USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 44
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His promptness in his dealings soon made him extensively known, and his name became a synonym with all for honesty, sagacity and truth. His reputation was such that he was, in a short time after beginning business for himself, appointed agent for the American Fur Company, established by John Jacob Astor, which connection necessarily extended the theater of his business territory, and mul- tiplied his already ample resources.
In the year 1822, in connection with Francis Comparet, of Fort Wayne, he purchased the extensive ageney of the American Fur Company for all the region of the upper lakes. Subsequently he and Mr. Comparet bought the exclusive control (including the property and debts dne the post), for which they paid about one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. Mr. Coquillard estab- lished a post at South Bend which he operated alone, while Mr. Comparet remained in charge of the Fort Wayne post. The former was soon known as the Big St. Joseph station, and the latter as the Little St. Joseph. These posts were the grand rendezvous of all who traded with the Indians in Indiana and Michigan.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
During all this time Alexis Coquillard was considered the pio- neer introducer of civilized customs among the Indians in North- ern Indiana. It is true that the missionary efforts of the French had effected something in " blazing the way " of the path of white settlement; but in such a man as the subject of this sketch, cause was only the lever to direct effect; his enthusiastic energy breasted and threw aside every obstacle as a boy lashes away a summer rip- ple, and immediately after constructing his cabin for trading pur- poses on the waters of the St. Joseph, his mark became perceptible upon the surrounding region. This building was the first one erected by a white man in this section of Indiana, and his nearest civilized neighbors were residents at Bertrand, or Cary's Mission. He next constructed a log residence, which remained for some time the only evidence of the abode of white men, and this where now stands the busy, thriving city of South Bend.
By a charter granted by the Legislature in the session of 1835- '36, opportunities were offered for the establishment of flouring mills, in and along the water courses of the north part of the State. In 1839 Mr. Coquillard, in connection with John A. Henricks and John Rush, built the first flouring mill in South Bend. It was known as the Kankakee Mill. He had previously constructed a saw-mill on the same water-power. In addition, he subsequently built a second large flouring mill, which was afterward removed and converted into a woolen factory. These were the first flouring mills (aside from those built for custom work) which were started in Northern Indiana. But this was not all. He built extensively in other parts of the town, both for residence and business, and it may be said, without doing discredit to the enterprise of others, that mainly to his efforts and to his inducements and material aid is South Bend indebted for its good start, which has resulted in such a satisfactory manner.
His regard for the advancement of his townsmen was one of the noblest of his many noble characteristics. To see South Bend pros- per and enlarge was the prompting motive for which lie toiled; so that buildings went up and a wholesome population gathered here, it mattered not to him materially whether his personal fortunes remained intact or depressed. He ever welcomed, and was ready to assist, the incomer who brought intelligence and industry where- with to make himself a useful citizen. All the improvements of the place were the result of his counsel, for all knew that his advice was to be relied on, that he would counsel nothing that he did not think was for the best. To notice the advance made by his neigh- bor was as much a source of satisfaction to him as if he were the immediate gainer. If a general evil afflicted the business interests of his neighbors, no one felt it more acutely than he did. If his own affairs became embarrassed-and such proved to be the case at times, owing to the financial revolutions of the country-his stock of philosophy enabled him to bear his reverses unmoved.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
His thorough knowledge of the Indian character, his perfect understanding of the several languages spoken by the different tribes, combined with the unlimited confidence in his honor and good faith, made him admirably fitted to discharge the duties of interpreter and Government agent in adjusting the difficulties and carrying into effect the various treaties made with the Pottawato- mies, Ottowas, Chippewas, Miamis, Chicagos and Sandusks. He acted prominently in conducting the treaties at Tippecanoe, Chi- cago and other places subsequent to the peace of 1814, and was in high favor with Governor Cass, Agent for Indian Affairs, Com- missioner McCoy and George Crawford, Secretary of the Indian Agency.
Having been appointed in 1840 to carry through a Pottawatomie emigration, he established a rendezvous at Potato creek, and suc- ceeded in effecting his object at a very heavy outlay. He was to have received $40,000, the drafts for which amount were forwarded by the Government, but these fell into the hands of one Alverson, who converted over $40,000 to his own use, leaving Coquillard not only to suffer the consequence of the whole defalcation, but with heavy and crushing liabilities, crippling and jeopardizing his personal estate. This Alverson was with him when he effected the removal of the Indians to their reservation, which had been agreed upon, west of the Mississippi. The Government had received the required assurance of the completion of all the conditions by Mr. Coqnil- lard, but Alverson pocketed the " promise to pay," and also retained certain sums held subject to the terms of former treaties. For a time these misfortunes and this breach of integrity weighed sorely on the spirits of the "Pottawatomie Chief," as Mr. Coquillard was frequently called,-but only for a limited season, when he was again at work repairing damages with his usual indomitable energy.
In the year 1824 Mr. Coquillard married Miss Frances C. Com- paret, at Fort Wayne, Indiana. One child, Alexis Theodore, was born unto them, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. The union of Mr. Cognillard and Miss Comparet, founded by strong mutual regard, was in all respects a happy one, lasting unchanged through all the vicissitudes of life, and grow- ing more affectionately interblended as time told of the coming on of the autumn and winter of life. One of the most painfully effecting incidents connected with the death and burial of the departed was the ebullition of wild sorrow with which his aged con- sort clung to his form, strikingly manly in its last sleep,-" the sleep that knows no waking,"-and the heart cries that told her soul's deep agony, as that form was shut forever from the gaze of one who had so long shared in his confidence and confided in his unspeakable tenderness. Bitter, indeed, was the parting to the wife of his youth and age; for no man was ever better qualified, by the excellent traits of his heart, more truly to win, or more per- manently to retain the love of woman.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
On Monday afternoon, January 8, 1855, Mr. Coquillard was examining the ruins of his flouring-mill, which had burned the Sat- nrday previous, and accidentally fell from a beain on which he was walking some 16 or 18 feet below, striking with his whole weight on the front part of his skull, crushing it in, so that he lived but about one hour. He did not speak after his fall, or give any evi- dence of being sensible. The funeral concourse which followed his remains to the chapel of Notre Dame showed how extensively he was respected when living, and how sincerely all mourned for him in death. All classes of eitizens left all other duties to be in attendance on the sad occasion. The friends of his business life, the intimates of his conversational hours, the hundreds whom he had aided to commercial positions, the poor whose necessities he had ever unsparingly relieved, and to whom he was an almoner and father, all were in the throng that lined the roads leading to Notre Dame; and all hearts were touched with sentiments of woe, as the sacred melody filled the building from dome to architrave, wherein the servants of Christ pronounced over his bier the last solemn rites of the Holy Catholic Church, of which through all his life he had been a sincere and unwavering member-squaring his conduct in accord- ance with its purest and most charitable teachings. The funeral service was performed in a fervent manner by Rev. Father Shortess, and was in every way worthy the officiating clergyman and the marked virtues of the deceased. During the day the places of business in South Bend remained closed, and in all respeets those tokens of mourning were exhibited that are bestowed when a good and great man dies.
As showing the estimation in which Mr. Coquillard was held by those who knew him best, the following is extracted from a series of reminiscences of the early times in South Bend, by one who was an active participant: "Que of the leading men in South Bend in 1830 was Alexis Cognillard. At that time he had charge of an Indian store, which was suecessor to the American Fur Company. He was a very remarkable man-large in person, of a commanding presence, magnificent head and piercing eyes. Taking him alto- gether he impressed me as a man of very great natural endow- ments, both mental and physical. When he walked he moved as if he was impelled by some irresistible force. In his younger days he was known to have walked eighty miles in a day. The power and rapidity of his movement gave him the name of 'Old Steam - boat.' " He had no book education. He could not read or write except to sign his name, but lis association with intelligent busi- ness men, and his very retentive memory and keen observation of every thing passing around him made him a very intelligent man in the every day practical affairs of life. When angry he made everything blue around him, and yet when unexcited he was as tender and sympathetic as a child. No man's heart would melt quieker in the presence of an object of sympathy, but while pos- sessing these tender feelings of compassion he was a man of daring
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
and reckless bravery. He seemed to have no conception of per- sonal danger. In his early life, while engaged in trade among the Indians, he passed through startling and thrilling adventures, such as men of common prudence would have avoided. One of these adventures was related to me by a man who was present and saw the affair take place. It was at an Indian payment more than fifty years ago. There were a great many Indians present, among the rest a noted Miami chief, who had been in debt to Coquillard for a good while. He was regarded as a vain, brutal and murderous savage-feared by both white people and Indians. On public occa- sions, to impress people with his dignity, he wore suspended from his neck down his breast a broad band of silver ornaments in the shape of quarter moons hung together. After having received his annuity and being fixed up in his best rig, Coquillard came across him and dunned him for his pay. His majesty was not in a pay- ing humor at that time, and gave Coquillard an insulting reply, whereat he sprang at the chief and stripped him of his ornaments and finery in a minute, and. strode off with them to his tent. This was done in the presence of hundreds of Indians and a few white men. It was a mortal insult; blood only could atone for it. The Indians were soon in an uproar. The white people present were greatly alarmed for their own safety. They thought Coquillard could not stay and live, but he refused to leave. While at dinner in a log cabin, he was notified that the chief with a party painted np in their war paint were approaching the cabin. Everybody trembled with fear but Coquillard. He got up, opened the door, and stepped behind it, and as the chief entered the room knocked him to the floor senseless, and the followers slunk back as if they had just escaped a stroke of lightning. After the chief came to his senses he went back to the camp and gave Coquillard no farther trouble. Coquillard's early life was full of such scenes of reckless bravery. As a business man, he was always enterprising and lib- eral, ready to do anything he could to advance the growth of the town."
Many anecdotes might be given illustrating his noble charities and the benevolence of all his impulses. When applied to for aid for some philanthropic enterprise, or to relieve individual distress, he paused not to inquire into the antecedents of the applicant. "I have nothing to do with your religion," he remarked on one occa- sion, " I only know that I have the means of assisting you, and of course it is my duty to do so." The golden rule ever governed his actions.
HON. MARK WHINERY.
Mark Whinery was born in Clinton county, Ohio, Sept. 1, 1812, and removed to this county in 1834. For several years he worked at his trade of carpentering in South Bend, after which he was employed as a salesman by the firm of E. S. Reynolds & Co. Mr. Whinery remained with this firm nearly ten years, and it was
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
in this capacity that he formed an acquaintance that included nearly every person in the county at that day. He became very popular with all classes. This popularity caused him to be nomi- nated by the Whigs for the Legislature as the man best calculated to beat Lot Day, Sr., one of the most popular Democrats in the county. The canvass was an exciting one, and Mr. Whinery was elected by a large majority, and served with satisfaction to his constituency.
When G. W. and John Reynolds took contracts for building sec- tions of the Lake Shore railroad, they employed Mr. Whinery, and he remained in their service until the road was completed to South Bend, when he was made the first agent of the road at that place. In 1856, on the completion of the original St. Joe block, a union store was organized, and when the stockholders met to elect some one to take charge of it, Mr. Whinery was unanimously chosen. When the war broke out he entered the pay department and re- mained there until the close, and then went into the cotton-raising business in the South. This venture proved very unprofitable and stripped him of a handsome competence. He returned to South Bend and was elected City Judge, and afterward Justice of the Peace. Mr. Whinery died in Indianapolis, Feb. 21, 1879. His body was taken to South Bend for burial, and was tenderly laid away by South Bend Lodge, No. 29, I. O. O. F., of which he was a charter member.
HON. WILLIAM MILLER.
William Miller was born in Franklin county April 1, 1809, and died at South Bend May 2, 1879. He was the son of Tobias and Sarah Miller, and the sixth of a family of 13 children. When a year and a half old Mr. Miller's parents moved from Virginia to Union county, Indiana. When 24 years of age he was married to Miss Mary Miller, daughter of John Miller, also a Virginian, and an officer in the war .of 1812. Four years after this marriage, in May, 1833, he moved to this county and settled on Portage Prairie, in what is now German township, and engaged in farming. He was a practical and enthusiastic farmer, and probably did more to advance the agricultural interests of the county than any other sin- gle individual. His farm became noted as one of the most produc- tive on the prairie, and was rich in fruits, trees and hedges, the best stock and agricultural implements.
In his enthusiasm for agriculture Mr. Miller did not forget the large family growing up around him. Of the nine children born to him six are yet living, and they were given the best educational advantages the times afforded. The oldest of these, John F., became an attorney in South Bend and served one term in the Senate. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he threw down his law books, raised the 29th Regiment, and entered the army as its colonel, serv- ing through the entire war. He made a brilliant officer, possessing
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
all the dash and daring of a Sheridan, and for his bravery was made a Major-General. He participated in several of the most important engagements of the army of the Tennessee, had his left eye shot out, and was also shot in the neck. Added to his daring was a splendid administrative capacity, on account of which he was at dif- ferent times placed in command of Nashville, and afterward Mobile. At the close of the war he was made Collector at the Port at San Francisco, and is now president of the Alaska Fur Company. Another son, Henry Clay, is also in California, cashier in the cus- tom house, and one of its most valnable officials. Two others of the sons, William H. and H. G., are well-known business men of St. Louis. The remaining one, and second in order of age, I. N., fol- lows his father's occupation of farming, in Olive township, this county. The only daughter, Martha, is the wife of M. Butterworth, of Kingsbury. Reference is thus briefly made to Miller's family to show, that laboring under the disadvantages of pioneer life, he always remembered that his first duty was the culture of his family, and that the result shows the correctness of his views.
Naturally so active and enterprising a man as Mr. Miller would soon have his merits recognized in the community. He had been in this county but a short time when he was called to serve as Jus- tice of the Peace, which he did for many years, and with the same thoroughness that distinguished all his affairs. In 1844 he was elected to the Legislature, and made such an acceptable member that he was returned for a second and a third term. He made himself very active while in the Legislature in establishing asylums for the deaf and dumb, the blind and the insane.
In 1858 Mr. Miller, having a competency, moved into the city of South Bend, partly that his wife and himself might rest from the arduous duties imposed by active farm life, and partly to give his younger children the benefits of the city schools. He purchased a handsome residence on Lafayette street, where he resided to the time of his death. He was several times elected to the City Coun- cil, and took an active interest in city affairs. He labored incessantly to establish manufactories in the city, his judgment showing him that in them lay the future prosperity of the city.
Mr. Miller was all his life, and up to the death of that party, an uncompromising Whig. He was one of the organizers of the Republican party in this county, and was one of its most steadfast supporters.
William Miller was a powerfully built man, with a personal appearance that would command respect anywhere. He was over six feet in height, symmetrically built, a graceful carriage, a leonine face, with long, wavy, iron-gray beard, and a large forehead, set off by masses of crisp hair.
Mr. Miller had been gradually failing for six weeks, but it was not thought his end was near. On the morning of the second day of February, 1879, he was attacked with a sinking spell, his physi- cian was sent for, but when he arrived he discovered his patient
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
was dying. He passed peacefully away without a struggle or a groan. He was bnried by the Odd Fellows fraternity of South Bend, he being a member of that order.
DR. LOUIS HUMPHREYS
Was born in Springfield, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1816, and died in South Bend, Sunday evening, May 9, 1880, in his 64th year. He was of Irish descent on his father's side, and of Virginian on his mother's. His father came to this country from Ireland before the Revolutionary war and took part in that contest which gave this country its independence. Dr. Humphreys' education was received at an academy in Franklin, Ky., and at the high school in his native town of Springfield. At the age of 22, in 1838, he came to this city, where his older brother, Dr. Harvey Humphreys, was already established in a successful practice. He read medicine with this brother for a short time, then went to La Porte, where a medical department had been organized in the La Porte University, with Dr. Daniel Meeker at its head. Here young Humphreys pursued his medical studies until this department of the college suspended, and he then went to the college at Keokuk, Iowa, where he com- pleted his studies and received his diploma in 1844. He returned to South Bend and entered into partnership with his brother in the practice of medicine, and this partnership was only dissolved by the death of his brother, whose remains rest in the city cemetery. On April 4, 1844, Dr. Humphreys married Miss Margaret Pier- son, a native of Cooperstown, New York. She survives him with their two daughters, Mary and Eva.
Dr. Humphreys was a close student and thoroughly in love with his profession. He soun became one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan, and his fame extended all over the State. He early saw that a medical association would be beneficial, not only to his brother physicians, but to the community, and in 1855 he organized the St. Joseph County Medical Society and was elected its president and held the office for three terms. At the same time he took a great interest in the literary, musical, social and religious affairs of South Bend.
He was interested in organizing a literary society, and was one of its best contributors. In the Presbyterian Church he was a lead- ing member, and did all in his power for its advancement and particularly for its Sunday-school. He was for many years its Superintendent, and conducted a large and very interesting Bible class. Much of the success of the school connected with the Church is due to his untiring and unselfish efforts. Dr. Cassady, a brother physician, reports that he has gone to Dr. Humphreys' office near the midnight hour, when he knew the doctor was nearly exhausted with the day's work, and found him preparing the lessons for his Bible class. In this work as in all other he used the same exactitude and promptness that he did in his profession.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Amid all the laborions duties of his profession Dr. Humphreys found time to devote to literature, and he was one of its most ardent students. To him the study of belles-lettres was a pleasant duty rather than the pastime that so many make of it, and he kept it up to the latest weeks of his life. There are few whose minds are laden with learning's richest store as his was; and with it, too, he had the knack of imparting his knowledge to others. Dr. Humphreys was also an accomplished musician. In his early days here he was a member of the band. Later he organized several musical societies, the last being the Philharmonic Club. His criticisms on books, music or pictures were rarely at variance with the best criticisms in the country, and as a writer he stood high, whether on matters connected with his profession, on literary sub- jects or on local affairs. The local papers of South Bend have published much that he has written, and in a war of words it can truly be said that his keen and cutting satire made any man who crossed pens with him regret afterward that he did so. Those who knew how much Dr. Humphreys' time was occupied in attend- ing to the duties of his profession wondered when he acquired so many accomplishments, for with all the rest he was a brilliant and entertaining conversationalist, and in his demeanor toward all a Chesterfield could not have been more courteous or dignified, or placed one at greater ease.
When the war of the Rebellion broke ont all the latent patriot- ism of Dr. Humphreys was aroused. He had the opportunity to take command, but his better judgment told him that he could do the cause more good in his profession, and when the 29th Indiana Regiment, under Col. John F. Miller, went into active service, Dr. Humphreys was made its Surgeon. This was in July, 1861. On the March following he was made Surgeon of a brigade, and served as such until June of the same year. At that time the medical department of the army had become so unwieldy that the rules laid down in the army regulations were insufficient to handle it. There were thousands of surgeons and their subordinates to look after, numerons quantities of medical stores at the different depots of supply, an interminable hospital service that all required looking after. There was needed a connecting link between the Surgeon- General of the army and his highest subordinates. A corps of eight Medical Inspectors was appointed and commissioned by President Lincoln. These men were selected through no powerful political influence, as too many of the army appointments were made. They were chosen rather for their eminent fitness for the responsible position, as shown by their record in the profession at home and in the army. One of the very first appointed was Dr. Humphreys. He was taken from his brigade in the army of the Cumberland and placed on duty in the army of the Potomac, with his headquarters at Washington. In less than six months he had brought order out of chaos, the incompetent were weeded out, and
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