USA > Indiana > Lake County > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of Lake County, Indiana, with a compendium of history 1834-1904 > Part 38
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Mr. John Stark was born in St. John township, Lake county, Septem- ber 30. 1855, and is the third in age of the eleven children born to Joseph and Mary Ann ( Merrick) Stark. A more detailed history of this worthy couple and family will be found in the sketch of their son Joseph, who is represented elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Stark was reared on a farm and spent fourteen years of his life in the threshing industry. He received both an English and a German educa- tion, and in all the essential successes of his life he has been the architect of his own fortunes. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-six, when he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Portz, on April 26, 1881, in St. John township. Ten children have been born of this happy union, and all are living at the present writing: Rosa, at home, who was educated in the public schools; Emil J., who went through the common schools and is fond of farming and all kinds of mechanical work: Mary E., who after the common schools attended the Lowell and Crown Point high schools; Minnie E., who is in the eighth grade of school work: Adeline B., also in the eighth grade; Martha, in the sixth grade of the St. John schools ; Anna M., in the fourth grade: Frankie, who has been to school one year and has never missed a day nor once been tardy: Leonora M. and Johnnie, who are the youngest of the family.
Mrs. Stark was born in St. John township. Lake county, May 2, 1859, and was one of the ten children of Peter and Susan ( Krans) Portz. Seven of her brothers and sisters are living. as follows: Katie is the wife of Jacob Scherer, a carpenter of St. John, and has six children living : Peter, proprietor of the St. John's Hotel at St. John, married Miss Susan Bohr and has five children living; John, a prosperous resident of Hammond and for eighteen
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years in the packing houses of that city, married Susan Giehring, who died July II, 1904, and has four living children; Joseph, who resides with his mother at St. John, was educated in the high school at Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, and for fourteen years was a teacher in his home school: Barbara is the wife of Joseph Jeurgens, a farmer of Juniata, Adams county, Nebraska, and has five children living : Mrs. Stark is the next in order of age; Lizzie is the widow of Jacob Lauermann, of St. John, and has five living children ; Leo, a prosperous farmer of Adams county, Nebraska, married Miss Anna Beiriger and has nine living children. All the children of this family were bright and intelligent in the work of the schools as well as in after life.
Peter Portz, the father of Mrs. Stark, was born near the beautiful Rhine river in Germany, in 1819, and died in 1885. He was reared and well edu- cated in his native land, and was a teacher for some time after coming to America. By trade he was a miller. He was married in Germany, and after living there for some years he emigrated across the Atlantic with the intention of bettering himself financially. When he landed in New York he had almost no money, and he came out to Lake county and by a life of industry and good management accumulated an estate of two hundred and sixty acres of fine land. He and his wife were devout members of the Catholic church at St. John, and all the children were confirmed in the church. Mrs. Stark's mother was born in 1821 and is still living at this writing. eighty-three years of age, and bright and healthy for one so old.
Mr. and Mrs. Stark purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land in West Creek township, and two years later added forty acres more. Their present home estate consists of one hundred and sixty acres, on which they have erected a nice country residence, and the entire beautiful farmstead is a monument to their lives of industry and worth. Mr. Stark is a lover of fine stock, and finds the best grades to be the most profitable. his favorite grade of hogs being the Chester Whites. He is a Democrat in politics, and has voted the ticket since the candidacy of S. J. Tilden. He and his wife and some of the children are members of St. Edward's Catholic church at Lowell, of which Father F. Koenig is pastor, and Mrs. Stark is a member of the married ladies' sodality and the girls are members of the young ladies' sodality of St. Mary's.
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HOBART PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Twelve teachers are employed in the Hobart Public Schools, including a superintendent and supervisor of music. Of these, two besides the super- intendent are engaged in high school work. The remainder give their entire time to work in the grades. one teacher being assigned to each grade.
The course of study includes eight years' work in the elementary branches, reading, writing, number. spelling, language, geography. English history, American history, physiology and drawing-the first five subjects being studied during the entire eight years, except number, which is not begun until the second year, and four years' work in secondary branches. Special work in music under a special teacher is carried on throughout the entire twelve years. Special work in manual training is done during the first six years of the course.
The present system of schools is the result of a gradual growth extend- ing over a period of many years. The development of the schools has kept pace with the best educational thought of the times: while the school policy of the community has been conservative enough to insure thoroughness and avoid waste of time and money, the school authorities have always been eager to introduce methods and make changes which were prompted by progressive thought in educational matters. Because of the demonstrated importance and value of construction work in elementary education a course in manual training has lately been introduced and plans are under contemplation for the further elaboration and organization of this work into the curriculum.
The present school building is a commodious structure erected at a total cost of about thirty thousand dollars, which contains eleven classrooms besides a laboratory in the basement. The building has been built in sections. two additions having been erected since the original structure was built. The original building, built in 1877 by Trustee M. J. Cook, contained but four rooms. In 1892 the increased school population made it necessary to erect an addition of two rooms, and another addition of five 100ms became necessary in 1894.
The high school was first established by Superintendent A. J. Smith during the administration of Trustee James Reper, Jr., by introducing two years' work in general history and advanced work in the common branches.
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This course was lengthened to three years and enriched during the admin- istration of Trustee Seward Lighter, while P. J. Gristy was superintendent. In 1896 the course was further enriched and lengthened to four years, and in 1898 it was examined and commissioned by the State Board of Educa- tion in the name of A. R. Hardesty, who was superintendent at that time. The high school was re-examined and re-commissioned in 1901 in the name of the present superintendent. W. R. Curtis, who was first elected in 1901. In the last three years much attention has been given to enriching the high school life. The course has been made flexible, athletic and oratorical organ- izations have been carefully encouraged, and the equipment has been greatly increased. The first material equipment for high-class high school work, which was purchased by Trustee N. P. Banks in 1898. has been nearly doubled by the present incumbent, Trustee A. J. Swanson.
A special supervisor of music was employed for the first time in 1903. This step has proved to be so satisfactory that special work in music is assured for the future.
The schools are a part of the township system and the high school is, therefore. a township high school. Pupils from outlying districts are trans- ported to the high school at public expense; also transportation is furnished for children in the elementary schools who live in districts where the paucity of population renders the maintenance of a separate school impracticable.
Since the high school was first commissioned in 1898 the enrollment has increased from about 60 to 82. The fact that the percentage of pupils enrolled in the high school is now larger than ever before as compared with the total enrollment in the school is especially interesting because it shows that an increasing number of citizens are realizing the importance of better education for their children.
For years it has been the will of the taxpayers and the ambition of trustees to add something each year to the equipment of the schools. This policy is a safeguard and a security of the future social condition of the community.
JOSEPH B. BERG.
Joseph B. Berg is one of the stanch German-Americans who stand so high in the ranks of citizenship in Lake county, and who are known for their energy, honesty and efficiency in all of life's relations. Industry is a
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keynote in his succesful career, and as he has accomplished much for himself so likewise has he done his share in the upbuilding and development of the county. To no one class of citizens does Lake county owe more of its sub- stantial progress and prosperity than to the fine German-American element which will be found there in such numbers.
Mr. Berg was born in West Creek township, Lake county, December 22, 1862, and is the third in a family of four children, two sons and two daugh- ters, born to Bernhard and Katharine (Lang) Berg. He has a sister older than himself. named Elizabeth, who is the wife of Anton Huseman, a pros- perous farmer of West Creek township; and a younger sister, Mary, who is the wife of Philip Fetsch, a resident of Chicago. His only brother is de- ceased. Bernhard Berg, the father, was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1834, and died in Crown Point in 1889. He received his education in the German language, but also learned English after coming to America. He was a young and comparatively poor man when he took passage on a sailing vessel and made the long and tedious voyage of weeks' duration to reach this land of opportunity and freedom. He came to Lake county and began as a wage-earner. He later purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in West Creek township. going in debt for most of it, but before his useful career came to a close he had been the possessor of six hundred acres of the fine land of Lake county, which indicates how successful was his work. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were Catholics, with mem- bership in the St. Anthony's church, which he had helped to build. His wife was also a native of Germany, and at the present writing makes her residence in Crown Point, being a bright and vigorous old lady of sixty- four years.
Mr. Joseph B. Berg spent his youth as well as his later career in West Creek township. and his early education was obtained in the parochial schools. He was confirmed in the Catholic church at the age of thirteen. He is a practical farmer and stockman, and has given his best efforts and years to that honorable industry. He spent one year in Kankakee and Will counties. Illinois. engaged in the grain and live-stock business, but after that returned to his estate.
March 4, 1889, he was married to Miss Louisa Cloidt (but the original spelling of the name in Germany was Kloht). Three children have been
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born to this happy union, and all are living: Fred Joseph, who is in the sixth grade of school work and last year attended the parochial school of Crown Point. his intellectual fondness being especially for arithmetic: Elizabeth T. and Clara M., both in school, and the former in the fourth grade. Mrs. Berg was born in Kankakee, Illinois, November 2, 1866, a daughter of Joseph and Louisa (Klein) Cloidt, and she was educated in the English schools. Both her parents were natives of Germany, and after coming to this country her father participated in the Civil war. He was wounded in the hip at the battle of Gettysburg, and he cut out the bullet with his own pocket-knife and still preserves the shot as a memorial of his brave soldier life. He had a brother Anton who was killed in the war. For a long time he was in the grain business at Beecher. Illinois, but is now living retired at Sollitt, Illinois. He is a Democrat in politics. His wife was born in Westphalia, Germany, and there were nine children, two sons and seven daughters, in their family, five of whom are living and all in Illinois except Mrs. Berg. Mrs. Berg is a quick. smart and energetic woman, an able assistant to her husband, and an esteemed member of the social circles of this community.
Mr. and Mrs. Berg have five hundred and sixty-seven acres of good land in West Creek township, and in 1893 they erected their beautiful resi- dence, followed in the next year by a commodious new barn. Their farm- stead is a model in appearance and productivity, and there is not a better one in the township. They have a fine lot of Hereford cattle. besides some excellent horses, and Mr. Berg is known throughout this part of the county for his excellent judgment on the points of stock. He owns stock in a brick and tile company at Eagle Lake. Illinois. Mr. Berg is a Democrat, but has usually cast his vote according to his independent opinions. He and his wife and eldest children are members of St. Anthony's Catholic church at Klaas- ville, Indiana. Mr. Berg is a stockholder and the vice-president of the Crown Point Pure Food Company, which was incorporated to raise currants and manufacture jellies and preserves, this being an enterprise of much value to the farming district of Lake county.
ERNEST TRAPTOW.
Ernest Traptow is filling the position of township trustee in Calumet township, and no more capable official can be found in Lake county or one
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who is more loyal to the public interests and welfare. He resides in Tolles- ton and he has a wide acquaintance in this portion of the state, for he is a native son of Lake county, his birth having occurred at Clarke on the 20th of December, 1863. His parents, Frederick and Caroline ( Kurth) Trap- tow, were natives of Germany and on crossing the Atlantic to the new world they made their way into the interior of the country, settling in this county about 1861. They established their home in Calumet township, where the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1897. His widow still survives. Their family numbered five children, three sons and two daughters, and those still living are Ernest. Reinhart and Bertha.
Mr. Traptow is the second child. He was reared on the old home farm in Calumet township and pursued his education in the schools of Tolleston and in the district schools. When he had put aside his text books he learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father, who was a carpenter and joiner as well as an agriculturist and built most of the houses in Tolles- ton. After the death of his father Mr. Traptow continued to engage in carpentering, and has erected many of the houses in Tolleston and Clarke. He continued to engage in contracting and building until he was elected trus- tee of Calumet township in 1900, since which time he has given his full at- tention to the duties of the office and has thus largely promoted the welfare of his community. He was elected to this position on the Democratic ticket. and he has always been found as a stalwart advocate of Democratic prin- ciples, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and doing all in his power to advance the interests of his party in this community.
With the exception of two and a half years spent in Minnesota Mr. Traptow has passed his entire life in Lake county and is well known as a leading and influential citizen here, whose worth is widely acknowledged in public affairs and in private life.
FESTUS P. SUTTON.
Festus P. Sutton is a prominent and well known agriculturist in West Creek township, where he has a nice homestead of one hundred and twenty acres. He is the oldest child of one of the most prominent and worthy fan- ilies in the western portion of Lake county, a family which has always been
tests P Shilton
allie Lo. Sutton.
and Daughter.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
recognized for its integrity and the personal excellence of its individual members. The Suttons are of English origin, and those of the name have the advantage of a well knit and wholesome ancestry, with reputation throughout for substantiality and solidity.
Mr. Sutton was born in Rush county. Indiana, October 9, 1846. There were eight children in the family, four sons and four daughters, seven of whom are living, and more detailed mention is made of them in the history of Mr. Otto Sutton to be found elsewhere in this volume. The parents were Gabriel F. and Almeda ( Hall) Sutton. The father was a man who stood four-square to the world, and is one of the most worthy characters that figure in the history of Lake county. He was an exemplary citizen, and set a good example to his children and family, who in turn have honored him. He began life as a poor man in Rush county of this state, and when he died a few years ago in Lake county he was reckoned as a man of affluence, and left a fine property to his children, besides the rich heritage of his own name. He was a lover of relics and antiquities, and had in his possession many articles and papers connected with the earlier history of the Sutton family. His aged widow is still living a contented and peaceful life on the old home- stead not far from her children.
Mr. Festus Sutton was reared in his native county of Rush until he was about fifteen or sixteen years old, and since then he has been a resident of Lake county. He had already gained most of his education before coming to Lake county, but also here continued his schooling for a time in the public institutions of learning of the county. Self-application has been the ground for most of his success in life. and in his life work of farming he has made a very creditable success. He has also been engaged for the past thirty years in grain-threshing in northwest Indiana, and is one of the best known men in this part of the state in this line of industry.
Mr. Sutton lived at home with his parents until he was over forty years old. On June 20. 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Altie L. Cover. and since then they have resided on their pleasant and profitable homestead in West Creek township. Mrs. Sutton was born in Belmont county, Ohio. June 28. 1868, being a daughter of George N. and Harriett (Jarvis) Cover. When she was four years old she came to Jasper county, Indiana, where she
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was reared and received her education in the public schools. She is very fond of good literature as of all other things that enhance the beauty, com- fort and pleasure of home. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton have one daughter, Altie Almeda.
Mrs. Sutton's father still lives in Jasper county, where he is a well known farmer. She was one of eleven children. five sons and six daughters. and in this family there were four pairs of twins. Ten of these children are living, and Mrs. Sutton is the only one in Lake county; two are residents of Oklahoma, and the rest of Jasper county. The following is the obituary of Mrs. Sutton's mother :
Harriett (Jarvis) Cover was born in Noble county, Ohio, June 25, 1839; died at her home in Union township. Jasper county, Indiana, January 10, 1890, aged fifty years, six months, and sixteen days. Moved with her parents when three years old. to Belmont county, Ohio, and was there married to George N. Cover, December 15, 1859. She was the mother of eleven chil- dren, six giris and five boys, all of whom survive her. Among these eleven children are four pairs of twins. She was a teacher in the public schools for eleven terms, and a teacher and worker in the Sunday schools for many years. She joined the Christian church in 1853 and was a faithful and zealous member until the end. Her husband and all her children were present at the funeral, and also Mrs. Sarah E. Johnson, a sister, from Belmont county, Ohio. The funeral was held Sunday, January 12. and was conducted by Elder E. D. Pierson. The interment was in Prater graveyard.
The sorrowing husband and children desire to express, through these columns, their sincere thanks to the many friends for aid and sympathy in their affliction.
"A precious one from us has gone. A voice we loved is stilled ; A place is vacant in our home. Which never can be filled. God in His wisdom has recalled The boon His love had given ; And though the body moulders here. The sonl is safe in heaven."
Mr. Sutton cast his first vote for General Grant, and as far as consistent
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with his personal activity has never failed to support with enthusiasm the principles of the Grand Old Party. He has been selected as a delegate to the district and county conventions at various times. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 300. at Lowell, and Mrs. Sutton is a charter member of the Rathbone Sisters at the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are both adherents of the Christian church, and contribute according to their means to the benevolences.
FREDERICK H. EINSPAHR.
Frederick H. Einspahr, of West Creek township, is an enterprising, energetic, public-spirited agriculturist and citizen, and his career and achieve- ments in every department of life are an honor and credit to his county. Lake county as much as any county in the state is indebted to the fine class of German-Americans who have taken up their abode within its boundaries and devoted themselves to the development of its interests. Wherever this class of citizens have settled there one may look for the highest degree of agricultural enterprise, as would be apparent to even a casual observer or traveler in Lake county. As a rule these settlers came to America poor but honest and industrious, and these qualities of character prove 1 to be among the most important factors in the improvement of the great west and also resulted in individual prosperity and influence. As a class they also believe in the education of their children and the training of them in proper habits of living and morality, so that all institutions of society have profited and been elevated by the coming of the men of the Teutonic race.
Mr. Einspahr was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. August 25. 1852, a son of Frederick and Anna Kathrine (Claussen) Einspahr. He was the fourth of their seven children, five sons and two daughters, and five are yet living : Lizzie, who is the wife of Jacob Buehler, a farmer of Ode- bolt, Iowa; Anna, wife of Adolph Kuehl, a prosperous farmer at Crown Point; Mr. Einspahr : Martin, married and a farmer of West Creek town- ship: and John E., who is married and is a wagon-maker at Odebolt, Iowa.
Frederick Einspahr, the father, was born in the same part of the father- land as his son, on March 13. 1816. and died October 29. 1875. He was a tailor by trade. He was educated in the German language, and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. As a journeyman tailor he traveled
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throughout Germany, and continued that business in his native land for a number of years. He finally concluded to leave his fatherland and find in America a place for his family and better opportunities for gaining a for- tune. In the spring of 1853 he embarked his little family on a sailing vessel at Hamburg and thence by way of England crossed the Atlantic and after a long voyage of ninety days landed in Quebec, Canada, being there amid a strange people and in a foreign land. Blue Island, Illinois, was their first permanent destination, and the father remained there some years, following his trade in the winter and farming in the summer. In 1867 he brought his family to West Creek township and purchased eighty-five acres of land. The little log cabin which served as their humble habitation for the first few years still stands on the farm, as a memorial of the past with its privations and primitive ways. He went in debt for his property, but his diligence and good management paid for it and also enabled him to buy eighty acres more. He was a man of honest and upright character, was a stanch Republican in political beliefs, and he and his wife were reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church and after coming to Indiana became German Methodists.
Mr. Einspalır's mother survived her husband for over a quarter of a cen- tury, and passed away at the home of her son Fred, February 8, 1903, aged eighty-five years eleven months and six days. She was born at Neuminster, Schleswig-Holstein, March 2, 1817. June 7, 1842, she was united in mar- riage to Frederick Einspalır, and at her death, besides her own five children, there were forty-eight grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Funeral services were held at the German Methodist church February 10, 1903, Rev. Dis- myer conducting the obsequies, after which her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the church. She had resided in America for nearly half a century, and for the last forty-five years had been a faithful member of the German Methodist church and always lived a true and Christian life. She was always a true and loving mother. a good friend and obliging neighbor.
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