A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 84

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

USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana > Part 84

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HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

Hobson learned of Mr. Ballard's return from the west he invited him to dine at the hotel, and the latter, with the healthy appetite characteristic of travelers from the western plains, did full justice to that Sunday meal.

There were no means of transportation in or out of LaPorte county then except by stage or · private conveyance, and the stages were often two or three days behind him. The first communi- cation by telegraph was opened up through that part of the country in 1846-7, and the railroads soon followed this enterprising wedge of civiliza- tion. The Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana, via LaPorte, and the Michigan Central, via Michigan City, the two great trunk lines, were each trying to head the other off in getting to Chicago and the west. In those days railroads were compelled to have charters from each state, designating points within the state between which the line would be built. The Michigan Central had a charter authorizing construction as far as New Buffalo. The company secured another charter, called the Salem and New Albany, which let them into Indiana to a point on Lake Michi- gan, and with the tail end of some other charter got into Illinois, on the Illinois Central. The Lake Shore procured an old charter called the Buffalo and Mississippi, which let them into Illi- nois, with a junction with the Rock Island of to- day. The fight for rights of way across northern Indiana was carried on fiercely. Ezekiel Morri- son, of LaPorte, who was one of the directors of the Michigan Southern, on his own account and by order of the company, bought up a long string of forty-acre tracts west of Michigan City, in order to prevent the Michigan Central from crossing this land. At that time there were no laws of eminent domain, and the condition seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle to the Michigan Central's getting further west, but in the winter of 1851-52 the legislatures of several of the north- western states simultaneously passed laws, termed "general railroad law," which provided for con- demnation of land for right of way, and this term- inated the fight between the two roads, which, after reaching Chicago, found there was enough traffic for both roads. It is said that the Michigan Southern still owns some of those tracts of worth- less swamp and sand dunes.

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Ballard once more came to Chicago, for the purpose of transacting some business, and as he never got through with · it he remained and became a citizen of Chicago, although he says he never moved his trunk from LaPorte (it burning up in the tavern there) ; so

he still claims citizenship in the Indiana town where he cast his first vote, and where he thinks he is yet entitled to suffrage.

On coming to Chicago Mr. Ballard entered the employ of Wilcox, Lyon & Company, and in 1856 bought an interest in a sash, door and blind factory and planing mill on Market and Taylor streets, and in connection with it took building contracts. In 1861 he went into the lumber busi- ness on his own account, and became greatly in- terested in the lumber trade and accumulated con- sìderable property. But the great fire of 1871 ar- rested his operations and consumed in one night the structures he had erected, and the stock he had gathered by years of industry. Not only so, but the insurance companies in which he was insured went up with the smoke of the conflagration. But he was one of the indomitable Chicagoans whose energy soon rehabilitated the city on a vast scale, and all was progressing well when the panic of 1873 caused a worse setback, in Mr. Ballard's opinion, to all lines of building and industry, than the fire itself.

After recovering somewhat from the losses of the fire and panic Mr. Ballard re-engaged in the umber business, having a yard on Fifth avenue between Harrison and Polk streets, where the Grand Central depot now stands. He con- tinued the business until 1887, when, having re- trieved some of his losses, he closed out his stock and retired from the trade. He had reached the age when men are wont to lay off the harness and give themselves leisure to look about them and enjoy some of the fruits of their industry.

Since his retirement from business, however, he has been called upon to take part in public affairs. In 1876 he was elected alderman from the second ward, and served continuously by re- election for six years. Then in 1890, after his removal to the thirty-second ward, he was elected from there as alderman for two years. During his first term he was a member of the building committee in charge of the erection of the city hall, and devoted a great deal of his time to that matter. He became very prominent in that con- nection through his injunction suit restraining the city from accepting inferior material and thus be- ing swindled. Later, when serving a term as county commissioner of Cook county, he saved the county a million dollars by similar efforts. Throughout his public career he has been a great force for civic cleanliness and honesty. Mr. Ballard was a member of the Chicago delegation which went to Washington in February. 1890. to secure the Columbian exposition for Chicago.

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Harmon Mikormick

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Mr. Ballard was married in Chicago in 1861 to Miss Katharine Miller, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Mary Ballard Derby. Mr Ballard is an authority on the early history of three localities, California, LaPorte and Chicago, and by his writings and public speeches has con- tributed valuable historical material. He has also been a witty and effective speaker in political campaigns, and in politics still adheres, funda- mentally, to the safe doctrines of the old-line Whig party.

HARMON McCORMICK. At the time when the country was engaged in Civil war Har- mon McCormick proved his loyalty to the Union cause by offering his services to the government, and in days of peace he is equally true to the best interests of his community, favoring good citi- zenship and performing his part in all public mat- ters pertaining to the general good. He is a lead- ing and influential farmer of Union township, living on section 30. Pennsylvania is the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Lycom- ing county on the 28th of March, 1841.

His father, Thomas McCormick, was also born in Lycoming county, and became a farmer, following that occupation for many years. In 1846 he came to LaPorte county, Indiana, locat- ilng at Kingsbury, his home being a log cabin. He afterwards removed to the Wells farm, situ- ated about four and a half miles from LaPorte, and afterward lived upon the Walker farm, which was still farther north. His next place of resi- dence was the Jessup's farm, but his death oc- curred upon the Walker farm about 1863. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Theodosia Allen, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. Her death occurred in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCormick were born nine children, eight of whom reached years of maturity.

Harmon McCormick, who is the fourth mem- ber of the family, was about five years of age at the time of the removal to LaPorte county, and here he was reared, obtaining his education in the common schools. He continued to live with his parents until his father's death, after which he went to live with his uncle, S. S. McCormick, with whom he continued until he had attained his majority. He then started out in life for him- self. going to Chicago, where he worked at any employment which he could secure. For a time he was employed in the livery stable of Clark & Company, then situated on Dearborn street near the present site of the magnificent postoffice build-

ing in that city. After six months spent there he went to Lafayette, Indiana, and was employed for a year on a farm near that place. He then rented a farm in that locality, and had just sowed his wheat crop when, in 1863, his patriotic spirit being aroused, he offered his services to the gov- ernment in defense of the Union and enlisted in the Sixteenth Indiana Battery as a private. Thus he served until the close of the war, covering about two years. He was promoted to the rank of corporal, and in all places and under all circum- stances was loyal to the government and the old flag.

After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. McCormick returned to Lafayette, Indiana, where he was employed for three years upon a farm owned by his cousin. He afterward spent six and a half years in the employ of a Mr. Fowler in Lafayette, Indiana, and for one year was in the services of Charles Parker.

In 1874, Mr. McCormick was united in mar- riage to Miss Libby Hewson, a sister of Charles Hewson. She was born in England, May 13, 1843, and was about two years of age when brought by her parents to America. Her girlhood days were therefore spent in Union township, and she pursued her education in the schools near her home and in the city of LaPorte. At the time of their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm where they still reside, and as the years have passed prosperity has at- tended their efforts. Mr. McCormick now oper- ates two farms, comprising four hundred and twenty-five acres of good land. He devotes his attention to the raising of cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and he also engages in stock- raising. In all of his work he is practical and progressive, and his labors have brought him a fair degree of prosperity.

To Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have been born three children, who are yet living: Anna, at home; Nora, the wife of Allen Kellogg, of La- Porte; and Grace, who is attending Kingsbury high school. The parents hold membership in the Baptist church of Kingsbury, of which Mr. McCormick is serving as a trustee. In politics he is a stanch Republican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and giving his support to the measures which he thinks con- tain the best elements of good government. The history of LaPorte county and its development is familiar to him, for fifty-seven years have come and gone since he took up his abode here. Thus from the period of early improvement he has watched the growth and as the years have passed

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has seen wonderful transformation, the wild land having been reclaimed for the purpose of civil- ization, while towns and villages have sprung up and all the comforts and the evidences of the civi- lization of the older east have been introduced.

JUDSON ALEXANDER, who is a dealer in coal and ice in Michigan City, was born in San- dusky, Ohio, on the 16th of March, 1856, and is one of the eight children whose parents were William and Susan S. (Moore) Alexander. The paternal grandfather was a native of the Emerald Isle, and when he bade adieu to friends and na- tive country and sailed for the new world, he took up his abode on the Atlantic coast, but later in life removed to Ohio, settling in the town of Clyde, near Sandusky, where he died at an old age. To him and his wife Ann were born a num- ber of children.

William L. Alexander, the father of Judson Alexander, was born in Vermont. He is now a farmer residing near Bowling Green, Ohio. He wedded Susan S. Moore, a native of the Buck- eye state and a daughter of John Moore, who was born in Germany and on coming to America set- tled in Wood county, Ohio, establishing his home in the midst of the green forests at a very early day in the history of that portion of the state. He always carried on agricultural pursuits, and he lived to be about eighty years of age. He was married three times and had nine children. These included Mrs. Susan S. Alexander, who died in 1888 at the age of sixty-two years. Both of the parents of Judson Alexander were members of the United Brethren church, and the father is an old-school Democrat. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters : Catherine, the widow of Reason Jewell, who is living near Bowl- ing Green, Ohio; Albert, of Rudolph, Ohio; Jud- son, of Michigan City, Indiana; Edwin; Ida May, the wife of Edward Everett, of Maumee, Ohio; William, of Michigan City; Fred, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Chester, of North Baltimore, Ohio.

Judson Alexander was reared to manhood on a farm near Sandusky, Ohio, and in his youth became familiar with the work of field and mea- dow, to which he gave his time and attention when not engaged with the duties of the school- room. His education was pursued in the district schools, and in 1881 he removed to Frankfort Station in Illinois, where he engaged in the pro- duce business until 1884. That year witnessed his arrival in Michigan City, Indiana, and for six years he was employed as a fireman on the

Michigan Central Railroad. He then followed draying for three years, at the end of which time he began dealing in ice, and later he added coal to his business. He now handles both commodi- ties and has secured a very gratifying patronage.

On the 18th of September, 1893, Mr. Alex- ander was united in marriage to Mrs. Ella Phil- lips, a daughter of Hamilton Dalson. For his second wife Mr. Alexander chose Miss Alice Riley, a daughter of Miles and Bridget (Burns) Riley. This marriage occurred on the 17th of March, 1903. Mrs. Alexander is a member of the Catholic church. Her parents were natives of county Wexford, Ireland, and ere their mar- riage they came to the United States. They became acquainted in Niles, Michigan, and there the wedding was celebrated. They had six chil- dren, two sons and four daughters, of whom five are now living: Catharine, the wife of William Mclaughlin ; Mary, the wife of Peter Frederick; Alice, the wife of Mr. Alexander ; Thomas ; and Anna, the wife of John B. Blakesley. Miles Riley was a boilermaker, and after coming to America spent the greater part of his life in Michigan City, where he died September 19, 1881, at the age of fifty-nine years, while his wife passed away Au- gust 27, 1881, aged fifty-six years. Both were de- voted members of the Catholic church.

Mr. Alexander belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur. He gives an earnest political support to the Republican party. He is now a substantial citizen of LaPorte county, and he deserves the credit which is ever due to the men who have made their own way in the world unaided. Start- ing out in life for himself when a young man, he had no capital to aid him, and, dependent upon his own resources, he has overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path by perseverance and resolute will, and in the business world has gained a creditable position through honorable methods that now make him a useful and valued representative of trade interests in Michigan City.

WILLIAM E. BRINCKMANN is one of the native sons of Michigan City and a repre- sentative of one of its old and prominent German- American families. His birth occurred on the 12th of December, 1863, and he is a son of William and Louise (Warkentin) Brinckmann, the former a native of the province of Gelso and the latter Neiendorf, Mecklenberg, Germany. His maternal grandfather was also born in the father- land, and about 1865 came to America, locating in Michigan City, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring when

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well advanced in years. He was a school teacher by profession for forty-two. years, and was a soldier in two of the German wars, and reared a large family of children. Christopher Brinck- mann, the paternal grandfather of William E., died in Germany in middle life, after becoming the father of three children, two sons and a daughter.

William Brinckmann, one of the three chil- dren, became a brick-mason, stone-cutter and a contractor, and in 1855 he left his German home for America, taking up his abode in Michigan City, where he followed his trade for a number of years. In 1875 he opened a meat market in this city, remaining its proprietor up to the time of his death, which occurred on December 25, 1893, when he was sixty-six years of age. His wife still survives him, having reached the seventieth milestone on the journey of life, and is a worthy member of the Lutheran church, as was also her husband. He was also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Felows, was one of the nine charter members of the St. John's Aid Society, and was a member of the Arbeiter Verein, a German workingmen's society. To Mr. and Mrs. Brinckmann were born six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters, namely : Robert ; Herman ; William E .; Alezea; Martha, the wife of J. J. Haller ; and Louise, the wife of John Ebert.

William E. Brinckmann has spent his entire life in Michigan City, and in his youth attended the German Lutheran and public schools, after which he began work in his father's market. After the latter's death and in company with his brothers, Robert and Herman, he became the suc- cessor o the business, and they have since carried on operations with marked success. His business interests, however, have not been confined to one line of endeavor, for he is a man of resourceful ability, and has been an active factor in the successful control of some of Michigan City's leading en- terprises. He is a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank, and also in the Michigan City Trust & Savings Company, the Indiana Transportation Company, Michigan City & Chicago Line Steam- er, "Indianapolis." In matters of national im- portance he gives his political support to the Democratic party, but in local politics is indepen- dent. He is a member of Washington Lodge No. 94, Knights of Pythias ; of the Royal Arcanum ; is a charter member of the Elks society; and is also a charter member of the Maccabees.

On the 25th of June, 1888, Mr. Brinckmann 82

was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Witt- mann, a daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Sass) Wittman, and they have one son, Bernard. Jo- seph Wittmann, the only child of Johannes and Josepha Wittmann, who lived and died in Ger- many, was a native of Stuttgart province, village of Dridlinger, Germany, His wife, Sophia Sass, was born in Althoff, Mecklenburg, Germany, and was a daughter of Frederick and Mary Sass, the former of whom served as overseer of the village of Althoff, and his death occurred in the father- land. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wittmann came to America about 1850, taking up their abode in Michigan City ; the mother still resides at 1301 Manhattan street, and here the father died De- cember 21, 1903. They became the parents of five children, one son and four daughters, three of whom are now living, namely: Lena, the wife of Phelix Retseck; Josephine, the wife of Robert Retseck; Elizabeth, the wife of William E. Brinckmann; and the two deceased are Dora, who was the wife of Anton Retseck ; and Stephen Wittmann. Mr. Brinckmann is a Lutheran in his religious faith, while his wife is a member of the Catholic church, and the family home is located at 818 Washington street, which was erected by Mr. Brinckmann's father.

GEORGE W. TRAVIS. A well improved farm located on section 32, Union township, is the property of George W. Travis, and in all his farm work he has been practical, energetic and capable, and thus has become one of the substan- tial representatives of agricultural interests in his community. He was born in Pleasant township, LaPorte county, September 4, 1850, and is the youngest son of Joshua and Angeline (Will- iams) Travis, of whom mention is made on an- other page of this volume, in connection with the sketch of John A. Travis.

Under the parental roof the boyhood days of George W. Travis were passed. He lived with his parents in Union and Pleasant townships, remaining at home until about eighteen years of age, when he went to LaPorte and entered the city schools, spending about two and a half years in completing his education there. He assisted his father also in the livery business in that city, and gained a good practical business training.

Mr. Travis has been twice married. In Janu- ary, 1883, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Su- san Dipert, a daughter of Washington Dipert, who was born in Owen county, Indiana. She died leaving three children: Wirt A., Blanche A. and Guy W. For his second wife Mr. Travis

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chose Miss Florian Knowles, a daughter of Rob- ert and Emaline (Rector) Knowles. Mrs. Travis was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, near Circle- ville, on the 13th of July, 1858, and is the fourth in a family of nine children, five daughters and four sons. She was reared in the place of her nativity until fifteen years of age, when she ac- companied her parents on their removal to Kan- sas, whence they afterward returned to Porter county, Indiana. In her early womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to Paul Freed, and there was one son by this union, Robert K. Freed. On the 14th of February, 1901, she became the wife of George W. Travis, and they now occupy a pleasant home upon a farm which Mr. Travis has occupied since his first marriage with the ex- ception of a few years spent in the city of La- Porte and other places.

He is now the owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres of rich land, on which he has engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He has good grades of cattle, horses and hogs upon his place, and his fields are well tilled and bring forth good harvests. Everything about his farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, and indi- cates his careful supervision. Mr. Travis has been a life-long Republican, and while he gives firm support to the principles of the party he has never been a politician in the sense of office-seek- ing. In the county of his nativity he has a wide acquaintance and many warm friends.

Mrs. Travis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at LaPorte, Indiana, and is a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees, Hive No. I. She was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and at Fort Scott College, at Fort Scott, Kansas. She was a successful teacher in Kan- sas.

GEORGE DAWSON. In taking up the per- sonal history of George Dawson we present to our readers the life record of one of the native sons of LaPorte county. He is now known as a prominent farmer here and owns and operates a rich tract on section 30, Wills township. It was in this township that he was born, his natal day being February 5, 1857. His father, Obediah Dawson, was also a native of Indiana, born in Wayne county, May 18, 1820, and came to La- Porte county about 1833, and died December 14, 1880. That was in pioneer times, and he lived with his parents, Mathias and Elsa Dawson, who settled in Wills township. The father entered the land from the government. He secured in that way the farm upon which George Dawson

now resides. The family endured many hard- ships and trials incident to pioneer life, and their first home was a little log cabin. For miles one could ride across the prairie without coming to any indication of settlement by white men. Un- der the parental roof Obediah Dawson remained up to the time of his marriage, and even after- ward he lived upon the old homestead for a short period, but later settled on a farm of his own. As the years advanced he became a lead- ing agriculturist and one of the extensive land- owners of the county, having altogether about twelve hundred acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred when he was in the sixty- first year of his age. In politics he was always an advocate and supporter of the Democracy. His wife bore the maiden name of Polly Warren and she, too, was a native of Indiana, born in Wayne county, September 21, 1825, and died October 22, 1898. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children.

George Dawson is the eldest son but the fourth child of this family, and he was reared in Wills township and his educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools. He started out in life for himself at the age of nine- teen years, with the consent of his father, who gave him his time. He was married. February 10, 1876, to Miss Mary I. Tuley, who was born in Clinton township, LaPorte county, February 20, 1851, a daughter of Simeon and Marie (Lem- ing) Tuley, who were pioneer residents of north- western Indiana. Mrs. Dawson was reared and educated in her native township. To this mar- riage has been born a son, Gerald, who wedded Eva A. Hostetler, a daughter of Joseph and Polly Hostetler. and to them has been born one child, Archie W.

Simeon R. Tuley was born in Kentucky, Oc- tober 16, 1815; came to this county with his par- ents in 1834: was married in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1838, to Miss Marie Leming. He stayed there until 1841, when he came with his wife to LaPorte county, Clinton township, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred Novem- ber 1, 1864. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; politically a Republican. Mrs. Marie (Leming) Tuley, one of the oldest resi- dents of Clinton township, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. Slocum, December 9, 1897, aged seventy-five years, eight months and four- teen days. She was born in Clermont county, Ohio, March 25, 1822, and came to LaPorte county in 1841, where she afterward resided. In 1838 she was married to Simeon R. Tuley, to

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 84

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