USA > Indiana > Lake County > A standard history of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet region, Volume II > Part 26
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S. W. Ogden, who has been superintendent of the East Chicago works since May, 1902, came to this city from Olean, New York, and has his home in East Chicago. The family comprises two children, Willard L. and Dorothy A. Mr. Ogden is a republican, has affiliations with the Knights Templar Masonry, the Shrine, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the East Chicago Club, the Indiana Harbor Commercial Club, the Hammond Country Club and the Chicago Automobile Club. He is a director and vice president of the First Calumet Trust & Sav- ings Bank.
CHARLES B. DONOVAN. Seldom has a public appointment been received with better general satisfaction than that of Charles B. Dono- van to the office of postmaster of East Chicago. Mr. Donovan has spent nearly all his life in East Chicago, has been known to the people as a hard-working and honorable young business man, and since the begin- ning of his service in the postoffice, has demonstrated his efficiency and competence for the responsibilities of his position.
Charles B. Donovan was born in Chicago, April 26, 1880, a son of Charles B. and Emma Donovan. His father was an iron molder by trade, moved to East Chicago in 1892, and was for a number of years employed in one of the foundries there. Charles B. Donovan had a public school training, was for four years in the Grasselli Chemical Works, learned the trade of molder, and was assistant foreman for the Green Engineering Company at East Chicago until his appointment by President Wilson as postmster at East Chicago on July 1, 1913.
Mr. Donovan is a loyal democrat, heartily in sympathy with the policies of the present administration, is a member of the Commercial Club, and has taken both lodge and chapter degrees in Masonry. In 1903 he married Catherine Farrington of Chicago, and they are the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters: Charles B., Jr., Edward C., Florence G., Charlotte B., and Woodrow Wilson.
C. M. GILLESPIE, M. D. Though one of the younger members of the Lake County medical fraternity, Doctor Gillespie has brought to the active work of medicine and surgery an exceptional equipment, gained both from the schools and from the resources of his own mind and adapt- ability for his chosen vocation.
Dr. C. M. Gillespie is a native of Belfast, Ireland, born May 4, 1879, the son of a Presbyterian minister and missionary, Rev. Robert Gilles- pie, whose wife was Kate Waters. His father, who is now deceased, was for many years a missionary in India, and Doctor Gillespie lived in that country from 1881 until 1887, and then was sent back to Eng- land for his education. His early advantages were of a very superior
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nature, and besides his high school training in London, he was a stu- dent of medicine four years in Edinburgh University. Coming to the United States in 1904, Doctor Gillespie later took a course in the Ben- nett Medical College of Chicago, and received the M. D. degree in 1910. Doctor Gillespie did some of his first professional practice at Whiting, but afterwards practiced six months in Wisconsin and a year in Iowa. He returned to Whiting as his permanent location on April 1, 1913, and now has a large general practice. He is a member of the different medical societies, is a member of the Catholic Church, belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, and in politics is independent. On July 4, 1910, Doctor Gillespie married Alexis Biesen of Whiting, daughter of James Biesen, who is connected with the Standard Oil Company there.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF EAST CHICAGO. In what is known as the old town of East Chicago, the largest financial institution is the First National Bank, with a capital stock of $100,000, a surplus of more than $20,000, and $500,000 in deposits. Its total resources aggregate nearly $700,000. The First National Bank, which opened for business under that title February 9, 1905, succeeded to the business of the old Lake County State Bank. The bank owns the northeast corner of Chicago Avenue and Forsyth Street, a ground 75x150 feet, and a handsome bank house will in the near future be erected. The officers and direc- tors of the First National are: G. J. Bader, president; J. G. Allen, vice president ; William J. Funkey, Jr., cashier ; W. R. Diamond, Charles Johns, C. C. Smith, T. F. Donovan, directors.
The financial experience of William J. Funkey, Jr., began before he became of age, and with several years of training in subordinate posi- tions in Chicago, he came to the Calumet district six years ago and has been an energetic factor in local banking.
Born in the state of Ohio, in 1883, William J. Funkey is a son of William J. and Elizabeth (Schroeder) Funkey, his father a minister. His education was acquired chiefly in Parsons College at Fairfield, Iowa, and coming to Chicago in 1902, at the age of nineteen, he was employed in the Chicago Savings Bank and Trust Company, and with one or two other Chicago banks. Mr. Funkey has lived in the Calumet district since January 1908, when he became connected with the Indiana Har- bor State Bank, and was made cashier of the First National Bank of East Chicago in February, 1909. When Mr. Funkey first took up his duties with the First National its deposits were approximated one hun- dred and sixty-five thousand dollars, and since then they have almost tripled, being now over half a million.
Mr. Funkey was married in 1908 to Eveline M. Packer, of Chicago. They are the parents of two children. Mr. Funkey affiliates with the Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter, belongs to the Congregational Church and is secretary of its board of trustees and has charge of the church music. Politically his attitude is independent.
JAMES J. NEJDL. As a general brick and paving contractor, Mr. Nejdl has been in the business at Whiting for ten years, and a conspic- nous fact that makes his business of interest to the public, is that he has performed most of the paving work done in Whiting during that time, and that amounts to saying that he has done most of the paving of the city, since that form of improvement was negligible up to ten or fifteen
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years ago. Mr. Nejdl has also made a name in public affairs, and has served with the city council and also as postmaster.
A native of Bohemia, James J. Nejdl was born November 24, 1874, a son of Martin and Catherine Nejdl. The family emigrated to America in 1879, and his father has been a contractor in Chicago for the past thirty-five years. The son received his education in the public schools of Chicago, and learned his trade with his father. His home has been in Whiting since 1896, and the first eight years were in the employment of the Standard Oil Company as a bricklayer. In 1904 he engaged in business for himself as a contractor, and now employs on the average through the season one hundred workmen.
Mr. Nejdl was married July 3, 1895, to Mary Swatek of Chicago. To their marriage have been born three children, and the two living are Lambert and Daisy. Mr. Nejdl is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics is a republican.
As to his public career, it should be mentioned Mr. Nejdl repre- sented the Third Ward in the city council following the granting of a city charter to Whiting. His service as postmaster was from 1908 to 1913, and it is the consensus of opinion that the postal affairs were never better administered than under his capable direction.
PETER J. MOSER. The Moser Hardware Company is one of Whit- ing's stores that furnish real service to the people, and the city has no more enterprising business man than its active maanger, Peter J. Moser. The store is situated at the corner of White Oak and One Hundred and Ninteenth Street, where it has a thirty-five foot frontage, and since the Moser Bros. bought the old store of Allen Skellenger at Whiting, on June 1, 1910, they have more than doubled the stock, and another evi- dence of their success was the recent establishment of a new store at Robertsdale, a suburb of Hammond. The firm consists of Peter J. and Matthew Moser, and while the former looks after the Whiting store, his brother is manager of the Robertsdale branch.
Peter J. Moser is a native of the Calumet district, born at Ham- mond, July 19, 1882, and is a son of the late Peter and Barbara Moser. His father, who was a contractor, died in 1913, and the mother is still living. Peter J. Moser, the third of their nine children, was reared at Hammond, attended the parochial schools and also the public high school, and at the age of sixteen began earning his own living and get- ting an experience to serve him in his independent career. Two years were spent in the employment of J. J. Ruff, and then for two years he was with the Lion Store at Hammond. Then followed two years with the H. Channon & Company in their wholesale hardware house in Chi- cago, and the firm then sent him on the road selling goods over a ter- ritory comprised within a radius of 500 miles about Chicago. Mr. Moser spent three years as a traveling salesman, and then engaged in the machine shop business at Hammond, with Daniel Brulin, but sold out a year later. In 1908 he was appointed record clerk in the lower house of the Legislature at Indianapolis, and spent nine months as clerk of the water department at Hammond. In 1909 he took charge of the Jones Dishwasher Company of Hammond. Resigning in 1910, he engaged in the hardware business, and his progress in that line has already been indicated.
Racing Them
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In 1910 Mr. Moser married Loretta Wolf of Indianapolis. Their two children are Richard and Margaret. Mr. Moser affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, is a member of the Catholic Church and in politics is a democrat.
RALEIGH P. HALE, M. D. In East Chicago one of the physicians who can claim a patronage of exceptional numerical strength and value is Dr. Raleigh P. Hale, who has practiced here for the past five years, and while looking after a private practice of growing strength and im- portance has also served in several important public offices which have increased his reputation in the community.
Raleigh P. Hale was born at Columbia, Missouri, January 10, 1883, a son of Levi and Robena (Robinson) Hale. His father was an oil producer and superintendent in various oil fields and later had charge of oil leases in Ohio.
Doctor Hale attended the public schools of North Baltimore, Ohio, and on June 4, 1908, graduated M. D. from the Northwestern Medical College. Six months were spent in practical experience in the Monroe Street Hospital of Chicago and also in St. Margaret's Hospital at Ham- mond. Doctor Hale came to East Chicago in April, 1909, and has since conducted a general practice. IIe is a member of the County, State and National Medical societies, was formerly president of the City Board of Health, and is now county health commissioner. He was president of the East Chicago Club two years, and has affiliations with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a republican. On September 9, 1913, Doctor Hale married Harriet S. Phillips, of East Chicago.
REUBEN H. SPURRIER. A business man with long and varied expe- rience in merchandising, Reuben H. Spurrier has been a resident of Whiting for the past five years, and is now one of the active members of the H. P. Spurrier & Company, hardware dealers. This firm was established by his brother, Harvey P. Spurrier, in March, 1906, with store at 438 One Hundred and Nineteenth Street. The firm carries a large stock of general hardware and furniture, and has a two-story building with twenty-five foot frontage.
Reuben H. Spurrier was born in Perry County, Ohio, August 21, 1860, a son of Louis and Hannah C. Spurrier. His father was a farmer, and the son grew up on a farm, attended the local schools, and as a boy left the farm to take a clerkship in a local store. In 1889 he opened a stock of groceries on his own account at Logan, Ohio, and was in business there until 1896. The following three years he sold dry goods for a jobbing house at Portsmouth, Ohio, and in 1898 assisted in estab- lishing the Goldthwaite & Company cloak store at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Spurrier remained with that firm until 1901, and then engaged in the hat business at Columbus. In 1909 he came to Whiting, bought an interest in the hardware business, which up to that time, had been conducted by his brother, Harvey P.
William H. Spurrier was married in April, 1907, to Jessie H. Towns of Columbus. Mr. Spurrier is affiliated with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, is a republican in politics, and in 1913 was
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elected on the citizens ticket for the office of alderman of the Second Ward.
His brother, Harvey P. Spurrier, was born December 22, 1877, in Ohio, and was likewise reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools. Coming to Whiting in September, 1895, his services were given to the Standard Oil Company there until 1906, in which year he started the hardware business as above noted. While with the Standard Oil Company he was assistant engineer and in various other positions. Mr. Spurrier was married April 30, 1909, to Edith Brown of Valparaiso. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a pro- gressive in national politics, but goes with the citizens party in local affairs.
WINFRED W. HOLLIDAY. The public school system of Whiting ranks in efficiency of practical results, if not material equipment, along with the best schools of the state, and the chief features of the city schools are described on other pages of this publication. Attention is here given to the superintendent, Winfred W. Holliday, who has been identified with the local schools for nearly ten years, first as principal of the high schools and now as superintendent. Mr. Holliday has made education his life work, has a broad experience and a long record of successful results to his credit.
Winfred W. Holliday was born at Chester, Ohio, November 26, 1869, a son of J. T. and Angeline ( Wamsley) Holliday. His father was a Methodist minister. Mr. Holliday attended the public schools of Ohio, graduated at the Valparaiso University in 1897, and subsequently took postgraduate studies in the Indiana University, where he graduated in 1903. His work as a district teacher began in Indiana in 1894 and in 1897 he was principal of the high school at Guthrie, Oklahoma, was principal of the Bringhurst schools in Indiana, from 1898 to 1900, was superintendent of schools at Upland, Indiana, from 1900 to 1904, and the following two years was teacher of science in the Frankfort High School. With this broad and thorough equipment Mr. Holliday came to Whiting as principal of the high school, held that position four and a half years, and has since supervised the entire public school system of the city.
Mr. IIolliday was married October 10, 1893, to Mabel Floyd, of Mid- dlefork, Indiana. Their oldest son, Floyd T., now nineteen years of age, a graduate of the high school, who is on a ranch in Western Texas, Geraldine is thirteen years of age, and Winifred is aged seven. Mr. Mr. Holliday is master of Whiting Lodge, No. 613, A. F. & A. M., is a progressive in polities, and he and his wife are regular attendants at the Plymouth Congregational Church.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WHITING. Some of the most promi- nent capitalists and financiers in Northern Indiana were the organizers in 1902, of the First National Bank of Whiting, which is the only insti- tution operating under a national charter in that city. The establish- ment of the bank was due chiefly to Gallus J. Bader, whose name figures in the bank directors and official lists of a number of Lake County insti- tutions, and Fred J. Smith, who is now president of the First National Bank of Whiting. The other officers at the present time are W. E. Warwick, vice president ; John M. Thiele, cashier; Charles D. Gainer, assistant cashier ; Joseph J. Chilla, manager of the foreign department ;
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while the directors are Gallus J. Bader, John M. Thiele, Fred J. Smith, John Schaub, W. E. Warwick, James A. Gill and F. R. Schaaf.
The First National, since its establishment, has occupied the corner at One Hundred and Nineteenth and Oliver streets, but during the present year, 1914, a modern new banking house has been erected at the corner of One Hundred and Nineteenth Street and New York Avenue, with the lower floor handsomely fitted up for banking quarters and with nine suites of offices upstairs. It is a stone-faced and absolutely fireproof building. The First National has a capital of $50,000 and surplus and profits amounting to about $45,000. The total resources aggregate about $725,000, and the deposits in March, 1914, were nearly $580,000. A good index of the bank's growth is found in the increase of deposits, which in February, 1903, were about $40,000, four years later had passed the two hundred thousand mark, in February, 1913, were $460,000, and during the next year increased to more than half a million dollars.
.John M. Thiele, the cashier of the First National is a young banker of broad experience, and has been connected with banking for fifteen years. He was born at Goshen, Indiana, July 18, 1877, was educated in the parochial schools and graduated from the University of Notre Dame, of South Bend, in 1897. In 1898 he became an employe of the Schrage Bank at Whiting, and since 1903 has been cashier of the First National of that city. Mr. Thiele was married in 1904 to Catherine W. Crawley of Whiting, and they have a family of two daughters. Mr. Thiele affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is independent.
GEORGE BERG. The people of Lowell have a very high esteem for George Berg, both as a business man and citizen. This is proved by the extensive trade which his store has always enjoyed, and Mr. Berg is always counted upon in the public-spirited movements for the advance- ment of the town and vicinity.
George Berg was born at Dyer, Indiana, March 25, 1876, a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Berg. His father was born in Lake County, a member of a pioncer family, June 1, 1847, and died June 30, 1911. The mother, who was born May 10, 1852, is still living.
George Berg had his first schooling at Goodenow in Will County, Illinois, where his parents lived for several years. They returned to Lowell on March 25, 1886, and the schools of that town provided him with further advantages until he was fifteen, at which early age he began work for George Kimmell in the grocery trade. At the age of twenty-three Mr. Berg transferred his services to George M. Deathe, and for six years worked in his hardware store. Mr. Berg then bought out the old established business owned and conducted at that time by Mr. John Berg, and since then has been the active proprietor of this well-known mercantile house. This business has been in existence at Lowell about twenty-five years, having been founded by John Nash- wonder, who was succeeded by Eckhart Bixeman, who after about five years sold out to John Berg, who in turn was proprietor for eleven years, until the stock and fixtures were sold to Mr. George Berg. Since the latter took control it illustrates his progressive character as a mer- chant to state that the stock has been increased five different times, and he now sells goods to an extensive trade throughout the township.
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Mr. Berg was married at Lowell, October 18, 1900, to Matilda Meiers, who was educated in the Hanover Center parochial school, and is one of the active workers in the Lowell Catholic Church, and a member of the Married Ladies' Sodality. They are the parents of four children, one daughter and three sons: Sabena, Paul, Jordan and Walter, the old- est being eleven years and the youngest one year, and the two older are in school. Mr. Berg is affiliated with the Independent Order of For- esters, and is a republican in politics.
GEORGE MCKINLEY DEATHE. For practically half a century the name of Deathe has been prominently associated with mercantile affairs at Lowell, and the hardware business, which had its beginning about the close of the Civil war as a small tin shop, is now a large and flourish- ing establishment conducted by George MeKinley Deathe, a son of the founder.
George MeKinley Deathe, who is one of the youngest business men in Lowell, was born in that city in 1893, was graduated from the high school in 1911, and was then taken into his father's store, learning all the details of the business, and has since been its active manager.
The business was founded by his father, the late George M. Deathe. in 1865, as a small tin shop. Out of that grew by gradual stages a hardware store, and at the present time it is one of the largest and best concerns of its kind in the county. The large stoek is housed in a building of its own, a two-story brick structure, 30x90 feet, and the two floors and basement furnish a large floor space. George M. Deathe, the founder, died July 19, 1911. He was one of Lowell's oldest and best known citizens, was born in Rush County, Indiana, January 17, 1841, grew up in Henry County, received his education in the common schools, and at the age of fourteen, began learning the trade of tin- ner. In 1859 he came to Lake County, spent the following year on a farm, then taught school for two years at Merrillville, and subsequently clerked in a dry goods store at Lowell until engaging in business on his own account. The senior Deathe married Miss Margaret Johnson, a native of Canada. They became the parents of four children: Minnie, deceased; May, Winifred and Jessie. In 1883 the mother of these chil- dren died, and the senior Deathe was left with three children to care for. In 1885 he married Emma Buchanan of Hebron, and they are the parents of six children. The late Mr. Deathe was a prominent republi- can, was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also a member of the Masonic Order, and was one of the first board of directors of the Lowell National Bank. A man of high moral character. his career was much appreciated by his fellow citizens, and his name is one that will not soon be forgotten in the community. His business has been continued in able hands under the management of his son. Mr. Deathe's mother. Mrs. Emma Deathe, is now living at Lowell at the age of fifty-eight.
J. T. WACHOWSKI. Engaged in the practice of law at Chicago and Gary for more than twenty years, Mr. Wachowski's career has been characterized by the usual accomplishments and rewards of the success- ful lawyer, and at the same time by various distinctive services such as only a leader at the bar can perform for his community. Mr. Wachowski is one of the early members of the Gary bar, and is one of the fore- most representatives in the profession of his nationality, which is so
Je Wachowski
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liberally represented in the citizenship of Gary. His office is at 690 Broadway in Gary.
J. T. Wachowski was born in the Province of Posen, Poland, in 1867, and when seven years of age, in 1874, was brought to America. His family settled in Chicago, and his early education was acquired by attendance at the public schools, followed by a collegiate course in St. Stanislaus College of that city. While Mr. Wachowski is a man of liberal education, it is proper to say that most of it was acquired as a result of his own efforts and at the expense of his own earnings. After his college work he took a course in the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago, and in 1891 was graduated from the Illinois Col- lege of Law. Admitted to the bar, he formed some profitable connec- tions with his profession in Chicago, and practiced regularly in the courts of that city until 1907. In that year he came to Gary with the advance guard of population in this city, and both among his fellow countrymen and the community at large has acquired a splendid prac- tice. He is a member of the Lake County Bar Association.
Mr. Wachowski's parents are both deceased. He married Verincia Bogucki at Milwaukee. Mr. Wachowski has membership in the Polish National Alliance of America, with the Masonic Order, and is a republi- can. He is the owner of considerable property in Gary, comprising a residence in the First subdivision at 815 Adams Street, and also busi- ness property at the corner of Eighteenth and Washington. He has a brother prominent in Chicago business affairs and president of the Wachowski Building and Loan Association, a company which J. T. Wachowski represents as attorney.
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