USA > Indiana > Memorial record of northeastern Indiana > Part 39
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Chauncey B. Oakley is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Dela- ware county, New York, August 14, 1833. His father, Benjamin W. Oakley, was born in the same place, in 1807. In 1844 the father emigrated with his family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and for nearly thirty years was prominently identified with the business interests of the city. By trade he was a tin and copper smith, and shortly after settling in Fort Wayne he opened a tinshop. Later on he added a stock of hardware, and con- tinued in that line of business for a number of years. In early manhood he was a Whig, and subsequently joined the Republican party. He was deeply interested in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity, and contributed in many ways to the promotion of the public good. He mar- ried Harriet Andrews, a native of Connecti- cut, and their union was blessed with three children,-Martha, Chauncey B. and Har- riet. He died in 1873, at the age of sixty- six, highly respected by all who knew him. His widow departed this life in Fort Wayne, March 30, 1878, at the age of seventy-five years.
Chauncey B. Oakley was a lad of eleven | years when his parents came to Fort Wayne
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and he here attended private schools, there being no public-school system at that early day. He attended Wabash College at the age of eighteen, but on account of his fa- ther's declining health was compelled to abandon the idea of taking a collegiate course. He returned home and took charge of his father's hardware business, devoting his time and energies to it until the second year of the Civil war. Feeling that his country needed his services, and prompted by a spirit of deep patriotism, he responded to the President's call for troops, raised a company and was elected its Captain. Upon being mustered into the service his company was ordered at once to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where he arrived October 8, 1862. In the following December he was com- pelled to resign on account of disability, and returned to his father's store at Fort Wayne. Two years later, when another call for troops was made, he raised a company of ninety volunteers, who went out as a part of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana. He was commissioned First Lieutenant Adjutant of the command, and again went to the front. Subsequently, he assisted in recruiting the One Hundred and Forty- second Indiana Infantry, and was made Lieutenant Colonel, serving in that capacity until the defeated Confederacy laid down its arms, and the stars and stripes once more floated victoriously over a free and united country.
Colonel Oakley once more returned home and took charge of his father's store, con- tinuing as manager until the business was closed out. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Fort Wayne Organ Com- pany, in whose employ he remained about two years, after which he spent some time in Pennsylvania, in the lumber business,
and then returned to Fort Wayne and en- tered the employ of a large manufacturing concern, being connected with John C. Peters, of Fort Wayne. For nine years he had charge of this office, his long continued service testifying to the fidelity with which he discharged his duties. He resigned that position to become Secretary of the Fort Wayne Land & Improvement Company, with which he has been connected ever since. His business career is without reproach, and he is now connected with a paying invest- ment as the result of his well directed efforts.
For years Colonel Oakley has been con- nected with the Masonic fraternity, has risen to the thirty-second degree, and has been initiated into the Mystic Shrine. Being a Union veteran, he is, of course, identified with that popular institution, the Grand Army of the Republic.
He is a stalwart Republican, and was nominated on the Republican ticket for Mayor in the spring of 1894. He entered the canvass with a regular Democratic ma- jority of 2,500 confronting him, which he not only overcame but was elected by 500 majority. What better testimonial could be given of his popularity, and of the high es- teem in which he is held by his fellow-citi- zens? A business man with an unblemished reputation, a fearless soldier who may well be proud of his military record, an official whose course demonstrates his loyalty to the best interests of his adopted city, and a man whose genial disposition and kind heart have won him hosts of friends, he may well be numbered among the representative citizens of Indiana.
Within his administration as the chief executive of the city, he has thoroughly in- quired înto and informed himself upon every department of the public service, has insti-
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tuted reforms in many particulars, corrected the abuse of privilege, apprehended negli- gence, and in every possible way endeavored to insure a wise and conservative expendi- ture of the public funds. Sources of reve- nue have been minutely examined, and such has been his watchful care over municipal affairs that there have been begotten a pre- vailing spirit of confidence in the Mayor and high regard for his honor and his executive ability. The residents of Fort Wayne have given the strongest endorsement to him and feel that the trust was placed most wisely.
a HARLES H. LAWTON, proprie- tor of the Lawton Foundry and Machine Shops, the most extensive works of the kind in northeastern Indiana, is a native of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in Clinton on the 12th of September, 1848. The family is of Eng- lish origin and was founded in America dur- ing early Colonial days. The paternal grandfather, Hannibal D. Lawton, was also born in the Bay State, and during the greater part of his life engaged in comb- making, but during his last years he resided upon a farm. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and finally died of pneumonia, in 1862. The maternal grandfather, Sam- uel Dollison, was born in Massachusetts, and was a basket-maker. He passed away at the ripe old age of eighty years. The parents of our subject, Thomas and Nancy (Dollison) Lawton, were also natives of Massachusetts, and they had three children, viz .: Clarence B., who was killed in 1872 by falling down .an elevator shaft at Wor- cester, Massachusetts; Charles H .; and Austin A., who died in early childhood. The father of this family engaged in the
manufacture of combs for many years in Leominster, Massachusetts, and later en- gaged in farming, but is now retired from active business. His wife also is yet living.
Charles H. Lawton was reared in Lan- caster, Massachusetts, acquiring his educa- tion in the public schools, and remained upon his father's farm until sixteen years of age, when he began earning his own liveli- hood, securing a position as salesman in a store. He was thus employed for several years, after which he was in a boot shop as a packer and receiver of goods. In 1872 he came to the West, locating in Wabash, In- diana, and the years have shown that this move was an advantageous one. He pur- chased an interest in the planing mill of L. P. Dollison, the connection continuing for about four years, when Mr. Dollison sold out and Mr. Lawton formed a partnership with J. A. Green, who established the foundry and machine shop in 1879, under the firm name of Green & Lawton. Mr. Green re- tired in 1883, and Mr. Lawton has since been alone in business. He began operations on a small scale, but steadily increased his capacity to meet the growing demand, and now has one of the most extensive and com- plete establishments of the kind in this part of the State, and is doing an active and prosperous business. Employment is furn- ished to thirty hands, and as good wages are paid he is able to command the services of skilled workmen. The plant is composed of a main shop, 40 x 80 feet; a rear shop, 30 x 80 feet; machine room, 40 x 60 feet; a pattern room, 20x 60 feet, and the foundry room, 50 x 100 feet. The specialties made at this foundry are numerous. All sorts of castings are made for every conceivable kind of work or repair, including a large amount of railroad work. A full line of shaftings
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and pulleys is always kept on hand; steam and gas fitting is done in all its branches; also contracts taken for piping for natural gas. Mr. Lawton does an extensive busi- ness, which yields to him a handsome in- come.
On the 3d of March, 1873, Mr. Lawton was united in marriage with Miss Fannie M. Robbins, a daughter of Harrison and Frances Robbins, and they have a pleasant home on West Hill street. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, connected with the Wabash Commandery, and in politics is a stalwart Republican.
The business interests of Wabash have been largely promoted through his enterpris- ing and well directed efforts, and in addition to the foundry he is interested in the Jones & Whitcraft Furniture Company as a direc- tor, is a director of the Wabash Valley Building & Loan Association, a director of the Wabash Natural Gas & Fuel Com- pany, and an extensive stockholder of the Barrel Truck Company. He is also quite an inventor, and derives a handsome income from the articles of utility that he has placed upon the market. He possesses excellent business ability, sound judgment and keen foresight, and though he started out in life for himself, empty-handed, he has steadily worked his way upward by industry and perseverance to a position of affluence, and may truly be called a self-made man.
ON. JOHN MORRIS, although now well advanced in years, is still engaged in the active practice of law in Fort Wayne, and is widely recognized as one of the most prominent members of the bar of northeastern Indiana. As a man, a citizen and a lawyer, he has the
highest regard of all with whom he has come in contact, and the history of Fort Wayne would be incomplete without the record of his life. His father, Jonathan Morris, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, on the 9th of June, 1788; and, actuated by the mo- tives and ambitions which peopled the then new West with the best blood from the old States, he emigrated to Columbiana county, Ohio, locating near Lisbon, and followed the occupation of farming throughout life. He was united in marriage there with Sarah Snyder, who was born in New Jersey in 1790, and their growth in worldly prosper- ity and in general advancement was par- allel with that of the New State. By their energy, industry and sterling integrity they made for themselves a home and competence and won the esteem and high regard of those among whom they lived. Full of years and honored by their children and all who knew them, the father died in 1865, and the mother in 1875.
The environments of John Morris in youth undoubtedly had much to do in shap- ing his course in life. He was fortunate in his early surroundings, in that he had the care and attention of worthy parents who by example and training taught him to become an honorable and true man. He was born near New Lisbon, Ohio, December 6, 1816, and on the completion of his literary educa- tion began the study of law in the office of William D. Ewing of New Lisbon, being admitted to the bar there in 1841. In the same year he married Miss Theresa J. Farr, an estimable young lady of that county, who as a model wife and mother has been in- deed a helpmeet to him, sharing with him the anxiety of the young beginner and the success of the accomplished lawyer. Three years subsequent to his marriage he came to
John Morris
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Indiana, opening a law office in Auburn, De Kalb county.
The man of ability is soon recognized, and a few years after locating in Auburn, Mr. Morris was elected Judge of the common pleas court, the district embracing Union and Dekalb counties. He discharged his duties in that position with such faithfulness and ability that he won the good will and highest commendation of the bar and the people. His residence in Fort Wayne dates from 1857, and his practice here has become extensive, embracing a large clientage from the best class of people. His success before judge or jury has won him a reputation that extends throughout the State. Judge Morris is eminently a lawyer of resources. Always a student, careful in the preparation of his cases and quick to see and anticipate difficul- ties which are or may be encountered, he is never discomfited by them but is able to so shape his cause as to avoid them if this is at all possible. Truthful in his own life he has the faculty in a large degree of knowing whether a witness is telling the truth, and the whole truth, and when he is concealing the truth or falsifying. While he is always kind, courteous and gentlemanly in dealing with witnesses, the one who is not perfectly true generally has abundant cause to regret his wrong after passing through the searching cross-examination by him. In his long and active practice, Judge Morris has not only retained his reputation among the people for integrity and high character, but has also secured the uniform good will and kind re- gard of the lawyers with whom he has prac- ticed. Vigorous and aggressive in the trial of a cause he never allows himself to de- scend from the high standard of a gentle- man.
In his political connections, Judge Mor-
ris was a Whig, and, like his father, warmly advocated the principles of that party until the organization of the new Republican party, with which he has been identified from the beginning. Politics, however, has always been subservient to business with him. Some years before he attained to the presidency, General Garfield was asked if he would not like to be the chief executive of the nation, and replied, " I would like to be competent to be." Judge Morris has never sought public office, but his compe- tency for almost any position is above ques- tion. His party has often earnestly so- licited him to allow his name to be placed on the ticket for responsible public positions, but he has always declined, preferring his chosen calling. In 1881, when an act of the Legislature provided for the appoint- ment of five Supreme Court commissioners to be named by the Judges of the Supreme Court to assist them in their important work, Judge Morris was chosen and ap- pointed, in April, 1881. This being in the line of his profession he entered upon the work, serving until November, 1883, when he resigned to resume the private practice of law in Fort Wayne. It was certainly com- plimentary to the ability of Judge Morris that his appointment came through the recommendation of Judge Worden, who had been a judge of that court for years and was a jurist of great ability. A partnership had existed between him and Judge Morris for a long period, and the former therefore knew of the latter's excellent qualifications for the position. He was regarded as one of the ablest and safest of the Commissioners, both by the bar of the State and the Supreme Court, and the written opinions of Com- missioner Morris, published in the Indiana reports, would be a credit to any Judge.
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Judge Morris has returned to the private practice of law in Fort Wayne, and justly merits his reputation as one of the foremost members of the Indiana bar.
RANKLIN E. DAVENPORT, the popular druggist of Auburn, In- diana, for a quarter of a century has been identified with the busi- ness interests of this place, and as one of its leading citizens is held in high esteem. Figuring thus prominently, it is but fitting that biographical honors should be accorded him in connection with personal mention of other representative men and women of this county.
Mr. Davenport comes from an old and honored ancestry. He is a direct descend- ant of the Rev. John Davenport of old Puri- tan fame who has gone down in history as the founder of New Haven, Connecticut. John G. Davenport, the father of our sub- ject, was born in New Haven, June 16, 1822. He was a machinist. About 1856 he made a trip to various portions of the West; the last heard of him was near Port- land, Oregon, and it is supposed that he was drowned in the Pacific ocean. He was married in 1844 to Miss Rosanna Wil- cox, who bore him three children, viz. : Franklin E., whose name appears at the head of this article; Dr. Almira M., widow of William Percy, is engaged in the practice of medicine in Tacoma, Washington; and John Pierpont, an employe of the Nicholson Arm Company, Providence, Rhode Island.
Franklin E. Davenport is a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and first saw the light of day on the twenty-first of May, 1845. There his early boyhood was spent, his education being received in the public
schools. Deprived of his father at the age when he most needed a father's care and protection, he was early thrown upon his own resources and made his way in the world from the time he was fourteen. From his fourteenth to his seventeenth year he was in the employ of Charles Lockwood of New Haven, next spent one year in the Colt Fire Arm factory and one year in the employ of his grandfather, a manufacturer of edge tools, and from this business he turned his attention to that of patent medi- cine. He visited all the principal cities in the United States in the interest of the firm of Curtis & Brown, manufacturers of patent medicine, and later was salesman over the territory of Indiana and Michigan. He continued on the road until 1870. At thistime, tired of the unsettled life of a commercial traveler, he came to Auburn, purchased the drug store of Dr. Elson, took in as a part- ner Albert Totton, a practical druggist, and established himself permanently in business here. Three years later he bought out Mr. Totton's interest and has since continued alone. In 1874, at the time of the boom in Garrett, Indiana, he opened a branch store there, which about a year later he closed up as it did not prove a paying in- vestment. Mr. Davenport is a stockholder and treasurer and secretary of the Auburn Mining Company.
He has been twice married. In 1870, immediately before his coming to Auburn, he was united in marriage to Miss Carry M. Bulkley, who was born at Hartford, Connect- icut, March 4, 1846, daughter of Burage Bulkley, of that place. In 1879, after only a few brief years of happy married life, she passed away, leaving a husband and little children to mourn their loss. In 1881 Mr. Davenport wedded a Miss Ford, daughter of
J. J. Shoemaker.
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Henry Ford, of Auburn. He had three children by his first wife, and has three by the present Mrs. Davenport. His eldest child, Frank B., now has a Government position in the custom-house at Chicago. He was married July 11, 1893, to Miss Minnie Zimmerman, daughter of Sylvester Zim- merman, of Auburn, and one of the early settlers of De Kalb county. They are the proud parents of a little daughter, Ruth, born April 20, 1894.
Mr. Davenport has for a number of years maintained a membership in the Masonic fraternity. He was advanced in the order to the thirty-second degree, has filled most of the chairs, and is now Past High Priest. He takes a deep interest in politics and keeps himself well posted on the issues of the day, but is not radical in his views. He is a Democrat.
J OSEPH HANDFORD SHOE- MAKER, cashier of the Farmers' Deposit Bank, Montpelier, Indiana, was born at Tarlton, Pickaway county, Ohio, October 2, 1861, a son of Otis Bullard and Sarah Jane (Dunan) Shoe- maker, and the second in order of birth of four children. His grandfather, Joseph Shoemaker, still resides at Tarlton, at the advanced age of four-score years.
When our subject was five years of age his parents moved to Mexico, Missouri, and subsequently to Columbia, same State, and in 1872 returned to Tarlton; they are now deceased. Because of these removals his preliminary education was somewhat inter- fered with; but the last year of his school career was unbroken for nine months, re- ceiving therefrom more benefit than he had obtained from all the rest of his previous
schooling. However, his education did not cease with his attendance at school. He is a student by nature, and his studies have never been dispensed with. In 1880 he began life for himself, his first position being in the Indiana car works at Cambridge City, Indiana, where he labored seven months. Not finding the work congenial he secured a position in the carriage works at Richmond, Indiana. This work also proved distasteful to him, and at the end of two months he abandoned it altogether, with a determination to seek employment in some other line. He then secured a position in the city telegraph office at Lima, Ohio, where he applied himself to mastering the mysteries of " dots and dashes," and in due time became proficient in the art, and re- mained there two years, when the death of his father occurred, which called him home.
Telegraphy was little more to his liking than his previous positions had been, and now his resolve was taken to abandon it also. He had a predilection for finance from his early youth, but so far no opportunity had offered for employment in line with the natural bent of his inclinations. However, the oppor- tunity came in 1882, when he was tendered the position of collecting clerk by the First Na- tional Bank of Lima, of which, at that time, Senator Calvin S. Brice was vice-president. In this capacity he remained one year, and four years as bookkeeper. His best energies were brought to bear upon his duties and so well did he discharge them that eventually he was promoted to be assistant cashier, which position he efficiently filled four years and terminated with his resignation in 1891.
During his connection with this bank he had come in contact with some of the lead- ing oil men of Lima and vicinity. About that time oil wells were being discovered in
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northern Indiana, and he accompanied his friends in the oil business to this place in search of fortune, settling in Montpelier in September, 1891. Immediately thereafter was effected the organization, under the State laws, of the Farmers' Deposit Bank, and on October 10 following its doors were opened for business. Mr. Shoemaker was installed as cashier, the other officers being John P. McGeath, president; F. G. Miller, vice-president; and T. C. Neal, assistant cashier. The board of directors was com- posed of W. M. Page, B. P. Pyle and J. L. Andrews. The bank started business with a paid up capital of $25,000. The first year of the bank's career, its business was transacted in the Red Men's building, and then moved into its present commodious quarters in the Columbia Hotel building. At the end of the fourth year the bank had a surplus of $12,000.
Since settling in Montpelier Mr. Shoe- maker has given his best efforts to the upbuilding of the city. There has been advanced no interest for the welfare of the place or its people that he has not earnestly championed. Among the enterprises in which he has been very active, if not the leading spirit, may be mentioned that of the Columbia Hotel Building Company, of which Dr. C. Q. Shull was president, Mr. Shoemaker secretary and treasurer, and Messrs. Neal, Miller, Page and McGeath were the other directors. The fine three-story brick structure known as the Columbia Hotel was erected and thoroughly equipped in the most modern way and is a popular hostelry second to none in the State. Mr. Shoemaker was one of the organizers of the Montpelier Land & Oil Company and its first treasurer; he is now the vice president of the company. Ile is also treasurer and
director of the Franklin Land & Mining Company, and treasurer of the Rustic Park Association. Together with George D. Darrow and Joseph Derheimer, Mr. Shoe- maker secured a franchise for the establish- ment of water works, the erection of which is now going on.
He recently became a stockholder in the Montpelier Electric Light Company, of which he is also general manager. He was largely interested and took an active part in the organization of the Indiana Central Railroad Company, being a director of the same. When he first came to Montpelier it was a straggling village of a few hundred people. Its buildings were unpretentious and there was little characterization of thrift or enterprise. In the marked change that has taken place since then, none have led Mr. Shoemaker in activity and earnest- ness in developing the wonderful resources of his adopted home.
Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 91, Lima, Ohio. Politically he is a Republican, but takes no active part in politics. Of the four children born to his parents three are living: Lida, wife of J. D. Crites, Joseph H. and Cyn- thia.
In closing this simple sketch of a well rounded character and successful busi- ness man, may we not pause a moment to study the lesson it teaches? It is needless to add that Mr. Shoemaker is a self-made man. All noble characters, with God's help, are self-made. "Every man is the architect of his own character as well as his own fortune." But there is a lesson in such a career for every American boy. Follow young Shoemaker from his home to the car shops, and through the years of humble and ofttimes disagreeable toil he passed to his
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