The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River, Vol. II, Part 9

Author: Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : Robert O. Law Co.
Number of Pages: 792


USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River, Vol. II > Part 9


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a half mile on the beautiful Maumee river. High banks, splendid scenic views, good boating and fishing, afford most desirable sport and recre- ation. Blue Cast Magnetic Springs have long been known to residents of the surrounding country, who have enjoyed refreshment and kept in health for many years by partaking of this natural tonic from the crude springs. Now the healthful and invigorating properties of Blue Cast magnetic spring water have become available for the multitudes of sick and ailing and those desirous of continued well being. The name Blue Cast is derived from the very slight bluish tint which distinguishes the water. Another part of the name, Magnetic, is derived from the fact that the water has been endowed by Nature with a peculiar magnetic force rarely found in any mineral water of any kind, the world over. Iron or steel when immersed in this water will become magnetized. This wonderful invigorating force is imparted to those who bathe in Blue Cast water, exerting a powerful tonic and metabolic influence on the cell life of the body. The speedy and popular endorsement of these curative and tonical waters is amply justified by the searching analysis of their properties which has been made by well-known and authoritative chemists. The official analysis establishes beyond a doubt that Blue Cast Magnetic Spring water not only possesses refreshing and exhilar- ating qualities, but is Nature's own remedy for many common and chronic ailments." The water is further attractive as a high-grade table beverage, and in connection with the sanitarium has provided a bottling department with the best modern facilities, so that the product may readily be shipped to all parts of the country without the slightest deterioration .. From an auhoritative analysis and incidental report made by a leading chemist are taken the following statements : "This is a very fine water for internal medication and is adapted to a wide range of medical uses: the magnesium carbonate is especially good in all stomach disorders and its sulphate acts mildly on the bowels, while the potassium salts aid all the eliminative organs and act as alteratives." Of Blue Cast Sani- tarium the following brief description has been given: "The building is a modern, fire-proof, steel and concrete structure, steam heated, electric lighted, with hot and cold Blue Cast Magnetic Spring water in every room. No expense has been spared to carry to the extreme in this sani- tarium all the purposes for which it has been constructed,-the comforts of home, rest, recreation and the renewal of the health of patients." The bath facilities are of the best modern type and make provision for the use when expedient of the wonderful magnetic mud that has been impreg- nated by the springs. An efficient medical staff is maintained in con- nection with the institution, and there are few health resorts in the United States that can offer greater attractions for recreation and health- building. For full information concerning the institution application should be made to the general manager, George A. Hogue, who is treas- urer of the Blue Cast Company and who has been the dominant force in the development of this splendid health resort. George A. Hogue was born at Akron, Summit county, Ohio, on January 17, 1875, and is a son of Albert and Samantha (Rollins) Hogue, both likewise natives of the old Buckeye state, the father having been long employed as an expert machinist in the old Buckeye mower and reaper works at Akron. George A. Hogue is indebted to the educational institutions of his native state for his early scholastic training, and as a youth he became associated with contracting work in railway construction. He initiated his activ-


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ities along this line in 1892 and eventually became an independent and successful contractor. He obtained and completed the contract for the construction of the line of the Ohio Electric Railway from Lima, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, and had the supervision of all construction work in that connection except the building of the sub-stations. Within his active career as a contractor he built six hundred miles of electric railway- principally in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. He thus developed to the full his admirable initiative and administrative powers, and when, in 1912, he identified himself with the development and exploiting of the Blue Cast Magnetic Mineral Springs he came to the work splendidly equipped. He effected the organization of the Blue Cast Company, which purchased the land and erected the fine sanitarium now conducted under his direct and effective management, and while the company had the best of medium through which to justify such exploitation it has been in large measure due to the earnest and well-ordered efforts of Mr. Hogue that this fine Allen county institution has been brought before the people of the country and the success of the enterprise made cumulative in character. In politics he is a Republican, and in his civic attitude he is characteristically loyal, progressive and public-spirited. In 1898 he wedded Miss Lua Harrison, daughter of J. B. and Carrie Harrison, of Cleveland, Ohio, and the two children of this union are Earl Harrison Hogue and Bonita Goldie Hogue, the son being now a cadet student in Pillsbury Military Academy, in the state of Minnesota.


William F. Borgmann .- It is signally consistent that in this volume be entered a tribute to the memory of the late William F. Borgmann, who passed his entire life in Allen county, who was a representative of one of the sterling families that was here founded more than half a century ago and whose impregnable hold upon popular confidence and esteem was manifested in all stages of his career, especially during the period of his effective service as chief of the police department of the city of Fort Wayne. He had become associated with his father in the conducting of a prosperous business in Fort Wayne, under the title of the Brown Trucking Company, and his untimely death was the result of a pitiable automobile accident in which he was so severely injured that he died soon afterward. He was born in Fort Wayne on August 7, 1865, and here his death occurred on April 13, 1912. Mr. Borgmann was a son of William and Lesette (Brockmeyer) Borgmann, both of whom were natives of Germany and came to this country when young. The father was a boatman on the old Wabash & Erie Canal when a youth and in later years served for a considerable time as a member of the Fort Wayne police force. Upon his retirement from this service he and his son, William F., became allied in business under the title of the Brown Trucking Company, and with this enterprise he continued to be identified until his death, which occurred in 1908. William F. was the second of a family of five children, all of whom were born and reared in Fort Wayne. He was but fourteen years old when, after having attended school, he began to give his father valuable assistance in the latter's trucking business, and they became very successful along this line, both having been connected with the same until their death. Like his father, William F. Borgmann made a splendid record of faithful and efficient service in the Fort Wayne police department. In 1890 he became a patrolman and not only won promotion in turn to the offices of sergeant and captain but also proved so unmistakably his ability and


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good judgment that he was finally chosen chief of police. His admin- istration in this important office was most effective and popularly satis- factory, and he continued the incumbent of the post until 1910, when he resigned. In 1898 he had become associated with his father in pur- chasing an interest in the business under the title of the Brown Trucking Company, and after his retirement from the municipal service gave his attention to this business until his demise. Mr. Borgmann was a most stalwart and loyal advocate and supporter of the cause of the Demo- cratic party and was a consistent communicant of Trinity Lutheran church, earnest in his support of church work and active in the affairs of the parish, of which his widow continues an active communicant. On July 4, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hunche, a native of Lima, Ohio, and a daughter of Henry F. and Anna (Reber) Hunche, both natives of Germany. Henry F. Hunche was born and reared in Germany and came to the United States in 1861. He died, in 1911, his wife having passed away in 1891. Mrs. Borgmann remains a resident of Fort Wayne and maintains the attractive homestead at 420 Fourth street. In the community her circle of friends are legion an entertain for her the warmest regard. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Borgmann: Edith is the wife of Paul Charle, of Fort Wayne, and they have three children- John (deceased), William and Virginia. Walter A., who is now his father's successor as president and general manager of the Brown Truck- ing Company, wedded Miss Pauline Doenges, of Fort Wayne, and they have one son, William W., born May 18, 1913. Irene is the wife of John C. Marshall, of Fort Wayne, and they have two children-Stephen M., born March 24, 1911, and Helen, born January 19, 1913.


Elias H. Bookwalter .- Allen county is favored in having drafted well-qualified officials to direct the various departments of its govern- ment, and he whose name introduces this article gave a short but effective service in the office of county recorder, to which position he was elected in the autumn of 1916, his assumption of his official duties having occurred on the 1st of the following January. His incumbency of the position was only for the period of three months, as he died on April 4, 1917, mourned by a large circle of friends. Elias Hubbard Book- walter was born in Wabash county, Indiana, May 9, 1854, a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Riley) Bookwalter, the former of whom was born at Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, on April 1, 1827, a date that denotes that his parents were pioneers of that section of the Buckeye State. Josiah Bookwalter was reared and educated in Ohio and, in 1850, came to Indiana and engaged in farming in Wabash county, where he also oper- ated a blacksmith shop. In the autumn of 1866 he came with his family to Allen county and thereafter continued to be engaged in farming in St. Joseph township, until 1870, when he removed to Fort Wayne and became a traveling representative for the Keeler Dental Company. In 1885 he retired from active business life and now resides in the city of Indianapolis, April 1, 1917, marking his attainment of the patriarchal age of ninety years. He is a Republican in politics, having been affiliated with the party during practically the entire period of its existence; he has long been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the passing years have found him a consistent and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife likewise was an earnest member of this religious denomination, her birth having occurred at


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Baltimore, Maryland. Josiah Bookwalter is to be given honorable mention as one of the most venerable of the surviving veterans of the Civil War, in which he served as a valiant member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, he having won in the same promotion from private to the office of corporal. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Of the children the eldest is John A., residing at Indianapolis; Elias H., of this review, was the next in order of birth; Charles A. is one of the influential citizens of Indianapolis and has served as mayor of the capital city; Lucinda is the widow of Newton Cook and resides in Seattle, Washington; and James E. is a resident of Halstead, Harvey county, Kansas. Elias H. Bookwalter gained his rudi- mentary education in the schools of Wabash county and was about twelve years old at the time of the family removal to Allen county, where he was afforded the advantages of the city schools of Fort Wayne. As a youth he entered the service of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette and with this representative newspaper continued to be associated for twenty-eight and one-half years, after which he rounded out his alliance with practical journalism by continuing his connection with the Fort Wayne Sentinel for eighteen and one-half years-or until he assumed the office of county recorder. His broad and varied experience in con- nection with newspaper business brought to him extensive and accurate knowledge concerning Allen county and its people, and this information proved a fortifying influence in making his administration as county recorder specially efficient and commendable. Mr. Bookwalter was never deflected from the course of loyal allegiance to the Republican party and he gave active service in behalf of its cause. He was affiliated with James B. White Camp No. 152, Sons of Veterans, and Harmony Lodge No. 19, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In September, 1874, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bookwalter to Miss Catherine Perrin, daughter of the late James and Keziah (McWhorter) Perrin, of Bourbon, Marshall county, Indiana, and the only child of this union was Clyde R., who passed his entire life in Fort Wayne and was forty years of age at the time of his death, November 22, 1915. He was married, in 1897, to Stella A. Botzum, of Akron, Ohio, and they have one child, Velma R. Clyde R. Bookwalter was owner of the Fort Wayne Tea & Coffee House and was prominent in fraternal circles.


Rev. John H. Bosch .- The Reformed church in Indiana claims as one of its able, vigorous and zealous clergymen the Rev. John H. Bosch, who has served with utmost fidelity and efficiency as pastor of St. John's Reformed church, of Fort Wayne, since 1895, and whose earnest efforts have done much to forward the spiritual and temporal interests of this old and important parish, the church edifice of which is situated on Washington Boulevard, west. Mr. Bosch was born in the picturesque Rhein Province of Germany, September 8, 1867, and is a son of Henry and Sibilla (Peschken) Bosch, the father having been a prosperous farmer in that favored section of the German empire. He whose name introduces this review found the period of his childhood and early youth compassed by the conditions and influences of the home farm, and his early educational discipline was received in the Lutheran paro- chial schools of his native province. At the age of twenty years he came to the United States and shortly afterward entered Calvin College, in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, where he prepared himself for matric- ulation in Heidelberg Theological Seminary, at Tiffin, Ohio. In this


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latter institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1894, and prior to this had gone to Chautauqua, New York, where he pursued the special study of the Hebrew language under the private preceptor- ship of the late and revered Rev. William H. Harper, D. D., who later became president of the great University of Chicago. This effective special course enabled him to complete in two years the prescribed three years' curriculum of the Heidelberg Theological Seminary, and it has been a matter of enduring satisfaction to him that he was thus able to know and receive instruction from Doctor Harper, one of the greatest educators and university executives that America has known. On January 13, 1895, Mr. Bosch was ordained a clergyman of the Re- formed church and was duly installed pastor of his present parish, this result having been achieved through the action of "a committee of the Zion's classis of the Synod of the Northwest of the Reformed Church of the United States," and Rev. John Kuelling having been chairman of the ordaining and installing committee. Within the earnest and vigorous pastorate of the present incumbent the parish of St. John's Reformed church, of Fort Wayne, has expended more than thirty thou- sand dollars in the improving of the church property, and all of this appreciable amount has been paid in full, so that the parish is free from indebtedness. In 1916 was erected a new and modern parsonage, at a cost of eleven thousand dollars. The church has six hundred and seventy-five communicants, implying a congregation of fully one thou- sand persons. In addition to his zealous pastoral and executive duties Mr. Bosch was for twelve years editor and publisher of a periodical known as Gemeinde Bote, published in the German language. The paper was discontinued, in 1915, but in 1917 it was re-established and is now published in the English language. St. John's Reformed church, of Fort Wayne, was organized, in 1844, by fourteen families as constituent members, and concerning the growth and development of the historic old parish adequate mention is made in the general church history appearing in this publication. The church is identified with the South- western Synod, and the assembly of this synod, for 1917, was held in Fort Wayne. St. John's church has the largest congregation of all individual parishes in the synods of either the Southwest or Northwest, and the former synod has been entertained by the historic Fort Wayne church on three different occasions, prior to 1917. Mr. Bosch was for twelve years a member of the board of directors of the Orphans' Home, besides being treasurer of the noble institution, for which he handled in this period funds to the amount of more than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. At the present time Mr. Bosch is a member of the board of trustees of the Central Publishing House of the Reformed Church of the United States, and he is vice-president of the board, this publishing house being established in the city of Cleveland. Mr. Bosch is a Republican in politics and is known as a broad-gauged, progressive and public-spirited citizen who takes deep interest in civic and govern- mental affairs, though he has had no desire to take an active part in political maneuvers. He is a devotee of outdoor sports and while in college gained championship honors in tennis. He takes lively interest in base ball, basket-ball, foot ball and all manner of athletics, and he and his wife enjoy to the full the boating, fishing and general pleasures incidental to their annual summer vacations in Northern Michigan, be- sides which he has indulged in various hunting trips in which he has


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brought down deer and other large game. In 1899 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bosch to Miss Frances R. Schweds, daughter of Rev. F. R. Schweds, D. D., who was pastor of St. John's Reformed church, of Fort Wayne, from 1868 to 1873, and under whose direction the present fine church edifice was erected. Mrs. Bosch was born in the old parson- age of this church and prior to her marriage had been a successful and popular teacher of German in the high school of the city of Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Bosch have three children-Aurelia, Paul and Theodore.


John Bostick passed his entire life in Fort Wayne, was a scion of one of the well-known and honored pioneer families of Allen county, and by his character and achievement he reflected dignity upon his native city, where he was long and prominently concerned with business affairs and where he won success through well-directed endeavors. A man of fine attributes of character and genial and kindly disposition, he com- manded the high regard of all who knew him and thus set at naught any application of the scriptural aphorism that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." Mr. Bostick was born in Fort Wayne June 26, 1847, and here his death occurred two weeks prior to his fifty- fourth birthday anniversary. He was a son of Emanuel and Harriet (Kline) Bostick, who came from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and estab- lished their home in Allen county fully three-fourths of a century ago and who passed the residue of their lives in Fort Wayne, where the father built up a prosperous merchant tailoring business. The third in order of birth in a family of nine children, the subject of this memoir acquired his early education in the public schools of Fort Wayne, and he learned the tailor's trade under the effective direction of his father, by whom he was eventually admitted to partnership and after whose death he continued independently to carry on the successful merchant tailoring business until about 1883, when he engaged in the real estate business. Of this latter and important phase of productive enterprise he continued to be a' prominent and successful exponent until the close of his life, and incidentally he did much to further the normal development and upbuilding of his native city, which he had seen grow from a village to a civic and commercial center of metropolitan status. He accumulated an appreciable amount of valuable realty in Fort Wayne and vicinity, and of the same his widow still retains a considerable part, her beautiful home, at 426 East Wayne street, being known for its hospitality as a center of representative social activities. Mr. Bostick was a loyal advo- cate and supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, was actively affiliated with the time-honored Masonic fraternity and was a zealous communicant of the English Lutheran church, as is also his widow. He passed from the stage of his mortal endeavors on June 12, 1901, in the very prime of his strong and useful manhood and with an unsullied record as a man of sterling character and as a citizen of high ideals. On Sep- tember 1, 1870, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bostick to Miss Louisa Deppeler, who likewise was born and reared in Fort Wayne and whose parents, John and Elizabeth (Weyseit) Deppeler, both natives of the fair little republic of Switzerland, established their home in Fort Wayne many years ago. Mr. Deppeler became one of the representative merchants of this city and was one of the honored and influential citizens of Allen county, both he and his wife having continued their residence in Fort Wayne until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Bostick became the


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parents of four children, all of whom are living except the first born, Edward, who died at the age of three years and three months. The three surviving sons, Samuel W., John D. and William E., are actively concerned with business affairs in Fort Wayne and the two first men- tioned still remain with their widowed mother.


Delbert D. Boston, who is giving effective and loyal service as town- ship trustee of his native township and is engaged in the barber business at Harlan, was born in Springfield township on August 18, 1866, a son of Thomas and Lavina (Snyder) Boston, both natives of the state of Ohio. Thomas Boston was born and reared in Stark county, Ohio, a representative of a sterling pioneer family of that section of the Buckeye State, and was a young man when he came to Allen county, Indiana, and numbered himself among the pioneer exponents of agricultural in- dustry in Springfield township, where his marriage was solemnized and he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, he having been for many years one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of the township. He was a Republican in his political proclivities and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mary Ellen, the first of their five children, is deceased, and the survivors are: Myra, Elizabeth, David and Delbert D. He whose name initiates this article was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and in the meanwhile profited by the advantages afforded in the schools of his native township. He continued his association with agricultural enterprise until he was twenty years of age, when he learned the barber's trade, to which he has since devoted his attention. With the exception of two years passed at Findlay, Ohio, he has been engaged in the work of his trade at Harlan during the intervening years, and here he has a well-equipped shop of modern appointments and the best of sanitary provisions, so that his trade is of representative and appreciative order. Mr. Boston is unflagging in his allegiance to the Republican party and in his loyalty to his native township and county. He was elected trustee of Springfield township in November, 1914, and is now the efficient and progressive incumbent of this office. He is affiliated with Harlan Lodge No. 296, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in their home community their circle of friends is limited only by that of their acquaintances. On November 6, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Boston to Miss Ella Furney, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of Jeremiah and Isabell (Cummings) Furney. Mr. and Mrs. Boston have two children-Beryl, who is the wife of DeGroff N. Swartz, a prosperous farmer of Springfield township; and Donald M., who remains at the parental home.




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