Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 70

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur 1852-1926. cn; Blanchard, Charles
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey
Number of Pages: 788


USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 70
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 70


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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JOHN MILLIKAN, editor Crown Point Register, was born in Marl- boro Township, Delaware County, Ohio, July 16, 1814 (the place was then a military post known as Fort Morrow). His father was a native of North Carolina, of Quaker parentage, and died in Chillicothe, Ohio, March, 1814, where he was guarding British prisoners ; he was a Lieu- tenant, and most of the time was detailed to survey military roads through the wilderness to posts in the Northwest. John Millikan lived after with


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his grandfather, who died when he was ten years old, and at twelve years of age, he was apprenticed to the printing business with Ezra Griswold, publisher of the Delaware Patron. In 1834, the office was sold, and John Millikan moved to Marion, Ohio, where his brother published a newspaper. Soon after he went to his brother Jesse, in Washington, Fayette Co., Ohio, and thence to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was em - ployed as salesman ; he soon after visited his old home, and, in 1837, he went to South Bend, Ind., and joined his brother William in publishing the Free Press. There he remained eight years, when he moved to La Porte and purchased the La Porte Whig of Thomas A. Steward, in 1845, where he remained until 1867. After living in Chicago five years, he bought the Plymouth (Ind.) Republican in 1872, which he continued until 1877, in June of which year he began the Crown Point Cosmos, which he published until September, 1880, when he bought one-half in- terest in the Crown Point Register, and, in 1882, came into possession of Mr. Bedell's half, thenceforward publishing the paper alone. He has been Justice of the Peace four consecutive terms-sixteen years-at La Porte, and, in 1850, took the census of La Porte County. He was mar- ried, in 1839, at South Bend, to Joanna R. Lewis, and to them have been born four children-Ann M., Carrie (now Mrs. Ingersoll), Virginia E. (now Mrs. Jaqua) and John W. Mr. Millikan is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.


MATTHIAS MULLER was born in Bavaria March 27, 1822, and is the third of four children born to Valentine and Margaret Muller, both natives of Bavaria. Valentine Muller was a cabinet-maker, which occu- pation he followed until his death ; he was a member of the Lutheran Church. Matthias Muller received an ordinary education in the schools of Germany. At the age of fifteen, he began to learn the shoemaking trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, after which he traveled as a journeyman for four years. In 1845, he emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City, where he worked at his trade three years. In July, 1848, he changed to Chicago, where he also worked as a shoemaker. Late in 1851, he came to Crown Point, Ind., where he opened a shoe-shop, and continued the same three years; this he then sold and opened a dining-hall, bar-room and restaurant, and this has been his business since. In October, 1853, he married Barbara Ruh, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Peter and Ann M. Ruh, both of Ger- many. To this union were born five children, four of whom are living- Edward, Lena, Emil and Emma. In politics, Mr. Muller is a Democrat ; he is a pioneer of the town and county.


WILLIAM C. MURPHEY was born in Henry County, Ind., Jan- uary 1, 1842, and is the sixth of eleven children born to Clement and


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Hulda (Bundy) Murphey, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Indiana. Clement Murphey was one of the earliest settlers of Henry County, having been brought there when four years of age, and where, in 1827, he was married. In 1859, he removed to Newcastle, Ind., there residing until his death, April 10, 1882; he was a member of the Christian Church, and a temperance worker. William C. Murphey worked for his father until he was seventeen years old ; he then attended high school at Newcastle for two years, after which he was employed as a clerk for three years, and then engaged in the hardware business on his own account. On the occurrence of the war, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, thus serving until dis- charged at Indianapolis October, 1864. After his return, he began the grocery business at Newcastle, where he remained until 1871; he then engaged in private banking until 1873, when the Citizens' State Bank of Newcastle was organized, and he was elected Cashier, serving one year. In 1874, he came to Crown Point, and assisted in organizing the First National Bank, of which he was chosen Vice President, serving as such until 1875, when he retired. In 1876, he was elected Cashier of said bank, which he now retains. On November 29, 1866, Mr. Murphey was married to Miss Iona A. Holland, of Newcastle, Ind., daughter of Joshua and Nancy (Ramsey) Holland. They have one daughter-Anna F. Mrs. Murphey died in Newcastle December 22, 1869. Mr. Murphey is- a member of the Masonic order, and a very successful business man.


THOMAS A. MUZZALL was born in Brighton, England, March 25, 1834, and is one of the family of Thomas W. and Mary (Greenfield) Muzzall, both natives of England. Thomas W. Muzzall was a carpen- ter, and followed the same many years in England. In 1839, he came to his death by a fall, in which his back struck the ground, and from which he suffered three years ; he was a member of the Baptist Church. Thomas A. Muzzall received a fair education in England. When four- teen years old, he was apprenticed for seven years to the tailoring trade, but when eighteen ran away, shipped as second porter and made a voy- age to the East Indies ; soon after, in 1853, he came to the United States, settling in Ross Township, Lake County, Ind., and was a clerk in a store at Merrillville for six months ; he also taught two terms of school. In 1856, he went to Lawrence, Kan., where he assisted in building the first house, and served under Gen. Lane in the border war ; he carried the United States mail from Leavenworth to Salt Lake City, from 1858 to 1860, and was wounded during an encounter with Indians. In 1861, he enlisted in the First Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and three months thereafter, was made Hospital Steward, so continuing until January 1, 1864, when he was discharged; he re-enlisted, in the regular army, as-


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Hospital Steward of the first-class, and was discharged with honors, Octo- ber, 1867. On his return he settled at Ross Station, Lake County, and engaged in farming. On April 26, 1863, he married Ann E. Phillips, of Westchester County, N. Y. Their union has been fruitful in four children. In 1872, Mr. Muzzall came to Crown Point, engaging in the express, coal and wood business ; he is President of the Board of Town Trustees ; he is W. M. of Lake Lodge, No. 157, A., F. & A. M., also a member of Lincoln Chapter, No. 54, R. A. M., and Crown Point Coun- cil, No. 44, R. & S. M .; he has held office in the fire company, and has been Sunday School Secretary and choir leader in the M. E. Church ; he is an energetic and valued citizen.


HARVEY PETTIBONE, M. D., the oldest practitioner in Crown Point, and next to the oldest in Lake County, was born in Naples, On- tario Co., N. Y., November 28, 1821. His father was a physician and surgeon, born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1790; he was twice married-first to Sarah Kidder, mother of our subject, about 1814, and afterward to Abigail Green ; the former died in 1838, and the latter in New York. In 1860, he came to Crown Point, where he resided with his son, and died in May, 1881, aged ninety years. Harvey Pettibone attended school in his native town, but finished his education at Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. After previous reading with his father, he began the study of medicine in 1839, and, in 1843, graduated from the Geneva Medical Col- lege, and was for many years associated with his father in practice. Com- ing to Crown Point to visit his brother, David K. Pettibone, he was induced to settle, and, in 1847, opened an office and began practice, at- taining a prominent position in his profession. On September 1, 1849, he was wedded to Mrs. Eliza (Hackley) Pelton ; she had one daughter- wife of Thomas J. Wood. To this union, were born five children- Henry (physician), Harvey (deceased), Ruth A. (Mrs. M. C. Barnard), Alice (Mrs. W. C. Rockwell) and Willis (deceased). Apart from his pro- fession, Dr. Pettibone is an active public man and an esteemed citizen. He is a Royal Arch Mason ; was a Democrat, but is a Republican ; was Coroner of Lake County three terms, and, in the fall of 1882, was elected to the Lower Branch of the Legislature by the Republicans ; he has also held other positions of trust and honor, and is now United States Ex- amining Pension Surgeon.


HENRY PETTIBONE, M. D., son of Dr. Harvey Pettibone, of Crown Point, of which place he is a native, was born May 31, 1850. After at- tending the schools of Crown Point, he entered the sophomore class of Hanover College in 1869, remaining three years, and graduating in the scientific class of 1872. He thereafter began the study of medicine with his father, during which, for two winters, he was engaged as teacher.


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In October, 1874, he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, where he remained two terms, and graduated among the first of his class in 1876. He returned to Crown Point, and commenced practice in company with his father, which has been continued. On June 4, 1878, he married Margaret T. Sauerman, and to them have been born two children- Anna P. and Edith E. Dr. Pettibone is a Republican, and was elected County Coroner in 1876, which office he still holds.


A. J. PRATT, M. D., was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., Jan- uary 16, 1825, and is a son of Joseph and Betsey (Wilcox) Pratt. His father was educated for the Baptist ministry, but had followed teaching and farming. Three of his children are physicians. A. J. Pratt was raised on a farm, and received a practical education. He moved to Il- linois with his parents in 1836, and in 1843 to Elkhart County, Ind. Here he studied medicine with Dr. Allen eighteen months, and afterward for two and a half years under the medical faculty of the University of Michigan. There he had three courses of lectures, and graduated in 1854 with first honors ; that is, having his thesis published by the Board of Regents. He then located at Crown Point, where he has been success- ful, and is esteemed as one of the best physicians in Northern Indiana, with an experience of twenty-eight years. Dr. Pratt has been twice mar- ried ; first, in 1857, to Mrs. Lydia A. Farrington, widow of Dr. William C. Farrington, the first physician of Crown Point, and daughter of Will- iam Sherman; she died in November, 1858. His second and present wife was Miss Eliza M. Pratt, to whom he was united March 26, 1861, and by whom he has three daughters-Florence, Lizzie and Josie. Mrs. Pratt is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Dr. Pratt is a Republican, and was for fourteen years Coroner of Lake County, and is now and has for six years been County physician. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Royal Arch Mason.


PAUL E. RAASCH was born in Prussia July 20, 1848, and is one of the five children of William and Menia (Carld) Raasch, both of Prussia. William Raasch was foreman of a sheep farm in Germany. In 1849, he emigrated with his family to the United States, going to Milwaukee, Wis., and afterward to Lake Station, in this county, where he engaged in the hotel business. He then removed to Ross, Lake County, where he engaged in general mercantile business for two years ; he afterward pur- chased a farm in Ross Township, on which he lived eight years. In 1862, he sold his farm and came to Crown Point, where he was Marshal four years. In 1882, he moved to Chicago, where he is foreman in a sash fac- tory ; he and wife are members of the German M. E. Church. Paul E. Raasch received a fair education, and worked on a farm until his nine- teenth year, after which he railroaded two years, and later was employed


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in a hotel at Crown Point. In 1870, he began the livery business, in which he is still engaged, and doing well. On January 30, 1872, he was married to Laura Rockwell, a native of Lake County, and daughter of T. C. Rockwell. This union was blessed by one daughter-Luelle, who died March 8, 1877, aged four years. In November, 1878, he opened a flour and feed store in connection with the livery, in which he has also an extensive trade. Mr. Raasch is a member of the Church of the Believ- ers. Mr. Raasch is an old settler and an enterprising business man.


CHRISTOPHER RICH was born in Chicago March 13, 1844, and is one of the six children of Michael and Mary A. (Tilmon) Rich, both natives of Lorraine, France. Michael Rich was for several years a sol- dier in the French Army. In 1839 or 1840, he emigrated to the United States and went to Chicago, afterward to Saginaw, Mich., where he worked in a saw-mill. He soon returned to Chicago, where he has since been engaged in gardening. Two years after coming to America, he sent for his family ; he is a member of the Catholic Church. Christopher Rich received the usual course of education of Chicago schools, and when thirteen years old went to France to improve, where he remained two years. After returning, he assisted his father in gardening until twenty- two years of age. In 1866, he went back to France, and remained six months, during which time he learned the photographic art. In Chicago, he opened a saloon. In 1867, he was married to Mary A. Karber, of Chicago, by whom he had eight children, only three of whom are living- John C., Anna Mary and Maggie. Before the fire, he began the dry goods trade, but that calamity destroyed almost his entire property ; he soon recovered, however, and in 1875 he moved to Dyer, Lake County, Ind., and engaged in the dry goods business. In 1877, he came to Crown Point, where he carried the same trade. He has a very full stock, also boots and shoes, hats and caps, clothing, carpets, crockery and notions, aggregating $5,000. He is now doing well, annual sales reach- ing $14,000. Mr. and Mrs. Rich are members of the Catholic Church.


WILLIAM B. ROCKWELL was born in Reading, Fairfield Co., Conn., September 8, 1814, and is one of the seven children of William and Dorinda (Conklin) Rockwell, both natives of Connecticut. Reuben Rock- well, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and took part in the battle of Oswego, N. Y. William B. Rockwell re- ceived a spare, frontier education, and, when eighteen years old, learned the trade of a cooper, which he followed fourteen years. In 1838, he first came to Lake County, Ind., but soon after removed with his brother to Michigan City, Ind., where they worked as coopers. In 1844, Will- iam returned to Centre Township, Lake Co., Ind., entered 320 acres, built a cabin and made other improvements ; this land contained a cran-


LL


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berry marsh, which was a valuable adjunct, sometimes yielding $1,500 per annum in berries. He added to this domain until he owned 600 acres. In 1865, he was married to Cynthia M. Spenser, a native of Oswego County, by which union they had one son, who died in infancy. Mrs. Rockwell died in 1866; she was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. In November, 1868, Mr. Rockwell married Mrs. Sarah E., widow of A. D. Foster, and daughter of Peter D. Hathaway. Mrs. Sarah E. Rockwell died at Crown Point in February, 1876, without issue. Mr. Rockwell has been for several years Trustee of Crown Point. He was a Democrat until the Kansas-Nebraska controversy, since which period he has been a stanch Republican. He is a pioneer of Lake County.


TIMOTHY C. ROCKWELL was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., December 2, 1817, and is the sixth of the seven children of William and Dorinda (Conklin) Rockwell, both, natives of Connecticut. The grand- mother of Timothy was one of the sufferers of the Deerfield (Conn.) massacre, she escaping only with her life. As indemnity for their losses, Congress apportioned lands in Ohio to the survivors; this land was in- herited by William, who sold the same without having seen it. William Rockwell was an excellent scholar, and commenced teaching when eighteen years old. He was married in Connecticut ; moved to Onon- daga County, N. Y., where he taught, as also at Parma, Genessee and Oswego, at which place he was Justice of the Peace several years. In 1837, he came to Centre Township, in this county, where he engaged in teaching, and later was elected a Commissioner of Lake County ; he died in January, 1855. Timothy C. Rockwell received a fair school education, and in 1837 came to Centre Township, Lake County, on foot, having driven a herd of cows. He pre-empted 160 acres, built a cabin and cleared a farm. In 1839, he learned the coopering trade, and was for many years the only cooper in the county, and found a market for his work in Chicago. On June 16, 1845, he married Malinda Brown, of Indiana, with a result of seven children, five of whom now survive- Adelia, Laura (now Mrs. Paul E. Raasch), William, Arminius B. and Julius. In 1866, he exchanged his farm for hotel property in Crown Point, and managed and owned the Rockwell House until 1881, when he rented the same and retired. Mr. Rockwell is one of the few pioneers of Lake County.


HENRY SASSE, SR., one of the old settlers of Lake County, was born at Nesse, near Bremerhaven, Province of Hanover, Germany, and is the only living child of Henry and Gesche (Mueller) Sasse. Henry Sasse, our subject, was reared a farmer. In 1827, he was married to Anne Burger, and with her and his two children, emigrated to America,


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induced by the desire to obtain a home in a new and free country ; this was in 1834. They settled first near Ann Arbor, Mich. ; purchased eighty acres, and began to clear the same. In 1838, he removed to Lake County, Ind., then but sparsely settled by "squatters." Here he settled on a tract of 280 acres in Hanover Township, where his wife died in 1840, leaving three children-Henrietta G. (deceased), Henry and William E. (deceased). In 1841, he married a second wife, Johanna Burger, a sister of his first wife, by whom he had eight children, all of whom are dead. She also died in 1866, and in 1870 Mr. Sasse married his present wife, Magdalena Hedden, by whom he has one son-Herman Emil. In 1877, he came to Crown Point, where he lives retired. Mr. Sasse has been long identified with public improvements, and has con- tributed largely thereto. He was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican. He was Assessor of Hanover Township ten years, and Jus- tice of the Peace eight years. In 1867, he was commissioned by Gov. Baker, emigrant agent; has visited the Fatherland four times, and in- duced many to come hither for homes and happiness. He is now in his eightieth year, and one of the most prominent German citizens.


J. C. SAUERMAN, ex-County Treasurer, was born in Bavaria, near where Saxony and Austria join, March 7, 1832, and is the oldest of six children of Nicholas and Kunigunda (Schneider) Sauerman. His parents came to Crown Point in 1854, and died on the farm in Centre Township-the father in 1876, the mother in 1870. J. C. Sauerman came from Bremen to Philadelphia, with a voyage of forty-two days. He went direct to Chicago, where he had an uncle, and the day of his arrival found work at farming. After three months, he returned to Chicago and learned harness-making. In 1850, he went back to Germany. On his return, in 1851, he came to Crown Point and began as harness- maker for himself. Crown Point was then but a place of 200 or 300 inhabitants. Mr. Sauerman has watched its growth, and contributed considerably thereto. He followed his trade until 1875, when he was elected Treasurer of Lake County, which office he has filled with the full- est satisfaction. He came hither poor, and now represents one of the wealthy of the place-all accumulated by labor and economy. He owns 260 acres in Lake County, besides town property. He is a stock-owner and Director of the First National Bank. He is a Republican, and gave his first vote for Gen. Fremont. In 1852, he was married to Miss Pauline Strochlein, a native of Bavaria, but a resident of Crown Point. To this union there were born four children-Maggie, now Mrs. Dr. Henry Pettibone ; Andrew A., Assistant Cashier of First National Bank of Crown Point; Edward, deceased, and Flora. Mr. and Mrs. Sauer- man belong to the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Sauerman is a


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founder and strong supporter. He has held several offices of trust and honor, and was Treasurer of the County Agricultural Society a number of years.


ADAM SCHMAL was born in the Province of Rhine, Germany, June 24, 1828. He is a son of Joseph and Anna C. (Spidler) Schmal, natives of the same locality. His father was a carpenter, which trade he followed thirty-six years in Germany. He intended coming to America in 1837, with John Hack, deceased (a sketch of whom will be found in the department of Crown Point), who, however, sent a glowing account of Lake County, which started him to the new world, and he arrived in New York after a thirty days' rough passage, whence he went to Chicago, and thence to this county in 1838, where he settled to farm- ing and died May 18, 1859, his wife preceding him by ten days. Adam has an English and German education, and, like his father, is a farmer, with one of the finest farms in this county, with all improvements; it contains 400 acres. On April 29, 1851, he was married to Margaret Rassier, a native of Germany, whose parents came to Lake County in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Schmal have seven children-Barbara (now Mrs. J. Wachter), Lily (now Mrs. J. G. Bohling), Peter, George, Margaret, Catherine and Frederick William. Mr. Schmal is a Republican, and was County Treasurer from 1867 to 1871-a most satisfactory official. He has also been County Commissioner, and has held other township offices. He came to his present farm in 1875.


H. J. SHOULTERS, Postmaster of Crown Point, was born in Mont- pelier, Vt., May 19, 1842, and is a son of Solomon and Mary G. (Rey- nolds) Shoulters. Solomon Shoulters, while living at Montpelier, was Superintendent of Railway Construction ; he was a native of New England and his wife of New York ; both are dead, and buried in Gen- esee County, N. Y. H. J. Shoulters resided in Montpelier until 1852, when he removed with his parents to Genesee County, N. Y. He re- ceived but a spare education, and learned the trade of watch-maker and jeweler ; this he followed until 1862, when in the cause of his country he enlisted in Company, H, One Hundred and Fortieth New York Volun- teers, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was at Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, in which, on May 5, 1864, he was shot through the knee by a minie ball, and after lying on the field two days, was taken to the hospital at Fredericksburg, thence conveyed to Washington, was furloughed and subsequently discharged. This wound caused a stiffness of the knee, which has remained. He re- turned to Valparaiso after the war, visited Batavia, N. Y., and came to Crown Point in 1874, and worked at his trade. On February 7, 1871, he was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Marsh, to which union were born four


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children-Mabel E., Ada M., Harvey M. (deceased) and James M. Mrs. Shoulters is a member of the Presbyterian Church, daughter of Caleb and Mary (Latten) Marsh, and a sister of Prof. O. C. Marsh, of Yale College. In 1876, Mr. Shoulters commenced the drug business, which he discon- tinued. In 1877, he was appointed Postmaster of Crown Point, and in 1882 was re-appointed by President Arthur. In politics, Mr. Shoulters is a stanch Republican ; he is also an Odd Fellow and in the Encamp- ment and Grand Lodge, in the first two having passed all the chairs. Dur- ing 1873, Mr. Shoulters was Deputy County Auditor.


OTTO SHULTZ was born in Posen, Germany, June 10, 1859, and is the only child of William F. and Joanna Schultz, both natives of Ger- many. William F. Schultz was a miller by trade, and for a time a soldier in the German Army. Otto Schultz obtained a fair education in the schools of his native country and in America. His father died when he was four years old. In 1865, he and his mother emigrated to the United States, settling at Monee, Ill. In 1868, his mother remarried and moved to a farm in Will County, Ill., where he worked until 1870. In 1872, he commenced business at Crown Point, Ind., with a peddling- wagon, which he discontinued after two months. He then purchased a small stock of general merchandise, gradually increasing the same, until he now has a large and assorted variety of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, carpets, tinware, crockery, fancy goods and notions, of the value of $9,000. In this business he is doing excellently, his an- nual sales reaching $21,000. Mr. Schultz is a member of the Lutheran Church, and one of the enterprising young merchants of the town.




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