USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of the Maumee River basin, Allen County, Indiana > Part 39
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wagon, besides adding to the equipment in various other ways, in- cluding a complete grappling outfit, consisting of hooks, poles and lines, etc., for the rescue of drowning persons, the apparatus being constructed on «scientific principles and of the latest and most ap- proved type of manufacture. In addition to the above, there have been added to the arsenal four riot guns and two extra Savage rifles, to be used in case of riot or emergency ; also a regular system of recording the business of the office, together with a personal record of criminals, including prison record, a full photographic outfit and various other improvements and devices, the worth of which has been fully tested and cheerfully admitted. A strict disciplinarian, a watchful and vigilant official, possessing mature judgment, sound dis- cretion and executive ability of a high order, Mr. Gorsline, although exacting in the matter of duty, possesses the confidence and esteem of his subordinates, between whom and himself the most cordial relations obtain, and by the public is held in the highest regard, as he has made his name a terror to evil doers and earned for Fort Wayne the reputation of one of the most quiet and orderly cities of its size in the country. Politically Mr. Gorsline is a Democrat of the orthodox type, though not a bitter partisan, and socially possesses the amiable qualities of head and heart that win and retain warm personal friendships. His fraternal relationships are represented by the Pythian order, Phoenix Lodge, No. 101; Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 155, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Tribe 96, Order of Ben Hur; Kekionga Council, No. 93, National Union; Fort Wayne Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Sons of Veterans, and the Retail Clerks' Union, which he organized and with which he has since been identified.
On October 28, 1890, Mr. Gorsline was united in marriage to Miss Mary VanZant, of Cleveland, Ohio, the union being blessed with three children, whose names are as follows: Owen Van, de- ceased, Marguerite, born March 31, 1893, and Mildred, whose birth occurred on May 1, 1896.
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CHARLES L. OLDS.
This well known citizen has passed practically his entire life in Fort Wayne, and has been prominently identified with its industrial affairs and commercial advancement. At the present time he is president of the C. L. Olds Construction Company, engaged in contracting for and financing water works, electric railroads and electric light plants. Mr. Olds was born in the city of Sandusky, Ohio, on the 17th of April, 1855, and is a son of Noble G. and Elizabeth (Woolsey) Olds, the former of whom was born in Penn- sylvania and the latter in New York. The family removed from Ohio to Fort Wayne in 1861, and in Indiana's beautiful "Summit City" continued to reside until their death, the father passing away in the year 1876 and his devoted wife in 1872. Noble G. Olds was a man of high ability and integrity of character, and of prominence in public esteem and confidence in Fort Wayne. He was the head of a large manufacturing business during the greater portion of his residence here. In the family were five children, of whom two are living at the present time.
Charles L. Olds was a lad six years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Fort Wayne. He was educated in the public schools, and, after leaving the high school, continued his studies under private tutorship. He initiated his independent business career at the age of twenty-one, at which time he puchased a controlling interest in what is now known as the Fort Wayne Iron Works. He also organized the Western Bridge Company, and eventually became the sole owner of the enterprise, which grew to be one of wide scope and importance, having contracts for both railroad and highway bridges throughout the middle and western states. In 1885 Mr. Olds disposed of his interests in the property and business. Meanwhile, in 188I, he had given further evidence of his progressive spirit and
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initiative force by becoming one of the organizers and incorporators of the Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Light Company, of which he was the first secretary, retaining the incumbency about two years, at the end of which time he sold his interest in the concern. In 1887 he again associated himself with the electric light company, in the capacity of general salesman and representative, and he re- mained in the tenure of this office until 1897. He then organized the C. L. Olds Construction Company, of which he is president and chief stockholder. This company has handled many large contracts in different portions of the county, and its business has no little bearing in the introduction of commercial Fort Wayne to the out- side territory.
In politics Mr. Olds is a stanch Republican, although he has never been active in political work nor sought preferment from his party. Both he and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church, also of the Fortnightly Literary Society, of which he was at one time president.
On the 17th of May, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Olds to Miss Eliza Mclachlan, who was born in Fort Wayne and is a daughter of Neil and Jane Mclachlan. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Olds we enter the following brief record, in conclusion of this sketch: Charles L., Jr., was graduated in Harvard University, class of '05, and now occupies a position as instructor in St. Paul's Academy, Concord, New Hampshire; Percy G. is superintendent of the Olds Construction Company; Norman E. was graduated from Harvard, class of '05, and is now civil engineer for the Toledo & Ann Arbor Electric Railway; Marjorie remains at the parental home; Alexander M. is in the surveyors' corps of the Patrick Hirsh Company, of New York city; and Edward C. is a member of the class of 1909 at Princeton University, New Jersey.
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THOMAS R. PICKARD.
The record of Mr. Pickard is that of a man who has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of responsibility and trust. His life has been of unceasing industry and perseverance and the faithful and honorable career which has been his has won for him the unbounded confidence of those with whom he has for so long been associated in a business way, as well as the respect of his fellow citizens.
Thomas Reed Pickard is a native of England, having been born in Cornwall on the 20th day of December, 1829, and is the son of Thomas and Margery Pickard, who were also born in England and whose ancestors for many generations were of the same nativity. The subject of this sketch came to the United States in his youth, locating at Mount Vernon, Ohio, so that his educational training was received both in the land of his nativity and at the place last named. Before attaining his majority, in 1848, at Mount Vernon, he initiated his independent career and became identified with the iron foundry business by apprenticing himself to learn the moulding trade in the Charles Cooper Foundry. He was apt, industrious and am- bitious and was soon recognized as one of the best moulders in the shop. His employer, Mr. Cooper, held an interest in the Cooper, Bass & Jones Foundry, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, the predecessors of the present Bass Foundry and Machine Company, and a high- grade moulder being needed in the plant here Mr. Pickard was sent to fill the position, arriving here in May, 1854. His ability was soon recognized by his employers and in January, 1863, he was made superintendent of the foundry department of this plant, and has retained the position to the present time, embracing the long period of over four decades, certainly a marked tribute to his faith- fulness and ability. An intimate knowledge of every detail of the
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work and an ability to direct and control the large force of men con- stantly employed under him, have rendered his services extremely valuable to the important interests with which he has for so long a time been identified. He holds the entire confidence of the mem- bers of the firm, the respect of the men under him and the esteem of all who have in any way come in contact with him ..
On November 15, 1854, Mr. Pickard was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Anna Stryker, who is a native of Bound Brook, New Jersey, and the daughter of Jacob P. and Susan Stryker. To Mr. and Mrs. Pickard have been born four children, Thomas, Peter, Harry and Artemas, all of whom are living. The subject is a member of the First Presbyterian church in Fort Wayne, and takes an active interest in the welfare of the society, giving his sup- port to every benevolent or charitable movement connected with the church. In politics he has been a life-long Republican and, though not in any sense a seeker after office, yet he has ever taken a healthy interest in public affairs and has valued his right of franchise at its true worth. In all the characteristics that go to make up the suc- cessful life the subject has been well equipped and his life career but goes to show what may be accomplished by the man of energy and determination. He has led an eminently honorable life in his community and his influence has ever been exerted on the side of right and morality.
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WILLIS W. CAREY.
Willis W. Carey, son of William and Ellen O. (Fletcher) Carey, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, March 3, 1869. Before he was a year old his father died and his mother moved to Spencerville, Indiana. There he was educated in the public schools, later at- tending the Normal School at Valparaiso. In 1890 he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, graduating in 1894. During his last two years he was clerk of the John Hunt- ington Dispensary. He located in Auburn, Indiana, and then moved to his old home at Spencerville, Indiana, where he resided until 1904, when he located in Fort Wayne. On the 22d of June, 1898, he was married to Gertrude Shutt and to this union one son, George Fletcher, was born.
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BENJAMIN F. OGDEN.
A life marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been that of this honored citizen and substantial farmer of Wayne town- ship, Allen county, Indiana, where he has maintained his home for the past quarter of a century. He was a valiant soldier in the Civil war, where his fidelity was of that type which has characterized his life in all its relations and which has gained and retained to him the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
Benjamin Franklin Ogden is a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in the town of Greece, Monroe county, New York, on the 2d of June, 1835, and being a son of parents who were likewise born in the state of New York, whence they removed to Michigan in an early day, becoming pioneers of that commonwealth, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father having been a farmer by vocation. The subject of this com- pend was a lad of twelve years at the time of his parents' removal to Michigan, and his educational training had been inaugurated in the common schools of his native place, while he also attended school in an irregular way for some time after the removal to the Wolver- ine state. The family settled in Lenawee county, Michigan, where the father secured a farm, only a small part of which had been re- claimed from the virgin forest, and our subject assisted in the clear- ing of the farm and in the other work pertaining to its improvement and cultivation, remaining on the home place until the death of his honored father, after which he found employment at farm work and other occupations for a number of years, in Michigan and Ohio. In 1860 he purchased a farm in Hillsdale county, Michigan, and there he continued to reside until his removal to Allen county, Indiana.
In 1864 Mr. Ogden tendered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting as a private in Company A, Fourth Michigan
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Volunteer Infantry, which was organized to complement the original regiment of that number, with which it was duly consolidated, be- coming a part of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Ogden con- tinued in active service until the close of the war, having received his honorable discharge, in Nashville, Tennessee, on the 23d of May, 1865. His regiment was stationed at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, dur- ing the major portion of the time after his enlistment, being assigned to duty in holding the territory there, and it took part in a num- ber of skirmishes, including a spirited one with General Forrest. During the latter part of his term Mr. Ogden was in the hospital service at Nashville, having been section master in said hospital for a time.
After the close of his honorable and faithful military career Mr. Ogden returned to his farm in Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he continued to make his home until 1880, when he disposed of his property there and came to Allen county, Indiana, where he has since continued to reside. For a time he operated the Mckinney farm, in Wayne township, and in 1885 he purchased his present farm, in the same township, the place being eligibly located on the Piqua road, two miles distant from the city limits of Fort Wayne. Here he has forty acres of fine land, which is maintained under ef- fective cultivation, while he has improved the place with good mod- ern buildings, making it one of the attractive rural homesteads of the county. He has given his attention to diversified agriculture and has so regulated his enterprise as to attain to the maximum of suc- cess, being one of the reliable and substantial farmers of his town- ship. For several years past he has been agent for the Page woven- wire fence. In politics Mr. Ogden gives an uncompromising al- legiance to the Republican party, in whose cause he takes a lively interest, though he has never been imbued with aught of ambition for public office.
On the 3d of November, 1861, Mr. Ogden was united in mar- riage to Miss Emily L. Downing, who was at the time residing near Bloomingdale, Ohio, and she died in Hillsdale county, Michigan, leaving three children,-Agnes, who is the wife of M. U. Philley ; Alice, who is the wife of Freeman Force Miller; and Mary Jane,
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who is the wife of Jesse Stahler. Mr. Ogden subsequently married Miss Harriet Stahler, who was born in Ohio, and they have one child, Mabel Grace, who remains at the parental home. Alice and Mary were successful teachers in the public schools of Allen county prior to their marriage.
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CHARLES A. MUNSON.
Few men made a stronger impress on the community of a life well spent in active, honest endeavor than the subject of this sketch and few men gave so good an accounting of their opportunities. He died at the time of his greatest usefulness, leaving undone much that lay near a heart that was brimful of good will to those about him. Charles A. Munson was a splendid representative of the business man, who brought to the task before him great courage, keen per- ception and unwavering loyalty. He was a man of action whose life work was measured by opportunity and which ended only when called to his last account. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 27, 1843, and although his office was for many years in Chicago, he always maintained a voting residence here and knew no other home. He was the son of James P. Munson, of Connecticut, who was a pioneer business man of Fort Wayne. His mother was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and when six years of age came to America with her parents. In 1840 she was married to Mr. Munson, who died nine years later. In 1851 she married Hon. Henry Cooper, a distinguished lawyer who died in 1853.
Mr. Munson became fatherless at an early age and in after life was fond of crediting to the teachings of a good mother whatever of success in life he achieved. When the war of the Rebellion stirred the hearts of men to action he sought service under the flag when a mere stripling and participated in the Vicksburg campaign on one of Admiral David D. Porter's gun-boats, receiving a promotion to the rank of acting master's mate on his twenty-first birthday. He left the service in broken health.
When the war closed Mr. Munson began traveling for the whole- sale grocery house of Huestis & Hamilton, of this city, and for six-
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teen years visited retail dealers throughout northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio, achieving unusual success and wide popularity. He later became a partner in the house he represented and retained his business connection therewith until he received the Democratic nomination for sheriff.
He had long before taken an active interest in politics and had represented the fourth ward in the common council, serving as chair- man of the finance committee. In June, 1876, he was nominated at the Democratic convention for sheriff of Allen county in an exciting contest of nine ballots over eight opponents, and was elected. Two years later he was re-nominated and was elected by a majority of four thousand three hundred and seventy over the highest com- petitor, that being five hundred and ninety-three votes over the state ticket and the largest majority ever given to any Indiana sheriff up to that time.
While in office he distinguished himself by his personal courage and activity in criminal matters and by the correct management of his civil duties. As a political organizer he was probably unequaled in his day. He had a wonderful memory, which he trained to hold the names and faces of thousands. His personal popularity gave strength to every ticket that contained his name. He was true to his friends, whom he met with an unaffected, affable manner. At the close of his second term as sheriff he embarked for a short time in the lime and stone business. Mr. Munson had displayed such political strength that he was urged to seek a place on the Democratic state ticket and was twice nominated, in 1886 and 1888, at the state convention at Indianapolis for auditor of state. He made a won- derful race, leading his ticket, but the time was not opportune and twice he was defeated. It was said of him that while he had been a good winner he was also a good loser and bore his defeats with much cheerfulness, being ready for fresh conflicts.
Business of much importance now engrossed his attention. The Fort Wayne Electric Company was under the management of R. T. McDonald. These two had been life-long friends and between them there had existed the most cordial relations. Mr. McDonald selected Mr. Munson for manager of the Chicago office of the company and installed him there as soon as his technical education was sufficiently
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far advanced. His success at his new post was marked, as was evidenced by the strength of his business acquaintances and the volume of his sales. It was said of him that his business deals were always profitable to the company that employed him. He had no bad accounts. His success was due not so much to his technical knowledge of electrical machinery as to his knowledge of men and his ability to strongly impress others with the excellence of the goods he offered. For years he had personal charge of the company's busi- ness not only in Chicago but in the great west, and effected im- portant sales of Fort Wayne machinery at principal points as far west as the Rocky mountains. In manner he was direct and simple, clearly seeing and elucidating the point at issue. He was noted as an entertainer and drew from a fund of information gleaned by study and travel that seemed to be inexhaustible.
He was taken sick on March 21, 1901, with an intestinal disorder which shortly assumed alarming proportions. He was removed from his apartment at the Lexington Hotel to Mercy Hospital and an operation was performed on April 3d, from which he rallied but temporarily, dying on the succeeding day.
Mr. Munson stood high in Masonry, having advanced to the thirty-second degree. He was a member of Summit City Lodge, No. 170, Free and Accepted Masons; of Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar; of Fort Wayne Lodge of Perfection and of Indiana Consistory, Scottish Rite, of Indianapolis. The funeral services were held at his home, No. 122 West Wayne street, and were conducted by the Knights Templar. The impressive ring service was used at his request at Lindenwood cemetery, where his nephew, Brown Cooper, received his Masonic insignia.
Mr. Munson never married. Of immediate relations there sur- vive him his sister, Mrs. Detrich Meyers, a half-sister, Mrs. Sarah I. Hurtt, of New York city, and a half-brother, William P. Cooper.
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REV. JOSEPH HUGHES.
The subject of this sketch was long a prominent minister of the Presbyterian church, and exercised an influence in the religious cir- cles where he labored second to that of none of his contemporaries. Joseph Hughes was born November 10, 1847, in the town of Dyserth, Flintshire, North Wales. He received his early training in a Chris- tian home by reverent and devout parents, and after the usual at- tendance at the parish school became a student in the well-known college of Bala, in his native country. Like many of the intelligent young men of Wales, he left college to come to the United States, arriving at New York on May 1, 1870, and directing his course to Cincinnati, Ohio, he sought out his warm friend and former in- structor at the college of Bala, Rev. Dr. Evans. Attracted and aided by his friend's counsel, he decided to enter the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and for this purpose became a student the same autumn of the Lane Theological Seminary, the prescribed course of which he completed with faithful zeal, sharing the honor of his class and delivering one of the commencement addresses. Im- mediately after finishing his theological studies he visited the Second Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and as the result of that invitation became settled as the minister during the three years following. Coming as he did among his people when the con- ditions were sorely perplexing to a young and inexperienced pastor, it is gratifying to remember how by the quiet dignity and energy both of his character and labor, he was enabled to do a good work, the effects of which are still felt not only in the church, but through- out the community as well. At the expiration of the period noted, he determined, in pursuance of a long and ardent desire, to go abroad in order to add to his scholastic training by taking a year of special study in the elective course of one of the foreign
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universities. Going to Edinburg, Scotland, he entered the Divinity Hall of the university of that city where he spent a year in arduous but happy and profitable work. Immediately after his return, the church of Fostoria, Ohio, being vacant, invited him to visit them, and in due time the congregation extended him a call which was soon followed by his settlement as their regular pastor. The out- look in this field at first, owing to unhappy differences among certain parties, was not auspicious, but by his unwearied toil, tact, practical wisdom, and the blessed presence of the Christ whom he served, the congregation not only healed their differences but became united and a strong and prosperous body. Mr. Hughes' entire ministry among them was increasingly happy as in the very sunshine of human and divine favor, and when he resigned the pastorate the action was greatly regretted by all of his parishioners.
From time to time Mr. Hughes had been annoyed by a bronchial trouble, affecting his voice somewhat, but at length the attacks be- came more frequent and serious, so much so indeed that the most skillful specialists warned him that he must resist from public speak- ing or accept the dreaded alternative, the entire loss of speech and permanent loss of health; of both there had already been grave warn- ings by actual experience. How painful this dark adversity was, not only to him but to his young and enthusiastic wife, who could know? Painful as was the resolve, bitter the regret at parting with the dear church and people of Fostoria, the step was inevitable and in due time he, with his young family, returned to Fort Wayne where he engaged in business and, as the sequel shows, dwelt in their own home and near to the most loving and kindly of friends, un- wearying in their helpfulness in the longer and sadder days of sub- sequent adversities.
About the year 1890 Mr. Hughes fell a victim to a tedious, pain- ful and exhausting disorder, which obstinately refused to yield either to the best remedial treatment or to three surgical operations, two of which were performed by distinguished specialists of London and Chicago, respectively. He also tried the virtue of a change of climate in the hope of obtaining relief, but this, too, proved futile. The winter of 1892-3, spent in California, ended in temporary paralysis, only to be followed by embolism, but finally on the Sab-
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