Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 5

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

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In politics the Judge has always been a pronounced Democrat, earnest and unwaver- ing in the support of his political convictions. He served two years as chairman of the Democratic committee of the Twelfth Con- gressional District; was for two years a mem- ber of the Democratic State central commit- tee; and for four years was a member of the executive committee of the national Democratic Congressional campaign com- mittee, composed of many prominent sen- ators, representatives and statesmen, includ- ing Mitchell, of Wisconsin; Butler, of South Carolina; Colquett, of Georgia; Blackburn, of Kentucky; Jones, of Arkansas; Bates, of Tennessee; Falkner, of West Virginia; Blod- gett, of New Jersey; Mills, of Texas; Turpie, of Indiana; Governor McCraney, of Ken- tucky; McMillan, of Tennessee; and Gover- nor Flower, of New York.

On the 9th of August, 1888, at Kendall- ville, Indiana, Judge McClellan was nomi- nated on the fourteenth ballot by the Demo- cratic party as its candidate for Congress in the Twelfth Congressional district, although several other strong members of the party also coveted the honor. The election re- turns showed that he was the people's choice, receiving a plurality of 1, 311 over the Hon. J. B. White, the Republican can- didate. He was unanimously renominated for a second term and was re-elected to the Fifty-second Congress, receiving 4,050 votes more than J. M. Babcock, the Republican candidate, this being the largest plurality ever given in the district. He retired on the expiration of his second term, for it is the rule of his party not to elect a third 1 time. In Congress the Judge was a careful and conservative member of the House, and was one of the first to advocate an income I tax, introducing a bill into the Fifty-second

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

Congress for that purpose. He also intro- duced the first bill into Congress to tax greenbacks, both of which measures were afterward passed and are now the law. He served on the committee on railways and canals, on the election of president and vice-president, and was chairman of the committee on expenditures in the navy de- partment. He ever labored for the welfare of the country, for patriotism is above party with him and he proved a mnost able mem- ber of Congress.

The Judge is very prominent in the Ma- sonic fraternity, and served as Eminent Commander of Appollo Commandery in Kendallville, Indiana. He has also taken the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His life has been a busy and useful one, and De Kalb county acknowledges her indebtedness to him in many ways of advancement.

LEXANDER WASHINGTON DE LONG has for almost half a cen- tury been connected with the his- tory of northeastern Indiana, and few if any have done more for the upbuild- ing of this section of the State. He has been a champion of every movement de- signed to promote the general welfare, a supporter of every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advance- ment of all social, commercial, educational and moral interests.

Mr. De Long is a native of Ohio, born June 21, 1828, near Senecaville, on Wills creek, in Guernsey county, and descended from French ancestry. His father, Isaac De Long, was born in the same county, and in July, 1848, came to Huntington, but re- turned that fall in order to vote for Zachary

Taylor. He then brought his family to the home which he had prepared in Indiana, and here remained until his death, which oc- curred in 1872, at the age of sixty-six years. He manifested his loyalty to the Govern- ment during the Mexican war by enlisting in the Third Ohio Regiment under Colonel Samuel R. Curtis, and was attached to the army under the command of General Zach- ary Taylor, then on the border of Mexico. During the Civil war also he volunteered, becoming a member of Company F, Thir- teenth Indiana Infantry. He enlisted as a private, but was later chosen First Lieuten- ant, and a year after returned home on ac- count of disability. His age would have ex- empted him altogether from service, for he had passed the fiftieth milestone of life's journey, but his patriotism was too great to permit of inactivity at home while his coun- try needed the support of all her loyal sons. He subsequently joined another regiment and was sent to Kentucky. Again becoming disabled, he was transferred to the Eighth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war, being promoted to the rank of Major in that command. Isaac De Long had been reared as a farmer, and in early life he removed to Perry county, Ohio, where he lived for thirty years. During his residence in Rehoboth he studied law with Judge John B. Orton, in Somerset. Shortly after his admission to the bar he removed to Somerset where he continued the practice of his profession until his removal to Hunting- ton, Indiana, and identified himself with the legal fraternity of that place.

Isaac De Long was married twice. First he wedded Mary McFarland Moore, daugh- ter of James and Nancy Moore, and they be- came the parents of seven children, the eld- est of whom is Alexander W. James, born

NORTHEASTERN INDIANA.

in 1830, went with his father to the Mexi- can war, and afterward to Kansas. He then crossed the plains to California, and subse- quently went to Australia; but eventually re- turned to Kansas, where his death occurred before the Civil war. William Henry, born in 1832, participated in the early struggles that attended the settlement of Kansas, later went to California, but subsequently returned to Kansas, where he was killed in the Price raid. He had married and made farming his life occupation. Francis died at the age of one year. Nancy became the wife of J. E. Filson, by whom she had one son, Charles H. After the death of her first husband she married Mr. Walla- han, who is also now deceased, and they had one son, Frank. John Francis, who served in the Civil war with the Missouri cavalry, is married and follows stock dealing in Texas. Albert F. died in Huntington, Indiana, at the age of four years. After the death of his first wife, Isaac De Long married Mary Bain, of Huntington county, and they had one daugh- ter, Mrs. Mary Billiter, who died in 1891. Among the early settlers of this vicinity was James Moore, an uncle of our subject, who located here about 1846.

From the age of thirteen, Alexander W. De Long has been dependent upon his own resources, and whatever success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. Prior to that time he attended the common schools and then began a four- years' apprenticeship in the office of The Post, a newspaper published in Somerset, Ohio. He continued work through the agreed term, after which his employer gave him six-months schooling. He then entered the employ of D. H. Lyman, Esq., of the Zanesville Courier, with whom he remained

for nine months, and his gentlemanly and honorable conduct and fidelity to duty won him many friends, including William J. Ijams, Esq., of Rehoboth, Ohio, who of- fered him a scholarship and persuaded him to attend the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio, for the next nine months. He was an apt and diligent student and pursued his collegiate course until his funds were exhausted and he was obliged to leave school. This he deeply regretted, for it was his earnest desire to acquire an excel- lent education. He has always been a man of literary tastes and extensive reading, and has acquired a broad general information, which excels that which many college students have secured. When he could no longer pursue his studies he again turned to the trade which he had learned and es- tablished a newspaper in Huntington, Indi- ana, which was then considered a far Western town.

Mr. De Long thus entered upon his journalistic career. He was then a young man of nineteen years, and established the Indiana Herald, a Whig newspaper, which is still published under the same name. He made a thorough canvass of the country, walking from house to house and securing subscribers and patronage. He then returned to Som- erset, Ohio, and in an old-fashioned stage coach crossed the country to Cincinnati for supplies and material for the new paper. The return journey to Huntington was made by the canal and with characteristic energy he entered upon his labors here, the first edition of his paper appearing on the 4th of July, 1848. He continued its editor and proprietor until 1865, when he sold out, but ten years later repurchased the paper and continued its active management until 1883, when he again disposed of the

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

office. Indolence and idleness, however, are utterly foreign to his nature, and it was utterly impossible for the busy man of affairs to put aside all care. From 1883 to 1891 he was settling up private business interests, and when this task was accom- plished he opened a small printing-office, more to furnish him exercise and occupa- tion in his later years than for any pecuniary benefit he might derive therefrom. He had already succeeded in winning a comfortable property, which has all been obtained en- tirely through his own resources and efforts.

The home life of Mr. De Long has been most pleasant. He was happily married at Mahon, Huntington county, May 10, 1850, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth C. Morgan, daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Mahon) Morgan. They have a host of warm friends and occupy an enviable posi- tion in social circles, where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. Of their marriage two chil- dren were born, but the only son, Charles, died when about the age of four years, leaving in the home a vacant place which has never been filled. The daughter, Ada, born March 10, 1869, is now the wife of Henry M. Haerly, a commercial traveler, and resides with her father.

Aside from his connection with journal- istic work, Mr. De Long has been a very prominent factor in business interests in Huntington. In 1871 he aided in the organ- ization of the Citizens' Bank, and succeeded in establishing it on a sound financial basis, which has proved the foundation of its later prosperity. When this was done he with- drew, giving his attention to other interests. The Huntington, Kelso & Warren gravel road was secured through his efforts. A company was formed for the purpose of

building this road in 1875, and Mr. De Long served as its president from the begin- ning until some years after the road was in successful working order. Every enterprise calculated to advance the best interests of the community has received his hearty sup- port and co-operation through almost half a century. All educational interests or move- ments for the dissemination of knowledge find in him a friend. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Huntington schools for six years, was one of the patrons of the workingmen's institute and library, is a supporter of the present library asso- ciation, and for many years was an active member of its executive committee.

In his infancy Mr. De Long was baptized in the Catholic Church, of which his father was a member; his mother, however, be- longed to the Presbyterian Church. He now holds to the faith of neither, yet is a firm believer in Christianity and has made the golden rule his life motto, doing unto others as he would have them do to him. He is unwavering in support of whatever he be- lieves to be right and upholds his honest convictions at the sacrifice of every other interest. Charity and benevolence are num- bered among his chief characteristics, and to the poor and needy he is every ready to ex- tend a helping hand.

His political support has ever been given to the Republican party. While the wiles of many modern politicians receive his strong- est condemnation he pursues all honorable methods for the advancement of his party, and in 1876 was a regular delegate to the national Republican convention in Cincin- nati. For four years he served as a member of the State Central Committee in Indiana, and for more than seventeen consecutive years, beginning in July, 1865, was the effi-

Allen Rolland

NORTHEASTERN INDIANA.

cient Postmaster of Huntington. In Feb- ruary, 1883, he was appointed receiver of the land office for the northern district of Arizona, and spent fifteen months in Pres- cott, after which he resigned and returned to his home in Huntington.

J UDGE ALLEN ZOLLARS .- (This sketch was written by Judge John Morris for the History of Upper Mau- mee Valley, and is republished here by permission.)

Allen Zollars, the subject of this sketch, was born in Licking county, Ohio. The ancestors of Mr. Zollars were of German ex- traction, and emigrated from Prussia to this country at an early period. They belong to that robust and intelligent class of early emi- grants who, to secure their political and re- ligious freedom, were ready to encounter the privations and hardships of an unknown and unbroken wilderness, and the dangers arising from the frequent hostilities of na- tive savages who claimed the whole country as their rightful and undoubted heritage. It was fortunate for the succeeding generations of America that the circumstances attending the first settlement of the country were somewhat forbidding, and such as to invite to its shores only the liberty-loving people of Europe. The sturdy ancestors of Mr. Zollars contributed their share in the strug- gle for independence, and helped to secure for themselves and those to come after them that complete national freedom and personal liberty which all enjoy to-day. His pater- nal great-grandfather was an officer in the war of the Revolution and served his coun- try with distinction for more than five years. Mr. Zollars' father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and at twelve years

of age removed with his parents to Jefferson county, Ohio. At that time Ohio had been a State in the Federal Union but thirteen years, and was, in a large measure, an un- broken forest. Until his manhood and marriage, the father of Mr. Zollars lived in that county, when he moved to Licking county, of the same State. There in the course of time, he became the owner of flouring, lumber and woolen mills, which he operated with success. Subsequently he disposed of those properties and engaged in farming and the raising of fine stock.

In 1868, in good health, mentally and physically, he retired from business, and until his death in March, 1889, at the age of eighty-seven years and three months, he lived in happy retirement, managing his property, and enjoying the most devoted love and affection of an unusually large num- ber of direct descendants. But a short time before his death he had assembled under his own roof five generations of his family,- himself and wife, with whom he had lived for more than sixty-five years, and who sur- vives him, some of his children, some of his grandchildren, some of his great-grandchil- dren, and one great-great-grandchild. He was a man not only of remarkable health and strength physically, but also, as self- educated, a man of strong mental power and extended reading. Upon many sub- jects his thoughts were in advance of those among whom he lived. It was a source of very great comfort to his family that during his long and active life they never knew him to give the least sanction, by word or act, to anything that was immoral, dishon- est or dishonorable, but on the contrary he uniformly condemned all such things in the strongest terms.

In early boyhood the subject of this

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

sketch, after completing the common-school course of study in his neighborhood, was placed in a private academy, and there thoroughly prepared to enter college. He entered Denison University, at Granville, Ohio, pursued a classical course, and grad- nated in 1864, receiving the degree of A. B. Three years later the university conferred upon him the honorary degree of A. M., and in 1888 the degree of LL. D. Having finished his college course and attained his manhood, the time had come for Mr. Zollars to decide for himself what should be his life pursuit. Choosing the law, he entered the law office of Judge Buckingham, of Newark, Ohio, where he studied for a while, and he then entered the law department of the University of Michigan, and graduated in 1866, receiving the degree of LL. B. Being thus prepared for the practice of his chosen profession, Mr. Zollars located at Fort Wayne, Indiana. He at once made a favor- able impression upon the bench, the bar, and the people. All regarded him as a young man of fine attainments, high moral char- aeter, and great professional promise.

In November, 1867, he was married to Miss Minnie Ewing, of Lancaster, Ohio, a lady of culture, who has contributed much to the subsequent success of her husband.

Mr. Zollars is a Democrat. In 1868 he was elected to the Legislature, in which body he took a prominent part in the debates of the house, and was much estcemed for his statesmanship. In May, 1869, he was chosen City Attorney of Fort Wayne, and continued to serve in that capacity for six years. Upon the establishment of the Superior Court of Allen county, he was ap- pointed, by Governor Williams, Judge of that court. He held the office for a short time and then resigned in order to resume the

practice of his profession. In 1882 Judge Zollars was nominated by the Democratic party of the State as a candidate for Supreme Judge. He was elected, receiving in the northern part of the State, where he was best known, much more than the party vote. He was nominated by his party for the same office in 1888, but was, with the rest of the Democratic ticket, defeated. In addition to his general practice, he is solicitor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, operating the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- road through Indiana.

As Judge of the Supreme Court Judge Zollars more than met the high expectations of his friends, and so discharged the duties of his high office as to receive the hearty approval and warm commendation of the bar of the State, without regard to party. As a judge he was industrious, careful and singularly painstaking. In his high office he was independent, fearless and honest. It is but just to say, and it is infinitely creditable to Judge Zollars, that it may be truthfully said that no political bias, prejudice or zeal could deflect his mind from its honest and intelligent convictions. There is not a judge nor a lawyer in the State of Indiana that does not know and who would not assert this. The written opinions of Judge Zollars, found in more than the last thirty volumes of our reports, attest his fitness for judicial position. His style is lucid, unstrained and vigorous; his statements full and compre- hensive; his analysis perspicuous and com- plete. His opinions show great research, industry and care. They challenge approval, and must commend themselves to bench and bar. The writer is somewhat acquainted with the bar of the State, and he has yet to hear an unfavorable criticism of any opinion prepared by Judge Zollars. As a

NORTHEASTERN INDIANA.

lawyer, Judge Zollars has always stood high. He has a large practice, and has been un- usually successful. He has argued many cases in the Supreme Court and has lost but few. No one knows better than Judge Zol- lars the necessity for thorough preparation in the trial of cases, and no one more in- dustriously prepares his cases than he. Though of a warm and ardent temperament, Judge Zollars is, in the trial of a cause, al- ways master of himself. He is rarely not at his best. He is always courteous and def- erential toward the court; kind and forbear- ing toward his adversaries. He examines a witness carefully and thoroughly, but treats the witness with respect, and, as a general rule, so as to secure his good opin- ion and make him feel that he has been treated kindly and forbearingly. While subjecting the witness to the most severe tests, he so questions him that the witness never seems to realize the fact. As a speaker, Judge Zollars is always direct, log- ical and forcible. His treatment of his case is always full, comprehensive and accurate; his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaus- tive. He sees without effort the relation and dependence of the facts, and so groups them as to enable him to throw their com- bined force upon the point they tend to prove. Judge Zollars is in the prime of life, rather below the medium size, his head and chest are large, his frame compact and vig- orous. He is graceful in action, in manner courteous, forbearing and genial. He is popular and his future is full of promise.

In his domestic life Judge Zollars is most fortunate; surrounded by a most estimable family, every member of which is thoroughly devoted to him, and striving to add some- thing to his comfort and happiness, -a fam- ily that has deserved all the affections of his 3

heart, stimulated his pride, increased his hope, and contributed to his success in life, and augmented his happiness.

Judge Zollars is a chapter, Knight Temp- lar and Scottish-Rite Mason of the 32d de- gree.

ON. WILLIAM L. PENFIELD, Judge of the Thirty-fifth Judicial Circuit of Indiana, is one of the most eminent members of the bar of the Hoosier State. He is a man whom to know is to honor, for in all the relations of life, whether as lawyer or as judge, in politics or in private life, he has ever been found true to duty and to the trust reposed in him. Indiana has its full share of the prominent lawyers of the West and chief among these is numbered Judge Penfield. It is not an easy thing to win a place of prominence in this calling. The fact that the law is termed a "learned profession" at once suggests something of the effort that must be put forth to gain an exalted place therein. It is a calling in which one must depend upon mental power, in which he must "learn " that which gives him pre- eminence. Money cannot purchase it; it must come as the result of close application, persistent effort and determined purpose, combined with the abilities with which one is endowed by nature.

Judge Penfield was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, on the 2d of April, 1846, and is of English lineage. His ancestors lived in England near the Scottish border and thence in 1730 came the founders of the family in America to take up their residence in Hartford, Connecticut. The great-grandfather of our subject, Abisha Penfield, was one of the heroes of the war

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

of the Revolution. William Penfield, the father of the Judge, was born in Connec- ticut, and in the East married Miss Felton, whose parents were natives of Vermont, her birth, however, having occurred in New York. In 1835 they emigrated Westward, taking up their residence in Lenawee county, where the father engaged in farming. In the family were six children who reached years of maturity, while two died in child- hood. The eldest, Sylvester M., laid down his life on the altar of his country during the Civil war. He served as First Lieu- tenant of the Twenty-fifth Missouri Volun- teer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Charles G. also was numbered among the boys in blue of the late war, and was killed by General Forrest's guerrillas after the battle of Nashville. The third child, Adaline, was a graduate of Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, and for a time was a teacher of recognized ability in the college of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She afterwaad became the wife of C. B. State, and died in 1887, leav- ing two daughters, -intelligent young ladies, who are graduates of the Michigan Uni- versity. The Judge is the fourth of this family. H. F. is a resident of Greenfield, and is connected with a carriage manufac- tory of Auburn. Nettie, the youngest, is now the wife of George W. Duncan, the present Mayor of Greenfield, Indiana.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, Judge Penfield spent the days of his boyhood and youth, aiding in the labors of the fields, and obtaining from the outdoor life a liberty of thought, feeling and action which has had a continued influence for good upon his later career. He also received excellent mental training, for after attending the district schools of the neighborhood, he prepared

himself for a collegiate course in the schools of Hillsdale, Michigan, and subsequently be- came a student of Adrian College. Ere completing the course there, however, he entered the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, pursuing a classical course. He was graduated with high honor in the class of 1870, and out of the class which numbered seventy-six members was chosen by the college faculty as one of the orators for commencement day. Even thus early in life he manifested exceptional ability as an able, instructive and entertaining speaker.

The chair of German and Latin lan- guages in Adrian College was now offered Mr. Penfield, and he accepted the position, but mearly as a means to an end. It was his earnest desire to enter the legal profession, and while engaged in teaching he studied law. He was admitted to the bar at Ad- rian, Michigan, in 1872, and in January, 1873, came to Auburn, Indiana, where he has since made his home. He had a name to make at the bar, a reputation to secure, for the lawyer must plead his first case and gain his success through merit. Mr. Pen- field's abilities, both natural and acquired, well fitted him for his chosen calling, and he has now a large clientage, practicing in both the State and Federal courts. In 1894 he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of Judge of the Thirty-fifth Judi- cial District, and won the election by 1,678 votes,-the largest majority ever given a judge in this circuit. His personal popu- larity and genuine worth are indicated by the fact that in his own city he ran 178 votes ahead of the State ticket, and 220 votes in De Kalb county. His quiet, dignified de- meanor upon the bench demands the respect of all, and his sound judgment and broad legal knowledge have excited the admiration

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 5

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