USA > Indiana > Lake County > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of Lake County, Indiana, with a compendium of history 1834-1904 > Part 41
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ALBERT J. SWANSON.
Albert J. Swanson, who is filling the office of township trustee and is engaged in the hardware business at Hobart, Indiana, is a worthy citizen that Sweden has furnished to Lake county and in his business career and private life he displays many of the strong and commendable qualities of the Swedish race. He was born April 6, 1868, a son of John and Beatrice Swan- son. He was only two years old when his parents crossed the Atlantic to America, establishing their home in Moline, Illinois, whence they came to Lake county, Indiana, in October. 1871. Mr. Swanson was then only three years of age. He pursued his education in the public schools of Hobart and in a Swedish school at that place, and when fifteen years of age he started out to earn his own living, working for George Stoker in a general store in Hobart. There he remained for two years, and at the end of that time ac- cepted a clerkship in the store of J. E. Mander, with whom he continued for three months. His next employer was J. J. Wood, a general merchant of
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Hobart. with whom he continued for two years, and later he was a salesman in the general store of B. W. Stratton. In 1891 he embarked in merchandis- ing on his own account in partnership with his brother, F. P. Swanson. They purchased the grocery department in the store of B. W. Stratton, and after a partnership of three years Albert J. Swanson bought his brother's interest and continued in the grocery trade until 1900. He then sold out and pur- chased the hardware store of A. Mealin. He has since added to his stock and is now conducting a well equipped hardware, tin shop. and plumbing establishment. He has secured a good patronage, and his constantly grow- ing trade is now bringing to him a very desirable financial return. He is also engaged in dealing in coal in partnership with William Jahnke, their yards being situated along the line of the Nickle Plate Railroad track.
In 1891 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Swanson and Miss Mar- garet Cocke, a daughter of M. J. and Elizabeth Cooke. They have four children : Beth, Margaret, Geraldine and Pliny. Beth is in the seventh grade. Margaret in the sixth. Geraldine in the third, and Pliny in the second. Both of the two elder children have taken music.
Mr. Swanson is a public-spirited citizen who has manifested an active interest in many measures pertaining to general progress. In politics he is a Republican, and in November, 1900, was elected township trustee, which position he is now filling. He is the youngest trustee that has ever served in Lake county, and he was chosen to the office by one of the largest majorities ever given a candidate for the position. Mr. Swanson is the only trustee in the county of Lake who has introduced a special teacher of music for the schools of the township, which is highly commendable, as an educa- tive element. The teacher in charge, Miss Cleo Z. Barnes, visits each school each week. Mr. Swanson has also introduced typewriting in the public schools of Hobart, and it proves a successful venture.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 333, the Knights of Pythias, No. 458, and the Knights of the Maccabees, Tent No. 65, and he has filled all the offices in these various lodges with the exception of the Masonic. He is well known in the county for his business ability and political activity, and he has made for himself a most creditable record. He started out in life empty-handed, and all that he possesses has been accumulated through his own persistent pur- pose, capable management and progressive business methods.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
GEORGE L. CASTLE.
George L. Castle, now deceased, who was well known in Lake county, was born in Florence, Huron county, Ohio, February 18, 1839. His father. Squire Castle, was a native of Vermont, whence he removed to Berrien county, Michigan, from Ohio, in 1850. Two years later he came to West Creek township, Lake county, Indiana, arriving here in 1852. George L. Castle was then but thirteen years of age, and he continued his education in the district schools of West Creek township, while with farm work he be- came very familiar, gaining a broad practical experience as he assisted in the labors of field and meadow and in all departments of farm work. When the country became involved in Civil war, however, he put aside all busi- ness and personal considerations, for his patriotic spirit was aroused and he determined to aid his country in the preservation of the Union. Accordingly he enlisted in 1861, becoming a member of Company B, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until 1864. He was orderly sergeant and took part in many hotly contested battles, displaying marked valor and loyalty upon the field. After being honorably discharged he re- turned to Lowell and took up the work of contracting, which he followed continuously in this county until June, 1882, when he removed to Chicago. There he engaged in dealing in sand, gravel. brick and humber, and for twenty years was an active and enterprising business man of that city, his death occurring on the 12th of October, 1902, in Lowell, Indiana. In his political views he was a Democrat, but the honors and emoluments of office had little attraction for him.
On the 18th of December, 1866, Mr. Castle was united in marriage to Miss Laura P. Hull, who was born in Franklin county, Vermont, on the IIth of February, 1847. Her father, Samuel P. Hull, was also a native of Franklin county and on emigrating westward established his home in Illinois, where he remained for two years. In 1867 he came to Lake county, In- diana, locating at Lowell, where he followed the occupation of farming. His death occurred February 3, 1898. Mrs. Castle's mother. Emeline Castle, was likewise a native of Franklin county, Vermont, and it was in the Green Mountain state that she was married. Mr. Hull was at one time the owner of the land on which occurred the birth of the late President Arthur. To
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Mr. and Mrs. Hull were born seven children, two sons and five daughters, namely: Jasper, Mrs. Mary Edmonds, Mrs. Joseph A. Clark, Mrs. Laura Castle, Albert. Mrs. William Sigler, and Mrs. Stanley Babcock, who is now deceased.
Mrs. Castle is the fourth child in the family, and was the mother of one daughter, Mrs. Jessie B. C. Riggs, who died February 13, 1893, leaving a daughter, Laura M. Riggs, whose birth occurred August 28, 1889. (See obituary.) Mrs. Castle still carrics on the business at Chicago which was established by her husband, and in this enterprise has the assistance of the secretary of the firm. She also owns a farm in West Creek township, Lake county, to which she gives her personal supervision. She is a woman of business ability, keen foresight and marked enterprise and is capably con- ducting her varied business interests.
The following obituaries, while covering the main points sketched above, also further indicate the character and life of Mr. Castle and his only daugh- ter and child :
George L. Castle was born in the town of Florence, Huron county, Ohio, February 18, 1839, and died at his home in Lowell, Indiana, October 12. 1902. at the age of 63 years, 7 months and 24 days. His sickness dates back nearly two years, in which time he has been attended by the best medi- cal skill, but all to no purpose. In hopes of regaining his health he went to Florida last winter, but was forced to return without obtaining the de- sired benefit. Since his return from the south his disease has been of a dropsical nature and that was probably the immediate cause of his death.
When a lad of ten or twelve he moved with his parents to Michigan, remaining there about two years, when they again moved, coming to Lake county, Indiana, arriving here February 18, 1852, since which time Mr. Castle has resided in or near Lowell, with the exception of a few years in Chicago. He was among our best citizens ; a man possessed of many noble traits of character, chief among which was his open-heartedness; no one ever applying to him for assistance was turned away empty handed, if within his power to prevent. He was a man very highly respected by all who knew him for his honorable, upright ways. When his country was in distress and needed his services he offered himself as a soldier, enlisting in Company B. 20th I. V. V. I., July 22. 1861, and from which he was discharged as cor-
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
poral, July 29, 1864, after a faithful service of a little over three years.
December 18, 1866. he was united in marriage with Miss Laura P'. Hull. To this union was born one daughter. Jessie, who became the wife of Howard E. Riggs. She died February 13. 1893, leaving a little daughter, Laura MI.
The funeral, which was largely attended, occurred from his late home at 2 p. m., October 15. Elder John Bruce assisted by Rev. D. D. Hoagland pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, officiated. Funeral Director Clif- ford Stowell had charge of the burial service. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery.
He leaves his wife, three brothers: John M. and Mortimer, of Lowell, and Charles E. of DeBorgia, Montana, one grand-daughter. Laura M. Riggs, together with a large number of relatives to mourn his death, to whom the Tribune extends sincere sympathy in their darkest hour of sorrow.
Died. at her home in Englewood, February 13, 1893. Jessie Bell (Castle) Riggs, aged 24 years. 4 months and 24 days. Jessie Bell was born in Kan- sas City, Missouri, September 20, 1868. She was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. George L. Castle, of South Chicago, and wife of Howard Riggs. She came with her parents to Lowell, Indiana, when about three months old. where she resided till she was fourteen years of age, from whence she moved with her parents to South Chicago, Illinois. She was married to Howard Riggs, of Cambridge, Ohio, September 20, 1888. To this union two children were born, a daughter and a son. The son preceded its mother to the Spirit Land about two years ago. Her funeral took place from the Methodist Episcopal church, Thursday, Rev. Bird, of South Chicago, officiating, as- sisted by Rev. Bruce, of Lowell, where a large concourse of relatives and friends gathered to pay the last sad tribute of respect to one who was loved and held in high esteem by all who knew her. Her remains were laid in the Lowell cemetery, there to rest until the morn of resurrection, from whence she will come forth and her garments shall be white. She leaves a husband and daughter, and father and mother, and other relatives and friends to mourn her loss.
JOHN DWYER.
John Dwyer, whose intense and well directed activity in business af- fairs has won him success, is now living a retired life in Lowell and enjoys
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
in high measure the respect and esteem of the community. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, has served as auditor of Lake county and in all relations of life has been found trustworthy and loyal. A native of Knox county, Ohio, his birth occurred on the 26th of June, 1834. His grand- father, James Dwyer, was born in the north of Ireland, and on coming to America settled in Maryland. His father, John Dwyer, was a native of Maryland and settled in Knox county, Ohio, in 1808, becoming one of the pioneer residents of that portion of the state. He was a carpenter and joiner and also a cabinet-maker, and he carried on business at Mount Vernon, Ohio, along those lines. His remaining days were spent in the Buckeye state, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy in early manhood, but in 1856 he joined the ranks of the new Republican party and voted for John C. Fremont. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Martin and was a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where she was reared. She, too, spent her last days at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and passed away at the very advanced age of sev- enty-seven years, there being only a week's difference in the date of hers and her husband's death. This worthy couple were the parents of three sons and eight daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity.
John Dwyer, the ninth child and second son of the family, was reared in Knox county, Ohio, and pursued his education in Frederickton Academy and in Oberlin College. He learned the trade of a millwright in the county of his nativity, serving a full term of apprenticeship, but soon afterward gave up the business. He followed that pursuit for nine months in Iowa. In 1854 he removed to Lake county, Indiana, settling at Crown 'Point, and engaged in farming one mile east of the city, carrying on that pursuit for about three years.
In the meantime Mr. Dwyer was married on the 28th of December. 1856, the lady of his choice being Miss Cornelia A. Clark, a daughter of Jabez and Marrelle E. (Burrows) Clark, in whose family were seven chil- dren. two daughters and five sons. Mrs. Dwyer, the second in order of birth, was born in Tompkins county, New York, June 27. 1837, and was but seven months old when she was brought to Lake county, Indiana, by her parents, who located at Lowell. The father was a farmer by occupation
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and, securing land from the government, at once began its cultivation and development, transforming the wild tract into richly cultivated fields. He continued to carry on farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1876, when he was sixty-eight years of age. His wife died in her eighty- eighth year. Mrs. Dwyer has one living brother, Perry D. Clark, of Lowell.
In the year 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer took up their abode upon a farm a half mile south of Lowell, and there he devoted his energies to gen- eral agricultural pursuits for about a year and a half. At that time they removed to a farm two and a half miles northwest of Lowell, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1861. Feeling then that his first duty was to his country he joined the boys in blue, enlisting as a member of Com- pany B, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He joined the army as a private, but was soon afterward made corporal, and he served from June, 1861, until May 5, 1864. He took part in a number of the leading battles of the Army of the Potomac and was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Gettysburg by a minie ball. He was again wounded at the battle of the Wilderness on the 5th of May, 1864, being struck in the knee by a minie ball. This necessitated the amputation of the left leg above the knee, and on account of his severe injuries he was honorably discharged September 25, 1864.
Mr. Dwyer then returned to Lowell. He certainly made great sacri- fices for his country and yet he has never regretted the part which he per- formed in the preservation of the Union. On again reaching Lake county he took up the work of school teaching, but after he had spent a month in that way he was appointed by Schuyler Colfax to a clerical position in the war department of Washington. Removing to that city he remained for seven years in that department, on the expiration of which period he resigned and returned to his old home in Lake county in 1871. In the same year he was made a candidate for the position of county recorder and was elected the following fall for a term of four years. During that period he made his home in Crown Point, and in the discharge of the duties of the office he was found most capable, efficient, prompt and faithful. On his retirement from official service he returned to Lowell and located on a farm a half mile south- west of the town, there remaining until 1882, when he sold his farm property and removed to Greencastle, Indiana, in order to educate his family. Not
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
long after his removal to that place he was re-appointed to a position in the war department at Washington and remained as a clerk there until 1890, when he again resigned and returned to Lowell, where his family had previously located. He has since lived retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned.
Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer are the parents of seven children, but John Byron died at the age of three years and twins died in infancy. while Bessie Eliza died at the age of seventeen months. The others are Cassius C., Schuyler C., who is an attorney at Lowell; and Sylvia May. the wife of Roy M. Abrams. of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mr. Dwyer has been a life-long Republican, never faltering in his al- legiance to the party. which stood as the defender of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war and which has ever been the champion of progress. reformi and improvement. He is a member of the Grand Army post at Lowell. and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance in Lake county, and during his residence elsewhere he has felt the keenest interest in the development of this portion of the state. In all life's relations he has been true to duty and in matters of citizenship is as loyal to-day as when he followed the old flag upon battlefields of the south.
MAHLON HATHAWAY.
Mahlon Hathaway is one of the representative agriculturists and stock- raisers of West Creek township, and is a man whose success in life and prominence as a citizen well deserve mention in such a historical record as this present volume. He is a native of Kankakee county, Illinois, where he was born November 17. 1856. He is the eldest of the three children, two sons and one daughter, born to Bethuel and Lucinda ( Hayden) Hathaway. His brother Henry. next to him in age. is an agriculturist of West Creek township, a successful man, and is married and has a family. Janie, the sis- ter. is the wife of Charles Belshaw. a farmer at Lowell. The father of this family was born in New York state about 1818. and died in Lake county. Indiana, when about seventy years old. He was reared to manhood in his native state, and received his public school education there. He was a pioneer of Lake county, being among those who came in 1843, and he purchased a
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
hundred and sixty acres of land in West Creek township and was a suc- cessful farmer during the remainder of his active career. He acquired an estate of two hundred and seventy-five acres, all situated in West Creek town- ship. He was an energetic personality, and in business affairs was aggres- sive and prosperous. He was an out and out Republican in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Hathaway was reared to the age of ten years in Kankakee county, and since then has been a resident of Lake county. He was educated in the common schools. and gained much of life's training by personal appli- cation. He had only a small capital when he arrived at majority, and his subsequent success has been almost entirely by his own efforts. He mar- ried Miss Julia Smith, by whom he had three children, two living: Blanche completed the eighth grade of school, and Carrie is at home and in the ninth grade of the Lowell high school. The mother of these children died in 1886, and for his second wife Mr. Hathaway married Miss Barbara Grimes, who is the mother of four children, as follows: Leslie, who is in the eighth grade in school, and a bright lad in his studies ; Gladys, in the fifth grade : Lucille ; and Archie, the youngest.
Mrs. Hathaway was born in Kankakee county, Illinois, in 1866, and was reared and educated in her native county. She was a student of the Valparaiso College, and was also engaged in teaching for several years. Mr. Hathaway is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for the lamented Garfield. He has been chosen as a delegate to the county conventions, and has in various ways been active in practical politics in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in West Creek township. Their homestead is in this same township. where they possess one hundred and forty acres of good land. The buildings about this farm are first class, and in 1898 he erected a modern residence and one of the most charming homes in the neighborhood. He was formerly engaged in the milk business. shipping all his product, but he has of late years bought a De Laval separator and begun the making of butter at home. which he finds a more satisfactory enterprise. Mr. Hathaway is one of the success -. ful men of the county, and has won a large degree of material prosperity and attained the recognition and esteem of his fellow citizens through his well directed efforts and honest endeavor.
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! STORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
AMOS BRANNON.
Amos Brannon, a retired farmer of Lowell, who was dependent upon his own resources for a living from an early age, is a self-made man, whose record is creditable and well worthy of emulation. He started out in life empty-handed, and, realizing that labor is the basis of all success, he worked diligently and persistently for many years and is now the possessor of a very comfortable competence. Moreover, he has advanced far on life's journey, reaching a stage in which nature seems to have intended that man should put aside active business cares and spend the evening of life in quiet.
Mr. Brannon was born in Summit county, Ohio, on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1821. His father was William Brannon, whose parents were natives of Ireland. The mother bore the maiden name of Lucina Loveland, and was born in Vermont. William Brannon died in Ohio in 1828 when his son Amos was but seven years of age, but the mother lived to be more than eighty years of age. In their family were eight children, seven of whom reached mature years. Of this number Amos Brannon was the third child and second son. After his father's death he remained with his mother, but worked out for a living until twenty-two years of age. He then came to Indiana, locating in Porter county in the spring of 1843, and in the fall of the same year he came to Lake county. Here he engaged in farming, pur- chasing a small tract of land in West Creek township. This was wild and unimproved and covered eighty acres. With characteristic energy he began its development and continued the work of improvement until he sold the property and purchased an adjoining farm of two hundred and forty acres. This he also improved, breaking the prairie and transforming wild land into rich and productive fields. He continued agricultural pursuits there until 1885, when he retired and removed to Lowell. He has since built a good residence in the town and is now comfortably situated in life. During the early years of his residence in Indiana he bravely faced all the hard- ships and dangers of frontier life and performed the arduous task of de- veloping two new farms, but as the years passed by excellent results at- tended his efforts, making him one of the substantial farmers of the com- munity.
On the 18th of September, 1844, Mr. Brannon was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Taylor, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, April 6,
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
1827, and is a daughter of Calvin and Mary Ann ( Nugant ) Taylor. They came to LaPorte county, Indiana, in 1834, casting in their lot with the early pioneer settlers. Subsequently they removed to Porter county. Indiana, where the mother died, while the father's death occurred in Lockport, Illi- nois. In their family were five children. of whom Mrs. Brannon is the eldest. She came to Lake county when but fourteen years of age, and has lived here continuously since. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brannon has been blessed with eleven children, seven of whom yet survive. while four have passed away, namely: Willia, Amos, Calvin and James M. Those still living are Mary Ann. Amelia, Ida, Milo, William J. and Lucian and Lucina. twins. All were born in West Creek township, Lake county, and the living children are married and have established comfortable homes of their own. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brannon hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church, and take zealous and active interest in its work. He has long been a Republican. voting for Fremont on the organization of the party, and twice supporting Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. Mr. Bran- non has traveled far on life's journey and can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, for his has been an honorable, active and useful career. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transactions, but has been just and considerate of others, and in his business life as well as in social circles has gained warm personal regard and respect.
HENRY SUPRISE.
From an early period in the development of Lake county Henry Suprise has been numbered among its residents, and is now a prominent old set- tler well deserving of mention in this volume. He lives on section 18. Cedar Creek township. A native of New York. he was born on the Ist of December, 1830, and is of French lineage. His father. Peter Suprise, was born in France and came to America when about thirty-five years old. Ile located in Lake county among its pioneer residents, being one of the first settlers of Cedar Creek township, and there he lived to the very advanced age of about one hundred and nine years. In early manhood he married Rosina Taylor, who was born in Canada and was reared and married there. They removed to New York, where they remained one year, and then came
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