A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 87

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 87

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HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

nucleus for his present fine farm. He lived in a log house for the first few years, and meager enough were the comforts which were the lot of the family. But he was progressing toward his goal, and kept adding parcels of land to his original acreage until he now has one hundred and sixty acres to show for his hard toil. He has lived almost forty years in this township, so that he has been identified in great measure with its entire history, and has taken no small part in its upbuilding and development.

Mr. Marks was married before coming to this country to Miss Louisa Bockhouse, a native of Germany. Four children were born to them in the fatherland, and two sons and three daughters were born since coming to LaPorte county, as follows: Ernestina, Emile, Tillie, Albert, Her- man, Sophia, Gottlieb, Emma, and Lena, who is deceased. Mr. Marks has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and in religion is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he is a trustee. He has much to show for the years of his life spent .in this county, and besides rearing a family of industrious and honorable sons and daught- ers, he has a place of esteem among his fellow citizens, who honor him for his true and manly worth and his earnest endeavors.

WILLARD D. NORTON, a successful young lawyer at 115 Dearborn street, Chicago, is of the third generation of a family who have made LaPorte county their home, covering a period of nearly seventy years, which is nearly the extent of authentic history concerning that county. Mr. Norton, as was also his father, was born in the old house that was erected in Union township by his grandfather and which is still standing as one of the landmarks of the youthful epoch of LaPorte county's history. The family are well known and held in high regard in the county. Mr. Norton himself, though for the past ten years immersed in his duties as a rising at- torney of the city of Chicago, remains true to the home of his youth and early joys, and is still kindly remembered by his friends there.

Mr. Norton's grandfather, David H. Norton, was born in Columbia county, New York, and in 1834 emigrated west to the new town of Chicago, passing through LaPorte county on his way. He arrived in what has become the great western metropolis with a wagon and team, and in ex- change for these valuable articles of property was offered a piece of Chicago land and the tavern at which he stopped. But the marshy appearance of the town was not at that time very encourag-

ing to investors, and he returned to the green woodlands and beautiful and fertile prairies of LaPorte county. In 1834, as mentioned in the general history of LaPorte county, he settled in Union township, and in the following year took up a tract of government land, property that has ever since remained in the possession of members of the Norton family. This old and honored pioneer passed away in 1886, but his generation is still represented in LaPorte county by his sis- ter, Phebe Stewart, who is now over ninety years of age and whose venerable years are filled with memories of the early days of LaPorte county.

Howell E. Norton, the father of Willard D. Norton, was born on the old homestead in 1841, and it is a fact worthy of note, especially in the ever changing conditions of this western country, that he passed his life on this same farm and died there September 9, 1894. He was a highly respected citizen of LaPorte county, and was successful in the different departments of life. He was a Democrat in politics, and, while he often helped his friends in the various campaigns, never sought office for himself. He married Miss Lucy J. Hand, a native of New York state. Her parents located in Wisconsin when she was one year old, and she remained there until the age of eighteen, when she came to LaPorte county to teach school, and was married to Mr. H. E. Nor- ton in this county. She still lives in LaPorte, with her daughter, Miss Marietta Norton.

Mr. Willard D. Norton was born in Union township, two miles east of Kingsbury, LaPorte county, October 31, 1869. He graduated from the high school in LaPorte in 1888, having spent his boyhood on the farm, and then entered Michi- gan University at Ann Arbor, where he spent three years in the classical and literary courses. He then matriculated in the law department of the same institution, whose head was then the re- nowned jurist, Judge Cooley, and was graduated in 1893. In the same year he located for practice in Chicago, and, with the exception of about a year and a half spent at LaPorte in the settlement of his father's estate, he has been in Chicago ever since, and has a satisfactory general prac- tice.

Mr. Norton did not follow the political cleav- age of the other members of the family, but as an adherent of the Republican party makes himself quite valuable in local politics. He is a man of personality, genial disposition, and manifest abil- ity, and his honorable career in the past decade as well as his great promise for the future makes him one of the most esteemed of LaPorte coun-

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ty's native sons who have sought distinction in other fields. He is a former member of the Hamilton Club, and his college fraternity is the Alpha Tau Omega.

Mr. Norton was married in Chicago, Decem- ber 28, 1899, to Miss Helen Loomis, a native of Chicago, but whose parents lived in LaPorte from 1882 to 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have a little daughter, Laura Hope.

JOHN W. DAVIDSON, now deceased, is well remembered by many of the residents of LaPorte county as a man of sterling traits of character, reliable in business, faithful in citizen- ship and honorable in all life's relations. He made his home on section 3, Union township. His birth occurred in Knox county, Ohio, June 10, 1844, and he was the eldest son of Perry and Sophia (Hickman) Davidson, who were natives of Maryland. John W. was reared in Knox county, Ohio, and pursued his education in the public schools. He remained upon his father's farm until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated in 1866, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Ellen Underwood, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born on the 29th of January, 1843. Her father, Benjamin Under- wood, was a native of Pennsylvania and through- out his entire life followed the occupation of farming. He lived to be about fifty-three years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Lewis, was also born in Pennsylvania, and was there reared and married. She became the mother of eleven children, all of whom were born in the Keystone state, save Mrs. Davidson and her younger brother. Mrs. Davidson is the ninth child and youngest daughter in the family and was reared in the state of her nativity.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davidson located in Knox county, Ohio, where they re- mained until 1874, when they came to LaPorte county, Indiana. Here they first lived in Pleas- ant township, about five miles from the city of LaPorte, and in 1886 they took up their abode upon the farm where Mrs. Davidson now resides. Her husband, who engaged in general farming, was also a dealer in hay, grain and live-stock. He carried on an extensive business and was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transactions. His methods were honorable, and owing to his straightforward dealing and his extensive opera- tions he accumulated a comfortable competence. To him and his wife were born five children : Isabel, now at home; William A., who married

Clara Warner ; Kimball, at home; Lillie M., the wife of Edward Safford; and Grace, who is also with her mother.

Mr. Davidson took a very active part in public affairs and endorsed every movement and measure that he believed would contribute to the advancement of the county and its substantial upbuilding. He voted with the Democracy when questions of national importance were involved, but his ballot at local elections was cast regard- less of party affiliations, his support being given to the candidates whom he considered best quali- fied for office. He died July 26, 1898, and his remains were interred in Kingsbury cemetery. Mrs. Davidson still owns the old home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which she rents. She is a member of the Friends church, and is a most estimable lady, widely and favorably known in the county.

JONATHAN SNOOK, justice of the peace of Michigan City, is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war, and is a representative of a pio- neer family of this county. He was born in Miff- lin county, Pennsylvania, on the 15th of August 1836, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Knepp) Snook, also natives of the Keystone state. The former was a son of Henry Snook, who was born in New Jersey, but removed to Pennsylvania when a young man, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife bore the maiden name of Miss Goss, and was a native of England. He was of Holland Dutch descent and his death occurred on the old homestead farm in Pennsyl- vania when about eighty years of age. Henry Knepp, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Snook, claimed Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, and he, too, followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation. By his first marriage he be- came the father of three children, and by his second wife he had a large family of children.

Henry Snook, the father of Jonathan Snook, took up his abode in Michigan in 1852, locating on a farm in Colon township, St. Joseph county, where he improved his land and made his home until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1870, when he had passed the fifty-ninth mile- stone on the journey of life. His wife was called to her final rest in 1857, when about forty years of age. They were members of the Reformed church, and were the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, and five of the num- ber are still living, namely: Jonathan; Mary, wife of Reuben Kline, of Vistula, Indiana ; Henry, who resides on the old homestead near

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William H Reflogle

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Colon, Michigan; Hattie, the wife of Lloyd Le- land, of Genoa, Illinois ; and Emma, the wife of John Neuman, also a resident of Colon township, Michigan.

Jonathan Snook spent the early years of his life in the commonwealth of his nativity, Penn- sylvania. his education being received in the old- fashioned log schoolhouses of those days. When sixteen years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan, remaining under the parental roof until his twentieth year, when he began the battle of life for himself, working at the carpenter's trade there for one year, while for the two following years he was engaged in the same occupation in Iowa. Returning thence to his home in Michigan, he labored on a farm and also devoted some time to the carpenter's trade.

In 1861 Mr. Snook enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company G, First Michi- gan Infantry, the first regiment that left the state, and on the expiration of his three months' term of enlistment he re-enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the 21st of September, 1864. He entered the ranks as a private, but on account of meritorious service was made second lieutenant and first lieutenant, commanding the company. During his military career he participated in the following battles: first Bull Run, Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Corinth, Vicksburg, and served throughout the entire Atlanta campaign. When he enlisted for the second time his brother Abraham went with him and the latter died from fever ·contracted at Vicksburg.

After the close of his army service Mr. Snook returned to his home in Michigan, and in the spring of 1865 moved to the southern part of LaPorte county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm and spent the following three years, after which, on account of ill health, he was obliged to abandon the work of the farm, and accordingly removed to Union Mills. One year later he went to Wanatah, and in 1872 came to Michigan City, where he has ever since made his home. In the spring following his arrival here he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which he has served almost continuously since, and for two terms was also the township assessor. He has devoted considerable time and attention to real estate operations, having had charge of the Wood's Park addition, and he makes a specialty of the pension business.

The marriage of Mr. Snook was celebrated on the 7th of September, 1862, while at home on

recruiting service, when Miss Lovina Kern be- came his wife. She is a daughter of Yost and Polly (Romig) Kern. One son has been born of this union, Allen J., who married Freda Leusch, and they have two children,-Eva and Owen. For his second wife Allen J. Snook chose Annie Shultz, who is now also deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Snook are Spiritualists, and in his fraternal relations the former is a member of Michigan City Lodge No. 265, I. O. O. F., hav- ing been identified with that order since 1868. He gives a loyal and earnest support to the principles of the Republican party, and he main- tains pleasant relations with his old army com- rades of the blue by his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, affiliating with G. V. Rawson Post No. 46.

WILLIAM H. REPLOGLE, who during his business career was actively connected with farming interests, but is now living a retired life in LaPorte, was born at the old Replogle home- stead in Center township, LaPorte county, Au- gust 26, 1834, and with one or two exceptions is now the oldest living native citizen of the county. His father, Jacob Replogle, was born at Morrison's Cove, in Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1800, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Booher) Replogle, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In an early day in the develop- ment of the Buckeye state they removed to Mont- gomery county, Ohio, and from there to South Bend, Indiana, where their remaining days were passed.

Jacob Replogle, the son, first visited LaPorte county in the fall of 1833, and from the govern- ment purchased some land in what later became Center township. Returning to Miami county, Ohio, which was then his home, he made prepara- tions to remove to this county, and took up his abode here in April, 1834, bringing his family with him unloading his household goods on the place which still remains the Replogle home- stead in Center township. He was then closely associated with the early development and im- provement of his part of the county, and aided in reclaiming the wild land for the purposes of civilization. He prospered in his work, becoming very successful, and was universally esteemed be- cause of his many good qualities and his worth as a progressive pioneer citizen. A quaint old oil painting of his home and grounds, including himself as one of the figures in the foreground, was executed in 1854 by a Mr. Fletcher, an artist of considerable renown in those days. It is a

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valued possession of Mrs. M. L. Orr, of La- Porte, a sister of W. H. Replogle. Jacob Rep- logle died May 5, 1886, honored and respected by all who knew him, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sina Jones, passed away several years ago. She was a worthy pioneer woman, an able assistant to her husband, and numbered friends in most of the pioneer households of the county.

William H. Replogle was reared on the home farm, and the occupation with which he became familiar in his youth he has made his life work. He obtained his education in the primitive schools of the early days. He came to the pioneer home soon after the arrival of the parents in this county, and amid frontier surroundings his boyhood and youth were passed. After arriving at years of maturity he began farming on his own account, and his farm in Center township is now very valuable, owing to the increase in the price of land in this county and to the improvements he has made upon it. In 1884 he removed to LaPorte, and has since resided in the city, but yet personally superintends the operation of his farm, which annually returns to him a good income.

In 1858 Mr. Replogle was united in marriage to Miss Ann Elizabeth Hupp, who was born in Center township, LaPorte county, in 1838, a daughter of Abram Hupp, an early settler here. The Hupps are Virginians, having come to Indi- ana from the Shenandoah valley. To Mr. and Mrs. Replogle were born two children, Orpheus E. and Mrs. Etta Belle Kerr.

In his political affiliations Mr. Replogle is a Democrat, and for four years was city council- man from the fifth ward. As an official he did all in his power for the improvement and material benefit of the city, at the same time discourag- ing any needless expenditure of money, and his course won the endorsement of his fellow citi- zens, as shown by his re-election. He has ever been deeply interested in the agricultural advance- ment of this part of the state, and for several years was connected with the county fair as a department superintendent.

WALTER VAIL. Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his con- temporaries, Mr. Vail is prominent. His life has ever been characterized by absolute fidelity to duty in all relations, and he stands to-day one of the strong men of Michigan City-strong in his honor and good name, in the respect of his

fellow men and in the success he has achieved. He is the president of the First National Bank, of which he was one of the founders and with which he has been connected since the organiza- tion, always in an official capacity.

Mr. Vail is a native son of LaPorte county, his birth having occurred in the city of LaPorte on the 21st of August, 1846. His paternal grand- father, Isaac Vail, was a native of New Jersey and was well advanced in years when he re- moved to the Mississippi valley, settling in St. Joseph county, Indiana. He was twice married, his first union being with Sarah Thorn, while for his second wife he chose Sarah Shotwell. By these two marriages he had seventeen chil- dren.

Edward Vail the father of Walter Vail, was born in Rahway, New Jersey, and in 1845 be- came a resident of LaPorte, Indiana, where he remained for many years. Establishing a jewelry store, he long conducted business along that line, and was numbered among the leading merchants of the city. He married Miss Emily Allen, a na- tive of Connersville, Indiana, and a daughter of John Allen, who at an early epoch in the develop- ment of this state made his way to Connersville in a canvas-covered wagon, traveling after the primitive manner of the times. He took an active part in the upbuilding and progress of the locality in pioneer times and died when well advanced in years. He, was also twice married. To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Vail were born four sons and four daughters, and five of the family are yet living: Walter ; John A., of Engadine, Michigan ; Ed- ward, of Wichita, Kansas ; Emily A., of LaPorte; and Kate A., who is a teacher in the kindergarten schools of LaPorte. The father died in LaPorte in 1882, when sixty-five years of age, and the mother's death occurred July 1, 1902, when she was seventy-six years of age. He was a member of the Society of Friends, while his wife be- longed to the Episcopal church and was one of the founders of the congregation of that denomi- nation in LaPorte. Politically Mr. Edward Vail was a Whig until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party.

Walter Vail spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native city and attended the public schools there until he entered Earlham College, at Richmond, Indiana. When but a boy he en- tered the army in defense of the Union, enlisting in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry, serving for six months on land and then joining the United States navy as pay-

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master's clerk under the late Albert B. Clark, in the south gulf squadron. He was thus engaged until the close of the war, about two years, after which he returned to his home. Some years later the subject of securing a pension for Mr. Vail was agitated, and perhaps nothing more clearly illustrates the character of the man than the letter which he wrote to Washington saying: "Kindly withdraw and cancel all papers in relation to claim for pension. I do not need it and the ser- vices rendered do not in my judgment entitle me to it." Many a man who did not render half the service which Mr. Vail did is now receiving a monthly payment from the government. In com- ment upon his course in this matter the New York Times said: "Walter Vail, of Michigan City, deserves the respect and esteem of his coun- trymen and should receive their plaudits. He accepts and acts upon the principle laid down in one of President Cleveland's veto messages that while it is manifestly the duty of the people to support the government it is not the duty of the government to support the people. Vail respects himself. It is about the first duty of man to so bear himself as to be worthy of his own self- respect."

After his return from the war Mr. Vail en- tered the employ of the First National Bank of LaPorte as a bookkeeper and served in that capacity until 1873, when he organized the First National Bank of Michigan City. He was its first cashier, then became its vice president, and for the past ten years has been its president. This institution has always followed a safe, con- servative business policy, and under the able management of its president it is steadily advanc- ing, its business annually increasing in volume and importance. Mr. Vail is also a director of the Haskell & Barker Car Company and is the presi- dent of the Michigan City Trust & Savings Com- pany, and as a representative of financial circles here is prominent and trustworthy.

On the 16th of July, 1873, Mr. Vail was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana Truesdell, a daugh- ter of Harvey and Catherine (Tryon) Truesdell, both of whom were natives of New York. Her father became one of the pioneer settlers of Indi- ana, and they were married in this state. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vail : Harvey Edward, who died in early childhood; William Walter, who is assistant cashier in the First National Bank of Michigan City; George Trues- dell, the secretary and treasurer of the Michigan City Trust & Savings Company; Caradora and another who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Vail hold membership in the Episcopal church, of which Mr. Vail is serving as senior warden, while he is also treasurer of the diocese of Michigan City. He belongs to Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M .; Michigan City Chap- ter No. 25, R. A. M .; Michigan City Council, R. & S. M .; and Michigan City Commandery No. 30, K. T. He is also connected with Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and high honors in Masonry have been conferred upon him, as he is a past grand commander of the Knights Temp- lar of Indiana. He has likewise attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Indianapolis Consistory, and, November 20, 1882, he received in Boston the thirty-third degree. In his political views Mr. Vail is an earnest Re- publican, and has served as a delegate to several state conventions of his party. He was a member of the board of prison directors of the state of Indiana for three years, and he has served as mayor of Michigan City for two years, his ad- ministration being of a character that promoted the substantial improvement and benefit of the municipality. He is a man of distinctive ability, and his character is one which is above a shadow of reproach. He has been faithful to the high offices in which he has been called upon to serve, and is widely known and respected by all who have been at all familiar with his honorable and useful career.

JOHN R. WEAVER, who is conducting a first-class livery stable at 127-129 Fourth street, Michigan City, and has a comfortable residence at 315 Pine street, is one of LaPorte county's na- tive sons and one of the best known and most popular citizens. He has been engaged in various lines of activity during his lifetime, has rail- roaded, has filled public offices, and in his present business has achieved good success during the past fifteen years.

Mr. Weaver was born in Galena township, LaPorte county, Indiana, October 2, 1852. His father, Henry Weaver, was a native of Pennsyl- vania and a son of a farmer who was born, lived and died in that state at an advanced age. Henry Weaver, who was also a farmer, came to Indiana at an early day, and located in Galena township, LaPorte county, where he improved a farm and reared his family. He spent the last twenty years of his life near Zionsville, Boone county, where he died in 1894, at the age of eighty years. His first wife was Catharine Martin, a native of New Jersey, and who died at a comparatively early age, having been the mother of eight children, six

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 87

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