USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 57
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Professor Golden believes in keeping abreast of the times and is up-to- date in all the discoveries and improvements affecting his special line of work. Hence we find him a member of the Indiana Academy of Sciences. the Amer- ican Society of Mechanical Engineering, the Franklin Institute of Manual Training for Teachers. He is also connected with the Association of Amer- ican Society of Naval Academy and Architects and Mechanical Engineers. Professor Golden was reared by Catholic parents and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is a man of sunny disposition, of optimistic tem- perament, a born student and investigator, never daunted by difficulties and does his work not only with ease but with an enthusiasm for it that is the best guarantee of success.
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WILLIAM S. CAMPBELL, M. D.
The son of good old sturdy American stock and of a father who was the first white child born in Sugar Creek township, Montgomery county, Indiana, Dr. William S. Campbell, of Lafayette, Indiana, Tippecanoe county, came into the world blessed with enough grit and determination to succeed in life. He was born July 13. 1857, and is a son of Martin and Emeline (Cameron) Campbell. Charles Campbell, the grandfather, was also a pio- neer citizen and a native of Ohio. He married Eliza Bowers, a native of
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Ross county, Ohio. These two emigrated to Montgomery county, Indiana, where Charles Campbell entered land on the site where Colfax now stands. The land was then heavily wooded, but it was partially cleared and after ten years was sold. To the marriage were born the following children: Abra- ham; John, member of the Seventy-second Indiana Regiment, killed at Chick- amauga; Elizabeth, dead; Susan, dead; Nancy, married Berry Revis. Mrs. Campbell married a second time and to this union two children were born: Charlotte, who lives in Nebraska, and James, who lives in Lafayette.
Martin Campbell was reared in Montgomery county, Indiana, and at- tended the common schools of that period. He is a hale and vigorous man and still survives, living at Clark's Hill at the age of eighty years. He married Emeline Cameron, whose people came from Pennsylvania. To them were born ten children, as follows: D. C. Campbell, a minister in the Dunk- ard church; Dr. William S .; Abner B., a farmer in California; Rose B., who married Ben Harter, of Chicago; Nancy J., widow of E. M. Wolfe, of McDale, California; Susan D., wife of Osborn J. Storms, of California; Robert M., physician of Lafayette, Indiana; Minerva E., wife of J. G. Cook, of California.
William S. Campbell was born and reared on a farm in Tippecanoe county. He received his education in the common schools until he was old enough to engage in teaching, giving his attention to this for eight terms. He later attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana, and then decided to enter a medical school. He matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago, in 1883, and graduated in 1885. Following his gradua- tion he located at West Point, Indiana, and practiced his profession there for twenty years. He removed to Lafayette in 1904 and has here continued his life work. Doctor Campbell is also an extensive landowner and possesses two hundred and fifty acres in Tippecanoe county and a quarter section in California in what is known as the fruit belt.
Doctor Campbell is the present health officer of Tippecanoe county and for eight years was examining surgeon for the pension bureau. He has always taken an active interest in politics, is a Republican and served as the county chairman of his party for one term. He was married in 1879 to Frances J. Storms, a native of Tippecanoe county. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in its work. Doctor Campbell is a member of the Masonic order and a past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias order. He has long been regarded as one of the leading citizens of Lafayette and a man of sterling worth and character as well as a physician of commanding prominence.
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JAMES EARL MCCABE, M. D.
The country physician, an institution of such importance in rural com- munities, is well represented at Buck Creek, the capital of Washington town- ship, by Dr. James E. McCabe. He comes of an excellent lineage, has had a fine training and has, during his residence of six years in his present location, done much good work and won many friends. He is a son of Theodore McCabe, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1844, came west in early manhood, settled in White county, Indiana, and has "made good" as a useful citizen. At present he is a member of the board of commissioners of Tippe- canoe county and an honored resident of West Lafayette. He married El- nora Kyle, by whom he had eight children : James E .; Alma, wife of Thomas S. McKinnis, of Lafayette; Winnie P., wife of George Glaze, of Dayton, Indiana : Floyd C., a graduate of Valparaiso College and druggist at Lafay- ette: William T., a teacher in the Tippecanoe county schools; Nettie May and Harry W., the latter a graduate of the West Lafayette high school and a teacher in the schools of this county; and June W.
James E. McCabe, the eldest of these children, was born in White coun- ty, Indiana, December 22, 1874. As he grew up his experiences were entirely rural, as he was reared on a farm and taught to do the work usually as- signed to farm boys. He had ambitions, however, above being a drudge, or "hired hand," and made the best of his chances while attending the district schools. He graduated in the township high school, was for a while a student at DePauw University and taught four terms of school in Tippecanoe county. He had always had his eye on the medical profession as a calling that would suit his tastes and at length the opportunity opened for beginning his chosen career. In the fall of 1899 he entered the Eclectic Medical In- stitute in Cincinnati, Ohio, and took a full four-years course, which was com- pleted in the spring of 1903. The first location selected was at Green Hill, in Warren county, Indiana, but in August, 1903, he came to Buck Creek, in Tippecanoe county, and soon gave evidence that he had the faculty of making friends as well as securing patients. In six years he has built up a fine practice, established himself in the confidence of the community, and is rapid- ly reaching the time when he will be ranked as one of the county's leading physicians. He possesses energy, talent, a good education, pleasing address and other elements that enter into the acquisition of success in all the walks of life. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society and an inter- ested student of medical progress wherever observable.
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In October, 1904, Doctor McCabe married Ella M. McQueen, daughter of a farmer and a teacher in the Shelby township schools of Tippecanoe county. Their only child, Theodore E., was born October 25, 1906. The Doctor is a member of Transitville Lodge, No. 425, Free and Accepted Masons, Buck Creek Lodge, No. 497, Knights of Pythias, and has been through the chairs as well as a representative in the grand lodge of the latter. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, but he lias no taste for what is called "practical politics" or any desire for office.
JOHN C. ECKHART.
The family of this name in Tippecanoe county originated in Germany. Balsar Eckhart emigrated to the United States about the beginning of the Civil war, made his way west and eventually located in Tippecanoe county where he has lived ever since. After reaching this section he met and, in 1862, married Louisa Snyder, also a native of Germany, with whom he located on a farm and has followed agricultural pursuits exclusively. John C. Eckhart, oldest of his eleven children, was born in Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, March 21, 1863. As he grew up on the farm, he exhibited a natural aptitude for learning and made a creditable record in the district schools he attended. His ambition was to become a teacher and with this end in view he entered the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, in order to get the best possible instruction in pedagogics. Taking the scientific course, he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science and at the age of sixteen began teaching his first school, but meantime keep- ing up his studies. After an extensive experience in the district schools, mostly in Washington township, he at length reached the dignity of prin- cipal of the Buck Creek schools, which important position he filled for nine years. He also held the principalship of the schools at Colburn for seven years and gained the reputation of being one of the best educators of his age in the state. Being elected trustee of the township in 1900, he served until 1904, and during this time the Colburn high school building was erect- ed. Mr. Eckhart superintending and taking great pride in its construction. For many years he held a state license to teach and also has a high school license. He is manager and principal owner of the J. C. Eckhart Telephone Company, which he organized in 1903, with headquarters at Buck Creek.
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In 1886 Mr. Eckhart married Julia E. Kunkel, of Missouri, and by this union there have been three children, two sons and a daughter. Fred, born July 18, 1887, now with his father's telephone company, is a graduate of the Buck Creek high school. Nellie, the only daughter, was born October 4, 1889, and Carl, the youngest son, was born October 4, 1891. Mr. Eckhart is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes great interest in all of its affairs. He serves as one of the trustees and is superintendent of the Sunday school. For fifteen years he served as chairman of Buck Creek Memorial Association, and is a member of Lodge No. 497, Knights of Pythias, having passed all the chairs and served as representative to the grand lodge. In politics he is a Republican and a member of the county central committee from Washington township. Mr. Eckhart has led an active and useful life and has shown public spirit on all occasions and is deservedly esteemed as one of the township's most valuable citizens.
E. E. VAYOU.
The family of this name at Buck Creek boast of having Indian blood in their veins and are as proud of it as the Virginians of being descended from Pocahontas. Perhaps this accounts for their fighting qualities, as both father and son have honorable war records and have proven themselves pa- triots of the first order. Francisco Vayou served as a scout for General Scott, during the Mexican war and the traditions say he did good service. At the beginning of the Civil war his military instincts again asserted them- selves and he hastened to enlist in Troop I, Second New York Cavalry, with which he went through all the hot campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. As he joined in August, 1861, and was not discharged until September 10, 1864, it will be seen that he devoted over three years to the service of the country. He was with his regiment in many battles and nut- merous skirmishes, during the arduous contests between the army of the Union and the powerful forces under General Lee. Included in the list are Rich Mountain, Winchester, Manassas, Antietam, Rappahannock Station. Culpeper, Cedar Mountain, second battle of Bull Run, and Brooklin Mill. He was wounded three or four times, but refused to give up and as soon as recovered was at the front again. This old warrior married Mrs. Esther (Daughty) Rexstraw, by whom he had two children, the eldest, named Frankie, dying in childhood.
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E. E. Vayou, the only son and survivor, was born at Buck Creek, In- diana, September 2, 1877. He passed through the common schools with much credit, receiving the highest grades in his respective classes. After spending three years in the high school he was graduated in 1897 and soon thereafter had a chance to display the talent for war characteristic of his family. In 1898 he enlisted in Company A, Second Regiment United States Infantry, with which command he saw the hardest service of the Spanish- American war. They were sent to Tampa, Florida, from which port they sailed for Cuba, on June 8th, reaching the scene of activities on the 23d and 24th. On July Ist the Second Regiment participated with credit in the battle of San Juan Hill, the principal engagement of this war, and in this sanguinary setto Mr. Vayou was shot through the hip. This necessitated a trip to the hospital at Brooklyn, New York, where he remained for some time, and was discharged on January 19, 1899, at Camp Shipp, Anniston, Ala- bama. Returning to Buck Creek, he was appointed deputy postmaster, but after serving three years he took the civil service examination for appoint- ment in the rural free delivery department. In 1902 he was appointed car- rier of route 21, Buck Creek, and has since filled this position. He is a member of the Association of Spanish War Veterans, and gets fourteen dol- lars a month pension for his injuries in Cuba. He belongs to Wabash Lodge. No. II, Improved Order of Red Men, at Lafayette, and holds the Hay- maker's degree. In politics, Mr. Vayou is a Republican, and has served for several years as a member of the county central committee from Washington township.
BALSAR ECKHART.
A highly respected and eminently deserving representative of the Ger- man element in Tippecanoe county, which is so greatly indebted to this large class of industrious foreign-born citizens, is Balsar Eckhart, whose birth occurred in Germany on March 12. 1837, the son of Lewis and Mary E. (Wagoner) Eckhart. His parents never came to America, preferring to re- main on their farm in the old country. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom came to the United States, John and Balsar: the former went to Wisconsin where he lived until his death, becoming a man of considerable wealth. Balsar was educated in the schools of his native country, working on his father's farm when not attending school, conse- quently he quite naturally chose farming as a profession. On May 14, 1858. he left his native country for the United States, and in the following July
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landed in Lafayette, Indiana, his total capital being ten dollars. He began work in the harvest fields, hiring out on the farm by the month, working in the crops during the summer and chopping wood in the winter time, and making rails. He saved his money and soon had a foothold here.
Mr. Eckhart married Louisa Snyder, August 1, 1862. She was a native of Germany, having come to America when twelve years of age, with her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Eckhart twelve children were born, among which number were two pairs of twins. Seven of these children are living at this writing, namely: John, William, G. G., Roman, Lucy, Rose and May. The first three named became teachers of local prominence; G. G. abandoned teaching and became a physician and surgeon, now engaged in the practice at Marion, Indiana, where he has attained more than a local reputation as a surgeon of great ability.
Balsar Eckhart's first wife died Junc 5. 1902, and on December 10, 1903. he was married to Mrs. Mary E. Hull, whose maiden name was Doctor. She was born August 13, 1848, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her father was a native of Germany, while her mother was born near Fort Wayne. Indiana.
Mr. Eckhart has prospered by reason of his close application to his chosen work, being known as one of the most progressive and painstaking farmers in Washington township, having secured by reason of his excellent management a very valuable farm of two hundred and thirty-four acres which is under a high state of improvement, well stocked and on it stand a modern and beautifully located dwelling, nicely furnished, and numerous substantial outbuildings. Mrs. Eckhart is also the owner of a very valuable tract of land, consisting of one hundred acres.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Eckhart are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, Mr. Eckhart being a steward and one of the trustees of the same and he was for some time superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a liberal supporter of the church and he and his estimable wife are inter- ested in whatever tends to upbuild the moral or religious status of the com- munity. In politics, Mr. Eckhart is a Republican. No family in this town- ship is held in higher favor owing to the fact the Eckharts are known to be scrupulously honest, public spirited, generous and obliging to all the deserving.
MICHAEL LEHNERT.
There are no more industrious or highly respected citizens in Washing- ton township, Tippecanoe county, than Michael Lehnert and wife, the for- mer a native of Prussia, Germany, where he was born on the 6th day of
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January, 1832, and at an early age he attended the schools of his native country, where he applied himself in a most diligent manner and secured a good education, which has since been broadened and deepened by general reading, travel and contact with the world, so that his conversation is at once interesting and instructive. His father was very desirous that his son Michael should learn a useful trade, but he and his wife could not agree as to what it should be, Mrs. Lehnert proposing that he become a shoemaker, and he accordingly took up this line of work which he followed for a short time. He then turned his attention to the production of wine and the coop- erage business, a desire of his father. He learned to produce good wine from grapes, the country where he was reared abounding in fine vineyards, and he in due time became an expert at this, being able after three years' training and practice to produce the very best brand of wine of this nature. It being the custom of the German empire to compel all its young men who were physically able to serve a number of years in the army upon reaching the age of twenty. young Michael sought to avoid this, not caring to become a soldier. Having at that time relatives in Lafayette, Indiana, he began devising a plan to come to the United States, so on March 15, 1852, he, with three companions, embarked for the New World, landing in New York city May IIth of the same year. Starting west at once, he arrived in Lafayette, Indiana, on the 29th of that month, having a capital of about five dollars. He was acquainted with Peter Dienhart, who had preceded him to this coun- try from the same province in Germany, and in him Mr. Lehnert had a true friend. The thing uppermost in the mind of the young German was to find employment whereby he could make a living and when he had looked over the local field, he decided to begin the cabinetmaker's trade, securing em- ployment in this line with James Roberts, who conducted a shop where the government building is now located. Young Lehnert worked at this trade for a period of three years for which he received one hundred and forty dollars with board and washing, and at the expiration of the time stipulated he was employed at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per day and board. He became a very skilled workman, especially in the making of tables, and continued with Mr. Roberts until the latter quit business.
Mr. Lehnert was later employed by a Mr. Scudder in the same line of business and worked for him nearly two years, obtaining his wages by "piece work," finally becoming an expert and was able to command good wages, and he also worked for Joseph Shehan nearly two years. He then went to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he remained a year and a half work- ing at his trade. Owing to the arrival of a sister from the old country. he
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returned to Lafayette to join her. He decided that he had mastered this line of work and that he could do better by entering the business on his own account, so he established a shop at Delphi, Indiana, buying the stock of John Cullier, who agreed that he would never re-enter the business in Delphi, but he failed to keep this promise, for in a short time he established another shop there in partnership with a friend, who conspired to force Mr. Lehnert from the field, but the latter was made of sterner stuff than his two rivals in trade had anticipated, and by close application to business he soon built up a good trade, and after nearly forty years in the business found himself in possession of a very comfortable competency, all of which had been hon- estly earned.
Mr. Lehnert chose as his life companion Elizabeth Ruffing, a native of Germany, being two years old when brought to the United States by her parents. She has proven to be an excellent helpmeet all along life's uneven road. To this marriage three children were born, namely: Mary, who be- came a noted musician, especially skilled on the piano and violin, whose un- timely death in young womanhood brought profound sorrow to all who knew her. Frank and Charles are the sons; they both seem to be the possessors of unusual business ability, and are managing successfully the home farm, con- sisting of three hundred and twenty acres, which is under a high state of improvement and cultivation. Frank is married, but Charles has remained single. Both received good educations. On this excellent place stand a commodious, comfortable and pleasantly located dwelling and numerous substantial outbuildings.
The Lehnerts are Catholics and faithful to the mother church, holding their membership with the congregation at Delphi. In politics, they all sup- port Democratic principles. They are money-makers and public spirited, regarded as honest in all their dealings and they stand high in the business and social circles of Washington township.
ADAM W. ANDRE.
Before their marriage, Nicholas and Louisa (Weber) Andre were both natives of Rheinish Bavaria, and each was brought to the United States by their respective parents during the late twenties. They were married in New York city, and in 1832 migrated to Pennsylvania, where they spent some time in Lehigh county. In 1850 they settled in Franklin county, Indiana. on forty acres of land, which they farmed for many years after the primitive
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methods of the days. In 1874 they again moved their residence, locating at Connersville, Indiana, where they passed the rest of their lives. Mary, the youngest of their daughters, married John Miller, of Connersville. D. W., a son, is a resident of Connersville, and Edward lives at Indianapolis. James is a citizen of Tennessee. Louisa, who was the wife of Henry Young, is deceased, as is also William. Charles and James live in Tennessee.
Adam W. Andre, the eldest of the family, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1834, attended the common schools of his neigh- borhood until sixteen years old, and then began to learn the cigarmaker's trade. He followed this calling for thirty years in his native state and after coming to Indiana, but eventually abandoned it to engage in farming and other work. He has a taste for politics and usually took an active part in campaigns on the Democratic side. November 6, 1868, he was elected cor- oner of Franklin county and served six years. At a later period he removed to Tippecanoe county, secured a body of land and engaged extensively in farming for many years, but feeling the need of rest he has lately retired from active business. He owns eighty acres of land in Washington town- ship. In 1900 he was elected justice of the peace and since has devoted much of his time to the business of his office. He is well known over the coun- ty as Squire Andre and has the reputation of making an unusually good mag- istrate. He has tried many important cases, keeps well informed and is much sought after in the making of deeds, drawing up mortgages and sol- diers' vouchers and other duties of a justice. His decisions have always been just and wise and when appeals were taken to higher courts he was usually sustained both as to facts and the law. In fact, Squire Andre is a man of superior judgment and good business qualifications, being in these respects an improvement over the average justice of the peace.
May 10, 1860, Mr. Andre married Mary A. Meckley, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1839. They have five children. Iantha Indiana is the wife of W. H. Anderson. Flora A. married Joseph Shultz, of Lafay- ette. Lizzie Leora is the wife of Thomas Brown, of New York city. Syl- vester M. lives in Chicago and Hattie is the wife of E. C. Bacon, of Boston, Massachusetts.
M. M. GRAY.
Originating in Scotland with Nathaniel Gray, represented in Virginia by Miles Gray, descended from the first immigrant, other members of the family eventually found their way to the west and founded the Tippecanoe
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county branch. Miles grew to manhood in his native state and married a Miss Thornton, by whom he had four children, all now dead except J. M. Gray, who resides at Delphi, Indiana. John M. Gray, another of his sons, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1834, married Mary A. Huff in Washington township, where he became a successful farmer and stockraiser, with one hundred and twenty acres of land at the time of his death. He had six children : Ida J., wife of Allen Fattic, of Henry county, Indiana ; W. P. B., a real estate dealer of Anderson, Indiana; D. M., a farmer of North Dakota; Alice E., wife of J. A. Orser, of Franklin, Indiana; M. M. and Catherine E., the latter the wife of Charles E. Schnepp, of Carroll coun- ty, Indiana.
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