Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 9

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

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The official career of our subject had its inception in March, 1865, when he received the appointment as Assessor of Jefferson

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township, an incumbency which he retained for the period of one year. On the 4th of April of the same year he began the work of preparing himself for that exacting pro- fession which he had determined to adopt as his vocation in life. He began a thorough course of reading in the law at Bluffton, and so earnest was his study and so wisely di- rected that he was enabled to secure admis- sion to the bar on the 22d of May, 1866. It is a significant fact that his entire profes- sional career has been made from the head- quarters where he first established himself in practice. He opened an office in Bluff- ton in January, 1868, and here he has ever since continued, gaining prestige in rapidly successive degrees and soon building up a lucrative practice, which has ever exempli- fied a clientage of representative order. The interim between the time of his admission to the bar and the hour of his beginning active practice was filled by an incumbency as Deputy Internal Revenue Collector for Wells county, in the Eleventh Congressional dis- trict, and in March, 1868, he gained recog- nition in public favor and suffrage in being elected Clerk of the corporation of Bluffton, in which capacity he served for one year. It will not be incongruous to here follow out the details of Mr. Todd's public and political career, hereafter reverting to other features which have paramount importance in the chronological record. In politics he has been a stalwart supporter of the Repub- lican party and the principles by it ad- vanced, and his services have been enlisted to good effect in furthering party interests. He was appointed alternate delegate to the national Republican convention at Phila- delphia in June, 1872, and was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago, which, in 1880, nominated Garfield and

Arthur, being a member of the committee on permanent organization. An interesting episode in connection with his service in this convention may be consistently incor- porated at this point. It will be recalled by those familiar with the history of that con- vention that great excitement prevailed after the casting of the thirty-sixth and the final ballot for president, and at this junc- ture Mr. Todd carried the Indiana banner over to General Garfield and shook hands with and congratulated him upon his nomi- nation, and then turned to Governor Charles Foster and extended greetings from the Indiana delegates, whereupon the governor grasped our subject's hand and fervently ex- claimed: "God bless Indiana; she deserves a golden crown." This remark was caused by the fact that the Indiana delegates had turned the tide toward the victorious leader, General Garfield, on the thirty-fifth ballot. In 1882 Mr. Todd was a member of the committee on resolutions at the Republican State convention, and he urged with great earnestness and vigor the adoption of the resolution for the submission of the prohi- bition amendment, his advocacy of this con- tinuing in the committee, the convention and upon the stump during the ensuing campaign. In the year 1886 he was prom- inently and favorably mentioned as a most eligible and favorable candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor, but he did not al- low his name to be brought before the con- vention. In May, 1890, President Harrison tendered to Mr. Todd the appointment as Townsite Commissioner of Oklahoma Terri- tory, but this proffer he declined. In Feb- ruary of the same year he received at the hands of Governor Alvin P. Hovey the ap- pointment as member of the board of com- missioners to construct and furnish the asy-

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

lums for the insane at Logansport, Rich- mond and Evansville, and served with signal fidelity and ability until the allotted work was completed. On the 6th of April, 1895. Governor Matthews appointed him a mem- ber of the Board of Control of the State Asylum for the Insane at Logansport, and he was thereafter elected president of the board. In June, 1894, he was nominated for Judge of the Twenty-eighth Judicial Cir- cuit, comprising Blackford and Wells coun- ties, and was so far able to decrease the large and normal Democratic majority as to be defeated by only fifty-six votes. He re- ceived the largest number of votes ever given to a Republican candidate in Wells county, and ran 449 votes ahead of his party ticket. In October, 1890, Mr. Todd was again given distinctive consideration by President Harrison, who tendered him the appointment as commissioner to allot lands in severalty to the Indians in the Puyallup Reservation in the State of Washington, but the demands placed upon his time and at- tention by other duties caused him to de- cline the preferment.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Todd is prominently identified with the Masonic or- der and the Grand Army of the Republic. He became a Mason in April, 1864, being initiated in Ossian Lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M. He was for four years Worshipful Master of Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, and in 1884 he served as High Priest of Bluffton Chapter, No. 95, R. A M. He is Eminent Commander of Bluffton Commandery, No. 38, Knights Templar. In the Order of the Eastern Star he has served as Worthy Pat- ron of Crescent Chapter, No. 48; as Grand Lecturer of the Grand Chapter, and later in turn, as Grand Associate Patron and Grand Patron. He was Senior Grand Deacon of

the Grand Lodge of Masons for Indiana from 1882 until 1884; Grand Marshal from 1884 until 1886; Junior Grand Warden from 1886 to 1888: Senior Grand Warden from 1888 to 1889; Deputy Grand Master from 1889 to 1890; and Grand Master in 1890-91. He is a charter member of Lew Dailey Post, No. 33, G. A. R., of which he is Past Com- mander, and in 1891 he was a delegate to the National Encampment, held in Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the com- mittee appointed by the G. A. R. that re- sulted in the building of the State Soldiers' Home at La Fayette. He is at present a member of the committee of the G. A. R. on the history of the war of the Rebellion as now taught in the public schools of this State. He has been connected with the militia of the State since 1889, and for five years served as Quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment of the Indiana National Guard. He was a member of the staff of Governor Chase, holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colo- nel.

Since boyhood our subject has been a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and here, as in all other associations, he has been an active and zealous worker. For more than a quarter of a century he has been an official member of the church, serv- ing in the capacities of Steward, Trustee or Sunday-school Superintendent. He was a member of the North Indiana Lay Elect- oral Conference in 1876, and again in 1880, and was a lay delegate to the General Con- ference of the church at Philadelphia, in May, 1884. He has ever been found at the front in advocating and supporting all meas- ures whose object has been the conservation of prosperity, morality and intellectual ad- vancement of the community, and his efforts have been far-reaching in their results. He

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was actively identified in securing the requi- site encouragement and aid in building the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville and the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Rail- roads through Wells county, and his alert and progressive spirit has been a potent fac- tor in advancing local interests in manifold directions.

Mr. Todd is a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance, and imbued with fine sensibilities and clearly de- fined principles. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name, and he enjoys the respect, confidence and high regard of the people of the county, where practically his entire life has been passed. His success in a professional way offers the best evidence of his capability in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury, and concise in his appeals before the court. Much of the suc- cess which has attended him in his profes- sional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance will he permit himself to go into court with a case unless he has ab- solute confidence in the justice of his client's cause. Basing his efforts upon this prin- ciple, from which there are far too many lapses in professional ranks, it naturally fol- lows that he seldom loses a case in whose support he is enlisted. He is at present associated in business with Hon. E. R. Wil- son, formerly judge of the Tenth Circuit, while his son is also connected with the firm.

April 17, 1866, Mr. Todd was united in marriage to Miss Rachel J. Kellogg, daugh- ter of the late Nelson Kellogg, for many years one of Bluffton's most influential citi- zens. By this marriage he has one son, Nelson Kellogg Todd, who was born Feb- ruary 10, 1867, and who is now associated with his father in business, being a young

man of marked talent. June 18, 1891, he married Miss Jeannette, daughter of Captain Robert D. Patterson, of Decatur, Indiana, and they have a daughter, born August 28, 1895. The second marriage of Mr. J. J. Todd was consummated August 22, 1876, when he wedded Mrs. Mary J. Klinck, widow of Dwight Klinck, who was drowned on the ill-fated steamer, Schiller, which went down on her voyage to Europe, May 7, 1875. Mrs. Todd is the eldest daughter of John and Rebecca (Angel) Studabaker, worthy and popular citizens of Bluffton. Her father is well known for his mental and physical activity and energy, and his success in all his undertakings has been most remarkable. Her mother is favorably known for her gen- erosity and acts of kindness, and she has been a faithful worker for the cause of tem- perance, humanity and Christianity. Mrs. Todd obtained her education in the public schools of Bluffton and at Fort Wayne Col- lege. She has been a member of the Me- thodist Episcopal Church ever since her girlhood, and her parents have been mem- bers of the same church for many years. All her life she has been active in Sunday- school and church work, as scholar, teacher, assistant superintendent, class-leader and president of the ladies' social of the church. She is untiring in her labors in behalf of that which elevates mankind and furthers the cause of Christianity in the community. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and while eminently domestic in her tastes, she is a recognized leader in social, literary and religious circles. By her first marriage she had four daughters-Maggie, Bessie, Lucy and Mattie, the first two of whom are de- ceased. Maggie married David A. Walmer, May 12, 1885, and died October 17, 1886. Bessie married James W. B. Sale, Septem-

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

ber 9, 1884, and died September 7, 1886, leaving a daughter, Bessie Klinck Sale, but ten hours old ! Lucy is the wife of Chester Thorp, and Mattic is the wife of Luster E. Roush. The second marriage of our sub- ject has been blessed with two children: Mary, born August 9, 1878; and Ralph Studabaker, born August 5, 1880. In the attractive family home also abides Mrs. Todd's granddaughter, Maggie Klinck Wal- mer, whose mother, Mrs. David A. Walmer (Maggie Klinck) died fifteen days after the birth of the little daughter.

ON. DAVID H: COLERICK, de- ceased. - Rising above the heads of the mass there have always been a series of individuals, distinguished beyond others, who by reason of their pro- nounced ability and forceful individuality have always commanded the homage of their fellow men, and who have revealed to the world those two resplendent virtues of a lordly race, -perseverance in purpose and a directing spirit which never fails. Through- out all the great Northwest have been found men who have marked with deeds the vanishing traces of swift-rolling time, and whose names are kept green in the memory of those who were in life their associates, and in honor by those who have cognizance of their lives and their accomplishments. The subject of this memoir was one of the most distinguished citizens and lawyers of the State of Indiana, and was one of the pio- neers of the city of Fort Wayne. His record is one most intimately identified with the development and progress of this section of the Union, and it is imperative that he be accorded distinctive representation in this volume.

David H. Colerick was a native of Wash- ington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in May, 1805. His lineage was one of distinguished order and one notable for highest intellectuality and most scrupulous honor. His father, John Colerick, was of Irish nativity, and was an earnest and effective coadjutor of the gallant Robert Emmet in the great struggle for the independence of Ireland. When Emmet was finally placed under arrest, many of his followers grew disheartened, and despairing of success for their righteous cause, they emigrated in large numbers to America. Mr. Colerick determined to leave his native land and to seek a home in the United States, but he was arrested on political charges and was cast into prison. After having been held in confinement for a period of sixteen months, he contrived to effect his escape and to make his way across the At- lantic. He finally reached the land where was to be secured that freedom which he had so ardently wished to secure for his com- patriots on their native soil. Arriving in America, he proceeded to Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, which was at that period only a small trading post. He was a man of high attainments, and the position he occupied was one of distinctive prominence in that community. For many years he was editor and publisher of the Western Telegram, the first newspaper published west of the Alle- ghany mountains, and this plant and busi- ness he subsequently removed to Washing- ton, Pennsylvania, where he continued the publication of the excellent journal until the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1807. The paper wielded a wide influence upon public sentiment in those early days, and its editor was a man of strong convic- tions, which he never feared to defend, and

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one whose honor and integrity were so far beyond cavil as to gain him the respect of all who knew him or read his published statements. After his demise his widow removed with her children to Zanesville, Ohio.

At this juncture we touch upon the years which marked the early history of the imme- diate subject of this review, David H. Cole- rick. His educational advantages were such as were afforded by the common schools of that early period, and it is needless to say that the facilities were far less than are of- fered at the present day, and yet were of a sort that developed individual ambition and led to the desire for broader mental discip- line. At Zanesville young David began his active business career as a clerk in the store of General Philemon Beecher, who was a lawyer as well as a merchant. The young clerk was possessed of an alert and recep- tive mind, was ambitious and thoroughly earnest in his desire to attain a broader men- tal discipline than that which would be af- forded in the routine of mercantile life. So he finally became a student of law under the effective preceptorage of his employer, and after the death of that honored man he con- tinued his studies in the office of Thomas Ewing, one of the famous public men of the time, and one who was able to greatly aid the young student in his efforts to prepare himself for a useful career. Mr. Colerick made such progress in his studies that he was soon enabled to pass the required ex- amination and to secure admission to the bar of Ohio, said admission to practice hav- ing been granted at Lancaster, that State. In the year 1829 he came to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and here for more than a half cen- tury he was actively engaged in the practice of that profession which he honored and by

which he was honored. He ranked among the leading members of the Indiana bar, and was regarded as one of the most gifted ora- tors in the State. His mentality was of the most brilliant order, and in addition to this, he had a marvelous command of language and a rich, clear, ringing voice that aided materially in making him one of the best of public speakers. He continued to practice his profession in this city until the year 1872, when he retired from active life after having attained to the fullest measure of success and honor. Richly endowed by na- ture he made a record of which even the most vaulting ambition might be proud. Knowing well the meaning of true success in life he so lived, so performed the many duties assigned to him, that he helped to make the world better, to elevate his fellow- men. Gentle though strong, his life was a benediction to those whose good fortune it had been to know him. In his death, which occurred on the 6th of November, 1887, there passed away one who had contributed in a marked degree to advancing the higher and stable interests of the city of Fort Wayne, and as he was laid to rest a com- munity mourned and an entire State recog- nized the loss of one of its most honored citizens. It has often been said that the fame of all great lawyers and advocates is written in water. The most learned and as- tute lawyers of the last generation are hardly heard of beyond the immediate neighbor- hood in which they lived. But the goal toward which our subject hastened during his many years of toil and labor is that at- tained by those who by patriotism and wise counsel have given the world a direction toward good, -such as have gained the right and title of having their names enduringly inscribed on the bright pages of history. It

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

is a well attested maxin that the greatness of a State lies not in its machinery of gov- ernment, not even in its institutions, but in the sterling qualities of its individual citi- zens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. David H. Colerick is justly entitled to be en- rolled among the makers of the great and prosperous commonwealth of Indiana, and the impress of his individuality has been left upon the pages of the history of that city where so many years of his long and useful life were passed. From the beginning he occupied a position among the leaders of the Allen county bar, and became a peer of the brightest and ablest in the profession. His life was one of ceaseless toil and endeavor, and his success was commensurate with his labors.

In his early manhood Mr. Colerick was one of the ardent adherents of the Whig party, in which connection he of course ren- dered hearty support to Henry Clay. In the year 1832 official preferment came to him in his election as a member of the lower house of the Indiana Legislature, and two years later he was elected as State Senator from his district. On each of these occasions his opponent was Hon. W. G. Ewing, one of the wealthiest and most influential men of northern Indiana and the strongest candi- date that the opposition could put forward. His service in the legislative halls was char- acteristic of his labors and fidelity in other fields of endeavor, and his influence was one of much value to his constituents and to the interests of the State at large. He was a supporter of the Democratic party after the waning of the star of the Whig organization, and was subsequently offered the nomination for Congress by his party but peremptorily de- clined further political honors. He was a

member of the national Democratic conven- tion which nominated George B. McClellan for the presidency, in 1864.

In 1834 Mr. Colerick was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Gillespie Walpole, a woman of high culture and most gentle re- finement, who proved to him in every way a companion and one whose faithful solicitude contributed in no small degree to his success in life. The result of this most grateful union was nine children, four of whom are still living, namely: Walpole G., to whom individual reference is made in the append- ing paragraphs; Henry, Philemon B., and Margaret, who is the wife of John S. Larwill.

The esteem in which was held the vener- able and honored pioneer to whom this memoir is dedicated, was shown in the memorial adopted immediately after his death, by the Allen County Bar Association, and in this connection the memorial should certainly be incorporated as a fitting termi- nation to an all too brief review of the life history of one whose name will be held in lasting honor in the city and State where he labored so long and to such goodly ends:

As a husband, father and friend he was kind, affectionate, steadfast and devoted. As a lawyer, he knew no end but his client's interest, no means but honorable advocacy, and spared himself no pains or labor to attain success. A kind Providence has spared his life so far beyond the common span, that his fame as an orator has become a legend of the bar. It is only the older ones of us who can remember his unrivalled skill and eloquence as an advocate, and who can testify, as we do, with grateful recollec- tion, to his fatherly kindness to every young attorney, the gentle courtesy of his manners, and the unbounded goodness of his heart, in the days when he stood among the leaders of the Indiana bar. After a long day of active life, and a long evening of peaceful

D. D. Gelerick.

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retirement in the bosom of his family, he has gone to the night of his eternal rest, to be broken only the morning of a glorious resurrection. We shall hold him always in affectionate remembrance.

ON. WALPOLE G. COLERICK (by Judge Allen Zollars). - Hon. Walpole G. Colerick was born in Fort Wayne about fifty years ago. He belongs to an honorable and distinguished family in the lines of both his father and his mother. He is a son of the late Hon. David H. Colerick, and his mother's name before marriage was Elizabeth Gillespie Walpole. He also belongs to families of lawyers. Three of his mother's brothers were lawyers. John G. Walpole was a practitioner at Fort Wayne, where he died many years ago, and Robert L. and Thomas D. Walpole were distinguished lawyers at Indianapolis. He is one of six sons of the late Hon. and Mrs. David H. Colerick, all of whom were, or are, successful lawyers.

His older brother, the Hon. John Cole- rick, one of the most promising and brilliant of the younger men of the State, died in March, 1872. David Colerick, another older brother, and a lawyer of ability and promise, also died in 1872. Each of these brothers had, in early life, been trusted and honored by the people, not only by a large practice of their profession, but by the be- stowal of public office. Still later Thomas Colerick, a younger brother, died when a young man and when he was just entering upon what promised to be a successful and brilliant career as a lawyer. He was not only a young man of fine ability and char- acter, but he had the industry and methods of study which always bring their reward by way of success in the learned pro-

fessions. Messrs. Henry and Philemon B. Colerick, younger brothers, are both prac- ticing and successful lawyers in Fort Wayne; the former has been Attorney for the city of Fort Wayne for twelve years.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the city schools of Fort Wayne, the course of study in which is equal to that of many colleges. He, however, did not, and has not, depended upon what may be learned in pursuing the ordinary course of study provided by institutions of learning, but has pursued such reading and study as were best calculated to fit him for the learned profession of his choice. He has had ad- vantages which not many may enjoy in pre- paring for, and entering upon, the duties of a profession. He not only had the benefit of his father's learning, experience, example, advice and encouragement, but also the help, advice and encouragement of a mother of fine ability and culture. He had gone through a course of study in the law, been admitted to the bar, and be- come a partner with his father before he was twenty-one years of age.

From that time until now he has been one at the leading and most successful prac- titioners of the Allen county bar. He is able and patient in the preparation of his cases for trial, and in the trial of them he is skill- ful and successful. In the preparation of a case and presenting it to the court and jury, he has few equals in discovering in advance the controlling points, and in so marshaling the testimony and handling it in the argu- ment as to produce the conviction that the cause of his client is just and ought to pre- vail. He is a good judge of human nature, and is remarkably conversant with the modes of thought on the part of jurors. With these qualifications, and his natural

MEMORIAL RECORD OF

facilities in the way of a public speaker, he is forcible and successful as an advocate in jury cases. Added to his other elements of success is that of sincerity, which has no little weight with both the court and jury.

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 9

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