Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 24

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

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details of the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, and thus is granted an objective incentive and inspira- tion, while is born a feeling of respect and admiration. The subject to whose life his- tory we now direct attention is one who has for many years been associated with impor- tant business industries in the city of Fort Wayne, has made his own way in the world and has attained to distinction as one of the most able, honorable and progressive citizens of the community with whose interests and normal development he has been conspicu- ously identified.

Our subject is a son of James R. and Henrietta (Burnet) Fisher. His father was a native of New Jersey, and when a youth he went to New York city, where he event- ually engaged in the furniture business, and where through his own pluck, energy and ability he worked his way up until he held rank among the leading merchants in that line in the national metropolis. He contin- ued business there until the great fire of 1835, when, like many another, he sustained very heavy financial loss. But he was not dis- couraged even in the face of this great mis- fortune, and he determined to go elsewhere to regain his business footing. Accordingly he located in Little Falls, New York, where he opened a retail furniture establishment and there continued in business until 1852, meeting with fair success in his operations. In the year mentioned he again made a change of location, removing with his family to Chicago, where his death occurred four years later (in 1856), at which time he had attained the age of fifty-two years. He was a man of resolute character and spotless in- tegrity, and he left to his children that price-

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less heritage, an honored name. Of the mother of our subject we record that she too was a native of the State of New Jersey, and that she was a grand- daughter of Colonel David Chambers, who was born in New Jersey, Septem- ber 15, 1748, and who died at Cranbury, Middlesex county, that State, on the 15th of September, 1842. He held the appoint- ment as Colonel of the Third New Jersey Regiment, from Hunterdon county, and served through the entire war of the Revolu- tion, among the engagements in which he participated being those of Trenton and Monmouth. It is particularly worthy of record in this connection that on the 4th of July, 1842,-at which time he was aged ninety-three years and ten months, -Colonel Chambers responded to the earnest request of his fellow-townsmen, and was present at the Independence celebration held in the Second Presbyterian church of Cranbury; was attired in the honored uniform of the Continental army, was escorted down the aisle and placed in an arm chair, where, though feeble, he was able to remain through- out the service, his venerable presence be- ing an honor and an inspiration on that oc- casion.

To James R. and Henrietta Fisher were born six children, namely: Alfred, born June 28, 1836, died June 8, 1854; William B., born August 30, 1838, died June 22, 1891; Frederick D., born March 28, 1840, died June 28, 1860; David Chambers, born June 25, 1843, is now a resident of Fort Wayne; Robertson J., the immediate subject of this review; and Henrietta B., born Oc- tober 10, 1847, is a resident of Hacketts- town, New Jersey.

Robertson J. Fisher was born in Little Falls, New York, on the 24th of September,

1845, and there passed the first seven years of his life. After this he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Chicago, where he attended the public schools until shortly after the death of his father, which occurred, as before stated, in 1856. The boy was then sent to the town of Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he entered the home of his uncle, and there remained for several years, in the meantime completing his edu- cational discipline. In 1861, being then sixteen years of age, he came to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and as his mother had passed away he was from this time on com- pelled to depend entirely upon his own efforts. His first employment was as a general clerk in the book and stationery store of William H. Brooks, Jr., son of the late Dr. William H. Brooks, for many years one of the most eminent medical practition- ers of Fort Wayne, and one to whom is dedicated an individual memoir on another page of this volume. Our subject remained in the employ of Mr. Brooks about one year, after which he was for two years en- gaged in a clerical capacity in the drug store of Reed & Wall, in which connection he gave much attention to the study of practi- cal pharmacy, in which he made rapid prog- ress, becoming reliable and efficient in the compounding of medicines and filling of pre- scriptions. Here his correct habits and his fidelity to the interests of his employers attracted the attention of J. H. Bass, the founder of the great industry of the Bass Iron Works, and in August, 1864, this gentleman offered to Mr. Fisher the position as bookkeeper for the firm of Bass & Hanna, foundrymen. Discerning in this proffered position the opportunity for future advance- ment Mr. Fisher accepted the same and was retained in that capacity until August 31,

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

1873, his services being of that careful, capable and conscientious order which ever implies concomitant respect, esteem and appreciation. On the date mentioned the business was incorporated, under title of the Bass Foundry and Machine Works, and of the company organized Mr. Fisher was elected treasurer, which important incum- bency he has since retained. His record during more than thirty years' identification with the Bass iron institutions has been one of. signal honor and has brought to him dis- tinction as one of the most able and pro- gressive business men of the city.

During all these years Mr. Fisher has maintained an abiding interest in the de- velopment and substantial progress of the city, and his influence and aid have been ac- corded in many enterprises which have given the place a prestige among the com- inercial centers of the Union and lent to its attractions as a place of residence. He was one of the organizers of the Fort Wayne Club, whose inception dates back to 1892, and he was elected president of the same and has retained this honorable preferment ever since,-his keen business sagacity, high social standing and genial courtesy render- ing him particularly eligible for the office. The club has wielded a potent influence in bringing the name and claims of the city into favorable consideration far outside local limi- tations and has been strongly instrumental in furthering her higher interests and normal advancement. Not a few of the public en- terprises which have been successfully car- ried out have had their origin in the parlors of this popular club. Mr. Fisher was one of the organizers of a company formed to lo- cate natural gas in a district available to the city, but after expending thousands of dol- lars they were compelled to abandon the

enterprise, as the efforts to discover gas proved futile. It was chiefly through the efforts of our subject that the era of street improvement was ushered in, thus eventually giving to Fort Wayne streets whose excellent condition is a source of pride and satisfac- tion, comparing most favorably with those of the leading metropolitan cities of the Union.

Although in no sense a politician Mr. Fisher has always taken an active interest in municipal affairs, and in 1894 he was elected Councilman at large for Fort Wayne, being the candidate on the Democratic ticket. Fraternally he is identified with Anthony Wayne Chapter, No. 1, Sons of the American Revolution, and in this he retains the office of vice-president.

October 30, 1866, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Julia Mosby Holton, who was born in Covington, Kentucky, in 1849, the daughter of Thomas J. and Sabina B. Holton, of Covington. Their only child, Laura Maude B., is the widow of L. E. Walker, late of Pasadena, California.

a ARL PROEGLER, M. D., occu- pies a position in the ranks of the medical fraternity in northern In- diana that numbers him among the best physicians of this section of the State. A man of long experience, he has gained a skill and knowledge of the science of medi- cine that secures for him an extended and well merited patronage. He is a native of Germany, born in Cologne, on the Rhine, February 17, 1837. His father, C. F. Proegler, was also born in the same country, followed merchandising in his native land, and there spent his entire life.

Under the parental roof Dr. Proegler was

Alvah Taylor.

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reared, and the schools of his native land af- forded him excellent educational privileges. He entered the gymnasium, at which he was graduated at the age of seventeen, and then became a student in the Universities of Erlangen, Wuerzburg and Berlin, from which he was graduated in 1859, at the age of twenty-two years, having completed the . regular course. Through the succeeding year he was a student in the medical colleges at Paris and London. He was anxious to solve the mysteries of science and has done all in his power to perfect himself in his chosen calling.

Seeking a broader field of usefulness and of labor in the New World, Dr. Proegler bade adieu to the Fatherland in 1860 and sailed for the United States, locating in New York city, where he established an office and engaged in practice until the breaking out of the Civil war, in 1861. Anxious to aid his adopted country; he offered his serv- ices to the Government and was appointed Junior Surgeon of a hospital in Washing- ton, District of Columbia, where he re- mained for a few months. He afterward served as surgeon of various regiments, in- cluding the Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, of which he had charge in his professional capacity for about ten months. At the close of the war Dr. Proegler entered the navy and was made Fleet Surgeon under General Farragut, -a position which he filled until 1868, at which time he was hon- orably discharged. He was faithful to the cause of his adopted country and the relief which he gave to the suffering soldiers won him the gratitude and love of many a man who " wore the blue."

Returning to New York, the Doctor con- tinued practice in the eastern metropolis until the breaking out of the German

war, when he returned to the Fatherland and acted as staff surgeon with the Eighth Army Corps until 1871. He was then made chief surgeon in charge of a hospital at Saar-Louis, and also St. Johann, Saar- bruecken. When the war was ended the Iron Cross was conferred upon him. As his services were no longer needed there, he again came to the New World, and took up his residence in Chicago, but after a few months went to Addison, Illinois, where he practiced for two years. His arrival in Fort Wayne dates from 1874, and from the be- ginning he has maintained a place among the most able practitioners of this section of the State. He is now secretary of the board of health, serving for the second term in that office, and is a member of the Allen County Medical Society.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Proegler was in her maidenhood Miss Henrietta Schmidt, of Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin. Of their union eight children have been born, but three are now deceased, two having died in infancy. The Doctor and his family are members of the Lutheran Church.

A LVAH TAYLOR .- The history of the legal profession in northeastern Indiana would be incomplete with- out the record of this gentleman, who is one of its most prominent members. When one wins a name and a place in the foremost ranks of the learned professions, it indicates superior ability, close application and earnest effort, all of which traits are strongly manifest in the character of Mr. Taylor. The record of his life is as follows:

Born in Fayette county, this State, June 30, 1839, he is a son of Freeman T. and

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

Anna (Tyner) Taylor, the former a native of New York, born in Ballston Spa, and the latter of Franklin county, Indiana. The father was a son of Joseph Taylor, a native of Connecticut, of Welsh and English origin, who in the Nutmeg State was employed as a wool-carder. When a young man he went to Ballston Spa, and was married there. He was killed in 1828 in Fayette county, this State, by being thrown from a horse, when about thirty-five years of age. During the war of 1812 he was drafted for service, but his employer could not spare him from his business and procured for him a substitute. In Joseph Taylor's family were six children, all of whom lived to be men past sixty years of age. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject, John Tyner, was born in South Caro- lina, and was of Irish and English lineage. He followed farming and became one of the pioneer settlers of Indiana, locating at Brookville in 1810. Three years later he took up his residence upon the farm, which was his home throughout his remaining days. He died near Harrisburg, Indiana, when a little past middle life. His family numbered ten children.

Freeman T. Taylor has also carried on agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his business career, and is a minister of the old-school Baptist Church. He was a child of eight years when he came with his parents to Indiana, the family locating at Harrisburg in Fayette county, where he was reared to manhood, and made his home until the spring of 1856. His wife died in 1869, at the age of fifty-six years.

Our subject was an only child. He was reared on his father's farm in the county of his nativity until sixteen years of age, and then came to Wabash county, which has been his place of abode since 1856. His

primary education acquired in Fayette coun- ty was supplemented by study in the high school in Wabash, and he pursued a classical course in Wabash College, at Crawfords- ville, Indiana, at which he was graduated in 1865. He then began studying law under the preceptorship of Hon. John U. Pettit, of Wabash, in the office which is now his, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1868. He then entered into partnership with his former preceptor, the connection continuing until 1873, when the senior member of the firm was elected Judge of the Circuit Court. Mr. Taylor has since continued his professional work in the same office and has been alone in business. He is a good speaker, a deep thinker and a logical reasoner, and his. un- questioned devotion to his patrons' interests has won a large clientage.

On the 23d of May, 1864, Mr. Taylor wedded Miss Anastasia Stratton, daughter of Mark and Mary (Shellenbarger) Stratton. They had two children, -Horace B. and Grace, the former dying at the age of nine- teen. Mrs. Taylor died April 28, 1883. She was a member of the Methodist Church, as were her children, and her death was mourned by many friends. On the 8th of May, 1884, Mr. Taylor was joined in wed- lock with Mrs. Mary L. McClure, widow of Camillus McClure and a daughter of Law- rence Wait and Nancy (Tracey) Wait. She, too, holds membership in the Methodist Church. Since February 16, 1861, our subject has been a consistent member of the old-school Baptist Church.

During the Civil war, Mr. Taylor mani- fested his loyalty to the Government by join- ing the boys in blue of Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment of In- diana Infantry, with which he served for five months. He is now a member of James

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H. Emmet Post, No. 6, G. A. R., of Wa- bash, and in politics is a stalwart Republican. He served as County School Examiner of Wabash county from 1868 until 1873, and during the three succeeding years was a inember of the City School Board of Trus- tees. For thirty-nine years he has been a resident of Wabash county, and since July, 1865, has resided at his pleasant home at No. 316 Main street in the city of Wabash. He is a kind-hearted, genial gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, and whose genuine worth and strict integrity commands the ad- miration and respect of all.

P ROFESSOR NATHAN R. LEON- ARD .- That the plenitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be considered as a most grateful and beneficial depriva- tion, for where ambition is satisfied and every ultimate aim realized-if such is pos- sible-there must follow individual apathy; effort will cease, accomplishment be pros- trate, and creative talent waste its energies in supine inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satiety lay ever in the future, and they have labored consecutively and have not failed to find in each transi- tion stage an incentive for further effort. The subject of this review is one who has attained to distinction in scientific and edu- cational circles, who is known as a man of scholarly acquirements, and who has wielded a marked influence in matters of public im- port by reason of his identification with newspaper work. It must be granted that there is a particular consistency in here ac- cording him specific recognition in connec- tion with a review of the lives of the

representative men of the city of Fort Wayne.

A native of Franklin county, Ohio, Mr. Leonard was born on the 29th of November, 1832, and he remained in the Buckeye State until 1844, when his parents removed to Iowa and took up their abode on a large farm a few miles north of the city of Bur- lington. There our subject grew to man- hood, finding in the sturdy discipline of the farm that developing agency which begets self-reliance and leads to an appreciation of absolute values in the affairs of life. Dur- ing the winter months he attended the pub- lic schools and eventually continued his studies in turn in the academy and college established in the neighboring village of Kos- suth, completing his collegiate course there in the year 1857. From his boyhood he had been fascinated with mathematical and scientific studies, for which he manifested a marked natural predilection and an ability to comprehend. So earnest was his devotion to these lines of study and investigation that he was determined to secure the best possi- ble discipline, and soon after his graduation he entered Harvard University, where he attended a complete course of lectures bear- ing upon the subjects in which he was so greatly interested.

In 1860 Mr. Leonard returned to Iowa, and he was here accorded distingushed rec- ognition in being chosen as professor of mathematics and astronomy in the State University, at Iowa City. This conspicuous incumbency he retained for more than a quarter of a century, within which time he was largely instrumental in advancing the interests of that institution. Material fa- cilities were increased, departments already in existence were enlarged, and new ones I created, the courses of study were expanded

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MMEMORIAL RECORD OF

and brought into a more orderly arrange- ment, and the standard of scholarship great- ly advanced. In the work incidental to thus widening the university's province of usefulness Professor Leonard played an act- ive part, and his mature wisdom and broad mental faculties were potent factors in the premises. His efforts were appreciated, and the benefits therefrom will practically be perpetual. He was dean of the college fac- ulty, and at various intervals, ranging in du- ration from six months to three years, acted as president of the institution. He was also given distinctive preferment by being cho- sen to fill the office of State Superintendent of Weights and Measures, and in that ca- pacity ably advocated the introduction of the metric system. In addition to his regn- lar work in the university he did inch in the way of original research, contributing many valuable articles to the scientific jour- nals-chiefly on astronomical subjects. In 1875 Professor Leonard was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science.

In 1887, having severed his connection with the University of Iowa, our subject came to Fort Wayne and here effected the purchase of the Gazette, of which he has since been editor and publisher. Under his able management the paper has prospered and has become widely influential. Pro- fessor Leonard has been a stalwart sup- porter of the Republican party from the time of its inception, and in his hands the Gazette has been a valuable instrument and medium for furthering the interests of the "grand old party." While he is an ardent advocate of temperance he does not believe that the cause will be advanced or expe- diency conserved in a third-party movement along that line as an issue. He wisely holds

the view that to whatever extent the liquor traffic can be controlled by legislative en- actment it can best be accomplished through either one of the established political or- ganizations. He is an able editor, as may be inferred from his high attainments and his cognizance of practical affairs, and his writings are always terse, cogent and con- vincing, the while having the additional strength implied in precise and classical dic- tion. In his religious adherency the Pro- fessor is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and he has been an active and in- fluential worker, having at one time repre- sented the Iowa City Presbytery in the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States.

In his domestic relations our subject is most felicitously placed. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth IIeizer, a woman of culture, gentle refinement and gracious presence. They have four children living, and these have added honor to an honored name. Levi O. is editor and pub- lisher of the Railway Review, at Butte, Montana; Hon. Charles R. is a successful attorney, a member of the State Senate of Montana and retains his residence at Butte City; Hon. Frank M. resides at Libby, Montana, and is a member of the Mineral Land Commission for the Missoula district; Miss Minnie still retains her residence in the parental hoine.

O SCAR E. EVANS .- Occupying a conspicuous place in commercial circles in Montpelier, Indiana, is this gentleman, who is numbered among its leading and progressive citizens and is known as its greatest merchant. He owes his present prominent position in the

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world of trade to perseverance, hard work, mastery of the details of his business and determination to succeed.

Mr. Evans was born in Newcastle, In- diana, July 7, 1864, and is a son of Lewis Kearn and Harriet (Redding) Evans. Noth- ing will test the quality of the material that is in the man better than to throw him on his own resources at a tender age of life. If he possesses the courage and staying qualities necessary to success that fact will soon be developed. No dullard or drone in the great, busy hive of human industry can hope to at- tain distinction in any walk of life. Mr. Evans is an illustrious prototype of the self- made man. Thrown on his own resources at the early age of eleven years, by the death of his father, he not only had to pro- vide for his own maintenance, but his moth- er and sister were also dependent upon him for support. He immediately sought and secured a position in the store of T. R. Vaughn in Newcastle, Indiana, and received for his first year's labor $60. His hours were long, his labors arduous, and his re- muneration seemed small, but he was lay- ing broad and firm the foundation of a suc- cessful business career. He was faithful to his duties and for a number of years re- mained with his first employer, gradually perfecting his knowledge of every depart- ment of the business, both in principle and in detail and steadily working his way up- ward. In 1888 he severed his connection with the main store, but still continued in the service of the proprietor, going to Koko- mo, Indiana, to establish there a branch store, which he conducted successfully and creditably for two years.

Desiring to enlarge the field of his opera- tions, Mr. Evans accepted a position with the " When " Clothing Company of Indian-

apolis. After nine months he was employed as traveling salesman for C. B. Cones & Son, of Indianapolis, at a salary of $1,200 per annum and expenses. He traveled in twenty-seven States in the Union, and re- mained with that firm for four years, one of their most efficient and trusted traveling rep- resentatives. When he left their service he he was receiving $2,000 per year. From his earnings he managed to save a consider- able sum, and with the capital thus acquired he came to Montpelier, Indiana, and pur- chased the business of C. A. Frash & Com- pany on the 26th of August, 1894. He formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Silas A. Pulse, and under the firm name of Evans & Company a successful business was entered upon. They carry a stock val- ued at over $50,000, and their annual sales amount to over $125,000. The increase in the business has been rapid and satisfactory. On the 14th of September, 1895, this firm established a gentlemen's furnishing-goods store on Main street, known as the Hub, which meets a long felt want in the town. Their stock is valued at $3,000 and the same honorable business policy and capable man- agement that has brought success to the dry goods house will assuredly secure prosperity for the new undertaking.

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 24

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