USA > Indiana > Lake County > A standard history of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet region, Volume II > Part 45
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John Burke was born at Northfield, Michigan, February 4, 1876, a son of John and Margaret Burke, his father having been a farmer. The public schools of Michigan supplied him with his early training, and at the age of eighteen he began to serve an apprenticeship in the plumb- ing trade. For seven years he worked as a journeyman, and in 1903 engaged in business independently at Ypsilanti, Michigan. In Feb- ruary, 1909, Mr. Burke came to Gary, and there established the plumbing business of Burke Bros. In 1913 he branched out into another field of endeavor, and has since built a number of homes in the city, and now has a very profitable business in that line.
Mr. Burke is a member of the Catholic Church, affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees. In polities he is a democrat.
INTERNATIONAL LEAD REFINING COMPANY OF INDIANA. It has been an interesting feature of growth in the Calumet region to observe the various industries of national prominence which have in recent years established branch plants in this vicinity in order to get the tremendous advantages that accrue from the unrivaled transportation facilities, the convenience to central markets, and the adequate supply of fuel, raw material and labor. One of the most recent of these cases was the establishment at East Chicago, on February 1, 1912, of a branch of the International Lead Refining Company, the principal offices of which are at 42 Broadway, New York City. The company bought land at this date, and erected a plant during 1912-13. Though the plant was not quite complete, it began operations in 1912. The factory site comprises sixty-four acres. From 100 to 125 men are employed, with about fifteen per cent of skilled labor, and the company maintains a benefit association to assist its employes. The mechanical equipment and general facilities of the East Chicago plant are regarded as the most perfect found in the lead refining industry. Lead bullion is shipped in its raw state to the East Chicago plant, and is there refined and converted into various commercial forms, such as common lead, corroding lead, antimonial lead and silver bullion. The products have a recognized high standard in the markets of the world, and are shipped all over the United States.
Vol. II-21
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The president of the company, W. D. Thornton, and the other directors all live in New York. The plant at East Chicago was built and its equipment and operation supervised by George P. Hulst, who is superintendent. The general manager at first was E. P. Mathewson, and was succeeded in 1913 by William Wraith.
George P. Hulst was born in Columbus, Nebraska, in 1877, and graduated at the South Dakota School of Mines in 1897. For thirteen years he was connected with the A. S. & R. Company of Omaha, being superintendent of the lead refinery for eleven years. During the last six months the company located him at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and he then left that concern to identify himself with the International Lead Refining Company, and soon after came to East Chicago. Mr. Hulst lives in Hammond. He married Miss Mary S. Merritt, of Spring- field, Illinois, and they have one child, George P., Jr. Mr. Hulst has taken the Scottish Rite degrees in Masonry and is a member of the Hammond Country Club.
HARRY BORTZ. In his profession as a photographer, Harry Bortz is one of the best in the entire Calumet region, and besides conducting a fine studio at Twelfth and Broadway, known as the Lyric Photo Studio, he is also the official Gary City photographer, and has made many handsome views with his circuit camera for panoramic work. He is both a commercial photographer and portrait artist, and has both the experience and the equipment for anything in the line of photography.
Mr. Bortz has had an interesting career and has seen much of the world besides America. He was born at Smolensk, Germany, May 3, 1883, but was educated in Russia. From the age of twelve he attended a Russian gymnasium, and took an eight-year course in pharmacy and at the same time learned the art of photography. In 1901 Mr. Bortz entered the Russian army, and saw nearly four years of active service. He was in the army at the breaking out of the Russo-Japanese war, was sent to the Far East with the Russian troops, and took part in the great battle of Mukden, where he was wounded in the neck. He was sent to a hospital, and was then taken to Saghalin Island, and finally reached Hamburg, Germany, on a Japanese boat. In September, 1904, Mr. Bortz came to America, and first located at Cleveland. There he secured work as a photographer at wages of $2.50 a week, and remained there four months, gaining valuable experience in his profession and also in ac- quaintance with American people and customs. After that he was in business for himself at South Bend one year, and in 1907 came to Gary, and has been with this town and through his camera witnessed its devel- opment practically since it was founded.
Mr. Bortz was married January 14, 1913, to Selma Marquardt of Chesterton, Indiana. They have one son, Harry, Jr., born July 21, 1914. Mr. Bortz is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is a mem- ber of the Gary Republican Club. He took out his second papers toward naturalization in 1914.
C. M. BARNEY. Among the men of keen foresight and broad vision who have been instrumental in developing the magnificent possibilities of the Calumet region, C. M. Barney of Hobart deserves an important place, since his operations in real estate have included the handling of some of the best known subdivisions and individual properties in the vicinity of Hobart and also at Gary.
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C. M. Barney was born in Newton County, Indiana, February 26, 1872. His early education was acquired in the country schools of Deep River, and at the age of eighteen he began his practical career as an employe in the flour mill at Deep River. After a year the Wood Brothers sent him on the road, and his work as a traveling salesman brought him in contact with all sorts and conditions of men and with affairs, and on retiring from his position as traveling salesman he en- gaged in the grocery business at Winfield, Indiana, for six years. Since selling out at Winfield Mr. Barney has had his home at Hobart, and in 1907 engaged in the real estate business. During one winter spent in Gary Mr. Barney came to realize the splendid possibilities of the future for that city and the entire Calumet region, and has worked out suc- cessfully a number of plans and opportunities presented in this field. For several years he operated independently, but recently has taken over the real estate and insurance departments of the American Trust and Savings Bank at Hobart. Mr. Barney has promoted two companies for subdivision and put on the Second Bellview Addition to Gary, also C. M. Barney's Lincoln Park Addition, and handled much property on the Ridge Road. The subdivision at Wyckliffe Park of forty acres was handled by him, and he has been identified with a number of large land deals in this section. His business has a branch office and repre- sentative at Gary. Mr. Barney also represents six strong insurance companies. He was one of the organizers of the Gary-Hobart Land Company and the Lake County Securities and Investment Company, being secretary and manager of both concerns. Another property in which he was interested was the subdivision known as Brow IIeights in Gary. From his experience and what he has been able to see in recent years, Mr. Barney has a faith that the entire district from Miller to Chesterton will be built up solid within the next ten or twelve years, and in development of this kind his own part has not been of insig- nificant importance.
On August 19, 1889, Mr. Barney married Lucile Davidson of South Bend. Mrs. Barney was educated in the Westville High School and is interested in the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which her husband is one of the church officials. They are the par- ents of four children, one son and three daughters. They vary in age from thirteen to three, and the oldest is now in the eighth grade of public school. Mr. Barney is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Foresters, the Commercial Club and his indi- vidual enterprise has stood for and worked in behalf of modern im- provements in Hobart. In politics he is a republican. Outside of home and business and the community welfare, Mr. Barney's interests go largely to outdoor sports. As a young man he played baseball, and still takes a keen interest in both the local games and the major leagues. The ownership of a good motor car gives him ample opportunity for diversion in the king of sports of the twentieth century.
HARRY M. JOHNSON. There are in every community men of great force of character who by reason of their capacity for leadership be- come recognized as foremost citizens and bear a most important part in public affairs. Such a man at Hammond is Harry M. Johnson, who is closely identified with financial interests, is cashier of the Citizens German National Bank and identified with several other well known business organizations of the city.
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Harry M. Johnson was born at Hudson, Michigan, November 17, 1873, a son of Henry M. and Caroline (Howland) Johnson. His father was for a number of years superintendent of a wood-working factory in Michigan. In Hudson Harry M. Johnson attended the public schools and finished his education in the high school at Quincy, Michigan. Thir- teen years of his early career were given to employment as a railroad telegraph operator. Following that he got his first banking experience at Lowell in Lake County, where after serving one year as assistant cashier of the State National Bank, was advanced to the post of cashier, and held that position for six years. In February, 1911, he came to Hammond to take the cashiership of the Citizens German National Bank, one of the largest institutions of its kind in Lake County. A sketch of this bank is found under the name of its president, George M. Eder. On May 16, 1913, Mr. Johnson was elected secretary and treasurer of the American Trust and Savings Bank at Hammond. Be- sides these responsible offices, he is treasurer of the J. S. Blackman Company and is a director and treasurer of the Hammond Country Club. While living at Lowell he served as treasurer of the town two terms.
On June 12. 1896, Mr. Johnson married Jessamine Inglee, of Delphi, in Indiana. They are the parents of one daughter, Helen Johnson. The family worship in the Episcopal Church, and fraternally Mr. John- son is affiliated with the Knights Templar Commandery of Masons, with the Mystic Shrine, and with the Knights of Pythias.
ALBERT G. LUNDQUIST. The first railroad agent at the new Town of Indiana Harbor was Albert G. Lundquist. During the past four- teen years his varied activities in that section of the larger City of East Chicago have made liim one of the leading men, prominent in commer- cial affairs, active for the good of his community and city, and his name would be readily inchided in any list of ten or a dozen of the most prominent business men of that city. He is a man of genial per- sonality, has hundreds of friends among his associates, enjoys hard work both for his own interests and for the good of the community, and in every way is a successful man.
Albert G. Lundquist was born at Laporte, Indiana, December 15, 1874. His father, Charles J. Lundquist, a native of Sweden, came to the United States in June, 1865, located in Chesterton, Indiana, and was employed in cutting timber until he could secure work at his own trade, as a blacksmith, in the City of Laporte. Although his educa- tion in Sweden was limited to three months, he improved his time and opportunities in this country so that he eventually learned to read and write English fluently. He was quite successful in business, conduct- ing a general carriage and blacksmith shop, and before his death em- ployed a force of fifteen men. He was active as a member and in his financial support of the Swedish Lutheran Church. His death occurred in May, 1896. Hannah C. Lundquist, mother of the Indiana Harbor business man, was born in Sweden, came to the United States in June, 1867, and two weeks later was married to Charles J. Lundquist. She was an active church worker and for many years a teacher in the Sun- day school, and died in May, 1897. Of her seven children, three are still living.
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Albert G. Lundquist grew up in Laporte, was educated in the public schools and the Holmes Business College, and when school days were ended he worked at the trades of machinist, blacksmith and painter. In January, 1892, as a messenger boy he entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway at Laporte in the freight office, and in July of the same year was promoted to clerk, and in December, 1894, was transferred to South Bend, but returned to Laporte in April, 1896. For a number of years he was active in railway work, and in July, 1901, was made agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway and United States Express Company at Indiana Harbor, be- coming the first railroad agent appointed to that new station. He has consequently seen Indiana Harbor grow from a wilderness of sand dunes to its present importance as one of the chief centers in the Calumet region. In December, 1906, Mr. Lundquist was transferred from agent to chief clerk to superintendent at Chicago, but still kept his residence in Indiana Harbor. His service for the railroad company was ter- minated in August, 1907, at which date he engaged in the real estate business at Indiana Harbor with John R. Farovid under the name John R. Farovid Company. This has been his regular line of business since that time, and in addition he is also vice president of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank.
His part in local affairs has been not less noteworthy than his own private business career. In February, 1908, Mr. Lundquist was ap- pointed postmaster at Indiana Harbor and held that office until Octo- ber. 1914. Hle served as president of the Commercial Club of Indiana Harbor and East Chicago during the first three years of its existence and has done a great deal of practical work in behalf of the general commercial interests of his home community. Mr. Lundquist is now a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Club and is chair- man of the transportation committee and chairman of the breakwater committee. Politically he is an active republican, is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Laporte, and fraternally his associations are with the Masonic Order, the Royal League, the Tribe of Ben Hur, and is past exalted ruler of East Chicago Lodge, No. 981, of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
On September 16, 1896, at Laporte, Mr. Lundquist married Mollie E. Swanson. She is a graduate of the Laporte High School and prior to her marriage taught school in that city. They have a fine family of young sons, four in number, and all of them in the public schools. Their names and dates of birth are: Laurel, born at Laporte November 18, 1897 ; Floyd, born at Laporte, February 4, 1900; Caryl, born at Indiana Harbor, June 15, 1902; and Kenneth, born at Indiana Harbor, April 29, 1906.
HENRY WHITAKER. The present sheriff of Lake County, elected in 1912, has made a record of which both he and the public may well be proud. Mr. Whitaker has long been identified with business affairs at Hammond, and brought to his public office a thorough experience and demonstrated ability for handling important affairs. Since taking office he has distinguished himself for efficiency and an administration in the best interests of law and order.
A native of Jasper County, Indiana, Henry Whitaker was born February 12, 1871, a son of Abraham and Nancy Whitaker. Growing up on a farm, with the environment of the average country boy, he
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found his training in the public schools, and in 1890 established a livery business at Wheatfield in Jasper County. In 1896, in order to get a larger sphere for his business activities, he moved to Hammond, and went in the livery business. In 1907 the Whitaker Company was in- corporated, and in 1913 the incorporation title was changed to Whitaker- Granger Company.
As a successful business man his services to the public have been much appreciated. Mr. Whitaker for twelve years and four consecu- tive terms represented the second ward in the Hammond City Council, and for four years was in the office of oil inspector. In 1912 came his election to one of the most important offices of Lake County, that of Sheriff, and in order to look after his official responsibilities he moved his home to Crown Point. Mr. Whitaker has membership in the Com- mercial Clubs of Indiana Harbor and Gary, the Hammond Country Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, and in the Knights of Pythias has served as a delegate to the Grand Lodge. Mr. Whitaker was married in Jasper County in 1889 to Miss Etta Goldsbery. They have two living children, William and Virgil, and also have two adopted children, Lil- lian and Edna Whitaker.
JOSEPH P. GRANTHAM. Since coming to Gary on January 1, 1907, Joseph P. Grantham has been one of the chief factors in the real estate business in that city. Besides his connection with a number of well- known business and industrial enterprises, he has promoted and has sold or is still selling several important additions to the growing metrop- olis. The Jackson Park Addition was started by him in 1913, com- prising fifty-three lots at Ridge Road and Jefferson Street. In 1912 he put on sale the Central Park Addition of 120 lots at Seventeenth and Second streets. He has bought and sold many properties, and now has about one hundred and fifty lots at his disposal.
Mr. Grantham was born at West Newton, Pennsylvania, in 1885, a son of J. W. and Julia (Schrader) Grantham. His father. who was a general contractor in Pennsylvania, where he built a large number of dwelling houses for the Frick interests, came to Gary in 1910, and under the auspices of the American Sheet & Tin Plate Company has constructed 160 houses for the employees of that corporation. Joseph P. Grantham had a public school education in Pennsylvania, and at an early age took up the practical work of life. He had some experience in the grocery business at Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and for a time was with a paint manufacturing concern in the same town. In 1906 he went to Virginia and spent some time in securing options on coal lands in that state.
Mr. Grantham was one of the incorporators of the Gary Hill Ceme- tery Association. He is manager of the Gorrell Manufacturing Com- pany, which makes monkey-wrenches, lawn sprinklers, broom-holders, and other articles of that nature. This is an industry employing about twenty men and is located at Griffiths, Indiana. Mr. Grantham is sec- retary of the American Land & Investment Company, one of the large concerns in the handling of real estate in the Calumet region ; is presi- dent of the South Shore Land Company; is vice president of the Met- ropolitan Realty Company ; secretary of the Motor Bus Transit Com- pany. In politics he is an independent voter.
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WILLIAM F. MASHINO. Among the banking fraternity of Hammond one of the men of longest experience and of oft-tested ability is William F. Mashino, who has been identified with the First National Bank of this city for more than twenty years.
Mr. Mashino was born in Momence, Illinois, August 28, 1866, a son of Nicholas and Bertha Mashino. His father was a merchant, and the son grew up in his native town, and attended the public schools. His business career began when he was a boy, and in 1883 at Hammond he found work as clerk in a railroad office. On October 2, 1893, he became teller in the First National Bank of Hammond, and his services with that institution have been continuous and his fidelity and efficiency have made him one of the most trusted and capable men connected with the management of that splendid bank. He is now assistant cashier.
Mr. Mashino has also served his community in a public capacity, and for one term of two years was alderman of the Fifth Ward. He is a, member of the Chamber of Commerce, and has been very prominent for many years in all branches of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He was one of the original members of Hammond Lodge, No. 210, or- ganized in 1889, and has served as past chancellor, is a director of the Pythian Building Association, and is a captain of the uniform rank of the Knights of Pythias. He also became a charter member in 1887 of the Royal League.
Mr. Mashino was married at Hammond, Indiana, March 15, 1899, to Anna St. John, daughter of Daniel St. John, who was department superintendent for the Standard Oil Company.
FRED STEPHENS. Among the men who have been at Indiana Harbor since the beginning of its industrial development, Fred Stephens has a place of special prominence and is deserving of special mention. For a number of years he was identified with the Inland Steel Company, and since 1909 has been engaged in the hardware and building material business, with a finely equipped store at 3430 Michigan Avenue. His house carries a large line of tools and supplies for workers in every branch of the building trade, general household hardware and a repre- sentative assortment of building materials of all kinds.
Fred Stephens is a native of England, born in 1871, a son of John and Hannah Stephens. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1873, and the father, who is a veteran iron and steel worker, first located at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, moved to Sharon in the same state, and finally followed the extension of the iron and steel industry to Indiana, and located at Muncie. An expert man and through long experience having developed much executive capacity in the handling of material and men, he was appointed as superintendent and estab- lished in that capacity and began the operation of the Inland Steel Plant at Indiana Harbor. He is now retired from active business, and has his home in Indiana Harbor.
Fred Stephens participated in the different moves of the family occasioned by the changing location of his father, and acquired much of his early education, including a business college course at Sharon, Pennsylvania. For eighteen years he was a regular employee of the steel industry and is by trade a roll turner. He went to Indiana Har- bor and was employed under his father in the steel plant at the begin- ning and continued working at his trade until he engaged in business for himself as a hardware merchant in 1909.
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Mr. Stephens in 1899 married Salome Altsteadt of Muncie, Indiana. Mr. Stephens is a charter member of the Indiana Harbor Commercial Club and belongs to the Commercial Club Auxiliary. In politics he is independent, an enthusiastic supporter of Roosevelt policies and prin- ciples, belongs to the Methodist Church, and is a Mason with affiliation in the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch Chapter.
CARL OLIVER HOLMES. On account of his position as supervising editor of this publication, the publishers take pleasure in introducing a brief sketch of Mr. C. O. IIolmes, whose position as a banker and man of affairs in the Calumet region entitles him to any distinction that would be paid to the representative citizens of Lake County.
Carl Oliver IIolmes was born June 15, 1883, on a farm in Porter County, Indiana, near Hobart. His parents were Charles J. and Emma M. (Ryden) Holmes. His father was born at Högsby, Småland, Sweden, while the mother was born near Rydeholm Church in Småland, Sweden. Ilis father was a shoemaker by trade, and for six years served in the Swedish navy. The maternal grandfather was a miller, named Andrew Ryden, and his wife's name was Elizabeth. In 1871 the Ryden family came to America and in the spring of that year located near Chester- ton in Porter County, where Andrew Ryden followed farming the rest of his active career. Charles J. Holmes came to Indiana in 1880, locat- ing in Porter County, and began work as a farm hand and has been an active farmer for a number of years, now residing in Lake County. The parents were married October 5, 1881. There were eight children in the family, seven of whom are living: Carl O .; Emily, wife of Fred C. Lee, manager of the Pennsylvania Coal & Teaming Company at Gary ; Grace H., now attending the Moody Institute at Chicago; Ilarry A., who is farming near Schneider, married Edith Barbour; George A. is farming in Louisiana ; Bertha M. is a stenographer in the South Side Trust & Savings Bank at Gary; Esther, attending high school at Gary; and Floyd, who died in infancy. The mother of this family died Feb- ruary 24, 1901.
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