USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 51
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Rev. N. H. Gillespie, was the fourth vice president of the univer- sity. A sketch of him will be found under the heading of " Some of the Illustrious Dead of St. Joseph County," page 483.
Rev. James Dillon, the fifth vice president at Notre Dame, was born in the county of Galway, Ireland, Nov. 18, 1833. He began his studies for the sacred ministry in the land of his nativity, while yet very young, continued them in the city of Chicago, after the removal of his family to this conntry, and finally completed them at Notre Dame. He entered the novitiate of the Congrega- tion of the Holy Cross in October, 1853, and after a full course of theology was ordained priest in 1858, on the same day with his brother, Rev. Patrick Dillon. In 1859, Father James, as he was familiarly called, was appointed to the office of vice president, in which position he gave evidence of that energy which was to the end one of his most striking characteristics. In 1860 he was ap- pointed president of St. Mary's College, Chicago. In 1861 he was recalled to Notre Dame, and appointed one of a band of mis- sionaries which the superior contemplated organizing that year, but the war at the South commenced, and he went as Chaplain ; but
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
contracting consumption, he obtained a furlough, and was sent by his Superior to travel in Europe for his health. The trip seemed to have accomplished the end sought, and he returned to take his post amid the armed battalions but the disease only slept, and soon compelled him to retire. He was then sent to California by his Superior, with a view to revive his health. While there his zeal for the spiritual good of others made him forget his own weak condition, and instead of regaining health, he gradually sank under the influence of his disease. Finding that a longer stay from home would be nseless, he returned to Notre Dame to await the final call of his Creator. When his brother, Father Patrick, retired from the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Father James would not re- main inactive, but, with the requisite dispensation, accompanied him, to bear his part in the work to which duty called him. But the effort was too great, and the death of his brother, to whom he was almost passionately attached, gave the final blow to his already enfeebled constitution, and he calmly departed this life, Dec. 17, 1868, just one month and two days after his brother.
Rev. Augustus Lemonnier, the cighth vice president, was born in France, in 1839. (See sketch under heading of "Some of the Illustrious Dead of St. Joseph County, page 482 .. ")
Rev. Michael B. Brown was born near Plattsburg, New York, Sept. 20, 1840, and up to the age of 12 lived in the happy freedom of childhood on his father's farm and not far from the shores of the celebrated Lake Champlain. At the age of 12 he removed with his parents to Sandusky, Ohio, where he remained for five years, attending school during the winter, and working with his father during the summer. In 1857 he entered St. Mary's Prepar- atory Seminary at Cleveland, Ohio, with a view to preparing himself for the sacred ministry, for which he had manifested a decided inclination, even while yet a child. Heremained in Cleve- land two years, applying himself earnestly to the study of Latin, English and mathematics. In 1859 he entered the University of Notre Dame; early in 1860 he was received into the novitiate of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, in March of the same year; continued to prosecute his studies with vigor, and also began his career as a teacher. In June, 1862, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in the following September began his theologi- cal studies, which he continued till June 10, 1867, when he was ordained priest. Before his ordination Father Brown taught different branches in the university, especially Greek, Latin and logic, continuing in this work until September, 1868, when he was appointed to the professorship of moral and mental philosophy.
Prof. Joseph Aloysius Lyons is the youngest of 13 children. He was born Nov. 7, 1838, in Utica, N. Y. In 1847 his parents moved West, and settled in the vicinity of Niles, Mich. Young Lyons now determined to enter the University of Notre Dame as a student, but his father dying about this time changed his prospects in this respect. Finding he could not then enter college, he
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
entered an office in Niles to learn the art of printing. Not liking the persons he had to deal with, he became dissatisfied with his position and applied to Father Sorin for admission into the Mannal Labor School at Notre Dame. Father Sorin, seeing in the bright boy the future man of energy and usefulness, dispensed with the ordinary conditions of admission, and admitted him as an appren- tice shoemaker. But the taste of the youth did not incline him to the last, yet he worked well and intelligently, and after a short time succeeded in making a fair pair of boots, which won the premium at the county fair, though many older workmen competed for it. Not- withstanding this devotedness to trade, the young man improved every opportunity of cultivating his mind and even began the s'ndy of Latin; went to St. Aloysius' Seminary, where he was soon appointed to take charge of the studies at the Manual Labor School and teach some of the classes there.
In 1858, having completed his classical studies and attended the class of philosophy for some time, he was appointed director of the junior and minim department of the university. For two years he had charge of the discipline of these two departments, taught various classes and established two societies-the Philoma- thean and Holy Angels' Societies. In 1860 he was sent with Father James Dillon to St. Mary's of the Lake, in Chicago, where he filled the office of prefect of discipline, and at the same time taught Latin with brilliant success, for one year. On his return to Notre Dame, in 1861, he was then engaged as a regnlar professor of the university. Beginning with the lower classes, he advanced by degrees to the head of the Latin department. In 1862, having studied some branches of the collegiate course to which he had not previously given special attention, Prof. Lyons received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and two years later that of Master of Arts.
REV. D. J. SPILLARD.
Daniel J. Spillard, the eldest of 13 children, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, Nov. 8, 1839. In 1843 his parents removed to the United States and resided for the subsequent ten years in Rochester, N. Y., where young Spillard attended first the public schools, and afterward the Catholic select school, opened at St. Mary's church. He also attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart. In 1853 he removed with his parents to Erie, Pa., where he remained about one year. In 1854 the family removed to Elgin, Ill., where the son attended both the public and private schools successively, and passed two years in the Elgin Academy. He entered the University of Notre Dame in February, 1862; two years completed the studies prescribed in the collegiate course, and in June, 1864, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. On that occasion he was chosen to deliver the valedictory oration, which he did in an effective manner. He likewise bore away with him the premium of honor for that year. Some months after his graduation
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
he entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, at Notre Dame, and, after the prescribed term of probation, made his profession as a member of the Congregation in September, 1866. He continued his theological studies until August, 1868, when he was ordained priest. Previous to his ordination, Father Spillard had been engaged in teaching Greek and Latin in the college, but after his ordination he was appointed prefect of discipline.
Prof. Michael A. J. Baasen was born in Luxembourg, Ger- many, June 2, 1844. When he reached the age of six years his father was appointed Consnl to the United States, and accordingly removed to this country with his family. After being relieved from the duties of his office, he settled in Milwaukee, Wis. He entered college when quite young, and with occasional brief inter- missions, continued to prosecute his studies in different institutions, and finally came to the University of Notre Dame, in 1862, where he completed his collegiate studies, in 1864, receiving, at the annual commencement of the year the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After gradnating he commenced teaching ancient and modern languages at Notre Dame.
Prof. Michael T. Corby was born at Detroit, Mich., Feb. 20, 1844, and received his primary education in the schools of that place. However he entered the University of Notre Dame when quite young, but his studies were interrupted for a period of time. Subsequently he studied at two different colleges in Kentucky, whence returning in 1860, he entered Bryant & Stratton's Com- mercial College in Detroit, where he graduated in the commercial course July, 1862. In 1863 he returned to Notre Dame to com- plete his classical studies and pursne the study of music. Ile continued this course vigorously for two years, and at the com- mencement in June, 1865, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Returning the following year, Prof. Corby began his career as a teacher, and continued to apply himself assiduously to the theoreti- cal and practical study of music. His progress was truly wonderful, and in 1868 he was requested to take charge of the vocal musical department in the university, which he did, his services being highly appreciated by both faculty and students.
Prof. William Ivers was born in New Haven, Conn., Nov. 13, 1839. While yet an infant he was taken by his parents to New Orleans, where his father soon after died. Three years subse- quently his mother formed a second matrimonial alliance, and the family then removed to Iowa, and young Ivers received his first education at the school attached to the Cathedral at Dubnque. Afterward he attended the district school near where his mother resided. In 1851 his mother died and he was taken by an uncle to New Orleans, where he attended school till 1853. In 1853 he was placed by his uncle in Notre Dame. For three years he applied himself eagerly to study; then entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross. He soon began to doubt his vocation and left Notre Dame for New Orleans, but returned in 1859 and engaged in teaching.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
After teaching at Notre Dame, Chicago and Philadelphia, in 1865 he made another trip to New Orleans, and in December returned to Notre Dame and engaged in teaching mathematics. He then read np on some studies in June, 1866, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Rev. Joseph Celestine Currier was born July 14, 1833, at St. Joire, a small town in France, near the confines of Switzerland, and the beautiful city of Geneva. He was the youngest of ten children. His education was commenced at home, and conducted from his fourth to his ninth year under the care of a private tutor, who taught him the elements of Latin. He afterward spent six years in the College of Belley (Ain) and stood high in all his classes. The French Revolution in 1848 found him in rhetoric. Eighteen months later, at the age of 17, he accepted the professorship of physics (natural philosophy) in a small college near Geneva, at Ferney, a village well known in history as the residence of Voltaire. During the autumn vacation of 1850 he traveled through Italy and Switzer- land. In 1855 he crossed the Atlantic to America; studied divinity; in 1860 he came to Notre Dame, and in the following year made his profession in the Order of the Holy Cross, and was ordained priest. Since then he has filled several functions,-pre- fect of religion, professor of Latin and Greek, pastor of South Bend, Chaplain of the Sixth Missouri Regiment, master of Josephite novices, and professor of natural sciences.
Lucius G. Tong, LL. B., the eldest of a family of 5 children, was born in Carroll, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Aug. 1, 1842; was sent early to college, and to the age of 21 spent his time between school and assisting his father in business; he became a convert to the Catholic religion, and is now a zealous and devoted member of that Church. In 1863, after having engaged in business in Columbus, Ohio, for a short time, he began teaching at Notre Dame, which position soon terminated in a regular professorship, which has been held ever since.
In 1873 he was married in Lafayette, Ind., to Miss B. C. Ball, eldest daughter of James Ball, of that city. About this time he located permanently in South Bend, commencing the business of law and insurance.
In 1878 Prof. Tong received the Republican nomination for Mayor of the city of South Bend, and he was elected by a good majority. During his term he gave satisfaction to all parties, and so popular was his administration that the Democratic paper of that city proposed his renomination in very hearty terms. But party lines were drawn and Mayor Tong was defeated. Prof. Tong is a thorough Republican and a temperance advocate. He holds several important positions in the various associations with which he is connected. He is a smooth and ready writer, and has in manuscript, and is putting to a practical test in the school-room to perfect every detail, a new system of bookkeeping, which has met with the
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
approval and will probably be brought ont by one of the largest book firms in the United States.
Rev. J. A. Zahm was born near"New Lexington, Perry county, Ohio, June 14, 1851. Lived there until the fall of 1863, when he removed with his parents to Huntington, Ind. During his youth he spent most of his time at school, always having had a special taste for study. Entered Notre Dame University as a student, Dec. 2, 1867. Took up the studies of the classical and scientific courses, graduating in the former June, 1871, and in September entered the novitiate, and made his religions profession as a mem- ber of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Nov. 1 of the following year. In the antumn of 1872 he was appointed assistant professor of physical science and enrator of the museum, an appointment which he did not relish at first as his tastes were rather for lan- guage and philology than science. In the fall of 1874 he was appointed superior of the scholasticate and at the same time cur- ator of the museum, and professor of physics and chemistry. June 4, 1875, he was raised to the priesthood, having been ordained deacon two days previously, and subdeacon the fall before. Sep- tember, 1876, he was appointed vice-president and director of studies, still retaining his old position as curator of the museum and professor of physical science. His Superiors seeing he had more than he was able to attend to, relieved him at the end of the year of the viee-presidency, in order that he might devote his entire time to the development of the scientific department. In the summer of 1877 he visited the principal colleges of Canada and of the Eastern States with a view of studying the methods of teaeh- ing science adopted in those institutions, and in the following year went to Europe with the same end in view, visiting the chief uni- versities. Here on his return home he was expecting to carry out a large programme, but his plans were soon frustrated by the burn- ing of the college, and with it, of the large and valuable museum in which he was beginning to take some pride. He was among those who put their shoulder to the wheel in the rebuilding of the college, and still occupies his old position as eurator of the muse- um and professor of the physical seiences. All his energies are now directed toward replacing the old museum and making it, as well as the laboratory and physical cabinet, of which also he has charge, more extensive and valuable than ever. With the assist- ance of kind friends he lives in hope of one day seeing a large and spacious building for the exclusive use of the scientific department, the development of which will in future engage his attention more than ever before.
Mrs. Flora L. Stanfield, writer and poetess, was born in Cleve- land, O., in October, 1848, the daughter of T. G. and Laura O. Turner; exhibited the talents of an authoress at a very early age; when 13 years of age she indited a very fine poem; has contributed to the N. Y. Independent; many of her articles have appeared over the nom de plume of " Malcolm Dunean;" and she was chiefly
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
instrumental in founding both the Pleiades and the Women's Lit- erary Clubs.
Prof. T. E. Howard, author, was born near Ann Arbor, Mich., Jan. 27, 1837, reared as a farmer; taught school; completed his education at Notre Dame University; served in the war, receiving a bullet wound in the neck, at the battle of Shiloh; was appointed professor of rhetoric and English literature in Notre Dame University; is author of " A Grammar of the English Lan- guage," for beginners; of "Excelsior, or Essays on Politeness and Education," and "Uncle Edward's Stories," a small volume of moral tales for the young. He has also written many excellent poems. Politically, Prof. Howard is a Democrat.
Daniel Kotz, painter, was born March 21, 1848, in Clay town- ship, this county, and is the son of J. C. and Christina Kotz, natives of Wirtemberg, Germany, from which place they emigrated to America in 1840, settling in Mishawaka in 1846, and the next year in Clay township. At 16 years of age Mr. Kotz made his first attempt at painting; he was at work in the studio of H. F. Spread in Crosby's Opera Honse, Chicago, when the great fire of 1871 broke out; he then attended college two and a half years at Naperville, Ill .; in 1874 he opened a studio in Sonth Bend; eight months subsequently he returned to Chicago, entering the studio of H. A. Elkins; at the end of 11 months he opened a studio for himself again at 108 Dearborn street; while there he painted the "Trapper's Last Camping Ground " and " October Woods," two excellent pictures. In 1878 he opened an art school in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he painted the "Wayside Spring," from a sketch he made near Mackinaw; but his best and largest painting. is the " Monarch of the Meadows," now in possession of P. E. Studebaker. In the summer of 1879 Schuyler Colfax gave him a commission to paint a special scene,-the St. Joseph River and the Road to Mishawaka, which he had executed by the middle of No- vember following. At present Mr. Kotz is a resident of Chicago.
Prof. Luigi Gregori, from Rome, Italy, spent about five years at Notre Dame, where he executed some of the finest paintings in the country, among which are portraits of Father Sorin and Judge Stanfield.
Alfred Bryant Miller, poet, was born in South Bend in Feb- ruary, 1845; educated principally in the old county seminary; served in the war, where he was promoted Lieutenant; afterward was editor-in-chief of the South Bend Register, and managing edi- tor of the South Bend Tribune. Mr. Miller is a graceful writer, and he has been a regular correspondent of, or contributor to, several of the most prominent newspapers of the United States.
E. Burke Fisher, journalist, was born in Philadelphia; contrib- uted to several periodicals before he was 15 years of age; clerked in the office of the Saturday Evening Post; associated with Horace Greeley on The New Yorker; edited and published the Saturday Evening Visitor at Pittsburg, and The Literary
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HISTORY OF ST JOSEPH COUNTY.
Examiner and Monthly Review; practiced law in Cleveland, O .; in 1853 he located in South Bend, continuing the practice of law, and died in that city April 12, 1863.
Among other authors worthy of special mention is Prof. J. A. Lyon, author of the "Silver Jubilee," and "Lyon's Elocution;" T. G. Turner, author of "Gazeteer of the St. Joseph Valley" and other works; Rev. A. Y. Moore, author of the "Life of Schuyler Colfax," John D. Defrees, Rev. N. H. Gillespie, Rev. M. B. Brown, Rev. J. C. Carrier, Prof. A. J. Stace and Mrs. E. Kingsley.
CHAPTER XI.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. - NAVIGATION OF THE
MARRIAGE LICENSES .- A COUNTERFEITING
BORN VILLAGES .- FLOOD .- GOLD HUNTERS.
ST. JOSEPH RIVER.
REMINISCENCE .- STILL-
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Court-house .- This building is on the corner of Main and Washington streets. The following description is from the St. Joseph Valley Register, April 27, 1854:
"În size the new court-house is 61} × 91} feet, including the portico; two stories high, the lower one 12} feet in height clear of the joists, and the upper one 20 feet; surmounted by a cupola 50 feet. The stone foundation extends 33 inches below the ground and is carried above three feet. The lower story contains all the offices. Entering by the portico, which is on the eastern front, and supported by six pillars, you pass into a spacious hall 14 feet wide and 81 feet long, on each side of which are situated the various offices. From the front of the hall stairs rise on both sides to the second story, meeting above in a lobby 13 M 27 feet, from which a spacious court- room 57 × 50 and 20 feet high is entered by a door in the center. About the middle of the court-room a semi-circular bar separates the officers, attorneys, suitors and witnesses from the audience. Inside of the bar are the lawyers' tables, pleading table, officers' desk aud witness' stand. Still further back in the western extreme of the court-room is the judges' bench, with the grand and petit jury box on either side, in the shape of an L. In the rear of the court-room are three rooms, one immediately behind the judge's bench, for a witness' room, 17 × 12, and on each side a jury room 20 × 13, so that juries can retire, from a door opening from their seats, into their consultation room, without having to pass through the audience. The building is of brick and stone, the inner walls of the former material and the outer walls of the latter. The cupola is surmounted by a town clock."
In March, 1873, Judge Stanfield issued the following order, which was duly carried out:
It is ordered by the court that the court-room be re-arranged by moving the west partition east to the west side of the west windows; that the three west rooms be enlarged and finished up in a good workmanlike manner, with a door from the court-room entering into each one. That an additional room be added to the Clerk's office by taking away the south stairway, and enclose a room by extend- ing a wall from the north wall of the Clerk's office across the space now used for the stairway; and that there also be a room of the same size constructed above the room last aforesaid, with a door into the court-room. That a stairway be made from the Judge's desk in the court-room, as re-arranged, down into the Clerk's office, and that the court-room be re-arranged so as to place the Judge's
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY.
bench on the south side of the court-room; and the Bar occupy the portion of the court-room south of the general entrance to said room, and the portion north of said entrance be prepared for the occupation of suitors, witnesses and spectators; and it is further ordered that the Clerk's office and court-room be heated by hot- air furnaces. All of said work to be completed, finished and painted in a good workmanlike manner; and George W. Matthews, Dwight Deming, and Thomas S. Stanfield are hereby appointed a committee with full authority to cause said work to be done, and also to furnish and carpet said court-room, and that said committee shall audit all accounts for said work and materials and certify the same to the County Auditors for allowance and payment. It is further ordered that a certified copy of this order be transmitted to the Board doing county busi- ness.
THOMAS S. STANFIELD, Circuit Judge.
The entire cost of the court-house as originally built was about $35,000. A. B. Ellsworth superintended its construction, by order of the Board of County Commissioners.
Jail .- In 1860 the county built a large, handsome and substan- tial jail, including jailor's residence, at a cost of $35,000.
NAVIGATION OF THE ST. JOSEPHI RIVER.
The first attempt at navigation of the St. Joseph river was in 1830, by two men named Masters and Tipsorf, who made several successful trips from the month of the river to South Bend, with a keel boat. The first attempt to run a steamboat on the river was in 1831. It was the " Newburyport," built at Presque Isle. It was not adapted to the navigation of the river and was therefore unsuccessful. It made but one trip and only succeeded in reaching Berrien. In 1833 the " Matilda Barney" and " David Crocket," two stern-wheel boats of light draft, commenced running and were very successful. They made trips as far np as the Mishawaka rapids, but were not able to pass them on account of the swiftness of the current. From 1833 until after the completion of the Lake Shore railroad boats continued to ply the river. Many attempts were made to procure aid from the Government for making the river navigable for larger boats than were put upon it, but without avail.
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