Allen County, Indiana - The whole text, 1905 (part 3 of 12)

After establishing this enterprise on a solid basis, financially and industrially, Mr. Bass felt justified in turning his attention to other lines of enterprise which invited his marked initiative and administrative talents. In 1869 he extended his operations by founding the St. Louis Car Wheel Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, in which he has since owned a controlling interest and served as president. During the financial panic of 1873, when men of more conservative methods were deterred from making new ventures, Mr. Bass boldly launched out in another enterprise, establishing an extensive foundry in the city of Chicago. He is never unduly daring in business, but seems to possess wonderful foresight and sagacity, as well as sound judgment and discrimination, and he thus had the prescience to discern in a degree what the future had in store for Chicago, believing it a desirable field for investment. Time has shown conclusively that he did not mistake in his estimate, and the extensive foundries both in St. Louis and Chicago, where are manufactured car wheels and general railroad supplies, now represent most profitable investments, and have netted their founder a handsome fortune. Since 1880 Mr. Bass has owned a plant for the manufacture of pig iron, the same being located in northeastern Alabama, whence the output is shipped to his establishments in Fort Wayne, Chicago and St. Louis, as well as to the large foundry in the ownership of which he is associated at Lenoir, Tennessee. Several states of the Union have thus been materially benefited by the efforts of this one man.

Aside from his manufacturing interests, Mr. Bass has been prominently connected with various other lines of business which have greatly enhanced the welfare of Fort Wayne. In association with Stephen Bond, he was largely instrumental in building the street railway system of Fort Wayne, and in the same, with its now modern equipment and wide ramifications, these gentlemen for some time owned a controlling interest, though Mr. Bass is not now identified with it. For many years Mr. Bass has been one of the principal stockholders of the First National Bank of Fort Wayne, of which he has been president, while he has also been a member of the directorate of the Old National Bank for a number of years past. Brookside farm, comprising three hundred acres of fine land, adjoining the city of Fort Wayne, has attained to a national reputation, and repre- sents another field which has benefited by the almost limitless enterprise of our subject, the place being devoted principally to the breeding of Clydesdale horses and Galloway cattle, for the maintenance of which large direct importations have been made by Mr. Bass, while upon this farm is to be found some of the finest live stock in the world. From the place a fine exhibit was made at the Columbian exposition in Chicago, in 1893, and a still more noteworthy one in the recent Louisiana Purchase exposition, in St. Louis, in 1904, while many first prizes were secured in each instance. Mr. Bass owns fully fifteen thousand acres of land elsewhere in Allen county and in other sections of this and adjoining states, while in Alabama he owns not less than eighteen thousand acres of valuable mineral land. His capitalistic interests are most varied and important, being too numerous to be consistently noted in detail in this connection, as his financial valuation is variously estimated between five and six millions of dollars.

In his political proclivities Mr. Bass has ever been a stalwart Democrat, and he has been specially active in advocating a reform in the tariff policy of the nation. In 1888 he was a delegate-at-large to the Democratic national convention, and was nominated as presidential elector on the party ticket the same year. While a man of broad and intimate knowledge concerning matters of public polity, and while taking deep interest in public affairs, his extensive business interests have naturally compelled him to hold political matters in a subordinate position, though he never neglects the duties devolving upon him as a citizen. He is identified with various bodies of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained to the thirty-third and supreme degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church.

In the midst of the thronging cares of an exceptionally active and successful career in the industrial and business world, Mr. Bass has never been else than the genial, true-hearted friend and sincere and straightforward man, appreciative of the good in his fellowmen, no matter of what station in life, and ever placing true valuations in all the relations of life. He has had much to do with men in an executive capacity, and has had a most subtle and yet readily understood power of begetting loyalty on the part of those in his employ or working under his direction. In this connection it is significant that none of his great industrial enterprises have been menaced or impeded by strikes or other labor dissensions - a fact that shows his trust in his men and theirs in him. His friends are in number equal to his acquaintances, and yet this does not imply a weak or vacillating nature, for he is stern in his ideas of justice and right and never compromises with conscience for the sake of personal interests. No man in Fort Wayne is held in higher regard as a business man and citizen, and none has done more for the welfare of the city. His home relations are ideal in character, and in his beautiful home are centered his affections, hopes and ambitions. In the year 1865 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Laura H. Lightfoot, who was born and reared in Falmouth, Kentucky, being a daughter of the late and distinguished Judge George C. Lightfoot, of that place. They have had 'two children - Laura Grace, the wife of G. M. Leslie, M. D., of Fort Wayne, and John H., who died August 7, 1891.

William H. Hoffman

For more than thirty-five years was this sterling citizen prominently identified with the business interests of Fort Wayne, where he made for himself a place of honor in social and commercial circles, his life being one of signal positiveness and integrity and thus wielding an influence for good in all the relations of life. It is most consistent that in this work be incorporated a tribute to his memory as a representative citizen and business man.

Mr. Hoffman came of stanch Dutch ancestry and was a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in Orange county, New York, on the 17th of February, 1840, and having been a son of Nathaniel Hoffman. When he was a lad of ten years, his parents removed to Rockville, Maryland, and there he completed his academic education, while he also had the further discipline of learning the printer's trade in a local establishment, the advantages thus afforded being practically equivalent to a further educational training of liberal sort. After leaving Maryland he found employment in the newspaper offices of Washington, D. C., where he was thus engaged during the progress of the war of the Rebellion. After the close of the great struggle which determined the integrity of the Union, he came to Indiana and located in Kosciusko county, where he engaged in the lumber business, in partnership with his brothers, Jacob R. and Andrew E. Hoffman. In 1868 they removed to Fort Wayne and established themselves in the same important line of enterprise, building up a business of very great proportions and for many years holding precedence as one of the principal concerns of the sort in this country. The enterprise was conducted under the title of Hoffman Brothers until a few months since, when it was incorporated as the Hoffman Brothers Company, William H. becoming vice-president

Mr. Hoffman identified himself most closely with the business and civic affairs of Fort Wayne, and his standing was unimpeachable during the long years of his residence here. He was a member of the directorate of the First National Bank at the time of his demise, and was otherwise concerned in local financial and industrial enterprises, while he was the owner of some valuable realty.

Concerning the death of Mr. Hoffman we quote from the columns of a local newspaper of Tuesday, December 6, 1904: "William H. Hoffman, one of the old and prominent business men of the city, is dead, due to a stroke of apoplexy. He had been in poor health for a year past. Last April he suffered a stroke of apoplexy, and since that time he has not been about on the streets, except to ride out occasionally. He has not attended to business for a year. Yesterday he was about the house, seemingly no worse than he had been for a few weeks, although he was: feeble. He was downstairs with his family last evening, and about 11 o'clock retired to his room. Mr. Hoffman has for many years been a member of the First Presbyterian church of this city, and was for a long time an elder in the same. He was a man of pure and lofty character and unimpeachable business integrity; a devoted husband, a kind father, and a citizen who held the esteem of his wide circle of acquaintances." It may further be said that Mr. Hoffman was sincerely public-spirited in his attitude and ever ready to do his part in the uphoiding of undertakings advanced for the general good of his city and its people. Though never active in political matters and never seeking official preferment, he was a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party. Mr. Hoffman was married on February 5, 1874, to Miss Mazie Evans, of Fort Wayne, who died on the 21st of April, 1904, at Jacksonville, Florida, whither she had gone for the benefit of her husband's health.

Mrs. Hoffman was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Evans, who were well known in the early days of Fort Wayne, as Mr. Evans had been interested in considerable railroad and iron operations in Paulding county, Ohio, as well. as in Pennsylvania. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman survive them - Frederick E. and Misses Katharine and Emily R., all of whom remain residents of Fort Wayne, where they were born and reared. Of the brothers and sisters of the subject of this memoir the following named survive him: Anne E., who is the wife of John W. Sale, of Fort Wayne; Andrew E., who is president of the Hoffman Brothers Company, in this city, of which our subject's only son is the treasurer; Jacob R. Hoffman, of Charleston, West Virginia, and Joseph C. Hoffman, a representative farmer of Wayne township, Allen county.

To those who knew William H. Hoffman no word of eulogy is needed, for his life was an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny and giving no sign of blot on any portion of its surface, which was thus unblemished by suspicion of wrong in any of its relations. He was a man of honest worth and unostentatious depth of character, and his name merits an enduring place on the roll of the leading business men and representative citizens of Fort Wayne, where he so long lived and labored to goodly ends.

Among the native sons of Allen county, Indiana, who have gained for themselves honorable recognition in business circles is he whose name appears above. J. C. Peltier, who carries on a successful undertaking and embalming business at No. 117 West Wayne street, was born in this city on the 21st of September, 1843, and is the son of Louis and Laura (Cushing) Peltier, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The subject received his early education in the public and parochial schools of this city, and later pursued the higher branches at Notre Dame. While he was yet in his teens, the great southern rebellion became a fact, and he evinced his patriotism by promptly offering his services in his country's behalf, enlisting in Company K, Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was sent at once to the front, and at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, he was severely wounded. Receiving his discharge at the close of three months' service, Mr. Peltier returned to Fort Wayne, and during the following three years was engaged with his father in the undertaking business. During the following twelve years he worked at patternmaking, in the employ of Storey & Bowser, and still later took up photography with J. A. Shoaff, following that line for six years as an assistant, and for a further period alone. He then took up the practice of telegraphy, and upon attaining proficiency was made operator for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company at Kendallville, Indiana, filling this position in a satisfactory manner for several years. In 1873 the subject, in association with George S. Carr, purchased an undertaking business in Fort Wayne, conducting the same under the name of Louis Peltier, and in 1876 he purchased his partner's interest and again became associated with his father. They carried on this business together until 1882, when the subject purchased his father's interest and has since carried on the business alone, under the name of J. C. Peltier. In 1874 Mr. Peltier invented an embalming fluid, having the necessary instruments made in Fort Wayne, and enjoys the distinction of having been the pioneer in this line, as up to that time no embalming fluid had been manufactured. He has been always up-to-date and progressive in his methods, and has enjoyed at all times the fullest confidence of all with whom he has had dealings.

On the 25th of December, 1865, Mr. Peltier was united in marriage to Miss Selena F. Wadge, a native of Ashburton, England, who came to Fort Wayne with her parents in 1862. This union was blessed with the birth of two children, namely: William H. W. is a successful dealer in automobiles in the city of Fort Wayne, and Laura A., who still remains under the parental roof. Mrs. Selena Peltier died on the 30th of September, 1893, and in November, 1894, he married Miss Fannie J. Jones, who was born in Lockport, New York, but who accompanied her parents to Fort Wayne in 1860. -

In politics Mr. Peltier is a Democrat and takes a keep interest in the success of his party and in the general trend of national political events, though he takes no very active part in public affairs, beyond the exercise of his right of franchise. Mr. Peltier is affiliated with General Lawton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and takes a deep interest in the welfare of his old comrades in arms. In all the relations of life he has well sustained his part, and few men are the recipients of so large a degree of general esteem among those who know him best.

Harry H. Hilgemann

This able and popular young member of the bar of Fort Wayne is a representative of the third generation of the Hilgemann family in Allen county, which stands in evidence of his being a scion of pioneer stock, while the prestige which he is securing in his exacting profession is the more pleasing to contemplate in view of the circumstance that he is thus winning for himself success and honor on his "native heath." On another page of this work appears a memorial tribute to the honored father of our subject, so that it will not be necessary to re-enter the genealogical data in the present connection.

Harry H. Hilgemann was born in the family homestead, in the city of Fort Wayne, on the 19th of August, 1881, and is a son of Henry F. and Lisette (Bueker) Hilgemann, both representing stanch German lineage. Our subject had due recourse to the advantages offered by the excellent public schools of his native city, as well as the West German school, while he was graduated in the city high school as a member of the class of 1900. Shortly afterward he was matriculated in the law department of the famous University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, where he completed the very thorough course provided, and was graduated as a member of the class of 1903, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He had previously carried on his technical studies in the office of Judge Allen Zollars, of Fort Wayne, while he also had as preceptor for a time Judge Robert Lowry, so that he was signally favored in the tutelage which he secured. He was associated with Judge Lowry in practice at the time of his admission to the bar of his native county and state, in the summer of 1903. In the following year he engaged in practice on his own responsibility, continuing his work individually until January, 1905, when he entered into partnership with Clyde M. Gandy, under the firm name of Gandy

& Hilgemann, and this progressive firm of young attorneys and counselors is meeting with merited success, the members proving able and discriminating coadjutors. In his political allegiance Mr. Hilgemann is stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party. In addition to his professional duties, he is also incumbent of the office of notary public. The firm has well equipped offices at 134 East Berry street.

Newton W. Gilbert

Among the citizens of this community who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have honored the locality to which they belong, mention should be made of him whose name forms the caption to this brief article. For a number of years he sustained a very enviable reputation in legal circles, and is now the popular representative of the twelfth district in the national house of representatives. Newton W. Gilbert is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born at Worthington, Ohio, on the 24th day of May, 1862, and is the son of Theodore R. and Ellen L. Gilbert, also natives of Ohio. When the subject of this sketch was but a youth he was brought by his parents to Indiana, and in the schools of this state he received his education, supplementing this by attendance in the Ohio State University, not attending this institution the full course. He then took up the study of the law, and upon his admission to the bar at once entered upon the active practice of his profession. Prior to this he had had good experience as a school teacher and in surveying, at which he was engaged about four years. In his professional career he early established a reputation as a safe and sound counselor, a successful pleader and an indefatigable worker, standing high in the esteem of his professional confreres and the general public, commanding a large clientage almost from the beginning.

In politics Mr. Gilbert has always rendered an ardent and consistent support to the Republican party, and from 1896 to 1900 he represented the district composed of Steuben and Lagrange counties in the state senate. From Igor to 1905 he served his state as lieutenant-governor, and in the fall of 1905 he was elected to represent the twelfth district in the national congress, defeating Hon. James M.

Robinson, who had represented the district for several terms. Fraternally, Mr. Gilbert is affiliated with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, the Elks and various other orders, while he is also a member of the Anthony Wayne Club, of Fort Wayne, and the Columbia Club, of Indianapolis. His religious connection is with the Protestant Episcopal church.

On February 12, 1888, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Miss Della R. Gale, who was born at Angola, Indiana, December 1, 1862, the daughter of Jesse M. and Elizabeth Gale. To them were born two children, Whiting and Lois, both of whom are now deceased, and on January 2, 1901, Mrs. Gilbert also passed away.

Upon the outbreak of the war with Spain, Mr. Gilbert enlisted at the first call for troops, being commissioned as captain of Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The regiment spent the summer at Tampa and Fernandina, Florida, and were mustered out of the service in November, 1808. Possessing many fine qualities of character and strong social propensities, Mr. Gilbert always makes friends easily and is most highly regarded by all who know him.

Elmor E. Morris

It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor or of suddeni meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative professional men of Hoagland, Allen county, Indiana, a position he has attained by dint of patient and persistent effort alone. it being a well established fact that in what are termed the learned professions success can be attained only by merit. Dr. Morris is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born at Alliance, Stark county, Ohio, on the 23d day of March, 1868. He is the son of J. L. and Hannah A. Morris, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio, though of English and Welsh descent, respectively. On the paternal side the subject is directly descended from Robert Morris, the noted financier and statesman of the early days of our nation's history. Elmor Morris secured his elementary education in the public schools, after which he attended the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana, and Mt. Union College, at Alliance, Ohio, receiving from the last named institution the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then entered the dental department of the University of Cincinnati, in which he graduated in 1898 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He then entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, and in 1902 graduated, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately after graduation he entered upon the practice of dentistry in Cincinnati, and was so engaged until removing to his present location at Hoagland. Here he entered upon the general prac- tice of medicine and dentistry combined, and has attained a distinctive success. A thorough preliminary preparation and natural talent have enabled him to handle successfully cases coming under his care, and he was not long in securing the confidence of the people among whom he was located. Of sterling personal qualities and possessing a strong social nature, he has not been slow in making friends, which he easily retains.

On June 20, 1901, Dr. Morris was united in marriage with Miss Addie E. Smith, who was born at Hoagland, Indiana, on August 29, 1876, the daughter of Dr. J. L. and Allie Smith, and their union has been blessed in the birth of one child, Joseph E. Politically, the subject is a stanch Republican, and it would be strange were he not, for, born and reared as he was in the old McKinley district, he early imbibed those principles for which the grand old party has always stood and of which the late lamented President was so able an exponent. In religion Dr. Morris belongs to the Christian church at Fort Wayne, while his fraternal relations are with that noble beneficent order, the Knights of Pythias. He takes a deep interest in the general welfare of the community, giving his aid and support to every movement for the material, moral or educational advancement of his fellow citizens.

The system of osteopathy may be said to represent both modification and amplification in the treatment of disease, and of how great value has been this system, how far reaching and insistent its beneficence, the laity have not even measurably appreciated. Osteopathy is proving a leaven which is gradually but surely affecting the whole lump and permeating the dispensations of the various established schools of medicine. It stands as the ally of nature in her operations, and not as a disrupter, and though at times the object of suspicion, prejudice and enmity, the devotees of the new system have had the fortitude to hold their position and defend their faith by demonstrating the efficiency of the so-called innovation.

Notwithstanding our vaunted progress in all lines of thought, action and material accomplishment, human nature remains the same, and men are reluctant to accept new ideas which seem to clash with those long maintained. As a sponsor of osteopathy in Indiana, Dr. Rush occupies a high position, and it can not but be a matter of satisfaction to him to realize how high has become the status of his chosen school and how great its influence in bringing about more humane and scientific methods of practice. He stands at the head and front of the Dr. Rush Infirmary of Osteopathy, in the city of Fort Wayne, and may properly be said to be the leading representative of his school of practice in the northern part of the state. He is clearly entitled to definite recognition in a publication of the province assigned to the one at hand.

Dr. Rush claims Illinois as the state of his nativity, having been porn in Rushaway, Menard county, and being a son of John T. and Julia E. (Simpson) Rush, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Illinois, soon after her parents emigrated there from Ken- tucky. The father, who was a merchant by vocation during the major portion of his independent career, died in 1879, in the prime of life. His wife is still living, and now maintains her home in California. Dr. Rush secured his preliminary educational training in the public schools of his native county, having been graduated in the high school at Tallula, when sixteen years of age. For two years thereafter he traveled in a commercial way, selling a line of notions to the retail trade, and he then taught in the schools of his home county for two years, proving successful in his pedagogic efforts. Upon attaining his legal majority he opened a general store in Tallula, instituting operations on a modest scale and basing the same on borrowed capital, in the sum of five hundred dollars. No better voucher as to his ability, integrity, industry and good business management can be offered than that afforded by the statement that within five and one-half years he cleared ten thousand dollars, having built up a large and representative trade. At the expiration of the period noted the Doctor disposed of his interest in Tallula and removed to Wichita, Kansas, in which city he opened a retail grocery, which he conducted for five years, then disposing of the enterprise, in 1893. For the ensuing three years he was a traveling salesman for a wholesale grocery house, and in the meanwhile he had determined to prepare himself for the practice of osteopathy, whose system he had been carefully investigating in a preliminary way. He accordingly entered the Osteopathic Institute at Quincy, Illinois, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1897, while later he took special post-graduate courses in 1898 and 1899. He received his degree of Doctor of Osteopathy and came forth admirably equipped for the work of his chosen profession, while his success in the same has been pronounced and gratifying, both in a subjective and objective sense. On the 15th of September, 1808, Dr. Rush located in the city of Fort Wayne, where he established the Fort Wayne Institute of Osteopathy, under which title the enterprise was conducted until 1901, when the present form was adopted - the Dr. Rush Infirmary of Osteopathy. His headquarters are in suites 49, 50 and 51, Pixley-Long building, where he has the best of accessories and equipments for the work of his profession, his offices being specially attractive in their appointments. As a licensed practitioner of osteopathy he makes a specialty of all spinal, nervous and chronic diseases, in the treatment of which his success has been so marked that his reputation has grown apace. He has been at all times tolerant, but has not sacrified his beliefs nor lacked the courage to defend his position. He stands as an exemplar of true professional courtesy, while as a citizen he commands unqualified esteem. He is a member of the Indiana Osteopathic Association and takes a deep interest in the forwarding of the work and prestige of his system of practice. In politics the Doctor accords an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally he is identified with the Pathfinders. It may be said without fear of contradiction that Dr. Rush was the pioneer osteopathic practitioner in northern Indiana, while he was the first of his school in the city of Fort Wayne.

On the 7th of May, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Rush to Miss Mary D. Judy, of Quincy, Illinois, and they have two children - Ida May and Ralph Judy.

It can not prove malapropos in this connection to offer the following extract from the Chicago Journal of Health, since the article has specially to do with the subject of this brief review : "Tf the older schools of medicine were inclined to oppose osteopathy at its inception, certainly the record it has made, the great number of remarkable cures it has achieved, would forever silence unfavorable criticism and force from its most bigoted opponents a tribute of praise as heartfelt and emphatic as is deserved. When Dr. Still first promulgated his theories, only to have them combated by ultra-conservative members of the medical profession, this publication preferred to await results before judging hastily as to the merits of this new school, and results have shown the wisdom of withholding judgment, for osteopathy has proved to be all and more than was fondly hoped for it by its most enthusiastic supporters. Today it has a place of its own in the forefront, a position honestly won and honorably held by right of almost marvelous cures accomplished in some of the most obstinate cases, where every other source of healing and curative aid had been appealed to in vain. l

"In following the wonderful progress of osteopathy the Chicago Journal of Health has instituted a method of treating the subject which by individualizing it confers a distinct benefit upon its readers. We have reference to the custom of selecting the leading exponent of osteopathy in each of the larger cities throughout the United States and giving a brief sketch of this representative of the science of osteopathy in his own community. In reviewing the remarkably successful record of osteopathy in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, no diffculty presents itself when we would make a selection of the representative practitioner of this section, as by common consent and intrinsic merit Dr. Fred Rush assumes the position of leadership. That this physician is justly entitled to consideration as the representative - of osteopathy in Fort Wayne will scarcely be disputed by any one - certainly not by one who takes the pains to follow the course of the editorial correspondent of the Journal of Health and makes a thorough inquiry among the highest authorities in Fort Wayne - those who lead commercially, financially and socially - also makes a searching examination of the record of cures effected by Dr. Rush, especially some most obstinate cases that had stubbornly refused to yield to the skill of the foremost physicians of other schools. And this investigation was conducted without the knowledge of any physician in Fort Wayne, osteopathic or otherwise, and no one was consulted that was directly or indirectly interested in promoting the interests of any physician or school of medicine, while no opinions were sought except from those who were not only competent to express an intelligent opinion, but were also in a position to give an opinion utterly free from prejudice. As a result of this unbiased examination, we speak with authority in saying that in no community of the United States has the science of osteopathy made more headway among the intelligent classes, and that no practitioner in Fort Wayne can boast a clientele as great in numbers and influence, or can point to a more significant record of cures in cases of long standing that have baffled the efforts of other physicians, than can Dr. Rush, who is justly regarded as the foremost representative and exponent of osteopathy in the city of Fort Wayne. In Fort Wayne this school of medicine is firmly entrenched in the confidence and esteem of the elements representing the social, financial and commercial interests,:and in the very forefront of examples and exponents ranks Dr. Rush, who is a distinguished member of the school of practice in which he has met with so eminent success."

Christopher F. Hettler

To epitomize the life and character of the late Captain Hettler within the limits which this work allows is impossible. The stalwart proportions of his living presence were realized in the void made by his death. But less than most men intellectually his equal does he need the voice of eulogy, for his works do follow him. He was an honored and influential citizen of Fort Wayne, doing much to promote and conserve the interests of the city through his labors as an official and through private effort; he was for a number of years incumbent of the responsible position of purchasing agent for the Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburg; his integrity in all the relations of life indicated his fine moral fiber, and though of foreign birth, no man could be more intrinsically American in attitude or more deeply loyal to the land of his adoption, the most significant evidence of this being vouchsafed in the faithful and valiant service which he rendered as a Union soldier and officer in the war of the Rebellion. In his death, which occurred on Monday, November 6, 1899, as the result of an attack of pneumonia, Fort Wayne lost one of its most valued and popular citizens, and it is fitting that in this publication be incorporated a tribute to his memory.

Christopher F. Hettler was born in Hohenhaslach, county of Vaihingen, kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on the rst of April, 1834, and he was thus sixty-five years of age at the time of his death. In the excellent national schools of the fatherland he received a liberal education, and after attaining his majority he determined to avail himself of the superior advantages and opportunities afforded in America, whither he immigrated in 1857, arriving in New York city on the 8th of August. Soon afterward we found him located in Preble county, Ohio, where he remained four years, at the expiration of which, in the autumn of 1861, he came to Allen county, Indiana, where he ever afterward maintained his home. For a year he resided in New Haven, this county, and he then came to Fort Wayne, where he secured a position in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. As touching the salient points in his career, we are pleased to quote freely from an appreciative tribute published in the Fort Wayne News at the time of his demise:

"Although he had been but a few years in this country, his patriotism for his adopted land was so well known and so generally recognized that in 1864 he received a commission from Governor Oliver P. Morton, appointing him recruiting officer at this point. He was successful in securing a large number of recruits, and in September of the same year selected a company of his own from those whom he had enlisted, and he received at the time a captain's commission. His company was organized as Company C of the One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and the regiment was assigned to a place in the Army of the Cumberland. Captain Hettler served his country at the head of his company until July 14, 1865, when the command was mustered out. He then resumed his position in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1871 the company, in recognition of his marked ability and his fidelity, appointed him assistant purchasing agent, and from that time forward until his death he remained a valued member of that department of the railroad service.

"Ever since he came to this city Captain Hettler has made his strong personality felt in public affairs and has taken a leading part in municipal matters wherever there was a public benefit to be gained. He represented the second ward in the common council from 1873 to 1882, and his presence there at that critical time in the history of the city resulted in a cutting down of expenses and the hastening of municipal improvements demanded, Captain Hettler stood for the advancement of the fire department's interests, and he was one of those responsible for the installation of the first fire alarm telegraph system. In 1876 Captain Hettler made the memorable speech in the council which brought the municipal ownership of water-works first into public notice. The story of his fight, against great odds, which resulted in the present splendid system of water-works owned and controlled by the city, is fresh in the minds of the older citizens. In 1879 the question came up for popular vote, and Captain Hettler's position was sustained by the people with an overwhelming majority.

"Tn his social and business life Captain Hettler has been easily one of the foremost of Fort Wayne's German-American citizens. He held the position of treasurer of the most profitable and most prominent building and loan associations, and at the time of his death was the largest stockholder and one of the controlling spirits of the Home Telephone Company. He had long been a valued member of Harmony Lodge, No. 19, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Sion S. Bass Post, No. 40, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Fort Wayne Saengerbund. While not formally identified with any religious body, he gave largely to church organizations and charities. He was a firm believer in the spiritual verities as represented in the Christian religion, and was an attendant at the Bethel church of the Evangelical Association. When the new church edifice was erected Captain and Mrs. Hettler were the largest contributors."

The subject of this memoir was a man of sterling character, broad mental ken and mature judgment, placing true valuations on men and things, and ordering his life upon the highest plane of honor. He possessed to a marked degree the self-reliant spirit and pragmatic ability so characteristic of the German type, and thus he was successful in his various business connections, accumulating a competency and thus making ample provision for his family. He was liberal in his views, and kindly and tolerant in his judgment of his fellow men, while to those afflicted in mind, body or estate he was ever ready to extend a helping hand, though his benefactions were invariably of the most unostentatious order. In political affairs he was a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and as such was elected to the city council, in which he served so long and faithfully. In the resolutions passed by the council at the time of his death we find the following words: "He was a thoroughly upright official and' public-spirited citizen, ever zealous to advance the interests of Fort Wayne. He was a generous man, a genial companion and a patriotic American citizen, and his demise we sincerely deplore." dent of New Haven, this county. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary Agnes Furthmiller, who were numbered among the early settlers of Allen county, where they continued to reside until death, the father having been a farmer by vocation. Captain and Mrs. Hettler became the parents of one son, Herman Henry, who is now engaged in the lumber business in the city of Chicago, where he has extensive interests. Mrs. Hettler survives her honored husband, and maintains her home in the beautiful residence on East Dewald street, the same having long been a center of gracious hospitality. She has long been a devoted member of the Evangelical Association, and is one of the leading workers in the Bethel church of the same, while she has also been specially active and prominent in connection with various charitable and benevolent associations, being well known in the social life of the city, and having the inviolable friendship of a wide circle of acquaintances. She proved a true helpmeet and coadjutrix to her husband, and during their long association on the journey of life each was solaced and sustained by the abiding sympathy and love of the other, the gracious cords being loosened only when death gave its inexorable summons to him to whom this brief memoir is dedicated.

Adolph Diamond

The most elaborate history is, perforce, a merciless abridgement, the historian being compelled to select his facts and materials from manifold details and to marshal them in concise narrative. This applies to specific as well as generic history, and in the former category is placed. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer must needs touch only the more salient points, giving the keynote of the character, but eliminating all that is superfluous to the continuity of narrative. The subject of this memoir left his impress upon the civic, industrial and social life of Fort Wayne, where he was identified with important business enterprises, and where his intrinsic nobility of character gained to him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came into contact.

Adolph Diamond was born in Margelin, Prussia, on the 17th of . September, 1848, and in the excellent schools of his native place he secured such educational discipline as was possible during his boyhood days, but he was soon called upon to face the responsibilities of life and to depend upon his own resources, while his further education was secured under the direction of that wisest of all headmasters, experience. At the age of fourteen years he severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and proceeded to England, thus early starting forth as a free lance to fight life's battles. His father was a man of industry and integrity, but the family was a large one, there having been eight children, and the financial circumstances were such that Adolph was thus early led to go forth to seek his fortunes in a strange land. He arrived in England with but three dollars in his pocket, but before the expiration of three years, by honest and earnest effort, he accumulated a sufficient sum to pay his passage to

America, while his filial solicitude also prompted him to send six pounds of his hard-earned savings to his parents, who needed such assistance. Arriving in America, Mr. Diamond took up his residence in the city of New York, where he found employment in a wholesale jewelry establishment, in which he familiarized himself with the details of the business, and incidentally gained a knowledge on which was founded his success in independent operations. At the age of twenty-one years he engaged in the wholesale jewelry trade on his own account, and he brought to bear such discrimination, energy and integrity of purpose that the enterprise was prosperous from the start. In the interests of his trade he made trips to Cuba, Mexico and Central and South America, and while sojourning in these countries he became conversant with the Spanish language, which he learned to speak with much fluency, while he also mastered the English, French, Hebrew, Latin and Italian languages, in addition to his vernacular, the German tongue, becoming an excellent linguist, principally through his varied associations during his extensive travels. He continued to be actively identified with the jewelry business for fourteen years, with headquarters in the city of New York, and within this time he accumulated a considerable fortune. He made judicious investments in oil fields, and in the connection added materially to his wealth. He was finally called to the west by the Pottlitzer Brothers Fruit Company, becoming a silent partner in the same and the principal financial backer. At that time the company had headquarters only in Lafayette, Indiana, while the business was conducted on a small scale. Mr. Diamond surveyed the situation and quickly recognized the advantages offered by Fort Wayne as a wholesale and distributing center, the result being that he decided to open a house in this city in connection with the Lafayette concern. By shrewdness, integrity, honor and wide knowledge of business he made the enterprise one of the most extensive in this section of the Union, gaining control of the principal trade throughout northern Indiana, southern Michigan and western Ohio. The business grew to such proportions that he found it expedient and even imperative to open a branch house in Huntington, this state, and he continued to be identified with this large and prosperous industrial enterprise until the time of his death, in the mean- while making Fort Wayne his home. He was also a large stockholder in the Lafayette Cracker and Confectionery Company, of Lafayette, and had other capitalistic interests of importance. He was essentially loyal and public-spirited as a citizen, and in his political adherency was a stanch Republican. In a fraternal way he was affiliated with Wayne Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Orde of B'nai B'rith and the Royal Arcanum, while he was a prominent and faithful member of the Jewish congregation of Fort Wayne. He was summoned to his reward in the very prime of useful manhood, his death resulting from disease of the heart, and occurring very suddenly, on the 6th of June, 1903. He was devoted to his home and family, and within the precincts of his home his generous and noble attributes of character displayed themselves most brightly, while his death was mourned by a wide circle of appreciative friends, in business and social circles. His funeral was conducted under Masonic auspices.

In the year 1882 Mr. Diamond was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Pottlitzer, only daughter of the late Selig Pottlitzer, at that time resident of New York city, but later a prominent citizen of Fort Wayne. The nine children survive their honored father, and remain with their widowed mother in the attractive family home in Fort Wayne, their names, in order of birth, being as follows: Arthur, Leon, Doris, Lester, Jacques, Helen, Alice, Ramona and George L.

James A. Graham

The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a definite degree of success, and is eminently worthy of a place in this volume. James Armstrong Graham is a native son of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on the 25th day of December, 1856. He is the son of John and Martha (McAleer) Graham, both of whom were natives of the north of Ireland. The father was born in 1825, emigrated to the United States in 1847, and settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred on January 3, 1889. He was a stationary engineer by vocation and for a number of years was employed in that capacity in the shops of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad in Allegheny. His wife, who was born in 1827, came to America in 1847, and still makes her home in Allegheny.

The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the public schools of Allegheny. Upon attaining the proper age he entered the car shops of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad at Allegheny as an apprentice. He was industrious and ambitious, and his disposition and ability were in due time rewarded, he being promoted in 1884 to the position of superintendent of passenger car work. In September, 1886, he was transferred to Fort Wayne and made general foreman of the car department of the Pennsylvania Company, which position he still retains. He has given at all times a faithful and conscientious attention to the details of the work over which he has charge, which undoubtedly ac- counts for the pronounced success which has characterized his administration of the department assigned to him. He is considered one of the trusted and valued employes of the company, and has the full confidence of his superiors, as well as the regard and respect of those under him.

In November, 1875, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Ella McNurtney, who was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on June 26, 1856, being the daughter of Patrick and Ellen McNurtney. Their union has been a most felicitous one, and has been blessed in the birth of two children, Martha B., now Mrs. Adam LaMar, and Minnie A. Politically, Mr. Graham is a Republican, and takes a deep and commendable interest in the trend of passing events. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Royal Arcanum. In the first named order he belongs to Blue Lodge No. 125, and has also taken all of the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including the thirty-second. By a life consistent in motive and action, and because of his many fine personal qualities, Mr. Graham has earned the sincere regard of all who know him and in his home, which is the center of a large social circle, there is always in evidence a spirit of generous hospitality, old and young alike being at all times welcome.

William J. Vesey

It is not an easy task to adequately describe the character of a man who has led an eminently active and useful life in connection with the great profession of law and has stamped his individuality on the plane of definite accomplishment in one of the most exacting fields of human endeavor; and yet there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting, in even a casual way, to the career of an able and conscientious lawyer. One of the successful and highly esteemed members of the bar of Allen county is he whose name appears at the head of this article.

William J. Vesey was born April 19, 1857, at Lima, Lagrange county, Indiana, and is the son of Benjamin W. and Sarah W. ( Waterhouse) Vesey, the father a native of Rutland county, Vermont, and the mother of Portland, Maine. The subject's grandfather, William V esey, who was born in Vermont in 1801, removed with his family to Ohio in 1837, and in 1839 to Goshen, Indiana, where he died in 1870. The subject of this sketch was early inured to the labors incident to farm life and also there learned the lessons of industry and independence which have proved such a potential element in his subsequent success. His early education was obtained in the common schools of his home neighborhood and he early decided to make law his life study and profession. To this end he removed to Fort Wayne in 1878 and entered the office of Ninde & Ellison, where for two years he faithfully gave his attention to Blackstone, Kent and other legal authorities. Admitted to the bar of Allen county the year of his removal to this city, he has ever since been actively identified with the legal fraternity here and has occupied a conspicuous place among his colleagues. From 1880 until 1890 Mr. Vesey was associated in the practice with P. A. Rundall, and in the latter year formed a partnership with Judge O. N. Heaton, under the name of Vesey & Heaton, which association continued until, in 1899, Mr. Vesey was appointed judge of the superior court of Allen county to fill an unexpired term. At the conclusion of this official service Mr. Vesey associated himself in the practice of law with O. N. Heaton, A. J. Vesey and. BAE: Heaton, under the firm name of Vesey & Heaton, which arrangement continued until the election of Judge Heaton to the bench of the superior court of this county, at which time the present firm of Vesey & Vesey was formed, the partners being A. J. Vesey and the subject. The firm has commanded a large and lucrative practice and is considered one of the strongest legal firms in this city. Mr. Vesey is a director in and general attorney for the First National Bank of Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne Trust Company and the Tri- State Loan and Trust Company, and during his career at the bar he has been connected with a number of the most celebrated cases that have been tried in these courts.

Fraternally Mr. Vesey is a thirty-second-degree Mason, having taken all the degrees of both the York and Scottish rites, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is an ardent Republican and takes a keen interest in the success of that party, while his religious affiliation is with the Wayne street Methodist Episcopal church of Fort Wayne.

On the 2sth of July, 1882, Mr. Vesey was united in marriage with Miss Maggie S. Studabaker, the daughter of Judge David and Harriet (Evans) Studabaker, of Decatur, Indiana, her birth having occurred on January 14, 1863. To this union have been born the following children: Margaret S., September 10, 1883; Sallie W., July 5, 1885; Dick M., June 1, 1887; William J., Jr., January 14, 1889; David S., January 31, 1891, and Catherine Sh born October 26, 1894. Faultiess in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, William J. Vesey commands uniform regard and from his friends he has won love and esteem.

Captain James B. White

A few years since it was the privilege of the writer to prepare a review of the career of Captain White, who was then living and in the midst of the cares and exactions of his signally active business life. Since that time the Captain has been summoned to the life eternal, and it is now possible to sum up his career as one completed, gaining the true perspective of his deeds and worthy services. It is felt, however, that the previous resume, based upon data given by the subject himself, covered the ground in so consistent a style that liberal quotation may justly be made from the same, without further credit marking than that involved in this statement, while metaphrase will be made as need may be.

Captain White's life was not one of subjective exaltation or pretentiousness, but was one signally true to high ideals and one filled with definite and worthy accomplishment. He did much, and did it well, and his name is honored in the civic and industrial history of Fort Wayne and Allen county, within whose confines he lived and labored for fully a half century, being one of the essentially representative citizens and business men of the fair "Summit City Capes tain White was born in the town of Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland, twenty miles east of the city of Glasgow, on the 26th of June, 1835. His father, John White, was manager of an extensive calico-printing establishment, was a man of high intelligence and utmost integrity, while his wife was a true helpmeet, possessed of strong individuality, mentality and earnest religious convictions. Under such environment it was but natural that the home discipline of our subject should have been such as to engender self-reliance, thorough appreciation of the higher ethics of life and a determination to be useful in the world. He was the fourth in order of birth of the five sons and two daugh- ters born to his honored parents, and of this number three now survive. His educational advantages were somewhat limited, but he was enabled to secure a good English training, which he later supplemented most admirably by reading, study and contact with the world. At the early age of twelve years he began an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, which he followed two years, after which he was employed in connection with the calico-printing industry until he had attained to the age of nineteen years. This was a period of emigration, and, like many other young men, Captain White became imbued with a desire to try his fortunes in America. Accordingly, in the summer of 1854, he embarked on a sailing vessel at Glasgow, and thirty-four days later arrived in the port of New York city. In the national metropolis he obtained work at his trade until November, when, somewhat disheartened at the outlook, he determined to seek his uncle, who had some years previously settled in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He proceeded by rail to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Toledo, from which point he came by packetboat on the Wabash & Erie canal to Fort Wayne, reaching his destination in the latter part of November. His funds had by this time been completely exhausted, and he was compelled to deposit his trunk at the packet office, at the old Comparet basin, in the east end of town, until he could make good the balance of three dollars due on his packet fare. He discovered the whereabouts of his uncle, from whom he secured sufficient money to redeem his trunk, after which he was temporarily employed at his trade, in the service of Wade C. Shoaff, after which he worked for a short time in a machine shop. In February, 1855, he entered the employ of John Brown, who operated a stone yard, receiving for his services three dollars a week and his board, and being thus engaged for three months. He was subsequently again employed by Mr. Shoaff, and also by the firm of Nirdlinger & Oppenheimer, and in the summer of 1856 he opened a tailor shop of his own.. Not meeting with the success which he anticipated, he became dissatisfied, and in the autumn went to Cincinnati, and thence to St. Louis, but a few months later found him again in Fort Wayne, where he opened a tailor shop over the dry goods store of S. C. Evans.

remained as his loved and devoted companion until the time of his death, more than two score of years later. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1836, and came to America with her brother in 1853. She is a daughter of John and Jennie (Blair) Brown, the former of whom was an extensive contractor and builder in Scotland, where he died about 1840. His widow came to Fort Wayne in 1858, and here continued to reside until her death, in 1878. Both were lifelong members of the Presbyterian church, in whose faith they reared their children, while Mrs. White has long been numbered among the valued members of this church in Fort Wayne. Captain and Mrs. White became the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living, namely: John W., who is the president of the White National Bank of Fort Wayne; Jessie; Edward, president of the White Fruit House, of this city; Grace, wife of W. S. Morris, of Fort Wayne; James B., Jr., secretary of the White Fruit House, and Alexander B., who is manager for the Higgins Artificial Ice Company of Fort Wayne. After his marriage Captain White was for two years in the employ of Becker & Frank, who conducted a tailoring establishment at Warsaw, and after this he was enabled to open a shop of his own and purchase a home, his prospects for success being excellent. Buta higher duty came to him with the thundering of rebel guns against Fort Sumter, for his loyalty to his adopted land was roused to responsive protest. His courage was that of his convictions, and in August, 1861, he disposed of his little stock and business at a considerable loss and assisted in recruiting a company, of which he was elected captain and with which he proceeded to Camp Allen, Fort Wayne, where it was made Company I of the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Securing the essential equipment at Indianapolis, the regiment was sent to Camp Nevin, Kentucky, to join the command of General Wood. The Thirtieth Indiana was among the first regiments to reach Nashville after the battle of Fort Donelson and arrived at Pittsburg Landing in time to participate in the second day's engagement. In the battle of Shiloh, during the attack in which Colonel Bass, of Fort Wayne, was killed, Captain White was wounded in the right side, by a spent minie ball, but soon recovered, participating in the siege of Corinth and the skirmishes incident to that campaign. His regiment then joined in the pursuit of Bragg, proceeding to Louisville and thence back to Nashville, and not long afterward Captain White resigned his commission and, in the spring of 1863, in company with Joseph A. Stellwagon, became a sutler for the Eighty-eighth Regiment, in which capacity he remained engaged until the close of the war. Within this time he was twice captured by the enemy, and on one occasion, in the Wheeler raid near Chattanooga, his wagons and entire stock of supplies were entirely destroyed.

After the close of his faithful and prolonged military career Captain White returned to Fort Wayne, where he established himself in the grocery and fruit business. He was meeting with excellent success when, in January, 1872, his store was destroyed by fire, entailing a considerable loss. On the following day, however, he resumed business in a building on the opposite side of the street. A general financial depression followed hard upon this misfortune by fire, but the Captain's methods were careful and conservative and his discrimination so potent that he passed successfully through the ordeal which overthrew so many business concerns, being consecutively successful in his operations. He continued to be identified with the enterprise thus founded until the time of his death, and the White Fruit House, as the establishment is known, still controls a most extensive trade throughout northern Indiana and northeastern Ohio, being recognized as representing one of the important commercial industries of the state. This immense concern exercises both wholesale and retail functions and is located in a fine modern building at the corner of Calhoun and Wayne streets and the annual business had attained to the notable average of fully a half million dollars. The lines handled include groceries, fruits and general merchandise, and the stock is large and comprehensive. The executive corps of the concern, which is incorporated, is as follows: Edward White, president; James B. White, Jr., secretary; and Alexander B. White, the stock of the company being held entirely in the family of the founder of the great enterprise. As his financial resources increased Captain White made judicious investments in real estate, and he not only added materially to his own fortune but also did much for the improvement and advancement of the city through

Captain White started out in life dependent entirely upon his own resources, and he won success through earnest and well directed endeavor along legitimate lines of enterprise. In partnership with his eldest son, John W., he established and controlled a wheel factory, in which about two hundred workmen were employed, the concern being one of the largest of the sort in the Union and being successfully carried forward under the active management of John W. until 1892, when the plant and business were sold to the American Wheel Company. In the same year Captain White became associated with the same son, John W., in the organization of the White National Bank, with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars, and this institution stands today as one of the solid and popular monetary concerns of Fort Wayne, John W. White being president of the bank, while the subject remained a member of its directorate until his demise. He was essentially public-spirited and held the interests of Fort Wayne close to his heart, while to him was accorded the unqualified regard of its citizens of all classes. He was one of the commissioners from Indiana to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in 1893, receiving the appointment from Governor Hovey. He was one of the most popular and honored members of Sion S. Bass Post, No. 40, Grand Army of the Republic, the same having been named in honor of the colonel of the regiment of which he was a member, the Thirtieth Indiana. In 1894 Captain White was a member of the staff of Hon. Thomas G. Lawler, commander in chief of the national organization of this noble order.

At one time Captain White owned an interest in the Fort Wayne Gazette, and he always manifested a lively interest in political affairs, though his active work in the arena of politics was done only in the later years of his life. He was a stalwart Republican and was well fortified in his convictions as to matters of public polity. He was twice elected to the city council from the second ward, a Democratic stronghold, and in 1874 he nearly overcame the three thousand Democratic majority as the Republican candidate for clerk of the circuit court. In 1886 Captain White was prevailed upon to accept the Republican nomination for congress, as representative of the twefth district, which had previously shown a normal Democratic majority of about three thousand. At the ensuing election he ran ahead of his ticket by about twenty-five hundred votes, - a fact which attested his unbounded popularity and the unqualified confidence reposed in him. That he was worthy of this distinguished preferment is shown by his record in the connection. During his term in congress he was noted as a zealous worker, not only for the good of the people of his own district and state but also for that of the general public, and he introduced several measures for the benefit of the working classes. These were not at the time adopted, but in the future will be recognized as the proper foundation for legislation for the amelioration of the condition of wage-earners throughout the world. His minimum-wages bill was particularly calculated to help the laboring class. In the fiftieth congress his voice was often heard in the discussion of various measures, and particularly in the debates on the tariff question. In this field his information was that of a practical business man, and his arguments in the connection were widely quoted and carried much weight.

After his retirement from congress Captain White resumed management of his business affairs with undiminished energy, and he continued in the harness until practically the time of his death, which occurred on the 9th of October, 1897, at his home in Fort Wayne. He was a man of intrinsic nobility, and this fact made his life count for good in all its relations, while the record of his accomplishment, which so closely touched the city of Fort Wayne, must remain an integral part of the history of this municipality and this county. Captain White was broad and liberal in his views, and was a fitm believer in the spiritual verities as exemplified in the Christian faith, having for many years been a member and liberal supporter of the First Presbyterian church. Honorable and straightforward in all the relations of life, he was justly numbered among the most honored and valued citizens of Fort Wayne.

Allen Zollars

Allen Zollars was born in Licking county, Ohio. The ancestors of Mr. Zollars were of German extraction and emigrated from Prussia to this country at an early period. They belong to that robust and intelligent class of early emigrants who, to secure their political and religious freedom, were ready to encounter the privations and hardships of an unknown and unbroken wilderness, and the dangers arising from the frequent hostilities of native savages who claimed the whole country as their rightful and undoubted heritage. It was fortunate for the succeeding generations of America that the circumstances attending the first settlement of the country were somewhat forbidding, and such as to invite to its shores only the liberty-loving people of Europe. The sturdy ancestors of Mr. Zollars contributed their share in the struggle for independence and helped to secure for themselves and those to come after them that complete national freedom and personal liberty which all enjoy today. His paternal grandfather was an officer in the war of the Revolution and served his country with distinction for more than five years. Mr. Zollars' father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and at twelve years of age removed with his parents to Jefferson county, Ohio. At that time Ohio had been a state in the Federal Union but thirteen years, and was in a large measure an unbroken forest. Until his manhood and marriage the father of Mr. Zollars lived in that county, when he moved to Licking county, of the same state. There in the course of time he became the owner of flouring, lumber and woolen mills, which he operated with success. Subsequently he disposed of those properties and engaged in farming and the raising of fine stock.

seven years and three months, he lived in happy retirement, managing his property and enjoying the most devoted love and affection of an unusually large number of direct descendants. But a short time before his death he had assembled under his own roof five generations of his family - himself and wife, with whom he had lived for more than sixty-five years, and who survives him, some of his children, some of his grandchildren, some of his great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He was a man not only of remarkable health and strength physically, but also, as self educated, a man of strong mental power and extended reading. Upon many subjects his thoughts were in advance of those among whom he lived. It was a source of very great comfort to his family that during his long and active life they never knew him to give the least sanction by word or act, to anything that was immoral, dishonest or dishonorable, but on the contrary he uniformly condemned all such things in the strongest terms.

In early boyhood the subject of this sketch, after completing the common-school course of study in his neighborhood, was placed in a private academy, and there thoroughly prepared to enter college. He entered Denison University, at Granville, Ohio, pursued a classical course and graduated in 1864, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the university conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and in 1888 the degree of Doctor of Laws. Having finished his college course and attained his manhood, the time had come for Mr. Zollars to decide for himself what should be his life pursuit. Choosing the law, he entered the law office of Judge Buckingham, of Newark, Ohio, where he studied for awhile, and he then entered the law department of the University of Michigan, and graduated in 1866, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Being thus prepared for the practice of his chosen profession, Mr. Zollars located at Fort Wayne, Indiana. He at once made a favorable impression upon the bench, the bar and the people. All regarded him as a young man of fine attainments, high moral character, and great professional promise.

In November, 1867, he was married to Miss Minnie Ewing, of Lancaster, Ohio, a lady of culture, who has contributed. much to the subsequent success of her husband.

Mr. Zollars is a Democrat. In 1868 he was elected to the legislature, in which body he took a prominent part in the debates of the house, and was much esteemed for his statesmanship. In May, 1869, he was chosen city attorney of Fort Wayne, and continued to serve in that capacity for six years. Upon the establishment of the superior court of Allen county, he was appointed by Governor Williams, judge of that court. He held the office for a short time and then resigned in order to resume the practice of his profession. In 1882 Judge Zollars was nominated by the Democratic party of the state as a candidate for supreme judge. He was elected, receiving in the northern part of the state, where he was best known, much more than the party vote. He was nominated by his party for the same office in 1888, but was, with the rest of the Democratic ticket, defeated. In addition to his general practice he is solicitor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, operating the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad through Indiana.

As judge of the supreme court Judge Zollars more than met the high expectations of his friends, and so discharged the duties of his office as to receive the hearty approval and warm commendation of the bar of the state without regard to party. Asa judge he was industrious, careful and singularly painstaking. In his high office he was independent, fearless and honest. It is but just to say and it is infinitely creditable to Judge Zollars that it may be truthfully said that no political bias, prejudice or zeal could deflect his mind from its honest and intelligent convictions. There is not a judge nor lawyer in the state of Indiana that does not know and who would not assert this. The written opinions of Judge Zollars found in more than the last thirty volumes of our reports attest his fitness for judicial position. His style is lucid, unstrained and vigorous, his statements full and comprehensive, his analysis perspicuous and complete. His opinions show great research, industry and care. They challenge approval, and must commend themselves to bench and bar. The writer is somewhat acquainted with the bar of the state and he has yet to hear an unfavorable criticism of any opinion prepared by Judge Zollars. As a lawyer Judge Zollars has always stood high. He has a large practice and has been unusually successful. He has argued many cases in the supreme court and has lost but few. No one knows better than Judge Zollars the necessity for thorough preparation in the trial of cases, and no one more industriously prepares his cases than he. Though of a warm and ardent temperament, Judge Zollars is in the trial of a cause always master of himself; he is rarely not at his best. He is always courteous and deferential toward the court and kind and forbearing toward its adversaries. He examines a witness carefully and thoroughly, but treats the witness with respect, and as a general rule, so as to secure his good opinion and make him feel that he has been treated kindly and forbearingly. While subjecting the witness to the most severe tests he so questions him that the witness never seems to realize the fact. As a speaker Judge Zollars is always direct, logical and forcible. His treatment of his case is always full, comprehensive and accurate; his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive. He sees without effort the relation and dependence of the facts and so groups them as to enable him to throw their combined force upon the point they tend to prove. Judge Zollars is in the prime of life, rather below the medium size, his head and chest are large, his frame compact and vigorous; he is graceful in action, in manner, courteous, forbearing and genial; he is popular and his future is full of promise.

In domestic life Judge Zollars is most fortunate; surrounded by 'a most estimable family, every member of which is thoroughly devoted to him and striving to add something to his comfort and happiness, - a family that has deserved all the affections of his heart, stimulated his pride, increased his hope and contributed to his success in life and augmented his happiness.

Benjamin F. Heaton

The Heaton family has been conspicuously identified with the civic and industrial development of Allen county, within whose confines representatives of the name took up their abode in the very early pioneer epoch, securing government land and reclaiming the same from the native forest, while in each generation have been found sterling citizens of marked public spirit and unqualified loyalty to the county. In the present connection we have to do with a worthy scion of this pioneer stock, and one who has attained to no slight prestige and precedence in the profession of law, in whose practice he is successfully engaged in the city of Fort Wayne, as a member of the firm of Heaton & Yaple. His able coadjutor is Carl Yaple, concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this work.

On the old homestead farm, in Marion township, this county, Benjamin F. Heaton was born, the date of his nativity standing recorded as June 18, 1878, while the homestead, which is still in the possession of the family, is a portion of the landed property secured from the government by his ancestors, many decades ago. He is a son of Jesse and Samantha C. (Larkin) Heaton, the former of whom was born in the southern part of Indiana, in the year 1829, while the latter was born in New York state, in 1834. The father of our subject was a child at the time of his parents' removal to Allen county, where he was reared to manhood, assisting in the developing of a farm in the midst of the forest wilds of Marion township, where he continued to be actively identified with agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1888. He was a man of exalted integrity of character and one of high mentality, so that he naturally wielded beneficent influence in the community in which he so long made his home, while he gave an unqualified support to the Republican party from the time of its inception until he was summoned from the scene of life's endeavors, at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a sincere and earnest member of the Methodist church, as is also his widow, who now resides in the city of Fort Wayne. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are living: Dessie is the wife of Dr. Calvin H. English, a representative physician of Fort Wayne; Hon. Owen N. is the present judge of the superior court in Allen county; Mary is the wife of Homer B. Smitley, a successful contractor in Fort Wayne; Luella and Ellis J. reside with their mother; Jessie Pearl is the wife of George H. Allen, chief of the distributing department in the Fort Wayne postoffice; Benjamin F. is the immediate subject of this review, and is the youngest of the children. Benjamin F. Heaton secured his rudimentary education in the district schools and thereafter continued his studies in the city schools of Fort Wayne, after which he entered the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana. After leaving school Mr. Heaton became associated with his brothers, Owen N. and Ellis J., in the breeding and handling of high-grade live stock, in which connection they utilized the old homestead farm. They made a specialty of the raising of sheep and swine, having fine herds of registered stock and through the same doing much to improve the grade of stock in Allen county, while their surplus stock was disposed of at public sales at various points in northern Indiana and western Ohio. Our subject continued to be actively identified with this important branch of industrial activity for several years, and upon his retirement turned his attention to the retail drug business, becoming one of the proprietors of the Postoffice drug store, in Fort Wayne, and successfully conducting the same about two years, when he disposed of the business. In 1898 he took up the study of law, to the reading of which he continued to devote his attention while conducting his drug store, and he passed about two years as a student in the office of the well-known firm of Vesey & Heaton, of Fort Wayne, his eldest brother, Judge Owen N. Heaton, having been the junior member of the firm. Under this effective preceptorship Mr. Heaton continued his technical discipline until he became eligible for admission to the bar of his native state, his admission being granted in June, 1900. Therefore he remained in the office of his preceptors about one year and was made a member of the firm. This relationship continued until the autumn of 1902, when he entered into his present professional alliance with Mr. Yaple, and they are meeting with distinctive success in their practice, which is largely devoted to the commercial, corporation and real-estate departments of law. In politics Mr. Heaton holds to the faith of his father, and gives a stalwart allegiance to the Republican party, while he is identified with Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons; Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 155, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 116, Knights of Pythias; the Fraternal Assurance Society and the Tippecanoe Club, while he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife of the Presbyterian church.

On the 18th of October, 1904, Mr. Heaton was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Reitze, who was born and reared in Fort Wayne, being a daughter of William F. Reitze, who is paying teller in the Old National Bank of this city.

Frederick J. Hayden

Among the leading and representative men of Fort Wayne is the gentleman whose name appears above. Fred J. Hayden, who was born in Cobourg, Canada, is of English parentage. His father was Rev. William Hayden, who, with his noble wife, served well their day and generation, their memory being still revered by the children and children's children of the early settlers of Cobourg and the surrounding country. Mr. Hayden secured his early education at Cobourg, and in 1866 received the degree of Master of Arts from Victoria College. He then became secretary of the C., P. & M. Railway and Mining Company of Canada, but in 1875 he resigned this position and took up his residence in Fort Wayne, where he has since resided. In 1884 Mr. Hayden was elected a member of the lower house of the Indiana legislature, serving two sessions, and in 1888 he was elected joint senator from the counties of Allen and Whitley, serving two sessions in the upper house also. In 1892 he was appointed by Governor Hovey a member of the Indiana world's fair commission and at the organization of the board he was unanimously elected its treasurer, which office he filled until the close of the fair in 1893. How well he discharged the duties of this position will be found in the report of the auditing committee of the Indiana commission, consisting of the late Judge Garvin and Edward Hawkins, from which report we quote as follows: "We have examined with great care the final report of the treasurer, which is a well digested and complete summary of all previous reports. We have examined the vouchers and compared them with the statement of expenditures as set forth in the final report and find that the same correspond exactly, both in amount and dates, with the original allowance. * * In making this report, your committee feels that it should call your attention to the manner in which the duties of treasurer have been discharged by the Hon. Fred J. Hayden. Its work has brought this committee into close contact with his office and his methods in the management of its affairs. We notice the extreme care and completeness with which the duties of the position have been discharged."

Since his residence in Fort Wayne Mr. Hayden has evinced a deep interest in all matters pertaining to agriculture and has been a successful exhibitor of horses, cattle and grains at every fair in Allen county, with one exception, receiving many first premiums on his exhibits. He has taken a strong and influential part in support of the present Allen County Fair Association and is now vice-president of the association. For a number of years he has been a director of the First National Bank, which he has also served as vice-president. Like most Englishmen, Mr. Hayden is a lover of outdoor sports and recreation.

Frank E. Purcell

The subject of this sketch has long occupied a prominent place in business circles in Fort Wayne, where he has successfully conducted a large and popular livery establishment, also hotels. Mr. Purcell is a native son of the Wolverine state, having been born at Hudson, Michigan, on the 12th of February, 1866. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and were of Irish, French and Scotch lineage. The subject's mother, who married James D. Brown, is still connected with the proprietorship of the Hotel Randall, in this city, having been interested in the hotel business for the past thirty-five years and acquiring the reputation of being one of the best landladies in the state of Indiana. She now resides in Pasadena, California.

Frank E. Purcell received his elementary school education in the schools of South Bend, this state, and upon leaving school became a messenger boy, one of the first in South Bend. He also became the first operator of a Bell telephone in Indiana, and has thus been a witness of the wonderful strides which have been made in this medium of communication during the subsequent years. He then commenced clerking in a grocery store, but two years later came to Fort Wayne and entered the employ of Pottlitzer Brothers in the capacity of traveling salesman, remaining with this firm seven years. He then established the Western Fruit Company, of which he became president, the firm having branches in Huntington and Montpelier, this state, and an office in Chicago. He subsequently disposed of this business and entered the hotel and restaurant business, having charge of the Rich Hotel and the Wellington Cafe. He subsequently became one of the proprietors of the Randall Hotel, which has long enjoyed a high reputation as one of the leading and most popular caravansaries in this part of Indiana. He is also a large stockholder and president of the Frank Purcell Livery and Cab Line Company, the leading enterprise of the kind in this city, and is interested in a number of other business enterprises.

On September 19, 1888, Mr. Purcell was united in marriage with Miss Evelyn Ross, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, on the 18th of October, 1867, the daughter of R. C. and Zella E. Ross. To this union have been born two children, Marion, aged thirteen, and Clayton, now deceased. In matters political Mr. Purcell gives his support to the Democratic party and has taken a somewhat prominent part in local public affairs. From 1896 to 1808 he served as council- - man-at-large and is now a member of the council, representing the third ward. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, being president of the aerie of the last-named organization in this city, which has now a membership of over six hundred. Socially he is a member of the Commercial Club, while his religious affiliation is with the Baptist church. Mr. Purcell has ever taken a keen interest in the welfare of the city of his residence and supports every worthy movement which promises to advance the material, educational or moral standard of the community. He is widely known and is well liked by all who know him.

Theodore F. Thieme

In the roster of Fort. Wayne's solid and influential business men, the name of Theodore F. Thieme stands out prominently. As founder and secretary and manager of the Wayne Knitting Mills, Mr. Thieme commands the respect of all progressive and public-spirited citizens, and holds the esteem of the eleven hundred workers whose employment is the result of his untiring and successful endeavors.

Mr. Thieme was born in Fort Wayne on the 7th of February, 1857, and is a son of Frederick J. and Clara Weitzman Thieme, neither of whom are living. Both were honored pioneers of this city, where the father was for many years a prominent clothing merchant and influential citizen. The subject of this sketch secured his early educational discipline in the public schools of Fort Wayne and in Concordia College of this city. In 1876 he was graduated in the New York College of Pharmacy, and he was for a time engaged in the drug business in the national metropolis, whence he eventually returned to Fort Wayne and established himself in the same line of business, owning one of the principal drug stores in the city. Concerning the conditions and personal action which led him to establish the enterprise at whose head he now stands, we find the following pertinent information in an article published in the Textile Record of July, 1902:

"Tn 1889 Mr. Thieme sold out his drug business and went abroad to investigate some of the industries benefited by the McKinley tariff law. While abroad he became interested in the hosiery industry in Chemnitz, Germany, and spent a winter there studying and investigating this branch of business. In the spring of 1890 he organized a company in Fort Wayne under the name of the Wayne Knitting Mills, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. Returning

Starting in this modest way, and meeting the usual and many unusual trials and difficulties incident to a new undertaking, Mr. Thieme has piloted the enterprise safely into the harbor of assured success. The success of the Wayne Knitting Mills, and Mr. Thieme's personal success, are due entirely to his integrity, his energy, his courage and to his initiative and executive ability.

In January, 1894, Mr. Thieme was married to Miss Bessie Loring, of Boston, to whom one child, a boy, has been born - Wayne Thieme. Mr. Thieme is a stanch Republican, always taking a lively interest in local and national political campaigns. He is a member of the order of Masons, a loyal and energetic member of the Commercial Club and of the Anthony Wayne Club.

The Wayne Knitting Mills

Reviewing the advantages of industrial Fort Wayne, and enumerating its many progressive manufacturing concerns, it is signally fitting that specific mention be made of the Wayne Knitting Mills. Of the founder of the enterprise, Theodore F. Thieme. individual mention is made in preceding paragraphs, and the two articles are to be considered in a sense complimentary, so that they should be read in connection. No better idea of the extent and character of the industry can be given than by quoting in full from an article entitled "A Western Knitting Mill" and appearing in the Textile World of February, 1904:

"The Wayne Kntting Mills, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was established by Theodore F. Thieme in 1891, soon after the passage of the McKinley bill, starting in a small way in narrow rented quarters in a store room, and against the strongest opposition of foreign manufacturers and local prejudices in favor of imported hosiery. Dealers were soon convinced of the merits of Wayne Knit Matchless Hosiery, and in 1892 the company built and equipped a plant of their own, installing imported machinery such as was used in the most progressive European factories, and employing skilled knitters, many of whom had been trained in the best foreign mills. This plant has been enlarged from time to time until today it consists of brick buildings covering one hundred and sixteen thousand square feet, having three floors and giving employment to fully eleven hundred persons making nothing but hosiery. In 1901 they issued their children's stockings under a new trademark, calling them Pony stockings, and by unique and well directed advertising made them so well known that today Wayne Knitting Mills are believed to have a larger output than any other hosiery factory in the United States, their product being sold in every state in the Union. On May 1, 1902, the United Knitting Mills, a factory organized by Fred J. Thieme, a brother of the founder of the industry, was merged into the Wayne Knitting Mills, making a combined capital of four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. This factory was situated on an adjoining site and had been selling its output through the older company.

"The intelligent and progressive class of labor found there makes Fort Wayne a very desirable place for the industry. Laboring men in this city are very thrifty. The Wayne Knitting Mills has fostered this progressive spirit in its employees, impressing all with the fact that intelligent co-operation between employer and employee is essential to industrial success. To this end it has established a profit-sharing plan in which all heads of departments participate; it has furnished a club room and dining hall, combined with a fully equipped stage, etc.; it has encouraged the operatives of the factory to organize a dramatic club, a singing society, etc., which give numerous entertainments. The managers are always interested in the material and moral welfare of their employees.

"The equipment of the Wayne Knitting Mills is of the best, the machinery being of the latest and most improved patterns. Experienced foremen are retained in each department, and the ventilation, lighting and heating are matters of special attention. The buildings are of standard make and fireproof as it is possible to make them. The company have their own lighting plant, and although the water of Fort Wayne is excellent, they have installed a waterpurifying system of their own, while in addition to the fire protection afforded by the city they have their own fire-fighting company and apparatus. The company have always been progressive and endeavor to keep their business in the first rank. They are continually on the lookout for anything new in their line, adding to their equipment from time to time, as the styles on the market require. Every pair of hose goes through thirteen departments and is handled by eighteen different persons. The full fashioned knitting machines are very large and intricate and seem almost alive as the yarn carriers fly back and forth knitting the web, sometimes using two threads and again three, sometimes one color and again three or four colors, according to the pattern desired. The dye house of the Wayne Knitting Mills constitutes a model institution in itself, dyeing being one of the most important features of good hosiery."

At the last meeting of the stockholders in May, 1905, it was voted to increase the capital stock of the knitting mills to seven hundred thousand dollars. This increase was imperative on account of the constantly increasing demand for Wayne knit hose, which it was practically impossible to supply without a material addition to the factory equipment. The steady healthy growth of the Wayne Knitting Mills is its best assurance of continual prosperity.