USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
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At the time that he was allowed to leave the south, upon parole, Mr. Flesher visited his friends in this state, and upon the 18th of February, 1864, was united in marriage to Miss Anna M., daughter of John Kirkpatrick, of Vermilion county, Indiana. She was born in that county, May 31, 1840, and by her marriage became the mother of three children: Mary, Elizabeth G. and Harry B. The family is highly respected and widely known in this portion of Indiana.
FRANCIS JOHNSON.
Often do we hear it said of one who has attained distinguished honors by reason of a well spent and successful life, that he was a man who rose to eminence through favorable circumstances, and yet to such carping criti- cism and lack of appreciation there needs be made but the one statement, - that fortunate environments encompass nearly every man at some stage in his career; but the strong man and the successful man is he who realizes when the proper moment comes, and that the present, and not the future, holds his opportunity. The man who makes use of the "now," and not the "to be," is the one who passes, on the highway of life, others who started out ahead of him, and reaches the goal of prosperity far in advance of them. It is this quality that has made Mr. Johnson one of the leading citizens of Lafayette, where to-day he is numbered as a prominent factor in journalistic and political circles.
He was born in Rostock, in the northern part of Germany, in 1837, and is a son of Lewis Johnson, who was a professor of modern literature and his- tory in the University of Rostock. He died in 1846, and eight years later the family came to the United States, locating in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1855.
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Here Mr. Johnson (of this review), in company with his brother, Theodore, established a book-store. The latter died in New York city in 1878. An- other brother, Lewis Johnson, commanded a brigade in the Union army dur- ing the civil war, and afterward became a lieutenant-colonel in the regular army. Charles F. Johnson was the third brother.
The subject of this review continued in the book business in Lafayette for some time, but in 1868 he went abroad, traveling in various parts of Europe. Upon his return to America he located in Chicago and accepted a position upon the Lakeside Monthly, with which publication he was con- nected for almost a year and a half. The great fire of 1871 then swept over the city, and he removed to New York city, where he was engaged in liter- ary pursuits, among them the writing of editorials on European affairs, for the Evening Mail.
In 1873 Mr. Johnson returned to Lafayette to look after his real-estate interests, having made extensive investments here. The following year he founded the Deutsch-Amerikaner, of which he has since been editor and pro- prietor. Through the columns of this journal he has wielded a power for good among the German-Americans of this part of the country. The paper is published partly in German and partly in English and treats in a masterful manner the subjects of state and national importance. Mr. Johnson is a man of vigorous intellectuality and ripe scholarship, and his editorials show a comprehensive understanding of the subjects discussed. His labors, how- ever, have not been confined to editorial work alone, as he is the author of a number of original stories and essays which have been published in leading magazines of the country, and has produced English translations of Muhl- bach's novels.
Mr. Johnson has always been deeply interested in the affairs of the city and has supported all measures tending to the general advancement and prog- ress of his adopted county. For many years he has served on the school board of Lafayette, and the cause of education has found in hin a warm friend. His close study of political questions has well fitted him for leadership along those lines, and in 1876 he became the Democratic candidate for legis- lature: the entire ticket was defeated, but he lacked only nineteen votes of election. In 1880 he was on the presidential electoral ticket for the Demo- cratic candidates, and in 1882, after the most spirited contest ever waged in Tippecanoe county, he was chosen state senator for the full term of four years. While in the legisature he advocated all measures for the public good and promoted the interest of his district so materially that upon his return from Indianapolis both parties united in giving him a large public reception. To his efforts mainly is due the immense appropriation of one hundred thousand and five hundred dollars which the legislature made in the
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session of 1885 for Purdue University. While in the senate Mr. Johnson was on all occasions the champion of the laboring man, and introduced several important bills in their interest-notably the constitutional amend- ment prohibiting the employment of convict labor under contract, -a measure which failed on the third reading, although both parties in their state plat- forms had committed themselves in its favor. In 1886, after the close of his term as state senator, he was again nominated for the position, but declined to again serve on account of the demands made upon his time by his private business interests. Lafayette numbers him among its leading and influential citizens, and his fidelity to all the duties of life has won him high regard.
JOSEPH R. GAUNT.
A leading and representative citizen of Earl Park is Joseph R. Gaunt, who for a quarter of a century has been engineer of the A. D. Raub elevator. He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, May 10, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Martha (Eckels) Gaunt. His paternal grandparents were of Scotch and English descent. The father was a stock-raiser and dealer in fine thorough-bred horses, buying and selling at Peoria, Illinois, though he made his home in Washington, that state. There he died in 1862, at the age of forty-five years, and the mother, who was a native of Kentucky, passed away, at the same place, in 1852. In their family were six children, namely: Thomas, now a resident of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Virginia, widow of W. B. Wells, and a resident of Washington, Illinois; Labonia, wife of George Weber, a grocer in Kansas; Dirling, a farmer living northeast of Goodland, Indiana; Samuel, deceased; and Joseph R., who is the immediate subject of this review.
Joseph R. Gaunt attended school in Washington, Illinois, until fourteen years of age, and two years later began work as fireman on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad, continuing as such for three years. He was then given an engine, which he ran for seven years. In 1872 he came to Earl Park, Indiana, for the purpose of visiting a cousin and of hunting prairie chickens, of which he captured a great number. Soon after his arrival he received an invitation to run the engine of A. D. Raub's elevator, and he ac- cepted the position, which he still retains, to the entire satisfaction of all parties concerned. At the erection of the tile factory at this place he had charge of the installation of the new machinery. He has invested in real estate at Earl Park, buying his first property in 1873, and at one time he owned four residences, but has since sold all but his present home, which was purchased in 1883. He also has considerable money loaned to various
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individuals, and in his business ventures had met with a fair degree of suc- cess, so that he is now quite well-to-do-the result of his own industry, en- terprise and good management.
In 1874 Mr. Gaunt was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Nelson, a daughter of Joseph Nelson, of Washington, Illinois, formerly of Indiana, and they began their domestic life in Earl Park, where they have since made their home and where they are surrounded by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. They have a family of five children: Mary, born in 1874, is the wife of Paul Talbott, manager of the Flinn general store at Earl Park; Telva, born in 1876, is at home; Benjamin is assistant engineer with his father; Samuel lives at home and is at present employed in J. J. Holtam's general store; and Nanny is also at home and is attending school. The family at- tend the Baptist church, to which some of its members belong. Politically Mr. Gaunt is identified with the Democracy, and socially has affiliated with the Royal Arcanum for seven years and the Knights of Pythias for four years.
GEORGE H. FERGUSON.
George H. Ferguson, the popular owner of the Ferguson House, at Wolcott, White county, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, near the city of Columbus, on the 10th of April, 1855, being the son of Thomas T. and Hannah (Newland) Ferguson. His father's birth also occurred in that county, in 1830, and on the same farm where our subject first opened his eyes to the light of day, and during his residence in Ohio he carried on agri- cultural pursuits. In 1874 he removed with his family to White county, In- diana, locating two miles east of Wolcott, where lie purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. There he devoted his energies to the cultivation of the fields for four years, after which he removed to Butler county', Kansas, where he now owns a quarter-section of land, but has retired from farming and is engaged in the real-estate and loan business in Latham, Kansas. In his political views he is a Republican, and in religious faith is a Methodist. In 1838 he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Newland, and to them were born the following children: Mary Jane, wife of T. K. Settle, post- master of Latham, Kansas; George H., of this review; Charles, a farmer re- siding near Latham; William, who likewise follows farming in that locality; Oscar, an agriculturist of Wilson county, Kansas; Ira and Frank, at home; Nora, deceased; Eva, who is married and resides in Latham; and James, at home.
George H. Ferguson, whose name introduces this review, attended the public schools of the neighborhood and worked on the home farm until nine- teen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, remaining
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with them until 1877. He then started out upon an independent career, renting forty acres of land about two miles east of Wolcott. In 1882 he bought a tract of equal size, a part of his father's original purchase, which he operated until 1890, when he disposed of that property and purchased eighty acres adjoining. He continued farming until September, 1893, when he came to Wolcott and for two years thereafter conducted the Maple Hotel. In the spring of 1895 he erected his fine brick hotel, at a cost, including the furnish- ings, of seven thousand dollars. It was opened July. 4. 1895, under the name of the Ferguson House, and he conducted it most successfully until January 1, 1899, when he leased the property. He sold his farm in 1895, and re- cently exchanged one-half his interest in the building for a stock of merchan- dise at Brook, to which place he removed after leasing his hotel, but in June, 1899, he returned to Wolcott and again assumed the management of the hotel.
On the 8th of March, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fergu- son and Miss Elizabeth E. Hinchman, a daughter of William and Rhoda Hinchman, early settlers of White county and now residents of Wolcott. Mrs. Ferguson was born in White county in 1859, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Myrtle, who was graduated in the Wol- cott high school in the class of 1896, and Oma, who is a member of the class of 1900. Both of the daughters are accomplished musicians. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Methodist church, and in his political views is a Repub- lican, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his ener- gies to his business interests, in which he is meeting with signal success, as the result of his well directed efforts and honorable dealings.
GEORGE W. BRINGHAM.
This prominent, public-spirited citizen of Montmorenci, Tippecanoe county, is a representative of one of the sturdy pioneer families which set- tled north of the Wabash river in what is now known as Wabash township, about 1825. His ancestors were of English origin, and his grandfather, Sam- uel Bringham, was born in one of the northeastern states of the Union. He removed to the vicinity of Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, at an early day, and in 1825 entered land and located permanently in Wabash town- ship, Tippecanoe county. He died at his homestead there when well along in years, respected by every one. His children were Jonas, Jesse, Martin, Levi, Aaron, Isaiah (who served in the Mexican war). John, Betsy (who first married a Mr. Heatly and after his death became the wife of a Mr. Simpson), and Jane (who married a Mr. Caster and reared a large number of children). They also became residents of this county about 1825.
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John, father of George W. Bringham, was born in the east in 1797, and removed with his father to Ohio when young. He was married in that state, July 8, 1821, to Jane Sheppard. She was of Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry, a daughter of Adam Sheppard, and was born March 1, 1806. In the autumn of 1825 Mr. Bringham started to move to Indiana, his family and household goods being conveyed in wagons. He took up his abode on a beautiful, wild prairie, a little south of the site of Purdue University, built a log cabin and spent a year or two there. He then entered land in Wabash township, the property later known as the Kellogg place, and went to Crawfordsville for the purpose of taking up the claimn. He improved that farm and in 1832 went to Shelby township, where he bought eighty acres of land, and for three years attended to its cultivation. He then purchased the place now owned by our subject and continued to accumulate more land until he owned about five hundred acres. He dealt extensively in cattle for years, and was a prac- tical, enterprising business man. Both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist church, and in early days their house was used as a place of worship by the pioneers. He was one of the organizers of Shelby township, was one of its first voters and the first postmaster of the district, the office being known as Bringham's Grove, and located in his own house, which stood at the edge of Grand Prairie. He was a carpenter by trade, and erected many a building in this county. He died July 22, 1849, when about fifty- two years of age, revered and loved by a host of friends and associates. His widow, after several years, became the wife of Samuel Shigley, in February, 1864, and departed this life December 5, 1873, in Shelby township.
The children born to John and Jane Bringham were named and the dates of their births were as follows: Allen, November 8, 1822; Leander, September 9, 1826; Adam A., November 18, 1828; John W., January 7, 1834; Samuel, March 7, 1836; Elizabeth J., August 8, 1843; George W., October 17, 1845; and Sarah M., born December 5, 1848. The last men- tioned died March 18, 1853; two infants died unnamed; John WV. died Decemn- ber 16, 1838; Allen died March 25, 1861; Elizabeth Jane, who married Levi Scott, died about 1878; and Leander died February 20, 1899, at Brookston, Indiana.
George W. Bringham, as stated, was born October 17, 1845, on the old homestead, Bringham's Grove, in Shelby township. He obtained a good education in the district schools and mastered farming in all of its details. He enlisted, at the age of nineteen years, in January, 1865, as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, to serve for one year or during the war. He saw active service at Winchester and Stevenson's Station, and was always at his post of duty and never in the hospital. He was honorably discharged at the last mentioned
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town, August II, 1865, as there was no longer need of his services. Return- ing home, he attended Battle Ground College for two years, and then turned his attention to the mastery of the carpenter's trade, after learning which he followed the calling for a number of years.
On the 4th of April, 1872, Mr. Bringham and Emma Marshall were united in marriage, in Shelby township. She was born near Springfield, Ohio, in 1851, a daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Wright) Marshall. Three children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Jennie, Lulu and Edna.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Bringham is a stanch Republican. He was elected to serve as one of the trustees of this township, in the autumn of 1894, his term to expire in 1900. During Harrison's administration he was the postmaster of Montmorenci for one year. He stands high in the esti- mation of those who know him, and as a public official has given general satisfaction to all concerned. He is a member of the Methodist church and his influence and means can always be safely relied upon in the promotion of righteous causes.
DANIEL FRASER.
The annals of no modern country have incited more general interest than those of the "land of hills and heather, " and the romantic history of Scotland furnishes many a tale of the Highland clan of Fraser. Its represent- atives fought in the crusades and their grim battle-cry was heard among the lingering echoes of Flodden's bloody field. The members of Clan Fraser were a brave and generous race, chivalrous and kindly, yet fearless in defense of honor, country and religion, renowned in Scotland's history wherever doughty deeds were done.
In hereditary rank near to the chief of this Highland clan was James Fraser, who was of pure Scotch lineage. His parents were Donald Fraser and Elizabeth (MacIntosh) Fraser, and he was born in the parish of Blair- Athol, Scotland, September 4, 1813. His boyhood and youth were spent in the land of his nativity, and on the 29th of June, 1846, he married Miss Sareph Robertson, daughter of Donald Robertson and Jane (Campbell) Rob- ertson. Eight years later he brought his family to America and took up his residence in New York. In 1869 he bought land in Benton county, Indiana, and soon afterward removed with his wife and children to the new home, which soon became celebrated throughout that section of the country for its warm-hearted and generous hospitality. Throughout his active business career Mr. Fraser carried on agricultural pursuits. He possessed the industry, enterprise and perseverance so characteristic of his race, and in business deal-
The Lewis Publishing Co
Doris Fraser
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ings his reliability was proverbial. He continued his residence on the home- stead farm in Benton county until called to his final rest, October 3, 1897, having survived his wife six years.
James Fraser was numbered among the early settlers of Benton county, and assisted in the arduous task of transforming the wild land into beautiful homes and farms. He was a man of exemplary habits, and though his life was a busy one he yet found time to be gentle, kind and considerate, not only of the rights but also of the feelings of others. Through days of adversity and of prosperity, of sorrow and of happiness, he held to a simple, beautiful faith in God and a loyal comradeship with men. He was intrusted with im- portant duties of both public and private nature and every obligation was faithfully discharged. In his stalwart manhood he closely followed the injunction, "Bear ye one another's burdens," and many a neighbor and friend has reason to be grateful to him for kindly assistance. His last days were made happy by their many attentions, for knowing his life they loved him. He was very devoted to his family and the closest companion- ship existed between himself and his wife.
To this worthy couple were born five children, of whom three are now living: Miss Jean C., who was born in Scotland, in 1847; Donald, born in Canada, in 1855; and Charles William, born in New York in 1858. Charles Fraser is a prominent stock-dealer and with his sister Jean lives on the old farm, a beautiful place with its lawns, shady drives and elegant buildings and model fields.
Donald, or Daniel Fraser, as his name is written, is now one of the most prominent lawyers of this section of the state, a recognized leader of the bar of his circuit. Professional advancement must depend upon individual merit; wealth, family connections or influential friends cannot aid a man in winning prestige in the law; his success depends upon close application, strong men- tality and keen analytical power. Possessing these, Daniel Fraser has steadily advanced to an eminent position at the bar. Earnest study, careful preparation of cases and logical argument have gained him prestige and his professional brethren accord him prominence in their ranks. His early edu- cation was acquired under the direction of a private tutor, after which he pursued his studies in Niagara, New York, and won the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He studied law in Fowler, and was admitted to the Benton county bar in September, 1876. For some time he was a member of the firm of Brown & Fraser, and then for a time carried on business alone. In May, 1889, however, the firm of Fraser & Isham was organized and has since continued in active practice, enjoying a liberal clientage. In May, 1895, a fire breaking out near their office, it was destroyed, together with a consider- able portion of their law library and many valuable papers. In the autumn
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of the same year they erected a new office building, and now have one of the best law suites in the west, conveniently arranged and splendidly equipped. Mr. Fraser engages in general practice and for a number of years has been retained either by the plaintiff or defendant on nearly every suit of impor- tance tried in the counties of his district.
A fellow practitioner has said of him: " Mr. Fraser began the practice of law in Fowler, Indiana; a part of the time he has been associated with a partner, and part of the time he has fought the battles alone. Like all other beginners, he had many ups and downs, but his efforts and ambition have always been in an upward direction and he is rapidly gaining the top in his profession. He has made an enviable reputation wherever he has appeared before a court. He has a very extensive practice in the United States courts, both for Indiana and Illinois, and has in many important cases been called into the courts of New York and the supreme court of the United States. His unquestionable ability and his sterling integrity have gained for him the patronage of the very best citizens of Benton county and many in other sec- tions of this state and in Illinois. As a lawyer he stands among the most able in the state. No young man in the county has won a greater success or gained a more enviable position among his colleagues than he. His judg- ment is excellent; his knowledge of men and their motives is clear and dis- criminating. He does not pose as an orator, but when his feelings are ap- pealed to and all the powers of his mind brought into play, he speaks with eloquence and power, which alone would make him a marked man even among the great men of his profession."
When business hours are over Mr. Fraser often finds recreation and en- joyment in riding and driving. He is a great lover of the horse and owns some very fine animals. His uniform courtesy, cordial disposition and genial manner renders him popular among his many acquaintances and he has the warm regard of representatives in all walks of life, as well as in legal circles.
CLARENCE A. HELLWIG.
Among the leading business men of Brookston, White county, is num- bered Clarence A. Hellwig, who has owned and conducted a grocery here since the fall of 1896. In addition to managing this enterprise he was in partner- ship with his brother, Edward F., in the grain business at Ash Grove, Indiana, for several months during the winter of 1897-8 and until the death of his brother, in May of the year last mentioned. By energy and well applied methods of transacting business he has become well-to-do and has attained a good reputation in commercial circles, and in spite of many obstacles he has won the victory over adverse circumstances.
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As his surname implies, our subject is of German extraction. His parents were Edward F. and Annie R. (Zauleck) Hellwig, natives of the Fatherland. Edward F. Hellwig was born in Neibush, province of Silesia, Germany, in May, 1826. From the age of six years to fourteen he attended school on six days of each week, then commenced an apprenticeship in the service of his stepfather, a potter. After working there two years and a half, and when he was seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Regiment No. 2, Black Hussars, of the regular army. On account of a broken limb, caused by the fall of his horse, he was honorably discharged, after twenty months of service. After his recovery he engaged on a "wanderschaft," that is, traveling through the German empire and Austria, working at his trade at various places. In 1848 he returned to Germany from Austria, and for three months worked in a pottery at Noroda for his brother Wilhelm. Next he went to Waldenburg, where he worked for eight months as a potter, then secured employment in a china factory, where, after three months' time, he was made overseer. This position he held until he emigrated to America, starting May 5, 1855, with his wife and two children, and landing at New York on June 17. He proceeded to Canada, and erected a pottery, which he conducted until May 1, 1862, when he moved to Detroit, Michigan. In October, 1863, he went to Akron, Ohio; in the spring of 1868 he moved from there to Alliance, same state; and in May, 1871, he made his home in Attica, Indiana, where he was a potter until 1880, when he removed to Williams- port, this state, his present residence.
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