USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 24
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Mrs. Koonse is a lady of wide intelligence, varied culture and strong character and nobly assisted her husband in all of his endeavors, and much of his success was due to her judicious counsel and advice. She is a reader and observer, keeps in touch with the trend of events, is deeply interested in all lines of educational work, and the various charitable and humanitarian enterprises and projects of the city find in her a warm sympathizer and able and liberal helper. She retains to a marked degree her bodily and mental faculties, possesses a very retentive memory and, although past her sixty-fifth year, her sense of sight is such that she has never resorted to the use of glasses. Doctor Koonse was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. of Lafayette, and the deep interest he manifested in all good work, gave him a strong and wholesome influence in religious circles. Mrs. Koonse is an earnest worker of the same church. Socially she is esteemed and her home. at No. 1114 North Twelfth street, is a favorite resort of many of the best people of the city.
REV. GEORGE MICHAEL SCHUMM.
Forty-three years, or largely over a generation, is a long time to devote to any one calling. but this measures the period of the ministry of the popular pastor of St. James German Lutheran church of Lafayette. It has been a
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hard-working career, filled with the usual disappointments that mark all hu- man effort, but there is much along the way to show that the labors of this good man have not been in vain. His work at Lafayette alone, if there were nothing else to his credit, would be enough to stamp Mr. Schumm as a fruitful worker in his Master's vineyard. The family is of German origin. George Schumm, the elder, emigrated from Wurttemberg, Germany, at a period so early as to rank with the pioneers of Ohio, his settlement in Van Wert county occurring as far back as 1838. He owned over three hundred acres of land at one time and was one of the influential citizens in his section of the Buckeye state. He married Mary Pflueger, by whom he had thirteen children, the survivors being as follows: Frederick, a farmer of Mercer county, Ohio; Louis, a lumberman of Laporte, Indiana; Henry, occupant of the old home farm, and Martin, a resident of New York city. George M. Schumm, the other child belonging to the list of survivors, was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, December 20, 1841. He was reared on the farm and learned how to handle the hoe, swing the scythe, use the ax with skill and do all the other things expected of a farmer's boy. The education proved useful in many ways, chiefly by strengthening his constitution and teaching him how to do useful things. He got a good academical education in the parochial school of his religious denomination and after his confirmation in 1856 entered the German Lutheran College at Ft. Wayne. Three years were spent in this institution, followed by a four-year course at Concordia Univer- sity in St. Louis. His graduation from this institution in 1865 was almost coincident with his entrance into the ministry, as he began pastoral work in the same year, which has continued up to the present.
In 1867 Mr. Schumm married Amelia Markworth, of Perry county, Missouri, by whom he had three children, Martha, Adolph, foreman of the testing department of an electrical establishment, and Emma, wife of Paul Wangerin, of Lafayette. Mrs. Schumm having died in 1872, Mr. Schumm was married in 1874 to Charlotte Breuninger, by whom the children are as follows : Otto Schumm, a minister at Brownstown, Indiana ; Anton, a teacher in the schools of Cleveland, Ohio; George, a teacher in the Pittsburg schools ; Bertha, at home: Paul, a student of theology in St. Louis. The mother died in 1905. Mr. Schumm took charge of St. James Lutheran church of Lafay- ette, May 15, 1889, and great growth has marked the intervening period. At the date mentioned there were eighty voting members and three hundred communicants, which have been increased to one hundred and fifty-three vot- ing members and five hundred and ninety communicants. By virtue of his office as pastor, Mr. Schumm is superintendent of the parochial schools con-
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ducted by his denomination, which establishments have on an average one hundred and twenty-five pupils, under two teachers .. The church itself has various auxiliary organizations, including the Ladies' Society, the Young People's Society and the Young Ladies' Society. In every way the church work has advanced under Mr. Schumm and St. James enjoys high standing.
HON. AMOS WELCH.
The family of this name are descended from a line of North Carolina Quakers, who refused to bow the knee to Baal, in the shape of human slavery, got into hot water as a result and eventually had to emigrate North to escape the persecutions of Southern fire-eaters. They were a sturdy race, always on the right side of all moral questions, firm in their convictions and true to their principles. John Welch, one of the old timers in North Carolina, was born in the eighteenth century in Wales, but went South with other members of the society of Friends, who sought a residence in the Old North state, before the slavery question became acute. Turner Welch, a son of John, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, February 16, 1790, and after he grew up studied and practiced medicine in his native community. At the breaking out of the Indian war in Florida he served as a surgeon in the army and afterwards migrated to Warren county, Ohio, where he re- sumed the practice of his profession. August 23, 1819, he married Esther, daughter of Jonathan Fallis, a native of England, who came to the United States during the last half of the eighteenth century. He settled first in Virginia, but later came to Ohio, where he built the first mill ever erected in Wayne county. In the spring of 1836, Doctor Welch brought his wife and five children to Tippecanoe county and settled at West Point. He pur- chased a lot of Wayne township land, and for two years did some farming while keeping up his professional duties. His wife became so dissatisfied with the isolated and discouraging conditions that the Doctor yielded to her entreaties to return to the old Ohio home, where he resumed medical practice and gradually built up a large business. In 1846, the outlook in Tippecanoe county having somewhat improved, he came back to West Point and con- tinued the practice of medicine until his death, in 1875. His wife survived him two years, passing away in 1877 at what the obituary writers would designate as a "ripe old age," being in her eighty-sixth year. This ex- cellent pioneer couple are still remembered for their sterling qualities and
AMOS WELCH
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high moral character. They were active members of the society of Friends, devoted to practical charity and all good works, with the result that they enjoyed not only the respect but affection of all who knew them.
Amos Welch, youngest of the eight children of his parents, was born in Wayne township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, April 16, 1838. He was eight years old when his father returned to West Point for permanent resi- dence, and he grew up on the farm with all the experiences of pioneer boys. He enjoyed but limited opportunities of going to school, all his edu- cation being obtained by daily intercourse with his fellowmen, with an oc- casional visit to farmers' institutes and other such gatherings. He remained with his parents during their old age, caring for their health and looking after their comfort until the time of their respective deaths. March 20, 1877, he married Mary, daughter of John Sherry, one of the first settlers of Tippe- canoe county. Born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1799, a son of Hugh Sherry, a native of Pennsylvania, he was taken in childhood to Ohio, where his parents found a home in Ross county during the remainder of their lives. John Sherry came to Tippecanoe county in 1828, entered a consider- able tract of land and was engaged in farming during the rest of his days. He also owned and conducted a saw and grist-mill, being one of the first millers of the county, and in the performance of his double occupations he spent an industrious life, until called away by death in April, 1857. Two children were born to this union, both deceased. Mr. Welch owns one of the best farms in the township and has the reputation of being one of the best farmers. He has been prominent in politics as a local Republican leader and consulted as a safe advisor in all party movements. He served one term in the state legislature in 1895 and gave entire satisfaction to his con- stituents by his sensible way of attending to business. He is a man of honesty and integrity, a worthy descendant of his good Quaker parents, and no man stands higher in the community as a neighbor and citizen.
ALBERT EUGENE SHEARMAN.
This well known and highly respected resident of Lafayette has been honored with distinctive preferment in various lines of activity and as a citizen ranks among those whose value and worth to the community cannot be lightly estimated. For many years identified with the material interests and advancement of his adopted city, he has filled with marked ability posi-
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tions of honor and trust and as a representative of an important branch of the government service still occupies a prominent place in the public view as well as in the esteem and confidence of the people with whom he is brought into contact.
Albert E. Shearman is a native of Oneida county, New York, and belong's to one of the old and widely known families of that part of the Empire state. another representative of the same family being the Hon. James Schoolcraft Sherman, a statesman of distinguished ability and, since March, 1909, the honored Vice-President of the United States, who is a nephew of the subject.
Willett H. Shearman, father of the subject, was born January 31. 1792. at South Kingston, Rhode Island, and by occupation was a farmer and manu- facturer. By his first wife, Catharine Ann Schoolcraft, a native of New York state and a daughter of Col. Lawrence Schoolcraft, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, he had eight children, and his second marriage, which was solemnized with Emily Church, of Oneida county, resulted in a like number of children, his family of sixteen children consisting of seven daughters and nine sons, of whom the following survive: Helen M. Shearman, of Allendale. New Jersey, who has reached the age of eighty-two years; Mesdames Josephine Foote and Angeline Sullivan, twins, who have passed the seventieth milestone on life's journey : Eben R. Shearman, aged sixty-five, who, with the two sisters mentioned, lives in Elgin, Illinois, he being connected with the watch factory in that city ; Albert E., who is next to the youngest, the youngest survivor of the large circle that formerly gathered around the parental hearthstone. Willett H. Shearman died in 1868, at the age of nearly seventy-seven years, and his wife. Emily, mother of the subject, was called to her final rest in the same year, her age at the time of her demise being about sixty-two years.
Albert E. Shearman was born in the town of Vernon, New York, July 16, 1842, and spent his early life in his native county, devoting the years of his boyhood and youth to the practical duties of the farm and attending the public schools at intervals in the meantime. His educational privileges in- cluded the usual studies of the schools of Vernon and an academic course at the same place, and at the age of eighteen he began teaching, which he fol- lowed until his twentieth year, when he exchanged the school room for the more active and strenuous duties of army life. His military experience began in August, 1862, with his enlistment from Rome, New York, in Company A. One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. George W. Brigham, who was subsequently killed at the battle of Drury's Bluff, the commander of the regiment being Col. William R. Pease, formerly a captain in the United States regular army and an officer of
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great bravery and daring. Mr. Shearman was with his regiment in some of the most noted campaigns in the siege of Fort Sumter along the Potomac, and in the vicinity of Richmond, and shared with his comrades the horror of battle on a number of bloody fields, including the engagement of Chapin's Farm, and the almost continuous fighting which took place ere the final sur- render of the Confederate forces and the collapse of the rebellion at Appomat- tox. In August, 1864, while in front of Petersburg, Mr. Shearman was severely wounded in the left leg by the fragment of a shell and on another occasion he received a painful though not serious injury by being struck in the side by a musket or rifle ball, and on the 29th of September, 1864, while in front of the Confederate capital, he had the misfortune of falling into the hands of the enemy and for some time thereafter was incarcerated in Libby prison, being sent from there to Belle Isle, and later to Salisbury, North Carolina, spending about six months in these prisons ere his exchange was effected.
Mr. Shearman was mustered out of the service at Albany, New York, in June, 1865, and, returning home in a weakened condition resulting from his prison experience and injuries, he suffered greatly during the several months ensuing,-indeed his recovery was despaired of by his relatives and friends who did everything within their power to minister to his comfort. In due time, however, thanks to a naturally strong constitution, he regained his normal vigor and as soon as practicable thereafter entered Eastman's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he completed the full course and fitted himself for an active business career, to which his sub- sequent life has been devoted. Coming to Lafayette, Indiana, in the fall of 1866, he accepted the position of cashier in the Wabash railroad freight office, and after two years in that capacity entered the employ of the Monon railroad, with which he continued for a period of eighteen years, three of which were spent in Chicago as agent, his headquarters the remainder of the time being in Lafayette.
Severing his connection with the Monon in 1886, Mr. Shearman again entered the service of the Wabash road, and during the ensuing four years was an agent on the National Dispatch line of fast freight at Chicago. Re- signing the position at the expiration of the time indicated, he returned to Lafayette and became assistant postmaster, under B. Wilson Smith. which place he held four years, and then entered the city treasurer's office, where he had an important position during two administrations of four years each, and was engaged for a third, but in July, 1902, was induced to return to the postoffice where he has since been assistant postmaster, serving first under
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James L. Caldwell and, since the expiration of his term, under Thomas W. Burt, the present incumbent.
Mr. Shearman has been in the employ of the United States postal service for a period of eleven years, during which time he has become familiar with every detail of the office and achieved an honorable reputation as an exceed- ingly capable and judicious official, enjoying to a marked degree the confi- dence of his superior and the esteem of the public. He likewise stood high in the regard of the railroad companies with which he was so long identified, filled worthily a number of important trusts while in that branch of service and his record in the various public positions to which called is above the suspicion of reproach or dishonor. Aside from his regular duties. he takes an active interest in military matters and since 1890 has been influential as a member of John A. Logan Post, No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he now holds the title of past commander; he is also identified with Encampment No. 122, Union Veteran Legion, being a past colonel, and Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 55, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Shearman, on the 6th of January, 1875, was united in the bonds of wedlock with Flora McKee Linn, daughter of Austin P. and Olive (De Vault) Linn, the father a Kentuckian by birth, and one of the old settlers, coming here from Crawfordsville in 1827, a well known banker and business man of Lafayette, who died in 1865. The mother was a native of Ohio, who came here with her father, Lemuel DeVault, and family, in 1835. Mrs. Linn died in 1888. They were both of Revolutionary ancestry. Mrs. Shearman is the only survivor of the two children born to this couple. Mr. and Mrs. Shearman have no children of their own, but have always been interested in the welfare of the young people of their city, who hold them in high esteem.
A man of strong individuality and unquestioned probity, Mr. Shearman has attained a due measure of success in the affairs of life, and the various positions with which he has been honored from time to time bear witness of its ability, close application and mature judgment displayed in all of his undertakings. A gentleman of quiet demeanor, more meditative and thought- ful than given to much speech, he is nevertheless affable and cheerful in social circles and, while not especially seeking friendships, he possesses the faculty of drawing friends about him and binding them to him as with bands of steel. His influence has ever been exercised in behalf of right and his career proves that the only true success in this life is that which is accomplished by personal effort and consecutive industry. The record of such a man cannot fail to be an inspiration to the young of this and future generations and it is with much
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satisfaction that the foregoing brief epitome of his career and tribute to his worth as a man and citizen are accorded a place in this volume.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shearman is at No. 665 Main street, where Mrs. Shearman was born.
JOHN ALLEN HILL.
John A. Hill, dealer in wall paper and one of the leading business men of Lafayette, was born ninė miles northwest of the city, in Tippecanoe county, May II, 1865. His father, Aaron S. Hill, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, came to this part of Indiana as early as 1841 and later was engaged in the railroad service for a number of years with the Wabash and Monon lines. He married in this county Martha F. Jennings, a daughter of Able C. Jen- nings, a prosperous farmer and representative citizen, and in due time became the father of four children, namely: William F., a business man of Lafay- ette ; Carrie M., who is single and her father's housekeeper ; Charles, deceased, and John A., the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children is deceased and for a number of years the father has been living a retired life, being the possessor of a sufficiency of this world's goods to place him in independent circumstances.
On moving to Lafayette in 1864. Aaron S. Hill accepted the position of engineer with the old Potter, Daggert & Martin woolen mills. Later he entered the service of the Sample pork house in the same capacity and, as previously stated, devoted a number of years to railroading. He was a soldier during the last six months of the Civil war in Company C, One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but by reason of ill health was obliged to spend three months in the hospital, consequently saw but little active service in the field.
When John A. Hill was a year old, his parents moved to Lafayette and his early life differed in no important respect from that of the majority of city lads. He attended the public schools about the usual time and at the age of thirteen acquired his first knowledge of business affairs as clerk in a grocery store. After a year or two in that capacity, he entered the employ of a stave manufacturer, in whose factory he labored until his eighteenth year. when he engaged in the wall paper business with William V. Stoy, whose place on the north side of the public square was the largest and most important establishment of the kind in the city.
:
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January 1, 1900, Mr. Hill started in the same line of trade for himself on the corner of Tenth and Main streets and during the nine years that he has been at the head of the establishment his business has grown rapidly in volume until he is now recognized as the leading wall paper dealer and deco- rator in Lafayette. By strict attention to the demands of the trade and always doing high grade work, his patronage has taken a very wide range including not only the leading people of his own city but a large and growing business in a number of other towns. This steady increase has rendered necessary the enlargement of his facilities from time to time and additions to his force of workmen and clerks, six of whom are now required to look after the interests of the trade and do the large amount of decorating which he makes a specialty.
Mr. Hill is a man of refined tastes and as an artistic decorator has few equals and no superiors. The high standard of his work is its best recom- mendation and the chief advertisement of his establishment and the large number of fine homes in Lafayette and other cities, besides public halls, lodge rooms, etc .. here and elsewhere, which he has decorated and beautified bear eloquent testimony to his efficiency and skill as a master of his craft.
Mr. Hill is not only an enterprising business man deeply interested in the success of the line of trade to which he is devoting his time and attention. but is also a public-spirited citizen who keeps in touch with the growth of his city and county and encourages all means for the advancement of the community, socially and morally. He stands for law and order, uses his in- fluence on the right side of every public issue and has always had the best interests of his fellowmen at heart. He is an active member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and all of its branches: also belongs to the Ancient Order of Druids and in politics is an earnest supporter of the Republicm party, but not a partisan in the sense of seeking office or aspiring to leider- ship. Religiously, he was reared under the influence of the Christian church and still subscribes to the plain, simple teaching of that large and growing body, being an attendant of the church in Lafayette and interested in the work under its auspices.
On October 19. 1888, Mr. Hill and Martha F. Shores, of New York, daughter of Dr. William F. and Mary Shores, at the time indicated residents of Tipton county, Indiana, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock ; the union being blessed with two offspring, a daughter who died in infancy and a son. Arnold H. Hill, who was born June 18. 1891. and who is now his father's efficient assistant.
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Mr. Hill is a gentleman of pleasing presence, and stands high not only in the commercial world but in the confidence and esteem of the people of his city, regardless of class or condition. He has a full, well developed athletic figure, a frank, open countenance, which, with his affable manner and the habit of always looking on the bright side of things, make him an interesting and welcome accession to the social circles in which he moves. Energetic, enterprising and full of business, he has made his influence felt in the city of his residence and stands well to the front among its successful men and representative citizens.
JOSEPH ABDON.
Among the brave sons of the North who sacrificed so much during the dark days of the sixties to save the national Union and thereby transmit to posterity a glorious Republic-the greatest in the history of the earth-was the late Joseph Abdon, a man remembered for his genial disposition and his high sense of honor, who was born in 1843 in Dearborn county, Indiana. Ile received a fairly good common-school education for those early days and assisted with the work about the home place. When he reached maturity he engaged for the most part in huckstering and as a cooper for a livelihood. When the Civil war began he was quick to respond to the call for troops and enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was made corporal. He performed well his duties during that great struggle and received an honorable discharge.
Mr. Abdon was married to Mrs. Mary Jane Kerr and to this union three children were born, one son and two daughters, as follows: George Abdon, whose birth occurred August 5. 1866, married Clara Weir, and he is engaged as a mechanic in Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Eva Abdon, born February I, 1873. is a stenographer and chief clerk at the Sterling Manufacturing Com- pany's plant of Lafayette ; Anna L. Abdon, born September 2, 1875. married Charles Bechtold. No children were born to them. She was a high school graduate and her death occurred on September 28, 1896.
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