USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 90
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
then returned to New York and opened a law office, and in 1870 he visited Europe, being absent one year and seven months. In the spring of 1875 he moved to Berrien county, Mich., and engaged in the practice of law; in 1878 he came to South Bend and con- tinned the practice of law. Col. Copeland for a number of years has been in the lecture field, and has mnost deservedly been denomi- nated the " Prince of Orators.", So popular have his lectures become that he has calls from nearly every State in the Union, and during the lecture season his time is fully occupied, having many more calls than he can fill, and has received some very flattering notices from the leading papers in the States where his lectures have been given. As a political speaker Col. Copeland stands to-day without a rival; and during the campaign but recently closed, the demands for him were greater than for any other man on the stump. As an advocate in the trial of causes he stands in the foremost rank, and there are but few if any in the State able to cope with him before a jury. Mr. Copeland was married to Miss Emily C. Mead, of Ber- rien Springs, daughter of William Mead, Esq., of that place.
Alexis Coquillard, manufacturer of the celebrated "Coquillard wagon," was born in Detroit, Mich., April 29, 1825. Mr. Coquil- lard comes from a long-lived race of people, whose name has been prominently connected with the early development and growth of Michigan and Northern Indiana. Benjamin Coquillard, pere, was in early life married to Sophia Andre; they were natives of Detroit, where they resided until 1829, when they removed to Indiana and located in this county; as the result of this union one child was born to them, Alexis, who is the subject of this sketch. Alexis Coquillard, Sr., the head of the family in America, was stationed in this county as an employe of the American Fur Company at a time when there was not another white man in the county. He afterward founded and platted the wealthy and enterprising city of South Bend. In 1840, while St. Joseph county was yet a wilder- ness, zealous representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, men who knew neither danger nor fatigue in the accomplishment of their self-imposed missions, pushed their way into the wild, unbroken fastness, and there began laying the foundation of the Notre Dame college. The first name on its rolls was that of the subject of our sketch, who piloted them across the river when in search of the grounds. The fabulous stories of golden treasures in California. which were circulated throughout the country in 1849, found lodg- ment in the breast of the young man, and he determined to seek his fortune in the New El Dorado of the West; and though but 25 years of age, in company with others, that year visited the golden shores of the Pacific, where he remained nine months, and suc- ceeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. He returned to Indiana and purchased a farm in this county, which he operated until 1854, when he engaged in the real estate business and the manufacture of lumber, in which business he has been engaged to a large extent up to the present time. He continued to increase his
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
landed possessions until 1865, at which time he established the Coquillard Wagon Works. This business has been constantly increas- ing until his sales amount to more than 3,000 vehicles per annum. The timber from which they are constructed comes from a tract of 2,000 acres in the county, on which at an early day he erected a steam saw-mill. He is also the owner of one of the best farms in the county of over 500 acres, a short distance from the city limits. Mr. Coquillard, in addition to the above, is the owner of some 40 houses in South Bend, besides a large amount of unimproved real estate. He is also the owner of large tracts of land in Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, and some of the Territories.
Socially Mr. Coquillard is one of the most genial of men. The distinguishing characteristics of his nature are strength of purpose, independence of thought and action and love of right and truth. He takes an active interest in all enterprises, promotion of the pub- lic good, or in the diffusion of knowledge. He is a man of great energy and perseverance, and when he once undertakes a thing, he seems to know no such word as "fail." Five feet seven inches in height, he is blessed with an excellent constitution, and is the very picture of health. He is still a bachelor, " heart-whole and fancy free." As a justification of this fact, Mr. Coquillard states that when young he was too poor to contemplate matrimony, and is now too busy to think of it. Politically, he is a Republican, and enjoys the distinction of being the wealthiest man in St. Joseph county. He contributes liberally to all charities, and is a man whose worth is felt and appreciated in the community in which he resides. His portrait is given on page 703.
Alexis T. Coquillard, the only child of Alexis Coquillard, the chief founder of the city of South Bend, was born in the city of South Bend, on the 13th of February, 1836. At the time of his birth his father lived in the house north of the Strayer gun shop, on Michigan Street. When young Coquillard was three years of age, his father removed to the brick house on Michigan street, now occupied by Hon. Wm. Miller, where they lived until the young man was abont 24 years of age. He began his school life with his consin Alexis Coquillard, now manufacturer of the celebrated "Coquillard wagon," in a log school-house that stood near the site of the University of Notre Dame, which was the beginning of that celebrated institution of learning, where he remained until the University was built; he then entered the college, being one of its first students, where he continued his studies until 1854. Jan. 7, 1855, his father received fatal injuries by falling from the ruins of a large flouring mill that had recently burned, and died Jan. 8, from the injuries caused by his fall. He was mar- ried in 1859 to Miss Mary Ellen Pike, daughter of Charles Pike, Esq., of Niles, Michigan. She was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1842. They had one child, Alexis Charles, who resides with his father in this city. In 1860 Mr. Coquillard was employed on the detective force in Chicago, under C. P. Bradley, chief of that department, who at once recognized the ability of Mr. Coquillard
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
and promoted him from time to time, placing him in charge of a large force of men. His reputation as a skillful detective soon became known throughout the Northwest, and complicated and difficult cases from all parts of the country came to him, and as evidence of the ability and skill he displayed in this most difficult business, has hundreds of highly flattering testimonials from the Government authorities, the leading railroad officials and business men of the Northwest. In 1868, at the request of the leading men in Indianapolis, he went to that city and organized "Coquil- lard's Merchant Police," having a large force of men is his employ. In 1869 the prominent men of that city, having a dne appreciation of his services, presented him with a very fine gold-headed cane, with the name of the donors engraved thereon. In 1868 he aban- doned the business and has since given it no attention whatever.
In 1868 he purchased the land where the village of St. Edwards, Nebraska, is now located, and afterward sold a half interest in the same to John N. Lederer and W. H. Longley, of this city, with a view of platting a town, and in 1876 they organized and were incor- porated under the laws of Nebraska, as "the St. Edwards Land and Emigration Company," of which Mr. Coquillard was elected president and manager for the term of five years. The company, besides having a large number of town lots, own a large tract of land adjoining the village of St. Edwards. In 1879 Mr. Coquil- lard contracted for 25,000 acres of land in Oconto county, Wis., and soon after formed a joint-stock company composed of John N. Lederer, T. E. Howard, Esq., W. H. Longley, Andrew Russwurm, Godfrey Poehelman, James Daughtery, Edward T. Lomont, and himself. Mr. Coquillard was elected president and general mana- ger of the company. The company at once began to improve and open their land to actual settlers, and are now rapidly disposing of it, their sales being very large. Mr. Coquillard in 1880 started the Globe, in the interests of these two land companies, for the purpose of bringing the property before the public. The paper has been a success from the start, and now has a circulation of 5,000 copies. In connection with his other responsibilities Mr. Coquillard does a general real-estate business, and buys and sells property of every description.
In 1872 he was elected City Councilman from the fourth ward, which office he held for two terins. He afterward received the nomination for the office of Mayor, and was defeated by a small majority.
Through costly litigation the entire fortune of his father was swept away, and Mr. Coquillard, left without means, has by his own efforts acquired his present property and cared and provided for his mother, who died but recently. He is one of the represent- ative men of South Bend, and has been identified with many of the public enterprises of the city. Portrait on page 739.
James N. Corning is the son of Nathan and Pheba (Willson) Corning, father a native of New Hampshire and of Scotch descent,
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
and mother of New York and of English descent. The subject of this sketch was born in Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, in 1835. His early life was spent at home on the farm. He received a liberal education; was three years in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where he engaged in oil speculations. In 1867 he emigrated to this State and located in South Bend, where he has since resided. He was married in Ohio in 1862 to Mary A. Thompson, who was born in Lake county, O., in 1837; they have 2 children. Mr. Corning is one of the leading men of this city; has now been Justice of the Peace for four years, in which capacity he has the confidence of the people, and his time is fully occupied with the duties of his office. He is a Democrat, and also a member of the Masonic fraternity in this city.
Jonathan P. Creed was born in Benton, Yates county, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1844. Went to common schools and worked on a farm until the breaking ont of the war of the Rebellion. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; served nntil July 14, 1865. Was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 4, 1863, in his right arm, near the shoul- der, the ball passing through into the side. After his discharge from the army he went to school at Lima, N. Y., at which he received an academic education. In 1867 he removed from New York to South Bend, Ind., and began the practice of law, in which he is still engaged.
James Daughtery is the son of James and Elizabeth Daughtery, who were natives of Ireland, and came to this country at an early day. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1826, where he spent his early life; was employed in a woolen factory until he was 29 years of age, when he moved to Ohio and engaged in farming for a num- ber of years. He came to this county in 1864, and followed farm- ing some time, and had charge of the county honse for two years. He was elected Sheriff in 1878, which office he now holds. He was married in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1849 to Miss Anna E. Shaffer. They have 5 children now, living. He is a member of the Masonic order, and politically is a Democrat.
Jumes Davis is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1812, the son of Robert and Margaret Davis, who were natives of Penn- sylvania. He commenced the study of law in Pittsfield, Ill., when 21 years of age and while holding the office of Clerk of the Cir- cuit Court, and was admitted to the Bar in 1836, and continued the practice until the year 1876, when, owing to poor health, he was obliged to abandon the active practice of law, and accepted a posi- tion as special agent of the U. S. Treasurer's department, with headquarters at Chicago, which position he held two years. Mr. Davis has always been an active politician, and for many years was chairman of the county central committee of the Republican party, and held the office of City Attorney for two years. He was mar- ried in 1851 to Miss Elizabeth Heaton, daughter of Charles M. Heaton. They have 4 children by this marriage.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Daniel Dayton, M. D., is not only one of the earliest pioneer settlers in South Bend, having arrived here in 1836, but was the first regular medical graduate that commenced practice in this city; and he has continued the practice of his profession at the same place, without intermission to this date,-a period of 44 years. Probably no physician is now or ever has been more widely or favorably known in this section than the venerable Doctor.
He is a native of the granite-bound hills of New Hampshire, Orford, Grafton Co., where he was born May 27, 1806, the son of James and Lucinda (Morey) Dayton, the former a native of Con- necticut and the latter of Massachusetts, and of English ancestry, the original family having come to America in 1640. The Doctor's yonth was passed upon his father's farm; in 1831 he graduated at Union College, N. Y. The same year he first commenced the study of medicine during his last term at Union College, one of the professors being a physician,-by name Joslyn; afterward attended his first medical course at Dartmouth College, N. H., and graduated in 1836 at the Geneva (N.Y.) Medical College,and commence prac- tice in Syracuse.
He was married in 1836 to Catharine Pells; soon afterward he emigrated with his wife to the West, and located at South Bend, where he soon established an extensive practice. He had the mis- fortune to lose his wife by death, which occurred in 1840. He was married again in 1844, at South Bend, to Miss Ann M. Wade, who is still living; they have a family of two children, whose names are Mary, now the wife of San'l T. Applegate, of this county, and James H., who is a graduate of the Annapolis (Md.) Naval Academy, and a Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy.
Dr. Dayton has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows for 30 years; has also been a member of the Congregational Church for many years. In politics is a Republican, and has served the community in various local public offices. He was one of the members of the first Board of School Examiners; also Township Trustee, Corporation Surgeon several years, and also served as U. S. Examining Surgeon for enrollment for two years during the war of the Rebellion; also served as County Coroner two years. Although so actively employed during the many years of his resi- dence in this county, he always found time to attend to the wants of those in distress. It mattered not to him whether called up at the hour of midnight to attend to the wants of the millionaire, where pay for his services was secured, or by the poorest citizen, whose only pay could be his grateful thanks for his generous labors. Of the latter class of practice no physician in this county ever had more or was as cheerfully attended to. After a long and honorable life the Doctor is still hale and hearty, still in the practice of his pro- fession, honored and respected by all.
Dr. Edward Hannigan Denslow was born at Mount Pleasant, near South Bend, St. Joseph county, Indiana, on the 17th of June, 1844. He is the third son of the late Henry Denslow, one of the
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
early settlers of the county, and a man widely kuown and universally respected. Edward worked on his father's farm up to the year 1870, with the exception of some time spent on several occasions in travel with circuses and theater companies, in the West. As might have been expected, he yielded to the temptations afforded by these diversions and contracted habits of inebriety which at one time seriously threatened to be his ruin. True, however, to the home-bred proclivities of his boyhood he returned, finally, to the farm and fireside of his father, and Oct. 26, 1865, was united in mar- riage to Annie S. Johnson, a lady of attractive manners and excel- lent judgment. Soon after his marriage he became excessively addicted to drink and his utter ruin seemed almost inevitable. In the early part of 1870, however, commenced that extraordinary development which changed the whole tenor of his life and brought abont in him almost a new creation. The result was, in fact, a new birth, if there ever was such a phenomenon. Almost without premon- ition, certainly without expectation or desire, some unseen influence took control of his physical organism while utterly unconscious; he was carried throughi a series of exercises of the most extraordinary character. One of his first experiences was to have the glass in which he was conveying intoxicating liquor to his month, seized by an unseen hand and dashed in pieces. His love of strong drink immediately left him and has never returned. His habits of life became abstemious almost to the degree of asceticism. By an influence, of the origin of which he had no personal knowledge, he was inipelled to very frequent physical exercises of great severity and of unnsual kinds.
After a lapse of about three years, in 1873, he found himself in possession of healing powers of singular efficacy. He immediately opened rooms in South Bend and began to combat the varions diseases to which our flesh is heir, with almost incredible success. Right in the home of his boyhood, in the midst of those who had known him from his birth, and had watched him through his varied experiences, he songht, and successfully too, occasions for the exer- cise of his great gift. Thus, where he is best known, he has com- batted, unaided and alone, prejudice on the one hand and malignity on the other, until he has put all his foes under his feet and, with- out personal blemish, has established a reputation of which philan- thropist or healer of whatever pretentions may well be prond. He uses no drugs, relying alone upon that medicatrix naturæ which, in his case, follows the "laying on of hands."
Dr. Denslow is now in the full maturity of a well-developed man- hood. In stature he stands about five feet and eleven inches. His physique is eminently sturdy and symmetrical. His capacious chest and powerful muscles denote great capacity for strength and endur- ance. The high tone of his nervous system is denoted by the silky texture of his hair and the auburn tinge of his full beard. Phreno- logically, the coronal region is prominent, giving assurance of a high moral and religious nature. The intellectual faculties are wel
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
indicated, while the organs giving perceptive power are normally full. His basal brain gives evidence of sufficient combativeness to face a foe, and enough destructiveness to remove all impediments in the path of right. Large adhesiveness bind him firmly to his friends, while the domestic group impels to an almost passionate love of home. Tolerant of all opinions and the just views of others, he is so constituted that he cannot help demanding a recognition of his own personal rights and convictions. The fame of this curionsly constituted gentleman has already gone far beyond the boundary of his almost rural home, and, if life and health are spared him, he will ultimately, without doubt, achieve an almost world-wide renown. This, however, will be in the line of doing good, as he eschews all other methods of distinction.
L. M. Dunning, M. D., was born in the State of Michigan in 1850, son of Oscar and Martha Dunning, natives of the State of New York, father of' Scotch and mother of English descent. He received a liberal education and came to this county in 1878; began the study of medicine in 1870, attended the Medical College of Buffalo, and graduated at the Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1872. He commenced the practice of medicine near Troy, Mich., in 1872, where he remained until he removed to this city. The Doctor ranks among the leading physicians of South Bend, and was the organizer of the Berrien County Medical Society, of which he was president one year; is a member of the Odd Fellows order; was married in Cass county, Mich., in 1876, to Miss Harriet Blanchard; they are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in this city.
Samuel Dunning, M. D., son of James and Mary Dunning, wlio were natives of Ireland and came to this country at an early day. was born in Canada in the year 1845; his early education was quite limited, being only such as the common schools of that day afforded. He began the study of medicine in 1868, and after completing his studies began to practice in the city of Detroit, and came to this city in 1879, where he now resides and continues the practice. He is recognized as one of the leading physicians and has a large and lucrative practice. He was married in New York in 1869, to Miss Bell Jones, of that State, who was born in 1844; they have one child, Flora B., born in 1871.
James H. Ellsworth was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., in 1852, and has always resided in this city; he is the son of Aaron B. and Frances L. (Harwood) Ellsworth, who were natives of New York and came to this State at an early day. Aaron Ellsworth was one of the pioneers of St. Joseph county and one of the most prom- inent citizens of South Bend. The subject of this sketchi was edu- cated in the schools of this city; attended law lectures in the Union College of Law of Chicago; was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1873 and in June, 1875, began the practice of law in this city. He is secretary of the " Western Accident and Relief Association," which office he lias held since the organization of the company. He
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
was the originator and organizer of this company and has had the general management and supervision of the same. Politically, he is a Republican.
Chauncey N. Fassett, editor of the South Bend Register, was born in South Bend July 30, 1849; when three years old the family removed to Middlebury, Elkhart county, and thence in 1857 to Goshen, and the next year to Lebanon, Southwestern Missouri; there, in 1863, they were cut off by the rebels from all communica- tion with the North; they returned to Goshen, and in February, 1873, back to South Bend. Here Mr. C. N. Fassett began as local editor for the Union, was then on the Register two years, and next on the Tribune one and a half years. Oct. 12, 1878, in company with D. S. and F. A. Marsh, H. S. Fassett and E. M. Herr, he bought the Register establishment; Mr. D. S. Marsh retired from the firm in May, 1880. A further notice of the paper is given in another chapter. Oct. 31, '77, he married Anna H. Thrush, daughter of the late Rev. John Thrush, once pastor of the M. E. Church in South Bend. She was born in Baltimore Oct. 31,'57. Mr. Fassett is a Republican, a member of the A. F. and A. M., and was City Clerk in Goshen three terms. Present residence, 32 Lafayette street.
Gustav Fikentscher was born in Bavaria, June 2, 1831, son of Martin and Katharine (Sommer) Fikentscher; educated in the com- mon schools of Germany; emigrated to this country in 1866, arriving in South Bend June 29; followed his trade of miller for a year, then photographing for four or five years; in 1873 com- menced as local editor for the Courier, when Messrs. Brownfield, Jr., and Fassett Broadns were proprietors; February 19, 1874, he took possession of the Courier, since which time he has conduced the paper with success. Jannary 24, 1880, he was married to Adele Lemien, of Chicago, a native of Prussia, and they now re- side at 79 Lafayette street. Politically, Mr. F. is a Democrat.
George Ford was born in South Bend, Jan. 11, 1846; son of Isaac and Emeline Ford, natives of the State of New York. His father was a cooper by trade and came to this State and located in South Bend Sept. 3, 1845, where he resided until his death, which occurred Sept. 16, 1880; he was engaged in the cooper business until within the last four or five years of his life. The subject of · this sketch was educated in the schools of this city, and while a boy learned the cooper trade, at which business he worked for a time; he began the study of law in March, 1866, in the law office of Col. Norman Eddy, then one of the leading lawyers of South Bend; in 1869 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he continued his studies until he graduated; he then re- turned to South Bend and engaged in the practice of law, where he has since resided and continued the business. In 1872 he was elected Prosecutor of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he held nntil that court was abolished by the Legislature; he was then appointed Prosecutor in the Circuit Court to fill a vacancy, and with
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
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