USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 88
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Mr. Powell was married to Miss Nancy Jane Ireland, a native of the county, having been born in Kankakee township June 1, 1838, and they have had + children: 1st, Schuyler Colfax, born April 1, 1857, died April 18, 1861; 2d, Fred Emerson, born May 24, 1862; 3d. Frank Lester, born July 29, 1868; 4th, Charles Car- roll, born Nov. 14, 1875. All of this family remain, except Schuyler Colfax, who died as given above.
Having now given this biographical sketch of Mr. Powell, one so long connected with the papers of the county, we will now resume the thread of our history,-the ante-history of the Herald- Chronicle.
The Chronicle .- Hon. Jasper Packard, believing that the county could and would sustain a paper which should be issued oftener than once a week, determined to establish a semi-weekly at La Porte. Accordingly he made his arrangements in that direction, and on July 18, 1874, issued the first number, the paper bearing the name of the Chronicle. He continued to issue it twice a week until Nov. 8, 1875, when, on account of the stringency of the times, it became a weekly paper. While General Packard was in charge of the paper, it was at enmity with the practice of defaming the characters of men simply because they belonged to an opposite party and had been entrusted with official position by their fellow- citizens, or by the Government.
Mr. Packard continned in charge of the Chronicle until in May, 1878, when he sold out to Messrs. Taylor and King. With this
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
change in the proprietorship of the paper, came also a change of editors; Mr. Edward Malloy mounted the tripod, and kept the compositor in " copy." This organization of the Chronicle forces was maintained until February, 1880. At that time arrangements were made to unite the two papers, the La Porte Herald and the Chronicle, in one paper. Accordingly it was issued as the Herald- Chronicle, retaining the names of both papers. Mr. Malloy became the editor, and Mr. Archibald Beal, of the St. Joseph Valley Register, South Bend, became one of the controlling owners and business manager. The paper is now in a flourishing condition. Following is a biographical sketch of Mr. Beal.
Archibald Beal, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wills- borough, Essex county, New York, April 22, 1830. His father, Dexter Beal, died in Ohio, in 1840, thus leaving him an orphan at the age of 10 years. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah French, died in 1868 at South Bend.
Young Beal removed from his native place in Essex county, New York, with his parents to Wyandotte county, Ohio, in 1839, where, as stated above, he lost his father the following year. The family continued to reside at this place until its removal to Mishawaka, Ind., April 5, 1853.
In the meantime the support of the family, consisting of the widowed mother, two sisters, and a younger brother, fell almost entirely upon the exertion of Archibald. To illustrate something of the qualities of Mr. Beal, as they manifested themselves in the boy, we refer to the following fact: While but a youth, going to school, he made rails at fifty cents per hundred, and cut wood at thirty-one cents per cord and supported the family, and went to school at the same time. This indicates a good heart that he was willing to do it, an exceptional industry that he was able to do it, and an admirable perseverance that he continued to do it.
Another characteristic is set forth in the fact that the first twenty-five cents which he earned was spent for Wilson & Co.'s Dispatch of New York, a monthly paper. It was from this paper that he was first fired with the ambition to become a newspaper man. Under the impulse of the inspiration which this paper gave, he used to print papers with his pen and circulate them among his companions.
His education at first was that of the common school; but he afterward entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, at which place one of his preceptors was the celebrated Dr. Edward Thomson, who was then the President of the institution and who was at one time the editor of the Ladies' Repository, at . another, the editor of the Christian Advocate and Journal, and was elected a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
After removing to Mishawaka, Ind., he gave himself up to teach- ing school, and continued at it until he taught eighteen terms. He then became the editor and proprietor of the Mishawaka Enterprise. He continued thus connected with the paper from Ang. 1, 1858,
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up to Nov. 1, 1865. He then purchased the St. Joseph Valley Register, at South Bend, succeeding Schuyler Colfax in its man- agement. He continued this connection until the 12th of Oc- tober, 1878. It should have been stated that he was, previous to his embarking in the paper business, bookkeeper for George Milburn, a noted manufacturer of wagons at Mishawaka, and said to be one of the most skillful of business inen.
Mr. Beal was married to Miss Sarah E. Hutchinson, of Michigan, Ang. 3, 1854. They are the parents of 3 children: 1st, Willis E., born in Ohio June 27, 1856; 2d, Mary E., born in Ohio Jan. 27, 1858; 3d, Martha E., born in Indiana Oct. 8, 1860. These chil- dren are all living. Mary E. is the wife of Andrew J. Warner, of South Bend.
Mr. Beal is public spirited. While living at Mishawaka, he was for some years the President of the Town Board of Trustees, an office similar to that of Mayor in the larger cities; and he was also the President of the School Board.
In political sentiment, the subject of this sketch is strongly Re- publican, and does what he can to see his principles prevail in the policy of the Government. But Mr. Beal is not wholly given over to politics. He has strong religions convictions, and he is not back- ward to let people know it. He has long been a member of the M. E. Church; and while he resided in South Bend he filled many of this Church's responsible positions. He was the Assistant Super- intendent of its Sunday-school, a leader of one of its classes, and the President of its Board of Trustees.
Perhaps the most striking of his traits are his business charac- teristics. Beginning, as we have seen, poor, and the care of his widowed mother's family on his hands, yet by the dint of his industry and business tact he has accumulated quite a large fortune, amounting at one time to at least $40,000. This fortune, however, has been considerably impaired on account of misplaced confidence, which led him to pay large sums in the payment of the debts of others, yet we are assured that he has left quite a competence still. His last business venture is his connection with the Herald-Chron- icle, in which he is a controlling owner and business manager.
The Herald-Chronicle, through the whole of its course, whether as the La Porte Herald, or the La Porte Union, or the La Porte County Whig, has been a staunch opponent of the Democratic party, 1st, as a Whig, and 2nd, as a Republican paper. It has participated in all of the Presidential campaigns from that of 1840, to the present one of 1880,-from William H. Harrison to James A. Garfield. Its candidates during the whole of this time have been Harrison, Clay, Taylor, Scott, Fremont, Lincoln twice, Grant twice, Hayes and Garfield. In only three of the ten campaigns through which it has passed has its candidate been defeated.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
THE MICHIGAN CITY ENTERPRISE, 1854-1880.
In the summer of 1854 Mr. Richard W. Colfax established a paper, with Whig proclivities, at Michigan City, which he called the Michigan City Transcript. He did not continue proprie- tor of the paper very long, but in the spring of 1855 he sold it to a company of which Mr. Hecock was a member. Mr. Colfax lived only about a year longer, dying in the spring of 1856. With the advent of the new company, the name of the paper was changed to that of the Michigan City Enterprise, which name it still wears. At the close of the year 1855, or at the beginning of the year 1856, the proprietorship again changed, Mr. L. B. Wright becoming the owner and publisher. Mr. Wright continued its publication until April, 1859, at which time he sold it to Mr. Thomas Jernegan, the present editor and proprietor.
The Enterprise has not had so many changes, nor has it had so. many accretions as the Herald-Chronicle, but it has gone on stead- ily in its course from the time of its founding until the present time, except a period of about two years and six months during the war, May, 1863, to November, 1865, during which time its editor was Assistant Paymaster in the navy. Since its resumption in November, 1865, it has gone on without change, Mr. Jernegan remaining at the helm all the time.
Here we would like to insert a biographical sketch of its editor, but have so far been unable to obtain it. Suffice it to say that not even excepting Mr. Powell, no one has so long maintained his con- nection with the papers of the county as Mr. Jernegan. Including the two years and a half which he was absent as Paymaster in the navy, this connection has been 21 years with the Enterprise. Now add to this the period of his connection with the Indiana Tocsin, and the Michigan City News,-a period of 11 years,-and you have a journalistic experience of 32 years. This certainly ought to make him a full-grown man in journalism.
The Enterprise is Republican in politics, and has been for many years. Its name indicates, at least, one of its qualities, -it is enter- prising, and keeps well abreast of the times. Since it has continued through so many years, 26 in all, it may well be supposed that the Enterprise is one of the fixtures of the county.
THE LA PORTE ARGUS, 1869 -- 1880.
From the suspension of the La Porte Democrat until April 15, 1869, the city of La Porte was destitute of a Democratic paper; and doubtless this want was keenly felt, for no aggressive party in these days can long do without the press to maintain its principles and to " press " its demands. During these days, though the Repub- lican party was dominant in directing the policy of the Government, it was felt, even by many Republicans, that in some things there conld be a better policy adopted. This state of affairs so prevailed
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
that in the year 1872 there was quite a defection from the dominant party, which was called the Liberal Republican. Just at the time when these feelings and sentiments were beginning to set in, John B. Stoll and Henry E. Wadsworth supplied the deficiency in the Demo- cratic paper ranks in the city of La Porte by establishing the La Porte Argus, which was done, as noted above, on the 15th of April, 1869. The only changes that have occurred in the management of the paper from its establishment until the present time are the retire- ment of Mr. John B. Stoll from the proprietorship and editorial department of the paper, and the acquisition of Mr. S. I. Kessler as partial owner and business manager. Mr. Wadsworth has main- tained his connection with the paper from its founding until the present; first as joint owner and editor with Mr. Stoll, and after- ward as joint owner with Mr. Kessler, and at the same time assum- ing the entire editorial control.
The Argus is rigidly and unflinchingly Democratic in its princi- ples of governmental policy, and wields a trenchant pen in their advocacy and defense and to secure the advancement of the party with which it affiliates.
Henry E. Wadsworth, editor of the La Porte Argus, was born in Noble county, Ind., March 3, 1839. His father's name was Eliliu Wadsworth, a native of Connecticut, and of English ancestry. His mother's name was Phebe Wadsworth, born in Maine, and of German ancestry. This parentage makes Mr. Wadsworth a genu- ine, modern Anglo-Saxon, and he is a good specimen of it. In his boyhood and youth he received a common-school and academic education. After arriving at manhood, he remained on the farm where he was born until he was 24 years of age. Then changing pursuits, he engaged in the hardware trade at Ligonier, Ind., remaining in the business for four and a half years. He then removed to La Porte and began his journalistic career by founding, jointly with Mr. Stoll as noted above, the La Porte Argus. The partnership with Mr. Stoll consisted both of the proprietorship and editorial control of the paper. He afterward purchased Mr. Stoll's interest, and took Mr. Samuel I. Kessler as business partner, and assumed the entire editorial control, which he has continued. In 1875 he was elected by the State Legislature a Commissioner of the Northern Indiana prison, at Michigan City, which office he held for two years. So faithfully did he perform the duties of his trust, that, at the next session of the General Assembly, he received the unanimous vote of the Democratic members for re-election.
On June 9, 1870, Mr. Wadsworth was married to Miss Sarah E. Akin, of Hudson, Michigan. They are the parents of 3 children: 1st, Laura, aged nine years; 2d, Dudley L., aged seven years; 3d, Lula, aged five years.
Mr. Wadsworth is now approaching the prime of life, being 41 years of age; and now having a journalistic experience of 11 years, he can doubtless be of great use in developing the interests of the great profession in which he is engaged, than which there are none more responsible.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
THIE MICHIGAN CITY DISPATCHI, 1879-1880.
The youngest of all the papers of the county is the Michigan City Dispatch. It was founded Sept. 4, 1879, by Harry H. Fran- cis, its present editor and proprietor. It is an eight-column folio, 26 by 40 inches in size.
The Dispatch is the only paper in the county which is entirely made up and printed at home. It enjoys a large advertising pat- ronage, and its circulation is second to no paper in the county. In · politics, the Dispatch is decidedly Democratic, and fearless in the defense of its party doctrine. Although but a young paper, its success has been great, and a most brilliant future we believe to be before it, and it will doubtless be a powerful auxiliary in attaining the objects and ends of the party with which it affiliates, and whose interests it subserves. Enjoying this brilliant future, it will have the opportunity of aiding to lift journalism into that lofty plain in which it ought to stand, a plain which is supported upon four matchless pillars,-humanity, philanthropy, patriotism, and truth. Aiding in this, as well as in standing by the interests of its party, it can but be a blessing to the community in which it circulates.
Harry H. Francis, founder and editor of the Michigan City Dispatch, was born in Michigan City, Feb. 24, 1852. His father was Thompson W. Francis, a sketch of whose life is given on page 763.
Mr. Francis, at the age of 17, entered Racine College, Wisconsin, and graduated in 1873. He then entered the Law School of Mich- igan University, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduated two years later. The same year of his law graduation he went to Indianapolis and began the practice of his profession. He continued to reside there until Jan. 1, 1878, when he removed to Michigan City. Here he continued the practice of his profession until the establishment of the Dispatch, which is now edited and published by him.
Mr. Francis takes a decided interest in politics, and is at present a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. He is still a young man, and the opportunities of life are certainly open- ing up to him in a graceful way.
LA PORTE JOURNAL.
The large, intelligent and enterprising German element of North- ern Indiana demanded a news and literary journal printed in the German language, and devoted to the advocacy of the interests of the German people of this district. For many years the need for such a paper was apparent, but it was not until 1877 that the want was supplied. On the 27th of November of that year the enter- prise was inaugurated by Mr. Henry Goodman, the present editor and proprietor of the paper. He had previously been engaged on the German press of Chicago, and well understood the wants of his countrymen of this section of their adopted country. Although Mr.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Goodman came to La Porte with little means to start his paper, he has by economy, energy, good judgment and perserverance built up a large and prosperous journal. It was introduced to the public as a nine-column folio, but has been enlarged until it is now a seven - column quarto, and the largest German paper published in the State of Indiana. It is also the only paper printed in the German lan- gnage in this and the five adjoining counties. The office of the paper is located on the east side of the Square, at La Porte, in the same building where the office was first opened. As a part of the institution there is a large job printing office.
Politically, the paper is strongly Democratic, and during the present (1880) political campaign both paper and editor are doing efficient service in the interests of the Democratic party. The paper employs a paid reporter at Michigan City, and all of the news of that city and vicinity are weekly chronicled.
Henry Goodman, editor of the La Porte Journal, was born Oct. 31, 1840, in Northern Prussia; attended elementary school in that county until 16 years of age, and then a College at Berlin two years, and graduated at Heidelberg University; perfected himself in English at Edinburgh (Scotland) University, with a son of Rev. Guthrie, D. D., a celebrated divine of that country; wrote a disser- tation on German philology, in competition with his class, and obtained the first prize; came to America in 1866 and entered a literary pursuit; in 1868 he went to Chicago, where he was employed as city editor on the Chicago Democrat, and afterward on the Staats Zeitung and Eulenspiegel; finally came to La Porte, where in November, 1877, he established the present prosperous La Porte Journal.
June 13, 1869, in Chicago, he married Carrie Henshel, and they have 2 children, Jennie and Flora.
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