USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 14
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Mr. Bartlett's life has been well spent; whether in the discharge of public duty or private obligations, his strict integrity and faithfulness command the respect and confidence of all. His character is marked by great sincerity and firmness; his manner ever courteous and genial. Careful and painstaking, exact and conscientious, he has from year to year prospered and the future awaits him with bounteous rewards.
CHARLES BENJAMIN HINEA.
Lovers of art and readers of pages devoted to this subject in the local press will readily recognize in this name one of the best known photographers in northern Indiana, a man who has the true artistic temperament, both natural and acquired, which he has directed in proper channels, as we shall see by a perusal of the following paragraphs. From earliest boyhood Charles B. Hinea developed a taste for art and a most commendable ambition to suc- ceed in this attractive field of endeavor which no discipline could repress and no misfortune could entirely check. By persistence and the exercise of his natural talents he has not only achieved a fair measure of notoriety, but also success in a financial way, though, as usual with men of his type, perhaps not equal to his deserts. He was born in Frederick, Maryland, August 14, 1871, the son of Henry and Amanda (Routzahn) Hinea, also natives of Maryland. The father was superintendent of a factory for many years and is well and favorably known in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he now resides. His wife passed to her rest, March II, 1905, at the age of sixty-five years. She is re- membered as a kind and genial wife and mother. They were the parents of nine children, only three of whom are now living; Charles Benjamin, of this review, being the second in order of birth. When he was twelve years of age his parents moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he grew to maturity. He was educated in the public and high schools and after leaving school he at once began the study of photography in Hagerstown. Two years later he went to Baltimore, Maryland, for the purpose of securing a higher grade of
CHARLES B. HINEA
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instruction, and he accordingly took a course in art under the famous Dietrich. So rapidly did young Hinea progress in this work that he found employment soon afterward in one of the leading art studios of Baltimore, that of Cum- mings, the leading photographer of the Monument City. His work attract- ing general attention, he was later employed by Gilbert & Bacon of Phila- delphia. He also worked at Reading, Pennsylvania, and in Kansas City, Missouri, in each of these cities turning out work that won commendable praise for its high quality. In May, 1890, he opened a studio at Clinton, Iowa, where he remained one year, then came to Valparaiso, Indiana, in which city he remained for a period of six years. In September, 1898, he established a permanent business at Lafayette, Indiana, his studio, at the corner of Sixthi and Columbia streets, being a model of its kind, having all the latest equip- ment and attractive furnishings and being easily the leading studio in the city. All grades of photography, sepia, water colors, enlargement, etc., art done here. In this line Mr. Hinea has been awarded several medals at national photographers' conventions and he holds the silver medal of the Indiana Photographers' Association. He was awarded the bronze medals at the Photographers' Association of America at Chautauqua, New York, in 1896 and 1897, and the following year at Indianapolis, Indiana, lie received the first prize silver medal mentioned above. He has built up a very extensive and lucrative patronage with the people of Lafayette and surrounding cities, his name now being familiar throughout this locality in this line of work.
In 1893 Mr. Hinea was united in marriage with Stella Hiatt, a native of Indiana, and a lady of pleasing personality and artistic tastes. This union has resulted in the birth of one child, Leslie, a student in the local schools where he is making a very commendable record. In his political relations, Mr. Hinea is a Republican, but he is not an active worker in the ranks. He is a member of the Indiana Art League, in which he takes considerable inter- est and has much influence. Personally, Mr. Hinea is courteous, obliging and at once impresses the stranger as a true gentleman.
CHARLES V. FOLCKEMER.
C. V. Folckemer, formerly of the firm known as William Folckemer & Son, but since April 28, 1907, sole proprietor of the large establishment with which his name is identified, holds worthy prestige among the representative business men of Lafayette and a prominent place among the city's most enter-
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prising and public-spirited citizens. Mr. Folckemer is a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and the only son of William and Catherine E. (Toole) Folckemer, the father born September 15, 1826, in York county, Pennsyl- vania, the mother in Springfield, New Jersey, on June 18, 1834. When a young man, William Folckemer went to Ohio, where he served an apprentice- ship at cabinetmaking, after which he came to Indiana and, sometime in the early forties, located at Lafayette, where he was employed for some years as foreman of a large cabinetmaking establishment, subsequently purchasing the enterprise and becoming sole proprietor of it. Mr. Folckemer, in due time, added greatly to the capacity of his place of business and in addition to the manufacture of various lines of cabinet work, he also bought and sold fur- niture on quite an extensive scale, building up a large and lucrative trade and taking a prominent position in the first rank of the city's business men. For a number of years he was the leading furniture dealer of Lafayette, and in addition to promoting his own interests he contributed largely to the material advancement of the city by erecting several substantial buildings, including the large four-story brick block, covering an area of forty by one hundred and fifty feet, with a two-story addition, twenty by eighty feet, and several ex- tensive warehouses, all of which are required for the successful prosecution of a business which has grown so rapidly in magnitude and importance that it is now one of the largest and most successful of the kind in the state. Mr. Folckemer purchased his employer's interests in 1875 and three years afterward took his son Charles in as a partner, from which time to the present the latter has practically controlled the enterprise. Under his able and judicious management the business has been developed until, reach- ing its present extensive proportions, the stock, consisting of all kinds of furniture demanded by the trade, both wholesale and retail, also a full and complete line of undertaking goods and everything else required in the latter department, the shop being amply equipped with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of high-grade cabinet work and operated by mechanics and artisans selected with especial reference to their efficiency and skill, the establishment in its various departments furnishing employment to an average of fifteen men every working day of the year. During his active life, Wil- liam Folckemer not only built up his own large business establishment, but was also interested in various other enterprises, which returned an ample income and made him one of the wealthy and influential men of the city. He dealt quite extensively in real estate, in both city and county, and at the time of his death he had large farming interests and valuable rental property in Lafayette, also bank stock and various other investments. In politics, he
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was a stanch Republican and an influential factor in local affairs, and for a period of sixteen years represented the third ward in the city council, besides serving for a number of years as water works trustee and filling other official positions of honor and trust. During his long term of service in the common council, he was instrumental in bringing about much important municipal legislation and he could have remained longer in that body had he not declined a re-election at the expiration of the time noted.
Mr. Folckemer was a man of high character and sterling worth, a zeal- ous member of the Presbyterian church and a liberal contributor to all religious and other worthy enterprises. He joined the Independent Order of Odd Fel. lows when a young man and for many years was the oldest member of that fraternity in Lafayette; he was also an active and influential worker in the Masonic, Pythian, Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks lodges, in all of which he was honored from time to time with important official positions. In addition to the various interests already alluded to, he was a leading spirit in the organization of the Lafayette Telephone Company, which he served for several years as president, and he also held for some time the office of trustee of the Lafayette Loan and Trust Company and trustee of the American National Bank.
He measured up to a high standard of manhood and citizenship, was just to the poor and dependent and never turned a deaf ear to the cries of the suffering or distressed. His was indeed a good life, filled to repletion with good to his fellowmen, and when called to his final reward, on the 28th of April, 1907, the people of Lafayette mourned his loss as that of a true friend and benefactor of his kind. Mrs. Folckemer preceded her husband to the grave by nearly seven years, departing this life April 11, 1900, retaining to the last the esteem and confidence of the large circle of friends in which she moved.
Charles V. Folckemer was born in Lafayette on August 10, 1857, re- ceived his educational training in the city schools and when still young entered his father's establishment, where he soon obtained a practical knowledge of business life. As already stated, he became a member of the firm in 1878 and later assumed the management of the business, which under his direction and control has since grown to very large proportions and given him much more than local repute as an enterprising, sagacious and far-seeing man of affairs. Following in the footsteps of his honored father, he has done much to advance the interests of the community and benefit his fellowmen, and to him as much perhaps as to any other is the city indebted for its high reputation as an important industrial and business center.
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Sufficient has been said in the preceding paragraphs to afford the reader an intelligent idea of the magnitude of the business which Mr. Folckemer owns and controls, and the only thing additional to be stated is the fact that he has proven a worthy successor to one of the ablest and best balanced men the city has ever known, and that he occupies today an influential place in a community long noted for the high order of its business talent. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Druids and Eagles orders, in addition to which he also devotes considerable time and attention to private benevolences and charities and manifests a lively interest in all enterprises and measures having for their object the material progress of the city in which he resides.
A gentleman of noble purposes and high ideals, Mr. Folckemer has ever used his influence on the right side of moral questions and issues and stands for law and order in all the terms imply. He fills a large place. not only in business circles, but also in the public view, and the distinction accorded him of being one of the notable men of the day in the city of Lafayette has been well and honorably earned.
OLIVER MORTON NISLEY, D. D. S.
The profession of dental surgery has several worthy representatives in Lafayette, prominent among whom is Dr. Oliver Nisley, who since about the year 1890 has practiced his profession and now maintains an elegant suite of parlors in the Moffitt block and built up a lucrative patronage in all parts of the city. Dr. Nisley was born on a farm near Purdue University, October 4. 1856, a son of Abraham and Nancy (Mumma) Nisley, natives of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, descendants of well known families of that state. Some time after their marriage these parents moved to Indiana, making their long journey to the new home in a one-horse wagon and locating about the year 1850 two miles north of the present site of Purdue University, where Mr. Nisley purchased land and improved a farm on which he spent the remainder of his days, dying on the 22d day of November, 1889, at the age of seventy- four. Mrs. Nisley, who departed this life on April 13th of the same year, was seventy-one years old at the time of her demise and the mother of eleven children, eight of whom survive. Christian M., the oldest of the family, re- sides in Lafayette and is one of the constables of the city; Esther, the second in order of birth, is unmarried and lives in Portland, Oregon; Emeline, wife of W. H. Felix, makes her home in West Lafayette; Millard F. lives in
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Chicago; William Orth is a farmer by occupation and cultivates a part of the family homestead; Dr. Oliver M., of this review, is the next in order of birth, after whom is Mrs. Clara Yeager, widow of Dr. J. W. Yeager, of Lafayette; Fannie, who married O. P. M. Jamison, lives in Portland, Oregon, where her husband practices law. The following are the names of those de- ceased : Abraham died at the age of thirty-eight; Felix was twenty years old at the time of his death, and Nancy was called from earth at the tender age of three years.
Dr. Nisley received his elementary education in the district schools, and when Purdue University was opened for the reception of students he was one of the eighteen who constituted the first class enrolled in that institution. During his three and a half years' attendance at the university he paid his own way by teaching, and after finishing his course he turned his attention to educational work, which he followed with marked success for a period of eight years, five in the common schools and three as principal of the school of Linnwood. Having decided to make dentistry his life work, he resigned the latter position at the expiration of the time indicated and began the study of his profession in the office of Burt & Pattison, of Lafayette, with whom he spent three years. He then entered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, where for two years he applied himself closely to his studies, completing his course and receiving his degree in the spring of 1889. immediately after which he went to Peoria, Illinois, where he worked in an office about one year, reducing his knowledge to practice and becoming familiar with the principles of his profession. At the end of that time he was called home by the death of his father, and after settling the latter's estate he located, in the fall of 1889, in West Lafayette, where his professional ability was soon recog- nized as the steady growth of his business abundantly attests. From the beginning of his career to the present time his success has been most gratifying, and as an efficient and skillful dentist, familiar with every phase of his pro- fession and fully abreast of the times on all matters relating thereto, he oc- cupies a conspicuous place among the leading men of his calling in the city, besides being well known in professional circles throughout the state. He is a member of the Lafayette Dental Association and the Dental Associa- tion of Indiana and a regular attendant upon the sessions of these bodies, availing himself of every opportunity they afford of keeping in touch with the latest discoveries and improvements in the line of his calling and taking an active part in the discussion of various questions brought before them for consideration. He also holds membership with the Pythian order, in which he takes a lively interest, being influential in the regular lodge work and a leader in the Uniform Rank of the brotherhood.
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Doctor Nisley was married, November 26, 1890, to Florence McCarty, of Tippecanoe county, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. McCarty, of West Lafayette, the father a retired farmer and a man of considerable local prom- inence in the community where he formerly lived and where he now resides. Mrs. Nisley has one brother, William R. McCarty, who lives in the country and farms the home place. Doctor Nisley and wife are members of the West Lafayette Baptist church and are deeply interested in the various lines of re- ligious and charitable work under the auspices of the organization. As a citizen the Doctor is energetic and public-spirited, encouraging all enterprises for the advancement of the social and moral welfare of the community.
Christian Nisley, the Doctor's older brother, was a soldier in the late Civil war and saw much active service during the four years he was at the front. He enlisted early in the sixties in Company D, Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, took part in a number of campaigns and battles and was twice wounded and twice taken prisoner on account of his injuries. He was in prison when the war closed and was one of the survivors of the ill-fated "Sultana," which blew up near Memphis, on the Mississippi river, when laden with soldiers returning home, a large number being killed or drowned.
THOMAS WILSON LUGAR.
T. W. Lugar, one of the largest real estate dealers in Lafayette, in con- nection with which he also does an extensive business in farm loans and insur- ance, was born in Otterbein, Shelby township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, April 15, 1871. On the paternal side he is descended from German ances- tors who emigrated to America at a very early period and settled in Vir- ginia. His mother's people were among the pioneers of Tippecanoe county. his grandfather, Thomas Ford, a well-to-do farmer and representative citizen, locating many years ago in Shelby township, where he resided until his death in 1905, at the advanced age of ninety years. Two of his sons, Elijah and Henry C. Ford, served in the Civil war, and are now living in Wabash town- ship, both prosperous mechanics and public-spirited men.
William Lugar, the subject's father, is a native of Grant county, Indi- ana, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Lurinda Jane Ford. was born in the county of Huntington. These parents were married June 7, 1870. in Grant county and during the seven years ensuing lived in that county, where Mr. Lugar devoted his time to educational work, being then as now a capable
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and popular teacher for whose services there was always a wide demand. At the present time he resides in West Lafayette, though still engaged in his profession and in point of continuous service he is now the oldest teacher in the county, having devoted thirty-seven consecutive years to the work. Wil- liam Lugar and wife have a family of five children, whose names are as fol- lows: Thomas W., of this review; Vinette E., employed in the Lafayette postoffice : Eva E. married Charles A. Davis, a letter carrier, in the city mail service ; John M., a farmer of Benton county, and Bert, a member of the Ninth Battery United States Artillery, with which he recently completed three years of service. During that time he was on duty along the Pacific coast and from the date of his departure for the West until his return a few months ago he neither visited his home nor saw any of his relatives.
Thomas W. Lugar was educated in the public schools of his native town- ship and began life for himself as a farmer, which honorable vocation he fol- lowed with fair success for several years. Discontinuing the pursuit of agri- culture, he accepted the position of deputy recorder of Benton county and after serving four years in that capacity came in 1899 to Lafayette and established the real estate, loan and insurance business which lie now carries on, opening an office at No. 219 North Fourth street, which has become a favorite resort for those who have dealings in his lines.
Mr. Lugar came to this city representing the A. Goodell & Sons Com- pany of Loda, Illinois, and has since been associated with that well known and prosperous firm. While dealing quite extensively in all kinds of real estate and having a large and lucrative patronage in insurance, he makes a specialty of farm loans in which he does a large volume of business. By honorable methods and adhering to the policy of a "square deal," which his firm early adopted as a cardinal principle, he has greatly extended his patronage which now takes a wide range in Tippecanoe and neighboring counties, and in the different lines represented he has little to fear from any of his competitors.
Mr. Lugar, on June 6, 1900. was united in marriage with Ada Pearl Sense, daughter of William H. and Susan Sense, of Wabash township. She was one of twelve children born to her father and mother whose names are as follows : Elmer F., Harry C., Carrie (now deceased), Harvey G., Dora A. (wife of .C. E. Wakeman, of Millersburg, Indiana), Ottis G., Ella N., John E., Ada P. (subject's wife), Jessie B., Earl C. and Ida M. This marriage has been blessed with four offspring, namely: James T., Ethel Marie, Lolo Lurinda and Susan Elizabeth, all living and adding greatly to the interest and happiness of the home circle. In his religious faith Mr. Lugar subscribes to the Methodist creed, his wife being a Baptist in belief and an esteemed
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member of the church in West Lafayette. Politically, Mr. Lugar is a stanch Republican and manifests a lively interest in public affairs, contributing to the success of his party by all honorable means at his command, but never seeking office or leadership for himself. His fraternal relations include mem- bership with Otterbein Lodge, No. 605, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Purdue Grove, No. 18, Ancient Order of Druids, in both of which so- cieties he has rendered efficient service and at intervals held important and official positions.
OLIVER WEBSTER PEIRCE.
The family bearing this name has been closely identified with the history of Lafayette for more than seventy-three years. During that long period the name has been associated with many of the important industries and com- mercial enterprises which have developed a modern, prosperous city from the frontier village of the early days. Martin L. Peirce. the first of the family to emigrate to Indiana, came to Lafayette from Parke county, this state, in 1836, when railroads were unknown in that far west. He was prominently identified with the business interests of Lafayette for many years prior to his demise, and the reader is referred to another page of this volume for the more extended as well as interesting record of that distinguished pioneer citizen.
Oliver W. Pierce, a son of the above-mentioned by adoption, was born in Parke county, Indiana, January 8, 1829, and was about seven years old when he accompanied his father to Lafayette. This was in the days prior to the establishment of the public school system in Indiana and the early educational discipline of young Peirce was derived from attendance upon the subscription schools of the day. He later attended the county seminary, which was established during his boyhood, where he secured a good education. It was the custom in those days for boys to start life early and Oliver was only seventeen years old when he began his business career. His father was a member of the commission firm of Hanna, Barbee & Com- pany, whose business consisted in advancing money to grain dealers for moving their crops, for which a commission was charged. The firm was also extensively engaged in advancing money to pork packers throughout the country. Oliver W. was given the position of receiving clerk, at a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per year, and at the end of the first year he had saved forty-three dollars and desired to invest the same on his own
On Peirce Sr
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account. With the consent of his father, he was given the use of a small space in the company's building, where he erected some shelving, bought coffee in New York, and began business for himself as O. W. Peirce & Company, although he continued in the employ of the commission firm, hiring a boy associate at twenty-five cents per day to look after his coffee sales. This was in 1847, when the subject was only eighteen years of age. During the epidemic of cholera, which raged at that time, prices on coffee soared skyward and the young merchant reaped handsome profits from the sale of that commodity. He continued trading in staples successfully, with the result that his interests began to expand and assume pretentious propor- tions, and it was soon necessary to devote his entire time to the business. In December, 1849, he went on a trading trip to New Orleans, going by stage to Indianapolis, by rail to Madison and by steamer down the Ohio. Arriv- ing at Louisville he was obliged to remain there several days on account of the river being frozen and navigation closed. Nothing daunted, however, he finally secured passage by stage to Memphis, Tennessee, and a week later was enabled to continue by boat on to his destination. In the southern city, then the great emporium of the South, he purchased sugar, molasses and coffee, which were shipped up the Mississippi river to the mouth of the Wa- bash and thence by the latter stream to Lafayette. On returning home he engaged in the wholesale trade, disposing of his goods to the retail mer- chants. This proved to be the foundation of what has since developed into one of the largest and most successful wholesale enterprises ever established in Indiana. In the early days of the wholesale trade the staple line of groceries was limited practically to sugar, molasses and coffee, with a little tea and tobacco on the side. Since then it has gradually expanded until at present a modern wholesale establishment, such as that conducted by O. W. Peirce Company, embraces every variety of goods carried by a modern retail store in the same line of trade. The roasting of coffee has also become a very important part of this company's business. It is a package coffee known as "Peirce's Golden Rio" and it is sold extensively in a number of Northern and Southern states and has proven to be a very popular brand, car load after carload being shipped to various parts of the country. In fact, in the roasting of package coffee O. W. Peirce Company enjoys the prestige of occupying fourth place among the largest concerns of the United States in this line of industry. From seventy-five to eighty people find steady employment with this concern and an average of fifteen traveling salesmen are necessary to look after the business in the large scope of territory covered by the firm. In order to meet the growing demands of modern business
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