USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 95
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millions of dollars, and the universal satis- faetion evinced by his clients speaks for it- self. When a man wins the high respect of those with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact it is by reason of his intrinsie honor and his worthy achieve- ments. In addition to his large business in- terests Mr. Bugbee is secretary of the South Bend Building & Loan Association, also an official in the St. Joseph Loan & Savings Association, a trustee of the St. Joseph Coun- ty Savings Bank and director of the St. Jo- seplı Loan & Trust Company.
Mr. Bugbee married Miss Evelyn E. Badest, of New London, Connecticut, and they have two daughters. He is a worthy member and officer of the First Presbyterian church, and takes an active interest in the cause of Chris- tianity.
GEORGE WYMAN. Many years have been added to the past sinee George Wyman, a youth of twenty-one years, arrived in the eity of South Bend, where he has won for himself a distinguished position in connection with its great material industries, being now the proprietor of the leading mercantile estab- lishment of the eity. His birth occurred in Painesville. Ohio, January 27, 1839, his par- ents being Guy and Rebecca J. (King) Wy- man, the former a native of Manchester, Vermont, and the latter of Suffield, Connee- ticut. He had three sisters: Clarissa J., who beeame the wife of Byron Paine, the asso- eiate justiee of the supreme court of Wiseon- sin ; Ellen M., who died at the age of twenty- one years; and Abby A., the wife of Professor D. H. Darling, of Joliet, Illinois.
George Wyman attended the public schools of his native city of Painesville until four- teen years of age, and at that early age began elerking in the store of Albert Gillett, with whom he remained for one year, while during the following year and a half he had charge of the store of Jarvis Howard at Madison. ten miles east of Painesville. At the close of that period Mr. Wyman was able to enter college, and accordingly matriculated in the Commereial College of Milwaukee, where he continued his studies for several months. Returning thence to Painesville, he resumed his occupation of clerking in the store of George R. Cowles, more commonly known as " Yankee " Cowles, where a line of notions. carpets and dry goods was carried, and there he remained until he had reached his twenty- first year. It was then that he came to South
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Bend, this being in the year 1860, and in August of the same year opened a store on North Michigan street, occupied until re- cently by T. F. Berkley, and on the 1st of December, 1865, removed to what was known as the Colfax Building in the Marble Block. Previous to this time, in January, 1865, he had admitted to a partnership in the business Henry H. Metcalf and Garland E. Rose, un- der the name of George Wyman & Company. Mr. Metcalf only continued with the firm for one year, however, his interest being then bought by Mr. Wyman, but Captain Rose continued his association therewith for about eighteen years. On the 17th of September, 1878, the firm moved to their present quar- ters, the building having been erected by them, and then consisted of a large double store room, forty by one hundred and five feet, two stories in height. In 1883 Captain Rose sold his interest in the business, and a few years later, in 1888, sixty feet was added to the rear two stories, the business having so increased in volume as to make enlarge- ments necessary. In 1890 the store was re- built, also an addition of one store room oll the south, twenty by eighty-five feet, while a third story was added to the entire building. With the passing years, however, the busi- ness continued to increase so rapidly that in 1904 another addition was made to the build- ing, consisting of a store room on the second and third floors, and the first floor is leased by the South Bend National Bank. In 1898 HI. W. Eldridge was admitted to a partner- ship in the firm. The growth of the business has been continuons and healthy from the start, and its importance to the city of South Bend places its proprietor, George Wyman, among the leaders in its industrial circles. and he has achieved that success which is the result of enterprise, resolute purpose and straightforward methods. These are the only qualities absolutely essential to development, and npon the ladder of his own building he has climbed to prominence and prosperity.
JOHN A. SWYGART, a prominent repre- sentative of one of the old and hon- ored pioneer families of St. Joseph county, . was born in Cleveland, Ohio, February 23, 1856. His father, George W. Swy- gart, was a native of Pennsylvania, and there continued to make his home until his removal to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1848, where he resumed his trade of a mason and contraetor. In the early year of 1858 he made his way to South
Bend, Indiana, and here purchased sixty acres of land south of Sample street, which is now owned by the Studebaker Manufac- turing Company. He took an active part in the upbuilding and improvement of South Bend and vicinity, and the home which he erected on West Washington street was con- sidered at that time the finest building in the city. After the destructive fire he pur- chased the present site of the Oliver Hotel, or rather the corner lot on which the hotel now stands and occupied by the First Na- tional Bank, there ereeting the three-story business block which he later sold. Subse- quently he purchased the land and erected the buildings occupied by the Johnson meat market, but these he also later sold and then bought the property south of the city hall on Main street, this being still owned by his estate. Mr. Swygart continued the business of brick-making, real estate and contracting throughout the remainder of his active busi- ness career, his busy and useful life being ended at the age of seventy-nine years. He was an important factor in the improvement and advancement of this section of the state, and the part which he took in its develop- ment well entitles him to prominent mention in this volume. He was a Republican in his political views, was at one time a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was prominently identified with the Presby- terian church, having erected the building previously occupied by that congregation. Mrs. Swygart bore the maiden name of Caro- line M. Moyer, and was born and reared in Pennsylvania. She lived to be seventy-three years of age, dying in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1896. In their family were nine children, five daughters and four sons, of whom seven are now living.
John A. Swygart, the fourth child and see- ond son in order of birth, was about fourteen years of age when he started out in life for himself. He had previously learned teleg- raphy at the Lake Shore depot, and his first employment was as a brakesman for that company, his run being from Elkhart to Chicago. Subsequently he was promoted to the position of conductor, but five years later severed his connection with that company, and during the following eight years was a passenger conductor with the Wabash Rail- road Company. On the expiration of that period he accepted the position of foreman in the machinery department, but fourteen
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
months later removed to Palestine, Texas, to enter upon the work of a yard engineer, while three months later he was placed in the shops as a machinist's helper. Gradually, as he displayed his ability, he was promoted from one higher position to another, serving as foreman of the shops at Houston, Texas, as road engineer for the International and Great Northern for six months, and was then made traveling engineer, having charge of all engi- neers and firemen on the system. After one year in that high official position Mr. Swy- gart was placed in charge of the reconstrue- tion of the San Jacinto river bridge and the road in that vicinity. He was next given charge of the International & Great Northern Railroad trains and engine men on the con- struction of the road from Rockdale to Aus- tin, Texas, a distance of about sixty miles, and after the completion of this important work Mr. Swygart was offered and accepted the position of engineer for the Wabash Rail- road Company, his run being from Spring- field, and he remained with that corporation for eighteen years, filling the following posi- tions: Freight engineer one year out of Springfield, two years as engineer of the Kan- sas City and Chicago division on the · mail train, after which he was transferred to the Chicago and Decatur division as passenger engineer. He was next placed on the St. Louis run, where for twelve years he had charge of the limited known as the Royal. Blue. On the expiration of that period he transferred his connections to the Rock Isl- and Railroad, but a short time afterward was offered and accepted the position of train- master on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Road, where he remained for eight months. returning thence to the Wabash road as road foreman in charge of the engineers and fire- men, while later he was made train-master, which he continued for three years. His next position was as superintendent of the Missouri Pacific, later was general superin- tendent of the Louisiana Railway & Naviga- tion Company, and then severing all connee- tions with railroad work, returned to South Bend to take charge of his father's estate. His record in the service, however, is one of which he has just reason to be proud, for he was ever prompt, vigilant and efficient, and one who could be trusted and relied upon on every occasion.
In 1887 Mr. Swygart was united in mar- riage to Mattie J. Hollyman, who was born
and reared in Hannibal, Missouri, a daughter of John and Emma Hollyman. The only child of this marriage, a daughter, died in infancy. Mr. Swygart is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree, and is also a member of the order of Elks of South Bend.
SAMUEL C. LONTZ. Of the pioneer fam- ilies which have materially contributed to the prosperity of St. Joseph county, and par- ticularly to South Bend, the one represented by Samuel C. Lontz occupies an important place. He is a member of the firm of Miller & Lontz, dealers in coal, wood, etc., in South Bend, and was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1847, his parents being Jonas and Hannah (Heck) Lontz, both also natives of that county. The father moved to Ohio in an early day, establishing his home in Summit county, where he was engaged in the milling business until his removal to St. Joseph county, Indiana, in 1861, where he found employment as a miller with the firm of W. Miller and Joseph Miller for some time. He lived to the age of about sixty-two years, and at one time in his active business career he represented the Fourth ward in the city council. With his old employer, Mr. Miller, he was one of the three organizers of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church, and con- tinued as one of its most efficient and active workers until his life's labors were ended in death. Mrs. Lontz passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were eleven children, five of whom grew to years of maturity.
Samuel C. Lontz, the eldest of the living children, was fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to St. Joseph county, completing his education in the schools of South Bend. When seven- teen years of age he began the milling busi- ness, serving for two years as head miller for Joseph Miller, and in 1886 was admitted to a partnership with his old employer, the firm of Miller & Lontz being now extensively known over northern Indiana. They are ex- tensively engaged in the sale of wood, coal, building materials, farm implements, etc., and they are now the oldest merchants in their line in South Bend, twenty years having rolled their course since they established their business in this city. Mr. Lontz is also a member of the American Trust Company of South Bend, of which he is one of the direc- tors.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
In 1868 he was united in marriage to Hen- rietta Harris, and the only child of this union, Albert, is now deceased. In 1876 Mr. Lontz married Jennie Martin, and two sons have been born of this marriage, Daniel R .. and Harley C., who are engaged in business with their father. Mr. Lontz has been a life- long Republican, and has twice represented his ward in the city council and was also trustee of the water works. Fraternally he has attained the third degree in the Masonic order, and is also a member of the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the wel- fare of his town and county, and contributes liberally to the support of all measures for the publie good.
WILLIAM I. HUNT. William I. Hunt may well be termed a representative citizen of South Bend, as well as one of its leading busi- ness men, for as proprietor of the Vehicle Exchange, located at 664 and 666 Laporte avenue, he is well known to its citizens. He was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, July 22, 1863, a son of W. D. and Diantha (Dun- ham) Hunt, both of whom are vet living and residents of this city. The father, a native of Tioga county, New York, was one of the early pioneers in Washington county, Wis- consin, having resided there as early as 1853. and became well known as a wagon-maker, following that occupation in the days when work was done by hand.
William I. Hunt, the youngest of his par- ents' four sons, inherited the love of his trade from his father, for when large enough to handle the tools he began working at the wagon-maker's trade, becoming proficient. in the calling as the years grew apace and finally winning for himself a leading place in manu- facturing eireles. In 1903 the Hunt Brothers Manufacturing Company was formed. while three years later the brother George was ad- mitted to the partnership, the name continu- ing the same until in 1905 William I. Hunt withdrew from the firm and in the following year built the plant of the Vehicle Exchange. of which he is the sole owner. His place is equipped with all the necessary applianees, and employment is furnished to a number of skilled workmen. From the inception of his business career until the present time he has been steadily advancing until he now oecu- pies a very creditable and enviable position in the ranks of the business men of St. Joseph county.
In 1886 Mr. Hunt married Hettie Jewett, who died in 1898, leaving one son, Jay Jew- ett, at home with his father. In the following year, 1899, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Ida Barhardt, but no children have been born of this union. In his political views he is a supporter of Republican principles, and takes a deep interest in the issues and ques- tions of the day, at the same time laboring earnestly to promote the growth and pros- perity of the community in which he has so long resided.
FRANCIS M. CALDWELL. The true measure of individual suecess is determined by what one has accomplished, and in connection with the industrial interests of South Bend, with its real estate and loans, Francis M. Caldwell has gained recognition as one of the repre- sentative citizens of St. Joseph county. He was born in Xenia, Ohio, March 12, 1851, and on the paternal side is descended from Mary Jackson. his grandmother, who was a cousin of Old Hiekory Jackson and a sister of Gen- eral Robert Jackson. The family is of Seoteh- Irish deseent. The parents of our subjeet are John M. and Mary Ann (Nichol) Caldwell, both natives of Ohio. The father, who was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, re- moved to Illinois in 1855. He left Xenia, Ohio, with one thousand sheep and one shep- herd dog, and took them safely to Illinois. He took up his abode in Warren county of that state, and was there engaged in farming until his life's labors were ended in death in 1892, at the age of seventy-nine years.
After attending the public schools of War- ren county, Illinois, Franeis M. Caldwell en- tered Monmouth College, where he gained an excellent education. When the time eame to enter upon a business life he embarked in the building. loan, real estate and insurance busi- ness, and during his connection therewith he held several important positions, having been the general traveling loan agent in Indiana and Michigan for the Indianapolis Loan Company. Many other positions of trust and responsibility were awarded him as he demon- strated his true worth and ability. In 1902 Mr. Caldwell became a resident of South Bend and took charge of the La Salle Build- ing and Loan Company, and the St. Joseph County Real Estate Company. which are very successful corporations. and under his man- agement they have achieved successes. In addition to his connection with these com- panies he is also engaged privately in the real
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
estate business, and is numbered among the representative business men of South Bend.
The marriage of Mr. Caldwell was cele- brated in July, 1904, when Anna Schmidt, of Burr Oak, Michigan, became his wife. He is a member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 294, also of the Chapter and Commandery. and is council commander of the Modern Maccabees of South Bend. IIe is a worthy and consistent member of the Congregational church.
JAMES Q. C. VANDEN BOSCH. The late James Q. C. Vanden Bosch, who passed away at his home in South Bend, April 20, 1907, was a highly respected resident of that place for nearly half a century. Quite early in his industrious and useful life he amassed con- siderable wealth in western mining ventures, and, by far-seeing investments in various in- dustries and property in St. Joseph county, added to his fortune so that the later years of his venerable life were spent in the repose which his long period of intelligently directed labors had justly earned him. He was a typical Hollander, of the higher class, intelli- gent and educated. His loss is deeply felt by loving relatives and many friends knit closely to him by his steadfast character and thought- ful acts. The deceased was also a man of remarkable determination, business ability and balanced strength of character.
James Q. C. Vanden Bosch was born in the Netherlands, on the 17th of October, 1824, and when ten years of age was sent to Ger- many to pursue his education at school at Neuwied on the Rhine, Germany. He com- pleted his education at Lausanne, Switzer- land, and he paid particular attention to chemistry and metallurgy. After complet- ing his studies he made several voyages to the East Indies, but the climate of the tropics threatening his health he returned to Holland, and in 1848 emigrated to America. He first settled at Buffalo, New York, where he was bookkeeper in a hardware store. But, like other enterprising Europeans, the east was but a station for the collection of funds, for inquiry and investigation, in anticipation of a westward journey and final settlement. In 1849 Mr. Vanden Bosch started for what was then the west, and, arriving in South Bend, found a position there as clerk and bookkeeper in the general store of Leonard Harris. which position he held for about two years. The excitement of mineral discoveries in the real west was then at its height, and,
having saved a tidy little sum, he joined the caravan of fortune-seekers wending their way toward the Pacific coast, his special des- tination being Oregon. For ten years he was actively and profitably engaged in mining in the vicinity of Roseburg, after which he headed his horse toward central Nevada. There he surveyed the site and founded the city of Austin, Lander county, and also dis- covered the Reese river silver mining coun- try, which has since produced millions of dol- lars of that metal. For three years he con- tinued his mining operations in that locality, being at one time at the head of the Oregon Mill & Mining Company, but at the expira- tion of that period he sold his interests to the Manhattan Company of New York, which corporation has since taken out twelve mil- lions of dollars from the mine.
From Nevada Mr. Vanden Bosch returned to South Bend, in 1866, being now in such comfortable circumstances that, accompanied by his wife and four children, he spent a year of rest and recreation in a European trip. He then located in South Bend as his home, established the first wood-pulp mills in that locality and invested largely in real es- tate throughout St. Joseph county. At the time of his death he owned two hundred acres of land five miles south of South Bend, and valuable property in the city, as well as at Mishawaka. The pleasant family home is lo- cated at No. 529 West Washington street.
In 1851 Mr. Vanden Bosch was married to Mary Jane Smith, daughter of Colonel John Smith, of St. Joseph county, Indiana, and their three living daughters are: Sarah Louisa, wife of Henry Beiger, of Mishawaka ; Mary Alice, now Mrs. Clem W. Studebaker, of South Bend; and Cornelia Adrina, living at home. The oldest child was John Walter, who died April 22, 1899, leaving his wife and one son, James W. He was for many years engaged with his father in all his business enterprises. Mr. James Q. C. Vanden Bosch was a firm Republican and, in his fraternal relations, a prominent member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Following the lines of the national character he was domestic in his tastes, and, with the throwing aside of business cares, he had no inclination to assume any burdens in behalf of the public.
ALBERT M. HARRIS. Among the families which have been prominent in the history of St. Joseph county from an early period in its
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
development may be mentioned the Harrises. who established their home within its borders during the pioneer epoch, and its township of Harris was named in their honor, as was also Harris Prairie. The grandfather of the subject of this review was the founder of the family here, and he was numbered among the honored. early pioneers of Harris town- ship. His son, James Harris, was a native son of Pennsylvania, and he became the father of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, of whom Albert M. of this review, was the seventh child and fifth son in order of birth.
Mr. Albert M. Harris, one of the leading representatives of this honored pioneer fam- ily, is well known throughout St. Joseph county as the proprietor of the South Bend Spark Arrester Company. His birth occurred in Clay township, St. Joseph county, Sep- tember 30, 1850, and he was about five years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Portage township, where he grew to years of maturity, and his educational training was received in the schools of South Bend. Dur- ing his early business career he was engaged in the tin and general merchandise industry in company with Levi Steadman. In 1886 he turned his attention to his present indus- try, the manufacture of spark arresters, and in 1890 formed the company known as the South Bend Spark Arrester Company, but after the death of W. H. Kingsby Mr. Harris purchased the entire stock and has since been the sole proprietor of this large and con- stantly increasing industry. To his enterprise and thorough reliability the success of the business is largely due, and to his efforts may he attributed its high standing in financial cireles.
In 1881 Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Elva Loutz, whose death occurred in 1893, leaving two children, Bessie and Jay. In 1896 Mr. Harris wedded Maggie Holem, and their only child is a daughter. Margaret. He is independent in his local political affilia- tions, voting for the men whom he regards best qualified for public office, and he at all times takes an active part in the advocacy and adoption of all measures tending to prove of public benefit. He is now the only repre- sentative of the once large and happy family which gathered around the table of the pio- neer settler, James Harris. He is a man of unquestioned integrity in all business trans- actions, is progressive in his methods. and the
success and prosperity he has achieved are the deserved reward of honorable labor.
FREDERICK W. MUELLER. When one is able to say of a grocery house that it has been in existence and doing an extensive business for the long period of twenty-seven years it must argue strong business vitality and the con- ducting of the establishment along estab- lished commercial lines. This is true of the well-known Mueller grocery house, and to its proprietor, Frederick W. Mueller, belongs the honor of being the third oldest grocer in point of years of continuous service in South Bend. His birth occurred in Jefferson, Wis- consin, October 2, 1853, a son of John Martin and Elizabeth B. (Meyer) Mueller, both na- tives of Germany. They came to America in
1847. making their way at once to South Bend, but after a residence in this city of six months they went to Jefferson, Wisconsin, where Mr. John M. Mueller, who was an agri- culturist, took up land. Later, however, he began work at the carpenter's trade and in the hotel business, and his death occurred in Jefferson at the age of fifty-nine years. Mrs. Mueller survived him for many years, and died in Wisconsin at the age of seventy-five years. Of their children four sons and one daughter are now living.
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