USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 42
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
practical business men, and their enterprise is one of the leading in- dustries of the city.
Staves and Cooperage .- There are several establishments in the city wherein the manufacture of barrels is carried on, the largest of which is the one operated by Harry Torr, situated near the Wabash passenger depot. The business was originally started by Chas. F. Thompson & Co., in April, 1864. Then the firm name was changed to Thompson, Miles & Co., and still later to Miles & Torr, Mr. Thompson retiring altogether from the business. From the start the enterprise proved a successful one, and the gentlemen at its head found ample reason for congratulating themselves. It is now conducted by Harry Torr, who does an extensive business in the manufacture of staves, headings, flour and pork barrels, lard tierces, shipping to all the leading cities throughout the United States. principally Cleveland, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, St. Louis, Peoria, Des Moines and Council Bluffs. Three large buildings are required for the extensive business, the coopershop being one of the largest in the State, together with a mill for dressing staves, headings, etc., with dry-house attached. A large force of hands is constantly employed, and the enterprise is second to none of the kind in Indiana.
Next to Mr. Torr, in the manufacture of barrels, is the shop of William Arnold, situated south of the Wabash River, where he gives employment to from ten to fifteen first-class coopers. Mr. Arnold's principal work is in tight barrels, such as are used for pork, whisky, etc., although a large number of flour barrels are also made up. The yearly production of the shop runs far up into the thousands; the principal market being Chicago, where nearly all the barrels are readily disposed of.
Gottlieb Shchafer engaged in the manufacture of barrels in Lo- gansport about the year 1848, and has since that time carried on a profitable business. His large brick shop is situated north of Eel River, and is operated at the present time by a force of twenty-two men, who make about 10,000 tight barrels and from 20,000 to 25,- 000 flour barrels every year. There are several cooper shops addi- tional to those mentioned, all of which are doing a safe and profit- able business.
Furniture .- Among the old reliable interests of Logansport was the well-known furniture factory of W. T. S. Manly & Co., estab-
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lished in an early day, when the city was in the infancy of its ex- istence. Mr. Manly came to Logansport about the year 1837 and engaged in the cabinet business, and subsequently erected the large factory buildings north of the Eel River, near the old canal. Here for many years he carried on an extensive business, manufacturing all kinds of furniture, his sales amounting to about $50,000 annual- ly. Wm. Manly, Jr., afterward became a partner, and still later the firm was increased by the addition of A. L. Smith, the present pro- prietor. who has had charge of the enterprise since the death of the Messrs. Manly. Mr. Smith, who has had many years practical ex- perience in this branch of industry, gives his personal attention to the work, overseeing the men-giving them the benefit of bis in- strnetion-and making such improvements as suggest themselves. He does a lucrative business and finds sale for his work in various parts of the Union.
J. W. Henderson & Sons, manufacturers and dealers in furni- ture. is one of the leading business firms in the city. Mr. Hender- son. Sr., moved to Logansport in 1864, and shortly after (July, 1865) commenced the manufacture of furniture, locating on the south bank of the canal, near the Pittsburgh, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. For a number of years previous to this Mr. Henderson had been general superintendent of one of the largest furniture manufacturing establishments in Cincinnati, where he had acquired a wide experience in the work. He soon built up an extensive busi- ness in Logansport, and ere long he took his sons, James and Sam- uel, into partnership, and the firm thus formed still continues. A force of from fifteen to twenty workmen are employed, and the raw material annually required amounts to $25,000, from which about 850.000 worth of furniture is manufactured. They have a large warehouse on Fourth Street, where an elegant line of their goods is kept constantly on exhibition for sale.
Woolen Factory .- William Aldrich, one of Logansport's oldest citizens, first started the manufacture of woolen goods, locating on the Hamilton Race, south of the Wabash, in 1862. For years he carried on the business alone, but in 1868 W. G. Nash became a partner, after which the factory was enlarged, in order to meet the increased demands of the trade. Mr. Aldrich finally retired from the business, disposing of his interest to Marcellus Nash, and the firm of W. G. & M. H. Nash continued until 1875. In that year
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W. G. Nash sold out to John LaRose, who remained identified with the business until 1879, at which time the entire interest was pur- chased by M. H. Nash, the present proprietor. Under Mr. Nash's management the business has considerably increased, about 40,000 pounds of wool being consumed every year. Four looms are in con- stant use, besides spinners, carding machines, knitting machines, finishers, etc., requiring the attention of a force of eight persons. The goods manufactured are blankets, cassimeres, woolen jeans, yarns, flannels, hosiery, etc., a great part of which is used by the local trade.
Paper Mill .- This is another old Logansport enterprise, dating back as far as 1864. Since its first inception the business has changed hands often, several parties finding that, without a goodly amount of enterprise and experience, it could not be carried on suc- cessfully. Among the various owners was Mr. S. B. Richardson, who operated it some time between the years 1868 and 1870. Sam- uel Bard took charge of the enterprise in 1875, and operated it with fair success until 1880, at which time he retired from the business. In the latter year the Logansport Paper Company was organized by Charles A. Clark, and under his management the mill was again started with increased facilities and a competent force of workmen. Mr. Clark purchased all the stock of the company in 1885, and since that time he has been doing an extensive business, manufact- uring over 800 tons of paper yearly, or nearly 7,000 pounds daily. The paper manufactured is straw, rag, wrapping, manilla, grocers' and tea papers, which will compare favorably with any in the mar- ket. Twenty men are kept constantly employed, and shipments are made to all the principal cities of the country.
King Drill Company .- Prominent among the manufacturing firms of Logansport is the King Drill Company, organized January 1, 1884, with a paid. up stock of $36,000. The Lincoln Foundry, on High Street, was purchased the above year, and a force of com- petent mechanics were at once put to work manufacturing the well- known grain drill, for which there has since been a constantly in- creasing demand. The factory and foundry are operated by a force of from fifteen to twenty-five men, and the number of drills yearly manufactured is from 1,000 to 1,500. In addition to the manufac- ture of drills the company do a general foundry and machine-shop business, in which branch of industry they have been very success-
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ful. The enterprise is established on a substantial basis, and bids fair to remain one of the leading manufacturing establishments of the city. The officers of the company at the present time are E. S. Rice, president; John W. Ray, secretary, and L. G. Patterson treasurer and general manager.
Cement and Sewer Pipe Works .- This enterprise was established in Logansport about the year 1872 or 1873 by Messrs. Dodds & Son, who made a specialty of the manufacture of cement for walks, floorings, etc. They carried on a successful business until 1877. at which time M. Michaels became proprietor, and under his successful management the business has largely increased, until it is now one of the important industries of the city. In addition to the manufac- ture of cement, Mr. Michaels carries on an extensive business in all kinds of sewer and well-piping, manufacturing for the principal mar- kets of Indiana and adjoining States. A force of from six to ten men are constantly employed, in order to supply the increasing de- mands of the trade.
Wagon and Carriage Manufacture .- The oldest establishment in this branch of industry in Logansport is that of William M. Kreider & Son, founded by Mr. Kreider in 1849. Mr. Kreider came to the city that year, and opened a wagon and blacksmith shop on Sixth Street, beginning the business in a small way, but found ere long that enlarged facilities would be necessary, as his work soon acquired quite a reputation. He increased his force of work- men, enlarged his building, and for a number of years was the lead- ing wagon-maker in the county. He has been on Sixth Street for a period of thirty-seventy years, and his wagons are found all over Cass and adjoining counties. In 1870 he formed a partnership with his son, J. S. Kreider, and the firm thus formed continues. They do a general wagon-making, repairing and blacksmithing business, and employ from eight to ten men the greater part of the time. .
John Jackson, the largest manufacturer of wagons, fine buggies and carriages in Logansport, engaged in the business in 1854. He made a speciality of wagons until 1861, when he commenced manufacturing buggies and carriages, which he has since continued. The large brick shop and store-room on Sixth Street was built about the year 1865 or 1866, and is the largest building of its kind in the city. Mr. Jackson gives employment to from fifteen to twenty-
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five men, and, in addition to his manufacturing interests, carries on a general blacksmithing business, paintshop and woodyard. The work done in Mr. Jackson's shop is of a superior quality, and has a reputation second to none in Indiana.
South Side Carriage Shop was established about the year 1872 or 1873 by Anthony Grusenmeyer, who for eleven years carried on an extensive business, manufacturing for the local and general trade. He disposed of the shop in 1884 to his son, Fred Grusenmeyer, who has since operated the same with good success. He employs from six to ten men, and has already established much more than a local reputation, his class of work having a large sale in Logans- port, and other cities of Indiana.
Holbruner & Uhl, manufacturers of carriages and buggies, en- gaged in the business in the fall of 1883, and their establishment has already taken a front rank among the industries of Logans- port. The firm is composed of Charles E. Holbruner and Miller Uhl, and the force of men employed is from fifteen to twenty, owing to the demands of the trade. Messrs. Holbruner & Uhl do an exten- sive wholesale and retail business, and in their large wareroom near Eel River, West Market Street, is exhibited a full line of carriages and buggies, which for durability and elegance of finish can not be excelled by any other firm in the city.
Pump Factory .- The largest and most complete pump works in northern Indiana is the one owned and controlled by A. N. Park- hurst, of this city. Mr. Parkhurst came to Logansport January, 1871, and engaged in the manufacture of pumps with a Mr. Ray- mond, occupying the foundry room of Knowlton & Dolan's machine shops, having removed from Galesburg, Ill., where the pumps in- vented by Mr. Parkhurst were manufactured on a royalty by an- other firm, extending over a period of fifteen years. The article invented by Mr. Parkhurst, and upon which he has since made four improvements, i. e., on February 10, 1863; January 16, 1866; No- vember 1, 1864, and May 18, 1875, is known as the " Vitrified Stone Cylinder Pump," and is acknowledged to be the most complete in the market. In 1875 the firm dissolved, Mr. Raymond withdrawing and J. P. Parkhurst taking his place. A. N. Parkhurst purchased the entire interest in 1878 or 1879, and has since controlled the business. He uses about $5,000 worth of stock annually, and has
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a large wholesale as well as retail trade, his sales extending over Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri.
Marble Works .- There are four marble shops in Logansport, all of which are operated on a profitable scale. At the head in this branch of industry is the popular establishment of Schuyler Powell, on Pearl Street, near the postoffice, where may be seen some of the finest designs and workmanship in the State. Mr. Powell employs a number of skillful workman, and his business is constantly increas- ing. Frank May operates a shop on Sixth Street, and does an exten- sive business throughout Indiana and other States. On East High Street is the shop of Thomas Peden, whose workmanship will com- pare favorably with that of any other house in the city. Mr. Reed has been engaged in the business for a number of years, and is widely and favorably known throughout all the counties of northern and central Indiana.
Manufacture of Cigars .- The manufacture of cigars is a class of business well represented in Logansport, and among the various persons engaged in the enterprise are J. P. Sebastian, who operates a large factory on Broadway, near the Murdock House; the Geiger Bros., on Market Street; I. S. Johnson, near the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway; Carrington L. Alford, Fifth Street, near the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad; C. J. Hildebrandt, on Fourth Street; Allen Bryer, Market Street; Harry Denbo, Sixth Street; Gustave Dryer, Chippewa Street; - Kessler, Twelfth Street, and Mr. Parkhurst, Fifth Street.
Bottling Works .- There are two establishments of this kind in Logansport, the older of which is the well-known firm of Enyart Brothers, on Sixth Street, who do an extensive wholesale and retail business in the manufacture of all kinds of cooling drinks, such as champagne cider, ginger ale, sarsaparilla beer, etc. The Messrs. Enyart have been in the business since about the year 1879 or 1880. The other establishment is that of William H. Bevan, on the cor- ner of Fifth and North Streets, started March, 1886. Mr. Bevan has superior facilities for the manufacture of his goods, and is in the enjoyment of a profitable business.
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CITY OF LOGANSPORT.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JACOB ALBER is a native of Lichtenstein, Germany, born there on the 7th of January, 1821, and attended the common schools of that locality from the age of seven to fourteen years, according to the custom of the country. Afterward, at the age of eighteen and a half years, he entered the University of Bordeaux, France, and at the end of four years' course, graduated in that institution, thus closing his scholastic education, having completed, also, the classical course. Soon after leaving college he apprenticed himself to an instructor in drawing, painting, sculpture and the fine arts generally, serving his preceptor during a period of three years. The two years following he traveled quite extensive- ly, performing such work as the State required. Subsequent- ly, for eight years, he practiced his profession, traveling through France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Jerusalem, the Holy Land and other localities of prominence, wherever his services were in demand. In 1848, during the crisis that prevailed through-
out Europe threatening the peace of the nations, he abandoned professional life for the time being, and the following year came to the United States, landing at New Orleans. From there he went to Cincinnati; thence to Dayton, Ohio; and from that point, in May, 1849, he came to Logansport, and ever since has been a permanent resident of this city, where he has been actively engaged in business, painting being his chief occupation, and in which he has been eminently successful. Mr. Alber was married, on the 28th of October, 1852, to Miss Sophia Dirksen, a native of Bremen, Germany, by whom he has had two children: John, living, and Philip, deceased. On the 4th of April, 1883, his wife died also. In politics he entertains the most liberal views. Religiously he is a Catholic.
REV. L. A. ALFORD, D. D., LL. D., deceased, one of the most distinguished Baptist clergymen of Indiana, was born at Fer- risburg, Addison Co., Vt., May 29, 1814, and was the son of Rev. O. P. Alford, a pioneer Baptist minister, who preached and organ- ized churches throughout New York State many years ago. Dr. Alford united with the Baptist Church at the early age of fourteen and commenced preaching at the age of eighteen, and was ordained at Erie, Penn., when but twenty-one. He labored and preached in churches at Erie and vicinity, and moved West, in 1844, to Adrian, Mich., where he was pastor a short time. He labored diligently with a number of churches, reorganized a congregation at the town
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of Rollin, and later was called as pastor of the Litchfield Church, Hillsdale County, where he held large revivals and baptized a great many converts. He moved to Hillsdale, Mich., in 1849, and there organized a Baptist Church and built a substantial house of worship. Here he commenced publishing a paper for Sunday-schools, called The Sunday Visitor, and commenced working zealously in the Sunday-school cause. The paper had a large circulation and was the means of accomplishing great good. He commenced running Sun- day-school excursions for the benefit of Sunday-schools and churches on the Michigan Southern Railroad on November 2, 1849, and afterward was elected by different roads as excursion superintendent and ran many hundred excursions throughout the United States. He built a church edifice at Burr Oak, Mich., and organized a flourishing congregation. He moved to Elkhart, Ind., and there organized a Baptist Church and built a house of worship, costing him over $4,500, which he donated and deeded to the society. He moved to Logansport, Ind., in 1864, and here he wrote his great works "The Masonic Gem," "Great Atonement Illustrated," "Mystic Numbers of the Word," "Biblical Chart of Man," "The War in Heaven" and his last work, just before his death, "Trip to the Skies." He was elected president of the Eclectical Medical College of St. Louis, Mo., which position he held a number of years; also vice-president of State Medical Association; also of Medical Association of the United States. He organized the Anthropologi- cal University of St. Louis. He resided in Chicago a few years for his health, and while there filled a number of pulpits. He returned to Logansport in 1874; was called to preach at Goodland, also at Monticello, but poor health obliged him to give them up. He received a number of honorary titles for his writings, also a gold medal and title of Ph. D. for his last work from the Society of Science, Letters and Arts, London, England. He was beloved by all who knew him, and always labored zealously without pay or price for the great cause which he so long represented. He was married, 1835, to Miss E. P. Butler, who departed this life March 6, 1883. Children: Corrington L .; Annetta, wife of Dr. W. C. Isherwood; Cecilia, deceased; Mindwell, deceased; Lovisa, wife of A. B. Crampton.
CORRINGTON L. ALFORD, only son of Dr. Loyal A. Alford, was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, April 29, 1836. His early educational training was received in his native city and other places, and in 1847 he commenced learning the printer's trade in the office of The Watch Tower at Adrian, Mich. He subsequently published The Sunday Visitor, at Hillsdale, Mich., of which his father was editor, and in 1857 took charge of The Elkhart Herald, Elkhart, Ind., with which he was identified until 1864. He came to Logansport in the latter year and engaged in the manufacture of fine-cut tobacco
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and cigars, which he carried on with good success until 1884. In that year he abandoned the tobacco business and gave his attention to cigars, which he has since manufactured, having a large and lucrative trade in Indiana and other States. Mr. Alford was first married, in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Rowe, of Livingston, N. Y., by whom he is father of one child: Ida, wife of George S. Ricketts. Mrs. Alford died December 3, 1864. Mr. Alford's second marriage was solemnized June 24, 1868, with Miss Ellen Harrison, of Logansport, who has borne him the following children: Lelonia, Cora, Bessie and Tillie. Mr. Alford is a member of the I. O. O. F., and K. of H., and with his wife belongs to the Baptist Church.
GEORGE ASH, of the firm of Ash & Hadley, dealers in furniture and upholstery, is a native of Devonshire, England, born in the year 1848. He was educated in the schools of his native country, and at the age of fifteen engaged to learn the upholstery trade, in which he soon acquired great proficiency. On attaining his majority he came to the United States, and worked at his trade in the cities of Cleveland, Toledo and Canton, Ohio, until the fall of 1872. He came to Logansport the latter year, and engaged in the upholstery and furniture business, which, from a moderate begin- ning, has grown to be one of the leading industries of the city. In 1882 he effected a partnership with J. C. Hadley, which still con- tinues. Their place of business is on Market Street, and their stock of furniture is one of the largest in northern Indiana. Mr. Ash was married, in the year 1876, to Miss Tillie Brim, of Toledo, Ohio.
DANIEL PRATT BALDWIN, LL. D., of Logansport, was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 22, 1837. His parents were Hira and Harriet (Pratt) Baldwin, the latter a sister of the late ex- Senator D. D. Pratt, for whom the subject of this sketch is named. The ancestry of the family may be traced to the early settlers of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Daniel P. Baldwin was brought up on a farm, upon which he worked in summer. During the win- ter he went to school, where he showed such scholarly ability that it was decided to give him an advanced education. He took an academic course at Cazenovia Seminary, Madison County, N. Y., and received his diploma in 1852. He graduated from Madison University in 1856, and from Columbia Law School in 1860. Dur- ing these ten years he stood at the head of his classes, and was especially noted as a speaker and writer. In June, 1860, he re- moved to Logansport, Ind., and commenced his profession with the late Hon. D. D. Pratt, under the name of Pratt & Baldwin. Dur- ing the following ten years the firm enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, which extended to many parts of the State. In 1870 Mr. Baldwin was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to fill a vacancy, and in the following year was elected to the same posi-
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tion. In 1872 he received the degree of LL. D. from Madison University and Wabash College. In 1873 he resumed the practice of his profession, in which he is still engaged. Owing to a partial deafness, he was prevented from entering the army during the late war, but used his whole influence to aid the Union cause. He is an earnest Republican in politics. Judge Baldwin was for a number of years proprietor of the Logansport Journal, daily and weekly. and at times contributed to its editorial columns. In June, 1878, he was nominated by acclamation by the Republican State Conven- tion for the important office of attorney-general of the State. He was elected to the position, and discharged the duties of the office one term. Within the past six years Judge Baldwin has delivered a number of college addresses and numerous popular lectures. He is the author of the well-known essay, "A Lawyer's Reading in Evidence of Christianity," which was published in 1875. Among his published addresses are "The Defects in Our Political System," and "The Cause and Cure of Hard Times," both of which have been widely quoted. For many years he has been active in the interest of Wabash College, and instituted the Baldwin Oratorical Prize. But few men have been more careful in the selection of a library. In his reading he confines himself to the choicest works. He has made a special study of political economy and the science of gov- ernment. With all his eminent ability as a lawyer and excellence as a scholar, Judge Baldwin is entirely free from ostentation. He was married, June 16, 1863, to Miss India Smith, of Logansport. They have had two children, both of whom are dead.
JOHN W. BALLARD, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Logansport, was born in Carroll County, Ind., Feb- ruary 28, 1855, and is the son of Anson and Mary J. (Hoornbeck) Ballard, natives, respectively, of Indiana and Ohio. Dr. Ballard's rudimentary education was acquired in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen he entered Purdue College, from which he graduated in 1876. On quitting college he engaged in teaching, which profession lie continued for a limited period, reading medi- cine in the meantime under the instruction of Drs. Beck and Smith, of Delphi. He entered the Medical College of Ohio in 1877, grad- uated in 1879, and began the practice of his profession in Lockport, Carroll County, where he continued until his removal to Logansport, in 1881. The Doctor was married in 1876 to Miss Ellen, daughter of Samuel Milroy, of Delphi, to which marriage have been born two children: S. Milroy and Charles A. Since locating in Lo- gansport, Dr. Ballard has built up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Logansport Medical and Surgical Associa- tion, and stands high in the profession. He belongs to the F. & A. M., Knights of Maccabees, and National Union fraternities, and is a Democrat in politics.
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