Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 28

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

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

gaged until the close of the war. Within this time he was twice captured by the Con- federates and on one occasion lost every- thing that he had, his wagons and merchan- dise being totally destroyed in the Wheeler raid in the Sequatchie valley near Chatta- nooga.

Having served faithfully and well in sup- porting the cause and upholding the arms of the Union, after the close of the war Cap- tain White returned to Fort Wayne, and again made ready to assume the labors so summarily interrupted. He again identified himself with the business interests of the city, by establishing here a grocery and fruit house. He was meeting with excellent suc- cess when, in January, 1872, his store was destroyed by fire, entailing quite a heavy loss, as the insurance indemnity did not rep- resent forty per cent of the actual valuation. His resolute spirit, however, was undaunted, and on the following day he opened a store opposite the old one and therein placed a new stock. A general financial depression fol- lowed hard upon that event, but his methods were careful and conservative and his dis- crimination so potent that he passed through the ordeal which overthrew so many busi- ness concerns, and was consecutively suc- cessful in his operations. His merchandis- ing has continued with marked prosperity, and the Fort Wayne Fruit House, by which title the establishment is known, controls an extensive trade throughout northern Indiana and northeastern Ohio, being recognized as one of the important commercial industries of the State, and one to whose management has been applied keen business sagacity and absolute integrity. This immense concern exercises both wholesale and retail functions and is elegantly located in a fine modern building on Wayne street, where employ-

ment is afforded to a corps of about seventy- five individuals and where the annual busi- ness transacted reaches the notable average aggregate of half a million dollars. As his financial resources have been augmented, he has made judicious investments in real estate and has not only increased his own possessions but has aided materially in the improvement of Fort Wayne by the laying out of new streets, embellishing and sub- stantially improving the four additions which bear his name and otherwise contributing to the advancement of the highest interests of the city with whose history he has been so long identified.

Captain White started out in life empty- handed, but has surmounted all obstacles and pushed aside the barriers that ob- structed the path to fortune. He has ex- tended his operations to other lines of trade, and in partnership with his son, John W. White, established and controlled a wheel factory, in which about 200 workmen were employed. His extensive trade came from all parts of the Union, and the establish- ment was one of the largest of its kind in the United States, all kinds of carriage and wagon wheels being there manufactured. His son was the active manager, and has made the enterprise a very popular and prosperous one. In 1892 he and his son, John W. White, Esq., sold out their wheel works to the American Wheel Company, and then at the same time, in 1892, organ- ized and established the White National Bank, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a capi- tal stock of $200,000, his son, John W. White, being the president of the bank, and the subject of our sketch a director. The bank is doing well, and has succeeded in gaining the confidence of the public from the start. The deposits are over half a

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million, and the bank pays eight per cent dividend per annum. Under the present management the bank bids fair to be one of the most prosperous in the State, the well- known integrity and extensive acquaintance of the subject of our sketch adding much to its popularity.

During the inauguration of the World's Fair at Chicago in 1892-3 Governor Hovey, of Indiana, appointed Mr. White as one of the Commissioners for the State of Indiana, -a position that required considerable labor and much attention from those who were honored by such appointments, and it is well known that Indiana kept pace with her sister States in that direction.

He is also a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Sion S. Bass Post, of Fort Wayne. This post is named after Colonel Sion S. Bass, who was colonel of the Thir- tieth Indiana, the regiment in which our subject was a Captain. Colonel Bass was killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862. The national Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R., Thomas G. Lawler, appointed Captain White in 1894 as a member of his staff. This organization, the G. A. R., is looked upon as one of the highest in the land, having in view exclusively the patriotic welfare of the country. He is still, in the year 1895, actively giving attention to his many business interests, and giving part of his time to political affairs without in any way being too pretentious as a leader, yet always ready to give his advice and co- operate with his fellow citizens in advancing anything of interest for the welfare and benefit of the people.

He was at one time a partner in the ownership of the Fort Wayne Gazette, and has always taken a deep interest in politics, although it is only in recent years that he

has been prominent in campaign work. In his political principles he is strongly Repub- lican, and was twice elected to the City Council from the Second Ward, where the majority of the voters are Democrats.

In 1886 our subject was prevailed upon to accept the Republican nomination for Congress as Representative of the Twelfth District, which had previously been consid- ered a Democratic stronghold, that party having a normal majority of about 3,000. At the ensuing election he ran ahead of the usual Republican ticket by about 2,500 votes, -a fact which attested his unbounded popularity and the unlimited confidence that is reposed in him. That he was worthy of this distinguished pre- ferment is shown by his record in the connection. As a Congressman Captain White manifested an all-round fitness for the work. He had both a capacity and an intention of securing a full understanding of the business submitted to his consideration. He had sufficient confidence in himself to render him capable of giving his views to his associates and sufficient modesty to in- sure, on his part, a fair reception and honest examination of the views of others, thus ar- riving at conclusions by safe routes. On the floor he made no pretence to rhetor- ical eloquence, but was able to clothe his thoughts in acceptable verbiage and to thoroughly defend his position. As a speaker he gained attention and respect, being clear in explanation and manly in defense. Dur- ing his term in Congress he was noted as a zealous worker, not only for the good of the people of his own district but for the general public, and introduced sev- eral measures for the benefit of the working people. These were not at the time adopted but in the future will be recognized as the

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proper foundation for legislation for the amelioration of the condition of the wage- earners throughout the world. His min- imum-wages bill is particularly calculated to help the laboring class. In the Fiftieth Congress his voice was often heard in the discussion of various measures and partic- ularly in the debates on the tariff question. Ilis information on the subject of protection versus free trade was that of a practical business man and his arguments were wide- ly quoted and carried with them much weight. The issue of the following cam- paign was along that line and resulted in the defeat of Grover Cleveland.

Since his retirement from Congress, Captain White has taken up his business with undiminished energy. He enters heart- ily and enthusiastically into anything he undertakes. His career in the field of poli- tics was an honorable one. He fearlessly advocated whatever he believed to be right, and principle was with him ever above party, and loyalty to his country's best in- terests above personal preferment. His business career is alike above reproach. Coming to this country with no capital he determined to achieve success if it could be secured through honest effort and persever- ance. In earlier years he met with many discouragements, and fire and general finan- cial depression joined forces to frustrate his plans; but with an indomitable will and courage he pursued his way and not only overcame the difficulties in his path but ac- quired a handsome fortune. He has aided materially in the promotion of the commer- cial interests of Fort Wayne, and not a little of the prosperity of the city is due to him. He has long attended the First Pres- byterian Church, but he is liberal and char- itable in his religious views. To the poor

and needy he is ever ready to extend a help- ing hand, yet his aid is ever accorded quiet- ly and unostentatiously, and many a time none but the giver and recipient know of the benefice. Honorable and straightfor- ward in all the relations of life, true to friends and family and the best interests of his adopted land, Captain James B. White is justly numbered among the most honored and valued citizens of Fort Wayne.

J ACOB HILDENBRAND, president of the Treaty Creek Stone and Lime Company, Wabash, was born in Schiersfeld, Rhine Bavarian, Ger- many, April 30, 1825, the son of Philip and Rachina (Koch) Hildenbrand, both the par- ents also being native Germans. They had five children, all of whom are deceased ex- cepting the subject of this sketch. Philip Hildenbrand, the father, was a coal miner and passed all his life in Germany, his native land, dying at the age of fifty-one years. His wife survived him a short time, depart- ing this life when fifty-three years of age. They were both members of the Presbyte- rian Church, setting good examples of an upright life. Mr. Hildenbrand was a soldier under Napoleon, and could speak French as well as German. The paternal grandfather died in Germany at an advanced age. He had three children, and in business was also interested in coal-mining for a time.

Mr. Jacob Hildenbrand, our subject, came to America in 1850, stopping one year in New York, and in 1851 came on to Wa- bash, where at first he employed himself at whatever he could find to do. In 1869 he bought a lime-kiln, at the south border of the town of Wabash, and worked at lime-

Thork . hans have

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burning for a number of years. Then, form- ing a partnership with J. B. Latchem and others, he continued in the business for many years. Later he started in the lumber trade, as a member of the Treaty Creek Stone and Lime Company, and this com- pany has furnished material for many of the buildings of Wabash, and also does contract work and run a planing-mill near the Wa- bash depot, where the main yard is situ- ated. Mr. Hildenbrand has also an interest in several factories in Wabash, has been a public-spirited and enterprising gentleman, and is highly respected in the community. Honest and upright, devoted to his religious convictions, he has accumulated his prop- erty by his own industry and frugality, and his life may well be emulated by his many descendants, all of whom have just reason to be proud of his straightforward life.

Mr. Hildenbrand received all his school- ing in Germany, which was limited, as he was obliged to engage almost constantly in manual labor during his boyhood and youth. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Geibel, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Glaser) Geibel. They have hadsixchildren, all daughters, viz. : Elizabeth, Kate, Barbara, Rachel, Mary and one who died in infancy. Elizabeth married Philip Sundheimer and has five children-Anna, Carrie, Paulina, Louisa and Charles. Kate became the wife of Peter Sundheimer and has seven children, five of whom are now living-Rosa, Elsie, Frieda, Leah and Har- old. Barbara married Adam Sundheimer and has four children living-Lucy, Renben, Ellen and Walter. Rachel became the wife of Charles Kuldau and has one child, Carl. Mary became Mrs. Andreas Sund- heimer and has one child, Jacob.

Mr. and Mrs. Hildenbrand are members of the German Evangelical Church. Polit- ically he is a Democrat.

HOMAS R. MARSHALL occupies a position in the front rank at the bar of northern Indiana. His legal attainments, of a high order, have won him prominence, and the public and the members of the profession recognize and acknowledge his worth. He is the hon- ored and senior member of the well-known law firm of Marshall, McNaguy & Clngston, located in Columbia City, and for many years has been identified with this locality.

The State claims him among her native sons, for he was born in Wabash county, Indiana, on the 14th of March, 1854, a son of Daniel M. and Martha A. (Patterson) Marshall. On both sides he descended from illustrious ancestry which has been connected with this country since the time when Amer- ica achieved her independence. Even be- fore the Colonies threw off the yoke of Brit- ish oppression they were people of note in this country. John Marshall, who served in the Revolution and became Chief Justice of the new Republic, was a member of the family. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Riley Marshall, was the first Clerk of Grant county, Indiana, an honored pio- neer, and owned the 640 acres of land on which the city of Marion, Indiana, now stands. The mother's family also numbers many men of note, including Charles Car- roll, who was one of the signers of the Dec- laration of Independence and one of the heroes in the war with Great Britain, which brought liberty to this country. Rev. Charles Elliott, D.D., LL. D., president of the Western Theological Seminary at Pittsburg,

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Pennsylvania, was her uncle; and one of her cousins is Rev. Lynn Milligan, Chaplain of the Pennsylvania State prison, who has a world-wide reputation as a prison reformer and spends his entire salary in the interests of this work.

The father of our subject, a native of Indiana, took up the study of medicine in his younger years, and in 1849 removed to Wabash county, this State, where he prac- ticed for a short time, when he went to La- grange, Missouri. He was a strong Jeffer- sonian Democrat and there got into an altercation with Duff Green, who was a notorious character of that region and later was killed at the siege of Vicksburg during the late war. On account of this trouble the Doctor was forced to leave Mis- souri; and, taking up his residence in Kosci- usko county, Indiana, he lived there until 1874, when he removed to Columbia City. In that year he retired from the active prac- tice of medicine, and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, his death occurring in 1892. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat and socially was connected with the Masonic fraternity. His pleasant, genial manner commended him to the favor of all, and he was very popular. Mrs. Marshall was a native of Pennsylvania, a cultured, refined lady and a woman of rare beauty. Even at the time of her death, which occurred December 9, 1894, at the age of sixty-four, she retained her beauty, which was rivaled only by her nobleness of character. In the family were only two children, and the daughter died in infancy.

In Kosciusko county Mr. Marshall, whose name introduces this review, was reared, his boyhood being quietly passed. His elementary education, obtained in the

common schools, was supplemented by study in Wabash College, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, at which he was graduated in 1873, with the degree of A. B., while in 1876 the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him. Wishing to enter the legal profession, for which his tastes and talents seem to fit him, he came to Columbia City, where he read law with Hon. Walter Olds, late of the Supreme Bench, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He at once began prac- tice and was alone in business until 1877, when the firm of Marshall & McNaguy was formed, now the oldest law firm in years of continuous practice in northern Indiana. These gentlemen were afterward joined by Mr. Clugston, and no firm in this part of the State has a higher standing than that of Marshall, McNaguy & Clugston. They have a very lucrative and extensive business, receiving their patronage from the best class of people, and for years no case of import- ance has been tried in Whitley county on which they have not been retained as counsel.

Mr. Marshall has served both as City and County Attorney and was universally recommended by bench and bar to succeed Judge Olds; but was not chosen. His brethren in the fraternity, however, mani- fested their confidence in his ability and merit and their appreciation of his genuine worth. In argument Mr. Marshall is clear, concise, logical and convincing, with a good command of language and a pleasant de- livery. He is a close student, makes a careful analysis of a case, and he draws lines of close discrimination and his deduc- tions are therefore logical and forcible. In Masonic circles he is an honored and es- teemed member and has risen to the thirty- second degree in Masonry. He is now serv- ing as High Priest of Columbia City Chap-

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ter, Illustrious Master of Columbia City Council, Prelate of Cyrene Commandery and Deputy Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of Indiana.

ENRY H. LAWRENCE .-- Among the leading agriculturists of Whit- ley county, none are more deserv- ing of representation in this volume than Mr. Lawrence, who is now successfully engaged in farming on section 18, Union township. He is a Western man by birth and possesses the true spirit of Western progress and advancement.

He was born December 14, 1841, in Wayne county, Ohio, and is the eighth child of John A. and Sarah (Rouch) Lawrence. In the place of his nativity he was reared, and in the common schools of the neighbor- hood he acquired a good English education and prepared to teach. On the 21st of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, hastening to the defense of the Union. His regiment was sent to Kentucky, where he participated in the campaign under General George W. Morgan. Later he took part in the engage- ments at Cumberland Gap and Tazewell, Tennessee, where he was wounded in the right foot by a rifle ball on the 6th of Au- gust, 1862; but he refused to go to the hospital, not willing to leave the scene of action.

With his regiment, Mr. Lawrence pro- ceeded to Greenupsburg, Kentucky, and then crossed the river into Ohio, camping at Oakland, that State. The troops were after- ward ordered to West Virginia, and then went down the Kanawha to the Ohio river, and on down to Memphis, Tennessee, and

later to Vicksburg, where he participated in the battle resulting in the repulse of Sher- man at Chickasaw Bayou, in which fight the regiment lost 311 men! The defeated army went from Chickasaw Bayou to Arkan- sas Post, which place, together with all it contained by way of ordnance, camp equi- page and soldiers, was captured. Returning to Mississippi river the army marched by way of Richmond, Louisiana, to Grand Gulf, and witnessed its bombardment by Porter's gunboats. Thence the men crossed the Mis- sissippi river below Grand Gulf, and partici- pated in the following series of victories: Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hills, and Black river. Mr. Lawrence participated in the siege of Vicksburg until his com- mand was ordered to Black river to in- tercept General Johnston, after which they participated in the battle of Jackson, Mis- sissippi, returning then to Vicksburg. When they reached New Orleans they were ordered to join the forces of General Washburn and go to Berwick City, on to the Teche valley, where they participated in two or three battles. Subsequently they went to New Orleans, then to Texas and afterward returned to the Crescent City. April 18 they left Texas, under General J. A. Mc- Clernand, to join General Nf P. Banks' army up Red river. While in this expedi- tion they had repeated skirmishes with the enemy in the vicinity of Alexandria. The regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Bailey, civil engineer, built the famous Red river dam, and thus saved our gunboat fleet. They went from Alex- andria to Morganza Bend on the Mississippi. Mr. Lawrence received an honorable dis- charge in November, 1864, after serving for three years and two months. He was never absent from duty with the exception

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of ten weeks, when a wound necessitated his temporary retirement from the field.

After his return from the war, Mr. Law- rence continued to live with his father for a year, and in January, 1866, came to In- diana, settling in Union township, where he operated a sawmill for seven years. In 1872 he purchased the farm on which he now resides. It was then a tract of wild land covered with trees, but he has cleared it himself, and as acre after acre was placed under the plow it yielded to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon it. He now has 146 acres, of which 100 acres is under a high state of cultivation. He is raising wheat, corn, oats and other products adapted to this climate. He is also extensively engaged in stock-rais- ing, and has a fine flock of seventy-five head of Shropshire sheep, some of which are in- ported. He also has draft horses of three- fourths blood, and shorthorn cattle. He raises thoroughbred Poland-China hogs, barred Plymouth Rock chickens and is also engaged in the culture of bees. In 1884 he erected an extensive barn, 40 x 84 feet, with 20-foot posts, and he keeps pace with all the improvements in farm machinery. In fact he has one of the best farms and is rec- ognized as one of the most progressive agriculturists of the community.

On the 14th of June, 1866, Mr. Law- rence married Eunice Mowrer, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and two children bless this union, -William Eldon and Bes- sie May. The parents and children are members of the Lutheran Church, take quite an active part in its work, and Mr. Law- rence has served as Trustee of church and teacher in the Sunday-school, and is now superintendent of same. He is a member of Spring Run Grange, a leading worker in the

order, and is serving the third year as its Master. He has three times been Master of the county Grange, overseer for two terms, lecturer for two terms, and is the pres- ent State Deputy. He has also been a dele- gate to the State Grange. For some years he has served as School Director and takes a warm interest in the cause of education. For seven years he has been president of the Whitley County Farmers' Insurance As- sociation, and has been a member of its board since the second year of its existence. In 1890 he organized the Whitley County Farmers' Institute, has been president for four years, and is a member of the executive committee. In politics he is a Republican, and is serving as committeeinan of his pre- cinct. In 1892 he was a candidate for the Legislature, but the Democratic party in this locality is in the majority. He is rec- ognized as one of the leading farmers of the community, a man devoted to the best in- terests of his adopted county, and winning the respect of all by his upright life.

A UGUST BRUDER, who has dur- ing the past decade been engaged in the jewelry business in Fort Wayne, is now at the head of the largest and finest jewelry establishment in northern Indiana, his location being in the handsome Odd Fellows building on the cor- ner of Calhoun and Wayne streets. This is without exception the most elegantly and artistically appointed salesroom in the city. It has a tile floor, the finest French plate mirrors with beveled edges, and the fixtures have an ebony finish, while the whole estab- lishment is lighted with incandescent lamps. The magnificent plate-glass show windows and interior show cases are in theinselves

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works of art, and the beautiful and rare goods shown in the windows from time to time are among the attractive features of the main thoroughfare of the city. The stock includes a fine selection of diamonds, pre- cious stones, all kinds of jewelry, cut glass, silverware, watches, and an exquisite collec- tion of novelties secured from the European art centers. To the excellent taste displayed in the selection of his goods and to his hon- orable business methods, may be attributed the splendid success which Mr. Bruder has attained.

Having thus briefly referred to the estab- lishment founded by Mr. Bruder and to the wonderful business success achieved by him, we turn now for a sketch of his life.

August Bruder is a native of Baden, Germany, born August 5, 1853, the son of German parents. His father, Andreas Bru- der, was an organ builder. He died in 1859, at the age of fifty-six years. In the Bruder family were eleven children, six sons and five daughters, and all received a fair educa- tion. August was educated in the Govern- ment schools until he was fifteen years of age, after which he entered a watch-making school at his home, where he took a four-years course and graduated with honor. Immedi- ately after his graduation he accepted a po- sition in the jewelry store of Mr. Haas at Strasburg, with whom he remained one year. It was his opinion that in America better opportunities were afforded for a young man to succeed in life than in the crowded cities of the old country, and accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and landed in the United States. Fort Wayne, Indiana, having been selected as a place of location, he came west and here entered the employ of Trenkley & Scherzinger, jewelers of this city, with whom he remained for twelve consecutive years.

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 28

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