USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 23
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 23
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 23
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 23
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In matrimony he was united with Miss Mary Whitezel, a native of Boone county, Indiana, and a daughter of Balthazer Whitezel, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, near Frankfort-on-the Main, and emi- grated to America at the age of eighteen years; his death occurred in Miami county in 1873. The mother of Mrs. Mowbray is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Mowbray have seven children, five sons and two daughters, viz .: Frederick W., Stella R., now Mrs. Allen G. Trippeer, Merrill, Herman S., Ralph H., Clara A. and Albert W.
G EORGE R. CHAMBERLAIN, the assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Peru, is the only son of George W. Chamberlain, an early and well known contractor and builder of the city. He was born in Lambertsville, New Jersey, June 13, 1822, a son of Jacob Chamberlain, who
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removed with his family to Melmore, Seneca county, Ohio, in 1836, his son George W. being then in his fourteenth year. There Jacob Chamberlain and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Johnson, spent their remaining days, the wife surviving her husband for a number of years. They had five children, four sons and a daughter, and George W. was the last surviving member of the family. He learned the trade of carpenter and builder and removed from Tiffin, Ohio, to Peru, Indiana, in 1851. Here he at once began contracting and building, which pursuit he followed as a life work, and many of the finest residences and business houses in Peru and the adjoining country where erected under his personal supervision.
On the 6th of September, 1853, George W. Chamberlain was married in Peru to Miss Margaret Morrison, who was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, June 26, 1832, a daughter of William and Hannah Morrison, natives of county Cork, Ireland, who came to America in early life. By their marriage they had five sons and two daughters, but all have passed away with the exception of Mrs. Chamberlain and her brother, John Morrison, who resides in the township of Balville, Sandusky county, Ohio. During the infancy of Mrs. Chamberlain her parents removed to that township, where her father cleared and developed a new farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. The mother of our subject was in her sixteenth year when she came to Peru, Indiana, accompanied by her two brothers, James and William Morrison. The brothers here learned the carpenter's trade under the training of Joseph Harper, an early builder of Peru, and later James removed to Indianapolis, where he married and became a well known citizen, his death there occurring in October, 1890. William Morrison was a resi- dent of Peru for many years and was for a long time employed in the rail- road shops of the city. He finally returned to Fremont, Ohio, where he died in July, 1897. George W. Chamberlain, the father of our subject, died August 22, 1895, at the age of seventy-three years, and he and his wife became the parents of four children, two of whom died in early infancy. Mrs. Chamberlain and a son and daughter are the surviving members of the family. The last named is Nellie, wife of Charles R. Cox, of Peru. Mr. Chamberlain was a well known and highly esteemed citizen, and his memory is cherished by many friends.
George R. Chamberlain, whose name begins this review, was born in Peru, August 4, 1854, was educated in the public schools here and graduated
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in the high school with the class of 1870, when in his sixteenth year. Through the succeeding year he was employed as salesman in the mercantile establishment of John S. Hale & Company, of Peru, and in February, 1872, he entered the First National Bank of this city as bookkeeper. In May, 1881, he was promoted to the position of teller, and since June, 1888, has occupied the position of assistant cashier.
On the 11th of February, 1892, Mr. Chamberlain married Miss Alice Harris, of Peru, daughter of Andrew J. Harris, an early settler of this city, now deceased. They have a son, Richard H., born June 4, 1896, and lost a daughter, Alice, at the age of five months.
In his political associations Mr. Chamberlain is a Republican, and socially is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks. He has been in the employ of the institution with which he is now connected for the long period of twenty-seven years, which fact is ample testimony of the high esteem in which he is held as a gentleman of integrity and business ability.
G EORGE W. CHARLES .- The Charles family is of Welsh origin, and was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject, Robert Charles, who was born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales, whence he came to the " land of the free." His wife was a native of England. Taking up his residence in New Jersey, he died in Glassboro, that state, in middle life. His only child, John Charles, was born in New Jersey, and after attain- ing his majority followed farming near Bridgeton for many years. He married Amanda Loper, daughter of Beriah and Abigail (Jerrell) Loper. Her father was a native of New Jersey, a farmer by occupation and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in his native state, at the age of eighty- six years, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of six children. Mr. and Mrs. John Charles became the par- ents of five children, namely: Charley R., of Camden, New Jersey; Albert A., of Kokomo, Indiana; George W .; John B .; and Elnora, who died at the age of four years. The parents are now residents of Bridgeton, and both are active and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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George. H. Charles
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George W. Charles was born in Bridgeton, Cumberland county, New Jersey, September 4, 1857, and remained upon his father's farm until six- teen years of age, when he became an employee in a canning factory in which his father owned an interest. He acquired his early education in the schools of Bridgeton, and later was graduated at the South Jersey Institute at the same place, his time being divided between the duties of the school- room and service in the canning factory. His life has always been a very busy and useful one, and the habits of industry and persistence which he cultivated in youth have been important factors in his business success. He remained in the canning factory until he had attained his majority, after which he engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business in Camden, New Jersey, for one year. He then went to Gilman, Iowa, where he estab- lished a canning factory, and a year later removed to Belle Plaine, same state, where he conducted a similar enterprise until his establishment of a can- ning factory in Newton, that state. On leaving the Hawkeye state he spent a few months in Washington, D. C., after which he returned to Bridgeton, New Jersey, whence he removed to Greenwood, Indiana, where for five years he operated the canning factory of J. T. Polk.
In 1891 Mr. Charles came to Kokomo and purchased the interest of N. S. Martz in the firm of Charles & Martz, the firm of A. A. & G. W. Charles being then organized. After three years the senior member sold his interest to O. P. Klinger, and the present firm of Charles & Klinger was formed. They put up all kinds of canned goods, their specialties being tomatoes and peas; and their popular brands, Ruby and Red Ox, are handled very exten- sively throughout the middle and western states. They have secured a very large patronage, and through the busy season employ about four hundred hands. Their trade is constantly increasing, and the enterprise has proved of great benefit to the community as well as to the owners by reason of fur- nishing a market for the garden products of this vicinity. Mr. Charles is a man of resourceful business ability, and his efforts are not confined alone to one interest. He is one of the stockholders in the American Pulp Works, of Marion, Indiana, which employs a large force of workinen; he is also a director in the Citizens' National Bank, of Kokomo, and a stockholder and the treas- urer of the Monocycle Manufacturing Company of this city.
On the 20th of March, 1895, Mr. Charles married Miss Belle Klinger, daughter of O. P. and Hattie Klinger, who was born in Plymouth, Indiana, 15
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received her education in the high schools of that place, and in 1889 accom- panied her parents to their home in Kokomo. She is an intelligent and charming lady, and her mild and pleasant ways have won for her a host of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Charles have one son, born September 14, 1896, and named Grafton O. Their pleasant home at No. 246 East Monroe street is one of the most hospitable in Kokomo, and is a favorite resort with a large circle of friends, who entertain for their host and hostess the highest regard. Mrs. Charles is a member of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Charles is a liberal contributor to its support. In his political views he is a Democrat; but the cares of business life have left him no time to take an active part in political affairs aside from casting an intelligent ballot in support of the prin- ciples which he believes will best secure the welfare of the nation. Notwith- standing the above, the popularity of Mr. Charles was shown when, unsolic- ited, his friends elected him councilman of the second ward, May 3, 1898, with a majority of ninety-one votes over an average Republican majority of two hundred and forty-five.
Mr. Charles is regarded as one of the busiest, most energetic and enter- prising men of Kokomo, and his methods in commercial life are above ques- tion. Honesty is synonymous with his name, and the well known reliability of the firm has secured them a very liberal patronage. Courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, he stands to-day as one of the leading representative men of the state, -a man who is a power in his community.
OHN A. GROH, a respected citizen of Logansport, Indiana, and an J employe of the Pan Handle Railroad Company, acting in the capacity of extra passenger and local freight conductor, is a native of this state, born at Camden, Carroll county, May 8, 1861.
Mr. Groh is a son of George and Catherine (Schmidt) Groh, the former a native of Bremen, Germany, born in 1820; the latter a native of Buffalo, New York. George Groh when a young man left his native land and emi- grated to America, landing here in the early '40s and coming direct to Logansport, Indiana. He was married in this state to Miss Catherine Schmidt, passed the first two or three years of his married life in Camden, and about 1863 located permanently in Logansport, where he was for a short
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time engaged in the grocery business. He died here in 1872. His widow is still a resident of this city. The surviving children of their union are as fol- lows: Mrs. Mary Riddle, Logansport; Frank M., the Logansport baker; John A., whose name forms the heading of this sketch; Christina; and Lizzie, wife of Edward Davis, Logansport.
John A. Groh was a small boy at the time his parents removed to Logans- port. His education was received in the common schools of this city, and at an early age he began his railroad career as an employe of the Pan Handle, his first position being that of " caller," which he filled till November, 1879. At that time he received a promotion and went out on the road as brakeman on a freight train. As such he was prompt and faithful, "steady as clock- work," and in due course of time promotion again came his way. Since July 1, 1883, he has been a freight conductor, and for some time has been running one of the locals between Effner and Logansport.
Mr. Groh was married in Logansport, December 12, 1888, to Miss Mary Rau, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Mr. Scott. Mrs. Groh's father, John Rau, was a native of Germany and for many years was a resident of Logansport and an engineer on the Pan Handle road. He died in this city in 1897, at the age of sixty-three years. Her mother was before mar- riage Miss Lena Redman. Their children, besides Mrs. Groh, are John, Kate, Peter, Minnie and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Groh have no children. Mr. Groh is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
J OHN A. BENSON, one of the leading contractors and builders of Logans- port, Indiana, has, by virtue of his trade, contributed no little to the development of this city and vicinity.
He is a native of Cass county, Indiana, born on a farm October 2, 1860. His father, Robert G. Benson, is a well-known man in Jefferson township, this county, where he has resided since 1835 with his father, John Benson, having come here when a boy of five years. As far back as their history can be traced the Bensons were residents of Pennsylvania. It was in that state in 1830 that Robert G. Benson was born. On reaching manhood he was married in Jefferson township to Miss Lucy Chase, daughter of Abel Chase, and the fruits of their happy union are three children: John A .; Ella, wife of
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Frank Banta, of Chicago; and William, a student in the Chicago Homeo- pathic Medical College.
John A. Benson was reared on his father's farm in Jefferson township. His opportunities for intellectual improvement were confined to the rural schools and the home fireside, and his ambition, on approaching man's estate, was to become a mechanic and thus avoid the toil and frequent disappointments of the farm. Accordingly, at the age of seventeen, he came to Logansport and entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter, in the shop of Joseph Crane, and after completing his trade worked as a journeyman till 1881. That year he engaged in the business of contracting on his own responsibility. His first contract was for the erection of a school-house in Jefferson township. Since then he has been an important factor in the build- ing enterprises which have been carried forward here, much of his work adding beauty as well as a substantial appearance to the city. Notable examples of his skill as a workman are to be found in the residences of A. W. Stevens, William Walker, A. J. Murdock, John Mulcahy, L. R. Clevenger, S. A. Vaughn, Henry Jox and Leonard Wecht, a number of them being among the best buildings in the east end.
Mr. Benson has a wife and two sons. He was married in Logansport in February, 1885, to Miss May Wimer, daughter of Hon. John W. Wimer, and their children are Herbert W. and Earl G.
C HARLES A. NEAL, who figures as conductor on one of the through freights that run out of Logansport over the Pan Handle, has spent many years in railroad service and is one of the most reliable men his company has in its employ. A brief sketch of his life is herewith presented:
Charles A. Neal first saw the light of day on a farm near Economy, Wayne county, Indiana, and is a son of Edward and Hannah (Cranor) Neal. Edward Neal was a Virginian, born about the year 1826. Early in life he left the Old Dominion and came west to make his home in Wayne county, Indiana, where he met and married Miss Hannah Cranor, a daughter of Joshua Cranor, one of the pioneers of Wayne county. Of their family of children, those surviving are as follows: Ella, wife of Lee Page, of Rich- mond, Indiana; Mattie and Charles A. Mr. Neal died in Wayne county in 1893. His widow is still living and makes her home in Richmond.
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When Charles A. was quite small his parents moved from their farm, near Economy, to Williamsburg and some time later took up their abode in Richmond. It was in Richmond that he completed his common-school edu- cation. On leaving school he secured employment in French's livery estab- lishment of that place and later went into the country and worked as a farm hand. Thus he was occupied from the time he was fifteen until he reached his eighteenth year. At eighteen he began railroading. His first position was as a brakeman on the Pan Handle, with Logansport as headquarters, and later we find him serving in the same capacity on the Louisville & Nashville Rail- road, his run being between Bowling Green and Nashville. He was with the latter company for a year and a half, and soon after severing his connection with it he married and settled down to farming, his location being on a farm ten miles south of Peru, Indiana. A few years of farming, however, sufficed to satisfy him in this line and again we find him turning to railroad business. He came back to Logansport and in the fall of 1881 secured a position as brakeman in the freight service of the Pan Handle, and two years later, in January, 1883. was promoted to his present position, that of conductor.
Mr. Neal is actively identified with the Order of Railway Conductors at Logansport, at this writing occupying the position of assistant chief.
He was married December 16, 1877, to Miss Jennie Wright, a daughter of Robert Wright. She died March 18, 1898, leaving four children, namely: Rex R., Earnest E., Roy C. and Ada. Robert Wright came from Ohio to this state and settled in Miami county, where he lived for a number of years. He and his wife now reside with Mr. Neal in Logansport.
JOSHUA S. LAROSE .- The states of the central Mississippi valley have J been and are the center of the most marked progress of America. The development and transformation of this region seems almost a miracle; yes- terday barren prairies and uncut forests; to-day fine farms, blossoming fields and thriving towns and cities. The very spirit of progress and enterprise seems to dominate this portion of the country, and the life-work of its citi- zens is proof of this statement. Mr. LaRose is among those who by his own unaided efforts has overcome the difficulties and obstacles attendant upon the settlement of a new region, and by his industry, perseverance and capable management worked his way upward to a position of affluence, at the same
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time gaining the respect and confidence of the entire community by his hon- orable dealing and well spent life.
Born in Preble county. Ohio, October 31, 1823, he is a son of Philip J. and Mary (Shearer) LaRose, both of whom were natives of Guilford county, North Carolina. Their family numbered eight children, but only two are now living, - Joshua S. and John S. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to John Lewis LaRose, the great-grandfather, who was a native of Germany and came to America in 1740, locating in Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, where the Rev. John Jacob LaRose, his son and the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared. He was a tailor by trade, but when the war of the Revolution was inaugurated he put aside all business and personal considerations to aid in the cause of independence. Leaving his southern home, Philip J. LaRose became a resident of Wayne county, Indiana, in 1826, and in 1834 removed to Cass county, locating on an eighty-acre tract of land in Clay township. To that property he kept adding from time to time as his financial resources increased until his landed possessions aggre- gated over seven hundred acres. His was a busy and useful life and his suc- cess was well merited. He died March 28, 1871, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, and the community thereby lost one of its honored pioneer settlers.
Joshua S. LaRose was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents to Cass county, but since his third year he has been a resident of Indiana. He was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier. All around stretched the forests, standing in their primeval strength and beauty. The abundance of wild game showed that civilization had made but few advances into the woodland, and where here and there a frontier cabin was to be found it was built of logs, and its inmates lived in the true style of the frontier. After assisting in the development of his father's farm until after he had attained his majority, Mr. LaRose went to a home of his own. He is now the owner of more than two hundred acres of valuable land, highly cultivated, and improved with all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm of the nineteenth century. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well, his success coming as the reward of earnest application and unflagging perseverance. At the time of the Mexican war he responded to the president's call for troops and went to the front under command of General Taylor.
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On the 11th of November, 1847, Mr. LaRose was united in marriage to Miss Amanda A. Jones, a native of Champaign county, Ohio, and a daughter of John D. and Sarah (Baity) Jones, the former a native of Mason county, Kentucky, the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1844 they came to Cass county, Indiana. Their family numbered six children, as follows: Amanda A., John D., Miles B., Elizabeth E., Rulla V. and Hannah K. The paternal grand- father of Mrs. LaRose was Benjamin Jones, a native of Kentucky and a sol- dier in the war of 1812. Our subject and his wife have three children: Alice; Dora, deceased; and Noah J., a practicing physician.
Mr. LaRose is a man of strong convictions, fearless in defense of what he believes to be right, and his name is a synonym for honorable business dealing. He is a strong advocate of temperance principles and embodies his views on this subject in his active support of the Prohibition party. For almost sixty-five years a valued resident of Cass county, his name is engraved high on the roll of her honored pioneers, and in her history he well deserves prominent mention.
H ON. HENRY V. PASSAGE, M. D., M. A., was born in Dayton, Ohio, on the 20th of December, 1835. His father, John Passage, was a native of Onondaga county, New York, born October 8, 1808, and was of French descent. The great-grandfather of our subject, Bernard Passage, and the grandfather, Henry Passage, came to America with La Fayette, under whom they fought for the independence of the colonies which were attempting to throw off the yoke of British tyranny. Bernard Passage gave his life for the cause of freedom, and Henry Passage continued to aid the American forces until the war was ended, after which he located in western New York, whence he removed to Ohio. He died at the home of his son, John Passage, in Columbus, Indiana, in 1841, at the age of eighty-seven years, and throughout his life was a loyal citizen of the republic which he had helped to establish.
John Passage, the Doctor's father, was reared in Miami county, Ohio, and was by occupation a brick and stone mason. He wedded Mary Reed, who was born near Lebanon, Ohio, a daughter of Brutus Reed, a native of Dutchess county, New York, and a soldier of the war of 1812. He was with Commodore Perry in the memorable battle which occurred on Lake Erie,
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being on board the flagship with the commodore, when a shot from the enemy's guns disabled the vessel. He then accompanied the gallant Perry in an open boat in the face of the English fire to another vessel. The success of the American arms in that naval engagement is now a matter of history, and among the prizes captured was a set of surgical instruments, which inter- esting relic the Doctor now has in his possession. In 1836 John Passage removed with his family to Indiana and for some time was engaged in the construction of the stone work on the Wabash & Erie canal. He finally located on a farm near Waverly, Cass county, and at the time of his death resided on a farm near Macy. He passed away in 1876, and his wife, sur- viving him some years, was called to her final rest in 1888. They had one son, William B., who was a loyal defender of the Union in the war of the Rebellion, serving with the Twentieth Indiana Infantry until the 22d of June, 1862, when he met his death in what is known as the seven-days fight before Richmond. Three sisters of the family are living: Eliza, a resident of Miami county, Indiana; Sarah, of Los Angeles, California; and Kate, of Peru. One sister, Elizabeth, is now deceased.
The Doctor is the only surviving male representative of his father's family. He has practically spent his entire life in the Hoosier state, having been brought to Indiana by his parents in early childhood. His literary edu- cation was completed in the Indiana University, of which institution he is a graduate, and, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago. He completed, by graduation, the regular course of study in that school, and is also a graduate of Bellevue Medical College, of New York city. Well prepared for medical practice by a comprehensive knowledge, he opened an office in Fortville, Indiana, in 1857. and three years later came to Peru, where he has since remained. He has always been a close student of his profession, and read- ing and study have kept him in touch with the advancement that is continually being made in scientific research and medical practice. His fidelity to the arduous duties that devolve upon the physician, and his unremitting attention to the needs of his patients, are also indications of the excellent success which he has won in his chosen field of labor.
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