History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Kingman Brothers
Number of Pages: 366

USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 56

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).

129

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

Fort Wayne Organ Company, and he was one of the Board of Directors of Lindenwood Cemetery, from its organization to the close of his life.

In 1858, he was elected a member of the Common Council, but politics had no attractions for him, and he never accepted another political office.

Mr. Bond was a man of permanent and decided religious convictions. He early became a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and from early manhood until his death, was truly a pillar in the church of his choice. As a member of the Vestry, and as the manager of the Sunday School, his zeal and energy were unceasing. His heart was in the work ; and, with a true Christian's zeal and a Christian's hope, he was always ready and willing to assist, by his advice, his per- sonal efforts and by his means, in every good and Christian work.

Mr. Bond was married, on the 27th of March, 1854, to Miss Lavinia A., daughter of the late Judge Charles W. Ewing; and it was a union of hearts as well as of hands, and was blessed by heaven with children seven ; six survived him -one had gone before.

He had an elegant suburban residence, in the center of ample grounds, made more beautiful and attractive by noble evergreen trees and varied shrubbery, in- terspersed with plants and flowers. This spacious mansion was furnished with the taste and clegance of a connoisseur. It was here, in the presence of his fam- ily, that he sought rest and relaxation from the cares and anxieties of business ; and it was here that he appeared what he truly was-the kind and loving husband ; the exemplary and indulgent father, and the genial, Christian gentle- man:

It has been truly said that " Death loves a shining mark;" and his fatal shafts are seldom aimed at a brighter or purer object. A severe cold, changing to typhoid pneumonia, a few days of severe suffering, borne with pious resigna- tion and Christian fortitude, and he passed calmly from earth, on the 7th day of December, 1873; and his exit was like the morning stars that go not down behind the darkening West, but melt away into the light of heaven.

We close this brief sketch of his life by adding extraets from the records of the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, and of the Directors of the Fort Wayne National Bank, showing the high estimation of those who knew him long and well.

" Resolved, That the death of Charles D. Bond, in the early maturity of his manhood, whose already abundant usefulness was rich in promise of greater use- fulness to come, is an event which has impressed us, in common with all who knew him, with profound sorrow and consciousness of irreparable loss. He was one of those rare and admirable characters whom to know was to respect and love, and of whom it may be truly said his best eulogy is the language of simple truth. Living in the city of Fort Wayne from his early boyhood to the age of forty-two years, and working his way from poverty and privation, with but limited advantages of education, to one of the most responsible financial and fiduciary positions in the State, which he filled with great ability and to an even affluent fortune. No word of slander ever presumed to stain the purity and integrity of his character. His prosperity begat neither envy nor enmity, for its foundation was undisputed merit, and he never incited censure or eriticism by any indulgence in false show or pretenses. His nature was truthful. He was worthy of trust and was therefore trusted with unquestioning reliance. Of delicate physical organization, and of a refined and sensitive nature and modest almost to diffidence, he was, nevertheless, a man in the true sense of the word, and commanded the respeet of men of seemingly far more robust and powerful natures than his. His marked characteristics were a clear, intelligent and thoroughly practical judgment, a strong and active, untiring will, a large-hearted and free-handed benevolence, genial and kind to all, and a Christian eonscience and piety, which ruled and harmonized his life. To know his duty was with him to do it earnestly, faith- fully, practically. In no field of his usefulness were these, his marked character- isties, more clearly shown than in his relations and service as a member of the parish and Vestry of Trinity Church.

" The publie and business life of Mr. Bond was known and approved by the whole community, and years will pass before his peer can be found in all things to fill his vacant place. To all, and especially young men, self-dependent and poor, seeking their way to fortune and position, his example is a light and a way-mark, but the moral and social virtues of the man most illuminated his domestie life. Within those sacred precincts, where he had garnered up his heart, his virtues were best known and will ever be cherished as a memory and an inheritance. He was a reverent, dutiful and affectionate son, a faithful and loving brother, a true and devoted husband. a father, loving his children with the fullness of a father's love, and ever sceking their well-being hy the example of a pure and Christian life, ruling his well ordered household in the fear of God."

" Resolved, That the Board of Directors hereby express their profound sorrow at the irreparable loss sustained by this bank in the death of its President. They unhesitatingly testify to his high moral character, strict integrity and extensive usefulness as a citizen and his superior business qualifications as a financier.

" Trained from boyhood to the business of banking, he was thoroughly acquainted with its entire routine, and attained the highest rauk among the finan- cial men of the State ; his knowledge of inen aud discrimination of character was peculiarly accurate, and his intercourse with all classes was dignified and genial. His correct knowledge of hanking and his untiriag devotion to the welfare of this hank, which had his fostering care from its earliest existence, placed it among the most influential banks in the State.

" As a citizen, his place will long rewiain vacant. He was identified with almost every enterprise of a public character connected with the eity of his adop- tion, the prestige of his name gave character and credit to any enterprise so fortu- nate as to enlist his sympathies and interest. His was a beautiful character, and challenged the unqualified admiration of all his acquaintances ; he was a man of high moral sensibilities, of instincts pure and elevated, of sympathies warm and active, of judgment singularly comprehensive and accurate, of industry unflagging

and persistent, a friend in whom all felt a confidence and firm reliance. His church has lost an unswerving supporter, the community a most useful citizen, this bank a very valuable officer."

IION. GEORGE W. WOOD.

George W. Wood, one of the pioneer printers and editors of Indiana, was born in Goshen, Orange County. N. Y., on the 4th day of September, 1808, and resided in that State, where he learned the art of practical printing, and also devoted much time the study of the law, until about the year 1834, when he removed to Ann Arbor, in the State of Michigan, and thence, in 1836, to the then baekwoods settlement of Fort Wayne. Here he entered the office of the Sentinel, then owned by Thomas Tigar, Esq., and is entitled to the distinetion of being the second newspaper man located in Fort Wayne. In 1837, he purchased the Sentinel from Mr. Tigar, and published it until 1840, when he disposed of it to I. D. G. Nelson, Esq. A month afterward, he purchased a newspaper estab- lishment from H. B. Seaman, of Defiance, Ohio, and removing it to Fort Wayne, founded the Fort Wayne Times. On the first Monday of Mareh, 1840, he was elected Mayor of Fort Wayne, being the first person eleeted to that position after the city was incorporated under a charter. He resigned the office, however, on the 5th of July, 1841, and Joseph Morgan was elected to fill the vacancy. On the 18th day of February, 1843, he leased the Times to Henry W. Jones, who conducted it about two years, when Mr. Wood resumed control of it, combining with it the People's Press and calling it The Fort Wayne Times and People's Press. He continued its publication until March 23, 1848, when he sold it to Messrs. Withers & Hood. In August, 1849, he re-purchased the interest of Mr. Withers, and the paper was conducted by G. W. Wood & Co. until September 9, 1855, when it was leased to Hood & Dawson until the next Juac, when he sold his entire interest to John W. Dawson. On the 25th of June, 1849, a telegraph line was established from Toledo to La Fayette, and Mr. Wood became the first operator at Fort Wayne, and continued to act for some time in that capacity. He is also entitled to the honor of establishing the first daily newspaper in Fort Wayne, which he placed under the management of Messrs. Latham & Rayhouser. Immediately after this, he entered the office of Hon. Samuel Hanna, where he remained until the death of the latter, managing the vast public and private interests of that public-spirited gentleman for many years, and after his death, acted with Samuel T. Hanna, as administrator of his large estate. Besides these positions of personal trust, he was appointed Register of the Land Office by Presi- dent Fillmore, in 1849, and continued to act in that capacity for several years, until that office was removed to Indianapolis. Soon after the organization of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad, sinee merged into the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi- cago Railway, he became the agent of the Company for the sale of the lands received for stock subscriptions, and from 1854, when the cars first commenced running to Fort Wayne, until 1860, he was actively associated with Hon. Samuel Hanna, in the management of that corporation. In all these positions, he dis- charged his duties creditably and with honor, and proved himself to be a man of large capacity, good judgment, and incorruptible honesty.

He was an uncompromising Whig, and an ardent admirer of Webster and Clay, whom he considered the greatest statesmen America had produced, and his able pen was devoted to the furtherance of the principles they enunciated as the doctrines of the great party to which he adhered, and of which he himself was no mean ornament.

Few men have been so well known, and at the same time, so little known, if this he not a solecism, as George W. Wood.

He was remarkably simple and unostentatious in appearance and demeanor, a man of few words, except with his family, and with those whose good fortune it was to be admitted to his intimate friendship. With these be was uniformly genial, warm-hearted and companionable. He was a man of deep thought and of great brain development, without the refining influence of a classical education, which assists so much to develop the inherent qualities of great minds; yet by deep reading and discriminating thought, he became a forcible and flueut writer, and proved that a want of early training and scholarship may be compensated for by later years of study. His writings evince deliberation, that his ideas were well and thoroughly digested. His editorials were couched in plain language, and delivered with forcible logic, better fitted to the manners and customs of his day and surroundings than would 'have been the rounded periods of an Everett.

An address upou "Intellectual and Moral Education," published in the Times, November 4, 1843, another delivered before the students of the Fort Wayne Female College, published in the Times and Press, January 27, 1848, and his " Life and Character of Hon. Samuel Hanna," published in 1869, as well as his editorials and eulogies of Henry Clay, are evidences of his abilities, and the wide range of his studies.

In his business affairs, he was successful, and amassed a considerable prop- erty, with ut saerifieing his character for striet and unswerving integrity and hon- esty. Although large and important financial trusts were adruinistered hy him, his accounts were always a marvel of correctness, and none ever doubted his integrity.

During his last hours, his utteranees upon life and death and immortality, are said to have verged upon the sublime.

He departed this life Saturday, November 11, 1871, leaving no family except a devoted wife, but leaving many sincere friends to mourn his loss and emulate his virtues.

He lived to see the little hamlet grow to a considerable city, and upon its history he has left the imprint of his character and wind, as one of the early educators of the people. "After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well."

130

HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.

ROBERT EMMET FLEMING.

BY HON. F. l'. RANDALL ..

The execution of Robert Emmet for his connection with the movement for Irish independence, drove many of his adherents into exile, lest they might mcet with his fate. Among them was Robert Fleming, then just coming into man- liood, and an older hrothier. Secreted arms and other evidences of their connec- tion with the movement, had been discovered in their home, and so they were compelled to seek America as an asylum. Rohert, after visiting several parts of the country, determined to locate at Batavia, N. Y. Here, in 1810, he married Miss Elizabeth Smith. Two years later, he moved to Lewiston, Niagara Co., N. Y., which was his home all his subsequent life. During the war of 1812, he served with distinction on the staff of Gen. Porter, with the rank of Major. He had especial charge of that portion of the Six Nations which assisted the Ameri- cubs in that struggle, having, through some reason, obtained great influence nniong the Indians. Subsequently, he was appointed Judge of the Court, elected a member of the New York Legislature of 1818, and. held other positions of lesser importance. He died in 1838, esteemed by his neighbors as a man of integrity aod worth.

Robert E. Fleming, the subject of this sketch, and son of the above, was horn in Batavia. N. Y., on the 7th day of July, 1811. His early hoyhood was entirely passed in the village of Lewiston, whither his family had gone the year after his birth. When about fifteen years old, Robert, full of ambition, determined to abaudon school life and enter upon a business career. So he sought for and ohtained a clerkship in a dry-goods house in Albany, then, as now, the capital of New York. Here he remained nearly four years, when, upon the advice of his father, he returned home once more to enter school. At this time, the Lewiston Academy was an institution famous in Western New York for its good discipline and excellent course of study. It was always presided over by a college-hred man, usually a graduate of Dartmouth. Young Fleming, with two others, came under the special care and direction of the then Principal of the Academy, who marked out for them a course of study with a view of their eventually entering Dart- umouth College. Four years were spent in this manner, at the end of which time they were all prepared for entrance into the college sophomore year. Rohert, however, having, during the last academic year, in connection with his other studies, pursued the study of law, determined to continue in that direction and abandon the notion of college life. Shortly afterward, he made up his mind to leave Lewiston, and hegan to consider what was the hest place for location. He first thought of going to Canada, hut was dissuaded therefrom hy friends of his father across the horder. He next turned his thoughts toward the West. and, accordingly, the spring of 1834 found him at South Bend, Ind., in the law office of Judge Sample, of that place, now some time deceased. Here he remained two years, working hard at his chosen profession, when the Judge received a letter from Allen Hamilton, of Fort Wayne, at that time County Clerk and Recorder, asking if he could recommend some young man of proper ability and knowledge for the position of Deputy Clerk and Recorder. The Judge at once offered the recommendation to Mr. Fleming, who accepted, and, in August, 1836, settled at Fort Wayne as the Deputy of Mr. Hamilton. In 1837, Mr. Fleming, while act- ing as such Deputy, was a candidate for Clerk and Recorder of the county. He was elected Recorder, heing the first candidate ever elected on a regular Demo- cratic ticket in Allen County, which was at that time strongly Whig. Dr. P. G. Jones, however, beat him hy one vote for Clerk. Having served as Recorder and Clerk respectively for seven years, in 1844, the same parties were again opposing candidates for County Clerk. This time Mr. Fleming was successful, being elected hy a majority of seven votes. He served as Clerk for the term of seven years, which was the period allotted under the old Constitution. During the time he was Recorder, he was also, for two years or more, the partner of the late Jolin E. Hill in the dry-goods business. In 1851. having gone out of office with the savings of his clerkship and a considerable inheritance from his father, Mr. Flem- ing began : series of speculations in railroad stocks and real estate, which, prov- ing very successful, he soou gained a position of financial ease and independence. Mr. Fleming was at one time City Assessor, and for several years served as a Trustee of the Fort Wayne schools. He was one of the original stockbolders of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway under the oldest management, and at one time was one of the largest stockholders of paid-up stock of that road hetween Fort Wayne and Pittsburgh. He was also one of the original proprietors of the Fort Wayne Gas Works, heing at the same time both a Director and Gen- eral Manager of the same. Sometime during the year 1865, he went out of the management of the gas works, in which he had been engaged for seven or eight years. Since then he has engaged in no active husiness. Mr. Fleming for years occupied a prominent position in the councils of his party, and repeatedly pre- sided at their conventions. He was several times offered high positions on their ticket, hut as often declined. In 1838, he married Miss Sophia Hotchkiss, at Lewiston, N. Y. Seven children were horn to them, three of whom are now living-Oliver E., Clara and William H.

OLIVER E. FLEMING, REPRESENTATIVE FROM ALLEN COUNTY. DY SAMUEL L. MORRIS, ESQ.

The subject of this sketch was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., on the 25th day of November, 1851, being the fourth son of Robert E. and Sophia Flem- ming. He received his early education, preparatory to a collegiate course, in the public schools of his native city, from which he graduated, as Salutatorian of his class, in 1868. In 1869, Mr. Fleming entered the Shattuck Military Institute · at Faribault, Minn., where he spent one year. The following year, he was with a Government surveying party in Northern California and-Southern Oregon. In the fall of 1871, he was matriculated as a student of Princeton College, from

which he graduated four years later. Upon completing his college studies, le followed the study of law in the office of Coombs, Morris & Bell, of Fort Wayne, and was admitted to practice in the spring of 1872. Mr. Flemiog has always been a stanch and energetic Democrat, working hard for the party, even hefore his majority. In 1875, hy his continuous efforts in working and speak- ing throughout Mercer County, N. J., he contributed largely to the election of Hon. George O. Vanderbilt, as Democratic representative from a Republican district. In June, 1878, his party in Indiana nominated him for representative from Allen County, aud, the Octoher following, he was elected by nearly 3,500 majority to that positiou, which he now bolds.

HON. JAMES A. FAY. BY JUDGE J. W. MORRIS.

The subject of this brief memoir was born on the 10th day of May, 1813, at Northampton, in the State of New York. His carly education was such as could he ohtaioed at the hest institutions of learning in his native State. These advantages were improved hy close application and continuous study; so that, when he attained his majority, he had read much, was familiar with the litera. ture of the times and a thoroughly cultivated gentleman.

After leaving school, Mr. Fay joined an engineering party, and came West for his health, which had become somewhat impaired. He spent some time with this party, camping out and roughing it over the country, whereby he regained his health. He spent some time in Indiana, and finally took a school in Center- ville, then the county seat of Wayne County. Here he became acquainted with Hon. John S. Newman, one of the best men and among the ahlest lawyers of the State, with whom he studied law. With Mr. Newman, he mastered thor- oughly the elements of the law, making himself familiar with Coke, Blackstone, Chitty, Starkee and other elementary writers. It was before he applied for admission to the har, that he acquired that accurate and critical knowledge of the principles of the law, which, in more mature years, gave his opinions, with his associates at the har, almost the force and weight of authority.

After his admission to the har, at the instance of the late Caleh B. Smith, then and during his life one of the ahlest and most distinguished lawyers and politicians of the State, he removed to Connersville, Fayette Co, Ind., and commenced the practice of the law, as a partner of Mr. Smith. As a lawyer, he at once took his place as the equal of such men as Smith, Parker and others, members of the Connersville har, and among the leading lawyers of the State.

Judge Fay left Connersville in 1856, with the view of returning to his native State and making it his permanent home. Friends in Indiana induced him to change this purpose, and, through their solicitations, he came to Fort Wayne in 1858, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 9th day of April, 1876.

Judge Fay was at once recognized hy the har of Fort Wayne as a lawyer of extensive aud varied reading and decided ahility, and, through them, he was soon engaged in the more important litigation in the courts of Allen County.

In 1867, the Criminal Circuit Court of Allen County was established, and, by the unanimous request of the bar, Mr. Fay was, hy Gov. Baker, appointed Judge of the Court. He discharged the duties of Judge of the Criminal Court to the entire satisfaction of all, until the succeeding election. His intelligence, honesty and firmness qualified him in an eminent degree for the heuch, and had it heen left to the bar to select the incumbent, he would, douhtless, have been continued on the bench.

On the 20th day of June, 1849, Judge Fay was married to Miss Julia P. Paine, with whom he lived until his death. They had three children, but one of whom, Mrs. P. A. Randall, survived him.

Judge Fay had, a few years before his death, procured for himself and fam- ily a beautiful suhurhan home, adjoining the city on the south. Here, with his family, to which he was singularly attached and devoted, surrounded by almost everything that taste and culture could suggest, he lived in the full enjoyment of domestic happiness. He seemed to appreciate life as a gracious hestowment. He loved, as few ever did, his books, his flowers, his trecs, his lawns, all of which were choice-selected, arranged and cultivated hy his own good sense and refined taste.

We have not space here to say much of Judge Fay. He was, in many respects, quite a remarkable man. He was constitutionally hooest and true. He had a high conception of manhood, and that genuine and nohle pride of char- acter which made it absolutely impossible for him to do anything that was little, sordid or disreputable. He possessed, in a pre-eminent degrec, that moral courage which, more than any other human attribute, makes the man, the steadfast and reliable friend-the true citizen, patriot and Christian. He was a man of deep and profound convictions. He reached conclusions, not hesitatingly, hut assuredly. While he listened with real regard and pleasure to the opinions and views of others, always treating them with respect and consideration, he still confided in and relied upon his own convictions and conscience. He uever jumped at nor reached a conclusion hastily, hut wheo he came to a conclusion nothing hut truth could displace it. He loved his friend, he enjoyed keenly the good opinion of those he deemed worthy, hut would not give the approval of his own judgment for that of the world.

Intellectually, he was dire.t, incisive and critical. He could not be imposed upon by plausible sophistries. His mind was active, vigorous, and almost pain- fully intense. He did not like to address juries, but when pressed to do it, hie . sowietimes hecame so intense in feeling, that his thoughts gleamed around and pierced through the facts like successive flashes of lightning. In such instances he was irresistible,

450

131

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

We eonelude our notice of Judge Fay, with the hope that some one else may write of him more deservingly, and at large.

FRANCIS COMPARET.

Franeis Comparet was born at Monroe, Mich., on the 18th day of October, 1798. He remained with his parents at this Indiana trading-post until 1819, in October of which year he was married to Miss Eleanor Gwoin. In Mareh, 1820, he eame to Fort Wayne and comuneneed an active business life as a frontier trader, furnishing the Indians with what their wild habits required, and receiving furs and peltries in return, to obtain which the Indian camps had to be visited, and weeks and even months were spent in their villages. It was a wild life, but the traders enjoyed it. Speaking their language, they were at home wherever an Indian lodge was found. For a number of years, he was an agent of the North American Fur Company. This trading-bouse stood east of the alley on Columbia street, between Clinton and Calhoun, his dwelling was on the same street, on Lot 49, original plat, wbere a very amusing marriage ceremony was performed by Mr. Comparet, he having been just previously clected a Justice of the Peace. He was engaged in all the earlier efforts of the business men to advance the interests of Fort Wayne. He built several saw and flouring mills in the vicinity of Fort Wayne. He constructed the dam across the stream that made the lake in Noble County, where Rome now stands.

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.

History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Kingman Brothers Number of Pages: 366

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Kingman Brothers
Number of Pages: 366