USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 75
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Timothy Edward Howard was born near Ann Arbor, Michigan, January 27. 1837. His parents were both of English-Irish an- cestry. His father. Martin Howard. was born near Fermoy, county Cork, Ireland, and his mother, Julia (Beahan) Howard, at or near Mount Rath, Queen's county, Ireland, whence both parents came to America and became pioneers of Michigan territory.
The father died when Timothy was four- teen years old, and being the eldest of the seven children, he took charge of the farm and became the principal reliance of his wid- owed mother and the younger children. The subject of this sketch has long been known for his ripe scholarship and classical learn- ing. The foundation of this knowledge was acquired in his youth, despite the primitive schools then existing in Michigan and the necessary confinement of his farm duties. As a boy he had attended country schools during the winters, and at the age of seven- teen had two terms in the Ypsilanti union school, where he enjoyed the instruction of Professor Joseph Estabrook and other excel- lent teachers. Entering the University at Ann Arbor in his eighteenth year, he was able to continue his studies only until the middle
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of his sophomore year, when the home farm again needed his presence. At the age of twenty and again the following year he taught country schools. When twenty-one he was elected inspector of the schools of North- field, his native township.
Judge Howard first became identified with St. Joseph county, Indiana, as a student in Notre Dame, when he was twenty-two years old. Three years later he was graduated, having taught primary classes during his col- legiate career. From the quiet study halls of Notre Dame he took his place as a private soldier in the struggle of the nation for existence. Enlisting, February 5, 1862, in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, he hurried to the front, and just two months later, April 6, was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh. After lying for a time in the Marine Hospital at Evansville, he was discharged June 14, 1862, by reason of his wound. His return to Notre Dame was marked by his employment as professor of English litera- ture and other classes in the university. For a number of years his career was identified with this university, and as an educator he is remembered and esteemed by hundreds who are now in active life.
For nearly thirty years he has been al- most continuously in public life. Beginning in 1878, he served six years as a member of the South Bend common council. One of the acts which stands to his credit as coun- cilman is the fact that through his efforts the first publie park was secured for the city, and later was named Howard Park. During this time, beginning in 1879, he was clerk of the St. Joseph circuit court four years. In 1886 eame his election to the state senate, where ' he served three sessions until his resigna- tion in 1892. His chief services in the upper house were as follows:
He was anthor of the bill to remove the limestone ledge in the Kankakee river at Momence; assisted in framing the Australian ballot law in 1889; brought in the bill for the establishment of the appellate court in 1891; and framed the bill for the Indiana tax law of 1891. On his resignation from the senate he was elected a judge of the supreme court, serving six years. In addition to these elective offices, Judge Howard has served as eity attorney of South Bend and county attorney for St. Joseph county, and has also been selected for service on special commissions dealing with subjects of vital interest or reform in
state government. He was president of the Fee and Salary commission, 1900-01, by ap- pointment of Governor James A. Mount; was appointed by Governor Durbin a dele- gate to the tax conference held at the Pan- American Exposition in Buffalo, May 23-24, 1901, where he read a paper on the Indiana tax law; and was appointed by Governor Durbin a member of the commission of 1903-05 for codifying the laws of the state.
Our author has long been interested in the history of his county and state and is now president of the Northern Indiana His- torical Society. Besides this history of St. Joseph county, he has written miscellaneous papers and books, some of them prepared as text books during his work as an educator and others for special purposes and oeca- sions. By his marriage, on July 14, 1864, at Detroit, to Miss Julia A. Redmond, Judge Howard has had ten children, seven of whom are still living.
HION. SCHUYLER COLFAX. When Schuyler Colfax, vice-president of the United States. congressman from Indiana for many years and one of the speakers of the house of rep- resentatives during the period of the Civil war, passed away at Mankato, Minnesota, on the 13th of January, 1885, South Bend lost its most distinguished citizen, and the country not only a leading statesman and patriot, but a good and noble man as well. He was among the most eminent men of the west, whose life record forms an integral part of the history, not alone of South Bend but of the state and nation. and who is therefore most worthy of special mention in a work of this character. In his death the nation lost one of its most progressive citizens, one whose influence was felt in marked degree along intellectual and moral advancement.
As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noonday of activity, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night -- so was the life of this honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, marked by the utmost fidelity to the duties of public and private life, and crowned with honors conferred upon him by his home city, state and nation, in recognition of superior merit. His name is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Indiana. with its best de- velopment and its stable progress, and his memory is cherished as that of one who made the world better for his having lived.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY.
Schuyler Colfax was a native of the Em- pire state, born on the 23d of March, 1823, in New York City. As a lad of thirteen he came to New Carlisle, St. Joseph county, where he was educated and early developed a taste for politics and newspaper work. In 1845 he founded the St. Joseph Valley Regis- ter, and, after filling many political positions of local import, in 1852 was selected as a delegate to the Whig convention which nom- inated General Winfield Scott to the presi- dency. In 1855 he was sent to congress and re-elected for six consecutive terms, and from 1863 to 1869-covering such momentuous pe- riods of the Civil war and Reconstruction- ably served as speaker of the house of rep- resentatives. His vice-presidential term with General Grant covered the period 1869-73, and in the latter year he retired from public life and returned to South Bend.
In 1868 Schuyler Colfax was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Wade, a niece of the widely known Senator Wade of Ohio. She is a most accomplished lady, whose many acts of charity and kindness have endeared her to the citizens of South Bend and St. Joseph county. One son was born of their union, Schuyler Colfax. Jr., who for many years was an active business man of South Bend and was elected its mayor in 1898, but is no longer a resident of the place.
In his public capacities, Schuyler Colfax was a recognized orator of his day and a wise statesman. In his domestic and personal rela- tions he was a loving husband and an affec- tionate father : was kind and benevolent, and charitable to a fault; a man beloved by all, especially by the citizens of South Bend and others who knew him best. With him friend- ship was inviolable and the circle of his friendship was almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance. When those who needed assistance came to him his aid was never withheld. Honor and integrity char- acterized his every act, and he was never known to take advantage of his fellow man. His name will be honored for many genera- tions as that of one who stood as the highest type of Ameriean citizenship.
ALEXIS COQUILLARD. The name Coquillard is synonymous with South Bend, and is inter- twined with so many interests of this city that it is difficult to say what is the most prominent feature of its historical relations with South Bend. To the oldest residents, and to those who would learn of the origin of
this city, one of the first personalities in a long list of celebrities is that Alexis Coquil- lard who, after Peter F. Navarre, became the first white settler on the site of South Bend. He located here in 1823, an agent of the American Fur Company, and as such con- ducted a trading post in a log cabin that was the first residence of white man in the woods at the south bend of the St. Joseph river. Unlike others in that occupation, who usually retreated before the advance of actual settle- ment. he remained on the site of South Bend while it was being settled by a thrifty class of pioneers, and until his death in 1855 was closely identified with the interests of the growing town, being one of the proprietors of the first flouring mill and in many other ways a citizen of note and influence.
It was a nephew and namesake of this trader and pioneer whose career is most fami- liar to the later generation of St. Joseph county. Although it is now seventeen years since his death, he is still remembered with affection and gratitude for his noble character and his usefulness and generosity as a citi- zen. Many departments of activity were in- fluenced by him while living, and much re- mains with which his name can still be identified. Having acquired a fortune in his home city and county, he was generous in its expenditure for the benefit of his citizens. A few years before his death he purchased one thousand acres of land adjoining the city, and donated a large tract of it for the pur- poses of a public park. He established the Coquillard Wagon Works in 1865, and di- rected it through a prosperous growth until its output was sold in nearly every county in the United States. In ways too numerous to mention, his private interests were inter- twined with the progress of the entire com- munity, and among those who helped make South Bend during its first half century of existence he will always be considered as one of the most prominent.
Dying at Battle Creek, Michigan, February 25, 1890. Alexis Coquillard had rounded out a life of sixty-five years. He was born in Detroit, April 29, 1825, where his parents, Benjamin and Sophia (Andre) Coquillard, were among the well known French settlers of that eity. Benjamin Coquillard was in almost the first group of notable pioneers who came to St. Joseph county at the close of the decade of the twenties. He brought his fam- ily to the site of South Bend in 1829. only
APY
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
a few years after his brother, the fur trader, had located here, although by 1829 the fur- trading period was rapidly passing and the era of permanent settlement had begun. Ben- jamin Coquillard made of his rough and primitive home a place of public entertain- ment, or tavern, as it was then known, and it was in this backwoods inn that the boy Alexis gained his first experiences in the world. His tendency to trade early became marked, and while still a boy he was conducting a profit- able traffic among the Indians. It is recalled that when he was sixteen years old, L. P. Johnson, who kept a tavern located at the southwest corner of Michigan avenue and Washington street, built a wagon which at- tracted general attention. this being the first one ever constructed in South Bend. The wagon became an object of envions interest to young Coquillard, and when it was com- pleted he induced his mother to purchase it for him. He put it into service by hauling produce and goods from the river for the few merchants of the town, and soon had paid not only for the wagon but for his team of horses.
As is made clear in other parts of this his- tory, the educational facilities offered at South Bend during the thirties and forties were very meager. In the history of Notre Dame University, Alexis Coquillard's name comes first-the first student. This oppor- tunity for gaining an education came when Father Sorin, in two log houses, commenced the work that proved the nucleus of the pres- ent university, and the young boy who so cheerfully rowed him across the river to per- form his priestly labors became his first stu- dent. Alexis pursued his studies and grad- nated from the log cabin college.
The spirit of the pioneer has always been strong in the Coquillard family. When the rush to California began, this spirit took hold of Alexis. and. having persuaded his uncle to furnish him with an outfit, he started to find his fortune in the Eldorado. The agreement was that the profits of the venture were to be divided between the uncle who furnished the capital and the nephew who furnished the energy and enterprise. He was one of the lucky forty-niners. for after nine months he returned to South Bend and faithfully divided his little fortune of four thousand dollars with the uncle who had thus stood sponsor for his honesty and good judgment.
The two thousand dollars realized from his
California venture became the working capi- tal with which he built up his fortune. With this money he bought some land near the present family homestead at Mosquito Glen, but he soon found farming too monotonous and its profits too tardy. Following the sale of this property, he turned his attention to real estate dealings, and in that direction gained the greater part of his fortune. His operations were at first confined to the vicin- ity of South Bend. Another departure was the buying of a sawmill, which directed him into the lumber business, and in a few years he became one of the most extensive lumber dealers of northern Indiana. His real estate interests were growing so rapidly that by 1860 he was reputed to be the largest land owner in St. Joseph county. The founding of the wagon works followed in 1865, and with the extension of his real estate and other operations to various parts of the country, he built up a large fortune.
Of the marriage of Mr. Coquillard to Miss Maud Perley, of Portland, Maine, two sons were born, Alexis and Joseph Alexander, who continue the Coquillard interests in South Bend and are worthy successors of a father whose life and work were of so much im- portance to South Bend's history.
HON. CLEM STUDEBAKER. Those are rare characters in the world's history who have both the tact and the force of character to overcome all obstacles caused by lack of early education, and take their place not only among the material forces of their country but with the cultured and professionally trained, who have had every advantage af- forded by the universities of two continents. But eminent common sense, a great heart and the courtesy of an inborn gentleman will over- come all artificial considerations, especially in these United States of America, and perhaps half a dozen times in a generation a family of characters bearing these strong traits comes to the surface and holds the unbounded ad- miration of the country. The Studebaker family is of this great democracy, and none of its representatives was more typical of its admirable characteristics than the late Hon. Clem Studebaker.
Mr. Studebaker was born near Gettysburg. Pennsylvania, March 12, 1831, the boy being four years of age when the family moved to Ashland county, Ohio. There his youth was passed, attending the public schools and work- ing with his father af the forge and in his
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
wagon shop. Through the latter occupation he laid the basis of that thorough and prac- tical knowledge which enabled him in later years to be a prime factor in the founding of the great industry conducted by the Stude- baker Brothers Manufacturing Company. When nineteen years old (in 1850) he came to South Bend to live, and was introduced to the locality as a teacher. His career as an educator covered only two terms of school, after which, in partnership with his oldest brother, Henry, he opened a small blacksmith shop near Jefferson and Michigan streets.
It appears that during the first year of what may be considered the establishment of the industry which now has a world-wide fame two wagons constituted the total out- put, although the brothers also engaged in a general blacksmithing business. Their initial capital was sixty-eight dollars. The succes- sors of these sturdy founders have now in their splendidly equipped office an oil paint- ing of this little blacksmith shop, which proved to be the foundation of the splendid reputation and fortune made eventually by the Studebaker family. The plant is now the largest of its kind in the world, and its wagons and vehicles of all kinds are turned out by the hundreds of thousands. being dis- tributed throughout the civilized globe.
Clem Studebaker, who had so large a share in bringing about this remarkable industrial and commercial development, and although before all else a practical man of rare ability and tireless energy, coupled with an iron de- termination and a manly ambition to excell in his life work, was at the same time liberal in his outlook and deeply interested in edu- cational and public movements. He was one of the leading Republicans of his state, which he twice represented in national conventions. He was thrice honored as a United States commissioner to the great modern expositions, being a representative to those at Paris, New Orleans and Chicago, and at the World's Co- lumbian Exposition he served as president of the Indiana board of managers. For many years Mr. Studebaker was a member of the board of trustees of DePauw University, was president of the board of trustees of the Chautauqua Assembly in 1889-90. and was selected by President Harrison to represent the United States at the Pan-American Con- gress held at Washington, where his wide knowledge of commercial conditions, as they existed on the western hemisphere. and his
strong personal influence were freely recog- nized.
Clem Studebaker was not only a man of strength. but one of magnetism, with a sym- pathetic outflow toward all suffering. He was charitable in spirit, and his benevolence mani- fested itself in countless practical works. An ideal business man. a good citizen, a helpful friend, a broad philanthropist and man of the world, eager to aid in its best progress, the deceased left a great void both in the public community and in the hearts of count- less friends.
Mr. Studebaker's wife, before marriage, was known as Mrs. Ann (Milburn) Harper. daughter of George Milburn, a prominent wagon manufacturer of Mishawaka. Their home, which is one of the finest in the state, is known as Tippecanoe, in commemoration of the famous treaty which is said to have taken place on the ground now occupied by the Studebaker residence. No citizen of In- diana ever passed away whose death was more keenly or generally deplored.
HENRY STUDEBAKER was of one
the founders of the great vehicle industry of the Studebaker Brothers Manufactur- ing Company, and although he retired from the business at an early period in its development, it was quite firmly founded when he retired to the less strenuous career of an agricultural life. He was born near Get- tysburg, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1826, the son of John Studebaker, whose sketch appears elsewhere. When Henry was nine years of age the family migrated to Ashland county, Ohio, being transported in a wagon which was built by the father. So it may be that, in reality, John Studebaker was the founder of the business which has carried the name of the family to every part of the globe.
In Ashland county Henry Studebaker was apprenticed to a country blacksmith, working at his trade during the busy season and in the winter months attending the district schools. He finally mastered his trade under his fa- ther's instruction. and when he was ready to go out into the world as an independent work- man there was no more expert blacksmith than he in that section. In 1847. then of age, he bought a horse and started for the farther west. His first stop was at Goshen, Indiana, where he worked at his trade for some months, but, finding nothing to encourage him in the outlook of the locality, returned to his home in Ohio.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
In 1850 Henry Studebaker, in company with his younger brother Clem, made a trip to South Bend, Indiana, and with their joint capital of sixty-eight dollars established a blacksmith shop. During the following year, in addition to a general business in the line of their trade, they turned out and sold two wagons, which was the commencement of a world-famed business. The prospects were so promising that in 1852 the remainder of the family came from Ohio, making the journey in two wagons. The brothers established their little blacksmith shop at the corner of Michigan and Jefferson streets, under the firm name of H. & C. Studebaker, worked in- dustriously and hopefully night and day, toiled and economized, and, within a few years had the satisfaction of knowing that they had founded a new and profitable in- dustry of unusual proportions for those times. In 1858, with the business fairly on its feet, Henry Studebaker was obliged to re- tire from it on account of impaired health, disposing of his interest to his brother, J. M. Buying a large traet of land adjoining South Bend, he continued to eultivate and improve it until his death, March 12, 1895, by which time, on account of the general development of the country and the consequent increase in real estate values, coupled with Mr. Stude- baker's good management and business judg- ment, he had reached a position of comfort and agricultural prominence.
Henry Studebaker was a man of strictly temperate habits, being an abstainer from al- cohol and tobaceo during his entire life. He was of an affectionate disposition, a loving husband and father and a good neighbor and citizen, and possessed altogether a warm, hon- orable and Christian character. He was a member of the Dunkard Church, and took especial delight in entertaining the brethren and elders at his home. Ilis wife, to whom he was married in 1852, was Susan Stude- baker, daughter of Samuel Studebaker, by whom he had the following six children : Mrs. A. W. Bowman, Samuel W., Edith (now Mrs. Ervin Gingrich). Clem W. and Mrs. J. M. Chillas, all of whom are living; and Laura. who died in 1876. The mother and wife passed away June 8, 1871.
In 1873 Henry Studebaker married as his second wife his estimable widow, who now occupies the commodious residence which was so many years a comfortable and happy fam- ily home. Mrs. Studebaker was formerly Miss
Priscilla Kreichbaum, and she is the mother of four children: D. Adelle, William, Peter C. (who married Mrs. Olive Lewis), and Arthur. Her devotion as a mother and her feminine talents as a home maker have earned for her the admiration of a wide circle of friends and the honor of the children whom she has reared.
J. M. STUDEBAKER. In this age of colossal enterprise and marked intellectual energy the prominent and successful men are those whose abilities, persistence and courage lead them into large undertakings and to assume the responsibilities and labors of leaders in their respective vocations. Mr. Studebaker has made of life a grand success, steadily over- coming the difficulties and obstacles in his path and working his way upward to the place where success places the laurel on the victor's brow. He was born near Gettysburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1833. His father. John Studebaker, worked as a blacksmith there, but when his son was two years of age he moved to Ashland county, Ohio.
It was in that county that J. M. Studebaker received the early educational training which fitted him for life's responsible duties, being obliged to walk two miles to attend a country school. At the age of thirteen he began work on the farm of his brother-in-law at three dollars a month, at the same time contrib- ating his earnings to the support of the fam- ily. In 1851 the family home was established in South Bend, the journey being made in a wagon built by the father, and they took up their abode in a log cabin four miles from the eity in the winter of that year, supplies being obtained by selling wood in South Bend. The lad was a strong and willing worker, and ent two cords a day during the winter of 1851, while his father hauled it to town and se- enred two dollars a cord. In the spring of 1852 he entered the employ of John Cotton, a wagon maker. In the spring of the follow- ing year, 1853, a company was formed to go to California overland, and Mr. J. M. Stude- baker gave his services and furnished a wag- on, the wood work made by him, and ironed by his brothers, for the privilege of joining the party. The trip was a perilous and weary one, fraught with many dangers and hard- ships, with mountains to scale, rivers to cross and Indian savages to fight. The leader of the party died as the result from a bite of a scorpion and was buried en route. Finally,
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