A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 92

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

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Dr. Wilson is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and for many years has held member- ship in the Christian church. For forty-nine years he has practiced his profession in Rolling Prairie. In 1899 he was appointed pension ex- aminer. He is also medical examiner for the Maccabees. In politics he was a Whig during the existence of the party, and upon its dissolu-

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tion he joined the ranks of the new Republican party and has since continued to follow its ban- ner. Few men have a wider acquaintance in La- Porte county than has Dr. Wilson, both because of his life residence and his calling, which has brought him into contact with many families. He has always had strict regard for the ethics of his profession, and has accomplished great good among his fellow men.

JAY W. TRAVIS is one of the leading and representative farmers of Pleasant township, his home being on section 20. He is also a represent- ative of one of the old families of the county, for he was born in this township April 8, 1850. His father, Curtis Travis, was a native of New York and became one of the pioneer settlers of Indiana. Emigrating westward, he took up his abode in Pleasant township in the thirties and found here a district which was largely unimproved, the land being wild and uncultivated. There was also much wild game in the neighborhood, and Indians still visited the locality. Mr. Travis, however, bravely set to work to overcome the hardships and difficulties incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier, and as the years passed he developed several farms. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary A. Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania, February 20, 1814.

Under the parental roof J. W. Travis was reared and in the district schools of Union town- ship he pursued his education, being a student in what is known as the Travis schoolhouse. There he mastered the common branches of Eng- lish learning and laid the foundation for a suc- cessful business career. His training at farm labor was not meager, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields. He assisted his father until twenty-one years of age, when he began farming on his own account by renting his father's farm.

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Travis chose Miss Jennie Ward, and they were married on the 5th of December, 1876. She was born in Saratoga county, New York, on the 22d of November, 1850, and is a daughter of Ezra and Margaret (Showers) Ward, who were both natives of New York state, the latter born at Columbus. In their family were eleven children, of whom Mrs. Travis is the seventh in order of birth. She was reared in the place of her nativity and was educated in the Forestville Academy and in Mrs. Willard's Seminary at Troy, New York. She gained superior knowl- edge, and for three years was a successful teacher

in the academy in which she completed her own education. She also taught for one year in the country schools of this locality.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Travis located upon the farm where they are now living and where they have remained con- tinuously during the intervening period. Three children have been born to them: Ward, who married Lola Replogle, by whom he has two daughters, Leona and Ruth, and he is a resident farmer of Union township ; Florence E., the wife of Dr. George W. Kimball, a practicing physician of Steward, Illinois ; and Curtis, who died at the age of one year. The daughter Florence was a member of the graduating class of 1898 in the LaPorte high school, and was a teacher four years in the county. Her husband is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chi- cago and he is a successful physician.

The home farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres in Pleasant township, and sixty acres in Union township. Mr. Travis has spent his entire life in LaPorte county and has always engaged in farming. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Kingsbury and are people of genuine worth, enjoying the high regard and confidence of all with whom they have been asso- ciated. Mr. Travis is a stanch Republican and a member of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 36. He is well known in the county, where some of his stanchest friends are those with whom he has been acquainted from boyhood, a fact which in- dicates that his career has been straightforward and honorable.

LEROY T. SMITH is a representative of the farming interests of Lincoln township and resides in section 20, on a farm upon which his grand- father lived for sixty-five years. Mr. Smith was born in Rockford, Michigan, on the 8th of No- vember, 1858, and is the eldest living son of Charles P. and Harriet E. (Taylor) Smith. The family history is given on another page of this work. Mr. Smith was about three years of age when he came to LaPorte county with his parents and in his youth he assisted in the labors of the farm and pursued his education in the public schools. At the age of nineteen, however, he left home and started out in life for himself. For about four years he was employed as a farm hand in Bureau county, Illinois, and then returned to LaPorte county, settling in Pleasant township, where he began farming. for himself. He made his home on the Stephen Wing farm for four years, and then removed to the George Seymour

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place in Lincoln township, which was also his home for four years. He next took up his abode on the old Robert Armstrong farm, which he now owns, and here he has engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He raises some stock and cultivates his place, annually planting the crops best adapted to soil and climate, while in the au- tumns he gathers rich harvests.

Mr. Smith has been twice married. In 1886 he wedded Miss Emma Kissel and to them were born four children: Priscilla, who is now de- ceased ; Frona ; Wright, and Ernest. The mother passed away in 1896, and on the 3d of January, 1899. Mr. Smith was married to Blanch M. Pearson, by whom he has one son, Rupert.

Mr. Smith now owns about three hundred acres of valuable land, in Lincoln township with the exception of a tract of eighty acres which lies in Pleasant township. His home stands on the bank of the lower Fish lake, and in this connec- tion he has a boat livery, furnishing boats and fishing supplies for the people who visit this dis- trict. He has spent the greater part of his life in LaPorte county, and his career has been char- acterized by unflagging industry, strict integrity and faithful performance of all the duties that have devolved upon him. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees of LaPorte, and has been a stanch Republican in his political views since casting his first presidential ballot for James A. Garfield. An active worker in Republican ranks, he is now serving as chairman of the Re- publican committee in his township.

HENRY S. CANNON, who is numbered among the prominent agriculturists of LaPorte county, and whose farm is located on section 14, Cass township, is a native son of this county, where his birth occurred on the 4th of July, 1836. His father, James Cannon, claimed Ohio as the state of his nativity, his birth occurring near Dayton, but he was numbered among the early pioneers of LaPorte county. He, too, chose the occupation of a farmer, and after residing in this locality for, a time returned to Ohio, there spend- ing three years, on the expiration of which period he again made his way to LaPorte county. Here he spent the remainder of his life, passing to his final rest when he had reached the age of eighty- four years, after a life well spent in useful activ- ity. For several terms he served his township as a trustee, and of the Methodist Episcopal church he was a worthy and acceptable member. For his wife he chose Mary Jackson, who was.

born April 29, 1813, and she long preceded her husband to the home beyond, dying in 1850.

Henry S. Cannon, the third in order of birth of his parents' ten children, spent the early years of his life in this his native county, being indebted to its early school facilities for his elementary knowledge. Until his eighteenth year he remain- ed with his father, assisting him in the work of the home farm, and at that age he started out in life for himself, first working by the month. On reaching his twenty-seventh year he embarked in railroad work in Chicago, attending to the train switches and other occupations, and in that city he remained for fourteen years, while the. two subsequent years were spent in Lansing, Illi- nois. While residing in Chicago, Mr. Cannon was married to Emma Alvis, who was an English lady and a widow at the time of her marriage. She was born in London, and her death occurred after a married life of seven years, in Ohio, where Mr. Cannon had spent two years engaged in farming. Returning thence to LaPorte county he located on his present farm in Cass township, which now constitutes a fertile and well improved tract of one hundred and sixty-five acres, and there he is engaged in general farming and stock- raising.

In 1884 Mr. Cannon was united in marriage to Martha F. Redinbaugh, who was born in Shel- by county, Ohio, November 22, 1847, and was there reared and educated. She is a daughter of Jones and Elizabeth (Baker) Redinbaugh, also natives of that commonwealth, her father hav- ing been born in Hamilton, and both died on a farm in Shelby county, Ohio. They were num- bered among the early pioneers of that county, and there her father was engaged in farming. In political matters of national importance Mr. Cannon votes with the Democracy, but on local issues he is independent, voting for the man whom he regards as best qualified for public office. He is a member of and an active worker in the Chris- ian church. As the greater portion of his life has been spent within the confines of LaPorte county, Mr. Cannon is identified with much of its history, and is numbered among its public-spirited and progressive citizens.

CHARLES A. MILLER, one of the promi- nent farmers and early settlers of LaPorte coun- ty, now living on section 30, Lincoln township, was born in Mecklenburg. Germany, on the 5th of September, 1830. He was a son of Louis Mil- ler, also a native of Germany, and a farmer by

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occupation, and who died when thirty-one years of age, leaving his family in straitened circum- stances. Charles then started out in life for him- self, when only nine years of age. He worked among strangers and did anything he could get to do.

He remained in that country until 1857, when he crossed the Atlantic to America, hoping that he might benefit his financial conditions in the new world. He had been reared to farm life, and when twenty-one years of age he became a soldier in his native country, serving for two and a half years. He then devoted his energies to agricurtural pursuits until he crossed the Atlantic in 1857. He made his way to New York and lived there for one year, after which he removed to Illinois, where he remained for six months. On the expiration of that period he came to La- Porte county, Indiana, to secure a position as a farm hand, working by the month for Josiah Wing for about two years. He then began farm- ing on his own account, renting ground from Mr. Wing, but after a time he ceased to engage in agricultural pursuits and removed to LaPorte, where he engaged in railroading for seven years, being connected with the Lake Shore Railroad Company. On the expiration of that period he again removed into the country and rented a farm, which he operated for two years. With the capital he had acquired through his industry and ecchomy he purchased his present farm and at once began its improvement, building a good house, substantial barns and adding other modern equipments as the years have passed. His resi- dence on this farm covers about thirty years and well may he be numbered among the leading agriculturists of Lincoln township.

In 1859 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Rotkey, also a native of Germany. They have become the parents of seven children : Amanda, Matilda, Ida, Emma and Harmon, twins, Louisa and Ella. All were born in this county.

Mr. Miller deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in life. He came to America a poor young man, and has made all that he has through his individual efforts and untiring labor. To-day he owns a valu- able property of two hundred and fifty acres of well improved land as the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry. He has become a loyal American citizen, true to his adopted country and her institutions, and in cast- ing his ballot he votes for the men whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party

affiliations. He and his family are all members of the Lutheran church. He takes an active in- terest in everything pertaining to the good of the county in which he lives, and his active co-opera- tion has been given to many measures for the public welfare.

MORRISON PADDOCK, who carries on general farming on section 13, Galena township, where he has one hundred acres of rich land care- fully cultivated and well improved with modern equipments, was born in Onondaga county, New York, on the 22d of April, 1835. His father was James Paddock, also a native of the Empire state. The paternal grandfather, James Paddock, Sr., was born in New England and was of Welsh lineage, the family having been founded in the new world at an early period in the colonization of this country. After arriving at years of ma- turity James Paddock, Jr., was married to Miss Charlotte Tappen, who was born in Onondaga, New York, and was there married. Her father was Stephen Tappen, who was a native of New England and was of Scotch lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock became the parents of twelve chil- dren, eight sons and four daughters, and with one exception all reached years of maturity.

Morrison Paddock was the fourth child and son. When he was about a year old his parents came to LaPorte county, Indiana, establishing their home on section 13, Galena township, in 1836. Here the father purchased a tract of wild land, upon which he built a log house, and after installing his family in their new home devoted his energies to clearing and cultivating the land. At first his farm comprised eighty acres, but as his financial resources increased he added to this property until at his death he had two hundred and sixty-one acres, most of which he had cleared and developed by himself with the assistance of his sons. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, and his wife reached the age of seventy-three years. In politics he was a Whig until the disso- lution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. For several years he served as township trustee and took an active part in public affairs. He was liberal in his con- tributions to all good causes, and earnestly de- sired the substantial improvement and permanent development of the county.

Morrison Paddock was reared on the old fam- ily homestead in Galena township, and at an early age began his education in a log schoolhouse such as was common at that day. He attended school there about three months during the year,

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and the remainder of the time was spent upon the home farm, where he assisted in the arduous task of clearing the land and developing crops.

In September, 1861, however, there came a great change in his life. The Civil war had been inaugurated, and his patriotic spirit was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to over- throw the Union. Accordingly he went to its defense, enlisting in Company G of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry as a private. He thus served for three years, receiving an honorable discharge on the 9th of October, 1864, after which he re- turned to Galena township. Resuming his work as an agriculturist he has since carried on farm- ing with good results.

As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney Mr. Paddock chose Miss Amanda Tuttle, and their marriage was celebrated on the 25th of November, 1866. She was born in Milwaukee Wisconsion, December 7, 1840, and is a daughter of Joseph E. and Harriet (Fay) Tuttle, the former a native of Ver- mont, and the latter of Ohio, and they were the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Paddock is the third. She was reared in Milwaukee until nine years of age when her parents removed to Ozaukee, Wisconsin, where the succeeding five years of her life were passed. She then came to LaPorte county with the family of Mr. Godfrey. At the time of her marriage she went with her husband as a bride to the farm upon which they now reside, and as the years passed two children were added to the house- hold : James, who is yet at home ; and Annie, who is now the wife of Fred Russ, a resident of South Bend, Indiana.

At the time they located on the farm it was a tract of wild land without improvement, but Mr. Paddock at once began to clear it, and as the years have passed has made it a splendid property. His first house was a little building containing but one room, but to this they have added from time to time until they now have a fine residence. The farm comprises one hundred acres of rich land, and annually golden harvests are garnered because of the care and cultivation he bestows upon the fields. He has lived in the county for sixty-seven years, watching with interest its de- velopment and aiding with zeal in its progress. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, the first candidate of the party. He supported Lincoln in 1860 and 1864, and has never yet failed to cast his ballot for the Re- publican candidate who has headed the national

ticket. As the years have come and gone he has labored earnestly for the general welfare and in the interest of his business, and is known as a representative citizen as well as a successful farmer.

CHARLES TRAVIS, who is engaged in general farming on section 18, Lincoln township, was born in Scipio township, LaPorte county, September 4, 1857. His father, Nelson A. Tra- vis, was born in New York, and when a young boy came to LaPorte county with his parents, Curtis and Phebe Travis, who were pioneer set- tlers of this portion of the state. They located on Still prarie, where the grandfather pur- chased seven hundred acres of land from the gov- ernment. It was entirely undeveloped, but with characteristic energy the work of improvement was begun and in due course of time the raw prairie was converted into rich fields. Upon the old family homestead Nelson A. Travis was rear- ed, and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Minerva Blake, a native of Ohio. He lived to be sixty-two years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of three children, of whom Charles Travis is the eldest.

When Charles Travis was but a year old his parents removed to Wyanet, Illinois, where they remained for six years and then returned to Sci- pio township. He was with this exception reared in LaPorte county, and in the public schools ob- tained his education. He was well trained at farm labor, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist, and he assisted in the cultivation of the home place until twenty-seven years of age.

Mr. Travis was united in marriage on the 22d of December, 1883, to Miss Hattie G. Wilson, a daughter of John D. Wilson, one of the early settlers of the county. She was born in Pleasant township and spent her girlhood days in LaPorte county. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Travis located on the farm where they now reside, and he has since devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the latter. He now owns one hun- dred and ninety acres of rich land where he re- sides, and his wife has a valuable farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres. He likewise has property in Stillwell and fifty-two acres of land adjoining the homestead place. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Travis: John R., Alice M., Hazel, Martha M., Gertrude and Ralph W. -

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In his political views Mr. Travis is a stanch Republican. He is well known in . the county, and his upright life has won for him the re- spect and confidence of his fellow men. He is a strong temperance man, and his influence has been a potent factor in the development of tem- perance sentiment in his locality.

ALBERT COE, a prominent and honored citizen of Galena township, now successfully en- gaged in farming on section 35, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Will- iamsport, that state, in 1832. His early life was spent in the east, and at the age of twenty-one he came to LaPorte county, Indiana, his home be- ing in the city of LaPorte for eleven years.

Before turning his attention to agricultural pursuits Mr. Coe engaged in railroading, and was an engineer on the Michigan Southern Rail- road for thirteen years and on the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad for two years, running between Council Bluffs and Burlington, Iowa. He was also with the Niagara Falls Railroad for a time, and on leaving the road settled perma- nently in LaPorte county, on the farm in Galena township where he now resides. Here he owns one hundred and eighty acres of well improved land, on which is a fine residence and a good set of farm buildings. In his farming operations he has met with the success which usually attends well directed efforts along any line.

During his early residence in this county Mr. Coe was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Pat- rage, who was born in Lockport, New York, and they became the parents of three children, one son and two daughters, namely: Harriet, Mary, and Willis. Since attaining his majority Mr. Coe has affiliated with the Republican party and taken an active interest in political affairs. Al- though not a member of any religious organiza- tion he contributes liberally to church work and has assisted in building two churches. His life affords an example to the young in that he started out without capital, but having a determination to succeed he industriously applied himself until he has acquired a good property. He is well known throughout his adopted county for his sterling character and worth.

ALBERT M. LONG, who resides on a farm in section 18, Cass township, is a native son of this township, where his birth occurred on the 3Ist of August, 1850. His father, Hiram N. Long, claimed West Virginia as the state of his nativity, but when a boy he came to LaPorte

county, Indiana, and was here married to Mary J. Charles, whose parents were numbered among the early pioneers of the county. This union re- sulted in the birth of five children, four song and one daughter, but only two of the number grew to mature years, and Albert is now the only living representative of the family. His brother, Wash- ington A., died in August, 1901.

When but seven years old Albert M. Long was deprived of a father's loving care, and when eight years of age his mother was taken from him by death, thus leaving him an orphan at an early age. He was reared by an uncle and aunt, Abra- ham and Mary Burner, on a farm in New Dur- ham township,and to its common schools he is indebted for his early educational training, while later he became a student in the high school at Westville, Indiana, taught by J. G. Laird. After reaching mature years he was engaged for a time at farm labor by the month, and when nine- teen years of age went west, spending two years in Nebraska and Kansas, after which he returned to his native county of LaPorte, being then about twenty-one years of age. After his marriage Mr. Long located on the old farm which had been the home of his father in the early days, and here he has resident for thirty years. His homestead con- sists of one hundred and sixty acres of well im- proved and fertile land, and here he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

In 1874, in New Durham township, LaPorte county, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Martha J. Evans, who was there born and reared. She is a daughter of William and Rachel ( Mar- tin) Evans, who were numbered among the early settlers of LaPorte county. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Long, a son and a daughter, Lennie Blanch, the wife of Will- iam G. Osborn, of Wanatah; and William N., who married Lillie Anderson, but he died in 1903, leaving one daughter, Bessie W. The Democracy receives Mr. Long's hearty support and co-opera- tion, and the family are members of the Christian church at Wanatah, in which he is a deacon.

FRED FENKER has for a number of years been a representative of the furniture trade of LaPorte, and is now engaged in business on his own account as the senior member of the firm of Fenker & Company. He was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1860, and is of German lineage. His father, Henry Fenker, was born in Germany and came to the United States in the fifties, settling first in Cincinnati. He was a planer by occupation and followed that pursuit for many

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 92

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