USA > Indiana > Lake County > A standard history of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet region, Volume II > Part 32
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Joseph G. Van Steenbergen was born in Rotterdam, Holland, Janu- ary 10, 1883, a son of John and Helen (Bouman) Van Steenbergen. In 1903, having spent his earlier life in the schools and in an apprentice- ship at hard work in his native land, Mr. Van Steenbergen came to the United States and after locating in Hobart, Indiana, found employment in the butcher's trade. In 1905 he came to Indiana Harbor, and opened his first shop on Pennsylvania Avenue, putting in a small stock of groceries and also selling meats. His business grew, he gave a reliable service to the community, and his prosperity justified his removal in 1909 to his present location, where he has a fine store 25x60 feet, and handles the best groceries and meats sold in that particular community of East Chicago.
Mr. Van Steenbergen was married on January 29, 1911, to Gertrude Middleton, of Berlin, Wisconsin. Their one child is Gerard Joseph. The family have membership in the Catholic Church, and Mr. Van Steenbergen is associated with the community of business men in the Commercial Club and is a democrat in politics.
J. S. CLARK. One of the young professional men who have selected Indiana Harbor as their field of work is Dr. J. S. Clark, who has recently established himself as a dentist and has already made a good start in a successful career.
J. S. Clark was born in Chicago, Illinois, January 2, 1889, a son of William C. and Bertha E. Clark. His father, who is now deceased, was for a number of years superintendent of the rail mill in South Chicago. Doctor Clark grew up in his home city, attended the public schools, and in 1913 graduated from the Northwestern University Dental College. In July of the same year he established his office in Indiana Harbor, and already has a practice which demands practically all his time. Doctor Clark is a member of the Lake County Dental Association, affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Royal League and the Delta Sigma Delta college fraternity. In politics he is independent.
NATE SHINE. One of the most popular and best known mercantile enterprises in the retail trade district of Indiana Harbor is the men's furnishing goods store conducted by Nate Shine, who engaged in busi- ness in that city in 1909. His place of business is at 3425 Michigan Street, and occupies a fine store room 25x65 feet, his stock comprising practically all lines for the furnishing of men's attire from clothing to haberdashery and shoes and hats.
Nate Shine is an enterprising young merchant who was born in Chicago, October 27, 1885, a son of J. and Sophie ( Alschuler) Shine. His father lived in Chicago thirty years, kept a store for men's furnish- ings on Madison Street, and died in that city in 1913. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the four children were: Nate; Ed, who is employed by his older brother at Indiana Harbor; and Leah and Annie, who live in Chicago.
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Mr. Shine has been in active business practically all his life, since lie started at the age of twelve to work in a store selling men's goods in Chicago. Ilis education has been of a practical rather than a theoretical nature, and he was already thoroughly versed in mercantile affairs when he came to Indiana Harbor and opened his stock of goods August 22, 1909. On the day that marked the beginning of his business career in Indiana Harbor, Mr. Shine married Myrtle Lewin at Chicago, a daugh- ter of Marcus and Lena Lewin. Her father came to Chicago fifty-one years ago from Germany, and was in the cigar business in that city until he retired in 1910. Mr. Shine and wife have one son, Leroy, aged four years. His social affiliations are with the Masonic order, including the Royal Arch degree; he is a member of the Indiana Harbor Commercial Club and is an independent in politics.
CHARLES P. PACKER, JR. Cashier of the Citizens Trust & Savings Bank of Indiana Harbor, Charles P. Packer, Jr., is a young banker with experience in metropolitan financial circles beginning with the time he left public school in Chicago, and is one of the forcible younger business men of the Calumet region.
Charles P. Packer, Jr., was born in Chicago, December 26, 1882, a son of Charles P. and Ellen M. Packer. His father was a well known Chicago banker and for many years was president of the Park National Bank of that city. Growing up in an atmosphere of finance, with excel- lent home and school advantages, after finishing in the grammar and high schools of his native city, Charles P. Packer, Jr., in November, 1902, entered the Corn Exchange National Bank of Chicago, and while with that institution acquainted himself with nearly all the practical details of a large metropolitan bank. He was connected with the insti- tution four and a half years, was teller when he left, and in 1907 ac- cepted the place of bookkeeper with the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, and was subsequently promoted to assistant stock transfer teller. On July 1, 1913, Mr. Packer came to Indiana Harbor to take up his duties as cashier of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, an institution whose history is recorded elsewhere in this publication.
Mr. Packer is affiliated with Kilwinning Lodge No. 311, A. F. & A. M., has membership in the Kenwood Club of Chicago and the Hyde Park Department of the Y. M. C. A., and has his home in that city, while at Indiana Harbor he is an active member of the Commercial Club. In politics his affiliation is with the progressive republicans.
IRVIN SHEAKS. An Indiana Harbor business man since 1911, Mr. Sheaks has been identified with the Calumet region during almost all of his active career, and his record is one of progress from employment under others to a good business of his own.
Irvin Sheaks was born in Marshall County, Indiana, October 8, 1879, a son of Isaac and Jane Sheaks. His father was a farmer, and the son grew up in the environment of the country, received the advantages of the public schools, and early became a worker for his own livelihood. In February, 1904, Mr. Sheaks went to South Chicago, and was employed in a wholesale produce house until 1911. In the latter year his business enterprise was directed to Indiana Harbor, where he opened a feed store at 3420 Grapevine Street. His previous long experience and his natural adaptability for mercantile work quickly brought him a growing busi- ness, and in 1912 he bought property on Michigan Avenue and the
LA Thompson ٠٠
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Indiana Harbor Belt Railway tracks, and opened a large yard for the coal and general feed business. He is now considered one of the well established and prosperous merchants of Indiana Harbor.
On March 4, 1899, Mr. Sheaks married Lizzie MeBride, of Marshall County, Indiana. Their two children are Earl and Lloyd. Mr. Sheaks has affiliations with the Royal League, belongs to the Commercial Club, and in politics is a republican.
G. H. THOMPSON. One of the foremost educators of Lake County is the present superintendent of the Hobart schools, G. H. Thompson, who began his career as a teacher in a country schoolroom in Kansas when a boy, has been identified with the Hobart schools since 1895, first as principal and since 1905 as superintendent. Superintendent Thompson is doing much to give vitality and increased efficiency to the schools of his city, and is a large contributor to the modern progress of his section of the state.
G. H. Thompson was born in Southwestern Missouri in 1869. When a child he was taken to Montgomery County, Kansas, and his early training was in the country schools of that locality. At the age of fifteen he began a course in the Normal school at Independence, Kan- sas, and taught between terms to pay his tuition. After finishing the course at Independence Mr. Thompson came to Northern Indiana, taught school in Porter County two years, and then moved into Lake County, where for two years he was located at East Gary, and in 1895 accepted the position of principal of the Hobart High School. His ability com- mended him to the local board as their choice for superintendent of schools in 1905. In 1907 Mr. Thompson was awarded the degree Bachelor of Science at Valparaiso University.
Since becoming identified with the Hobart schools Mr. Thompson has seen the corps of teachers grow from five in 1895 to twenty in 1914, with an enrollment of about four hundred and fifty pupils. Mr. Thomp- son was a decided factor in bringing about the consolidation of the district schools in Hobart Township. Quoting from a recent educa- tional report of the Lake County schools: "A unique feature of the Hobart Township school system is that there is not a country school remaining. Consolidation was begun here more than fifteen years ago, and the results of that movement were so satisfactory that now wagons bring all the school children within a territory of seventeen square miles to the central township school in Hobart. In this centralized school there are sixteen teachers, besides the superintendent, having charge of some four hundred and fifty children. Eleven teachers are required in the grade work and the others are in the high school depart- ment. At the beginning of this movement five teachers were employed in the grades and two in the high school, but the country schools then maintained five other grade teachers and no special work could be done in any of the schools. Fifteen years ago the high school was commis- sioned. Since then the school has not only kept pace with the ehanging standard, but has gone far beyond the requirements of the State Board of Education."
It has been a particular ambition of Superintendent Thompson to make the Hobart schools serve as a social center, an institution of con- tinuous benefit to the community, besides serving its primary purposes for the instruction of children. Along this direction he has worked to organize a lyceum course, called the Hobart Lyceum Society, of which
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he is president. Through this society many notable speakers and vari- ous entertainments are given through the year in the school building, and thus many people who have been away from their text books for a great many years are brought back within the school atmosphere. Mr. Thompson has also been enthusiastic to develop the athletic depart- ment of the school, which won the leadership in athletics among the county schools in 1911. The Hobart school has always ranked among the best in that department. Several champions in athletics, both on the track and on the field, have been developed since he came to Hobart.
In 1895 Mr. Thompson married Bertha Stilwell of Porter County. They are the parents of seven children, three daughters and four sons. Ruth, the oldest girl, is now a teacher in the Hobart school, and the others are still students except the youngest, who is three years of age. Mr. Thompson affiliates with the Masonic order and with the Knights of the Maccabees, having held chairs in both lodges. In politics he is a republican, and is a member of the Methodist Church.
OTTO C. F. SEEHASE. The distinction of being the pioneer hardware merchant of Indiana Harbor belongs properly to Otto C. F. Seehase, whose enterprise in that locality dates from 1901. As those familiar with the history of Indiana Harbor will recall, it was in the summer of that year that the first practical work was done on the harbor and the breaking of the ground for the first great steel plant, which were the preliminary steps in the founding of this new industrial center. Mr. Seehase, who had for a number of years been identified with business at Tolleston, came on the ground at once, and with confidence in the future development of the site put in a small stock of hardware and has grown up with the city, his business having increased in proportion to the surrounding development.
Otto C. F. Seehase was born at Tolleston, Indiana, March 31, 1875. His parents, Adolph and Matilda (Kurth) Seehase, were among the first settlers at Tolleston, now included within the greater City of Gary. The mother died in 1900 and the father is still living. With a public school education, and a course of study at Valparaiso University during 1894-95, Mr. Seehase was ready for his practical career, and for several years was in the building contracting work at Tolleston, Whiting, Ham- mond and his operations covered practically the entire Calumet region. Moving to Indiana Harbor in 1901, he opened his hardware store, and in 1903, his trade having justified considerable expansion and with a view to making the best of the growing opportunities, he put up his present store building, with 165 feet of frontage and running back 123 feet. This at the time was one of the largest structures in the business district. Mr. Seehase has a large stock of general hardware, paints and also furniture and household supplies. Besides his mercantile enter- prise he is a director of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank.
On May 29, 1900, Mr. Seehase married Matilda Saager, of Clark Station, Indiana. Iler death occurred August 22, 1913. Of the two children, Otto, Jr., died September 23, 1912, and the daughter Helen is now twelve years old. Mr. Seehase worships in the Lutheran Church, is a member of the Commercial Club and in politics a democrat.
ST. JOHN CANTIUS, INDIANA HARBOR. This parish of Polish Cathi- olies at Indiana Harbor was founded by Rev. Peter A. Budnik in
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February, 1906. The first building used by the parish was a two-story stone structure, 44x65 feet, the first floor being used for school and pas- toral residence, and the second floor for church auditorium. It cost $7,500. The original grounds comprised nine lots, seven being bought by Father Budnik, at a cost of $900, and two other lots were purchased at a cost of $1,050 by Rev. Anthony A. Stachowiak in 1907. One of the first improvements was the addition of a belfry at a cost of $150. The school was at first taught by a lay teacher, with eighty-six children, and in September, 1907, two Sisters of St. Francis took charge, at which time the attendance had increased to 150 pupils. At that time the number of families in the parish was 140 or 900 souls. The church debt was $7,000. Since then the church roll has increased to about 500 families or about 2,500 souls, and there are 400 children in the school with six teachers in charge.
In 1907 Father Stachowiak started to build a rectory, a frame build- ing, costing $5,000, located on the first and second lots, but subsequently removed to lots Nos. 5 and 6, and now occupied by the sisters. In 1909 it was found that both the church and school were too small and an addition was constructed, 42x64 feet, at a cost of $10,000. Both church and school have used one structure, and had six class rooms until re- cently, two class rooms being utilized by the sisters, but since new quarters were provided for them those rooms were converted into class rooms. The building is constructed of cement blocks and the entire cost of the building was $17,500. New altars and pulpit have been installed, the center altar costing $650 and the side altars $300, and the pulpit $125. The statues cost $200, and thus the entire cost of the building including furniture and fixtures was brought up to $22,000. The prop- erty owned comprises seven lots on Beach Street, six lots on Cedar Street, with a total frontage of 390 feet. In February, 1910, another lot was purchased costing $375, three more lots in 1912 at a cost of $1,600, and the parish now has some very valuable real estate.
In the spring of 1913, on account of the school quarters being too small, it became necessary to find a new location for the sisters, and the old rectory was consequently moved as already stated and placed upon a new foundation, an improvement which cost $1,250. The new rectory, which cost $13,500 to construct, is one of the best residences in the city, and is arranged with every modern convenience, has sixteen rooms, fur- nished in oak, and the building stands on grounds 35x60 feet, with two large porches, one on the front and one on the rear. Father Stachowiak has one assistant, Father Ignatius Gapczynski, who succeeded Father A. Gorek. Until a year and a half ago Father Stachowiak had the entire responsibility of the parish. Father Gapczynski is director of the school, and Sister Zita is the superior. The societies of the parish are: Sacred Heart of Jesus with a membership of 100; St. John Cantius with about fifty members; St. Casimir, with about two hundred; Polish Sharp Shooters, with about forty ; St. Joseph's, with about fifty ; Falcons, about thirty, all these being men's societies, while the women's societies are : Rosary Sodality, with a membership of about sixty ; St. Rose of Lima, about fifty ; Blessed Virgin Mary of Perpetual Help, fifty; Young Ladies' Sodality, sixty; Holy Angels for children, 180. Among the older members of the church are: Basil Dolorzycki, Frank Pucka, Frank Zurawski. Michael Gal, August Rakowski, Joseph Grachowalski, and John Hyzy.
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Father Anthony A. Stachowiak was born in the Daszewice, Arch- diocese of Posen, Germany, May 5, 1878. In 1883 his parents brought him to America and to South Bend, Indiana, and six years of age at the time he soon afterwards started to attend St. Hedwig's parochial school, and on completing his elementary course in 1893 went to Detroit and entered the Polish Seminary of Sts. Cyrill and Methodius, taking the classical course for four years and two years in philosophy. In 1899 he began his theological studies in Mount St. Mary's at Cincinnati, and was ordained by Bishop Alerding at Fort Wayne on May 24, 1902. His first mass was said in St. Hedwig's at South Bend May 25, 1902. His first four years as priest were spent as assistant at St. Stanislaus in Michigan City, and in 1906 he came as pastor of St. John Cantius at Indiana Harbor. When Gary was started as a city Father Stachowiak had a mission in that new community, and was one of the first, if not the first, priest to hold divine service there, when the entire town com- prised only a few rough board shacks. It remained a mission until 1909. Father Stachowiak saw the town grow, and had every opportunity to grow rich had he desired to invest in local real estate. His parents are both living and have their home in Indiana Harbor at the rectory. At the beginning of his pastorate he secured eight lots for the church and purchased five more one year later. His has been a life of service and one of important achievement in the Calumet region, and probably no parish has had a more interesting history and has grown more rapidly in material prosperity and spiritual influence than that of St. John Cantius. His father was born in the Province of Posen in 1852 and his mother in 1851. He has one sister, Mary Kasha, the wife of Martin Kasha, of Chicago. Father Stachowiak is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, and while his has been a busy career in connection with his parish, he has always manifested much interest in civic affairs and in the broader benevolences of his community. He is a director of the board of charities.
Father Stachowiak now has under way plans for the construction of a new church, to cost $80,000. The building will start as soon as $10,000 in debt has been paid off. All members of his parish who donate $25 or more will receive a certificate bearing a picture of the church, with the name of the donor inscribed. The construction of the church will pro- ceed by installments, the basement first, with a seating capacity of 1,000, and as the building progresses the basement will be converted into a large hall to be used for social and other purposes. The architecture will be of the Renaissance style.
The assistant of Father Stachowiak is Father Ignatius Gapczynski, who was born in Smogulec, Poland, Germany, in 1882. In his native land he had a year and a half of schooling, and in 1891 came to the United States, his family locating at South Bend. His schooling was continued in St. Hedwig's school in that city from September, 1891, until 1897. At the close of his elementary school days, he spent five years in the employ of the Studebaker Company, and in September, 1902, began his studies in Saints Cyrill and Methodius Seminary at Detroit, a school subsequently removed to Orchard Lake, Michigan. At the end of three years he finished his course of philosophy and theology, and was ordained by Bishop Alerding at Fort Wayne on June 21, 1912. His first charge was at St. Casimir's in Hammond as assistant. He assisted in the organization of the congregation at East Hammond, known as St. Mary's, and continued his work in connection with that church until
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January 18, 1913, when he was transferred to Indiana Harbor. He is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, of the Priests Benevolent Association, is a man of thorough culture and training and of broad ideals both in his church and in community affairs. His parents, Stephen and Josephine, are both living at South Bend, his father being fifty-eight and his mother fifty-one years of age. He has one sister in the convent of the Sisters of Nazareth ; his sisters Ladislaw A., and An- geline, and brother Stanislaus, are also in South Bend, while his oldest brother, John, is connected with the Grand Union Tea Company at South Bend.
B. R. YASULIS. What a young man of foreign birth can accomplish in America in a few short years is illustrated in the case of B. R. Yasulis of Indiana Harbor. Born in Russia in 1878, a son of Vincent and Rosalie Yasulis, his father a farmer and now deceased, B. R. Yasulis spent his years until manhood in his native country and emigrated to the United States in 1900. In order to adapt himself to conditions and make the best of his opportunities he attended a business college in South Chicago, in which city he worked at his trade and established a barber shop, which was conducted six years. In 1906, on moving to Indiana Harbor, he expanded his enterprise, conducting a barber shop, a job printing shop, and also dealing in real estate. Finally his success justified him in specializing his business, and in 1913 the barber shop was sold, and in November, 1913, he completed a fine new brick building, two-story, with 25 foot frontage. His office is now a prosperous center for the sale and dealing in a great amount of foreign exchange, and he handles a considerable share of the local real estate business. His work as a job printer is also continued and is an important factor in his total income.
Mr. Yasulis is a prominent man among his fellow countrymen as well as in the community at large and is a linguist. He has membership in the Lithuanian Alliance of America, belongs to the Lithuanian Pleas- ure Club, the Commercial Club, is a republican in politics and a member of the Catholic Church.
CHARLES E. FOWLER. About four months after the launching of the big development work which marked the beginning of Indiana Harbor, Charles E. Fowler left Chicago, where for ten years he had been in the real estate and insurance business, and opened his office in the same line at the new town. His place as a pioneer business man has been well secured by continued prosperity and enterprise, and he has not only watched but often taken a hand in the vast work of improvement going on about him.
Charles E. Fowler was born in Ingham County, Michigan, October 12, 1858, a son of Josiah and Mary (Barnes) Fowler. His father, now . deceased, was for many years a minister of the Methodist Church. Charles E. Fowler spent the first twenty-one years of his life at Mason, Michigan, had the advantages of the public schools, and from early manhood to the present time has been more or less actively identified with real estate and insurance. For several years he pursued the study of law, was admitted to the Michigan bar, but has never practiced, though his knowledge of law has in many cases proved valuable to him in his business. In 1885 Mr. Fowler moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and followed his regular line, and on July 1, 1891, located at Chicago. His
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experience in that city gave him familiarity with real estate and insur- ance on a large scale, and on October 13, 1901, he came to Indiana Harbor. Mr. Fowler has handled a great amount of property in the city and vicinity, and probably no other man has a more intimate knowl- edge of the change in values and of the many factors which have entered into the development of this section.
On June 15, 1886, Mr. Fowler married Gertrude Pridham, of South Bend, Indiana. Their marriage was celebrated at Glasgow, Scotland, where Mrs. Fowler was at that time visiting a sister. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have three children, Charles E., Jr., Lee B., associated with his father; and Lucile, who married Ralph Briney and lives in Gary. Mr. Fowler has taken the Knight Templar degrees in Masonry, is a member of the Mystic Shrine, and is now master of Indiana Harbor Lodge No. 686, A. F. & A. M. Other fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal League, while he belongs to the Commercial Club, the Baptist Church, and in politics is republican.
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