USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 68
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 68
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ALEXANDER CLARK (deceased) was the third of six children of Judge William and Ann (Campbell) Clark, and born in Jennings County, Ind., November 4, 1822. His parents came from the East, and were among the earliest settlers in Lake County at a time when this re- gion was sparsely inhabited, and Indians and all wild game were abund- ant. They first located in Jennings County ; afterward, with the old pioneer, Solon Robinson, became in part owners of the site of Crown Point. William Clark, or Judge Clark, as he was more commonly known, was, perhaps, more strongly identified with Crown Point than any other single person ; he died in 1869, aged eighty-one years. Alexander Clark lived with and assisted his parents until manhood, receiving a fair educa- tion for the times, until November 5, 1848, when he was married to Miss Susan Wells; he engaged in agriculture and made Lake County his home, becoming an influential and prominent citizen ; he died February 22, 1879, leaving a widow and one daughter to lament his loss. Emma J., his daughter, was born in Lake County, July 13, 1854, and married, December 28, 1875, to John M. Hack, they now being parents of two sons-Howard C. and Freddie A. The widow of Alexander Clark was born near Detroit, Mich., September 18, 1828, and is one of five children of Henry and Adaline (Withrell) Wells, who came from Massachusetts in 1838, and were among the pioneers of Lake County, Henry Wells be- ing an esteemed and honorable citizen, having been County Treasurer and County Sheriff each two terms ; he died May 10, 1876, and is buried with his wife in the village cemetery. Both the Clark and Wells, as also the Hack families, were honored and worthy pioneers, as their descend- ants are valued and esteemed citizens.
JAMES DOAK was born in Beaver County, Penn., January 27, 1827, and is one of the nine children of John and Mary M. (Anderson) Doak, the former a native of Beaver, and the latter of Washington County, Penn. The grandfather of James Doak, Robert Doak, emigrat- ed from Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania ; he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and drove the continental pay wagon. John Doak was a farmer, a soldier of the war of 1812, and helped to guard the British fleet captured by Commodore Perry. In 1840, he removed with his family to what was Richland County, Ohio, and settled on 160 acres, built a frame house and cleared his land, where he died April 15, 1874, in his eighty-first year ; he was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and a member fifty years. James Doak received some instruction, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-two years of age. In 1849, he entered 160 acres in Eagle Creek Township, which he improved and where he long resided. In 1850, he went to Ohio, where he taught school and married Elizabeth Stevens, of Ohio, daughter of Hiram and Phebe
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(Sterns) Stevens. To this union were born five children, only one of whom survives-Francis S. Mrs. Doak died April 9, 1867 ; she was a member of the Presbyterian Church. On April 28, 1868, Mr. Doak was married to Mrs. Bessie Talcott, a native of Albany County, N. Y., and daughter of John and Nancy (Trumbull) Martin, of Albany County. Mr. and Mrs. Doak have one child-Jessie May. Mr. Doak was for several years Justice of the Peace in Eagle Creek Township. He is a Republican and a pioneer of Lake County. Mrs. Doak and daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN DONCH was born in Mecklar, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, July 28, 1824, and is the only survivor of three children born to John and Barbara Elizabeth (Klump) Donch, also natives of the same place. His father was a farmer ; both parents died in Germany. John Donch, our subject, was reared on a farm, attended the common schools, and when twenty-one years old, he entered the German Army for five years, by rea- son of which he obtained better educational advantages. In 1851, he determined to come to America; accordingly, he shipped on a Prussian vessel, and after eight weeks reached New York. He moved West on an exploring expedition, reaching Chicago, where he remained four weeks, thence to Lake County, Ind., remaining five months, and thence, in 1852, by reason of the "gold fever," left with a party to California, by land. He remained in the gold fields eleven months, with some suc- cess, when he returned via Nicaragua to Lake County, after an absence of eighteen months. He purchased land in West Creek Township, near Lowell, which he farmed until the war. On September 25, 1861, he en- listed at Chicago, in the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry ; he was in active service in Missouri and Arkansas, first as private, and afterward as Sec- ond Lieutenant, which he resigned June 10, 1863. He re-enlisted as a private in Company A, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and fourteen days later was mustered in as Sergeant. In a line of promotion he was com- missioned Second Lieutenant November 1, 1863, and First Lieutenant November 26, 1863. Up to February, 1864, Mr. Donch was in service in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. At the battle of Okalona, he was wounded by a minie ball through the wrist. From loss of blood he became unconscious and was taken prisoner, and remaining for ten months in captivity and suffering. He was paroled, made a visit home, and joined his regiment in April, 1865, at Memphis, thence going to Louisiana and Texas, being finally discharged February 18, 1866, after a service of four and one-half years. Before being discharged, Lieutenant Donch was made Captain. After this glory, he returned to Lake Coun- ty and engaged in farming until 1872, when he was chosen Sheriff, to which he was re-elected, serving in all four years, and a succeeding four
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years as Deputy Sheriff. He is now retired, and has 300 acres in West Creek Township. Capt. Donch is a Republican. On December 8, 1871, he was married to Miss Louisa Mader, a native of Chicago, born Febru- ary 16, 1856, and daughter of Charles and Dora (Kern) Mader, who had three children. Mr. Mader is a native of Saxony, and Mrs. Mader, of Wurtemberg ; they reside in Chicago.
JOHN A. DU BOIS was born in Wadern-on-the-Rhine, Germany, February 3, 1832, and is one of the eleven children of Charles and Made- line (Thedard) Du Bois, the former a native of Paris, the latter of Parls- duke, France. Nicholas Thedard, grandfather of John, was an officer of Gen. La Fayette, whom he accompanied to America. He was wounded in the battle before Yorktown. After his return to France, he became a Colonel under Napoleon I, and was with the great commander in his Egyptian campaign ; he was also engaged in the Italian, Austrian and memorable Russian campaigns. During the latter, he was taken ill; re- turned to France, but rejoined the army before the battle of Leipsic, where two horses were shot beneath him. Charles Du Bois was educated in Paris, and held office under the French Government, viz., Sheriff of the Province of Lorraine, in which he was continued, after said province became part of Prussia, until his death, in 1857; he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. John A. Du Bois was educated in the schools of his native country, and assisted in his father's office until he was twenty years old, when he emigrated to the United States and settled in Wilkes Barre, Penn., where he learned blacksmithing; he worked as a journeyman until 1855, when he moved to Chicago, and later to Crown Point, Lake Co., Ind., where he worked until 1858, when he opened a shop for himself, which he has continued successfully. On January 20, 1858, he was married to Mary Young, a native of Syracuse, N. Y., and daughter of Peter and Mary (Margramm) Young, the former from Lor- raine, the latter from Alsace. Mr. and Mrs. Du Bois have six children -Charles G., Antoine, Melissa, Mary E., Eleanora and Mary Louisa. Mr. Du Bois is an old and esteemed citizen.
EDER BROTHERS, cigar manufacturers, are sons of John B. and Theresa (Huber) Eder, natives of Bavaria. John B. Eder was a tanner, which trade he followed in the old country : he was also, for thirteen years, a soldier in the Bavarian Army. In 1855, he emigrated with his family to Chicago, where he resided until 1864, when he came to Crown Point, at which place he remained until his death, February 3, 1877 ; he was a member of the Catholic Church. Joseph Eder, senior member of the firm, was born at Landau, Bavaria, September 21, 1849 ; he came to America with his parents, and received a fair education from the com- mon schools of Chicago. When thirteen years old, he began to learn
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cigar-making, at which he served three years. He worked as a journey- man in Chicago until 1870, when he opened a shop at Van Buren and Fifth avenue, where he was burned out in 1871; he afterward recom- menced business at 163 Mohawk street, North Side. In 1874, he came to Crown Point and opened a shop, being joined in 1875 by his brother, George M., as a partner, since which they have done an excellent busi- ness. They carry a large and varied stock of manufactured tobacco, pipes, snuff, etc. Joseph Eder was married December 19, 1879, to Bar- bara Ofenluch, of Germany, by whom he had two children. Both he and she are members of the Catholic Church. George M. Eder, junior member of the firm, was born at Landau, Bavaria, February 23, 1855 ; he had equal advantages with his brother, and likewise learned cigar-mak - ing; he was married, September 24, 1878, to Frances M. Scherer, of Crown Point. They have had three sons. Mr. and Mrs. Eder are mem- bers of the Catholic Church. He is Clerk and Treasurer of the town, and is now serving his fourth term. The Eder brothers are among the enterprising young men of the county.
REUBEN FANCHER was born in Huron County, Ohio, April 28, 1834, and in one of thirteen children born to T. S. and Amy (Chapman) Fancher, both natives of Connecticut. T. S. Fancher was a life-long farmer, who, with his wife, is yet living on the homestead in Huron County, Ohio. Reuben Fancher was reared a farmer, and acquired a limited education in the pioneer days of Huron County. He assisted his father until 1854, when he determined to find employment and home farther westward. He removed to Michigan, and in 1855 to Lake County, Ind. He purchased eighty acres in Centre Township at $7.50 per acre, afterward adding eighty more at $10. When the war began, . Mr. Fancher disposed of this and engaged in the real estate business at Crown Point. He was also acting Deputy Sheriff. Here he purchased twelve and a half acres, where he now resides, and his present business place, in a partnership with Frederick Fessenden. Mr. Fancher was married in Buffalo, N. Y., to Mary E. Hawkins, daughter of William and Angeline (Goodyear) Hawkins. This union was blessed by three children-William S., Mary and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Fancher are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Fancher is a Freemason and an Odd Fellow, in the latter order having passed through the encampment. . In politics, he is a Republican. In 1865, he formed a partnership with Andrew Krimbill in the agricultural implement business, in which he has continued ; his present partner is Mr. Fessenden, with whom he has been associated since 1881. Mr. Fancher is an energetic business man, and has successfully established a large and growing trade.
JOHN FISHER, Surveyor of Lake County, was born in Schenec- tady County, N. Y., September 7, 1832, and is one of the eight children
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of Alexander and Agnes (Brown) Fisher. His father was a native of Ayer, and his mother of Paisley, in Scotland. His father was a ma- chinist, and left " Bonnie Scotland " in 1818, sailing to Montreal, Can- ada, whence, after a year, he went to Schenectady County, N. Y., where he married in 1819 ; his mother died in 1862; his father in 1866. Both were Presbyterians. John Fisher received but a plain education, and was bred to farming, but is a proficient in mathematics. In 1855, he heard of the sale of lands in this region, and, hoping to find employment as a surveyor, he came to Lake County and engaged in his vocation ; he ran the first lines on the P., C. & St. Louis Railroad, on which he worked as engineer ; he has done more surveying than any man in the county. On November 7, 1865, he was married to Amelia J. Willey, a native of this county, born April 3, 1841. She is a daughter of George Willey (a sketch of whom is contained in this work). Mr. and Mrs. Willey have had two children, one of whom remains-George W. Mrs. Fisher is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fisher is a Freemason, of Lodge No. 157. He is a Republican, and has been County Surveyor for twenty- two years, supported by all parties.
LUMAN A. FOWLER, one of the early settlers of Lake County, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., October 1, 1809, and is a son of Josiah and Louisa (Stewart) Fowler. His parents moved to Palmyra, N. Y., where his mother died, his father afterward moving to Washtenaw County, Mich., where he died. Luman A. Fowler had a fair education, and was by trade a carpenter and joiner. At Dearborn, Mich., on Octo- ber 18, 1835, he was married to Miss Eliza Cochran, daughter of John and Jane (Kessler) Cochran, born October 27, 1816, in Madison Coun- ty, N. Y. This union was blessed with nine children-Harriet A. (de- ceased), Rollin D., Josephine (now Mrs. Williams), Arnold, Luman A., William S., Mary J. (now Mrs. Peterson), Alta E. (now Mrs. Pinney ) and Mabel E. (now Mrs. Beidelman). Mrs. Fowler is yet living in Crown Point. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fowler emigrated to what is now Lake County, locating in Centre Township, where Mr. Fowler farmed. At that period Indians and game were more abundant than white subjects, and they endured the hardships of most early settlers. After- ward Mr. Fowler became a leading citizen, whose judgment on public matters was often invoked by friends and neighbors. He was elected County Sheriff seven times, serving fourteen years-an evidence of pub- lic confidence. In 1850, he went to California, where he spent six years in mining, and returned to Crown Point where, on April 12, 1870, after eight days' illness with pneumonia, he departed. He was an honorable man, and very greatly lamented.
JOHN E. FRAAS, one of the early settlers of Lake County, was born in Staumbach, Bavaria, August 25, 1830, and was the only son of
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John E. and Elizabeth (Bower) Fraas. He was a carpenter by trade, and came to the United States in 1854, settling in Lake County, Ind. After working awhile at his trade, he started a small lumber yard at Crown Point, which he continued until his death, in 1871, then having the largest yard in the county, and valued at $10,000. On February 21, 1858, he was married to Margaretha Popp, of Bavaria, born April 26, 1835, by whom he had six children, three now living-John E., Elizabeth (Mrs. J. Naumann) and Paulina. John E. Fraas, Jr., was born June 2, 1859, in this county. He has a good education, and has clerked for William Krimbill and C. W. Wheeler. At the age of nineteen, he began farming, and has continued the same. On December 26, 1881, he was married to Frances Meachek, a native of Germany, born March 28, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Fraas are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Fraas is a Republican.
FRANKLIN FULLER, a pioneer of Lake County, was born in Athens (now Vinton) County, Ohio, January 28, 1827, and is a son of James and Lydia (Dodge) Fuller. His parents were descendants of the oldest families of Massachusetts, who settled in Ohio during the war of 1812. His father was a stone-mason, but became a farmer after coming to Ohio. The family came to this county in 1839. Franklin worked at farming during the summer and dealt in furs during the winter. During the last sixteen years, he has devoted himself to live stock, and has handled more than any one man in this part of the county. Prior to 1870, he was alone, but afterward he formed a partnership with H. J. Nichols, under the firm name of Fuller & Nichols. In 1850, he married Hannah Ferguson, born in Erie County, Penn., and daughter of George and Mary Ferguson. To this union succeeded nine children-Oratio O., Cynthia A. (now Mrs. W. E. Sherman), Mary R. (now Mrs. M. L. Tut- hill), Melissa E. (now Mrs. J. J. Kenney), Melvina E. (now Mrs. Frank- lin Didie), Frank M., Minerva A. (now Mrs. George Fisher), Samantha E. and Lydia E. Mrs. Fuller is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Fuller is a Democrat, but liberal in local affairs.
ELIHU GRIFFIN was born in Henry County, Ind., March 23, 1830, and is one of the ten children of Samuel and Lydia (Reynard) Griffin, both natives of Ohio. Samuel Griffin was a farmer, and died January, 1880, at his home in Henry County, where his widow survives him. Elihu Griffin was reared on a farm, and attended a select Quaker school, his parents being of that sect, and afterward learned the trade of a tanner. At the age of eighteen he began the study of law at Centre- ville, Wayne County, with Jacob and George W. Julian, and August 30, 1851, was admitted to the bar. He located in Wayne County, thence moved to Henry County, and, in addition to practice, engaged in mer-
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chandising. In January 5, 1851, he was married to Miss Melissa Scott, born in Kentucky in 1832. In 1857, Mr. Griffin moved to Crown Point, where he has since resided. In 1858, he was elected to the Legislature, and was) a member of the Judiciary Committee. In 1861, he was ap- pointed, by Gov. Morton, Draft Commissioner of Lake County, and in 1862 went out as Major and Paymaster in the United States Army. He was in active service at Fort Henry, Stone River, Mission Ridge, and resigned his commission on account of injuries received, resulting in the loss of use of his lower limbs. On his return he was employed as attorney for the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad. For four years his son, Charles F. Griffin, has been associated with him in practice. Mrs. Griffin died February 17, 1882, leaving a family of four-Horace, Emma (deceased), Charles F. and Cassius. Maj. Griffin is a member of the Christian Church, as was his wife. In politics, he is a Republican.
MATTHIAS J. HACK (deceased) was born July 27, 1816. He, with his father, John Hack, and their families, were the first Germans to set- tle in Lake County ; they were all natives of the Province of the Rhine, Prussia, at that time a part of France. Matthias remained in Germany until his twenty-first year, and obtained a good practical education. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1837, traveled westward, and located in St. Johns Township, Lake Co., Ind., at that time occupied only by "squatters," and engaged in farming, where he married his first wife, Barbara Teal, who bore him one daughter, since deceased; Mrs. Hack is also dead. On December 15, 1844, Mr. Hack married Angeline Schmal, a native of Prussia, born June 2, 1825, who came with her par- ents to Lake County in 1838. Five children were born to this union- Anna (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Joseph L., John M. and William. Mr. Hack is by trade a blacksmith, at which he worked until 1850, when he removed to Crown Point, and died February 27, 1867. He was one of the most prominent men of his time in the county, and foremost in aiding and contributing to every laudable enterprise. He was a leader among the Germans, and an upright, conscientious gentleman ; this was by all conceded. His widow survives him, and lives at Crown Point, and owns what is known as Hack's Exchange, where she manages a first- class hotel, perhaps the best in the place.
JOSEPH HACK was born in Neiderdoseim, Germany, March 18, 1825, and is one of the eleven children born to John and Hannah (Snyder) Hack, both natives of Germany. John Hack was a farmer by profes- sion, and was Government Real Estate Appraiser in the fatherland. In June, 1837, he emigrated with his family to the United States, and set- tled in St. John Township, Lake Co., Ind., which township was named after him. He first entered 160 acres, on which he built a cabin and a
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blacksmith shop. To this he added until he was owner of 300 acres of well-improved land. In 1853, he left the farm to reside with his son Joseph, where he died in 1855, aged sixty-nine years. His family was the first of the Germans in the county. Joseph Hack, after coming to this country, worked for his father until he was twenty-three years old, when he went to La Porte, Ind., and learned the carriage and wagon- making trade, at which he served three years. In 1851, he came to Crown Point, opened a shop, and has been successful. On April 15, 1852, he was married to Catharine Leinen, a native of Germany. To this union there have been born six children-George G., Matilda, Helen, Frank, Carrie and Joseph P. Mrs. Hack died August 17, 1882; she was a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Hack is one of the oldest, most enterprising and most valued citizens.
WARREN H. HAYWARD was born in Lake County, Ind., June 25, 1852, and is the eldest of six children of Henry and Martha D. (Kronkright) Hayward; the former a native of England, the latter of Vermont. Henry Hayward's parents moved to Canada when he was eight years old, and thence to Lake County, Ind., where he married and entered eighty acres in Ross Township, on which he built a log house and made sundry improvements. To this farm he added until he owned 320 acres. On this he resided until 1879, when he came to Crown Point and now lives in retirement; he was a Lake County pioneer. Warren H. Hayward, after attending the common schools, remained two years at the M. E. College, at Valparaiso, from which he graduated in the com- mercial department. In 1870, he went to Chicago to receive a course of instruction in photography, and the same year opened a photograph studio in Valparaiso, in company with his uncle, E. J. Hayward. In 1872, he purchased said uncle's interest. In 1873, he sold the business and went to Chicago as operator. In one year, he returned to Lake County, and in 1876 removed to Santa Barbara, Cal., where he had charge of a studio. In 1877, he came to Crown Point, where he opened a studio and remained. He has had flattering success, and does the largest business in the county. On May 10, 1876, he was married to Jessie Indiana Bliss, a native of White County, Ind. Three children have crowned their union. Mr. Hayward is an old and enterprising citizen.
LOREN HIXON was born in Erie County, Penn., April 1, 1826, and is one of the eight children of Jeremy and Susan (Snow) Hixon, both natives of Bridgewater, Mass., the former born in 1788, the latter in 1791. Jeremy Hixon was a farmer and builder. He first emigated to Erie County, Penn., and afterward to Michigan City, Ind., in 1834. Here he contracted to erect the Government light-house. In 1835, he
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moved to Lake County, Ind., locating in Winfield Township, where he pre-empted land and farmed, he being the first to enter land in said county. Here he contracted for and erected the old court house, now Hoffmann's Opera House, and he did very much to settle the county in that early day by his energy and influence. He was originally a Whig, and once a candidate for the Legislature on that ticket. He was de- feated, but got a majority in his county. He became afterward a Repub- lican. Like most of those "old timers," only their works and memories remain. Loren Hixon, in addition to the common schools, passed a year in an academy at Chicago. In 1848, he became a sailor on the lakes, which he continued four years, rising to first mate. In 1852, he returned to Lake County; engaged in traveling on the road north and east of the Mississippi and in Canada; he resided on the old homestead until 1877; he was married to his first wife, Martha Lawrence, in 1860, by whom he had two sons-Ernest H. and Walter L. Mrs. Hixon died in 1876, and in the following year he married his present wife, J. Adelaide Homes. Mr. and Mrs. Hixon are adherents of the Swedenborgian doctrine. Mr. Hixon is a Mason, in which order he has advanced to the Council. In politics, he is a Greenbacker.
CAPT. JEREMY HIXON, deceased, brother of Loren Hixon, was a gentleman widely known in Porter and Lake Counties, both as a descendant from early settlers and a man more than ordinarily gifted in intelligence. He was born April 15, 1811, at Stoughton, Mass., where he was educated; he emigrated to Indiana in 1834, and in 1838 was mar- ried to Almira Pratt, who yet survives him. From 1838 to 1843, he resided in Michigan, and subsequently in Chicago for nine years, remov- ing to Porter County, Ind., in 1852. He was a man of energy and courage, and his life was one of many and singular adventures; he became early a cabin-boy on a lake vessel, of which, at the age of seven- teen, he became mate and subsequently commander, alternating with being Captain of his own vessel; he was a pioneer in Western lake navigation, and brought the first cargo of wheat landed at Michigan City ; he was several times shipwrecked and had many hairbreadth escapes. At the outbreak of the rebellion, he volunteered in the navy, and was commissioned Acting Master. He was, in the fullness of the word, a man and greatly esteemed; he was an honored inember of the Masonic order, and was buried with the impressive ceremonies and peer- less glories of that fraternity. His death occurred May 7, 1863.
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