Allen County, Indiana - The whole text, 1905 (part 7 of 12)

Rufus Morgan French

Rufus Morgan French was born on the 1st day of April, 1822, in the town of Norwich, Connecticut, and was the son of Captain Charles and Betsey (Giddings) French, both natives of that place and of American ancestry for many generations. Mr. French's elementary education was received in the public schools of his native town and at Brockport, New York, whither the family had removed. Coming to Fort Wayne, he and his brother, Charles G. French, formed a partnership as carpenter-contractors, being also, as was the custom of the time, the architects of most of the buildings they erected. In 1849 Mr. French went by sailing vessel around Cape Horn to California, where he remained a year or two, and upon his return was for some time employed as a salesman in the Oakley hardware store. Entering then upon the manufacture of woolen goods in a modest way, he met with gratifying success and the greater part of his subsequent life was devoted to this line of industry. He built up a large and flourishing business through absolute honesty and the sincerity that he carried into every part of his daily life. Whatever he did was well done, whatever he said was truly said, and he was held in the highest esteem by friends and acquaintances. Yet only his immediate family and closest friends really knew him, for he was one of the most thoughtful and considerate of men, modest, reserved and unassuming. More than one struggling youth was helped and cheered by the kindness and wise counsel of Rufus Morgan French. When the late Gen. Henry W. Lawton enlisted in the volunteer service at the beginning of the Civil war, Mr. French was instrumental in securing his warrant as sergeant, and in helping to fit out the young soldier.

who was born at Fort Wayne on February 12, 1833, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Johns) Rudisill. In her were united the refinement, courtesy and good sense which seems the birthright of the well known Rudisill family. Their union was a most congenial one and was blessed in the birth of four children, Julia, Francis Henry, Susan and Martha W. In politics Mr. French was an earnest Republican, though never a seeker after public honors. His religious belief was that of the Presbyterian church, of which he was for many years a faithful and consistent member. The subject and his wife are both now deceased, Mr. French dying in Fort Wayne in June, 1891, and Mrs. French at Sewickley, Pennsylvania, in February, 1897. Their remains were laid to rest in beautiful Lindenwood cemetery. Of an equable temperament and seeing the best side of every individual, Mr. French had a kind word for every one and few men ever numbered among their acquaintances more earnest and loyal friends than did he. A man of distinctive personality, he left his impress in a quiet but certain way upon all who knew him and his influence still remains as a blessed benediction.

William Pinkney Cooper

Mr. W. P. Cooper was born in Fort Wayne on the 27th day of August, 1852, and has spent almost his entire life here. His parents were Henry and Eleanor (Brown) Cooper. The former was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland, in 1795, and was descended from English ancestors, Protestant followers of Lord Baltimore, some of whom served in the French and Revolutionary wars of this country. Henry Cooper came to Fort Wayne in 1825, being thus one of the pioneers of this section, and here he entered upon the practice of law, in which he gained marked eminence, being distinguished for his profound learning, brilliant repartee and dignity of character. Eleanor Brown Cooper was born in 1813 in county Tyrone, Ireland, and was descended from Scotch and English ancestors, prominent among whom was Sir Hans Sloan, the eminent physician and distinguished founder of the British Museum. Eleanor Brown came to America in her youth and was subsequently thrice married, she being at the time of her marriage to Henry Cooper, the widow of James P. Munson, the father of the late Charles A. Munson. She was.a woman of fine intellect, well read and a loving and devoted mother.

Mr. Cooper secured his elementary education in the public schools of Fort Wayne, graduating from the high school in 1868. He for a short time served as city editor of the Fort Wayne Gazette and then entered Dartmouth College, where he was graduated in 1873. His taste for literature and his fine critical acumen were recognized at college and, with other honors, he was made class poet. After his graduation he studied law in the Columbia Law School, New York city, and also in the office of Cook & Nassau, of that city, and with Hon. Robert Lowry, of Fort Wayne. However, the field of journalism held for him more attractions, and he re- linquished his legal studies and began his professional life as city editor of the Fort Wayne News, being also at different times city editor of the Sentinel, the Gazette and the Journal, besides serving efficiently as Fort Wayne correspondent for the metropolitan papers. With a literary style of marked simplicity and directness, his was the rare charm of a "wit that without wounding could hit." But while his humor would lend grace alike to the most prosaic "'locals"' or to an important article, his perfect taste was his marked characteristic. It was a serious loss to Fort Wayne when, in 1888, the late Joseph McCullagh, managing editor of the St. Louis Globe- Democrat, induced Mr. Cooper to go to that city on special work covering assignments of importance in and out of St. Louis. However he returned to Fort Wayne to become managing editor of the Journal, for a few years, when he quit journalism and entered into the insurance business. In this were also exhibited those sterling qualities which insured his former success and in 1895 he was appointed general agent of the New York Life Insurance Company, which responsible position he still holds.

August 30, 1887, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Brown, the talented artist of Lafayette, Indiana, and to them has been born one son, Brown. This union has been most felicitous and their home and home life ideal. Socially Mr. Cooper belongs to the Greek letter society, Kappa Kappa Kappa, of Dartmouth College, is a member of the Anthony Wayne Club, and is a member and vice-president of the Northern Indiana Life Underwriters' Association. Politically Mr. Cooper is a Democrat, but declined to support the free-silver doctrines of Mr. Bryan and twice voted for McKinley. In June, 1896, he was elected a member of the board of school trustees, serving three years, the last two years as president of the board. In 1901 Governor Winfield T. Durbin appointed Mr. Cooper a member of the state board of charities and at the end of his first term he was reappointed, being at the present time a member' of that board. He represents the best type of citizen and dignified self-respecting manhood.

Adam M. Bowers

The first half of the nineteenth century was characterized by the immigration of that pioneer element which made the great state of Indiana what it is. These immigrants were sturdy, heroic, upright, sincere folk, such as constitute the intrinsic strength of a commonwealth. It scarcely seems possible that in the future history of the world another such period can occur, or, indeed any period in which such a solid phalanx of strong-minded men and self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. Too careful or too frequent reference can not be made in the pages of history concerning those who have thus figured as founders and builders of a commonwealth, and in connection with this brief review of the personal career of Mr. Bowers it is our privilege to touch incidentally and specifically upon interesting data in regard to the sterling pioneer family of which he is a member and one whose name has been linked with the annals of Allen county for more than half a century. The subject is known as one of the influential and worthy citizens and successful agriculturists of Madison township, where he has resided from his youthful days, and it has been his portion to assist in the reclamation of much wild land in Allen county and to aid in starting forward the wheels of industrial and civic progress, while through his well directed efforts he has gained a success worthy the name.

Among the many brave and loyal men whom Indiana contributed to the Union ranks during the climateric epoch of the Civil war there were few whose service was more prolonged or more notable for fidelity and patriotism than that of him whose name initiates this sketch, and thus another element of interest is added to the consideration of his life history in this compilation.

the genealogy of the family we must turn back to the Old Dominion, where was cradled so much of our national history. He was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1836, and is a son of John Y. and Mary A. (Warham) Bowers, both of whom were born in the state of Virginia, where the respective families were founded in an early day, the paternal ancestry tracing back to German origin and the maternal to French and Scotch. The father of the subject was engaged in farming in Ohio until the autumn of 1852, when he came with his family to Indiana, arriving in Allen county on the 2d of October and soon afterward locating on a tract of wild land, in Jefferson township, where he cleared and improved a good farm, with the assistance of his sons. Here both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, honored by all who knew them.

Adam M. Bowers was reared to the sturdy discipline of the great fundamental art of agriculture, and he has never severed his allegiance to the same, while through its beneficence he has pushed forward to a position of independence and marked prosperity, the rewards of his efforts having been grateful and unstinted. He secured his rudimentary educational training in the common schools of his native county, and was about sixteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Allen county, Indiana, where he continued to attend school during the winter terms for a few years, making the best use of the advantages afforded and being appreciative of the value of education, though his facilities for attaining the same were those of the pioneer era. He was unabating in his labors on the home farm, which he assisted in reclaiming, while in the spring of 1860 he purchased his present farm, erecting on the same a small house, in October of that year, and forthwith settling himself vigorously to the work of clearing the land and making it available for cultivation. His prior experience amply fitted him for the labors thus essayed, and soon the results of his efforts became patent, while his prosperity increased from year to year, with the broadening of his scope of operations in the cultivation of the willing soil. On this farmstead he has continued to reside continuously save for the interval passed as a soldier in the Union army. He has cleared one hundred and three acres of land from the primeval forests of Allen county, and his finely improved farm of fifty-one acres, in section 2, Madison township, stands as a permanent voucher for the labors by him performed and for the discriminating methods which he has brought to bear.

On the 22d of July, 1862, Mr. Bowers gave distinctive evidence of his patriotism by enlisting as a member of Company D, Eightyeighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, while he was mustered into service, in the city of Indianapolis, on the 29th of the following month. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and at once set forth for the front, while it was given its baptism of fire in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, on the 8th of October, that year. From this point his regiment was in pursuit of the enemy to Crab Orchard, Kentucky, where an engagement occurred, and thence it proceeded to Tennessee and took part in the battle of Stone River, waged from the 31st of December to the 3d of January, inclusive. Thereafter the regiment participated in the following engagements: Duck River, Tennessee, June 28-9, 1863; Tullahoma, Tennessee; Elk River, that state, July 3d; Dug Gap, Georgia, September 11th; thence to the ever memorable battle of Chickamauga, September 19-21; the battle on the southern slope of Lookout Mountain, November 24th; the grand charge at Missionary Ridge, November 25th; then in the expedition to Ringgold, Georgia, in pursuit of the enemy, on the 26th of November, while on the following day was made the attack at White Oak Ridge; while the command next participated in the fight at Tunnel Hill, Georgia, February 22-27, 1864. They then fell back to Chattanooga and thence started forward on the great Atlanta campaign, taking part in the battle of Resaca, May 13-15, and being thereafter engaged in almost continuous fighting until the 2d of September, within which interval the more important engagements were the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Utoy Creek and Jonesboro. The regiment then took part in the pursuing of General Hood to Galesville, Alabama, and thence proceeded with Sherman on the great and historic "march to the sea,' - -November 14th to December 11th, - while the capture of Savannah was effected on the 22d of December. The forces then proceeded on the march through the Carolinas, - January 20 to March 23, 1865, - having a spirited skirmish at Averysboro, North Carolina, on the 16th of March, and one, at Bentonville, on the 19th of that month, while on the 13th of April the city of Raleigh capitulated. The victorious army then moved onward to Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, and thence to the federal capital, the city of Washington, where the subject took part in the grand review, on the 24th of May, while he was mustered out of the service on the 7th of June, 1865, the regiment disbanding at Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 20th of the month. There Mr. Bowers received his honorable discharge. He assumed command of his company at the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, on the 19th of March, 1865, and remained at the head thereafter until his discharge, with the rank of first lieutenant. He retains a lively interest in his old comrades and manifests the same by his affiliation with Link Post, No. 301, Grand Army of the Republic, at Monroeville. After the close of his long and valiant service as a soldier of the republic Mr. Bowers returned to his farm in Allen county, where he has ever since lived and where he commands the unqualified esteem of all who know him. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and he has held various local offices in his township, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, of which his wife likewise is a devoted member.

On the 7th of September, 1865, Mr. Bowers was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Shannon, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the 29th of November, 1846, being a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Hullinger) Shannon. Concerning the children of this union we enter brief data, giving the respective dates of birth: Edson L., February 4, 1867, now deceased; Margaret E., August 29, 1868, is also dead; John W., April 2, 1870; Alvenia D., July 27, 1872; Mary J., April 14, 1874, now deceased; Charles T., October 22, 1876; Albert C., March 14, 1878, and Cora, December 23, 1880. On the 29th of May, 1900, Mr. Bowers consummated a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Matilda H. Wheatcraft, widow of Henry Wheatcraft. She was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Dick) Kinney, who were of the sturdy Pennsylvania German stock.

William Dickerson

This venerable and honored pioneer citizen of Allen county well merits definite recognition in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand. He resides in the attractive village of Monroeville, and his friends in the community are equal in number to his acquaintances, for to him is accorded unqualified confidence and regard in the locality which has so long figured as his home.

William Dickerson claims the old Keystone state of the Union as the place of his nativity and he is a scion of pioneer stock in that fine old commonwealth. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of November, 1825, being a son of Gideon Dickerson, who was likewise born and reared in Washington county. The paternal grandfather of the subject was a native of England and his wife was born in Scotland. Gideon Dickerson was a farmer by vocation during the greater portion of his active career, and in early life he removed with his family to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneers of Richland county, where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, honored by all who knew them. They became the parents of eight children, of whom two are living at the ` time of this writing. The subject of this sketch secured his early educational discipline in the common schools of Richland county, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, while he early began to lend his aid in the clearing and cultivating of the homestead farm, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres. He continued his residence in Ohio until the time of the war of the Rebellion, when his patriotic ardor was roused to responsive action, and he enlisted as a private in the Twenty-third Battery, Indiana Volunteer Artillery, being mustered in at Indianapolis and continuing in service for a period of nine months, at the expiration of which he received his honorable recognition of his services and the disabilities resulting therefrom, while he manifests his abiding interest in his old comrades in arms by retaining membership in that noble organization, the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he has ever accorded a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, taking a lively interest in the questions and issues of the hour, and both he and his wife are valued and consistent members of the Christian church. For the past twenty-eight years Mr. Dickerson has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with the lodge in Monroeville. He has been a resident of Allen county since the year 1861 and has been closely identified with the industrial and civic interests of his section, while at the present time he is devoting his attention to the real-estate business, with which line of enterprise he has been identified for the past eight years.

On the 2oth of May, 1846, Mr. Dickerson was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Nail, daughter of James Nail, at that time a resident of Ohio. Six children were born of this union, namely: Amanda, David G., Addison, Josephine, Ada B. and John F. All the children except Addison and Amanda are living and are well established in life.

In this sketch we find it our privilege to incorporate reminiscent paragraphs of most interesting order, the same having been contributed by Mr. Dickerson and having to do more particularly with events of the early days in Pennsylvania, where he was born: "About the time the war of 1812 was in its height many exciting scenes and events were to be noted in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where my parents were living at the time, as the section was then practically the frontier settlement of the white people of Pennsylvania, the Ohio river constituting the practical dividing line between the white settlement on the east and the Indians on the west. The red men held essential dominion in all the great district to the west of the Ohio river. It was a frequent occurrence for the hostile Indians to cross the river by night, at Wheeling, and for their bands to ferociously invade the settlements on the frontier, murdering the unprotected families and taking the scalps of their helpless victims. At that time, owing to the conflict of the war of 1812, the Indian chief of the locality had given orders to his followers to take no prisoners, and this implied the murdering of all who came within their pathway, while these frequent raids and massacres were the result of this order. In fear of being thus murdered by night, many of the white families would desert their homes at nightfall and penetrate into the deep recesses of the unbroken forest, often going miles from their homes, and remaining thus secluded during the night in order to secure protection from attack on the part of the marauding Indians. The tales of these trying days have often been related to me by my father in my youthful days, while the family circle was gathered around the old-fashioned fireplace.

"I feel that it is my duty to make a perpetual record concerning an exciting event and the almost miraculous escape of my grandfather Dickerson, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, during the progress of the war of 1812. This was at the time when the conflict was raging most furiously, when no prisoners were taken and when the scalps of white men were at a premium. My father stated that the event narrated occurred when he was an infant in his mother's arms. His father had served two years as a soldier in the war and had been discharged from the service after proving a loyal and faithful soldier. While the war was still raging he had occasion to make a business trip through the forest to a point about four miles distant from his home, while he was accompanied by another settler, who was his intimate friend. They made the trip on horseback, one following the trail directly back of the other. Their object in going forth was to make a business and friendly call at the little home of a poor, lone widow who had a large family of children and who had been engaged in making clothing for the Dickerson family. The two sojourners arrived safely at the cabin of the widow, where they were cordially received and entertained. In the course of their conversation the widow asked them if they were not fearful of attack on the part of the Indians that day, and they replied in the negative. She then said that she had been much alarmed all day, fearing that the Indians were prowling about in the vicinity, and she warned her guests to exercise much caution, giving the words of admonition that "There never was a pitcher that went to the well so often but that it might yet be broken.' After finishing their business and thanking the widow for her hospitality, the two men gave her a small present and after a hearty grasp of the hands and the tendering of words of consolation and encouragement, the two companions started forth on their return trip. In the depths of the forest they were suddenly confronted by a band of ten warlike savages, who sprung into the road from their place of concealment, being only ten paces distant from the two white men when they thus came into view. In an instant the two riders decided that their only chance of escape was to apply spurs and whips and dash through the line of the red men who thus menaced them. This recourse they took, the Indians stepping aside to avoid danger, but as soon as the two men passed the savages again leaped back into the road and began firing at the fleeing riders. They raised the Indian war cry and started in hot pursuit of their prey. The intrepid riders bent as low as possible over their horses, in order to avoid the bullets of the red skins, but after running about one hundred yards the horse upon which Grandfather Dickerson was riding fell to the ground, mortally wounded. His companion dashed onward and escaped in safety. When Grandfather Dickerson extricated himself from his fallen steed he looked back and found himself almost face to face with a big Indian, while the remainder of the band were not more than fifteen paces in the rear. He felt for his side arms, but found they were missing, his intention having been to kill the foremost Indian, but he now saw that his only chance for escape lay in flight. He stood not on the order of his going, but took nimbly to his heels, and being fleet of foot and actuated by an undeniable fright, he scurried onward through the dim forest aisles and finally succeeded in reaching his home in safety, the Indians abandoning the pursuit as they approached the settlement."

Among the native sons of Allen county who have here attained gratifying recognition and success in the medical profession is the subject 'of this review, who is one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the younger generation in the city of Fort Wayne, where he has his office at 1608 Calhoun street, and his residence at 2020 Broadway.

Dr. McKeeman was born in the village of Hoagland, Madison township, this county, on the 27th of February, 1874, and is a son of David C. and Margaret A. (McConnaha) McKeeman, both of whom were born in Ireland, whence they came to America with their respective parents when children. The father followed the vocation of farmer until the time of his death, in 1876. His widow survived him by many years, her death occurring in 1894. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom eight are living.

Dr. McKeeman secured his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools of Madison township, after which he availed himself of the advantages afforded in Taylor University, in Fort Wayne, and the Indiana State Normal School at Marion, after leaving which latter institution he devoted his attention to teaching in the schools of his native county for a period of two years, meeting with marked success in his pedagogic labors but utilizing this profession simply as a means to an end, as he had decided to adopt the calling to which he is now devoted. In 1894 he was matriculated in the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, in which well equipped institution he completed the prescribed courses in medicine and surgery, being graduated as a member of the class of 1897 and receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. In view of his standing in his profession it is pleas- ing to revert to the fact that he is not only a native of Allen county but also that he received his technical training in a local institution. Immediately after his graduation the Doctor opened an office in Monroe, Adams county, and while he was necessarily called upon to serve the customary novitiate in his profession it was not unduly prolonged, and his success and prestige have been cumulative in character, so that he stands well to the front among the able, popular and successful young physicians of his native county, giving his attention to general practice. He remained in practice in Monroe until 1900, when he located in Fort Wayne, where he has since followed the work of his profession. He is a close and appreciative student, being duly conservative in his attitude but ever standing ready to avail himself of those agencies and advanced methods which meet the approval of his judgment. He is an affiliate of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Fort Wayne Medical Society and the Fort Wayne Academy of Medicine, and he finds time and opportunity to avail himself of the advantages of each. Though never active in the realm of practical politics, the Doctor is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party and he is essentially progressive and public-spirited as a citizen. ;

On the 5th of October, 1897, Dr. McKeeman was united in marriage to Miss Susie May Hocker, of Monroeville, and they have three children, Leland Stanford, Lillian Theodosia and Donald Harry Cook.

John W. Meeks

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly; and when one man passes another on the highway of life it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompassed also his less successful contestant. Today among the successful and enterprising farmers and business men of Monroe township, Allen county, Indiana, stands John W. Meeks. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and consecutive and persistent industry enter very largely into his make-up and have been contributing elements to the success which has come to him.

John W. Meeks enjoys the distinction of having been the first white child born in Monroe township, Allen county, Indiana, his birth having occurred on the 13th day of January, 1843. His parents, Thomas and Nancy Meeks, were natives of West Virginia and were of Scotch-Irish and German ancestry respectively. They were of sturdy mould, such as peculiarly fitted them for their early pioneer experiences, and were among the earliest settlers of Monroe township, coming here in 1840. At that time the locality was in its original wild condition and the family were compelled to endure many hardships and privations during their early years here. Farming implements were crude and not plentiful, and the land had to be cleared of the timber before seeding and planting could be undertaken, entailing a vast amount of labor of the most strenuous kind. The clothes worn by the family were entirely home-made, even the flax from which they were made being raised on the farm, after which it was worked through the several processes necessary before it could be spun and woven into the coarse cloth from which the clothing was made. It was probably not a very stylish piece of goods, but it was warm and serviceable and was popular in those days in the frontier homes. The subject's parents had ten children, five of whom, Malinda, William R., Samuel B., Thomas and James F., were born before the family located in this county, while five others, John W., Rebecca A., Elijah W., Elizabeth V. and Mary M., were born here. To these children their parents gave every advantage possible, especially in the way of sound advice and godly counsel, though unable to give them liberal educations or endow them with much property.

The subject of this sketch enjoyed but meagre educational advantages in his youth, three months being the longest period at any one time in which he attended school. He eagerly took advantage of such opportunities as were possible, and supplementary to this was a three-years service in the army as quartermaster sergeant, which, Mr. Meeks says, was the best education he received at any time, as in that position he was compelled to do things just right. Upon attaining the proper age he was put to work assisting to cultivate the farm, and under the able guidance of his father soon learned the secrets of successful agriculture. He later took up the stock business, buying and shipping stock to other markets. Eventually he took up the butchering business and for some time was engaged in conducting a meat market. At present he is conducting one of the best farms in Monroe township, being considered one of the progressive and successful farmers of this portion of the county.

When the dark clouds of civil war hung over our land, Mr. Meeks evinced his patriotism by enlisting, on September 24, 1861, in Company D, Thirtieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command three years, and receiving an honorable discharge on September 29, 1864, at Indianapolis, Indiana. He served in the commissary department and, though he did not participate in any of the great battles of the war, nonetheless he faithfully contributed his share to the general success of the cause.

On May 5, 1864, Mr. Meeks was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Dobbs, who was born in Allen county, Kentucky, the daughter of John Mason and Silvia Dobbs. To them was born one child, Mary Idella, who was born February 25, 1871, and who died on April 1, 188r. Politically Mr. Meeks has been a life-long Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He expresses great pride in the record of his party, especially during the darkest days of the country's history, but, being a stanch prohibitionist in principle, he does not approve the present indifference of his party on that great and vital question. F raternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Grand Army of the Republic. In religion the subject follows in the footsteps of his ancestors as far back as there is record, all having been firm adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Within the pages of this work will consistently be found represented many of the leading members of the medical profession in Allen county, and among the number is Dr. McHugh, who is established in an excellent practice in the city of Fort Wayne.

Dr. McHugh is a native of the Badger state, having been born in Reedsburg, Sauk county, Wisconsin, on the 19th of April, 1867, and being a son of James and Margaret E. (McDonald) McHugh, the former of whom was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch- Irish ancestry, while the latter was born in the state of New Jersey. The father of the subject came to the United States in 1830 and he was numbered among the sterling pioneers of Wisconsin, where he continued to reside until the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. The major portion of his active career was in connection with agriculture. His wife passed away in 1886, and of their six children all are living.

Dr. McHugh received his preliminary educational training in the public schools of his native state and supplemented this by a course of study in the Wisconsin State Normal School at Whitewater. As a young man he became identified with the work of railroad contracting, with which he continued to be actively identified for a period of years, in the northwest. In 1889 he came to Fort Wayne and here he was matriculated in the Fort Wayne Medical College, in which excellent institution he completed the prescribed technical course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1893, receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine and being well equipped for the practical work of his chosen profession. He forthwith opened an office in Fort Wayne, where he has ever since remained in active practice and where he has gained a high reputation as an able and conscientious physician and surgeon. He is an appreciative member of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society and the Fort Wayne Medical Society, while his close observance of the unwritten code of medical ethics, as well as his persona! attributes, has gained to him the esteem of his professional confreres in the city in which he has labored with so much of enthusiasm and success. On the roth of September, 1897, Dr. McHugh was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary E. Clark, widow of Marvin J. Clark. By her first marriage Mrs. McHugh had six children, Raymond, Sarah, Marie, Marvin J., Earl and Merl, the last named being deceased.

Andrew Holman Hamilton

Few citizens of Fort Wayne were as widely and favorably known as was the late Andrew Holman Hamilton, who, though removed from the scene of life's activities more than a decade ago, is still deeply enshrined in the memory of those who knew him. He was one of the strong and virile characters of the community - a man whose life became in many respects closely linked with the history of this section of the state. Honesty of purpose, a keen perception of conditions and possibilities, and tireless energy in the prosecution of every enterprise with which he was connected, were among his chief characteristics and he in a great measure contributed to the material and moral welfare of the city of his residence.

Andrew H. Hamilton was a native of the city in which so many active years of his life were spent, having been born in Fort Wayne on June 11, 1834. His parents were Allen and Emerine (Holman) Hamilton, the father born in Ireland and the mother in Indiana. The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and was given excellent educational advantages. After receiving his elementary education in private schools, he studied at Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and the Harvard Law School, going also to Europe, where he took a course in the famous University of Gottingen. Returning to Fort Wayne, he entered at once actively upon a career which was marked by continued and brilliant successes in various lines of endeavor. As a lawyer he evinced a broad and comprehensive knowledge of legal principles which enabled him to readily grasp the essential points of a case. He practiced only a year or two, when he took charge of his father's estate.

In addition to his professional interests, Mr. Hamilton was a large owner of real estate in this and other neighboring counties. He was a far-sighted and sagacious man in business affairs and was able at all times to handle even difficult matters to the best avantage.

In politics Mr. Hamilton was identified with the Democratic party and took an active part in advancing its interests. He stood high in the councils of the party and in 1874 was elected to represent this district in the national congress, being re-elected in 1876. Here, as in all other lines of activity in which he engaged, he, by the sheer force of his ability and personality, took high rank as a legislator, being placed on some of the most important committees and performing much efficient and appreciated service on behalf of his constituents. Fraternally he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, having passed all the degrees of the York rite of that order, being thus a Knight Templar. In this body he achieved distinctive honor, having been elected eminent grand commander of the state of Indiana in 1872.

In 1860 Andrew H. Hamilton was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Taber, of Logansport, Cass county, Indiana, who is the daughter of Cyrus and Deborah (Coles) Taber. To this union were born the following children: Katherine, Jessie, Agnes, Allen and Taber. Mr. Hamilton's death occurred on the oth day of May, 1895, and in his removal the community felt that it had lost one of its strong, rugged characters, a man who had been a leader in thought and action and who in a large degree had contributed to the city and county's growth and development, and a man whose life had honored the city of his residence.

Mason Long

The faith that makes faithful was significantly exemplified in the life history of the subject of this review, who justified himself through self-effort and self-resolve and who left a most definite and permanent influence for good through his well directed endeavors. He was known and honored over much of our national domain, and in Fort Wayne, the city of his home, his memory is held in high regard and affection, for here his circle of friends was circumscribed only by that of his acquaintances. He was a man of distinct individuality and the inherent strength of his character made him a power after he determined his ways on the loftier planes of action. As a permanent memoir to Mason Long we can not do better in this connection than to republish, with slight metaphrase, the appreciative tribute paid at the time of his death by the Fort Wayne Evening Sentinel of Saturday, November 5, 1904:

"Mason Long, for nearly forty years a resident of Fort Wayne, and very widely known for his crusade against the evils of intemperance and gambling, conducted with great vigor over a large section of the United States some years ago, died at 8:03 o'clock this morning, at his home, 920 Columbia avenue. Mr. Long was sixty-two years of age, and in his death there passed a strongly original character, a man gifted of intellect, with business ability of a high order, and a man of genial and kindly personality, whose friends were legion. An intense sufferer through many of the later years of his life. Mr. Long maintained a strong courage, was cheerful in his physical affliction, lived in the present, under the solace of a calm philosophy and faced the future with a stout heart that was in marked contrast to his steadily diminishing vitality. For some days it had been apparent that the end could not be long delayed, and, surrounded by members of his family and a few close friends, the

"Mr. Long had been an invalid for many years, though through his impaired health he retained a close grasp upon business affairs until within but a few days prior to his death. It is about twelve years ago since symptoms of locomotor ataxia became manifest in his condition, and it was this fact that compelled him to abandon the lecturing crusade which had made him famous. The immediate cause of his demise was incompetency of the heart.

"The career of Mason Long was an extraordinary one in many ways. He was orphaned at a tender age, worked upon a farm, served as a soldier, embarked in business, fell into devious ways, became a gambler and addicted to liquor, became an apostle of temperance under the Murphy movement, was converted, united with the church and conducted throughout the west and south an unique crusade against gambling and intemperance that wrought incalculable good.

"Mr. Long was born in Luray, Licking county, Ohio, on the roth of September, 1842. His father, Jacob Long, died when the son was but six years of age, and after this bereavement the son and his mother went to West Salem, Ashland county, Ohio, where, a few years later, the mother died. The son was at this time ten years of age and entirely alone. He was bound out to a wealthy farmer in Medina county, Ohio, and for seven years was, as he declared in after years, an abject slave. Leaving at the expiration of his term of service, the young man, then eighteen years of age, went to Geneseo, Illinois, where he worked for his board and attended school. In the spring of 1862, in company with a number of his companions, Mr. Long enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with credit until the close of the war. He participated in the defense of Knoxville, the bloody battle of Franklin and the defense of Nashville under General Thomas. It was in the army, said Mr. Long, that he fell into the habit of gaming which characterized some later years of his life. It was in August, 1865, that the young man came to Fort Wayne and, in company with a cousin, Samuel Lehman, embarked in the grocery business on Calhoun street, the store being on the present site of the Lehman clothing house. It is said to have been this firm that introduced the freedelivery system in Fort Wayne. This firm continued in business two or three years, but Fort Wayne was then a hotbed of gambling, and within a short time Mr. Long had fallen back into the habits contracted in army life. His career as a gambler is graphically told by himself in a volume which he subsequently prepared and published, and which attained a wide sale. He was for a short time manager of a minstrel company and proprietor of a theater at Lafayette, conducting at different times also gambling rooms in Fort Wayne. Then came the turning point in his career. In the summer of 1877, while the Francis Murphy temperance movement was at its height, the work in Fort Wayne was in charge of Messrs. Rusk and Reddick, two energetic young men from Pittsburg. They had made many converts to the cause in a series of meetings held in the old rink, and one night Mr. Long was attracted to 'the meetings. After a protracted struggle with his own inclinations, he signed the pledge, and a few weeks later followed his conversion to Christ. On January 4, 1878, Mr. Long became affiliated with the First Baptist church, where he retained his membership until death. It was about this time that Mr. Long opened a restaurant at Wayne and Calhoun streets, which he called the Model Coffee House, occupying the recent site of the Bruder jewelry establishment. While engaged here he conceived the idea of writing a sketch of his life, including his reformation from gambling and drinking, in the hope that it might be of aid to others who were addicted to the habits which had blighted a portion of his life. The result was the volume, 'The Life of Mason Long, the Converted Gambler,' and in the preparation of the manuscript for the press Mr. Long was aided by the late Hon. Samuel E. Morss. With the idea of saving others, Mr. Long now began his famous 'Pilgrim Crusade.' He procured a wagon, drawn by four handsome horses, equipped the vehicle with a musical instrument, employed singers, and for nearly ten years drove about the country lecturing on temperance and gaming, and selling his biography. He was immensely successful, both from a financial point of view and from the fact that he reached thousands with a forceful plea for temper- ance and against gambling. Entering a town or village, and mounting his wagon, drawn up in the street, Mr. Long provided a musical concert and then delivered a ringing temperance lecture. He was not an orator, but spoke with a feeling and an intensity that appealed strongly to the masses. His wagon campaigns were conducted not only entirely over the central west, but his tours also extended to the Pacific coast and through the entire south, the work being continued for several years. Upon many of these tours his family accompanied him. The sales of his biography, as well as of a later volume, entitled 'Save the Girls,' and his 'Songs of the Pilgrims,' reached many thousands, and are yet in considerable demand.

"With the revenue accruing from the sale of his books, Mr. Long joined with G. W. Pixley in the erection of the handsome Pixley-Long block, on East Berry street. Failing health compelled the abandonment of the work upon the road, and he devoted his attention for some time to the publishing business, under the firm name of Mason Long Publishing Company, aiding in bringing out at this time Rev. S. A. Northrop's 'Cloud of Witnesses' and other works.

"He was one of the moving spirits in the development of Lakeside, and was a prominent stockholder in the Fort Wayne Land Improvement Company, and in the Pixley Land Improvement Company, which now has extensive holdings of real estate at Buffalo. For a few years, also, he conducted a brokerage office in this city. He was a lover of outdoor sports and was a frequent attendant at baseball games in this city.

"Mr. Long was united in marriage, about twenty-five years ago, to Miss Kittie Henderson, of this city. She survives, together with two daughters, Mrs. Chester Schiefer and Miss Margaret Zoe Long, and one son, Baron H. Long, who is connected with the Diamond Match Company. There is one brother, James Long, of this city.

"Politically Mr. Long had always been a Republican, but he never aspired to public office. He united with the Masonic fraternity many years ago, and was also a member of Sion S. Bass Post, Grand Army of the Republic." which he threw out can not be measured by metes and bounds, since it entered into the lives of countless thousands who have heard or read his works and been drawn into the ways of rectitude, thus becoming useful members of society. Such men are the truest of benefactors, and the record of the life of Mason Long will ever remain as his most grateful and enduring monument, for his memory is enshrined in countless hearts and lives.

Mrs. Lewis E. Atchison

It is signally fitting that in this compilation be incorporated a record concerning this gracious and popular representative of one of the old and honored families of Allen county and one who is residing on the fine old homestead farm, in Aboit township, which was secured by her father many years ago.

William Tennant Todd, father of Mrs. Atchison, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, being reared partly in that city and partly on a farm, and was a son of Colonel Andrew Todd, who was an officer in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution and who also lived to serve as colonel of a regiment in the war of 1812. Both the Todd and the Tennant families were early founded in America, with whose history the names have been linked from the formative colonial era to the present, while in the succeeding generations have been found men of prominence and influence and women of gentle refinement. William Tennant, a direct ancestor of Mrs. Atchison, was one of the founders of Princeton College, New Jersey. Thomas Todd, a brother of Andrew, was a prominent citizen of the state of Kentucky and was a member of the United States supreme court from 1807 to 1826; Hon. David Todd, governor of Ohio and at one time minister to Brazil, was likewise a member of the same family, though he utilized another spelling of the name; while Robert Todd, another brother of Andrew, was the father of Mary Todd, who became the wife of the lamented President Lincoln. It may further be stated that Todd county, Kentucky, was named in honor of this family, three of the brothers having located in that section in an early day.

William Tennant Todd was married, in Philadelphia, to Miss Hannah Getty, who was likewise born and reared in the old Keystone state, coming of German, Scotch and English ancestry. Mr.

Todd had been educated for the ministry of the Presbyterian church, the dearest wish of his mother having been that he should thus become a clergyman, but owing to the failure of his voice he was unable to continue in ministerial work, for which he was admirably fitted by both natural and acquired talents, being a man of specially fine mental gifts and one whose life was directed on a lofty plane of integrity and honor. He was given a portion of the old homestead, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, and he disposed of this property shortly before coming to Indiana. He had four sons who wanted to secure farms, and in company with three of them he came to Allen county, Indiana, in 1849 or 1850. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of canal land, in 'Aboit township, and here the three sons also took up their abode, as pioneer farmers. William went forth as a valiant defender of the Union in the war of the Rebellion and died as the result of wounds received in action; Robert became a representative manufacturer in the city of Fort Wayne, where he died at the age of forty-five years; James remained on the old homestead farm with his father and lived to attain the age of nearly seventy years, and having never married. The mother died about one year after the arrival of the family in Allen county, having been in ill health and having come here in the hope that she would receive benefit from the change. The loss of his cherished and devoted companion was a severe blow to Mr. Todd and he never afterward resumed his ambitious and active efforts, living practically retired until his death, which occurred during the progress of the Civil war. He was a man of distinguished attainments and ever commanded the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. Four of his daughters came to Allen county, and of these Isabella, the wife of Stephen Streeper, had preceded the family here by about three years, her husband having been one of the pioneer settlers of Lake township. They moved to Iowa, where she lived for many years and where her husband died. She is now living in Iowa, and she and Mrs. Atchison are now the only surviving members of the original family. Matilda married Squire Studer, of Aboit township, and she passed the closing years of her life on the old farm homestead, with Mrs. Atchison, having been widowed for a number of years prior to her death, which occurred in 1902. Hannah, the next of the daughters, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1833, and is the immediate subject of this sketch. Jennie died in middle life, never having married and having remained with her brother James until her death.

Mrs. Atchison was reared partly in Philadelphia and partly at the county seat of Montgomery county. She secured her early educational discipline in the city of Philadelphia and later continued her studies in the old Methodist college in Fort W ayne, where she was duly graduated. She soon put her acquirements to practical use by engaging in teaching, her first school having been in the old log building which stood on the site of the present No. 4 school house in Wayne township. She proved very successful and popular in her pedagogic work, having taught for a time in Bluffton, Wells county, and having then gone to assume charge of a seminary at Keithsburg, Illinois, the town being located on the Mississippi river below Rock Island, while the institution with which she thus became identified was a Presbyterian school. She was accompanied by her sister Matilda, who also became a teacher in the seminary. One year later was solemnized the marriage of Miss Hannah Todd to Professor Lewis Edward Atchison, who was graduated in DePauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, and who was a professor in the seminary at the time of their marriage. Shortly afterward the young couple went to California, where both engaged in teaching, Mr. Atchison having become principal of the Vallejo high school and Mrs. Atchison assistant principal. Two years later the former assumed the position of superintendent of prominent mines, while Mrs. Atchison taught in the schools of San Francisco for one year. Mr. Atchison became a part owner of the mining properties in which he was superintendent until they returned to Indiana for a visit. After a visit with the home folk in Allen county Mr. and Mrs. Atchison started for Philadelphia and had proceeded as far as Richmond, Indiana, when he was taken ill, suffering a severe attack of pneumonia, which resulted in his death, while his mortal remains were brought back to Fort Wayne and interred in the beautiful Lindenwood cemetery. He was forty-nine years of age at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Atchison had no children.

California, where she remained three years, settling up her business affairs. She was then sent for to care for her brother James and sister Jennie, who were residing on the old homestead. James was an invalid for ten years prior to his demise, while the sister was also in delicate health, so that it was the portion of Mrs. Atchison to care for them with all of solicitude and self-abnegation until both were summoned into eternal rest. Mrs. Atchison has since remained on the old Todd homestead, in Aboit township, five miles west of Fort Wayne, and she now owns the entire property, having purchased the interests of the other heirs, while she also owns property in California. She has the farm operated by a capable tenant, and finds much of solace and pleasure in the home so endeared to her by the memories and associations of the past. She is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, and has long been active in church work, while her kindliness and graciousness have endeared her to a wide circle of friends in the community in which the family name has been so well known ever since the early pioneer days.

Christ G. Vonderau

Incumbent of the office of trustee of St. Joseph township, this well known citizen is well entitled to representation in this publication. He is not only one of the substantial and wide-awake farmers of his township but is also a native of the county, which has ever been his place of residence, while he has been identified with the agricultural industry from his youth to the present.

Mr. Vonderau was born in Milan township, Allen county, Indiana, on the 16th of May, 1866, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Kern) Vanderau, the former of whom was born in Hessen, Germany, in 1821, while the latter was born in Bavaria, in 1826. The father of the subject was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the tailor's trade, to which he there gave his attention up to the time of his immigration to America, when a young man. He landed in the city of New York, a stranger in a strange land and with his financial resources reduced to the sum of fifty cents. He was not lacking in courage, self-reliance and determination, however, and he soon found employment and began his labors in the great republic in which he was destined to attain to no insignificant success and to win for himself a position of independence. He first located in the state of Pennsylvania, whence he later removed to Ohio, where he remained until the year 1855, when he came to Allen county, Indiana, where he passed the remainder of his long, honorable and useful life, having been eighty-four years of age at the time of his death, while his devoted wife and helpmeet is still living on the homestead with her son Herman. Jacob Vonderau was one of the honored pioneers of Allen county, and here he accumulated a large landed estate and became one of the solid capitalists and representative farmers of this section of the state, having been the owner of four hundred and forty-eight acres of land in the county and having also owned valuable property in Cleveland and Van Wert, Ohio. He was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, but never aspired to the honors or emoluments of public office, while both he and his wife were zealous and consistent members of the German Lutheran church. They commanded the respect of all who knew them and their lives were prolific in worthy effort and kindly deeds. Of their eleven children ten are living, the subject of this sketch having been the tenth in order of birth.

Christ G. Vonderau, to whom this sketch is dedicated, was reared to the discipline of the farm and was afforded the advantages of the German Lutheran parochial school and of the excellent public schools of his native county. He remained on the homestead farm until he had reached the age of twenty-four years, and for the past fifteen years he has resided on his present fine farm, in sections 23 and 24, St. Joseph township, where he has one hundred and eighty-seven acres of most arable and productive land, which was a part of his father's estate. One hundred and fifty acres are under cultivaton and devoted to diversified agriculture, while he also devotes no little attention to the raising of an excellent grade of live stock, including the Jersey and Durham types of cattle and an effective cross of the Chester White and Poland China swine. He has made the best of improvements on his place, including the erection of a fine brick residence of eleven rooms and of modern design and accessories, the same constituting one of the most attractive rural homes in the county, while the other buildings on the place are substantial and well adapted to the various demands placed upon them. It may consistently be said that Mr. Vonderau's is one of the model farms of the county, and the evidences of thrift and good management are to be seen on every side.

In his political allegiance Mr. Vonderau is found stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, while he is one of the leaders in its local ranks. He has naturally been called upon to render service in offices of public trust in his township, having long been a member of the school board of his district, while he was incumbent of the office of township assessor for a period of five years. In 1905 he was elected to his present responsible office, that of township trustee, and he has proved him- self a most capable and loyal official, fully justifying the confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

In the year 1889 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Vonderau to Miss Mary Griebel, who likewise was born and reared in this county, being a daughter of George and Fredericka (Wolf) Griebel, the former being a representative farmer of Marion township. They have become the parents of five children, Frida, Annie, Herman, William and Johanna.

Henry W. Becker

The subject of this sketch, who is clerk of the board of public works of Fort Wayne, has proved himself well entitled to the trust reposed and is one of the popular citizens of his native county. He was born in the city of Fort Wayne, on the 21st of February, 1859, and is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Jennedein) Becker, both of whom were born in the Rhenish district of the German and French border, near the province of Alsace, which is now a portion of German territory. They were reared and educated in their native land and there their marriage was solemnized. In 1848 they immigrated to America, making Indiana their destination. They made the trip by way of the Great Lakes to Toledo, Ohio, and from that port they came by canal to Fort Wayne, where they established their home, the father having been one of the pioneer blacksmiths and wagonmakers of this city, while it may be noted that in 1850, at the time of the great hegira of gold-seekers to California, he found great demand for the wagons which he manufactured for use in making the long and perilous trips across the plains to the new eldorado. He was one of the sterling citizens and well known and highly honored business men of Fort Wayne, and here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1882, at which time he was nearly sixty-three years of age, while his widow was somewhat past the age of seventy-two at the time of her death, in 1891. Of their children five are living, namely: Frederick, Minnie, Charles, Mary and Henry W. Frederick and Charles are successfully continuing the blacksmithing and wagon-making business established by their father so many years ago, and their sisters preside over the domestic economies of the home, none of the children having married except the subject of this review.

here he has ever continued to make his home. He received a good public-school education and in his youth learned the stone-cutter's trade, becoming a skilled workman and continuing to be identified with the work of his trade until 1893, when his health became so seriously impaired that he was compelled to retire from the business, having been at the time a member of the firm of Griebel, Wyckoff & Becker, engaged in the manufacturing of monuments and other cemetery work. After disposing of his interests in the business noted Mr. Becker became deputy assessor of Wayne township, serving in this capacity for a period of five years, at the expiration of which, in 1900, he was elected assessor, remaining incumbent of this office, by successive re-elections until his appointment as clerk of the board of public works, which position he is now efficiently filling. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, and has ever taken a deep interest in the forwarding of the party cause and been active as a worker in its local ranks. He commands unqualified esteem in the community and well merits the recognition accorded him in this historical compilation.

In the year 1883 Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Englert, who was born and reared in Fort Wayne, being a daughter of Frank and Louisa Englert, who were early settlers here and both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have six children, namely: Magdalene, Margaret, Flora, Henry, Roy and Frederick, all of whom remain beneath the home roof, the pleasant family residence being located on East Jefferson street.

John R. Hartzell

One of the fine landed estates of Allen county is that owned by Mr. Hartzell, who is one of the leading farmers and stock-growers of Adams township and one of its honored and influential citizens, while he is also a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of the county, with whose development the name has been prominently identified.

Levi and Mary (Souders) Hartzell, the parents of the subject, were both born and reared in Miami county, Ohio, the former having been born on the 20th of March, 1812, while the latter was born on the 31st of December, 1820, near Covington, Ohio. The father died on the 31st of January, 1871, at the age of fifty-eight years, nine months and eleven days, and his venerable widow still resides on the old homestead, in Adams township, the place having been endeared and hallowed to her through the memories and associations of the past. Her marriage to Mr. Hartzell was solemnized on the 25th of February, 1841, and she and her husband came to Allen county, Indiana, in June following, arriving at their destination on the 16th of that month. John Souders, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this review, was born in Pennsylvania, and the paternal grandfather, Philip Hartzell, was born in Virginia, both families having been founded in America in the colonial era of our national history, while both became represented among the pioneers of the state of Ohio, where members settled in the early portion of the nineteenth century.

Levi Hartzell first came to Indiana with his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Anna Kritz, who lived near New Haven, Adams township, and who had come to Allen county with her three sons, David, Jacob and Abraham Miller. Her maiden name was Studabaker and after the death of her first husband, whose name was Miller, she became the wife of a Mr. Kritz, one child, Polly, having been born of the second union and having been a member of the family at the time of the removal to Indiana, about 1832, the family being numbered among the first settlers in the practically untrammeled wilds of Allen county. When Levi Hartzell came here he received much encouragement and no little tangible aid from his grandmother and uncles. He purchased a tract of land adjoining the farm of his grandmother, paying one hundred dollars and assuming an indebtedness of the remainder of the purchase price. He returned to Ohio and was there married, after which he came with his bride to the embryonic farm in the midst of the forests of Allen county. On his eighty-acre tract he had made a clearing and erected a log cabin, and this figured as the destination of the young couple, who made their bridal tour by driving through from Covington, Ohio, with horse and wagon, the horse having been borrowed for the momentous occasion. Mrs. Hartzell had been somewhat reluctant to make this change in the new country, but her father advised her to try the experiment and if she were dissatisfied at the expiration of one year he stated that he would assist them to return to Ohio. Before the expiration of the year she had become so well pleased with the outlook and conditions that she had no wish to leave the little home in Adams township. Mr. Hartzell began operations on his farm with most primitive equipments, and his widow recalls the fact that one horse and one cow © constituted the live stock on the pioneer farm at that time. Wheat and corn had to be taken to Defiance to be ground, as the nearest mill was at that point, while the trip was usually made by boat. The first mill in the vicinity of the family home was erected and equipped some years later, being one of the first in Allen county and having been put up by a man named Townsend.

Levi Hartzell continued to give his undivided attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm until the construction of the Wabash & Erie canal through this section was instituted. He then secured employment in connection with the construction work, assisting in getting out timber, building docks, etc. He had made no little development on his farm, of which he had secured possession eight years prior to his marriage, and having thus come to

Allen county as a pioneer of 1833. His widow still lives on the old homestead, and the log cabin continued as the family residence until 1868, when he erected the present substantial and commodious brick house. In company with L. M. Rogers Mr. Hartzell was engaged in the general merchandise business in New Haven for about a score of years, while he was also associated with Mr. Rogers and John Bigue in the erection of the grist mill which is still operated in that thriving town, the building having been erected about 1863, while Mr. Hartzell was the part owner and operator at the time of his death. He was a man of distinctive energy and business acumen, and the influence of his enterprise and his sterling character was exerted in a most helpful way in the community to whose upbuilding he contributed in so significant a measure. He erected a saw mill on his farm and continued the operation of the same until within a short time prior to his demise. He accumulated a valuable landed estate, having had about four hundred and forty acres, divided into three farms, while he cleared about two hundred and thirty acres and placed the same under effective cultivation, being one of the most extensive agriculturists and stock growers of Adams township. Mr. Hartzell naturally took a prominent position in connection with public affairs of a local nature, and his counsel was held in high regard by his neighbors and other friends. During the Civil war he was an enrolling officer and rendered valuable service in recruiting the Union ranks. He held various local offices, and received the nomination for that of county commissioner, but was defeated by normal political exigencies, though he ran far ahead of his ticket. He was the nominee of the Republican party, and the Democratic majority in the county was at that time about four thousand. Two of his sons, Elias and Joshua, served with fidelity and valor as Union soldiers during the Rebellion. Levi Hartzell was one of the leading business men of Allen county for many years, and his name was ever a synonym of integrity and inflexible honesty of purpose. His death resulted from exposure during a hunting trip, and the community felt a deep sense of personal loss when he was thus called from the scene of his earnest and well directed endeavors. He was broad, charitable and tolerant in his views, guiding his course according to the golden rule and avoiding contentions and bicker- ings of all sorts, though he never lacked the courage of his convictions. He espoused the cause of the Republican party at the time of its organization and ever afterward remained a stalwart advocate of its principles and policies, while his sons followed in the same political faith, much to his gratification. He was a lover of good horses, and the best of drivers and draft horses were to be found on his place, while he found much pleasure in riding horseback, having made at one time the trip to Covington, Ohio, by this means, covering one hundred miles in one day. He was progressive and public-spirited and ever ready to assist in the carrying forward of enterprises for the general good. He was an advocate of good roads, good schools, etc., and was one of the stockholders in the first gravel road constructed in the county. In 1858 he started a brick yard on his farm, and here were manufactured the bricks for his own residence as well as many other buildings in this part of the county. He made a specialty of raising fine varieties of fruit, and his generosity was such that he gave away many bushels each year, never refusing those who applied. Mrs. Hartzell, though venerable in years, is well preserved in mind and body, and in the old homestead which has been her place of abode for the past sixtyfour years she is surrounded by a host of warm friends and finds pleasure in being useful and busy, while the golden evening of her life is brightened by the gracious memories of the days long past.

Levi and Mary (Souders) Hartzell became the parents of nine children, of whom seven attained maturity. Joshua, who remains a. bachelor, is with his mother on the old homestead, while it may again be noted that he was a valiant soldier in the Civil war; Elias is a successful farmer of Madison township; Susan is the wife of Dr. Lycurgus S. Null, of New Haven, this county; Jennie is the wife of Townsend C. Shilling, of Troy, Ohio; John R. is individually mentioned in appending paragraphs; Allen is associated in the operation of the homestead farm; Warker remained with his mother until his death, at the age of forty-three years.

John R. Hartzell, the immediate subject of this review, was born on the old homestead farm, on the 4th of November, 1851, and he early began to lend his aid in the work of the farm, while he received his educational training in the common schools of the county.

Two years aiter the death of his father he assumed charge oi the home farm, to which he gave his attention until the time of his marriage, in 1876. He then removed to his present farm, which lies opposite the old homestead, his estate being divided into three farms, with an aggregate area of about three hundred acres, while two of the places have houses and other buildings of substantial order. He maintains a general supervision of all his farm property, which is devoted to general agriculture, dairying and the raising of high-grade live stock, a specialty being made of the breeding of short-horn cattle, of which he maintains a herd of upward of fifty head; Shropshire sheep and Poland China swine; standard-bred horses, as well as the Percheron and Belgian draft horses, his place being known as Maple Grove farm. He finds a local market for his surplus live stock, and at the time of this writing has about one hundred and twenty-five head of horses and cattle. For the past twenty-three years he has carried on a most successful dairying business, selling about one hundred gallons of milk daily at the present time and keeping an average of about fifty head of milch cows. During all the years through which he has conducted this enterprise his wagons have never failed to make regular deliveries in the city of Fort Wayne. The home farm is improved with modern buildings, is well tilled and is one of the model places of the county. In politics Mr. Hartzell is a stalwart Republican, though never a seeker of office. In a fraternal way he is identified with New Haven Lodge, No. 253, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he has represented in the grand lodge of the state, while both he and his wife are affiliated with the adjunct order, the Daughters of Rebekah, in which Mrs. Hartzell has passed the various official chairs and also been a delegate to the grand lodge; and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Pathfinders.

On the 15th of November, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hartzell to Miss Minnie Brittingham, who was born in Farmington, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Dr. William B. and Mary W. Brittingham, who removed to Fort Wayne when she was a child of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell have two daughters, Naomi Olive and Iola Ethel.

August Rs Schnitker

The subject of this sketch occupies a prominent place among the substantial and enterprising business men and progressive and public-spirited citizens of Allen county, which has represented his home from his boyhood days to the present time, while he has attained to success and prestige through his own well directed efforts along normal and legitimate lines of industrial enterprise. He is the senior member of the firm of A. R. Schnitker & Son, who are engaged in the manufacturing of handles for agricultural implements, the well equipped plant of the concern being located in the thriving village of New Haven. The subject was for nearly six years an able, faithful and valued member of the board of county commissioners, and to him is accorded the unqualified regard of all with whom he has come in contact in business, official or social relations.

August R. Schnitker was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 8th of March, 1847, being a son of Christian and Charlotte Schnitker, who immigrated to America in 1854, at which time the subject was about eight years of age. The farnily came at once to Allen county, Indiana, and settled in Jefferson township, where the devoted wife and mother died about eighteen months later, while the father passed away in 1865 at the age of fifty-two years. Of the three children August R. was the eldest; Charles died at the age of forty years, and Caroline married Godlid Slagel, dying when still a young woman. Concerning the career of our subject we are pleased in being able to make quotation from an appreciative sketch which was published in a New Haven paper:

"Tt has been more than half a century since our genial 'Gus,' as he is familiarly known about New Haven, landed upon American soil. It was in 1854 he left Prussia, Germany, with his parents and set sail for the new world. They crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, and the voyage was of eleven weeks' duration, and owing to the severe storms encountered the three-masted vessel arrived in New York harbor with but one mast standing. From New York they went to Cincinnati to visit his father's brother, then came to Fort Wayne by packet, as railroad accommodations to these parts at that time were very limited: They stopped at the American house over night and then proceeded by canal packet to the Gronauer lock, east of town, and thence to their log cabin, one mile from that point. They resided there about one year, until the death of his mother, and in 1856 Gus came to New Haven. From that time until 1863 he received his schooling, studying both English and German. In 1863 he commenced to learn the harness trade, under John French, who shortly afterward enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the front, his shop being closed. Mr. Schnitker then went to work in the stave factory of Schnelka, Beugnot & Company, where he was employed until 1865, when he again went to work at the harness trade, this time for Louis Traub, in Fort Wayne.

"On the 13th of June, 1866, he engaged in the harness business for himself, in New Haven. He had little or no means, but his honesty and integrity had won for him the confidence of all and made his credit good, so that, with plenty of pluck and energy, he made the venture a success. He made his first set of harness for J. L. Richard, from whom he received the first money in his shop. He gave his personal attention to the business until 1881, and finally disposed of the shop in 1888. In 1881 Mr. Schnitker engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of handles, having as his partner F. E. Bueter. Two years later Jobst Fischer bought an interest in the business, and the handle factory was conducted under the firm name of Schnitker, Bueter & Company. A year later Mr. Bueter retired, and the firm of Schnitker & Fischer thereafter continued the enterprise until 1903, when Mr. Fischer retired from the firm and removed to Kansas, Mr. Schnitker then becoming sole owner, but soon afterward admitting his son Charles to partnership, under the present firm title of A. R. Schnitker & Son. The firm is today successfully conducting the handle factory, which is located in the west end of the town, and an extensive business is controlled, having important bearing upon the general prosperity of the town and surrounding country."

The output of this well known plant now represents an average annual valuation of fifteen thousand dollars, employment being given to a corps of about twenty capable operatives, the annual pay roll representing thirty-six hundred dollars, while from nine to ten thousand dollars are annually expended in the home market for timber and other needed supplies. Eight thousand dollars were expended in the erection and equipment of the plant, which has the latest improved machinery and all other facilities for the turning out of high-grade products. |

Mr. Schnitker is a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, in whose local ranks he has been an active and valued worker. He has served in various minor offices, and has twice been the candidate of his party for the office of county treasurer, his defeat on each occasion having been compassed through normal political exigencies, the vote being such as to indicate the confidence reposed in him by the people of the county. In April, 1899, he was appointed a member of the board of county commissioners, his coadjutors being Matthew Ferguson and Edward Orr. Under this appointment he served nineteen months and was then elected for the short term of one year, and later the long term of three years to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Sylvanus Baker, who had served but five months on his second term, Mr. Ferguson also retiring and Martin Mondy becoming a member of the board, while later Mr. Orr was succeeded by Charles Greable. Mr. Schnitker's term expired on the 1st of January, 1905, and he had thus remained in tenure of the office of commissioner for six consecutive years, lacking only five months. His record was one of careful, faithful and efficient service, and he spared no pains or efforts to protect and conserve the best interests of the county and its people. Within his incumbency the magnificent new court house was completed and furnished, while large expenditures were required for the repairing and building of bridges, especially in 1904, when so many were swept away or otherwise damaged by high waters, thirty-five having been built in the county within that year.

In the year 1871 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Schnitker to Miss Hannah Linnemann, who was born in Germany and reared in Allen county, and the five children of this union are as follows: William, who is employed with the Western Gas Construction Company of Fort Wayne; Charles, a member of the firm of A. R. Schnitker & Son; Frederick, Emma and Amelia, the three younger children being still at the parental home.

Henry F. Schnelker

Without fear of legitimate contradiction we may designate Mr. Schnelker as one of the representative business men of Allen county, while his acumen and progressive ideas are indicated by his identification with the enterprises of notable character. He is concerned with the great basic art of agriculture, in Adams township, is manager of a cooperage and lumber business in the attractive little city of New Haven and is also the exploiter, president and manager of the Blue Cast Magnetic Springs Company, which has headquarters in the city of Fort Wayne, while the fine springs from which the valuable medicinal water is secured are located one mile north of Woodburn, this county, and fifteen miles east of Fort Wayne, in the heart of Blue Cast park, which clothes the banks of the Maumee river with its beautiful scenery.

The cooperage plant in which Mr. Schnelker is an interested principal, in New Haven, has a capacity for the output of fifty thousand staves daily and three thousand sets of heading in the same time. Employment is given to sixty-five men in the mill, while the entire corps demanded in carrying on the enterprise is about eighty. This business was founded before the war of the Rebellion by the firm of McKendry & Schnelker, while the enterprise was later conducted in turn under the firm names of Hall, Schnelker & Company; J. Begue & Company; Indiana Stave Company, for five years; H. Schnelker Company, eight years, while in 1872 the present title of H. F. Schnelker Company was adopted, the enterprise having been successfully carried forward under this name during the intervening years. The company formerly controlled three large plants and gave employment to two hundred and fifty men, but the present finely equipped plant handles a large volume of business and is managed in a conservative way. The com- pany also has a plant of about the same capacity as that in New Haven at Payne, Ohio, on the line of the Nickle Plate Railroad, the same having been established in 1881. The aggregate output of the two plants represents about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually, the products being sold principally in carload lots. The investment now stands at about eighty-five thousand dollars, and all this stands as the legitimate outgrowth of the enterprise. For the past thirty years Mr. Schnelker has owned and operated a fine farm of three hundred acres, in Maumee township, while forty-five acres of the tract are devoted to the growing of a variety of fruits. On the place special attention is given to the breeding of Hereford cattle, an average herd of thirty breeding cows being maintained and all being registered stock, while exhibits are made in the various state and county fairs, expositions, etc. The cattle are sold principally in Texas and Nebraska. for breeding purposes, and Mr. Schnelker recently sold to one man in the latter State fifty-nine head of his fine Hereford stock. the purchase being made with the purpose of improving the grade of the western herds of cattle. For many years the subject has sold bulls to the famous Farwell ranch, in Texas. Considerable attention is also paid to the raising of standard-bred horses, and the fine estate is operated under the title of the Schnelker Farm Company, the same being incorporated under the laws of the state, with Mr. Schnelker as manager and chief stockholder. The farm is one of the finest in the county, having fine improvements, including a very extended system of tile drainage, installed at a cost of more than three thousand dollars, while the fine stock barn has a capacity for the accommodation of one hundred head of cattle. Mr. Schnelker has been identified with stock breeding for fully a quarter of a century, and his farm has a high reputation in this line.

Concerning the Blue Cast Magnetic Springs Company, of which Mr. Schnelker is president and manager, we may consistently quote from the attractive little brochure issued by the company: "The great tonic and curative effects of the Blue Cast Magnetic Mineral Springs have been known for many years, and multitudes of people have at one time or another repaired thither to enjoy a draught of the refreshing and exhilarating waters. The popular endorsement of the waters is amply justified by the searching technical analysis of their properties which has been made by well known and eminent chemists. The official analysis establishes beyond a shadow of doubt that the Blue Cast magnetic mineral water not only possesses refreshing and tonic qualities which peculiarly fit it for general table use, but that it is also nature's own remedy for many of the common ailments. The recommendations of distinguished physicians bear out the chemical analysis and conclusively prove the beneficial effect of these waters in kidney, liver and bladder troubles; acidity of the stomach, jaundice, indigestion, dyspepsia, nervousness, biliousness, water brash, chronic constipation, dizziness, vertigo, cystitis, nephritis, Bright's disease, gout, gravel, rheumatism, uric-acid diathesis, diseases of the skin, urethritis, diabetes, etc."

In connection with his careful analysis of the Blue Cast water Dr. Albert H. Macbeth, city chemist of Fort Wayne, has given the following flattering endorsement: "This is a very fine water for internal medication and is adapted to a wide range of medical uses; the magnesium carbonate is especially good in all stomach disorders, and its sulphate acts mildly on the bowels, while the potassium salts aid all the eliminating organs and act as alternatives. The mineral constituents are evenly balanced, holding both acid and alkalies at the neutral point. The temperature is at fifty degrees as it flows from the springs, and the water is clear and sparkling, and is readily absorbed into and passed from the system."

The waters of the springs have been used for forty years, and Dr. Adams, one of the pioneer physicians of the county, had recourse to the water in his practice for many years. No analysis was ever made of the water until 1902. Mr. Schnelker had used the same for erysipelas in both his feet, securing so gratifying results that he had an analysis made by Dr. Macbeth, city chemist of Fort Wayne. He then made improvements at Blue Cast park and opened bottling works at the springs, while the waters are meeting with great favor for table use and also for medicinal purposes. Blue Cast park consists of one hundred acres, of which sixty acres remain in the natural forest, while the situation is most attractive, the land lying along the shores of the Maumee river, so that the place can not fail to become most popular as a resort for health and pleasure seekers. The company was incorporated in 1903, and the bottling works now have a daily capacity for the output of two thousand bottles. The company have in contemplation the erection of a modern sanitarium at the springs, and in addition to the beneficial effects of the waters themselves the magnetic mud through which the water percolates at various points is specially adapted to the treatment of various diseases.

Henry F. Schnelker is a native of Allen county and a representative of one of its sterling pioneer families. He was born in the village of New Haven, Adams township, on the 7th of July, 1854, and is a son of the late Bernard and Mary G. Schnelker. His father was a prominent and influential citizen of New Haven, where he founded the cooperage plant of which mention is made in this context, while he continued to be identified with the enterprise involved until the time of his death. Henry F. succeeded to his father's interest in the business in 1872, and has since been manager of the undertaking. He was reared in New Haven, where he secured his early educational discipline, which he effectively supplemented by a commercial course in Notre Dame University, at South Bend, Indiana. In politics he is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are communicants of St. John's Catholic church, in New Haven. He is a member of the Knights of St. John, and has passed the various official chairs in the society, while he has also been a delegate to its conventions.

On the 25th of June, 1878, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Schnelker to Miss Alice J. Allen, who was born in New Haven, this county, on the 2d of F ebruary, 1860, being a daughter of John Allen, who died while in service as a Union soldier during the war of the Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Schnelker have four children, namely: Mary Bernedette, the wife of Clement P. Becker, of New Haven, and Anna Erine, Nobert Bernard and Bernon Julian.