USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 16
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In the spring of 1900 Mr. Hooker was called to the State Normal at Terre Haute to teach English grammar for the term, under the direction of J. B. Wisely, author of a well-known book on that subject. While at the normal he was appointed principal of the high school at Dayton, this county, James McDowell being the trustee at the time of the appointment. In 1901, Lucien B. O'Dell, who recently died at Brazil, and who was then superinten- dent of the Thorntown schools, called Mr. Hooker to assist him as principal of the high school. At the close of the year, Mr. Hooker returned to Dayton at an increased salary and the promise of an assistant in the high school. With the work increased to four years, an effort was made to commission the school, but a lack of co-operation on the part of the officials caused the proj- ect to be delayed until 1909. While living in Dayton, John Gordon, Mary and Gilbert Merrill came into the family.
In 1906, Superintendent E. W. Lawrence called Mr. Hooker to the principalship of the West Lafayette high school. In this school he was assisted by L. A. Scipio, now of Nebraska University, Ione Beem, Viletta Baker and Daphne Kieffer. This was the first year in the handsome new high school building, and to give some token of appreciation the school gave an art exhibit, the proceeds of which, amounting to nearly a hundred dollars, was put into fine reproductions of famous paintings which now adorn the walls of the assembly room.
After a three-days campaign, at 10 o'clock, June 4, 1907, Mr. Hooker was elected to the office of county superintendent for a term of four years. Mr. Hooker is one of the men in the field of public school work who think that the business of teaching should be dignified into a profession. He dis- likes the spirit that has dominated the business especially among men which makes teaching a step to something "better," and he has labored to eradicate the defect.
At the age of sixteen years, Mr. Hooker became a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Blue Grass and he and his wife have been active members of the churches where they have lived, usually singing in the choir. Mrs. Hooker singing soprano and Mr. Hooker tenor. Soon after he was twenty-one years old he became a member of Corypheus Lodge No. 180,
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Knights of Pythias, at Cynthiana, Posey county, and is an officer of Sheffield Lodge No. 414, at Dayton. At the age of forty he became a Freemason, belonging to Dayton Lodge, No. 103, Free and Accepted Masons.
HARRY MADISON SNIDEMAN.
The subject of this sketch enjoys distinctive prestige in a profession which requires of those who adopt it a strong mentality and painstaking preparation together with a natural aptitude for its duties and responsi- bilities in order to achieve success. Many enter it allured by promise of rapid advancement and early distinction only to fall disheartened by the wayside; others under favorable auspices pursue it for a brief season to find themselves crowded aside by the more worthy and ambitious, thus affording a striking instance of the law of the survival of the fittest; while the true searcher after legal lore and the ability to apply his knowledge to the adjustment of human difficulties and mete out justice to offenders is the one who perseveres despite discouragement until reaching the goal, which is accessible only to the com- petent and deserving, to which class the subject of this review belongs, as his continuous advancement and present high standing abundantly attest.
Harry M. Snideman is a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and dates his birth from September 20, 1871, having first seen the light of day on the family homestead in Wabash township, where his parents settled some years before. Samuel Snideman, the subject's father, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and has been an honored resident of Tippecanoe county for many years. He is a farmer and gardener and, despite his seventy-three years, is still actively engaged in those vocations on his beautiful farm and attractive rural home one mile west of Purdue University. Sarah Smith, who on May 10, 1859, became the wife of Samuel Snideman, is a native of Fayette county, Indiana, and it was only recently that this venerable and highly respected couple celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their married life. When a young man Mr. Snideman learned carpentry, which he followed until about thirty years old, when he discontinued the trade to become a tiller of the soil. His father, David Snideman, was born in Germany, but at the age of twelve . years came to the United States and grew to maturity in Ohio. Later he moved to Miami county, Indiana, where he engaged in the pursuit of agri- culture, and where his death finally occurred, after he had reached the ripe old age of ninety-one years. On the maternal side the subject traces one branch
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of his family to France, but his ancestors came to this country so long ago that all or nearly all of the characteristics of that nationality have disappeared during the intervening years. Samuel and Sarah Snideman are the parents of three children, namely : Oscar M., electrical engineer employed by the In- diana Lighting Company, of Lafayette, married Harretta Rosa, and to this union two daughters were born, May and Avanella ; William O., a carpenter and farmer living two and one-half miles south of Lafayette, married Lutitia V. Emerson, to which union four children were born, Bertha Hope, now deceased, Robert E., Mary Belle and Hobart; the subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth and the youngest of the family.
Harry M. Snideman spent his early years amid the quiet rural scenes of the home farm and was reared to habits of industry and thrift in the fields, attending the district schools of Wabash township when his services were not otherwise required. He continued his studies until finishing the common school course, receiving a certificate of graduation from the Dayton schools in 1891, after which he entered Union Business College in Lafayette, from which he graduated in the year 1892. Later, in 1895, he became a student of the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, and after a year's work in that institution began teaching, which calling he followed for a period of five years in the schools of Wabash township, during which time his spare time was spent in reading law. Two of his vacations were spent in the law office of George D. Parks, the present county attorney, under whose in- . struction he made such progress as to enable him to be admitted to the bar in September, 1900.
Mr. Snideman began the practice of his profession in Lafayette. In August, 1902, he formed a partnership with Charles M. Bright, which part- nership continued until December, 1904, when Mr. Bright was obliged to change climate for the benefit of his health. The partnership was then dis- solved, Mr. Snideman purchasing his partner's interest and has since continued the practice alone. He has built up a large and lucrative practice and gained an honorable reputation as an able and energetic lawyer. He has also been active in political affairs, both local and general, and his influence in the coun- cils of the Republican party has given him prestige and leadership such as few of his contemporaries have attained. He is an enthusiastic politician, a forcible and logical speaker and his services on the hustings are always in great demand during campaign years, as he is a master of assemblages and never fails to interest and influence his auditors. He was twice a candidate before the primaries for the office of prosecuting attorney, but by a combination of circumstances, so common to politics, failed both times to receive the norn-
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ination, his defeats, however, causing no cessation of his interest in behalf of the more fortunate candidates.
On June 26, 1907, Mr. Snideman was united in marriage to Julia Weber,. of Lafayette, daughter of Jacob and Sophia Weber. Mrs. Snideman is an intelligent and cultured lady of excellent character and high social standing, who has many friends in the city and enjoys great popularity among those with whom she associates.
Fraternally Mr. Snideman is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 22, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined on January 14, 1898, and since his membership has been an active and enthusiastic member, filling all the official chairs in the subordinate lodge and in 1900 was a representative of his lodge to the grand lodge of Indiana, of which body he is also a member. He is also a trustee of his lodge, having been at the time of his election the young- est man to be honored with the position. In matters religious, Mr. Snide- man is liberal in all the term implies. He does not hold membership with any church, but is a liberal contributor to the support of the gospel and is a friend of all charitable and benevolent enterprises and a liberal donor to hu- manitarian movements of whatever name or order. Mrs. Snideman is a mem- ber of Triumph Rebekah Lodge, No. 291, of which lodge she is an enthusi- astic worker; her nature is deeply religious and since her childhood she has been identified with the Salem Reformed church, in which she is an active worker.
HARRY EDWARD TITUS, D. V. S.
To be anything but mediocre in any profession requires not only a happy combination of natural faculties, but also a strong personality, a blending of courtesy and affability and certain business qualities that no discouragements can thwart. The well-known veterinary surgeon whose name forms the cap- tion of this article, and whose name has long since become a household word throughout Tippecanoe county, seems to possess these traits, for he has climbed, step by step, from a modest beginning to a position of prominence in his community through no outside assistance.
Harry Edward Titus was born in 1876 at Muscatine, Iowa, the son of Harrison S. Titus, who is also a veterinarian. The latter married Catherine Walsh, and they are both natives of Wisconsin, and people who command the unequivocal respect of all who know them. After finishing the common- school course, young Harry attended high school, later took a course in the
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Iowa State College, veterinary department, graduating from the same in 1898, having made a most commendable record and well equipping himself for his profession. He has been greatly aided by his father. who is a very skilled veterinary surgeon, consequently it is not strange that the subject should achieve success in his chosen calling while yet a young man. Another son of Dr. Harrison S. Titus is also a veterinary surgeon in Baxter, Iowa.
A criterion of Dr. Harry E. Titus's high standing in this profession is furnished by the fact that in 1899, the year following his graduation, he held the responsible position in the Iowa State College as house surgeon and dem- onstrator of anatomy, also taught the principles and practice of operative surgery. He had received practical experience all through his college course, consequently he was enabled to render entire satisfaction in this work, receiv- ing the hearty commendation of both faculty and students.
Early in 1900 Doctor Titus was appointed government inspector in the bureau of animal industry at Cincinnati, Ohio, but he did not accept the place, believing that a better field awaited him in the city of Lafayette, whither he came May 30, 1900, and soon thereafter began the practice of his profession. He purchased a half interest in the veterinary infirmary owned by Doctor Craig, on Main street, west of the river. Having been successful in this venture, he bought out Doctor Craig's interest about the Ist of July, 1901, and has since conducted the infirmary in his own name. It is the only one of its kind in Tippecanoe county and is conceded to be one of the finest in Indiana. Doctor Titus is constantly improving his hospital and his practice is steadily increasing.
On May 22, 1907, Doctor Titus was united in marriage with Margaret Littler, a native of Indiana, but who was residing in Chicago, a trained nurse in a hospital, when they were married. She is a well educated woman and is of great assistance to the Doctor in his work.
Doctor Titus was city veterinarian in Lafayette for two years, very creditably filling this office. He is a member of the American Veterinary Association, the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and an honorary member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. On July 11, 1905, he was appointed delegate to represent the United States at the eighth Interna- tional Veterinary Congress held at Budapest, Austria, September 3, 1905. having been appointed to this important duty by the state department at Wash- ington. In his fraternal relations the Doctor belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of impos- ing personal appearance, quick in his decisions, alert, friendly and obliging. consequently he is favorably known about town.
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ALVA O. RESER.
Hon. Alva O. Reser, ex-member of the Indiana state legislature, who is the present efficient county recorder and official court reporter and stenog- rapher for the courts of Tippecanoe county, was born near Stockwell, Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, November 17, 1859, a son of Harvey and Sarah (Waymire) Reser. He was educated in the public schools of his native county and at Purdue University, Lafayette. After fully qualifying himself for the duties of an educator and business man, he followed teaching for a time; he taught in the district schools of Wea township, this county, at Spring Grove, after which he was made principal of the Lafayette Business College, where he taught one year and then became the principal of the Oakland school at Lafayette, which position he held with much credit to himself and the school board who employed him. He taught in this city school for three years. He was also made instructor in stenography in the Lafay- ette Business College and held this position for fifteen years.
Politically, Mr. Reser is an uncompromising Republican and is an ef- fective, forcible campaigner in this section of Indiana. He represented his county in the Indiana legislature in the sessions of 1899 and 1901, in the house of representatives, and was chairman of the committee on education during his last term. He was the official stenographer for the United States government at the Anglo-American Joint High Commission, held at Quebec, Canada, in 1898; special stenographer for Hon. Charles F. Fairbanks, then candidate for Vice-President, in the campaign of 1904, and for the news- paper press of the country. Being an expert stenographer, he was selected as court reporter, and it is the opinion of the court officers of his district, including the judges, that he is among the most rapid and accurate reporters within the state of Indiana. He was elected as clerk of the Lafayette school board in 1883, serving until 1909, during which long period he has kept the books of that body in a model manner and has always been deeply interested in the educational interests and favored all needed improvements in the management of the school system of his city. He was elected county recorder of Tippecanoe county in November, 1906, taking his office January I, 1907, to serve until January 1, 1911. In this special role, the methods and order with which he has managed other public affairs is also manifest- his offices and books are all neatly arranged and properly cared for by him- self and a highly competent corps of assistants, in whom the public have the utmost confidence.
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Mr. Reser has been very active in campaign work in his party and delivered speeches and fairly presented the issues before the voters of his county from time to time; also delivered popular lectures now and then. He is a true commoner and, by reason of his nativity and public life, has become acquainted with every nook and corner within Tippecanoe county, as well as being personally acquainted with nearly all of the people within its borders. He was naturally selected as the secretary of the Tippecanoe Monument Association, which organization was active in forwarding the project that finally resulted in the erecting of the handsome monument to the memory of the heroes who lost their lives in the famous battle of Tippe- canoe. He also compiled the report of the Monument Commission, which was published and handsomely bound in book form under authority of the state. This book is a collection of the various reports and orations delivered at the unveiling of the monument in 1908. No better man could have been chosen to do this work, because of his interest in the project and his historical information, having made this subject a special study for many years. In civic society affairs, Mr. Reser is identified with the Knights of Pythias; also belongs to the Greek letter college fraternity, Sigma Chi.
Of Mr. Reser's domestic relations, let it be said that he was happily united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Smith, August 13, 1885. By this union two sons were born (twins), Roy M. and Ralph D. Reser, born October 27, 1888. In personal appearance, Mr. Reser is a man of strong athletic build, loving out-door sports as one of nature's noblemen. His hair is somewhat gray, slightly bald, a pleasing twinkle to his eyes, smooth face and possesses an affable disposition. He loves his fellow-men and remembers names, places and faces to a remarkable degree. He is methodical and accurate and a good reader of human nature, eminent in many lines of life and education. In his penmanship he is a beautiful writer, having taught both ornamental and business penmanship in the Lafayette Business College.
DR. JOHN COLBERT WEBSTER.
Among the older physicians of Lafayette, Indiana, none is better known nor has a wider acquaintance throughout western Indiana and Tippecanoe county than Dr. John C. Webster. He was born in the village of Romney, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on September 29, 1841, and is a son of Elijah and Nancy ( Stewart) Webster. William Webster, the grandfather, migrated
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from Canada to near Romney in 1825 and entered government land. He married a native Canadian and was the father of the following children : Elijah, William, Mary, Sarah, Phoebe and Rachel. The family, with the exception of Mary, went with their parents to Tippecanoe county where they lived many years, the father passing away on the old homestead. He was noted as a man prominent in state affairs and for his unbending religious views, being a Quaker and strict in all his ways. Elijah married Nancy Stewart, and to them five children were born: Mary A., wife of William Ross : John C .; Margaret, who married George Oglesby: Anna, who married Edward W. Throckmorton; Elizabeth, who died in childhood.
John C. Webster was reared upon his father's farm and attended the district school and also Sugar Grove Institute, which was an institution similar to our present high school. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted, on October 15, 1861, in Company G. Fortieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was a veteran organization, and was mustered into the services of the United States for three years at Lafayette, Indiana, 011 December 10, 1861, as a sergeant, and in the course of time was finally commissioned a second lieutenant, his commission bearing the date of May I, 1863. He was mustered out of service as a lieutenant in 1864. Mr. Webster took part in the bloody battle of Shiloh, and after being away on a sick leave he rejoined his regiment at Tullahoma, Tennessee, and accompanied it to Louisville, Kentucky, where the command under General Buell was pursuing General Bragg's forces. He took part in the battle of Perryville on October 8th, and after his return to Nashville he participated in the ad- vance on Murfreesboro, Stone River, Lavergne and other battles. After Murfreesboro he remained with his regiment until January, 1863, when, on the reorganization of the army, the Fortieth was assigned to the First Divi- sion, Twenty-first Army Corps. The regiment took part in many notable campaigns, including service in the Tullahoma advances, also at Liberty Gap and on post duty at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr. Webster also saw service at Orchard Knob and during the siege of Chattanooga and again at Missionary Ridge, where his regiment took an active part. It was in this engagement that he received a wound in the head while leading his men in the charge of Mission Ridge. This wound incapacitated him from active duty for a time. He recovered and started to rejoin his command, then in eastern Tennessee, when it was attacked by a force of cavalry under General Wheeler. While in camp Mr. Webster was seized with a severe case of erysipelas and ordered back to Chattanooga by the surgeons in charge. In
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1864 he re-enlisted with his regiment, as a veteran, and then returned home on a furlough. When his command moved to the south he accompanied it and saw some lively service. The regiment was stationed at Cleveland, Tennessee, when the Atlanta campaign opened. The Fortieth Regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, and was also continuously engaged during that memorable campaign, being active at Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost, Liberty Gap, Rockyface Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Cassville and other engagements around Dallas, New Hope Church, Pumpkinville Creek and Altoona Hills. Also at Picketts and in opera- tions about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain, June 9th to 27th, includ- ing the fights at Pine Hill, Lost Mountain, Muddy Creek, Pine Knob, and the asasult on Kenesaw Mountain on June 27th. Here Lieutenant Webster was wounded in both legs, and this was the last fight in which he participated. The battle was a desperate affair and his command was exposed to a galling fire, both front and flank, and fully forty-six per cent. of his command was lost. Lieutenant Webster, though seriously wounded and lying on the field unattend- ed, knew that if he was taken prisoner he would be neglected and probably die, and he determined to escape if possible. He managed to get upon his feet and was at once made a target for the enemy's bullets. One ball ripped his coat across the shoulders and others pierced his clothing otherwise, but he managed to get away without further injury. He was ill from his wounds until October, 1864, when he was mustered out on account of disability.
Upon his return home the subject began the study of medicine and was graduated from the Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1870, and began the practice of his profession at Romney, Tippecanoe county, where he met with marked success. In 1880 he removed to Lafayette where he has continued his practice. Doctor Webster has been recognized as a physician of ability and he has served on the state board of medical registration and examination since 1897. He has also served as a member of the pension board, and has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal Legion, and always taken a deep and abiding interest in his old comrades in arms.
Doctor Webster was married to Sallie MacMechan Jones June 15. 1876. She is a daughter of Dr. Stephen Jones, who was a graduate of the medical school of Harvard College. Doctor Jones removed West and started to practice medicine, but not liking the practice entered business and was noted as a financier. His daughter was educated in the common schools and was also a student in an Indianapolis institution. To Doctor Webster and wife was born one daughter, Mary E., in 1887.
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Fraternally, Dr. John Webster is a Mason and has attained the degree of Knight Templar. In politics he is an ardent Republican and has twice been elected trustee of Randolph township, Tippecanoe county. He is known as a kind, warm-hearted man and an honored citizen of the county and city in which he lives.
FREDERICK HENRY ERB, JR.
When Napoleon was carrying on his destructive and spectacular wars, there was a young Frenchman in the ranks by the name of Frederick Henry Erb, who served as a sharpshooter, both in Europe and Africa. When peace followed the overthrow of the great commander, Erb emigrated to America, where he became both the pioneer and champion in the new art of pigeon shooting. He arranged a match with William King, the English champion, offering the latter a bonus to come over and contest honors with him. The stakes were two thousand five hundred dollars a side, and Erb won. In a great match in Tippecanoe county, at the old homestead of John Opp, Erb shot with Jack Taylor, of New Jersey, for one thousand dollars a side and would have won but for the breaking of his gun which compelled him to use a strange weapon which caused his defeat. Full five thousand spectators witnessed this match. He was greatly interested in horse racing, and built the first track for this purpose in Tippecanoe county on the old Doyle farm. While the Union Pacific railroad was being built he engaged in supplying constructors with game for food. When he died in April, 1905, he was esti- mated to have been one hundred and six years old. He married a French lady named Mary Roller, who was brought to Lafayette by her father, who was also a remarkable sample of longevity, it being calculated that when he died in 1864 he was one hundred and twenty years old.
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