A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 85

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 85

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MRS. AUGUST HILDEBRAND

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August Hildebrand

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which union eleven children were born, two dy- ing in infancy and one in early manhood. Of the eight surviving children, all were present ex- cept one daughter, who resides in Kansas. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a number of years, her Bible being her constant companion, having perused it a number of times from Genesis to Revelations. She was of a modest and retiring disposition, a faithful and devoted mother, who will be sadly missed from the family circle. The funeral services were held at the residence of E. Slocum, near Bigelow, and the remains laid to rest in the Union Chapel cemetery, Rev. Simmons of Union Mills officiat- ing. Six of her grandsons acted as pallbearers.

At the time of his marriage George Dawson located upon the farm which has continually been his home since. His occupation is that of farm-

ing and stock-raising, planting the crops best adapted to the soil and climate and raising a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs. Within the boundaries of his farm are comprised two hundred acres of well improved land, and the place has a neat and thrifty appearance, indicat- ive of the careful supervision of the owner. In politics Mr. Dawson is a Democrat, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no at- traction for him as he has preferred to give his attention to his business affairs. Whatever per- tains to the good of the county has received his endorsement, and he is recognized as a substan- tial and valued citizen.

AUGUST HILDEBRAND, who is filling the office of justice of the peace and is engaged in the occupation of farming on section 29, Union township, is a native of the fatherland, his birth having occurred in Prussia, Germany, on the 16th of October, 1853. He was reared and edu- cated there, pursuing his studies in the schools of his native country. He left home at the age of six- teen years and started out in life on his own ac- count, working by the month as a farm hand. He was thus employed for two years, at the end of which time he became a soldier in the German cavalry and devoted the succeeding six years of his life to military service. He held an office equivalent to that of sergeant in the United States army. On the expiration of his military career he engaged in brick making, which pur- suit he had previously followed to a limited ex- tent and to which he also devoted his emergies until 1882. He then sought a home in the new world, believing that he might have better busi- ness advantages in the land of the free. He made

his way direct to LaPorte, Indiana, and for about two years thereafter was employed as a farm hand. He then spent six years in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, and while thus engaged saved enough money to buy his farm of eighty acres. He then located on section 29, Union township, where he has since followed general farming. He has here a well improved tract of land, on which are good buildings well tilled fields and some good stock.

In the year of his emigration to the new world Mr. Hildebrand was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tank, and they have one son Charlie, who is at home. Mr. Hildebrand is a Democrat in his political views, and in 1902 was elected justice of the peace, which position he is now fill- ing, his decisions being strictly fair and im- partial, so that he receives the approval and com- mendation of the public. He now holds mem- bership in the Lutheran church, and is serving as its secretary. Mr. Hildebrand has had no occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for in this country he has found the business opportunities he sought, working his way upward to success and gaining the regard of his fellow men by reason of his close fidelity to upright principles.

JOHN A. TRAVIS. The Travis family is one well known in LaPorte county, and its mem- bers have been active and helpful factors in the upbuilding and substantial improvement of the county, especially along agricultural lines. Mr. John A. Travis is engaged in general farming, his home being on section 32, Union township. He was born in Pleasant township, LaPorte county. on the 26th of January, 1842.

His father, Joshua Travis, was born in Scho- harie county, New York, on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1808, and was there reared, after which he came to LaPorte county as a young man, arriv- ing in the year 1833. The county of that period bears little resemblance to the improved district of to-day, for much of the land was still in pos- session of the government and wild animals were frequently seen, while the red men still visited the neighborhood. Mr. Joshua Travis took up his abode in Pleasant township, where he entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of gov- ernment land. With characteristic energy he be- gan its cultivation, and in course of time made it a productive tract. He afterward removed to Union township, securing one hundred and sixty acres of land and as the years passed he added to his possessions until he had four hundred and

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forty acres, all in Union township. His death occurred in Union township, when he was in the the seventy-seventh year of his age. He was a Whig in his political affiliations in early days, and upon the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. As one of the pioneer settlers of LaPorte county he was well known, and took an active pride in the up- building of this portion of the state. His wife was a native of Geauga county, Ohio. She was born February 12, 1821, and bore the maiden name of Angeline Williams. Their marriage was celebrated in February, 1840, and for many years they traveled life's journey happily to- gether. Mrs. Travis passed away in her seventy- sixth year. She was a daughter of John Williams, who on coming to LaPorte county located in Pleasant township, where he died when about sixty years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Travis were born two sons, and George, the younger, is now residing in Union township, in the old home.

John A. Travis was reared in Union and Pleasant townships, and the work of the home farm early became familiar to him, as he assisted his father in the plowing, planting and harvest- ing, taking his place in the fields in early spring- time and continuing to labor there until after crops were harvested in the late autumn. In the winter months he attended school and thus acquired his education. After his marriage he at once located upon the farm which has since been his home. It is a part of the old family homestead, and here he has engaged in the culti- vation of the soil in order to raise good crops. He owns two hundred and sixty-one acres of land which is well improved, substantial build- ings have been erected and all modern accessories added.

Mr. Travis has been twice married. On the 2d of October, 1866, he wedded Miss Mary C. Way, a daughter of Seth and Susan (Ladd) Way, who was born in Pleasant township, La- Porte county, and was the fourth in a family of eight children. She died November 28, 1889, leaving three children as well as her husband to mourn her loss, and one other child died in in- fancy. Those who still survive are Cora, Wilbur and Arthur. For his second wife Mr. Travis chose Sarah M. Fales, the widow of William Geer. She was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, No- vember 8, 1847, and was a daughter of P. H. and Mary A. (Gehr) Fales. By her first marriage Mrs. Travis had three children: Clara E. and Clarence E., twins, and Mary A.

Mr. Travis has never faltered in his allegi- ance to the Republican party, but since attaining his majority has given to it an inflexible support, believing firmly in its measures and thinking that its platform contains the best elements of good government. While there have been no exciting chapters in his life history, he has been always loyal to the public welfare, and has been a help- ful factor in many measures for the general good. In his business career he has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men, but has won that prosperity along legiti- mate lines of trade.

HIRAM WINEHOLT, a prominent farmer living on section 34, Union township, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1835. His father, Samuel Wineholt, was a native of that county and state, and was there reared and mar- ried. He devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and with his family came to LaPorte county in 1851, arriving here in the latter part of March, of that year. The family home was established near the city of LaPorte, and later the father went on horseback to Illinois to view the country. However, he seemed more pleased with Indiana, and, returning to LaPorte county, he settled in Union township in 1852. Purchas- ing a farm, he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his death, being killed on a crossing of the Grand Trunk Railroad. He was seventy- two years of age. He belonged to the Presby- terian church and was an earnest, consistent Christian gentleman. In early manhood he had wedded Ella Litz, a native of Berks county, Penn- sylvania, and who lived to be more than sixty years of age. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons and six daughters, and all reached adult age with the exception of one, who died in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania.

Hiram Wineholt, the eldest of the family, was but fifteen years of age when he came to LaPorte county, and he remained at home until his marriage. In 1860 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Demyer and to them one son was born, Orlando R., who was drowned at Hed- wick, Illinois. After losing his first wife Mr. Wineholt was again married, his second union being with Miss M. J. Shaw, by whom he has two children: Harry H., who married Emma Bunton and has a son, Paul; and Daniel H., who is at home and assists his father in the operation of the farm.

Mr. Wineholt has a good tract of land, com- prising two hundred acres. This is now well im-

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proved, and he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He is one of the men that has assisted in making LaPorte county what it is to- day, being particularly helpful along agricultural lines and at the same time giving earnest sup- port to many measures for the public good. În politics he is somewhat independent, voting for men and measures rather than for party.

WILLIAM F. PEFFLEY, M. D. In the practice of medicine in Tracy Dr. William F. Peffley has demonstrated the fact that he is well informed concerning the principles of the medi- cal science and their correct application to the needs of suffering humanity, and has therefore been accorded a liberal patronage. He was born near Dora, in Wabash county, Indiana, about eight miles east of the city of Wabash, on the 18th of May, 1858. His father, John H. Peffley, was a native of Ohio, and in 1848 took up his abode in Wabash county, Indiana, where he followed the occupation of farming for a number of years. At the present time, however, he resides in Cali- fornia. In her maidenhood his wife bore the name of Ellen Pickering, and she too was a na- tive of Ohio. Her death occurred on the 17th of March, 1902.

Dr. Peffley is the eldest of the family of three children, and was reared in Wabash county, Indi- ana, upon the home farm, beginning his educa- tion in the village schools near by. His pre- liminary course, however, was supplemented by study in Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana. He afterward engaged in teaching school, and spent about six years in that profession. . While thus engaged he took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. James H. Ford, now chief sur- geon of the Big Four Railroad system. He de- voted his leisure hours to reading text books upon the subject, and having determined to make its practice his life work, matriculated in Rush Medi- cal College of Chicago, leaving the college in 1882. He then located in his native county, where he remained for about two years, at the end of which time he removed to Fulton county, Indiana, where he spent five years as a medical practitioner. He then opened an office in Indi- anapolis, where he continued to reside until 1900, at which time he went to South Bend. A year later he located in Tracy, where he has since re- mained. and already has secured a good patron- age, which is an indication of the public con- fidence reposed in him.

In 1882 Dr. Peffley was united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. McNown, a native of Wabash

county, Indiana, and a daughter of Hugh Mc- Nown, a prominent furniture manufacturer of Lagro, Indiana. In that place Mrs. Peffley was reared and educated. By her marriage she has become the mother of a son, Hugh, and a daugh- ter, Fern, but the latter .died at the age of three and a half years. Hugh is at present engaged in the profession of teaching, being principal of the LaCrosse high school. Dr. Peffley and his wife have many warm friends in this locality, and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Red Men, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Odd Fellows, and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of these organizations, which inculcate in man all that is best and highest in life.

H. H. LONG, M. D. In the medical profes- sion advancement is not easily secured. It comes through true merit and can not be obtained by gift or by purchase. One must be well qualified in the profession, for in no other calling is pre- tense so easily discovered as among those who en- gage in the alleviation of human suffering. That Dr. Long has a large patronage is indicative of his skill and ability.

Dr. Long was born on the IIth of January, 1862, in Allen county, Indiana. His father, Will- iam Long, was a native of Pennsylvania and was a farmer by occupation. He died at the age of eighty-eight years in Noble county, Indiana, after a long and useful career. His father, Jacob Long, was a native of New York, and he, too, followed the occupation of farming. At an early day in the development of Ohio he removed to that state, and located in Ashland county, where he improved a new farm. He was of Dutch lineage. The mother of Dr. Long bore the maiden name of Susan Muldoon, and was a native of Ireland, but when a little maiden of six years she left the Emerald Isle and with her parents came to the new world, living for a time in New York and af- terward in Michigan, while later she came to In- diana and established her home in Fort Wayne. She is still living at the ripe old age of seventy- five years, and is now a resident of Ligonier. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, all of whom are living and have mar- ried and have families of their own. One of the grandchildren has passed away, and with this ex- ception and that of the father of Dr. Long, all of the family still survive.

Dr. Long was the fifth in order of birth in his mother's family of seven children, and was a lad of six years at the time of his parents' removal

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to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he pursued his education in the public schools of Millersburg and later attended the Goshen Normal school. Subsequently he began teaching in his home dis- trict, and later spent two years as a teacher in the graded school at Wakarusa. In the mean- time he took up the study of medicine, reading during his leisure hours, and when two years had been spent at Wakarusa he went to New Car- lisle, where he engaged in teaching for a year. He then turned his attention to the drug business which he conducted for a year and a half at Gar- rett, enjoying a successful trade. In this way he accumulated the sum necessary to defray college expenses, and for two years was a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago. Later he fol- lowed teaching and farming, his time being thus occupied for three years, during which he was a resident of New Carlisle, Indiana. He then be- came business manager for the Baldwin racing stable, and visited all the large race courses in America during two seasons. This was for the purpose of securing the funds necessary to con- tinue his medical education, and once more he entered Rush Medical College, where he completed the prescribed course, being graduated in the class of 1893. During the periods of vacation he was engaged in dispensary and hospital work, and thus added practical experience to his theo- retical knowledge, becoming much more profi- cient in his chosen vocation.

Dr. Long at once located in Kingsbury, and has remained here through the succeeding years, enjoying a large patronage, for time has proved his efficiency, and the public gives him its confi- dence. He is a member of the LaPorte County Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation, and thus he keeps in touch with the ad-, vanced thought of the profession. His practice is very extensive, covering a large territory, and his brethren of the medical fraternity acknowl- edge his worth.

On the 20th of November, 1886, Dr. Long was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Fawcette, of New Carlisle, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Evaline (Baldwin) Fawcette. They have become the parents of three children: Victor F., born in March, 1890; Ethel, born September 25, 1897; and Harold, born January 31, 1901.

The Doctor is a Democrat in his political affil- iations, prominent in the party and a trusted leader in its ranks. He has served as county coroner for two terms, and is now trustee of the township. Local advancement and national prog- ress are both causes dear to his heart, and his in-

fluence is ever given on the side of improvement and of good citizenship. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his genial disposition has made him a favor- ite with his brethren of these fraternities.

NOAH TRAVIS, one of the old settlers of LaPorte county now residing in Kingsbury, was born on Stillwell Prairie, in Pleasant township, on the 20th of March, 1841. Sixty-two years have since come and gone, during which time he has been a witness of the great transformation which has been wrought as the work of improve- ment has been carried forward. His father, Curtis Travis, was a native of New York and came to LaPorte county in pioneer times, making the journey on foot across the country. He lo- cated in Pleasant township, where his remaining days were passed, and he bore an active part in promoting civilization here and in upbuilding the county along lines of material advancement. He was a son of John Travis, who it is supposed was a native of New York. The mother of Noah Travis bore the maiden name of Mary A. Miller, and was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in LaPorte county. Curtis Travis passed away at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife, sur- viving him for some time, died when about eighty-one years of age. They were the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity.

Noah Travis is the third child and the eldest son of this family. He was reared in his native township upon the home farm where his birth occurred, and he remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age, assisting in the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were gathered in the late autumn. He was married February 19, 1868, to Miss Mary H. Hagaman, who was born in Virginia November 14, 1847, a daughter of Marenes Hagaman, who was also a native of the Old Dominion. Mr. Travis located upon a farm of his own in Union township near the village of Tracy, where he engaged in farming and also in the operation of a sawmill for many years. He then purchased the old homestead in Pleasant township and located upon it about 1883. There he remained until his removal to the city of La- Porte, where he resided for five years, when he returned to his farm. Later, however, he took up his abode in Kingsbury, where he bought the home which he now occupies. He still owns

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some valuable farming property, including one tract of two hundred acres and another tract of one hundred and sixty-five and a half acres. All of this is well improved, and in addition to his fields he owns good residence property in Kings- bury. All that he possesses has been acquired through his own efforts, and his realty holdings are now extensive and valuable.

To Mr. and Mrs. Travis have been born five sons and two daughters, but two of the sons are now deceased, Jay and Ernest. Harry, the eldest, is a farmer living in Union township; Clay fol- lows farming near LaPorte; Nettie is at home, having finished the twelfth grade in school; Earl is engaged in farming on the old homestead; and Ethel is yet with her parents, being in the eighth grade.

Having spent his entire life in LaPorte coun- ty, Mr. Travis is one of the oldest citizens and is thoroughly informed concerning its history and what it has accomplished. He has been deeply interested in its advancement, and has given hearty co-operation to many movements for the general good. He votes with the Republican party and has been one of its stanch advocates since he cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He belongs to the Methodist Protestant church, and his life has been characterized by honorable principles and by unfaltering fidelity to his pro- fessions.

ALBERT C. FREESE is a popular official of LaPorte, his popularity being based upon his efficiency and personal worth. He is now serv- ing as city treasurer, and up to the time when he became the incumbent in this position he was identified with mercantile interests here. A na- tive son of LaPorte county, he was born in Scipio township, February 29, 1860. His father was a native of Germany, and when a young man. crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way direct to LaPorte county, where he ar- rived in 1855. Later he was married to Miss Minnie Rhode, who was also born in Germany. He now resides on a farm in Pleasant township, being one of the energetic, persevering agricul- turists of the community. He is now serving as road supervisor of his township, and is a well known and highly respected citizen. His wife died in 1899.

Albert C. Freese was reared on the farm, and early became familiar with the work of field and meadow, to which he devoted his energies when not engaged with the duties of the school- room. He acquired a good education and re-

mained on the farm until 1881, when he came to LaPorte, and for four years was engaged in the agricultural implement business. He was then a clothing salesman for about ten years in the employ of D. C. McCollum, after which he be- came a grocery merchant, forming a partnership with F. B. Heusi, under the firm name of Freese & Heusi. Theirs became one of the leading and popular grocery houses of the city, and their trade reached very profitable proportions. In the early part of 1903, however, Mr. Freese discon- tinued his mercantile relations, selling out to his partner in order to accept the position of city treasurer of LaPorte, February 5, 1903. He was chosen to this position by special election, and is proving a worthy incumbent in the office, the duties of which are now quite important and onerous, as the expenditures for public improve- ments are constantly increasing with the city's growth. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party.

In LaPorte Mr. Freese was united in mar- riage to Miss Louisa Dust. They belong to the German Lutheran church, and have a very attrac- tive home with beautiful surroundings at 1212 Jackson street.

JACOB LYBROOK, who is filling the posi- tion of postmaster in Kingsbury, and is one of the worthy citizens of the county, was born in Union county, Indiana, May 27, 1822. Few residents of the state have for more than eighty years looked forth upon the progress and development of the commonwealth, but the mind of Mr. Ly- brook bears the impress of the historic annals of Indiana, and his memory forms a connecting link between the pioneer past and the progressive present with all its evidences of an advanced civi- lization.

John Lybrook, his father, was a native of Vir- ginia, and in 1807 came to Indiana, locating in Union county, where he followed the occupation of farming. He was a son of Philip Lybrook, who is supposed to have come to America from Germany when a young boy, and he died at the age of eighty-four years. John Lybrook continued to make his home in Union county, Indiana, until sixty years of age, when he depart- ed this life. His wife bore the maiden name of Frances Toney and was a native of Virginia, in which state her girlhood days were passed. She died when sixty years of age. By her marriage she had became the mother of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all of whom reached mature years except one, although but

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 85

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