USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 3
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overcame the difficulty, however, by becoming a drummer boy in Company C, Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With his command he went to the front and when he was discharged, November 22, 1862, he had attained the rank of sergeant. After leaving the army he obtained employment with Duhme & Company, the famous jewelry firm of Cincinnati, but only remained with them a short time, as he went into business for himself in 1864, as proprietor of a jewelry store at Richmond, Indiana. He remained in that city for ten years and, in 1874, located at Lafayette, which was destined to be the scene of his life work. He established a jewelry store at No. 131 North Fourth street, east of the court house, which in time became one of the land- marks of the city. In a short time he was recognized as a leader in his line and by remaining in the same place for thirty-four years built up a good will that made this property very valuable in a commercial sense. At the time of his death, which occurred October 4, 1908, the Ankeny store was probably the oldest in continuity of existence of any similar establishment in the city.
In 1870 Mr. Ankeny married Caroline Strickland, a lady of great worth and much natural charm, and a member of one of the most distinguished families in America. She is a native of Maine and on her mother's side de- scended from the celebrated James Otis, one of the most famous of the Revolutionary leaders and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The result of this union, which continued in complete harmony and happiness for thirty-eight years, was an only daughter, now well known in Lafayette society as Miss Alice H. Ankeny. Mr. Ankeny was a charter member of John A. Logan Post No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic. He was also prominent in Masonry as a member of Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 492, Free and Accepted Masons, and Lafayette Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar. He belonged to the Loyal Legion, a military and patriotic organization growing out of the Civil war, and including in its membership many names made illustrious by that immortal struggle.
COL. WILLIAM C. WILSON.
One of the prominent and influential citizens of Lafayette, Indiana, was Col. William C. Wilson, whose honorable career is deserving of recognition in a history of the province of the one at hand, if for no other reason because of his distinguished services in defense of the flag on many a sanguinary battlefield. He was born in Montgomery county, this state, November 22,
M. G. Men
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1827, the son of John and Margaret (Cochran) Wilson. His grandparents were natives of Virginia, the Wilson family having settled in that state in a very early day. One member of the family was a member of congress from that state in 1824. The family finally left the Old Dominion state and located in that portion of Lincoln county, now called Gerrard county, Kentucky. Here the father of John Wilson, the Rev. James Wilson, who for many years was a noted Presbyterian minister at Staunton, Augusta county, Vir- ginia, was killed, having been thrown from a horse, leaving a widow with a large family to support. She was then compelled to give up the farm, and her son John, father of Colonel Wilson, soon thereafter began working at blacksmithing, working side by side with slave laborers. He learned to detest the institution of slavery and became an abolitionist. He left Kentucky for the West and at Edwardsville, Illinois, he met and formed the acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln. In 1822 he located in Montgomery county, Indiana, and soon afterward became employed in the United States land office at Craw- fordsville. During those pioneer days everything was freighted by trains and money from the land office was shipped by such methods to the East. It would be loaded into the wagons at night and left there until morning in order to get an early start. In 1823 Mr. Wilson was elected the first clerk of that county, which office he filled continuously and acceptably for a period of fourteen years. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits and afterwards retired to a farm where he spent the remainder of his life, enjoying the fruits of his years of industry. He was a successful business man and everybody admired him for his many praiseworthy qualities. He died in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1864, his widow surviving until 1884, her death having occurred in La- fayette.
It will be remembered that John Wilson was one of the commissioners appointed by the legislature to locate the county seat of Tippecanoe county, and he also helped lay out the city of Lafayette. He served one term in the legislature, to which he was elected in 1840, being in politics a Whig. He was truly a self-made man, having educated himself, and he was one of the honored pioneers of Indiana.
Colonel Wilson's brother, James Wilson, was United States minister to Venezuela, who died in South America while in his country's service. Of this family in Tippecanoe county, there are now one sister, Miss Margaret C. Wilson, and two brothers, one a former well-known dry goods merchant, Austin P. Wilson, and George W. Wilson. The last named recently proposed a new grouping of the stars of the American flag, grouping the forty-eight stars into one huge star, arranged so as to give them historic significance. A
(35)
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design of the new emblem was published in the papers throughout the United States, having been very favorably commented on, since it tells the history of the American flag and makes the emblem more beautiful.
One branch of this family descended from Col. William McKee, a soldier in Braddock's army, who fought at the famous battle known as Braddock's Defeat in 1775. He was captain of a company in the battle of Point Pleas- ant, Virginia, in 1778. during the Revolutionary war, which was one of the bloodiest battles with Indians ever fought on this continent. Colonel McKee had been commissioned by Lord Dunmore and was in command of the fort at Point Pleasant in 1778.
In the family homestead in Lafayette is a very large and valuable library, collected chiefly by Colonel Wilson ; here also may be seen numerous interest- ing old heirlooms.
Col. William C. Wilson was reared in Crawfordsville, this state, and educated in private schools. He also attended Wabash College, graduating from that institution in 1847, and in 1849 he graduated from the law depart- ment of the University of Indiana. Soon afterwards he was admitted to the bar at Crawfordsville, both for the circuit and supreme courts. In 1849 he was appointed prosecuting attorney for his circuit, and in 1850 he came to Lafayette and began practicing law with Major Daniel Mace, which partner- ship continued until the latter was elected to congress in 1852. Mr. Wilson then practiced alone until 1854. when he formed a partnership with George Gardner (late judge of the municipal court of Chicago), which alliance con- tinued until 1859, when Mr. Gardner went to Chicago and Colonel Wilson was again alone in his practice.
On April 17. 1861, two days after Lincoln's first call for troops to put down the rebellion, Mr. Wilson hastened to volunteer as a private soldier in the Union army and four days afterward he was mustered into service as captain of Company D. Tenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he having raised the company. While at Indianapolis he was appointed major of the regiment, which served in West Virginia in the Indiana and Ohio Brigade, commanded by General Rosecrans. Major Wilson was wounded at the battle of Rich Mountain. He was mustered out with his regiment in August, 1861. During the following autumn he recruited the Fortieth Regi- ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and on September 23d of that year he became its colonel. This regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumber- land under General Thomas. On March 27. 1862, Colonel Wilson resigned on account of ill health, after a career which was very meritorious in every respect. At the time of Morgan's northern raid, it is said that Colonel Wil-
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son recruited the One Hundred and Eighth Indiana Regiment in seven hours and he was its colonel from July 12, 1863, during the term of enlistment for the purpose of capturing that intrepid southern leader. On May 24, 1864, he was appointed colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Twenty-third Corps of Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign, and he was among the detachment sent back to Nashville in pursuit of Hood. He was honorably mustered out of service in September, 1864, and he soon afterwards returned to his law prac- tice in Lafayette. He had three brothers in the Civil war, all officers and brave soldiers, one of whom had also been in the Mexican war.
In 1853 occurred the marriage of William C. Wilson to Sarah F. Bon- nell, of Independence, Warren county, Indiana.
In 1866 to 1867 Colonel Wilson was assessor of internal revenue, and from 1868 to 1869 he was postmaster of Lafayette, filling both offices in a manner that reflected credit upon his ability as a public servant. He was also a very active and valuable member of the city council. He was first a Whig, but he became a Republican when that party came into power. In 1876 he delivered an address before the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, of which he was a member, at Philadelphia. The address was received with high encomiums by the press all over the country. On November 13, 1879, at the thirteenth annual banquet of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, held in Chicago, Colonel Wilson was one of the orators among such dis- tinguished men as Grant, Logan, Sheridan, Hurlburt and Ingersoll. He was called on to take the place of General Garfield, responding to the toast, "The Army of the Cumberland and its Leader, the Rock of Chickamauga." His speech was such a masterpiece that it was printed in full in the papers through- out the country. He also made a memorable address at the laying of the corner-stone of the present court house of Tippecanoe county.
The death of this distinguished man, this able public servant, noted attorney and popular citizen occurred on September 25, 1891, in Lafayette. Those who knew him best pronounced him a man of steadfastness in pursuit of an honorable purpose, possessing untiring industry, with the highest order of moral and physical courage, a man of intense energy and zeal, all these praiseworthy characteristics supplemented by a wealth of thrilling eloquence which often enabled him to win the most difficult cases and hold his hearers spellbound on any subject. He was patient, forbearing, gentle and loving; as a commander he was alert, cautious, fearless and his soldiers all put the utmost confidence in his ability and admired him as a man ; he was generous and kind, and he discharged his official trusts with fidelity and universal satisfaction.
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In matters pertaining to the welfare of his county, state and nation, Colonel Wilson was deeply interested, and his efforts in behalf of the general progress were far-reaching and beneficial. His name is indelibly associated with prog- ress in this county and among those in whose midst he lived and labored he was held in the highest esteem by reason of an upright life and of fidelity to principles which in every land and clime command respect. Now that his eminently useful career has closed, his influence for good is still alive, and many young men have been strengthened by contemplating his life and emulat- ing his worthy example. Truly he was a man of high attainments whose light has not been extinguished by the transition we call death, but it shines on with a luster which the future years shall not dim.
CHARLES H. PEIRCE.
It is impossible within the circumscribed limits of this review to give more than a mere glance at leading facts in the life of one of Tippecanoe county's most influential and best known men. In the broadest and best meaning of the term, he is a benefactor in that he has labored for the material prosperity of this county while advancing his own interests. The noble pur- poses and high ideals by which his life is directed and controlled renders Charles H. Peirce deservedly popular with all classes. A native of Lafayette, Indiana, where his birth occurred April 22, 1857, he has elected to remain here, believing that this vicinity held greater opportunities for him than re- mote localities. He is the son of the well-known late Martin L. Peirce, whose biography appears in full on another page of this work. His mother was known in her maidenhood as Emma Comstock, a native of Hartford, Con- necticut, a kindly woman of beautiful Christian character who has lived in Lafayette for about sixty-five years and is, at this writing, making her home with her son, Charles H. Peirce.
Mr. Peirce grew to manhood in Lafayette, spending his youth in much the same manner as other young men contemporaneous with him-attending the common schools until the opening of Purdue University when he began a course there, having the distinction of being the first pupil enrolled in the first class organized in that institution. After leaving the university, where he made a very commendable record, he became connected with the First National Bank, with which he remained for a period of about twenty years, during which time he became familiar with the details of banking and general
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business methods, partly under the training of his father, a financier of more than ordinary ability. Thus he came to his next position, that with the Kern Packing Company (now the Lafayette Packing Company), well qualified for its exacting duties. Remaining with this firm for one year, he went to Indian- apolis where he engaged in the ice business for a period of three and one-half years, returning to Lafayette in January, 1909, when he became connected with the Lafayette Fuel and Builders' Supply Company, of which he is, at this writing, secretary and treasurer; under his judicious management this firm is doing an extensive business.
On December 9, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Charles H. Peirce with Hattie M. Brown, a native of Lafayette and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Brown, an old and well-established family here. Mr. and Mrs. Brown, however, are now residing in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Peirce is a woman of culture, refinement and affability and she presides over the beautiful Peirce home with a grace that causes the large coterie of friends of the family to delight to gather there, always finding a hospitable and cheer- ful welcome. This union has been blessed by the birth of one son, Martin L. Peirce, whose talents seem to run along journalistic lines, he, at present. being the telegraph editor of the Lafayette Courier.
Something of Mr. Peirce's innate business qualities is shown by the fol- lowing incident. When about twelve years of age he won a prize of one hundred dollars, offered by his father, for a certain accomplishment. When asked what he intended doing with it he replied : "Put it in the savings bank to the credit of Mrs. Charles H. Peirce." And he did so, leaving it until he was married, when his bride received it as a wedding present. It had then fully doubled by compounding the interest. She still leaves it in the bank, untouched.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Peirce belong to the First Baptist church, of Lafayette, being interested in the various lines of charitable and missionary work under its auspices. They are pleasant people to know, avoid publicity and sham in all its forms, plain, straightforward and kindly, thus easily making and retaining friends.
JOSEPH BLISTAIN.
Among the men of influence in Tippecanoe county, who have the inter- est of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining definite success along their chosen lines, is Joseph Blistain, one of the pro-
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gressive business men of the city of Lafayette where he figures prominently not only in commercial circles but also in the civic and social life. He was born August 13, 1854, at Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Anthony and Catherine (Hauck) Blistain. He lived in Wheeling about one year, when his parents moved to Cincinnati where they lived about seven years, then moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, where Joseph remained until 1875, attending the public schools and preparing himself for his subsequent business career. In 1872 he took a position in the wholesale and retail dry goods and notion store of Joseph Stewart, of Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, where he made rapid ad- vancement, so that after his second year there he was sent out as a traveling salesman, selling goods by sample, alternating his trips with clerking in the store, continuing thus until about 1875, when he severed his connection with this firm and became traveling salesman for William H. Scheer & Company, wholesale dealers in hats, caps, furs and gloves at Cincinnati, which position he held with credit and entire satisfaction, giving to it his best talents until 1878. Then he took a position with Jorling & Kolling, who had been mem- bers of the firm of W. H. Scheer & Company, but withdrew in 1878 and embarked in the same business for themselves, Mr. Blistain acting as their bookkeeper and traveling salesman. In 1880 the firm, then known as H. Jorling & Company, admitted Mr. Blistain as a partner, and after six years of very successful business the latter disposed of his interest and came to Lafayette, Indiana, and became connected with the Newman & Bohrer Brew- ery. After the death of Mr. Newman in 1889. the firm became the George A. Bohrer Brewing Company and was incorporated with an authorized capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars and Mr. Blistain became treasurer of the company, which responsible position he still holds, discharging the duties of the same in a manner that stamps him as a man of unusual business acumen, foresight and soundness of judgment. This firm enjoys a very liberal patron- age, shipping large consignments of goods to Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, covering these states thoroughly, to say nothing of the phenomenal trade over Indiana. When Mr. Blistain became a member of this firm its prestige was not so very extensive, but by frugal industry it has increased to an annual capacity of twenty thousand barrels. The building frontage is about two hundred and fifty feet, running back to the alley one hundred and twenty feet, and the buildings are all of brick, three and five stories high, fully equipped with the latest improved machinery and most modern appliances of every type to insure the best possible results. Everything is under an excellent system and the plant is a model of its kind in every respect.
Anthony and Catherine (Hauck) Blistain, parents of Joseph, were both
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born in Germany, the father near Duesseldorf. He emigrated to America in the forties, first located in Philadelphia, but later he went to Cincinnati where he worked as brewmaster for a period of seven years. He then bought an interest in a brewery at Wheeling, West Virginia, afterwards returning to Cincinnati where he acted as brewmaster again. In 1859 he purchased a brewery in Chillicothe, Ohio, which he conducted in such a manner as to gain an ample competency, being able to retire from active life in 1871. His death occurred on July 4, 1880. Catherine Hauck was born in Bavaria and came to America some two years after Anthony Blistain arrived; her death occurred in 1875.
June 30, 1880, Joseph Blistain was united in marriage with Amelia M. Bohrer, daughter of George A. Bohrer, president of the brewing company described in a preceding paragraph. He was born in Bavaria, December I, 1819, and married Caroline Newman, a native of north Germany, born March 15, 1827. Their wedding, however, took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1849, in which city they lived for twenty-two years. The parents of each of these parties came to America in an early day. George A. Bohrer landed in New Orleans and came by boat up the Mississippi river to Cincinnati; he was eleven years of age and was accompanied by his older brother. Being of an industrious turn of mind, he first learned the trade of shoemaker, and later worked in the grocery business, also at undertaking and the livery business in Cincinnati. He came to Lafayette, Indiana, in 1872, and began in the brewery business, finally buying out the interest of a Mr. Herbert of the firm of Newman & Herbert Brewing Company.
To Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bohrer eight children were born, five sons and three daughters-all born in Cincinnati. Four of the number are now living. The children in order of birth are: George H., Mrs. John W. Flete- meyer, Charles J., Edward F., Albert F., deceased; Mrs. Joseph Blistain, deceased ; Mrs. Louisa Spring, deceased; William, deceased. The death of Mrs. Joseph Blistain occurred on Christmas day, 1889. She was a fond mother and an excellent woman, whom everybody admired for her congenial- ity and kindness. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blistain four children were born,, of whom one died in childhood; the three living are: Erna, wife of Alvin. Bodemer, of Cincinnati, where Mr. Bodemer is engaged in the manufacture of paper bags, and the wholesale paper business, a member of the firm of Diem & Wing Paper Company. William Blistain is bookkeeper in the brewery of which his father is treasurer. George A. Blistain, the youngest son, graduated' from Purdue University in 1909, having completed the course in mechanical. engineering.
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Mr. Blistain is a member of the United Ancient Order of Druids, Wal- halla Grove, No. 12, and Lafayette Lodge, No. 143, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. He is a Republican and served one term as a member of the city council, elected 1902.
Personally, Mr. Blistain is a man of pleasing address, always kind, cour- teous, obliging, yet straightforward, tactful, business-like, and a man in whom the utmost confidence may be reposed, according to those who know him best, for his character is exemplary and he holds high rank in both business and social circles of Lafayette.
SENATOR WILLIAM R: WOOD.
In touching upon the life history of Senator William R. Wood, there is no desire to employ fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet the biographer will endeavor to hold up for consideration those facts which show the distinction of a useful and honorable life. To do this will be but to reiter- ยท ate the dictum pronounced upon the man by those who have known him long and well. To have served his fellow-citizens in one office for a longer period than any other man has done in the history of the state, and to have been retained in that office by the votes of the people who best know him, is indeed a distinction of which any man would have just reason to be proud. To have practiced his profession in one community for more than a quarter of a cen- tury and during these years to have grown constantly in the esteem of his professional brethren and in the respect of the people generally, is irrefutable evidence of the ability and sterling worth of the man. In these respects, as well as in all other lines of activity in which Senator Wood has been inter- ested, he has exhibited qualities which have given him an enviable standing in the community.
Senator William R. Wood is a Hoosier by nativity, having been born in Oxford, Benton county, Indiana, January 5, 1861. He is a son of Robert and Matilda (Hickman) Wood, the former for many years a well-known and honored citizen of Oxford where he successfully conducted a harness business. Their son, William R., spent his boyhood days much like other boys of his time, working on the farm during the summer months and attend- ing the common schools in the winter time. When fourteen years of age he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and began learning the harness- maker's trade in the latter's shop. This, however, soon proved to be not in line with the yearnings of his heart, and all his spare time was devoted to
Mill n Wood
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study and preparation for a professional career. He was an indefatigable reader and thoughtful student, and before he had attained his majority he was enrolled in the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1882, having made a splendid record for scholar- ship in that institution.
Immediately upon his graduation, William R. Wood came to Lafayette, Indiana, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was first asso- ciated with Capt. De Witt C. Wallace, but this partnership was dissolved within two years, and Mr. Wood then entered into a professional alliance with Capt. William H. Bryan, and this relation was maintained until 1890, when the former was elected prosecuting attorney of the twenty-third judicial circuit as the candidate of the Republican party. His performance of the duties of the office was marked by efficiency of a high order, and at the close of his first term he was again elected, serving two full terms. In 1894 the subject was a candidate for the nomination for congressman in the Republican nomi- nating convention and several times during the progress of the ballots he came within five votes of the nomination. Eighty-seven ballots were taken, the nomination finally going to J. Frank Hanly. It was largely through the action of Senator Wood in throwing the votes of some of his supporters to Mr. Hanly that the latter was nominated.
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