History of La Porte County, Indiana, Part 73

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : C.C. Chapman
Number of Pages: 930

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Jacob Meyers, dealer in dry goods and clothing, No. 20 Frank- lin street, Michigan City. Mr. Meyers was born in Russia in 1826, and came to this country in 1855, locating in Michigan City. For about eight years he was engaged in peddling dry goods and notions. He then opened a dry-goods house in this city and has a large trade. He was married in Russia to Miss Hannah Simon, of the same place, in 1851. They have 9 children now living. Mr. Meyers is one of the Aldermen of the city. He belongs to the Masonic

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fraternity. In religious belief he is of the Jewish faith, and politically is a Democrat.

Charles Mocher was born in Germany in 1827, came to this country in 1857, and settled in Michigan City, where he now resides, engaged in mercantile business, having one of the finest stocks of groceries in the city and a very extensive patronage. He was married in Michigan, in 1865, to Miss Maggie Zimmerman. They have 5 children: Maggie, Josephine, Clara, Gertrude and Rosa. He is a member of St. Mary's (Catholic) Church of this city. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Alex. J. Mullen, Jr., physician and surgeon, was born in this State in 1856, and is a son of Alex. J. and Caroline (Hudler) Mullen, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Germany; com- menced the study of medicine in 1873, and graduated in 1875, in the Missouri Medical College; practiced two years in the St. Louis hospital, and then settled in Michigan City, where he has been physician for the State Prison for over two years. The doctor is a young man of more than ordinary ability, and is a member of the Catholic Church.

Nicholas Neimann, farmer, was born in Germany in 1840, and came to this country in 1866. He was married to Miss Johanna Harms, a native of Germany, born in 1866, They have 2 children, Minnie and Emma. He owns 80 acres of land on sec. 20, this tp. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church of Michigan City, and politically is a Republican.

Addison J. Phillips was born in the State of New York in 1822, and emigrated to this State in 1842, locating in La Porte and engaging in the manufacture of boots and shoes, which business he continued for a little over two years. He is now dealing largely in real estate. He was married in this county in 1845, to Eliza R. Horner, who was born in the State of New York in 1825. They have 3 children: William, Addison and Karl. He has held the office of City Marshal, Constable and City and Township Assessor. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order in this city, and has been a life-long Democrat.

Hon. Henry H. Roberts was born in Pennsylvania in 1825, a son of Peter and Lydia Roberts. IIis father was a native of Pennsyl- vania and his mother of Connecticut. In 1851 he came to Michigan City, and for 14 years was general freight agent of the Michigan Central railroad. He then engaged in the real estate business, which he has continued ever since. He was the first President of the Michigan City Harbor Company, which office he now holds. In 1846 he was married to Mary A. Burrill, of Kent county, Mich., daughter of John Burrill. Mr. R. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been connected with every enterprise that has had for its object the interests and improvement of the city. In a word, he is a public-spirited man and identifies himself with every public work or enterprise. He was the third Mayor of this city, which office he held two years. He was also Alderman

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for four years, and in 1854 was elected to the State Legislature. Mr. Roberts has been a life-long Republican and a zealous supporter of the principles of that party and its nominees.

Rev. Charles M. Romer, of St. Mary's (Catholic) Church, Mich- igan City, was born in Germany July 21, 1856; came to this country in 1875, and began his studies for the office of priest, which he continued up to 1878; then completed his studies in one of the clerical colleges of the Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordained priest June 21, 1879. He is now assistant priest in this parish under Father Beaks, which position he has held one year.

Charles Sadenwater, of the firm of Sadenwater & Meyers, grocers, was born in Germany in 1855; he began life for himself as a clerk, when but 14 years of age, which occupation he followed until he came to this country, in 1868, and located in Michigan City; and formed a partnership with Mr. Myers in the grocery trade. They do a general grocery business, and have by strict attention built up a large and lucrative business. Mr. Sadenwater was married in 1877, in this city, to Miss Sophia Krahn, who was born in Germany in 1859, and they have one child, Hattie, born Nov. 12, 1879. Mr. S. is a member of the Saint John's Benevolent Society, of this city. He began life poor, and has by his own efforts acquired a large property.

B. F. Sammons is the son of W. B. and Mary Sammons, and was born in 1821 in the State of New York; he came to this city in 1852 and engaged in the hardware trade, which he continued until 1876, when he went into the general grocery business. He was married in Michigan, in 1849, to Miss Mary Boulton, who was born in England, in 1829. They have 2 children: William A. and Eva J., the latter the wife of J. L. Peck, of this city. Mr. S. belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church.

Henry Schultz, M. D., was born in Germany in 1818, and came to this country in 1849 .. He began the study of medicine in 1841, and graduated in 1844. He was married in this city in 1855, and has 4 children now living: Albert, Henry, Frederick and Mary. He is one of the pioneer physicians of this county, and has always had a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor is a member of the German Lutheran Church, of this city.

Mason G. Sherman, M. D., an old and honored citizen of Mich- igan City, who has had a remarkable and interesting life, was born in the town of Bone, Washington county, Vt., Jan.15, 1805; in 1826 he removed to St. Lawrence county, N. Y .; in 1829 he went to South America, and during the year 1830 he resided on the Fanlkland Islands; in 1831 he visited the Islands of St. Catha- rine's, Brazil, where he tarried several months, and then he went to Rio Janeiro, and thence to Pernambuco; in 1831 he returned to Massachusetts, and after several months he visited Vermont, and in 1832 he returned to New York, studied medicine, and in 1836 he graduated; he practiced in the State of New York until 1844,

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when he removed to Johnstown district, Canada West; the next year he returned to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., again practicing his profession until 1850, when he went to California; in 1852 he returned to New York, and in 1853 he came to this State and con- tracted with the New Albany & Salem Railroad Company to supply the road with cars, establishing his works at Michigan City; in 1854 he sold out and recommenced the practice of medicine; in 1858 he was elected to the Legislature by the Republicans, over Judge Bradley, by a majority of 446 votes ; in 1860 he was re-elected by a majority of 987 votes; in 1861 he entered the army as Assist- ant Surgeon, and in three months was appointed Surgeon of the 9th Ind. Vol. Inft., serving four years. The day on which the Doctor was 60 years of age he was mustered as Veteran Surgeon during the war. At the close of the war he returned to Michigan City, and since then has continued the practice of medicine, enjoying, of course, a very extensive patronage.

In 1843 he married Charlotte R. Hartwell, daughter of Col. Hartwell, of the Provincial forces of Upper Canada. She was born in that country in July, 1825, and they have had 3 children, 2 of whom are living: Nannie C., wife of Edward A. Jernegan, of Mishawaka, Ind., editor of the Enterprise; and Hattie L., wife of John E. Simpson, General Manager of the Vandalia Line. Mrs. Sherman was killed by a sky-rocket in July, 1858.

Geo. F. Smith was born in the city of New York, Aug. 16, 1829, and is the son of Robert and Martha (Gledhill) Smith, natives of England. They came to Michigan City in 1855. Mr. Smith's first business was that of pattern-maker, and was in the employ of the Michigan Central railroad for a number of years. He came to this city in 1854 and worked at his trade. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Mary A. Campbell in 1848; she was born in 1828, and died in 1852. He had one child by this marriage. He was married in 1859 to Miss Nannie Smith, of La Porte, Ind .; she was born in Ohio in 1842. They have 3 children now living: Ida M., Francis E. and Laura A. He is a Free Mason, and a member of the M. E. Church in this city. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. Smith is the author of a number of valuable inventions, among which are the mortise slide gauge, and the new refrigerator known as the "Alaska," which is now manufactured by a stock company in this city known as the Smith Refrigerator and Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Smith is vice president and general super- intendent.

Theodore Smith was born in this county Sept. 4, 1848, and is a son of John and Minnie Smith, of German descent; he was married in this county in 1870, to Minnie Worneke, who was born in Prus- sia Oct. 24, 1849, and their 3 children are: Arthur, Lizzie and Johnnie. Mr. Smith has been City Marshal of Michigan City for three years, which office he holds with honor to himself and satis- faction to his friends. He is a Democrat.

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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.

Jonathan Snook, Justice of the Peace and general insurance agent, was born in Pennsylvania in 1836. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Krepp) Snook, of Pennsylvania. They are of Ger- man descent. He emigrated to this county in 1855. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1st Regt. Mich. Vol. and served three months, and was mustered ont. In 1862 he assisted in raising Co. A, 15th Mich. Inf., and was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of the company ; he served until the fall of 1864, and was honorably discharged. He was in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Vicksburg, and in all the fights of the Atlanta campaign. On his return from the army he settled in Southport, this county, and was elected Justice of the Peace. In 1870 he resigned his office and moved to this city, and in 1873 was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. He was engaged in the boot and shoe trade here for four years. He was married in 1862, in Michigan, to Miss Lavina Kern. They have one child: Allen J. Mr. Snook and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church in this city, of which he is also one of the Trustees. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is now largely engaged in the insurance business, being agent for the Continental and other reliable companies. Po- litically, he is a Democrat.

Lewis H. Sovereign, physician and surgeon, was born in Canada March 24, 1813, son of Frederick and Patience (Brown) Sovereign, the former of whom came to America 118 years ago, settling in New Jersey. The subject of this sketch moved to Illinois in 1836, and to this county in 1842; he had commenced the study of medi- cine in 1834, and graduated in 1836; he located in this city in 1869, where he has since been practicing medicine with eminent success. In 1844 he married Flora Cathcart, who was born in this State in 1820, and they have had 4 children : the 2 living are: Fred- erick, now a practicing physician, and Allen J., who is a civil engi- neer. The doctor was Justice of the Peace 13 years, and is a man well known and respected.

Fredric H. Swartz was born in Germany in 1852 and came to this country in 1856, with his parents, and settled in Buffalo, N. Y., and moved to Michigan City in 1859. He engaged in the boot and shoe trade in 1870, which he continued for several years; then sold. his interest to Mr. Freeloek, he remaining as foreman and manager for Mr. Freelock. He was married in this city in 1872 to Miss Sophia Miller, of this place. They have one child now living: Otto F. Mr. Swartz is a member of the Foresters' and Workingmen's Society; and is also a member of the German Lutheran Church of this city.

James A. Thornton was born in Saint Lawrence county, N. Y., Nov. 4, 1831, and is the youngest son of Josiah and Mary Thorn- ton, who were natives of Rhode Island. Mr. Thornton began life for himself at the age of 17, working out for $10 a month. His early schooling was limited to the rudiments as then taught in the district school, and he acquired his education by hard, persistent

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study after he became of age. He commenced the study of law when 21 years of age in the office of Vary & Clark, at Ogdensburg, N. Y ., and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court at its regular session held in the city of Plattsburg, N. Y., July 4, 1853. He came West, and located in Michigan City in 1853, and has since resided here, and been engaged exclusively in the practice of his profession. He was married in this city Oct. 26, 1854, to Miss Amelia H. Wells, daughter of J. R. and Harriet T. Wells, who were natives of New York. Mr. Wells was a man of marked ability, and as,a lawyer stood in the front ranks of the profession. They have by this marriage 2 children: May, wife of E. C. Johnson, Esq., and Albert E. Mr. Thornton is a self-made man; begining in the lower walks of life, he has worked his way up; he has overcome all the disadvantages and diffienlties of his early life, and has won an envi- able reputation in his profession, now having a large and lucrative practice. He has acquired a competence, and is one of the reliable, enterprising men of the city. He was Prosecuting Attorney in this county in 1856 and 1858. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Knight Templars lodge. In 1870 he helped to organize the Presbyterian Church in this eity, of which he is a member. Politically, he is a Republican, and a zealous supporter of the principles of that party and its nominees.

A. G. Tillotson, M. D., was born in Lake county, Ind., April 15, 1847, and is the son of James and Melissa (Hall) Tillotson, natives of the State of New York. He received a fair education, and when 19 years of age began the study of medicine, and graduated at the Bennett Medical College of Chicago when but 22 years of age, and at once began the practice of his profession. In 1872 he located in this city, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medi- eine and surgery. He was married in his native county, to Miss Frances A. Combs, daughter of David and Eliza Combs. They have one child, Florence A., born March 18, 1873. The Doctor is a member of the Odd Fellows order and of the Knights of Honor. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church in this city.

David Tollchiff, M. D., was born in this county in 1823, of Indian descent, his father being a Seneca brave, and his mother a member of the Pottawatomie tribe. He remained with his father's tribe until he was 17 years of age, and left them while they were stationed on the Platte river, in Nebraska, and moved to the White Cloud reservation in Kansas. He was interpreter for the Govern- ment under Gen. Price in 1847, and was in the Government employ 18 years, at an annual salary of $600, and now receives $200 a year from the Government. He was for three years physician and sur- geon of the 1st Michigan sharp-shooters, and during that time had charge of different hospitals. He located in this eity in 1878, and has since been engaged in the practice of medicine. He was mar- ried in the State of New York to Miss Amelia Osborn, of Sehuy- ler county, that State. The Doctor is a graduate of Ogle College, Ohio, and has a large practice in this eity.

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George Voice was born in Dover, county of Kent, England, in 1812. He came to this country in 1832 and settled in Canada, where he lived two years. He then came West and located in Chicago, where he remained three years, and helped get the town incorpo- rated. He came to Michigan City in 1838, where he has since resided. He was married in 1835 to Miss E. S. Clement. They have 2 children now living. He is now engaged in the sale of confectionery, tobacco and cigars, and the line of goods pertaining to the business.

John Humphrey Winterbotham, State Senator, of Michigan City, was born in Connecticut in 1815. He comes of a long line of distinguished ancestors, some of whom were manufacturers in the mother country, while others earned flattering prominence in the world of letters. One of these, the Rev. William Winterbot- ham, was the author of a " History of North America," and a " History of China," both works of marked ability. Although Mr. W's nearer ancestors were most remarkable for such traits as develop the natural resources of a nation, his father, John Winter- botham, inherited somewhat of this studious disposition. His con- suming thirst for knowledge led him to employ the time not devoted to active business to study and books, which, once read, never escaped his memory. At the period which ushered into ex- istence the subject of this sketch, the father was devoting all his energies, as junior partner and active business manager, to the suc- cess of a firm which established the first important manufactory of broadcloth in New England, at Derby, Conn. David Humphrey, the senior partner, was a man of national prominence, and no less celebrated as an enterprising business man than as a diplomatist and statesman. He was the honored guest and chosen friend of Washington and Adams, and accompanied the latter to France as Secretary of the Legation, when Adams represented the New Republic at the court of St. Cloud. Subsequently appointed Minister to Portugal, he married, in England, a lady of great wealth, while passing through that country en route to his post of duty. On his return he introduced, by importation from Spain, the first Merino sheep ever known in the United States, and, set- tling in Derby, established the firm mentioned above, in a portion of the town thereafter known as Humphreysville. The death of Col. Humphrey, about 1818, dissolved the partnership, and, after traveling over different portions of the country seeking a favor- able location, the junior partner bought a factory in another part of Connecticut. He continued the business with varying success until the results of the confused and disastrous legislation of 1827-'28 swept away the labor of a life-time, leaving him, at the age of 58, with a large family and a new destiny to work out. But neither age nor misfortune could conqner his energy. He resolved to build up a new home in the West,-not in his old business, he had no means left for that, but in the forests of Ohio, then almost a frontier State, he resolved to clear a farın, though he had never

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touched a plow or wielded an ax in his life. At this time John Humphrey Winterbotham, the eldest son of a large family, was a lad of 14 years. Among his sisters are Mrs. Mary Mott, now residing in Auburn, Ind., a lady of fine literary taste and many accomplishments, and Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, the author of many books that have found a world-wide publication.

When it was decided that the family should go West, buy a tract of land with the remnant of a shattered fortune, and commence life anew, young John Winterbotham left his boyhood behind him and stood side by side with his father. Perhaps a spirit of enter- prise, mingled with filial devotion, made him ready to go anywhere; certain it is that when a settlement was found in the heart of Ohio his hand was the first to fell a tree, and his laugh rang out most cheerily when his old father succeeded in hacking one down, in the midst of his boys. The young man's energies never failed him so long as there was a loved one to shelter and help. When a home was made, and his parents in their increasing years were surrounded with the comforts of life, the young man married Miss Mahala Rosecrans, of Kingston, Delaware Co., Ohio, a lady who proved a devoted wife, and to whose indomitable energy and self-sacrificing efforts he attributes much of his success in life. He soon after removed to Columbus, where he formed a partnership, took a prison contract, and commenced the manufacture of agricultural tools in the Ohio Penitentiary. In 1853, having secured a long lease of the prison labor of Iowa, he removed to Fort Madison in that State. During the existence of this contract his buildings and machinery were twice burned to the ground, each time proving a total loss, as no insurance could be had on property deemed so hazardous; but he immediately rebuilt the ruined work-shops, stocked them with new machinery, and pushed the business on with renewed vigor. When the term of this contract had expired, and he had secured a competence, Mr. Winterbotham, with other friends, established the Fort Madison National Bank, of which he became President; but the quiet of a bank soon became distasteful to the active man of business, and the old spirit of enterprise grew strong within him. At the solicitation of Warden Higgins, of the Northern Indiana Prison, he made proposals for a lease of labor in that institution, which were accepted, and in July, 1866, he bade good-bye to the bank of Fort Madison, to try his fortune among the sand hills of Michigan City. When the success of this undertaking was assured his sons became partners, and the new firm, J. H. Winterbotham & Sons, added a prison contract at Joliet, Illinois, to their other busi- ness, with headquarters in Chicago. Mr. W. still resides in Michigan City, where his abilities have given him an enviable popularity.

Of late years he has given his attention to the political interests of the country, and especially of the State of Indiana. In 1872 he was elected State Senator, as a Liberal Republican, on the Greeley ticket, by a flattering majority, over a talented and popular opponent.

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In 1876 he was unanimously renominated, and re-elected, by a largely increased majority, to the same position which he had so ably filled. Mr. Winterbotham is now 64 years of age, and nothing but his desire for private life can prevent him from holding other important public positions. He is a man of rare executive ability, strict integrity of purpose, and stubborn force of will. His correctness of judgment and fidelity to all trusts, whether public or private, have caused him to be favorably mentioned in different localities as an available conservative candidate for Governor.

L. Woods, one of the pioneers of La Porte county, is the son of John and Mary (Towner) Woods, natives of Canada. He was born in Lower Canada in 1809, and received a common-school education. At 16 years of age he went into a dry-goods store as clerk, where he remained four years. He then opened a grocery store which he ran three years. He then came to this State and located in La Porte in the year 1834, and clerked one year in the store of Hiram Wheeler. In the fall of 1834 he built a log store in La Porte, and went into business for himself, and afterward built a store at Carthart's Grove, where he sold goods for a time. He then came to this city and engaged in mercantile business. He was married in this city in 1836 to Miss Catharine T. Faulkner, of this place, who was born in the State of New York in 1816, and came to this county when quite young. They have 3 children now living: Charles, Henry and Catharine J., wife of A. R. Colburn, of this city. Mr. Woods was for many years one of the heaviest grain dealers in La Porte county. He was a stockholder in the Michigan City Harbor Company, and spent considerable time and money soliciting and collecting subscriptions to the same. He is a member of the M. E. Church in Michigan City. He is politically a Republican, and has held a number of township and county offices, and is at present City Treasurer.

Frederick H. Zahrn is the son of John and Henrietta (Miller) Zahrn, and was born in Germany in 1848. He came to this country with his parents in 1853, and settled in this county in 1855. He worked at home on a farm until he was 21 years of age, then clerked in a store in this city for six years. In 1877 he went into the grocery business for himself, which he has since followed. He was married in this city in 1878 to Sophia Richter. They have one child, Louisa. They are members of the German Lutheran Church in this city.

NEW DURHAM TOWNSHIP.

New Durham township is one of the original three which formed the county when organized, and it embraced all of range 4 within the limits of La Porte county. Since then its territory has been diminished, first to embrace only the townships of Cool Spring and Michigan on the north, and Clinton, Cass and Dewey on the south. It now occupies Congressional township 36, the civil town- ship being commensnrate with the Congressional, that is, exactly six miles square.

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History of La Porte County, Indiana, Part 73

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : C.C. Chapman Number of Pages: 930

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : C.C. Chapman
Number of Pages: 930