Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 41

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

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Mr. Fair took an active interest in the affairs of the day, was public-spirited and widely known as a man of excellent char- acter and of large executive ability. He was prosperous to a large degree considering the times in which he lived, and at his death, in February, 1867, left a valuable property. Mr. and Mrs. Fair led consistent

Christian lives, both holding memberships in the Methodist Episcopal Church. To them were born twelve children: Barbary, E., David W., Charles Irwin, deceased (twin brother of David W.), E. Jane, deceased, Matilda A., William H., James E., Calvin A., Mary, Henrietta, Alice and Laura.

To return to our subject, it is not inap- propriate to briefly consider his early life and the conditions of the day and country upon the people, particularly young men. At his birth the conditions of nature were practically undisturbed. A few " trail blaz- ers" had threaded the intricacies of a primeval forest and a few settlements had been effected, but it was not until after his childhood days had evolved into an age of practical usefulness that the solitude of a wil- derness of woods began to reveal the dawn of the civilization and improvement that was to come. In that day the boys of pioneer families were adjuncts of usefulness not easily dispensed with. As a rule they were tough as young hickories, and the amount of labor they could perform in clearing off a "deadening" could only be estimated by the wonderful power of their endurance. Days of labor were followed by fun and frolic at night, and thus ran merrily away the opening years of a pioneer boy's career.

His first school was in a small log cabin of a decidedly primitive type. Benches of straight backs and ax-hewed were there; so also the gaping fire-place at one end of the room, around which turns at warming were had, and not infrequently a squabble resulted from an infringement on personal rights. All else was in keeping with the place and of a type peculiar to that day. In such a place young David struggled with the rudiments of an English education, which in time he mastered.

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Higher he could not go. The limit, "readin ', 'ritin', and ' rithmetic "(known as the "three R's"), was the sum total of the master's knowledge. Fortunately there had been established a graded school in Perry township, Allen county, of which he took advantage and attended six months, being of the greatest benefit to him. At the age of twenty his school days were over, and at twenty-three (November 20, 1861), he was married to Miss Irene, daughter of Oliver and Mary (Francis), Perry. This event launched him into a career of which he was to be chief architect and builder. His first venture was upon a rented farm, and from this small beginning he has steadily ad- vanced himself. Not only in wordly goods but also in the acquirement of information upon all topics of interest he has been a persistent and intelligent student, until now his mature years are crowned with that mature understanding which reflects the success of his well ordered and well spent life. Upon a farm near the place of his birth his life's work has been done, and wonderful is the transformation that has taken place in the span of a human life. The change is best typified in Mr. Fair's life, as with each new order of things he has risen to or a little above the flood tides that swept away the barriers to civilization, and which left in their wake a refined, cultivated and prosperous people.

In public affairs Mr. Fair has always been an interested observer, his political prefer- ences always finding favor in the Republican party's principles of popular government. He has not been an office-seeker, as aside from his present office he has held no office of importance except that of Trus- tee of Butler township for two terms. To the County Treasuryship he was elected in

the fall of 1894, his popularity being flatter- ingly attested by a vote largely in excess of the votes given to other candidates on his ticket.

Mr. Fair and his estimable wife are mem- bers of the United Brethren Church; but from this fact alone is not to be estimated the breadth and depth of their Christian character, but rather is to be judged by the estimation and respect in which they are held by their friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Fair is a native of Noble county, Indi- ana, born October 6, 1841, and a descen- dant of the distinguished Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of Lake Erie. Her father, Oliver Perry, was a native of New York, who settled in Noble county in 1835, making the journey to his western home with an ox team.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fair have been born eight children, six of whom are living: Perry W., Carlton G., Inie, who died in April, 1889, at the age of twenty-two years; Caroline, now the wife of Edward Walter of Garrett, Indiana; Vinnie M .; Wells O .; Mary, who died in 1887, at the age of eight years; and Faye.

D. LAW .- The era of progress and development in the various sections of this great Western republic of ours has been almost invariably ushered in by railroad construction, and the vast network of glistening rails that trace their parallel course over mountains and plains and through the fertile valleys, repre- sent more than mere corporate enterprise and accomplishment, since the railroad has proved the avant-courier of civilization and of that substantial and permanent im-

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provement which has placed our national commonwealth upon a stable foundation. Railroading operations in the United States represent one of the most complex, and yet most perfect systems which it is possible to imagine, and in the various details are de- manded men who are alive to the responsi- bilities placed upon them and possessed of that knowledge and mentality which will enable them to discharge their duties effect- ively. The great railroading industry is one which retains many men of marked ability, and among those who have contrib- uted in no small measure to the success of operations in this line is the subject of this review, who occupies the prominent position as superintendent of the western division of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. He is well known in railroad cir- cles and in the city of Fort Wayne, where he retains his headquarters and where he is held in high respect and esteem.

Mr. Law is a native of Philadelphia, where he was born on the 23d of November, 1844, the son of Benedict and Ann C. Law. Three years after his birth his parents re- moved from the City of Brotherly Love to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and received his preliminary education in the public schools. After leaving the public schools he continued his studies in the Poly- technic Institute at Philadelphia, where he graduated in June, 1863, as a civil engineer. Within the same year he responded to his country's call for volunteers to assist in put- ing down the Rebellion, enlisting as a mem- ber of Company G, Thirty-second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. From 1864 until 1866 he was with the United States Engineering Corps in the Army of the Cumberland, and after rendering a loyal service he was honorably mustered out. He

is a member of Sion S. Boss Post, No. 40, G. A. R., Department of Indiana.

The railroading career of our subject was initiated very soon after he terminated his army life, his first service being with the engineering corps of the Philadel- phia & Trenton, now a part of the united railroad of the New Jersey divison of the Pennsylvania system. He was subse- quently with the engineering corps in Con- necticut, and April, 1873, received the ap- pointment as civil engineer to the Western division of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, whereupon he took up his residence in Fort Wayne. His service in this important capacity was such that it gained him distinctive promotion a few years later. In February, 1880, he was given the position of roadmaster of the same division; and on the 15th of November of the following year still higher preferment came to him, as a result of his ability and fidelity, since he was then appointed to his present position as superintendent of the division. In 1880 he had removed to Chi- cago, but in 1886 he returned to Fort Wayne, in which city he has since made his home and official headquarters. His care- ful attention to the responsible duties of his office, and his marked executive ability and technical knowledge have made him invalu- able to the company by which he is em- ployed, and his personality has been such as to win him the high regard of a large circle of acquaintances.

In both political and fraternal affairs Mr. Law has for years taken an active inter- est. During the campaign of 1888 he served as president of the local Harrison and Mor- ton Railroad Campaign Club, doing very effective work in the interests of the cause which he so warmly espoused. In 1868, at

Faithfully yours

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Matteawan, Dutchess county, New York, he was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry, and has since attained a position of no little prominence in that noble fraternal order. He has passed the chairs of Wayne Lodge, No. 25, and Fort Wayne Chapter, No. 19, while he is Past Eminent Commander of Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, and a member of the Scottish rite.

In June, 1870, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Law and Miss Josephine Clarkson, of New York city. They be- came the parents of three children, two of whom survive, namely: Frederick Clark- son and William Benedict.

ENRY McLALLEN, a prominent banker of Columbia City, was born on the 2d of August, 1841, in Tru- mansburg, New York, and when only three years old was brought by his par- ents to Indiana, where he has since resided. As he progressed in years he took place among the leading business men of Whitley county, and is now in the foremost rank. His literary education was obtained in the common schools of the neighborhood and through home instruction, and in later years experience, observation and reading have made him a well-informed man. His busi- ness training was a thorough course in the Eastman Business College at Indianapolis, a branch of the original college, which is still flourishing in Poughkeepsie, New York. From 1860 until 1870 he was an employee of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, located at Larwill. He was then elected Treasurer of Whitley county, and so capably did he discharge the duties devolving upon him that he was re-

elected for a second term, serving in all four years. In 1874 he became a member of the banking firm of E. L. McLallen & Com- pany, in which he has since been engaged. The firm owns what is known as the Far- mers' Bank, a well-managed financial insti- tution, conducted on a conservative though progressive basis, which inspires the confi- dence of the public and has gained the most liberal patronage.

On the 7th of June, 1864, Mr. McLallen was united in marriage with Miss Lavinia Clugston, a native of New Castle coun- ty, Delaware, who died April 14, 1880. By this union there were four children: Elisha L. and Walter F., who are con- nected with their father in the banking busi- ness; Henry Dewitt, now in business in Nicaragua, Central America; and Marshal C., deceased. In December, 1883, Mr. Mc- Lallen was again married, his second union being with Miss Catherine Dee, of Cincin- nati, Ohio.

Mr. McLallen is an esteemed member of the Masonic fraternity and was initiated into the mysteries of the order in 1863, in Due Guard Lodge, No. 278, F. & A. M., of Larwill, Indiana, and now belongs to Cyrene Commandery, No. 34, K. T. He has for some time been connect- ed with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and has passed the chairs in both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. Public-spirited, yet unassuming and of a re- tiring disposition, there is probably not a man in northeastern Indiana who is better known and surely none more favorably known as a friend to all classes, or one more de- voted to the welfare of his community. He is the soul of business honor and is promi- nent in commercial, social and fraternal circles. In religious belief he is a Lutheran,

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holding membership in the Grace English Lutheran Church, of Columbia City, in which he has been an official for a number of years, serving as treasurer at the present time. He does his part in church work and is a friend to all that will promote edu- cational and moral interests. True to his principles, following his beliefs, he has won the confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact and the many excellen- cies of his character have won him a most extensive circle of warm friends.

Elisha Lyman McLallen, 2d, the eldest son of the above mentioned gentleman, was born in Larwill, Indiana, June 25, 1866. Together with his younger brothers he en- joyed excellent educational advantages dur- ing the first eleven years of his school life at Green Hill Academy, an institution then flourishing in Columbia City, under the management of the Misses Kinney and Nichols, two of the brightest and most thorough of New England's educators. On the closing of the academy in 1880 he took up the regular high-school course in Colum- bia City, and was graduated with the class of 1884. He early developed a decided preference and capacity for a business career.

Besides the training received in the banking office of his uncle and father, he spent a season in acquiring a knowledge of the various departments of city banking in the Metropolitan National Bank of Chicago. Thus equipped he was admitted to member- ship in the banking firm of E. L. McLallen & Company, in 1890. His time and energy has since been devoted to the work, and with the mature experience of the older members of the firm he combines the energy and thrift of a younger man, and the firm, therefore, has all the qualifications necessary for success.

Elisha L. McLallen has also taken an active part in promoting and developing many substantial business enterprises for the material benefit of his town and coun- ty. It was largely through his efforts that the Whitley County Building and Loan As- sociation, of which he is now treasurer, was organized and put upon its present success- ful footing. In church affairs he has ever been an earnest and effective worker. He is at present treasurer of the Synod of the English Lutheran Church of Northern Indi- ana, and also finds time to take part in Masonic and other society affairs, being a thirty-second-degree Mason. He was mar- ried January 11, 1893, to Miss Maximillia Nickey, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and they have one son, Lyman, born April 15, 1894.

Walter Field McLallen was born in Lar- will, Indiana, March 10, 1868, and his educa- tion was obtained in Green Hill Academy and the public schools of Columbia City, being graduated at the high school in 1885. He is a keen observer, clear-headed in business, and from start to finish a thoroughly practical man of affairs. On entering upon his career as a banker, it was in the lowest position of that institution, from which he has worked his way steadily upward, mastering every de- tail. In connection with his elder brother, he was admitted to partnership in the Farmers' Bank in 1890, and in July, 1893, he was appointed receiver of the Citizens' State Bank of Churubusco, Indiana, in which, as in all financial affairs, he has shown rare executive ability. Inheriting from the second and third generations back a studious habit and possessing the rare ad- vantages of access to his uncle's and his father's libraries, he has ever devoted much time to reading and study. He is a devoted adherent and student of Freemasonry, and,

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having inherited his uncle's library of Ma- sonic books and periodicals, he is constantly adding to its treasures of mystic lore. He is a member of the lodge, chapter and council, and of Cyrene Commandery, K. T., has been Secretary of all those bodies and is now Junior Warden of the commandery; also a member of the Indiana Consistory of A. & A. Scottish-rite Masons.

a LMER ELLSWORTH HORNING, who figures as one of the prominent brokers and real-estate dealers of Montpelier, Indiana, is a native of the neighboring State of Ohio, born near New Lebanon, Montgomery county, March 26, 1863, his parents being John P. and Sarah Ann (Martin) Horning. His father was born July 18, 1827, and his mother April 14, 1831, both in Pottstown, Pennsyl- vania. The members which composed their family are as follows : Arthur William, Emma Catherine, Susan, Alvin, Elmer E., Ira, and Eva Viola. Three of this number are deceased, -Susan, Alvin and Ira.

Mr. Horning's paternal grandfather, William Horning, was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, about 1801, and died near New Lebanon, Ohio, December 25, 1881. He had married in Pennsylvania a Miss Hannah Price, and it was in 1832 that they removed to Ohio. To them were born nine children, namely: John Price, Elhanan, Lydia, Daniel, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Jonas, Mary, and Samuel. William Horning was a farmer and inventor. He invented the force feed grain drill, the sulky hay rake, the three-roller and patent skimmer mo- lasses machine, and at the time of his death was at work on a self-binder. Being of the Dunkard persuasion, his religious scruples

interfered with his patenting his machinery. The only patent he ever obtained was that of the sulky rake. His father, the great- grandfather of our subject, emigrated to this country from Germany. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Horning was John Mar- tin, a native of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Brown, were the parents of children as follows : Sarah Ann, William, Catherine, Mary, Reuben, Susana, Henry, and Sophia. John Martin was for many years engaged in farming in Pennsylvania and later in life moved to Ohio and lived in New Lebanon. The Martins, also, were of German descent. Politically, they have long affiliated with the Democratic party, while the Hornings have all been strong Republicans.

Mr. Horning's common-school education was supplemented by one year in the high school at Ashland, Ohio, and some time spent in the high school at Robinson, Illi- nois. At the early age of eighteen years he started out as a teacher in the public schools. That was in Illinois, and for six years he taught public school there, teaching during the winter and traveling and selling goods through the summer. Thus he passed the years up to the time he was twenty- four. In 1886 he returned to Mont- gomery county, Ohio, where he taught penmanship during that winter and the fol- lowing summer sold fruit trees. In the fall of 1888 he accepted a position with the Educational Aid Association, Nos. 220 to 224, Clark street, Chicago, and traveled for this company until March of the following year, his route being in southern Illinois, his connection with the firm at that time being severed on account of his having a siege of typhoid fever. In July of that yea he was married, and soon after that event,

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on account of his continued ill health, he went to the springs at Delaware, Ohio, ac- companied thither by his wife. During the following winter both took a commercial course at Delaware, making a specialty of penmanship, stenography and typewriting, and at the end of three months both received diplomas. After this they went to Celina, Mercer county, Ohio, and established a private school, which they conducted until January, 1890, when they went to Coldwater, Ohio, in the same business, at the latter place having as an assistant Mr. O. O. Wright. In January, 1891, they came over into In- diana and opened a school at Portland, hav- ing as an assistant at that place Mr. G. F. Riese. In September of the same year they sold out to Mr. Riese, and at this time Mr. Horning returned to the Educational Aid Association, for which he traveled in Indiana until November, 1893. In the spring of the following year he sold book supplies in Kentucky, continuing thus oc- cupied until November, 1894, when he be- came identified with Montpelier. Here he has since been engaged in a general real- estate, loan and insurance business. In February of the present year, 1895, he placed upon the market the Sloan addition of fifty-five acres.

Mr. Horning began the erection of his own fine residence in Montpelier April 1, 1895, which will be ready for occupancy in November. He was married July 21, 1889, to Miss Emma J. Goodwin, who was born January 30, 1867, daughter of David and Stacy (Magill) Goodwin, her parents being farmers and residing near Hutsonville, Illi- nois. David Goodwin, her father, was born in Ohio, December 18, 1843, and has been a resident of Crawford county, Illinois, since 1849. He was married in 1865, and the

children composing his family are Mrs. Horning, John, deceased, Frank and Ches- ter. Her grandfather, John Goodwin, was born in Pennsylvania in 1802, and died in Illinois, March 23, 1892. He was twice married, and the children by his first wife were: Ephraim, deceased, David, Jane, Mar- tha, and Elisha. The Goodwins are of Scotch origin. Mrs. Horning's mother, whose maiden name, as already stated, was Stacy Magill, was born in Illinois, October 3, 1847. Her father, William Logan Ma- gill, is a Kentuckian by birth and is ranked among the early pioneers of Crawford coun- ty, Illinois, of which place he is still a resi- dent. He and his wife, nec Elizabeth Brown, had five children, Stacy, Emily, Frankie, Lyda and Rush, the last named being now deceased. The Magills trace their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle. Mr. and Mrs. Horning are the parents of two children: Russell Dawn, born August 9, 1891. at Portland, Indiana; and Earl Brooks, at Valparaiso, Indiana, July 15, 1894.

Mr. Horning casts his ballot with the Republican party.

a HARLES L. CENTLIVRE, de- ceased, was for more than three decades a resident of Allen county, Indiana, and was a man who aided materially in placing the city of Fort Wayne in its present position in business affairs. He was active and shrewd, but honest to the core in all his dealings. He was re- spected by his employees and by his friends he was dearly loved, and those who knew him best esteemed him most highly. The large and substantial brewery buildings on the banks of the St. Joseph river, and the

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busy colony about them, will long remain a monument to his energy and ability.

Charles L. Centlivre was a native of Valdien, canton of Dammarie, arrondisse- ment of Belfort Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, born September 27, 1827, and was sixty- seven years of age at the time of his death. His parents were highly respected and well- to-do people. His father was a cooper, to which same trade Charles L. was appren- ticed when young and early became a skilled workman. In 1841 he sailed for America and in due time landed at New Orleans, during the cholera plague, and after a short sojourn there he returned to his native land. Soon afterward, however, he returned to the United States, this time being accom- panied by his father and two brothers, Frank and Dennis, and landing at New York. From that port they directed their course westward to the vicinity of Massillon, Ohio, and the subject of our sketch located at Louisville, Stark county, where he engaged in the cooperage business. While at Louis- ville he formed the acquaintance of Miss Ann Homer, whom he married about 1850. In the latter part of that same year the three brothers and father again turned their faces westward, McGregor, Iowa, being their ob- jective point, and there they erected a small brewery, which they equipped in a primitive way and which they conducted until 1862. In 1862 Charles L. came to Fort Wayne on a visit and a short time afterward returned and located permanently with his brother Frank. His death occurred January 13, 1894.

Here, in 1862, he established a brewery, like the other, on a small scale, and from small beginnings the enterprise has advanced with the growth of the city until at present it is one of the largest, most modern and

celebrated lager-beer breweries in Indiana, and it is excelled nowhere in the high qual- ity and absolute purity of its product. The plant is located in the northern suburbs of the city, and easily approached by a line of electric street railway, which was constructed by Mr. Centlivre. The plant covers about three acres of ground, situated between the river and the canal feeder, upon which are erected eight substantial and massive mod- ern brick buildings, the whole being fully equipped with all the latest improved ma- chinery and appliances known to the trade, including refrigerating machinery for main- taining uniform low temperature at all sea- sons of the year, and an artesian well sup- plies an abundance of the purest water. Large and spacious cellars afford ample storage for the product, and the beer is al- lowed to thoroughly mature before market- ing. From its inception this brewery has always been successful and prosperous, which fact may be attributed to the superior merits of the product. The policy of the manage- ment has always been directed to high quality, and from that it has never deviated. The company manufactures both light and dark lager beer, under the brands of "Kaiser," " Bohemian " and " XX" beer, and a special export beer is made and bottled on the premises, the facilities for so doing embrac- ing a commodious and completely equipped bottling department. Another product of the company is the " Centlivre Tonic," a pure concentrated liquid extract of malt and hops, containing no alcohol, spirits or chem- icals whatever, and is widely commended by physicians for the use of all persons requir- ing a healthful tonic. Their products are in demand by the trade throughout this and adjoining States. The surroundings of the brewery have been improved at great ex-

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 41

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