USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A standard history of Elkhart County, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development, Volume II > Part 56
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Samuel F. Spohn was but three years old at the time of his father's death, and he was brought up to industry and thrift and to learn the value of honesty and integrity. He attended the country schools and also spent a short time at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, and when twenty years of age secured his certificate and began to teach in the schools of the county. Continuing as a popular and efficient educator from 1877 until 1885, in the latter year he was elected county superintendent of schools, and during the two terms in which he was the incumbent of that office, advanced the welfare of the county schools to a point far beyond any they had previously enjoyed. Mr. Spohn's next venture was in the field of life insurance, but he was not destined to remain therein for any appreciable length of time. He had made a thorough and com- prehensive study of chemistry, bacteriology and infectious diseases, and about this time began applying himself to perfecting a prepa-
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ration which would cure as well as prevent contagion among livestock. His labors brought to a successful conclusion, in October, 1894, he placed on the market an article known as Spohn's Distemper and Cough Cure, which soon took rank above all other horse specifics and met with a large demand not only all over this continent, but in Australia and the leading cities of Europe. This continues to be a standard remedy, and its use in the finest stables all over the world has undoubtedly saved unlimited thousands of dollars for agricul- turists, stockmen and horsemen.
As previously noted, Mr. Spohn has found time from his great business interests to devote to the welfare of his adopted city. He has been connected with various movements which have resulted in the advancement of civic interests. As mayor of Goshen, his admin- istration has been marked by businesslike management of the city's interests, and he has thoroughly established himself in the confidence of the people by living up to his pre-election promises in every way. Fraternally, Mayor Spohn is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
On July 20, 1887, Mayor Spohn was married to Miss Mary Maud Bonham, who was born in Noble County, Indiana, one of the six children of William and Elizabeth ( Hadley) Bonham, both of English descent. Mrs. Spohn previous to her marriage was a school- teacher and music instructor, and since that event has shown herself accomplished in the household arts as well as in a business way. They have two children : Carlisle Bonham and Dan M.
CHIARLES G. CONN. It has been well said that if any man can make an article better than his neighbor, even though it be but a mousetrap, the world will make a beaten path to his door. It was the ability to make musical instruments of the very highest quality that elevated Charles G. Conn from proprietor of a bakery and grocery store at Elkhart to head of the C. G. Conn musical instru- ment factory, which stands not only in first place at Elkhart but is one of the greatest establishments of its kind in the world. This business has grown steadily from 1876 to the present, hundreds of skilled workmen are engaged every working day in the large factory at Elkhart, and for years the Conn band instruments have been second to none in all those qualities which are esteemed by prac- ticed musicians.
While it has been as a manufacturer that Colonel Conn has given his greatest service to Elkhart, he has also a gallant record as a soldier in the Civil war, has been connected with journalism and
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various other lines of business, and his activity in local and state politics sent him to Congress some years ago.
Charles Gerard Conn was born in Ontario County, New York, January 29, 1844, a son of Charles J. and Sarah (Benjamin ) Conn. His grandfather, James Conn, was a New York State farmer of Irish stock. In 1850 the family moved from New York to Three Rivers, Michigan, and in the following year located at Elkhart. Charles J. Conn is remembered as a man of education and culture and of varied ability. He had been a farmer, but on coming to Elkhart became city superintendent of schools, and for twenty-five years was one of the ablest men in that profession in Northern Indiana and at one time was superintendent of the LaPorte schools. Deafness finally compelled his retirement from the profession, and in later years he followed photography. He died in 1888, his wife having passed away some months previously.
One of a family of two sons and two daughters, Charles G. Conn was six years old when the family went to Michigan, and since the age of seven Elkhart has been his permanent home. At the age of seventeen, having completed the training of the Elkhart public schools, he volunteered on May 18, 1861, against the wishes and protests of his parents, for service in the Union army. June 14. 1861, he was mustered in as a private in Company B, Fifteenth Indiana Regiment, and was soon assigned to membership in the regimental band. His army career was one that brought out the courage and faithfulness of his character, and he won the admiration of his comrades for his efficiency and promptness in every emergency and duty to which he was called. During his first enlistment he was in the engagements at Greenbrier, West Virginia, in the Elkwater Valley campaign, in the federal movements through Kentucky and Tennessce to Nashville, in the second day's battle at Shiloh, was at Corinth, Tuscumbia, Florence, Wartrace, McMinnville, Vervilla, and then returned to Indiana to re-enlist. At Niles, Michigan, he enlisted in Company G of the First Michigan Sharpshooters on January 12, 1863, was soon promoted to first sergeant and to second lieutenant on August 8, 1863. When only twenty years of age he became cap- tain of his company. During the second period of service he was in the movement which drove Morgan out of Indiana ; spent four months in guarding prisoners at Fort Douglas, Chicago, and then joined Burnside's Corps, Army of the Potomac. At the Wilderness he received a flesh wound, but continued at the head of his company, and was present at Spottsylvania, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, and all the encounters about Petersburg. In the assault on that stronghold July 30, 1864, he was wounded and taken
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prisoner. As a prisoner he was sent to Danville, Virginia, and later to Columbia, South Carolina. At Goldsboro he and a fellow officer made an unsuccessful attempt to escape, being pursued by blood- hounds and recaptured. Another attempt, while at Columbia, resulted in like failure. On the approach of Sherman through the Carolinas the prisoners were moved to safer quarters, but Captain Conn and two other officers had themselves buried. This artifice, too, failed, and he was compelled to remain in captivity until the end of the war. As a prisoner he had the acme of sufferings and hardships. After the war he returned to Indiana and received an honorable dis- charge July 28, 1865.
His assignment early in his army service to a position in the regimental band indicates the talent which was the vital directing factor of his career. After the war Mr. Conn for a time conducted a bakery and grocery store at Elkhart. At that time he was regarded as an all around musician and a perfect master of the cornet. The real beginning of his career was his invention of an "elastic face mouthpiece" for cornets. In a few years this mouthpiece became so popular that he was unable to manufacture enough of them to supply the orders. At first he was practically alone, having a lathe made from a sewing machine table, but the rush of orders compelled him to expand every department of the industry and he was soon the directing head of a force of employes. Having effected a won- derful improvement on the old-style cornet by means of his mouth- piece and by close attention to details and energetic business manage- ment getting a foothold in the uncertain field of manufacturing, he then set himself to the study of the cornet with a view to bringing out the highest latent powers of that instrument. He secured patent after patent, each one representing some advance toward perfection, and in time produced what is known as the "Conn Cornet" recog- nized by competent judges as practically perfect in sonority, strength and quality of tone and in ease of mechanical manipulation. For a number of years the Conn factory has manufactured all lines of brass band instruments, and as to their quality the last word is spoken when it is said that these instruments have been used for a number of years by Sousa's band and by many other famous players and organizations.
Either as a business man or in public life Colonel Conn has been distinguished by a certain positiveness of character, an ability to act upon his firm convictions, and a force and fearlessness that are invaluable qualities when ranged upon the side of truth and justice. Many years ago, while he was still struggling for success as a manu- facturer, he was nominated by the democratic party and elected
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mayor of Elkhart. The election interrupted an almost unbroken period of republican supremacy in municipal politics, and to justify the confidence of his fellow citizens Colonel Conn gave the city an administration of such practical progressiveness and efficiency that many still recall the spirit of earnestness and energy which dominated the city hall at that time. He was re-elected to the office, and his next promotion in politics was to the Lower House of the State Legislature, again being elected from a normally republican district. In 1892 the Thirteenth District nominated him for Congress. His rival for that office was James Dodge, one of the most influential republicans of the district and a prominent Elkhart citizen. Mr. Conn after a vigorous campaign went to Washington, and in a short time made his name more than casually familiar to the citizens of the national capital. Soon after going to Washington he bought the Washington Times, a morning newspaper later owned by Frank A. Munsey. He used this newspaper as an instrument for effecting a campaign of reform against the vice and crime which for years had stigmatized the city which ought to have been a model of civil and social government. So vigorously did he carry on his campaign against the inefficient and lax police force of Washington that he was indicted for libel, though the prosecution was not successful. While he represented his district and constituents faithfully while in Washington, it was his aggressive work in behalf of the city itself which made his congressional career notable and still remembered.
In September, 1890, Colonel Conn founded the daily and weekly Truth at Elkhart, and for a great many years has been proprietor of that strong and influential journal. Colonel Conn is a man of great independence in his political and personal opinions, and during the years which first marked the entrance of William J. Bryan into national politics he abandoned the democratic party and in 1900 used his influence so effectively in behalf of Mckinley that Elkhart County gave that candidate the biggest republican vote in its history. Those who know Colonel Conn and his activities during many years of residence at Elkhart credit him with a great deal of practical and judicious philanthropy, also he would be the last person in the world to admit anything of that kind. He has displayed his sym- pathy and has given his aid so far as possible to those who were struggling to help themselves, and there are a number of persons who know him as a practical friend in need rather than as a great manufacturer and leading citizen. In all the years of his residence he has been devoted to the growth and welfare of Elkhart, and that city means more to him than any other place in the world. In 1867 Colonel Conn married Miss Kate Hazelton.
Vol. II-34
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ALBA MARK TUCKER. Just sixty years ago a young Vermonter, who had already had five years experience in practical railroading, came to Elkhart to take a place with the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad, as the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern was then known. In subsequent years Alba Mark Tucker attained many responsible offices and positions in railroading, made a bril- liant record in the Civil war, from which he came with the rank of colonel, and also impressed his name upon the civil and business affairs of Elkhart.
Fourth son of Alvin and Abigail ( Tossey ) Tucker, he was born at West Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont, November 14, 1836. He was not yet sixty-four years of age when he died February 8, 1900. Growing up as a rugged New England boy, prior to the age of sixteen he attended the common schools of the village, studying the English branches taught there and making a commendable record. During his vacation he worked at home assisting on the farm. In 1847 he was a helper employed by Messrs. Clark & Chase, contractors, and continued with them and with other contractors until 1850. In 1852 he attended Newberry Seminary intending to pursue a collegiate course, but for several reasons was unable to carry out that plan. He then turned to civil engineering, his first service being that of rodman. April 26, 1854, to September 15th of the same year he was a rodman in the engineer corps on the exten- sion of the Passumpsic and Connecticut River Railroad. On May 10, 1855, he became freight clerk with the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad at Tecumseh, Michigan, and was trans- ferred from there to Elkhart on August 2d of the same year, becom- ing freight and ticket clerk up to October 14th, and from October 15, 1855, to May 1, 1857, was both freight and ticket agent at Elkhart. The first five years his services took him away from Elkhart. From July 15, 1857, to May 22, 1858, he was freight clerk of the Mil- waukee & Mississippi Railroad at Janesville, Wisconsin; from the latter date to August 31, 1858, was joint ticket agent of the Mil- waukee & Mississippi, the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac, and the Southern Wisconsin Branch of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroads at Janesville; and from September, 1858, to January 20, 1859, was clerk to the general superintendent of the Michigan South- ern & Northern Indiana at Toledo, and from March 1, 1861 to July 31, 1862, was clerk of the general freight office with the same road at Toledo.
Ilis railroading experience enabled him to perform much special service while in the army. On August 1, 1862, he enlisted as a private, and on the 14th of the same month was promoted to second
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lieutenant of the 100th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. September 9, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant and quartermaster in that regiment, and on October 1, 1862, was made post quartermaster and commissary at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. November 12, 1862, he became quartermaster of the 100th Indiana Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, and on March 8, 1863, was promoted to assistant army quartermaster, First Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. June 14, 1863, came his promotion to assistant army quartermaster Fifteenth Army Corps, and in the same capacity he was assigned on July 21, 1863, to the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. August 15, 1863, he was promoted to captain and assistant quartermaster. U. S. volunteers. March 13, 1865, he was promoted to brevet major and assistant quartermaster volunteers "for faithful and meritor- ious service during the war," and on the same date and for similar reasons was made first brevet lieutenant-colonel and also brevet colonel and assistant quartermaster volunteers. He resigned his commission and was mustered out of service December 8, 1865, after having been with the army three years, four months and seven days. He was the first purchasing and disbursing quartermaster in the United States volunteer service to make final settlement of accounts and receive certificates of non-indebtedness to the govern- ment. His record of purchases and disbursements totaled nearly $10,000,000. In his capacity as a railroad man in the volunteer army Colonel Tucker served as captain and assistant quartermaster in charge of constructing U. S. military railroads at Louisville, Jeffersonville, Indiana, and in changing the gauge of the Louisville & Franklin and the Lexington & Franklin, a distance of 100 miles, between October 3, 1863, and November 30, 1863. From December 1, 1863, to March 1, 1864, he was purchasing and disbursing quarter- master, U. S. Military Railroad, for the Department of the Cum- berland, of the Ohio and the Tennessee, with headquarters at Nashville. From May 7. 1864, to December 7, 1865, he was pur- chasing and disbursing quartermaster at Louisville, and in charge of the examination and payment of all railroad accounts for trans- portation of government supplies.
After the war Colonel Tucker again resumed his residence at Elkhart and became prominent in municipal and county affairs. From May 4. 1866, to November 1, 1867, he served as president of the board of town trustees of Elkhart. From November 1, 1867, to November 1, 1875, he filled with signal ability the office of auditor of Elkhart County, and during the same time he was chairman of the republican central committee. Colonel Tucker is also well
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remembered as a banker, having been president of the St. Joseph Valley Bank at Elkhart from April 5, 1876, to January 16, 1884. He was mayor of Elkhart, May 1, 1878, to May 1, 1880, and until removed by President Cleveland during the latter's first administra- tion was postmaster from March 7, 1883, to August 1, 1885.
In the meantime Colonel Tucker had resumed his career as a railway man, and from January 14, 1878, to July 1, 1885, was assist- ant superintendent of the Michigan division of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern at Elkhart. Thereafter his duties called him to other cities. From July 1, 1885, to February 15, 1887, he was superintendent of the western division, New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad at Galion, Ohio; from February 15, 1887, to Decem- ber 15. 1887, was superintendent Susquehanna division, New York, Lake Erie & Western at Elmira, New York; from August 6, 1888, to September 17, 1888, was superintendent Mahoning division, New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio at Youngstown ; from September 17, 1888, to January 3, 1891, was general superintendent New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, leased lines and branches, at Cleve- land. From September 1, 1890, to January 3, 1891, was general superintendent of the Chicago & Erie Railroad at Cleveland. From January 3, 1891, to December 31, 1895, was general manager New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, leased lines and branches at Cleveland; and from January 3, 1891, to December 31, 1895, was general manager Chicago & Erie Railroad at Cleveland. From November 13, 1894, until his death Colonel Tucker was a director in the Chicago & Erie Railroad Company; was a director from June 4, 1895, in the Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad Company ; was a director in the Belt Railway of Chicago from June 4, 1895; from January 1, 1896, was general agent of the Erie Railroad at Cleveland. Few of the many railroad men who have at one time or another been connected with the offices and shops at Elkhart rose to higher distinctions than the late Alba Mark Tucker.
While general manager of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio and also of the Chicago & Erie, Colonel Tucker sent for many young men from Elkhart and started them in railroad work. All these men in whom he reposed his confidence have progressed and some of them hold responsible positions at the present time.
Colonel Tucker was an honored member of the military order of the Loyal Legion in the Commandery of the State of Ohio, was a life member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and also belonged to Shiloh Post No. 198, G. A. R., at Elkhart.
General Tucker married Sarah Jane Henry, daughter of Dr. John and Isabel ( Wallace) Henry of Elkhart, Indiana. Of
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this marriage there were three daughters: Isabel Tucker, now Mrs. Lewis W. Hallock of Detroit; Jean Henry, now deceased, who was Mrs. Leon L. Collver of Brookline, Massachusetts; and Hallet Kilbourn, Mrs. Frederick A. Reed of Elkhart.
WILLIAM JAMES DAVIS. The people of Elkhart County naturally take much interest in the careers of former residents who have gained positions of prominence in various spheres of action outside the county. One such career, a record of which may properly find publication in these pages, is that of William James Davis, long a resident of Chicago and now living retired at his country home, Willowdale Farm, near Crown Point, Indiana. In his early youth Mr. Davis saw active service in the United States Navy during the Civil war, was identified in various capacities with railroad service, particularly with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, the line which his father helped to construct through Northern Indiana; but his name is best known through his extensive relations with theatrical enterprises. Mr. Davis is a veteran theatrical manager, and probably directed more of the notable playhouses in the City of Chicago, known both to the older and younger generations of theater goers, than any other one individual.
Ilis birth occurred in Washtenaw County, Michigan, February 8. 1844. His parents were Thomas Gleason and Ann Isabella ( McWhorter ) Davis. His father was born near Worcester, Massa- chusetts, in 1808, and died in 1883, and his mother was born in Belfast, Ireland, August 11, 1811, and died in 1896. The family blood is Welsh, Scotch and Irish. William J. Davis was the second son and fourth child in a family of five, three sons and two daugh- ters. His father, Thomas G. Davis, was for many years a prominent resident of Elkhart. Much of his early youth was spent at Dans- ville, New York, where he became connected with a woolen mill, and was married while living there. Later he removed to Michigan, and established a woolen mill at Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County. From there he went to a farm at Sylvan Center, same county,' and later took up the business of railroad contracting with the Michigan Central Company. That was in the late '4os while various com- panies were making strenuous efforts to complete their roads of steel westward to the terminus in the City of Chicago. As rail- way contractor Thomas G. Davis also constructed many miles of the old Michigan Southern and the Northern Indiana Railway, as it was called at the time, but subsequently united under the title Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, now one of the main divisions of the New York Central lines. He had the contract for construction of much of this line across Northern Indiana and around the
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southern bend of Lake Michigan through the swamps into Chicago. It is a matter of record that Thomas G. Davis took the first engine and train of cars which ran into Chicago from the East over this newly completed road. This was early in the year 1852. Subse- quently Thomas G. Davis built the Three Rivers Branch, the Jackson Branch and the Air Line division of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana R. R., and after the failure of the railway company in the panic of '57 he engaged for several years in the hardware business at Elkhart, but during the Civil war period built a number of miles of railway in the State of Tennessee, and after the close of the war constructed a coal railroad in South- ern Illinois, his associate in that enterprise being his son Thomas G. While there his son contracted malarial fever, and died at Murphys- boro, Illinois, in 1867. It should be recalled that Thomas G. Davis organized at Elkhart the first Masonic Lodge, now known as Elkhart Lodge No. 183, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was the first Worshipful Master. Politically he was a democrat.
Much of the early life of William J. Davis was spent in the town of Elkhart, where he attended the public schools. Capt. Orville Chamberlain was his benchmate. Girard Conn, Johnny Davenport, Henry Sherwood, Clarissa Smalley, and Sarah Henry were school- mates. In 1862, at the age of eighteen, he endeavored to enlist in a local company for service in the Civil war, but his services were not accepted on account of his youth. Later in the same year he tried again and this time enlisted as landsman in the navy, under Capt. Alvin Phinney, on board the Mortar schooner Racer of the North Atlantic squadron. For three months he served as steward for Pay- master C. H. Kirkendall, then became his clerk, and through the influence of Hallet Kilbourne, well remembered in Elkhart and brother-in-law to Mr. Kirkendall, he was transferred with Paymaster Kirkendall to the Black Hawk, the Flag Ship of Admiral Porter in the Mississippi squadron. His duty during action was to superin- tend the passing of ammunition from the hold of the gunboat to the guns on the main and upper decks whenever needed in battle. Mr. Davis had some very exciting experiences while with the gunboat fleet along the Mississippi and its tributaries. He was in the Red River campaign and at times came up into the Ohio River. The Black Hawk was burned while at anchor between Mound City and Cairo on the Ohio River in April, 1865. Mr. Davis was detailed to go to Washington to make a final report of the vessel's accounts and received his honorable discharge in October, 1865.
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