USA > Indiana > Lake County > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of Lake County, Indiana, with a compendium of history 1834-1904 > Part 28
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Mr. Allman was twice married. On the 26th of November, 1857, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Olive Wilcox. who died on the Ist of June, IS59. On the 22d of March, 1860, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary A. Luther, and they became the parents of five chil- dren, who survive the father, whose death occurred at his home in Crown Point January 14. 1897, when he was nearly seventy-three years of age. Mr. Allman held membership with no church, but lived a most upright, hon- orable life. was always temperate in his habits and generous in his support of religious and benevolent enterprises. Indeed his career was in many respects most exemplary. He was always deeply interested in the growth and
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progress of the city and his co-operation could always be counted upon to aid in the advancement of any movement which promised to be of lasting benefit to Crown Point. He possessed a strong love of nature and was never happier than when he could find time to get away from his office and spend some hours nearer to nature. He was a man whom to know was to respect and honor. Numbred among Crown Point's pioneers his entire life to his fellow townsmen was as an open book which all might read. He possessed strongly domestic tastes and while he accomplished much in the business world and ratified his friendships by kindly sympathy and thoughtful consideration for others, his greatest depth of love was reserved for his family.
MRS. MARY ALLMAN.
Mrs. Mary Allman, the widow of Amos Allman, of Crown Point, whose sketch is given above, was born in Concord, New Hampshire, October 18, 1832, and is a daughter of James and Irena (Ransom) Luther. Her father was also a native of the old Granite state and in the year 1834 he emigrated westward to Indiana, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of the state. He took up his abode in Porter county and there secured a tract of wild and unim- proved land, which he transformed into a good farm, carrying on agricult- ural pursuits on that property up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was in his sixty-second year. His wife survived him for some time and passed away in her sixty-ninth year. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, but Henry, Maria, John, Amos, Caleb, Charles and Martha A. are all now deceased. Those still living are Martin, who makes his home in Colorado, and Mary A.
Mary Luther was but two years old when brought by her parents to Indiana. She was reared in Porter county and after attending the common schools of those early days she became a student in Valparaiso. When about sixteen years of age she began teaching and was thus engaged until twenty years of age. On the 22d of March, 1860, she gave her hand in marriage to Amos Allman, whose life record is given above. By her marriage she be- came the mother of two sons and three daughters : Walter I .. , who is repre- sented elsewhere in this volume: Mary I .. the wife of Judge McMahan, whose life history is also given in this work; Claude W., who is with his
Mary a. allman.
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brother Walter in business ; Jessie May, at home; and Nellie L., the wife of J. B. Neal, of Joliet, Illinois. All were born in Crown Point. Mrs. Allman has spent almost her entire life in Indiana and has long been a resident of Crown Point. She is one of the pioneer women of this portion of the state and has witnessed the wonderful transformation that has occurred as Lake and Porter counties have emerged from frontier conditions into a high state of civilization. She lias a wide acquaintance in northwestern Indiana and to-day many friends entertain for her the warmest regard. Mrs. Allman is a lover of flowers and among the beauties of nature she enjoys many happy hours.
CARL EDWARD BAUER.
Carl Edward Bauer, secretary of the Simplex Railway Appliance Con- pany at Hammond, is one of the practical and progressive business men of the city. As a mechanical expert and contriver he is especially proficient, and as such has been a valuable member of his company. He has been an American citizen for over twenty years, and owing to his ability he has been constantly engaged in useful activity and has filled a worthy niche in the world of industry. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Ham- mond, where he lias lived for the past six years, and in both business and social and civic affairs his personal integrity and worth of character have made him a man of influence.
Mr. Bauer was born in the village of Langenholzhausen, province of Lippe-Detmold, Germany, on November 5. 1857, being a son of Ferdinand E. and Minna (Bock) Bauer, both natives of the fatherland. His mother was a daughter of Christian Bock, who was a farmer and brewer and also ran a bakery at Varenholz, in the province of Lippe-Detmold. He had an inn in that place, and was a prominent burger of the town, serving as its mayor. He died at the age of fifty-five years, and his wife survived him a number of years. They had three children.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Bauer was Frederick E. Bauer, who was a German miller, and was also mayor of his home village. He lived to be about seventy years of age. His wife, who attained the age of seventy- six, was named Wilhelmina Mello, whose father was a Hollander and later a German settler.
Ferdinand E. Baucr was one of a good-sized family. He followed in
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the footsteps of his father and made milling his occupation until very recently. He is now living retired at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, being one of those sturdy Teutons who never grow old and who retain their vitality to the last. He resides in his old home at Langenholzhausen. He is still able to read without glasses. He has been a prominent man in his community, having been mayor of the village a number of times, and also a deputy to the provincial diet. In his younger days he traveled all over Europe, and is a well-informed and most intelligent old gentleman. His wife is also living, and well and hearty at the age of eighty-three. They belong to the Reformed church. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters: Leopold: August; Johanna, wife of Rev. Korff; Emil : Carl E .: and Helen, who died at the age of six years.
Mr. Carl E. Bauer was reared and educated in Germany, and served his full time in the cavalry branch of the regular army, being a non-com- missioned officer during his service, and at the time of his departure from the country he was a lieutenant of the army reserve. His education was received in the gymnasium and his technical training at the polytechnic school, so that he had the thorough and careful German equipment for life's duties.
He came to America in 1882, locating first at Terre Haute, Indiana. where he was in the employ of the Terre Haute Car Manufacturing Com- pany as a mechanical engineer. He was there until 1887, and then took a similar position at Muskegon, Michigan, with the Muskegon Car Company, with whom he remained until 1892. From that time until 1895 he was in the employ of the Indiana Car and Foundry Company at Indianapolis, and for the following two years was with the Illinois Car and Equipment Com- pany. In 1897 he began his connection with the Simplex Railway Appliance Company, which in the following year located its shops at Hammond. He is now secretary of the company. From three to four hundred persons are employed by this concern, and their large annual product consists of various kinds of car and railway appliances.
Mr. Bauer has fraternal affiliations with Ilegewisch Lodge No. 766. I. O. O. F., and also with Crystal Lodge No. 258, K. of P. His politics are Republican. He has a nice home on Hohman street, and he and his family stand high in the social circles of the city. He was married in April,
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1887, to Miss Olga Wittenberg, a daughter of Otto and Charlotte (Sachs) Wittenberg. There were four sons and two daughters born of their union : Walter; Gretchen; Carl; Minnie, who died at the age of six years; Ernest, who lived only a little over a year ; and Emil.
NATHAN B. MEEKER.
Nathan B. Meeker, who has been a well-known and prosperous farmer of Center township on the old Mecker homestead for over a quarter of a century, is a member of an influential and long established family of Lake county, his brothers, J. Frank and Charles H., being worthy and successful representatives of the professional and business life of the county as he him- seif is of the agricultural interests. He has devoted his best efforts and endeavors to farming since arriving at years of manhood, and these thirty odd years have been prosperous from a material and individual standpoint and of eminent usefulness to the social and industrial development and progress of the community in general.
Mr. Meeker was born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, November 4. 1850, being the eldest son of Sherman B. and Elizabeth (Gress) Meeker, whose history is further detailed in the sketches of their above mentioned sons, to be found on other pages of this work.
Mr. Meeker, when four years old, was brought from his native place to Illinois, about a year later to Calhoun county. Michigan. at the age of nine to White county, Indiana, and thence to Carroll county, and in 1865 to Lake county, where his home has been ever since. He was educated in the public schools of the last three mentioned counties, and was reared to farm life and remained at home assisting his parents until his marriage in 1873.
Mr. Meeker married, April 29, 1873, Miss Isadore Craft. and they have one son, Thomas C., who is studying in the pharmacy department of the Northern Indiana Normal at Valparaiso. Mrs. Meeker was born in Ohio, April 23, 1851, and came with her parents, Thomas and Lucinda (Forsha) Craft, to Lake county when she was about two years old, and she was reared and educated at Orchard Grove, Cedar Creek township. There were twelve children in the Craft family, seven sons and five daughters, and there are seven now living: Morgan, who is married and is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Monon, White county, this state;
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Cassander, who is married and is a farmer at Momence, Kankakee county, Illinois : Mrs. Meeker; James, a farmer of Lake county ; Jennie, who was a Lake county teacher and is now the wife of George Norton, a farmer of Lake county ; Adelbert, who is married and is farming at Lowell; and Elza, a farmer in this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Meeker began their married life as renters in Kankakee county. Illinois. They located in Center township in 1878, on the homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where they have resided ever since and conducted a farming and stock-raising business. They are citizens of high standing socially and personally, and are held in high esteem throughout their home township.
Mr. Meeker has been a life-long Republican and first voted for General Grant. He and his wife are members of the Grange, and he has fraternal affiliations with the Knights of the Maccabees at Crown Point.
Mrs. Mceker's parents are both deceased, and the following paragraphs, taken from the local press, give the details of their useful and well-spent lives and add to the completeness of this biography :
"Thomas Craft, the subject of this week's half-tone illustration, is now a resident of Lowell, where he moved a short time ago to spend his remain- ing years.
"He was born in Pennsylvania on July 24, 1826. At the age of five years he moved with his parents to Ohio, in which state he received his early education in a day when school facilities were not of the best and school hours few and far between. On arriving at manhood he first started to work for his father at one hundred dollars per year, but at the end of the first year found that this was earning money too slow. so he cleared about four acres of timber land and started into the cultivation of tobacco and made considerable money in raising and handling this product.
"He was married November 30. 1848, to Lucinda Forsha, with whom he lived happily for forty years, when death claimed her in 1888. In 1854 he moved with his family to Orchard Grove, where he first purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, to which he added other purchases from time to time until at last his total holdings were over four hundred acres of well improved real estate.
"He has eight children, all of whom with the exception of one are
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married and living upon farms, with the exception of the oldest son, Morgan, who is in business at Monon, Indiana.
"He was married again in 1894.
"He has recently sold his entire farm to James Black, of Momence, for sixty dollars per acre, the tract bringing him twenty-four thousand dol- lars, and a public sale of his personal property netted him two thousand dollars, thus leaving him sufficient means to provide for his welfare in his old age and enable him to live in peace and comfort."
"Passed Away-Mrs. Lucinda (Forsha) Craft was born in Marietta, Monroe county, Ohio, January 16, 1830. Died at her residence in Orchard Grove, Indiana, January 31, 1888, aged fifty-eight years and sixteen days. She was married to Thomas Craft. November 30, 1848, in Fredericktown, Ohio. In the fall of 1854 shie with her husband moved to Lake county, In- diana, where she lived till her death, then crossing the bright river. She was the mother of twelve children, three in their heavenly home, nine on earth. She lived happily forty years with her husband. January 25 she was taken very ill, and after six days of intense suffering, she gave up life on earth for a brighter home above. She has passed away and left us with nothing but a pleasant memory. A break has been made in our hearts by that casket, open grave and silent mound, which can never be healed.
"Dearest mother, thou hast left 11s, And gone to that better land; Would that you could have remained with us But the voice of God you heard.
"Oh! mother, thou hast left us, To join that heavenly band, Nevermore to return to your loved ones- Left us here, on this desolate plain."
HEINRICH C. SCHRAGE.
Heinrich C. Schrage is filling the position of teller in the Bank of Whiting and is a son of Henry Schrage, the president of the institution. who is mentioned on another page of this work. Heinrich C. Schrage was born on the 2d of July, 1869, pursued his education in the public schools
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here and in the Lutheran school at Colehour, Illinois, where he spent one year. He entered upon his business career as a clerk in the general store owned by his father at Whiting, and served in that capacity until he took charge of the postoffice in 1892. He remained there until 1896, since which time he has been largely connected with banking interests. He was, how- ever, appointed postmaster in January. 1899. and filled that position for two and a half years, when he resigned in order to accept the position of teller in the Whiting Bank. In this capacity he is now serving, and he has thor- ongh and practical knowledge of the banking business that has resulted in making him one of the strong and influential representatives of financial interests in Lake county. The bank has a capital and a surplus of sixty thousand dollars and a large business is conducted. The management of the institution devolves in marked measure upon Mr. Schrage, who is well qualified for the onerons duties.
Mr. Schrage has spent most of his life in Whiting and is well known here. He is the owner of considerable real estate in Schrage avenue, having houses there which he rents, and these bring to him a good income. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he belongs to the Lutheran church. In Whit- ing he is well known, and his social qualities have made him popular with a large circle of friends, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from early boyhood is an indication that his salient characteristics are those which command respect, confidence and good will.
CHARLES A. JOHNSON.
Charles A. Johnson, nominee for county auditor and who is engaged in the undertaking business in Whiting and is also agent for the Adams Express Company, was born in Chicago, Illinois, June 5. 1866, his parents being Andrew M. and Margaret Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden and who on emigrating to the new world established their home in Chicago. On the 18th of July. 1866. Andrew M. Johnson removed with his family from that city to Lake county, Indiana, his son Charles being then only but six weeks old. The boy was reared in this county, pursued his early education in the public schools and afterward attended Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois, where he completed his school work. He then returned to his father's farm and for some four or five years remained with his parents.
Charles. A. Johnson
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Being the youngest of the family lie assumed charge of the home farm after the others had left and continued its management up to the time of his mar- riage. He had early been trained to habits of industry and economy upon the old homestead place, and was familiar with the work of field and meadow when he relieved his father of the care and labor of the farm.
In 1888 Charles A. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Wild, who died April 19. 1894. She was the mother of four children, of whom two are now living : Charles E. and Herbert T. On the 3d of March, 1899. Mr. Johnson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Charlotte Beck, and they are now well known in Whiting, where they have an extensive circle of friends.
Mr. Johnson took up his abode in this city on the 5th of March, 1892, and embarked in the undertaking business. He also established a livery stable and has continued in both lines to the present time. He holds three diplomas for efficiency in embalming, having attended and graduated from the United States School of Embalming at St. Louis, conducted by Professor Sullivan; the Boston School of Embalming, under Professor Dodge, and the Embalming School of Professor Myers at Springfield, Ohio. He has a well equipped undertaking establishment, carrying everything in his line, and he is also receiving a liberal patronage in the livery business. He is like- wise agent for the Adams Express Company and is thus well known in the business circles of Whiting.
Mr. Johnson is quite active and influential in local political circles and has been chosen for a number of public offices. He served as trustee of his town for two years, has been president of the town board, and. March 19, 1904. received the nomination for county auditor of Lake county on the Re- publican ticket. For many years Mr. Johnson has taken a leading part in Republican politics of Lake county, and ever since he gained his majority he has earnestly supported the principles and policies of that party and without question has fully earned the nomination for the office of county auditor. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of the Maccabees. Almost his entire life has been passed in Lake county, and the circle of his acquaintances has continually grown. By perseverance. determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to 20
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success, and through untiring activity has reached the goal of prosperity. He is recognized in his community as a man of broad mind and public spirit. and his genuine worth has won him high esteem.
MARCUS M. TOWLE.
Marcus M. Towle, the well-known business man of Hammond, has the distinction of being one of the founders of this now thriving city in extreme northwest Indiana. Hammond is best known to the outside world for its dressed beef industries, and it is a matter of history that Mr. Towle took part in the establishment of the first packing house in this place, as it was one of the first in the country, and was one of the energetic and enterprising members of the firm that sent some of the first consignments of beef abroad. He was not only thus active in giving birth to the city, but has since been vitally interested in the material development and progress of the city. While he has been successful in his own affairs, he has never neglected the welfare of his city, and with unselfish devotion to its good has participated in many enterprises, both in the capacity of an official and as a private citizen, and for that reason is regarded by his fellow citizens as one of the most public-spirited and progressive of men.
Mr. Towle was born in Danville. New Hampshire, January 14, 1843, a son of Amos G. and Mary P. (Page) Towle. His grandfather, Nehemiah Towle, was a native New Hampshire farmer, and died when about eighty years old. His wife survived him some years, and they had only one son, Amos G. The latter was also a native of New Hampshire, and was a mer- chant, first in Danville and then in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he re- mained up to the time of his death, in 1860, when forty-four years old. He was postmaster at Danville under President Taylor, having been one of the eight men of the town who voted for Taylor. He and his wife were both Universalists. His wife, Mary (Page) Towle, who survived him until 1900, being seventy-six years of age, was a native of New Hampshire and a daughter of Thomas Page, who was a New Hampshire farmer, a soldier in the war of 1812, was the recipient of several offices in his township and the owner of considerable property, and lived to be a very old man, having been the father of several sons and daughters. Amos and Mary Towle were the parents of sixteen children, seven sons and nine daughters, nine of whom
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are living now: Marcus M .; Mrs. Mary Flanders, of Haverhill, Massachu- setts; Charles, of Haverhill; Porter, of Hammond, Indiana; Amos, of Ham- inond; Olive, of Haverhill; Mrs. Henrietta Ladd, of Haverhill; Elizabeth ; and Clara.
Mr. Marcus M. Towle lived in Danville until the age of twelve, and then moved with the family to Haverhill, in which two towns he received most of his education. He learned the butcher's trade, and followed it for many years. He was in Boston for some time, and then came to Detroit, Michigan, where he lived for six years, and then returned to Boston. In 1869 he came out to where the present city of Hammond is situated, for there was 110 town there at the time. In partnership with George H. Ham- mond, Caleb Ives and George W. Plumer, he established the dressed beef business, which was the real foundation of the town. He also laid out the town and named it in honor of Mr. Hammond. The beef business was started as the Hammond, Plumer & Company, and at the death of Mr. Plumer in 1874 the business was incorporated as the George H. Hammond & Company, with Mr. Hammond as president and Mr. Towle as vice-presi- dent. Mr. Towle continued his connection with the company until 1884. They originated the dressed beef business in this country, and shipped the first cargo of dressed beef to England, Mr. Towle going on the first trip and making arrangements in England for the handling of the product. The enterprise was started on a small scale, but eventually employed two thousand men. The firm has recently been removed to Chicago.
On withdrawing from the meat business Mr. Towle engaged in various enterprises in the city. He organized the First National Bank in 1886. 1n 1902-3 he built the fine new opera house known as the Towle Opera House, with a seating capacity of fourteen hundred persons. For the past ten years he has given his attention to the greenhouse and florist business, having now an area of twenty-five thousand square feet under glass, and carrying on an extensive trade in this and surrounding cities.
December 25, 1865, Mr. Towle married Miss Irena Dow, a daughter of Jacob and Mrs. (Stevens) Dow. They have six children: Marcus M., Jr., who is a clerk in the First National Bank, and who married Miss Matilda Gherke; George Hammond, who is assistant manager of the opera house; Fred Cheney, who is a locomotive engineer on the Erie Railroad ;
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Annic May; Birdie; and Ida Mary. Mrs. Towle is a member of the Meth- odist church. Mr. Towle affiliates with Garfield Lodge No. 569, F. & A. M., and was the first master of the lodge: also with Hammond Chapter, R. A. M., and Hammond Commandery, K. T. In politics Mr. Towle is a Republican, but has been interested in party affairs only so far as it would help his city. He was the first mayor of Hammond, serving for two terms, and was town- ship trustee two terms, and has also been a delegate to several state con- ventions. He owns a beautiful residence, which he erected in 1885, and also lias other city property.
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