Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 13

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932

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mer of 1879, he was made superintendent of Columbia City schools, and during his term of service re-organized the schools and did effective service in their interests. He left that office in the following March, and, removing to North Manchester, has since been prominently identified with its inter- ests. He became a member of the firm of G. W. Lawrence & Company, dealers in general merchandise, and in March, 1883, became cashier of the Eel River Valley Bank, which was conducted under that name until the 17th of May, 1886, when it became the Lawrence National Bank. From that time until January, 1894, Mr. Mills served as its vice-president, and since the latter date has been president.

In the spring of 1891, Mr. Mills went to Chicago, where he erected the Hotel Windermere, situated at 56 Cornell avenue, and conducted it for about a year. He re- turned in the spring of 1894 and took charge of the Lawrence National Bank, as its presi- dent, and now gives the greater part of his attention to real-estate and banking busi- ness. The other officers of the Lawrence National Bank are Hon. Calvin Cowgill, of Wabash, Indiana, vice-president; and John W. Mills, cashier. The officers in connec- tion with David Whisler, A. L. Stephenson and Mrs. Jennie C. Lawrence, compose the board of directors. The bank is capitalized at $50,000, and is one of the solid financial institutions of the county.

On the 28th of August, 1879, Mr. Mills wedded Miss Elizabeth Lawrence, and they have three interesting children, -Georgie, Mary and Kathryn. They are prominent and well known people of the community and in social circles hold an enviable position. Mr. Mills is connected with the Masonic frater- nity, being a Knight Templar, and in his

political principles is a stalwart Republican. He is one of the most prominent business men in this section of the State, and through the legitimate channels of commerce has achieved his well merited success. All that he pos- sesses he has acquired through his own efforts, and his life demonstrates what can be accomplished through enterprise, energy, sound judgment and keen business sagacity.

ON. FRED J. HAYDEN .- Hold- ing worthy prestige among the pub- lic men of the State of Indiana, enjoying high popularity, and maintaining a representative position as identified with the business and social life of the city of Fort Wayne, it is signally befitting that in this connection be given a resume of the life history of him whose name initiates this paragraph,-a man of marked ability and wide influence. While Mr. Hayden is not a native of the United States, he is thoroughly in touch with the American spirit, since he was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, and has been for the past two decades identified with Indiana and her interests, -all this time maintaining his residence in Fort Wayne.

Our subject was born at Cobourg, Can- ada, being the son of Rev. William Hayden and Jane Kirsop Hayden. He received ex- cellent educational advantages in his native province and eventually completed the course of study in Victoria College, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1864. Two years later he was honored by his alma mater with the degree of Master of Arts. After his graduation Mr. Hayden became prominently identified with business industry in the Dominion, occupying for a number of years the position as secretary of

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the Cobourg & Marmora Railway and Min- ing Company, of Ontario, and this incum- bency he resigned in 1874, at which time he came to Fort Wayne, where he has ever since resided. Here he has gained distinc- tion in business and official circles, having from time to time been honored with high preferments in the gift of the people and having filled a number of important posi- tions, ever performing his duty in a manner alike creditable to himself and to those whom he has represented.

In 1884 Mr. Hayden was elected as the representative of Allen county in the State Legislature, and served with signal efficiency during two sessions. In 1888 still higher appreciation and honor was accorded him, in that he was elected to the State Senate as the representative of the Senatorial district comprising the counties of Allen and Whitley. At the election he was given an unusually large and flattering majority, and his capability and eligibility for the high office were clearly manifested during the two sessions through which he held a seat in the upper house of the State Legislature. As a member of the Senate he was actively concerned in securing the passage of the Australian election law in 1889, and the passage of the new tax law of 1891,-these being two of the most important enact- ments ever made in the Indiana Assembly.

When the matter of the World's Colum- bian Exposition in 1893 began to be vigor- ously agitated and when the most promi- nent men in the various States were called upon to take an active part in furthering the great enterprise, Mr. Hayden was among the first to receive recognition in this direc- tion. In May, 1891, he was appointed by the late Governor Hovey as one of the World's Fair Commissioners for the Twelfth

district of Indiana, and in June of the same year, at the first meeting of the commis- sioners, he was unanimously elected treas- urer of the Board of World's Fair Mana- gers of Indiana, which responsible and ex- acting office he filled to the entire satisfac- tion of the commission and the people of the State. It has been very truthfully claimed that it was owing to the careful and conservative management of the funds ap- propriated for this magnificent enterprise by the State that Indiana was enabled to make such a typical and representative exhibit and to keep its building open until the close of the exposition. It is worthy of record in this connection that when all accounts were finally adjusted and expenses met, Mr. Hayden was enabled to convey back into the State treasury the sum of nearly $2,000.

In 1872 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hayden to Miss Eliza Hanna, the only daughter of the late Judge Hanna, for many years one of the most distingnished and honored residents of Fort Wayne.

HOMAS A. F. DOAN. - In this en- lightened age, when men of indus- try, energy and merit are rapidly pushing themselves to the front, those who by their own unaided efforts have won favor and fortune may properly claim recognition. There have come hither from foreign lands men of limited resources, but imbued with that sturdy independence and determination to succeed which entitles them to a place on the pages of the history of that section of the Union with which they have been identified. The career of him whose name initiates this paragraph illustrates most forcibly the possibilities that are open to a man who possesses sterling

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business qualifications. It proves that neither wealth nor social position, nor yet the assistance of influential friends is at all requisite in placing an individual on the road to success. It also proves that ambitious perseverance, steadfastness of purpose and indefatigable industry, as conjoined with sound business principles, will be rewarded and that true success is the natural comcomi- tant of individual effort directed under such conditions.

Standing distinctively forward as one of the reprsentative business men of Wells county, and as one of the most progressive and valued citizens of the thriving village of Ossian, Mr. Doan owes his pronounced suc- cess in life solely to his own efforts and is clearly entitled to that proud American title, a self-made man. He has been a resident of America only a quarter of a century, and at the time of his arrival in Ossian his finan- cial resources were represented in a five-dol- lar bill. The story of his life is simple and honest, and into his career have entered no esoteric elements, his every action having stood open to scrutiny and to the judgment of men. Not an eventful life, but one that has been true to its possibilities and its op- portunities, and one that has not been denied a goodly harvest in due season. Mr. Doan is a native of England, having been born in Staffordshire, on the 10th of June, 1845, the son of John and Elizabeth (Foundling) Doan, both of whom were of English nativity, being people of intelligence and sterling worth, but placed in modest circumstances. They be- came the parents of four children, namely: Mary A., wife of Samuel Kirby, of Overseal; Emma, wife of John Blackshaw, of Burton- on-Trent; Sarah, deceased; and Thomas A. F., the immediate subject of this review.

Our subject was not afforded educational

opportunities of more than meagre order, yet he was a youth whose prescience of the value of knowledge led him to make the best use of the privileges which were his, and his receptive mentality and intuitive judgment have been such that in the practical affairs of life he has gained a wide fund of infor- mation and an intellectual strength which mere theoretical discipline could never afford. In his youth he learned the miller's trade, and for several years he was employed in an extensive merchant mill at Burton-on-Trent. Prior to leaving his native land he had as- sumed the responsibilities of connubial life, having been united in marriage to Miss An- nie White, who bore him one child, Rich- ard. But the little home, where mutual solicitude and true happiness thus found an abiding place, was destined to be violated by that power whose summons are inexorable: the devoted wife and mother was called to the life beyond on the 8th of October, 1869, and on the 28th of the same month the lit- tle son was laid to rest beside her.

It was then, when the hallowed associa- tions of the home had been so rudely set at naught, that Mr. Doan determined to seek his fortunes in America, and closing his affairs, he emigrated to the United States, reaching the shores of the New World in the year 1870. Upon reaching Ossian his ex- chequer was practically depleted, as before intimated, but his was the courage of effort, and he stood ready to do whatever his hand found to do, and for some little time was employed in the stave factory of L. M. Cary. Subsequently he went to Decatur, where he found employment for a time, and then re- turned to Ossian, having determined to make this place his permanent home. For the succeeding four years he was engaged as an operative in the gristmill and heading fac-

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tory, and for the greater portion of the time had consecutive employment at fairly re- munerative wages. His experience had been such as to show him the value of money and the advantages that were afforded to one who was willing to make an earnest effort and to husband his resources. He was determined to so fortify himself by economy and indus- try that he might eventually engage in busi- ness for himself, and that he realized his am- bition is evidenced in the fact that, in 1875, he was enabled to purchase an interest in the saw and planing mill business of Koons & Company, his present business associate, William R. Beaty, having at that time been a member of the firm noted. After the course of a few years, Messrs. Beaty and Doan secured full control of the industry mentioned, and they have since continued operations under the firm title of Beaty & Doan. They have thus been associated in their business affairs for the long period of two decades, and the utmost sympathy and harmony have prevailed, and their interests have been identical and have been materially advanced by careful and conscientious methods and by well directed enterprise. Their mill has a capacity for the output of 5,000 feet per diem, and employment is af- forded to a corps of ten capable operatives. In January, 1895. the firm effected the pur- chase of the Ossian brick-yard, which they are now operating in connection with their mill-the twc enterprises being among the most important and valuable industries of Ossian.

Our subject has maintained a lively in- terest in all that pertains to the legitimate advancement and material prosperity of the county and village, and has not been hedged in by the narrow limitations which are quite likely to confine the efforts of one who has

gained success by assiduous labor and indi- vidual application. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Jefferson Building and Loan Association, was the first incumbent as president of the same, and is still a member of its directorate. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Ossian Lodge, No. 297. Mr. Doan is thoroughly in sympathy with the American spirit, having been admitted to full citizenship on the 18th of August, 1872, since which time he has exercised his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, taking a well informed interest in the questions of the day, and warmly espousing the cause of his party.

The second marriage of our subject was solemnized in Ossian, on the 17th of October, 1872, when he wedded Miss Mary E. Metts, Rev. L. Roberts officiating. Mrs. Doan is the daughter of James and Miranda (Sutton) Metts, who were among the pio- neers of Wells county. Our subject and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the local organiza- tion Mr. Doan holds official preferment as Trustee. They are the parents of two in- teresting children-Maggie Mabel and Will- iam Metts. Enjoying the respect and esteem of the community, and having gained a dis- tinctive success in the temporal affairs of life, our subject has no cause for regretting that he has thus cast his fortunes in the United States, and the republic has no more loyal supporter than is he.

OUIS PELTIER is one of the his- toric characters of the Northwest, and belongs to a family whose identification with this region began in the eighteenth century. He is to-day

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the oldest living resident of Fort Wayne, and one of its most honored and esteemed citizens. The history of his parents is ro- mantic and interesting, and a detailed ac- count of their lives would be in miniature the record of the entire Northwest Territory.

His father, James Peltier, was one of the early French traders who engaged in the profitable business of traffic with the Indians. His kindly and generous treatment of the red men won their favor, and he was very popular with them. After he had been en- gaged in business at Fort Wayne for about seven years, another trader took up his re- sidence here, -Baptiste Maloch, - who was accompanied by his wife and granddaughter, Angeline Chapeteau, a bright young girl. The date of their arrival was 1807, and seven years later the young lady became the wife of James Peltier. She had been named by the Indians Golden Hair, and her gentle- ness and beauty won the friendship of the savage inhabitants of this region, who after- ward showed their loyalty to her on several different occasions.

Some time prior to the famous siege of 1812, Mademoiselle Chapeteau accompanied a pleasure party to the home of a French family a short distance down the Maumee. The party was menaced by a crowd of un- friendly Indians as soon as it was out of sight of the fort. The young lady was at once appealed to by the white party for protection, and through her persuasions the Indians allowed them to proceed without further molestation. At another time she happened to be alone in a cabin without the fort, upon which a party of Indians made an attack, but were baffled. Some of them then came to her lonely abode and entered, but finding their golden-haired friend they made no hostile demonstrations, securing

only some food and using the floor as a sleeping place. After they left in the morn- ing, an officer ventured out, and, finding to his surprise that Mademoiselle Chapeteau was still alive, insisted that she should re- main within the fort, which she did, making her home with her uncle, David Bourie, during the subsequent siege. Her life reads with all the thrilling interest of a romance; in fact, it demonstrates the old saying that truth is stranger than fiction. She was born in Detroit in 1792, and the golden-haired maiden developed into the matron, and grew to a ripe old age amid the stirring scenes of frontier posts. After the death of James Peltier, who passed away at about the age of sixty years, she married Mr. Griswold, and in February, 1876, she too was laid to rest.

Three children of the family are yet liv- ing, the second of whom is Louis Peltier, the subject of this review. Looking upon the thriving and prosperous city of Fort Wayne to-day, with its extensive industries, commercial establishments, its schools, its churches and palatial homes, one can hardly realize that it is the home of a man who lived here when only a fort marked the site of the town, and safety from Indian attacks could only be obtained therein. A wild and waste region it then seemed, for the work of progress and civilization had hardly been begun.

Mr. Peltier was born in the old fort, March 14, 1814, and during his boyhood learned the language of the Miami Indians, after which he engaged in trading with that tribe until 1832. When they had left this region for a reservation further. West, he learned the cabinet-maker's trade of James Wilcox, and four years later bought out his employer, successfully carrying on the busi-

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ness for many years. He also added to it in 1840 the undertaking business. For twenty-four years he carried on operations on the site of Root & Company's store, and throughout his long and active career did a successful business, being known as one of the leading undertakers in northern Indiana. His dealings were ever characterized by justice and honor, and he had the good will and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact.

In his political views Mr. Peltier was first a Whig, but since General Scott's cam- paign has been a Democrat. His life has been well spent, and his honorable, upright career has won him the highest regard of young and old, rich and poor. He is now paid the honor and deference which should always be given to gray hairs, and Fort Wayne numbers him among its most valued citizens.

Mr. Peltier was married in 1833 to Miss Laura Cushing, who died in 1844, and six years later he wedded Miss Mary Nettle- horst, a native of Germany. There are two surviving children of the first marriage,- James C. and Ellen; and by the second there is one daughter, Angeline. The son was born in Fort Wayne, September 21, 1843, pursued his studies in the schools of the city and also spent two years in Notre Dame, but his college course was interrupted by his service in the Union army. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism he enlisted, in 1862, as a member of Company K, Twelfth Indiana Infantry. In August he was wounded at Richmond, Kentucky, and on account of the injuries sustained was honorably discharged in the following winter. Upon his return James C. Peltier joined his father in busi- ness. and the partnership continued until 1882, since which time he has been alone.

He is widely known as one of the leading undertakers of Indiana, and has an extensive patronage.

Mr. Peltier in his political affiliations is a Democrat, and is a prominent member of the Sion S. Bass Post, G. A. R., of which he has served two terms as Commander, the only one who has held the office for that period.

On the 25th of December, 1866, he was united in marriage with Selena F. Wadge, a native of England, by whom he had two children, -William H. and Laura A. The mother, who was a member of the Episco- pal Church, died in 1893, since which time, Mr. Peltier has been united in marriage to Mrs. Fannie J. Colerick, a lady of high cul- ture and social standing. Truly this family may well claim the pioneership in this part of the "woods."

ON. LOUIS J. BOBILYA .- Deeds are thoughts crystalized, and ac- cording to their brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country which produced him, and in his works we expect to find a true index to his character. The study of the life of the rep- resentative America, never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, developing a peculiar mastering of expedi- ents which has entailed most wonderful results. The subject of this review is a worthy representative of that type of Ameri- can character and of that progressive spirit which promote public good in advancing in- dividual prosperity and conserving popular interests.

Mr. Bobilya stands as distinctively one of the most alert and progressive business men of the city of Fort Wayne, and that he

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holds a representative position is shown in the fact that he is now serving in the lower house of the State Legislature,-an office which he has filled with signal ability and full appreciation of the importance of the functions exercised. He is a native son of Allen county, and having risen to marked distinction and proved his worth to the com- munity, it is certainly imperative that he be accorded specific attention in this connec- tion. In tracing the lineage of our subject we are directed back to la belle France, and he himself represents the first generation born upon American soil. His parents, Au- gust and Susan (Buva) Bobilya, were both natives of France and were there reared to maturity, their marriage being consummated in this country. At a date in the early '40s they emigrated to America and eventually took up their abode in Ohio, where they continued their residence until 1851, when they removed to Allen county, Indiana, where the father devoted his attention to farming until the time of his death, which occurred when our subject was yet a mere boy. August and Susan Bobilya became the parents of five children, all of whom are living except one.

Louis J. was the third child in order of birth, the date of his nativity having been August 9, 1857. After the death of his father he was sent to the home of an uncle, in Defiance, Ohio, and he there remained until he had attained the age of twelve years. He was a boy of vigor and energy and was nothing loath to apply himself diligently to active labor when the need came. Thus at the early age of twelve years he entered the employ of Frank Alderman, a dealer in agricultural implements, and he continued to be thus associated for a period of five years, acquiring a very excellent knowledge

of the details of that line of enterprise. At the expiration of the period noted he accept- ed a position as general agent for the State of Indiana, as representing the firm of J. F. Seiberling & Company, manufacturers of the Empire mowers, reapers and binders, of Akron, Ohio. That he proved his value to this concern is manifest in the fact that he was retained in the employ of the com- pany for the term of fifteen years. In 1893 he formed a partnership association with R. L. Romy, and engaged in a line of enterprise which has important bearing upon the ma- terial prosperity and progress of any com- munity, -that implied in the carrying on of a successful real-estate business. The busi- ness is conducted under the firm name of Romy & Bobilya, and their office is centrally and elegantly located in the Bank Block, in Fort Wayne. The correct methods and well directed enterprise of the firm have gained to them a strong hold upon the public favor, and their annual transactions have reached a very notable aggregate. They deal in both city and suburban realty, and upon their books are at all times represented most ad- vantageous bargains and investments in farming property in Indiana and other States. They also make a specialty of ex- tending financial loans upon real-estate se- curity, offering to patrons such inducements as insure them a continuous support in this line. That they enjoy the confidence and respect of the public is evidenced in the ex- tensive and representative character of their business.

For a number of years past Mr. Bobilya has taken a very active interest in political affairs and has rendered most effective serv- ice to his party, being in line as a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party and its principles. His distinctive ability and his

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zeal in the party cause have naturally brought him recognition, and secured to him high official preferment through the suffrage of the people. In 1894 he became the can- didate on the Democratic ticket as Repre- sentative of his district in the State Legisla- ture, and as significant of his popularity stands the fact that at the ensuing election he was victorious, receiving the largest ma- jority of any candidate on the ticket. Upon the organization of the legislative body he became the candidate of the Democratic members of the House for the position of Speaker and received the full vote of such members. The House, however, had a large Republican majority, and, as a matter of course, he was unable to secure the honor which the Democratic contingent wished to confer upon him. Mr. Bobilya served on several important committees, among which was the ways and means committee, com- mittee on cities and towns, committee on af- fairs of Indianapolis, military committee, and also a special committee appointed to make an investigation concerning the schools of the capital city of the State. As a legis- lator our subject brought to bear that dis- tinctive and practical ability which has conserved his success in business affairs, -a mature judgment and an intuitive wisdom which could not but further the interests of his constituents and those of the State at large.

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 13

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932