A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 94

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 94

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Digitized by Google

544

HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

which he pursued a business course in Holmes Business College. He likewise took a course of study in the Valparaiso normal school, and was thus well equipped by education to meet life's responsible duties. He is a young man of strict honesty and of good capability, and in 1896 he was elected upon the Democratic ticket to the position of county treasurer by a majority of three hundred. At the next election he was chosen by a majority of nine hundred, and he gave a personal bond of three hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars. He is one of the native sons of La- Porte county, of whom the district has every rea- son to be proud. In politics he is a stanch Demo- crat. He wedded Miss Alta Small, a native of LaPorte county, and they have three children : Marjory, who is now in the eighth grade at school, and Ruth and Mary A., who are also students in the public schools of LaPorte. Frank Mann is a member of the Masonic fraturnity; the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias lodge, while his wife is con- nected with the Order of the Eastern Star.

Amenzo Mann is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first presidential ballot for Franklin Pierce, since which time he has been unwavering in sup- port of the principles of his party. He has been a delegate to represent his party in the district and county conventions, and in 1870 he was a candidate for the office of county sheriff, coming within one hundred and two votes of election, although his opponent was a strong candidate of the Republican party and an ex-soldier. Mr. Mann is one of the oldest members of the Masonic order in Westville, and has served as worshipful master for more terms than any other representa- tive of the craft here. He is also connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. He has been a delegate to the grand lodge for four or five terms, and in his life he exemplifies the worthy spirit of of the Masonic order, which tends to inculcate brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness among its members. His life has been upright and hon- orable, and his career has ever gained for him the warm regard and unqualified esteem and con- fidence of those with whom he has been asso- ciated.

CHARLES W. WING, a retired farmer and one of the leading landowners of Pleasant town- ship, was born in Pennsylvania, on the 17th of May, 1830. His father, Josiah W. Wing, was a native of New Hampshire, and there remained until about seventeen years of age, when he bought his time of his father and started out

upon an independent business career. Making his way to Pennsylvania, he remained in that state for a while, and then removed to Ohio, while later he took up his abode in Muncie, Indiana. He spent one summer in LaPorte county, and about 1836 located in Pleasant township, where he remained until his death, which occurred when he was about seventy-three years of age. In politics he was a Whig in early life, and upon the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. Faithful to its inter- ests and loyal in its defense he was honored with election to several local offices and was found re- liable in the discharge of his duties. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, and was well known as one of the leading and representative pioneer settlers of LaPorte county. His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet Bear and was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, where her girlhood days were passed. She died when past fifty years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Josiah W. Wing were born two sons, but Alfred died in early manhood. He had been married and left two children.

Charles W. Wing, who was the senior brother, is now the only living representative of the fam- ily. 'He was reared in his native township upon the old homestead farm, and assisted in its culti- vation through the months of summer, while in the winter season he pursued his education in a log schoolhouse, with slab seats, while the desks were formed by placing boards around the room resting upon wooden pegs driven into the wall. His educational training was not nearly so great as was his training at farm labor. He remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which important event in his life occurred April 4, 1856, when he was joined in wedlock to Miss Amanda Van Pelt, who was born in Ohio and died April 16, 1899. This worthy couple were the parents of three children : Walter R .; Arthur L., and Effie, the wife of A. C. Travis.

After his marriage Mr. Wing located on the old homestead, where he engaged in farming for many years. That he was industrious and ener- getic is indicated by the success which attended his efforts. He has a farm of six hundred and thirty-eight acres, all well improved, the greater part of this having been placed under cultivation by Mr. Wing and his father, for it was a new and undeveloped tract of land when he first located thereon. To-day it is one of the best farming properties of the county, being devoted to the raising of stock and grain. In the boyhood days of Mr. Wing there was no market at LaPorte city and he and his brother hauled all of the provisions

Digitized by Google

Mrs. J. b. Parker.

J. C. Parker

Digitized by Google

545

HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

raised on the farm to Michigan City, making the trips with ox teams. The county was wild, and the work of civilization seemed scarcely begun. There were many wolves upon the prairies, and herds of deer were frequently seen. Indians, too, still visited the neighborhood, and there was every indication of the pioneer condition of this section of Indiana. Mr. Wing has watched with interest its development and progress, and has taken an has taken an active part in its improvement. As a Republican he has never faltered in his allegi- ance to the party since its organization. He and his children are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and he has ever endorsed measures for the progress of the county along material, social, educational and moral lines. No man is more worthy of representation in this volume than Mr. Wing, whose life history has ever been com- mendable and straightforward.

J. C. PARKER. Farming claims the time and attention of J. C. Parker, who resides on sec- tion 31, Hudson township, and is num- bered among the early settlers of LaPorte county. He has always lived in the west, and early became imbued with its spirit of enterprise and of determination. His birth occurred in Randolph county, Indiana, on the 7th of November, 1836. His paternal grand- father, Joseph Parker, was a native of New Jer- sey, and he, too, followed the occupation of farm- ing. His son, John Parker, was born in New Jersey, and there remained until after his mar- riage. He wedded Miss Beulah Cramer, who was likewise born, reared and educated in that state. In the year 1833 they came to Indiana, establish- ing their home in Randolph county, and in 1840 removed to LaPorte county. Here John Parker wasengaged in farming for a number of years, but subsequently took up his abode in LaPorte city. In the early days he conducted a hotel at Boot Jack, living there for about thirty years. He be- came widely known, his hotel being the place of entertainment for all who traveled through this part of the state until the building of the railroad. His life was characterized by industry, and his integrity was above question. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, and many of the sterling principles of that religious sect found exemplification in his life. In politics he was a Whig until the dissolution of the party and then joined the ranks of the Republican party. He lived to be more than eighty-four years of age, while his wife died at the age of sixty-eight years. To them were born seven children who

reached maturity, while three died in childhood. Only two are now living.

J. C. Parker, who is the youngest of the fam- ily, was but four years of age at the time of the removal of his parents to LaPorte county, and in Wills township he spent his childhood, thus en- joying the sports in which lads of that period usually indulged, if his time and attention were not occupied by the duties of the school room or of the fields: Early he began to assist in the operation of the home farm, and gave his father the benefit of his services until about twenty-seven years of age. He was then married, on the 31st of December, 1863, to Miss Caroline Shaw, who was born in Rolling Prairie on the 13th of March, 1842, a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (McClel- lan) Shaw, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio: They became pioneer settlers of LaPorte county, establishing their home within its borders about 1833, their place of location being on Rolling Prairie. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Parker located at what . is called Boot Jack in Wills township, but in' 1882 he removed his house to section 31, Hud-' son township. He has added to the building until he now has a commodious, comfortable and attractive residence, in the rear of which stand good and substantial barns, and these in turn are surrounded by well kept fields. The farm com- prises one hundred and twenty-five acres, but most of this Mr. Parker now rents in order that he might rest from active labor.

To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born five children : Minnie, now the wife of LeRoy Gro- ver, of Three Oaks, Michigan, by whom she has two sons, John A. and Carroll; Charles A., of Bradley, Illinois, who married Alta Hewlett and has four children : Arthur, Mary, John O. and Joseph W .; Lydia Ellen, the wife of Albert San- born, of Los Angeles, California, by whom she has one daughter, Ethel B .; Lynda Annette, the wife of Walter Copeland, of Bradley, Illinois ; Bessie J., the wife of Clarence Pratt, who is prin- cipal of the schools of Union Mills, and by whom she has one daughter, Ruth E.

Mr. Parker has been a resident of LaPorte county for sixty-three years, and Mrs. Parker has spent her entire life in this county, now cov -: ering a period of sixty-one years. They are well known and highly esteemed people, and have reared a family who are a credit to their name. They belong to the Christian church, and most of their children are identified with the same religious denomination. Mr. Parker is a Repub- lican in his political views, and cast his ballot

Digitized by Google

546

HISTORY OF. LAPORTE COUNTY ..

for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and again in 1864. Since that time he has never failed to support a Republican candidate for the presidency. In his business career he has been active and honorable, and as the years advanced he gained a comfort- able competence through his industry and capable management until he is now enabled to live a re- tired life, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.

JOSEPH DOLMAN, who is actively identi- fied with manufacturing interests in Westville, is a progressive citizen, active in business and reliable in all life's relations, and to-day he is one of the leading representatives of the community in which he makes his home. He was born in Derbyshire, England, June 13, 1848, and is a son of Joseph and Maria (Faulkner) Dolman, whose family numbered nine children, four sons and five daughters, Joseph being the fourth in order of birth.

His father was born in Derbyshire, on the 3d of September, 1817, and lived to an advanced age, being called away April 7, 1895. He followed the lumber business in England, and after cross- ing the Atlantic to America engaged in teaching, being a well informed man whose qualifications fitted him for educational work. Resolving to try his fortune in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic in the spring of 1849, landing at Quebec, and the voyage was a very stormy one of six weeks' duration. He did not tarry long in the Canadian metropolis, however, but proceeded by way of the Great Lakes, reaching Buffalo, New York, on the 3d of October, 1849, and going thence to Chicago. This trip was also a stormy one. He took up his abode in Bureau county, Illinois, near Princeton, purchasing a quarter section of land from the Illinois Central Railroad Company. This was wild and unimproved, and the arduous task of developing a new farm de- volved upon him. He built a home and remained upon this property for about two years, after . which he sold out to good advantage and made his way to Dubuque, Iowa, where he resided for about four years. On the expiration of that per- iod he returned eastward to Michigan City, In- diana, and located in Coolspring township, La- Porte county, where he purchased the old Stan- ton Mills, which he operated for thirteen years. It was in this establishment that Mr. Dolman, Jr., obtained a practical knowledge of the milling business. The latter's father continued in this industry in Michigan City until about the time of his death. He was a Republican in politics for a period of eight years, after which he espoused

the principles of the Democracy, which he con- tinued to advocate until his life record was ended. In manner he was kind and benevolent and gave generously of his means to the poor and needy. His wife, also a native of England, was born February 25, 1821, and is still living, her home being in Michigan City. She retains her faculties to a remarkable degree. Her Christian faith is that of the Episcopal church.

In the Dolman family there are six of the sons and daughters who still survive: Edward, who is a miller and is married and resides in Wanatah, Indiana ; Harriet, the wife of J. H. McDonald, a mechanic, who resides in Michigan City : Helen, the wife of Charles Gifford, who makes his home in Michigan City and is employed as an engineer on the Michigan Central Railroad ; Joseph ; Maria, the widow of J. N. Smith, who was a politician and resided in Chicago; and Herbert, who is agent for the Pillsbury & Washburn Mills and resides at Columbus, Ohio.

Joseph Dolman was only nine months old when brought by his parents to America, and his life has been largely spent in LaPorte county with the exception of a period of seven years passed in Illinois and Iowa. He remembers of being lost in Chicago while the family were en route to LaPorte. He received a common school educa- tion, to which he has largely added through read- ing, investigation and experience. His life has been that of a practical miller, and he took entire charge of the mill at the age of eighteen years. No other representative of this line of business has been so long connected therewith in LaPorte county as has Mr. Dolman. On attaining his majority he practically started out on his own ac- count without a dollar, and what he now possesses has since been accumulated by presistent effort and industry. On attaining his majority, how- ever, he was admitted to a partnership with his father, with whom he continued for a year, after which he began working by the month. He was thus employed for two months, when, becoming dissatisfied with his business relations, he rented his father's mill and continued its operation until 1878. In April of that year, he came to West- ville and erected his present mill, which he has since conducted, having been thus associated with the industrial interests of Westville for more than a quarter of a century. He manufactures a high grade of flour, and his business has long since become profitable and extensive. He also owns one hundred acres of good land in Clinton town- ship, which is well improved, and the farm prop- erty likewise returns to him a gratifying income.

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

Mra B. A. Davis

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

547:

HISTORY - OF . LAPORTE COUNTY.

· In October, 1870, Mr. Dolman was united in business way has been an eminently useful and marriage to Miss Eliza Henry, who was born in . 'successful one, and although he started out empty Rochester, New York, in September, 1852. She is handed he has steadily' worked' his way upward and is to-day one of the prosperous agriculturists of this portion of the state, his home being on section 29, Galena township. of Highland Scotch lineage on the paternal side, while in the maternal line she is of English de-" scent. Her father was a carpenter and joiner. Mrs. Dolman was reared in Van Buren county, . Mr. Davis was born in 'Monongalia county, West Virginia, on the 20th of December, 1832. His paternal grandfather, John' Davis, was like- wise a native of West Virginia, and by occupa- tion was a farmer. He died in the place of his nativity when about sixty years of age. There . were five brothers who made their way across the mountains by way of Harper's Ferry through Maryland, and all served as soldiers of 'the Re- volutionary war, being valiant defenders of the rights of the colonists. The family is of either Welsh or English lineage. Michigan, and obtained her education in its public schools. She is a strict Methodist in religious' faith, closely adhering to the teachings of the church, and is an affectionate and loving wife and mother who has indeed been an able helpmate to her husband during the years in which they have traveled life's journey together .. To this marriage have been born four children, a son and three daughters, and the family circle yet remains un- broken by the hand of death. Grace, the eldest, is the wife of Dr. J. F. Roemer, who is a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical College and is now a successful physician and surgeon of Wauke- gan, Illinois. They have two children-Bernice and Agatha. Mrs. Roemer was a successful teacher in her own township and in the Westville high school prior to her marriage. Lulu, who was educated in the Westville high school, is now the . Her father, Jacob J. Wagner, was born in Penn- Postal Telegraph operator at Westville. Jesse, the only son, is a farmer by occupation. He wedded Miss Pauline Jessup, and they have a little son, Donovan Herbert Dolman. Zella, the youngest, is now a student in the public schools. Mr. Dolman is a stanch Democrat in his poli- tical sentiments and has been chosen as delegate to the county conventions of his party, but has never aspired to public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, which have been capably managed and have brought to him well merited success. His pros- perity may certainly be attributed in part at least to his persistency of purpose and to the fact that he has always directed his energies along the line of the trade in which he embarked when a young man. Becoming very familiar with the business, he has so conducted his affairs that his labors have brought to him a very gratifying financial return.

Caleb B. Davis, the father of Eugenius W. Davis, was born in Monongalia county, West Virginia, in 1809, and there obtained his educa- tion. In 1831 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Wagner, also a native of Monongalia coun- ty, her birth occurring on the 15th of April, 1812. sylvania and came to LaPorte county in pioneer times. He purchased land in 1831 and took up his abode thereon in 1835. The Wagners were of German lineage, the grandfather of Sarah Wagner having been Caspar Wagner, who was born in Germany and sailed from that country to Pennsylvania. Jacob J. Wagner was the youngest of twelve children, and in his youth was bound out to learn the tanner's trade. He could not speak a word in English until he was twelve years of age, but he soon mastered the language, and by his industry and perseverance in his busi- · ness career won success. As time advanced he made judicious investments in real estate, and became the owner of seventeen hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in LaPorte and adjoining counties. He also engaged extensively in loaning money, and his business operations were of an im- portant nature. He was truly a self-made man, for all that he has he accumulated through his own exertions. He was also well read, and kept informed on all subjects of general information. As a very prominent pioneer settler of LaPorte county he deserves mention in this work and his efforts were of marked value in advancing pub- lic improvement and progress.

HON. EUGENIUS W: DAVIS.' No his- tory of LaPorte county would be complete with- out mention of the Hon. Eugenius W. Davis; who for many years has resided within its borders and has played an important part in its development and progress. He has been active in public af- In the 'year of his marriage Caleb B. Davis fairs, representing his district in the state legis- . came to Indiana on horseback, intending to lo- lature, and has left the impress of his individual- cate in the central part of the state, but he did ity upon local advancement. His life, too, in a' not like that district and continued on to LaPorte

Digitized by Google

548

HISTORY OF LAPORTE COUNTY.

county, which was known as the lake region. He seasons he assisted his father in clearing the land then returned to Virginia, but in 1833 again and improving the home farm. He was thus came to LaPorte county, this time accompanied by his family. The journey was made with a team and covered wagon, and he reached Kan- kakee township on the 10th of September, 1833. There he lived for one year upon land belonging to his father-in-law, now known as the J. J. Wag- ner place, and later removed to his own farm in the same township, where he resided until September, 1835. He then removed to Spring- field township, where he entered one hundred and twenty acres of land. The following years he built a sawmill, and in addition to agricultural pursuits engaged in the manufacture of lumber. In February, 1838, he traded his mill for two hun- dred acres of wild land in sections 29 and 20, Galena township, and, removing to this farm, made it .his home for forty-one years. In 1879 he removed to Michigan, where he spent his last days, his death occurring in 1891, when he had reached his eighty-third year. From 1842 up to the time of his death, covering a period of fifty years he was a preacher of the Christian or New Light church. Honorable principles and the true spirit of Christianity permeated his entire life and made him a man whom to know was to respect and honor. In politics he was a life-long Democrat and took an active part in political affairs, serving as trustee and as justice of the peace. His wife lived to be seventy-six years of age and passed away in Michigan in 1888. In their family were ten children, of whom two died in infancy, while eight reached mature years and are still living, namely : Eugenius W .; Josephus, who is a practicing physician of New Carlisle, Indiana ; Alpheus W., a retired farmer living in Three Oaks, Michigan; Benjamin F., who is liv- ing in New Buffalo township, Berrien county, Michigan ; Caleb, a resident of Mears, Michigan ; Jacob J., who is living in Fremont, Newaygo coun- ty, of the same state; Sarah E., the wife of Thomas Evans, who resides near Stockton, Cali- fornia ; Hattie E., the late wife of William Beals, of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, and who died Octo- ber 21, 1903.

Eugenius W. Davis was less than one year old when his parents came to LaPorte county, and his memory forms a connecting link between the pioneer past and the progressive present with its splendid improvements and opportunities. In his life, however, advantages were much more meager. His education was acquired in the log schoolhouse, and he was only able to attend school through the winter months, for in the summer

engaged until he became seventeen years of age, when, having formed a strong desire to enjoy better educational privileges, he began educating himself through reading and study at home. Thus he became qualified for teaching, and for several years followed that profession with ex- cellent success. He now has a teachers' certifi- cate received from the first one authorized to grant such a document in the county, but he chose to devote his attention to agricultural pur- suits. However, he taught in the winter months for about ten years, and in the winter of 1852-3 his school was held in a log building. When he 'started out for himself he bought eighty acres of land in Galena township, for which he incurred an indebtedness of seven hundred dollars. He had no teams, there were no buildings upon the place, no orchard and no tools of any description. He left his father's home at noon on a May day in 1854, and cut every log used in building his first cabin in that afternoon. In that pioneer home he remained from the 2d of June, 1854, until the 22d of October, 1862, when he removed into the house he now occupies. He has always carried on agricultural work, and now owns a splendid improved farm well supplied with modern farm implements and tools of any description needed upon his place. He has also erected good build- ings, placed his fields under a high state of culti- vation, and does not owe a dollar upon his farm. Early in life he practiced economy, industry and perseverance, and these sterling traits of charac- ter have enabled him to advance steadily upon the road of prosperity. He is now the owner of two farms, one consisting of two hundred and twenty acres, and the other, about a mile distant on sec- tion 19, Galena township, comprising two hun- dred and forty acres, so that his landed posses- sions aggregate four hundred and sixty acres, all of which is valuable and well improved. He has, however, not confined his activities entirely to agricultural work, for he is now the vice presi- dent of the LaPorte Savings Bank, and has often been called upon to settle up estates and look after other business of a public nature.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 94

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