USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 72
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In reply Mr. Ames expressed his gratification to the children because of their appreciation of his labor on their behalf.
He has also contributed largely to the fund for the improvement of the harbor, and spent a great deal of time and money in getting up petitions to Congress, and in soliciting aid in behalf of the enterprise.
Lyman B. Ashton is a son of Gallatin and Susan Ashton, who were natives of New York, and was born in this State in 1844. His education was limited to the common schools of the early set- tlements in this State. In 1867 he entered into partnership with William Schoenemann, and engaged in the grocery trade in this city. They do a large and remunerative business. Mr. Ashton was married in this city in 1872 to Ellen R. Moyse, daughter of James and Mary Moyse, natives of Canada. They have 3 children: Arthur L., Walter F. and Bertha M. Mr. Ashton is one of the self-made men of the time, his prosperous business and property having been acquired through his personal industry and attention to his business affairs.
V. W. Bartholomew was born in Decatur county, Ind., in 1847; the son of Samuel C. and Saralı (Thomas) Bartholomew; he came to this city in 1870 and engaged in mercantile business, and has one
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of the finest stocks of hardware in the city. He was married in October, 1869, to Miss Edna Stanton, of this county, who was born in 1848. They have 3 children: Louis, Fred and Frank. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the M. E. Church of this city. Politically, he is a Republican.
John H. Barker, Mayor, was born in Michigan City in 1844, where he has resided nearly all his life. His father, John Barker, was one of the pioneers of this county, having settled in Michigan City in 1833. The subject of this sketch began life as a clerk in a wholesale shipping house in Chicago, was engaged in mercantile trade in Springfield, Ill., for three years, then returned to Chicago and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade. In 1868 he returned to this city and engaged in the grocery trade, which he continued until 1877. He is now a stock owner and general man- ager of the Michigan City Car Works. He is also Mayor of the city. Mr. B. is one of the live business men who have built up large fortunes by their own efforts.
Rev. Julien Beaks, pastor of St. Mary's Church (Catholic), this city, was born in Prussia, Oct. 8, 1836. He began his study for the priesthood at the early age of 12 years, and was licensed and ordained priest when 24 years of age. He came to this country in 1858 and farther pursued his studies at Clerical College in Cincin- nati, where he remained for two years. He then had charge of a parish in Adams county, Ind., for a few years. He came to this city in 1863 and took charge of this parish, since which time his mission has extended to various counties in the State. Under his spiritual guidance and control the Church has continued to grow in numbers and influence in this community, and now has by far the largest number of communicants of all in the city. Under his pas- torate the Church has been brought into a very prosperous condition, and he is universally liked by the entire community, and honored and loved by his Church.
Harrison H. Bowes, attorney at law, is the son of William R. and Mary E. (Jewel) Bowes; was born in Michigan City, Dec. 11, 1855; received a liberal education, having graduated at the Racine, (Wis.) College; read law, admitted to practice in '79, and com- inenced the practice of his profession in this city in 1880. Mr. B. is a man of culture and refinement, and will rank high in his pro- fession. He is a member of the Episcopal Church in this place.
William H. Breece was born in Cass county, Mich., Nov. 10, 1840, and is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Wilson) Breece, natives of Pennsylvania. He received a liberal education, and is a graduate of the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Mich. He was admitted to the Bar in 1866 and began the practice of law at Three Oaks, Berrien Co., Mich. He was Prose- cuting Attorney of that county one terin, and Township Clerk nine years. He came to Michigan City in 1879, and began the practice of law, having now associated with him Mr. H. D. Tuthill, the firm
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being Breece & Tuthill. Mr. Breece is Deputy Prosecuting Attor- ney of La Porte county. He was married in 1871 to Miss Emma E. Barnes, daughter of Samuel and Harriet Barnes, of this State. They have 2 children. Mr. B. is a member of the Odd Fellows order and of the Masonic fraternity. He is one of the enterprising men of the city, and although he has been here but a short time, has an enviable reputation as a lawyer, and has a large practice.
Duvid T. Brown, M. D., was born in Vermont in 1838, the son of Henry and Susan (Ticknor) Brown, of New Hampshire, and of English descent. The Doctor came to this State and located in Michigan City in 1869, where he has since resided. He received a good classical education, and began the study of medicine in 1859, and graduated at the Berkshire Medical College in 1862; he was then appointed Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. Army and served until the close of the war; he was also Surgeon for the Michigan Central Railroad Company. He was married July 24, 1864, in New York, to Miss Nellie P. Pettens. She was born April 1, 1841, and they have 5 children: Charles M., Bertha L., Mary T., Ralph and Laura. The Doctor has been County Coroner for four years, and has held other offices of importance and trust in the city and county.
D. E. Case was born in this county in 1844, and is the son of Aurora and Abigail Case, who were natives of the New England States, and came to this county at a very early day, being among the first settlers of the county. Mr. Case received a liberal edu- cation. He was married in this city to Emma F. Holliday, of this city, in 1875, who was born in this county in 1849. Mr. Case is now engaged in the livery business, and keeps a large stock of horses, buggies and carriages. He has the finest rigs in the city, and is doing a very large and lucrative business. He has a large property, and is one of the leading men of the city. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Danford Davidson was born in the State of New York in 1818. He spent his boyhood at home on the farm, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He came to this State in 1852, and settled in Michigan tp. in 1854, where he still resides. He first purchased 80 acres on sec. 23. He was married in Michigan to Miss Emeline Conners, who was a native of New York, and was born in the year 1823, and died in 1861. By this marriage he has one child now living, Esther M. In 1863 he was married at New Buffalo, this State, to Frances A. Prindle, who was born in Connec- ticut in 1826. They have 2 children now living, Thomas A. and Mary E. Mr. Davidson is a member of the Masonic order, of this city. He is a Republican in political views, and has held some of the important tp. offices.
Charles E. De Wolfe was born in Wolfeville, Nova Scotia, March 6, 1814; at 18 years of age he went to St. Andrews, N. B., and engaged in merchandising for four years. In the fall of 1836 he moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained one year; then came
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to Porter county, Ind., and engaged in mercantile business in Val- paraiso in 1841, which he continued until 1850; he then moved to Michigan City, where he has since resided, and is engaged in mercantile business, and now has one of the largest dry-goods and notion houses in the city. He is one of the first organizers of the First National Bank of Michigan City, and is now a stockholder and Director of the same. He was married near Valparaiso, Ind., in April, 1840, to Miss Mary E. Baum. They have now living 5 children : Joseph B., James R., Geneva M., Charles B. and Harriet B.
Mr. De Wolfe was one of the originators and stockholders of the Michigan City Harbor Company, organized in 1865 for the build- ing and improvement of the harbor at this place. He remained a Director until the company turned over the harbor to the U. S. Government in 1868. Mr. De Wolfe held $3,000 of the stock of the company. The Government has never refunded any of the moneys spent by the company in the improvement of the harbor, and the company never received anything from any source on the stock invested. Mr. De Wolfe also platted and laid out "De Wolfe's South Addition" to the city, containing 70 acres. A part of the lots have been sold and residences built on them; the rest he still owns. He has never belonged to any secret order or Church society, and has never held any office. However, he has always been a public-spirited man, and identified with every movement for the improvement and advancement of the interests of the county and city; and but for his aversion to political life, he would have been called upon to fill many of the positions of honor and trust in this county.
J. E. De Wolfe, son of C.E. and Mary De Wolfe, natives of Nova Scotia, and early settlers in this county, was born in this county Feb. 24, 1842; his father was one of the progressive men of the day and gave him a liberal education. At the age of 15 he went into his father's store as salesman, which position he held for ten years. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 4th Regt. Indiana Light Artil- lery, served three years and three months, and was honorably dis- charged. He was in several of the hardest fought battles of the war of the Rebellion. Upon his return from the army he came to Michigan City and entered mercantile pursuits, and is now engaged in the general hardware trade, and carries a large and varied stock in his line. He was married in 1868, in this county, to Miss Gertrude Ward, of New York, who was born in 1842. They have 3 children: Charles E., Clara M. and Jessie W. Mr. and Mrs. DeWolfe are members of the Presbyterian Church. He owns 47 town lots in Chicago and seven in this city. He is one of the relia- ble business men of the city.
Alfred F. Earl, proprietor of livery, corner of Michigan and Washington sts .; was born in Ohio, June 4, 1842, and is the son of Harvey and Catharine Earl, natives of Nova Scotia. IIe located in this city in 1852, where he subsequently engaged in various kinds of business until 1867, when he began the livery business, which he
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has since followed. He is prosperous and keeps on hand a No. 1 stock in his line. In 1868 he married Miss Maria J. Doran in this county ; they have one child, Hattie Ann, born Feb. 5, 1876. Mr. E. commenced life a poor man, but by industry and economy has accumulated considerable property. He is an Odd Fellow.
Benjamin Eliott, son of John and Hannah Eliott, was born in the State of New York, Sept. 23, 1816. His parents were of Scotch and English descent, and came to this country before the Revolu- tionary war and settled in Massachusetts. His grandfather was a private in Washington's army during the Revolution, and his father was in the war of 1812. Mr. Eliott's school advantages were limited to a few months at district school. He worked on a farm until he was about 23 years of age; he then came West and located at La Porte, and operated a distillery for nine years, when he became convinced that the business was a dishonorable one, and that the liquor traffic was a great injury to the people. Acting purely upon principle, he abandoned the business, then a very profitable one, to satisfy his conscientious scruples in regard to ardent spirits. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits for eight years. He then came to Michigan City and accepted a position in the State prison located here. which he held for 15 years. Since then he has been engaged as a contractor and builder, and at present is superintending the building of the new M. E. church, corner of Franklin and 7th streets. He was married in this county in February, 1843, to Jane Griffin, of New York. She died in the latter part of the same year. In September, 1845, he was married to Miss Almira-of this county. They have 6 children now living: Andrew J., Elmira D., Albert J., Edson, Benjamin II. and Anna B. Mr. E. has held a number of the important offices of the township and city, and is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church in this city.
Anton Finske was born in Germany in 1843, and came to this country with his parents in 1853, and settled in this city. He worked on a farm during his younger years, and then engaged in trade. He at present does a general grocery business on Franklin street. He was married in this city to Miss Josephine Finly, who was born in Germany in 1854. They have 6 children: John, Mary, Anna, Henry, George and Laura. He is City Assessor and also a member of the City Council. He is a member of the Cath- olic Church, and politically, he is a Democrat.
U. C. Follett, Postmaster, was born in New York July 8, 1819; came to Michigan with his father in 1836, and to this county in 1839, settling in La Porte, where he remained until 1846, and then settled in this city, where he has since resided. At the age of 14 he commenced clerking in a dry-goods store. He is a self-made man, commencing poor, but now owns 400 acres of farm land in this county, besides several town lots in this city. He was appointed Postmaster in 1877, which office he still holds. Oct. 11, 1842, he married Matilda Traver, of this county, daughter of Uriah and
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Elizabeth Traver, and was born in 1815. He is a Republican in politics, having cast his first vote for General Harrison. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.
William Fosdick, dentist, the son of John S. and Emily L. (Smith) Fosdick, natives of New York, who came to this county at an early day, was born in this county Jan. 1, 1849; received a lib- eral education and learned the printer's trade, at which he worked for three years; then began the study of dentistry, his father being his preceptor. He pursued the study of his profession for ten years; then came to Michigan City and located permanently in 1877. His office is at 120 Franklin street. He was married Oct. 29, 1872, to Miss Louisa Vennette, who was born in the State of New York in 1854. They have 3 children. He is a member of the M. E. Church in this city.
Harry H. Francis, editor of the Michigan City Dispatch, was born in that city Feb. 24, 1852. In the fall of 1869 he entered Racine (Wis.) College, and completed a full collegiate course, leav- ing that institution in 1873. In the fall of the same year he entered the Law School of the University of Michigan, where he gradu- ated in 1875. He immediately commenced the practice of law at Indianapolis, where he remained until Jan. 1, 1878, when he removed to Michigan City. He practiced his profession in that city until September, 1879, when he founded the Michigan City Dis- patch, of which he is now editor and proprietor.
Thompson W. Francis was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1815, and died at Michigan City April 17, 1880. Mr. Francis was among the first who settled in Michigan City, arriving there from Cincin- nati in the early part of the year 1832; so at the time of his death he had resided there for 48 years, then being the oldest resident of the city. Mr. Francis was a man of a strong, positive character, and had led a very active life. He was an ardent Republican, and during his life he took a lively interest in politics, being one of the foremost organizers of his party, not only in the county, but in this section of the State. He always labored for the advancement of his city's interests, and passed away mourned by all. He left 3 sons: Oscar A., Willis T. and Harry H. Francis. The former died at Nashville, Tenn., just a week after his father's demise.
Nikolas Gaspar, grocer, No. 73 Franklin street, was born in Nuremburg, Germany, Dec. 25, 1840; worked on a farm during his boyhood; was brakeman on a railroad for several years. He came to America in 1852, and settled in this city in 1873, entering into his present business in 1877. He keeps on hand a good stock of groceries, and has a fair trade. In 1866 he married Caroline Finske, in this county, also a native of Germany. They have had 6 children; only 2 are living: John H. G. and Annie E. Mr. G. owns two lots with dwellings. He is a Democrat.
Hon. Amos C. Hall, Sr., was born in the " Empire State," in Oneida county, in 1817. His father, Luther Hall, was one of the pioneer settlers of Oneida county. Mr. Hall was raised on a farm,
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which business he continued to follow during the early portion of his life. He was elected a member of the New York Legislature for two terms, during the time Horatio Seymour was Governor. He was Town Clerk and Supervisor a number of years. He came West in 1853 and located in Door Village, this county, but was in busi- ness in Michigan City. He was absent for a number of years, having business in Logansport, Ind., and while there was elected Mayor of the city. When his term of office expired he returned to this county, and permanently located in this city, where he now resides. He was Deputy Warden in the Northern State Prison from 1875 until October, 1879. He was married in 1843 to Miss Anna Shepardson, of New York, who was born in England in the year 1823. They have 6 children now living. Mr. Hall has been a life- long Demoerat, and an ardent supporter of the principles and nominees of that party.
Charles C. Hamerick, M. D., was born in Putnam county, this State, in 1845. He commeneed the study of medicine in 1863, and graduated in 1874. He was appointed Physician for the Northern Prison in 1878, which position he still holds. He was married in this county in 1872, to Hattie Olds, and they have 3 children now living: Nellie, Leroy H. and Lora. His father, Hon. A. D. Ham- erick, is one of the leading men of Putnam county.
Harvey R. Harris, proprietor of the Jewel House, Michigan City, was born in New York in 1835, a son of Harvey and Malinda (Enos) Harris, natives of England. He came to this State in 1852, and has now been proprietor of the Jewel House about nine years. Under his administration the house has become one of the most popular in the State; it is the leading hotel in the city, and has a large patronage. Mr. Harris being one of the few calenlated to run a public house, has become favorably known to the traveling pub- lie. He has held several prominent positions in the county, and is one of the leading men of this eity.
G. L. Hart, the son of George W. and Polly (Hitchcock) Hart, was born in Vermont in 1820; received a common-school educa- tion, and when 19 learned the carpenters' trade, but has been engaged in farming most of his life. He emigrated to this State in 1856, and settled on sec. 26, in this tp. He first purchased 50 acres, eov- ered with heavy timber, which he cleared off and cultivated the land. He now owns a farm of 130 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. He was married in Ohio in 1842 to Amelia Everetts, who was born in the State of New York in 1823. They have 5 children: Alfonso L., Jerusha A., Ellen, Rosa and Edward. He has been Assessor 10 years, and was Justice of the Peace several years. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Hazzard M. Hopkins was born in Ohio, June 14, 1829; is a son of James and Elizabeth (Ross) Hopkins, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of New Jersey; his father was among the early settlers of Kentneky, and moved to this county in 1835, where he still lives, at the advanced age of 79. Hazzard M. had limited
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educational advantages, but by his own efforts acquired sufficient to enable him to teach school; at the age of 17 he taught in Butler county, O., several winters; also read and practiced law; was in the Quartermaster's Department in the late war one year; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1877, which office he still holds. Nov. 12, 1858, he was married in this county to Annie A. Kinney, born in Vermont in 1835; their 2 children are Annie L. and Lizzie A. Mr. H. owns two lots with buildings, also owns 54 acres of land laid out in two-acre lots in what is known as Cheeney's addition. He is a Democrat.
Dr. S. B. Innes, proprietor of the Michigan City Medical and Bathing Institute, was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1833, and spent the greater portion of his life in the Southern States; he was educated in the city of Montreal, and is a graduate of Magill's Medical College, of that place. He was in active practice of medi- cine and surgery in New Orleans for about 20 years. During the Maximilian war in Mexico he was in that country; after the close of hostilities there, he returned to the States; he then went to the Hot Springs to study their medical properties, and on his return opened a Medical and Bathing Institute for the treatment of acute and chronic diseases. These medical baths are so constructed and operated, both mechanically and medicinally, that the patient has all the benefits of the celebrated Hot Springs. There is no water used with these batlis; therefore there is no danger of taking cold, no matter what the weather is. The Institute was located here in 1879, and the Doctor has satisfactorily treated over 300 cases, his patients coming from nearly every State in the Union. Dr. Innes was mar- ried in 1871 to Miss Eliza Bell, of Georgia. They have 3 children.
Peter Johnson was born in Germany in 1835, and came to this country in 1856, and located in Michigan City, where he now resides. He has been engaged in the wholesale fish trade ever since he came to this country. He owns a steam tug and a large sail boat, which he nses in fishing; has eight men in his employ, and makes a catch of abont 1,000 pounds per day. He was married in this city to Miss Matilda Loudine, in 1867, who is a native of Swe- den. They have 1 child living, Nellie. They are members of the Lutheran Church in this city.
Frederick Knubbe was born in Germany, Nov. 6, 1832, and came to this country in 1851, locating in Michigan City, where he has since resided. He worked at his trade for seven years, then bought a stock of goods and engaged in trade for himself. He was mar- ried in this city, in 1851, to Miss Annis Clement, of Canada, who was born in 1832, and died at her home in this city in 1853. In 1854 he was married to Jernsha Perley, of Canada, born in 1834. They have 3 children: William A., Anna F. and Mary B. He has the finest stock of clothes and gents' furnishing goods in the market. He employs six hands, and is always ready to make suits to order on short notice. In political affairs he is a Republican.
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Martin Krueger was born in Germany in 1855, the third son of Charles and Fredrieka Krueger, and came to this country with his parents in 1863. His opportunities for an early education were very limited, being only such as he could get in a few months at a district school. He worked on a farm until he was 18 years of age; he then moved to Illinois and there farmed for five years. He then came to Michigan City and began the study of law, Fred Johnson being his preceptor. In 1868 Mr. Johnson died, and his business was continued by Mr. Krueger, who is still in practice here, doing also an extensive real estate and insurance business. He is also the Clerk of this city, having been elected to that office May last, 1880. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the order of Odd Fellows. Mr. K. has always been a firm believer in the tenets of the Democratic party, and an ardent supporter of its nominees.
Alfred W. Leeds was born in 1824 in New Jersey, and came to Michigan City in 1838. He received a common-school education, such as was then taught in the district school. He was married in Michigan in 1866, to Miss Minnie Lell. They have 7 children: Eva, Alphia, Julia, Arthur, William, Franklin and Alice. Politi- cally, he is a Republican.
James R. Long, son of Hiram and Winnie (Deming) Long, was born in Ohio May 14, 1819. He lived on the farm with his parents until he was 20 years of age, when he engaged in the sale of a patent for a short time. He was a soldier under Gen. Taylor dur- ing the war between Mexico and this country, and went ont with the three-months' men from Ohio in 1861; on his return from the army he traveled through Iowa and Illinois. He came to this county in 1841 and now resides in Michigan City. He was mar- ried in Peoria, Ill., in 1878, to Nellie Van Valkenburg, a native of New York, born in 1849. Politically he is a Greenbacker.
Charles Mayne is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born in Perry county, April 30, 1826, the son of Henry and Anna (Rollins) Mayne. He is a miller by trade, but has not followed that business for some years. He received a liberal education. He came to this State in 1854 and located in Huntington county. In 1870 he was appointed Warden of the Northern State Prison, which position he held eight years. He was married in Ohio in 1864, to Martha Weiner, of Perry connty, Pa., who was born in 1843. They have 5 children: Robert, William, Lula, Mabel and Charles. Mr. Mayne is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Politically, he is a Democrat.
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