LaPorte County, Indiana - Chapter 36: Religion, 1904 (part 15 of 23)

having learned the printer's trade, took charge of the printing and mechanical department of the Crisis when it was started. During the sum¬ mer of 1856 he leamel telegraphy, and from that year until within a few years of his death he was connected with the telegraph business in railroad service, and for nearly thirty years was chief train despatcher of the western division of the Lake Shore Railroad, with headquarters at LaPorte. In 1872 he purchased his brothers' interest in the old Weller homestead north of the city and made it his home, and during the last years of his life gave attention to the renting of the cottages and other details connected with the summer resort of Weller's Grove. He died in December, 1900. His widow, who was Miss Ella Thompson, survives him, and lives at the Weller home. Of their two children, Henry F. is assistant bookkeeper at the First National Bank of LaPorte, and the daughter, Mrs. H. L. Stan¬ ton, resides in Chicago.

The third son, Alfred, was born in England in 1836, and learned telegraphy »at the age of twelve, in Marshall, Michigan, on the first tele¬ graph line built west of Detroit, being at that time the youngest telegraph operator in the west. He was the first person to discover that the Morse alphabet could be read by sound, and now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living telegraph operator in the United States. In 1853 left the telegraph service and came to LaPorte to join his parents and brothers, and was for some time employed as deputy postmaster, first under Major Walton, and afterwards under Dr. Lemon, and was afterwards employed as deputy circuit clerk under Volney W. Bailey. In 1855 he re-entered the telegraph service at White Pigeon, Michigan, and in 1857 obtained a position in the Western Union telegraph office at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A year later he was appointed manager of the Milwaukee office, which position he held continu¬ ously from that time for about forty years. He is now general manager of the Signalphone Manufacturing Company with headquarters at Milwaukee. In December, i860, he married Julia G. Seymour, at Grand Rapids, Michigan, by whom he has two sons, Harry S. Weller, as¬ sistant manager of the Pittsburg Plate Glass Com¬ pany at Pittsburg, and William B. Weller, secre¬ tary and treasurer of the Wisconsin Fidelity Trust & Safe Deposit Company of Milwaukee.

Charles E. Weller, youngest son of Rev. H. Weller, was born near Marshall, Michigan, in 1840. At twelve years of age he began work in his father's printing office, and a year later learned telegraphy under John Milliken, at La- Porte. In 1862 he learned Pitman's system of phonography, and having perfected himself as a law stenographer, went to St. Louis in 1867, taking with him the first prac¬ tical typewriter ever constructed, he having been an intimate friend of the inventor, Hon. C. Latham Sholes, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1866 he married Margaret A. Watkins at Mil¬ waukee, by whom he has two sons, Dr. .William Ed. Weller, a practicing dentist, and Frank Wel¬ ler, a law stenographer, who is in partnership with him under the firm name of Weller & Wel¬ ler, Law Stenographers, at St. Louis, Missouri.

WILLIAM R. ANDRUS, proprietor of the Star Steam Laundry at Michigan City, was born in Edwardsburg, Michigan, on the 4th of August, 1863, being a son of James and Celinda (Harring) Andrus, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of the state of New York. On the paternal side he is a grandson of Hazzard An¬ drus, who also claimed the Empire state as the place of his nativity, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was the father of a large fam¬ ily of children. He was summoned into eternal rest in old age, and his wife reached the good old age of eighty-four years. The maternal grand¬ father of William Andrus passed his life as a far¬ mer in New York, and he, too, reached an ad¬ vanced age.

James Andrus, the father of William Andrus, also took up the life of a farmer, and he lived his entire life in Michigan with the exception of two years spent in Kansas, in which state he was married, and during the period in which he was absent as a soldier in the Civil war. He still njakes his home in Edwardsburg, and is engaged in the tilling of the soil. His wife, who was born on the 9th of December, 1840, was called to the home beyond on October 4, 1903, when sixty-three years of age. She was a member of the Methodist church. During the war of the rebellion Mr. James Andrus enrolled as a soldier in the Union army, entering the artillery service, but on account of sickness spent most of the time in a hospital. In political matters he is a Pro¬ hibitionist. Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. James Andrus, three sons and a daughter, the latter of whom, Cora, is deceased, and the sons are Henry, William R. and George S.

ing which time he attended the public schools, and after putting aside his text-books he entered the grocery business, to which he devoted nearly his entire attention until coming to Michigan City. The date of his arrival here was in February, 1896, when he embarked in the laundry business and is now the proprietor of Star Steam Laundry, at 310 Franklin street.

On the 1st of July, 1888, Mr. Andrus was united in marriage with Miss Zoda Van Matre, a daughter of Samuel and Rhoda (Pickering) Van Matre. One daughter has been bom of this union, Bessie May Andrus. The family reside in an attarctive and commodious residence at East Market street. Mr. Andrus gives his political support to the Republican party, and he is always loyal in his support of all measures intended to benefit the community or the general public. ,

JOHN GRENVILLE MOTT, vice presi¬ dent of the extensive cooperage firm of J. H. Winterbotham and Sons, Incorporated, of Michigan City, has been a resident of Michigan City for thirty years, and during all the time has been con¬ nected in some capacity with the above named firm. Mr. Mott is a fine type of the successful business man. Close application, strong pur¬ pose, unflagging industry, and strict and un¬ swerving integrity are the principal elements which have led to his success, and these qualities are worthy of imitation by every man who wishes to reach a successful position in commercial or industrial life. But while so devoted to his indi¬ vidual accomplishments, he has not risen bv trampling others down, and he can enjoy his pros¬ perity the more because it has been well earned and thoroughly merited. As a man in his every¬ day relations with friends and members of his family, as a citizen and. unit of city, county and state political organization, and as a part of the world of commerce and industry, he has earned the respect and esteem of all, and gained a repu¬ tation for integrity and worth that is a creditable reward for any life.

Mr. Mott's paternal ancestors have lived in America for many generations, their original seat being in the county of Essex, England, whence, in 1666, James Mott came and made settlement in Westchester county, New York. Represent¬ atives of the first five consecutive generations in America bore the name of James Mott, and one of these was the great-grandfather of John G. Mott. The latter's grandfather was also James Mott, who was bom in Dutchess county. New onmn, Bessie May Andrus. " a f in an atlarctive and commodo. ri iif A hast Market street. Mr - A i fi;s political support to the Repaid: ;m m he is always loyal in his support of * intended to benefit the commuma m i * r --he.

<a nt of the extensive axiperag'e firm o' j. A. t' :M Pham and Sons, Incorporat' d. M l iiv, has been a resident of Mich ip At a . thirty years, and during all the tune hi- i ranted in some capacity with the yV-v* tirm. Mr. Mott is a fine type of tin -e business man. Close application. pise, unflagging industry, and -t:;o swerving integrity are the {>rmeipte - which have led to his success, urM th - ' are W'orthv of ifnitation by everv Tr.a'. win to reach a successful position m C' -a* * * industrial life. But while so dev^po - vidual accomplishments, he has v t * trampling others down, and he can v parity the more because it has b-oi . and thorrmghly merited. As a n*an r« dav relat i* 'iis with friends and o<n family, as a citizen and unit «u cil . suite political organization, anil a- .. world of commerce and industry , h the o*st »ect and esteem of all. an»l p tath.n for inteprit} and worth that : reward for any life.

York. January 13, 1750, was reared on his fath¬ er's farm in Dutchess county until the age of six¬ teen, and then went to sea, and about the com¬ mencement of the Revolutionary war was captain of a vessel trading to the West Indies. He then became an ensign in the Sixth New York Regi¬ ment. and served throughout the war, taking an active part in the struggle which brought inde¬ pendence to the nation. He married Mary Den¬ ton, whose father was also an officer in the Revo¬ lution. fames Mott died in 1808, at the age of fifty-eight years, but his wife survived him until 1840, and was eighty-two years old at her death.

In their family of nine children was Egbert Benson Mott, the father of John G. Mott. In 1843 he removed from his native state of New York to Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana, where he was a successful lawyer and also served as judge of the district court, with jurisdiction over DeKalb and Steuben counties. He filled this office for four years, and retired in i860 with a most creditable judicial record. He died in 1865 at the age of seventy years. Bv his wife, Mary Winterbotham. a native of England, he had four sons and one daughter, but only two are now living: Julia, the widow of Chester P. Hodge : and John G. Marv (Winterbotham) Mott- was a daughter of John Winterbotham, who was born in England, and came to the United States in 1811. settling in Derby, Connecticut. He was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and after living in Connecticut for a number of years removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he died February 21, 1854. at the age of eightv-four years. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Rachel Wrigley, he had three daughters ; he later mar¬ ried her sister. Annie Wrigley, and to this union were born five sons and two daughters.

John G. Mott was born in Knox county. Ohio. January 23. 1843, and was but an infant when brought by his parents to Indiana. He was reared in Auburn and accjuired his education in the public schools. When he was twenty years old he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and for some time was engaged in the mining supply business on the Pacific coast. Af¬ ter his return to Indiana in 1874 he located in Michigan City and became a member of the firm of Winterbotham and Sons, manufacturers of cooperage. The principal contribution which lie made to this firm was his enterprise and youthful energy and ambition, but they were worth more to the business than much moneyed capital. He has been one of the important factors in the sub¬ sequent promotion and development of this in¬ dustry, which has expanded to large proportions. In 1892 the enterprise was incorporated as the J. H. Winterbotham and Sons, Incorporated, with Mr. Winterbotham as president and Mr. Mott as vice-president. They manufacture tight-barrel cooperage, with which they supply some of the large packers at Chicago. The extent of the business is in a measure indicated by the fact that they employ three hundred and fifty men in the three factories which they control, besides a large number in the south at their mills for the manufacture of staves and headings.

On the 24th of March, 1874, Mr. Mott was united in marriage to Miss Rue Winterbotham, a daughter of John H. and Mahala (Rosecrans) Winterbotham. They have two children, Rus¬ sell and Genevieve ; the former is now a student in Harvard University, and the latter has just completed a course of study in Boston. The fam¬ ily are members of the Protestant Episcopal church, and Air. Mott has for many years been one of the vestry of Trinity, the cathedral church of the diocese. Politically he was a Democrat before 1896, but is now a Republican. He has been president of the board of park commission¬ ers of Michigan City since its organization, and is deeply interested in anything tending to im¬ prove the city. He is also president of the Indi¬ ana State Society of the Sons of the Revolution. He has been active in pushing forward the wheels of progress here, and conducts his business af¬ fairs upon terms just both to employer and em¬ ploye and resulting in the mutual benefit of both, while at the same time they prove of value to the city in promoting its commercial activity.

JOHN PROYOLT. More than seventy-two years ago John Provolt came to La Porte county, and during this long period, which covers nearly the whole span of the county's development from a primitive state to its present flourishing condi¬ tion, he has been actively interested in its pro¬ gress. He has seen its wild lands transformed into fine farms and villages grow into cities of considerable importance.

Mr. Provolt is a native of Indiana, born in Tippecanoe county, August 24. 1830, and is a son of E. and Eliza A. ( Ireland) Provolt, natives of Ohio and New Jersey, respectively. His pa¬ ternal grandfather, John Provolt, came to this country from Germany and settled in the Buck¬ eye state. In the state of his nativity the father of John Provolt grew to manhood, and on first coming to Indiana lie located on the W abash river in Tippecanoe county, where he spent about a year, the 24th of May. 1831, witnessing his ar¬ rival in La Porte county. He entered land in Kankakee township and took up his residence in what is now Rolling Prairie, erecting the first cabin in the town. He engaged in the cultivation of his land throughout the remainder of his life, and died on his farm March 29, 1842. He was an honored pioneer of this county, and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. On leaving her native state his wife went to Ohio in early life, and when a young woman took up her residence in Clinton county, Indiana, where she was married. She was about sixty-five years of age at the time of her death. With the exception of John, all of her six chil¬ dren were born in LaPorte county and all grew to manhood and womanhood.

John Provolt, the oldest of the family, was only nine months old when brought by his par¬ ents to LaPorte county, and here he was reared amid pioneer scenes, his playmates being Indian boys and girls, the red men being still numerous in this locality at that time. His education, which was rather limited, was obtained in an old log schoolhouse. He was only twelve years old when his father died, but being the eldest of the chil¬ dren he assumed the responsibility of caring for the family, and kept the children at home until they married and went to homes of their own.

In 185 1. Mr. Provolt wedded Miss Mary Jane Line, a native of Ohio, by whom he had four chil¬ dren, all bom in Kankakee township, namely : Ezekiel, Jane, Etta and Isabel. The second child died at the age of six years, and the wife and mother passed away in 1855. For his second wife Mr. Provolt married Emeline Wilson, who was born in LaPorte county, and is a daughter of John and Xancv (Hatfield) Wilson. Two children blessed this union : Eliza and Maggie, but the former died in infancy.

Mr. Provolt well remembers the Harrison campaign of 1840, when the cry of the Whigs was "Tippecanoe and Tvler, too." On attaining his majority he became a supporter of that party, and has never missed casting his vote for the Republican presidential candidates since the or¬ ganization of that party. He has held local of¬ fices in Kankakee township, but has never sought political preferment. Religiously, he holds mem¬ bership in the Methodist Episcopal church in Rolling Prairie, and has been trustee of the same and sexton for many years. He and C. W. Mc¬ Carty. who was born on the same day, month and year, have celebrated the anniversaries of their births together for many years and they have proved very enjoyable affairs. Mr. Provolt is the only living representative of the first families of Rolling Prairie to continue their residence here uninterruptedly. He has taken a deep interest in the upbuilding of his town and county, and throughout the long years of his residence here has been numbered among the valued citizens of the community. He is held in the highest esteem by all who know him, and has a host of warm friends.

AUGUST SHULTZ, who follows fanning on section 33, Lincoln township, was bom in the province of Posen, Germany, on the 27th of No¬ vember, 1844, and was there reared. I11 early life he began earning his own living, and from that time has been dependent upon his own re¬ sources. Ere he attained his majority' he worked by the day, and when he became twenty -one years of age he joined the army in accordance with the laws of his native country and served for two years. When his term had expired he began to work as a farm hand, being employed by the year, and thus his time was passed until he came to America in 1869.

After landing on the Atlantic coast he contin¬ ued his journey into the interior of the country and spent about two months near Milwaukee. Wisconsin. He next went to Green Bav in that state, where he worked in a sawmill, and on the expiration of that time removed to Wanatah, Indiana, where he remained for three years, be¬ ing employed on the Panhandle railroad. He next went to Stillwell, vvher he lived for two years, during which time he was employed by the Lake Shore Railroad. He next removed to Fish Lake and purchased a small farm, comprising forty-six acres of land. Taking up his abode thereon, he lived upon that place for seventeen years, engaged in general farming, and as the time passed he added to the place until he had about ninety-nine acres. In his undertakings he prospered, and about 1890 he purchased the farm of five hundred acres upon which he is now liv¬ ing. On this place he engages in general farm¬ ing, and the well tilled fields and excellent im¬ provements indicate his careful supervision and his progressive methods. Annually he harvests good crops as the reward of his labor, and his work has been attended with success, for he has gradually advanced from a humble position to one of affluence.

province of Posen, Germany, where her girlhood days were passed. She came to America about the same time Mr. Shultz crossed the Atlantic, but made the voyage on another vessel. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom ten are living, six sons and four daughters : Augusta, now the wife of .Wesley Smith : Phena, the wife of Levi Barthel ; Otto, who married Grace Hall; William, who is a telegraph opera¬ tor living in Kingsbury ; Albert, at home ; Johnnie, who is also under the parental roof ; Marv, the wife of John Fritzen; Fritz, Clara and August, who are also under the parental roof. One child died in infancy, but the others have all lived to become a comfort to their parents, and several of the children are now married and in comfortable homes of their own. All were born in La Porte county.

Mr. Shultz deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He started out in life as a poor boy, but he resolved to win success if it could be accomplished through strong purpose and untiring labor. He now engages in general farming and stock-raising, and his valuable tract of land of five hundred acres is so well improved that it constitutes one of the best farming prop¬ erties of this locality. A Democrat in his politi¬ cal faith, he is serving on the advisory board of his township and proves a capable officer. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and are held in high esteem by those who know them.

MOTIER L. ORR, who is now living retired in La Porte, was for many years an active repre¬ sentative of the agricultural interests of this part of the state and is a member of one of the most prominent and honored pioneer families. He was born upon his father's farm in Center town¬ ship. January 28, 1836. his parents l>eing General Joseph and Harriet (Foster) Orr. The ancestral history of the family is traced back to General Joseph Orr. the great-great-grandfather of Mr.

( )rr, who was one of five brothers born in Scot¬ land and who joined the fortunes of William and Mary during the religious persecutions under King James II. Two of these brothers were at the battle of Boyne in 1690; also at the siege of Derrv, Ireland, near which place they finally settled. The father of Motier L. Orr bore the name of Joseph Orr and was born at Mount Rock, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 28. 1794* His father, David Orr, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in 1770, and emigrated with his father to America in 1774, the family home being established in the Keystone state. He afterward removed to Ohio and finally to Union county, Indiana, where he located in 1832 and where he died twenty years later, passing away at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca Stev¬ ens and was a cousin of Thaddeus Stevens, the Pennsylvania commoner. Her death occurred in Union county, Indiana, in 1852.

General Joseph Orr emigrated with his father's family to the Northwest Territory, locat¬ ing in that part of it now known as Ohio. They arrived at Cincinnati April 1, 1799, when that city had only six hundred inhabitants. At the age of eighteen he was bound out to a carpenter to learn the trade, and at the end of two years he had not only mastered the business, but had succeeeded in saving much of his earnings, which he devoted to educational purposes, for his school privileges in early life had been very limited. However, he had studied much at nights and had thus greatly broadened his knowledge.

In 1818 General Orr was united in marriage to Harriet Foster, a native of Southampton, New York. She died at LaPorte, Indiana, December 1, 1892, but for many years they traveled life's journey happily together, their married life cover¬ ing six decades. After his marriage General Orr continued to work at his trade in Cincinnati until June, 1823, when he removed to Putnam county, Indiana, and took up some government land ad¬ joining the present town of Greencastle. Here in addition to clearing his land and making a farm he trained the neighborhood boys in military tac¬ tics. In August, 1827, Governor J. B. Ray gave Joseph Orr a commission as brigadier general of the sixteenth brigade of state militia. In Decem¬ ber, 1830, he was made a major-general. In the meantime he had also become prominent in political circles, and in 1829 was chosen to fill a vacancy in the state senate. The following year he was elected to that position for the regular term of three years, and took an active part in shaping the early legislation of the state. In 1831 he made a trip through northern Indiana, stopping at Door Prairie, in LaPorte county, which was later destined to become his home. In 1832 he again visited this locality, being here at the time of the Black Hawk scare. There were but few inhabitants in this region, and it was feared that the chief Black Hawk and his follow¬ ers intended to wage war upon them. General Orr reported the trouble to Governor Noble, who thereupon, in June. 1832, commissioned him to organize a company of Mounted Volunteer Rang- ers for service against the Indians on the frontier of Indiana. He rendezvoused the company at Attica, Indiana, and went into camp at Hickory Creek, reporting to General W infield Scott, who at that time was at Fort Dearborn (Chicago) in charge of the Army of the Northwest. General Orr kept his command in readiness but was never called into active service.

The following year General Orr removed his family to LaPorte county, and here had his first experience in farming. He succeeded from the beginning and eventually became a wealthy man. He added farm to farm, and gave a tract of land to each of his sons as they attained majority. In public affairs in this state he was very promi¬ nent. He was one of the commissioners ap¬ pointed by Governor Baker, in 1867, to establish the Indiana House of Refuge for Juvenile Offenders. In 1874 he donated lots worth four thousand dollars to the LaPorte Public Library, upon which to construct the library building. He was the prime mover in the establishment of the county fair, and for many years was the president of the State Fair Association, and thus along many lines of usefulness he directed his energies, his labors proving of great benefit to the public. Several years prior to his death he removed to LaPorte, where he lived retired until 1878, when he was called to his final rest. One of the noted characters of the county, his memory is still cherished by those who knew him, and his name is indelibly engraved on the pages of LaPorte county's history.

Motier L. Orr was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the public schools. On attaining his majority he went to a farm of his own on section 29, Center township, and with characteristic energy placed the prop¬ erty under a high state of cultivation. This place has increased in extent and valuation until now his farm of four hundred and sixty acres, all in one body, is as valuable as any to be found in the state. Several years ago he built upon his farm what was then and is yet, perhaps, the finest frame farm residence in the county, equipped with all modern improvements and costing several thousand dollars. He continued in active farming until May, 1888. when he rented his property and removed to LaPorte, where he now resides.

In 1857 Mr. Orr was married to Miss Angeline Replogle, a native of LaPorte county and a daughter of Jacob and Sina (Jones) Replogle, her people being among the most prominent and well-to-do pioneer families of the county. Her father was horn in Bedford countv. Pennsylvania, in 1800, afterward lived in Miami county, Ohio, and in 1834 came to LaPorte county, where he was soon known as a prosperous farmer, having a fine residence and three hundred acres of very valuable land on section 21, Center township. In later life he retired to LaPorte, where his death occurred in 1887. He was greatly esteemed by all who knew him. A number of other repre¬ sentatives of the Replogle family also settled in Center township, and have been successful in their chosen work and have become prominent residents of the county.

In his political views Mr. Orr is a stanch Re¬ publican, never wavering in his allegiance to the party, and for a number of years was a director of the LaPorte County Agricultural Society. His business affairs w'ere well managed, and as a suc¬ cessful, honorable citizen and a worthy repre¬ sentative of one of the leading pioneer families, he well deserves mention in this volume.

CHARLES P. SMITH is a pioneer citizen of LaPorte county now ranking with the leading farmers. His home is on section 15, Pleasant township, where he owns a valuable tract of land that is highly improved. He was born in Oneida county, New York, October 30, 1830. His pa¬ ternal grandfather was born in Connecticut. He took an active part as a soldier o£ the Revolu¬ tionary war, and was with General Washington and his army at Valley Forge during the mem¬ orable winter when the American troops under¬ went such suffering there. He came of a family of English lineage.

Mr. Smith's father, Isaac Smith, was a native of Waterburv, Connecticut, born on the 3d of May, 1787* In the place of his nativity he re¬ mained until he had attained his majority, when he removed to the Empire state, settling in Onon¬ daga. By trade he was a carpenter, and he fol¬ lowed that pursuit in New York for a number of years or until his removal to Lenawee county. Michigan. On the 19th of September. 1835. he located in Paw Paw, Van Buren county. Michi¬ gan, but afterward returned to Lenawee county, where he died on the 2d of November. i8f>8. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church throughout almost his entire life, and his daily conduct was in consistent harmony with his profession. In politics he was a Democrat, never faltering in his allegiance to the party, and was a justice of the peace and assessor, in which posi¬ tions he discharged his duties with marked fidel¬ ity and promptness. He became well known as one of the pioneers of Michigan. In early man- hood he had wedded Mary Selleck, a native of Waterbury, Connecticut, born in the year 1790. She was of Scotch-Irish descent, and lived to be eighty-nine years of age, passing away in 1879. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith were born thirteen children, eight of whom reached years of matu¬ rity.

Charles P. Smith is the sixth child and fourth son of the family. He was five years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Michigan, and upon the home farm in Lenawee county he re¬ mained until about fifteen years of age, when he went to Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, to learn the blacksmith's trade. He served an apprentice¬ ship covering five years, and then began working as a journeyman, being employed in different states for about three years. In 1851 he arrived in La Porte county, but afterward spent some time in the west and the south. He assisted in the placing of the first engine on the railroad from Burlington to Peoria. In 1854 he returned to Lenawee county, Michigan, where he remained for a brief period, and then again came to La- Porte county.

It was on the 21st of October of that year that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Taylor, born November 11, 1831, and a sister of James H. Taylor (see sketch of James H. Taylor for family history). The young couple then returned to Michigan and established their home in Rockford, Kent county, where Mr. Smith engaged in blacksmith in g, carrying on a business for himself for some time. There he re¬ mained until 1859, when he removed to LaPorte county, and about i860 he again went to Rock¬ ford, Michigan. He was there at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, when he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company D, First Regiment of Michigan Engineers, on the 2d of December, 1861. He joined the army as a mechanic, and served in that capacity for three years, during which time he was promoted from the ranks, becoming first a corporal and after¬ war a sergeant. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he again offered his services, and as a veteran once more joined the army on the 1st of January, 1864. He then continued with the boys in blue until the close of the war, and was mustered out on the 22d of September, 1865, hav¬ ing performed faithful military service for his country for three years and ten months. During this time he served under Generals Buell, Rosecrans and Sherman, and with two other men he prepared the remains of General Zolicoffer for

Following his discharge from the army Mr. Smith returned to LaPorte county, Indiana, and located upon a farm in Pleasant township, which he had purchased while home upon a furlough in 1864. He has since been identified with agri¬ cultural interests in this portion of the state. He lived for ten years in Hudson township, and dur¬ ing the remainder of his residence in LaPorte county he has resided in Pleasant township. He has one hundred and seven acres of land, which he has highly cultivated, and his farm is a valu¬ able property indicating the life of industry and enterprise which he has led.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children : LeRoy T., who is now residing at Fish Lake in Lincoln township, LaPorte county, where he carries on agricultural pursuits; Lena D., the wife of Constantine Heim, a resident far¬ mer of Warwick county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Smith also lost two children : Ida C., who died at the age of twenty years ; and Pearl, who died at the age of ten months. Mr. Smith and his fam¬ ily are widely and favorably known in this coun¬ ty. He is a prominent member of Patten Post, No. 147, G. A. R., of LaPorte, which he joined upon its organization. He endorses the meas¬ ures of the Republican party and takes an active interest in its work. He gives a generous sup¬ port to all measures for the public good, and as a citizen of long residence in this county he is widely and favorably known.

EBER LEANDER ANNIS, M. D. The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, and Dr. Annis is one who certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he represents a profession in which advancement depends en¬ tirely upon individual merit and capability. The physician's power must be his own. Not by pur¬ chase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must commence at the very beginning, learn the rudiments of medicine and surgery, continually add to his knowledge by close study and earnest application, and gain reputation by merit. If he would gain prominence it must come as the result of superior skill, knowledge and ability, and these qualifications are possessed by Dr. Annis.

The Doctor is one of LaPorte's native sons, his birth having occurred here on the 19th of May, i860. His parents were Eber Leander and Samantha J. (Newton) Annis. His father was born in Vermont, and was of Scotch-English de¬ scent, while his mother, whose birth occurred near Saratoga Springs, New York, is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father was a wagon-maker by trade, and in later life became a painter and decorator. In 1845 he took up his abode in LaPorte, where he continued in active business for many years, his death occurring here on the 2d of January, 1903, when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-nine. His widow still survives, and is now living at the age of eighty-one.

Dr. Annis obtained his education in the schools of LaPorte, and thus with good literary knowl¬ edge to serve as a basis for professional learning he took up the study of medicine under the direc¬ tion of Dr. Alexander G. Stevenson, of this city. He began his studies when but a boy, and received a fine practical training that has been of great value to him. Matriculating in Rush Medical College of Chicago, he was graduated from that institution on the 22d of February, 1881, and upon his return to LaPorte opened an office of his own and has since been a member of the medical fra¬ ternity here. Although he engages to some ex¬ tent in general practice, he has made a specialty of surgery and obstetrics, and in the later branch has achieved remarkable success. He is a sur¬ geon for the Lake Erie & Western Railroad Com¬ pany, at LaPorte, and in 1894 was appointed city health officer, while at the present writing he is a member of the city board of health. In 1896 he was elected president of the LaPorte County Medical Society, and served in that capacity for some time, his administration of the affairs of the office proving of great value to the profession. Through his connection with many medical so¬ cieties he keeps in contant touch with the pro¬ gress made by the fraternity and with the ad¬ vanced thought of the day. He is a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, the Interna¬ tional Association of Railway Surgeons, the New York Medico-Legal Society, to the International State Society of Railway Surgeons and the Amer¬ ican Medical Association. He is also examiner for the New York Life, the Mutual Life, North¬ western Mutual Life, United States Life, Trav¬ elers and other insurance companies, numbering altogether about fifteen.

In his political affiliations the Doctor is a Dem¬ ocrat, earnest in his advocacy of the party, and during President Cleveland's first administration he was appointed pension examiner, while at the present writing he is secretary of the board of United States pension examiners for this district and has been a member of the pension board for sixteen years barring the presidential term of Benjamin Harrison. He served as deputy coroner for several years, and afterward, in 1888, was elected coroner of LaPorte county for a term of four years. Whatever tends to promote the interests of his profession and give to man the key to that complex mystery which we call life at once at¬ tracts the interest and co-operation of Dr. Annis. He is now extremely busy and successful, con¬ stantly overburdened by demands for his profes¬ sional services. He is recognized as an indus¬ trious and ambitious student and one whose knowledge of his profession and whose efficiency in his work are constantly increasing.

DAVID APPLETON is now in his seventyninth year, and yet in business affairs displays an activity and energy that is not shown in many a man of much younger years. He is assisted in the active work of the farm by hired help, but he gives to its operation his personal supervision. His life has been an industrious one, characterized by honorable principles and integrity, and he re¬ ceives the respect and good will of all who know him, and his acquaintance is a wide one. His farm is located on section 16, Hudson township, where he owns a valuable tract of land of two hun¬ dred and twenty-five acres.

Mr. Appleton was born in Wayne county', Ohio, August 31, 1825. His paternal grand¬ father, Jarvis Appleton, was bom, reared and mar¬ ried in England and after the birth of five of his children brought his family to America, establish¬ ing his home in Delaware. He became a large slaveholder of that state. David Appleton's fath¬ er, Thomas Appleton, was a native of Delaware and was reared and educated there. At an early day in the development of Ohio he removed to the Buckeye state, locating in Wayne county about fifty miles south of Cleveland. He became a contractor on the Ohio canal, and built nine of the sixteen locks at Akron. Thus he contrib¬ uted largely to the improvement and substantial progress of the state, because this canal was one of the most important features in business inter¬ ests at an early day, furnishing a means of ship¬ ment for the settlers. He was also interested in the crossroad canal from Pittsburg to Akron. A gentleman of excellent business ability, he was also well liked, and he looked upon life from a broad standpoint, characterized by humanitarian principles. He was twice married and became the father of eight children. The mother of David bore the maiden name of Hannah Meyers, and was born in New Bedford, Pennsylvania. She, too, was twice married, and her children were eight in number. She was of English and German lineage and was connected with the Brays a very prominent family of Philadelphia. Her father was a coppersmith by trade, and, locating in New Bedford, Pennsylvania, there carried on a suc¬ cessful business.

David Appleton is the eldest child of his fath¬ er's second marriage. He was reared in the place of his nativity until twenty years of age, and dur¬ ing that time acquired a good education, after which he started out in business life for himself, working at anything he could get to do. He would accept any employment that would yield him an honest living, and thus he gained a good start in life. When a boy he went to Stark county, Ohio, twelve miles north of Canton, near Congress lake, and remained there for two years, after which he became a resident of Portage county, Ohio, where he continued to reside for six or seven years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Medina county, Ohio, and thence to Noble county, Indiana, where he remained for one winter. He afterward located in Peru, Miami county, Indiana, and subsequently went to Wa¬ bash county, this state, after which, he returned to Noble county. He next went to St. Joseph county, and in 1875 ar¬ rived in LaPorte county. He, however, had resided just across the line in St. Joseph county for ten years, so that he had become well ac¬ quainted with this county, having lived continu¬ ously in the neighborhood since 1865. He owns two hundred and twenty-five acres of good land, and is one of the prosperous and influential citi¬ zens of his community. When he came to the west, however, he had little money and has gained most of his prosperity since establishing his home within the borders of LaPorte county. His farm is now very rich and valuable, and it is operated by hired help under the direct supervision of Mr. Appleton.

On the nth of March, 1844, David Appleton was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fritz, who was bom in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and was reared in Ohio from early girl¬ hood. She died November 7, 1877. By that mar¬ riage there were seven children: Mary Jane, who is the wife of Francis Ryland, of Cincin¬ nati, whose remarkable cures by faith have at¬ tracted widespread attention ; Jacob W., deceased ; Hannah Elizabeth, the widow of George Spicer; David F., a resident of Lima, Ohio; Ann Eliza, of South Bend ; Emma, the wife of Harry Lathrop, of Glenville, Ohio; and James L., a resident of Everett, Washington. In 1878 Mr. Appleton was again married, his present wife having borne the maiden name of Elizabeth Solloway. She was born near Cleveland, Ohio, July 16, 1834, and her parents were natives of England. Her girlhood days were spent in the city of her birth, and her education was acquired in the public schools.

In his political affiliations in early life Mr. Appleton was a Democrat, and cast his ballot for the men and measures of that party until i860, when he voted for Abraham Lincoln. He con¬ tinued to affiliate with the Republican party until 1896, when he again became a Democrat, and al¬ though elected to local office he would not qualify, preferring to perform his duties as a private citi¬ zen rather than in official service. Truly a selfmade man, he is deserving of much commendation for what he has accomplished. He started out to make his own way in the world by working at a salary of three dollars per month. Prosperity has come to him as the years have passed, and he who reads between the lines of this review will know that his life has been very active, that he has worked hard and persistently and that his suc¬ cess is the just reward of continued effort.

EDWARD McCABE. Among the repre¬ sentative and progressive farmers of LaPorte county, Indiana, must be numbered the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in Herkimer county, New York, on the 18th of November, 1852, and is of Irish descent, his par¬ ents, James and Alice (O'Brien) McCabe, both being natives of county Meath, Ireland, the former bom in 1818, the latter in 1821. In early life they emigrated to the United States, where they spent their last years. The father died in 1875, but the moth¬ er long survived him, passing away on the 19th of October, 1894. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Mary, Bryan, Rose, Edward, James, Alice, Annie, John and Thomas. The three oldest were born on the Emerald island, and the others after the emigration of the parents to America.

Edward McCabe was only two years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal from New York to Indiana, and he is indebted to the district schools of LaPorte county for the edu¬ cational advantages he enjoyed during his youth. During the summer months his time was devoted to the work of the farm, and through the winter he attended school until about eighteen years of age. On starting out in life for himself he en-

On the 8th of January, 1902, Mr. McCabe was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Kelley, who was bom in this county, January 18, 1855. In 1900, she removed to Racine county, Wisconsin, where their marriage was celebrated, Mr. McCabe arriving there the day before the wedding. He brought his bride back to the home he had pre¬ pared for her in this county. Her father, Patrick Kelley, was born in county Monaghan, Ireland, in 1812, and in 1826, came to America. He worked at various occupations for about two years, and then accepted a government position, being employed on public works for twelve years. At the end of that time he turned his attention to far¬ ming, which he continued to follow throughout life. He came to LaPorte in 1851, and died here on the 22d of April, 1893. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Nolan, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, March 17, 1814, and died February 17, 1900.

In religious faith, Mr. and Mrs. McCabe are Catholics attending St. Peter's church at La¬ Porte. In politics he is an ardent Democrat, tak¬ ing a very active and prominent part in public af¬ fairs. For fifteen years he served as supervisor of his district, and his official duties were always most faithfully and conscientiously discharged, winning for him the commendation of his constit¬ uents.

WILLIAM S. COULTER, although past the Psalmist's three-score and ten, is still one of the energetic and progressive farmers of LaPorte county, and the farm in section 6, Cass township, which has responded bountifully to his efforts for so many years, still brings forth its fruit in good season and in yet larger abundance than in the palmiest days of the owner's vigor and man¬ hood strength.

Mr. Coulter is the son of a LaPorte county pioneer, James Coulter, who was bom, reared and married in Ohio, and came to LaPorte county in 1834, taking up government land in New Dur¬ ham township and in the course'of time improv¬ ing two or three farms in that vicinity. He lived in the county till his death at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife, Miss Stevenson, was also a na¬ tive of Ohio, and died at the age of seventy-three years, having been the mother of one daughter and four son.

July 13, 1830, and has been almost a continuous resident of LaPorte county since he was foui years old, nearly seventy years in all. He was reared and educated among very primitive sur¬ roundings, and carries in his mind a history of personal experience with the crude and awkward implements of agriculture long before the days of self-binders and riding plows and threshing machines, as well as with the powerful and rapid time and labor saving machinery of the present day and generation. He assisted in the cultiva¬ tion of the homestead until he was twenty-seven years old, and has since then been carrying on farming independently and successfully. He has resided on his present farm of three hundred and seventy acres for forty-six years, and is re¬ sponsible for nearly every improvement put on it since it was raw prairie until now it varigated tilled fields and meadows are a thing of beauty as well as material wealth.

In 1857 Mr. Coulter was married to Miss Elizabeth Adams, and five children were bom of this union, as follows : Margaret Jane is the wife of Brazil Horner; Ann is the wife of William Fryar; Ida is the wife of Ira Bull; James H., who married Docie Concannon, and had two sons and one daughter, is now deceased ; and Emma Etta is the wife of Henry Moore. All these chil¬ dren were born in LaPorte county, and all but one on the farm where their father still lives. After the death of his first wife Mr. Coulter mar¬ ried, in 1891, Mrs. Ida M. (McConnell) Fes¬ senden, who is the daughter of Joseph and Edith (Lee) McConnell, old settlers of Porter county* Indiana, where she was born August 9, 1855. She was reared and educated in Porter county. She was wedded to John Fessenden and two chil¬ dren, Pearl and Joe L., were bom. Pearl wedded Otto Marks, a resident of Valparaiso, Indiana, and employed by the Pennsylvania Railroaa ; Mrs. Marks graduated from the Wanatah high school and was also a student at Valparaiso nor¬ mal. Joe L. is a resident of Valparaiso, Indiana. Mrs. Coulter is a member of the Christian church at Valparaiso, Indiana. Mr. Coulter was an ad¬ herent of Whig principles when he cast his first vote, and since the organization of the Grand Old Party has voted for every one of its presi¬ dential candidates.

GEORGE S. DENISON, for nearly fiftyeight years a resident of LaPorte county, for four years a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and for the past thirty-eight years the leading merchant of Hanna, is a descendant of

William S. Coulter

William Denison, who came to the United States in colonial days, and settled in Connecticut. Great¬ grandfather Denison was a soldier in the Revolu¬ tion, and there were many members of the family who filled honorable positions in society and busi¬ ness.

Wheeler B. and Polly (Green) Denison were both natives of New York state, and the former was born in 1803 and died in 1862. He removed from his native state to Ohio, and in 1845 came to LaPorte county, where he purchased eighty acres of choice land in Van Buren township. He was a Jackson Democrat, and among different township offices which he held was that of town¬ ship clerk.

George S. Denison, who was third of the six children of his parents, was bom in Erie county, Ohio, February 1, 1836, and came to LaPorte county when he was nine years old. He received his education in the schools of this county, at Union Mills high school, and by his individual application was well prepared for life's duties. He was reared on a farm, but in 1855-6 was a lumberman in the woods of Michigan, and has spent most of the remainder of his life in mer¬ chandising. In August, 1861, at the second call of the president, he enlisted in the regimental band of the Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, and was sent to Virginia under General Wool. While at Fortress Monroe he witnessed the famous bat¬ tle between the Merrimac and Monitor. He was honorably discharged, and then came home and recruited a band for the Eighty-seventh Indiana Regiment, which was present at the battle of Mis¬ sionary Ridge, in the Atlanta campaign and siege of Atlanta, and the march from that city to the sea, and also up through the Carolinas to Richmond. They were at Smithfield, North Car¬ olina, in pursuit of General Johnston, when the news of Lee's surrender reached them. In the grand review at Washington he was at the head of the Second Brigade of the Third Division of the Fourteenth Corps, and saw General Sherman refuse to shake hands with Secretary Stanton on the reviewing stand. Mr. Denison has two large diaries of his experiences during the war, inter¬ esting and valuable reminiscences of that terri¬ ble period. He received his final discharge in August, 1865, after four years of faithful service in his country's cause.

The first important event in Mr. Denison's life after his return to LaPorte county was his marriage, and then, on September 1, 1865, he opened his merchandise store in Hanna. During ail the subsequent years, by his fair dealing, cour¬ teous treatment of customers, and the general confidence he has inspired in all who have deal¬ ings with him, he has built up a trade from small beginnings so that his annual sales now amount to more than twenty thousand dollars. Besides this establishment he owns about four hundred acres of land in Hanna township, and each year cuts hay from one thousand acres, carrying on a big business in the buying and selling of hay; he also owns one hundred and forty acres of pine woods in the state of Georgia, and, altogether, has per¬ haps the most extensive interests of any man in the township. He has witnessed much of the de¬ velopment of the middle west, especially in La¬ Porte county, and he also saw Chicago when it was a comparatively small town, and a year be¬ fore a railroad had entered that city. During his lumbering experience in Michigan he acquired a knowledge of the Pottawottomie Indian tongue, and can still converse in that language of gutterals.

August 29, 1865, two days before he opened his mercantile business in Hanna, Mr. Denison married Miss Amelia A. Blackman, who was bom in Ohio, February 9, 1838, and died May 6, 1903. She was reared in Indiana, and was a graduate of Berea College, Ohio, and held a certificate of graduation from the Chautauqua Society. She was a woman of great refinement of character, and her loving and affectionate nature as mother of her family will prove an inspiration through¬ out the life of her children. She was a member and an active worker in the Methodist Church, and also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. She is interred in the Hanna cemetery.

Four of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Denison are still living, as follows: George H. was a student at De Pauw University Greencastle, Indiana, for several years taught school in La¬ Porte county, and then took up the study of dental surgery in Chicago, and after graduation began practice in Hanna and then removed to Columbus, Indiana, where he is at present, a successful prac¬ titioner; he is married and has three children. Esther was educated in the Valparaiso normal school, and is the wife of Thomas H. Richardson, a farmer and stockman of Hanna township ; they have three children. Edmund D. graduated from Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, for some years was principal of schools, during the past year was principal of the Ripon Academy of Ripon College, and is now engaged in manu¬ facturing in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Agnes, a graduate of Northwestern Academy and educated in instrumental and vocal music, is at home.

Mr. Denison has been a Republican since he cast his first vote for Lincoln, and has served as delegate to state and county conventions. He has been county commissioner for three years, and was trustee of his township. He is a member of the Methodist Church, one of the trustees, a teacher in the Sunday-school, and for years the Sundayschool superintendant. He is a member of Pat¬ ten Post No. 147, G. A. R., at LaPorte, and in the summer of 1903 attended the national en¬ campment at San Francisco, being gone for two months, and visiting many of the western states with their wonderland of scenic beauties.

VAN E. WILKINSON, a representative of one of the old pioneer families of LaPorte county, was born in Bourbonnais, Kankakee county, Illi¬ nois, September 2, 1861, and is of a commingling of good English, Scotch and Dutch stocks. His parents were Edwin R. and Sarah A. (Van Me¬ ter) Wilkinson, the former of whom was bom in Genesee county, New York, November 12, 1832, but was reared to the pursuit of a farmer and edu¬ cated in the schools of LaPort county. He came to this county when nine years of age, and his first habitation was a log cabin in the midst of one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 18, Scipio township, and this had the reputation of being the banner farm of LaPorte county. In politics he was first a Republican, but later a Dem¬ ocrat ; he was made a Mason in Hoopestown, Il¬ linois, and was interred at Door Village with the rites of that body. At his death he possessed one hundred and eighty-five acres of land in this county. He was a member of the Baptist church, and his wife of the Methodist church. Sarah A. Wilkinson was bom in Kankakee county, Illinois, May 9, 1844, and was a daughter of James W. and Lucinda (Brown) Van Meter, the former a native of Piqua, Ohio, and the latter from Vir¬ ginia. Mrs. Wilkinson was educated in the pub¬ lic schools of Kankakee, and is still devoted to lit¬ erature and the mental side of life; she resides in a beautiful home in LaPorte, and is a dearly beloved and esteemed lady.

Five of the children of these parents are still living, as follows: Van E. ; Lewis F., a farmer and stockman of Benton county, Oregon ; Viletta, the wife of Richard Fleming, a solicitor of Chi¬ cago; Lucy L., the wife of Nelson D. Sellers, a merchant and farmer of Walkerton, Indiana, and they have three children : Mattie A., who was a school and music teacher, married P. H. Smith, who has charge, through appointment of Presi¬ dent McKinley, of the L'nited States weather bureau at Cairo, Illinois, and has made many im¬ portant measurements of the Mississippi river at that point; they have one daughter, Lucille.

Van E. Wilkinson received most of his early rearing and training in LaPorte county; he at¬ tended the Kankakee (Illinois) high school and the Earl Park (Indiana) schools, and took a course at the Valparaiso Business College. He has been a practical and successful man all his life, and has done well in his farming and stockraising operations. After his marriage he lived in Benton county, Indiana, for four years, and then purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Vermilion county, Illinois ; selling this he came to LaPorte county and took charge of the estate where he resides at present. His land consists of one hundred and eighty-five acres in both New Durham and Scipio townships, beau¬ tifully situated, productive, and improved with all the facilities which make farm life profitable and attractive.

Mr. Wilkinson's first wife was Miss Emma L. Evans, and of their two children, Ralph E. is living; he is a young man of splendid physical development, with every assurance of success in the world. Mrs. Wilkinson, who was a daugh¬ ter of William and Rachel (Martin) Evans, died in January, 1885, in LaPorte county. Following the death of his wife Mr. Wilkinson went to North Dakota and took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, besides purchasing three hundred and twenty, and remained there for two years engaged in ranching. He then returned to La¬ Porte county, and was married to Miss Mamie L. Place, February 1, 1894. Three children were bom of this union ; Jennie G., now in the fourth grade at school; Edna E., a bright pupil; Os¬ born P., the youngest.

Mrs. Wilkinson was born in LaPorte county, December 15, 1871, and is a daughter of Benja¬ min F. and Elizabeth (Wisenbaugh) Place. The name Place is of French origin, and was once "La Place." Mr. Place was a native of Butler county, Ohio, and was a teacher, farmer and large landowner ; he was one of the original men who sat about to reclaim the marsh region of the Kankakee river, and was a successful man throughout his life. He came to LaPorte count}* at the age of thirty, and died there. He was a Democrat, and served in several places of trust in the township. He and his wife were promi¬ nent members of the Methodist church ; his wife was a native of Preble county, Ohio. Mrs. Wil¬ kinson has a half-brother, Walker F. Place, who occupies the responsible position of superintend- ent of the Russ Manufacturing Company at South Bend, Indiana. Four of the six children of Mr. and Mrs. Place are yet living, as follows: Wil¬ lard W., a farmer on the old homestead in John¬ son township; Mrs. Wilkinson; Jennie, the wife of Grant Tank, a commercial salesman, of Walkerton, Indiana; Smyers, a successful merchant of Walkerton, Indiana. Three of these children were teachers in LaPorte county at one time. The children were reared in the main by their mother, who was left a widow when the children were young, and she managed affairs so that all were well prepared for life's battles and became good and useful citizens. Mrs. Wilkinson was educated in the high school at Walkerton, and at the normals at LaPorte and Valparaiso, and taught four years in LaPorte county.

Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat as far as na¬ tional issues are concerned, but generally disre¬ gards party lines in local elections. He is a mem¬ ber of the Masonic order at Westville, and his wife belongs to the Eastern Star. They are both members of the Methodist church at Door Vil¬ lage, and everywhere in this section of the county are held in high esteem.

GEORGE J. HOELOCKER. In a history of the men who either in the past or in the present have been or are important factors in the busi¬ ness life of LaPorte, George J. Hoelocker is de¬ serving of prominent and honorable mention. He was active and energetic in business affairs, and sustained a reputation in trade circles that was unassailable. In his home life, too, he was all that a loving and devoted husband and father could be, and his memory is cherished by his friends and held sacred by wife and children.

Mr. Hoelocker was bom in LaPorte in 1858. His father Conrad Hoelocker, was a native of Germany, and with his wife and children came to America in 1856. For a few months he resided in Baltimore, Maryland, and then removed to LaPorte, where he continued to reside until called to the home beyond, his death occurring a few years ago. His widow still survives, and yet lives in LaPorte.

George J. Hoelocker spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the paternal home, and ac¬ quired his education in the public schools. On putting aside his text books he began learning the trade of a finisher in the furniture manufactur¬ ing business, that he might take his place in the business world and become an active factor in in¬ dustrial and commercial life. He worked for a number of years in the furniture store of William

C. Weir, and rose to a responsible position in that establishment. In 1882, when his labor and econ¬ omy had brought to him sufficient cap¬ ital, he founded a furniture store of his own on Indiana avenue, where he re¬ mained until 1899, when he removed to the present location of the store at 822 Main street. He prosecuted his business with success up to the time of the illness preceding his death. His store was well stocked with a carefully select¬ ed line of furniture, and his earnest efforts to please his customers and his straightforward bus¬ iness dealings had brought to him a very desira¬ ble patronage.

In early manhood Mr. Hoelocker was united in marriage to Miss Delilah Grebner, a daughter of Lawrence Grebner, who was bom in Germany and came to the United States when a young man of eighteen years. He settled at Delaware, Ohio, and it was there that his daughter, Mrs. Hoel¬ ocker, was born. He afterward came to LaPorte county and engaged in the butchering business, first in Westville and later in LaPorte, where he died in August, 1898. Mrs. Hoelocker spent her young girlhood days and received most of her education in this city, where she was married to George J. Hoelocker in 1882. Of five children bom to them four are living : Ada May, Charles Ernest, Harry Francis and Gertrude Alberta. The two sons- are being well trained in business methods so that they may succeed to the manage¬ ment of the furniture store, and are manly, am¬ bitious young men.

Becoming ill, Mr. Hoelocker remained in the hospital for six months, but through his wife's earnest care and devotion he was recovering. He took a walk to the lake north of town, there, by accident, he fell through the ice and was drowned, his death occurring February 20, 1900. Notwith¬ standing the great shock to Mrs. Hoelocker, she bravely determined to carry on the furniture bus¬ iness alone that her boys might have a business inheritance when they became old enough to as¬ sume control. In her highly commendable ef¬ forts she met with encouragement from the busi¬ ness men and citizens of LaPorte, and has pros¬ pered far beyond her expectations. She has shown splendid business ability in buying and sell¬ ing and in selecting her assistants for the store, although up to the time of her husband's death hers had been purely a domestic life, her atten¬ tion being given to her social and home duties and to literary pursuits. She possesses considerable literary power and has written many poems which have been received with great favor. One of these especially, "Our Boys in Blue," written at the time of the opening of the Spanish-American war, and published in the LaPorte Herald , attracted much appreciative comment from many sources. When her husband passed away she penned the follow¬ ing tribute to his memory, published in the La¬ Porte Bulletin, March 23, 1900, and entitled:

How We Miss Him

BEN AM MI DAGGY is now in the eightysecond year of his age. For thirty-four years he has been a resident of LaPorte countv, and his course has been such as to win him the re¬ spect. confidence and honor of all with whom he has been associated, for his actions have been prompted by earnest purpose and guided by Christian principles. Such a life record serves an example to the young and an inspiration to the aged.

Mr. Daggy was born in Augusta county, Vir¬ ginia, April 22, 1822, a son of Jacob and Han¬ nah (Ciple) Daggy. The father, also a native of the Old Dominion, was born July 4, 1796, three years before the death of General Washington.

He was of German lineage, and belonged to one of the old colonial families of the south. In early life he learned the tanner's trade, and after com¬ ing to Indiana engaged in merchandising. It was about 1837 that he left his °ld home in Vir¬ ginia and came to Indiana, settling first in Clin¬ ton county, where he purchased property. Be¬ coming dissatisfied there he disposed of his land and located near Greencastle, in Putnam county, where his remaining days were passed. W hile living in this state he was engaged in the boot and shoe business. The first home of the family in Indiana was a log structure, and they lived in true pioneer style, sharing in all the hardships and trials of life on the frontier. Jacob Daggy passed away January 16, 1869. His wife, who was also a native of Virginia, born September 15, 1800, died August 22, 1880. She was bom of German parentage, and readily acquired a knowl¬ edge of the German language, for it was spoken in her parents' home. To her family she was most devoted, doing everything in her power to pro¬ mote their welfare. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom Ben Ammi was the second in order of birth. Six others of the family are yet living, as follows: Franklin, who is married and is a banker of York, Nebraska; James, who was a soldier of the Civil war and is now overseer of a cemetery at Greencastle, Indiana; Charles, a farmer, who is married and resides at Greencastle : Sarah, the widow of Ignatius Hawkins, also liv¬ ing in Greencastle; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Augustus Wood and is living in Madison, Wisconsin; and Eliza, who makes her home in Greencastle.

Mr. Daggy was a lad of fifteen years when he came with his parents to the far west, the entire journey being made in wagons in the primitive manner of travel at that time. His father was a very pious man, and believing it wrong to travel on Sunday they rested on that holy day. Mr. Daggy pursued his education in a log schoolhouse. Both he and his wife were pupils in such a "temple of learning," conning their lesson? while sitting on a slab bench. In one end of the room was a huge fireplace, and the chimney was made of mud and sticks. The writing desk was a bench which extended partly around the room, and was made by laying a board upon wooden pins driven into the wall. Pens were made of goose quills, and one of the text books commonly in use was Pike's Arithmetic.

and was then married to Miss Lucy A. Stoner, of Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana, Novem¬ ber 29, 1849. She was born in that county De¬ cember 27, 1826, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Wells) Stoner. Her father, a native of North Carolina, was a farmer by occupation, and in all of his undertaking he prospered because of his marked energy and good management. He was the soul of honor and integrity, and, while fol¬ lowing the most scrupulously exact methods in all his dealings he also won success and became a large landowner. In politics he was an oldline Whig until the birth of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks, remaining one of its ardent advocates, although never an office¬ holder. He traced his ancestry to Germany. His father, Peter Stoner, was a soldier of the Revo¬ lutionary war and saw General Washington, Francis Marion, and Lord Cornwallis, the com¬ mander of the Birtish forces. Many a day did he march barefooted in the winter time, but he never faltered in his efforts to secure liberty, and on one occasion he was wounded in the knee by a British musket ball.

Mr. and Mrs. Daggy began their domestic life upon a little farm in Putnam county, Indiana, near her father's home, and, although they had little capital, they possessed industry and enterprise, and through their united efforts they have gained a comfortable competence. They resided in Put¬ nam county until about i860, when the removed to Stark county, where Mr. Daggy purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land, on which they resided for ten years, after which they came to LaPorte county, which has since been their home. Here they have a good farm of eighty acres besides the comfortable residence in Westvill. which they occupy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Daggy were born three sons and three daughters, and of this number four are now living: Franklin married Miss Laura Hutchinson, by whom he has two sons, Glenn and Bence, and is now a wide-awake and enterprising farmer residing at Manhattan, Putnam county, Indiana; Hattie is the wife of Samuel Haus, a blacksmith of Westville, and they have three chil¬ dren, Harry, Lola and Metta. George Thornton, a mechanic of Michigan City, married Miss Flora Williams, and they have four children, Leo, Wanda, Lotta and Nona ; and Calmetta is the wife of Walter Dodd, a general salesman for the Internationl Harvester Company of America, and they have one little daughter, Reva.

we find much that is worthy of emulation. While they have never sought to figure prominently before the public, they have been true to the duties which have devolved upon them, have reared a family of children who are an honor to their name, and have ever been just and honor¬ able in their relations with their fellowmen, and thus as they have advanced along life's journey they have gained many friends, who entertain for them the warmest respect and good will.

JULIUS C. TRAVIS. A number of the im¬ portant busines interests of LaPorte have felt the stimulus of the energy and executive ability of Mr. Travis, whose efforts have formed no unim¬ portant element in promoting professional and industrial activity; nor has he ever been remiss in citizenship, but on the contrary has been a co¬ operant factor in many movements for the general good, and thus is deserving of mention among the representative men of his county. He is a repre¬ sentative of one of the oldest families of the coun¬ ty, and was bom in Pleasant township in 1868.

His grandfather, Curtis Travis, was born in New York, in the historic Sleepy Hollow district on the Hudson, made famous by Washington Irving's charming little "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." He was descended from Nor¬ man French ancestry, who at the time of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror went to that country. Joshua Travis, about 1750, crossed the Atlantic and settled upon a farm near New York city, and his son, John Travis, was the father of Curtis Travis. The last named, leaving the Empire state, became one of the earliest settlers of north¬ ern Indiana, and was living here at the time La¬ Porte county was organized, having settled here in 1832. Within a few years following, a number of his brothers and sisters came to the west, and all were prominent in the early history of this county.

Wesley Travis, the father of Julius C. Travis, was bom in Pleasant township, LaPorte county, in 1835, and became a very wealthy farmer. He died in 1902. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Rebecca Brand, was bom in Scho¬ harie county, New York, but removed with her parents to Chautauqua county, that state, at an early age. Her people were from New York city.

Upon the home farm Julius C. Travis was reared, and when not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom he assisted in the labors of field and meadow, thus early becoming familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting.

When he had completed the district school course he entered the LaPorte high school, and following his graduation there he matriculated in the State University of Michigan, at AnnArbor, in 1888, He was a student there for six consecutive years, the last two of which were spent in the law depart¬ ment, in which he was graduated with the class of 1894. On motion of his preceptor he was ad¬ mitted to the bar before the supreme court of Michigan, and returning to LaPorte in that year he began the practice of his chosen profession, which he has since followed successfully. He now has a large clientele, and the litigation with which he has been connected is of a very im¬ portant character. He is a splendidly equipped lawyer and has a large practice. He is now serv¬ ing his second term as city councilman, and in 1898 he received the nomination for prosecuting attorney, but being a Republican was defeated, the county being largely Democratic. His oppo¬ nent, William H. Breese, was elected. Mr. Travis was appointed by the governor to fill out the unexpired term of prosecuting attorney of J. C. Richter, who was elected to the circuit bench.

Mr. Travis, while known as a hard-working, able and leading lawyer of LaPorte, has also found time to give some attention to outside business interests. He is the president of the Rustic Hick¬ ory Furniture Company, the factory of which has been rebuilt with a larger equipment and facilities than ever before, following the destruction of the original plant by fire in the spring of 1903. This company manufactures rustic hickory furniture, and is one of only two of the kind in the United States. It is an important industrial enterprise of LaPorte, the product being sold to the trade all over the United States, the Wannamaker store being a large customer, purchasing in carload lots. Mr. Travis's brother, Warren Travis, is secretary of the company, and E. H. Handley is the treas¬ urer. Mr. Travis is also special commissioner representing all the fire insurance companies doing business in LaPorte. His duties consist of the inspection of buildings, etc., and all matters af¬ fecting fire insurance risks in this city.

The home life of Mr. Travis has been very pleasant. He was happily married in LaPorte, in 1896, to Miss Ethel Closser, a daughter of Jer¬ ome Closser, of the well known old Closser family. Mr. and Mrs. Travis have two children, Richard Churchill and Elizabeth. In social circles they occupy an enviable position, accorded them by reason of their many excellent and admirable characteristics. Mr. Travis is prominent in busmess and professional circles, and in the control of important interests manifests marked sagacity and sound judgment. He is a representative of that class of men who constitute the progressive ele¬ ment in every community and to whom the rapid and substantial development of the west is due.

DAVID L. HECKMAN, one of the promi¬ nent farmers of Galena township, residing on sec¬ tion 17, was born in this township, February 3, 1840. His father', Jacob Heckman, was a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, and of German lineage. In the place of his nativity he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and afterward re¬ moved to Ohio, whence he later made his way to Michigan, settling near Niles. The year 1834 witnessed his arrival in LaPorte county, and only here and there was the home of a settler, much of the land being still in possession of the govern¬ ment and the district being a frontier region. He built a cabin and removed his family to his new home in 1835. For many years he remained a resident of Galena township, interested in the wel¬ fare of this section of the state and contributing through his co-operation to many measures for the general good. He died in St. Joseph county, Indiana, in the ninety-second year of his age, after a long, useful and honorable career. In politics, he was a Whig until the organization of the Re¬ publican party, when he joined its ranks, and continued to uphold its banners until his demise. He belonged to the German Catholic church. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Elizabeth Dodd, was also a native of Virginia, and by her mar¬ riage became the mother of thirteen children, of whom David L. is the eleventh in order of birth.

In his native township upon the old family homestead David L. Heckman was reared. In retrospect one can see him as a little farmer lad, making his way to the little log schoolhouse in order to gain a knowledge of "reading, writing and ar¬ ithmetic, " which were about the only studies taught at that time. He conned his lessons sitting on a slab seat, spending only about three months in the year at school, because his services were needed upon the home farm through the remain¬ der of the year. He assisted his father in the ar¬ duous task of clearing the land, and remained at home up to the time of his marriage which oc¬ curred on the 3d of July, 1859, the lady of his chbice being Miss Malissa Morrow, who was bom in Galena township, LaPorte county, on the 17th of March, 1842, her parents being Charles and Elizabeth (Hollingshead) Morrow. Charles Morrow was born in Virgina, and, removing to

Ohio, he remained there for a number of years, after which he came to LaPorte county, arriving about 1833. He endured all the hardships and trials of pioneer life, establishing his home in the midst of the woods in Galena township. There he cleared a farm and made his own road from Hudsonville to his place by cutting away the trees. He lived to be about seventy-five years of age, and was classed with the enterprising pioneers to whom the county owes such a large debt of gratitude for what they accomplished in the way of improvement. Mrs. Morrow was bom in Ohio, and is now living at the advanced age of ninety years, the oldest resident of Galena township. She had eleven children, of whom Mrs. Heckman, the fourth, was reared in Galena township.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heckman took up their abode in Weesaw town¬ ship, Berrien county, Michigan, where they re¬ mained for about two and a half years. He then sold out and in the spring of 1864 located where he now resides. Here he has carried on the till¬ ing of the soil and the raising of stock, and in both branches of his business has met with cred¬ itable success. He owns a farm of one hundred and nineteen acres, well improved with modern equipments, and in his farm work he displays marked energy and enterprise. To him and his wife have been born three children : Ellen, Lizzie and Charley. Ellen is the wife of George Leliter, and they have four children : Iona, Paul, Fay and Leon ; their home is in Kankakee township, where Mr. Leliter follows farming. Lizzie is the wife of Charles Schwenk, who operates a sawmill in Galena township. Mr. and Mrs. Heckman also have one great-grandchild : Russell Riley, the son of Fred and Iona (Leliter) Riley, of LaPorte. Mr. and Mrs. Heckman are members of the Brethren church and he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, while in his political views he is a Republican.

H. CLAY WAGNER, who is engaged in general farming on section 20, Kankakee town¬ ship, is a well known and successful representa¬ tive of agricultural interests in northwestern In¬ diana. He was born in Springfield township, La¬ Porte county, on the 4th of November, 1844. His father, David F. Wagner, was a native of Penn¬ sylvania, but removed from Virginia to this state about the year 1835. He was a son of Jacob J. Wagner, also a native of the Keystone state and one of the pioneer settlers of LaPorte county, where he took up his abode about 1836, settling in Kankakee township. All around were evi¬ dences of the pioneer condition of this district, for the lands were wild and the fields uncultivated, streams unbridged and what are now thriving and villages were then undreamed of.

David F. Wagner took up his abode in Springfield township, entering land from the govern¬ ment, and upon the claim which he secured he de¬ veloped a good farm. After making a number of improvements there he sold that property, and purchased land in Kankakee township in 1845. This became the old family homestead and was located on section 20. There he remained throughout the residue of his days, and his at¬ tention was given to agricultural pursuits with good results. He died in the year 1854 and left behind him the memory of an active, honorable and useful career. In politics he was a Whig, out never sought or desired public office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs that he might provide a comfortable home for his fam¬ ily. He was married in early manhood to Miss Angeline Cadwallader, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, but was reared in LaPorte coun¬ ty from about the age of twelve years. She lived to the ripe old age of seventy-five years, and was a most faithful companion and helpmate to her husband, and an estimable lady, whose excellent traits of character won her many friends. Her father, Byron Cadwallader, was one of the pio¬ neer settlers of LaPorte county. He removed from Virginia to Henry county, Indiana, and thence came to this portion of the state. He was one of the associate judges of Henry county.

To Mr. and Mrs. David F. Wagner were born six children: Elizabeth, who is now the widow of Isaac Barrick; Milton, who joined the Union army for service in the Civil war, and laid down his life on the altar of his country ; H. Clay ; Sa¬ rah, who was a successful and capable teacher in the LaPorte schools for many years; Ellen, the wife of John A. Bush, a resident of Great Falls, Montana; and David F., who is an engineer on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for H. Clay Wagner in his youth. He remained upon the home farm in Kankakee township from the age of one year, and was educated in the common schools and in Evansville Seminary in Rock county, Wisconsia He was also a student at one time in Hillsdale College of Hillsdale, Michigan, and when his literary course was completed he returned to the farm, and has since followed agricultural pur¬ suits with the exception of one year spent in busi¬ ness at Fort Scott, Kansas. His labors as an agri- culturist have been effective, for he has devel¬ oped rich fields and raised good crops, which, find¬ ing a ready sale on the market, have returned to him an excellent income as the result of the care and labor he bestows upon his fields.

In 1871 Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Hews, a native of Pennsyl¬ vania, who came to LaPorte county, Indiana, with her parents when about eight years of age. For about four years after their marriage the young couple lived upon a farm near the city of LaPorte, and in 1875 they established their home upon the farm which is now their place of residence and which is the old family homestead of the Wagners. Here Mr. Wagner owns one hundred and twenty acres of land. His only son, Harry, is assisting him in the operation of the farm, which will one day become his property.

Mr. Wagner is a stanch Republican in his po¬ litical views, and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day is enabled to sup¬ port his position by intelligent argument. He had held the office of assessor, and was a member of the Republican county committee and served as its chairman. He does all in his power to pro¬ mote the growth and insure the success of his party, and he is equally active and influential in advancing general measures for the public good. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and a leading member of the Agricultural Association, of which he served as treasurer from 1895 until 1901. His life work is familiar to the citizens 01 LaPorte county who know him to be a man of unfaltering integrity and honor.

SAMUEL FOX'S SONS is the title under which one of the most important manufacturing establishments of the city of LaPorte is con¬ ducted, and those who compose the firm are successfully carrying on a business that was es¬ tablished here forty years ago, to the subsequent inestimable benefit and advantage of the city and county. The Laporte Woolen Mills is one of the largest and best equipped plants of its kind in the west. The citizens of LaPorte take just pride in the industry, for it has been of great value in promoting the general prosperity and commercial activity of the city in addition to gaining the individual success of the stock¬ holders.

Samuel Fox founded the LaPorte Woolen Mills in 1864. He will always be remembered as one of the city's most progressive and en¬ lightened citizens. He gave his best years and efforts to the upbuilding of this industry, but at the same time he so identified himself with the other interests of the city and county that his death was viewed as a calamity by every one con¬ cerned with the best welfare of LaPorte. While at the time of his death he was regarded as one one of the city's most prosperous men and one who had gained well deserved rewards from his life of industry and good business judgment anti foresight, he had begun his career with no special advantages or wealth, and the inception of his woolen mill was likewise on a small scale.

Samuel Fox was bom in Oettingen, Bavaria, Germany, March 29, 1838, and died at the Im¬ perial Hotel in New York, April 14, 1894, being at the time on a business trip in the east in com¬ pany with his son Maurice. He came to America at the age of sixteen, locating first in Philadel¬ phia, where he remained about three years, and then came to Wabash county, Indiana, where lie became an extensive trader and had business dealings over a wide section of territory. About 1859 he rnoved his headquarters to LaPorte. wherfe he established a dry-goods and clothing store in partnership with Mr. Guggenheim and Jacob Wile, the latter being then the president of the Citizens' Bank, but now deceased. The firm name of Guggenheim, Wile and Fox was assumed, and the new enterprise became suc¬ cessful.

About 1863 Mr. Fox conceived the idea of establishing a woolen mill in LaPorte, and suc¬ ceeded in getting Mr. Wile and John Rumely financially interested. Plans were perfected and the mill erected and put in operation in 1S64 under the firm name of Wile, Rumely and Com¬ pany, Mr. Fox being the third partner. In 1873 Leo Fox, a brother of Samuel Fox, bought the interests of Mr. Wile and Mr. Rumely, and the firm then became Fox Brothers. A few years later Leo Fox retired from the firm, moving to Chicago, where he now resides. This left Samuel Fox as sole owner of the woolen mills which he had founded, and which remained in his name until his death. Since then the business has been conducted under the name of Samuel Fox's Sons.

This was the pioneer institution of its kind in this part of the country. It was started on a small scale, at first being a "three set" mill. It is now a "six set" mill, but the introduction of modern machinery and inventions has increased its out¬ put manifold. The plant has been so enlarged that it has become one of the leading manufac¬ turing institutions of Northern Indiana. The product of the LaPorte Woolen Mills was at first confined to the coarser woolens, but the grade has been gradually imprpved until now only ladies' dress goods of superior quality are manu¬ factured. In fact, the goods made by this oldestablished house have such an excellent reputa¬ tion that the company is unable to fill its orders, which come from the prominent dry-goods firms throughout the west. The owners of the mills spare no expense in employing the most skilled assistants and operatives, and thus sustain the high reputation of their excellent woolens.

Samuel Fox's wife, Mrs. Fannie L. Fox, a native of Philadelphia, still survives him. They had six sons, the four eldest of whom, Maurice, Herbert W., Arthur B. and Robert C., together with Mrs. Fox, composed the firm of Samuel Fox's Sons, until the death of Arthur B. on October 14, 1901, since which time the surviv¬ ing members have successfully carried on the enterprise. The sons are numbered among the alert, enterprising and progressive citizens of La- Porte, and are worthy successors of their honored father. The residence of Mrs. Fox is on Indiana avenue, near the LaPorte Woolen Mills, and is one of the finest in LaPorte, being surrounded by magnificent grounds and beautiful gardens.

In the death of Samuel Fox LaPorte lost a citizen whom it could ill afford to spare. He was extremely public-spirited and was often at the head of movements for the general good, and his financial support and co-operation were al¬ ways given for the benefit of the city and its progress along social, material and intellectual lines. For two years prior to his death he was the treasurer of the LaPorte school board. His suc¬ cess was attained entirely along legitimate lines of business, and resulted from diligence, per¬ severance and a recognition and utilization of opportunity.

HENRY C. WILLIAMSON, who has been connected with the Haskell & Barker Car Com¬ pany for the past thirty years, and is now a me¬ chanical engineer in the shops, came to America over fifty years ago, and in this land of opportu¬ nity has won a creditable success by his industry, steady habits and honorable and upright charac¬ ter. While his business career has thus been re¬ warded with comfortable circumstances, he has also been a partaker in the more general affairs of his town and county. He stands high in fraternal circles in Michigan City, has done his part as a public representative for the conduct of munic¬ ipal affairs, and in every relation of life has been energetic, wholesouled and public-spirited.