A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 77

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826

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In the city of his birth Melville W. Mix received his educational training, graduating in the Atlanta high school in 1881. From the time of his graduation until January, 1885. he was employed in his father's hardware store. In January. 1886, he came to Mish- awaka and entered the employ of the Dodge Manufacturing Company. but in the year preceding this he had had charge of their exhibit at the New Orleans Exhibition. Mr. Mix entered this corporation at the very bot- tom round of the ladder, but his meritorious. honorable effort enabled him to ascend step by step until in 1890 he was given charge of their Chicago branch, thus continuing for four years, when he returned to South Bend in 1894. this being at the time of the death of the founder and president, Wallace II. Dodge. With the latter's brother. William W. Dodge, Mr. Mix was then appointed one of the executors of the estate, also vice-presi- dent for the year, while in 1895 he was elected president. Thus he has made for him- self a place in connection with the activities and honors of life. has successfully sur- mounted obstacles and has gained recognition for intrinsic worth of character.

The Dodge Manufacturing Company was founded more than a quarter of a century ago by Wallace H. Dodge. It was first a little saw mill for the production of hardwood him- ver, and it is interesting to note that never unrough all the years of its existence has the Saw mill feature been missing from the com- panv's plant. From time to time the produc- tion of such wooden hardware specialties as window screens, door stops. tool handles, saw frames. vice handles, mallets, etc., were in- troduced as the business extended and grew, while later automatic turning lathes and other more improved tools were added. The

industry prospered so well that in 1880 the Dodge Manufacturing Company was incor- porated by Wallace H. Dodge, William W. Dodge and George Philion. In 1881, how- ever. the little factory was destroyed by fire, and being uninsured proved a heavy blow to the young concern. But they rebuilt at once on a more substantial plan, and from then until now the business has continued to grow in volume and importance. Foundries and machine shops have been added. for the more extensive manufacture of power transmission iron goods. The Dodge Company were the first to recognize the great possibilities of the wood pulley idea, and developed it into prac- tical commercial fame. They also revolution- ized the mechanical world by the invention and introduction of the famous Dodge Amer- ican or Continuous Wind System of rope transmission. Other numerous devices and appliances which have made the Dodge Com- pany known the world over have from time to time been added. such as the Dodge Iron Split Pulley. the iron center wood rimmed pulley. the safety wood rim fly wheel, the split friction clutch, the Eureka water soft- eners and purifiers, and many others.

The founder of the company. Wallace H. Dodge, died in 1894, and was succeeded by Melville W. Mix. who has proved a worthy successor and by his careful and able man- agement the business has more than doubled during the last decade. W. W. Dodge. the younger brother, served for years as secre- tary and treasurer. later as treasurer only. and his death occurred in 1899. George Phil- ion. associated with Wallace H. Dodge as joint inventor of the Independence Wood Split Pulley, continued as superintendent of the company until the time of his death in 1903. The present officers are M. W. Mix. president: W. B. Hosford, vice-president : and Charles Endlich. secretary and treasurer. The company has had a phenomenal growth, and it is worthy of note that since its incep- tion it has never had an unprofitable year. Demands for the Dodge products are showing a steady increase. and the success of the in- stitution is due entirely to the straightfor- ward business methods employed by its offi- cers and to the excellence of its products.

In addition to his connection with this large corporation Mr. Mix is also president of the Mishawaka Trust and Savings Company, which was organized in 1905 to succeed the old bank of Clark & Whitson. IIe is inter-

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ested in the National Veneer Products Com- pany, a new organization, but one which has already demonstrated its usefulness and its success, is a stockholder in the Simplex Motor Car Company, and is connected with many others of the leading corporations of St. Jo- seph county. Ile is a member of the Mish- awaka Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, past commander of South Bend Commandery No. 13, a member of the Indianapolis Con- sistory of Scottish Rites and of Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engi- neers, president of the American Supply and Machinery Manufacturers' Association, a member of the Academy of Political and So- cial Science, of Philadelphia, and is a Demo- erat in his political affiliations. Mr. Mix was a member of the Indiana Commission to St. Louis in 1904, and from 1902 until 1906 was the mayor of Mishawaka.

The marriage of Mr. Mix was celebrated in 1887. when Zella Louise Kenyon, a dangh- ter of Thomas W. Kenyon, of Lincoln, Illi- nois, became his wife. Their home has been blessed by the birth of one son, Kenyon. and one daughter, Dorothy L

W. B. HOSFORD. The sterling characteris- ties in the life of W. B. Hosford have made him a leader in the business world, and as the vice-president of the Dodge Manufactur- ing Company his name is widely known throughout St. Joseph county. He was born in Oberlin, Ohio. Angust 9. 1842. His father. Elihu Hosford. was a native of Vermont but when a young man accompanied his father on his removal to Oberlin. Ohio, where they cleared the land on which the cottage is now located. Remaining there until the early '40s he removed to Owego. New York. which continued as his home until 1860, when he became connected with the well known stove manufacturing company of Fuller. Warren & Company of Troy, New York, with whom he remained for many years. Ilis death, however, occurred in Washington, D. C., in 1890. where he was extensively and successfully engaged in the practice of medi- cine. he having entered upon the study of that science at the close of the war. Mrs. Elihu Hosford bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Jennings, and was a native of Connecticut.

W. B. Hosford received his educational training in Olivet College of Michigan, and then learned the machinist's trade. Since

entering upon the business world he has had a varied experience, but his path has ever been upward and he is now leaving his im- press upon the industrial world. During a period of three years he was employed as an engineer on a Mississippi river steamer, while from 1861 to 1867 he was with the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad Company as loco- motive engineer, and finally rose to the po- sition of a master mechanic. From 1867 until 1884 he was with the Fuller, Warren & Company manufacturing industry, and in the last named year came to Mishawaka and entered upon his connection with the Dodge Manufacturing Company in the capacity of vice-president, which position he has ever since so ably filled.

In 1866 Mr. Hosford was united in mar- riage to Emma E. Keener, of Peoria, Illinois, and one son has been born of this union, Ilugh IL .. a prominent resident of Sonth Bend, and one daughter, Eva May, now Mrs. Lampkins. Mr. Hosford is associated with Mishawaka Lodge No. 130, A. F. & A. M., also with the Chapter No. 83, R. A. M., Com- mandery of Mishawaka No. 51, and the Shrine and Consistory of Indianapolis. He is also an officer of the Grand Commandery of the state of Indiana.

CHARLES ENDLICH. During many years Charles Endlich has been prominently iden- tified with the business interests of Misha- waka. and throughout the entire period of his residence in this city he has been associated with the Dodge Manufacturing Company. in which he now holds the important offices of secretary and treasurer. Ilis birth oc- curred in Chicago, Illinois, January 5, 1859, but when only two years of age he was taken by his parents to Denver, Colorado, and thence to Reading, Pennsylvania, where he was reared to mature years and received his educational training. In 1878 he accompa- nied his mother to Colorado, and after a. residence in that state of four years came to Mishawaka. Indiana, and in 1882. as a stockholder, became associated with the Dodge Manufacturing Company. His first connection with this corporation was in the capacity of an office clerk, but gradually. step by step, he won his way to the front and to his present high position of secretary and treasurer of the manufactory. His abil- ity and versatile talents are well known and acknowledged. gaining him entrance into many of the leading business interests of the

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city, among which may be mentioned his con- nection with the National Veneer Product Company.

In 1898, in Mishawaka, Mr. Endlich was united in marriage to Carolina Vollmer, born in Reading, Pennsylvania, but reared in Philadelphia, and they are well known in the social circles of this city. Mr. Endlich gives his political support to the Democracy, and fraternally is a Knight Templar Mason.

JOHN COMLY BIRDSELL. The Birdsell Manufacturing Company's plant at South Bend represents more than a large area of ground, covered with stories of briek and iron, filled with powerful engines, clanking and whirring machinery, and all the wonder- ful system and tremendously efficient energy of the modern business plant. Admirable and impressive to be sure, but what the casual visitor sees is only the superficial greatness hiding with its bulk a story of human interest.

The nucleus of it all was once contained in the ingenious mind of a quiet, industrious Quaker farmer, who for something like a quarter of a century had pursued his reg- ular vocation on a little farm in Rush town- ship. Monroe county, New York, and with more than the average success of the farmers who were his neighbors and friends. These neighbors had much respect and esteem for the fertile mind and energetic ability of the Quaker, and were accustomed to obtain his services in threshing their seeds and grain with the rather primitive machinery then in use. This occupation furnished opportuni- ties for his inventive ability to develop. The difficulty of separating clover seed from the straw and the expensiveness of the operation were apparent to everyone, but to him alone were the insight and careful toil granted by which the process could be facilitated. He began to work on this problem early in the fifties, and by 1855 had invented a machine combining in itself the characteristics of all the separate machines then used for that pur- pose. Upon this machine he succeeded in obtaining a patent in 1855, and on his New York farm established, with humble begin- nings, the industry which the developments of later years made one of the cornerstones of South Bend's manufacturing greatness.

With the granting of the patent for his clover huller and the manufacture of the first machines, the Quaker farmer, who had up to that time found the difficulties of agricul-

ture only moderate and had pursned the quiet tenor of his way very much as the tradi- tional Quaker is supposed to do, found him- self beset by unserupulous rivalry and com- petition that taxed his every resource of mind and body and transformed him into a gen- uine "fighting Quaker." A stern defender of what he believed his rights, he spent years in litigation over his elover huller patents, prosecuting all infringers, and courageously battling for the privileges which alone could insure the success of his manufactures. He spent nearly ten years in perfecting his in- ventions and in the litigation that this involved.

In 1864 his whole factory on his farm in New York was destroyed by fire. This was a serions loss to the inventor, but South Bend should regard it as a fortunate event, for after the fire he decided to sell his farm and move to this thriving town situated in one of the great states of the central Mississippi valley, where he foresaw the future market for his invention to lie; and also attracted by the excellent quality and cheapness of the timber used in the construction of his ma- chines. After the establishment of the fac- tory in South Bend, as is elsewhere stated, it. enjoyed a steady growth, and the founder devoted all his energies to improving still further the clover huller and extending the trade.

With a career so independent, so self-re- liant, it seems almost superfluous to speak of antecedents and of the minor faets; and vet. perhaps for the very reason that his life was cast for large undertakings, we want to know some of the more familiar facts that concerned him. Born in Westchester county, New York, March 31, 1815, a son of a West- chester county farmer, Benjamin Birdsell, and his wife, Charity Carpenter, John Comly Birdsell inherited his industry and his pri- mary occupation of farming from a Quaker family that had long resided in that section of the Empire State. In 1822 the family moved west to Monroe county. New York, where the wilderness was yet scarcely broken. and there began making a new farm and home. While a boy in this rather primitive country, John C. attended district school. The meagerness of the education which this supplied was somewhat amended by two terms in the academy of the neighboring vil- lage of West Henrietta. During some of the winters that followed he taught school, but

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while still a boy began the vocation of farm- ing winch he supposed would continue through lite. When twenty-one he left home and rented a farm near Mendon, in Monroe county, and three years later purchased a place in the adjoining township of Rush. Just about this time he was married, on June 7, 1838, to Miss Harriet Lunt. There were five children, and their names and dates of birth are: Joseph Benjamin, December 2, 1843 (see sketch) ; Byron A., March 7, 1847; Varnum O., January 5, 1841 (died December 6, 1875) ; John C., June 25, 1859; Harriet Elizabethi, died April, 1863. In June, 1879, Mr. Birdsell was married to the wife who still survives, to Mrs. Susan Snelling, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Birdsell continued as president of the manufacturing company in South Bend until his death, July 13, 1894. The company was incorporated in 1870, with his sons as offi- eers and stockholders. Mr. Birdsell mani- fested a keen publie spirit, and his practical interest in his city was shown during the three years he devoted to his duties as mem- ber of the eity water works board of trustees. He was a man of robust frame, five feet nine inches in height, weighing about 225 pounds. and all who knew him will never forget the vigor of character that accompanied this physique. His most distinguishing charac- teristic was his iron determination and his perseverance in the face of discouragements. Though a member of the Society of Friends. there being no meeting house of this sect in South Bend, he became a regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a Republican nearly all his life, but during his last years his enthusiasm for the cause of temperanee led him to support the Prohibi- tion movement. For many years he had af- filiated with the Masonie order. His travels took him to all parts of the United States, and he talked of men, places and affairs with a familiarity that showed close observa- tion and study. In 1880 he took an extended tour through Europe. Egypt and the Holy Land, spending about fifteen months abroad.

JOSEPH BENJAMIN BIRDSELL. South Bend in the '60s was a community of too infan- tile growth to have developed any careers, or to have indicated any business prominence. In the nature of things its destiny was the slow but sure unfolding of a prairie site, dependent upon a rich agricultural region, and upon its proximity to a clear and beauti-

ful river. The most adventurous and daring could discern no road to rapid fortune, nor any short cut to any immediate personal ag- grandisement. The man who sought wealth only, continued his way to the Pacific coast, necessarily those who tarried here to lend their brain and energy and heart to the mak- ing of homes and the establishment of legiti- mate enterprises possessed patience, conrage and pioneer instincts. They were the back- bone of the city of to-day. A few remain to tell the story of unsettled conditions, but more left hardy sons to continue their work or to maintain the dignity and purpose of their less happily environed lives. To the latter elass belongs Joseph Benjamin Birdsell, whose death, September 27th, 1906, inter- rupted his forty-second year as a mannfac- turer of South Bend, and around whose name centers much of the stability and publie spir- itedness of his adopted city. He was born in Monroe county, New York, December 2, 1844, and was a son of John Comly Birdsell (who in 1855 invented the famous clover huller which bears his name, and whose biog- raphy appears on another page of this work). His mother's maiden name was Harriet Lunt. The family migrated from New York in 1864 and settled in South Bend. A small factory for the manufacture of clover hullers was established, most of the work being turned out by hand, all the members of the firm acting as general utility men, doing all phases of the work. Our subject received his education in the common schools of New York state, and after leaving school began work at the age of nineteen years in the office of his father's establishment, continuing thus until 1870, when the Birdsell Manufacturing Company was incorporated, and Mr. J. B. Birdsell was made treasurer. In that year the main building of the present plant, five stories in height, was built, being the first large factory building erected in South Bend. Mr. Birdsell now devoted himself to the af- fairs of the company with untiring energy. It continued to prosper, and in 1887, in response to the desire of its patrons, the manufacture of wagons was begun. Through his indefatigable efforts the business of the company was greatly extended, not alone throughout America, but to Europe and many foreign ports, and large additions to the fac- tory were made necessary by the increasing trade. To-day the company is not only one of the largest wagon manufacturers in this

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country, but enjoys the unique distinction of having the largest clover huller factory in the world. Upon the death of his father in 1894 Mr. Birdsell was chosen president and treasurer of the company, in which capacity he continued until the time of his death. He was a director of the St. Joseph County Savings Bank, served as president of the Municipal League of South Bend and as one of the board of directors of the Associated Charities of this city. He was a member of the Commercial Athletic Club, of the Indiana Club and the Country Club, and derived much pleasure in an informal way from these institutions. Early in the spring of 1906, Mr. Birdsell decided to turn over the active management of this extensive and growing business to his brothers, and retire from the cares involved to enjoy a long mer- ited and well earned rest. With his wife and daughter he had journeyed to Los Angeles with the intention of a sea voyage to the Orient, but was taken suddenly ill and re- turned to his home, and after a sickness cov- ering a period of three months was called to his final rest, on the 27th day of Septem- ber. 1906. Ile is survived by his widow, son and two daughters. As a mark of respect and to show the high esteem in which Mr. Birdsell was held. all of the factories of South Bend were closed on the day that his funeral was held. He was for more than forty years a resident of South Bend. where he became known as a leading representative of business interests, an active factor in com- munity affairs and a valued representative of commercial and social interests. It was not these alone that entitled him to specia! distinction or won for him the great love that was extended him by those with whom he was associated. It was his kindliness of heart, his generosity, his deep sympathy and abiding tenderness. He was all that is meant by the term, a gentleman and a manly man, strong and vigorous in intellect and reliable in judgment. It may be true that he held decided opinions of his own, but he had the eourage of his convictions to express them freely, frankly and fearlessly, which. when said truly. is the greatest eulogy that can he pronounced upon an American citizen. Strong and manly was his life in all its relations, and most beautiful and tender was it in the home circles. His deepest interests centered there, and no personal sacrifice on his part was considered too great if it would

promote the welfare cf his wife and children. Having nearly reached the bounds of man's appointed years, at last life's blessings all enjoyed, life's labors done, serenely to his final rest he passed, while the tender memory, of his virtues yet lingers like twilight when the sun has set.

FRANK G. PERKINS. The family of which the subject of this memoir is a most honored representative is a pioneer one of St. Joseph county. They have taken a patriotic interest in everything bearing upon the upbuilding and progress of the community, and have aided in many enterprises which have greatly benefited the city, county and state. Frank G. Perkins, the vice president of the Perkins Windmill Company. was born in Branch county, Michigan, January 28, 1852, a son of Barber and Jane (Boon) Perkins, both natives of New York. In 1842 the father re- moved to the west. the mother coming earlier in 1836, and they established their homes in Branch county.

The public schools of his native county fur- nished Frank G. Perkins with his preparatory education, and he afterwards became a stu- dent in Hillsdale College. Coming thence to Mishawaka he learned the machinist's trade with the Perkins Windmill Company, owned and conducted by his uncle, P. C. Perkins, and has remained with this large corporation ever since, being now its vice president. He has thoroughly learned the business in every department, and step by step has mounted the ladder of success until he has reached a place of prominence, a just reward of hon- orable. effort.

In December, 1875, Mr. Perkins married Carrie Hudson, a daughter of Albert Hudson. one of the founders of the Perkins Windmill Company. Two children have been born to bless their home,-Mrs. Robert Campbell and Mrs. Glen Hillier. Mr. Perkins is a capable business man and a worthy scion of the fa- mous old Perkins family.

GEORGE M. FOUNTAIN. This name is one known throughout St. Joseph county, for within its confines George M. Fountain has passed his entire life, and here also his parents lived for many decades. He was born in South Bend on the 21st of March, 1857, his parents being Solomon H. and Jane Ann (Tuttle) Fountain. The maternal grandfather. Richmond Tuttle, was also num- bered among the honored pioneers of St. Jo- seph county, where he was prominently iden-

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tified with its manufacturing interests, and in other ways contributed to its advance- ment and upbuilding. In his lifetime he was the oldest Mason in the state. His daughter, Jane A. Tuttle, was a native of Brockport, New York. Solomon H. Fountain was born in Maryland, but came to South Bend in 1834, and with Captain Pierce organized Company D, of the One Hundred and Twen- ty-eighth Indiana Volunteers. Hle served through the entire struggle or until the 8th of March, 1865, when he was shot at King- ston Roads, North Carolina, and died as the result of the wound. He was a carpenter and builder, and for a time was also in part- nership with his father-in-law, Richmond Tuttle, in a saw mill enterprise at Wengers Creek.

George M. Fountain received his eduea- tional training in the schools of Mishawaka, and in 1880 embarked in the journalistic field in New Carlisle, Indiana. In 1894 he was elected the clerk of St. Joseph county, in which he served for two terms, and during his term of office won the commendation of all with whom he was concerned. In 1900 he assumed business relations with the Per- kins Windmill Company as its treasurer, and is now ably filling that important position. He is a well known and honored citizen of St. Joseph county, a faithful public official and an excellent business man.

ALBERT HUDSON. In the death of Albert Hudson St. Joseph county lost one of its most valued citizens. Many years of his life were spent within its borders, and through a long period of that time he was connected with one of the chief industrial interests. of the county, the Perkins Windmill Company. llis life was strictly honorable. upright and just, being in accord with the highest princi- ples of human eondnet.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 77

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 826

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826