USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
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Michael Schnaiblė, senior member of the firm, was married in October, 1863, to Catherine Sattler, who died in 1867, leaving two children, Elizabeth and Wilhelmina. In 1869, Mr. Schnaible married Mary Klaiber, of Wurttem- berg, Germany, by whom he had six children; John F., Louis, George, Emil, August and William Adolph. John F., who took a course in chemistry at Purdue University, died in 1908. Emil took a course in pharmacy at Purdue and now owns a wholesale and retail drug store on the east side of the public square. Louis died in youth, and the other brothers, George, August F. and William Adolph, are connected with the soap factory. Michael Schnaible,
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the father, died September 20, 1899, the mother having passed away in April, 1890. The sister and the younger sons reside in the old homestead at Seventh and Heath streets. George, the third son, was married on October 21, 1903, to Anna, daughter of John Kluth, who came from Germany in 1852, and underwent a cholera-stricken voyage similar to that which afflicted the Schnaible family over. George and Mrs. Schnaible have one child, Ruth Lillian, and the family reside in a handsome home on North Ninth street, with a broad and beautiful view across the valley of the Wabash.
John Schnaible, junior partner with his brother Michael in the original purchase of the soap factory, married Mary Mertz, of Baden, by whom he had three children, two dying in infancy, and Willie, who passed away in early childhood. In the spring of 1899, shortly before the death of Michael Schnaible, the soap factory business was incorporated under the name of the M. & J. Schnaible Company, and John F. and George were taken in as equal partners. Two years later, August F. and William A. were also taken into the company. They manufacture laundry soaps exclusively, their principal brands being "Star City," "Daylight" and "Does-it-easy Naptha." The business has grown steadily and greatly increased in capacity from the small frame structure in which it was originally housed. Four different additions have been built on, as the increase of business demanded more accommodation, and in recent years another separate building has been erected. The com- pany's trade extends over Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, Alabama and West Virginia.
CHARLES H. BRADSHAW.
The life record of Charles H. Bradshaw, one of the well-known and representative citizens of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, shows that a man of industry, energy, fidelity to duty and right principles can win in the battle of life despite obstacles, and his career could be studied with profit by the youth whose future course is yet to be determined.
Charles H. Bradshaw was born at Urbana, Illinois, in 1858. At the age of two years his parents moved to Decatur, that state, where they re- mained until he was about twelve years old. From that time until he was twenty-one he lived in Mattoon, Illinois. He received a good education, and after leaving school went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he engaged suc- cessfully in the undertaking business for about three years. About 1887 he came to Lafayette and engaged in the same line of business. In 1899 he and
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Louis Schlesselman formed a partnership in the undertaking business, con- ducting an establishment of their own, which proved to be a fortunate under- taking owing to their knowledge of the business and their considerate treat- ment of customers. About 1907 they also established the Lafayette Granite Company, making monuments and similar work. This, too, was a success from the first, and the firm is still conducting both lines of business, having become well established in each of them, their trade extending to all parts of the county.
In 1890, Mr. Bradshaw was married to Amelia Kries, of Lafayette, daughter of George M. Kries, for many years a prominent citizen of Lafay- ette, but now deceased. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Charles K. and Rhe K. The Bradshaw home is a pleasant one and is frequently the gathering place for the many friends of the family.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Bradshaw is past worshipful master of Tip- pecanoe Lodge, No. 492, Free and Accepted Masons ; also past exalted ruler of Lodge No. 143, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; he is also past noble grand of Friendship Lodge, No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He takes a great interest in lodge work, and has become well known through the several orders with which he is identified. Being prominent in local political affairs, he was a member of the city council of Lafayette for several years, during which time he looked carefully after the interests of the city and won the hearty approval of his constituents. He is a Republican, especially in national politics, but in local affairs he often votes for the man whom he deems most qualified for the office sought, regardless of political affiliations. He has never sought political office, the office of city councilman coming unsought. Personally, Mr. Bradshaw is of pleasing address, sociable and friendly, thereby winning friends easily.
ROBERT W. SAMPLE.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical review needs no introduction to the people of Tippecanoe county since his long and active life has been spent here, a life devoted not only to the fostering of his own interests but also one given in a measure to the development of the community at large. From early environments none too favorable he has directed his efforts in successful channels until he is now president of one of the best known banking houses in this part of the state. the First National.
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Robert W. Sample was born in the city of Lafayette in 1833. He was one of seven children born to Henry T. and Sarah (Sumwalt) Sample, his parents having been among the pioneer settlers of Lafayetet and well known here in an early day. Robert W. Sample was reared in his native city, at- tended the local schools during the winter months and worked in his father's tannery in the summer. After finishing his common school studies, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended business college, after which he returned to his native city and became associated with his father and brother John in the tannery and packing house plants. They also owned a farm in Benton county. Their tannery did a very extensive business for those days.
In 1862, when the First National Bank was organized in Lafayette, Mr. Sample became a director, and in 1890 became president of the concern, still holding that important and responsible position. Besides his banking inter- ests he owns two large farms in this county.
Mr. Sample's domestic life began in 1855 when he married Elizabeth Anderson, born in Waverly, Ohio. After spending a few years in Perryville, Indiana, her parents brought her to Wea Plains, Tippecanoe county, while she was yet a small child. Like his father and mother, Robert W. Sample and wife have enjoyed a long and happy married life, having lived to celebrate their golden wedding in 1905, a remarkable coincidence for two generations- father and son to celebrate so many wedding anniversaries. This union was blessed by seven children, two of whom died in infancy. One daughter mar- ried John Ewry, both husband and wife now deceased; they left one daughter, Elizabeth Ewry, who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Sample. The other children are, Candace, wife of Doctor Burt; Anna, wife of Ashley Johnson; John G. is teller in the First National Bank, and Richard B. is president of the Lafayette Savings Bank.
In their church connections, Mr. and Mrs. Sample are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, of Lafayette. The Sample home is a pleasant one where the many friends of the family often gather, never failing to find old-time hospitality and good cheer prevailing there.
SCHUYLER A. TOWSLEY.
i ne Lafayette family of this name originated in New York. Alonzo- Towsley was a business man of prominence in Seneca county for many years, being extensively engaged in getting out and marketing stone. and employ-
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ing the year around from twenty-five to one hundred men. He married Laura McLean, by whom he had four sons. Schuyler A. Towsley, the youngest of these, was born at Waterloo, New York, in 1847, and when eighteen years old had charge of a boat on the Erie canal, delivering stone to various places. About 1870, his father met with heavy losses in business, which compelled him to discontinue operations. Deciding to come West, Mr. Towsley located at Detroit, working in a foundry as a machinist and for the Twin Brother Yeast Company. Subsequently he became a brakeman on the Michigan Central railroad between Detroit and Jackson, Michigan. Afterward he went to Chicago and helped establish the Laflin Yeast Company for Steel & Price, taking charge later of their perfumery and extract department. It was an extensive business and he had under his direction a corps of sixty employes. His health failing, he secured a position as conductor on an Ogden avenue street railway, where he could get out-door exercise. In two or three months he came to Lafayette, and in 1880 entered the employment of Curtis E. Wells as traveling salesman in the queensware and glassware line. He retained this position for nearly two years and accepted a similar position with Holl- weg & Reese of Indianapolis. After remaining with them for twelve years he bought a third interest in a yeast business at Chicago, but it proved un- successful and he returned to Hollweg & Reese. He remained with them two and a half years and then came to Lafayette to take charge of the Tows- ley Yeast Company, which he had organized a year previous. In a short time, however, he sold his interest and traveled for a while for James Duffy, wholesale confectioner. In the fall of 1887 he started in business in West Lafayette with a small bakery. His stock consisted of sandwiches, con- fectionery and various sweetmeats, catering especially to the student trade. At that time there were only about six hundred students in the university, but by constant diligence and good management he built up a business that yielded and still yields a fair profit. He keeps a general line of students' supplies, a lunch counter, dining room and billiard hall. That he is quite popular with the students is shown by the large patronage he enjoys from that source and the wide circle of friends found among them. He recently purchased property on State street and during the summer of 1909 erected a two-story brick building with basement. The property also includes a residence adjoining, and the whole is held at twenty thousand dollars. The restaurant and students' supply store occupies the first floor of the new building, the second floor being devoted to the billiard parlor, while the basement has been fitted up with an up-to-date bowling alley.
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In 1864 Mr. Towsley enlisted in the Third New York Light Artillery, with which he served until the close of the war. His enlistment was under the name of Richard Towsley, that being the name he went by at that time. He was in the last battle of the war at Kingston. He keeps as a precious heirloom the old saddle bags and large pistols that his father carried while a member of the New York militia.
In 1878 Mr. Towsley married Abbie Smith, a native of the same town in New York where he himself was born. They have had three children, Charles S., Clara C. and Ida Belle. In the spring of 1905 Charles and Clara were both taken away by death, within five weeks of each other, the first being aged fourteen years and six months and the other twelve and a half years. Ida Belle remains at home attending the high school. The family are mem- bers of the Trinity Methodist church. Mr. Towsley is a member of the Masonic order, having taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter. He belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the National Union.
GEORGE J. PFROMMER.
He whose name heads this biographical notice is the son of George Pfrommer, a native of Germany, born in Wurttemberg in 1826. He emi- grated to America and came to Lafayette in 1846, coming by way of the Erie canal from Fort Wayne. Until about 1854 he was employed at var- ious occupations. He was married in June. 1854, to Mary Mohrenweg, of Wurttemberg, who had come to this country a few years later than Mr. Pfrommer. Soon after their marriage he went to farming near the three- mile switch, two and a half miles south of Lafayette. He purchased forty acres of land, to which later he added more. On that farm his children were born. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Mary, who married Peter Levandowski and lives in Lafayette; Kate, who married Herman Kreuch, and she resides in Peoria, Illinois, he having died in 1900; Michael is engaged in the grocery business on South Fourth street. Lafay- ette; Maggie died, aged twelve years; George J. was the next in order of birth of the eight children ; Dora married Joseph Eisele and lives in Chicago, where her husband is employed as a railway engineer; John and Fred were twins; the last named died aged four years and John died in 1900, aged thirty- four years. He was married and left one daughter.
George J. Pfrommer was born October 17, 1862, and was reared on a
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farm until aged eighteen years. He had the advantages of the German Luth- eran schools, and when eighteen years of age began to work at the tile mill as its foreman and remained in charge for six years. This plant he had assisted in building and establishing the business. After this business experi- ence, Mr. Pfrommer was employed in the Lafayette Car Works and con- tinued there until 1891, when he engaged in the grocery business, which he followed one year, and then began contracting and building, and still follows this line of work. In this he has been signally successful and does excellent work as a builder.
Politically, Mr. Pfrommer is a Democrat, believing that this political organization best represents the interests of the masses of American citizens. From 1896 to 1902 he was a member of the Lafayette city council. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and served as its trustee since 1906.
Mr. Pfrommer was married in 1886 to Pauline Meyer, a native of Baden, who came to this country in 1883. This union has been blessed by three children, George W., John R. and Lillian M.
Mr. Pfrommer has ever been an industrious worker and an intelligent citizen of Tippecanoe county. In size he is above the average, is strong and robust, genial in his manners, yet quite positive and outspoken in his opinions. He is the owner of a handsome home and other valuable property in Lafay- ette, in which city he has the esteem of a large circle of friends and admirers. He is possessed of a frank, friendly disposition, which makes him one of the city's popular men who sees the practical side of life.
MORRIS WINFIELD PHILLIPS.
It is a privilege to pass an hour with "Win" Phillips, the journalist, lecturer, historiographer, student of Indian traditions, and especial champion of the "American Kid." Everybody around Lafayette knows him, and to know him is to like him. for he is geniality personified, and never spoke a word to hurt the feelings of the most sensitive. Mr. Phillips has had his full share of the ups and downs of life, has known the hard side of the couch and the pinchings of hard times, as well as the rays of sunshine which break in to relieve the wayfarer as he travels down life's way. But mis- fortune has not soured or prosperity spoiled this genial child of nature, who is devoting his mature years and untiring energy to the task of rescuing
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from oblivion the traditions of a race whose history constitutes at once the tragedy and romance of our history. Mr. Phillips is of Ohio origin, being born at Dayton, February 15, 1854. His parents removed to Indianapolis when he was quite young and there he spent his childhood as well as the years of his young manhood. In 1869 he served as a page in the house of representatives, and afterwards resumed his interrupted attendance at school and had completed arrangements for a college career, when one of those minor incidents which often influence men's careers completely diverted the whole trend of his existence. He had become acquainted with the celebrated George C. Harding, the natural-born editor and newspaper genius, par excellence, whose brilliant scintillations in the various publications at Indianapolis had delighted a generation of Indiana admirers. Mr. Phillips had caught the fancy of this remarkable man, perhaps because of his accommodating dis- position in "catching bait" for fishing excursions and skill in finding the most promising "poles." The great editor thought so much of the bright and com- panionable boy that he nicknamed him "Bullfrog Win," and many were the happy outings they had at Broad Ripple and other points along White river and other fishing streams of the state. Without much persuading Mr. Phillips was induced to join Mr. Harding in the newspaper field, and he remained with him for several years while he was publishing the Herald. Later, when Col. William R. Holloway began the publication of the Daily Times, Mr. Phillips joined the reportorial staff and continued with that paper until it was absorbed by the Journal. It was in 1889 that Mr. Phillips decided to become a resident of Lafayette, where he spent several years in miscellaneous employment. When Hon. William S. Haggard began the publication of a morning daily. in 1893, Mr. Phillips was assigned a position in the reportorial department and remained with the paper until its suspen- sion. Five years with the Lafayette Courier, and a subsequent engagement with the Call, brought him to the year 1903. when he accepted a position with the Morning Journal.
Aside from his regular newspaper work, Mr. Phillips has done consider- able miscellaneous writing as a contributor to the Indianapolis Star and eastern magazines. From an early period he was enamored of the subject of Indian life and traditions and by persistent study and research has become an authority on the aborigines of the Wabash valley. In 1906, while report- ing memorial exercises at "The Battle Ground," he was so impressed with the obvious historical inaccuracies that he entered upon a study of the North- west Territory, with a view to producing a more reliable account of the stirring times incident to the early settlement and formative period of Indiana.
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Especial attention was devoted to the campaigns of Gen. William Henry Harrison, culminating in the famous and decisive battle of Tippecanoe. His articles in the Indianapolis Star concerning this epoch-making event not only attracted widespread attention, but were the means of bringing to him a lot of valuable data and original papers never before published. One of the most valuable of these was Judge Isaac Naylor's famous historical sketch of the battle of Tippecanoe, in which he took part as sergeant in Captain Sig- ger's company of riflemen. An autobiographical sketch prepared by Judge Naylor, which was full of interesting details of his adventurous life, was sent by Mr. Phillips to the Indiana Quarterly Magazine of History, a publication to which he contributes occasionally. The outcome of his studies, enthusiastic tours of the state in search of relics and descendants of the early pioneers, is a lecture on the general subject with especial reference to Harrison's cam- paigns against Tecumseh, which he has delivered frequently to delighted aud- iences. His admiration for the children of the pioneers and his conviction that the boy has not had a fair deal in history caused Mr. Phillips to dedicate the "American Kid," and both the title and contents have proved a hit with the rising generation. He loves "the kids" and they in turn love him, with the result that Mr. Phillips is regarded as the most successful of all lecturers to boys. All his lectures are illustrated with hand-painted views of Indian life, obtained from the United States department devoted to such subjects. His data and pictures are historically correct and the whole embodies much information of absorbing interest to the student of our aboriginal history. Features of the lecture are lantern-slides of many valuable paintings and historical documents, among them being several productions of John Winter, the famous painter of early Indian life, and other subjects of the pioneer period. Mr. Phillips is the recognized authority on the battle of Tippecanoe, of which he has exhumed many curious relics, such as tomahawks, a petrified ear of corn, from the old site of Prophetstown, and other things unearthed at Fort Ouiatenon, including a copy of a drawing of the battle, made by a soldier who participated in the engagement. Mr. Phillips also has lectures on Yellowstone park, Yosemite valley and the Grand canyon of the Colorado, with lantern-slides colored true to nature.
WILLIAM ALFRED LOFLAND, M. D.
To achieve an eminent standing in as exacting a calling as the medical profession requires something more than mediocre talents, a persistency of purpose, a fidelity to duty and the happy faculty of winning and retaining
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the confidence and good will of all classes. These qualifications the gentle- man whose life record is briefly outlined in the following paragraphs seems to possess, for he has, unaided, gradually overcome all obstacles until he stands in the front rank of the medical profession in Tippecanoe county, a locality widely known for the high order of its professional talent.
Dr. William Alfred Lofland was born near Romney, Tippecanoe county, February 26, 1864, the son of John S. and Nancy A. (McMillin) Lofland, the former a native of Crawfordsville, Indiana. John S. Lofland came to the southern part of this county in his boyhood, and after attending the Sugar Grove Academy in that neighborhood, while working during the summer seasons, he acquired sufficient education to enable him to begin teaching, which he followed for some time. But he abandoned this for farming after his marriage, continuing the latter vocation until within a few years prior to his death, in December, 1907. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser. Nancy A. McMillin was born in Tippecanoe county, November 7, 1840, the daughter of the late John K. McMillin, one of the former county commissioners and a well known man throughout the county. He was prom- inent in church work, also socially, and took an abiding interest in the public affairs of the county. He was an extensive stock dealer, a shrewd tradesman, but a very religious man, a strict observer of the Sabbath.
William A. Lofland grew to maturity on the old home farm where he assisted with the work about the place during the summer months, thereby securing a sound body which has meant much to him in his subsequent career. He attended the neighboring public schools in his boyhood, then took a course in DePauw University, finishing a special course preparatory to taking up the study of medicine which had long been a dominating passion with him. While in the university he read medicine in the office of Dr. G. C. Smythe, who was then considered a very advanced surgeon, ahead of his time in fact. Doctor Lofland often assisted him in delicate operations, and the skill thus acquired early in life has greatly aided him during his professional career ever since. From the university at Greencastle, Doctor Lofland went to Chicago and entered Rush Medical College, from which institution he was graduated February 19, 1889. having made an excellent record there. In March of that year he went to Linden, Montgomery county, and began the practice of medicine, soon having a fair practice. In October, 1901, he went to Chicago and took a post-graduate course and then located in Lafayette, where he has since practiced, having now an extensive patronage both as physician and surgeon, meeting with remarkable success.
Doctor Lofland was married on November 23. 1892, to Susanna Miller,
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the accomplished daughter of the late Absalom M. Miller, who was county commissioner at one time, also held other public offices. He was a large land owner, prominent in the Friends church, a man of influence, widely and favorably known. To Doctor and Mrs. Lofland two children have been born. a son, Edgar Miller Lofland, born November 18, 1899, who died December 12, 1908. Their daughter, Evelyn, was born June 24. 1903.
In his fraternal relations the Doctor belongs to Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 123. Free and Accepted Masons. He and his estimable wife are held in high favor socially in Lafayette, and their pleasant home is known as a place of hospitality.
WILLIAM F. STILLWELL.
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