A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 86

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 86

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HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

two are now living, Jacob and his sister Cather- ine, the wife of N. A. McMeans, of Henry coun- ty, Indiana.

Mr. Lybrook is the seventh child of this fam- ily, and was reared in Union county, Indiana, where he remained until nineteen years of age, his youth being spent on the home farm. He at- tended the primitive schools of that day and had a high school course in Rush county, Indiana. When a young man of nineteen he went to Michi- gan and took charge of a sawmill owned by his father. For four years he engaged in the manu- facture of lumber in that state, and then returned to Union county, Indiana, where he remained for about one year. On the expiration of that period he went to Henry county, Indiana, and was em- ployed as a clerk in a general store there for about seven years. On the expiration of that per- iod he engaged in the milling business, building. a steam sawmill, and in this enterprise was asso- ciated with a party. After three years, however, he sold his interest and took up his abode in Starke county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming, having traded his milling property for a tract of land. His attention was then devoted to agricultural pursuits until 1864, when he re- sponded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-first. In- diana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. With that command he served until the close of the war.

When hostilities had ceased and peace was re- stored Mr. Lybrook returned to Starke county, Indiana, where his family had remained during his absence. He then resumed farming, which he carried on there until 1873, when he sold his property and came to LaPorte county, settling on Stillwell prairie, where he continued to en- gage in the tilling of the soil for about two years. At the time he rented another farm, and in 1883 he purchased the property where he is now liv- ing in Kingsbury. He then accepted a position as mail messenger on the Wabash and Grand Trunk Railroad, acting in that capacity for five years. He was appointed postmaster in Septem- ber, 1897, by President Mckinley and is still filling the position.

In 1852 Mr. Lybrook was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Jane Jarrett, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Malinda (Crawford) Jarrett, who were natives of Virginia. In their family were seven children, of whom Mrs. Lybrook is the eldest, and when she was a little girl her parents removed to Henry county, Indiana, where her girlhood days were

passed. To Mr. and Mrs. Lybrook have been born five children: Leonidas M., who is now residing in Kingsbury; Frances, the wife of P. A. Banks, of Crown Point, Indiana; William, who makes his home in Charlotte, Michigan; Charlie, who is now in Alaska; and Harry, who died in infancy. Mr. Lybrook holds membership with the Patton Post No. 147, Grand Army of the Republic, at LaPorte, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Kingsbury. His entire life has been spent in Indiana, and he has a deep and strong attachment for the state of his nativity. His life has been quietly yet honorably passed, and because of his sterling worth of character he has gained the regard and friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.

CARL STOLTZ. Residing on a farm in section 24, Cass township, LaPorte county, and ranking with the leading agriculturists of the vicinity, is found the subject of this sketch, Carl Stoltz. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on the IIth of June, 1831, and in the fatherland he was reared to mature years, there attending school until he had reached the age of fourteen. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, and for three years he served as a saddler in the German army. In the year of his marriage, 1857, he came with his bride to America, landing in this coun- try without means, a stranger in a strange land, and he was obliged to borrow the money with which to make the journey. After tak- ing up his abode in Cass . township, La- Porte county, he worked for others for three years, after which he was able to purchase a small farm in this township, which he subsequently sold, and then became the owner of a portion of the place where he now resides. His first purchase consisted of forty acres, but as time rewarded his well directed efforts he ad- ded to this tract until he became the owner of four hundred and twenty acres, which he has since divided into two farms, each containing two hundred and ten acres, but much of his prop- erty has since been given to his children, and he is now living retired from active business cares.

In 1857, in Germany, Mr. Stoltz was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hundt, a native daugh- ter of the fatherland, and eight children have been born of this union, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Paulina, the wife of Gus Cosauka : Edward, a resident of Nebraska : Her- man E., who married Tillie Boldt, who was born in Germany and was but three years of age when

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Chas. A. Miller

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brought to this country; Gusta, the wife of W. H. Wendt, of Valparaiso, Indiana ; Gust C., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cass town- ship; Amelia, the widow of William Jenkins ; Lena, the wife of William Greger ; and William, who is a telegraph operator at South Wanatah. In his political affiliations Mr. Stoltz has been a life-long Republican, and for several years served as superintendent of roads. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church in Cass township, and in his younger days Mr. Stoltz was very active in church work, having held office therein for a long period.

CHARLES H. MILLER. The business record and the official record of Charles H. Miller are alike commendable, for in both relations he has been true to the trust reposed in him and has shown himself worthy of public regard. He is now serving as county auditor and makes his home in LaPorte, but previous to his election to this office he resided in Michigan City, where almost his entire life has been passed. He is a native son of LaPorte county, and one whose record is a credit to the city and locality. His birth occurred in 1859, his parents being Charles H. and Friedericka (Luesch) Miller, both of whom were born in Germany, whence they came to America in the early fifties, locating in Michi- gan City. The father was a mechanic, and for a number of years was an employe in the Michi- gan City Car Works. He continued to make his home there until his death, which occurred in 1872. His widow still survives him and makes her home with her son Charles.

In the schools of Michigan City Charles H. Miller mastered the common branches of English, and thus prepared to meet the duties of life which come when text books are laid aside and one enters the business world. In early life he learned the cigar-maker's trade, and after work- ing for some years as a journeyman he estab- lished a cigar factory and store of his own in Michigan City, it soon becoming one of the popular industries of that place. He manufac- tured a product noted for excellence, and because of the high grade of cigars which he sold he soon won a liberal and gratifying patronage.

His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability and his fitness for office, elected him to the position of city treasurer in the spring of 1898. He entered upon the duties of the office on the Ist of September following and was the incumbent for the regular term of four years. So well had he served the people as the guardian

of the public exchequer that in the spring of 1902 he was again made the nom- inee of his party and was again elected, but he served only a brief part of his second term, for in November, 1902, he received the nomination of the Democratic party for county auditor and was elected by a good majority. He then entered upon the duties of that office, in which he has already established a reputation as a careful, thorough and efficient incumbent. His clerks and deputies are well chosen, being competent people, and the business of the office is carried forward in a systematic manner, promptness and efficiency being two of the marked characteristics of the place. Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat, stanch and active in support of the party and its principles, and doing all in his power to secure the adoption of its platform.

Socially he is also prominent. He is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight. Templar degree in the York Rite, and he also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Ar- canum. He is genial, cordial and affable in manner, free from ostentation or display, and his genuine worth and kindly disposition have gained him a host of warm friends throughout his native county. March 4, 1885, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary Snyder, of LaPorte county, Indiana.

JOHN EMERY, who is filling the position of a trustee in Hudson township and resides on section 28, where he carries on general farming, was born July 29, 1866, his birthplace being the farm on which he is now living. His paternal grandfather, Nathan Emery, was a resident of New Hampshire and was of Irish and New Eng- land ancestry. His son Moses, the father of John, was born in the old Granite state and was yet unmarried when he came to LaPorte county in 1845. Here he became acquainted with and wedded Miss Rebecca Haines, a native of Ohio. They first took up their abode in Berrien county, Michigan, and then in St. Joseph county, Michi- gan, but after a short time removed to the farm upon which Mr. Emery now resides. The fa- ther devoted his entire life to agricultural pur- suits and contributed in no small degree to the development of the county along this line. He was a trustee of his township for more than thir- teen years, and he took an active part in public affairs, supporting with zeal and energy all in- terests that he believed would contribute to pub-

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lic progress and substantial upbuilding. His po- litical allegiance was given to the Republican party and he did everything in his power to pro- mote its growth and insure its success, and still resides in Hudson township, having attained the the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife lived to be about seventy-six years of age. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, one of whom died in infancy, and one at the age of five years.

John Emery, who is the youngest child of the family, was reared upon the old homestead and is indebted to the public school system of the county for the early educational advantages he enjoyed. After attending the district schools, however, he continued his studies in the high school at New Carlisle, Indiana. Farm work has been familiar to him from an early age, for in his youth he assisted his father in the work of field and meadow. As he neared manhood he desired to establish a home of his own, and sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey. On the 30th of November, 1892, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Mclellan, a daughter of Andrew and Alice (Crawford) Mclellan. She was born in Scipio township, LaPorte county, October 30, 1864, and is an estimable lady. One little son was born, Everett V., in the second grade. The young couple began their domestic life upon the old homestead farm, where he has since engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing. He has upon his place good grades of cattle, and annually he harvests rich crops which are indicative of the care and labor which he be- stows upon the fields. His farm comprises one hundred and thirty-three acres, and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance.

Mr. Emery takes an active part in affairs per- taining to the general welfare, and is a public- spirited and progressive citizen. In 1900 he was elected a trustee of his township, which position he still holds. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, of which he is a stanch and earnest advocate. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen at New Carlisle. As he has always lived in this county his life history is known to many of the citizens, who recognize in his career much that is worthy of respect. Accordingly he is given the public regard and has gained the friendship and favor of a large circle of acquaintances.

Mr. and Mrs. John Emery have in their pos- session three of the old parchment deeds-one exe- cuted by President Andrew Jackson, and bearing the date of July 1, 1831, and the next two exe-

cuted by President Martin VanBuren, bearing the following dates: March 15, 1837, and June 30. 1837. These make thirteen deeds of this kind found in old LaPorte county, and they are valu- able heirlooms in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Emery.

ALBERT H. LEIST, the present postmaster of Michigan City, has lived in this city all his life and bases his chief claim to honor on his good and efficient citizenship in whatever business he has engaged. He is one of three sons born to Henry and Mary (Voss) Leist, the other two being Charles and George, the latter now de- ceased. His parents were natives of Germany, and his father came to America when twelve years of age, living in New York for some years, after which he went to Chicago, where he also spent a number of years. He learned the car- penter's trade early in life and became a con- tractor and builder, and on his removal to Michi- gan City was connected with building operations up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881. His political support was given the Repub- lican party, and he was a member of the Lutheran church, as is his good wife, who survives him and is now living in Michigan City.

Albert H. Leist was born in Michigan City, Indiana, November 14, 1865, and has made his home throughout life in the house in which he was born. He received his education in the pub- lic schools, and early learned the carpenter's trade and cabinet-making under the supervision of his father. He never devoted himself to his trade for any length of time, for he secured a clerkship in the dry-goods store of C. F. H. Cars- tens, and was thus employed for six years. He then became deputy postmaster during President Harrison's administration, and acted in that ca- pacity for four years, after which he was elected city clerk, and remained in this position for four years. Before his term as city clerk was up he was appointed postmaster by President Mc- Kinley, in 1898, and in 1902 was reappointed by President Roosevelt. As the present incumbent of this office he is discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, and he has systematized the work of the office and has given uniform satisfaction and become a popular official.

December 15, 1892, Mr. Leist was married to Miss Lena Gould, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Homer Gould, who was born in Indiana, while her mother was born in Kentucky, and Mrs. Leist is one of six children. Mr. Leist is a Knight Templar and a Scottish Rite Mason, and

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M.S. Darling M. O;

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he also affiliates with Washington Lodge No. 93, Knights of Pythias, with Lodge No. 342, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and with the Royal Arcanum, and in all these organiza- tions he has been true to their beneficent and fra- ternal teachings. He has always voted the Re- publican ticket, and has always been faithful in the performance of the duties imposed upon him by office. Among his stanchest friends are many who have known him from boyhood, and who esteem him for the honorable and straightforward career he has made in his native city.

DR. NELSON S. DARLING, for forty- three successive years engaged in the practice of medicine in LaPorte, is one of the oldest repre- sentatives of the profession in northern Indiana, and has not only maintained his position among the leaders of the medical fraternity but has taken part in much of the public and social life of LaPorte, so that he is accounted one of her honored citizens. Dr. Darling's ancestors on both sides were of the best New England stock, and among them for many generations have been men and women of culture and high standing in their respective callings. He is the sixth in order of descent from the original American emi- grant, who came from Wales and settled in Massachusetts.

Thomas Darling, the father of Dr. Darling, was born in Mendon, Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, and was a farmer. In the early fifties he left New England and came to a farm near Pine Lake, Center township, LaPorte county, Indiana, adjoining the farm of his eldest son, Thomas West Darling, who had settled in this vicinity nearly twenty years before, being one of the first comers and aiding materially in the county's development. After the death of his wife in 1857, Thomas Darling lived for a time in LaPorte. Subsequently he went to live with a son in Decatur, Nebraska, where he remained till his death, November 15, 1870. His wife, Mrs. Theodosia (Russell) Darling, who was a native of Massachusetts, was a descendant of William Russell, who came from England about 1640 and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Dr. Darling was born in Chesterfield, Massa- chusetts, in 1831, and resided there with his pa- rents and later at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He attended school for one year in Burlington, Ver- mont, and at the age of fifteen went to Ohio, where he took up his residence with an elder brother in Elyria. After a year in school there he became a student in the high school at Colum-

bus, Ohio, where he was graduated. Later he entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, and with Professor R. L. Howard as his principal preceptor, graduated with the class of 1853. For the next seven years Dr. Darling was engaged in practice at London, the county seat of Madi- son county, Ohio, but in 1860 he came to La- Porte, where he has been steadily pursuing his calling up to the present time. His power as a medical practitioner has increased each succeed- ing year, and there are no others in the city who more fully enjoy the confidence of the public. While his work has been profitable to himself, he has also been a benefactor to his fellows, in which consists, perhaps, the greatest reward for the conscientious physician.

Dr. Darling has a pleasant home, and the children who have been reared there have found honorable places in life's activities. Howard W., the eldest, is now a prominent wholesale lumber- man of Wichita, Kansas, having been very suc- cessful; he gives liberally of his time and means to the Congregational church and Fairmount Col- lege and other philanthropies of Wichita. Eliza is the wife of Professor Hull, head master of Orchard Lake Military Academy, Michigan. Grace is the wife of Dr. John Madden, a physi- cian of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both of these daughters are graduates of Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and were teachers prior to their marriage. Richard West Darling is a wholesale furniture dealer of Wichita, Kansas. Harry B. is city editor of the LaPorte Argus-Bulletin. Nelson S., Jr. is one of the founders and owners of the Oklahoma Sash and Door Company, a large wholesale plant at Oklahoma City, Okla- homa territory. Russell T., the seventh of Dr. Darling's children, is engaged in the lumber busi- ness at Wichita, Kansas.

Dr. Darling has been a factor in public affairs. He was one of the founders of the LaPorte public library in 1864, and his assistance has always been counted upon in all of that city's beneficent enterprises. For a number of years he was the secretary and for a time the president of the La- Porte County Medical Society, was county physi- cian for several years, also secretary of the city board of health for four years, and for one term served as councilman. He was a member of the United States pension examining board of sur- geons during the Harrison administration. He is a warm friend of education, progress and cul- ture, and has done much for the development of the city along these lines. LaPorte has long numbered him among its prominent representa-

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tives, and through almost two generations he has been the loved family physician in many a house- hold ..

FRANK WALKER, who follows farming on section 21, Hudson township, was born on section 16, of the same township, his natal day being the 16th of May, 1866. His parents were Obediah and Jane Rilla (Solloway) Walker, the former a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, and the latter of Glenville, Ohio. The father was but four years of age when his mother removed to St. Joseph county, Indiana, with her family. When sixteen years of age he went to Iowa, lo- cating near Des Moines, where he remained for five years, and on the expiration of that period he journeyed westward to California, making the trip with ox teams. He crossed the plains after the primitive manner of the times, enduring all the hardships of that long journey over the arid region of the west, and through the mountain passes. His first wife died while on the way. He remained for four years in that state, being employed in a store. He then returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York to Indi- ana, locating in St. Joseph county, where he re- mained for two years. He then established his home on a farm where his widow now resides, on section 16, Hudson township, and throughout the remainder of his days he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. At the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the government by donning the blue uniform and going to the south in defense of his country. For three years he served as a soldier and proved his valor on many a battlefield. He was equally loyal in times of peace, and for three different times was elected township trustee of Hudson township. He was also justice of the peace for several years, and he took an active part in political work, being very decided in his views and un- faltering in support of the principles which he believed contained the best elements of good gov- ernment. He was a member of the Grand Army post at New Carlisle, and enjoyed pleasant com- panionship with his old comrades in military service. He died June 22, 1901, and is still sur- vived by his wife. They became the parents of four children : Charles, Major, Frank and Grace, the daughter being the wife of John Miller.

Frank Walker is the youngest son and third child of this family. To the public school sys- tem of his native county he is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which prepared him for life's practical duties.

He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, assisting his father on the home farm, and then went upon the lakes, but after two weeks' experience as a sailor he returned and operated his father's farm for five years. He then turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which business he followed continuously until 1893, when he again resumed agricultural pur- suits, locating on the farm on which he now re- sides, on section 21, Hudson township. He is a young man of resolute purpose, of strong charac- ter, and in his business affairs is capable, gaining a good financial return from his labors.

On the 9th of September, 1902, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Ella Hamilton, of Miller, Buffalo county, Nebraska. She was born in Rolling Prairie, but when three years of age was taken by her parents to Nebraska, her father being one of the pioneer settlers of Buffalo county, and it was there that Mrs. Walker was reared and educated. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Alameda. Their pleasant home is located on a farm of eighty acres, to which Mr. Walker gives his time and energies so that it is now under a high state of cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serving as assessor of his township, being elected in a strong Republican district, the oppo- sition party outnumbering the Democrats two to one. This fact indicates his personal popular- ity and the confidence reposed in him by his fel- low citizens. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Order at New Carlisle, Terre Coupee Lodge No. 204, and also belongs to the tent of the Knights of the Maccabees in the same place.

GOTTLIEB MARKS, an old resident of section 26, Cas township, is one of the German farmers who, with their sturdy industry and in- telligent perseverance, made the swamp land of southern LaPorte county as fertile a district as is to be found within the bounds of the county, and while they became prosperous themselves at the same time added immeasurably to the mater- ial wealth of the county.

Mr. Marks was born in Prussia, Germany, . October 8, 1830, and was reared and educated in his native country. He also served three years in the German army. He did not progress toward material wealth in the old coun- try, and in 1866 he set out for America, arriv- ing in LaPorte county with a family and almost no money. He worked by the day in order to get a start, and later bought twenty acres of the marsh land in Cass township, which formed the

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 86

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