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 34
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and possesses one of the handsomest government buildings in the coun- try, in which the postoffice also finds quarters.
The first postmaster at Fort Wayne, Samuel Hanna, opened his office in IS22 one door east of Colerick's hall. He was succeeded by Henry J. Rudisill, who kept the office in a frame building on the north side of Columbia street, between Calhoun and Clinton. In the same place the office remained during the terms of Oliver Fairfield and Smallwood Noel, but William Stewart, who was appointed in 1845, removed the office to the west side of Calhoun street, between Berry and Main. Samuel Stophlet was appointed in 1849, and John G. Maier in I853, and during the latter's term the first mail arrived by railroad, and he was the first postmaster appointed by the president. Moses Drake succeeded in 1861, and he established the office, which had been kept in various places by his predecessors, on Court street, where it remained until the government building was erected. Peter P. Bailey filled out the unex- pired second term of Mr. Drake, and was succeeded by Jacob J. Kamm, who was chosen by a popular election in 1869, there being a consider- able number of candidates. He served eight years, and was followed by Frederick W. Keil, who held until the appointment of William Kaough, in August, 1885. Four years later the present incumbent, C. R. Higgins, took charge of the office.
William Kaough, an energetic and prosperous citizen of Fort Wayne, who has filled a conspicuous position in the political history of the city as a democratic leader, was in August, 1885, appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, and the functions of this important office have been by him ably and faithfully performed. He has been a resident of the county during his entire life, was raised on the farm of his parents in Washington township, and educated in the public schools. In 1872 he removed to Fort Wayne, became engaged in the agricultural implement trade, in which he was quite successful, taking a prominent place among the active business men of the city. His interest in political affairs has always been an absorbing one, and he has done the party of his choice valuable service. In 1885 he acted as chairman of the democratic cell- tral committee. He is a worthy member of the Catholic church. Mr. Kaough was born in Washington township, June 11, 1844. His father, Nicholas Kaough, was born in Ireland in ISoo, came to Allen county more than half a century ago, and was one of those who cleared away the timber from the present site of the Cathedral. He married Mar- garet Brown, who was born in IS23, and they have had five children, of whom William was the second born. The father died in 1876, but the mother is still living, making her home in this city.
Cecilius R. Higgins, postmaster at Fort Wayne, late chief clerk of the western division of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railway company, is a native of Ohio, born at Kalida, Putnam county, January 21, 1847. Afterward his parents removed to Delphos, Ohio, where he was raised to manhood, and educated in the public schools, and where he began his career as a railroad man. His first employment was as a
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messenger boy, and while serving in this capacity he learned telegraphy, and was given a position as an operator. About the year 1867 he was appointed ticket and freight agent of the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne road at Delphos and Ada. January 1, 1868, he was called to Fort Wayne to accept the important position of train dispatcher of the west- ern division, which he filled during nine years. He then acted two years in the capacity of wood and tie agent for the company, and in 1879 was appointed chief clerk, and this responsible position he held until the summer of 1889. Those admirable qualities of character which have made him so successful in railroad life have also made him popular with his fellow-citizens in all social relations. Having always taken an active interest in politics, he was, in 1886, tendered the republican nomination for auditor, a trust which he accepted. He made a gallant contest for the success of the ticket, but was unable entirely to overcome the tre- mendous adverse majority in the county, although he ran 2,700 votes ahead of his ticket. During the exciting campaign of 1888, Mr. Hig- gins served as treasurer of the Allen county republican central committee, and as a director of the Morton club, and rendered efficient service to the republican national ticket. In recognition of his services, and that executive ability he has manifested in other positions, he was appointed by President Harrison, June 18, 1889, postmaster at Fort Wayne, which position he assumed July 9, 1889. Mr. Higgins was married May 6, 1874, to Ella S. Hale, of West Virginia, a niece of O. W. Jefferds, with whom she was raised, and they have two children: Celia and Adah. Mrs. Higgins is a member of the First Presbyterian church.
The important position of deputy postmaster, an office in its duties closely related to the public, is satisfactorily filled by Otto P. Herbst, who has been a resident of Fort Wayne since 1865. He received his education in the public schools and at Concordia college. For several years he was engaged in the meat market business in this city, but on September 1, 1885, was tendered the position of stamp clerk in the post- office. He served in that capacity until January 1, 1887, when he was appointed deputy postmaster. He is an enterprising citizen, and is prominently connected with building and loan associations, being presi- dent of the German association No. I, and secretary of German No. 5, Summit City, Wayne, German Allen and Jefferson associations. Politi- cally he is prominent among the young democrats. He was married December 5, 1877, to Mary Bullerman, a native of this city, born May 7, 1858, and they have three children : Frederick H., Clara D. and Henry W. They are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Herbst was born at Indianapolis, November 8, 1857, son of Frederick and Dora (Turkopp) Herbst, natives of Germany. The father, who was born April 10, 1825, came to the United States in 1854, and after living two years at Columbus, Ohio, removed to Indianapolis. There he enlisted in 1861, in Company K, Forty-seventh Indiana infantry, and served faithfully three years, receiving an honorable discharge in 1864. He came to Fort Wayne with his family in 1865, and was accidentally
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drowned March 12, 1886, in the old canal. His widow resides in this city; she was born February 5, 1824. Two of their children are living, Otto P. being the elder.
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 died in 1862. 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, who died in 1857. In 1848 the family removed to Kosciusko county, Ind., where they settled in a cabin on 160 acres of land, and here, without the advantages 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, and began the study of law with Hon. Isaac Jenkinson, and was admitted to the bar on April 22, 1861. President Lincoln having issued his proclamation for 75,000 three months' volunteer troops, he enlisted in Company G, of the Twelfth Indiana volunteers. Being appointed second sergeant, le held that position until the expiration of his enlistment when he re- enlisted for one year, but on account of disability contracted while in the line of duty he was discharged at Poolsville, Md., August 31, 1861. Returning home he was engaged for several 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 United States marshal by W. W. Dudley, and held this position until the change of administration in 1884. In the meantime he had built up a large and lucrative real estate and loan busi- . ness, at which he is now occupied. Mr. Hayden is a Methodist, as were his parents. Reared a whig, he became an enthusiastic republican, and early in life adopted for his political motto, "Colonization and qualified suffrage," a doctrine which he still believes could have saved the Union its tremendous sacrifice in settling the question of slavery. He was united in marriage May 18, 1866, with Sarah M., daughter of Dr. Sam- uel J. Green, of Wayneton, Ind., and they have had five children born to them, 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 mem- ber of the G. A. R.
Thomas W. Blair, deputy United States marshal for the northern district of Indiana, was born in Defiance county, Ohio, September 15, 1850. His father, Joseph Blair, was born in Ohio, September 10, 1824, and was a farmer by occupation, and a worthy and highly esteemed man. He married Jane Ritchhart, also a native of Ohio, born August 8, 1829, who died in Defiance county, December 28, 1865. The father
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died in Paulding county, April 7, 1882. Thomas W. Blair is the eldest of their three children, and his childhood and youth were spent upon the farm of his parents. After receiving a common school education he began work in 1872, at the trade of cooper, at Antwerp, Ohio, and he followed that occupation until 1881, when he came to Fort Wayne and established himself in business as a cooper. . He was so engaged until January, 1886, when he sold his business and embarked in the grocery business, in which he continued until January, 1888. Mr. Blair was married February 10, 1876, to Amanda J. Smith, who was born in Pauld- ing county, Ohio, in 1853, the daughter of Judge Ezra Smith. He is a member of Harmony lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., and of Phoenix lodge, K. of P., No. IOI, and is a member of the supreme body of the order of the, National Union. In politics Mr. Blair is an active republican, and in 1886 he was the nominee of his party for the office of senator for the district composed of the counties of Allen and Whitley, the opposing candidate being Col. I. B. McDonald, of Columbia City. Mr. Blair made a splendid contest against overwhelming odds, and going into the canvass with an adverse majority of 3,500, reduced it to 671. In May, 1889, he was appointed deputy by United States Marshal Dunlap, of Indianapolis, and he has already made an honorable record. In an early day, counterfeiters were not rare in northern Indiana, but for many years a counterfeiters' den had not been found, until Marshal Blair, early in September, 1889, discovered a complete outfit for the production of spurious coin in the garret of D. D. Rhynard, near Monroeville. On this case Mr. Blair worked three days and nights, and the culprit was safely lodged in jail. He resigned the deputy marshalship, September 23, 1889, to accept the position of assistant mailing clerk in the post- office.
Louis S. C. Schroeder, a deputy collector of United States internal revenue, stamp department, is a native of Fort Wayne, born Septem- ber 10, 1857. His father, C. Louis Schroeder, was born in Germany, January 1, 1827, arrived in America June 24, 1852, and on March 13, 1856, was married to Eliza Rippe, who was born in Germany, April 10, 1838, and came to America June 18, 1854. They had two children, of whom the younger, Charles J. H. Schroeder, was born in Fort Wayne, February 4, 1860, married Louisa Lahmeyer, October 4, 1883 (she was born February 27, 1861), and has one child, Carl Louis, born January 14, ISS9. Louis S. C., the elder, received his education in the English and German schools of Fort Wayne, and at fourteen years of age entered the drug store of Dreier Brothers, where he remained five years. Then, in May, 1877, at the age of twenty, he formed a partner- ship with his brother, who was seventeen, and embarked in business as druggists. It is probably the youngest firm of the kind on record, but they succeeded in their enterprise, and now at the corner of Broadway and Washington streets, are doing a prosperous business. Louis S. C. Schroeder is also president of the Schroeder medicine company, of Fort Wayne, of which his brother Charles J. H. is treasurer and Carl Weber
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is secretary. The Schroeder medicine company is a thriving young industry, organized March 1, 1889, for the purpose of manufacturing four specialties : " Weber's Catarrh Cure," " Weber's Toilet Lotion," " Weber's Corn Cure " and " Weber's Tooth Ache Drops." Though yet in its infancy, the prospects for this enterprising concern are of the most flattering nature. Mr. Schroeder is an active adherent of the democratic party, and he was in August, 1886, appointed to the deputy collectorship. He was married in November, 1879, to Lauretta, born in Fort Wayne, March 5, 1860, daughter of Orlando E. Bradway, who was born in Massachusetts, March 10, 1834, and married in 1857 Ellen Grusch, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 3, 1836. Mr. Schroeder and wife are members of St. John's Lutheran church.
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES.
Parks .- The city has no centrally located public park, and many. visitors to Fort Wayne go away in the belief that in these needful places of recreation there is a woeful deficiency. On the contrary, there are parks in abundance, situated at no great distance from the business center, but in the need of money for water-works, streets, sewerage and other public works that made more imperative demands upon the municipal purse, they have until late years been somewhat neglected. The present pur- pose of the common council is to speedily remedy this defect, and ap- propriations for shade trees, flower beds, graveling of walks, drainage and fencing, seats and so on are cheerfully voted. Within the past twelve months much money has been intelligently expended in this direction, and before long Fort Wayne will have delightful breathing places for its populace, which, while they may not be made strikingly attractive by reason of the level character of the ground, may neverthe- less become models of landscape, gardening and exquisite floriculture.
'The city owns a large tract of land in the ninth ward, between North Cass street and Spy Run, which was years ago set apart for park pur- poses. A line of street cars makes it accessible from all parts of the city, and pedestrians will be occupied but fifteen minutes in a walk from the court-house, crossing the St. Mary's river by either the Clinton street or the Wells street bridges. On the east side courses Spy Run which the city proposes to deepen and widen into a lake of sufficient size for pleasure boats. The ground is elevated, the soil of gravel, overlaid with sand, and so is easily drained. During the present year a large appropriation was made for shade trees which have been planted. It is planned to erect on this property permanent buildings of graceful and attractive design, reserving always enough of the grassy lawns for games of base ball, quoits, cricket, Scottish games and other athletic sports, with possibly a track for bicycle riders. The water-works pump- ing house with its two monster low pressure engines, its great supply pool, fed from a series of deep flowing wells is a short distance to the
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north and afford objects of interest and attraction to the pleasure seeker. A little further off are the St. Vincent's orphanage, the power house of the electric light company with its great engine and powerful dynamos, and but a little farther the Centlivre boat-house where a fleet of pretty pleasure boats invite to breezy rides over the waters of the majestic St. Joseph river.
By the will of the late Thomas Seomney it was provided that the beautiful Seomney park of sixty-one acres, which lies in the bend of the St. Mary's river in the west end of the city, shall revert within a few years to the public use. The cleared portion of the property is on a gentle slope, the rest is covered with a heavy growth of forest trees. It is on these grounds that the Northern Indiana fair has been held for many years past. They contain a half-mile race track, several hundred horse and cattle stalls, and a few large buildings- which have been used for exhibition purposes. Street cars run to the principal gate.
A delightful place for recreation is Williams park in the sixth ward. It is reached by the Belt line cars which pass the principal entrances. The park is amply shaded by a thick growth of young forest trees, has been thoroughly drained and been made beautiful in various ways. The boundaries of Williams park are Creighton and Hoagland avenues, Pon- tiac and Webster streets. The grounds are the property of the heirs of the late Hon. Jesse L. Williams, and the improvements are made by them.
The same gentlemen have beautified the site of old Fort Wayne, and have placed there the flag staff and the cannon, with mention of which this chapter begins.
Hayden Park takes its name from Hon. T. J. Hayden. It is a nearly triangular piece of ground in the eighth ward. It is not quite a block in extent, and though small is situated in a thickly settled portion of the city, admirably adapted to the greatest usefulness to the public. Numer- ous shade trees have been set out, flower gardens planted and it is planned to make this little park a gem of landscape gardening.
A large park, designed especially for the benefit of the citizens of of the west end, was thrown open to the public last year. It is called McCulloch park after Hon. Hugh McCulloch, ex-secretary of the treas- ury, who gave the land. This park will be made especially attractive. It is reached by the Belt line of street cars.
In this connection may appropriately be mentioned Lindenwood cemetery, the beautiful city of the dead, to which tender and solemn associations draw many visitors. Here, covered by the gentle hand of nature are the graves of many whose names are recorded in this history, and many a magnificent monument commemorates the prominence of worthy men and women who have passed away. This property was purchased on July 5, 1859, by Jesse L. Williams, Hugh McCulloch, Charles D. Bond, David F. Comparet, Royal W. Taylor, Allen Hamil- ton, Alexander M. Orb, John E. Hill, Pliny Hoagland, Alfred D. Brand- riff, Oehmig Bird and I. D. G. Nelson, for the sum of $7,627.50. The
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title was first in the name of Mr. Williams, for the use of the company, and was deeded to the association on May I'4, 1860. On the latter day the organization was completed by the election of I. D. G. Nelson as president, and Charles D. Bond as secretary and treasurer. The grounds were set apart with solemn ceremony on May 30, 1860, by a remarkable coincidence anticipating the observance of a day now dedicated to the deceased soldiers of the republic. The grounds were then in a wild, unattractive state, and much money has been expended for their improvement.
Lindenwood cemetery now comprises 124 acres, of which seventy acres are used for burial. The grounds are surrounded by an iron fence, 1,700 feet in length, is five feet high, set upon stone posts, three feet in the ground. It cost $2,652.25 and will last for generations.
The " Gate Lodge," built in a picturesque style of Gothic architec- ture, is located just inside the entrance gates covering a space 35x31 feet. The floors are laid with black and white marble tile, and the var- ious rooms wainscoted with marbelized slate, and the walls and grained ceilings neatly frescoed. A circular bell-tower breaks out in one of the angles, and at the base is an open loggia leading to both the private of- fice and reception room.
On the 17th day of March, 1884, the trustees sold about three acres lying on the west border of the cemetery grounds, to the Achduth Veshalom congregation, for their exclusive use for burial purposes.
A large sum of money has been expended in winding walks, and several miles of cobble stone gutters have been put down. The com- pany secured by a substantial culvert over the old canal feeder, and by a finely graded pike such an approach from the city as few cemeteries possess. The place is visited annually by thousands of strangers, who praise its unrivaled beauty.
Two of the corporators of the association now sleep within the con- fines of the cemetery, Hon. Jesse L. Williams and O. A. Simons. Their demise has made changes necessary in the corporators and trus- tees. The former board is now composed of Hugh McCulloch. S. B. Bond, I. D. G. Nelson, O. P. Morgan, A. P. Edgerton, George H. Wil- son, J. H. Bass, W. O. H. Hoffman, J. D. Bond, A. E. Hoffman, E. H. McDonald and John Orff. The board of trustees consists of Messrs. I. D. G. Nelson, O. P. Morgan, S. B. Bond, George H. Wilson and John H. Bass. The superintendent and landscape architect, is John W. Doswell.
Since the opening of the cemetery, John H. Doswell has held the position of superintendent and landscape architect. This esteemed citi- zen was born in the city of London, November 3, 1827. His childhood was spent in that metropolis until he was about nine years of age, when his parents removed to the vicinity of Southampton, where he was reared to manhood. He served an apprenticeship with a florist, and followed that calling in England until 1852, during a portion of which time he was in the employ of W. D. Page at Southampton, and for four years was
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in the gardens of the Earl of Radnor, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, from where he went to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. Afterward he was head gardener for Sir William Medlican, at Venhall, Somerset. In September, 1852, he emigrated to the United States and spent the fol- lowing winter at Cincinnati, where he was in the employ of the late William Resor, having charge of his green houses. He next went to Wisconsin, purchased some land and engaged in farming, but in the fall of 1859 returned to Cincinnati. In December, 1859, he came to Fort Wayne and took charge of Lindenwood cemetery. In the summer of ISSS he was engaged in laying out and improving all the city park plats. Mr. Doswell was married in England in July, 1852, to Catherine J. Humphries, who was born in Gloucester, England, April, 1825. Of their ten children, the following are living: Haidee, wife of W. H. Brady; George, florist; Alfred, florist; H. J., assistant superintendent of Lindenwood; Emma, wife of I. B. Adams; Nellie L .; A. C., florist. Mr. Doswell is a member of the Episcopalian church.
City Hospital .- No worthier institution of more humane ends is to be found than that conducted at the southwest corner of Washington and Barr streets by the City Hospital association, incorporated Novem- ber 2, 1878, which may embrace any philanthropical person who will sign the constitution and by-laws. The property is that formerly known as the Hanna house, a massive brick building excellently adapted to the purposes. Mrs. C. L. Smith is the matron, and her Christian and moth- erly interest in the welfare of the patients, commends her to their affectionate regard. The lady is assisted by a corps of professional nurses. The hospital has accommodation for thirty patients and derives nearly its entire income from free gifts. A well equipped ambulance will shortly be put in service. The affairs of the hospital are managed by a board of nine directors, of whom M. L. Albrecht is president; W. D. Page, secretary, and E. F. Yarnelle, treasurer.
Places of Amusements .- With places of amusements Fort Wayne has been fairly well supplied. In 1853 Mr. E. F. Colerick erected Coler- ick's hall on the north side of Columbia street, in the middle of the block, between Clinton and Barr. This was the first public hall of any consequence, and it was opened on December 26, 1853, and for many years was a popular resort. The stage was small. In the rear of the auditorium was a gallery running across the room. In 1864 the place was refitted, the gallery was extended around the room, and private boxes were added, and the whole theater was handsomely decorated. A few years afterward it passed into the hands of Capt. J. B. White, who rechristened it White's opera house, and was twice gutted by fire. It has since been rebuilt for business purposes.
In 1868 Hervey Brothers, of Montreal, contracted with an associa- tion, called the Rink association, to erect a skating rink covering lot 95, original plat, on the north side of Berry street, between Clinton and Barr. The building was afterward turned into a tobacco factory, and in 1878 was sold and refitted as a place of amusement. A stage was put
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