USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 60
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Returning home in May, about the time another call for troops was made, he at once commenced recruiting a regiment, which rendezvoused at Fort Wayne, and was mustered into the service August 29, 1862, as the Eighty-eighth Indi- ana Volunteers. He was commissioned Colonel of the regiment, August 21, 1862, and was mustered with his regiment. At this time. great excitement exested at Louisville, Ky., on account of the approach of the rebel army, under Gen. E. Kirby Smith, and the Eighty-eighth was immediately called to that place, where it arrived on the 30th of August. Here it remained occupying a position in defenses of Louisville until the 1st of October, when it was assigned to Rousseau's Division, and marched wich the Army of the Ohio in pursuit of Bragg. At the battle of l'erryville, October 8, the brigade to which Col. Hum- phrey belonged occupied the right of Rousseau's Division, with the brigade of Gen. William Lytle, who was wounded and captured there, and was afterward killed at Chickamauga, and against this the rebels directed their hercest assaults. The brigade suffered a fearful loss, but held the enemy in check until night closed the battle, and Col. Humphrey's regiment was complimented hy Gen. Rousseau for its steadiness under fire, and gallantry in the action. The enemy having retreated during the night after the hattle, the Eighty-eighth joined in the pur- suit as far as Crab Orchard, and then returned by way of Lebanon, and marched to 'Tyrce Springs and Nashville, Tenn. In November, the army was re-organized, and the Eighty-eighth assigned to the Second Brigade (Gen. Beatty's), First Divi- sion (Rousseau's), in the Army of the Cumberland, and marched with the main army. December 26, in the advance on Murfreesboro, which resulted iu the battle of Stone River, on the 31st of December, 1862. and Ist and 2d of Janu- ary, 1863. In this battle the Eighty-ciglith was severely engaged and won fresh laurels. This division moved to the support of the right at the most crit- ical moment and successfully checked the exultant enemy, when on the eve of success. Among the heroic deeds of this battle, none have excelled the grand efforts of Rousseau's splendid division. On the evening of January 3, two regi- ments of Beatty's brigade-the Eighty-eighth Indiana and Third Ohio, advanced, drove the enemy from cover and carried his entrenchments, it heing the fiual charge of the battle of Stone River. In this splendid charge, Col. Humphrey was severely wounded by a minie ball, which lodged under his shoulder-blade,
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HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA
and was never removed until it had worked to a point where the knife would reach it, ahout. seven years after, when it was cut out, and is now retained hy him as a trophy of that great battle. The regiment always retained its place among the fighting Iudiana Regiments, and was in nearly every hattle of the great movements in the Southwest and Sherman's march to the sea, and was mustered'out June 7, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Col. Humphrey, however, resigned his commission, partly on account of his wound, but more especially because of the depletion of the regiment, and hecause his factory had been destroyed hy fire during his absence, and leave of ahsence being refused to go home and attend to his affairs, he resigned October 17, 1863, and returned home to take care of his business and repair his losses caused by the hre.
In the following year, having recovered, and placed his business upon a good footing, he was in condition to act upon the following dispatch :
INDIANAPOLIS, June 6, 1878.
VOL G. HUMPHREY :
Will you accept appointment as Colonel of the One-Ilundred and Thirty-ninth Indi- ana Volunteers, one hundred days, now ready-answer.
By order of the Governor, WM. H SCHLATER, Mil. Seo'y.
He accepted by telegram and was the next day commissioned, and mustered into service the following day, and started with his regiment to Nashville, Tenn. They were assigned to duty along the lines of the railroads leading South, and used by Gen. Sherman, for the supplies of his army, then advancing on Atlanta. The One Hundred and Thirty-ninth with others, were kept constantly guarding these important lines of communication until some time after their term had expired, when it was returned home and mustered out.
Since then the Colonel has been actively engaged in the manufacturing and building business, as a member of the firm of Cochrane, Humphrey & Co., and Cochrane & Humphrey, and many of the finest residences and business hlocks of Fort Wayne are evidences of the quality of their work.
He has a family of two sons and four daughters, living. The oldest son, James, had imbihed some of his father's military spirit, and enlisted in the army at the age of thirteen, serving faithfully as a soldier.
In social life the Colonel is genial, warm-hearted, fond of fun, and a capital story-teller, and few men have more, or warmer friends tban he, and few are wel- comed more warmly at soldier re-nnions, than the old Colonel of the Eighty- eighth and One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, and few are missed so quickly, if absent.
"A minn he seems of cheerful yesterdays, And confident to-morrows."
FRANCIS HENRY WOLKE.
BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.
Frank H. Wolke was horn November 20, 1835, at Bomte, Hanover, during the reign of Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover. His parents were Louis F. Wolke, horn December 6, 1809. and Agnes Freking, horn the year 1808. They were married in 1833.
In 1836, when Frank was only one year old, they emigrated from Bremen to America, arriving in New York in August of that year, and going from there t> Buffalo, whence they removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., arriving there June 5, 1837. Immediately after locating, Mr. Wolke opened a blacksmith and wagon shop near where Peter Kiser's store stands on Calhoun street. In 1843, he built an oil-mill where the woolen factory of French, Hanna & Co. now stands, and for many years carried on a successful and prosperous business. He built Wolke's Block at the corner of Calhoun and Wayne streets, hetween 1864 and 1870.
Young Frank's education was limited to the common schools of Fort Wayne, and one year at Notre Dame College at South Bend. His time, while not in school, was employed in lahor in his father's oil-mill, and after he left Notre Dame, except for a few months spent in a dry-goods establishment, he continued at that business with his father until 1854. when be entered the Recorder's office, remaining there until 1856; then acted as book-keeper for James H. Robinson until 1858.
From 1858 to 1865, he was employed in the freight office of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, as a clerk under A. C. Prohasco and J. C. Davis. In 1865, he went to Toledo, Ohio, and entered the employment of E. D. Eldridge, fish dealer, where he remained six months, and then hecame hook- keeper for Bishop & Co., wholesale grocers, where he remained until August, 1866.
Returning to Fort Wayne, he entered the confectionery and hakery husiness, in 1868, with J. H. Trentman. Their place of business was then on Wayne street, hut soon after B. H. Trentman purchased his cousin's interest, and they removed to Calhoun street, where the business is still carried on.
In 1874, he received the nomination of the Democrat party for the office of County Clerk, running against James B. White, the Republican candidate, and William S. Edsalt, Independent Democrat, and, after an unusually close contest, he was elected hy a majority of 763. He held the office for a term of four years, making a very efficient elerk and was always found at his post,
This was the only public office he ever held, hut he was a candidate for City ('ierk in 1856, against J. C. Davis, during the American or " Know Nothing" excitement, and was defeated as was expected by everyhody, including himself, hut nnly hy a small majority.
In religion, he is a Roman Catholic, and is a member of the St. Joseph Benevolent Society. .
He is now Treasurer of the Fort Wayne & Terre Haute Railroad (narrow gauge), and is actively promoting its interests,
He is one of Fort Wayne's solid men and a general favorite, of high moral character and social standing, notwithstanding the fact that he remains a hach- elor, the worst thing we can say of him. Of this fault, however, it may he said that "it is never too late to mend," and his many friends live in the hope that he may yet see his error and amend.
CHARLES F. MUHLER-COUNCILMAN FOURTH WARD.
BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.
Charles F. Muhler, who has represented the Fourth Ward of the city of Fort Wayne for several years past, was horn in Fort Wayne April 21, 1841, and is thus entitled to rank among the " old settlers," although yet a young man.
His parents were Charles M. Muhler and Anne M. Stark. His father was born November 4, 1810, in Sulzdorf, Bavarian Germany, and came to this coun- try in 1837. He was married in New York City July 6, 1838, to Anne M. Stark, and removed to Fort Wayne in June, 1840, where he resided until his decease wbich occurred January 23, 1864.
His son, Charles F., was horn the year after his parents removed to Fort Wayne.
He received his education in the local schools of the then young city, which did not at that time furnish the facilities for education it now docs, hut be was an apt scholar and acquired a good and substantial education, for the time spent in acquiring it ; for, in 1856, he then heing in his fifteenth year, he was appren- ticed to B. W. Oakley to learn the trade of tinner. About a year afterward, Allen & Company having purchased the tin and stove department from Oakley, he completed his apprenticeship with them, and remained in the employ of that firm until 1864. At that time Mr. Allen retired from the firm and disposed of his interest in it to Mr. Muhler, the firm being then known under the uame of Wilson, Schnekman & Muhler, and still continues doing a large business under the name of Wilson & Muhler, at the old place of business on Columbia street.
Mr. Muhler was married, May 15, 1866, to Mary A. Trentman, daughter of the well-known Bernard Trentman, the large wholesale grocer, now deceased. Their union has heen blessed hy four bright children-Bernard C., Henry A., August T. and Edward F.
They occupy a fine residence on the northwest corner of Wayne and Fulton streets.
In the summer of 1876, Mr. Muhler was elected to fill a vacancy in the Common Council from the Fourth Ward, was re-elected in the spring of 1877, serving a full term, and was again elected in the spring of 1879, to the term he is now serving. Politically, be is a Democrat, hut hy his fairness, integrity and honesty of purpose, he has secured the respect of his political opponents, and has heen twice elected to the position he holds, with little opposition.
In his personal, business and social relations, his reputation is of the best ; and hy a strict and unwavering policy of bonesty, integrity and attention to his business, which he thoroughly understands, he has made a character in social and business circles which will stand the test of time. He is quiet and reserved in manner, but quick to form opinions, and strong in his adherence to opinions once formed. He possesses the good quality of rarely antagonizing his opponents in such a manner as to cause them to consider him an enemy, hut rather as an earnest opponent who only needs to he convinced of an error to yield the contested point, and thus few men of his age and opportunities have more friends who respect them than has Charles F. Muhler.
FRANK BERNHARD VOGEL-CHIEF ENGINEER FORT WAYNE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Frank B. Vogel, merchant tailor, and present Chief of the Fort Wayne Fire Department, was horn October 12, 1840, at Zadelsdorf, Sachsen Weimar, Ger- many. and, with his parents, emigrated, in 1853, to this country, and located at Fort Wayne.
He is the son of Charles Gotlieb Vogel and Erdmuth (Queck ) Vogel.
In 1855, the father commenced business as a merchant tailor, at No. 29 Calhoun street, Fort Wayne, on the premises now occupied by the son, who com- meneed his business career as an apprentice to his father. In 1863, he became a partner in the business, and the firm name was changed to that of C. G. Vogel & Son, the latter visiting France and Germany to fit himself for the business in whichi he was engaged.
He was married, on the 14th day of February, 1872, to Miss Veronica Doepler, daughter of John Doepler, Esq., of Fort Wayne. One daughter, Amelia, born November 14, 1874, is the result of this union. Both are members of tho Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Vogel is a Democrat.
In 1858, he joined the Volunteer Fire Department of Fort Wayne, as a "torch boy." In 1862, he was chosen Second Assistant of his company, and on February 13, 1863, went to France and Germany, and gathered a store of informa- tion, which bas been of mnuch use to him in his present position. In 1865, he was elected Foreman of the Alert Hook and Ladder Company, which position he held five years.
In 1866, he was promoted to the position of First Assistant Chief of the Fire Department, and in May, 1873, was elected Chief, and served until May, 1874. In 1875, he was again elected to fill this office, and has held the position ever since, with marked success.
In 1873, he was sent as a delegate from Fort Wayne to the National Associa- tion of Fire Engineers, at Baltimore, Md., and at that meeting was chosen Vice President of the organization, which position he still holds. Since that time, he
Hours Inui
Jerry Gilligan's
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
has represented the eity of Fort Wayne at the following sessions of this Associa. tion: St. Louis, 1874; New York City, 1875; Philadelphia, 1876; Nashville, Tenn., 1877 ; Cleveland, Ohio, 1878. In these conventions he served upon several important committees.
At the time he assumed the position of Chief, the Department consisted of seven volunteer companies, comprisiug 450 men. This has been changed under his effective management, to a paid department consisting of ten men, who are on duty all the time. He has introduced the fire alarur telegraph, by means of which the location of a fire is instantaneously communicated to the engine house, and no time is lost in learning the direction in which to go. Mr. Vogel has also invented and patented an apparatus for keeping the water in the hoilers of the engines at such a degree of heat that steam ean be generated while they are ou their way to the fire, thus rendering them ready for efficient work the moment they arrive at their destination. The horses, also, are thoroughly drilled so that at the first stroke of the bell they rush to their places at the pole of the steamuer, and a simple hitching arrangement enables them to start at once. The precision and effective- ness of the Fire Department, under Mr. Vogel's management, are the pride of the eity, and excite the wonder and admiration of strangers who see its operations. An alarm has been turned in a mile from the engine-house, and in three and one- half minutes a stream has been poured upon the hre. His constant effort has been to make the standard of the Fort Wayne Department second to none in the country. His men, composing the brave and efficient Fire Department of Fort Wayne, look up to him as a leader, and are under a discipline similar to that of an army. Well may Fort Waynebe proud of its efficient Fire Department and the able Chief who has made it what it is.
Notwithstanding the many laborious duties connected with his official posi- tion, Mr. Vogel has not neglected his business affairs, but gives his personal attention to the large clothing and merehaut tailoring establishment to which he succeeded as sole proprietor on the death of his father, which occurred August 21, 1878. He commands an extensive business in Fort Wayne and vicinity, and through the late times of financial depression his house has stood without a suspieion of financial unsoundness, and ranks among the best and most substantial houses of the West.
JERRY HILLEGASS, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT. BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.
Jerry Hillegass was born February 22, 1846, at Huntertown, Allen County, and was the second son of Jacob and Luey A. Hillegass, who still reside on their fine farm near that place. Jacob Hillegass, father of the subject of this sketeh, was one of the Board of Commissioners of Allen County for six years, and both parents are widely known and highly respected. Jerry's carly years were spent on the farm, and his education commeneed in the district schools of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty, he entered the Fort Wayne High School, and, after an attendance of two years and three months, he graduated from that. institution. In September, 1868, he entered the Literary Department of the University of Michigan, and pursued a classical course for four years, at which time he graduated and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the fall of 1872, he entered the Law Department of the same institution, and remained in that department, studying its course for one year. During this time, while not in school, he was actively engaged in the labors of the farm.
On the 1st of June, 1873, he was elected to fill the office of County Super- intendent, and was re-elected in 1875-77-79, filling the office and performing its duties to the satisfaction of the community, and with credit to himself. He is a Demoerat, but not a politician, believing that the office he holds is to be used for the advancement of the cause of education, and not for political ends. Witlı carnestness of purpose, excellent moral habits, and a mind trained to discern the faults of sehool administration, he has brought the schools of the county under his super- vision to a much higher standard than when he assumed the control of them in 1873, and is deservedly a favorite with the teachers of the county.
EDWIN EVANS, EsQ. BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.
Edwin Evans was born May 27, 1825, at Peterhoro, Madison Co., N. Y. His grandfather, George Evans, was a resident of Tenbury, Worcestershire, En- gland, and married a Miss Palmer, of Klibury, Shropshire, England. They had six children-George, Mary, John G., Sally, Alice (who died in infancy ). and Thomas. The family came to America iu 1802, and lived in Albany and Whites- town until February, 1804, when they moved to Peterboro and commenced farming. The father died there In November, 1814, and the mother in Mareh, 1823.
Their son, John G., the father of the subject of this sketch, was horn Sep- tember 1, 1793, at the family residence in England ; and was married February 7, 1817, to Mary Mooney, who died June II, 1836. There was born to them ten children-Mary, John, Maria, Sally, Edwin, Philemon, William P., Charles W., Richard W. and MeKendree, all of whom survived to manhood and womanhood. In the spring of 1829, John G. gave his heart to God, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he remained un honored member until his deatlı, which oeeurred July 15. 1877, on his farm in Seneea County, N. Y., where he had lived for more than forty years.
At the age of twelve years, Edwin removed with his parents to Seneca County, N. Y., where he remained working on his father's farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he went to Rochester, N. Y., and engaged with his uncle (Stephen Otis) as manager of his large farm near that city, remaining in that business two years. During that time, he formed an acquaintance with
Azarialı Boody, then the railroad magnate of the New England States. This acquaintance was the means of changing his career from that of faruting to the then comparatively new one of railroad construction and management. Iu the spring of 1849, he weut to Connecticut, and entered the service of Boody, Ross & Dillon, as foreman, in the construction of the Hartford, Providence & Fishkill Railroad, remaining with them a period of two years and until the completion of that road, and also of the Middletown Branch Railroad, now a part of the New Ilaven, Hartford & Springfield Railroad.
In the spring of 1851, he returned to Rochester, and engaged in the con- struction of the Rochester & Niagara Falls Railroad, now a part of the New York Central. He remained there until July, 1853, when he came West, aud con- structed eight miles of what is now the Wabash Railway. On its completion to the Illinois State line in December, 1856, he entered the service of the Wabash Railway Company, with headquarters at Fort Wayne, remaining in its employ. ment in various capacities of trust for eighteen years.
Mr. Evans was married, April 26, 1860, to Sarah J. Anderson, daughter of the well-known Calvin and Rebecca Anderson, of Fort Wayne. They have four children-Edwin G., William A., Anna L. and Mary T.
In June, 1879, Mr. Evans was elected President of the Fort Wayne & Terre Haute Railroad Company ( narrow gauge), which road is now in process of construction, with every prospect of early completion, under the able management of Mr. Evans and others of like character for energy and ability.
DENNIS O'BRIEN, STREET COMMISSIONER. BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.
Dennis O' Brien was born in-the year 1834 at Lauibstown, Parish of Glynn, County Wexford, Ireland, and spent his youth to the age of nineteen upon his father's farm at that placc.
In 1853, he emigrated to the United States with his parents, landing in Quebec in May of that year. In June following, they came to Huntington, Ind., and Dennis was engaged thint year upon the work of building the Wabash Rail- road, aud continued in that work until it was completed. In 1858. he was employed as Lock Inspector on the Wabash & Eric Canal, Tod occupied that position until 1865, when he was selected to take charge of the Eastern Division of the canal, from the Ohio State liue to Huntington, Ind., and held that position until the canal was sold by decree of the United States Circuit Court and passed into the control of the purchasers at that sale. During this period, he was a resident of Fort Wayne. In May. 1877, he was elected by the Common Coun- cil to the office of Street Commissioner, and was again elected to the same posi- tion in May, 1879, performing the duties of the office with cuergy and care, and with eminent satisfaction to the public.
In 1872, he married Nancy Sheridan, a daughter of John Sheridau, the well-known farmer and land-owner, four miles east of Fort Wayne, on the New Haven turnpike.
His great-grandfather. William Smith O'Brien, was a native of County Clare, Ireland, and was a large land-holder there, but, during the religious perse- eutions of his time, his property was confiscated to the Crown on account of his refusal to join the Established Church, and he himself was compelled to leave that part of the country. He then removed to Wexford and purchased a small farm, where he lived till his death.
His son. Patrick O'Brien, the grandfather of Dennis, succeeded luw and lived upon the farm until his death, and was in turn succeeded by bis son William, the father of the subject of this sketch. William was sixteen years of age at the time of the Irish rebellion of 1798, and was engaged in the battles then fought, especially the battle of Vinegar Hill, which occurred in Wexford County. Before emigrating to America, he had visited Huntington, Ind., in 1835, to secure some property there left him by his brother, Denus O'Brien, who died at Huntington in 1830.
He was married to Mary Brady, and died at Huntington in 1865, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife survived him uutil 1873, when she died at the advanced age of ninety-two years.
HON. CONRAD TRIER
is one of the old pioneers of this county, who still survives, and who can look back over a long, well-spent life, and eontrust Allen County of to-day. covered with broad, well-kept furius, studded with beautiful homes, fine school- houses, and splendid churches, and traversed by lines of railroads and turnpikes, and the Allen County of uearly fifty years ago, when it was covered with a dense forest, and the means of communication consisted of an Indian "trail" -: narrow foot-path through the wilderness; when the only road in the county was. the old Piqua road, over which was hauled, by teams, from Cincinnati, the merchandise that was kept for sale by traders of that period; and when all persons living withiu twelve or fifteen miles of each other were considered neigh- hors. He was born in the Dukedom of IIesse- Cassel, Germany, on the 6th day of August, 1811. His boyhood was spent in the labors of the farm, ou which his parents lived, aud the opportunities for an education were limited. By careful industry and thrift, he managed to save enough money to pay his passage to this country, and on the 5th day of July, 1832, he lauded in Philadelphia. The next year and a half was spent in laboring on farms for others, and searching for his father and brothers ; and in February, 183-4, he caule to Allen County, and shortly after he purchased eighty acres of " canal land," in Adams Township. about five miles southeast of Fort Wayne, that forms a part of the splendid farm he now owns, and upon which he resides. His first work performed on it e nsisted in cutting poles in the unbroken forest, and carrying them together on his
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