A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 96

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

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practice of medicine, meeting with success from the beginning. He also acquired an interest in a drug store in the adjoining county of Lasalle and later lived for a time in Lasalle county.

Dr. Dakin's ability and general worth as manifested during his residence in Princeton brought him to the attention of some of the noted men of that day. It was there that he became acquainted with Owen Lovejoy and other famous abolitionists, including the four brothers of Will- iam Cullen Bryant. He heartily endorsed the principles which they advocated, and at the be- ginning.of the war he devoted much of his time as a physician to the care and treatment of wounded soldiers brought home to Illinois from the battlefields of, the south ...

In 1862, he was induced to come to LaPorte and take up the, practice of Dr. Teegarden, who wished to retire. Dr. Teegarden had heard of Dr. Dakin's success as a follower of the medical profession and urged his removal to this city, so that on his arrival the latter immediately stepped into, a lucrative practice, which has continued with unvarying success and with the unwavering confidence of a large number of patients to the present day .. In recent years Dr. Dakin has had to give up country practice to a large extent, be- cause of the long drives and the arduous labor involved, but as far as possible devotes his time to office practice at the present time and is still an honored and valuable member of his. profes- sion. He has been the physician to "The Ruth C. Sabin Home for. Elderly Ladies" since 1885. He was also physician to the northern Indiana Or- phans' Home from 1891 to 1899:

Dr. Dakin was married. on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1852, to Martha W. Allen, a, daughter of Abraham Allen,, of Clinton county, Ohio, and a prominent abolitionist of those days, They be- came the parents of two sons; ; Norman G., a resident of LaPorte, and Alfred M., who is a successful business man in Mexico City, Republic of Mexico. The Doctor has always been devoted to his family, his deepest interests centering in his home life.

Dr. Dakin is probably best known as the fa- ther of the LaPorte Public Library. During the war he and a few other, prominent men of La- Porte arranged for a course of lectures to be given in this city by such people of distinction as William Lloyd Garrison, Horace Greeley, Bay- ard Taylor and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Meeting with splendid success in this undertaking, the promoters decided to establish a library fund with the proceeds of their lectures, and accordingly

in 1864 the LaPorte Library and Natural History Association was organized and a number of books purchased. The name was afterward changed to the LaPorte Public Library, and to-day there is a fine building belonging to the association, erected at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. In con- tains reading and reference rooms and over nine thousand volumes. Dr. Dakin has been the presi- dent of the library board almost continuously since the inception of this splendid public insti- tution, and has given largely. of his time and money for its advancement and has made many donations of books to it. It has been the thing which has elicited his deepest interest and most active co-operation outside of his professional life. A more detailed account of the library will appear in the historical section of this volume.

Dr. Dakin has often been solicited to accept public office, but would never consent to become a candidate. Naturally he joined the Republican party upon its organization to prevent the further extension of slavery. His first presidential vote was cast for Martin VanBuren, at which time Charles Francis Adams was running as the can- didate for the vice presidency on the Free-soil ticket. This was in 1848. In 1852 he voted for John P. Hale for president and George W. Julian for vice president, and in 1856 for Fremont, while in 1860 he supported Abraham Lincoln, and has since been an unfaltering Republican.

Since 1856 he has been a Master Mason, and for a number of years was master of his local lodge. He has also been high priest of the Royal Arch chapter and eminent commander of the Knight Templar organization, while since 1866 he has been a member of the Indiana Consistory, . in which he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. A life-long member of the Unitarian church, he has been presiding officer of the local society for twenty years. In the line of his profession he became a charter member of .the Indiana State Eclectic Association.

The keynote of his character is contained in the word "helpfulness." His life has been devoted to his family, his friends, to young men who start out in life dependent upon their own efforts, and to the support of those principles which he be- lieves to be right. His unswerving purpose, his unquestioned fidelity, his unfaltering honesty and his unchanging will have commanded the highest respect of all. He has been a leader in the cause of liberty, of freedom and of progress, and his hearty co-operation has ever been given to that which tends to elevate mankind.

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HENRY E. KOCH, who is conducting a as the third prize in the panel class. This seems photographic studio in LaPorte, has attained dis- highly creditable in view of the fact that his work was brought in competion with that of the entire state of Indiana, some of the most talented pho- tographers of the United States being represented in the convention. tinction in his art, ranking now with the most skillful photographers of the state. Long since he has left the ranks of the many to stand among the really successful few, having acquired not only a thorough knowledge of the mechanical and scientific sides of his art, but also possessing the real artistic sense without which the photographer can never win distinction.

Mr. Koch is a native son of LaPorte, his birth having occurred in the western part of the city, known as Camp Colfax, in 1873. His parents were France Henry and Sophia (Spier) Koch. His father was born in Hanover, Germany, and in 1848 bade adieu to his native land and sailed for America, settling first. at. Hanging Rock, Ohio. In 1870 he came to LaPorte. He was only fourteen years of age when he came to the United States and learned the cooper's trade in Cincin- nati, Ohio, which he followed to a limited extent. He also followed brick-laying, but for the past twenty-one years has been an employe in the threshing machine factory of the Rumely Com- pany. His wife was a maiden of sixteen summers when she crossed the Atlantic, settling in Cincin- nati, Ohio, where she met Mr. Koch.

Henry Koch acquired the greater part of his education in the parish school connected with St. John's German Lutheran church, which is noted for the extent of its curriculum and the thoroughness of its methods of instruction. With a natural artistic taste and talent, he determined to take up the study of photography, and in 1893 entered the studio of L. A. Kraft, in LaPorte. Later he went to St. Joseph, Michigan, where he continued his studies with H. E. Bradley, a pho- tographer of that city, and subsequently he re- ceived more advanced experience with J. B. Wil- son, a photographer, at 389 State street, Chicago.

Returning to LaPorte Mr. Koch again spent a few months with Mr. Kraft, and then purchased his studio and business, continuing. its conduct on the third floor of the Crane building on Mich- igan avenue. Later he purchased the business of W. E. Dolk and consolidated it with his own, removing to the studio formerly occupied by Mr. Dolk, at 803 Michigan avenue. He has made re- markable progress for a young man, and his work is of such superior character that he practically has no opposition in .LaPorte. In 1901 he joined the Indiana Association of Photographers, and in the annual convention of 1902, held at Winona Lake, he carried away two. medals, winning one as the first prize in the cabinet class and the other

Mr. Koch is constantly striving for improve- .ment in his work, and is an earnest student, in- defatigable in his labors. His photographs are noted for artistic merit, and he enjoys a very large and constantly increasing patronage. He is also a member of the American Association of Pho- tographers, a national organization.

In LaPorte Mr. Koch was united in marriage to Miss Edith Fritzen, a native of this city and a daughter of Charles Fritzen. They have a little daughter, Linda. Mr. Koch is a prominent and .active member of St. John's Lutheran church, · deeply interested in its growth and the extention of its influence. He is now erecting a new resi- dence on D street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, which will be one of the finest houses in the fifth ward, and the artistic sense of Mr. Koch and the cultured taste of his estimable wife, should make it one of the most attractive resi- dences of the city.

JOHN A. WOOD, A. B., A. M., for the past five years superintendent of the schools of La- Porte, Indiana, has devoted his entire life to edu- cational work, and has taken rank among the leading representatives of the profession in this state, and, through his articles on educational sub- jects in magazines and school. journals, his repu- tation has extended throughout the country. His enthusiastic interest in his work, supplementing broad and thorough perparation, has made his labors most effective in advancing the standard of education wherever his work has been centered, and he has left the impress of his, individuality upon every locality in which he has remained for any length of time.

John A. Wood, son of Captain William Smith and Louisa H. (Anderson) Wood, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, August 14, 1865. He taught school before he was sixteen years old, and his aptitude for the calling was manifest even at that time. He and his wife were students together .both. before and after their marriage, and they graduated from the Indiana State Normal school in 1889, and in 1897 from the State University of Indiana, at which time the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon them. In 1902 the University gave him the degree of Master of Arts and honored her with the same degree in the fol-

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lowing year. Mr. Wood has also pursued post- graduate work in the University of Chicago and in Clark University. His school work in Indiana has been passed-four years at Cortland, two at Clinton, two as superintendent at Charleston, seven as high school principal at Frankfort, one as high school principal at LaPorte, and since 1898 he has served as superintendent of the La- Porte city schools. His work has won for him high encomiums, and he has gained distinctive precedence as an educator.

Professor Wood is an active member of the National Educational Association; is vice presi- dent of the North Central Association of Second- ary Schools and Colleges; is president of the Town and City Superintendents' Association of Indiana ; is a prominent institute lecturer in In- diana, Ohio and Michigan ; is a member of var- ious state educational committees, and has taken an active part in securing the passage of legisla- tive measures through the general assembly fav- orable to the public schools. His many articles upon educational matters have been published in leading periodicals and journals and have awak- ened much interest and comment.

In 1891 Mr. Wood was married in Brookville, Indiana, to Miss Louise Meyer, a daughter of Edward and Mary Robeson Meyer. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have two children, Paul Meyer Wood, born at Frankfort, Indiana, June 8, 1894, and John Meyer Wood, born in LaPorte, January 10, 1901. Mrs. Wood occupies a leading position in educational and literary circles. She, too, be- gan teaching at the age of sixteen. She was prin- cipal of the schools of Falmouth, Kentucky, for three years, and was at the head of the depart- ment of literature in the high school of Frankfort, Indiana. In 1890 she was principal of the high school in Plymouth, Indiana, and was teacher of science in the Frankfort high school in 1892. While living in Frankfort the Louise Wood Lit- erary Club was organized and named in her honor and she still directs the work of the club. In LaPorte Mrs. Wood has taken a prominent part in stimulating literary interests, and is now direc- tor of the Shakesperian Round Table, of the Woman's Literary Club, and of the Realistic Novel Club. She is also a member of the West- ern Writers' Association. Her literary proclivi- ties are inherent in her family.

Professor Wood and his wife. hold member- ship in the Presbyterian church, and he is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge, also a member of the board of charities and corrections and of the chil- dren's board of guardians of LaPorte county.

Mr. Wood has a strong individuality, and never lacks the courage of his convictions, but at the same time possesses a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, and these qualities, with his sterling honor and integrity of character, have gained for him, in all life's relations, the esteem and unshaken confidence of his fellow men.

ALBERT T. VREELAND. The name of Albert T. Vreeland is one well known in Michi- gan City and throughout LaPorte county, for he has long been a leading and influential citizen of this part of the state. Throughout his business career he sustained an unassailable reputation, and his careful direction of his business affairs brought to him the success which now enables him to live a retired life. His home is at 306 East Michigan street, and there in the midst of many friends he is spending the evening of his days in quiet retirement from further labor.

Mr. Vreeland came to Indiana from the east. his birth having occurred in Union county, New Jersey, in the city of Springfield, January 1, 1831. His paternal grandfather died in that state, and there is little known concerning the ancestral his- tory of the family. Aaron B. Vreeland, his fa- ther, was born in Essex county, New Jersey, May 4, 1800, and was a farmer by occupation and died in Springfield, New Jersey, October 10, 1849. when forty-nine years of age. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Jane D. Stevenson, also a native of New Jersey, and she survived him for a number of years. Her birth occurred in Essex county on the 27th of July, 1803, and she de- parted this life in Milburn, New Jersey, April 8. 1871. Her religious faith was that of the Pres- byterian church and her life was in harmony with its teachings. Aaron B. Vreeland served in the war of 1812, and at all times was a loyal and de- voted citizen interested in the progress and wel- fare of his country. To him and his wife were born three children, two sons and a daughter. but Albert T. is the only one now living.

No event of especial importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Albert T. Vreeland in his early youth. He was reared in New Jersey and obtained his education in the public schools there. After putting aside his text books, he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for seven years, becoming an expert workman. With the growth of the country and the extension of civili- zation and business interests into the west, he became interested in the middle section of this land, and in 1855 made his way to Indiana. For one year he resided in Michigan City, after which

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albert. J. Vreeland

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CAROLINE C. VREELAND.

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he returned to the east, but in 1857 again came to Michigan City. The second period of his resi- dence here, however, was but a brief one, and it was not until 1859 that he made a permanent set- tlement here. He was at first engaged in the real estate business in connection with his father- in-law, Offley Leeds, and throughout the greater part of his life since that time he has dealt in realty, although he is now largely living retired. For many years he handled much property here and negotiated many important real estate trans- fers. He and his wife are the owners of the Vree- land Hotel, which they enlarged and rebuilt in 1888, and Mr. Vreeland still includes that prop- erty in his realty possessions. He is likewise a stockholder in the First National Bank.

On the 4th of October, 1859, in Michigan City, Mr. Vreeland was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Carrie Leeds, a daughter of Offley and Charlotte (Ridgeway) Leeds. Her father was born September 9, 1798, and died at LaPorte Indiana, on the 10th of March, 1862, while his wife was born on the 9th of January, 1797, and passed away at Michigan City on the 8th of Janu- ary, 1858. Mrs. Vreeland was born at Tucker- ton, New Jersey, March 9, 1831, and after trav- cling life's journey happily with her husband for more than three decades she passed away at their home in Michigan City on the 8th of December, 1892, when about sixty-one years of age. She belonged to the Friends Society and was a lady of kindly nature, generous heart and true. Her many excellent qualities endeared her to all who knew her, and her death was therefore deeply mourned. To Mr. and Mrs. Vreeland were born four children : Independence, who was born July 4, 1860, in Michigan City, died on the 4th of Au- gust of the same year; Albert, born August II, 1863, died December 17, 1898, when thirty years of age ; Walter, born January 15, 1866, is engaged in the real estate business in Michigan City ; and Frank, born February 15, 1868, is also a real estate dealer here.

Mr. Vreeland is a well known and prominent Mason, holding membership in Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., and Michigan City Chapter No. 25, R. A. M. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy, and upon its ticket he has been several times elected a member of the city council. While serving in that office he put forth every effort in his power to promote material improve- ment and enhance the permanent development of the city. Here he has lived for more than forty years, and throughout this period has been a man of unfaltering honor and of marked fidelity to

principles which command respect. . His life, therefore, is worthy of emulation, his success has been gained through straightforward, honorable business methods, and for many years he has been classed among the leading men of the north- ern section of LaPorte county.

JEROME B. ATKINS, a retired farmer now living in LaPorte, was born in Union township, LaPorte county, in 1847, a son of Isaiah and Har- riet (Butterfield) Atkins. His father was a native of Phillipston, Massachusetts, and in 1835 came to this county, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were reclaiming this region for the uses of the white race. He located in that part of the county which in 1840 became Union township, and the year following his ar- rival he returned to the Bay state, where he wed- ded Miss Butterfield. With his young bride he then again came to LaPorte county and turned his attention to farming. During nine years of his early manhood he engaged in teaching school, and then devoted his energies entirely to agricul- tural pursuits, which he followed continuously until after the death of his wife in 1884. He was an active, leading and well-to-do farmer of Union township for nearly half a century, and was one of the best known and most highly respected citi- zens of LaPorte county. His death occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 5, 1890. His wife, who was born in Kingsbury, Washington county, New York, died on the old homestead in Union township, LaPorte county, in August, 1884. She was well known and greatly esteemed and her death was mourned by many friends. The Butterfield family, of which she was a mem- ber, is prominent both in Indiana and Ohio, several of its representatives having become dis- tinguished people, while many have been success- ful in business life.

In the usual manner of farmer lads Jerome Atkins was reared, and to the public school sys- tem of this county he is indebted for the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed. He early assisted in the operation of the home farm, and on at- taining his majority began farming on his own account. He still owns the farm which his father formerly owned in Union township and which he himself operated for many years. It is known as the Atkins farm and is regarded as one of the best in this rich agricultural region. Mrs. Atkins has in her possession the deed signed by Martin VanBuren for the land, deeded to the Atkins fam- ily. The place comprises about two hundred acres. Mr. Atkins was known as a most prosper-

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ous, energetic and practical farmer, his operations being guided by practical experience and "by knowledge which came as the result of his own observation. He brought to bear upon his work strong intelligence and sound judgment and, moreover, he was very industrious and persever- ing, qualities which are indispensable elements in winning success. In April, 1902, having ac- quired a sufficient competence, he put aside the active duties of the farm and removed to the city. of LaPorte, where he is now living retired in a very comfortable and attractive home at 1407 Monroe street.

Mr. Atkins was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Hinks, a native daughter of La Porte coun- ty. Her father, John C. Hinks, was born in London, England, and her grandfather was the organist in the Needingworth cathederal. John C. Hinks wished to learn landscape gardening, and, failing to get parental permission to do this, decided to leave home and come to America. In 1832, at the age of eighteen years, he arrived in the new world, spending some years in Canada. After settling here he became a farmer, making his home in LaPorte county until his death in June, 1875. He was quite prominent and in- fluential, and that he enjoyed the public confidence and regard is shown by the fact that he was often called upon to act as administrator of estates. To Mr. and Mrs. Atkins have been born three sons, Clifford, Charles and Berlin. The family are well known in this county and have many friends.

AUGUST KREGLE, who devotes his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, his home being on section 27, Union township, is a native of Germany. He was born the 17th of Septem- ber, 1848, and for about four years remained in that country, and then his parents, John and Mary Kregle, came to America, bringing with them their family. They landed in New York city and remained there for some time, the moth- er's death occurring there. The father after- ward came to LaPorte county, Indiana, when the son was but six years of age, and here August Kregle was reared by George' Hall, with whom he went to live soon after reaching the west. He continued a member of Mr. Hall's family until. twenty-one years of age, and his youth was large- ly spent in the usual manner of farmer lads, working in the fields in the summer months and attending school in the winter. On attaining his majority he began working as a farm hand for Julius Winchell, and was thus employed for four

stimmers. During this time he saved enough of his earnings to enable him to make 'a start in life as an independent farmer.

At that time Mr. Kregle was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Eva Hay, a daughter of Samuel S. and Emma J. (Wrichtmyer ) Hay. Thus he completed his preparations for having a home of his own. He rented the farm upon which he is now living, and after about nine years he purchased the place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, which is now well improved with modern equipments and accessor- ies. He carries on general farming and although he started out in life empty-handed, dependent entirely upon his own resources, he now has a valuable property and is classed with the well-to- do agriculturists of his community. .

Mr. and Mrs. Kregle have one son, Percy Am- brose. In the community where they reside they are widely and favorably known. Mr. Kregle is in- dependent in his political views, voting for the men rather than the party. He belongs to the Adventist church at Union Mills, and is well known in this county, where he is regarded as a representative citizen well worthy of mention in this volume.

FRANCIS M. MERRILL, who for fifteen years has held the important position of foreman in the boilermaking department of the shops of the M. Rumely Company, ot LaPorte, was born in this city in 1858. His father, James Dwight Merrill, was born in Columbia county, New York, and came to LaPorte in 1850, here engaging in merchandising for many years. He wedded Ellen Shumway, also a native of Columbia county, and both are now deceased, the father having passed away in 1892, after forty-two years' residence in this city.

At the usual age Mr. Merrill entered the pub- lic schools and therein familiarized himself with the common branches of English learning. He afterward partly learned the printer's trade in the office of the old LaPorte Chronicle, of which Mr. Packard was then the editor. After a year spent in railroad work, he entered the boiler shop of the M. Rumley Manufacturing Company, of La Porte, manufacturers of threshing machines, one of the largest and most important industrial establish- ments in Indiana. He began his apprenticeship here in 1878, and completed his trade in Chicago. where he utilized every opportunity to become an expert boilermaker. In 1883 he returned to the Rumely Company and in 1888 his efficiency won recognition in the appointment to the position of

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 96

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