USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 25
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REASON BELL, JR., the first white child born in Porter County, Ind., is the son of Reason and Sarah (Darnell) Bell, and was born in Washington Township, this county, January 11, 1834. Reason Bell, Sr., now deceased, was one of the pioneers of Porter County, and was born December 31, 1797, in Greene County, Va. He married, August 26, 1819, Miss Sarah Darnell, born in the same county May 9, 1801. Shortly afterward they moved to Ohio, and thence, in July, 1832, to Indiana, stopping in La Porte County until 1833, and then coming to Washington Township, this county, then unorganized. They are said to have been the third white family to settle in what is now Porter County. They located in the unbroken forest, and underwent all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. They had born to them twelve children, nine of whom reached maturity ; six are still living. Mr. Bell was a Whig and afterward a Republican, and was one of the early County Commis- sioners ; in religion he was a Universalist in belief, although he was a member of no church. He died July 16, 1867, his widow surviving him until July 12, 1881. The remains of both lie in the Lutheran Burying- Ground, Washington Township. Reason Bell, Jr., received only a com- mon school education, and December 23, 1857, married Miss Delia A. White. At the age of eighteen, he began acting as Deputy County Auditor, and so continued until 1857, when he was elected to the office by the Republicans, and re-elected, serving eight years; in 1870, he was again elected and re-elected, and served eight consecutive years-in all, sixteen. At present he is leading a retired life, yet gives some attention to real estate. He is the father of six children, viz : Theron H., Marion A., Herbert R., Mary, Mark D. and Clarence W. Mr. Bell is a member of the I. O. O. F., the O. F. Encampment, and the Grand Lodge of O. F., and has passed the chairs of lodge and encampment. The family name was formerly spelled Beall, and the first one known is Joseph Beall, a native of Scotland, who moved to England. His son, John Beall, emigrated from England to America in 1730, and settled in the Jerseys. He was the father of three sons ; one, Onesimus, was born on Long Island in 1738, and served as Captain in the French and Indian wars, and twenty years later as Lieutenant in the Revolution. Another son, Simeon Bell, was the grandfather of Reason Bell, Jr. Simeon mar- ried Mary McLane, a lady of Irish descent, and to them were born eleven children, of whom Reason, our subject's father, was the fourth child.
HANS BORNHOLT, the younger of two children born to Max and Kate (Hadenfeldt) Bornholt, is a native of Holstein, Germany, and was born in March, 1838. The mother died in the old country, when the father married Anna Hendricks, who became the mother of six children, one of whom lives in Valparaiso. The father died in Germany in 1868; the widow survives and still resides in that country. In the spring of 1864, Hans Bornholt came to Valparaiso, and for about four months worked as a laborer on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. In January, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty- first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served about eight months. Return- ing, after the war, he learned the butcher's trade, which he has followed ever since, with the exception of one year in which he was engaged in farming. He was married, March 4, 1864, to Anna Harbek, who has
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borne him five children-Charley, Gus, Jule, Leo and Lydia. Mr. Bornholdt is a Republican and has served two terms as Trustee. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and, rising from comparative poverty, Mr. B. has secured for himself and family a good property and a first-class trade.
WILLIAM E. BROWN, County Auditor. James Caldwell Brown, D. D., father of the subject of this sketch, and one of the pioneer preachers of Porter County, Ind., was the eldest child of William and Eleanor (Lyons) Brown, and was born at St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., Ohio, in October, 1815. He attended the preparatory department of Gambier College, and at the age of sixteen years entered Jefferson College of Pennsylvania. While in the Freshman class, he experienced religion, and united with the Presbyterian Church. He graduated with honors, and passed to the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Penn., re- mained two years, and then spent one year teaching in Florida and Georgia. He then entered the Theological Seminary at Columbia, S. C., graduating a year later, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Harmony, S. C., in 1838. On his way North, he married Miss Mary Emery, and in 1839 this couple came to the then village of Valparaiso, where Mr. Brown entered actively upon his ministerial labors. He was the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso, and, for many years, was the leading representative of Christianity in Northern Indiana. Si- multaneously, in 1859, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Jefferson and Hanover Colleges. In 1860, he became the agent of the Theological Seminary of the Northwest, at Chicago, for which he resigned his pastorate. After a few months of fruitless work, on account of the war, he resigned and went to St. Louis, to fill the vacancy of Dr. Mc- Pheeter's, in the church there, after which he was elected Chaplain of the Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the differ- ent movements of the regiment until his death at Paducah, Ky., July 14, 1862, from overwork. His widow yet survives him, and resides in Val- paraiso. They had born to them three children. Of the two yet living, one is William Emery Brown, the present Auditor of Porter County. He was born in Valparaiso March 14, 1842, and after attending the schools here, entered Jefferson College. At the end of one year, he re- turned and enlisted, in December, 1861, in the Twentieth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He was appointed Commissary Sergeant, and when his term of service was out, re-enlisted in the same regiment. In the mean- time, he was commissioned Captain on his uncle's (Col. W. L. Brown's) staff. He never served as Captain, however, for Col. Brown was killed at Second Bull Run the same day he received his commission as Briga- dier General. William E. Brown remained with his regiment as Com - missary, and part of the time as Acting Sergeant Major until April, 1865, when he was discharged. Owing to the irregularity of the mails, he did not receive his appointment as Quartermaster of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry until his retirement from the serv- ice. For a number of years after the war, he engaged in clerking. With the exception of six years, he has ever since resided in Valparaiso. In politics he is a Republican, and, in 1878, was elected County Au- ditor, with a majority of 1,224 over two other candidates. He was re-
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nominated by acclamation in July, 1882. Mr. Brown was married, in October, 1866, to Miss Amanda A. Pershing, of Plymouth, Ind., and to them have been born six children ; Fredrick J., Harry Van N., Ella L., Edith J., Grace M. E. and Jessie S. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic fraterity ; has been Past Master of Porter Lodge, No. 137 : Past High Priest of Valparaiso Chapter, No. 79, R. A. M., and is the present Eminent Commander of Valparaiso Commandery, No. 28, K. T. H. B. BROWN, Principal of the Northern Indiana Normal School, was born in Mount Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, October 6, 1847. He is a son of Thomas and Rachel (Mills) Brown, of German and Scotch descent respectively and parents of seven children, of whom six are yet living. When H. B. Brown was about two years of age, his parents moved from Knox to Morrow County and thence to Wood County. He first attended the common schools, and, at the age of fifteen, began his career as teacher, with his earnings paying for his tuition in the higher branches. He at- tended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and Lebanon schools, the National Normal School, and at Republic, Ohio, where he taught two years in a normal school. In June, 1873, he came to Valparaiso and built up his present school, of which he has made a complete success.
T. A. E. CAMPBELL (deceased), one of the first settlers of Porter County, was a native of Montgomery County, N. Y .; was born July 10, 1810, and was a son of Thomas and Mary Campbell, also natives of New York, and of Scotch ancestry. In 1834, he came to what is now Porter County with his uncle. Adam S. Campbell. He taught school for a time ; was the first Postmaster of Valparaiso, and served as Deputy County Clerk, at which he was engaged in 1841, when he was elected County Treasurer and Collector. He filled this office with satisfaction for a num- ber of years, and was afterward engaged for a long time in mercantile pursuits ; he then employed himself at farming until his death, May 14, 1878. Mr. Campbell was largely identified with the construction of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad; he was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge of Valparaiso, and always took an active interest in the temperance cause. He was married, March 25, 1841, to Miss Margaret Parkinson, of Lake County, Ind. This lady was born in Wayne County, Penn., November 22. 1820, and is the daughter of Gibson and Mary (Rogers) Parkinson, who were of English descent, and came to Lake County in 1836, being among the first settlers. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell there were born nine children-Mary L. (deceased), Eliza J. (Mrs. A. E. Woodhull), Emmett, Robert S. (deceased), Hugh A., Theresa (Mrs. C. E. Bacon), Dora (Mrs. E. S. Jones), Thomas A. and Maud (deceased). Mrs. Campbell is still residing on the old home- stead where she first began married life, together with her son-in-law and daughter (Mrs. Woodhull), and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
J. F. CARTER, farmer and dealer in timber, was born in Jackson Township, Porter County, Ind., July 4, 1842, and is one of eight chil- dren; five yet living, born to Jacob and Chloe (Doud) Carter, a sketch of whom will be found in Jackson Township biographical sketches. J. F. Carter was reared in Jackson Township to manhood, receiving his educa- tion in the common schools. August 27, 1861, being then only nineteen
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years old, he was mustered into service for the defense of the Union in Company H, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and immediately went to the front. He participated in all the movements of his company and regiment until after the battle of Shiloh, and was engaged in the battles of Green Briar, Buffalo Mountain and Shiloh. The second day of the fight in the last-named battle he was sitting on a rail pile when a shell from the enemy, striking the rails, exploded, and threw Mr. Carter some distance very forcibly. He experienced no particular injury at the time, but that night, during the rain, got wet, took cold which settled in his back, which was badly strained by the explosion, and in consequence was disabled for duty, and he is yet a sufferer from the effects of this. For this reason he was discharged the spring of 1863. As soon as able, he en- gaged in farming in his native township, and there, January 1, 1865, married Mrs. Nancy A. (Brierly) Comer. In 1870, they removed to Iowa, remaining there two years, afterward returning to Porter County and locating in Valparaiso, where they have ever since resided. They are the parents of two children-Frank J. and Charles R. Mr. Carter is a Republican, and is one of the substantial citizens of the place. He owns a farm of 280 acres in Washington and Centre Townships, and has taken an equal part in the support of all laudable enterprises that pertain to his town or county.
H. C. COATES, M. D., is a native of Marlboro, Stark Co., Ohio, was born June 8, 1826, and is the fifth in a family of twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, born to Amos and Jane B. (Norris) Coates, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State and of English descent. Amos Coates was a farmer, and one of the early settlers of Stark County, Ohio, and one of the chief educators of his day in Marlboro. The subject of this sketch began the study of medicine when quite young, at home, under the advisement of his cousin, Dr. J. G. Coates; afterward under Dr. G. W. Bettis. In 1855, he entered the American Medical College, Cincinnati, and in 1856 embarked in the practice of his profession in his native town. In 1861, he took a contract as Physician and Surgeon under the United States Government at Cleveland, remaining about three years. During this time he attended the medical department of the Western Re- serve College in Cleveland, and graduated the winter term of 1863-64. After the war, he continued his studies in medicine at Cleveland, and after attending the medical department of the University of Wooster, re- ceived a special diploma dated from the winter term of 1865-66. He also took a Practitioner's course in the Chicago Medical Department of the Northwestern University. The summer of 1866, he came to Valpa- raiso and opened an office, and has remained here ever since, actively en- gaged in the practice of his profession, and as resident Surgeon for the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., for fourteen years. In 1882, he was chosen as County Physician, by the County Commissioners of Porter County, and is now serving in that capacity. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. He married, April 15, 1847, Miss E. S. Ward, of Portage County, Ohio, and to this union were born four children-Alfred W., Phebe L. (deceased), Lura E., now Mrs. S. Ramsey, and Maud D.
MILAN CORNELL, farmer, was born December 13, 1827, in Crawford County, Ohio, and is one of eleven children, seven yet living,
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born to Isaac and Priscilla (Morgan) Cornell, a sketch of whom will ap- pear in the biography of Ira Cornell, of Porter Township. Up to 1834, Milan Cornell lived with his parents in his native county, and in that year emigrated with them to what is now Porter County, Ind., locating in the southeastern part of the same, and becoming the first white settlers of Boone Township. The parents ever afterwards made Porter County their home, and died esteemed and respected citizens. Milan Cornell re- ceived his education from the common schools of that early day, and in 1849, he and three others received an attack of California fever, which induced them to start for the far-famed gold fields of the West. They went by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and on their arrival at San Francisco, our subject had only one dollar. He found employment for a short time chopping cord-wood, at the rate of about $16 per day, after which he engaged in mining near Sonora, and the most part of his stay there was in the southern part of the State. He participated in many of the hardships, etc., of a miner's life, including fights with Indians, Mexi- cans and cut-throats of various kinds. In 1853, he returned to Indiana, and commenced farming and dealing in stock, at which he has ever since continued, with the exception of about three years, while in the hardware trade at Valparaiso. February 28, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia Freeman, who was born in Onandago County, N. Y., Feb- ruary 22, 1834, and is a daughter of Azariah Freeman, appropriate men- tion of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. To this marriage were born two children-Genevieve, now Mrs. S. C. Williams, and Kate, the wife of Marion Baum. Mr. Cornell is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and the O. F. Encampment. He and wife moved to Valparaiso the spring of 1882, and are among the best citizens of the place. They own, besides good town property, a valuable farm of 160 acres in Liberty Township.
M. B. CROSBY, native of Putnam County, N. Y., was born Novem- ber 17, 1809, and is one of eight children, five of whom are yet living, born to Zenas and Sally (Chapman) Crosby, who were also natives of Putnam County. M. B. Crosby was reared on a farm ; moved to Onta- rio County, N. Y., when a young man, and married Philura Freeman, in Connecticut, in October, 1834. They resided in Ontario County, N. Y., farming until the spring of 1836, when they moved to Michigan City, and the next summer, went to Crown Point, Lake Co., Ind., where he farmed until June, 1839 ; thence moved to Porter County, locating in Washington Township, where he cleared and farmed until 1846, when he traded his farm for what was known as the Cheney Flouring Mill. He ran that seven years, then sold out ; moved to Valparaiso, and for one year was in the dry goods trade in partnership with J. N. Skinner. He and S. G. Hass then built a large brick steam saw and flouring mill, which they operated five years. In this venture Mr. Crosby lost $5,000, but nevertheless, he bought the mill he now owns. In connection with the mill, which is in charge of his son, Mr. Crosby runs a flour and feed store, and throughout his diversified business career, has been very successful. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Crosby was one of two male members who helped organize that church in Valparaiso. He is a Republican in politics ; is self-made, and he and wife were parents of
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five children : Harrietta, Enoch, Emma J., now wife of Hon. S. S. Skin- ner, Freeman and Edwin Van S. The two eldest and the youngest of these are dead.
HON. MARK L. DE MOTTE, Representative to Congress from the Tenth Congressional District of Indiana, was born December 28, 1832, at Rockville, Park Co., Ind. His father, Daniel De Motte, was of French descent, his ancestors coming to America a number of genera- tions back and settling on Long Island. His mother, Mary (Brewer) De Motte, was of Dutch descent, her father being a native of Holland, but passing the greater part of his life in Kentucky. To their marriage were born eight children, the subject of this sketch being the youngest. His father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith, and for forty years was occupied in ministerial labors all over the State. Fifteen years of this time he was financial agent for Asbury University. He died at Greencastle, Ind., in 1875, at the age of seventy-seven years, preceded by his wife in 1866 at the age of seventy-four years. Mark L. De Motte was reared to manhood in Indiana. After attending public schools, he attended a seminary for one year at Greencastle, afterwards entering Asbury University, at that place, from which institution he graduated in 1853, receiving the degree of A. B. He immediately entered upon the study of law, attending the law school of Asbury University, and gradu- ating in 1855 with the degree of LL. B. In that year he came first to Valparaiso, Ind., and entered upon the practice of his profession. On the organization of the Republican party, in 1856, he was elected Prose- cuting Attorney for the judicial circuit, comprising the counties of Porter, Lake, La Porte, St. Joseph, Marshall and Stark. The month of Decem- ber, 1856, at Valparaiso, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Christy, and they lived happily here until 1861, when he entered the Government service as Senior First Lieutenant of the Fourth Indiana Battery, and continued with his command till April, 1862, when he resigned to accept the Captaincy on the staff of Gen. Milroy. In this capacity he participated in the battles of Pope's campaign of 1863, clos- ing with the engagement of Second Bull Run, afterwards going with Gen. Milroy to West Virginia, remaining there till after the battle of Gettysburg. The remainder of his service was on post duty at Harris- burg, Penn. In August, 1865, he removed to Lexington, Mo. In 1869, he became owner and editor of the Lexington Register, a Republican newspaper, and remained in active journalistic work until 1877, when he removed to his old home in Valparaiso. While in Missouri, he was twice nominated for Congress on the Republican ticket, but, owing to a majority of 10,000 or upwards of opposition in his district, was never elected. After his return to Valparaiso, he resumed the practice of law, which he continued without interruption until 1830, when he received the Republican nomination and was elected to Congress from the Tenth Dis- trict, over a fusion candidate. For the past two years he has served with signal fidelity and satisfaction to his constituents, who, on the 17th of August, 1882, complimented him by a renomination. Mr. De Motte, aside from being a prominent public man, is an influential and esteemed private citizen. He and wife are the parents of two children, Mary and Louise. Mr. De Motte, in 1879, was prominent and influential in the
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organization of the Law Department of the N. I. N. S., of which he is one of the instructors.
C. W. DICKOVER, County Sheriff. was born in Luzerne County, Penn., February 17, 1832 ; is one of ten children, five yet living, born to George and Catharine (Rymer) Dickover, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. George Dickover was a stone mason and plasterer by trade. His father, Jacob Dickover, was a native of Switzerland, and came to America previous to the Revolutionary war. George Dickover and wife lived and died in Pennsylvania, respectively aged seventy-seven and forty-five. C. W. Dickover, next youngest of his parents' family, was reared in his native State ; fairly educated in the common schools, and there learned the brick mason's trade. In 1854, he came to Valparaiso; worked as a journeyman several years, and then engaged in contracting. He has re- sided in Valparaiso ever since, except two years when working in Du- buque, Iowa. After the fire at Chicago, he went there and assisted in re- building the burnt district for about four months. In December, 1857, Mr. Dickover returned to Luzerne County, Penn., where, on the 5th of January, 1858, he married Miss Mary Willits, of Wilkes Barre. Mr. D. has contracted for and executed a great deal of work in La Porte, Lake and other counties. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the parents of six children : C. Howard, Mark L., Daisy, living, and Jessie, Ford and Maud, deceased. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has ascended to the Commandery, being a Sir Knight of Valparaiso Commandery, No. 28. He is a Republican, and in October, 1880, was elected Sheriff of Porter County, and at the Re- publican County Convention, in July, 1882, was renominated by accla- mation.
DANIEL H. DILLINGHAM, grocer, was born in Liberty Town- ship, this county, April 27, 1849, and is the eldest of the four children of Olcott and Hannah (Hale) Dillingham. Olcott Dillingham was born in Huron County, Ohio, in 1827, and is the youngest of three living brothers born to John and Hannah (Hecox) Dillingham, natives respect- ively of Wales and Connecticut. At the age of ten he came with his parents to Porter County, then a part of La Porte County, where they purchased 600 acres of land. Their destination, on leaving Ohio, was south of Chicago, but a gale on the lake forced the vessel, on board of which they were bound for Chicago, to put into Michigan City, and this incident led to their making their home in this county. Mr. Dillingham remained with his father until he reached his majority, when, in June, 1848, he married Miss Hannah A. Hale, a native of Maine. The Decem- ber following, he built himself a house on some land belonging to his father's estate, in which he lived until about 1858, when he moved to the old homestead, his present farm, which he managed for his father until the latter's death in 1861. He is now the largest land-owner in the town- ship, his farm comprising 627 acres, well improved with first-class build- ings, wind-pump, etc., and thoroughly cultivated. Mr. Dillingham is strongly Republican in politics, and, though he was unfortunate in having no early educational advantages, he is an intelligent. careful manager, naturally shrewd, and a progressive and enterprising citizen. There have been born to him four children-Daniel H. ; Carrie E., now Mrs. L. D.
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Wolf; Isaac, and Luella, now Mrs. Joseph Meade. His aged mother, Mrs. Hannah (Hecox) Dillingham, died at the homestead in 18 -. Dan- iel H. Dillingham, as well as his brother and sisters, was reared in this county, and his education was acquired in the common schools. He was married, March 28, 1870, to Miss Elma Bartholomew, daughter of Wash- ington Bartholomew (deceased). In 1881, he came to Valparaiso, and January 1, 1882, he and his brother Isaac formed a copartnership in the grocery trade, and, for beginners, are doing remarkably well, and fully as much as some of the older houses, inasmuch as they carry a full line of everything belonging to the trade of a first-class grocery store, and are affable, obliging and attentive to their customers. Mr. D., besides his in- terest in the store, owns considerable town property and a farm of 360 acres in Liberty and Centre Townships. In politics he is a Republican, and he is by nature a man of energy and enterprise, and is always fore- most in undertakings of a laudable character. There have been born to his marriage two children-Charles H. and Minnie E.
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