Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 25

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

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On the Ist of July, 1895, Mr. Evans and J. H. Shoemaker purchased a tract of twenty acres, lying about two miles west of the town, for the purpose of transforming it into a pleasure resort. This land had been owned by Mr. Waugh, one of the oldest pioneers of Wells county, who had located in this county more than forty years ago, and shortly after planted juniper and other evergreen trees, which have now grown to a considerable size and furnish excellent shade. Mr. Waugh is a New England horticulturist and had sys-

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tematically laid out his grounds, planted his hedges and shrubbery, and made the gravel walks. On the purchase of this tract by Messrs. Evans & Shoemaker, they found that if it was properly developed it would require more money and time than they were will- ing to give to it, hence the Rustic Park As- sociation was organized with C. Pape, of Fort Wayne, as president, J. H. Shoemaker treasurer, and O. E. Evans secretary. These gentlemen have erected a large, airy pavilion for meeting purposes and a refresh- ment booth, have sunk wells, piped it with natural gas, and made other improvements. By another season they expect to put in an artificial lake covering eight acres, and build a line of cars to the grounds. It is the in- tention to conduct a first-class place of recrea- tion and amusement, and none of the "beer- garden " tendencies will be tolerated. A place of inviting beauty where one may have rest and enjoyment unmolested is to be the | result of the commendable efforts of these worthy gentlemen. Mr. Evans is also a stockholder in the Indiana Central Railroad Company, which has for its object the build- ing of a line of road between Union City and Huntington, Indiana. He has been the promoter of many worthy enterprises which have not only advanced his individual pros- perity but have also added to the material welfare of the community.

On the 23d of February, 1893, Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Pulse, daughter of Silas A. and Rose (Hayward) Pulse, of Warren, Indiana. Her birth there occurred December 23, 1868. They now have an interesting little daugh- ter, Margaret, who was born on the 10th of December, 1893.

Mr. Evans is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having risen to the thirty-second

degree, and is also a Knight Templar. He belongs to Montpelier Lodge, No. 600, F. & A. M., the Indianapolis Consistory, and the Bluffton Commandery. In politics he is a Republican, and religiously is con- nected with the Christian Church. His suc- cess in life has come to him not through a combination of fortunate circumstances, but through earnest endeavor and indefatigable energy, guided by sound judgment and sa- gacity. If kindness and geniality count for aught in this world, if a life above reproach, both in the discharge of public and private duties, is deserving of commendation, then Mr. Evans certainly merits the high regard which is universally given him.

J OHN ANDREW MORRISON, M. D., has spent his entire life in Indiana, and is to-day numbered among the leading citizens of Montpelier. He has attained an enviable position in the medical profession, gaining a high reputation which comes only through skill and ability, and which is the reward of faithful and persistent effort. He is progressive, keep- ing abreast with the times in every particu- lar, and his advanced methods and thorough understanding of the business have brought to him excellent success.

The Doctor was born in Salamonie town- ship, Huntington county, April 26, 1850, and comes of a family that was probably founded in America during early Colonial days. His grandfather, Andrew Morrison, was born July 18, 1780, probably in Vir- ginia, and married Martha Mitchell, who was born September 25, 1786. Their wedding was celebrated April 5, 1804, and they be- came the parents of fourteen children. The oldest, a son, born December 7, 1805, died

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January 23, 1806. Leander is the father of our subject. James P. was born October 10, 1808. Osborn was born June 17, 1810. An infant daughter, born September 2, 1811, died on the 5th of the same month.' Elijah, born September 29, 1812, married Sarah Mitchell, June 17, 1834, and died Septem- ber 29th of the same year. Sarah Mordah, born July 18, 1814, was married on the 20th of August, 1835, to John Brawley, who died November 21, 1840. Andrew, born September 21, 1816, was married January 15, 1839, to Elizabeth Wright. Joanna was born April 23, 1819. An infant daugh- ter, born July 24, 1820, died on the 27th of the same month. Franklin Alexander, born July 24, 1822, died June 12, 1825. Lewis M. was born February 21, 1825. Eli was born October 15, 1826. An infant son died May 9, 1828. Matilda Ann, born March 4, 1829, married Joel P. Garretson, September 9, 1845, and is living in Andrews, Hunting- ton county, Indiana.

The Doctor's father, Leander Morrison, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, November 7, 1806, and is of Scottish de- scent, for his father was a native of Scot- land, and, crossing the Atlantic to America when a young man, located in Pennsylvania, whence he afterward went to Kentucky. Leander attended the common schools of the neighborhood and afterward removed with his family to Preble county, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1834. That year witnessed his arrival in Huntington county, Indiana. Casting his lot with its pioneer settlers he entered from the Government a tract of land lying in both Huntington and Wells counties and began to clear and improve his property. As a companion and helpmeet on life's jour- ney he chose Miss Matilda Jones, and their

marriage, which took place February 26, 1835, was the first celebrated in Salamonie township. The lady was born March 7, 1816, in Kentucky, and is a daughter of Samuel Jones, who made the first settlement in that township on the 27th of September, 1833. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and during his earlier years resided in Highland county, Ohio, whence with his family, consisting of wife and eight children, he went to Huntington county, locating on the present town-site of Warren. He laid out the town and was prominently identified with the upbuilding of the community for many years, doing all in his power for its promotion and development.

After his marriage Leander Morrison located on a frontier farm in Huntington county, where he spent his remaining days. The tract originally comprised 185 acres, and was in its primitive condition at the time of his settlement thereon, but with characteristic energy he began its develop- ment, and soon it was transformed into rich and cultivable fields. He also found time to devote to public affairs and in the early days of the county's history served as land agent, as magistrate and as county commis- sioner. The duties of public and private life were ever faithfully performed by him and his genuine worth won him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His political support was given the Republican party after its organization, previous to which time he voted with the Whig party. Personally he was five feet, eight inches in height and weighed about 135 pounds; was of a sympathetic temperament and pleasant disposition, and throughout the community had many friends. His death occurred Feb- ruary 14, 1881. His widow, however, is still living on the old homestead in Hunting-

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ton county, and is an earnest and consistent member of the United Brethren Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison became the par- ents of seven children: Calvin, born Janu- ary 1, 1837, enlisted on his country's call for troops, and died in the army in 1861. Nancy was born November 14, 1838. Martha Ann, born May 30, 1842, became the wife of David Elliott, and they now reside in Hun- tington county. Sarah Lucinda, born De- cember 15, 1843, is the wife of Charles R. Mason, of Hartford City, Indiana. Samuel Lindsay, born January 8, 18.47, married Burzetta Good, and is living in Huntington county. The Doctor is the next younger. Lewis Mitchell, born May 2, 1853, married Rosie Anna Ernest, and after her death wedded Lavinia Elkhart, with whom he is now living in Huntington county.

Doctor Morrison of this review spent his childhood days on the Indiana frontier, and with the family went through the usual ex- periences of pioneer life. He early became inured to the arduous labors of developing a farm, and through the summer months worked in the fields, but after the crops were harvested in the autumn he entered the district schools to pursue his studies in the winter. He also attended school in Bluffton, Indiana, and for two terms was a student in the Roanoke Classical Seminary, under Professor Core.

Tiring of the monotony of farm life and desiring to enter the broader field of profes- sional labor, in 1872 he took up the study of medicine under Drs. Mason and Ranson, of Hartford City, Blackford county. In the winter of 1873-4, he attended a course of lectures in the Cincinnati College of Medi- cine and Surgery, and was graduated at that institution in the class of 1875. He now laid aside his text-books to learn the

more important lessons which experience would bring, and to enter upon the sterner duties of life which follow the period of our school days. He first located at Mt. Zion, Wells county, but after remaining there for one year removed to Liberty Center, In- diana, where he successfully continued prac- tice until June, 1884. Coming to Montpe- lier he has since been identified with its in- terests, and is known as one of its most suc- cessful and capable physicians. Montpelier at the time of his arrival contained only 750 inhabitants, but its growth has been rapid, and it is now a city of more than 5,000.

The Doctor has ever been an earnest student, keeping abreast with the progress made in the science of medicine, and in 1885, in order to further perfect himself in his chosen calling, he attended a course of lectures in the Long Island College Hospital of New York. His fellow townsmen have attested their confidence in his ability by the liberal support they have given him, and he now enjoys a lucrative practice. In 1893 he purchased a farm of 226 acres, on sec- tion 16, Jackson township, Wells county. To the farm he removed in the month of June, and there made his home until Sep- tember, 1895. He has upon the place four- teen oil-producing wells, which are now leased and operated by Forest & Greenley, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and which yield to the Doctor a good income. He has re- cently purchased property at the corner of High and Washington streets, where he now has a comfortable and commodious home.

The Doctor married Miss Sarah Cather- ine Spake, who was born in Wells county, December 19, 1857, and is the eldest of a family of five children, whose parents are John and Polly (First) Spake. The Doctor and his wife are the parents of three chil-

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dren: Rufus Alvah, born July 13, 1877; Leander, born August 1, 1879; and Merle Minten, born March 15, 1882.

ON. ROBERT LOWRY .- Supe- rior capacity is undoubtedly re- quired to successfully control and operate extensive mercantile es- tablishments, manufacturing industries, and business enterprises generally. But along those lines one often has the advantage of entering upon a business already established. This can never be the case in professional life. Success there depends entirely upon the natural endowments, acquirements, and persistent endeavor of him who enters that field of labor. In the legal profession all must start alike. One must there begin his career at the very threshold. Beginning with his first case he must thence work his way upward by earnest effort and close ap- plication, aided and reinforced by natural ability, thus gaining his success and reputa- tion by merit. Judge Lowry began as all others must do in this line of work, and his present prominence has come to him as the reward of earnest endeavor, fidelity to trust, and recognized ability. He has been prom- inent both at the bar and on the bench, and also in political life, and is widely recog- nized as one of the leading and influential citizens of northeastern Indiana.

He is a native of Killileagh, county Down, Ireland, and is of Scotch-Irish de- scent. His boyhood days were passed in Rochester, New York, where he commenced the active duties of life by serving, while yet a youth, as librarian of a large literary insti- tution. Subsequently he took up the study of law in that city, and, while still in his minority, he came to Fort Wayne, Indiana. 12

He had not attained the age of manhood when he was elected by the Common Coun- cil as City Recorder. The principal finan- cial and general clerical business of the city was then transacted in that office. He was re-elected to that position, but declined further service. On being admitted to the bar, soon after, he began practice in Goshen, which he continued diligently to pursue for six years thereafter, steadily working his way upward to a place in the foremost ranks of the legal fraternity. He was, at the end of that time, appointed, by the Governor, Judge of that circuit-then the Tenth -- to fill a vacancy; and in 1856, hav- ing previously resumed the active duties of the profession, while again devoting him- self zealously to the practice of law, he was unexpectedly nominated by the Democratic party as a candidate for Congress, in a dis- trict where the opposition had greatly the ascendency. The canvass was an animated and earnest one, and so effective that the opposition strength was believed for some days after the election to have been over- come to such an extent that reports reached various metropolitan newspapers announc- ing that he was elected. When the returns were all in, however, it was found that the Re- publican candidate was successful, but by a much reduced majority. In 1860 Judge Low- ry was president of the Indiana Democratic State convention, and one of the four dele- gates at large to the Democratic national con- vention. In 1864, although he was not in the field as a candidate prior to the meeting of the convention, he was nominated over two contesting aspirants for the office of Circuit Judge, and was elected to the bench in the circuit composed of the counties of Elkhart, La Grange, Steuben, De Kalb, Noble, Kos- ciusko, Whitley, Allen, Adams and Wells.

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In 1866, in the same Congressional district as before, and in 1868, in a district com- posed of different territory and still more largely Republican, he again represented his party as a candidate for Congress, but the majority of the opposition, as apprehended, was still found too large to overcome. Hav- ing in 1867 resumed his residence in Fort Wayne, and the circuit in which he had been presiding being shortly thereafter di- vided by legislative enactment, he was, in 1870, on the expiration of his former term, re-elected Circuit Judge without opposition, in the circuit composed of the counties in the southern half of his former circuit. In 1872 he was one of the four delegates at large from Indiana to the Democratic na- tional convention, held at Baltimore, and was active and influential in the councils of that body.

In January, 1875, Judge Lowry resigned the circuit judgeship and organized and be- came a member of the law firm of Lowry, Robertson & O'Rourke, thus resuming prac- tice in Fort Wayne. He was not long per- mitted, however, to remain in private life, for his valuable past services and ability again recommended him for official honors, and in 1877 he was appointed by the Gov- ernor, on the unanimous recommendation of the bar of the city of Fort Wayne, when himself absent from home, as Judge of the then recently established Superior Court of Allen county, and he was afterward elected for the full term without opposition. Thus was there indicated in the most signal man- ner the high place which he held in the re- gard of his professional brethren and in the estimation of the people. In July, 1879, upon its organization, he was elected the first president of the Indiana State Bar As- sociation. In 1882 he was elected to Con-

gress from the Twelfth District, and re- elected in 1884. During these two terms he was continuously a member of the com- mittee on elections, was chairman of the House branch of a commission to investi- gate and report concerning the condition, and the expediency, of the reorganization of the several scientific bureaus of the Gov- ernment, namely: The coast and geodetic, the geological, the meteorological, and the hydrostatic bureau of the Navy Department. Senators Allison, of Iowa, Pendleton, of Ohio, and Hale, of Maine, and during the latter part of its service, Senator Morgan, of Alabama, in place of Senator Pendleton, constituted the Senate branch of the com- mission, and Representative Herbert, of Alabama, since Secretary of the Navy, was one of the members of the House branch. Senator Allison presented to the Senate, and Judge Lowry to the House, a volu- minous report from that commission, which attracted great attention, especially in official quarters in Washington, where it resulted in much benefit to the service. During his last term Judge Lowry was also chairman of the committee on expenditures in the Treasury Department. As a member of the committee on elections he exhibited the same eminent quality for which he was invariably given the highest credit while on the bench-that of the utmost judicial fair- ness, acting, as he did, with entire freedom from all party bias and without regard to mere partisan considerations or interests. While a member of the committee on elec- tions it was incumbent upon him to report upon and argue in the House the legal as- pects of a number of the more important cases which came before it. Among these were cases resulting in the admission to his seat of Mr. O'Ferrall, since Governor of Vir-

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ginia, and Mr. Campbell, since Governor of Ohio. In a case where Mr. W. E. English, of Indiana, was contestant, a vote had re- sulted in an adverse majority, but on a recon- sideration being had the case was brought up again. The principal argument on behalf of the contestant was then made by Judge Lowry. Several senators became auditors of the discussion, notably Harrison and Voorhees, of Indiana, and the advocate of the contestant's claims had for his catechists Reed, of Maine, Hiscock, of New York, and Poland, of Vermont. The result of the en- counter was that the contestant was admit- ted to the seat. His competitor, however, afterward became the occupant of a com- fortable judicial position in Washington. The rectitude of Judge Lowry's course on such occasions and the correctness of his judgment, independently of any question as to the degree of ability displayed, is mani- fested by the fact that whether espousing the cause of one who was or was not in ac- cord, politically, with the predominant senti- ment of the body, the side with which he became identified in no instance failed to prevail. While zealously interesting him- self in the proceedings of the House at all times, he was ever watchful of the best in- terests of his immediate constituents. About the time his Congressional service com- menced, provision had been made for the construction of a Government building at Fort Wayne, but after paying for the plat of ground on which to erect it, it was found that only $23, 300, of the $50,000 appropria- tion which had been made, remained with which to start the building. The entire ap- propriation had been limited to $100,000, but Judge Lowry, realizing the importance to his city and district of having this build- ing constructed of sufficient dimensions and

creditable architectural character and ap- pearance, secured an increase of the limit of expense to double the original amount, caused an additional amount of ground to be purchased equal to that bought at first, the plan of the building to be changed, the size greatly enlarged beyond that originally designed, and secured an additional appro- priation of $150,000, for the building and increase of ground, together with $15,000 besides, afterwards, for approaches and heating and hoisting apparatus. The re- sult is that Fort Wayne now has a larger and handsomer Federal court-house and post-office building than any other city of its size in the United States, and, it may be safely said, any such-sized city.in the world.

In debate, and in even the very heat of ar- gument, Judge Lowry is masterful. He never fails to maintain his position. He is a clear reasoner, logical, quick to notice an assail- able point of the adversary and to take ad- vantage of it. He has fine oratorical pow- ers, and while discussing a question notes every detail that may have any bearing upon it, but at the same time never loses sight of the principal points upon which the decis- ion of the matter in controversy may be made to turn. He is an indefatigable worker, whether at the bar, on the bench, in posi- tions of public preferment, or in the seclu- sion of his office. It was a common remark of the attendants about the capitol at Wash- ington, during his service there, that the rooms where his work was principally done were usually the last to be vacated at the close of the day's labor, whether it were that appertaining to the details of committee work, that of preparing for the more general affairs of the ensuing day, or reporting to such members of his constituency as may have invoked some personal service, the re-

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sult of his efforts in their behalf. The in- terests of the deserving ex-soldier, and es- pecially of those needing more immediate aid, had, during this period, his watchful care. Their appeals never remained unanswered nor their requests for attention unfulfilled. During his connection with public affairs, indeed, the chiefest concern of the subject of our sketch has seemed to be the con- stant upholding and enforcement of what he saw to be right and just in business, and political as well as social life, and the promo- tion, on his part, as far as in him lay, of the well-being, chiefly, of that portion of the body politic constituting the great mass. In the enjoyment of robust health, and pos- sessed of a full share of vigor and energy, he is now engaged actively in the prac- tice of his profession at Fort Wayne, and the business with which he is favored seems to be all the more welcome the more intri- cate the questions involved may be.

HARLES P. FLETCHER .- The subject of this review has been for many years identified with the more important interests of the city of Fort Wayne, has been intimately concerned in the construction of the railway lines, the great arteries of commerce which have been the prime factors in insuring the progress of the city, and has gained recognition as one of her representative and most popular resi- dents, -a man clearly entitled to considera- tion in this volume.

The branch of the Fletcher family to which our subject belongs had as its original American ancestor one Robert Fletcher, who, it is believed, came from Yorkshire, England, upon his emigration to the New World, in the year 1630. He settled at

Concord, Massachusetts, and he and his descendants were long identified with the history of the New England States. The family is of the sturdy and noble Puritan stock, whose transplanting upon American soil has born fruit these many years in the production of scions who have retained by inherent right and force the sterling honor and strong individuality which gave such firm and deep foundations to the superstruc- ture of our prospered and enlightened na- tional commonwealth.

Charles P. Fletcher was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, his natal day having been June 13, 1827. His parents were Paschal and Rebecca (Boutwell) Fletcher, the former of whom was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and the latter at Amherst, New Hampshire. The father died at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother lived to attain the most venerable age of ninety-six years, her death occurring November 22, 1894, at her home in Lowell, Massachusetts. Our sub- ject was fortunate in his home surroundings and influence, receiving his educational dis- cipline in the common schools, and at an early age entering upon an active business life by securing employment in the cotton factories in his native town. He was after- ward employed in a similar capacity at Manchester, New Hampshire, and Lowell, Massachusetts, but he finally determined that a wider opportunity for success awaited him in other fields of endeavor, and accord- ingly he became connected with the work of railroad construction. He began operations in the line in the humble capacity of a common laborer, but for his faithfulness and effective service he was soon promoted to the position of roadmaster, and finally became a contractor in railroad work, his previous labors having given him an intimate knowledge of the de-

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 25

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