USA > Indiana > Lake County > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of Lake County, Indiana, with a compendium of history 1834-1904 > Part 34
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Mas Eleances Brannan
L
James Brannon
361
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
year after year, and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchases until at the time of his death in 1898 he was the owner of seven hundred and fifty acres of very valuable land. which had been accumulated through his own industry, perseverance and capable management.
Mr. Brannon was very well known in the county as an honored pioneer settler and enterprising agriculturist, and as a citizen he favored public progress and improvement along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. He served as a trustee of West Creek township for twenty years, and was a life-long Republican, heartily endorsing the principles of the party. He held membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he served as an elder for a number of years and he was very liberal in his contributions to the cause of Christianity. His life was at all times actuated by honorable and manly principles.
Mr. Brannon was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Foster, on the I7th of May, 1851. She was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, March 25. 1832, and was a daughter of Elijah D. and Jemima ( Nicliols) Foster. Her father was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, and came to Lake county in 1843, locating on a tract of land in West Creek township, where he en- gaged in general farming throughout his business career. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty-three years and his wife lived to be fifty-six years of age. Both parents of Mrs. Brannon had been married before, and the father had two sons by his former marriage, who were early settlers of Lake county, A. D. Foster coming to Indiana in 1837, while George S. Foster arrived in 1838. There were but two white families in this part of the county at that time. The mother of Mrs. James Brannon was Jemima Nichols, and she was born near Chelsea, Orange county, Vermont, February 7. 1792. She married first Amos Loveland. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, entering the ranks at the age of fourteen. He was pres- ent at the execution of Major Andre. His occupation was that of an agri- culturist. Ile was a Democrat in his political affiliations. The grandfather Nichols was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Brannon's grand- mother was a niece of the celebrated Cotton Mather of historic faine. The parents of Mrs. Brannon had ten children, and she was but eleven years of age at the time of the removal of the family to this state. She has since
362
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
lived in Lake county, making her home here from a time in which there were no frame houses in the county, all the dwellings being built of logs. She has, therefore, witnessed the greater part of the growth and develop- ment of this portion of the state and can relate many interesting incidents concerning pioneer life and experience here. To Mr. and Mrs. Brannon were born five children: Lucina, the wife of M. E. Belshaw: Julia. the de- ceased wife of T. A. Wason: Perry, who lives in North Dakota : George D., who is a practicing physician at Crown Point : and Melvin, who has charge of the Biology Department in the State University at Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Mrs. Brannon is the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and seventy-one acres, which she rents. She holds membership in the Presby- terian church at Lowell and is well known throughout the county, being a representative of one of the honored pioneer families.
HON. THADDEUS S. FANCHER.
Hon. Thaddeus S. Fancher has been an attorney at Crown Point, In- diana, for over thirty years, and has been interested in the draining and im- provement of the swamp land of southern Lake county. He has depended on his own efforts for the advancement made in his profession, having de- frayed his early expenses for education by teaching school. He has had a very successful career, both from his individual standpoint and for the gen- eral welfare, and his services to the county and state as a legislator and promoter of public improvements indicate his worth as a citizen.
His grandfather, Thaddeus S. Fancher, was of French descent, a native of Connecticut, and was a pioneer to Huron county, Ohio, where his son, T. S. Fancher, was born in 1809. The latter lived all his life on one farm in Greenwich township. Huron county, and was a prosperous farmer, living to be eighty-four years old. He was a member of the Methodist church. He married Amy Chapman, who was born and reared in Richland county, Ohio, and is now living in Huron county at the age of eighty-seven. Her father. Cyrus Chapman, was of Scotch descent and a pioneer of Richland county. These parents had ten children, eight sons and two daughters, and five are living at present.
Hon. Thaddeus S. Fancher, who is the seventh child and fourth son,
363
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
was born in Huron county, Ohio, August 31. 1848, and was reared there. His schooling was received in the familiar little red schoolhouse, which was situated a mile from his home, and which contained the primitive equip- ment of the temples of learning of that day, such as hard slab seats, board writing desk, etc. After leaving the district school Mr. Fancher began at- tending Oberlin College, teaching school during the winter to pay expenses. He came to Crown Point in 1868, and for the following two years read law with Major Griffin and taught school. In 1870 he went to the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, and in 1871 graduated in the law depart- ment. He had been admitted to the bar in Crown Point in 1870, and im- mediately on his return from Ann Arbor took up practice. He lost no time in gaining a client or patronage of some kind, for eighty cents was the entire capital to tide him over the initiatory stages of practice. In the same year he was married and settled down to the career of usefulness which has been continued to the present. In 1873 he was elected county superintendent of schools for a term of two years, and was re-elected, but served only a short part of this term, resigning to take up practice. He was prosecuting attorney of the county for four years, and in 1879 was elected to the state legislature by the Republican party. In 1881 he was returned to his seat by the largest majority ever given any candidate in the county up to that time. He was eighty-one days in the first session and one hundred and one in the second, two of the longest sessions on record. The state statutes were revised at the time, and he was one of the revision committee. Since 1881 he has been con- tinuously engaged in practice and also in dealing in land.
Mr. Fancher owns a large tract of land in Lake county, and for the past fifteen years has made a specialty of constructing ditches and draining marsh land. He has had the legal business involved in the construction of over one hundred and fifty miles of ditching, authorized under the law of 188I passed while he was a member of the legislature, and which has cost the landowners up to this time two hundred thousand dollars, and has re- sulted in untold benefit to the citizens of Lake county. This land in the Calu- met district was formerly worth comparatively nothing, but now sells for sixty, seventy and eighty dollars per acre. The first ditch which he con- structed in the Kankakee marsh in 1885 is known as the Singleton ditch, and is seventeen miles long and cost seventeen thousand dollars.
364
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Mr. Fancher married, in 1871. Miss AArdelle Washborn, a daughter of Charles A. and Marietta ( Griffin) Washborn. They have one son, Thad- deus Milton Fancher, who is attending the schools of Crown Point. Mr. Fancher is a member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
CHARLES E. NICHOLS.
Charles E. Nichols, a representative of the business life of Lowell, is engaged in dealing in hay, grain and seeds. He has lived in Lake county throughout his entire life, his birth having occurred in West Creek township, on the 14th of December, 1861. His grandfather. William Nichols, was born in New York and was of French and English descent. His father. H. R. Nichols, was born in Madison county, New York, and came to Lake county in 1836, casting in his lot among the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. He first located in Crown Point, afterward lived in Cedar Creek township, and subsequently in West Creek township, Lake county : he entered land from the government and developed the wild tract into richly cultivated fields, continuing his active connection with farming interests throughout the period of his business career. He lived to be seventy-nine years of age and spent sixty-two years of that time in Lake county. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party, and upon its dissolu- tion he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, with which he con- tinued to affiliate until his death. He was well known in this portion of Indiana, and as a pioneer settler he aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present development and progress of the state. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Phoebe Eliza Kenyon, and was a native of Rhode Island, whence she was brought to Lake county. Indiana, in 1838. when but twelve years of age. Her father. John C. Kenyon. was one of the earliest settlers of Lake county and made his home at Pleasant Grove from the time of his arrival in this state until his death, which occurred in 1888. Mrs. Nichols still survives her husband. and now resides in Lowell in her seventy-eighth year. She has been a resident of Lake county for sixty- five years, and has, therefore. been a witness of the greater part of its growth, development and upbuilding. She can relate many interesting inci- dents of pioneer days and is familiar with its history from the period of early settlement here down to the present time. To Mr. and Mrs. H. R.
365
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Nichols were born six children, three sons and three daughters. all of whom were natives of Lake county, while five are still living, namely: William C., a resident of Lowell: Irving, who died at the age of thirty-one years ; Hannah N., the wife of Mortimer Gragg, of Topeka, Kansas: Ella M., the wife of Cyrus Dickenson, of Lowell: and Alma. the wife of Edson Foster, of Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Charles E. Nichols, the youngest member of the family, was but six years of age when his parents removed from the farm to Lowell and there he began his education in the public schools. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in his boyhood. When nineteen years of age he entered business life as a dealer in hay and grain, being asso- ciated with his father and brother from 1880 until 1886. In the latter year he went to Chicago, where he was engaged in the same line of business for about seven months, and from 1887 until 1890 he was a grain dealer of Crown Point. He again went to Chicago, in 1890. where he remained for about a year and while there was a member of the board of trade. In 1891 he returned to Lowell, since which time he has engaged in dealing in hay, grain and seeds at this place. He makes large purchases and sales, and his well conducted business interests have brought to him very gratifying success. He has now a very large patronage, and his annual sales reach an extensive figure. He is a stockholder and director in the Lowell National Bank and is well known in business circles as one whose success is the legitimate outcome of his energy, determination and honorable dealing.
In 1888 Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Edna May Smith. a daughter of T. M. Smith, of Hammond, Indiana, and they have one child. Stella. Mr. Nichols belongs to Colfax Lodge No. 378, F. & A. M .. and to Lowell Lodge No. 300. K. of P. In politics he has ever been a stanch Republican, has served as a member of the school board, and takes an active interest in the cause of education and in everything pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding of his native county. With the exception of the brief inter- vals passed in Chicago, he has always resided within the borders of Lake county. and his life record is therefore well known to his fellow-citizens here. while the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those with whom he has been acquainted from boyhood is indicative of the fact that his career has ever been such as to command respect and confidence.
366
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
In July, 1904. Mr. Nichols was appointed by the President of the National Hay Association, chairman of the Arbitration National Committee. At the convention at St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Nichols attended and it was subse- quently that he was appointed to this responsible position.
HORATIO R. NICHOLS.
Horatio R. Nichols was born in Fenner, Madison county, New York. January 25, 1818, and died in Lowell, April 13, 1897, leaving to mourn him a devoted wife, five children, four sisters and one brother, one son, three sisters, and one brother having preceded him to the Spirit Land. His age at the time of death was seventy-nine years, two months and seventeen days.
Mr. Nichols worked upon his father's farm, following the usual routine of a farmer boy's life: that is, laboring on the farm during the summer. attending the district school in winter, until he had reached his eighteenth year. At this time a tide of emigration set in towards the great and grow- ing west. A strong desire took possession of Mr. Nichols to see the western country, and. although yet in his teens, he, in company with his brother. bade adieu to the old homestead and set upon their journey towards the setting sun. They reached LaPorte, Indiana, June 2, 1836. Here he sought and obtained work on a farm, where he remained until December following. when he again started west, arriving in this county the same month. Liking the appearance of this part of the country he concluded to settle here. . \ man by the name of Nolan who preceded Mr. Nichols about two years to this county, lived in a little cabin near where the brickyard of H. J. Nichols was, which is now Washington street on the west side. The Nichols brothers purchased Nolan's claim, which then included a large share of the site of Lowell, for which they paid two hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. Nolan moved farther west. In the following May Mr. Nichols moved onto his claim. where he and his brother continued to live alone for several years. They were known by the neighbors as "the old bachelors." After having "batched it" for five years Mr. Nichols concluded it was not "good for man to he alone." So he wooed, won and wedded Miss Phoebe E. Kenyon, January 23. 1845. Fifty years from that date a golden wedding was given in their capacious west side home. Mr. Nichols was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of thirteen years and reunited
chro ERNichols
367
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
with the church in Lowell under the ministry of J. F. McDaniel. His first vote for president was cast for Martin Van Buren in 18440. Thus you see he identified himself with the Democratic party, but being of philanthropic turn of mind and believing that all men should be free he became a Free - Soiler. Since 1856 he has voted with the Republican party. At the time Mr. Nichols settled here his nearest neighbor on the west was Robert Wilkinson, who lived where Mrs. Marvin now lives. Jacob Mendinthall lived where Captain J. L. Manning now lives; Samuel Bryant, Duane Bryant and Elias Bryan lived on the Perry Jones farm, Ross Sanger farm. and John Nichols farm, respectively. Although Mr. Nichols was not one of the oldest settlers here he lived to see this part of the country reclaimed and made to blossom and bloom as the rose.
Funeral services, which were attended by a large concourse of sorrow- ing friends, were held at the Methodist Episcopal church, the Rev. J. B. Sites, assisted by Rev. E. P. Bennett, officiating, after which the mortal remains of the beloved man were interred in the Lowell cemetery, there to rest until the great judgment day comes.
WILLIAM SCHARBACH, SR.
Numbered among the leading business men of Hobart is William Schar- bach, a dealer in lumber and building materials. He is a native son of Ger- many, and in his career has manifested many of the strong and sterling traits of the people of the fatherland. Ilis birth occurred in Sophienhoff bei Demmin, Stettin, October 15, 1843, his parents being William and Mary (Stoll) Scharbach, both of whom are now deceased. Ilis father came to the United States in 1867, locating in Chicago.
In taking up the personal history of William Scharbach we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Hobart and Lake county. His education was acquired in Germany, and he remained there until after he had attained his majority. He was but twenty- four years of age, when in 1867 he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, hoping that he might find better business oppor- tunities in the new world. He did not tarry long on the Atlantic coast, but made his way at once into the interior of the country, locating in Chicago, where he was engaged in the lumber business. He came to Hobart in 1893
365
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
and established the lumber yard which he is now conducting. He deals in all kinds of lumber and building materials, and has developed an enterprise which has reached extensive and profitable proportions. Ernestly desiring to please his patrons, he has through his obliging manner, honorable dealing and reasonable prices won a large share of the public trade. He also con- ducts a planing mill in connection with the lumber trade.
In 1868 Mr. Scharbach was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hagen, who was born in Germany and came to America in 1867. They have five children : Frank, William, Emil, Bernhard and Frederick.
Nr. Scharbach is recognized as a stalwart Republican and has been town trustee for one term, but his time and attention are chiefly devoted to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success.
Frank C. Scharbach. the eldest son of William Scharbach, was born in Chicago, January 31, 1873, and was largely reared in that city, attending German schools. He was also a student in Concordia College at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for three years, during which time he made a special study of languages. After completing his education he joined his father in the lum- ber business. He was twenty years of age when he came to Hobart, and he is now a well known factor in commercial circles. He, too, is a stanch Republican and is very active in the work of his party, serving as chairman of the township central committee. He is now precinct committeeman of the second precinct of Hobart township. On the 29th of September. 1895. he wedded Miss Mary Schumacher, a daughter of John Jeremiah Schumacher, and they have one daughter, Gertrude. Both Mr. Scharbach and his son are well known. and the business enterprise and laudable ambition of the young man, supplementing the sound judgment of the senior partner, render this firm a very strong one in Hobart.
WILLIAM EDWARD BELSHAW.
William Edward Belshaw, formerly identified with agricultural and horticultural interests in Lake county and now living a retired life in Lowell, manifested throughout his business career those sterling traits of character which lead to honorable and satisfactory success. He was resolute and energetic and these qualities were resultant factors in winning him the pros- perity that he now enjoys. He was born in West Creek township. Lake
.
Lprima Belohan
W. E. Relstraw
369
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
county, September 28, 1848. His father, William Belshaw, was a native of England and when a young man came to America, locating at Door Prairie. LaPorte county, Indiana, whence he came to Lake county about 1836. Few settlements had been made within the borders of this county at that time. Much of the land was still in possession of the government, and in consequence was uncultivated and unimproved. The streams had not been bridged and the forests were uncut, and it remained to such enter- prising and progressive citizens as Mr. Belshaw to reclaim the wild district for the purposes of civilization. He secured a tract of land from the gov- ernment and developed a good farm in West Creek township. whereon he spent his remaining days, his life labors being ended in death when he was seventy-one years of age. His religious views were in harmony with the doctrines of what is known as the Church of God. He married Harriet Jones. a native of Ohio, in which state she was reared until eight years of age, when she came to Lake county, Indiana, with her father, Harry Jones, the family home being established in West Creek township amid the condi- tions of frontier life. Mrs. Belshaw lived to be about sixty-eight years of age. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom one daughter died in infancy. The others are all living, as follows: William Edward, of this review; Mrs. Mary Cath- cart. of LaPorte, Indiana : Florence, the wife of James Chitwood, of Lowell; Charles, who is a resident of Oregon ; Lucy, the wife of Sherman Hayden, of Los Angeles, California ; and Jolin, a farmer, of Eugene, Oregon.
William Edward Belshaw was reared under the parental roof upon the old homestead farm in West Creek township. His education was acquired by attending the common schools for about two months in the winter season, and throughout the remainder of the year he worked upon the home farm, doing such service as his age and strength permitted. As the years ad- vanced he gained in proficiency and he continued to assist his father until twenty-four years of age.
On Christmas day of 1874 Mr. Belshaw was united in marriage to Miss Lucina Brannon, daughter of James and Eleanor ( Foster) Brannon, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Mrs. Belshaw is their oldest child and was born and reared in West Creek township, Lake county. Mrs. Belshaw received her primary education in the district schools and 24
370
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Lowell high school and then she was a student in the Western Female Sem- inary at Oxford. Ohio, for two years. She was a successful teacher in her native county for six years. Religiously she is a member of the Presbyterian church, and was also a teacher in the Sunday schools.
She is the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters, and five are living, as follows: J. W. Belshaw is a scccessful attorney-at-law in Lowell; he graduated in the class of 1892 in the Lowell high school and afterwards was a student in the Normal at Valparaiso. He was a teacher one year in the Lowell high school and a number of years in his native county. He read law with Attorney R. C. Wood and upon his being ad- mitted to the bar began the practice of his profession at Lowell. He wedded Miss Maud Holshaw, in July, 1898, and one little daughter graces this union, by name Ernestine. He has an attractive residence in Lowell. and is one of the representative citizens of the village. Lewis D .. a resident of West Creek township and a farmer, wedded Miss Emma Stuppy, and has two daughters, Mabel and Edith. Lewis graduated from the teachers' course in Valparaiso Normal and taught four years in Lake county. His wife was also a teacher in the same county. Albert B., also a resident of West Creek township and a practical farmer, wedding Miss Matilda Hadders. Julia. at home with her parents, was educated in Lowell high school. but her chosen profession is music. She was educated in music at Steinway Hall at Chicago, and is a successful teacher in west Lake county. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Edith. the youngest. is in the fourth grade of the public schools. Mrs. Belshaw's progenitors were heroes in the Revolu- tionary war and the direct descendants are eligible to become members of the society of Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. Mrs. Belshaw went with her husband as a bride to a part of the old Belshaw homestead in West Creek township, and there Mr. Belshaw was engaged in general farming until 1895. In that year he built his present brick residence in Lowell. took up his abode thereon and is now engaged in fruit-growing. His life has been characterized by unfaltering industry and good management, and suc- cess has attended his efforts. He is now the owner of a farm of one hun- dred and thirty-six acres, on which his son resides. He is also a stockholder in the State National Bank, of Lowell, and his wife is the owner of a farm of one hundred and thirty acres in West Creek township, to which Mr. Belshaw gives his personal supervision.
1
371
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Mr. Belshaw gives his political allegiance to the Democracy and has been chairman of the township central committee. He takes an active interest in the work of the party, and his efforts in its behalf have been effective and far-reaching in the locality where he resides. He is at the present writing nominee for county treasurer on the Democratic ticket. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and also has a broad general knowledge of matters touching the general interests of society and the welfare of the country. Having spent his entire life in Lake county, he is well known to its citizens, and the fact that many of his friends are num- bered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his career has been honorable, straightforward and worthy of respect.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.