USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volume II > Part 22
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Subsequently he came to the city and engaged, in April, 1873, in the drug business with T. M. Biddley. He remained in this position until the fall of 1879. He then engaged with C. B. Woodworth for two years and became a half partner in 1881. On July 1, 1886, he engaged in the hotel business as one of the proprietors of the Robinson hotel. He was thus engaged until 1888, when he took his present position in the Keller company. Mr. Seibold was married June 23, 1887, to Chloe, daughter of Captain H. C. Eastwood, one of the proprietors of the Brunswick hotel. Mr. Seibold is a popular citizen; is a member of the Elks, of the Evangelical association and the Apollo musical club.
One of the handsomest drug stores of the city, that at 35 Calhoun street, is under the able management of Henry G. Sommers, one of the enterprising young business men of the city, who became proprietor in the fall of 1887, purchasing the stock and the valuable business property which the store occupies. Mr. Sommers is a thorough druggist, and is in all respects adapted to carry on the business successfully. He is energetic, courteous and deservedly popular. Mr. Sommers was born at Fort Wayne, September 16, 1863, and is the son of Frederick and Jennie (Mergel) Sommers, former residents of the city, now deceased. At fifteen years of age he became employed in the drug store which he. now owns, as clerk for his uncle, Henry G. Wagner, then proprietor. Under the tutelage of that prominent druggist he acquired a complete knowledge of the business.
James Urbine, a well-known business man of Fort Wayne, is a na- tive of Allen county, born February 18, 1849, son of John B. Urbine, a native of France, who was born in 1821, son of Nicholas Urbine, who. died in this county about 1860. John B. Urbine came to Fort Wayne in 1833, and helped in the excavation of the Wabash & Erie canal. He married Adeline C. Litot, who was born in France in 1822. Five of their children are living, James being the oldest. He received a com- mon school education, attended the commercial college, and in 1875 en- tered the employment of Dreier Brothers, and began his life occupation as. a druggist. " After seven years' experience he became engaged with J. F. W. Meyer & Bro., where he is at present. In 1881 he was mar .. ried to Mary T. Golden, who was born in Ireland in 1859, and they have two children: Catherine C., born April 22, 1882, and James Ralph, April 22, 1886. Mr. Urbine and wife are members of the Catholic church. They reside at 52 East Williams street.
Fremont L. Jones was born in Grant county, Ind., August 10, 1855, son of David W. and Jane (Atkinson) Jones. His father was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1821, son of Obadiah Jones, a native of North Carolina, who died in Jonesboro, Ind. His mother was born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1821, and died at Fort Wayne in 1882. There are six children of these parents living, of whom Fremont L. is next to the youngest. He came to Fort Wayne with his parents in 1863, and received his education in the common schools and Fort Wayne college. In 1876, he removed to Grand Rapids and served an apprenticeship in
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the laundry business, returning the next year and establishing the now widely known Troy steam laundry, which is conducted under the firm name of F. L. Jones & Co. The establishment employs fifty people the year round, and does a great business, its custom extending widely throughout the adjacent counties. In politics, Mr. Jones is a republican, and is a member of the Morton club. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married in 1879, to Gertrude M. Hatch, who was born in this county in 1859, daughter of N. V. and Abi- gail (Parker) Hatch, who were among the first settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have four children : Bessie L., David V., Ralph L. and Walter B.
Ogden Pierce, one of the proprietors of the Troy steam laundry, above mentioned, was born in Green county, N. Y., March 19, 1830. His father, Eli Pierce, was born in the same state about 1775, and mar- ried Sarah Burgess, who was born in Philadelphia about 1797. They removed to Allen county in 1844, and here the mother died ten years later, and the father in his eightieth year. They left seven children, of whom Ogden is the fourth. He was raised on a farm, obtained his edu- cation in the public schools, and in 1856 went to Milwaukee, Wis., where for some time he was engaged in the produce business, returning to Fort Wayne in 1870, where he has since resided. In 1871 he was ap- pointed to the position of railway postal clerk on the Eel river line from Detroit to Logansport, which route he held until two years later, when he was transferred to the Michigan Southern line from Toledo to Chi- cago, and after two years to the fast mail between Cleveland and Chi- cago. In 1876 he was transferred to the Pittsburgh line railway post- office, and given charge of a car from Crestline to Chicago, which position he retained until January, 1884, gaining a reputation as one of the most valuable and efficient men in the service. He became a part- ner in the Troy steam laundry with his brother-in-law, F. L. Jones, in 1877, and since 1884 has given the business his personal attention. He was married in 1870 to Martha A. Jones, born in Grant county in 1848, and they have five children: Ogden, Ethel, Robert B., Howard and Martha.
Cassius A. Miller is an enterprising young business man of Fort Wayne, having been engaged with his father in the furniture business since completing his education. During an interval of two years, how- ever, 1875-7, he was in California, and while there he cast his first presi- dential vote for President Hayes. He has remained an earnest repub- lican, and is now one of the vice presidents of the Morton club. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of the city. He was born at this city, January 10, 1853, to John M. and Sarah (Noble) Miller, and is the second of three living children of those parents. He received his education in the public schools and the commercial department of Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal college. January 10, 1883, he was married to Minna A. Wright, a native of Allentown, Penn., daughter of Judge Robert E. and Maria Wright. Judge Wright died January 10, IS87.
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Mr. Miller is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife of the Episcopal charch. Their residence is at 103 East Washing- ton street.
E. Shuman, dealer in furniture, was born in Mainville, Penn., May 15, 184I, son of Isaiah and Mary Ann (Miller) Shuman, natives of Pennsylvania, in which state his father died and his mother now resides. He is the second of four children living. After receiving a common school education he came to Fort Wayne in 1863, and was for eight years in the employment of John M. Miller, furniture dealer, and then spent four years in Grand Rapids in the same business, returning to Fort Wayne to embark in the business on his own responsibility. For nine years he has been doing a successful business, also giving consid- erable attention to pawnbroking. He is a republican in politics, and is a member of the Masonic order. In 1869 he was married to Amanda M. Grover, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1844, and they have seven children: George, Frank, Gilbert, Katie, Arthur, Annie and Robert. Mr. Shuman is an admirer of fine horses, and has owned some noted animals, and in March, 1889, he purchased at Cambridge City, Ind., the famous mare, Lady Wonder, record 2:25, for $925. She has a colt, Anna Wonder, foaled June 1, 1889. Mr. Shuman's life has been active one, and he is noted for industry and application to business.
Daniel Shordon the senior dealer in agricultural implements of Fort Wayne, embarked in that business here in 1870, and has been notably successful in his enterprises. He is also prominent as a citizen, and generally esteemed. In 1887, Mr. Shordon was elected a member of the city council for the second ward by a majority of twenty, he being a candidate on the straight republican ticket. He was born at Syra- cuse, New York, March 15, 1837, son of Stephen and Catherine (Keifer ) Shordon, both natives of France. His father was born in 18OS, the mother in 1807, and they came to America in 1835, and after stop- ping four years in New York, settled in Springfield township, Allen county, Ind., in 1839, being one of the first families in the township. The father died here in 1882, and the mother lives in the city. Daniel is the oldest of their twelve children, of whom six are living. He attended the public schools and one year at the Notre Dame university, and also taught school for some time. In 1862, he enlisled in Company D, Eighty-eighth Indiana regiment, and served gallantly at the battle of Chickamauga, at which he was wounded, Stone River, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, during the siege of Atlanta and at Jonesboro, the last bat- tle of the war, and was mustered out in 1865, as sergeant. On coming home, he went to farming, and while so engaged, served one term as trustee of St. Joseph township. He was married in 1871 to Susan Lau who died in 1874. In 1881 he married Augustine Joly, born in Allen county in 1845. They are members of the Catholic church.
Frank D. Paulus, who deals in engines and threshers and other ag- ricultural implements at 53 East Main street, has had a long experience in the trade, and few men are better qualified for success in that busi-
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ness. Two years after the close of the war, he entered the employ of the firm of J. F. Sieberling & Co., of Akron, Ohio, and was with them ten years, after which he was employed by Aultman, Miller & Co., for thirteen years. He came to Fort Wayne in 1875, and is now princi- pally handling Walter A. Woods' binders and mowers, and the Huber threshers and engines. Mr. Paulus was born at Akron, Ohio, Novem- ber 23, 1842, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Girrl) Paulus. Both parents were born in 1812; the father died in 1845, and his widow now resides in Michigan. Frank, the youngest of three children, worked out for his board and clothes from nine to fourteen years of age, and then was employed by the month on a farm until October, 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Sixty-fourth Ohio infantry, with which he served until December, 1864, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, siege of Atlanta and battle of Franklin. He was mar- ried December 31, 1868, to Mary C. Bolender, born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1846, and they are members of the Reformed church. He is a comrade of the G. A. R., a Mason and Odd Fellow, and in politics an earnest republican.
Henry H. Schone, a prominent young business man, of the undertak- ing firm of Schone & Wellman, was born in this city December, 1859. His father, Henry J. Schone, a well known citizen, was born in Germany, September 15, 1815, came to the United States in 1840, and in the fall of that year settled in Fort Wayne. He is a tanner by trade, but for nineteen years was engaged in the grocery business. He is a faithful member of the Catholic church, and is highly esteemed by the com- munity. He was married in 1843, and by this union had one child Elizabeth. This wife died in 1857, and in 1858 he was married to . Margaret Damon, who was born in Germany in 1821. She gave him one child, Henry H. The latter was educated at the Catholic schools of this city and afterward attended the commercial college. In 1874 he took a position as clerk in a dry goods store, and was so engaged for twelve years. In October, 1887, he embarked in his present occupation with Henry Wellman as a partner, and their business has prospered, even beyond their expectation. They are fully equipped for the proper and comely performance of their offices, do embalming according to the best methods, and in every way justify the noteworthy popularity which they enjoy. Mr. Schone was married October 18, 18So, to Jennie E. Henry, who was born at St. Joseph, in 1858, and they have two children, Alnoria G. and Julian J., and Mary and Aloysius, deceased. He and wife are members of the Catholic church.
George C. Brinsley, dealer in illuminating oils and gasoline, at No. 85 West Main street, was born in Cheshire, England, April 25, 1826. He was reared in Staffordshire, and in 1850 came to America, and settled in New York. Two years later he removed to New Jersey, where he remained two years. He afterward resided successively in New York city, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (Schuylkill county), New Jersey, New York city and Crestline, Ohio. On November 12, 1864, he enlisted in Company
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B, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth regiment, Ohio infantry, and served until his muster out near Nashville, Tenn., in June, 1865. He then returned to Crestline, Ohio, and was engaged in railroading with his residence there until 1883, when he came to Fort Wayne and engaged in the oil business. He does a successful retail and wholesale business. Mr. Brinsley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of Sion S. Bass post, G. A. R. He was married in England, in 1849, to Sarah A. Hibbs, who died in 1876, leaving five children. In 1877 he was married at Mansfield, Ohio, to Sarah R. Nunamaker, by whom he had two children, one of whom is living. The children by his first marriage are: Louis S., born in 1851, now farming in Kansas; George C., born in 1853, in business with his father; Mary Ann, born in 1855; William, born in 1857; Charles E., born July 1, 1861, and the surviving child by his second marriage is Harry A. Charles E. was born in Cresline, Ohio, and remained ther until 1880, receiving a public school education. He resided four years in Springfield, Ohio, and then came to Fort Wayne, and went into the oil business July 1, 1887. He was married November 7, 1887, to Hattie E. Phillabaum, of Fort Wayne, and they had one child, Mabel S., born November 19, 1888, and died March 24, 1889.
Weil Brothers & Co., a prosperous firm, doing a large business in pelts, furs, wool, etc., at 92, 94, 96 and 98 East Columbia street, is com- posed of Isaac and Abram Weil, both worthy and enterprising men. They began doing business as a firm in 1877 on Calhoun street, and four years later removed to 87 and 89 East Columbia street, where they remained until July, 1887, when the stock was destroyed by fire. The same year they built the present business house, sixty feet front, and 130 feet deep. They employ more than fifty people, have an annual trade of $600,000, and do a business which is among the most extensive in this part of the country. The Weil brothers are children of Jacob and Rosa Livingston Weil, natives of Germany, who came to the United States about 1850, settled first in Cincinnati, and in 1858 came to Fort Wayne. They now reside here. Isaac Weil, the oldest of their four children, was born at Cincinnati, December 13, 1855. He was educated in the Fort Wayne schools, and in 1870 began to learn the trunk busi- ness, at which he was engaged two years, abandoning it to deal in hides, pelts, etc., on Bass street, where he remained five years. He is a mem- ber of Wayne lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M. He was married in 1888 to Rena Rothschild of Terre Haute. Abram Weil, the other member of the firm, was born at Cincinnati, December 16, 1857, and is an enter- prising business man.
William Fred Schulz, a well-known German citizen of Fort Wayne, and a leading sewer contractor, was born in Prussia on August 21, 1839. Emigrated to America in 1865. Learned his trade in Germany; came direct to Fort Wayne, and went to work for an employer, with whom he remained for fifteen years. Began contracting in about 1885, as one member of a partnership in the sewer business, and the next
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two years with Joseph Derheimer, still with him in sewer work. They do most of the city work, and recently took three large contracts. Married in 1866 to Wilhelmenia Kreger, who was born in Germany. Three children have been born to them, five altogether, two dead. Member of the St. Paul's Lutheran church.
The Abstract Office .- Among the oldest and most reliable abstract companies of Indiana is that of F. W. Kuhne & Company, which began business as early as 1870. F. W. Kuhne, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Prussia, born in 1831, and he was raised and edu- cated in that country. In 1856 he came to America, on a visit merely, but liking the country, its people and institutions he concluded to remain, settled at Iowa City and became naturalized. February, 1866, he ac- cepted the position of deputy auditor of Allen county, Ind., and moved to Fort Wayne. He served the county as deputy auditor from March, 1866, to October, 1875, and as deputy treasurer from 1875 to 1879, gaining in those positions a broad familiarity with the the lands of the county. In 1870 he became associated with John M. Koch and C. M. ' Barton in the abstracting of titles of real estate. Later Mr. [Kuhne purchased the interest of Mr. Barton, and about the same time David P. White became a partner in the firm. About 1875 Mr. Kuhne bought the interest of John M. Koch, and upon the death of Mr. White, he admitted his sons to the firm. Paul F., the eldest son, was born in Iowa City, Iowa, November 16, 1860, received a good business educa- tion, and in 1877 entered the employment of the First National bank, where he remained six years. Richard H. was born January 14, 1862, and Charles W. Kuhne, the youngest son, February 5, 1864, both in Iowa City. The latter was educated in Fort Wayne and in the univer- sity of Michigan, graduating from the law department in 1887. He was admitted the same year to the Allen county bar, and is making a specialty of realty law and probate matters. The firm, thus composed, ,and headed by F. W. Kuhne, is a strong one, and does an extensive business in preparing abstracts, and placing mortgage loans, making collections, and selling exchange on Europe.
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John W. Hayden, a prominent citizen of Fort Wayne, was born in Brown township, Franklin county, Ohio, May 18, 1837. His father, Isaac Hayden, was born in Fayette county, Penn., March 21, 1809, and was married in 1833, to Elizabeth Crabb, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, August 15, 1815. He was of English descent, she of Scotch, and their parents both served in the war of 1812, his father being at the battle of the River Raisin. Their only other child was Emeline, born in 1835. In 1848 the family removed to Kosciusko county, Ind., where they settled in a cabin on 160 acres of land, and here, without the advantage of good schools or church privileges, except such as the itinerant preacher furnished, John W. grew up to the age of nineteen, when he was sent to Fort Wayne college. He completed the course here in 1860, but on account of a slight misunderstanding with the president, refused to accept his diploma. He began the study of
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law with Hon. Isaac Jenkinson, and was admitted to the bar. On April 22, 1861, when President Lincoln called for three months' enlistments, he became a member of Company G, of the Twelfth Indiana volunteers. Being appointed second sergeant, he held that position until the expira- tion of his enlistment, when he re-enlisted for one year, but on account of disability contracted while in line of duty he was discharged at Pools- ville, Md., August 31, 1861. Returning home he was engaged for sev- eral years in the pension office at Fort Wayne, and subsequently began the practice of law. August 12, 1875, he was appointed register in bankruptcy by Judge W. Q. Gresham, which office he held until the repeal of the law in 1878. On the organization of the United States district court at Fort Wayne, he was appointed deputy by United States Marshal W. W. Dudley, and he held this place until the change of administration in 1884. In the meantime he had built up a large and lucrative real estate and loan business, at which he is now occupied. Mr. Hayden is a Methodist, as were his parents. Born a whig, he became an enthusiastic republican, and early in life adopted for his polit- ical motto, "Colonization and qualified suffrage," a doctrine which he still believes could have saved the union its tremendous sacrifice in set- tling the question of slavery. He was united in marriage May 18, 1866, with Sarah M., daughter of Dr. Samuel J. Green, of Wayneton, Ind., and they have had five children, two of whom are living: Grace G. and John R. Mr. Hayden is a Mason of the thirty-second degree, a Knight Templar and a member of the G. A. R.
One of the most prominent and trustworthy passenger conductors in the service of the Pennsylvania company is Thomas M. Glenn. Has also of late years, when off duty, devoted much time to real estate, more particularly to the development of the south side, where his was one of the first offices of the kind established. His energy, candor and manly principles, have earned him an enviable standing among all classes. He entered the service of the Pennsylvania company in the year 1858, at Lima, Ohio, as water boy on a gravel train, under the direction of the late O. A. Simons, and rose through nearly all the subordinate posi- tions in the service, to the position of passenger conductor in 1879, on western division between Fort Wayne & Chicago, since which time he has resided in Fort Wayne with the exception of about a year's leave of absence traveling with his family in California and Mexico. He occu- pies a high position in his calling. His gentlemanly and courteous man- ners and watchful care of his passengers, has made him popular with the traveling public, and given him the perfect confidence and esteem of his officers and associates. Mr. Glenn was born in Allegheny county, Penn., March 1, 1848, son of Robert and Ann (Smith) Glenn, who were both natives of County Antrim, north of Ireland, of Scotch descent. His father was born in 1813, and mother in 1817. They came to Amer- ica in 1839, and settled in Pennsylvania, subsequently removing to Van Wert, Ohio, where his father died in 1876, and his mother in 1883. Thomas M. was the fifth born of their seven children, five of whom are
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now living. He was married at Van Wert, Ohio, March 22, 1871, to Miss Viola C. De Puy, the accomplished daughter of Dr. W. W. De Puy, an old and prominent physician of northwestern Ohio. She was born at Laketon, Wabash county, Ind., January 24, 1853, and they have three children living: Walter D., Robert W. and Viola B. Her mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Bonner. Mrs. Glenn has been a member of the Second Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne, for many years. In 1874 Mr. Glenn took his first degrees in the order of Free- masonry, at Longmont, Col., St. Vrain lodge, No. 23, A. F. & A. M., and is now a member of Fort Wayne commandery, No. 4, Knight Templar, Valparaiso chapter, No. 137, Royal Arch Masons, and Por- ter lodge, A. F. & A. M.
Capt. Allan H. Dougall was born in Glasgow, Scotland, July 17, 1836. Twenty-two years later he emigrated with his father, John Dougall, and the younger portion of his father's family, arriving in Fort Wayne, June 2, 1858. The family settled in St. Joseph township in July, 1858, where they engaged in farming. During the agitation in Great Britain for the abolition of human slavery in the British colonies, his father took a prominent part, and at the outbreak of the rebellion, fore- seeing that American slavery had to succumb ere peace would be restored, he willingly permitted the subject of this sketch and his brother William, to enlist in the army. Although comparatively unknown, Allan H. Dougall enlisted as a private in Company D, Eighty-eighth Indiana volunteer infantry, in July, 1862. He served with distinction at the battles of Stone River and La Vergne, Tenn., also in the Tullahoma and Chattanooga campaigns. He was severely wounded in his right arm and shoulder while leading his company against a rebel battery at the battle of Resaca, May 15, 1864. This wound crippled his entire right side and rendered him ever after unfit for manual labor. July 1, 1864, he was promoted adjutant of his regiment, aud while serving as such he was shot through the left leg at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864. From the commencement of " Sherman's march to the sea," to the close of the war, he was topographical engineer of the first brigade, first division, fourteenth army corps, under Gen. H. C. Hobart, and aid to Col. C. E. Briant, commanding the right wing of the brig- ade, composed of the Thirty-third Ohio, 'Eighty-eighth Indiana and Ninety-fourth Ohio volunteers infantry. At the battle of Benton- ville, N. C., he was wounded and left on the field, but succeeded in regaining our lines by Acorn run, and assisted in re-forming the brigade in support of the massed artillery which so materially assisted in decid- ing that battle. He was mustered into the G. A. R. in August, 1866, and is one among the oldest members in the department of Indiana, of which he has been chief mustering officer. He is past commander of Anthony Wayne post, and is at present a member of the national council of administration. For some time after his return from the army he was engaged in the milling business at New Haven, and was for several years clerk of that town and one of the school board, and commenced
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