Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 63

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

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

the same office as the candidate on the Re- publican ticket. In 1877 Mr. Glasgow withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Wade then entered into partnership with his father, un- der the firm title of Wade & Wade, and this association continued until our subject aban- doned the practice of law, -in which line his ability was recognized and his success assured. But he had long felt that he was called to a higher duty, and from the age of twenty years, when he was converted and became a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, he had been imbued with an earnest desire to enter the ministry and to devote his life to the cause of humanity.

Thus he finally determined to resign the practice of law, and this he did in the year 1880, within which year he was elected a lay delegate to the North Indiana Electoral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at the session of the North Indiana Annual Conference he began his active labors in the ministry. In 1883 he was ordained a Deacon in the church, and in 1885 became an Elder.

ceived into membership forty-nine persons. From South Whitley Mr. Wade went to the important charge at Muncie, where he re- mained for five years and five months, with- in which time the present High street church edifice was erected, and he also caused the erection of a fine mission church, and received into membership 1, 120 persons. April 1, 1892, our subject came from Muncie to Bluffton, where he has since retained his pastorate and by effective efforts has doubled the membership of the church. The fine modern brick edifice here was erected through his able direction and zeal- ous endeavors, the cost of the same having been $20,000. The church has been ad- vanced materially and spiritually, and in its various functions the pastor maintains a lively and well informed interest, according due value to every phase of church work and by precept and example vitalizing each element. His is that practical appreciation of the affairs of life that lends greater potency to his ministerial labors, while as a pulpit orator he is logical, convincing and eloquent, appealing not alone to the emo- tional side of human nature but to the most mature judgment and the most critical wis- dom. His strength as an organizer and practical worker is evidenced sufficiently in his accomplishment, and the Christian re- ligion has an able supporter and advocate in the honored subject of this review.

Mr. Wade's first ministerial charge was at Roann, Wabash county, Indiana, and within his pastorate of three years at that place his labors were indefatigable and well directed, as is evident from the fact that he raised the money for the erection of three churches, two of which were erected under his personal direction; and 347 persons were added to the church. His next charge was In his political proclivities Mr. Wade was originally a Republican, and he con- tinued his allegiance to that party until 1884, when, having been a delegate to the State declare in favor of submitting a prohibitory amendment to the constitution, for the sup- pression of the liquor traffic, to a vote of the people, he acted in accordance with his at Bourbon, Marshall county, and there his marked executive ability again became mani- fest, for he raised funds for the erection of the first church edifice in the county, and , convention, and said body having refused to within his three years' service received into membership 351 individuals. From Bour- bon he was assigned to South Whitley, where he remained seven months and re-

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convictions, and, with others, withdrew from the convention, and has since been an un- compromising advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party. In his fraternal re- lations Mr. Wade is a Master Mason, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the 27th of March, 1873, was sol- emnized the marriage of Mr. Wade to Miss Mary Will, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on the 26th of September, 1850, the daughter of John and Rachel Will. When but four years of age she was taken to La Grange, Indiana, where she received her literary education, subsequently becoming a student in the musical department of Fort Wayne College, now known as Taylor Uni- versity. Of this union three children were born, one of whom, Cyrus Earl, died at the age of five months; Ray J. is now a student in De Pauw University, being a young man of more than ordinary ability, and having been ordained to the ministry of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at the age of twenty years. Will H. is a student in the Bluffton high school. The devoted wife and mother entered into eternal rest, at Muncie, In- diana, on the 6th of October, 1891, at the age of forty-one years. She was a woman of high intellectuality and gentle refinement, and when quite young became a member of the church at La Grange, officiating as or- ganist for a number of years. In her the Christian graces had rare exemplification, and her life was one of signal purity and de- votion.

On September 12, 1893, Mr. Wade was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth L. Welborn, of Knightstown, Indiana, and they have one child, Mary Elizabeth, born July 23, 1894. Mrs. Wade is a woman of cul-

ture and for some years prior to her mar- riage was engaged in teaching. She has been a life-long member of the Methodist Church, and proves an able and devoted co- adjutor to her husband in his noble efforts. She is President of the W. F. M. Society at Bluffton, and in every department of church work, and in literary and social lines she is active and helpful.

a HARLES PAPE .- Holding marked prestige among the most successful and most highly honored business men of the city of Fort Wayne, the subject of this review has retained his resi- dence here for nearly a half century, and has advanced from the lowly and obscure position of a poor boy from a foreign land to that status which implies the control of affairs of great breadth and scope, with the concomitant power and precedence implied. The study of such a life history can never fail of interest, lesson and incentive, and among the distinctively representative and self-made men of Fort Wayne Mr Pape is manifestly distinguished, and he has contrib- uted in no small measure to the industrial advancement and material prosperity of the city which has so long been his home and field of operations. That to him special at- tention should be granted in this connection is practically imperative if the consistency of this work is to be maintained.

Our honored subject is a native of Min- den, Germany, where he was born on the 18th of December, 1837, being the eldest of the five children of William and Wilhelmina Pape, natives of Germany, who left their loved Fatherland in the year 1850 and emi- grated to the United States, taking up their

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abode in Fort Wayne, where they passed the residue of their days. They were people of intelligence and unwavering integrity, were industrious and frugal and worthy representa- tives of that sturdy German element which has had so important and beneficial an in- fluence in furthering the strength and pros- perity of our republic. At the time of his parents' emigration to America our subject was but a lad of thirteen years, and such ed- ucational acquirements as he had been able to secure in his native land were of but slight value to him in his new home, where in ad- dition to the other incidental obstacles which he was called upon to encounter he also had to learn to speak a new language. The boy was ambitious, however, and he made good use of the opportunities that were afforded him, working at whatever his hand found to do and looking ever to an advancement by earnest endeavor and sterling fidelity. To one imbued with such an animating spirit success in some measure is bound to come, and the steps which marked the rise of the young German lad to a position of responsi- bility as a man of affairs were consecutive and of steady gradations. He was eventu- ally enabled to begin operations upon his own responsibility, -first in a small way, but as he grew in years he also grew in busi- ness, until now the activities of his career have culminated in a volume of business of great and manifest importance in connection with the industrial activities of his adopted city.

From the time of his arrival in Fort Wayne, in 1850, until the present day Mr. Pape has retained an uninterrupted residence here, with the exception of two years which he passed in Elkhart, while he was still a youth. His business career in Fort Wayne may properly be said to date from the year

1861, at which time he was twenty-four years of age, having had ten years' experi- ence in varied lines of occupation in different places. A young man of alert mentality, with strong observative faculties, and one animated by a resistless energy and ambi- tion, he had by this time not only acquired a familiarity with the English language, but had gained a very excellent idea of Ameri- can institutions and methods of doing busi- ness, so that he felt sufficiently reinforced to enter the great competitive struggle and try his fortunes with the others. In a word he felt equal to carrying on a business of his own. Upon his return to Fort Wayne he engaged in contracting, continuing opera- tions in this line until 1873, applying himself most vigorously to the prosecution of his work and managing his affairs with that ex- cellent judgment that has conserved his pro- nounced success in the later portions of his career. In the year last noted Mr. Pape became connected with the Peters box fac- tory, representing an industry of considerable importance and one which afforded our sub- ject wider opportunities for achievement, offering also greater latitude for the exer- cise of his abilities, whose province had been necessarily circumscribed in his for- mer field of endeavor. In the year 1878 Mr. Pape purchased a controlling interest in the Peters Box & Lumber Company, and he has since been the incumbent as president of the corporation, whose interests and scope of operations have been materially advanced through the able management and direction of our subject. The well equipped plant of the company is located on High street, util- izing two floors 50x100 feet, two floors 40X 70 feet, one floor 50x80 feet, and one 40x60. The mechanical devices and accessories util- ized in the processes of manufacture are of

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the most modern and approved order, and the extensive output of the factories finds a ready market throughout the States of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, while the hardwood lumber produced is shipped to the cities of the East and to English markets, a specialty being made of an output of quartered oak, for whose production in the finest grades the company have the most exceptional facilities. In the prosecution of operations the retention of a corps of from seventy-five to one hundred workmen is demanded. In 1882 Mr. Pape still further augmented his identification with the industrial activities of Fort Wayne, effecting the purchase of an interest in the Jonathan Fleming road machine, and in the connection established the business which has since been so suc- cessfully conducted under the title of the Fleming Manufacturing Company, our sub- ject being the sole proprietor. The enter- prise is one of wide scope and its business extends into the most diverse sections of the Union, the productions of the establish- ment comprising road-making machinery of the most effective order and embracing many improvements which give it unmistakable priority and supremacy as considered in con- nection with other devices whose functions are similar. The business has shown a consecutive and gratifying growth, and the concern is now recognized as being one of most extensive manufactories of road plows, dump scrapers, excavators and 'street and railroad snow-plows that the United States can claim within her borders.

Mr. Pape has manifested a constant and lively interest in all that has pertained to the advancement and well being of the city of his choice, and he is recognized as a public- spirited and enterprising business man and as one thoroughly in touch with the progres-

sive spirit of the day. In addition to the notable business associations already re- ferred to it may be stated that he is a heavy stockholder and director in the Baltes Land, Stone & Oil Company, organized at Mont- pelier, Indiana, with a paid in capital stock of forty thousand dollars, and of this corpo- ration he has been president from the in- ception. He is also president and one- third owner of the Rustic Park Association, which is developing a very attractive resort in a beautiful location about two miles dis- tant from Montpelier. Such a career as has been that of our subject is such as merits the respect and admiration of all, for he has valiantly fought the battles of life unaided, has never sacrificed his high sense of honor, and has risen to a place of distinction and seen his efforts crowned with success. His early struggle has but quickened the gene- rous impulses of his nature, and he has retained a deep and abiding human sym- pathy which finds manifestation in unosten- tatious acts of kindly benevolence and charity.

In his political proclivities Mr. Pape ex- ercises his franchise in support of the Dem- ocratic party and its principles, but he has never been an aspirant for political prefer- ment, and aside from a few terms in the City Council has been the incumbent of no office. In religion he is a devoted adherent of the Lutheran Church, being a Trustee of St. Paul's Church in this city.

The marriage of Mr. Pape to Miss Wil- helmina Bierman, a native of Germany, was consummated in the year 1859, and her de- mise occurred in 1871. Within the year 1872 our subject wedded Caroline Shroeder, who presides with grace and dignity over his attractive home. He is the father of eight children.

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

A DAM J. SMITH, of the lumber firm of Smith & Bell, Decatur, is one of the most successful and en- terprising men of Adans county. He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Leppla) Smith, natives of Bavaria, Germany, the former having been born June 24, 1801, while the birth of the latter occurred July 26, 1813. They were married in the Fatherland about 1830, residing there until their immigration to America in 1843. They first located in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where they resided some thirteen years. Their industry and enterprise were rewarded by golden results, as they accumu- lated means and grew prosperous. In 1856 they removed to Whitley county, Indiana. This was at that time a comparatively new region, possessing few advantages in any- thing. Upon the farm on which they at first settled they lived till 1886, when, the weight of years becoming cumbersome, they re- moved to Churubusco to pass their declining years in peaceful repose. Mr. Smith did not long survive this removal, his death occurring the same year, at the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Smith still survives, and although she has reached the four-score and two mark, she is well preserved for her years. Her family, as well as the Smiths, are noted for longevity.

Our subject's maternal grandmother lived to be nearly 100 years old. She died in 1872, and still others have attained to remarkable ages. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Sr., were members of the Lutheran Church. Their lives conformed in every particular to the acquirements of a high Christian stand- ard, and they were universally held in high esteem by their many friends. To them were born seven children: William, Henry, John, Philip W., Catherine, wife of James

Roach, Adam J. and Jacob, -the latter dying in infancy.

Adam J. Smith, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Whitley county, Indiana, February 20, 1857. His early educational discipline was secured in the public and graded schools of his native county. He entered the Valparaiso Nor- mal School in 1878, taking a finishing course to prepare for teaching. The follow- ing winter he secured a school, and until 1881 taught winters and attended the Val- paraiso Normal during the summer season. He won a good reputation as a teacher. As an instructor he had tact to successfully govern and ability to clearly elucidate,- qualities essential to pedagogic success. The same year he secured employment, and for two years was engaged in selling school supplies to trustees throughout the State, visiting nearly every county. In this work he was eminently successful and made con- siderable money. In February, 1883, he came to Monmouth, Adams county, and entered the employ of Colter & Company, lumber dealers, as foreman of the mills. His brother, Philip W., was one of the partners of this firm. In 1884 he resigned his position with this company and imme- diately came to Decatur and went into business for himself, buying and selling lumber. In this he had a wonderful degree of success. His capital to begin with was nearly $500, which by his excellent manage- ment was several times doubled in two years.

'The fall of 1886 he entered into a part- nership with A. R. Bell and at once built a mill. Since then this company has done a large and profitable business, and is one of the solid financial concerns of the county. In the matter of local offices, he has been

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honored, having been elected in 1894 to the School Board of which he was chosen Sec- retary, later becoming Treasurer. He takes an active interest in school matters, being one of the stanchest friends of the public- school system in Indiana. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. He was elected to the City Council in 1887, and served as a mem- ber till 1891. Socially he is connected with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pyth- ias, is a stockholder of the Decatur National Bank and is a member and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

June 5, 1884, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Smith with Miss Willie Fonner, a native of Adams county. She is a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Pillars) Fonner. The former was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1826, a son of John and Mary (Crouse) Fonner. John Fonner was born in New Jersey in 1788, and died in 1852. His wife was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and died in 1854. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John A. Fonner was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1826. At the age of six years he accompanied his parents to Athens county, Ohio, where his father purchased an unimproved farm, where the family lived till 1840. This was the year of the famous "hard cider " campaign, when General Harrison was elected to the presidency. John Fonner had served as a soldier under "old Tippecanoe, " and though he had sold his farm some time previous to election he refused to budge till he had voted for his favorite. He had formerly been a Democrat, but ever after the beginning of that campaign he affiliated with the Whigs. Late in the fall or early in the winter he moved with his family to Troy, Ohio,

where the winter was passed. Here pro- visions were very cheap, as was also prov- ender for stock. The following spring they continued their journey to Adams county

John A. Fonner was past fourteen years old when his parents settled in the wilds of Adams county. His advantages were lim- ited for obtaining an education. His first school was held in a blacksmith shop, built of round logs. It was a typical back-woods affair, common to that day; puncheon seats, fire-place, adjustable logs for windows and no floor, yet it was a "temple" of learning, and from such went into the world men whose names are marked higher on the scroll of fame than any that passed from the classic shades of Yale or Cambridge.

Mr. Fonner's marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pillars was consummated. January 9, 1856. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah A. (Rice) Pillars. The former was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, the latter in Cul- peper county, Virginia, May 27, 1815. The settlement of this family in Adams county dates from 1839. Their location was in section 14, Root township, then a wilder- ness. Mr. Pillars built one of the first saw- mills in this region. At that time Fort Wayne was the trading place, and there also they took their milling. Mr. and Mrs. Pillars were the parents of five children, all of whom grew to maturity.

After his marriage John A. Fonner set- tled on a farm in Root township, where he finished his life's work. He was an enter- prising, industrious man and was widely known for his friendly, neighborly qualities. He and his estimable wife were members of the Methodist Church and were consistent Christians. Five children were born to them: Edith May, born September 18, 1858, wife of J. R. Christen; Sarah A.,

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born February 12, 1862, and became the wife of A. J. Smith; Mary A., born July 27, 1864; Nellie E., born December 7, 1866, died July 14, 1893; and John H., born July 10, 1872. Mr. Fonner died September 13, 1887. and Mrs. Fonner November 26, 1894, at the age of fifty-six years.

F RANK DANIEL CUMMINS. Among those who devote their time and energies to agricultural pursuits in northeastern Indiana, none are more worthy of representation than the gentleman whose name introduces this re- view, who is now engaged in farming in Troy township, Whitley county. His has been a well spent life, and those who know him es- teem him highly for his genuine worth and strict integrity.

Mr. Cummins was born in Delaware county, Ohio, November 6, 1847, and is a son of George Washington and Catherine (Faulkner) Cummins, early settlers of this county. The father was born May 20, 1807, and the mother was born July 11, 1813. Their family numbered the following members: Melinda, who was born February 22, 1835, and is the wife of John Q. Adams; Roxy, who was born March 10, 1836, and is the wife of James D. Jameson; George, who was born February 12, 1838, and died No- vember 7, 1862; Seline, born December 3, 1839; Cyrus, who was born November 26, 1841, and died March 28, 1842; Cynthia, who was born April 18, 1843, and is the wife of Charles Nobles; Seth Watson, born July 26, 1845; Frank Daniel, of this sketch; Orin Lyman, born July 17, 1850; and Nettie, who was born August 16, 1855, and is the wife of James L. Johnson. The

mother of this family died October 22, 1884.

Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Cummins became residents of Whitley county, Indiana, in 1853, locating upon a farm which is now the home of our subject, and which they made their place of abode until called to their final rest. On the death of the father, Frank D. Cummins purchased the old home place, and personally continued its care and cultivation until November 21, 1890, when he removed to Huntington county, Indiana, having pur- chased an interest there in the sawmill busi- ness of Cummins, Bartley & Company. Four years later he disposed of this prop- erty, and on the 15th of May, 1895, re- turned to the farm.

On the 9th of January, 1872, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Cummins and Miss Laura Athey. In this connection it will be interesting to note something of her people. Her parents were Walter Scott and Miriam Berryhill (Crawford) Athey. Her father was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, January 20, 1806, and died Sep- tember 25, 1885. He left the Old Dominion in 1836, locating in Coshocton county, Ohio, where he remained until October 1, 1853, when he landed in Kosciusko county, Indi- ana. In 1875 he came to Whitley county, where his remaining days were passed. By trade he was a cooper. His father, Elijah Athey, was born in Virginia, and was of Scotch lineage. He made farming his life work, and died in 1838, when about seventy years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Jane Green, and by their marriage were born eight children, -Augustus, Levi, Willis, Robert, Thomas, Walter S., Sarah and Emily. Willis and Levi were soldiers in the war of 1812.

The mother of Mrs. Cummins was born

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in Harrison county, Ohio, December 20, 1819, and was a daughter of John Crawford, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, January 20, 1775, and came to America at the time of the rebellion of the Red-Coats, accompanied by three brothers, three sisters and his mother. The father, Thomas Craw- ford, was captured and imprisoned by the English for seven years, but finally made his escape and joined his family in Ohio. With his people John Crawford located in Harrison county, and there married Rachel Mckibben, by whom he had a large family of children, namely: Thomas, Richard, Sarah, William, Jane, wife of John Showal- ter, Miriam, John, who died at the age of eighteen years, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, and Joseph Patterson. The father of this family was a stone and brick mason and in 1828 removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he made his home until his death. In poli- tics he was a Democrat and for twelve years served as Justice of the Peace. He held membership with the Presbyterian Church.

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 63

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