USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 25
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Benjamin O. Haugh spent his boyhood in Indianapolis, where he attended the grammar and high schools, after which he took a course at Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Indiana. When a young man he entered the employ of the Hauglı-Ketcham Com- pany at Haughville, as bookkeeper. He later acted in the capac- ity of draftsman, and became an expert in both lines, remaining with that firm until his father withdrew his interests. About 1890 Benjamin O., or "Ode" Haugh, as he was familiarly known, came to Anderson, Indiana, with George Lilly and engaged in the Columbia and Encaustic Tile business, this company's plant lying southeast of the city and is rated as the third largest in the United States. The name of this company was changed in 1903 to the National Tile Company, which it still retains. Its proprietors give employment to five hundred men and girls, perhaps more than any other one firm in Anderson. Mr. Haugh was president of this concern at the time of his death, which occurred on February 28, 1912, and he was succeeded by Mr. Lilly. The large success of the tile company was due largely to the able management and wise foresight of Mr. Haugh. The plant is equipped with every modern appliance to insure prompt and high grade work and would be a credit to any city, and its products find a very ready market owing to their superior quality. The friendship between Mr. Haugh and Mr. Lilly dated from their boyhood days and it was seldom that one would be seen without the other. Each had implicit confidence in the business ability and integrity of the other, and even per- sonal letters were often talked over between them.
Besides his interests in the tile company, Mr. Haugh was in-
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terested in the Wilkey Refrigerator & Hard Wood Floor Com- pany, of which he was a director. He was by nature a good busi- ness man and possessed rare good judgment and keen foresight. He accumulated a handsome competency. He was president of the tile concern from its organization until his death. Mr. Haugh was president of the Tile Manufacturers' Credit Association, being elected in 1902, and served until 1911, when he resigned on account of ill health.
Politically, Mr. Haugh was loyal to the principles of the Re- publican party, though he was broad in his political views. He belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at An- derson. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian church at Anderson, which he helped build, and he was a trustee of the local congregation for some time, being incumbent of this office at the time of his death. The home life of Mr. Haugh was ideal. Although his extensive business affairs took up much of his time, he gave much attention to his family and his church.
On March 2, 1887, Benjamin O. Haugh was united in mar- · riage with May Blake, and to this union two children were born, namely: Mary Janette and Benjamin Franklin, both of whom re- side with Mrs. Haugh, the son having left college on account of his father's illness.
Mrs. May Haugh is a daughter of William M. Blake, a native of Indianapolis, and the son of James M. and Eliza (Sproule) Blake, both natives of Baltimore, Maryland, from which city they came to Indianapolis at an early date. In that city James M. Blake was one of the founders of the Third Presbyterian church, and he was at the head of the "Benevolent Workers," the first Sunday school organization of Indianapolis, which paraded through the streets to the state house every Fourth of July. He was one of the pioneers of the capital city and he located in the woods where Capitol avenue and North street now intersect. He put up the first modern type of residence in that eity and one of the last of those first buildings to be torn down. It stood for many years an attractive landmark. James M. Blake first came to In- dianapolis alone and later returned east and brought out his fam- ily in a buggy. Mrs. Blake owned the first piano in Indianapolis, and she was a highly educated woman. Mr. Blake traded a beau- tiful shawl to the Indians for the land on which he settled. After the country became more settled he engaged in the rolling-mill business. His death occurred in the capital city when eighty years
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of age, and his widow also lived to the same age. They were the parents of four children, namely: William, the father of Mrs. May Haugh; James, who is deceased; Walter is also deceased; and John, who lives in Colorado. The latter remained with his mother until her death. He is now engaged in mining and is chap- lain in the state penitentiary at Canyon City, Colorado.
William Blake, father of Mrs. Haugh, spent most of his life in Indianapolis, where he was employed in the postoffice for ten years, having been under his father. During the Civil war he was active in the commissary department. His death occurred in In- dianapolis in November, 1898, at the age of sixty-two years. His widow, Mary E. (Hogeland) Blake, died the following March. She was born in Virginia, and when thirteen years of age came to Lafayette, Indiana, with her parents, James and Kittie (McCon- nell) Hogeland, both of whom died at Lafayette.
Mrs. May Haugh is one of a family of six children, named as follows: Catherine, who married John A. Kurtz, lives in Indian- apolis; James also lives in Indianapolis; Jesse died when young; Eliza, who married LaSalle MeIntire, is deceased; May E., who became the wife of the subject of this memoir; Lillian, who mar- ried Ed. L. Francis, is deceased.
Mrs. Haugh is a member of the Edgerly Club, of Anderson, one of the oldest elubs of this eity. She is also a member of the Tourist Club, of which Mr. Haugh was also a member. She is an active member of the Presbyterian church and the Ladies Aid Society. She stands high in elub, church and social life and is a lady of many commendable characteristics and numbers her friends by the scores wherever she is known. Her pleasant, at- traetive residenee, which was built in 1893, is very frequently the gathering place for those who delight in her eordial hospitality.
SETH M. VELSEY.
In the constant and laborious struggle for an honorable com- petence and a creditable name on the part of business or profes- sional men, there is little to attract the reader in search of a sensa- tional chapter, but to a mind thoroughly awake to the true mean- ing of life and its responsibilities there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, early thrown upon his own resources and without other means than a sound mind, fertile perceptive faculty and a true heart, conquers adversity and not only wins a prominent position in the business world, but what is equally as great, the deserved esteem and confidence of his fellow men. Such a man was the late Seth M. Velsey, for a number of years one of the most progressive, substantial and representa- tive citizens of Logansport, Indiana, a man whose name is so intimately associated with the material and civic interests of this favored section of the commonwealth of which this work deals as to reflect great credit upon the locality long honored by his residence. At the same time he gained the undivided respect of all with whom he came into contact, for his well directed life was directed along paths of honor and uprightness. Mr. Velsey started in life with practically nothing, but being a man of indomi- table energy and thrift, he was successful far beyond his com- peers. His record may well be studied with profit by the young man starting on the chequered path of life.
Seth M. Velsey was born in Northumberland, New York, November 28, 1857. He was the son of Levi and Catherine (King) Velsey. Levi Velsey was a dentist by profession and later in life he took up carpentry. Ile moved his family to Colorado when the subject was a small boy, and later removed to Logansport, In- diana, where the elder Velsey spent the remaining years of his life in retirement, and here he and his wife passed away and are buried in Mount Hope cemetery.
Seth M. Velsey spent his early boyhood in his native com- munity in New York and there attended the public schools, but finished his education in Logansport. He earned his first money by working on the streets of the last named city, driving a wagon,
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where the attention of Charles W. Fisk was attracted to him. This led to his employment at a later period in the office of Fisk & Markley, who conducted an abstract and insurance business. In 1883 Mr. Velsey bought the interest of Mr. Markley, which business was continued by Fisk and Velsey until 1887, when Mr. Fisk retired from the firm to take the office of county clerk. Since that date lie conducted a successful insurance, loan and abstract business in the same room in which he started thirty years before his death, amassing considerable property, and becoming one of the best known men in this line of endeavor in this section of the state.
The domestic life of Mr. Velsey began on June 16, 1895, when he was united in marriage with Katharine Booth, the accomplished daughter of Burrel W. and Elizabeth (Moore-Heart) Booth, for many years a prominent family in Logansport, where her father is still a well-known merchant tailor. The mother of Mrs. Velsey passed away about seven years ago. Burrel W. Booth was born and reared in Logansport, his birth occurring in November, 1833, on North street, between Fourth and Fifth streets. He has thus lived to see the development of the place from a straggling fron- tier village in the primeval forest to one of the important cities of the state, and he has taken no small part in its growth and general progress. His father, DeHart Booth, was a native of Virginia, where he spent his earlier years, emigrating overland to Logansport when a young man and was one of the pioneer settlers here. The elder Booths were successful farmers and large land owners, DeHart Booth was the father of fourteen children and he gave them all a college education, and they all became promi- nent in various walks of life.
Four children were born to Seth M. Velsey and wife, named as follows: Alice, who was tutored at home; Mary is attending school at this writing; Jean and Seth, Jr., are also attending school. Mrs. Dr. Taylor, of East Broadway, Logansport, is the only sister of the subject.
Mr. Velsey was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen and Veteran Association of Logansport Greys. He was a direc- tor of the Logansport State Bank, president of the Country Club, treasurer of the Bankers' Oil Company and secretary of the Ohio and Indiana Oil Company. He occupied many other positions of
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trust during the late years of his life, many local men naming him as executor in their wills because of his business and financial ability, honesty and integrity.
A lover of outdoor sports, Mr. Velsey spent his holidays in the woods, fishing and hunting, and he was an ardent advocate of the open, of fresh air and recreation among the kindreds of the wild. He was a man of obliging, hospitable and sociable nature, and his commodious, imposing home at Ninth and Spear streets, which is a picturesque, old-fashioned house, was the frequent gathering place for his many friends. He was at one time exalted ruler of the local lodge of Elks and was equally prominent in Pythian circles. He showed how a man could acquire a large fortune and be honest and retain a host of confiding friends.
The death of Seth M. Velsey occurred on February 22, 1907, after a residence in Logansport of forty years, death terminating a severe and protracted illness, all of which he bore with rare courage and fortitude, submitting to several major operations, the last, in a Michigan sanitarium, resulting fatally. During his ill- ness newspaper offices were besieged with inquiries as to his condition, his acquaintance and popularity being so widespread. His death was felt as a distinct loss to the business life of Logan- sport.
We quote the following paragraph, the last of a most com- plimentary article on his life, which appeared in a Logansport paper at the time of his death:
"Words cannot express the esteem in which Mr. Velsey was held as a citizen. During his illness messages from his bedside were not of a frequency to satisfy the inquiries and few deaths have occurred that caused more expressions of regret. As a citi- zen he stood for the welfare of Logansport. He was a friend to many in distress and carries to the grave with him acts of kindness that would have been exploited by others. His death is a loss to Logansport and to the public at large, a model of a man."
The following editorial also appeared in a daily paper of Logansport:
"General regret follows the announcement of the death of Seth M. Velsey. He made a heroic struggle to live, not that he frared to die, but because he was so dearly attached to his home, the loved ones about him and the warm friendship he had formed among his fellows. Seth M. Velsey was a soul of honor. He was
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true in his friendships, and mindful of the feelings of men in every walk of life. He was good natured because he possessed a kindly heart, but he was likewise firm when confronted with choosing between error and his conviction of right. Thrown upon his own resources early in life, he had risen gradually and by meritorious work to a high place in the commercial and social life of Logansport. He was a contributor to all things that promised good and happiness to this community. He maintained a cheerful disposition to the end of the journey. When being wheeled to the operating chair last Sunday in bidding his friends good-bye, he goodnaturedly said: 'I'll see you later.' His life work is done. He was not permitted to live man's allotted time. His associates with whom he spent many happy days, 'Await, alike, the inevitable hour.' "
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JOHN BOSTICK.
One of the well known and highly esteemed native sons of Fort Wayne of a past generation was the late John Bostick, for many years a prominent merchant tailor and real estate dealer, and a scion of one of the honored pioneer families of northern In- diana. His career designated in a positive way the strength of a strong and loyal nature, and to him was ever accorded unqualified confidence and regard, indicating the popular appreciation of his worthy life and worthy deeds. He gave to the world the best of an essentially loyal, virile and noble nature and his standard of integrity and honor was ever inflexible. He was a citizen of high civic ideals, and ever manifested his liberality in connection with measures and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of his native city and county. He lived and labored to worthy ends and was regarded one of the sterling citizens and representa- tive business men of Fort Wayne, so that he merited a tribute of honor in this publication. As a citizen he was progressive and public-spirited, and he was also earnest in the support of char- itable and benevolent objects and institutions, liberal and sympa- thetie in his private benefactions and genial and courteous in his intercourse with his fellow men in all walks of life. He was especially interested in young men and was ever ready to aid them by advice and influence as well as by the extending of tangible aid when the same was justified. He was never censorious in his admonition to erring young men, but he earnestly besought them to make the most of their lives, giving to them unqualified sym- pathy and good will and proving to them a veritable guide, coun- selor and friend. This was all done quietly and with no thought of the lime-light, in fact, he was so conservative in his nature that few outside of those whom he benefited knew of his large-hearted- ness and altruistic nature. A prominent figure in business circles during all his career, he well merited the distinctive success which it was his to gain through his own well directed endeavors.
John Bostick was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1847. He . was the son of Emanuel and Harriet (Kline) Bostick, a highly respected family who established their home in Allen county in
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the early days and here reared a large family, the subject having been the third oldest of nine children.
Mr. Bostiek spent his boyhood in much the same manner as all boys do who are reared in a growing frontier town, and he re- ceived his educational training in the public schools of his native city, leaving school when about eighteen years of age to face the battles of the world. His early struggles to get a start were rather severe for one not yet schooled in the harsh world of trade, but they fostered in him courage, self-reliance and perseverance, with- out which no one ever wins in whatever vocation he may choose. He learned merchant tailoring, for which he seemed to be well adapted by nature, and he established a place of his own when but a young man. His business grew constantly and steadily until he operated a large and popular establishment, becoming one of the best known men in this line of work in northeastern Indiana. He employed only the most highly skilled artisans and handled a good grade of cloth, so that he gave eminent satisfaction, gaining and retaining the confidence and good will of his hundreds of patrons, most of whom remianed his friends. He spent the major part of his life at this work, but retired from the same about eighteen years prior to his death and later embarked into the real estate business. He had learned the tailoring business under his father, who had long been engaged in the business in Fort Wayne before his son joined him, the firm name then becoming Bostick & Son.
After giving up the tailoring business, John Bostiek devoted the major portion of his time to looking after the real estate hold- ings of his wife and himself, also dealing in other real estate. Mrs. Bostiek owns a great amount of valuable real estate in and about the city of Fort Wayne. Mr. Bostick was equally successful in the work that engaged his attention during his latter years as he was in that of his early life, and he accumulated a comfortable competeney through his individual efforts. He ranked among the leading men of affairs of his day here and he was highly regarded among his business associates.
On September 1, 1870, Mr. Bostick was united in marriage with Louisa Deppeler, in Fort Wayne. She is a lady of many charming qualities, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Weyseit) Deppeler, both parents born in Switzerland, the father dying when Mrs. Bostick was three years old. IIe came to Amer- iea when young and was one of the pioneers of Fort Wayne, and for a number of years successfully engaged in the mercantile
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business, especially groceries. He was well known and influential in the early history of this city. Here Mrs. Bostick grew to womanhood and received a good education in the common schools.
To the subject and wife four children were born, named as follows: Samuel W., John D. and William E. are all unmarried and live at home; the other child, Edward, is deceased.
Of the immediate family of the subject there survived at the time of his death, one brother, William Bostick, a partner in the Kunkle Safety Valve Company, and three sisters, Mrs. E. B. Kunkle, Addie F. Bostiek, and Mrs. S. Steffans, of Lima, Ohio.
Mr. Bostick was very fond of fishing and he frequently went into the woods, loving the outdoors, and sought such haunts that would have pleased such nature-adoring sportsmen as Izaak Wal- ton. Fraternally, he was a worthy member of the Masonic order, being very active in the lodge at Fort Wayne, and he was a con- sistent member of the English Lutheran church and a liberal con- tributor to the same. Politically, he was a Democrat and was al- ways very much interested in politics, although he never held or aspired to office, but his support could always be depended upon in any movement having for its object the betterment of his city and county in a civic or material way.
Mrs. Bostiek is known as one of the leading church women of Fort Wayne, and is very active and influential in the affairs of the Trinity English Lutheran church, of which she has long been a faithful member, her meritorious work here winning the hearty approval of all who know her. She is a woman of beautiful Chris- tian faith and pleasing personality, kindly, hospitable and always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need or distress, but her many aets of kindness spring from pure motives of the heart instead of from any ulterior desire to win the plaudits of the pub- lic. In her pleasant and picturesque home at No. 426 East Wayne street she is frequently hostess to the many friends of the family.
The death of John Bostick occurred on Thursday, June 12, 1901, at the age of fifty-two years, after a brief illness, although he had been in failing health for some time, and the passing of this well known and very popular citizen was keenly felt by the city and surrounding country, where he had spent his useful, honorable and successful life.
SAMUEL TELFORD HANNA.
A man's reputation is the property of the world. The laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being either sub- mits to the controlling influence of others, or, as a master, wields a power for good or evil on the masses of mankind. There can be no impropriety in justly scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public, social and business relations. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will bright- en his fame and point the path along which others may follow with like success. Not alone are those worthy of biographic honors who have moved along the loftier planes of action, but to an equal extent are those deserving who are of the rank and file of the world's actors in the great drama of life, for they are not less the conservators of public prosperity and material advance- ment. Among the sterling citizens of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 'of a past generation who built up a highly creditable reputation and distinguished themselves by right and honorable living, and by activity in industrial circles was the late Samuel Telford Hanna. His prominence in this section of the Middle West was conceded and his deeds will speak for themselves. Too much cannot be said of Samuel T. Hanna as a business man, a public-spirited citizen and as a friend, for none stood higher than he in public esteem; all who knew him respected him for his enterprise and honesty of purpose, and, so far as known, his integrity was main- tained inviolate and no one has ever called in question his good name. A virile, strong, manly man, who always endeavored by word and deed to make the world better, and by his wholesome and moral influence exerting a silent but potent power in the city and county honored by his residence. Such was the reputation of the subject of this memoir.
Samuel T. Hanna, the seventh son of the late Judge Samuel Hanna, one of the greatest men the Hoosier state has ever pro- duced, was born August 22, 1834, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and his death occurred on November 8, 1887. He received his early education in the old McJunkin school, one of the first institutions of learning in Fort Wayne, and which now stands, a little frame
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building, on Lafayette street, between Berry and Wayne streets, and is one of the landmarks of today. In the days when Mr. IIanna was a student there the building was surrounded by corn fields, and there were clumps of woods between the school house and the Hanna homestead. He later took a course in the college at Hanover, Indiana, but did not complete the same, going to Oxford, Ohio, entering Miami University, from which he was graduated with honors in 1858. He was a member of one of the fraternal organizations of that historic institution, known as Phi Delta Theta. He took a general course there.
Thus well equipped for life's duties, young Hanna, after leav- ing college, became associated with his father, Judge Samuel Hanna, as his private secretary, assisting him in his extensive railroad holdings and other business interests all over the coun- try. He remained private secretary to the elder Hanna for a period of eight years, or until the Judge's death, thereby gaining extensive knowledge in a business way. He was one of the first directors of the First National Bank of Fort Wayne.
Samuel T. Hanna was united in marriage with Martha Eliza- beth Brandriff, of Fort Wayne, a lady of culture and many com- mendable attributes, on January 12, 1865. She is the daughter of Alfred Dixon Brandriff and Mary Ann (Roberts) Brandriff. The father, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1817, became a prominent business man of Fort Wayne. A complete sketch of him will be found on another page of this work. The wife of Mr. Hanna is one of two children; her sister, Mrs. Mary M. Lukens, now resides in Brewster, New York. Her mother was born near Dayton, Ohio, coming originally from New Jersey. The genealogy of the Roberts family has been traced back to the Pilgrim colony in 1620, and many of the descendants of the immigrant have be- come more or less prominent in various state of the Union.
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