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 92

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 92
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 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Joel P. Heatwole, brother of the Doctor, was born in the village of Waterford Ind., August 22, 1856. He attended the village school and worked at different callings during his youth. The early age of nineteen years found him the principal of the schools of Millersburg, Ind., and being inclined to newspaper work he estab- lished the Millersburg Enterprise in 1876 while teaching there. In 1878 he resigned his position as teacher and established the Middlebury Record, which he conducted until he sold out in 1881, in the fall of which year he purchased an interest in the Goshen Times, but disposed of it the following February. He was secretary of the Northern Indiana Editorial Association four years. In the summer of 1882 be went to Minnesota and purchased a half interest in the Glencoe Enterprise, which he edited until the next July, when he moved to Duluth and did editorial work on the Lake Superior News. In November, 1883, he returned to Glencoe and assumed charge of the Enterprise until April of 1884, when he purchased the Northfield News. About a year later he became the proprietor of the Northfield Journal and consoli- dated it with the News, which he has conducted ever since. In 1886 he was elected first vice-president of the Minnesota Editors' & Publishers' Association, and in 1887 was elected president of the same, and re-elected in 1888. Besides his journalistic work, Mr. Heatwole has taken an active part in local and State politics. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee in 1886 and was elected secre- tary of that body and was also a member of the executive committee. He was unanimously elected delegate at large to the National Republican Convention held

609

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

in Chicago in 1888 by the Republicans of Minnesota. In July, 1890, Mr. Heatwole was appointed chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, a position he now holds. December 20, 1891, he was appointed by Gov. Merriam a member of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota. Although a comparatively young man, his career has been a continnal march onward and upward, growing daily more popular with all who knew him. He is prominently mentioned as the Republican candidate for governor of his adopted State, and his prospects for future greatness and usefulness are very flattering. He was married in London, England, to Mrs. Gertrude Archibald, of Faribault, Minn., a lady of great social and moral worth.

JOHN B. STOLL was born March 13, 1843, in the Black Forest region of Wurtem- berg. His father, Bernard Stoll, was an extensive landholder and a man noted for unusual physical strength and genial social qualities. In the fall of 1842, before John B. was born, the father, while watering his horses in the river Murg, was drowned. A second marriage of his mother resulted in the disaipation of the greater part of the estate left by his father, and a removal of the family to another part of Wurtemberg. The boy, being an only son, and a favorite with his grand- parents, was kept at the latter's residence, chiefly under his grandmother's influ- ence. At the age of six he commenced going to school, a distance of something over three miles. It is said of him that he never missed a day's attendance nor a single lesson. About the only spending money he had was that obtained from some of bis ambitious but, educationally, less successful schoolmates, who would, on special occasions, arrange to have him yield his rank in the class to them, the stand- ing in scholarship determining the class location of the pupil in those days. He was usually from two to three years ahead of his class, and on competitive examinations in- variably stood first. As is usual with strong natures, the boy wasnaturally religious; and when his young mind was particularly burdened with difficult lessons. the study of which was largely made while on his way to school, he often knelt at the way- side, turning his soul to God and earnestly praying for help from the Almighty. Like the father, his boyhood days developed a remarkable physical strength. It is said that while going to school, he never took advantage of his muscle in boyish com- bats, and never allowed himself to enter a contest unless his opponent was at least three years his senior. In such tests of muscular strength John usually came off with flying colors. At ten years of age he emigrated with his mother, a woman of courage and sterling worth, to America. Locating, they found a new home in Har- risburg, Penn. In two years sickness, aggravated by cares and too much responsi- bility, came, and the boy was left an orphan. Already that most thorough but sternest of all teachers, experience, was teaching self-reliance. Shortly before and after the death of his mother, he made his living by taking advantage of the means nearest to hand. The first employment obtained was setting up ten-pins in a bowl- ing-alley; next he earned his way by peddling peppermint drops, stick candy, pins and needles, and hooks and eyes; next work was found on a farm managed by a ten- ant of Gen. Simon Cameron, a short distance east of Harrisburg; then employment in a bakery for six months was tried, and out of this he went into the office of the Harrisburg Telegraph and Der Vaterlands-Waechter, published by the then State printer, George Bergner. Learning to read English in a Lutheran Sunday-school, and intuitively realizing the necessity of a broad education, the yonth now indus- triously applied himself to a wide reading and a practical study of the require- ments of newspaper work. For weeks and months he pursued his studies late after midnight. He attended every political meeting held in the evenings, every lecture to which he could have access, and as many theaters as circumstances permitted. He went to church twice every Sunday, and to Sunday-school, and eagerly devoured the contents of all the exchange papers he could lay his hands on. In this way he acquired a wide vocabulary, an acquaintance with different styles of orstory, and a knowledge of leading opinions on topics of the day. Blessed with a remarkable

610

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

memory, henotonly knew the surname of nearly every prominent politician in the State, but also his initials, place of residence, etc., so much so that whenever the editor of the paper on which he worked was in doubt as to this or that prominent individual's name, the "Printer's Devil" could always furnish accurate information. During this three years' apprenticeship service young Stoll was prepared for membership, by confirmation, in the Lutheran Church. While attending catechetical lectures, his pastor, the Rev. William Parr, became profoundly impressed with the belief that this earnest student ought to qualify himself for the ministry. Rev. Parr strongly insisted on this, even going so far as to provide for the young printer's admission to Gettysburg College. This was a severe struggle for young Stoll. He became enthusiastic over the opportunity of going to college, and at one time fully deter- mined to avail himself of his pastor's favor and friendship. But about this period, the quarrel in the Democratic party broke forth over the Kansas-Nebraska contro- versy, and he became warmly enlisted on the side of the anti-administration wing of the party which strenuously protested against forcing the institution of alavery on an unwilling people. Politics became more and more an infatuation, so he finally decided not to study for the ministry at Gettysburg, but to plunge, with all the impetuosity of his nature, into the political vortex. General reading, together with independent observation, resulted in his having opinions of his own. Ardently as he espoused the cause of "Buck and Breck" in the campaign of 1856, even more vehemently he opposed the pro-slavery policy of the Buchanan administration. At the end of the apprenticeship, the boy of sixteen accepted a position as journeyman in the office of the Middleburg, Penn., Volksfreund (People's Friend). A year later, by industry and strict economy, he was able to purchase an interest in the Independent Observer, at Johnstown, Penn. Through the rascality of his partner, this venture proved a financial failure, so his connection with this paper was severed. Maturing early, his associations from boyhood were with young men from five to ten years older than himself. That he might improve by superior knowl- edge and experience he, at times, wholly abjared the company of young men, and sought association with men of middle age. Appearing older than his years, men came to repose confidence and responsibility on the young shoulders. These trusts were assumed with dignity, and duty was faithfully discharged, so, when it was determined to hold a Douglas State convention to effect a thorough State organ- ization of the Douglaa Democracy, and two delegates were chosen from Cambria county to represent the sentiment of that faction, it was no surprise to see young Stoll chosen one of that number. The older heads of the Democratic party of Johnstown were nearly all associated with the Breckinridge element. This had no depressing effect on young Stoll who now threw himself in the breach and enthusi- astically championed the cause of Stephen A. Douglas. At the ratification meeting called shortly after the Baltimore convention, he was the only speaker. It was the largest and most enthusiastic meeting held there during the entire campaign. The large hall was densely packed, and the audience was in hearty accord with the youth- ful orator. This was really the occasion of his first political speech; and though perfectly conscious of a nervous organism, he spoke to the people for two hours, without notes, and so direct was his address that he held the perfect attention and secured the unreserved sympathy of his hearers. At the opening of the war, when men hesitated to express pronounced views, Mr. Stoll took a decided stand for the suppression of the Rebellion. In response to President Lincoln's proclamation call- ing out 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion, a great meeting was held at which young Stoll was the principal speaker. As a Democrat he said no patriot could occupy an equivocal position in regard to the duty of the hour. The Rebellion must be put down and the integrity of the Government maintained. He regretted that President Lincoln did not call for 300,000 instead of 75.000 men. The storm that had been brewing for thirty years was upon them and patriotism demanded imme- diate and decisive action. As a true citizen of the Republic, he freely gave voice

611

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

and hand to support bis views, and through his direct influence many hesitating Democrats were prompted to enlist. He himself enlisted in one of the eight com- panies that were organized at Johnstown, within less than ten days after the fall of Sumter, but his company was rejected and disbanded finally on account of the over- flowing quota. Late in the spring of 1861, Mr. Stoll, returning to Middleburg, resumed his former position on the "People's Friend." About the close of 1863 he bought the paper of his employer, improved it, and greatly increased its patronage. In the early part of 1864, a few days after attaining his twenty-first year, he was elected a member of the school board of Middleburg and chosen its president. In the autumn of the following year he was elected county auditor, and bad at his dis- posal a legislative nomination a year later. Business considerations and an irre- sistible inclination to go west and grow up with the country, caused a removal to Indiana in the spring of 1866. At twenty-three Mr. Stoll quietly but surely laid the foundation of Democratic journalism in a corner of Indiana that was steeped in Republican ideas and sentiments. Possessed of that repose which characterizes phys- ical and mental health, he allowed no amount of scathing criticism to disturb the even tenor of his ways. The Ligonier Banner, the child of the new soil, was estab- lished in Noble county, May 3, 1866. He became successively editor-in-chief of the La Porte Argus, which he established in the spring of 1869; the South Bend Courier, a German paper (1875); the Elkhart Daily and Weekly Democrat, the name of which he changed to Elkhart Monitor (1881); all of which prospered in his hands and rapidly gained in circulation. During all this time he maintained his residence at Ligonier. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Stoll removed to South Bend, and though for years continuing to contribute to the columns of the Ligonier Banner he centered his newspaper work in the Times. Though attempted hy men of acknowl- edged newspaper ability, because of the predominating Republican influence, re- peated failures had been the history of previous efforts to establish daily Demo- cratic papers in South Bend. By steady, well-defined effort and clear apprehension of what a progressive community demands of the newspaper, the Times prospered and became a social necessity. Mr. Stoll conceives the high mission of the press in diffusing moral tone and progressive ideas on economic, educational, political and ethical problems of the day; and he also recognizes the fact that the best class of people is hungering for just this sort of diet. He maintains that the purpose of a good family paper, daily or weekly, is not to scatter the seeds of discord, to find fault with pretty much everybody and everything, nor to tear down, to array neigh- bor against neighbor, or to create discontent, but rather to counsel harmony and unity in building up, to commend that which is commendable, to teach people that it is right to render nnto Cæsar what rightfully belongs to Cæsar, to counsel the proper direction of constructive forces, and to point the way of success by teaching habits of industry and frugality. Previous to 1869 the press of northern Indiana dealt too largely in personal journalism. A consideration of this impelled Mr. Stoll in that year to become instrumental in organizing the Northern Indiana Edit- orial Association, the chief object of which, besides a general improvement of the newspaper business, was to eliminate this evil. From the beginning of this organ- ization, he served as its president for six consecutive years. It is hardly necessary to state that since the founding of this association the newspaper business has rad- ically improved, both financially and morally. In June, 1892, Mr. Stoll was again made the presiding officer of this organization. Because of the disastrous results of the campaign in 1880, and the failure to elect Gen. Hancock, a Democratic State Press Association seemed to be needed, in order that the press might be more effi- cient and effective in disseminating Democratic principles; therefore, on January 8, 1881, Mr. Stoll, together with a few interested friends, founded the Democratic State Editorial Association, served as its first president and is now chairman of the executive committee. His interests during these years were not confined to journal- ism, but his large sympathies gave personal support to the grave political issnes,

612

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

which in his youthful years possessed so much attraction. His pen and tongue had spoken in no uncertain terms of the principles which he believed to be right. His diction was always forcible and his arguments clear and sweeping. He not only gained prominence as a public speaker, but became an acknowledged leader of pub- lic opinion. In December of 1866, by special direction of President Johnson, he was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue, in recognition of his unwaver- ing support of the President's reconstruction policy. In 1868, after two years' res- idence in the State, he was tendered the Democratic nomination to Congress, but declined, and the same year he was elected chairman of the Democratic Central Com- mittee of Noble county, filling the position from 1868 to 1876 and again in 1880. In January, 1870, he became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for State auditor, and, though less than four years & resident of the State, came within twenty-nine votes of securing the nomination against heavy odds. Two years later, he received the nomination for that office against his successful competitor of 1870, but at the election, with the bulk of the Democratic ticket, was defeated by 172 votes, most of the other candidates on the ticket suffering a much heavier defeat. In 1876 Mr. Stoll was sent as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis, of which body he was elected one of the vice-presidents. Accepting the nomination of his party for Congress in 1878, he made a vigorous campaign and reduced the Repub- lican majority from 2,300 in 1876 to 1,600. Many will remember the heated polit- ical contest of 1884. In the two months before the election Mr. Stoll made a thorough canvass of St. Joseph county, as well as other parts of the State, and spoke almost every day. St. Joseph county in the preceding election had cast a majority vote of 498 for Garfield, and elected the entire Republican ticket. In 1884 the Demo- crats carried it by about the same figures, and have since controlled it. Considera- ble comment was occasioned by this election, in and out of the State, and in appre- ciation of Mr. Stoll's vigorous and valuable lahor, both in person and through the columns of his bright paper, he was presented by the citizens of Dodd, Tex., a fine and valuable, gold-headed cane and a large list of subscribers. In recognition of his many services to the Democratic cause, the Indiana Congressional delegation, in 1885, seconded by Vice-President Hendricks, unanimously recommended Mr. Stoll for the office of public printer, the largest printing establishment in the world. His candidacy was endorsed by all the Democratic members of the Indiana Legislature, except one; the supreme judges, State officials and many influential Democratic politicians, besides the active support of Congressmen from Illinois, Wisconsin, Mich- igan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other States. The contest over the public printership lasted about eighteen months. Mr. Stoll, in the fall of 1885, requested his friends of the Indiana delegation to withdraw his name, for the reason that the delay bad already proven expensive and vexatious, and that the President had had ample time to reach a conclusion. Senator Voorhees did go to the White House to request the withdrawal of Mr. Stoll's papers, but Mr. Cleveland protested against this, and asked for a "little more time" to look into the matter. From that on, however, Mr. Stoll lost interest in the contest, and made repeated requests to end the matter; but his immediate friends at the national capital refused to give their consent to this, insisting that since the fight had been waged for so long a time no retrest could be ordered, and the President himself must terminate the issue. The last request made of the President by Vice-President Hendricks was that Mr. Stoll be appointed to this position. About a year after this final request had been made, Mr. Cleveland appointed T. E. Benedict, of the State of New York. (In justice to all concerned and to secure a full understanding of the case, it should be stated that after Presi- dent Cleveland had formed his cabinet, and Indiana had not received recognition, the President informed the Indiana delegation that if they could unite on a man for public printer that important position should be at their disposal. The delegation took decisive action at once by unanimously agreeing upon Mr. Stoll with the result as above stated.) It is said by those having this matter in charge that no applicant

613

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

for appointment from Indfana had as strong endorsements from the best men in the State, as those filed with the President in Mr. Stoll's behalf. Something of an idea of the character of these endorsements may be gaiued from the letters of three eminent public men, among more than a hundred testimonials from other dis- tinguished Indiana meu. Supreme Judge J. A. S. Mitchell, late of Goshen, a gentle- mau who enjoyed the unbounded esteem and love of his fellow-citizens, and who knew Mr. Stoll more thoroughly than perhaps any other prominent man in the State, wrote in these strong terms to the President:

INDIANAPOLIS, April 15, 1885. To His Excellency, The President:

It gives me great pleasure to recommend to you for appointment to the office of public printer, Hon. John B. Stoll, of South Beud, Ind. My acquaintance with Mr. Stoll com- menced when we were both young men, about the year 1866, and I have known him well and intimately ever since, and I speak from personal knowledge when I say that he is in every way worthy and competent for any public trust requiring intelligent application to duty, business capacity and industry. He has had a large experience in editing and publishing newspapers, having for years managed two important public journals with success, besides I know Mr. Stoll to be an upright, conscientious man, thoroughly devoted to what he undertakes and ambi- tious and capable of success. He is active, zealous and influential in his State, in high standing with all the best elements of his party, who would receive his appointment as a compliment to a deserving and worthy gentleman. Very respectfully,

J. A. S. MITCHELL, Judge Supreme Court.

Supreme Judge William E. Niblack, for many years a representative in Congress from the Vincennes district and for two terms a member of the supreme court of Indiana, gave this estimate of Mr. Stoll:

INDIANAPOLIS, April 23, 1885.

Referring to pending application of Hon. John B. Stoll, of South Bend, in this State, for the office of public printer at Washington, I take pleasure in saying that I have had the honor of his acquaintance for nearly twenty years, during all of which time he has been connected with the public press of northern Indiana. He is a gentleman of recognized ability, of industry and great force of character. He is, moreover, apt, shrewd and appreciative in all matters relating to public affairs, with earnest convictions and the courage to do what he believes to be right. Taking all in all, I have regarded him for many years as one of the foremost newspaper men in the State, and, in some respects, in the lead of all the rest.

Terse and significant were the words of Col. Charles Denby, whom President Cleveland appointed as minister to China, and who still holds the position: "I take pleasure in recommending Mr. John B. Stoll for any appointment to which he may aspire."

The estimates of these gentlemen have been given on these pages as a reflex of their judgment and a commentary on the subject of this sketch. In March, 1889, Mr. Stoll was elected trustee of the Indiana Institute for the Education of the Blind at Indianapolis, was appointed treasurer of the board, which position he still holds, having been nnanimously renominated by the Democratic legislative caucus in 1891 for a period of four years. In local interests as well as State, Mr. Stoll has been active and nseful, and hia resources have ever been in demand by local clubs and business organizations. For two years he was treasurer and three years president of the Noble County Agricultural Society; was a member of the Ligonier town council for five consecutive years; was president of the two building, loan and sav-

ing associations of Ligonier; was secretary of the Ligonier school board, and is at present president of the Working Meu's Building & Loan Association of South Bend. Flattering inducements, from time to time, have been offered Mr. Stoll in the journalistic field. Prior to locating in Indiana he was offered the management of a widely circulated paper at Easton, Penn. ; in the seventies he was urged to accept the editorship of a newly established paper at Indianapolis; in 1874 tempting offers came from Minneapolis, Minn .; and in 1885, a particularly inviting offer came from a number of prominent Democrats of Chicago to accept the editorial responsibility of a Democratic paper in that city, but, after due consideration, he decided to remain in South Bend and devote bis attention to his business centered there. In Middle- burg, Penn., Mr. Stoll met the lady who became his wife in 1861. From this mar-

614

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

riage, out of eight, but four children are living: Ella C., Eva B., Edgar A. and Elmer Roscoe. Four children died in infancy, among them John B. While the father was absent on a campaign tour in the southern part of the State in 1870, Johnny succumbed to that terrible and dreaded malady, diphtheria. A precocious and unusually interesting child of four summers, beloved by the entire community, his loss was a most severe grief to the community at large and a crushing blow to the family. There are three distinctive measures of public policy in the advocacy of which Mr. Stoll has for years been especially active and zealons. These are: Restricting immigration so as to prohibit the landing upon American shores of crim- inals, paupers, imbeciles and anarchists; a graduated income tax, and the election of United States senators by the people. Mr. Stoll has filled the years with mater- ials for peace and prosperity. His unselfish, thoughtful consideration of others has won for him an unusually large circle of warm friends and many delightful acquaint- ances. Time has dealt kindly with him in preserving physical and mental strength, and as the fruit of time well spent, he enjoys at present a steadily growing business and the comforts of a beautiful home.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 92

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

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