USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 32
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Doctor Woodworth was married December 14, 1843, at Gilead, Wood county, Ohio, to Diantha Burritt, by Rev. Mr. Van Tassel. She was born at Horse's Head, New York, and she died March 26, 1878. in Fort Wayne. She was the daughter of Elisha and Emilv (Mills) Burritt.
The following children were born to Doctor Woodworth and wife: Harriet, who married Alexander Muirhead, lives in Sedro Wooley, Washington, and they have six children, viz .: Margaret Frances, who married W. E. Johnson, of Seattle, where they are now living; the other children are John, Laura, Doris, Mildred and Donald. Emily, the second of the Doctor's children, married Doris A. Woodworth (no relation), who is now deceased, and his widow lives in Newkirk. Oklahoma, with her children, named as follows: Elise, who married Allen E. Hodges, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; they have two children, Edward and Lura. James C. Woodworth, who is married. lives at Marquette, Michigan. Charles Beacher Woodworth, third child of the subject of this memoir, who married Lura E. Case, is now deceased. as is also his wife; their children were Benjamin Woodworth, deceased, and Carl Bradlaw Woodworth, of the Woodworth Drug store, at Fort
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Wayne. Laura Woodworth, fourth child of the subject and wife, married Horace G. Granger, who is associated with the master mechanic's office of the Wabash railroad, at Fort Wayne, and he and his family occupy the Woodworth homestead at the corner of Berry and Jackson streets, which has been the home of this prominent old family continuously for a period of fifty-five years. The union of Laura Woodworth and Mr. Granger has been with- out issue. Mrs. Granger is one of the charter members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, local chapter, and is also one of the officials of the same, taking a great deal of interest in this work. Alida Taylor Woodworth, youngest of the Doctor's family, has remained single and she makes her home with her sister in the old family residence.
JACOB C. HIRSCHMAN
JACOB CONRAD HIRSCHMAN.
When such men as Jacob Conrad Hirschman die, not only the pubhe heart is filled with sadness and an abiding sense of loss, but there is within the sanctuary of his own household a depth of sor- row that cannot be fathomed, for with all his business ability and public usefulness, it was perhaps in his domestic life and social relations that Mr. Hirschman appeared to the best advantage. According to those who knew him best no one ever heard a whisper against his integrity. He was a temperate, well-con- trolled man-the idol of his family. He was of a genial social nature, full, at times, of a quaint, homely, simple humor, that had nbout it the freshness of childhood; he loved his children and young folks in general, and many a young man was helped and encouraged by him in starting out in life. He was a very agree- able companion, manifesting a desire to please those with whom he came into daily contact, and he left to his friends as his choicest legacy the remembrance of a character without a stain.
Mr. Hirschman was born in Wittenberg, Germany, on Janu- ury 5, 1848. He was the son of John and Ursula (Meyer) Hirsch- man, both natives of Germany, where they grew up and married, and there the father devoted his life to shoemaking and died there in 1851, at the age of forty-five years, the mother of the subject surviving ten years, when she died at the same age. They became the parents of the following children: John Jacob, who died in Germany when twenty-seven years old; Jacob Conrad, subject of this memoir; Susanna, who married Fred Meyer, is deceased, as is axo her husband, both dying in the fatherland; Conrad, who came to the I'nited States in 1880, married Emma Grein, and he is now superintendent of the .J. C. Hirschman Company, of Indianapolis, having been with this concern many years during its growth.
Jacob C. Hirschman, of this review, had advantages of an exceptionally good education, and early in life he learned the rabitiet-maker's trade. Remaining in his native land until he was twenty years old, he emigrated to the United States in 1868, first lorating at Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and from there came to Indian- apolis about 1872 and became a partner in the Western Furniture
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Company. He later sold his interest and in June, 1877, he opened a feather store at No. 173 East Washington street, which was at that time the only store of its kind in the city. In 1882 he bought the mattress business of W. P. Huffman. For a time he conducted his business at the southeast corner of the block where is the pres- ent site of the Veterinary College, then purchased the old Evangelical church, the present site of the Hoosier laundry, at the southeast corner of New Jersey and Wabash streets, and there carried on both the mattress and the feather business, which he had moved to that place. About this time he took in his brother, Conrad, as a partner, giving him one-fourth interest. This part- nership existed several years, when the subject bought out his brother. While there, they were very successful and the building had to be enlarged twice, and it was not until after Mr. Hirsch- man's death (in 1903) that the factory was moved to the present location at 1201-1259 East Maryland street. By close application and good management Mr. Hirschman accumulated a competency, having started out with no capital or influential friends to assist him, and he was a splendid example of the modern self-made man, much of his success being due no doubt to his characteristic Ger- man thrift and industry, even in the face of seemingly insur- mountable obstacles.
The J. C. Hirschman Company was established in 1877 in a small way, making comforts, pillow cases, etc., moving from time to time to larger quarters, as they found it necessary. They suffered two losses by flood in their earlier experiences and a later loss by fire, the latter disastrous; but they forged ahead and the business in time assumed large proportions. The factory em- ploys on an average of about forty-five men, and is equipped with the latest designed appliances and machinery for quick and high grade work, everything having been placed under a superb system by Mr. Hirschman, and the Hirschman guaranteed line of mat- tresses has become famous all over the country. Their fine feather beds, pillow cases, etc., find a very ready market over a wide terri- tory, and shipments are made to many different states. They have their own side-track and modern railroad facilities. After the death of Mr. Hirschman, on October 26, 1896, the estate re- tained his interests. The firm was incorporated in 1898, with Mrs. J. C. Hirschman, president, and Frank H. Hirschman, secre- tary-treasurer and general manager, and they are successfully
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carrying out the plans inaugurated by the subject. Mr. Hirsch- man built the present attractive and modernly appointed resi- denee of the family at No. 1234 East Washington street, in 1884.
Jacob C. Hirschman was married on October 29, 1873, to Mary A. Aldag, and to this union the following children were born: Frank, who married Martha Neerman, resides on Suther- inn avenue, and they are the parents of three children, Clifton, Russell and Mary Margaret; Rev. Carl, who lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, married Agnes Peebles; Albert, who is a teacher in the machine department of Indianapolis Manual Training School, married Margaret F. Oldendorf on June 19, 1912; Harry and Ed- ward were the fourth and fifth in order of birth, Harry marrying Leata Spencer, and the youngest was Alma, who is a teacher in the local public schools.
Being a well-read man, Mr. Hirschman was able to converse on all topics very intelligently. He remained a student all his life and took an interest in public affairs, but he preferred to de- vote his attention to his business and his family rather than try for public honors. He always took an active interest in church work, being one of the most active workers on the building com- mittee of his church, and he had charge of the Sunday school mis- sion of the Second Evangelical church for the first five years after it was organized, and in this he did a most praiseworthy work, which resulted in great good. As before intimated, most of his time outside of his business and church work was spent by his own fireside with his devoted and happy family.
Before closing this sketch it is deemed advisable to give here- with a brief resine of the life of the late Charles Aldag, father of Mrs, Hirschman, in view of the fact that for over a half-century he was regarded as one of the leading German citizens of Indi- napolis where he maintained his home from 1848 until his death, in 1902. He was born in Germany on March 16, 1826, the son of Charles L. and Charlotte Aldag, both natives of Germany. There Charles Aldag grew to manhood, and in 1848 emigrated to Amer- ien and at once located in Indianapolis, and, beginning with little enpital, he forged his way to the front. Being a man of sound judgment and thrift, his enterprises were uniformly prosperous and he became one of the substantial German citizens of the city of his adoption. Within three years after coming here he had a shoe business of his own, continuing in this line until 1896, when
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he retired. However, he had been interested in other lines of en- deavor. For over forty years he was located at No. 175 East Washington street in a building which he erected in 1861 and which his family still owns. He was among the organizers of sev- eral profitable concerns, among which were the Indianapolis Ger- man Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and the Ebner-Aldag Var- nish Company, now known as the Indianapolis Varnish Company; the success of these and other undertakings was due largely to his wise counsel and assistance. Ile was also one of the founders of the Deaconess Hospital, one of the best known in the state. He was not only a man of exceptional business ability, but was also of stainless character and stood high in all circles. His support could always be depended upon in furthering any movement for the public good.
Charles Aldag was married in Indianapolis, December 11, 1851, to Wilhelmina Westfall, a native of Germany, who has lived in Indianapolis from the age of eleven years. To this union ten children were born, six of whom are living at this writing, namely : Mary is the widow of the immediate subject of this memoir; Martha married John Eberhardt, and they reside in Oak Park, Illinois, and are the parents of seven children, Minnie, Walter, Clara, Elmer, Eva, Harvey and John; Matilda married John Emrich, and one son was born, Harvey; she is now deceased; Frank, who married Christine Koch, of Indianapolis, has five chil- dren, Carrie, Charlotte, Arthur, Ruth and Raymond; Laura, who married Ernest G. Eberhardt, of Indianapolis, has six children, Herbert, Ernst, Olga, Flora, Ruth and Esther; Minnie, who mar- ried Harry Schaff, of Indianapolis, has three children, Freda, Norman and Paul; Cora, who married William Geilow, is the mother of one son, William Russell. On December 11, 1901, Charles Aldag and wife celebrated their golden wedding, and their youngest daughter, Cora, was married on that day. The large, handsome family home is at No. 1230 East Washington street, Indianapolis, which was built by Mr. Aldag in 1870. Charles Aldag belonged to the First church of the Evangelical Associa- tion, in which his widow still retains membership, and is one of the last two charter members of this denomination, which was organized in 1852. His children are also members of this church. Mrs. Aldag is a woman of strong characteristics, well preserved and has a host of friends, and she talks interestingly of the won-
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derful growth of this city which she has witnessed from its early stages of development when it was but a country town. Like her honored husband before her, she is a woman of kind heart and charitable impulses, and they have done much to lighten the bur- den of others and give them new encouragement and hope, and their family can justly feel proud of them. No Germans of the enty have been better or more favorably known for the past half century and their examples are eminently worthy of emulation by all who wish to succeed in this life and leave behind them good records.
CHARLES EDWIN STURGIS, M. D.
To rescue from fading tradition the personal annals of the pioneers of our country is a pleasing but laborious task; not so laborious, perhaps, as perplexing, by reason of memoirs from which many impressions of the early days have long since faded. To gather up the broken threads of strange yet simple stories of individual lives, to catch the fleeting stories and fireside histories and hand them down to posterity is a laudable ambition worthy of encouragement on the part of everyone interested in his com- munity. Dr. Charles Edward Sturgis, long since a traveler to "that undiscovered bourne," of which the world's greatest poet wrote, was one of the pioneers of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who were in the van of civilization moving westward, who passed through years of arduous toil and hardship, such as few now living have ever experienced. A western man in the broad sense of the term, although a native of the East, he realized the wants of the people, and with strong hand and an active brain supplied the demand generously and unsparingly. His life was an open book, known and read by his many friends, who found therein no blank or soiled pages and nothing to offend; for Dr. Sturgis always en- deavored to measure his life by strict principles of rectitude, and few of his contemporaries could present a character so nearly flawless or a reputation against which so little in the way of criti- cism could be uttered. He ranked high among the medical men of his day, and was in every respect a most commendable example of the successful self-made man and unselfish, virile and helpful pioneer.
Dr. Charles E. Sturgis, one of the first physicians of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was born January 1, 1815, at Church Hill, in Queen Anne county, Maryland, and there he grew to manhood and received his education. He was one of five children, one girl and four boys. He began reading medicine when but a boy, and, be- lieving that the Middle West held greater opportunities for the ambitious young doctor than his own country, he made his way over the rough Alleghanies, through the great forests of Penn- sylvania and Ohio to Richmond, Indiana, before he had yet reached his majority. A few years later he removed to Logans-
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port, and there he formed the acquaintance of Louisa Ewing, daughter of Col. Alexander Ewing and wife, and they were soon afterwards married. Shortly after this event he removed to Fort Wayne, where he continued to reside until his death. He spent one winter in Cincinnati attending medical lectures. In his pro- fessional career he was very successful, and was engaged in the practice in Fort Wayne for thirty two years. He was one of the first, if not the first, doctor in this locality, and in those early times he had to make his calls on horseback, his patients being widely scattered over a vast territory, which was sparsely settled, and where there were more Indians than white men. He was charitable to a fault and many of the poor of Allen county were indebted to him for innumerable favors. He took much interest in the early progress of the community and was active in public affairs. He represented Allen county in the state Legislature. He was president of the board of school trustees for many years, and in 1868 was a delegate from his district to the Democratic national convention at New York City. He was identified with all the public improvement movements organized in Fort Wayne during his residence here, and in all manifested the greatest de- gree of enterprise and ability, as well as public spirit. He was one of the leading spirits in the building of the old plank road from Fort Wayne to Bluffton. He had a most tender and engag- ing manner in the sick room; he was very amiable, kind and con- siderate, and he was greatly admired and esteemed by all who knew him. He was very fond of his family, and spent as much time as possible with them. His family were members of the First Presbyterian church, his wife being one of the earliest of its congregation, and in the early history of the church she ren- dered much assistance in raising money with which to purchase a bell. Doctor Sturgis was not a favorite with his own people, but he had a very extensive practice among the Indians. He was op- posed to slavery, and that was one of the reasons that induced him to leave Maryland. At the time of his death, November 24, 1869, he was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed as well as best known citizens of Fort Wayne. His widow survived eighteen years, passing to her rest on Thursday afternoon, March 10, 1887, after an illness of two weeks, and at the age of sixty- nine years. She had made her home for some time with her daughter, Mrs. Dr. G. W. McCaskey, at No. 107 West Main street, Fort Wayne, where she died. She was a woman of noble attri-
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butes and beautiful Christian character, and charitable impulses. She was the last child of Colonel Ewing, who took out the govern- ment patent upon the land which is known as the Ewing addition to the City of Fort Wayne, upon which the largest portions of the third and fourth wards are built. Among the brothers of Mrs. Sturgis several were distinguished by reason of their great ability and training. W. G. and G. W. Ewing were the great fur dealers of the West when Fort Wayne was the border of civilization. Their operations extended among Indian tribes and covered the whole of the great Northwestern Territory, and they amassed princely fortunes. Judge Charles Ewing, another brother, was a great lawyer, and widely known for the high position he won and dignified in his profession.
Twelve children were born to Dr. Charles E. Sturgis and wife, three of whom survive, namely: Alida Sturgis married Dr. P. G. Kelsey, of Summit, New Jersey, and they have the following children: Alida May, who married Guilford Babcock, lives at Summit, New Jersey, and they have these children: Edna, Mary, Carlisle and Kelsey Babcock. Percival William Kelsey, who married Mary Darrow, of Evansville, Indiana, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and they have one child, Mary Alida. Carrie Louise Kel- sey, who married Rev. Walter Brengle, of New Orleans, Louisi- ana, has these children, Grace, Louise and Emily May Brengle. Arthur Kelsey lives in DeKoven, Kentucky. Samuel Pratt Sturgis married Lymna O. Kelsey and lives in Paducah, Ken- tucky; their union has been without issue. Louise Sturgis mar- ried Dr. George W. McCaskey, one of Fort Wayne's most eminent physicians, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, George Edward McCaskey, who lives at home; she is prominent in club and social circles. Louis Thompson Sturgis married Caroline Matilda Work, daughter of one of Fort Wayne's most prominent families; he is deceased, and Mrs. Sturgis, who has two daughters, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Sarah L. Sturgis. Another daughter of Louis T. Sturgis, Mrs. Edwin F. Dalman, lives in Fort Wayne.
ENGRAVED BY HENRY TAYLOR JR CHICAGO.
Very truly yours, Len. Wallace. ( 1901 )
GEN. LEW WALLACE.
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a state than that which deals with the life-work of those who by their own endeavors and accomplishments have helped to give that state an eminent position among its sister commonwealths. It is a far cry from the humble rank held by Indiana in the field of literature in the days of "The Hoosier Schoolmaster" to the present proud position held by the Hoosier state as the literary center of Amereia. Iler masters of literature have included names which have become familiar in every town and hamlet in this country and are not unknown in foreign countries. Edward Eggleston, David Biddle, Charles Major, Elizabeth Miller, Booth Tarkington, Meredith Nicholson, George Ade, James Whitcomb Riley and Lew Wallace comprise a galaxy of writers whose pro- dnetions, in prose and verse, have reflected the highest honors on their state. Of these, none has contributed as much of a perma- nent character and acknowledged valne as Gen. Lew Wallace, to to the record of whose notable career the following lines are de- voted. American history offers few examples of public men who have become really eminent in so many distinct fields of endeavor as General Wallace. Lawyer, soldier, tactician, diplomat and author-in each of these spheres of effort he exhibited qualities of the highest order and his deeds were those of definite accom- plishment. He was a conqueror with both sword and pen, his achievements as a soldier, eminent as they were, being of no higher order than his attainments in literature. Not only his be- loved Indiana, but the whole nation, reveres his name, which has been, by universal consent, placed high in the temple of fame.
Lew Wallace was the second in the order of birth of the four sons born to Governor David and Esther French (Test) Wallace, his birth having occurred at Brookville, Franklin county, Indi- ana, on April 10, 1827. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Wal- lace, was from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, from which place he moved his family to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence to Brook- ville, Indiana, where he kept a hotel and became a man of influ- ence. David Wallace, father of the subject, went from this state
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as a cadet to West Point Military Academy, where in due time he was graduated and entered the regular army, where he served three years. He then studied law and, upon being admitted to the bar, began the active practice of that profession at Brookville, Indiana. He was well grounded in the principles of law and was a brilliant attorney. He was recognized as a man of unusual ability and was called into public life, serving successively as a member of the Legislature, twice as lieutenant-governor, as gov- ernor in 1837, and as a member of Congress from 1841 to 1845, two terms. After his retirement from Congress he served as judge of the court of common pleas with eminent ability. His death oe- curred in 1859, at the age of sixty years. Governor Wallace was twice married, his first wife, whose maiden name was Esther French Test, being a sister of the late Judge Charles Test and the daughter of Hon. John Test, a pioneer of Indiana and congress- ional representative from his state. Lew Wallace was a child of this marriage, being but six years old when his mother died. Two years later the father married Zeralda G. Sanders, of Millers- burg, Kentucky. To her wise counsel, loving care and strong will can be attributed much of her son's success in after life. She be- came his model of a loving, tender, helpful mother. Upon his first visit to her, after the publication of the book "Ben-Hur," he said, "Mother, what do you think of my book?" "Oh, it is a grand book, my son," said Mrs. Wallace. "Where did you get that beautiful character of the mother of Ben-Hur?" He an- swered, "Why, my dear mother, I thought of you every line while I wrote it."
Lew Wallace's maternal grandfather, John Test, was a native of Salem, New Jersey. He was a man of great ability, a Hicksite Quaker, and he and another Hicksite Quaker, Butler, were pio- neers of Brookville, Indiana, in 1805. He was regarded as the best lawyer and scholar in the state, and he was foremost in progress in every line. He brought the first carding machinery to Franklin county and was instrumental in introducing other improvements for the benefit of the community. He was admitted to practice in 1811, and was the first congressman from Indiana. Scarcely a vestige remains of the old Test mansion, the home of a family which furnished as much good brain and ability to the making of the early history of Indiana as any other family of the state. John Test was the grandson of John Test, who came over in the good ship "Welcome" with William Penn, and whom Penn
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regarded as the bravest and best man in his colony, having him appointed high sheriff. Thus it is seen that from both ancestral lines Lew Wallace inherited qualities of the highest order.
Lew Wallace was largely self educated, though he attended the common schools and became a student in Wabash College, but did not graduate. In his youth he began the study of law in his father's office, but the Mexican war disturbed his plans for a legal career and he left Covington as the second lieutenant of an Indi- ana company. He was promoted to first lieutenant and served through the war with great credit. At the conclusion of hostil- ities he returned home, resumed his studies and in due time was admitted to the bar. Ile entered upon the active practice of his profession in Covington, but in 1852 he removed to Crawfords- ville, Montgomery county, where he maintained his home during the remainder of his life. He was elected a member of the state Senate, and served four years there to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, but he did not take kindly to a political life and had no further ambition in that direction.
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