USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County Indiana : From its earliest settlement to the present time with biographical sketches and reference to biographies previously compiled, Volume II > Part 7
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On October 26, 1876, Mr. Hoffmann was married to Miss Inez E. Luther, of Logansport, and they have had four children, of whom two are living: Wilhelmina, who married L. H. Wheeler; and George L., a research bacteriologist in the employ of the firm of Parke, Davis & Company, of Detroit.
JOHN E. WALLACE. Although not born in Cass county, John E. Wallace, the popular and efficient county auditor, has resided within its limits since his second year, and has been identified with the official life of this section since 1908. In his present capacity he has proved a painstaking, conscientious and courteous public servant, and the signal services he has rendered his community stamp him as one of Cass county's public-spirited citizens. Mr. Wallace was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 7, 1877, and is a son of Mark and Mary (Farrell) Wal- lace.
Mark Wallace was born in County Wexford, Ireland, December 5, 1848, a son of John and Ellen (Mahoney) Wallace, the former a butcher by trade. Of the five children composing the Wallace family, Mark is the only surviving son and the only one to come to the United States. As a lad of fourteen years he started his battle with life as a farm hand, and although he was able to secure ample employment at fair wages, saw ahead of him only a future filled with hard labor with little hope of accumulating a competency, and, like many other of his countrymen, turned his face toward the New World, where, as he had been assured by friends who had preceded him here, there was ample opportunity for him to prove his abilities. Accordingly, he left Castle Garden in 1869 and made his way directly from New York to Logansport, Indiana, where he arrived with less than a dollar in his pocket. He soon secured employment as a section hand on a railroad, but six months later left that position to become a wiper in the round-house of the Pan Handle Railroad, and was soon promoted to the blacksmith shop, where he acted
Johnp tilden and
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in the capacity of helper. In 1872, he was placed on an engine as a fireman, and his promotion to the position of engineer occurred in 1876, when he was given a switch engine in the Chicago yard. He continued so employed until 1879, when he went out on the road, remaining in the freight service until 1893, when he was promoted to the passenger serv- ice, with a run on the north end of the Chicago division. He still con- tinues in the service of this road, being one of its oldest and most trusted employes. He has been prominent in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in which he has served as chief engineer and as first assistant chief. The family has resided in Logansport continuously since 1879. In November, 1874, Mr. Wallace was married, in Chicago, to Miss Mary Farrell, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Annie, John E., William, Thomas, Mary and Charles.
John E. Wallace received his early scholastic training in the public schools, afterwards entering Hall's Business College, where he com- pleted the prescribed course in the special branches he had elected to pursue. When sixteen years of age, he started out for himself as book- keeper for the firm of McCaffrey & Company, of Logansport, with which concern he was connected for three years, then entering the master mechanic's office of the Pennsylvania Railroad as time-keeper and clerk. In 1905, he left the employ of the railroad to become book- keeper for Dr. J. B. Lynas & Son, and was thus employed, in 1908, at the time of his appointment to the position of deputy in the office of the county auditor of Cass county, George W. Cann. In 1910, he became the Democratic party's candidate for the office of auditor, and was sub- sequently elected for a term of four years, succeeding Mr. Cann, a posi- tion which he has since filled with great ability. Under Mr. Wallace's administration, the affairs of the auditor's office have been in excellent condition, and he is known as one of the county's most popular and obliging officials. His long and varied experience has thoroughly fitted him to discharge the duties of his position, and his work has been an important factor in advancing the best interests of the county. He is interested in fraternal work, belonging to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, and his religious connection is with the Catholic church.
On May 20, 1903, Mr. Wallace was united in marriage with Miss Nellie M. Gallagher, and they have had three children: Helen M., Harry M. and John E., Jr.
JOHN J. HILDEBRANDT, who died December 14, 1912, occupied a prominent place in the moral and commercial history of Logansport, a position attained through his own unaided efforts and by sheer force of character. Born in Iowa, February 8, 1863, he was one in a family of six children, but one now living, born to August J. and Katherine (Gable) Hildebrandt, the former a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. When five years old he was brought to Logansport by his parents and he was here reared and educated in the parochial and public schools. Being of an independent and thoughtful turn of mind, he forsook the religion of his parents, joined the Presbyterian church. When eight- een years of age began learning the plumber's trade at fifty cents per day. This he continued for some time, his first employment being on the Vol. II-4
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buildings of the county poor farm. When twenty-seven years old he embarked in the business for himself, his shop being on Pearl street. He was industrious, was considered an excellent workman, and as time passed prospered. An ardent disciple of Izaak Walton, he often found time to visit lake and stream and at odd moments in his shop invented fishing tackle according to ideas of his own. These efforts at first be- came objects of ridicule for the local wiseacres, but as Mr. Hildebrandt invariably returned from his jaunts with a well-filled creel, his success aroused interest. Traveling men induced him to make tackle for them similar to his, and as they proved successful it was not long until the manufacture of fishing tackle of all kinds became an important adjunct to his regular business. With the passing of time this enterprise grew until it became an important industry of Logansport and made the founder comparatively wealthy. Such, in brief, is the history of one of the large commercial houses of Logansport. Of late years Mr. Hilde- brandt had retired from the active cares of life, owing to failing health, and devoted much of his time to philanthropic work. He was a man who loved home and humanity in general and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself. The world is better because of his having lived in it.
On March 22, 1892, Mr. Hildebrandt was married to Miss Katherine Markert, and they became the parents of three children: Hiram H., Ruth K. and Lois F. He was the first president of the Associated Charities of Logansport, of which he was made an honorary president for life, was a member of the Humane Society, and the T. P. A. and on national matters was a Republican. His business is still carried on by his son, Hiram H., at 408 Fourth street, shipping the goods all over the world, including Spain, Scotland and England, and is successful. Mr. Hildebrandt built the home at 817 High street eight years ago and where his widow now resides. Mrs. Hildebrandt is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Logansport.
WILLIAM H. PORTER. Hand in hand, in public usefulness, is the druggist associated with the physician and this mutual dependence is universally acknowledged as a condition of public safety. Healing remedies are older than doctors and as far back as one may delve in ancient lore, he may find mention of medicaments for some of the ills that have always afflicted the human race. At times the discovery of a new drug of surprising properties, cinchona, for example, has wrought wonderful changes and has been even a factor in advancing civilization. Out of the hands of the ignorant and superstitious, the lawful adminis- tration of drugs has long since passed, and the term druggist or phar- macist now means one who, after a protracted period of study and experiment, covering a number of the sciences, has passed a thorough and satisfactory examination before a learned scientific body. Into his hands there is practically placed life and death, for it is the knowledge of drugs and their effects that must guide him in handling the most careful of physicians' prescriptions. Thus it is no unimportant position that a druggist holds in a community, and his standing is usually of the highest. Among the leading pharmacists of Cass county may be men- tioned William H. Porter, of Logansport, whose connection with this
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business here covers a period of upwards of a quarter of a century. During this time he has firmly established himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, and has interested himself in everything that has pertained to the welfare of his community. Mr. Porter was born November 12, 1865, in Carroll county, Indiana, just across the line from Cass county, and is a son of Oliver H. and Rosanna (Benner) Porter, all of whose four children are still living.
William Porter, the grandfather of William H. Porter, was a native of Fairfax county, Virginia, and came to Indiana during the earliest history of the state, when it was still in its formation. He settled first near Connellsville, in Fayette county, where he farmed after the prim- itive manner of those days, but during the latter 'thirties or early 'forties moved with his family to Cass county and settled in Clinton township. There he passed away when still in the prime of life. Oliver H. Porter was born in December, 1835, in Fayette county, Indiana, but practically passed all of his early life in Cass county. Shortly after his marriage, he moved across the line into Carroll county, and there resided for some fifteen or twenty years, in 1879 returning to Cass county, where he continued farming until his death, September 5, 1898. His wife, who passed away November 13, 1888, was a daughter of Daniel Benner, who came to Logansport when this city was still a trad- ing post and when the Indians were as numerous as were the whites.
William H. Porter was reared until fourteen years of age in Carroll county, and since that time has been a resident of Cass county. He was trained to agricultural pursuits, and his early education was sccured in the district schools, but later he supplemented this with attendance in the Logansport public and high schools. He received his introduction to the drug business in 1885, at which time he began clerking in the drug store of B. F. Keesling, with whom he continued four years, and then, in 1889, established himself in business as the proprietor of a pharmacy of his own. During the twenty-four years that Mr. Porter has been engaged in business in Logansport, he has gained the respect and esteem of all with whom he has had commercial transactions. His establishment is well equipped, and a large stock of first-class goods is arranged in an inviting manner. Mr. Porter possesses business abilities of the highest character, while his long experience has made him thor- oughly conversant with every detail of his vocation. Mr. Porter is a thirty-second degree and Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and has appreciated to the full the benefits of Masonry.
On January 4, 1900, occurred the marriage of Mr. Porter to Miss Alice Knowlton, daughter of Charles B. Knowlton, one of Cass county's early settlers.
CHURCHILL, P. FORGY. The Forgy family is one of the oldest known to American life, and members of it have from the earliest days of the British colonies been identified with life in this country, in various walks of life. The first of the name to settle on American shores was John Forgy, who held an office with the British government in Eng- land. He deserted his office, as the only alternative to being pressed into service in the army, and came to America, where he settled in New Jer- sey. He was engaged in the hotel business in Trenton, when he was
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apprehended by the British soldicry during the Revolutionary war, and was shot by order of the government. So much for the establishment of the house of Forgy in the United States.
Churchill P. Forgy was born in Clark county, Ohio, on January 27, 1835, and was the son of John D. and Catherine (Voorhees) Forgy. John D. was the son of John, who in turn was the son of the first John Forgy, who lost his life in the manner mentioned above. John D. Forgy, father of the subject, was reared in Virginia, the mother being a native of New Jersey, where she was reared. As a boy, the subject passed some time in a school at Princeton, N. J., then came to Indianapolis where he worked as a printer, and afterwards came to Logansport. It was at Logansport that his father had settled in 1836, where he opened up a general merchandise store and continued thus in business until 1840, afterward going to Dayton, Ohio, and entering the employ of Churchill Phillips, as confidential clerk. He was with them for a year or more, then moved to New Carlisle, Ohio, where he bought a farm on the out- skirts of the town, and remained there until death claimed him in 1844.
After some years passed in the printing business in Indianapolis, C. P. Forgy finally settled in New Waverly, in Cass county, engaged in the general merchandise business, and took charge of the grain eleva- tors. He continued to be thus occupied until 1902, when he retired from active business pursuits. He has enjoyed a goodly share of prosperity in all his business ventures, and is well equipped to enjoy the remainder of his life free from business cares or worries.
C. P. Forgy, it may be said, was one of the four children of his parents. He had one sister, Maria, who is now deceased; Stern W. went to the war as a captain in Gen. John A. Logan's army and died from the service in the army. The third son, Dickinson J., also joined the Union army in southern Illinois, serving through the war, and he died in New Waverly in 1909.
On December 14, 1859, Mr. Forgy married Louise M. Quick, the daughter of C. R. Quick, of New Waverly, and his wife, Lucinda (Sloan) Quick. Mr. Forgy is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order, in which he held the office of treasurer for a number of years. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows, and has held the same important office in that society.
Mr. Forgy's life in New Waverly has been one of the most beneficent order, and he and his estimable wife have a host of good friends in and about the community, where they are well known for their many excel- lent qualities, and for the high character of their citizenship. Mr. Forgy's identification with the community has only been for its best good, and the place he has won and yet retains in public opinion is one that might well be envied.
LOURY L. QUICK, M. D. The state of Ohio was the home of the Quick family from the time of its locating in this country from England some generations past until it migrated to Indiana, in the spring of 1856, settling in Cass county. Since that time this county has been well known to the family, and the people of this district have long been ministered to by medical men of two generations of the family. A
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soldier in his young manhood, then a doctor, and all his life a busy and active man, Dr. Quick has gained a wide acquaintance in Cass county, and his name is one that carries with it the esteem and high regard of all who know the kindly and genial Doctor in his professional capacity or in any of the relations of life.
Dr. Loury L. Quick was born on the 20th day of December, 1846, in Clark county, Ohio, and is the son of C. R. and Lucinda (Sloan) Quick. The paternal grandfather of the Doctor was William Quick, and his maternal grandfather was Robert Sloan, of Dutch descent. In 1856 the Quick family came from Troy county, Ohio, making the journey dur- ing the spring which witnessed the first entry of the Wabash Railroad into Cass county. They settled at first just a mile south of New Wav- erly, and remained there for one summer the father being occupied as superintendent of the store of a Mr. Forgy of that place. He was a physician and also a Methodist Episcopal preacher and engaged in prac- tice in the vicinity of his home, where he continued until his death, and it is worthy of note in this connection that his son, the immediate subject of this review, resumed his practice where the elder gentleman laid it down.
Dr. C. R. Quick and his good wife were the parents of five children,- two sons and three daughters. Celia married J. Dalzelle; Louise mar- ried C. P. Forgy; Raper H. married Nora Lumas; and Colonel Ells- worth, who was named thus because he was born on the day that Colonel Ellsworth was shot, married Emma Grimes. Dr. L. L. Quick was the third born in that family of five.
When he was but a mere youth, L. L. Quick enlisted for service in the Civil war and served twenty-two months in the Sixteenth Indiana Battery. When he finished his military service he turned his attention to the study of medicine, determined to follow his father in the prac- tice of that honored profession. He received the first part of his medical training at what is now known as the Chicago Medical College, at Evanston, Illinois, and later spent some time at the Indiana Medical College. Ile then returned to New Waverly, and here he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine, and has proved himself the worthy successor of a worthy and honored father.
Dr. Quick has done a considerable traveling in his lifetime and is the possessor of one of the most complete collections to be found in this section of the state, both he and his wife having an unusual interest in things of the nature of historical relics.
In July, 1868, Dr. Quick was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Fox, the daughter of Josiah Fox, the family being one of Maryland birth and ancestry. One child has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Quick,- Otto L., who is now forty-three years of age, and who married Carrie Black. The son Otto is a train despatcher, and has held his present position for twenty-five years, being in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad.
Dr. and Mrs. Quick are members of the Methodist church, and he has relations with a number of fraternal and other societies among which are the Masons. He is a member of Lodge No. 484, A. F. & A. M. and of the Scottish Rite body, and for thirty-four years held the office of secretary of his lodge. He has also been United States Pension ex-
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amining surgeon since 1882. The Doctor has always been a man who had a high regard for his duties as a citizen and New Waverly has profited much by her possession of him as a member of society, while his family has added its full quota to the social uplift of the community.
FRANK P. YEIDER. Although the gentleman whose name heads this review has lived on his present property for only a comparatively short period, he has made his name well known among the citizens of his locality through the exercise of enterprise, industry and straightforward deal- ings, characteristics which have always been associated with the family name. Mr. Yeider is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster county, in the Keystone State, September 17, 1851, a son of Emanuel and Nancy (Kirby) Yeider. His maternal grandfather, Nicholas Kirby, fought bravely in the War of 1812, and was one of the party of noble patriots who defended the breastworks when the British forces stormed a point on the Potomac river. Emanuel Yeider was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was an infant of six months when his father met his death. He grew up in his native state, and in 1869 migrated to Indiana, settling first in Miami township, and later removing to a farm in Clay township, where his death occurred, January 2, 1892, after a long and honorable career. The mother died April 26, 1884.
Frank P. Yeider received his education in the schools of his native state, and was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Indiana. He continued to remain under the parental roof until his marriage, in 1876, to Miss Sabina Adams, who died November 14, 1880, leaving one son, Charles LeRoy, who was born in 1877. Mr. Yeider's second marriage occurred September 11, 1884, when he was united with Miss Mary J. Barr, and during that fall they settled on a farm near that occupied by his father. During the next February they removed to a farm in Adams township, and there continued to reside until 1890, when they went to South Bend, Indiana, Mr. Yeider having accepted a proposition offered by the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Sub- sequently they located in Logansport, where they continued to reside until the death of Mr. Yeider's mother-in-law, at which time they settled in Clay township, but in 1896 he disposed of his interests here and moved to the state of North Dakota, that being the place of their residence for fourteen years. The Hoosier State finally claimed them as its own, however, and in 1910 they returned to Clay township, where they have since made their home. The present Yeider homestead, a tract of eighty acres, is one of the most valuable of its size in the township. Intelligent treatment of the soil, hard and industrious labor and an inherent ability which has come to Mr. Yeider through generations of farming ancestors, have brought this land to a high state of cultivation, while he has also shown his progressive spirit by adopting modern methods and appliances. He has devoted the greater part of his time to agricultural pursuits, and is not a politician in the accepted meaning of the term, but his public spirit has led him to recognize the duties of citizenship, and he has served very acceptably in the office of supervisor of Clay township. With his family he attends the Methodist church.
Charles LeRoy Yeider, son of Frank P. Yeider, married Miss Ethel Quick, and they have had three children: LeRoy James Franklin
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Yeider, born March 19, 1907; Mary Sabina Ethel Yeider, born June 18, 1906 ; Lois Mae Yeider, born July 8, 1909.
MRS. SOLOMON JONES. No history of Cass county would be complete that did not give an account of its women, for while our hearts are stirred by the thrilling narratives of the enterprise and deeds of the pioneers in trade, in manufactures, in the professions and in politics, ever must be borne in mind the names and the abundant works of their companions in courage and in toil. The roll of these noble women of the earlier days does not contain the names of those of a later period who clamor for equal suffrage, and for equal opportunity in business and the professions, however just may be the claims and aspirations of the latter. The former came to found homes, to rear children who should be fit to carry on the work which their fathers founded. They were and are domestic women, not unmindful of the duties of hospitality, nor careless of the claims of social life, and it has ever been their province to bring the sweet and tender influence of their affections to soften the lot of the unfortunate and lowly.
Residing on her farm in Cass township, a tract which was settled and cleared by her late husband, is one of the best-known ladies of her com- munity, Mrs. Solomon Jones, who has lived in this county all of her life. She is a daughter of John E. and Mercy (Rice) Howes, who came from New York state to Indiana during the early 'thirties, locating in Logansport, where they were married on the present site of the City High school. Mr. Howes became county treasurer of Cass county during the 'forties, and later was a member of the firm of Merriam, Rice & Howes. The subject of this review grew up in Logansport, receiving her education in the public schools, and was here married to Solomon Jones, whose death occurred in 1905. Mr. Jones was originally a farmer, clearing the present farm of Mrs. Jones in Clay township, erecting all the fencing, and putting up all the buildings with the exception of the milk house. He subsequently became collector of revenues, in the em- ploy of the government, and on completing his term of office, entered the money loaning business. He was a citizen of integrity and industry, a hard and faithful worker all of his life, and well merited the respect and esteem in which he was universally held.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones had one child, John, who died in infancy. Later they adopted a daughter, who bore their name until her marriage to Dallas C. Burke. They have had two children: Helen E., who is two years old; and Desa Elizabeth, who has passed her first year. Mr. Burke is employed as an operator by the Wabash Railroad, in which capacity he has worked for the past seven years, and also conducts a dairy business from the present farm of Mrs. Jones, delivering milk to the various families of Logansport. Mr. and Mrs. Burke and Mrs. Jones all live in their comfortable residence, which is situated on Logansport Rural Route No. 4, and where their numerous friends are always greeted with old-fashioned hospitality.
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