USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 31
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Mr. Webster was married three times, first to Eleanor Miller, who died at Wooster, Ohio, and who became the mother of Mrs. Nellie Webster Hillman, now of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Webster's second marriage was to Azilla N. Smith, who died in Indianapolis. To this union was born a daughter, Mrs. Florence Webster Long, of Indianapolis.
Mr. Webster was married on October 15, 1885, to Hattie Louise Clark, a daughter of Ambrose and Julia A. (Collins) Clark, a highly esteemed old family, Mr. Clark having died in the East,
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the mother dying later in Indianapolis while visiting her daugh- ter, Mrs. Webster. Mrs. Webster had the advantages of a good education and is a lady of many estimable attributes, having long been a favorite with a wide circle of friends.
Personally, Mr. Webster was a man of pleasant address, gen- ial, obliging and of exemplary character. Ile was a wide reader and was familiar with the world's hest literature, and was a writer himself of no mean ability, especially in verse, some of his productions showing a high grade of merit and attracting no little attention. His was an esthetie nature-he loved the poetry of life, the beautiful in nature, the true in humanity; he was a whole- souled, high-minded gentleman whom to know was to admire and esteem.
We close this biographical memoir by reprinting one of the most popular poems of George C. Webster, which first appeared in the Commercial Traveler, and was widely read; it is typical of his versification, the unmistakable natural gift:
WHEN THE CHECK IS ON THE KIESTER.
When the check is on the kiester and the price books put away, And the drummer turneth homeward at the closing of the day, Then it is that dimpled fingers make odd stains upon the glass, And little eyes are peeping at the people as they pass, Waiting for papa's coming, and wondering why he stays; "I'm coming certain, Friday," is what his postal says; But his "coming certain Friday," often means the following day. When the check is on the kiester and the price books put away There is much joy and promise in the coming of the day When the kiester and the price book are forever put away.
Of course he'll miss the hasheries and the welcome "Come again," And the diamond-shirted clerk and the bugs that dwell therein; But there's something compensating in three square meals a day, Prepared by hands of loved ones in the good old-fashioned way, And the smile that always greets liim at the closing of the day, When the check is on the kiester and the price book put away. The rattle, noisy clatter of the dusty railway train,
And the dirt roads and the turn-pikes he'll ne'er go o'er again; Combination prices and the bar at the hotel
Are remembered now with pleasure for the goods they helped to sell;
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And the "kicker" and the grumblers are with the "chronics" classed,
And are only now remembered as vexations of the past;
And oh, his heart is joyful as the brightest sunlit day,
For the check is on the kiester and the price book's put away.
Another poem of pleasing style and literary merit is the following:
SATISFIED.
On the curtain of my memory, With its pictures fair to see, Is the little four-room cottage Where she came a bride to me. How like an Eden was it, How free from care were we; It's the fairest picture on the way Back to my "used to be."
It is a peaceful, winding path That leads me back to where Are grassy spots and cooling streams, With scarce a shade of care. Of course there were some sorrows, And much of mankind's wrong, But life gave back its best to me For my selfish song.
Would I live again the days I've spent, With their mingled joys and care ? Would I make the fight as bravely If to wish were answered prayer? I surely would, without one change, If the chance could come to me, And I only crave an "afterwhile" Much like my "used to be."
GEORGE WASHINGTON McCASKEY, M. D.
One of the distinctive incidental functions of this publica- tion is to take recognition of those citizens of the great common- wealth of Indiana who stand distinctively representative in their chosen spheres of endeavor, and in this'connection there is emi- nent propriety in according consideration to Dr. George Wash- ington McCaskey, who is one of the able and popular physicians of the state, who holds professorship in the medical department, University of Indiana, having for a number of years been prom- inent in the educational work of his profession, and his fame in his chosen vocation far transcends local limitations and pene- trates even into foreign lands. He realized early that there is a purpose in life and that there is no honor not founded on worth and no respect not founded on accomplishment. His life and labors have been eminently worthy because they have contributed to a proper understanding of life and its problems.
George W. McCaskey was born in Delta, Ohio, November 9, 1853, a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestors, from whom he seems to have inherited many worthy and commendable traits and at- tributes of head and heart. He is the son of John S. and Catherine (Davis) MeCaskey, long influential citizens of Ohio. The son, George W., received his early educational training in the common schools of Wauseon, that state, and, having determined upon a medical career early in life, he entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 1875, where he made an excellent record, being graduated from that historic institution two years later with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He later took a non-resident course at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, from which he re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1881. During the three years following that date he engaged in the practice of his profession at Cecil, Ohio, being successful from the first. De- siring to further equip himself in his chosen profession, he then went to London, England, where he devoted a year to close study under eminent preceptors. Thus exceptionally well prepared for his life work, he returned to America and established his per- manent home at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he has remained to the present time, taking rank among the leading and most suc- cessful medical men of this section of the state and gaining a
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reputation second to none of his compeers in the Middle West. The first fifteen years of his residence in Fort Wayne was devoted to general practice; then he became a consultant rather than a practitioner, and has continued such to the present time, being connected with the hospitals of the city and state, and has for many years held the professorship of clinical medicine in the medical department, University of Indiana, being popular with both the faculty and students, for in the school room he is both an instructor and entertainer, and he keeps fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to his work.
Doctor MeCaskey was married on May 6, 1884, to Louise Sturgis, a lady of culture and long a social favorite in Fort Wayne, the daughter of Dr. Charles E. and Louisa (Ewing) Sturgis. Her father was one of the prominent pioneer physicians of Fort Wayne, and a complete sketch of him will be found on another page of this work. Mrs. McCaskey, who is the youngest of a family of twelve children, is a leader in club and social affairs, is an active member of the Fort Wayne Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution; she is secretary of the Children's Board of Guardians and devotes a great deal of time to this work, and she and the Doctor are worthy members of the First Presbyterian church. The union of Dr. MeCaskey and wife has been blessed by the birth of one child, George Edward McCaskey, a young man of much promise, who is yet with his parents at their beautiful home, Fort Wayne. In the summer season they reside in the suburbs, where the Doctor owns a valuable and well located farm.
Doetor MeCaskey as a modest, unassuming and unpreten- tious gentleman, obliging and straightforward in his relations with his fellow men. He had the honor of presenting a paper a few years ago at a meeting of the International Medical Congress, held in Lisbon, Portugal, and he made quite an impression on that distinguished body. He belongs to the Indiana State Medical Society, the Northern Tri-State Association, the Upper Maumee Valley Medical Association and the Fort Wayne Medical Society, having served each of these organizations in the capacity of presi- dent, besides being a leading and influential participant in their deliberations. In addition to the above, the Doctor holds mem- bership with the American Medical Association, the American Gastro-Enterological Society, and the American Academy of Medicine.
Doctor MeCaskey is entitled to the credit of establishing
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Fort Wayne's first medical journal, which was founded in July, 1881, bearing the name of "The Fort Wayne Journal of the Medi- cal Sciences," In the publication of this paper he was associated with Dr. W. H. Gobrecht, an eminent anatomist and editor of Sir Erasmus Wilson's "Anatomy." The paper which Dr. McCaskey established is now known as the "Fort Wayne Medical Journal," and has an extensive circulation in Indiana and other states. Doc- tor MeCaskey has been a voluminous writer on medical subjects, and has attained a wide reputation in this field, his style being direct, logical as well as entertaining, and he always has some- thing of importance to say. Among his contributions to pro- fessional literature, the following are deserving of especial men- tion: Geographical Pathology of Consumption, Disinfection Dur- ing and After the Acute Infectious Diseases, Bio-Chemistry in its Relation to Nervous Diseases, the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cerebral Meningeal Hemorrhage, Case of Brain Traumatism with Focal Symptoms, Trephining and Death, Clinical Examinations of Blood, the Diagnosis of Stomach Diseases, Physical Therapcu- tics, Electricity, Hydrotherapeutics, Massage, Scott Treatment of Heart Disease, Neurasthenia: Some Points in its Pathology and Treatment, A New Method for the Clinical Determination of the Cardiac, the Neurasthenic Symptoms of Gastro-Intestinal Dis- eases, Simple and Etherial Sulphates: A Simple and Rapid Meth- od for Their Separate Determination, Thirty Minutes' Report of a Case of Tumor of the Cerebellum with Drainage of Fluid Through the Nose, Hysterical Dissociation of Temperature Senses With Reversal of Sensibility to Cold, Physiology the Basis of Clinical Medicine: A Plea for Scientific Methods, A Case of Com- bined Gastric and Aural Vertigo, with a Discussion of the Pathol- ogy of Such Cases, the Clinical Laboratory as an Aid to Diagnosis, A Case of Lukemia Preceded by Mucosanguinolent Colitis and Physiological Leucocytes, Anemias Secondary to Gastro-intes- tinal Disease, with Report of Two Cases, Electrical Reactions of the Gastro-intestinal Musculature and Their Therapeutic Value, the Clinical Association of Cancer and Tuberculosis, with Report of a Case, A Lexia from Cyst Caused by Bullet Wound-Operation -Death, Brain Abscess and Tumor, Localization in Heart Disease, Tuberculosis of Bronchial Glands, Heart Weakness, Toxaemic Factor in Diabetes Mellitus, Toxic Origin of Certain Neuroses and Psychoses, Hysteric Lethargy, with Report of a Case, Six Hundred Cases of Chronic Gastritis.
William Virgul.
V
anna .Fr Siegel
WILLIAM WIEGEL.
It is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlightened social policy, to honor those whose lives have contributed in any way to the good of their community and their associates; to be- dew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed worth and virtue; to unburden the fullness of the surcharged heart in eulo- gium upon deceased benefactors, and to rehearse their noble deeds for the benefit of those who may come after us. It has been the commendable custom of all ages and all nations. Hence the fol- lowing feeble tribute to one of nature's noblemen. In contemplat- ing the many estimable qualities of the late William Wiegel, in- tegrity and industry appear as prominent characteristics-an in- tegrity that no personal or other consideration could swerve, and an industry that knew no rest while anything remained undone. When a given task was accomplished, he would throw off all care, retire to his home and devote himself to domestic and social en- joyments, for which he had the keenest zest and relish. His tem- per was calm and equitable, and his manners were emphatically those of the gentleman,-plain, simple, dignified,-despising sham and pretense of all kinds. His devotion to every duty was intense, while his perception of truth and worth was almost intuitive. In his estimate of these he was seldom mistaken, and while his opin- ions were strong, he was always open to conviction, and when satisfied that they were erroneous his concessions were graceful and unqualified. He was a man whom to know was to respect and admire, and his loss was keenly felt by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
William Wiegel, for years one of the progressive business men of Indianapolis, was born on January 1, 1854, in New York City, and he was a son of Heinrich and Anna (Kreschel) Wiegel, both natives of Germany, in which country they grew up and were married and there Heinrich Wiegel learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he become so proficient that he was for some time shoemaker to the royalty. He finally emigrated to the United States in 1850 with a brother, Carl (who settled in the West), and retired from active life, spending his later days among his chil- dren. He and his wife lived to a ripe old age, and they were the
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parents of eleven children, ten boys and one girl. Those who grew to maturity were named as follows: Henry, who lives in Brooklyn, New York; Lawrence is deceased; George, deceased, and William, subject of this memoir, who was the youngest.
William Wiegel spent his boyhood in New York City. He re- ceived his education in the public schools there and partly by his own efforts, having been a profound home student; this was sup- plemented later in life by contact with the business world and by wide miscellaneous reading. At the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of the Steinway Piano Company, New York City, but, believing that the great Middle West held greater oppor- tunities for the young man of his day, he came to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was eighteen years of age and entered the employ of the Schmitt Bros. Show Case Company, finishing his trade as cabinet maker there, his two brothers also being employed by this firm. After remaining there until about twenty-five years of age, Will- iam Wiegel came to Indianapolis, Indiana, and in 1877 entered into partnership with Charles Ruhl, also of Cincinnati, for the pur- pose of manufacturing show cases, their first location being on Meridian street, one block north of the Union Station. They were successful from the first and, outgrowing their first location, moved to larger quarters at No. 6 West Louisiana street. This partnership continued about fifteen years when Mr. Wiegel took over the interest of Mr. Ruhl and conducted the business alone until his death, which occurred on December 8, 1905, being buried at Crown Hill cemetery. His business increased with the years until it assumed large proportions and his place was well equip- ped in every way for the successful manufacture and prompt handling of his products which, owing to their superior qualities, found a very ready market. The business was continued in the manner in which the subject had inaugurated it until in 1906, when the heirs were succeeded by a Mr. Johnson. Mr. Wiegel had ac- cumulated a competency through his industry and close applica- tion, having fought his way from an humble beginning to the front, without assistance and won in the face of all obstacles. He was an excellent example of the self-made man.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Wiegel was a member of the Masonic order, with which he identified himself while living in Cincinnati; he attained the degree of Knight Templar, and he always took an active interest in Masonry and, judging from his daily life, he tried to live up to its time-honored precepts. In his
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religious beliefs he leaned toward the Lutheran church, but his place of worship was the Masonic temple and an Episcopal rector officiated at liis funeral. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 56, Indianapolis, which he joined in May, 1889. Mr. Wiegel was also a member of the Commercial Club and the United Commercial Travelers of Indianapolis. He held a num- ber of the chairs in the Masonic lodge. Politically, he was a Re- publican and, while he never entered politics to any great extent, he was always interested in civic affairs, and at one time permitted his name to be used on the Republican ticket as councilman for his ward.
On May 25, 1881, William Wiegel was united in marriage with Anna F. Weinberger, a lady of many commendable traits of char- acter and a representative of an excellent old German family. This union was blessed by the following children: Cora Anna married Charles Edward Cost, of the Federal Union Securities Company, of Indianapolis; they have one child, Marion Bertha; they reside with Mrs. Anna F. Wiegel, Mrs. Cost desiring to be near her mother, who has been in failing health since the death of her husband, the subject. Betty Wiegel married Jesse Conway, of the Associated Press; they live in Washington, D. C., and are the parents of two children, William Jesse and Gerald Lewis. Herman Wiegel died when an infant in Indianapolis. Lewis Emil, who is a graduate of the Oregon Agricultural College, is now in the employ of the Keller Construction Company. Helen Louise is a member of the faculty of the Manual Training School of Indi- anapolis. These children all received good educations and are well situated in life.
Mrs. Anna F. Wiegel, wife of the subject, was born in Indi- anapolis, and she is the daughter of Herman and Ann Weinberger, both natives of Germany, of excellent German stock. They emi- grated to America as young people, married in New York city, then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to live. They came to Indianapolis soon afterwards and lived here over fifty years. They could speak but little English when they came here, but, having adopted America as their future home, desired their children to have all the advantages of this country, so gave them every opportunity possible. Mr. Weinberger was one of the early hotel men of Indi- anapolis, and, understanding the obstacles that the young German emigrants had to overcome in this strange country, he was always ready to lend a helping hand to his less fortunate countrymen,
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thereby making life-long friends, and he is still remembered by the old Germans who did so much toward the upbuilding of Indi- anapolis. Here Herman Weinberger spent the rest of his life, dying in this city at the age of eighty years, his wife passing away one year before, when seventy-four years old. They had a large family, several of whom died in infancy. Among those who grew to maturity were, Herman, Jr., now deceased; Bertha, also de- ceased; Anna F., widow of William Wiegel, of this sketch; Edwin, who lives in Indianapolis, and Albert J.
Mrs. Wiegel was educated in the German private schools of Indianapolis, in which eity she has been a life-long resident, her birth having occurred on July 30, 1857. She has seen the city grow from a mere country town to one of the great metropolises of the Union. She has always been held in high esteem by a wide circle of warm friends.
BENJAMIN STUDLEY WOODWORTH, M. D.
The state of Indiana has reason to take pride in the personnel of her corps of medical men from the early days in the history of this commonwealth to the present time, and on the roll of honored names that indicates the services of distinguished citizens in this field of endeavor there is reason in reverting with gratification to that of Dr. Benjamin Studley Woodworth, who has long since ended his earthly services and "joined the innumerable caravan that moves to the mysterious realmn," but whose record will long remain as an incentive to the youth who contemplates a career in this great branch of science. He was a member of a prominent New England family, one that has been influential in public and civic life wherever they have dispersed.
Doctor Woodworth was born at Leicester, Massachusetts, in 1816. When sixteen years old he went to Rome, New York, to reside with his sister. He prepared himself for college in a private school, many of his fellow students being destined to become famous in various avenues of human endeavor in later life, such as Daniel Huntington, the artist; Judges Caton and Miller, of Illinois; Dr. D. D. Whedon, of Michigan University; Hon. N. B. Judd, of Chicago; John V. Jervis, engineer of the Croton aqueduct.
The Doctor entered college when fifteen years of age, but before graduation he was compelled to prepare himself for a pro- fession, and he began reading medicine when eighteen years old, with Dr. A. Blair, of Rome, New York. Later he attended lec- tures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, New York, the only rival of which in that state was the institu- tion bearing the same name, in New York city. Its faculty was as eminent then as any this side the Atlantic. He after- wards attended Berkshire Medical College and, making rapid progress, received his degree when only twenty-one years of age. He at once began the practice of his profession and was success- ful from the first, remaining in Massachusetts until 1838, when be removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio. One beautiful winter morning the last of December, 1838, he rode into Perrysburg, at the foot of the Maumee rapids, and his attention was divided be-
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tween the splendid landscape and an immense hotel building, five or six stories high, erected by Chicago people, which, a few years later, was torn to fragments by a tornado. Perrysburg was then the county seat of Wood county and was larger than Toledo, which the Doctor visited after having enjoyed the hospitality of a Doctor Dwight. Returning to Ashtabula county, he resolved to emigrate soon to where "potatoes did grow small, and they ate them, tops and all, on Maumee." In March, 1839, he rode on horseback to Cleveland, where he took passage to Perrysburg in a small steamboat at the foot of the rapids. He carried a letter of introduction to Dr. H. Burnett, of Gilead, at the head of the rapids, and they formed a partnership. The subject made his home at Providence, opposite the village of Grand Rapids. Here he had the honor of delivering the Fourth of July address in 1839, under the shade of a big elmn. The celebration was under the auspices of the late Gen. James B. Steadman, who was at that time building a dam across the Maumee for a feeder to the canal. Doctor Woodworth was a victim of ague, which he com- bated until the month of May, 1840. His practice extended over several counties and he made his rounds on horseback, enduring the usual hardships of the pioneer physicians, without much financial remuneration. In the spring of 1846 he came on the canal, with his wife, to Fort Wayne, and here he soon had a large practice, which continued to grow with the years, and here he remained until his death, on September 10, 1891. There were about forty thousand people in Fort Wayne when he cast his lot here. Few roads were then open and they were almost impassa- ble, the canal being the commercial outlet. Malarial fever pre- dominated, and heroic methods were used in its treatment. But the terrible treatment was reformed and old settlers gave the credit for the improved and milder methods of treatment to Doctor Woodworth. He became one of the leading medical men of this section of the state and he devoted his life to the success- ful practice of his profession and was often the recipient of great honors. He was president of various local organizations of the State Medical Society and was prominent in the American Medi- cal Association. He took an interest in public affairs and was postmaster during President James K. Polk's administration, and for a time he was clerk in the New Orleans custom house under Senator W. P. Kellogg, and was a member of the board of
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United States pension examiners in Fort Wayne, serving in the latter capacity from the time of the organization of the board up to his death, except during Cleveland's administration. He served faithfully and attended every meeting of the board up to the time of his death. As a public servant he gave the most loyal and satisfactory service to all concerned, and merited the confi- dones and trust that was reposed in him. He had been closely identified with the growth of Fort Wayne for more than half a century, during which he was one of the city's most honored, use- ful and influential citizens, being greatly esteemed and respected by all. He saw and took part in the progress and growth of the city, from the time it was a small, insignificant frontier town to the prosperous and magnificent metropolis it is today. He was democratie in his relations with the world, was charitable, hon- orable and hospitable, always scrupulously honest. He did a great deal of gratituous practice, and was hailed everywhere as a friend of the poor; however, he prospered and became well es- tablished, leaving his children well provided for in the way of property and finance. He was one of the active and influential Republicans of this section of the state.
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