the class of 1868. Returning to his home, he then engaged in clerking in Michi- gan City, and after two years thus spent he en- gaged in merchandising on his own account, dealing in hardware for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his store, and has since been interested in farming. owning at the present time a valuable farm of

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three hundred acres in Cool Spring township and also an interest in other lands, from which he derives a good income. He is also a stockholder in the Michigan City Ice Company.

On the 22d of May, 1876, Mr. DeWolfe was married to Mrs. Annie E. Stimpson, the widow of Lawrence Stimpson. Mrs. DeWolfe is a mem- ber of the Congregational church, and they both have many friends in this city. Politically Mr. DeWolfe is a Republican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never been an aspirant for public office.

SAMUEL S. HAY is living on a farm on section 8, Union township, and is one of the early settlers of LaPorte county, his identification with agricultural interests here dating from an early day. He was born in Schoharie county, New York, October 10, 1829. It is supposed that his paternal grandfather, Daniel Hay, was a native of Scotland and that he came with two brothers from the land of the heather to the new world. One of these settled in New York, the second in Pennsylvania and the third in Ohio, (this is tra- dition). James Hay, the father of. Samuel S. Hay, was born in the Empire state, and there re- mained throughout his entire life. He devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, thus pro- viding for his family. He married Miss Eliza Brand, who was born in New York and reached the very advanced age of eighty-seven years. Her father, Samuel Brand, was a native of America, his birth having probably occurred in the Empire state, where his last days were also spent. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. James Hay was blessed with seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom reached adult age.

Samuel S. Hay was the second child and son of this family, and in the county of his nativity his boyhood days were passed. His early educa- tion was acquired in the common schools, and he continued his studies in the high school of Schoharie county, New York. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until about the time he attained his majority, after which he worked at the laying of stone walls and later en- gaged in teaching school through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the farm work. In 1856 he came to La Porte county. Indiana, arriving on the 19th of March, of that year.

In his native county Mr. Hay was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma J. Richt- myer, the wedding being celebrated January 19, 1854. Mrs. Hay was born in New York, August

25, 1835, and was a daughter of Andrew and Abigail (Wilsey) Richtmyer. On their removal to the west they located on a farm in Union town- ship, and the same spring Mr. Hay purchased land on section 17, Union township. It was wild and unimproved, and was largely covered with timber. He built a log house in the midst of green woods, and with characteristic energy be- gan to clear away the trees, to fence the place, to operate the fields, and, in fact, to make a model farm out of it. To this he added until he owned one hundred and forty acres, and the splendid appearance of the place indicates his carful sup- ervision and practical methods.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hay have been born two children, who are yet living: Eva, the wife of August Kregle, of Stillwell Prairie, a prominent farmer ; and Norman L., who married Grace Hall of Wisconsin, and now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Hay also have two grandchildren : Percy Kregle and Cressy Hay. Mr. and Mrs. Hay hold membership in the Meth- odist church at Tracy, Indiana, take an active in- terest in its work and assist materially in its ad- vencement. He has always been an earnest Re- publican since the organization of the party, and previous to that time he took an active part in the circles of the Whig party. He was appointed a trustee and was the first Republican who ever held that office in the township. He has also filled other local positions, and was appointed register of elections at one time. He has now reached the. seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey and he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear. His career has ever been energetic, guided by manly princi- ples and actuated by true motives, and through an active business career he has won the success which should ever crown persistent effort.

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 81

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