USA > Indiana > Memorial record of northeastern Indiana > Part 21
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party he promptly fell in line as an ardent supporter of the principles by it advocated, and he has since retained his association with the "grand old party." In his fra- ternal relations he is identified with both the Masonic order and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having now been a steady member of the latter order for forty-five years.
As already stated, Mr. Bourie and his wife were born in the same house, Mrs. Bourie being the daughter of the late John B. Dubois, one of the pioneer settlers of Fort Wayne. Their marriage was consum- mated October 1, 1855. They are the par- ents of six children, namely: Louis J .; Anna O. Dubois; Edith F., wife of W. J. Fowler; George W .; Clinton D .; and Adele E., wife of Charles Betts.
AVID E. WEBSTER, M. D., is one of the more recent arrivals in Columbia City, having come here in 1888, yet has already taken a place among the leading and influential citi- zens and won prominence in the line of his profession. He is numbered among the native sons of the Hoosier State, born in Union county, April 28, 1848, -- a son of Albert and Sarah (Elliott) Webster, who were natives of Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, and were of English and Scotch de- scent. A relative of the family, Captain Russell, won his title through service in the United States Navy. The Doctor's father is a mechanic by trade and now makes his home in Whitley county, where he is living retired at the advanced age of eighty years. He settled in this county about 1850-one of its pioneers -- and for many years carried on agricultural pursuits. In the family were
& E Gardiner
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six children, five of whom are yet living, as follows: Elizabeth, George, Albert D., David E., and Dr. M. W., who is living in South Whitley. James E., who is num- bered among the defenders of the Union during the late war, serving as a member of the Eleventh Indiana Battery, was killed at the battle of Chickamauga.
As a farmer boy the Doctor was reared and his childhood and youth were quietly passed in the usual routine of farm life, working in the fields through the summer months and after the harvesting was done in the autumn entering the public schools, where he pursued his lessons until the coming of spring, when he was once more found behind the plow. Later he was employed in farming through the summer, while in the winter months he engaged in teaching, his time thus being passed until he was thirty years of age. Not content with that life and wishing to enter upon a professional career, he took up the study of medicine and was graduated at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1880. He first opened an office in Larwill, Indiana, where he remained for eight years, conduct- ing a successful practice, when, wishing a wider field of labor, he came to Columbia City, in 1888. Here he has since made his home and is doing well, having built up a good business, his patronage coming from the best class of people. He keeps fully abreast with the times in everything con- nected with his chosen work, and in the med- ical fraternity his worth and ability are recognized, and he is given a leading place in the ranks of practitioners.
In 1873 the Doctor was united in mar- riage with Amanda J. Whitman, a native of Whitley county, and they have two children, a son and daughter, Fred and Mabel. The parents are members of the Christian Church,
and Dr. Webster is connected with several social and medical societies, belonging to the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pyth- ias Lodge, also to the State Medical Society and the Whitley County Medical Society. By his ballot he supports the men and meas- ures of the Democracy, but has taken no active part in politics as an office-seeker, preferring to give his entire time and atten- tion to his profession, in which he is meet- ing with signal success.
EORGE E. GARDINER, of Bluff- ton, Indiana, is truly a representa- tive citizen of Wells county. He also represents that great host of patriotic men who in response to their country's call went out to battle for the union of the States in the great Civil war from 1861 to 1865.
He is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born April 4, 1835, and is the son of James and Jane (McCaughey) Gardiner. The father was a native of Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania, but of Irish descent, and the mother of Columbiana county, Ohio. George Gardiner, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ireland, and there married Elizabeth White, who also was a native of that country, and together they emigrated to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century, locating in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, where they resided many years, and thence moved to Wayne county, Ohio. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters. James Gardiner, the father of our subject, was born June 5, 1800, and married Octo- ber 9, 1827, to Miss Jane McCaughey, daughter of Joseph and Jennette McCaughey. Of their family of eight children, all of
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whom grew to be men and women, only two are now living-George E. and Samuel. The deceased are Elizabeth, Jennette, Mar- garet, Sarah, Joseph and Wilson.
The early life of our subject was spent in his native State, and in 1849 he came with his parents to Wells county, Indiana, where he has since continued to reside. Soon after removing to Wells county, his father was seriously wounded in a wolf hunt and as a result was disabled from perform- ing manual labor during the remainder of his life. George was the eldest son, and upon him fell the task of providing for the family. The country was then new, money was scarce, and it may well be imagined that the family had a hard time in making a respectable living. Our subject, however, was equal to the task imposed upon him, and continued faithfully to serve the family until his marriage. By that time the chil- dren were all grown and able to care for themselves. His educational advantages, it may be surmised, were very limited indeed, but while his school-days were few in num- ber by constant reading and reflection he has become a well informed man.
When the war for the Union com- menced, our subject was engaged in caring for the home farm. The desire to enlist he withstood for a time, but in August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, un- der Col. S. S. Bass, of Fort Wayne, who was subsequently killed at the battle of Shiloh. With his regiment, our subject participated in all its battles, skirinishes, and marches, including Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Florence, Decatur, Huntsville, Stevenson and Battle Creek. At the latter place he was prostrated with fever, removed to Nashville and placed in a hospital. After slightly recovering, on
account of disabilities received from expos- ure and forced marches, he was discharged and returned to his home. On the restora- tion of his health he re-enlisted, in Com- pany A, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in all the engage- ments in and around Mobile, Alabama. Not- withstanding the war closed in the spring of 1865, he was retained in the service until October 26 following, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The patriotic fever in the family of our subject was not confined to him alone. His two elder brothers, Joseph and Samuel, en- listed at the breaking out of the Rebellion, and two years later the fourth brother, Wil- son, also enlisted. Joseph and Wilson, in June, 1864, were both killed in battle near Dalton, Georgia. Samuel received a wound, and from the effects of the exposure still suf- fers from paralysis, which renders him en- tirely unfit for any duty, but he has the warm sympathy of all around him. Few families in the entire country gave more for the Union than that of James Gardiner.
On receiving his discharge, Mr. Gardiner at once returned to his home and engaged in teaching school, but in the meantime he pur- chased a tract of land in the woods of Wells county, which he improved and which he continued to cultivate until December, 1870, when he was appointed Deputy Treasurer of the county. For five years he served in that office, and in November, 1875, was elected County Auditor for a term of four years. No man that ever held the position discharged its duties more faithfully than our subject. He retired from the office at the expiration of his term broken in health, but with the good wishes of all who knew him. He was subsequently a member of the City
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School Board of Bluffton, and served sev- eral terms, - in all fifteen years.
On the 24th day of September, 1863, Mr. Gardiner was united in marriage with Miss Mattie E. Ogden, by which union there was one son, John R., who was born No- vember 16, 1870, and who is now married and assisting his father in the gas office at Bluffton. His wife died September 26, 1885, and he subsequently married Mrs. M. C. Thomas.
In politics Mr. Gardiner was formerly a Republican, but is now a strong Democrat. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar. He is also a member of Lew. Daily Post, No. 33, G. A. R. He was reared in the United Presbyterian Church, but has long since been identified with the Presbyterian Church of Bluffton, and is a Ruling Elder in the same. In the erection of the handsome church edifice of that denomination he took a very active part, giving almost his entire time to the superintendency of its construc- tion, and contributing liberally from his means. In everything he is a man of prin- ciple, and in his private habits we may re- mark that he neither drinks intoxicating liquors nor uses tobacco.
Mr. Gardiner was one of the organizers of the Bluffton Light and Fuel Company in 1879, and for some years was one of the directors of the company and also its secre- tary. The enterprise was sold to the Fort Wayne Gas Company in 1894, but Mr. Gardiner was retained as secretary, and has held that position ever since. He is a stock- holder in the Bluffton Manufacturing Com- pany, and also in the Bluffton Boot and Shoe Company. In every position of trust he has been faithful, and no man stands higher in the estimation of the public. Com-
mencing life a poor boy, without help from any one, he has toiled on, enduring hard- ships, and to-day is numbered among the well-to-do men of Wells county. While at all times a strong party man, he has ever enjoyed a confidence and esteem not alone of his political friends but also of his political opponents. Of a genial nature, he not only makes but retains friends, and upon no one are honors more worthily bestowed than the subject of this sketch.
R. J. W. COBLENTZ .-- Among those whose discoveries and inven - tions have been a boon to humanity is this gentleman, now at the head of the Coblentz Institute of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a close reader, a deep thinker and a careful reasoner, and his re- searches have given to the world a cure for the worst habits that afflict mankind.
The Doctor was born in Ohio, May 10, 1839, and is a son of Jacob and Susan (Web- ber) Coblentz, the former a native of Mary- land and the latter of Switzerland. About the year 1822, the father removed with his parents to Ohio, where the grandfather took up 640 acres of land, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of the locality in which he made his home. Jacob Coblentz learned the carpenter's trade and for many years was one of the leading men of his line in New Lisbon, Ohio. He married Miss Web- ber, who when a child of nine years left her native land and accompanied her parents on their emigation to America. His death oc- curred in 1871, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife died on the 28th of Au- gust, 1894, at the age of eighty-eight years. In the family were ten children, -- three sons
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and seven daughters, of whom the Doctor was the seventh in order of birth.
No event of special importance occur- red during the childhood and youth of our subject. After he had attained his majority he resolved to engage in the practice of medicine. This resolution arose partly from his keen and sincere sympathy for his fellow men and from his special fitness for the call- ing. He prepared himself for practice, and for thirty-five years has prosecuted the medical profession, meeting with good suc- cess in his undertakings.
He continued his work as a general prac- titioner up to 1884, when he discovered what is known as the Coblentz cure for the opium, morphine, liquor and tobacco habits. He had always enjoyed excellent health up to 1875, when he suffered from a paralytic stroke which resulted in the complete paraly- sis of both arms. The best medical aid to be secured in the locality was obtained, but his condition gradually became worse in- stead of improving. Medical experts were called in, but to no avail, and they frankly told the Doctor they knew of no help for him. In the meanwhile his intellect was keenly alive, for the paralysis of the body did not extend to the mind; and during this time he was continually evolving in his mind the solution of some questions that had en- grossed his attention for about two years previous. He had become interested in the study of oxygen gas and its effect on the human system. The medical journals of this country and England frequently con- tained elaborate treatises on the subject; and while all seemed to recognize its power they knew not how to apply it; the perplex- ing problem they could not solve. During his affliction Dr. Coblentz had given the subject much thought and deep study, but
without arriving at a satisfactory solution. One day while lying on his sick-bed an idea came to him. It dawned upon him as clear- ly as a mid-summer sun at noontime, and feeling certain that he had hit upon the right principle he proceeded at once to give his theory a practical test and use himself as a subject to experiment upon. He was helpless himself, but he gave his instructions so explicitly that there could be no mistake. His plans were followed and within three weeks he was a well man, and to-day is one of the best specimens of physical strength and manhood.
This leading Dr. Coblentz to further continue his investigations, he believed that there were great possibilities in oxygen as a cure, and about seven years ago he estab- lished the Coblentz Oxygen Cure at Fort Wayne. The treatment is based upon thoroughly scientific principles. He has made a specialty of those addicted to mor- phine, opium, liquor and tobacco habits, and has never met with a single failure in effecting a cure. He also uses oxygen in the cure of various other diseases, and his success seems phenomenal. In diagnosing cases he is not satisfied with a superficial ob- servation and a hasty conclusion, but at once goes to the bottom of his subject, and his long years of practice enable him to lo- cate at once the weak points and the strong points of his patients and to treat accord- ingly. For his work he deserves the grati- tude of mankind. Becoming addicted to the use of narcotics and stimulants, a man's will power seems never to be strong enough to overcome the habit, which has developed into a disease and can only be cured through physical treatment; and it has only been of late years that scientific research has made this possible. Such a work as Dr. Coblentz
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has accomplished is worthy of all praise, and arose from the deepest sympathy and inter- est in his fellow men.
The Doctor has been twice married. He wedded Miss Catherine C. Sprinkle, who died leaving two children, and in 1875 he married Mrs. E. J. Jack, of Peru, Indiana. He and his wife are members of the Ger- man Reformed Church, and he is one of the well-known and highly respected residents of Fort Wayne.
S E. MENTZER, M. D., a popular and successful young physician of Monroeville, Allen county, Indiana, has been a member of the medical profession of this place for a period of ten years, and in this time has gained a position in the ranks of his profession that entitles him to some personal mention in this vol- ume. A brief sketch of his life is as follows:
S. E. Mentzer was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, February 21, 1862, son of Jacob and Mary (Schwartz) Mentzer, both natives of the same county, the former born in 1832 and the latter in 1845. Their ori- gin is traced to the Germans. Jacob Ment- zer was a farmer by occupation. After his marriage he and his wife settled on a farm in Mahoning county and continued to reside there until 1865, when they moved to Adams county, Indiana, and settled in Union township. To them were born two children,-the subject of this article and Marion Jasper.
Dr. Mentzer spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, receiving his early educa- tion in the common schools and later spend- ing three years as a student in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana; and at in-
tervals he taught school. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. C. A. Leiter, late of Monroeville, and in 1882 en- tered the Ohio Medical College at Cincin- nati, Ohio, where he graduated March 5, 1885. In 1893, wishing to still further equip himself for his professional duties, he went to New York city and took a special course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, graduating in 1894. Immediately after his graduation at Cincinnati in 1885, he entered upon his professional career, be- coming a partner with his former instructor, Dr. Leiter, in Monroeville, and continuing with him one year. Since then he has practiced alone. Dr. Mentzer is a young man of marked ability, is a close student, and withal a perfect gentleman, and from the beginning his success as a physician has been assured. He does a general practice in Monroeville and in the surrounding coun- try, his practice extending over a radius of eight or nine miles. He is a member of the Allen County Medical Society and the In- diana State Medical Society, in the former especially taking an active interest.
Dr. Mentzer is identified with the K. of P. Lodge in Monroeville, and, politically, is a Democrat.
O RION E. MOHLER, managing edi- tor of the Fort Wayne Daily Ga- zette, is one of the progressive jour- nalists of northern Indiana. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born at Lockington, Shelby county, February 9, 1855, a son of Amos and Maria Mohler. His father was one of the pioneer merchants of Shelby county, and was engaged in busi- ness there until April, 1865, when he re- moved to Huntington county, Indiana, ac-
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companied by his family. A lad of ten years, Mr. Mohler excited the interest of Dr. D. Yingling, by whom he was employed as office-boy for a number of years after com- ing to Huntington. It was during this time that his taste for a higher education was ac- quired, and the desire found warinest en- couragement in the Doctor. Dependent en- tirely upon his own resources he was obliged to labor during the day, but at night he pur- sued his studies with diligence, and when at last he was ready to enter college he was pre- pared for the freshman year. When the factory of Col. C. E. Briant was opened he secured a position in the establishment, which he held several years. In the sum- mer of 1871 he became an apprentice in the Herald office, which was then owned by John F. Moses & Company. Having served his apprenticeship, he remained the greater part of a year as foreman of the office, and by that time he had accumulated sufficient means to begin to carry out his most cher- ished plan of going to college. He entered as freshman at Asbury (now DePauw) Uni- versity, Greencastle, Indiana, and during the four years' course pursued there half his time was given to work outside the school. He set type during afternoons, attended his recitations in the morning, and with the class of 1879 received the degree of A. B .; three years later the same institution con- ferred upon him the degree of A. M.
Mr. Mohler began his career as a jour- nalist on the staff of the Huntington Demo- crat, of which he was city editor during the summer of 1878, and from June, 1879, until April, 1883. He next became one of the proprietors of the Indiana Herald, his part- ners being his brother, A. D. Mohler, and J. B. Kenner, and the business was conducted under the name of The Herald Printing
Company. May 1, 1887, this company was consolidated with the News-Express Com- pany, under the name of The Herald and News-Express Company. Mr. Mohler re- tained his interest, and was chosen manager and one of the editors. In 1888 he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and shortly there- after took the position of city editor of the Daily Gazette. He was soon promoted to the position of managing editor, the duties of which he discharges with ability. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias, and the A. O. U. W.
J OHN F. THOMSON .- In the medi- cal profession it is difficult to win a name and a place of prominence. In commercial life one may start out on a more advanced plane than others; he may enter a business already established and carry it still further forward; but not so in the medical profession: the physician must possess a knowledge and a skill which merit public patronage, else he will find that business comes not to him, and success will have no part in his career. People do not entrust their lives to the unskillful care of the ignorant; and if the physician would be- come eminent he must be master of his science. The enviable reputation which Dr. Thomson has secured shows that the town of Garrett has for him a high regard, both as a man and a medical practitioner.
This gentleman was born on the 24th of March, 1850, near St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, and is a son of John and Flora (Ferguson) Thomson. The paternal grand- father, Archibald Thomson, was a farmer of Scotland, and the founder of the family in
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the New World. Emigrating to Canada, he spent the remainder of his days there, passing away at the age of eighty years. The Doctor's father was born in Argyle- shire, Scotland, on the 12th of October, 1812, and when a child of eight years was brought by his parents to Canada. He re- mained on the old homestead until eight- een years of age, when, in connection with his brother, he entered land, both securing a tract of 200 acres. Mr. Thompson is still living on that farm, and has always carried on agricultural pursnits as a means of liveli- hood. He was married in Canada, in 1839, to Flora Ferguson, who was born in Argyle- shire, Scotland, in 1820, and came to America with her parents when a little maiden of four summers; her death occurred about 1868.
Dr. Thomson remained at his parents' home until twenty-one years of age, and during that time followed school-teaching for two years. His tastes and inclinations leading him to prepare for the practice of medicine, he began study in the office of Dr. J. B. Campbell, of Belmont, Ontario, and in the autumn of 1873 he entered the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in June, 1875, with the de- gree of M. D., on the completion of the prescribed course. He was a thorough student, is a man of deep research, and spares neither labor nor expense in perfect- ing himself in his chosen calling. To this end he pursued a post-graduate course at Trinity Medical College, at Toronto, for three months. He then came to Garrett, Indiana, arriving on the 3d of February, 1876. At once he established himself, and has since been faithfully following his chosen calling, with success. At the time of his arrival the town was new, but with the in-
creased population his practice has increased until it has acquired extensive proportions. About 1878 he was appointed surgeon for the railroad company, and has since con- tinued in that position, covering a period of seventeen consecutive years.
On the 18th of June, 1878, was cele- brated the marriage of Dr. Thomson and Miss Sallie W. Johnston, daughter of William Y. and Ann (Drumm) Johnston, and they have two interesting children: Flora, born Oc- tober 28, 1880; and John William, January 31, 1886.
Dr. Thomson is interested in several civic societies, being a member of the orders of Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democracy. In his re- ligious views he is a Methodist, and his well spent life is in harmony with his profession. A deserving physician and a progressive citi- zen, he has the high regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
J OHN WESLEY TRIBOLET .- "Earn thy reward: the gods give naught to sloth," said the sage, Epi- charmus, and the truth of the admoni- tion has been exemplified in human affairs in all the ages which have rolled their course since his day. The subject to whose life history we are now permitted to direct at- tention has by ceaseless toil and endeavor attained a marked success in business affairs, has gained the respect and esteem of men and is recognized as one of the distinctively representative citizens of Bluffton, Indiana, where the major portion of his life has been passed.
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