USA > Indiana > Lake County > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of Lake County, Indiana, with a compendium of history 1834-1904 > Part 16
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
"boys in blue" of the Civil war. His life history began in Germany more than seventy years ago, his natal day being the 11th of November, 1833. He acquired his education in the fatherland and remained a resident of that country until eighteen years of age, when, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities than were afforded in his own country, he made arrangements to come to America. Bidding adieu to home, family and friends, he crossed the Atlantic and went first to Crawford county, Ohio, where he remained for about two months. He then came to Lake county, Indiana, in 1853. and worked by the month as a farm land for six dollars per month. When he had become acquainted with the English language and was able to make his service of more value, his wages were correspondingly increased, and he thereby laid the foundation for his later success.
Mr. Wagonblast was employed as a farm laborer until 1863. when he left the plow and shouldered the musket in order to protect the Union cause, enlisting as a member of Company G. Twelfth Indiana Cavalry. He became a private and thus served until the close of the war, taking part in many engagements, including the battle of Stone River and others in that part of the country. Ile sustained an injury by falling on a rock, which broke some of the ribs on the left side, and from this he has never fully recovered. He was in the hospital for about eight months and afterward received an hon- orable discharge and returned to his home. He then resumed farming in Lake county, and has since been identified with its agricultural interests.
In 1867 Mr. Wagonblast was united in marriage to Miss Victoria Schuster, and to them have been born twelve children : John, Cynthia, Sophia, Rose. Mary and Lizzie are living. John, at home with his parents and a practical farmer and stockman, was educated in the common schools and is a member of the Foresters. Court No. 4. at Crown Point; Cynthia was educated in the common schools and is at home; Sophia is the wife of John Rettig, a farmer in Center township: Rose is the wife of Joseph Walz, a farmer of Ross township: Mary is the wife of Peter Mitch, of Center town- ship : and Lizzie is at home.
Mr. Wagonblast owns one hundred and ten acres of rich land, which he has acquired through his own labors. His son John now carries on the home farm, while he is largely living a retired life, merely giving his atten- tion to the supervision of the farm. His life has been a busy and useful
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one, and energy forms the keynote of his character. He realized in youth that labor is the basis of all success, and, working indefatigably. he accumu- lated the capital that enabled him to invest in land, which he developed into one of the fine farms of his adopted county and equipped with modern improvements. Prior to the Civil war he was deeply interested in the ques- tion of slavery, and when the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks and voted for John C. Fremont, its first candidate. He has since sup- ported its standard bearers and is deeply interested in its success, but has never wanted office for himself. He belongs to John Wheeler Post. G. A. R., at Crown Point and is well known in the county as a man of worth. His life stands in exemplification of the phrase the "dignity of labor," and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to make the United States his home.
WILLIAM F. HALE.
William F. Hale, for a number of years one of the forceful and honored factors in commercial circles in East Chicago and one whose influence has not been a minor element among the business men of his portion of the state. has attained to prominence through the inherent force of his character, the exercise of his native talent and the utilization of surrounding opportunities. His business career excites the admiration and has won the respect of his contemporaries, yet it is not this alone that entitles him to rank among the foremost men of his adopted city. His connection with the public interests here has been far-reaching and beneficial, for he has aided in shaping the municipal policy and in promoting many interests for the general good. His patriotic citizenship and his interest in community affairs has taken tangible form in his zealous labors for the improvements instituted through aldermanic measures, and as mayor of the city he is giving a practical, business-like administration that is of marked benefit.
Mr. Hale was born in London, Canada, March 1, 1866, and is a son of Levi and Robena ( Robertson) Hale. In the paternal line he is a representa- tive of a New England family. His grandfather, William Hale, a native of Vermont, was a contractor engaged in the building of railroads and public works. Leaving his native state he removed to London, Canada, where he died when more than sixty years of age. He wedded Mary Robinson and
William J. Hale
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they reared a large family, including Levi Hale, who was also born in Ver- mont. He became a farmer by occupation and removed from the Green Mountain state to Canada, but in 1877 returned to his native country, residing for a time in Cleveland, Ohio. Subsequently he went to Missouri, settling at Columbia, that state, but later he returned to Cleveland and afterward estab- lished his home at Lima, Ohio. He next took up his abode at North Balti- more, that state, and thence came to East Chicago in the summer of 1903, living now a retired life at this place. He was united in marriage to Miss Robena Robertson, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and is a daughter of James Robertson, also a native of the land of the hills and heather. He was a very religious man and a colporteur. He owned a farm rear London, Canada, and there spent his remaining days, dying at an advanced age. His wife, Mrs. Jane Robertson, has also passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Levi Hale were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom six are now living : William F .; James R., of Hallsville, Missouri ; Margaret, who died aged twenty-three years : Charles I .. , of Cleveland, Ohio: Aurilla. the wife of Samuel Henderson, of Cygnet. Olio; Rolla P., of East Chicago, Indiana ; and Miss Hallie Hale, of East Chicago, Indiana.
William F. Hale was a young lad when taken by his parents from Canada to Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the public schools of that city and after putting aside his text books he learned and followed the hammersmith's trade, devoting several years to that business. He afterward entered the employ of the Brownell Improvement Company in Lake county, Illinois, in the capacity of superintendent. and in 1900 he entered into partnership with C. D. Moon, of East Chicago, as dealers in wood, coal, ice and building materials. They still conduct the business under the firm style of Moon & Hale, and have established a leading commercial enterprise of the town, securing a good patronage which is constantly growing in volume and importance. Their business methods are found to be thoroughly reliable, and they have never been known to take advantage of the necessities of their fellow men in any trade transactions.
On the 12th of October, 1891, Mr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Williams. a daughter of James and Jane Williams. The circle of their friends in East Chicago is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances. Mr. Hale is a valued representative of the Masonic fraternity,
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holding membership in East Chicago Lodge No. 595, F. & A. M .; Hammond Chapter, R. A. M .; and Hammond Commandery No. 41. K. T. He is also connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees.
Politically he has always been a Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He was first called to public office to serve as clerk of East Chicago, which position he filled for two years, and then in May, 1898, he was elected mayor and by re-election has since been continued in the office. In May, 1904, he was again elected mayor for a term of two years. No citizen of East Chicago is more thoroughly representative or more devoted to the promotion of her welfare than Mr. Hale, whose name is widely known for the prominent part he has taken in local affairs. Without doubt, he is one of the most progressive and public-spirited men of Lake county, and his means and influence have been used unsparingly in advancing enterprises, industries and improvements in this place. now one of the most flourishing towns in Indiana.
WILLIAM COCHRAN.
William Cochran, who, with his brother Henry, carries on successful farming operations at Section 2 of Eagle Creek township, is to be counted among the oldest of the native sons of Lake county, for the births of sixty years ago in this county were very few in number and the country was sparsely settled as compared with its present populousness. Mr. William Cochran followed the flag of an Indiana regiment during the Civil war, but otherwise his life pursued the quiet walks of peace in the occupation of farming in Lake county, and he has never married. He and his brother have conducted their farm together, and are among the progressive and public-spirited men of their township. esteemed and honored in all their relations with their fellows. Henry is a man of family, and is likewise a veteran of the great rebellion.
Mr. William Cochran was born at Crown Point. Indiana, December 31, I845. a son of John and Mary Ann (Fisher) Cochran. His father was born in either New York or Connecticut, and came to Lake county, Indiana, about 1840, locating first at Crown Point, but in 1847 moved to Southeast Grove, where he improved a farm and lived till his death, in his eighty-first
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year. During his residence at Crown Point he served as city councilman. and he was a life-long Republican. His wife was born in London, England, and her first marriage was with George Fry, by whom she had two children, and William and Henry Cochran were the issue of the second marriage. She died at the age of sixty-four.
William Cochran, who is the younger of the two sons, was about three years old when his father moved to Southeast Grove, and he was reared on the farm in Eagle Creek township. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, being a boy of sixteen at the time and the youngest member of the regiment. He served three years as a private, and participated in several hard battles during the campaigns through Tennessee, Georgia and other states. He was captured at the battle of Resaca, Georgia. and then spent four and a half months in the prison pen of Andersonville, after which he was confined at Charleston, South Carolina, for a month, and for two months at Florence, South Carolina, where he was finally paroled. On account of disability he received his honorable discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, in 1865, and then returned home to Lake county and engaged in farming. He and his brother conduct a well improved farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Eagle Creek township, and have always enjoyed their share of prosperity.
Mr. Cochran is a Republican in politics, and on that ticket was elected township trustee in 1890, taking office November 19, and has held it to the present time. He is a member of the John Wheeler Post No. 161, G. A. R., at Crown Point.
HENRY COCHRAN.
Henry Cochran, brother of William, was born in Crown Point, February 25, 1844, being the elder son of John and Mary Ann Cochran. He was reared and educated in Eagle Creek township, and during the first part of the Civil war he remained with his parents while his brother was away. In November, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, and served as a private till the close of the war. He was under General Wilson most of the time. He received his honorable discharge at Indianapolis in 1865, and then returned to Lake county and took up the farming pursuits with his brother which have been continued so successfully
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to the present time. They do general farming and stock-raising, and are industrious and excellent managers.
Mr. Henry Cochran is also a stanch Republican, and is a member of the John Wheeler Post No. 161. G. A. R., at Crown Point. He was married, December 5, 1873, to Miss Mary George, who was a daughter of Thomas George, and who was born in Cornwall, England, and at the age of seven years came to America with her parents. Four children have been born to this marriage: Adell, single and at home; Frank, at home; Myrtle, wife of Ernest Dickinson, of Lowell, Indiana; Alma, attending high school at Crown Point.
JAMES M. BRADFORD.
James M. Bradford has been prominently identified with the business interests and public affairs of Hammond. Indiana, for over twenty-five years, and is thus one of the old settlers. having come here when the town was in its early stages of development and progress, which it has been his privilege and lot to further and advance in many ways. He is everywhere recognized as a man of great public spirit and enterprise, equally energetic in private and publie affairs, and willing to sacrifice time and money for the betterment of the civic welfare and the institutions of the city which has for so many years been the center of his activity.
Mr. Bradford was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1852, being a son of William T. and Sarah (Gardner) Bradford, natives, re- speetively, of Bradford county and of Seranton, Pennsylvania. The Bradford family goes back to the famous William Bradford who came over in the May- flower. William T. Bradford, the grandfather of James M. Bradford, was a native of Connecticut, but settled in Pennsylvania at an early day. He ran sawmills in Bradford county. He had four children.
William T. Bradford, Jr., was a millwright, and moved from Bradford county to Tompkins county, New York, where he followed his trade for some years, and then moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he entered the regular army and served five years, and for two years in the home guard. He was state major drummer for the state of Pennsylvania about 1834. He died at Blair, Ohio, on Christmas day, 1888. at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife died in 1885, aged seventy-eight years six months and twenty
g Mb Bradford
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days. Both were Methodists. The father of Mrs. Sarah Bradford was Abraham Gardner, who was a native of Pennsylvania, his father having come there from Massachusetts. He was a farmer. and afterward moved to New York, where he died. in Danby, Tompkins county. He was poormaster of the county for a number of years, and was also justice of the peace and hield other public offices. He was eighty-seven years old at the time of his death, and had been twice married and had seven children. The name was originally spelled Gardiner, and the family record goes back to Richard Gardiner who came to Massachusetts with the Pilgrims. William T. and Sarah Bradford had ten children, five sons and five daughters, and the five now living are : Lydia Ann, widow of Thomas Geddis, of Dryden. New York ; John F., of Cortland, New York : Charles E., of Harvey, Illinois: Delphine, wife of Orn S. Cornelious of Dryden. New York : and James M., of Hammond.
Mr. James M. Bradford lived in Tompkins county, New York, from the age of two till twenty-seven. He attended the public schools of Danby, and in the interims worked on a farm. At the age of thirteen he began learning the painter's trade, which he followed as a journeyman until he was twenty- one, and then began doing contract painting. In 1878 he came to Hammond. and from then until 1901 did contract work and at the same time conducted a general merchandise store. He owns city property in addition to his nice home at 358 South Hohman street.
December 31, 1879, Mr. Bradford married Miss Martha Jane Watts, a daughter of James and Mary Watts. There are three children of this union, Anna May, James Franklin and Pearl. Anna May is the wife of Ray Wells. Mrs. Bradford is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Bradford affiliates with Garfield Lodge No. 569, F. & A. M., and with Calumet Lodge No. 601. I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican. A number of years ago he served the city as water trustee. He was afterward appointed city commissioner by the circuit judge, and was elected county commissioner in 1894. and re-elected in 1896, serving six years in all, during which time he originated the move- ment for putting the new court house in Hammond and was very instru- mental in the successful outcome of that movement. He was also at the head of the movement for securing the splendid gravel and stone roads of the county, and has always been willing to give his assistance to any like enter- prises for the benefit of town or county.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
WILLARD B. VAN HORNE.
Among the enterprising and ambitious young men of Indiana Harbor who have already attained creditable and gratifying success is Willard B. Van Horne, who is engaged in the practice of law and has secured a clientage which many an older practitioner at the bar might well envy. He is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred at his parents' home in Grant Park, on the 4th of June, 1879. He is a son of Dr. George Washington and Sarah (Mather) Van Horne, who were also natives of Illinois. His paternal grandfather, Matthew Van Horne, born in York state, was of Dutch descent and as a means of livelihood followed the occupation of farming. He and his wife reached an advanced age and they reared a large family. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Van Horne was Samuel Mather, who was born in the state of New York and was of English lineage. He, too, followed agricultural pursuits and had passed many milestones on life's journey ere he was called to his final rest. He wedded Mary Snapp, for his second wife, and they had three sons and two daughters, one of whom was Mrs. Sarah Van Horne. By a former marriage he had one daughter.
Dr. George Washington Van Horne is now engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Grant Park, Illinois, where he has lived for many years, and he has not only been a leader in his profession there but has also been an active factor in community interests and has exerted considerable influence in molding public policy, thought and opinion in his town. He has been mayor of the village and was also township treasurer for several years. In 1886 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died in March of that year, when thirty-one years of age. She was a devoted member of the Methodist church. By her marriage she had one son and two daughters: Mabel, the wife of George McGoveny, of Mokena, Illinois : Willard B., of Indiana Harbor; and Della. After the death of his first wife Dr. Van Horne married Miss Cora Parish, of Kentucky, and they had one son and two daughters: Robert R., now deceased; Agnes, who has also passed away ; and Zella Estelle.
Willard B. Van Horne spent his boyhood days in his father's home, attending the public schools there, and when he had completed his preliminary education he entered Greer College at Hoopeston, Illinois. In 1897 he engaged in teaching school and the following year resumed his studies in
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the Valparaiso College at Valparaiso. Indiana, where he was graduated with the class of 1899, on the completion of the scientific course. He was thus well equipped by a more specifically literary training to enter upon the study of law, which be began in the law department of the Valparaiso College, completing the course by graduation in 1901. In June of that year he was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Indiana and also to the United States circuit court for Indiana He then went to Chicago, where he accepted a position requiring his services through the day, and in the evenings he pursued post-graduate work at the night sessions of Kent College of Law, a department of Lake Forest University, being graduated from that institu- tion in June, 1902. He came to Indiana Harbor in the following Septem- ber. and has since been engaged in practice here. In December of that year he was admitted to the bar of the state of Illinois. In his practice he has won very gratifying success, having already gained a good clientage, and his business is continually growing in volume and importance. He is a young man of strong mentality, laudable ambition and firm determination. and his success will undoubtedly increase as the years pass by. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, Knights of Pythias and Royal League, and in his political views is a Republican.
He married, April 27. 1904, Miss Laura E. Winslow, of Whiting. Indiana.
JOHN BLAKEMAN.
John Blakeman is an old settler of Winfield township, and is still resid- ing on the place which he bought over fifty years ago, when he was still struggling to get a foothold in life in order to reach a substantial and com- fortable position in material circumstances. He has gained unusual success in his life endeavors, has prospered by his constant industry, and among the citizens with whom he has been associated so many years he bears a reputa- tion for sterling worth and personal integrity that are in themselves ample rewards for a long career of daily toil and high purposes.
Mr. Blakeman is a native of England and was born in old Warwick- shire, November 12, 1824, being a son of Job Blakeman, who lived and died in the same shire and same house. John was reared and received a very little school training in his native place and worked at day labor there until he
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was twenty-three years old. He then came to America. and worked for monthly wages on a farm in Wyandotte county, Ohio, until 1851, when he came to Lake county, Indiana, which has been the central field of his endeavors ever since. He bought eighty acres of the farm where he still resides, and gave his unstinted efforts to its improvement and cultivation. He has added to this original tract until he now owns two hundred and ten acres, and all the well-kept fences, barns and countless other conveniences which mark the farm out as a model have been placed there by himself. He has been a resident on the same place so long that no other place could seem like home, and now that he has reached the advanced age of eighty years he intends to spend the rest of his peaceful days on the homestead which his early labors made and adorned.
Mr. Blakeman is a believer in the political faith of the old Greenback party, and he has always given a proper share of his attention to the affairs of the world and his locality. He has been married twice. His first wife, whom he married in Ohio, was Roxie L. Williams, and she died having been the mother of five children, three of whom are living: Caroline, Olive and Charles. Mr. Blakeman was married in 1866 to his present wife, Hannah J. Miller, and they had one daughter. Amanda, who is the wife of Jacob Steinhilber. The latter is a farmer, and manages Mr. Blakeman's farm.
JOHN BLACK.
John Black, a retired farmer and an old settler of Lake county, now residing in Crown Point, has had a career to which he may point with justi- fiable pride. He landed, a stranger, in America fifty years ago, fifty dollars in debt, and with only a vigorous manhood and determined will for capital. Nearly all these subsequent years have been spent in Lake county, and his early labors caused steady material progress until he is now the owner of one of the best farming estates of the county, besides much other property and business interests. He is an ex-county commissioner and in other ways has shown his public-spirited interest in the development and welfare of the county where he has so long made his home and built his own substantial and prosperous career.
Mr. Black was born in Saxony, Germany, July 24, 1832, and lived there the first twenty-two years of his life. He attended the public schools during
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
the required period to fourteen years of age, and the other years spent in the fatherland were devoted to farm work, where frugalness and thrift in management were virtucs so inculcated as to be a permanent part of his character and to be responsible for much of his future success. He came to America in 1854. After a short time spent in Buffalo, New York, he came to Chicago and at Blue Island did railroad work for the Grand Trunk for about a year and a half. He was in Porter county, Indiana, for about six months, and then located permanently in Lake county, where he began his career by working by the month. After getting considerable saved up he bought land in Eagle Creek township, and subsequent additions and con- tinued prosperity have caused his landed possessions to swell to the amount of five hundred and eighty acres. He was a resident of Eagle Creek town- ship until 1894, in which year he retired and moved into Crown Point, where he built his present fine residence. He is a director of the Commercial Bank of Crown Point, and owns considerable property in the city.
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