USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 46
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REV. AUGUSTUS LEMONNIER.
Augustus Lemonnier was born April, 1839, at Ahuille, France. His boyhood and early youth were passed amid the enjoyments of a happy home, and in preparing himself for college by the elemen- tary studies pursued in the common schools. At the age of nine- teen he entered the College of Precigne, in the diocese of Mans. Here he spent seven years, during which time he completed the full collegiate course of that institution. On his departure from college, he entered upon the study of law, not having any idea at the time of studying for the sacred ministry. For one year le prose- ented his study in the office of Monsieur Hontin, and the year fol- lowing in the office of Monseiur Dubois, at Laval, France.
After two years' experience in a law office, he began to look upon the world in a far different light from that in which other young men in similar circumstances usnally view it, and after a few months of serious reflection, and consultation with judicious friends, he abandoned the bright prospects of distinction which then smiled upon him, and rejoined his brother and college classmates, at the Theological Seminary at Mans, where he passed one year in the study of philosophy. The death of his mother, about this time, removed the only obstacle to the execution of a project which he had entertained from the time of his determination to study for the
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ministry, namely, to enter the Seminary of Foreign Missions, at Paris. However, Father Sorin, his uncle, induced him to come to America, and, with this understanding, sent him to Rome, to study theology in the Roman College. While in Rome, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross, in October, 1860, being received by Father Dronelle, then Procurator General of the Congregation. In 1861 he was called to America, and arrived at Notre Dame in February of that year, where he completed his theological studies and after making his profession as a member of the Congregation, was ordained priest on the fourth of November, 1863.
Soon after his ordination, Father Lemonnier was appointed Prefect of Discipline, in which office he continued until May, 1865, when he was appointed by the Provincial Chapter, which met at that time, Prefect of Religion. In July, 1866, he was appointed Vice President and Director of Studies in the University, and after- ward succeeded Rev. W. Corby as President, which position he occupied at the time of his death, which occurred at Notre Dame, Oct. 30, 1874.
Father Lemonnier displayed'a great deal of natural energy in the discharge of his official duties, and gave evidence of consider- able ability of a literary character. His almost complete mastery of the English language, within one year after his arrival at Notre Dame, showed a decided aptitude for languages, and several very fine dramatic productions, written amid the cares and annoyances of his office, gave evidence of literary talent of a high order. It is seldom that nature combines in one the polished gentleman, the scholarly professor, the religions teacher and correct business man as she did in him.
REV. N. H. GILLESPIE.
N. H. Gillespie was born at Brownsville, Pennsylvania. His early years passed without incident, beyond the usual catalogue of events common to youth whose chief occupation is to attend school and prepare themselves for usefulness in after-life. He was sent to Notre Dame to complete his studies, having accomplished which, he received the degree of A. B. in June, 1849, being the first grad- nate, in course, of the University. In 1851 he entered the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, and began his theological studies, fulfilling, at the same time, the duties of Professor of Mathematics in the college. In 1854, having made his religious profession in the preceding year, he was sent by his Superior to Rome, to complete his theological course in the celebrated schools of the Eternal City. This he did in the following years, and was ordained priest on the 29th of June, 1856.
Returning to Notre Dame, Fatlier Gillespie was appointed Vice- President in 1856, which position he occupied till 1859, when he was appointed President of St. Mary's College, Chicago, Illinois. In 1860 he was recalled to Notre Dame, and again filled the post of Vice-President. In 1863 Father Gillespie was sent to Paris
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where he remained a year, and then being summoned to the Mother House of the Congregation at Mans, remained till the summer of 1866, when he returned to Notre Dame. For several years after this, he performed the duties of Master of Novices, and was for some time editor of the Ave Marie, one of the leading Catholie magazines of the country.
Father Gillespie, after an illness of several months, died at Notre Dame on Thursday morning, Nov, 12, 1874. A peculiar interest centers around his death from the fact of his being the first gradu- ate of the university, whose interests he afterward did so much to promote.
PROFESSOR BENJAMIN WILCOX.
Benjamin Wilcox was born in Connecticut in the year 1816 .. His early life was spent in an earnest attendanee of the sehools of his native place, and until the age of 16, in assisting his father in the duties of his farm. At that age his career as a teacher began. Later he entered Williams College, and graduated with high honors in 1841 at the age of 25 years. With a strong inclination for the study of medicine, a careful review of his qualifications convinced him that his widest and most natural field of usefulness lay in the onerous but noble dnties of a teacher. He consequently adopted it as his life profession, entering it with his soul full of purpose and determination to succeed. His wide-spread fame, and the manifest good results of his life's labor, have demonstrated with striking force the wisdom of his choice. His life as a professional teacher began at Yates, New York, soon after his graduation; subsequently he taught at Wilson, New York, for 11 years, and then removed to Wisconsin, from where he was called to take charge of the high school at Valparaiso, in 1864. During his residence in Wisconsin misfortunes overtook him by an almost wholesale destruction of his property by fire, so that he came to Indiana in rather limited cir- cumstances. He remained at Valparaiso until 1870, when a more advantageous offer from the School Board of South Bend induced him to come here and assume the preceptorship of the high school, a position he filled with great public satisfaction and personal grati- fication until his untimely and lamented death. In his professional life he was always thorough, earnest and energetic. He was a most perfect disciplinarian, and knew no higher ambition than that which prompted him to become one of the best and most distin- gnislied instructors in the country. His schools were governed, not by the chafing power of an iron will, but by the unbounded love and respect which his treatment of pupils invariably com- manded. Under his loving rule it was easy and pleasant to conform to the ever strict regime of the school, for love was the controlling power, and self-respect the guardian angel. In evidence of the high esteem in which he was held wherever he has lived, the family archives contain columns of notices of presentations of beautiful
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and valuable gifts by his pupils and others. In life he kept a list of all persons who had received instruction from him during his pro- fessional career, and a correct record, as far as possible, of their whereabouts and condition. When it is known that this list con- tains between nine and ten thousand names, the magnitude of his life-work will be comprehended. This labor extended through a period of 42 years in all, and 34 as a professional teacher.
Professor Wilcox was twice married, his first wife being a sister of his bereaved widow. Five children were the issue of these marriages. His home was a happy, peaceful one; his private life pure, joyous and undisturbed. Nothing ruffled his even temper; offense was unknown to him. There was a quiet, impressive dig- nity upon his face, in his speech and daily walk which forbade offensive approach, and silenced importunity. He was a pro- fessed and earnest Christian, a Mason and an Odd Fellow, an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, and so zealous in his labors that a former pastor remarked on leaving that he was consoled with the thought that the Church could not go down so long as Professor Wilcox lived.
With health impaired by long continued labor, he left South Bend in the summer of 1875, to seek its restoration in the salubri- ous air of the Atlantic coast. But the continued wet weather and dense fogs during that season affected him so unfavorably that it was deemed best to return. While on the boat he was taken seriously ill, and while on the cars grew rapidly worse, necessitating a stop at Le Roy, New York, where his only sister lived, and where he breathed his last, on Monday afternoon, Aug. 16, 1875. His remains were brought to South Bend for interment. Rev. Mr. Morey preached his funeral discourse, taking for his text 2d Timothy, iv: 7, 8, 9: " For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also who love His appearing." Mr. Morey spoke of the dead with great feeling. All might say of him that "he had fought a good fight." Ile had kept himself humble, steadfast and true in a world full of selfishness, deceit and trickery. His lite had never been marred by a single underhanded blow. He was pre-eminently a man of faith, and liad the utmost reverence for the Bible as the word of God, and implicit confidence in Jesus Christ as a divine Savior. His faith was absolutely royal, or rather it was the child-like faith that asks not sight. It colored the whole atmosphere of his life, and gave to his character manliness, purity and tenderness, making a perfect whole, commanding and receiving the homage of all. His appreciation of the true and beautiful in character, in thought or nature, was marvelously keen, and his power of expression was something wonderful.
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Mr. Morey closed his address with an exhortation to the pupils of the dead professor, to cherish his memory and teachings, by quoting his parting words to the graduating class of 1875. " We hope that the moral precepts that you have received in connection with your daily lessons will not be altogether fruitless; but that you will ever be found identified with the friends of truth, morality and religion. We hope it will ever be yours to walk in the light of the wisdom that comes from God, and in the personal assurance of His approving grace. And now, commending you to God as your protector, and His word as your guide, I bid you an affection- ate farewell."
Resolutions of respect and condolence were passed by the teachers and students of the high school.
ELDER C. WENGER.
One of the carly settlers of this county was Elder Wenger, of Sumption Prairie. Mr. Wenger was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 10, 1814. In the spring of 1837 he emigrated to St. Joseph county, Indiana, stopping for awhile with the family of Samuel Studebaker. In the fall of 1838 he was joined in wed- lock to Esther, eldest daughter of Samuel Studebaker, and for several years ran the little saw-mill that used to stand near the Wenger bridge, on the road from Mishawaka to South Bend. In 1843 he moved to a piece of land on the Turkey creek road. Here his wife died, leaving 4 children. In 1852 he married Esther Ullery, who survives him. From this marriage he had 2 children. On Thursday morning, Nov. 2, 1876, he died in the full assurance of faith. Elder Wenger was widely known through this section of country, and was a minister of the German Baptist Church for over thirty years, and an elder for over twenty years, and in the early days he had to travel long distances to fill appointments, and very often through the most inclement weather, but so zealous was he in the Master's cause that he did it cheerfully. In the death of Elder Wenger the community lost one of its most useful, honor- able and energetic members; the Church, an honorable counselor, and an industrious, faithful, and able minister of the gospel; the bereaved family, an affectionate husband and kind father. In his sickness of twenty-five days of intense suffering, he never murmured, but patiently resigned his will to God, bid farewell to his family and friends, and died without a struggle or a groan.
JUDGE POWERS GREENE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Rensselaer county, New York, Jan 1, 1793. He moved with his parents, when a boy, to Oneida county, in the same State, and in 1837 came to St. Joseph county, settling first at Mishawaka, where he remained two years, engaged in hotel-keeping. and then moved to Portage Prairie. where he had
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purchased a farm in German township, on which he set out a large orchard of nothing but Northern Spy apple-trees. He remained on this farm until 1865, when he removed to South Bend, where he resided until his death, which took place Monday evening, July 2, 1877. Judge Greene was twice married and twice bereaved. The first wife was buried in Oneida connty, and the second in Herkimer county, New York. By his first wife he had one child, now Mrs. . Harriet C. Hills, of Waukegan, Illinois. In early life, before com. ing to Indiana, he sold maps of various kinds in the South, principally in Tennessee, and in that way laid the foundation for the large fortune which he left to his daughter. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, a private in Captain William Hubbard's company of militia volunteers, and for several years previous to his death, drew an annual pension from the Government.
For several years Powers Greene was an associate judge with E. B. Chamberlain, of Goshen, who at one time ocenpied the Bench of the Circuit Court. He also served as County Commissioner, and in other ways has been identified with public life in St. Joseph county. He was a man of strong, positive mind and more than ordinary intellect; a wide and deep reader and thinker, and a fine conversationalist on almost any subject. Naturally enough, with so strong and positive a nature, considerable eccentricity was inter- woven with it. Powerful in mind, his physical development was in fine proportion, presenting a rare and beautiful combination. A short time before his death he visited his old homes in Oneida and Rensselaer counties, New York, and spent a number of happy days in living over again a very happy period of his life. While visit- ing a cousin in Canada, he caught cold while sitting on the verandah, exposed to the evening air. He at once returned to his home in South Bend, and in forty-eight hours after his arrival his spirit returned to God who gave it. His remains were taken back to New York State and placed beside that of his first wife, who years before had preceded him to that " better land."
JOHN STUDEBAKER.
John Studebaker was born in York, Pennsylvania, Feb. 8, 1799. His father was a farmer, and until fifteen years of age hie assisted in the farm work. At that age he was apprenticed to his brother- in-law, a wagon-maker and blacksmith, with whom he completed his trade. and made himself a skillful worker in wood and iron, being able to construct a wagon entire. On the 19th of October, 1820, he was married to Miss Rebecca Mohler, of Lancaster county, the same State. He soon afterward bought a farm in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and in connection with it conducted a wagon and blacksmith shop. In 1835 he sold his farm and shop, and, in wagons of his own construction, crossed the Alleghenies into Wayne county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and engaged in the same business he had carried on so successfully on the eastern side of the
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mountains, and in addition ran grist and saw mills. But here a reverse came to him, his first and hardest. Before leaving Penn- sylvania he had endorsed for a friend, and being compelled to pay- the amount for which he had become security, the whole of his little property was swept away. There was no exemption law in those days. At this time Mr. Studebaker had ten children living, five sons and five danghters, the oldest of the sons being Henry and Clement. His stringent circumstances called these two oldest from their country school-room to a little shop which their father had managed to fit up with tools. Here they learned their trades and laid the foundation for the great success which has rewarded their labors in later years, in the building up of the largest wagon factory in the world. The father and sons labored early and late, and in the course of a few years redeemed their fallen fortunes, and placed themselves once more in comfortable circunstances.
In 1848 Mr. Studebaker, seeing no prospect in the future for the advancement of his sons in the quiet precincts of Wayne county, set ont on horseback to prospect the Western country. He traveled over a large portion of Indiana, but finally settled on Sonth Bend as the most advantageous location, the excellent water-power being the main attraction. He returned to Ohio, and having arranged his business and disposed of his property, again fitted himself out with wagons, and in 1851 moved to that place, bringing with him two sets of tools, with which Henry and Clement went to work on the present site of the Studebaker Carriage Factory and formed the nucleus of the present extensive works. Mr. Studebaker engaged in no business, except to aid all in his power his two sons. He located his residence on the lot where he resided at the time of his death, though a new and handsome building has taken the place of the old one.
Mr. Studebaker and his wife, who survives him, had lived together fifty-seven years. Thirteen children had been born to them, nine of whom are living, five sons and four daughters. At the time of his death there were also forty-three grand-children, and eighteen great-grand-children, of this aged couple. They united with the German Baptist Church, 1829, and for nearly half a century had lived consistent Christian lives together, beloved by all who knew them. On leaving the home of his father, when a young man, his father gave him this injunction: "John, remember the poor." And he always obeyed it, remembering them often, even when it took that of which the need was felt by himself. He was public-spirited in his nature, the friend of the young man struggling for a place in life, the benefactor of the widow, the fatherless, and all in need. He leaves a name rich in the memory of good deeds, and an example the emulation of which by all would lead the world to better things.
JOHN MACK.
John Mack was born in Ontario county, New York, Nov. 15 1794. His great-grandfather was John Mack, who came from Lon
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donderry, Ireland, in 1732, settling at Londonderry, New Hamp- shire. His father was born in Vermont, April2, 1762, and in 1788, six years before the birth of the subject of this sketch, moved to Ontario county, New York. In 1804 his father moved to Hamburg, Erie county, but in 1806 removed to Hanover, Chautauqua county, in the same State, where there were but three white men at the time, and where his sister was the bride in the first marriage ever celebrated in that county. At this time there were but two houses on the site of the present great city of Buffalo. In 1844 he moved to La Porte county, Indiana, but being highly pleased with the location of South Bend on passing through, returned and settled here in the fall of that year. At an early day his father kept a tavern at Cattarangus, New York, which was long and deservedly popular, and the subject of this sketch, inured to the privations and sacrifi- ces of pioneer life, both by personal experience, as well as constant and intimate association with the moving multitudes, with whom he daily mingled, as he assisted them on their way, or provided for their comfort, his courteous and dignified manner, his genial and obliging disposition, made him a favorite with the traveling public during the years of his youth and early manhood. Many offices of trust and honor, both civil and military, were conferred upon him by his friends and neighbors, the duties of which were discharged with scrupnlons fidelity and faithfulness. He held a commission in the war of 1812, and often related an incident of his experience in that war. Two English vessels chased a small transport into the month of a creek within a short distance of his father's house, and had sent a boat armed with a howitzer np the creek a short distance. Aforce of men was collected, however, and the boat retired after firing a few rounds, which compelled the removal of their family and goods. One of these vessels was the "Queen Charlotte," and both were afterward captured by Commodore Perry.
Mr. Mack spoke the language of the Seneca Indians quite fluently, and was frequently called upon by the Government to act as an interpreter and as an arbiter between the Indians themselves. He was Adjutant of the 162d Regiment and 43d Brigade of New York militia, and in 1824 was appointed Adjutant General of the militia detailed for the reception of the Marquis de Lafayette, on his visit to this country, and escorted that distinguished ally of our country from Fredonia to Dunkirk, where he took ship for Buffalo. In 1814 he was appointed postmaster at Cattaraugus. In 1838 he was engaged in filling a Government contract for timber for harbor improvements on Lake Erie. After that he was agent of the Erie railroad in the settlement of claims with property owners along the line, and the agent of Ogden & Fellows, part owners of the Holland purchase. He was made a Mason, at Buffalo, shortly after reaching his majority, and was consequently one of the oldest members of the order in the United States at the time of his death. He became a member of St. Joseph Lodge, No. 45, at South Bend, Dec.
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20, 1844, and in 1862 demitted to become one of the charter mem- bers of South Bend Lodge, No. 294. He was twice married: First, in 1819, to Clarissa W. Hanford, who died in 1841, leaving four children. He was married the second time, in 1843, to Achsah M. Leland, who died April 6, 1875, leaving one child.
Having lost all his property in New York, he emigrated to South Bend at an early day, in the hope of recuperating his shattered for- tune, and at first engaged in hard labor, doing whatever his hands found to do. By the second or third year, however, of his stay in that place, he entered the service of the pioneer Indian agent, Alexis Coquillard, acting as bookkeeper and general secretary. He accom- panied Coquillard to the western reservation when he removed the Indians under authority of the general Government, in 1851, and during his life related many interesting incidents of the trip. He was with the Indians when the cholera broke ont among them, and was unceasing in his efforts to relieve their sufferings. He was afterward engaged in the mail service on the Lake Shore railroad, and during his later years acted as bookkeeper and accountant for a number of persons and filled the office of Assessor. He erected the first house on the east side of the river, after the platting of Lowell, and aided materially in building up that part of the present city of South Bend. He joined the Baptist Church in 1846, and during the remainder of his life lived a consistent Christian.
ARIEL E. DRAPIER.
Ariel.E. Drapier was born Ang. 31, 1808, in Sempronins, Cayuga county, New York. From the time he was 10 years of age he was a resident of this State, in the counties of Clarke, Perry, Posey and St. Joseph, his connection with the press sometimes carrying him out of the State for longer or shorter periods. In 1825-'6 he com- menced a weekly paper, the Western Compiler, in Hardinsburgh, Breckinridge county, Kentucky, in the days when it was required in that State for a newspaper to be "anthorized" by law. The two years following he occupied in law and general reading in the office of Hon. Willis Greene, in Hardinsburgh, and in the McClure School of Industry, New Harmony, Indiana, dividing his time in the latter place between reading and the general management of a semi-monthly scientific journal of that institution, The Dissemi- nator of Useful Knowledge. This work preserves the letters and lucubrations of the Hon. William McClure, the liberal but eccen- tric patron of the McCluran Workingmen's Library Associations, in so many townships in Indiana. The succeeding year he was again a journeyman printer a second time in Natchez, Mississippi, and then a schoolmaster in Sontheastern Louisiana, where some fishing and hunting was attended to by him in companionship with his early friend, Dr. John A. Veatch, since distinguished as a naturalist in California. In 1830-'31 he was "at the case" in Louisville, Ken- tucky, where, in September, 1831, he was married to Miss Martha
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