Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead, Part 8

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Brothers
Number of Pages: 786

USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead > Part 8
USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead > Part 8

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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

extensive dealers in the county. In 1879 they purchased a stock of hardware, which was well supplied with a stock of agricultural implements, and he conducted this successfully in connection with his general store. In 1886 he disposed of both his stores aud took up his residence in Elkhart, where he assumed the duties of president of the First National Bank, which position he has filled with distinguished ability up to the present time. Since 1872 he has been a stockholder in Hillsdale First National Bank, and in 1883 was made president of the Quincy First National Bank, which position he still retains. The bank with which he is connected is a firmly established institution, is conducted in the most creditable manner and is a great acquisition to the county. Mr. Winchester has never had any political aspirations, but has always attended strictly to his business, and as a result is one of the sub- stantial men of the county and is in independent circumstances. For fourteen years he was treasurer of the Hillsdale County Agricultural Society, known as the best county society in the State, is president of the Union Building & Loan Association and treasurer of the Elkhart & Western Railroad. He is a well-known member of the A. F. & A. M. In 1860 he was married to Miss Harriet W. Howard, of Allen, Mich., by whom he has one child: Nellie J., wife of W. H. Knickerbocker, who is cashier of the First National Bank of Elkhart. Personally Mr. Winchester is one of the most popular of men, but is of a modest and retiring disposition and does not seem to value himself at his true worth.

HON. OLIVER PERRY MORTON, deceased. No other man has ever been more renowned and honored in Indiana, none has ever attained so warmly the affection of the people, and, of all those born within her borders, none have contributed so largely to the honor and dignity of the State as the subject of this sketch. Born Angust 4, 1823, in Wayne county, Ind., he was the son of James T. and Sarah (Miller) Morton. His youth and early manhood gave no evidence of his future greatness, but on the contrary was of a similar character to that of thousands of other poor boys of that day. At Miami College, Oxford, Ohio, where he completed his schooling, he acquired the distinction of being the best debater in the college, and after a two years' conrse he began the study of law at Indianapolis and was admitted to the bar in 1847. Five years after that time he was appointed circuit judge by the governor, but he preferred the more active career of a practitioner to that of wearing the judicial robes. Until 1860 he was in active practice and during this time became celebrated as one of the ablest advocates ever produced by the State. Until 1854 he was a Democrat, but was radically opposed to the extension of slav- ery. He became a Republican upon the organization of that party and in 1856 was one of the three delegates sent from Indiana to the Pittsburg convention. This same year he was nominated by the Republicans, by acclamation, for the governor- ship, and although defeated at the polls, he was elected to preside in the hearts of his countrymen as the ideal statesman. He never appealed to men's passions, but always to their intellect and reason, and whether in attack or defense proved himself a ready and powerful debater. From this campaign of 1856, unsuccessful though it was, Mr. Morton's popularity in the State is dated and from this time forth he became the recognized leader of the Republican party in Indiana. In 1860 he was nominated for lieutenant-governor, with Hon. H. S. Lane for governor, with the distinct understanding that, if the party was successful, Mr. Lane should be sent to the United States Senate and Mr. Morton become governor. The election of the Republican ticket was followed by the prompt fulfillment of this understanding, and thus, at the early age of thirty-seven years, Mr. Morton became governor of Indi- ana. It is said that " great emergencies make great men," and as it so did in the case of Gen. Grant, it likewise did in Gov. Morton's case. Like a black thunder- cloud athwart the horizon, the secession movement loomed balefully over the polit- ical sky and threatened the disruption of the Union. Gov. Mortou, upon taking his seat, found himself supported by a loyal majority, but, to the shame of Indiana, he was confronted by a secret, active, unscrupulons minority, whose sympathy was own

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

only with the secession movement, but whose active aid and assistance were extended to the dieloyalists. In the face of these obstacles he was the first governor to proffer President Lincoln troops, and through his personal pledge was enabled to raise funds for the prosecution of the war which a disloyal Legislature refused doing. As " war governer " Mr. Morton was perfection, and taking it all the way through his two terms as governor were of such a brilliant character as to call forth the admira- tion of every reading man in the nation. The Legislature elected in 1866 made him one of Indiana's United States senators, and he was again chosen to this position upon the expiration of his first term. Hie readiness in debate, his keen, analytical mind and his wonderful ability made him one of the foremost men in the Senate chamber and enhanced his popularity as a national character. He was a prominent candidate for the presidential nomination before the Cincinnati convention that nom- inated President Hayes, and in 1870 he was offered the English mission by Presi- dent Grant bnt declined the position. No name shines with brighter luster in the history of our county than that of Gov. Morton. He died November 1, 1877.

NORMAN SAGE is an experienced banker and capitalist of Elkhart, and is devot- ing his attention to a calling that is acknowledged to be the first and most important thing to give impetns to business. Banking is the lubricant of the engine of mercantile life, and when properly managed is also the governor and safety valve. A fine example of this ia seen in the St. Joseph Valley State Bank, of which Mr. Sage is the president, a position he has held almost from the time of its organiza- tion, and has proved himself to be an energetic, active and reliable officer. Like his worthy brother, he was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 6, 1819, but his parents, Moses and Nancy (Goldsmith) Sage, were natives of Vermont, from which State the father enlisted in the war of 1812. In early life he followed the healthful, independent and happy life of a farmer, but afterward turned his atten- tion to merchandising, and in 1834 came to Cass county, Mich., thinking to better his financial condition, where he purchased a mill power, which he carried on in connection with merchandising, until his death in 1862. At the time of his removal to what was then the wilds of Michigan, Norman was about fourteen years of age, and up to that time had received such education as the schoole of Fredonia, N. Y., afforded, but upon reaching Adamsville, Mich., the principal part of his time was devoted to assisting his father and, as above stated, when he had attained his majority, he became his business partner, and bent all his energies to the task of cancelling his father's obligations, and in due course of time their efforts were crowned with success. Although this school was a rather rough one, it was a most thorough one, and taught him to be self-reliant, and he learned lessons of industry, frugality and honesty, that were the stepping stones to his success in later years. The firm was at first known as Moses Sage & Sons, but after the father's demise it was changed to M. G. & N. Sage, and remained such until about 1868. Mr. Sage and his brother conducted their affairs in a manner peculiarly their own, and dur- ing the forty-five years that they were business associates, they never kept an account against the other, but would take what they required out of their stock. They followed this plan to their mutual satisfaction until about six years ago, when they decided to conduct their affairs in a more methodical and business-like manner. Their business relations were most harmonious, and they were among the prominent men of affairs of Elkhart, and their whole lives from boyhood up, in every walk, whether social, political, or in business pursuits, were but exemplifications of the noble characteristics, honor, truth and civility. Norman Sage has ever been a warm espouser of any enterprise that has commended itself to his excellent judgment, and ae a business man, his commercial instincts are keen and far-seeing. He possesses much tact, is an affable, thorough gentleman, and in him Elkhart possesses a public spirited, enterprising and law-abiding citizen. He has given his attention to banking since 1874, but aside from the duties of this position he has found time to devote to other pursuits also, and has been treasurer of the City Gas Company

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

for about eighteen years; was treasurer of the Elkhart Starch Works during its existence, and treasurer of the Straw Board Company during its existence. In his early life he was the owner of extensive lands in Michigan, and in that State is still the owner of a magnificent farm, but has placed its management in the hands of others. For a number of years he was treasurer of the Ball & Sage Wagon Com- pany, ia a stockholder in the Globe Tissue Paper Company, the City Gas Company and, in fact, has been prominently identified with the progress of the city in almost every way, and has been enthusiastic in aiding canses in any way tending to ita advance- ment. In 1841 Mr. Sage was married to Miss Juno A. Adama, by whom he became the father of one son living, Charles S., and after her death he espoused Miss Eliza J. Adams, in 1859, to which union two children were given: Frank A., who is assistant cashier of the St. Joseph Valley Bank, and Jennie G. Mr. Sage is a member of the order of Chosen Friends and the Royal Arcanum. He has a beautiful, comfortable and tasteful home, where it is his delight to welcome his numerous friends, and the generous and true-hearted, yet unostentatious hospitality displayed is thoroughly appreciated by all who gather beneath his roof.

E. A. CAMPBELL was born in New York City, October 20, 1838. His parents, Augustus and Mary (Conklin) Campbell, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York City, claim an American ancestry antedating the Revolution. The Campbells are descended from the Irish legionaries, the Scots, who drove out the Picts, or Cruithne, from Scotland and took possession of northern Britain in the sixth century. The Conklins are of Dutch descent, the first of the name in America settling on the Island of New Amsterdam. It is related that Cornelius Campbell, the great-uncle of Augustus, captured a horse from the British at Trenton, N. J., which he at once presented to General Washington. Matthias Cambell, father of Augus- tus, a professor of music, died in New Jersey. His father-in-law (Conklin) was a chair-maker in New York. Augustus Campbell moved to New York in his youth, and became a contractor and builder, carrying on work in that city and Brooklyn, until his death, September 15, 1887. He was twice married, first to a daughter of Preserved Fish, of New York. to whom one son was born, and secondly to Miss Conklin, the mother of the subject of this sketch.

E. A. Campbell was educated in his native city. In 1855 he accompanied his uncle, Isaac Ammerman, to St. Joseph, Mich. Finding employment in a saw mill there, he worked for two years, when he received injuries which required treatment at the hands of the able surgeons in New York City. After his recovery he located in Rahway, N. J., and learned the carriage-trimmer's trade in the shop of his uncle, William Jewell. A term of two years there closed his career in the East; for he turned his steps toward the setting sun, and without money, worked his way on the Erie Canal to Buffalo. Thence he set out for Michigan, arrived at Kala- mazoo, worked at his trade until 1865, when he located at Elkbart, Ind. In 1869 he established his carriage shops, which are still carried on by him with his son, Edward F. Campbell, manager. In 1886 Mr. Campbell was elected city treasurer, an office which he has held continuously down to the present time. He declined renomi- nation in the year 1892; but was a candidate for the county treasuryship. His record as city treasurer is not only without reproach, but it is also superior to that of any predecessor in the office. This fact is known and appreciated; so that the higher county position will be his if nominated by the convention for that office. He is prominent in Pythian circles and in the order of Chosen Friends, who elected him delegate to the Supreme Council, held at Washington, D. C., in September, 1890. He aided in organizing the pioneer fire department of Elkhart, and was elected chief. In this connection he follows in his father's footsteps; for the name of Augustns Campbell is found on the rolls of the fire department of New York and Brooklyn-his badge, No. 371, being now in possession of Edward A.

Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Mattie A. Fosdick, a native of Illinois, Febru- ary, 22, 1864. They are the parents of Gertrude M., and Edward F. He is

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

credited with being one of the whole-souled men of Elkhart. His interest in the welfare of the city has always been recognized, while his business and social methods have placed him in that enviable position, where his word is as good as his bond.

During the latter part of 1892 Mr. Campbell was nominated as a candidate for county treasurer on the Democratic ticket held in Goshen, Ind., and after making a short speech the band struck up "The Campbells are coming." At the close of the campaign it was found that Mr. Campbell was elected by a majority of seventy- three, but was counted out on the theory that certain members of the several elec- tion boards had not signed the poll-books properly. Mr. Campbell at once appealed to the courts and after a hotly contested trial before special Judge Hubbard, of South Bend, it was decided that the votes should be counted as cast, which gave Mr. Campbell the office of treasurer of Elkhart County. The decision of the judge gave univeral satisfaction, both parties assenting. Mr. Campbell is now & resident of Goshen and will work hard for the interest of the taxpayers of his county, and says that if he can make as good a record as some of his predecessors he will have the assurance that the public will be satisfied with his administration.

C. H. CHASE, president of the Review Printing Company, of Elkhart; Ind., is a gentleman of marked business ability, and possesses the resourcefulness for which the native New Englander has become noted. Set him down where you will, and if he does not begin bettering his condition without any unnecessary delay, he will be doing violence to the history and traditions of his people, and will be no more worthy to be called a son of New England. Certain it is that those who had the good fortune to be born in New England, or to be descended from New England stock, have attained prominence in whatever section they have located, and certain it is also that, however humble their stations in life, they had a knowledge and com- prehension of the science of economics peculiar to themselves. They knew the value of money, and were masters of the art of multiplying their dollars. They knew

how to be frugal without being miserly, and could be hospitable and generous with- out being wasteful or extravagant. They were models of industry and activity, and so uniformly successful in building up comfortable fortunes, as to make the value of these qualities to their possessor strikingly apparent to one who takes the trouble to familiarize himself with the history of the New England people. To this class of people belongs C. H. Chase, who was born in Franconia, N. H., November 4, 1833, his parents, Joseph C. and Lucretia (Demick) Chase, having also been born in the Granite State, and were descended from English stock. Their ancestors came to this country in the historic ship, the Mayflower, and some of the cooking utensils which were used by them on that vessel are still in possession of the fam- ily. The Chases trace their ancestry back eight generations, all of whom were hon- ored residents of New England. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin Demick, was a soldier in the war of 1812, stationed at Portsmouth, N. H., while the paternal grand- father, Paul Chase, was a prominent contractor and merchant but became financially involved during the crisis of 1836-7. Joseph C. Chase, his son and the father of the subject of this sketch, was also a merchant and at the time of his death was con- nected with the Boston Herald, having charge of the advertising department. He was at one time considerable of a politician and was in the custom house under James Buchanan, but was ousted from that office on account of his Douglas proclivities. He died in the city of Boston on the 4th of April, 1859, having been a man of con- siderable prominence and a stanch Democrat throughout life. He was the father of four sons and one daughter, of which family three members are now living: Charles H., George S. and William E. The eldest of these sons, Charles H., was a resident of his native place until about seven years of age, at which time he was taken to Derby Line, Vt., by his parents, and his education was obtained in Stanstead Academy, an institution he attended until he was about fourteen years of age. He then entered the office of the Sherbrooke Gazette, of Sherbrooke, Canada,

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

. = to learn the art of printing, where he continned for about eighteen months, when he removed with his parents to Cambridge, Mass., and finished his knowledge of printing in the book office of that place, which is now known as the Riverside Print- ing Establishment, and is noted as one of the leading publishing houses of the country. Following this he secured a position on the Boston Cultivator, where he remained until he became of age, at which time he gave up his position to follow the advice of Horace Greeley and "go west," and he eventually found himself in Winona, Minn., where he assumed charge of the Winona Argus, of which he had control one year. He returned to Manchester, N. H., and in connection with Otis S. Eastman, purchased an agricultural paper known as the Farmer and Visitor, but only continued it a few months, as the investment, did not prove very remunerative. Mr. Chase then went west as far as Davenport, Iowa, where he worked for some time, thence to Keokuk, Iowa, and while in the latter place was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Parmenter, a native of New Hampshire, who died December 10, 1863. He removed with his young wife to Cleveland, Ohio, and was there employed on the Cleveland Review, in the fall of 1858. In February of the following year, in connection with a Mr. Weller, he purchased the Elkhart (Indiana) Review. They continued the publication of this paper until the following November, when Mr. Chase purchased Mr. Weller's interest and continued alone until 1865, when his brother, George S., became connected with him. In May, 1871, A. P. Kent bought an interest in the paper and it has since been controlled by these two gentlemen. In January, 1890, a handsome new brick building was completed for their occupation, and they have now one of the best equipped offices in the State.

August 15, 1872, the Daily Review was established, and has been continued with marked success ever since, its establishment being one of Mr. Kent's ideas. It is a very newsy, well-edited sheet, and some valuable information can always be gleaned from its columns. Mr. Chase is a gentleman of fine literary attainments, and has proven himself to be the right man in the right place. On the 14th of November, 1866, he took for his second wife Miss Alice M. Defrees, who has borne him four children: Ernest C .; Charles H., Jr .; Frederick E. and Carrie L. Mr. Chase was assistant assessor of internal revenue under President Lincoln, and from 1871 to 1873 he was a member of the school board of Elkhart.

STRAFFORD MAXON, born in Wyoming county, N. Y., October 10, 1830; is the son of John and Lydia (Sweet) Maxon, also natives of New York, whose ancestors came from Scotland in colonial days. When patriotism sounded the tocsin for revolution, members of this family rushed to the front. The grand father McCabe, was one of the first to respond to the call of the republic, and, thirty-six years later, when the same beaten enemy returned to conquer the land and crush out liberty, John Maxon, named above, was one of the first to join the defenders of the Union. The Maxons were farmers in New York State for generations. The parents of Strafford, who moved to Indiana years ago, were the pioneers, it is said, of the name in the West. That patriarchal Quaker preached at intervals in Indiana and Michigan, and while in the last named State visiting his daughter, died at a ripe old age. John and Lydia Maxon were the parents of nine children. Of that large family, four are living, namely: Mrs. Polly Tallman, Friend, Elizabeth and Strafford.

Strafford Maxon accompanied his parents, brother and sisters, to Elkhart county in 1838. The homestead near Elkhart City was his home from that period up to 1850, when he made the five months' overland trip to California, in the trail of the Argonauts of 1849, and passed three years in the mining camp of Hangtown; discovered a gold deposit which proved very valuable, and in 1854, pleased to escape the hardships of life among the mines, returned to Elkhart. For the eighteen suc- ceeding years he carried on an extensive mercantile house at Elkhart, and then established a lumber yard, planing mill, sash, door and blind factory, with which he was connected until 1890, and of which he was the owner until 1884. In 1890 he

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

was elected mayor of Elkhart, and would have been re-elected in 1892 had he not declined the nomination. For years he was a member of the school board, and by earnest, well-directed effort, carried many measures most beneficial to the city schools. He also served as city treasurer.

He is an old Master Mason and a member of the Knights Templar Commandery, always taking a deep interest in the work of the lodges, council, chapter and com- mandery.

Mr. Maxon's marriage with Miss Mary A. Stillman took place in 1854. Of their five children, three: Ada, Hugh and Emma, are living. The mother died in 1890, in the beautiful home at Elkhart. She was a member of the Congregational Church there since its establishment, while Mr. Maxon, also a member, held the office of trustee for ten years. Since 1854, when Mr. Maxon returned from California, he lost no opportunity of aiding in the advancement of the city he was henceforth to make his home. Every progressive measure was supported by him and he was rewarded by witnessing Elkhart's advance from a straggling hamlet, near the junction of the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers, to a prosperous city of great manu- facturing industries, large commercial houses, churches, schools, newspaper offices, and well-ordered society.

HON. ORRIN Z. HUBBELL. This well-known resident of Elkhart county, Ind., is of a decidedly literary turn of mind, and as an orator is a forcible and convincing speaker. His fertile imagination and happy manner of expressing himself has placed him second to no other orator in his section of the country, and his logic is sound and comprehensive. He is a strong personality which at once commands the attention of his hearers, while his wit, mental capacity and penetration are well known among his fellows. He is also a writer of ability and his articles abound in the same fine qualities which make him the orator that he is, while as a conversa- tionalist he is entertaining and vivacious.

His educational advantages were better than most boys receive and as his tend- ency was studious and industrious, he stored his mind with information that would be of practical use to him in later years, and was considered precocious by his rela- tives and friends. Soon after his birth in Huntington county, Ind., he was taken without his consent to Butler, De Kalb county, where his youth was passed. He has always been proud of his nativity and has more than once been heard to boast of being a "Hoosier." In 1873 he walked forth from the high school of Butler as a graduate of that institution, and as he had previously formed the determination of attending college he at once set about finding employment in order to obtain means with which to defray the expenses of a collegiate education. He succeeded in ac- complishing his object, but what it cost him of self-denial and mental anxiety will never be known to any but himself. His surroundings were peculiar and rather un- usual, but he fought his battle bravely and at the end of the, to him, ever memor- able four years, he graduated with honor from the University of Indiana, receiving the degree of baccalaurens artium. The world was then before him to choose from, but first the heavy debt that he had contracted had to be cancelled and he set about to accomplish this.

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Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead, Part 8

Author: Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Brothers Number of Pages: 786

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Brothers
Number of Pages: 786