USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 48
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THEODORE S. KERNS, agent Vandalia Railroad, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the eldest son of Thomas and Sarah (Scow- den) Kerns, parents born in Germany and Vermont, respectively. Mr. Kerns was born July 5, 1843, and passed his youth and early manhood in his native city, in the public schools of which he ac- quired a good practical education. At the age of sixteen he began learning telegraphy, at which he continued until 1861. In April of that year he entered the army, enlisting in Company D, Eighteenth
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Indiana Infantry, with which he served three years, and at the end of that time re-enlisted in the same regiment, and remained until the close of the war. Mr. Kerns shared the vicissitudes of war with his regiment in twenty-seven bloody battles, and has a military rec- ord of which any one might feel proud. He was captured October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek Virginia, and taken to Richmond, where for six months he remained closely confined in the celebrated Libby prison-pen and at Salisbury, N. C. He participated in all the campaigns in which his command was engaged, and had the good fortune to pass through the war without receiving an injury. At the expiration of his term of service Mr. Kerns returned to Cincin- nati, where in the latter part of 1865 he accepted a position as night clerk in the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette, now known as the Big Four Railroad. In 1868 he engaged with the Indianapolis & St. Louis road, for which he worked a number of years, nine of which were spent at Nokomis, Ill. Severing his connection with this road, Mr. Kerns returned to Cincinnati and engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business, which he carried on for a limited period, and later resumed railroading, serving two years as general baggage agent for the Cincinnati Southern. In November, 1882, he took charge of the Vandalia office at Logansport, where he has since continued. In connection with his railroad business. Mr. Kerns is dealing ex- tensively in coal, doing a large shipping business over various roads. He was married February 28, 1867, in Cincinnati, to Miss Katie Selmon, of Newport, Ky., a union blessed with the birth of one child, Flora, born February 2, 1868. Mr. Kerns is a Re- publican in politics, and a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having taken a number of degrees, including that of Sir Knight.
JULIUS C. KLOENNE, civil engineer, is a native of Prus- sia, Germany, born October 1, 1817. He received a good education in the schools of his native country, and early manifested a decided taste for mathematical studies, in which he became unusually profi- cient. At the age of fourteen he began the study of civil engineer- ing, and in 1834 joined the engineer corps of the German Army, with which he served until 1849. In the latter year he came to the United States, making his way direct to Logansport, which city he has since made his home. On reaching this country he engaged in the active work of his profession, which, with the exception of the time spent in the army and a term as county recorder, he has since successfully continued. Mr. Kloenne volunteered April, 1861, in the Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, entering the service as captain of Company K, and serving a period of three years. He was in a number of hotly contested engagements, and received a severe wound at the battle of Cheat Mountain, W. Va. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Fifty-fifth German Regiment, but
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owing to its consolidation with the Sixtieth Regiment, he failed in being promoted colonel. In 1862 Mr. Kloenne was elected on the Democratic ticket recorder of Cass County, the duties of which po- sition he discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner until 1867. In 1868 he was elected county surveyor, re-elected in 1870, and in 1871 was elected city engineer, which latter office he filled by suc- cessive elections for five years. Mr. Kloenne has been a very effi- cient officer, and is an authority on all matters pertaining to his pro- fession. He is an intelligent and courteous gentleman, and takes an active interest in all enterprises for the public good. He was married, November 2, 1850, to Miss Magdalena Luy, of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Kloenne have been born the following children: Dora, Charles, Anna, Mary, Emily and Julius.
REV. HENRY KOEHNE, the subject of this biographical sketch, is the pastor in charge of the St. Joseph's Church, Logans- port, one of the largest German Catholic societies in northern Indi- ana. Father Koehne is a native of Prussia, born in Westphalia on the 2d of June, 1835. He attended the common schools of his na- tive country uutil twelve years of age, at which time he entered upon a more advanced course of study, attending college nine years, with the object of the priesthood in view. He completed his education, both literary and theological, in Germany, and at the age of twenty- five came to the United States, and shortly afterward was ordained priest, his first charge being the church in Henry, Ill., over which he exercised pastoral control from 1863 to 1870. In the latter year he was transferred to Danville, Ill., and after remaining in charge of a congregation in that city two years, came to Logansport and accepted the pastorate of St. Joseph's Church, with which he has since been identified. This congregation, at the time of Father Koehne's arrival, numbered but few families, scattered throughout the city and country, but under his able administration and the power and force of his preaching, it has so largely increased that there are now over 200 families belonging. The large and imposing temple of worship now in process of construction, one of the finest church edifices of northern Indiana, is a monument to the energy of Father Koehne, to whose efforts the movement to- ward the erection of the building are almost wholly due. He has the unbounded confidence of the members of his congregation, and by his generous impulses and eminent social qualities has made friends with all classes, irrespective of church or order. "His life has been fraught with good works, and the future awaits him with bounteous and abundant rewards."
REV. BARNARD KROEGER, pastor of St. Bridget's Church, Logansport, is a native of Oldenburg, Prussia, where he was born in 1833. He attended the schools of his native country until his seventeenth year, when he came to the United States and
18
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located temporarily in Cincinnati, going thence to Teutopolis, Ill., where he found employment as clerk in a dry goods house. He con- tinued merchandising four years, and at the end of that time returned to Europe, where he remained a short time, coming back to the United States the following year and entering Mount St. Mary's Col- lege, at Cincinnati, where he pursued his studies for a period of two years. He made rapid progress during that time, and to further his education afterward became a student in the Benedict College near Pittsburgh, Penn., where he remained six years. His acquirements in theology were steadily added to, and in 1863 he was deemed to be qualified for admission to the priesthood, accordingly was or- dained August 2 of that year. His first work was in the city of Fort Wayne, where he remained a short time, coming to Logansport September 8, 1863, as assistant to Rev. Father Hamilton, who was in charge of the only Catholic congregation in the city at that time. January 5, 1864, he went to Peru, where he was instrumental in building the Church of St. Charles Barromeo, and where he re- mained with great acceptance until 1872. In the latter year, at the earnest request of Bishop Leuers, he took charge of the St. Jo- seph's Orphan Asylum, at Rensselaer, Ind., and continued in that capacity until March 1, 1875, when he was appointed pastor of the St. Bridget parish at Logansport. He found the parish in debt and greatly in need of a suitable house of worship, but with his char- acteristic energy he put his shoulder vigorously to the wheel, and in a few months extricated the society from its former position. The church edifice was dedicated August 15, 1875; and the noble school building erected a few years later is a monument to the energy and determination of Father Kroeger. Father Kroeger is a man of gen- erous impulses and kindly heart. He has won a lasting place in the hearts of his congregation, and his eminent social qualities have made him friends among all classes and orders. "Under his ad- ministration and the power and force of his ministry, he has largely increased the membership of his congregation, a conclusive evidence of the reverence his people repose in him for his ability and teach- ings." His life has been fraught with good works, and his kind words of admonition have induced many to abandon the ways of sin for the better way leading to virtue and holiness.
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DR. A. H. LANDIS was born in Butler County, Ohio, Febru- ary 14, 1821. He was the youngest son of Philip Landis, an early settler of that region. He was born and raised on a farm, and in addition to the knowledge acquired in the old log schoolhouse near his home, spent several years at the seminary at Miltonville, in the same county. At an early age he commenced the study of medi- cine with Dr. Rigdon, of Hamilton, Ohio, and later attended medi- cal colleges at Cleveland and Cincinnati, graduating from the Ohio Medical College in 1849. The same year he settled down in the prac-
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tice of his profession in Millville, in his native county. In 1850, he married Miss Mary Kumler, daughter of Dr. Daniel Kumler, one of the prominent men of the county. He responded to the call for volunteers early in the war of the Rebellion, and entered the service as surgeon of the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Rocky Face, Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Pine Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain. At Chickamauga, while attending to the wounded, he was taken prisoner, and was in the hands of the enemy for three months, most of the time in Libby prison. At Kenesaw Mountain he was severely wounded, having a leg fractured by a twelve- pound cannon ball. He was mustered out of the service with his regiment September 25, 1864. During the service he contributed largely to Northern newspapers and periodicals, several of his let- ters, descriptive of prison life and graphic pictures of battles, hav- ing been embodied in works on the Rebellion. The sacrifice his country claimed precluded his ever again entering upon the prac- tice of medicine. With his family he removed to Seven Mile, Ohio, in 1868, and in 1875 he removed to Logansport, where he has since resided. To Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Landis have been born seven children, all of whom survive: Katie J., Frances Q., Walter K., Charles B., John H., Kenesaw Mountain and Frederick D. None of the children are married. Dr. Landis was originally a Whig, but became a stanch Republican with the birth of that party, and with the Republican party he has ever since been identi- fied.
GEN. HYACINTH LASSELLE was of French extraction, his ancestors having emigrated from Savigny-sur-orge, in the dio- cese of Paris, about the year 1680, to Montreal, Canada, at which place they remained nearly a century. In the fall of 1776, his fa- ther, Col. James Lasselle, having been appointed to the Indian agency at the Miami village of Ke-ki-ong-a, adjacent to the present site of Fort Wayne, removed to that place with his family. At that time there were no other white people at that point save a few En- glish and French traders without white families. The place was a populous one for an Indian village, and for years noted for its prom- inence in Indian affairs. Here, on the 25th of February, 1777, Gen. Lasselle was born-so far as known, the first white child born in the State outside of Vincennes. At the time of La Balm's attack upon Ke-ki-ong-a, in 1780, a general dispersion and flight of both whites and Indians took place, Mr. Lasselle and his family among others. In the confusion incident to the escape by pirogue down the Mau- mee, his only daughter was drowned. Making their way along the borders of the lake to Detroit, and from thence over the lakes and down the St. Lawrence, they arrived at Point Claire, a short dis- tance above Montreal, where the family resided. Gen. Lasselle re-
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ceived his early education at Montreal, where he remained until he was sixteen years old. In August, 1793, he left that city with his brother James for Detroit, where the latter at that time was ex- tensively engaged in the Indian trade, and subsequently took a po- sition as clerk in that establishment. The trip from Montreal to Detroit was made in pirogues and batteaux, occupying about two months in the passage. Remaining in Detroit until the following spring, he went with his brother to a branch house in Auglaise (Defiance), whence, after a stay of a few months, he returned to Detroit. In the fall of the same year (1794) he left, in charge of a stock of goods belonging to his brothers James and Francis, and lo- cated at Fort Wayne, where he continued, trading with the Indians, chiefly Miamis, about two years. At the end of that time, in the fall of 1796, he purchased a stock of goods from his brothers, with a view to begin trade on his own account on the lower Wabash, at the mouth of Little Vermillion River. On the route, however, meet- ing with obstructions on account of ice, he stopped temporarily at the residence of Chief Godfroy, a few miles above Peru, and opened a trade with the Miamis. When the obstructions had been removed, he proceeded to the point originally contemplated, reaching there about the 1st of February, 1797, and soon secured an extensive trade with the Kickapoos, Pottawattomies and Weas. After he had been in business some three months at this point and had secured about 100 packs of furs and pelts, he left for Vincennes with five or six packs of dressed and shaved deer skins which he proposed to exchange for provisions, specie transactions being out of the ques- tion. In a few days he returned up the Wabash, and toward the last of May he arrived and established himself in trade at a spot afterward known as Che-poy, on the western bank of the Wabash, a little way above the present town of Independence, in Warren County, where he traded for about four years with the Pottawatto- mies, Miamis and Kickapoos. From this point, also, he sent out clerks with merchandise to trade with the Indians at their villages on the Big Vermillion, Kankakee and Yellow Rivers, moving with pack-horses from village to village, In May, 1801, he moved from this place, and again located on the Mississinewa, where he re- mained about four years, and at the end of that time in (1805) he returned to Vincennes, where, during that year he was married to Miss Julia Bosseron, a daughter of Maj. Francis Bosseron. Here, also, he continued to trade almost exclusively with the Indians until the commencement of hostilities in 1811. His general trade with the Indians was very extensive, investing, sometimes, as much as $40,000 annually. These goods were sold exclusively for furs and peltries, which were transported by pirogues along the water routes, and by pack-horses overland, to Detroit, where they were sold or exchanged for goods, Goods were generally shipped in the fall,
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and furs and peltries in the spring. He joined the active mili- tia at Vincennes, after the attack on Tippecanoe, and on the 18th of August, 1812, was commissioned a lieutenant in the First Regi- ment of Militia in Indiana Territory. In October, of the same year, he accompanied the expedition of Col. Hopkins against the Peoria Indians, as a volunteer guide, and while out, in company with John B. La Plante, of Vincennes, by a dexterous but hazardous movement, escaped an Indian ambuscade especially prepared for them. On the 12th of April, 1813, he was appointed by the Presi- dent first lieutenant of a company of United States Rangers, under command of Pierre Audri. In the summer of 1813 he accompanied the expedition of Col. Russell against the Mississinewa towns. In March, 1814, and again in January, 1815, he was in temporary com- mand of Fort Harrison. In the spring of the latter year, he raised a company of Mounted Riflemen, for special service, and on the 30th of June, was commissioned captain by Gov. Posey. Again, in September of this year, he was in command of Fort Harrison, which ended his active military career. Subsequently, on the 2d of No- vember, 1818, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment; on the 4th of October, 1821, as aide-de-camp in the militia to the governor, and on the 13th of April, 1825, as major- general of the Sixth Division of the State Militia. He removed from Vincennes to Logansport in the spring of 1833, where he con- tinued to reside until his death which occurred January 23, 1843.
HON. CHARLES B. LASSELLE was born at Vincennes, Ind., on the 12th of October, 1819, descending in a direct line from the old stock of French pioneers who explored and settled the Wa- bash Valley. His paternal ancestors emigrated from Savigny-sur- Orge, in the diocese of Paris, about the year 1680, and settled in Montreal, Canada, where they remained nearly a century afterward. Mr. Lasselle's mother was born at Vincennes, Ind., in the year 1787. She was the daughter of Maj. Francis Bosseron, of Revolutionary memory, who afterward distinguished himself in the civil and mili- tary transactions of the lower Wabash. In 1833, Charles B., with his father and mother, moved from Vincennes to Cass County, set- tling on the north side of the Wabash, three miles from Logans- port; subsequently becoming a resident of the town. During the spring and fall of 1833 he attended school in the old "Seminary," then the only school in the State north of the Wabash. In 1836, he attended the Indiana University at Bloomington, remaining there until 1839. Soon after his return from college, he began the study of law in the office of the late Hon. D. D. Pratt, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1842. In 1847, he was elected prosecuting attorney of the judicial circuit of which Cass County was then a part, and served one term of three years, in which he achieved a fair measure of success. About the same time, and for a few years be-
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fore and after his election, he was assistant editor and publisher of the Logansport Telegraph, a weekly newspaper, of which his elder brother, Hyacinth Lasselle, Jr., was proprietor. In this connection he evinced great talent, developing a clear and methodical style of composition, at once expressive and attractive. His editorial expe- rience naturally diverted his attention from the strictly literary to a consideration of the political questions of the day, by which he conceived a desire for political preferment. Being a close student, his inclination led him to a careful examination of the working sys- tem of the State and National governments. Thus he became, in a limited sense, a politician, without being especially an aspirant for office. In 1862, he was elected over Hon. D. D. Pratt, to represent Cass County in the State Legislature, and, two years later, was re- elected to the same position, having served his constituents accepta- bly during the previous term. In 1868, he was a candidate for senator from the district composed of the counties of Cass and Ful- ton. In 1869, and again in 1870, he was re-elected his own suc- cessor, the vacancies occasioned by his resignations. This ended his legislative career, and he again devoted his time to the practice of his profession. Mr. Lasselle, for many years past, has given much time and attention to the history of Cass County, and of the entire Wabash Valley. Indeed his opportunities have been such as to enable him to utilize the large fund of material at his command for these purposes. He has furnished historical sketches for this and other localities in the State, and otherwise contributed ex- tensively to the general history of the county. To him, there- fore, great credit is due for the judicious care he has manifested in preserving from oblivion the records of the past.
BENJ. F. LOUTHAIN, postmaster of Logansport, is a native of Cass County, Ind., born in Tipton Township on the 27th of Decem- ber, 1847. His father, William P. Louthain, is a native of Ohio, and the son of George Louthain. William P. Louthain came to Cass County about the year 1843, and settled in Tipton Township, where he still resides. He is one of the representative farmers of Cass County. and served as sheriff, from 1875 to 1879. His wife, Eliz- abeth (MeGrew ) Louthain, was born in Indiana, and is still living. B. F. Louthain was reared to agricultural pursuits and received his educational training in the schools of his native township and the high school of Logansport. He engaged in teaching about the year 1867, and continued the profession until 1873, attending school at intervals in the meantime. He began the study of law in 1875, and the latter part of the same year, became deputy sheriff under his father, the duties of which position he discharged for a period of four years. He purchased a half interest in the Logansport Daily and Weekly Pharos in 1877, and two years later became editor of the same, and as such has wielded an influence for the Democratic
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party of Cass County until the present time. He is an active poli- tician, alive to all the interests of his party, and from 1882 until 1884 served as chairman of the County Central Committee. He was a member of the city school board from 1882 until 1885, and in June of the latter year was appointed by President Cleveland post- master of Logansport. Mr. Louthain is a public-spirited citizen, and has met success such as few attain in a much longer life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and for a number of years has been an active worker in the Odd Fellows order. He has been twice married-the first time in July, 1873, to Miss Louise Wilson, of Tipton Township, daughter of Andrew J. and Ellen Wilson, who bore him three children, all deceased. In May, 1881, was cel- ebrated his marriage with Mrs. Matilda Emslie, daughter of Hon. John Davis, of Logansport.
DR. JAMES B. LYNAS is a native of Dearborn County, Ind., born February 14, 1835. His father, William Lynas, was born in England, and his mother, whose maiden name was Lucinda Burnett, was a native of Ohio. Dr. Lynas was raised on a farm, and at the age of ten removed with his parents to Henry County, Ind. He began the study of medicine when about seventeen years of age, came to Logansport in 1861, and five years later began the practice of his profession, which he has since successfully continued. In 1868 he began the manufacture of the popular family remedies which now have an extensive sale throughout the entire United States. Among the most widely and favorably known of these medicines are the Catarrh Remedy, Hoosier Cough Syrup, Ready Relief, Rheu- matic Liniment, White Mountain Salve, Egyptian Salve and Liver Pills. The Doctor's business has increased beyond his expectations, the sales of his medicines amounting to about $10,000 per year. He was married July 4, 1862, to Miss E. Reed, of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Lynas have had four children, three of whom-Mary E., W. T. S. and George-are living. Dr. Lynas is a public-spirited citizen and takes an active interest in politics, voting with the Democratic party.
DANIEL MADER, tailor, native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, was born February 20, 1832. He was educated in the schools of his native country, and early learned the tailor's trade, complet- ing an apprenticeship at the same when but seventeen years of age. He worked at the business in Hesse-Darmstadt until 1853, at which time he came to the United States and located at the city of Fort Wayne, Ind., where he remained until 1861. In the latter year he came to Logansport, and in July of 1862 entered the army, enlist- ing in the Seventy-third Indiana Infantry, and serving with the same until discharged on account of disability in 1863. On leaving the army he returned to Logansport and resumed his trade, which he has since followed. He was employed in the establishment of
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Mr. Harwood until 1885, at which time he opened a shop of his own, which he now operates, doing a good business. Mr. Mader was married, July 5, 1855, to Miss Rachel Limecooley, of Germany. To this marriage have been born the following children: Anna (wife of Israel Burns), Lucy, Fred, Kate, Bertie, Frank, John, Har- vey, Alice and Edith. Mr. Mader is a member of the G. A. R. and a Republican in politics.
W. T. S. MANLY (deceased) was born near Poolsville, Md., on the 10th of April, 1813. At an early age he removed to Virginia with his parents, after which, for various periods, he resided at Springfield, Ohio, Richmond and Indianapolis, until finally, in Oc- tober, 1837, being then twenty-four years of age, and in the vigor of his early manhood, he settled in Logansport, of which place, un- til his death, he remained an honored resident. His trade was that of a cabinet-maker, which he followed with great success, the while pursuing that course of uprightness and inflexible integrity, upon which, in after years, was based that almost unlimited confidence reposed in him by his fellow-men. By strict attention to business, and close economy, he amassed some means, and while yet a young man the furniture factory was started, and so successfully operated, as to render him a comparatively wealthy man. His sterling worth and accommodating spirit raised up for him hosts of friends, while the business of undertaking, in which he was engaged, brought him in personal communication with almost every one, and it is safe to say, that Mr. Manly came nearer being personally acquainted with every man, woman and child in Cass County than any other man of his day and generation. He was prominently identified with all the works which had for their end the public good, and during his life- time held many positions of high trust. He successfully held the offices of street commissioner and city councilman. He was twice elected sheriff of Cass County, and twice chosen to the office of county treasurer, which latter position he held at the time of his death. His public trusts were always discharged with perfect fidel- ity, and as a public officer none were more efficient. His most prominent traits of character were liberality and generosity, and none that ever applied to him in their hour of need were turned away empty. He was a friend of the poor, a counselor to the rich, and a benefactor to all. His largeness of heart, while tending to benefit the masses, also tended to make him the victim of the un- scrupulous. He was one of the most unselfish of men, and the bounds of his generosity knew no race or condition. Mr. Manly died in November, 1879, mourned by all who knew him. He was twice married; the first time to Miss Caroline Conkling, who bore him the following children, viz .: William H., Esther and Adelia, all deceased. His second marriage was solemnized in 1877 with Miss Martha M. Morrison, of Logansport, and the daughter of Da-
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