USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of the Maumee River basin, Allen County, Indiana > Part 10
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I33
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
CHRISTOPHER F. HETTLER.
To epitomize the life and character of the late Captain Hettler within the limits which this work allows is impossible. The stalwart proportions of his living presence were realized in the void made by his death. But less than most men intellectually his equal does he need the voice of eulogy, for his works do follow him. He was an honored and influential citizen of Fort Wayne, doing much to promote and conserve the interests of the city through his labors as an official and through private effort ; he was for a number of years incumbent of the responsible position of purchasing agent for the Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburg; his integrity in all the relations of life indicated his fine moral fiber, and though of foreign birth, no man could be more intrinsically American in attitude or more deeply loyal to the land of his adoption, the most significant evidence of this being vouch- safed in the faithful and valiant service which he rendered as a Union soldier and officer in the war of the Rebellion. In his death, which occurred on Monday, November 6, 1899, as the result of an attack of pneumonia, Fort Wayne lost one of its most valued and popular citi- zens, and it is fitting that in this publication be incorporated a tribute to his memory.
Christopher F. Hettler was born in Hohenhaslach, county of Vai- hingen, kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on the Ist of April, 1834, and he was thus sixty-five years of age at the time of his death. In the excellent national schools of the fatherland he received a liberal education, and after attaining his majority he determined to avail himself of the superior advantages and opportunities afforded in America, whither he immigrated in 1857, arriving in New York city on the 8th of August. Soon afterward we found him located in Preble county, Ohio, where he remained four years, at the expiration
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THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
of which, in the autumn of 1861, he came to Allen county, Indiana, where he ever afterward maintained his home. For a year he resided in New Haven, this county, and he then came to Fort Wayne, where he secured a position in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. As touching the salient points in his career, we are pleased to quote freely from an appreciative tribute published in the Fort Wayne News at the time of his demise :
"Although he had been but a few years in this country, his patriot- ism for his adopted land was so well known and so generally recog- nized that in 1864 he received a commission from Governor Oliver P. Morton, appointing him recruiting officer at this point. He was suc- cessful in securing a large number of recruits, and in September of the same year selected a company of his own from those whom he had enlisted, and he received at the time a captain's commission. His company was organized as Company C of the One Hundred and For- ty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and the regiment was assigned to a place in the Army of the Cumberland. Captain Hettler served his country at the head of his company until July 14, 1865, when the command was mustered out. He then resumed his position in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1871 the com- pany, in recognition of his marked ability and his fidelity, appointed him assistant purchasing agent, and from that time forward until his death he remained a valued member of that department of the railroad service.
"Ever since he came to this city Captain Hettler has made his strong personality felt in public affairs and has taken a leading part in municipal matters wherever there was a public benefit to be gained. He represented the second ward in the common council from 1873 to 1882, and his presence there at that critical time in the history of the city resulted in a cutting down of expenses and the hastening of mu- nicipal improvements demanded. Captain Hettler stood for the ad- vancement of the fire department's interests, and he was one of those responsible for the installation of the first fire alarm telegraph system. In 1876 Captain Hettler made the memorable speech in the council which brought the municipal ownership of water-works first into pub- lic notice. The story of his fight, against great odds, which resulted in the present splendid system of water-works owned and controlled by
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ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
the city, is fresh in the minds of the older citizens. In 1879 the ques- tion came up for popular vote, and Captain Hettler's position was sustained by the people with an overwhelming majority.
"In his social and business life Captain Hettler has been easily one of the foremost of Fort Wayne's German-American citizens. He held the position of treasurer of the most profitable and most promi- nent building and loan associations, and at the time of his death was the largest stockholder and one of the controlling spirits of the Home Telephone Company. He had long been a valued member of Har- mony Lodge, No. 19, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Sion S. Bass Post, No. 40, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Fort Wayne Saengerbund. While not formally identified with any re- ligious body, he gave largely to church organizations and charities. He was a firm believer in the spiritual verities as represented in the Christian religion, and was an attendant at the Bethel church of the Evangelical Association. When the new church edifice was erected Captain and Mrs. Hettler were the largest contributors."
The subject of this memoir was a man of sterling character, broad mental ken and mature judgment, placing true valuations on men and things, and ordering his life upon the highest plane of honor. He possessed to a marked degree the self-reliant spirit and pragmatic ability so characteristic of the German type, and thus he was success- ful in his various business connections, accumulating a competency and thus making ample provision for his family. He was liberal in his views, and kindly and tolerant in his judgment of his fellow men, while to those afflicted in mind, body or estate he was ever ready to extend a helping hand, though his benefactions were invariably of the most unostentatious order. In political affairs he was a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and as such was elected to the city council, in which he served so long and faithfully. In the resolutions passed by the council at the time of his death we find the following words : "He was a thoroughly upright official and public-spirited citizen, ever zealous to advance the interests of Fort Wayne. He was a generous man, a genial companion and a patriotic American citizen, and his demise we sincerely deplore."
On the 26th of March, 1861, was solemnized the marriage of Cap- tain Hettler to Miss Catherine Furthmiller, who was at that time resi-
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THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. -
dent of New Haven, this county. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary Agnes Furthmiller, who were numbered among the early settlers of Allen county, where they continued to reside until death, the father having been a farmer by vocation. Captain and Mrs. Hettler became the parents of one son, Herman Henry, who is now engaged in the lumber business in the city of Chicago, where he has extensive interests. Mrs. Hettler sur- vives her honored husband, and maintains her home in the beautiful residence on East Dewald street, the same having long been a center of gracious hospitality. She has long been a devoted member of the Evangelical Association, and is one of the leading workers in the Bethel church of the same, while she has also been specially active and prominent in connection with various charitable and benevolent as- sociations, being well known in the social life of the city, and having the inviolable friendship of a wide circle of acquaintances. She proved a true helpmeet and coadjutrix to her husband, and during their long association on the journey of life each was solaced and sustained by the abiding sympathy and love of the other, the gracious cords being loosened only when death gave its inexorable summons to him to whom this brief memoir is dedicated.
I37
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
ADOLPH DIAMOND.
The most elaborate history is, perforce, a merciless abridgement, the historian being compelled to select his facts and materials from manifold details and to marshal them in concise narrative. This ap- plies to specific as well as generic history, and in the former category is placed. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer must needs touch only the more salient points, giving the keynote of the character, but eliminating all that is superfluous to the continuity of narrative. The subject of this memoir left his impress upon the civic, industrial and social life of Fort Wayne, where he was identi- fied with important business enterprises, and where his intrinsic no- bility of character gained to him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came into contact.
Adolph Diamond was born in Margelin, Prussia, on the 17th of September, 1848, and in the excellent schools of his native place he secured such educational discipline as was possible during his boy- hood days, but he was soon called upon to face the responsibilities of life and to depend upon his own resources, while his further education was secured under the direction of that wisest of all headmasters, experience. At the age of fourteen years he severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and proceeded to England, thus early starting forth as a free lance to fight life's battles. His father was a man of industry and integrity, but the family was a large one, there having been eight children, and the financial circumstances were such that Adolph was thus early led to go forth to seek his fortunes in a strange land. He arrived in England with but three dollars in his pocket, but before the expiration of three years, by honest and earnest effort, he accumulated a sufficient sum to pay his passage to
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THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
America, while his filial solicitude also prompted him to send six pounds of his hard-earned savings to his parents, who needed such assistance. Arriving in America, Mr. Diamond took up his residence in the city of New York, where he found employment in a wholesale jewelry establishment, in which he familiarized himself with the de- tails of the business, and incidentally gained a knowledge on which was founded his success in independent operations. At the age of twenty-one years he engaged in the wholesale jewelry trade on his own account, and he brought to bear such discrimination, energy and integrity of purpose that the enterprise was prosperous from the start. In the interests of his trade he made trips to Cuba, Mexico and Central and South America, and while sojourning in these coun- tries he became conversant with the Spanish language, which he learned to speak. with much fluency, while he also mas- tered the English, French, Hebrew, Latin and Italian languages, in addition to his vernacular, the German tongue, becoming an excellent linguist, principally through his varied associations during his extensive travels. He continued to be actively identified with the jewelry business for fourteen years, with head- quarters in the city of New York, and within this time he accumu- lated a considerable fortune. He made judicious investments in oil fields, and in the connection added materially to his wealth. He was finally called to the west by the Pottlitzer Brothers Fruit Company, becoming a silent partner in the same and the principal financial backer. At that time the company had headquarters only in Lafayette, Indiana, while the business was conducted on a small scale. Mr. Dia- mond surveyed the situation and quickly recognized the advantages offered by Fort Wayne as a wholesale and distributing center, the result being that he decided to open a house in this city in connection with the Lafayette concern. By shrewdness, integrity, honor and wide knowledge of business he made the enterprise one of the most extensive in this section of the Union, gaining control of the principal trade throughout northern Indiana, southern Michigan and western Ohio. The business grew to such proportions that he found it ex- pedient and even imperative to open a branch house in Huntington, this state, and he continued to be identified with this large and pros- perous industrial enterprise until the time of his death, in the mean-
I39
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
while making Fort Wayne his home. He was also a large stockholder in the Lafayette Cracker and Confectionery Company, of Lafayette, and had other capitalistic interests of importance. He was essentially loyal and public-spirited as a citizen, and in his political adherency was a stanch Republican. In a fraternal way he was affiliated with Wayne Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Orde of B'nai B'rith and the Royal Arcanum, while he was a promi- nent and faithful member of the Jewish congregation of Fort Wayne. He was summoned to his reward in the very prime of useful man- hood, his death resulting from disease of the heart, and occurring very suddenly, on the 6th of June, 1903. He was devoted to his home and family, and within the precincts of his home his generous and noble attributes of character displayed themselves most brightly, while his death was mourned by a wide circle of appreciative friends, in busi- ness and social circles. His funeral was conducted under Masonic auspices.
In the year 1882 Mr. Diamond was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Pottlitzer, only daughter of the late Selig Pottlitzer, at that time resident of New York city, but later a prominent citizen of Fort Wayne. The nine children survive their honored father, and remain with their widowed mother in the attractive family home in Fort Wayne, their names, in order of birth, being as follows : Arthur, Leon, Doris, Lester, Jacques, Helen, Alice, Ramona and George L.
140
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
JAMES A. GRAHAM.
The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. The gentleman whose life history is herewith out- lined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a definite degree of success, and is eminently worthy of a place in this volume. James Armstrong Graham is a native son of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on the 25th day of December, 1856. He is the son of John and Martha (McAleer) Graham, both of whom were natives of the north of Ire- land. The father was born in 1825, emigrated to the United States in 1847, and settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred on January 3, 1889. He was a stationary engineer by vocation and for a number of years was employed in that capacity in the shops of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad in Allegheny. His wife, who was born in 1827, came to America in 1847, and still makes her home in Allegheny.
The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the public schools of Allegheny. Upon attain- ing the proper age he entered the car shops of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad at Allegheny as an apprentice. He was industrious and ambitious, and his disposition and ability were in due time rewarded, he being promoted in 1884 to the position of superin- tendent of passenger car work. In September, 1886, he was trans- ferred to Fort Wayne and made general foreman of the car depart- ment of the Pennsylvania Company, which position he still retains. He has given at all times a faithful and conscientious attention to the details of the work over which he has charge, which undoubtedly ac-
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ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
counts for the pronounced success which has characterized his ad- ministration of the department assigned to him. He is considered one of the trusted and valued employes of the company, and has the full confidence of his superiors, as well as the regard and respect of those under him.
In November, 1875, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Ella McNurtney, who was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on June 26, 1856, being the daughter of Patrick and Ellen McNurtney. Their union has been a most felicitous one, and has been blessed in the birth of two children, Martha B., now Mrs. Adam LaMar, and Minnie A. Politically, Mr. Graham is a Republican, and takes a deep and commendable interest in the trend of passing events. His reli- gious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, while fra- ternally he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Royal Arcanum. In the first named order he belongs to Blue Lodge No. 125, and has also taken all of the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including the thirty-second. By a life consistent in motive and ac- tion, and because of his many fine personal qualities, Mr. Graham has earned the sincere regard of all who know him and in his home, which is the center of a large social circle, there is always in evidence a spirit of generous hospitality, old and young alike being at all times welcome.
142
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
WILLIAM J. VESEY.
It is not an easy task to adequately describe the character of a man who has led an eminently active and useful life in connection with the great profession of law and has stamped his individuality on the plane of definite accomplishment in one of the most exacting fields of human endeavor; and yet there is always a full measure of satis- faction in adverting, in even a casual way, to the career of an able and conscientious lawyer. One of the successful and highly esteemed members of the bar of Allen county is he whose name appears at the head of this article.
William J. Vesey was born April 19, 1857, at Lima, Lagrange county, Indiana, and is the son of Benjamin W. and Sarah W. (Waterhouse) Vesey, the father a native of Rutland county, Ver- mont, and the mother of Portland, Maine. The subject's grand- father. William Vesey, who was born in Vermont in 1801, removed with his family to Ohio in 1837, and in 1839 to Goshen, Indiana, where he died in 1870. The subject of this sketch was early inured to the labors incident to farm life and also there learned the lessons of industry and independence which have proved such a potential element in his subsequent success. His early education was obtained in the common schools of his home neighbor- hood and he early decided to make law his life study and profession. To this end he removed to Fort Wayne in 1878 and entered the office of Ninde & Ellison, where for two years he faithfully gave his attention to Blackstone, Kent and other legal authorities. Ad- mitted to the bar of Allen county the year of his removal to this city, he has ever since been actively identified with the legal fraternity here and has occupied a conspicuous place among his colleagues. From 1880 until 1890 Mr. Vesey was associated in the practice
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ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
with P. A. Rundall, and in the latter year formed a partnership with Judge O. N. Heaton, under the name of Vesey & Heaton, which association continued until, in 1899, Mr. Vesey was appointed judge of the superior court of Allen county to fill an unexpired term. At the conclusion of this official service Mr. Vesey associated himself in the practice of law with O. N. Heaton, A. J. Vesey and B. F. Heaton, under the firm name of Vesey & Heaton, which arrangement continued until the election of Judge Heaton to the bench of the superior court of this county, at which time the present firm of Vesey & Vesey was formed, the partners being A. J. Vesey and the subject. The firm has commanded a large and lucrative practice and is considered one of the strongest legal firms in this city. Mr. Vesey is a director in and general attorney for the First National Bank of Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne Trust Company and the Tri- State Loan and Trust Company, and during his career at the bar he has been connected with a number of the most celebrated cases that have been tried in these courts.
Fraternally Mr. Vesey is a thirty-second-degree Mason, having taken all the degrees of both the York and Scottish rites, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is an ardent Republican and takes a keen interest in the success of that party, while his religious affiliation is with the Wayne street Methodist Episcopal church of Fort Wayne.
On the 25th of July, 1882, Mr. Vesey was united in marriage with Miss Maggie S. Studabaker, the daughter of Judge David and Harriet (Evans) Studabaker, of Decatur, Indiana, her birth having occurred on January 14, 1863. To this union have been born the following children: Margaret S., September 10, 1883: Sallie W., July 5, 1885; Dick M., June I, 1887; William J., Jr., January 14, 1889; David S., January 31, 1891, and Catherine S., born October 26, 1894. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, William J. Vesey commands uniform regard and from his friends he has won love and esteem.
144
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
CAPTAIN JAMES B. WHITE.
A few years since it was the privilege of the writer to prepare a review of the career of Captain White, who was then living and in the midst of the cares and exactions of his signally active business life. Since that time the Captain has been summoned to the life eter- nal, and it is now possible to sum up his career as one completed, gaining the true perspective of his deeds and worthy services. It is felt, however, that the previous resume, based upon data given by the subject himself, covered the ground in so consistent a style that liberal quotation may justly be made from the same, without further credit marking than that involved in this statement, while metaphrase will be made as need may be.
Captain White's life was not one of subjective exaltation or pre- tentiousness, but was one signally true to high ideals and one filled with definite and worthy accomplishment. He did much, and did it well, and his name is honored in the civic and industrial history of Fort Wayne and Allen county, within whose confines he lived and labored for fully a half century, being one of the essentially repre- sentative citizens and business men of the fair "Summit City." Cap- tain White was born in the town of Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland, twenty miles east of the city of Glasgow, on the 26th of June, 1835. His father, John White, was manager of an extensive calico-printing establishment, was a man of high intelligence and utmost integrity, while his wife was a true helpmeet, possessed of strong individuality, mentality and earnest religious convictions. Under such environ- ment it was but natural that the home discipline of our subject should have been such as to engender self-reliance, thorough appreciation of the higher ethics of life and a determination to be useful in the world. He was the fourth in order of birth of the five sons and two daugh-
2.Bintuito
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ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
ters born to his honored parents, and of this number three now sur- vive. His educational advantages were somewhat limited, but he was enabled to secure a good English training, which he later supple- mented most admirably by reading, study and contact with the world. At the early age of twelve years he began an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, which he followed two years, after which he was em- ployed in connection with the calico-printing industry until he had attained to the age of nineteen years. This was a period of emigra- tion, and, like many other young men, Captain White became imbued with a desire to try his fortunes in America. Accordingly, in the summer of 1854, he embarked on a sailing vessel at Glasgow, and thirty-four days later arrived in the port of New York city. In the national metropolis he obtained work at his trade until November, when, somewhat disheartened at the outlook, he determined to seek his uncle, who had some years previously settled in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He proceeded by rail to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Toledo, from which point he came by packetboat on the Wabash & Erie canal to Fort Wayne, reaching his destination in the latter part of November. His funds had by this time been completely exhausted, and he was compelled to deposit his trunk at the packet office, at the old Comparet basin, in the east end of town, until he could make good the balance of three dollars due on his packet fare. He discovered the whereabouts of his uncle, from whom he secured sufficient money to redeem his trunk, after which he was temporarily employed at his trade, in the service of Wade C. Shoaff, after which he worked for a short time in a machine shop. In February, 1855, he entered the employ of John Brown, who operated a stone yard, receiving for his services three dollars a week and his board, and being thus engaged for three months. He was subsequently again employed by Mr. Shoaff, and also by the firm of Nirdlinger & Oppen- heimer, and in the summer of 1856 he opened a tailor shop of his own. Not meeting with the success which he anticipated, he became dissatisfied, and in the autumn went to Cincinnati, and thence to St. Louis, but a few months later found him again in Fort Wayne, where he opened a tailor shop over the dry goods store of S. C. Evans.
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