A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 38

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 887

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terian church. Mr. Hammond is a member of the orders of Elks and Masons and of the Commercial Athletic and Indiana Clubs.

JOSEPH ECKMAN. A prosperous farmer and a representative citizen of St. Joseph county, Joseph Eckman now resides on an attractive homestead of sixty acres located on section 2, Portage. township. He was born in Centre township, southeast of his present residence, on the 1st of December, 1847. His father, William Eckman, was also a farmer throughout his life, being a native of Ohio, but came to St. Joseph county early in the forties. Shortly after his arrival he married Catherine Ulrey, also a native of the Buckeye state, and the only child in her family. The father died in 1857, and Joseph Eckman was reared by his mother on the old homestead in Centre township.

Mr. Eckman's wife, to whom he was mar- ried in Portage township, was Anna M. Van Buskerk, an Ohioan, who was two years of . age when brought by her parents to St. Joseph county. Three years after his mar- riage Mr. Eckman bought his present farm in Portage township, which his care and skill as a thorough agriculturist has since brought to a high state as valuable property and an attractive homestead. They have become the parents of two sons and two daughters-Etta, Bessie, William and Arthur, all of whom were born and raised in St. Joseph county.

A portion of Mr. Eckman's farm formerly adjoined the city of South Bend on the south. This land he platted some years ago and it now comprises desirable residence lots on the west side of Michigan street. Besides being known as a substantial general farmer he has also engaged to some extent in real estate transactions. He is a leading Republican, and a citizen of such standing and good judgment that he has served as a member of the township advisory committee since its creation in about 1901. He is a member of the St. Joseph Valley Grange.

FRANK J. SINGLER. In connection with the business interests of South Bend the name of Frank J. Singler occupies a prominent place, for during a number of years he has been one of the city's most prominent representatives. progressive, enterprising and persevering. and while his varied affairs have brought him success they have also advanced the general welfare by accelerating commercial activity. He was born in Millersburg, Indiana. April 16, 1861, the eldest son of John M. and

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Susan (Borden)- Singler, the history of whom will be found in the sketch of John M. Singler elsewhere in this work. Their son Frank was but twelve years of age when he removed with his parents to Plymouth, In- diana, their receiving his elementary educa- tional training, which was completed at Notre Dame. When he had reached the age of eigh- teen he began the telegraphy business, work- ing in the Western Union office at Detroit and other places, and was also for a time with the Wabash Company, continuing his connec- tion with that profession from 1879 until 1886, when he came to South Bend and until 1892 was associated with his father in his large hardware business. In that year Mr. Frank J. Singler became associated with Armour & Company, continuing with them until 1906 when he severed his relations with that large corporation and opened a whole- sale meat and commission house in South Bend, with a large cold storage plant on the Michigan Central tracks at the corner of Col- fax and Emerick streets. This is one of the largest business enterprises in the city. Mr. Singler handles produce by the car loads, and, being a man of resourceful ability, he is con- stantly extending his field of operations to meet the increasing demands of his business, and South Bend is truly fortunate in that he has allied his interests with hers.

On the 23d of November, 1887, Mr. Singler was united in marriage to Louise M. Jacobs, a daughter of Leopold and Theresa Jacobs, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, the birthplace of their daughter Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Singler have one son, Robert, and also three children who are deceased, Winfield, Rudolph and Ther- esa. Mr. Singler has membership relations with the Foresters, the Woodmen of America and other insurance orders, and in his po- litical views he is a Democrat where national issues are involved, but otherwise he votes independent of party ties. He is, however, at all times loyal in his support of all meas- ures intended to benefit the community or the general public.

JEROME POTTER, who has charge of the old plant of the Singer Manufacturing Company, with residence at 823 East La Salle street, South Bend, is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He is a native son of Connecticut, born on the 9th of August, 1838, and in that country his parents, Nelson and Maria (Evitts) Potter, also had their nativity. The father followed the carpenter's trade as his

occupation, and his death occurred in his na- tive country, his wife having reached the age of forty-two years when she was called to the home beyond. In their family were but two children, a son and a daughter, the latter being Helen, the deceased wife of Wilson Sommers, a resident of Laporte avenue, South Bend.

Jerome Potter, the elder of the children and the only living representative of the family, spent the first nineteen years of his life in his native state of Connecticut, going thence to Summit county, Ohio, and later to Ashland county, that state. While there he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becom- ing a member of Company B, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861, and to him be- longs the honor of having been the third man armed by the state of Indiana in 1864. After a three months' service Mr. Potter went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was made resident mechanical engineer of the fire de- partment of that city, but he later resigned that position to again enter the service of his country, becoming a member of the Ninety-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He entered the ranks as private, but was later made a deputy sergeant, and afterward pro- moted to first or orderly sergeant, his term of service covering a period of a little less than a year, for he enlisted in December and was discharged at the close of the conflict in September, 1865.

Thus when his country no longer needed his services Mr. Potter went to Pierceton, In- diana, to become an engineer in the furniture factory here. In 1871 he became a citizen of South Bend and an employe of the Union Manufacturing Company, thus continuing until 1873, when he became associated with the Singer Manufacturing Company in a me- chanical capacity., from which he rose to the position of steam fitter, and in 1875 was made the first engineer for the Oliver Chilled Plow Works. His relations with that cor- poration covered a period of two years, at the close of which he resigned to become the mechanical engineer of the Birdsell Clover Huller Work's, remaining with them from 1877 until 1878, when he returned to the Singer Manufacturing Company as a steam fitter, his principal work being the drying of lumber and the heating of the buildings. In 1892 he was promoted to the position of chief engineer, while in 1903 he was made the custodian of the buildings, of which he is

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the present incumbent. In all his varied re- lations he has ever been true to the trusts reposed in him, and he is loved and honored by all who have the pleasure of his ac- quaintance.

In 1859 Mr. Potter was married to Helen Haynes, and they became the parents of twins, Harry and Hattie, who were born in 1861 while the husband and father was in camp in West Virginia during the Civil war. After the death of the mother Mr. Potter married Edith Whiting, their wedding hav- ing been celebrated in 1885. Mr. Potter holds pleasant relations with his old army com- rades of the blue by his membership in Auten Post, No. 8, G. A. R., of which he has been a member for many years. He is also a Mason, having joined that order in 1861. In national politics he is a Republican, but lo- cally votes independent of party ties, and he has served as foreman of the South Bend volunteer fire department No. 3, while at one time he was assistant chief engineer of the city's fire department.

W. OLIVER WILLIAMS, who is numbered among the honored veterans of the Civil war, held for a number of years a representative place among the business men of South Bend, but he is now living a retired life in this city. His birth occurred in Shiawassee county, Michigan, December 13, 1848, his parents being James T. and Louisa E. (Ford) Williams. The father died during the early boyhood days of his son Oliver, and the latter remained with his mother until the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in 1864, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty- eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private until the close of the conflict. During the time he participated in the bat- tles of Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Burnt Hickory, Pine Mountain, De- catur, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Newhope Church, Chattahochee River, Cassville, Co- lumbia, Franklin, Nashville, Wise's Forks, Kingston and was present at the surrender of Johnston's army. His colonel was Jasper Packard, and he received his honorable dis- charge at Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1866. He was only fifteen years of age at the time of his enlistment, being one of the youngest soldiers in the army. but he performed his arduous tasks with steadiness and discretion, and was numbered among the bravest of the boys in blue.

In 1856 Mr. Williams had come to St. Jo-

seph county, and was a resident of Misha- waka at the time of his enlistment for the war, and after its close he returned to that city and for three years was employed in a factory. On the expiration of that period he came to South Bend and associated him- self with the Singer Sewing Machine Com- pany, continuing his connection with that corporation for about twelve years. During the ten years following. from 1880 until 1890, he was a resident of York county, Nebraska, engaged in farming and the implement busi- ness, returning thence to South Bend and em- barking in the grocery business, which he continued for three years, when he sold out the business and for ten years was a member of the police force. Again Mr. Williams left his South Bend home, this time journeying south to Clarksville, Tennessee, but one year later returned to this city, and since that time he has lived in quiet retirement in his pleasant home at 1614 South Michigan street, enjoying the rest which he so richly de- serves.

In 1870 Mr. Williams was united in mar- riage to Anna Johnson, who was born in Niles, Michigan, but was reared in South Bend, her parents being James W. and Mary Johnson, who were numbered among the honored and early pioneers of Berrien county, Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liams have been born a son and a daughter: Nellie, the wife of Frank Newton and a resi- dent of South Bend, and Ford, an employe of the C. I. & S. Railroad Company and a resident of Kankakee, Illinois. He married Ida Savage, and their three children are Wayne, Dorris and Warren. Mr. Williams gives a staunch and unfaltering support to the Republican party, and during his con- nection with the city police he served as ser- geant and had charge of the night force. He is a prominent member of Norman Eddy Post, No. 579, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander, having also filled all the other offices in the command, and he has member- ship relations with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. He has been a member of the last named order for thirty-four years, has been honored with all of its offices and has taken the Grand Lodge degree, being a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He has attained prominence in the business circles, while in private life no man in South Bend has more friends than he, and they have been won and are being retained by his

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outspoken devotion to the best interests of the community and his mental ability.

GEORGE L. HAGER. The extensive busi- ness interests of South Bend place George L. Hager among the. leaders in industrial circles, for as proprietor of the Hager Medi- cal Company he is well known over many sections of the United States and also in for- eign countries. He was born in Hagersville, Ontario, where his father, Charles Hager, was one of the leading citizens for many years. His birth, however, occurred in Palermo, Ontario, but he subsequently removed to Hagersville, which was named in his honor and of which he was the postmaster from the time of the establishment of the office until his life's labors were ended in death, a period of about thirty-five years. His death occurred when he was about seventy-two years of age, and in his family were six sons and two daughters, all of whom with the exception of one son are living at the present time,; and one of whom, Dr. Frank D. Hager, is one of the most prominent dentists of South Bend.

George L. Hager remained in the place of his birth until twenty-seven years of age, receiving his education in its public schools and also the high school of Haldimand county, Ontario, and after its completion was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1885. In the spring of the following year he came to South Bend, Indiana, in the capacity of correspondent for Dr. J. McGill, thus con- tinuing for about seven months, and during the following four and a half years was en- gaged in business with Dr. S. L. Kilmer. On the expiration of that period Mr. Hager engaged in business for himself as proprietor of the Hager Medical Company, which is carried on entirely by correspondence, his product thus being sent to all parts of the United States and into foreign countries as well. In conducting this large enterprise Mr. Hager has so directed his efforts that its interests have grown apace with the progress which dominates the central west, and he has won for himself a name and place among the leading men of affairs in northern In- diana. He is also well known as a tenor singer, having formerly taken a very active part in the musical circles of South Bend.

In 1888 Mr. Hager was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Stephenson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos T. Stephenson of South Bend, where Mrs. Hager was born, reared

and educated. Mr. Hager gives his political support to the Republican party.

C. B. GREENE. Numbered among the na- tive sons of St. Joseph county is C. B. Greene. He is a representative of one of the earliest and best known families of the county, they having become identified with its interests in a very early day, and in honor of the grandfather of our subject, John Greene, its township of Greene was named. It was within its confines that Mr. C. B. Greene was born on the 18th of April, 1859. His father, Jackson Greene, was born in the commonwealth of Ohio, but when eighteen years of age, in 1823, he came with his father to St. Joseph county, and was here mar- ried to Mary Knott, also a native of Ohio, but from her twelfth year she has been a resident of this county, and she has now reached the eightieth milestone on the jour- ney of life. In their family were six chil- dren, five sons and one daughter, but Mr. Greene of this review is now the only surviv- ing child.

The first twenty-six years of his life were spent in his native township of Greene, and he then became identified with the business interests of South Bend. For fifteen years he was connected with the South Bend Medi- cal Company, manufacturers of physicians supplies, of which he was the secretary and treasurer, but on the expiration of that period, in 1901, he sold his interests therein, and after living retired for about four years became one of the organizers of the St. Jo- seph Lumber and Manufacturing Company, which is rapidly winning a leading place among the industrial concerns of South Bend and of which he was elected the president and treasurer, but he disposed of his interests in this concern July 22, 1907.

In 1892 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Greene and Miss Alice Baker. She was a daughter of Mrs. Kate R. Baker, of this city, and her death occurred in 1902. Where national affairs are involved Mr. Greene up- holds the principles of the Republican party, and in the county in which he has made his home throughout his entire life he is widely and favorably known and has gained a large circle of friends.

FRANK J. MURPHY. The life history of Frank J. Murphy furnishes a spendid ex- ample of what may be accomplished through determined purpose, laudable ambition and well directed efforts. Starting out in life

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for himself when only eleven years of age, he has steadily worked his way upward, gain- ing success and winning the confidence of those by whom he has been employed. He is a native of Quebec, Canada, born on the 17th of May, 1848. When ten years of age he went to New York City, there completing his education, and in the following year secured employment with the Singer Manufacturing Company, working at anything they could find for him to do. In 1868 he came with Leighton Pine to South Bend and resumed his connection with his former company, con- tinuing in charge of their cabinet department until failing health compelled him to resign his position. He is still with the company, however, one of their oldest and most trusted employes.

In 1870 Mr. Murphy was united in mar- riage to Ann Kelty, and they have become the parents of eight daughters, namely : Mary E., the wife of T. P. Guilfoyle, of Kansas City, Missouri; Agnes; Ann, the wife of W. A. McInerny, whose history appears else- where in this work; Margaret Cecelia; Helen T .; Loretta; Genevieve; and Martha, who is a member of the order of the Holy Cross, in which she is known as Sister Francina. Since age gave him the right of franchise Mr. Murphy has supported the men and measures of the Democarcy, an active worker in the party's cause. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and for the long period of thirty years has served as usher in St. Patrick's church.

JAMES MCWEENY. Honored and respected by all who have the pleasure of his ac- quaintance, James McWeeny has been for several years prominently identified with the public affairs of South Bend, and is now serving as its chief of police. He was born in Glencoe, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, a son of James and Catherine (Scanlan) Mc- Weeny, both natives of Ireland, the former of county Leitrim and the latter of Sligo. When eighteen years of age the father came to the United States, first taking up his abode in Rochester, New York. In 1849 he went to Chicago, and in 1853 to West Centre, Wisconsin, where he farmed until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1901, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years. He gave his political support to the Demo- cratic party, being an earnest and active worker in its ranks. He was a typical

American citizen, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the republic, and among the Winnebago and Chippewa Indians he had great influence, owing to his straightfor- ward dealings with them and his kindly na- ture. At the time of the Mormon trouble he led the vigilant committee, and his influence was always on the side of right and jus- tice.

James McWeeny, a son of this stanch old northern pioneer, left home at an early age and went to Montana and the Dakotas, where he lived an active life in that new country, which helped to make him the robust and powerful man he is to-day. In 1885 he made his way to Chicago, where he remained for fourteen years, and during ten years of that time was a member of the police force. Be- ing a magnificent specimen of manhood and with Irish blood in his veins, he naturally took to sport, and in 1887 entered the field of athletics, making a specialty of wrestling and football. From 1889 to 1897 he held both the national and international amateur championship for Græco-Roman and Catch- as-Catch-Can wrestling, and in 1897 critics in both the east and west gave him credit for being the peer of football guards. In 1899 Mr. McWeeny went to Notre Dame to take charge of its football team, which he trained and of which he had charge, while at the same time he engaged in the study of law in the university, thus gaining a knowledge of jurisprudence which now stands him in good stead in his present position. On the 1st of September, 1902, he was made chief of police of South Bend, the duties of which he has since discharged with a promptness and fidel- ity worthy of all commendation. He also has two brothers who are well known officers on the Chicago force, one of them being a captain.

On the 2d of June, 1895, Mr. McWeeny married Elizabeth Ganey, a daughter of William Ganey, of Peru, Illinois. They have three sons: James, born October 11, 1899; Frank, born October 25, 1901; and Edward, born June 5, 1903. Mr. McWeeny is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus. the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Benevolent and Pro- tective order of Elks, the Eagles and the tribe of Ben Hur.

BARNHART H. NEITZEL. In connection with the industrial interests of South Bend the name of Barnhart H. Neitzel occupies a lead- ing place, for by reason of his marked busi-

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ness ability he has long been numbered among the most prominent contractors of the city. One of the persevering, honorable sons of the fatherland, his birth occurred in Prussia, Germany, on the 26th of July, 1856, his parents being Henry and Augusta Neitzer, who left their native land in 1875 and came to America, their son Barnhart being the only member of the family left behind, but four years later he joined them in South Bend. In his native land he had learned the cabinet maker's trade, but after com- ing to South Bend he secured employment with the Studebaker Brothers in their paint department, there remaining for about ten months. From that time until 1893 he worked at the carpenter's trade as a day laborer, then forming a partnership with Henry J. Christman in the contracting busi- ness, but after two years Mr. Neitzel turned the business over to his partner and entered the contracting field alone, gradually work- ing his way upward and winning for himself a name and place in connection with indus- trial interests that is widely known. Many of the city's buildings now stand as monu- ments to his ability, among them hose house No. 6, the German Odd Fellows hall on Jef- ferson street, also the Odd Fellows building on the corner of Washington and Main street, the Merchants bank building, the Lewis Nichol block and many other buildings of note.

The marriage of Mr. Neitzel was celebrated in 1883, when Susana Hess, a native of Wur- temberg, Germany, became his wife. They have had no children of their own, but they are now rearing two, giving to them the same love and devotion as if they were their own. The Republican party receives Mr. Neitzel's support where national issues are involved, but at local elections he casts his ballot for the men whom he regards as best qualified for their respective positions. He has given his aid in many generous ways to the per- petuation of those forces which conserve the best interests of the community, and the course that he has followed in political, busi- ness, social and home circles commends him to the highest esteem of all.

JOHN T. WILLETT, who now holds an im- portant position in connection with the city as its sealer, holds and merits a place among the representative citizens of the community. He was born in Kendallville. Indiana, Feb- ruary 5, 1870, the son of William and Martha

(Taylor) Willett, both of whom were natives of England. The father, who was born and reared in Bristol, came to America at the age of twenty-one years, locating in New York city, where he worked at this trade of stone cutting. From there he moved to Lima, Indiana, and thence to Kendallville, this state, where he was employed by the Lake Shore Railroad Company to superin- tend their culverts, while later he was made the auditor for the company's bridges. Sub- sequently removing to Rome City, Indiana, he there embarked in the hotel business, and he is now engaged in the same occupation in Jefferson, Ohio, his hostelry being well and favorably known to the traveling public. Mr. and Mrs. Willett became the parents of eight children, but only five of the number grew to years of maturity.

John T. Willett, the youngest of the above family, spent the days of his youth in his native city of Kendallville, attending its pub- lic schools, and after completing his educa- tion learned the cigar maker's trade, work- ing at that occupation when only sixteen years of age. From Kendallville he removed to Defiance, Ohio, in 1888, there continuing his trade until 1891, when he removed to Sandusky, that state, but in December of the same year came to South Bend. From the 29th of December, 1891, the date of his ar- rival in this city, until 1900, he carried on the work of cigar making in the employ of others, but in the latter year formed a part- nership with Ed McFarland, and the firm of McFarland & Willett became extensive manu- facturers of cigars, the partnership continu- ing until 1903, when Mr. Willett sold his interest to his partner and retired from the business. In the meantime, in 1902, he had been appointed the City Sealer of South Bend, a position which he has ever since so ably filled, and he gives to it his entire time and attention.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 38

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 887

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 887