LaPorte County, Indiana - Chapter 36: Religion, 1904 (part 13 of 23)

SAMUEL M. SIBBRELL, a well known and successful farmer of New Durham township, La- Porte county, is the only son of Benjamin F. and Margaret Ann (Glass) Sibbrell, the former of whom was a man of prominence in this township, to which he came, in young manhood without capital, and at his death was possessed of a fine estate and the respect of all the community. Ben¬ jamin Sibbrell was bom in Seneca county, Ohio, January 10, 1830, and was educated in the com¬ mon schools of his native state and reared to the life of a farmer and stockman. He came to La- Porte county in 1855, poor but honest and indus¬ trious, and for some years lived in a log cabin, but gradually advanced in prosperity until he was the owner of two hundred and ten acres in this county and of eighty in Porter county. He was at first a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Mrs. Sibbrell was bom in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1836, and still lives at the old homestead, with her son.

Samuel M. Sibbrell, the only son of these parents, was bom October 7, 1869, in the log cabin which still stands on the farm, and which was the home and shelter to the family during their first years in LaPorte county. He was edu¬ cated in the Otis public schools, and from his earliest years became accustomed to the life of a farmer, which he has followed with good suc¬ cess. He has the original farm of two hundred and ten acres in this county, and also forty acres in Porter county. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Cleveland. He belongs to the Maccabees Tent No. 31, at Westville, and has served in all the important offices.

July 27, 1892, Mr. Sibbrell married Miss Nellie May Poston, who was born in Starke county, Indiana, September 28. 1874. a daughter of David and Catharine (Jenkins) Poston, being one of three sons and three daughters in the fam¬ ily. Her father, who is a native of Ohio, was a pioneer to LaPorte county, and is now one of the prominent farmers of New Durham township.

He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Sibbrell was educated in the public schools of this county. She is a member of the Christian church of Westville. There were four children bom to Mr. and Mrs. Sibbrell, but the eldest is deceased. The others are Benjamin F., a boy in school, and Barbara Anna and Florence Ellen.

ANDREW J. SHURTE, a prominent and respected resident of section 2, Cass township; has served his country well on the hard-fought battlefields of the Civil war, and as a citizen and farmer of LaPorte county for half a century has been identified with much of its progress and de¬ velopment in the agricultural industry.

Mr. Shurte is the son of Samuel and Jennette (Melville) Shurte, the former bom in New Jersey, and the latter in St. Andrews, Scotland, May 9, 1809, whence she came to Ohio in 1819, and there in 1826 was married to Mr. Samuel Shurte. They lived in Ohio awhile, were then in Cass county, Michigan, also in LaPorte county, and later returned to Ohio, where Samuel Shurte died, but his widow and children returned to La¬ Porte county, where she died in 1889. Eleven children were born to them, of whom four are now living : Mary A., the wife of James Meeker, of Oregon ; Andrew J. ; Lewis M., a farmer of Cass township; and Olivia, the wife of Benjamin Skinner, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Andrew J. Shurte was bom in Cass county, Michigan, May 14, 1838, and was the fourth son of his parents. He came to LaPorte county at the age of ten, and was reared in Cass town¬ ship. The school-house which he attended in those days was of logs, had a "stick" chimney and a mud fireplace, which was a very inadequate means of heating the barn-like structure. A more thorough description of just such a school is to be found in the chapter on education in the first part of this history. Three months each year were spent in this temple of learning, and the rest of the time he found all the work he could do in clearing the farm and raising the year's crops. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and as a private served two years and eleven months. He was with the western army, and par¬ ticipated in the battles of Perryville and Hoover's Gap, and at the battle of Chickamauga, Septem¬ ber 19, 1863, was struck in the left thigh with an ounce ball, which put him in the hospital and soldiers' home for ten months. He is still a cripple from this wound, and bears palpable tes¬ timony of the brave part he took in the struggle for the preservation of the Union. He received his honorable discharge in July, 1865, and re¬ turned to his farm in Cass township, where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. He has a first-class farm, and knows all the ins and outs of managing it so as to make it pay.

Mr. Shurte was married, April 7, 1868, to Miss Charlotte Talbot, a native of England and a daughter of William and Sarah (Ruddick) Tal¬ bot, who came from England to LaPorte county in 1858. The following children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Shurte : Roxy is now the wife of Charles Wills, of Hanna, Indiana, and he is a hardware merchant; they have one daughter, Ethel May; Mrs. Wills was educated in the Wanatah public schools, the Fort Wayne high school and at the Valparaiso normal, and taught five years successfully in LaPorte county. The son Robert is deceased. Benjamin has com¬ pleted the eighth grade of public school and is a practical farmer. Leora is the wife of Theodore Kapelski, of Chicago. Mary graduated in the class of 1900 of the Wanatah high school and was a student at Valparaiso, and she is now a teacher in the township of Cass ; she is a member of the Christian church. Maude graduated in the class of 1899, was a student at the Valparaiso normal, and is now a teacher in Hanna township ; she is only twenty years of age, and is now teaching her fourth term ; is also a member of the Chris¬ tian church. Blanche is a student of the Wanatah high school. John is in the fifth grade of school. The daughters Maude, Mary and Roxy are mem¬ bers of the Rebekah lodge at Hanna.

Mr. Shurte is a stanch Republican, and a member of the Grand Army post at Valparaiso. He is well known in the county, and can be de¬ pended upon as a good and loyal citizen, who will give, as he has done, his best efforts for the general welfare and public progress.

DR. C. E. JOHNSON, now one of the young and promising practitioners of western LaPorte county, at Otis, and whose practice has rapidly and steadily increased since he first opened his office in the summer of 1902, is a young man who has worked his own way through difficulties, by means of hard work and business management, always with worthy aims in view, to a place in the world where he may be of utmost usefulness to himself and mankind.

latter in 1852. They still reside in Sweden, and are people of integrity and members of the Swe¬ dish Lutheran church. They had eleven children, and of these Dr. Johnson is the oldest.

Dr. Johnson was born in Jonkoping, Sweden, November 26, 1872, and at the age of twelve years had the hardihood to venture upon the voy¬ age to America, which he determined to make his home. He shipped at Gothenburg for New York, and was nineteen days in making the voy¬ age. He arrived with almost no money, and^ making his way to LaPorte county, worked on his uncle's farm for board and the privilege of attending the public school, after a while also earning small wages. He was unable to speak a word of English when he first came, but his nat¬ ural brightness soon gave him a command over this language, and he has since gained a reading acquaintance with the French, Spanish, Dutch and Italian. He remained with his uncle till he was eighteen years old, and then set about to gain an advanced education and fit himself for a profession. Out of his savings he attended the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, for thirtyfour weeks, and at the end of that period was granted, on examination, a teacher's certifi¬ cate. He taught in Cool Spring township for the next three years, putting away his money with the intention of studying medi¬ cine. He read medicine with Dr. Wilcox for three months, and in 1897-8 attended the State University of Indiana at Bloomington, where he intended to take the full course and graduate, but was taken sick and had to leave. On recovering he entered the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, taking the literary and medical courses, and was graduated with the class of 1902, in his junior year having won the second prize in the oratorical contest.

August 5, 1902, Dr. Johnson opened up his office in Otis junction, where he has already won the confidence of the people, especially among those of his own nationality, and his practice ex¬ tends throughout Cool Spring, New Durham, and Pierce and Jackson townships of Porter county. He is located in the west part of the town, and his office is one of the neatest to be found anywhere. He uses his own drugs and pharmaceutical preparations, and does not de¬ pend upon the drug stores. In the office he also has a fine selection of medical works, where he is continually refreshing his mind and going deeper into the great science of which he is a devotee; and in addition he has a well stocked library of general works. He is a disciple of the homeopathic school of medicine.

Dr. Johnson is also interested in public affairs, and during the last campaign stumped the county and made many speeches among his own people, his forte being as a forceful and convincing ora¬ tor. But, in general, Dr. Johnson supports the man he believes best fitted for the office, and has made a record for his fair-mindedness and geni¬ ality in all his relations with the citizens of La¬ Porte county. While in college he was a member of the Alpha Nu society; he belongs to Lodge No. 136, Independent Order Odd Fellows, at Westville, and the Maccabees of the same place, and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Michigan City.

WILLIAM BUNDY, a prominent retired farmer of LaPorte county, has had a most inter¬ esting career of self-sustained progress, and for many years has been numbered with the county's esteemed and industrious citizens. He comes of ancestors who were among the early settlers of this country, his particular branch being resident in New Jersey. His parents were James and Maria (Kauffman) Bundy, the former of whom was bom in New Jersey, June 25, 1798, and died December 1, 1857. He was reared to the calling of a farmer, and was also a good mechanic. He was conversant with the German language, and a man of industry and force of character. After his marriage, in the state of Pennsylvania, he came to Favette county, Indiana, and thence to Elkhart county, settling five miles northeast of Goshen, where he entered eighty acres of gov¬ ernment land ; this he afterward sold, and bought two hundred acres, much of which was timber, where he remained until 1841. He built a log cabin for a home, hewing many of the timbers and fashioning them into shape by himself. He was one of the pioneers of Elkhart county, and had many of the privations incident to that kind of life. In 1841 he came through LaPorte county to Porter county, the trip being made with char¬ acteristic prairie schooner and oxen, and he set¬ tled first in Washington township and afterward in Morgan township, where he purchased land on which he resided till his death. He was a Whig and anti-slavery man, and cast his vote for the first nominee of the Republican party, by whose principles he abided the rest of his life. He was of the Universalist faith, while his wife was a Lutheran. Mrs. Maria Bundy was born in Pennsylvania, August 18, 1801, and died June 14, 1854. She was of a Pennsylvania German family, and spoke the German language.

nine of whom are still living: Elizabeth, the widow of George L. Parshall, of Porter county; James, a farmer of Porter county ; Julia, the wife of Russell Johnson, a farmer of Porter county; Phoebe, the widow of Daniel Cross, of Ames, Kansas ; Maria, the widow of Enoch Billings, of Valparaiso, Indiana; William is the next in age of those living; Rebecca, the wife of Wesley Keeler, formerly a farmer, of Valparaiso; Mi¬ randa, the wife of R. P. Davidson, of Austin, Minnesota; George, the youngest, a farmer of Porter county.

William Bundy was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, March 18, 1833, and was a boy of nine years when he passed through Laporte county and settled in Porter county. He was reared to farm life and was educated in the common schools. He still remembers distinctly the old school where he, as also the girl who afterward became his wife, learned their lessons. The building was of hewn logs, with a clapboard roof, in size twenty by thirty; it was heated by a big wood stove; the seats were slabs with wooden legs, and were so high that the smaller children could not touch their toes to the floor ; the writing desk was a broad board resting on pins driven into the wall ; and the window was simply a long opening where two logs had been left out. The text books were the Elementary speller and reader, and DabolFs and Pike's arithmetic. The school was supported by subscription. One of the fa¬ vorite methods of punishment which Mr. Bundy remembers consisted in placarding the offender with "This boy has violated the rules of the school," and making him walk around the room a number of times, with this opprobrious inscrip¬ tion on his back.

About the time he was of age Mr. Bundy took to himself a wife, and two years later came to Westville, LaPorte county, to live. He began life with hardly ten dollars to his name, and from his first work at fourteen dollars a month he saved forty-two dollars; with this he bought a colt, which he traded at a profit, and from this first.business venture has prospered steadily. Dur¬ ing the first three years he saved up three hun¬ dred dollars in gold. His first purchase of land was forty acres in Porter county, for which he paid four hundred dollars, and of which he cleared off ten acres and realized good profits from his products. At one time he owned one hundred and five acres in Porter county, well improved and with substantial buildings. For this he received sixtv-three hundred dollars, which was certainly a wonderful increase from his industry and business judgment over the forty-two dollars with which he started. At the present time he owns a comfortable residence and three hundred and eighty-five and a half acres of good land near Westville, part of it lying in Porter county. For this prosperity in worldly things he has to thank his own industry, coupled with the ever willing advice and assistance of his wife.

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Bundy was mar¬ ried to Miss Martha Bamum, who died in Por¬ ter county, in 1872, and her two children are now also deceased. In 1875 Mr. Bundy married Mrs. Celia M. (Noble) Dudley, the daughter of John P. and Mary Ann (Smith) Noble, the former of whom was born in Canton, New York, in 1807, and died in October, 1887, and the latter was born in Perry county, New York, October 18, 1818, and died April 2, 1895. Mr. Noble was reared and educated in New York, and came to Porter county, Indiana, at an early day, in 1835, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, in Jackson township, his first home being a log cabin. He was a success¬ ful farmer, and also a good mechanic, and pros¬ pered in his undertakings. He was a Whig and a Republican in politics, and in religion was a Universalist. His wife was a lady of more than ordinary education for the time, and had taught school. They were the parents of six children, and four of them are still living, of whom Mrs. Bundy is the oldest. The others are : Julia, the wife of E. S. Smith, the banker of Westville; Hattie, the wife of Dr. John W. Green, of Ma¬ rion, Indiana; and Lois N., wife of G. B. Mor¬ gan, an attorney at law of Aledo, Illinois, who was educated in Chicago, and is now master in chancery of Mercer county.

Mr. Bundy supports the policies of the Repub¬ lican party; fraternally has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at West¬ ville for twenty-five years, and has passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and in the fall of 1883 was representative to the grand lodge in Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Bundy are among the most highly esteemed citizens of Westville. and the record of their life achievements is stimu¬ lating and helpful to all with whom they came in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Bundy have in their possession one of the old patent parchment deeds which was executed under the administration of President Van Buren and bearing his signature and is dated March 30, 1837. This is the third deed of the kind found in the west part of LaPorte county at the present writing.

MARQUES C. COULTER is a native of LaPorte county, and has lived here from the primitive conditions which surrounded the first settlers until the full bloom of the twentieth cen¬ tury civilization makes living seem a fairy tale compared with the past. His ancestry is Scotch and Irish, and some of his forefathers were Revo¬ lutionary soldiers.

His father, James Coulter, was born in Hali¬ fax county, Virginia, in 1800, and died in 1855. He was a farmer and mechanic, and in youth came with his mother to Ohio, thence to White Pigeon, Michigan, and from there made settle¬ ment in LaPorte county, Indiana, in 1833, about the time of the Black Hawk war. In 1836 he purchased at a government land sale, the northeast quarter of section 20 in New Durham township, and in the possession of Marques Coulter there is the deed to this land, signed by President Van Buren on March 20, 1837, an old and interesting parchment document. The first home was a log cabin, twenty-four by eighteen feet ; the bed was made of poles, with uprights at one end, and at the other the poles were thrust into holes in the wall ; and the floor was of puncheons. And this primitive condition was supplemented by the presence of Indians as numerous as the whites. Mr. Marques Coulter has made perhaps one of the largest .collections of Indian arrow heads to be found in the county, most of them picked up on the Coulter farm. Father Coulter was strict in his religious and moral views, and in political prin¬ ciple was an old-line Whig, dying just as the Republican party was being organized. He mar¬ ried Margaret Stephenson, whose father, Huston Stephenson, was a soldier in the Revolution. She was bom in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, whence she removed to Ohio, and she died in 1888, both she and her husband being buried on the Coulter farm in LaPorte county. She was a Presbyterian in religion. She was the mother of eight children, of whom four are living : Wil¬ liam, a farmer of Wanatah, Indiana; Silas, a resident of this state ; Marques C. ; and Caleb, a farmer of Porter county.

Marques C. Coulter was born in a log cabin not twenty rods from his present residence, in New Durham township, September 11, 1841. He was educated in the subscription school of that day - a round-log building, with a big fireplace at one end ; slab seats ; a stick and clay chimney, and the writing desk one long board resting on pins driven into the wall. The cost of such men¬ tal training under these conditions was seventeen cents per month per pupil. Mr. Coulter had

He was hardly graduated from this early training when he was called away by the Civil war. In November, 1863, he enlisted in Com¬ pany A, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, at Westville, under Captain Peck, and the regiment was or¬ dered to Nashville, Tennessee, where it was in several skirmishes and battles. At Stone River he was hit by a minie ball, but was not disabled. His regiment proceeded through Alabama, Geor¬ gia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, and was at the siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. He spent three months in the hospital on account of disability. He was at Mobile, Alabama, when the news of Lee's surrender came, and he re¬ ceived his discharge at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in November, 1865.

Mr. Coulter has always resided in New Dur¬ ham township, and has carried on farming with great success. When he settled down after his marriage, he had just fifteen dollars of cash capi¬ tal and eighty acres of land, and his present fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres and his good residence are evidence of his faithful work and industry, and he deserves to enjoy a restful and happy close to such a career.

Mr. Coulter has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Mary Gee, but she and her two children are deceased. March 31, 1874, he mar¬ ried Miss Mattie A. Moore, to whom four chil¬ dren have been bom: Roy, a resident of New Durham township, married Miss Grace Loomis; he received a common school education, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel¬ lows. Linea, at home with her parents, finished the eighth grade in school, also took instrumental music; she has been a member of Silver Star Lodge of the Rebekahs at Westville for six years. Dora is the wife of Ira Barnard, a farmer and horticulturist of Porter county, and they have one daughter, Martha E. ; Mrs. Barnard is an artist of much natural ability, and her work in crayon and oil adorns the home of her parents. Orta is a young farmer at home with his parents.

Mrs. Mattie A. Coulter was born in Russell county, Virginia, August 31, 1841, and has had many similar pioneer experiences to those of her husband. She spent the first sixteen years of her life in Virginia, and the school that she at¬ tended was very much like that in which her husband gained his early tuition. She has also spun the cotton threads with which she sewed, and has woven the jean and linsey cloth from which she made garments for her family. She, too, is of Revolutionary descent, her maternal great-grandfather Gibson serving in that war. Her parents were William and Linea (Brown¬ ing) Moore. William Moore was born in Vir¬ ginia in 1804, and died in 1878. In 1859 moved his family to Camden, Ray county, Mis¬ souri. He was a Whig and Republican, and a member of the Methodist church. His wife was also bom in Virginia, in 1809, and died in 1863. They were the parents of ten children, two sons and eight daughters, and five are living, as fol¬ lows: Mrs. Coulter; Anna, the wife of Alfred Lents, a resident of Ray county, Missouri ; Melvina, the wife of James G. Allison, a mechanic and a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri ; Adelaide, the wife of Charles Pugh, of Fort Worth, Texas ; and Virginia, the wife of Joseph Hicks, a me¬ chanic, of Liberty, Missouri.

Among the keepsakes in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Coulter is an old Bible dictionary, which was printed in 1803, and is still in good condition, notwithstanding its age. Mr. Coul¬ ter cast his first persidential ballot for Lincoln, and has voted for every Republican candidate since that time. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is a member of the Eastern Star. They are both highly esteemed residents of LaPorte county, where their substantial worth has been shown in the home they have created, in the children they have reared to honorable manhood and womanhood, and in the position they maintain in the regard of all their friends and neighbors.

OTTO GROTH, deceased, a pioneer mer¬ chant of Wanatah and one of the most highly respected business men of that town,. where he built up an establishment which is still continued under the management of one of his sons, was bom in Germany June 3, 1835. He came to America in 1857 when a young man, and shortly after locating in Indiana answered the call for troops to defend the Union which he had adopted as his home. He enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and performed four years' service as private, being in many battles and with Sherman on his march to the sea, and also present at the grand review in Washington at the close of the war. Immediately at the close of the war he came to Wanatah, and clerked in the general store of Joseph Unruh. He soon after engaged in business with a partner under the firm name of Groth and Williams, and this con¬ tinued as one of the reliable and popular mer¬ cantile houses of the town until Mr. Groth bought out his partner, and then carried on the business until his death, in 1891. His energy, sagacity and enterprise assured his success, and for many years he was looked upon as one of the foremost business men of the town.

Mr. Groth was very public-spirited, and could be depended upon for his due share in enterprise for the general good. He was a member of the Christian church and contributed largely to its support. He was an ardent Republican, and at one time was the candidate of his party for county treasurer. He was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Wa¬ natah. Being so closely identified with all the departments of activity in the community he could not help but wield much influence, but his fellow citizens testify that this influence was always on the side which he sincerely believed to be right. It is for these stanch and sterling qualities of an energetic nature and kind and generous char¬ acter that he is especially remembered in the town where most of his years were spent.

In 1868 Mr. Groth married Miss Isabella M., the most estimable and popular daughter of John and Margaret (Monroe) Harris, who were na¬ tives of Ireland and came from there to Ohio, thence to LaPorte county in the fifties, locating about five miles south of Wanatah, in Cass town¬ ship, where Mr. Harris died, but Mrs. Harris is living now in Nebraska. Mrs. Groth is the eldest of their family of eleven children and the only one now living in LaPorte county. She was bom in Ireland, April 13, 1849, and was reared and educated mainly in Cass township, and was nineteen years old when she married Mr. Groth. She is a member of the Christian church, and has spent the greater part of her life in one house in Wanatah.

Six children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Groth. Margareta is the wife of John Pritsch, in the lumber business in Wisconsin. Grace, after graduating from the vocal and instrumental departments of music at Valparaiso when only sixteen years old, was an instructor in music in that college for eleven years, and is now the wife of Clarence Drown, who is manager of two theatres in Los Angeles, California, and has an interest in one of these theatres. Otto G. Groth died in Greeley, Colorado, in December, 1Q02. J. Earl, bom in Wanatah, December 4, 1878, was educated in the Wanatah grade and high school, and, at that time, was the second young¬ est in the county to graduate from the eighth grade; he is now the capable manager of the

Groth store in Wanatah, and is proving a worthy successor of his honored father in the conduct of the business. Lulu Bell assists in the store, and the youngest child, Loman Monroe, is still at¬ tending school in Wanatah, in the eighth grade. Miss Lulu, the daughter at home, graduated in the class of 1899, of the Wanatah high school, and, besides, she took a course in instrumental adn vocal music at the Valparaiso normal school, and at the present time she is organist in the Christian church at Wanatah.

Death Of Otto Groth

Otto Groth was born in Hamburg, Germany, on the 3d of June, 1835. His father died when he was only six years old. His mother cared for him as best she could, yet he had to largely de¬ pend on himself for his living. The like condition with a mother's love and tender care has made many a boy a useful man. His early life so cir¬ cumstanced, no doubt, gave Mr. Groth a training that was helpful to him throughout life.

Mr. Groth came to this country in 1857 and worked on a farm until the war broke out ; then he enlisted in the gallant Ninety-ninth Indiana, and soon was marshalled to the front, where he saw the heat and dust of battle. He was in the army for three years. Through sleepless nights and weary marches he followed the merciless or¬ der "forward." When the war closed he re¬ turned to the quiet walks of life, but he has joined the silent army, and no return of morning will ever awake him to marching orders. Nor will the summons' hurrying tramp ever awake him again from the slumber of the grave. His name will stand enshrined in the history of his country with all the brave defenders living and dead.

On returning from the war he clerked in a store for three years. On the 29th of October, 1868, he was united with Miss Isabella Harris in the happy bonds of marriage. Their union was a happy one ; their home was one of sunshine. There were born to them six children - three girls and three boys - Maggie, Grace, Otto, Earl, Lulu and Monroe. They are bright and happy chil¬ dren. The family tie was very strong, and they were faithful and devoted to each other.

tinued the same until his death. He was a suc¬ cessful business man and succeeded in accumu¬ lating enough property to make it pleasant and comfortable for his family. He stood well with his neighbors and friends, being highly respected by all that knew him. He was faithful in the discharge of all his duties, as a husband, father, citizen and Christian. He was baptized and uni¬ ted with the Christian church in December, 1886. The church loses one of its most valuable work¬ ers. He was a good Christian man, striving to gain his home in heaven. His wife has been a faithful member of the church for years. Their three oldest children have given their hearts to the Lord. Their home has ever been open to brethren in Christ, and it was one of Christian influence.

On the 25th of March, 1891, Mr. Groth fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. His name, we be¬ lieve, is recorded on the Lamb's book of life, and this will be more to us when we join the con¬ gregation that is forever assembling in the eter¬ nal world than all else. His faithful and noble life spoke for itself. The Christian needs no eulogy. The life tells the story. It is a comfort to all to believe, that, "Blessed are they that die in the Lord, yea, the spirit saith they rest from their labors and their works do follow them."

The funeral sermon was preached by Elder A. Linkletter, of Donovan, Illinois, Sunday, March 29, and was largely attended by the friends and relatives of the deceased.

The son Otto, deceased, was a young man of more than ordinary ability, as an artist or de¬ signer. At the time of his illness he had been engaged in land surveying in Weld county, Colo¬ rado, and the contiguous territory, and as there had been no atlas of the county published, he un¬ dertook the task of making the draughts of the county from the abstractor's office, and had about completed the work, when he was forced to give it up.

He had the confidence of the people whom he had been associated with, and this, coupled with his honesty of purpose, and his persistency, aug¬ ured for him a successful future, when he was cut down, just as he had entered the portals of man¬ hood.

Otto G. Groth, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. O. Groth, was born in Wanatah, Indiana, May 3, 1874, died at Greeley, Colorado, December 2, 1902. He grew to manhood in this city and re¬ ceived his education in the Wanatah schools and at the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Val¬ paraiso, graduating from the scientific course in

1899. He taught several years in the public schools of LaPorte county, and one year in the grammar department of the Wanatah high school. Many times during his illness he spoke of his pupils, and hoped he had said something that would cause them to be better men and women.

His health began to fail, and in April, 1900, accompanied by his mother, he went to Colorado in hopes that the change of climate would be a benefit to his health. His mother remained with him for five months, then she returned home. In April, 1902, she again returned to Colorado, his sister Maggie and her husband, John Pritsch, also going in August. All were with him until the end.

Over twelve years before his death he became a member of the Christian church. Many hours he spent in reading and studying the Bible, being especially fond of the twenty-third Psalm. Al¬ though at times suffering greatly, he never gave up in despair. Many of his friends said he had been to them a lesson in patience, as he was al¬ ways cheerful and hopeful, looking only on the bright side of life.

His remains were laid to rest in the Westvillecemetery, by the side of his father who died nearly twelve years before. The funeral was largely attended, many being present from abroad and surrounding cities.

JOHN WOZNIAK, for several years retired from the severe duties of life, and a resident of the town of Otis, has, during his forty-two years of residence in Laporte county, made a most hon¬ orable record, from the time he came here with hardly a dollar in his pocket until his industry and other excellent qualities as a farmer and husbandman brought him prosperity which ranks him among the foremost farmers of the county.

Mr. Wozniak was born in Polish Prussia, in the province of Posen, February 6, 1837, and is the second of the nine children of Joseph and Josephine (Bochacz) Wozniak, natives of the same part of Germany and members of the Catho¬ lic church, and the former a farmer and for some time a soldier in the Germany army. Two other of their children are living at present, Frank, a farmer of Fulton county, Nebraska, and Jacob, a resident of Chicago.

Mr. Wozniak remained in his native land until he was twenty- four years of age, and received a good education in the German and Polish tongues, and also gained some acquaintance .with the English language. He was learned in ' the art of farming on his father's estate, and in these respects was well equipped for life when he came to America at the age of twenty-four. He sailed from Hamburg, and after a voyage of six and one-half weeks landed in New York city, whence he came directly to LaPorte county, and when he arrived here, in 1861, he had only seventy-five cents. His first employment was chopping cord wood at seventy cents a cord, and after a short time he hired out to work for thirteen dollars a month, during the harvest season, and then took a job of grubbing three acres at seven dollars an acre, taking a cow as part payment. After three years of like work he purchased for cash sixty-one acres of raw land in Scipio township, and with this as a starter he got married and settled down, going in debt nine hundred and fifty dollars to furnish and equip his home and farm. His first home was a log cabin, which still stands as a reminder of the hard but not unhappy past. At the present time he owns three hundred acres of fine LaPorte county land, well improved and capable of pro¬ ducing a fine revenue. In 1900 he left his farm and came to Otis, where he built a comfortable and commodious brick residence in which to take the comfort to which his early years of toil entitle him. Between the log cabin home and the brick dwelling is a long stretch, needing no words of comment to show the hard work and frugality and careful management of affairs to bring about such steady progression toward the goal of prosperity.

On July 30, 1865 Mr. Wozniak married Miss Mary Szolc, and to this marriage were bom fourteen children, nine of whom are living, as follows: John, a farmer of Cool Spring town¬ ship, and married and has four children; Jacob, a farmer of LaPorte county, and married and has one child ; Joseph, a resident of Michigan City, and married ; Frank, of Michigan City, and has one child; Maci, a farmer on the home place, and is married and has three children; Adam and Bartley, twins, residents of Michigan City and both married ; Anna, of Michigan City ; and Mary, at home. All the children have been con¬ firmed in the Catholic church.

In the fall of 1874 Mr. Wozniak returned to the old country and paid a visit to his native home. On the return trip in the following Feb¬ ruary, the ship encountered a terrific storm, and for three or four days the passengers were locked below in a state of utmost anxiety, but the only one lost during the gale was a sailor.

Mary's parish and church, in 1873, when the present church was erected. It has since been remodeled, a school building has been erected, and a home for the priest built, and the church property altogether is valued at about fifteen thousand dollars. He is one of the trustees of the parish. Mr. Wozniak is a stanch Republican, and attends the conventions of the party.

AUGUST Z. ANDERSON is a native of Sweden. That kingdom has furnished to America many of its most thrifty and industrious citizens, men who have been largely instrumental in up¬ building and improving the great west and north¬ west. He is a worthy spn of that country, and his life record is a credit to his native land and to the land of his adoption.

Mr. Anderson was born in the little province of Jonkopping, Sweden, on the 19th of April, 1857, a son of Andrew W. and Eliza (Johnson) Johnson. The father was bom in Jonkopping about 1820, and is still living at the age of eightythree years, his home being in Chicago. He was reared as an agriculturist and became an inspector of lands in his native country. He was educated in the schools of Sweden, and became an adherent of the Swedish Lutheran church. It was in 1869 that he came with his family to America, sailing from Gottenburg on an ocean steamer which was nine days in reaching the port of New York. He landed in a strange country, unfamiliar with the ways and customs of the people and with the language here spoken, but he possessed the in¬ dustry and enterprise so characteristic of the peo¬ ple of the Scandinavian peninsula and was willing to follow any pursuit that would yield him an honest living. Making his way to this county, he settled near the city of LaPorte, and the first land which he purchased was a tract of nineteen acres on section 1, New Durham township, while the first home of the family was a typical log cabin, such as was frequently seen upon the fron¬ tier in pioneer times. He added to his original tract until he had thirty acres. In politics he be¬ came a stanch Republican, and reared his sons in that political faith. His wife was born in Jonkopping, Sweden, about 1824, and died in 1892, her remains being interred in the Swedish ceme¬ tery in New Durham township. She was a con¬ sistent member of the Swedish Lutheran church, of which her husband was one of the founders and leading workers. He is now living retired, enjoying a period of rest in the evening of life.

With one exception all are yet living, namely: John, who is married and is a prosperous agri¬ culturist residing near Carlisle, Indiana ; August ; Robert, a successful farmer, who is married and resides near Wausau, Wisconsin; Oscar, who is married and is a carpenter and joiner of Minto, North Dakota ; and Sophia, the wife of S. E. Nel¬ son, a merchant residing on California avenue, in Chicago, Illinois.

August Z. Anderson has been a resident of LaPorte county since 1869, and his education was acquired in both the Swedish and English tongues. When only thirteen years of age he began to make his own way in the world, and was employed for three years as a farm hand, remaining in the service of one man, who gave him ten dollars per month for the first year, eleven for the second and twelve for the third year. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Anna Anderson, the wedding being celebrated on the 27th of April, 1881. She was born in LaPorte county, October 27, 1859, pur¬ sued her studies in Swedish and in English, and by home training was well fitted to take up the task of managing her own household. She is the younger of two children born to P. J. and Charlotte (Johnson) Anderson, her brother be¬ ing William Anderson, a farmer residing near Portland, Oregon, and who was formerly a coal and wood merchant, but now devotes his energies to agricultural pursuits and to the dairy business. Her father was born in Knonoberg, Sweden, about 1833, and died October 10, 1890. He was a farmer by occupation, and was but nineteen years of age when, in 1852, he came to America, a poor but industrious young man. As the years passed, however, he became a successful farmer of New Durham township. His nature was kindly and charitable, and he was very generous in his gifts to the poor and needy. His wife was born near Gottenburg, Sweden, about 1836, and died in 1863, at the age of twenty-seven years.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson began their domestic life at Burdick, Indiana, upon a tract of rented land, and although they were very industrious and energetic ten years had passed before they had accumulated enough money to allow of the purchase of a farm of their own. On the expira¬ tion of that period, however, Mr. Anderson bought one hundred and ten acres of land in New Durham township, to which he afterward added twenty-seven acres and later eighty acres. He is therefore to-day the owner of a valuable es¬ tate, and his farm is well improved with modern equipments, being supplied with the latest im-

To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born eight children, four sons and four daughters, and seven are yet living. Lurella B., who was edu¬ cated in the common schools and in the Valpa¬ raiso normal school, is now a stenographer in the employ of the firm of Powers, Higley & Com¬ pany, dealers in educational supplies ; she has also studied instrumental music. Arvid V., having completed the common school course, has been a student in the Valparaiso normal and is now studying telegraphy. Lottie R., who has also given some attention to the study of instrumental music, has completed the work of the tenth grade in the public schools. Willie J., who has finished the eighth grade ; Elmer T., Edith C. and Lefler R. are at home, and are pursuing their studies in the public schools.

Mr. Anderson is a stanch Republican who has given unfaltering support to the party since casting his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of LaPorte, he having been confirmed at the age of thirteen years, his wife when fourteen years of age. They are lead¬ ing Swedish- American citizens of New Durham township, and there is much in their life records that commends them to the friendship and favor of their fellow citizens. Mr. Anderson deserves all the credit that is implied in the term "a selfmade man," for he has depended entirely upon his own resources and has not only won success but also made for himself an honored name.

ALBERT S. HALL was fifty-two years of age at the time of his death, but, though his life record was much briefer than that allotted to many men, he yet accomplished an amount of work such as is performed by only a limited number of the representatives of business inter¬ ests. Throughout all he maintained an unassail¬ able reputation, for he never incurred an obliga¬ tion that he did not meet or made an engagement that he did not fill. His word was considered as good as any bond that was solemnized by signa¬ ture or seal, and his efforts were always of a practical, progressive nature that benefited the city and county while at the same time advancing his individual success. Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, and it was with a feeling of sincerest regret and deepest sorrow that the majority of LaPotte county's citizens heard of the demise of Mr. Hall. Much of the work which he did, however, still

Albert S. Hall was born in Scipio township. September 19, 1840, a son of Jacob R. and Catha¬ rine (Martin) Hall, the father a native of Vir¬ ginia. His grandfather, Thomas Hall, was also a native of the Old Dominion, and in the early years of his manhood worked as a shipbuilder, but later turned his attention to agricultural in¬ terests. His death occurred in 1821, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-years. He was a son of Samuel Hall, who was bom in the north of England and was of Scotch lineage. Samuel Hall became the progenitor of the fam¬ ily in the new world. Thinking that he might benefit his financial conditions on this side of the Atlantic, he bade adieu to his native country and sailed for the new world, establishing his home in Bridgewater, Virginia. He was a shipbuilder by trade. His son, Joseph Hall, a brother of Thomas Hall, gained distinction as a soldier un¬ der General Washington in the Revolutionary war, while Lyman Hall, another member of the family, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The coat of arms of this branch of the Hall family bears the inscription Turpiter Desperatur (despair is base). Samuel Hall was also a cousin of Dr. John Hall, of England, who wedded Susan Shakespeare, a cousin of the world's greatest poet, William Shakespeare, and the signet ring which solemnized their marriage is still among the Shakespeare relics at Stratfordon-Avon. Both Dr. Hall and his wife lie buried beside the great dramatist. Of the twenty-five barons who were chosen to draw up the Magna Charta, nine were direct ancestors of the Hall family, and one of them was a signer of that document. It will thus be seen that Mr. Hall is descended from honorable and distinguished ancestry dating back several generations.

The home farm was Albert S. Hall's play¬ ground and his training school for life's practical duties. He pursued his literary education in the public schools, but through the summer months assisted in the labors of the fields and gained a practical knowledge of the best methods of culti¬ vating crops. After attaining his maturity he resolved to make farming his life work, and through admirable business methods, unfaltering diligence and strong purpose he won for himself a valuable property in Scipio township, compris¬ ing at his death seven hundred acres of rich and arable land. All this is indicative of a life of ac¬ tivity. He was constantly alert to note business openings and opportunities, and while he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction, he yet improved his advantages and won for himself most gratifying prosperity as well as an honored name. In 1880 he removed his residence to La- Porte, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred on the 13th of De¬ cember, 1892. The city profited by his labors, for he became a co-operant factor in the material improvement and upbuilding of the town. He was a member of the firm of Hall, Weaver & Company, proprietors of the Bank of Indiana, and succeeded in placing this on a most safe basis, he business policy which was inaugurated win¬ ning for the institution a liberal patronage. In 1881 Mr. Hall erected what became known as Hall's Opera House, this furnishing a desirable place of entertainment. His aid was often sought for the furtherance of movements for the gen¬ eral good, and he gave his endorsement quickly to any measure which he deemed would prove of permanent benefit to the city. He was a man of broad sympathies and expansive ideas, and his influence in the district in which he was bom and reared and in which his entire life was passed was a progressive and enlightened one.

Mr. Hall was twice married. In the year 1864 he wedded Miss Sarah Rogers, and for twelve years they traveled life's journey happily to¬ gether, but in June, 1876, Mrs.. Hall was called to her final rest. In October, 1878, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Mattie J. Gish, a daughter of C. P. Gish, one of the early residents of St. Joseph county, Indiana, their marriage occurring in South* Bend. Mrs. Hall still survives him, and after the death of her first husband she wedded Stephen E. Hall, who is also now deceased. Three children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Albert S. Hall. The daughter, Miss Linda Hall, graduated from the LaPorte high school, and has gained an excellent reputa¬ tion as an artist in water colors and china paint¬ ing. Mary Edith is now Mrs. Earle T. Jenney, and resides in Cleveland, Ohio. The son of the family, Wilbur J. Hall, is now the manager of Hall's Opera House, which of late years has be¬ come one of the most prominent theaters in northern Indiana, booking the best metropolitan attractions during each season.

JOHN G. SCHWEITZER. The business interests of Union Mills are well represented by John G. Schweitzer, who is engaged in the fur¬ niture and undertaking business and is also filling the position of postmaster. He is a wide-awake, progressive business man, and his diligence and labor have brought to him a fair measure of pros¬ perity. He was bom in LaPorte on the 12th of July, 1867, and is a son of Frederick and Chris¬ tina (Hoch) Schweitzer, both of whom were na¬ tives of German, the former bom in 1834, the lat¬ ter in 1833. His father was a gardener by occu¬ pation, and he and his wife are still living, making their home in LaPorte. They had but two chil¬ dren, John G. being the elder. The second son is Gustave A. Schweitzer, who was bom in La¬ Porte, July 5, 1872, and is now a traveling sales¬ man, representing a wholesale grocery house.

John G. Schweitzer acquired his early educa¬ tion in the schools of LaPorte and also attended the high school there and a German school. He put aside his text books, however, when thirteen years of age and began working in a cigar fac¬ tory, while later he was employed in a carriage painting establishment, and afterward in a bak¬ ery, his entire services in these three positions, however, covering only about a year. On the ex¬ piration of that period he entered the employ of W. C. Weir, of LaPorte, and found here another occupation which was congenial to him. He thus became well informed concerning the furniture trade, learned the business in its various depart¬ ments and in 1888 came from LaPorte to Union Mills, and his efforts have been attended with success. He is thoroughly conversant with the details of the embalming art. He graduated in the United States Embalming School of Chicago about 1898, and he had the practical experience of this business years previous. He also holds a state license in both Indiana and Illinois. Once he suffered a heavy loss, his store being destroyed by fire in 1901, at which time he carried an in¬ surance covering about one half of the amount, his loss being about one thousand dollars. He has persevered and is now enjoying a large pat¬ ronage, because his business methods are honor¬ able and the stock of goods which he carries is such as is in demand by a general trade.

In December, 1894, Mr. Schweitzer was united in marriage at Wellsboro, LaPorte county, to Miss Fredericka Miller, and their union has been blessed with two children : Theodore, born on the 5th of July, 1896; and Marv, bom January 15, I9°3* Mr. Schweitzer gives his political alle¬ giance to the Republican party, and is a member of the Odd Fellows society, the Masonic fraternity and the Emanuel Aid Society, a German organi¬ zation of LaPorte. As a public-spirited and pro¬ gressive citizen he is deeply interested in evcry- thing pertaining to the welfare and progress of the town and county, and gives his support to every measure that he believes will contribute to the general good. His life has been a busy and active one, and as the years have passed he has made progress along the line of financial success.

AUGUST SIEGELE was closely identified with the business interests of Michigan City for many years, and was numbered among its hon¬ ored pioneer citizens. He was born in Mertzsich, Germany, December 28, 1822, and in the land of his nativity was reared and received his education, later becoming the proprietor of a soap factory and store. In 1846 he was united in mar¬ riage to Miss Katharina Goerg, a daughter of Peter and Margaretta (Burgechuar) Goerg, the former of whom was a miller and saloon-keeper in Germany, and in the fatherland both he and his wife were born and died. They became the parents of five sons and three daughters, only two of whom are now living, - Johana, who lives in Germany, and Mrs. Siegele.

Eighteen years after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Siegele, a daughter, Cornelia, was born to them, but she died when only three months and eleven days old. Two years after their marriage they left their little German home and crossed the Atlantic to America, and their first two years in this country were spent in Chicago, after which they took up their abode in Michigan City. After locating here Mr. Siegele embarked in various undertakings, having conducted a brick yard, was for a time proprietor of a meat market and gen¬ eral store, and in many ways identified himself with the business life of the city of his adoption. He came here before the advent of the railroad, making his way from New Buffalo by wagon, the journey being performed with great difficulty on account of the deep sand and bad roads. For several years he owned property in Chicago, and in all his undertakings prosperity attended his efforts, and at the time of his death he occupied a foremost place among the prominent residents of Michigan City. He was a kind-hearted and benevolent man, and won the love and respect of a large circle of friends. His Iife,s labors were ended in death on the 3d of October, 1896, when nearly seventy-four years of age, passing away in the faith of the Roman Catholic church. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and for one term served as a member of the council of this city. On the expiration of his term of service there he and his wife visited their old home in

Mrs. Siegele was born in Germany on the 13th of December, 1827, and she still survives her husband, having now reached the age of seventy-six years. She is numbered among the honored and esteemed pioneers of Michigan City, which has been her home for fifty-three years, and the Siegele homestead is located at 112 West Fourth street. She is also a member of the Roman Catholic church. Like her husband, she shares in the warm regard of many friends, and is loved and honored for her many noble characteristics.

CHRISTIAN KUSS, who was a successful farmer for forty-five years on section 28, Cass township, but is now retired and makes his home in Wanatah, was born in the province of Posen, Germany, January 20, 1830. He was reared and educated in his native place, attending* the com¬ mon school from six to fourteen and for the fol¬ lowing two years the parochial school. At the age of sixteen he entered an office as clerk, but remained only one year, and was then at home for two years. In 1854 he came to America alone, with the intention of making a home and fortune in the new world of which he had heard so much. From New York city he came directly to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was there from spring till fall, when he came to LaPorte county.

On arriving in LaPorte county Mr. Kuss at first did public work in ditching the Kankakee swamps, as the land in the southern part of the county was then known, but it has since become some of the most valuable and productive farming land, in the county. After being em¬ ployed in this way for four years he bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 28, Cass town¬ ship, and this was the scene of his successful en¬ deavors until very recently. When he first bought the land it was perfectly raw and unimproved, but two years later he had built a comfortable house, had placed substantial fences where needed and had already laid the foundation of a fine farm. In time he added more land, and now has a farm of two hundred and twenty-eight acres of as good land as there is in the vicinity. His operations were confined to general farming and the raising of some stock, and his industry and frugal methods and careful management were re¬ sponsible for steady progress and a prosperous outcome of his long career.

August Siegele

Posen, Germany. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kuss, and nine are living: Paulina, who resides in Wanatah, Indiana; Emma, wife of William Weise; Louis, who married Sadie English; Emile, who married Clara Fenske; Otto, who married Lillie Fenske; Albert, who married Oria Bunda ; Lena, wife of Charles Fenske; Charles, who married Freda Helnach; Clarence, unmarried, in the First National bank at Hammond, Indiana; and Albert, who died young, and Rudolph, who died at the age of eighteen. All these children were bom in Cass township.

Mr. Kuss is to be reckoned among the old settlers of LaPorte county, for nearly fifty years have passed since he first came to this section of northern Indiana, and during that time the greater part of its substantial progress has been made. He has borne his share of the duties of American citizenship, and he has been a willing worker wherever his help could be used to ad¬ vance the interests of his community outside of the performance of his individual .work. He has been a stanch Republican since the organiza¬ tion of that great political body. He has a nice home in Wanatah, and he and his wife are active in the work of the Wanatah Evangelical church, in which he is a trustee.

CHARLES E. HALL, a well known farmer living near LaPorte, Indiana, was born on the 31st of October, 1873, in LaPorte county, Indiana, his parents being Albert Stevenson and Sarah (Rogers) Hall, both natives of Scipio township, this county. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, was bom in September, 1840, and died on the 13th of December, 1892. His mother's birth also occurred in 1840, and she passed away in 1876. They were the parents of four children, as follows: George, who was born in 1865 and died in 1876; Kate, who was born in 1866; Frank, who was bom in 1861, and died in 1876; and Charles E. Mr. Hall's paternal grandparents were Jacob R. and Sarah (Martin) Hall, the former of whom was bom in 1807 and died in 1872, and the latter was bom in 1812 and died in 1878. Among their children were Caroline, Albert, Lon and William.

Charles E. Hall was given good educational advantages during his boyhood and youth, and was graduated at Homer College of LaPorte, on the completion of a business course. On enter¬ ing upon his business career, he was employed in the office of Niles, Scott & Company, of La¬ Porte, Indiana, for one year, and for a year and a half held a position at Pullman, Illinois. He was next with the LaPorte Carriage Company until 1893, when he turned his attention to farming, and has since engaged in that pursuit with marked success. He is a wide-awake, energetic young man and is thoroughly conversant with every de¬ partment of farm work.

On the 5th of August, 1896, at LaPorte, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hall and Miss May Bell Story, who was bom at Schuyler Lake, New York, May 9, 1878, but has lived in this county for twenty years. Her parents are Ed¬ ward and Fannie (Blair) Story, now residents of LaPorte. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have three interest¬ ing children: Albert, bom November 19, 1897; Harry, born July 17, 1899; and Helen Lucile, bom January 17, 1903. In his political affilia¬ tions Mr. Hall is a Republican, and he takes a deep interest in public affairs, as every true American citizen should do.

VIRGIL W. BARTHOLOMEW, who is en¬ gaged in the hardware business at 619 Franklin street, in Michigan City, is a worthy and highly respected representative of commercial interests in the northern part of the county. He was bom in Greensburg, Indiana, January 13, 1847. The family is of English origin and was founded in America at an early epoch in the development of this country. Levi Bartholomew, the pater¬ nal grandfather, was born in Connecticut in 1769, and died in the east in the year 1837. Dr. Samuel C. Bartholomew, the father of Virgil W. Bartholomew, was bom in the Green Moun¬ tain state, June 21, 1801, and became a physician and surgeon whose skill secured him a liberal patronage. He married Miss Sarah Ann Thomas, a native of New York, as was her father, who followed farming in Chenango county, and died in the Empire state when in advanced life. About the year 1840 Dr. Bartholomew left the east and emigrated to Indiana, locating in the southern part of the state, where he remained until 1849, when he removed to Berrien Springs, Michigan. For several years he continued an active factor for good in the world, carrying cheer and en¬ couragement into many a sickroom, where he ministered to the suffering, and then was called to his final rest in 1852. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Thomas, was born in the state of New York in 1813, and survived her husband until 1874, dying at the age of sixty-one years. Both were active members of the Metho¬ dist church and were earnest Christian people, winning the respect of their fellow men because of their upright lives. Six children were born to them, three sons and three daughters, of whom four are now living : Elizabeth, the wife of N. J. Davis, of New Orleans, Louisiana; Martha B., the wife of L. C. Leeds, of Dallas, Texas ; Virgil W. ; and Marie, the wife of John Johnson, of Berrien Springs, Michigan.

When but two years old Virgil W. Bartholo¬ mew was taken by his parents to Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he remained until he attained the age of fifteen years, and during that time at¬ tended the public schools, while later he became a student in the Northern Indiana College, at South Bend, this state. He afterward prepared for a business career by learning the tinner's trade, at St. Joseph, Michigan, and with the ex¬ ception of ten years spent upon a farm near LaPorte, Indiana, prior to 1879, he has been con¬ tinuously engaged in the hardware business since completing his apprenticeship. He conducted a store in Hendricks county for two years, and dur¬ ing the past twenty-four years has been proprie¬ tor of a store in Michigan City, where he is now enjoying a large trade. He has one of the neat¬ est and best equipped hardware stores to be found outside of the large cities and carries a large line of shelf and heavy hardware. He is now enjoy¬ ing a good trade, his two sons, Louis and Fred, being associated with him as partners in the store.

On the 27th of April, 1870, Mr. Bartholo¬ mew was married to Miss Edna Stanton, born in LaPorte county, Indiana, in 1847, a daughter of Aaron and Martha (Boyer) Stanton, who resided near LaPorte. The mother was born in 1811, and died in 1896, and the father was born in 1784 and died in 1849. He was one of the first settlers of LaPorte county, Indiana, and the first settler of Center township, where he located in 1830. He was also the first county treasurer of LaPorte county, to which office he was appointed in 1832. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew: Louis C. and Fred W. are associated with their father in business; the former married Miss Jennie Buck, a daughter of James Buck, of LaPorte, and they have a daugh¬ ter, Aline. Frank L., who married Miss Jennie Scott, of Cordele, Georgia, is a merchant in that city. Alfred C. is a physician of Logansport, In¬ diana. Laura is a graduate of the high school of Michigan City and is with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew are members of the Methodist churchy contribute generously to its support and take a helpful interest in its work. Mr. Bartholomew is a member of Michigan City Commandery No. 30, K. T. Politically he is a

Republican and is a member of the county board of charities of LaPorte county. His influence is ever upon the side of reform, justice and of right and progress, and he belongs to that class of substantial men who uphold the best interests and the moral and political status of the com¬ munity in which they reside.

STEPHEN E. HALL, who was widely and favorably known in LaPorte as a man whose hon¬ orable career gained him the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens, was bom in Defiance, Ohio, September 10, 1852. He pursued his edu¬ cation in the public schools, and throughout his business career was identified with mercantile in¬ terests, being for a long period a representative of the furniture and undertaking supplies trade. For twenty years he traveled as a salesman for the National Casket Company of Chicago, visit¬ ing all parts of the west and the Pacific coast.

On the 8th of August, 1900, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mattie J. Hall, the widow of Albert S. Hall, and though of the same name she was not a relative of her second husband. At the time of his marriage Stephen Hall removed to LaPorte, but was not long permitted to enjoy his home, for just a year and a half after his marriage he departed this life, his death occur¬ ring on the 15th of February, 1902.

He did much toward the upbuilding of La¬ Porte and toward conserving the important in¬ terests of Albert S. Hall and his family. He re¬ modeled and greatly improved Hall's Opera House, and so managed the affairs of his wife that they became much more productive and prof¬ itable. He was a business man of marked ability and became a valued resident of LaPorte during his residence here. He gained the respect and friendship of many with whom he came in con¬ tact, and well does he deserve mention in this volume.

The following notice of his death is taken from the Embalmertf Monthly , and is indicative of the position of esteem and influence he held throughout the country, especially among fiis business associates : -

The host of friends of Mr. S. E. (Steve) Hall were greatly surprised and shocked at the announcement of his sudden death, which oc¬ curred at Butte, Montana, on Saturday, February 15th, after a brief illness of five or six days. Mr. Hall left Chicago on January 28th for his usual far western trip, going by the northern route. He was in his usual health and stopped at Mil¬ waukee, St. Paul, Minneapolis and several other cities. He arrived at Butte on February 8th. In a letter written to his wife that day he com¬ plained of not feeling well, but said that he ex¬ pected to continue oil his trip to the coast. The following day (Sunday) he was very much worse, and he sent for Mr. E. H. Sherman, of Sherman & Reed. Mr. Sherman paid him every attention possible, and finally on Monday .morn¬ ing his condition had become so alarming that he was removed to the hospital. There the very best medical attention was given him. Three of the leading physicians of Butte were called in the case, one of them being in constant attendance. Before arriving at the hospital he became uncon¬ scious, and he never regained consciousness. His wife was immediately notified of his illness, and she reached Butte on Friday before the end came. The physicians in charge pronounced the cause of death Bright's disease.

Mr. Hall was undoubtedly the best known man in his line of business. He was of an even temperament, a Chesterfield in manner, and was known to speak ill of no one. He was forty-eight years of age, and, strictly speaking, a self-made man. Most of his life, after he reached manhood, was spent on the road. His first connection with the casket business was with the Indianapolis Coffin Company, in the early 8o's. From there he went to the Chicago Coffin Company in 1883, and later was with the Stein Manufacturing Com¬ pany, with whom he remained until the formation of the National Casket Company, and he re¬ mained with this company until his death.

The remains were shipped to LaPorte, Indi¬ ana, for interment, they being accompanied there by the widow. The funeral was attended by a very large number of funeral directors and trav¬ eling salesmen from different parts of the coun¬ try.

The minister who conducted the services took for his text "A Princely Man." If the whole scripture had been searched from cover to cover, nothing more fitting and appropriate could have been found to describe the deceased.

Floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. One of the most handsome pieces was an elegant violet wreath from the undertakers of Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Hall leaves a widow to mourn his un¬ timely death, and she received a large number of letters and telegrams of condolence and sym¬ pathy from the customers of Mr. Hall and from all parts of the country, from the Ohio river to the Pacific coast.

ANDREW W. JOHNSON, whose industry and careful management have placed him among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of New Durham township, LaPorte county, is one of that hard-working, home-loving, and worthy and up¬ right class of people which the country of Swe¬ den sends to America as emigrants.

Mr. Johnson is one of the two sons and two daughters born to John and Blanda (Dahl) John¬ son, and was bom in the province of Smoland, Sweden, September 4, 1862. He is the only one of the family in this country, and was twenty years of age when he sailed from Gothenburg for Ne\v York, being twelve days en voyage. He was possessed of only four dollars on landing, was unable to speak English, so that his first few months in this strange land were anything but pleasant and easy. He worked at anything he could find, and in 1883 came to LaPorte county, where he hired out as a farm hand at twelve dol¬ lars a month. For four years he worked on the farm of Mr. Henry Herrold, during which time he saved his money, and after another year's work went to Portland, Oregon. He remained there for five and a half years, and when he re¬ turned to LaPorte county he had eighteen hun¬ dred dollars in savings.

Mr. Johnson then married, December 23, 1893, Miss Matilda Sparr, a young woman of noble qualities of character, who had been as in¬ dustrious and hardworking as himself, and who was henceforth to be his worthy companion and co-worker in gaining a substantial place in the world. She was also born in the province of Smoland, Sweden, June 26, 1862, and came to America when nineteen years old, a poor girl, and from that time until her marriage made her own way in the world. One daughter has been born of their marriage, Mary.

Their first purchase of land was one hundred and eighteen acres in New Durham township, where they still reside, and for this they went in debt five hundred dollars. But this incumbrance has since been cleared off, and more land and bet¬ ter improvements have been added until their place is an honor to the township and to them¬ selves. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and his favorite stock are the Poland China hogs. Mr. Johnson is a Republi¬ can, and he and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. They are both now well acquainted with the English as well as with their native tongue, and they are regarded among the most progressive and worthy of LaPorte county's younger class of citizens.

GEORGE W. HARTMAN, who is the owner of a nice farm in New Durham township, near Westviile, and who has the satisfaction of knowing that all he has represents the labor and management of himself, is the son of Christopher and Mary (Barnes) Hartman. Christopher Hart¬ man was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, December 31, 1824, and died in Westviile, La- Porte county, October 29, 1900, when nearly sev¬ enty-six years of age. He was reared and edu¬ cated in his native land, and followed the pursuit of farming there till he was about thirty years of age, when he came to America. He came via London and was six weeks on the water before reaching New York. He came to Milwaukee'and Chicago, but met with discouragements, and re¬ turned to New York, but finally came to Michi¬ gan, where he worked for some time. He made his home in Porter county, Indiana, from 1854 to 1866, and then came to Westviile, where he re¬ mained till his death. On first arriving in this country he worked for a wage of forty-five dol¬ lars a year, and from this small beginning worked his way to a position of some influence in the community and of comfortable circumstances. He was a Republican in political creed, and a Lutheran in religion. His wife, who was born in the vicinity of Dexter, Maine, died April 5, 1902, when nearly sixty-five years old ; she was a mem¬ ber of the Methodist church. Three of their four children are still living. Olive Jane is the wife of Joseph Koontz, of New Durham township, and they have nine children; William Thomas married Miss Martha Koontz, and has one child, and they live in Clinton township.

George W. Hartman was bom in Porter county, Indiana, March 6, 1857, and was edu¬ cated in the schools of this and LaPorte coun¬ ties, finishing at the Westviile high school. He is almost entirely a self-made man, and he be¬ gan to earn wages at the age of thirteen, and from the age of fifteen he worked all the time. He was industrious and frugal, and gradually got ahead in the world. He was happy in find¬ ing an excellent helpmate and noble, industrious woman for his wife, and after their marriage they settled on a farm of one hundred and twelve acres, for which they have since, by their careful management, paid, and feel a deep satisfaction that it is not incumbered with a dollar of mort¬ gage. They have remodeled their home, and added numerous improvements to their farming facilities, and the Hartman farm is one of the representative ones in New Durham township.

Elsie A. Chase, who was born in Polk county, Iowa, March 16, 1869, the daughter of Charles and Mary A. (Herrold) Chase. Charles Chase was born near Syracuse, New York, October 7, 1828, and is still in hale and hearty old age. He was reared to farming, receiving a common school education, and was a soldier for three years in the Civil war, during which time he was captured by the enemy several times, and was in the prison pens of Libby, Andersonville and others. He was a private in the Seventh Iowa Infantry. Five of his brothers and two brothersin-law were also in the war. He is a Republican, and he and his wife were Methodists. He came to Michigan in 1840 with his parents, in 1859 removed to Iowa, where he enlisted, and about 1875 returned to Michigan, where he still resides. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re¬ public. His wife was born in Porter county, In¬ diana, June 5, 1837, and is still living. Mrs. Hartman lived in Iowa until about six years old, and from then till 1890 was in Michigan, where she received her education, attending the high school at Galesburg, Michigan; for several years before her marriage she resided in LaPorte county.

Mr. Hartman affiliates with the Republican party, but is rather independent in matters of local concern. He is a member of Lodge No. 136, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs, and has twice been sent to the grand lodge in Indianapolis, while his wife has passed the chairs of the Rebekah Lodge No. 183, and has been a delegate to the assembly at Indianapolis once. Mrs. Hartman is a member of the Methodist church, and takes part in the religious and benev¬ olent work, being a member of the ladies' aid society. Mr. Hartman has been superintendent of highways, and was on the town council in Westviile. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have no chil¬ dren of their own, but have living with them a. young lady, Maybelle Barnes, who has completed the eighth grade of school.

ANN E. SANBORN. Almost two centuries ago there came to New Hampshire from England Lieutenant John Sanborn, who represented a family known in English history since the days of Cromwell. Lieutenant Sanborn located in Hampton, New Hampshire, where he became the father of a large family of children, and his death occurred before the war of the Revolution. His second son, Abraham Sanborn, the father of Reu¬ ben Sanborn and the grandfather of Ann E., was born at Sandown, New Hampshire, June 29,

1759, and early in life settled in Salisbury, that state, where he was twice married. He became a large land owner and accumulated much wealth. His eldest son, Reuben Sanborn, the father of Miss Ann Sanborn, was born at Salisbury, Sep¬ tember 7, 1784, and served as a colonel in the war of 1812. He became an overseer and con¬ tractor, and built the turnpike from Salisbury to Portsmouth, . New Hampshire. Reuben San¬ born was married at Nottingham, that state, to Miss Hannah Evans, the daughter of Abram Evans, of Stratford, New Hampshire, a family prominent in the early history. She was one of the most lovable and devoted of women, and was widely known for her charity and generosity. The Sanborn family holds a high place in Ameri¬ can history, and to follow its illustrious name in concise genealogy would occupy many pages.

Miss Ann E. Sanborn, the daughter of Reu¬ ben and Hannah (Evans) Sanborn, was born in Stratford of the Granite state on the 27th of March, 1816. She received her elementary edu¬ cation in the schools of Salisbury, New Hamp¬ shire, later attending the Salisbury Seminary, where she enjoyed superior educational advan¬ tages. Her father died in Boston during her girlhood, her mother passing away during the residence of the family in Newmarket, and in 1853 Miss Sanborn accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Culver on their removal to Michigan City, here taking up her residence with them, and here she has ever since remained with the exception of frequent visits to friends in the east. Upon the death of her parents she inherited several thous¬ and dollars, and in 1857 she purchased one hun¬ dred and sixty acres of land south of the city, and also other property.

In 1855 she became a member of the Con¬ gregational church, having always been deeply interested in church work and church extension, and has given thousands of dollars in the fur¬ therance of the Christian cause. About ten years ago she built a church on her property and com¬ pletely furnished it, it being known as the San¬ born Mission - a Swedish church. She also helped build a Lutheran church here, having also assisted all the churches in the city, and she gave the Congregational denomination its beautiful pipe organ, costing two thousand dollars, also giving to the Methodist church a house and lot on Franklin street worth equally as much. The Sanborn Mission was erected at a cost of nearly fifteen hundred dollars. She has also donated liberally for emigrant churches in the far west and for missions in all parts of the world, and among her other benefactions may be mentioned the giving of twenty-five dollar's annually to the Young Men's Christian Association of Indian¬ apolis. Such people are a blessing to any com¬ munity, and their memory and kindly deeds should be perpetuated for the benefit of coming generations and as an example for them to emu¬ late. Miss Sanborn's deeply religious convic¬ tions prompted her to do the generous deeds for which she has been so long noted, and yet many of her charitable doings have never come to the light of the general public, having been performed quietly and without ostentation. The history of her loving deeds will be perpetuated and her praises will be sung for many years after she has passed to her final reward.

ISAAC F. MARTIN. For many years Isaac F. Martin has resided in this county, and as time has progressed he has gained prosperity through his well directed efforts as a farmer. He resides on section 16, Galena township. His birth oc¬ curred in Wills township, LaPorte county, on the 10th of February, 1843. His father, William Martin, was a native of New Jersey and was there reared and married. He was a son of Isaac Martin, who was born in the same state and died in Ohio. He carried on farming and shoemaking, following these pursuits throughout his business career in order to provide for his family. The Martins are of Irish lineage.

It was in February, 1839, that William Mar¬ tin came to LaPorte county, establishing his home in Wills township. He purchased a tract of land and resided thereon until the spring of 1843, during which time his labor wrought con¬ siderable change in the appearance of the place, for the wild tract was transformed into richly cultivated fields. In 1843, however, he removed to Galena township, where he purchased a farm, continuing to engage in its cultivation until fiftyone years of age, when his death occurred. He had learned the shoemaker's trade with his father in early life, and also followed that pursuit in addition to the tilling of the soil. His early political support was given to the Democracy, and he advocated its principles until the organi¬ zation of the new Republican party, when he joined its ranks. He was a minister of the Meth¬ odist Episcopal church, and although he never joined the conference did much active service as a local preacher, and his influence was felt on the side of right, justice, truth and Christianity.

the city of LaPorte in the eightieth year of her age. She was a daughter of William Apgar, who was born in New Jersey and was a blacksmith by trade. He came of German lineage, and his en¬ tire life was spent in the state of his nativity. To Mr. and Mrs. William Martin were born three sons and four daughters, the eldest of whom died when about seventeen years of age. The others are Catherine, the deceased wife of Joseph Fran¬ cis; Maria, the deceased wife of W. W. Francis; Elizabeth, the wife of Simeon Francis, of La¬ Porte ; a daughter who died in infancy ; Isaac F. ; and Hiram B., who died in childhood.

Isaac F. Martin was only six weeks old when his parents removed to Galena township, and there he was reared. As his age and strength in¬ creased he aided more and more largely in the duties of the home farm, and in the winter months he pursued his education in a log schoolhouse, such as was common at that day. Its furnishings were primitive, and the methods of instruction employed were also somewhat crude as compared with the educational system of the present day, but in the school of experience Mr. Martin has largely supplemented his knowledge, learning many valuable lessons in this way. After his father's death he continued to live with his mother and operate the home farm. He was about fourteen years of age when his father passed away, and, although a young boy to assume the duties and responsibilities of caring for the place, he bravely undertook the task and faithfully per¬ formed the work which came to him.

On the 25th of January, 1865, Mr. Martin wedded Hester Ann Easton, who was born in Oswego county, New York, May 29, 1845, a daughter of William and Emily (Jones) Easton, who were bom in New York and came to La¬ Porte county when their daughter was six years old. They located on the farm where Mr. Martin now lives. Mrs. Martin was the fourth in their family of seven children, and was educated in the schools of Galena township. By her marriage she has become the mother of seven children: Francis V., who is a practicing physician of Michigan City, Indiana; Eugenia, the wife of F. D. Lewis, of Everet, Washington ; Harvey H., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in LaPorte ; Emily, the wife of William A. Stanchfield, of Beaverhead county, Montana ; Theodosia, the wife of B. Frank Smith, a farmer, painter and paper-hanger living in Galena township; Isabella, the wife of Albert Fargher, of Galena township; and Ogla, the wife of Charles Nelson Barnard, of Porter county, Indiana.

In 1873 Isaac F. Martin took up his abode upon the old homestead farm in Galena township where he has resided continuously since, and in the years that have passed his unremitting dili¬ gence and perseverance have brought to him the prosperity which should ever crown such ef¬ forts. He has one hundred acres of well im¬ proved land, and is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. He has always given his po¬ litical support to the Republican party, and is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, belong¬ ing to the tent in LaPorte, which is the largest society of the order in the state. In business he has ever been reliable and trustworthy and has gained for himself an enviable reputation thereby.

WALTER OFFLEY LEEDS. Through the death of this honorable citizen Michigan City and LaPorte county sustained an irreparable loss and was deprived of the presence of one it had come to look upon as a guardian, benefactor and friend. Mr. Leeds' career, iboth business and social, served as a model to the young and an inspiration to the aged. He shed a brightness around everything with which he came in con¬ tact. By his usefulness and general helpfulness he created a memory whose perpetuation does not depend upon brick and stone but upon the spon¬ taneous and freewill offering of a grateful and enlightened people. His labors as a real estate dealer and business man largely promoted the substantial improvement of Michigan City, and he also endorsed many measures for the public good and co-operated frequently in the move¬ ments for the upbuilding of the city.

Mr. Leeds was born at Egg Harbor, New Jer¬ sey, February 21, 1833, a son of Offley and Char¬ lotte Lowe (Ridgeway) Leeds, also natives of New Jersey. The family was founded in America by Daniel Leeds, who came to this country from the city of Leeds, England, and settled in New Jersey. He spent much time among the Indians, and, being a most generous man, it is said that he became poor because of his frequent and liberal gifts to the red men. He was the paternal grand¬ father of W. O. Leeds. The latter's father was a miller and merchant of New Jersey, and at a very early day emigrated westward, settling in Chicago when it was a very small town upon the wet prairie, it being four years before the city was incorporated. There he traded with the Indians for a time, but thinking Chicago too much of a swamp he removed to Michigan City, established his home here and began dealing in real estate. He bought thousands of acres of land for a dollar and a quarter per acre, and spent the remainder of his life here, becoming a very prominent and influential citizen. Up not only was one of the upbuilders of the place, but con¬ tributed materially to the development of this part of the state. He died when visiting in LaPorte, when sixty-two years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Lowe Ridgeway, was also a native of New Jersey and was a daughter of Jeremiah Ridgeway, a native of England, who on crossing the Atlantic to America settled in New Jersey. There he spent his remaining days. He was a merchant, and through that avenue of business provided for his family, consisting of wife and four children. His religious belief was that of the Society of Friends. His daughter, Mrs. Leeds, passed away in 1857. By her marriage she became the mother of two sons and a daughter - Alfred, Carolina and Wal¬ ter, all now deceased.

Walter Offley Leeds was an infant when brought by his parents to the west, and the greater part of his life was passed in Michigan City. He pursued his education in its public schools, and as he grew to manhood he assisted his father in the care and management of his real estate interests, and eventually engaged in real estate operation on his own account. He nego¬ tiated many important real estate transfers, handled much valuable property and made judi¬ cious purchases and advantageous sales, so that he realized a handsome return from his invested capital and his labor.

On the 31st of January, 1870, Mr. Leeds was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Amelia Dysart, a daughter of John and Esther (Turner) Dysart. Her paternal grandfather, John Dysart, Sr., died in Ireland in middle life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Swan, long survived him, and coming to America spent her last days in Michigan City, where she died at an advanced age. They were the parents of six children. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Leeds was James Turner, who was born in the north of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He became a lawyer and practiced his profession in the northern part of the Emerald Isle until his death. His wife also died there. They were the parents of four children.