Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 83

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

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In 1880 Mr. Long was a candidate for County Surveyor, but was defeated by a very small majority. In 1894 he was a candi- date on the Republican ticket for the office of County Clerk and was duly elected, his term to begin October 25, 1896. Frater- nally he is identified with both the Knights of Pythias and Masonic societies.

Mr. Long was married October 8, 1871, to Miss Vianna Stonebreaker. After a few brief years of happy married life she was called to the home beyond the river of death, January 17, 1882, at the age of thirty-one years. In the family were four children, three of whom survive the mother, namely: Blanche A., wife of Charles H. Felske; Susie Lenore, and Louise G. George M., the fourth born, was drowned while fishing April 17, 1893. On the 28th of March, 1885, Mr. Long married Miss Eva Shair, and they have one son, Frank E.

HE HERMAN BERGHOFF BREWING COMPANY, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is another one of the enterprising industries which have played a part during the past eight years in helping to make Fort Wayne the thriving city it is to-day. In the manufac- ture of pure and wholesome beverages of unexcelled quality, the Herman Berghoff Brewing Company has established a reputa- tion of the most enviable character and has developed a trade that extends throughout Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other sections of the Union. The enterprise was established in 1887, and the plant com- prises large and substantial buildings, which are fully equipped with all the latest im- proved machinery and appliances known to the trade that conduce to make the beer su-

perior in every respect and at the same time tend to economy of production. Only the best malt and hops are used, and the utmost cleanliness is observed in all the processes of manufacture, with the result that the beer placed on the market from this brewery is deservedly in great favor with the public and the trade.

As showing the magnitude of the enter- prise we state that the annual output of this brewery is 40,000 barrels of lager beer, and 100 workmen are given employment in the several departments of the business. The two special brands of beer are the " Dort- munder " and " Salvator,"-products which are widely known and have no superior any where. Agencies for the sale of the products of this brewery are maintained at the follow- ing named cities: Chicago, Detroit, Pitts- burg and Scranton, Pennsylvania, and other commercial centers, and each year the large scope of territory over which it is distributed is constantly being increased.

A LBERT FRANKLIN ELLIOTT has resided on his present farm near Larwill, Indiana, since he was twenty-two years of age, and in connection with his farming operations is making a specialty of dealing in horses, now having a considerable number of fine stand- ard-bred animals. His present attractive residence was built by him in the spring of 1890.

Mr. Elliott was born July 21, 1861, and is a son of S. J. W. Elliott. Under the pa- rental roof his childhood days were passed, and on the 31st of August, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Estlick, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Estlick. The lady was born December 5, 1865, and

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died August 8, 1892, her remains being in- terred in the Presbyterian cemetery at Troy. She left two children-Mildred and Pansy, the former born December 23, 1887, and the latter December 3, 1890. For his sec- ond wife, Mr. Elliott married Miss Sadie Miranda Estlick, a sister of his first wife, She was born in September, 1859, and the wedding was celebrated on the Ist of No- vember, 1894.

Politically, Mr. Elliott affiliates with the Republican party, and religiously he is identified with the Presbyterian Church. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Odd Fellows society at Larwill. He is one of the representative young men of the com- munity in which he resides, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.

a HRISTIAN BOSEKER .- A man whose days have been filled with "ceaseless toil and endeavor " and who has attained to a high degree of success in the affairs of life, it is particu- larly appropriate that we here direct atten- tion to one who has long been prominently identified with the official and business in- terests of Fort Wayne, and who is known and honored throughout northern Indiana as a capable business man and valuable citizen. A native of Saxony, Germany, Mr. Boseker was born on the 8th of May, 1841, being a son of Peter Boseker, also a native of Germany. When our subject was but a lad of five years, his father emigrated with his family to the United States, taking up his residence in Fort Wayne, in June, of that year. Peter Boseker was an experi- enced miller and in this line of enterprise he engaged in this city and continued operations with due measure of success until the time

of his death, which occurred in 1857. He was a man of strong force of character, honest and straightforward in all his deal- ings and unswerving in his principles of honor and integrity. He gained and held the respect of the community and his life is one of usefulness and earnest effort. His wife also was born in Germany, and she sur- vived him eight years, her demise occurring in 1865.

Our subject was the youngest son in the family of eight children, four of whom are still living. He secured his educational dis- cipline in the common schools, and from the time he attained the age of eighteen years he has depended entirely upon his own ef- forts and resources for a livelihood, and is to be unmistakably considered as the archi- tect of his own fortunes. In 1859 he began work at the trade of carpentering, entering the employ of A. C. Deaver, with whom he remained until the time when his patriotic nature was roused to the discharge of a higher duty, which came to him when the war of the Rebellion was precipitated upon a divided nation. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company E, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until March 28, 1863, when physical disability rendered him unfit for further duty and he was honorably dis- charged, after which he returned to his home.

In the fall of 1863 was consummated Mr. Boseker's marriage to Miss Cornelia Hinton, who was born in Fort Wayne in the year 1843. They were the parents of two children, -Lydia E. and Harry C.

On his return from the South, Mr. Bo- seker resumed work at his trade, and in 1864 he engaged with J. D. Silver on the con- struction of the De Kalb county court-house.

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In the following year he began operations on his own responsibility, as a contractor and builder, entering into partnership with Jacob Forbing, with whom he was asso- ciated until 1868. The executive ability and mechanical genius which he exhibited in those early days of his career, made him prominent and successful as a builder, and he was soon employed in the construction of public buildings, whose erection involved the expenditure of large sums of money. Throughout northern Indiana are many fine buildings which stand as monuments to the thrift, enterprise and ability of Mr. Boseker. These include the court-houses of Defiance county, Ohio, and Adams county, Indiana, and the Allen county jail in Fort Wayne.

For a season our subject abandoned operations in the line of contracting and in the fall of 1875 he associated himself with J. B. White in the manufacture of wheels for vehicles of all sorts, continuing this en- terprise for a period of eight years and di- recting its affairs to the point of success. He then returned to his former occupation, his first work having been that of completing the Masonic Temple, whose erection had been commenced in 1881, but not completed, by reason of insufficient funds. The work on this edifice was completed by Mr. Boseker in the autumn of 1884, and within the same year he secured the contract for the erection of the First Presbyterian Church in this city, completing the same in 1885. In September of that year he was appointed by President Cleveland as superintendent of the erection of the fine Government building which is now an ornament to the business portion of Fort Wayne, and this structure was com- pleted in 1889, after which he took the con- tract for building the court house in Wells county, this State. Another business enter-

prise also engrossed his attention for a time. In 1888 he purchased the Fort Wayne Jour- nal, of which he remained proprietor for eighteen months, after which he disposed of the property on account of the pressing duties of his other business interests.

Mr. Boseker has ever rendered a stanch support to the Democratic party and its prin- ciples, having cast his first presidential vote for General McClellan. He was elected water-works trustee for a term of one year, and so acceptably discharged the duties of the office that at the expiration of his term he was re-elected for three years. In the year 1888 he was again called upon to serve in this capacity, being elected to fill the un- expired term of J. F. W. Meyers, and the next year he was re-elected for three years. His fidelity to duty is above question and he takes a commendable interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city, its im- provement and substantial upbuilding. His public and private life are alike abovereproach, and, honored and esteemed by all who known him, Christian Boseker well deserves consideration in this review of the lives of the representative citizens of Fort Wayne and contiguous sections.

OTTLIEB HALLER, dealer in paints, wall-paper, etc., of Fort Wayne, occupies a commanding position in the commerical circles of this city. Of the various countries of continental Europe that have given of their sons and daughters to people the land of "the brave and the free" none has sent to our shores a more thrifty, enterprising or honest people than Switzerland. It was amid the romantic and picturesque scenery of this mountain republic-the oldest of the

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earth-that Mr. Haller first saw the light. His birth occurred November 6, 1849. Gottlieb and Anna Haller were his parents, but he was early left an orphan, the mother dying when he was a child of two years, while his father's death left him without parental care at the age of eleven years.

Being thus early bereft of a home and all its tender privileges and shielding sur- roundings, Mr. Haller was largely thrown upon his own resources to make his way in the world. Until he was fourteen years of age he was employed on a farm, having the privilege of attending school, which was a source of great advantage as it fitted him to more successfully cope with the business rela- tions of life in the future. In his native land he learned the butcher's trade, a line of busi- ness with which he was connected for many years, following it in Germany and France for two and a half years before coming to America.

In 1872 Mr. Haller crossed the Atlantic to the New World and at once made his way to Indiana, locating in Fort Wayne, where he immediately after sought and found employment at his trade. For two years he continued in the service of others, when having accumulated sufficient means he launched into business for himself, es- tablishing a market of his own here. It was not long before he had built up a large and profitable trade, for his square dealing and earnest endeavor to please se- cured him an extensive business, which he maintained as long as he was connected with that industry. The success he has at- tained since coming to America is quite flat- tering and is suggestive of a high order of ability. About three years ago he embarked in the paint and wall-paper business and now has a large store well filled with a well 39

assorted stock of goods. Other business enterprises have received his aid and in return have materially increased his income. He is interested in the Decatur Gravel Road Com- pany, and one of the stockholders in the Allen County Savings & Loan Association. He was formerly president of the local Butchers' Union, and is also a member of the Business Men's Exchange of Fort Wayne, an organization calculated to pro- mote the commercial activity of the city by the discussion of plans whereby trade may be benefited and the local interests protected.

To his estimable wife, whose maiden name was Mollie Fisher, Mr. Haller was married on the 7th of November, 1878. The lady is a native of Fort Wayne, her birth occurring September 23, 1859, and was a daughter of Anthony and Margarita Fisher, well known people of this commu- nity .. Mr. and Mrs. Haller are the parents of two children, namely: Anna L., born in November, 1885; and Margaretha M., born in February, 1892.

The parents are consistent members of the German Reformed Church, and are act- ively interested in helping along all good works. Socially and fraternally our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Patriotic Circle. It was a fortunate day for him when he came to America, as he has not only gained a pleasant home here, but has also made many warm friends and secured a comfortable competence.

J AMES E. McHENRY .- Wabash has recognized the abilities of one of her native sons by electing him to her highest office, and he now has the reins of the city government in his hands,

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successfully guiding and controlling affairs in a manner that reflects credit upon him- self, his fellow townsmen and the city. He is public-spirited in an eminent degree, and is actively interested in all that pertains to the educational, moral, social or material welfare of the community.

Mr. McHenry was born in Wabash, on the 19th of May, 1852, the son of John A. and Margaret (Rayburn) McHenry. The family was of Scotch origin, and was estab- lished on American soil at an early day. The grandfather, Edward McHenry, was a native of Virginia, followed farming as a means of livelihood, and manifested his loyalty to his country by serving in the war of 1812, in which he rose to the rank of Captain. His family numbered five chil- dren. The maternal ancestry of our sub- ject came from England, his great-grand- parents having been natives of that land, and the founders of the family in this coun- try. The grandfather, William B. Rayburn, was born in the Empire State, and was reared in Ohio. He laid out the town of New Car- lisle, Ohio, and afterward removed to Peru, where he died when past the age of sixty years. He was a very prominent and influ- ential citizen, a leader in political circles, and for two terms represented his district in the State Senate. His unwavering support was given to Henry Clay. In business life he met with successes and became owner of extensive tracts of land near Peru. He held membership with the Methodist Church, was one of its licensed preachers, and was ear- nestly devoted to the upbuilding of the cause of Christianity. He was a tall and fine- looking man, well proportioned and possess- ed a genial manner and kindly disposition which won him the love and confidence of all. His family numbered ten children.

The father of our subject was a native of Virginia, and by his marriageto Margaret Rayburn, a native of Ohio, were born three children, -James E., Carrie I. and Ella. Mr. McHenry followed merchandising through- out his entire business career. In 1842 he came to Indiana with his parents, who drove through from Virginia and located on a farm seven miles northwest of Wabash. He soon came to the city and in 1846 began merchandising, which he followed for many years. He served on the Christian commis- sion in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil war and was a warm defender of the Union cause. His wife died in 1856, and he afterward married Miss Priscilla I. McKim, daughter of Thomas McKim, who was born in the north of Ireland. Three chi dren graced this union: Lula, wife of J. I. Rob- ertson, cashier of the Wabash National Bank; Grace, wife of W. S. Moore, of Wabash; and William P. McHenry, of Chi- cago. The father died in June, 1892, at the age of sixty-six years, and in his death the community lost one of its most valued citizens.

James E. McHenry spent his youth in his native city, and after attending its com- mon schools spent a year in the high school of St. Louis, Missouri. He also attended the high school of Minneapolis, and for three years was a student in the University of Minnesota. He was now provided with a liberal education to aid him in life's duties and entered upon liis business career as a salesman in a dry-goods store at Peru, In- diana. He was subsequently employed in a similar capacity in Fort Wayne, this State, and in 1874 returned to Wabash, where he worked for a short time in the spoke and bent - wood factory. Later he taught school for ten years, and in the meantime learned painting

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and paper-hanging, which business he follow- ed for several years. He accepted the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Dougherty, Gordon & Thurston in 1881, and continued with their successors, Lynn & Leedy, until February, 1885, when he purchased the book and stationery stock of Ray & Barring- ton, conducting that business until 1887, when he moved the stock to Wabash street and admitted to partnership E. B. Forgey. The new firm also added a stock of jewelry and did a good business. In the spring of 1889 the firm of Lynn & Leedy bought out Mr. Forgey's interest and operations were carried on under the style of J. E. McHenry & Company until April, 1894, when the busi- ness was sold to Conner, Mattern & Con- ner. In July, 1894, Mr McHenry purchased an interest in the firm of Newhouse & Hammond, insurance and real-estate agents, and the firm is now Newhouse & McHenry. They command an excellent patronage and are doing a large and constantly increasing business.

On the 11th of January, 1882, Mr. Mc- Henry was united in marriage with Miss May Sayre. He owns a good residence property, but they live with Mrs. McHenry's parents, Henry C. and Emma (Brooks) Sayre. In social circles they hold an enviable position and throughout the community have a host of warm friends.

Mr. McHenry takes quite an active in- terest in civic societies. He is a chapter Mason, is serving on the finance committee of the Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Royal Arcanum, to the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In political circles he is recognized as a leader, although ; he is not an aggressive politician or an offen- sive partisan. As a tribute to his worth and

ability and as a manifestation of their con- fidence in him his fellow-townsmen elected him Mayor of Wabash in May, 1894, and in September he entered upon the duties of the office. From 1886 until 1889, inclusive, he represented the Third Ward in the City Council. In his public duties he brings to bear the same sound judgment and keen and careful discrimination which have made him a successful business man.

ROF. CHESTER PRENTICE HODGE, one of the ablest edu- cators of Indiana, was born in Le Raysville, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of December, 1834, and was a son of Rev. James and Keturah (Ransom) Hodge. He traced his ancestry back to one of the heroes of the Revolution, Captain Samuel Ransom, his great-grandfather, who lost his life in the massacre of Wyoming. He showed no un- usual inclination for study until his fifteenth year, when he began the study of algebra. He prepared for college in Wyoming Sem- inary, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, and sub- sequently pursued a collegiate course, but previous to that time successfully engaged in teaching for several terms. He was only seventeen years of age when he took charge of his first school. Everywhere he taught he gave general satisfaction. Afterward he became a student in Union College at Schenectady, New York, where his high scholarship made him a favorite with his teachers. He was particularly proficient in mathematics and natural sciences, spent much time in the laboratory and in these lines of study took particularly high rank. He was graduated with the class of June, 1862, winning the degrees of A. B. and A. M.

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Mr. Hodge had not, however, confined his attention solely to the lessons conned from text-books. He was studying closely this most important period in America's history,-the period of the Civil war, -and on the 13th of August succeeding his grad- uation he manifested his loyalty to the Union by his enlistment as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Infantry. He went to the South, but after a time was sent to the hospital and several months later was honorably discharged on account of disabilities existing previous to his enlistment.

On the 14th of April, 1863, was cele- brated the marriage of Professor Hodge and Miss Julia E. Mott, the only daughter of Hon. E. B. Mott, one of the earliest set- tlers of Auburn, Indiana. The wedding was celebrated in the first Methodist church built in Auburn and they went from the old home to Pennsylvania, but many years of their married life were passed in Anburn. In 1882 they took up their residence at Greenhurst farm, removing to this place from La Grange, Indiana. In 1886 the aged mother, Mrs. Mott, went to the farm where she remained until her death. During his professional career Professor Hodge engaged in teaching. Rapidly he worked his way to a place in the foremost ranks of the profession. He had the ability of imparting readily and clearly his own knowledge, and as a teacher of mathematics he had few equals. He possessed an ana- lytical mind, was a logical thinker and deep reasoner, and many of his pupils will hold in grateful remembrance the memory of their school days which were passed under his direction.

In politics Professor Hodge was an un- wavering adherent of Republican principles,

but while a stanch advocate of his party he generously accorded to every one the right of opinion that he reserved to himself, and some of his warmest friends were found in the ranks of the opposing party. His life was always an upright and honorable one, upon which rested no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His life was an open book with no turned down pages. A man of domestic tastes, he was devoted to his family, and found his greatest happiness in his home, in promoting the interests of his wife and children. For two years prior to his death he was a sufferer from con- sumption, but seldom did he complain, and always had a bright word and cheery greet- ing for his friends. He passed away at Greenhurst, November 8, 1887, and his death occasioned deep regret among all who knew him.

a ALVIN ANDERSON figures as one of the oldest and most hon- ored citizens of Fort Wayne. For more than half a century he has resided here and most of this time has not only been a witness to its growth and de- velopment but also has been an active par- ticipant in its commercial enterprises. Bi- ographical mention of him is appropriate here and is as follows:

Calvin Anderson is a native of the Green Mountain State, born in Manchester, Bennington county, July 3, 1803, son of Andrew and Sarah (Sexton) Anderson, both natives of Vermont. Andrew Anderson was born in 1760 and died in 1816, and his wife, born in 1769, died in Ohio, in 1837. They were the parents of six children, of whom only the venerable subject of our sketch survives. When he was twelve years of

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age, Calvin came West with his parents to Ohio, their settlement being on a farm on what was then the frontier, and on the farm he remained until he attained his majority. At twenty-one he engaged in the hotel busi- ness, which he followed successfully for a period of thirty years, nine years of that time being spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, whither he came in 1846. From 1855 he was for twelve years successfully engaged in the grocery and provision trade, at the end of that time retiring from active business life.

Mr. Anderson cast his first Presidential vote for John Quincy Adams, in 1824, and 1836 and 1840 he voted for William Henry Harrison. Ever since the Republican party was organized he has been a stanch sup- porter of its principles, casting his ballot and influence with it. For many years he has been a devoted and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne.

April 13, 1828, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Lybarger, a native of the Keystone State, born June 26, 1803, and for many years they traveled life's path- way together, until her death, which oc- curred suddenly January 5, 1890. At the time of her death they were the oldest couple in the city. To them were born eight children, whose names are as follows: Laura Ann, Lydia, Juliet, Calvin, Sarah Jane, Mary Eliza, Eli G., and Theresa R.

Such is an epitome of the life of one of Fort Wayne's honored citizens.

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 83

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