LaPorte County, Indiana - Chapter 36: Religion, 1904 (part 18 of 23)

Fourth streets. Mr. Rawlings votes with the Republican party. While there have been no exciting chapters in His life's history, his career, illustrates 'the force of unflagging industry and honorable dealing in the active affairs of life, for it has been as the result of these qualities in his character that Mr. Rawlings has won his prosperity.

JOHN BLUE is one of LaPorte county's native sons and is now an enterprising and pro¬ gressive business man of Michigan City, where he is dealing in men's furnishing goods and also conducting a merchant tailoring establishment. He was born in Springfield township on the ioth of October, 1839, and is a son of John and Nancy (Griffin) Blue? who were natives of the Empire state. Little is known concerning the ancestral history of the Blue family, but there is some rec¬ ord concerning the Griffin family. Sylvester Grif¬ fin, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Blue, was a native of New York, and about 1833 emigrated westward, establishing his home in Center town¬ ship, LaPorte county, where he engaged in farm¬ ing. He wedded Miss Mary Griffin, who was born in Connecticut and who, though of the same name, was not a relative. They became the par¬ ents of six children : Sylvester, Nancy, Arastarcus, Mary, Caroline and Martin. Grandfather Griffin died about 1877, when in the ninetieth year of his age. The son Arastarcus is the only one of the children now living, and he makes his home in Center township at the age of eighty-five years. It was about 1833 that John Blue, Sr., came to LaPorte county, and here he followed carpentering. He died in 1841, at the age of thirty-one years, and his wife passed away in 1844 when about the same age. They held mem¬ bership 'in the Methodist church and were ear¬ nest Christian people.

John Blue was reared by his maternal grand¬ parents upon the old Griffin homestead, there remaining until about twenty-two years of age. In his youth he attended the district schools, and for two winter seasons he engaged in teaching. When in his tenth year he had the misfortune to alight upon a brick while jumping at play, and this so injured his left leg that he has been unable to use it since. In 1861 he came to Michigan City and began working for Frederick Knubbe, with whom he learned the tailor's trade. For fifteen years he was in the employ of that gen¬ tleman, and then spent seven years in the servi¬ ces of Charles Deming. On the expiration of that period he bought out his employer and has con¬

On the 29th of March, 1867, Mr. Blue was married to Miss Sarah A. Nodine, a daughter of Jerry and (Arvilla) Nodine. Five children have been bom of that union: Willie, Pearl, Ivy, Arastarcus and Verne, but all are now deceased, the last named having been twelve years of age at the time of death. Mr. and Mrs. Blue reside at 216 Pine street, where he built his home in 1875. Since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln he has been a Republican.

CHRISTOPHER ROESKE, of the firm of Roeske Brothers, millers and brick manufactur¬ ers and proprietors of the Eureka Flouring Mills at Michigan City, has been in business here for thirty-five years, and is one of the most respected and esteemed citizens. He came to this country when a boy of seventeen, and worked his way for some years before he could get an independ¬ ent start. He is a self-made man, and is per¬ sonally responsible for the success he has made in business. He has also taken part in general affairs, especially those having to do with the progress and improvement of town and county, and his place in the citizenship of his county is that of the diligent, enterprising and astute man of business and of the conservative and loyal member of society, seeking to perform well the part assigned to him in life.

Mr. Roeske was born in Prussian, Germany, April 27, 1847, and is a son of Christian and Au¬ gusta (Pahl) Roeske. His paternal grand¬ father died in Germany before Christopher was born, and little is known of his life save that he was a shepherd, died in middle life, and was the father of five children. The maternal grand¬ father Pahl also died in Germany, at the ad¬ vanced age of ninety-eight years, and his wife lived to be eighty-three years old.

- Christian Roeske was a shepherd in Germany, and in June, 1864, came to America, and on the 25th of the same month arrived in Michigan City. He owned a farm of eighty acres in Michi¬ gan township, and farmed during the remainder of his life. He died at the age of fifty-four and his wife lived until 1898, being eightyfive years old at the time of her death. Both were members of the Lutheran church. They had nine children, six sons and three daughters, and the three now living are August, Christopher, and Augusta, the wife of Herman Blessien.

ceived his schooling and also worked for his father. He came to the new world with his parents in 1864, and for a time he did construc¬ tion work on the Michigan Central Railroad, after which he worked in a factory and on his father's farm. He then began working for Charles Kellogg in the latter's brickyard, and in 1868, having learned the business, he started a yard of his own on land which he leased of Reynold Cowden. He conducted this for seven years, and then bought the brickyard and sawmill of Denton Miller, and carried on both enterprises until 1880. In that year he quit the sawmilling, and by the side of his water power built his large flour mill. The mill is five stories high, including the basement, and has a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. He and his brother Au¬ gust own this plant, and they also have a large brickyard; where about six million brick a year are manufactured. Employment is furnished to about fifty men, and theirs is one of the import¬ ant manufacturing concerns of the town, valu¬ able to the owners and to the city in general. The brothers also own the Denton Miller farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres. Mr. Chris¬ topher Roeske is a director in the Citizens' Bank, and his position in the business circles of Michi¬ gan City is ample testimony to his life of indus¬ try and application of sound business methods.

On December 5, 1877, Mr. Roeske married Mrs. Augusta Matthias, the widow of Peter Mat¬ thias, and her maiden name was Messe. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Roeske are Ar¬ thur, Oscar, Martha and Lydia, all of whom are at home except Arthur, who is bookkeeper and salesman for his father ; he married Emma Darman, and they have one son, Gerald. Mr. and Mrs. Roeske are members of the St. John's Lu¬ theran church, and he affiliates with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., Michigan City Chapter No. 25, R. A. M., and Michigan City Commandery No. 30, K. T. His politics are Democratic, and he has served the county two terms as commis¬ sioner, and is now a member of the county coun¬ cil.

August Roeske, who is the brother and part¬ ner of Christopher in all their business enter¬ prises, has alwrays co-operated with his brother, and this harmonious union of forces has been largely responsible for their continued success. May 11, 1874, August Roeske married Miss Fredericka Gloy, and the seven children born to them are all deceased. Mrs. Roeske also died in 1902. She was a member of the , Lutheran church, as is her husband.

A. W. L. GILPIN, D. D. S. This well known and efficient dentist of Michigan City, Indiana, was born in St. Mary's, Ontario, Can¬ ada, on the 7th of April, 1878, being the only child of Joshua and Anna (Kerr) Gilpin, natives also of Ontario. His paternal grandfather was William Gilpin, who was born in Sligo, Ireland, but subsequently removed to St. Mary's On¬ tario, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Margaret Read, and they be¬ came the parents of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Gilpin was Rev. J. L. Kerr, a Wesleyan Methodist minister and also a native of Sligo, Ireland. He was there married, and when only sixteen years of age became a minister of the gospel, and while carrying on his ministerial work he was also engaged in the carriage manu¬ facturing business. Selling his interests in the Emerald Isle, he removed to Canada when twenty-eight years of age, and thereafter was engaged in preaching at various points until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was well advanced in years. For his wife Rev. Kerr chose Margaret Rutledge, and in their family were two sons and four daughters. He became one of the most prominent ministers of Canada, and was well known as a beautiful singer. Joshua Gilpin, the father of Dr. Gilpin, was interested in the salt business in Canada for a number of years, and now makes his home at Brussels, On¬ tario. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.

Dr. A. W. L. Gilpin was reared from the age of two years in Brussels, Canada, receiving his literary education in its public schools, and when eighteen years of age he entered the To¬ ronto University dental department, graduating from that institution in 1900. Two years later, in 1902, he completed the course in the Chicago Dental College, and in December of that year he came to Michigan City and opened an office over the First National Bank, where he has ever since continued the practice of his chosen pro¬ fession. His office is well equipped with all mod¬ ern appliances, and although a young man he has already established an enviable reputation as a dentist of great skill. In his fraternal re¬ lations Dr. Gilpin is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political support is given to the Re¬ publican party. He is also a member of the Methodist church, and in . both social and pro¬ fessional circles he occupies a prominent position.

WILLIAM A. STEIGELY, a contractor on public works and ex-county commissioner of La- Porte, is well known in this county, having spent almost his entire life here, while for many years he has been active in business circles. He was born in this city in 1858. His father, Frederick Steigely, was a native of Germany and about the year 1850 emigrated to America, settling first in Chicago, but coming soon afterward to LaPorte, where he established a meat market. This he conducted with success for many years, and is spoken of as a pioneer in that line of business in LaPorte. His business dealings were strictly fair and honorable, and because of the sterling traits of character which he manifested in his relations with his fellow men he was highly respected. He married Wilfielmina Schoettle, and both are now deceased, he having passed away in 1882.

In the LaPorte public schools William A. Steigely began his education, which was con¬ tinued in Phelon College of this city. After put¬ ting aside his text books he learned the miller's trade in the J Street mill of LaPorte, where he remained for one year. He then went to Minne¬ sota, remaining for two years in that state, one half of which time was spent in St. Cloud in the milling business. He then returned to LaPorte and took charge of the J. Street mill, which he operated for four years, when, in 1882, he re¬ moved to Kingsbury, in Union township, where he established the Kingsbury mill for the manu¬ facture of flour, and conducted it for more than twenty years, or until the spring of 1903. On selling his mill he removed with his family to LaPorte, where he erected a very fine residence on Indiana avenue. Here he takes and executes contracts for the construction of city sewers, the paving of roads and bridge work.

While residing in Kingsbury Mr. Steigely was elected a trustee of Union township, which office he held for several years. In the campaign of 1896 he received the Democratic nomination for county commissioner and was elected. He was favored with the nomination at the succeed¬ ing election, and was again chosen by popular vote for that office, wherein he served altogether for six years, during which time his part in hand¬ ling the county affairs was characterized by care¬ ful, conservative and business-like methods, highly satisfactory to the public.

The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Steigely was in her maidenhood Miss Fredericks Wegner, and they have three children : John W., a stu¬ dent in Purdue University ; Arthur, a senior stu¬ dent in the LaPorte high school, and Edith, who is also attending school in this city. The chil¬ dren have made exceptional records for punctu¬ ality and continued attendance as well as for scholarship, this being a matter of note among local educators.

WILLIAM B. MANNY, who is now filling the position of commercial agent with the Monon Railroad and makes his home in Michigan city, was bom in St. Joseph, Michigan, on the 3d of August, 1862. He is one of the four children born to William C. and Mary (Bloom) Manny. The ancestral history of this family can be traced back to William Manny, the great-grandfather, who came to America from Tyrone, county An¬ trim, Ireland. He was born in that country, but was of Scotch parentage. His wife's maiden name was Jane Kneer. Their son and the grand¬ father of William B. was Hugh Manny, who was a native of Middlebury, Vermont, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. By occupation he was a farmer. He wedded Miss Mary MacNeal. a daughter of John and Jane (McCaustland) Mac¬ Neal, and to them were bom thirteen children. Both the grandparents lived to be about eightyfive years of age.

The maternal grandfather of Mr. Manny was Jacob Clinton Bloom, a native of Canada and of German lienage. He represented an old family of Hamilton, Ontario, his ancestors having come to Canada from Pennsylvania in 1796. On leav¬ ing the Dominion he removed to Chicago, where he began contracting in 1837, the year in which the city was incorporated. For a time he made his home in Waukegan, Illinois, but about 1870 became a resident of Michigan City, Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife bore the maiden name of Atossa Maria Porter, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and At¬ ossa (Nichols) Porter, early settlers in Wauke¬ gan, Illinois. Jeremiah Porter was a member of an old New England family and was a descendant of Israel Porter, the latter being a son of John Porter, who came from Dorset, England, to Massachusetts, in 1595. Israel Porter, who be¬ came the grandfather of General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary war fame, married Elizabeth Hawthorn, the daughter of Major William Haw¬ thorn, who was an ancestor of Nathaniel Haw¬ thorne. Jeremiah Porter's great-grandmother was Hannah Endicott, who was the great-grand¬ child of Governor John Endicott, of Massachu¬ setts, an^ she was also the great granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Skelton, the first minister of Salem, that state. Jacob C. and Atossa M. (Por-

William C. Manny, the father of William B. Manny, was bom in Middlebury, Vermont, and was joined in marriage to Miss Mary Bloom, a native of Illinois. They had four children, of whom three are now living : William B. ; Hugh J., a resident of Tacoma, Washington ; and Frank A., of New York city. The father was a mer¬ chant of Michigan City, and after following that pursuit here for a number of years removed to the west in 1879.

William B. Manny was a lad of ten summers when he accompanied his parents on their removel to Michigan City, where he has since spent the greater part of his life. He entered the pub¬ lic schools here and is a graduate of the high school with the class of 1879. On putting aside his text books he became connected with railroad service as a clerk in the office of the Monon Rail¬ road Company. For five years he acted as cash¬ ier there, and for a similar period was traveling auditor, but during the past twelve years has been commercial agent for the road. In addi¬ tion to this he is the proprietor of the Milwau¬ kee Dock Coal Company, which does a large bus¬ iness in steam coals, a large part of which is used by vessels running into this port. He is also the proprietor of the Hoosier Slide Sand Com¬ pany, which has a large trade with the various manufacturing concerns throughout this state, particularly in the gas belt. Throughout his buiness career Mr. Manny has been connected with the Monon Railroad, and his long service is unmistakable evidence of his fidelity to duty and his capability in the line of the duties that have devolved upon him.

In June, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. Manny and Miss Olive K. Priest, a daughter of William and Cynthia (Green) Priest. There are two children born of that union, Norman P. and Carter H. In July, 1902, Mrs. Mannv died, passing away at the age of forty-two and in the faith of the Congregational church, of which she was a consistent member. In November, 1903, Mr. Manny married Lula Moore Finley, a daugh¬ ter of Edwin and Harriet (Tibbets) Moore, of LaPorte, Indiana. The family home is located at the comer of Washington and Boston streets. In his political affiliations Mr. Manny is a Re¬ publican, and he is a valued member of Acme Lodge, No. 83, F. A. & M. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, his membership being with the Indianapolis Con¬ sistory. He belongs to Washington Lodge No. 94, K. of P., and to the society of Ben Hur. Having spent almost his entire life in Michigan City he is well known here, and his career has been such as will bear close investigation and scrutiny. As a representative of the railroad com¬ pany he enjoys the unqualified confidence of those whom he serves, and in social life has gained the friendship of many because of a genial man¬ ner and cordial disposition.

PROFESSOR PAUL A. COWGILL is the superintendent of the city schools of Michigan City, and has now entered upon his third years' service, which has been most acceptable to the people of this place because of his practical work, and the skill and ability with which he has man¬ aged and forwarded the educational interests. He was born in Cassopolis, Michigan, on the 29th of August, 1872, and is the only son and child of Joel and Sarah (Adamson) Cowgill, both of whom were natives of Ohio. His pater¬ nal grandfather, John Cowgill, resided in Ohio for a number of years, and then removed to Michigan, locating in the town of Penn, where he conducted the only store in the place. He also acted as postmaster there, and his death oc¬ curred in that village when he had reached an advanced age. He wedded a. Miss Harrison, and they became the parents of a large family. His father was a Revolutionary soldier. The maternal grandfather of Professor Cowgill re¬ sides near Brownsville, Cass county, Michigan, and was a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss Erwin, and they, too, had a large family.

Joel Cowgill was reared in Logan county, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years he re¬ sponded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in the Second Michigan Infantry as a private in defense of the Union cause. He served through¬ out the entire period of the Civil war, and was wounded at the battle of Bull Run. After the close of hostilities he returned to his home and was elected register of deeds in Cass county, Michigan, where he served for three terms. He then purchased the abstract books of Cass county and was engaged in business throughout his re¬ maining days. He died in 1900 at the age of fiftyseven years, and his wife, surviving him for only a few months, passed away at the age of fifty-six years. Both were members of the Society of Friends.

Professor Cow'gill spent the first seventeen years of his life in Cassopolis, Michigan, and was graduated in the high school there with the class of June, 1890. He afterward went to Ypsilanti, where he became a student in the State Normal College, spending three years there. In 1893 he was graduated, and at once entered upon his work as an educator, going to Newaygo as su¬ perintendent of the public schools at that place. There he continued for two years and was mar¬ ried there. After leaving that place he became a student in the Uinversity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in 1896 won his degree as Bachelor of Pedagogy, while in 1897 the same institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science in acknowledgment of the work which he had completed in the scientific department of the school. In 1898 he went to Lapeer, Michi¬ gan, as superintendent of schools, and continued in that city for four years, following which time he came to Michigan City and is now superin¬ tendent of the schools here. While residing in the state of Michigan, during the periods of va¬ cation he had charge of several state teachers' institutes, and he prepared a paper which was read before the National Superintendents' Asso¬ ciation, of which he was a member. In Michi¬ gan City he has under his direct supervision eight schools, in which in 1902 there were en¬ rolled twenty-four hundred and twenty-five pu¬ pils, and since that time this number has been quite largely increased. He is continually striv¬ ing to promote the efficiency of the schools through the introduction of practical methods that will fit the children for the responsible duties of life that come in later years.

On the 2 1st of June, 1894, Professor Cowgill was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Simmons, a daughter of John and Amelia (Ben¬ nett) Simmons, and they now have three chil¬ dren: Lois, Gertrude and Eunice. The Pro¬ fessor is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife belongs to the Episcopal church. He is now serving as church treasurer and both take an active interest in the advancement of Christian work. Fraternally he is connected with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M. ; Newaygo Chapter, R. A. M., of Newaygo, Michigan; Michigan City Council, R. & S. M. ; and Michigan City Commandery No. 30, K. T., of which he is pre¬ late. In the council he is a past grand officer for the state of Michigan. He is now patron of the Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Cowgill is also a member, is past regent of the Royal Arcanum, is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan and the Modern Woodmen of Amerifca. In edu¬ cational circles he has already attained an envi¬

MRS. MARTHA STONER. The history of LaPorte county contains the life reviews of many worthy and successful men and women who were the bone and sinew of the commonwealth of the county. To such citizens as the subject of this memoir, Mrs. Stoner, a debt of gratitude is due for rapid strides in civilization and progress that northwest Indiana has made. The pioneer mother, who with her worthy progenitors, braved the adversities and disadvantageous conditions of a pioneer land, were the men and women of iron will and energy, to cause the virgin forest to blossom into beautifully cultivated estates, handsome residences, beautiful cities and towns, trunk lines of railroads and all the modern equip¬ ments and conveniences, which adorn the confines of LaPorte county. Mrs. Stoner is a lady whose beautiful and motherly character will ever be a guiding star to her children. She is the widow of Jacob Stoner, deceased.

Jacob Stoner, now deceased, is remembered by many citizens of LaPorte county as a reliable business man, active in his farming operations and worthy the regard of his fellow men as a suc¬ cessful business man. He resided on section 19. Wills township, where he had a good property. He was born on the 15th of April, 1832, and was a son of David and Margaret (Shelley) Stoner, who were pioneer settlers of LaPorte county. Throughout his entire life Jacob Stoner resided in this county and prospered in his undertakings, becoming the owner of a large amount of land. In fact, he was .one of the most extensive land¬ holders of the county, and in his business af¬ fairs he carried forward to successful comple¬ tion whatever he undertook. As he found oppor¬ tunity he made judicious investments in real es¬ tate, and prosperity attended him in his business dealings.

Mr. Stoner was united in marriage to Miss Martha Harris, who was bom in the city of La¬ Porte, Marcfi 20, 1841, a daughter of David and Julia (Russ) Harris, who were pioneer settlers of this locality. Mrs. Stoner is the only child born of her father's first marriage and her girl¬ hood days were spent in northwestern Indiana and since her marriage she has lived in the same locality. She has become the mother of the fol¬ lowing children: The eldest child is Isadore, who wedded D. B. Miller, a resident of Wills township. Andrew wedded Miss Jennie L. Rog- ers, and they have two daughters - -Flossie May, in sixth grade of the schools and Bright in her studies, and Laura Belle. Albert, resident of Kankakee township, wedded Miss Alvira Car¬ penter, and they have four daughters - Lillie, Rosa, Vera and Aletha. Ellsworth, a resident of Wills township, married Miss Aretta Hostatler and has one daughter, Edna. David, a resident of Wills township, wedded Miss Clara Whit¬ comb, and they have two sons - Marvin and Floyd. Etta married Sylvester Dudley, a resident of Hudson township, and they have one son, Walter. Vernon is at home with his mother on the old homestead. Katie wedded John Hunt, residing in Lincoln township, and they have two children, Paul and Neva. There were four of the Stoner children who died in infancy. All were born and reared in LaPorte county.

Mr. Stoner was at one time a member of the Baptist church and was a life-long Repub¬ lican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and thus giving an earnest support to the party of his choice. As a citi¬ zen of means he was active in developing his township, and he took an interested part in every thing pertaining to the progress of the county. He died March 19, 1903, and was laid to rest in the Baptist cemetery and in the Stoner family burying round. In his business affairs he pros¬ pered and became the owner of a very desirable farm so that he left his family in comfortable circumstances. His widow, who is now sixty-two years of age, has spent her entire life in LaPorte county, and she owns the farm upon which she is living, comprising five hundred and twenty-six acres of very valuable land now being alloted to the children. The residence stands on section 19. She also owns other farm property in the county and is thus enabled to enjoy the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Mrs. Stoner resides on the old homestead, where she is surrounded by her many friends and her dear children, who look up yet to mother for kind counsel and advice. She is a lady who is endowed with that true motherly love and care for her children, although they are well located in life and command the respect of all who know the name Stoner. Mrs. Stoner has so lived be¬ fore God and man that no blot has ever rested on her fair name, and this beautiful heritage she can hand down to her living children so that in the years to come, when mother has passed away, they may cherish and hold sacred this bequest.

sheaves are being garnered of her life's labors, and in the future, children and grandchildren will peruse these lines, and they will rise up, with love and admiration, and call mother's name - blessed.

HENRY ROBERTSON BISHOP, a loco¬ motive engineer residing at 618 Wabash street in Michigan City, is a native son of LaPorte county, born on the 5th of February, 1838. His parents were Elijah and Ruth (Jones) Bishop, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of North Carolina. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Benjamin Bishop, who was probably born in Ireland, but lived for some years in Wales. At length he left that little rockribbed country, and, crossing the Atlantic to the new world prior to Revolutionary war, became prominent in public affairs. He was a sailor at that time, and when the colonists became in¬ volved with England in a war to establish their rights, he joined the army and fought for the independence of the nation. He afterward learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a number of years, and then engaged in farm¬ ing. He lived in Preble county, Ohio, for a time, and then removed to Indiana, establishing his home among the pioneer settlers of Wayne coun¬ ty, where he died more than one hundred years ago. His wife's given name was Mary.

Their son, Elijah Bishop, devoted his entire life to farming. He came to Indiana in the year 1833, and located in Kankakee township, LaPorte county, near the city of LaPorte, where he took up government land. After devoting several years to the development of a farm there he sold his property, and bought another tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Galena township. At once he began the tilling of the soil there, and made his home upon that property throughout his remaining days. He wedded Ruth Jones, a daughter of Micaga and Sarah (John¬ son) Jones. Her father was born in Wales, and on crossing the Atlantic to the United States settled in North Carolina, but after a few years removed to Wayne county, Indiana. He was a shoemaker by trade, and in connection with work in that line he also owned and operated a farm. His death occurred in Huntington, In¬ diana, when he was eighty-five years of age. His family numbered ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Bishop were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom four are now liv¬ ing: Esther J., who resides at Rolling Prairie; Henry R. ; Harrison, of this county ; and Eliza E., the wife of Benjamin Finley. The father de- parted this life in 1891, when between eighty and eighty-five years of age, and his wife died in 1890, having passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey. Both were members of the Society of Friends.

Henry R. Bishop was reared in LaPorte coun¬ ty, and has spent his entire life here with the ex¬ ception of two years passed in Michigan. He attended the district schools and remained upon the home farm until eighteen years of age, as¬ sisting m the work of field and meadow. He then went to Michigan City, where he secured employ¬ ment in the machine shops of the Michigan Cen¬ tral Railroad Company, and a year or so later he went upon the road as fireman. In 1863 he became a locomotive engineer, and has followed that pusuit continuously since, covering a period of forty years, during the greater part of which time he has been a passenger engineer. He real¬ izes fully the responsibility which rests upon him in this connection and is most careful and reliable. No higher testimonial of his service could be given than the fact that he has been so long re¬ tained in the employ of one company.

On the 2 1 st of March, 1865, Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Desta Smith, a daugh¬ ter of Reuben and Sarah (VanVleet) Smith. Her paternal grandfather was John Smith, a native of New York, who on leaving the Empire state established his home in New Buffalo, Michigan. There he died at an advanced age. His family numbered nine children. The maternal grand¬ father of Mrs. Bishop was William Van Vleet, who spent his entire life in New York city, as did his wife. Their children, however, came to the west and settled in Niles, Michigan, where all but two died and were buried. The other two have since passed away, one in California and one in Kansas. Reuben Smith, the father of Mrs. Bishop, was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, New York, and his wife was a native of Penn¬ sylvania. Mrs. Bishop was their only child. By trade Mr. Smith was a shoemaker and followed that pusuit for a number of years, but later in life carried on agricutural pursuits. Emigrating westward he settled in New Buffalo, Michigan, some time in the forties, and died there September 1, 1888. at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away January 10. 1850, at the early age of twenty-seven years. He was a Universalist in religious faith, while she belonged to the Methodist church.

wife of William Pinn, of Michigan City, by whom she has two children, Desta and Edith; Charles, who died at the age of three and a half years ; Marion, who died when thirteen years of age; and one that died in infancy . Mr. Bishop is an advocate of the faith of the Society of Friends, and his wife is an earnest Methodist. Both are consistent Christian people, whose lives are permeated by upright principles. Frater¬ nally he is connected with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M. ; Michigan City Chapter No. 25, R. A. M. ; and Michigan City Commandery No. 30, K. T. He also belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and is one of its oldest living members. His right of franchise is exer¬ cised in support of the Republican party, but he has neither time nor inclination tor public office, his attention being given in undivided man¬ ner to the duties of the position which he has so long actively, capably and honorably filled.

HARRY M. MILES, city engineer of Michi¬ gan City and one of the well-known younger business men of the city, is a native son of Mich¬ igan City and has lived here all his life. He is largely a self-made man, having acquired his profession through his own efforts, and he has made a very creditable record in every line of ac¬ tivity in , which he has engaged. Musical talent had also added much to his personal enjoyment as it has also added to his usefulness as a mem¬ ber of society, for he has been one of the moving spirits in the musicial organizations of the city. He is a man of such character that the business and social world can rely upon his early efforts and ideals coming to fruition and his filling a prominent part in every relation of life.

Mr. Miles is one of four children born to George W. and Mary A. (Alexander) Miles, but his brother William, of Great Falls, Montana, is the only other one living besides himself. His father was a native of New York state, and also the son of a New Yorker, the latter being a mu¬ sician, whose talent was probably inherited by his grandson. Grandfather Miles, who died in middle life, married Lucia Cushman, and they had a large family.

George W. Miles was a wagon-maker, and some time in the fifties came west to Niles, Mich¬ igan, and thence to Michigan City, where he was in the hub and wagon manufacturing business for many years. He was a councilman of the city for a number of terms, and prominent in public and business aflfairs. He and his wife were both Congregationalists in religion. He died in 1879, aged sixty-three years, but his wife still survives and resides with her son Harry. Mrs. Miles is a native of Pennsylvania, and is one of her father's five children by two marriages. Her father was also a native of the Keystone state, and lived to an advanced age.

Harry M. Miles, was bom in Michigan City, March 25, 1862, and gained his education in the graded and high school. He then learned cabi¬ net-making, and for about fifteen years worked at that trade for the Hitchcock Chair Company. While thus employed he took up civil engineer¬ ing, and by home study, self-culture, and the as¬ sistance of a correspondence school perfected himself in this profession. In January, 1899, the common council of the city recognized his ability by appointing him city engineer, where he has since done work that reflects the highest credit on his professional skill and good judgment. Mr. Miles began studying music when a small boy, and is an especially gifted clarinet player, besides having talent and tact in conducting a band. He was leader of the Ames Union Band and its predecessor for ten years, and he is still a member of the organization.

January 8, 1882, Mr. Miles was married to Miss Florence M. Gibson, a daughter of Charles C. and Henrietta (Combs) Gibson. Three chil¬ dren were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Miles, Beulah, Russell, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Miles affiliates with the Benevolent and Pro¬ tective Order of Elks. He built his comfortable home at 119 East Ninth street in 1886, and he also owns a forty-acre tract of land near the State Prison and seven acres bordering the south line of the city limits.

CHARLES L. FETHKE has from small be¬ ginnings developed a very profitable and extensive business in Michigan City, that of the manufac¬ ture of cigars, which he sells to the wholesale trade, and the gratifying results which have at¬ tended his efforts indicate that his methods have been very effective in meeting competition and winning patronage. He was born in Prussia, Ger¬ many, February 6, 1856, and is a son of Ludwig and Minnie (Will) Fethke, who were also born in Germany. His paternal grandfather engaged in the operation of a flour mill in that country, and there he died at a ripe old age. His son, Ludwig Fethke, was a cabinet maker, and, hop¬ ing to better his financial condition in the new world, he sailed for America in 1865, and con" tinued to work at his chosen vocation in Michi¬ gan City to the time of his demise, in 1898, when he was sixty-eight years of age. His wife died in 1900, at the age of seventy-eight years, and like her husband she was a member of the Luth¬ eran church. They had two children, but Her¬ man, the elder, is now deceased.

Charles L. Fethke spent the first few years of . his life in the fatherland, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to the new world, since which time he has lived in Michigan City, and here he continued his education, which had been begun in the public schools of his native country. When a young man he learned the trade of cigar-making, and followed it for some years in the employ of others. In 1874 he began business on his own account on a small scale, and as the years have passed he has increased his facilities to meet the growing demands of his trade, which is now large and profitable. He now employs an average of twenty-five hands through¬ out the year, and he has a retail store on Frank¬ lin street in addition to his factory on Michigan street, from which he ships direct to the whole¬ sale trade. He manufactures several good brands of cigars, and is now reaping a good reward for his continued effort. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank.

On the 14th of July, 1874, Mr. Fethke was married to Miss Adelia Freyer, a daughter of Ferdinand Freyer, and they have had three chil¬ dren: Herman, who is a partner in his father's business ; Louis, who died at the age of five years ; and Ida, who died at the age of eighteen months. The mother, who was a member of the Lutheran church, diea in 1901. On the 28th of February, 1902, Mr. Fethke married Mrs. Elizabeth Bidwell, the widow of Samuel Bidwell and a daugh¬ ter of Washington Edie. Mr. Fethke is a mem¬ ber of the Elks fraternity, and he votes with the Republican party. His residence at the corner of Pine and Michigan streets was erected in 1891, and is a visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift, his capable management and laudable ambition.

FRANK M. BOECKLING, a well known florist of Michigan City and one of the native sons of the town, was born January 28, 1862, his par¬ ents being John and Hannah (Smith) Boeckling, natives of German. His father was a son of Peter Boeckling. who was born in that country, where he spent his entire life, passing away at the age of eighty-two years. He was twice married and had a large family. Mrs. John Boeckling was a daughter of John Smith, who was born in Ger¬ many and came to America in i860, locating in

Michigan City, where he lived until his death. He was a tailor by trade and died at the age of seventy-seven years. He married a Miss Hildebrandt, and among their children was a son Adolph, who served in the war of the Rebellion and died a victim of yellow fever, contracted while in the army.

John Boeckling became a painter by trade. He spent his boyhood and youth in his native country, and in the year 1851 came to the United States, establishing his home in Michigan City, Indiana. His marriage occurred in LaPorte in 1855. Here he followed his trade until 1877, when he turned his attention to the grocery busi¬ ness, and conducted his store with good success until his death, which occurred October 9, 1893, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. She still survives him and is yet a resident of Michigan City. Of the two sons and four daughters born to them, only two are now living : Emma, the wife of William A. Bray ; and Frank M.

The latter has always lived in Michigan City and is, therefore, well known to the majority of residents here. He attended the public schools until fifteen years of age, when he began clerking in a grocry store, and for a quarter of a century was connected with the grocery trade, being a partner of his father until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the business and continued in the store until August, 1902. He then sold out and has since engaged in business as a florist, having begun that pursuit before he disposed of his grocery store.

On the 2 1st of June, 1899, Mr. Boeckling was united in marriage to Miss Linnie E. Dutton, a daughter of David S. and Mantha (Ingersoll) Dutton, of Buchanan, Michigan. They have one son, John Dutton. The parents are mem¬ bers of the Episcopal church, take an active part in its work, and Mr. Boeckling is serving as a vestryman. Fraternally he is connected with Acme Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M. ; Washington Lodge No. 04, K. P. ; and the Royal Arcanum. His political allegiance is given to the Demo¬ cracy. Mr. Boeckling represents the Creditors Commercial Report in Michigan City, which em¬ braces a plan for protecting the retail merchants, and of this plan he is the originator. He is a manufacturer and sole owner of the "Gem Sinker" for fishing, which is claimed to be su¬ perior to any other. He is also the father of the stone-roads movement for the building of stone roads through the county, in connection with H.

O. Weller, who circulated the first petition to call for an election to consider the proposed road building. Taking an active interest in everything pertaining to public progress and improvement, his efforts have been helpful along such lines. In business, too, he has made steady advancement, pursuing his work undeterred by obstacles and difficulties, and achieving a prosperity of which he has reason to be proud because of the hon¬ orable methods which form its basic element.

HON. GEORGE W. ROGERS. It augurs well for LaPorte county, its opportunities and ad¬ vantages, that so many of her native sons have remained residents of this part of the state, and among these is numbered George W. Rogers, who is to-day one of the most prominent and influential men of his community. He was bom on the 10th of May, 1844, on the farm in Scipio township where he now lives, and throughout life he has been actively identified with interests of this locality.

His father, Aquilla W. Rogers, was bom in Bracken county, Kentucky, January 26, 1798, and made farming his principal occupation throughout life. During his infancy he accom¬ panied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where he resided until thirteen years of age. During the war of 1812 the family removed to Jackson county, Indiana, and three years later to Clark county, this state, where he took a con¬ tract to carry the mail on horseback, it requir¬ ing from ten to fourteen days to make one trip, the route was a long one and there were only bridle paths to follow, no roads having been laid out. In 1826 he removed to Monroe county, and eight years later came to LaPorte county, lo¬ cating on the farm where G. W. Rogers lives. Here he continued to engage in agricultural pur¬ suits until called to his final rest, on the 26th of January, 1872.

On the 29th of May, 1821, Aquilla W. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Arnold, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, January 11, 1803, and died February 26, 1864. They had eleven children, of whom Mr. Rogers is the tenth in order of birth and now the only survivor. The others were as follows : Napoleon B., born April 9, 1822, died July 4, 1837 ; Henry, born February 18, 1824, died March 16, 1824; Ephraim Arnold, bom April 16, 1825, died in March, 1900; Benjamin F., born November 18, 1827, died October 19, 1849; Mary E., bom January 25, 1830, died October 19, 1875; John W., bom December 19, 1832, died August 25*

During his boyhood and youth George W. Rogers attended the district schools of his na¬ tive township, and completed his education in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. He never left the parental roof, and now owns and operates the old home farm, which is a very de¬ sirable place, well improved and under excellent cultivation. He is a practical and systematic farmer and is meeting with good success in his place.

On the 26th of January, 1870, at the old homestead, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rogers and Miss Louisa B. White, who was born on her father's farm on section 21, Scipio township, March 30, 1850. Her parents are Robert and Mary Ann (Traverse) White, who were married in Scipio township, August 23, 1836, and are to-day the oldest couple who were married in this county. Her father was born June 28, 1817, in Ohio county, Indiana, and her mother's birth occurred in Washington, D. C., November 13, 1815. They are earnest, consistent Christian people and are held in the highest re¬ gard by all who know them. Their children are William, born August n, 1837; Margaret, born April 12, 1839; Elizabeth, born June 11, 1841; Sarah, born November 27, 1843; George, who was bom in 1847, and died in infancy; Louisa B., wife of Mr. Rogers; Ella, who was born February 26, 1856, and died in 1875 J and Peter» who died in infancy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were born seven children; Ralph, who was born February 17, 1872, died August 8, 1872; Ella, who was bom June 15, 1873, died May 27, 1886; Nannie, who was born February 25, 1875, died at the age of fourteen months ; a twin of Nannie, who died in infancy; Grace, who was born January 8, 1878, and died November 1, 1887; Indiana, who was born September 2, 1882, and died March 28, 1896; and Andrew Jackson, who was born September 26, 1885, and died Sept-ember n, 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers hold membership in the Methodist church at Door Village, and are among the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of their community. Since attaining his majority Mr. Rogers has affiliated with the Democratic party, and his fellow citizens, re¬ cognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to fill several official positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he has most capably and conscientiously discharged. For six years he served as county commissioner, and in 1896 was elected to the state senate. He has been president one year, and secretary of the Old Set¬ tlers' Association at different times. It is seldom the case that a couple of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, age have been bom and reared and have lived in one township and never changed their place of abode.

EDWIN J. BOWER. In this enlightened age when men of industry and perseverance are steadily pushing their way to the front, advance¬ ment is not easily secured save through merit and capability. This is especially true in the legal profession, where wealth and influence avail little or naught, but where progress is made by a thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence and through accurate application to the points in litigation. An as attorney Mr. Bower has gained a good clientage, which is an indication of his ability. He was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, December 27, 1861, his parents being Benjamin B. and Ellen L. (Henry) Bower, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the lat¬ ter of Ohio.

His father was a merchant in Millersburg, Ohio, for a number of years, and afterward re¬ moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he en¬ gaged in farming for a number of years and then removed to Noble county, Indiana, where he carried on farming until a short time prior to his death, when he returned to DeKalb county. To him and his wife were born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom eight are now living, as follows : James B., of Fairfield Center, Indiana; Henry C., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Chalmers L., a farmer near Kendallville, Indiana ; Francis B., also a farmer near Kendallville ; Alonzo B., of DeKalb county, In¬ diana ; Edwin J. ; Rebecca J., the widow of Dr. Mercer, of Montpelier, Ohio; and Wilhelmina, the widow of John Bair, of Fairfield Center, In¬ diana. The father passed away in 1900, at the age of eighty-nine years, and the mother died in 1902, at the age of eightv-one years. They were consistent Christian people, holding merbership in the Presbyterian church.

Upon the home farm in DeKalb county, In¬ diana, Edwin J. Bower spent his boyhood days, and was early trained to habits of industry, econ¬ omy and integrity. He assisted in the operation of the home farm when not attending school. His early education was acquirecl in the district schools, and later he attended the public schools of Noble county, Indiana. On the completion of his literary course he took up the study of law in Anderson, Indiana, and later was a law stu¬ dent at Bluffton, Indiana. In 1896 he was ad¬ mitted to the bar at LaPorte, and opened an office in Wanatah, where he continued in prac¬ tice for two years, after which he came to Mich¬ igan City, where he has now been located for five years and has obtained a good clientage.

On the 14th of February, 1888, Mr. Bower was married to Miss Julia L. Hall, a daughter of Edward J. and Atlanta Hall, of Noble county, Indiana. The family reside at 116 Cedar street. Mr. Bowers belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 94, K. P. and in politics is an earnest advocate of Republican principles. For one term he served as city commissioner of Michigan City. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are favorably known here. He en¬ tered upon his professional career well equipped for the duties of the calling, and his ambition supplementing his careful preparation has en¬ abled him to steadily advance until he is now one of the successful practitioners in Michigan City.

EDWARD J. CHURCH, D. D. S. The an¬ cestry of the Church family, both lineal and collateral, has been distinctively American through many generations. The founder of the family in this country came from England in 1636 and settled in Connecticut. Captain Church was prominent in King Philip's war, and another representative of the name was a participant in the capture of Louisburg from the French. Israel Merwin, an uncle of Dr. Church's paternal grandmother, was an ensign in the Continental army during the Revolution, and was killed at the battle of Hubbardton, July, 7, 1777, aged twenty-eight years.

Edwin Church, the father of Dr. Edward J. Church, was a native of Connecticut, and when a young man, at the solicitation of an uncle who had moved to Canada after the war of 1812, he went to Prescott, Canada, and became a clerk in his uncle's store. He later bought out the business and conducted it for a number of years. He removed from Canada to Ypsilanti, Michi¬ gan, and some years later lived in Mishawaka, Indiana, and in Fulton, Illinois. He was one of the first daguerreotypists in the United States, and did that work many years in Louisville, Memphis, Vicksburg, New Orleans and New York. In later life he studied dentistry at Louis¬ ville, Kentucky, and in 1874, when his son Ed¬ ward was elected auditor of. LaPorte county, he came to Michigan City, Indiana, to take charge of the latter's practice here. He died in Michi¬ gan City, December 22, 1876. His wife was Miss Anna M. Jessup, whose parents migrated from New York at the breaking out of the Revo¬ lution, and settled in Canada.

Dr. Edward J. Church was bom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, August 26, 1835, and the various re¬ movals of his parents through Michigan, Indiana and Illinois were made during his childhood. His education did not begin until his seventh year, when his mother took him to Prescott, Canada, and placed him in a school there. While a boy he formed the determination to become a dentist, and carried out that resolve as soon as possible. He began his preparation under Dr. S. S. Blodgett, now deceased, of Ogdensburg, New York. At the age of twenty-five he came to Joliet, Illinois, and formed a partnership with Dr. A. C. Allen. He remained there only a short time, and in January, 1861, located in Michigan City, Indiana, where he practiced his profession until 1874, when, as mentioned above, he was elected auditor of LaPorte county and re¬ moved to the county seat. He was re-elected to the same office in 1878. On retiring from of¬ fice he attended lectures on dentistry in Indian¬ apolis, and remained there some time in prepara¬ tion for resuming practice. In 1883 he opened up his office in LaPorte, and has been one of the popular dentists of that city to the present time.

In 1863 Dr. Church was married in Michi¬ gan City to Miss Elizabeth R. Johnson, an adopted daughter of Mrs. George Ames, of that city. She was born at Port Elizabeth, South Africa, of English parentage, and by her mar¬ riage has become the mother of four children: Lillie, dying in infancy ; Henry Walker, division engineer of the Chicago Great Western Railway, with headquarters at St. Paul, Minnesota ; I^ottie. the wife of George Hummell, southern manager for the American Cigar Company, living at Savannah, Georgia ; and Anna Clarendon, at home.

While a resident of Michigan City Dr. Church was city clerk for several years, and has been a member of the board of education in La¬ Porte, where he has been valuable in promoting the interests of education. He is a prominent

Mason, having attained to the thirty-second de¬ gree of the Scottish Rite. His life has always been actuated by honorable principles in his re¬ lations with his fellow men.

THOMAS H. BOYD. History to-day is not an account of war and conquest but of business activity and enterprise, and the men who stand highest in public regard are those who success¬ fully and honorably control important business interests. For eighteen years Mr. Boyd has been a well known druggist of LaPorte, and before engaging in business on his own account was connected with the same line of trade as an em¬ ploye. His long experience has made him well qualified, and his energy and straightforward dealing well entitle him to the liberal patronage accorded him.

A native son of Indiana, Thomas H. Boyd was born in Fort Wayne, in 1844, his parents being the Rev. George M. and Silas Ann (Kiblinger) Boyd. The family is of Scotch-Irish an¬ cestry, and representatives of the name removed from Pennsylvania to Indiana. Rev. Boyd was a native of Lewis county, Kentucky, and at the age of eighteen years entered the ministry of the Methodist church and preached continuously for fifty-four years. At an early age he came to In¬ diana, and was one of the distinguished pioneer ministers of this state. For many years he was a circuit rider, carrying the gospel into backwoods communities which in those days were far removed from intellectual centers. He preached in LaPorte county in 1836, and was one of the organizers of the northwest Indiana conference. He was also the first presiding elder of the Fort Wayne district, and later was presiding elder of the LaPorte district. A man of great power and influence, he left the impress of his indi¬ viduality upon the early moral development of the state, and in later years, when the state was more thickly settled, he was called to a' number of important ministerial charges, among them be¬ ing Fort Wayne, LaPorte, Lafayette, Terre Haute, Greencastle and South Bend, Indiana. He was a contributor to Methodist publications, and was a man of broad and varied usefulness. He served longer as a preacher than any other member of the Northwestern Indiana conference, and was superannuated for only one year before his death, and that by reason of losing, his voice. He passed away at Valparaiso, in 1892, at the age of seventy-six years, ofter a continuous ministry of fifty-four years, during which time he accom¬ plished great good in behalf of the church. He was revered throughout the community, and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him and who profited by his teachings. His wife, who was born in Ohio, died when her son Thomas was but three years of age.

Thomas H. Boyd was reared amid the chang¬ ing scenes induced by the system of Methodist itinerancy, and in his boyhood and youth lived at different times in Lafayette, Terre Haute, Greencastle, South Bend, Fort Wayne and in other places where his father acted as pastor of Methodist churches. In 1862, at the age of sev¬ enteen years, he enlisted at Terre Haute, in. Troop E, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, for three years' service, and served with the Army of the West in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. On the 29th of August, 1862, fourteen days after his en¬ listment, he participated in the battle of Rich¬ mond, Kentucky, where he was wounded and captured. He was held prisoner for four days, and was then paroled and sent to the parole camp at Terre Haute, where he remained until ex¬ changed. He then returned to the front and was engaged in the Atlanta campaign. From At¬ lanta he was sent back to Tennessee, where he participated in the hard-fought battle of Frank¬ lin, and later was in the engagements at Nash¬ ville and Pulaski, Tennessee, remaining in that part of the country until discharged at the close of his three years' term of service. He then re¬ turned to his home with a most creditable mili¬ tary record, having seen active and arduous ser¬ vice on many a battlefield.

In 1865 Mr. Boyd came to LaPorte, where he has made his home almost continuously since. He became a clerk in the well known old-time drug store of Dr. L. C. Rose & Company, and, having excellent tutelage, became a first-class pharmacist. For sixteen years he was with Dr. Rose, and then conducted a store of his own at Union Mills for four years, after which he re¬ turned to LaPorte and established his present business, which has had a continuous existence of over eighteen years. He is a very popular drug¬ gist, and on account of his excellent personal qualities, his honorable business methods and the fine line of goods carried, the Boyd drug store has a trade which perhaps no one else could equal.

In LaPorte county, in 1867, Mr. Boyd mar¬ ried Miss Jennie P. Allen, who was born and reared in this county, a daughter of James M. Allen, a well known and prominent pioneer. Two sons have been born of this union: Allen L., a prominent young business man, now man¬ ager of the Wilson Lumber Company, which was founded in 1854; and George Homer, who is in school in LaPorte. Fraternally Mr. Boyd is connected with the Grand Army of the Repub¬ lic, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. He also belongs to the Business Men's Club, and is interested and active in support of all measures for the welfare and substantial improvement of the city. He holds membership in the First Methodist church, and is the president of its board of trustees. The city which has so long been his home is very dear to him, and he gives of his time and means for its advancement and progress along material, social, intellectual and moral lines.

ANDREW J. REHM, a prominent and in¬ fluential citizen of Clinton township, taking an active part in public affairs, is one of LaPorte county's native sons, his birth having occurred in New Durham township, on the 5th of April, 1865. His father, John Rehm, was born in Germany, February 14, 1833, and in early life came to the United States, in 1847, taking up his residence in this county, where he was married February 15, 1855, to Miss Mercy Ann Aker, who was born in Herkimer county, New York, December 12, 1830. Six children blessed this union, namely: Henry F., born July 19, 1856; Mary Elizabeth, who was born October 30, 1857, and died in May, 1887; Emma Catharine, who was born August 25, i860, and died in 1889; Joseph William, born December 25, 1862; An¬ drew J. ; and John Wesley, bom March 22, 1868.

Andrew J. Rehm was reared in his native -township, and acquired a good practical educa¬ tion in its district schools. After starting out in life for himself he was engaged in the hard¬ ware business for two years in Westville, and later turned his attention to the butchering busi¬ ness, which he followed for five years. Since then he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, operating the farm where he now re¬ sides.

On the 20th of December, 1893, in Door Village, Mr. Rehm married Miss Martha Frances Phillips, who was born in Clinton township, January 29, 1867, a daughter of William Phillips of that township. They began their domestic life in Westville, where they resided until 1900, and then removed to their present farm.

Socially, Mr. Rehm is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Westville, No. 309, and politically, is identified with the Democ¬ racy, voting first for Cleveland. On his party ticket he was elected trustee of Clinton town¬ ship in 1900, and is still filling that office in a creditable and acceptable manner. He has ever taken a cpmmendable interest in public affairs, and does all iff his power to promote the general welfare.

CHARLES H. VORHES. To attain per¬ fection in his chosen field of labor has ever been the goal before Charles H. Vorhes, and this laud¬ able ambition has been the key to his success, making him well qualified to hold the numerous responsible positions which he has filled in con¬ nection with extensive carriage manufactories throughout the country. He is now the super¬ intendent with the LaPorte Carriage Company, and is a leading representative of industrial in¬ terests in this city.

Charles H. Vorhes was bom in Oakland county, Michigan, near Detroit, in 1852, a son of Frederick C. and Susan (Matthews) Vorhes. His paternal grandfather was William Vorhes, who died in 1886. The father was born in Dansville, New York, in 1825, and was of Holland Dutch ancestry. When eleven years of age he came to the west with his parents, who settled near Detroit, which was little but a fort and a trading post. Frederick C. Vorhes learned the blacksmith's trade and was a very fine mechanic. He had three brothers who learned the woodworker's trade, the mechanical tendency in the family being strongly developed. In later life he ceased to follow his trade and became a farmer in Oakland county. His last days were spent in the home of his son Charles in LaPorte, where he died August 10, 1902. His wife, who was born in Oakland county, is still living, her home being with Mr. Vorhes in LaPorte. She is a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Michigan, her brother, Colonel Matthews, being especially eminent. He was colonel of the Fifth Michigan Infantry in the Civil war : was post¬ master of Pontiac, Michigan, for a number of years; was sheriff of Oakland county; and was United States marshal for the southern district of Michigan for two terms.

In the public schools Charles H. Vorhes mas¬ tered the common branches of learning, and later served an apprenticeship under his uncle. James Vorhes, a blacksmith and carriage-maker at Rochester, Michigan. From the beginning he was ambitious to succeed, realizing that there is alwavs room at the top even if the lower walks of a business seem crowded. He resolved to earn for himself a good position in the industrial world, and with this worthy determination as a foundation for advancement he diligently ap¬ plied himself to the. mastery of his duties and labors. After completing his apprenticeship he conducted a shop of his own in Rochester for about five years, beginning in 1871, and then carrying out a desire to gain a more thorough knowledge of carriage-making, he went to De¬ troit, where he was employed in a carriage factory for two years. He then entered the Studebaker works at South Bend, Indiana, where he worked for a few months and then decided to go east, where he entered the employ of Browm & Pray, carriage manufacturers at Thirty-ninth and Broadway, New York, and subsequently he went to New Haven, Connecticut, where he was in the employ of Henry Killam Company, and Holcomb Brothers & Company, manufacturers of fine carriages. In 1883 went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to accept the position of foreman in the carriage works of Glesenkamp & Sons, remaining there until 1886, when he returned to New Haven to accept th$ appointment of super¬ intendent of the Holcomb factory. During all this time he had been earning his promotion through earnest labor and skill, constant study and application increasing his efficiency, which won the recognition of those active in the busi¬ ness of carriage manufacturing. Ke became an expert mechanical draftsman, studying under professional draftsmen, and his artistic sense en¬ abled him to become highly successful in orig¬ inating and making drawings for new designs of carriages. He remained as superintendent in the Holcomb factory until 1891, and in March of that year, upon resigning his position there, he was presented by the body-makers under his charge, with a pair of fine marine glassess and an engrossed testimonial of their high regard for him.

Leaving New Haven Mr. Vorhes returned to the west and accepted the position of superin¬ tendent with C. R. & J. C. Wilson and in 1892 went with the Michigan Buggy Company at Kal¬ amazoo. His skill and judgment were such that he was selected by that company to design and prepare its exhibits of carriages for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. He was with that company for nearly four years, a portion of which was spent upon the road in charge of their southern sales. In 1896 he came to LaPorte to take the superintendency of the works of the LaPorte Carriage Company, which position he has since filled. Beside having charge of the entire construction departments, the designs and drawings are all made under his direction, his broad experience in both lines well qualify him for the very important position which he is now so creditably filling. He is working in the most harmonious relations with the management and also with the employes, and the result is that the works of the LaPorte Car¬ riage Company constitute an ideal industrial establishment. The carriages made here are ev¬ erywhere recognized as being of the highest es¬ tablished grade. Mr. Vorhes has always worked on the theory that carriage building is an art, and that there is room for the really proficient workman. He began at the bench, steadily ad¬ vanced upward, and in some of the largest car¬ riage factories of the country has been recognized as an expert, his broad experience and skill mak¬ ing his services extremely valuable.

Mr. Vorhes had five children: Mrs. Maud Rusch, Anna, Frank, Freeda and Bernice. He finds his chief source of recreation and pleasure in driving, and owns some fine specimens of driv¬ ing horses. In social life he is genial and com¬ panionable, and even in his business relations these qualities are manifest as far as is compatiable with system, care and accuracy in the conduct of the establishment with which he is connected.

PHINEAS O. SMALL, who for two terms served as sheriff of LaPorte county and is now living in the city of LaPorte, was born in Clinton township, this county, May 25, 1858. His father, Phineas Small, Sr., was one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state, locating here at an early day when the work of improve¬ ment and progress had scarcely been begun. Other of the pioneers were Jonathan Osborn, Gideon Long, Benjamin T. Bryant, John Rey¬ nolds, James Haskill, David Robertson and John Clark. Phineas Small, Sr., was born in Con¬ necticut in the year 1807, and emigrating west¬ ward in 1834 he took up a claim on section 17, Clinton township, LaPorte county, which was then a part of New Durham, now Clinton, town¬ ship. He turned the first furrows upon his land and began the development of a farm, which in course of time became a well cultivated and highly improved property. Thereon he spent his' remaining days and reared his family of eight children. It was upon this farm that the subject of this sketch was born, and the property has never been out of possession of the family, being now owned by Phineas O. Small. The The father bore his part in the work of early progress and improvement here, and the family shared in the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. As the years passed he prospered, and he died in comfortable circumstances upon the old family homestead, July 28, 1887, when eighty years of age. In early manhood he wedded Miss Mary Penney, a native of Ohio, and she survived him for a number of years, passing away November 8, 1900.

In . the usual manner of farmer lads Phineas O. Small was reared. He attended the district schools. After attaining his majority he con¬ tinued to reside upon the old homestead and car¬ ried on agricultural pursuits until 1894, when he was nominated and elected on the Republican ticket to the office of sheriff, in which he served for two years. On the expiration of that time he returned to the farm, but in 1900 was again nominated and was one of the few Republicans elected in the county that year. At the end of his second term he once more retired from office with the confidence and good will of the punlic, and, deciding to remain in LaPorte, he turned his attention to the livery business, forming a partnership with Mr. Wells under the firm name of Small & Wells.

In 1893 occurred the marriage of Mr. Small and Miss Louise Shultz, of Michigan City. He is a prominent secret society man and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees.

CHARLES F. WELLS, of Wellsboro, Indi¬ ana, is now living a retired life in the enjoy¬ ment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves by reason of his industrious ef¬ forts of former years. Accomplishment and progress ever imply labor, energy and diligence, and it was those qualities which enable^ Mr. Wells to rise from the ranks of the many and stand among the successful few.

Mr. Wells was born November 9, 1839, on the old family homestead in Noble township, where Wellsboro now stands, and he is a worthy - representative of an old and honored family which was founded in the new world in 1634 by two brothers, who came from England with a shipload of people and joined the colony that located at West Hartford, Connecticut. One was a bachelor, but the other was a married man. The latter was a very prominent and influential man in his community and was appointed the first lieutenant governor of Connecticut by the King of England and later became the second governor of the colony. To this same family belonged Gideon Wells, who was secretary of the navy under President Lincoln, and Mr. Wells is a second cousin of Henry Wells, of the Wells- Fargo Express Company. The latter's father was twice married, having four children by the first union, of whom Henry was one, and sixteen by the second, making a family of twenty.

Theodore H. Wells, the father of Charles F. Wells, was bom in 1801, in West Hartford, Connecticut, and at an early day came to Indiana, where he made his home throughout the re¬ mainder of his life, dying in LaPorte county, in 1842. By occupation he was a farmer. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane A Weed, was bom in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1806, and died in 1863. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Theodore H. Wells, on another page of this volume.

During his minority the life of Charles F. Wells was rather an uneventful one, his time being passed upon the home farm and in the schoolroom. He received a good practical edu¬ cation at Union Mills and LaPorte, and laid aside his text books in 1859, to assume the more arduous duties of business life. He and his brother Theodore bought the old homestead, con¬ sisting of two hundred and seventy-six acres, from the other heirs, and in twelve years they had it all paid for with the crops they had raised upon the place. In 1871 the property was divided but when Mr. Wells went west he left his portion in care of his brother. Going to Colorado, he worked in the silver mines and dealt in mining property for twenty years, and was gone ten years before making his first visit home. In 1874 his brother platted the town of Wellsboro upon Charles' farm, and when the latter arrived home in 1883 he found three railroads crossing his land, these being the Grand Trunk, Baltimore & Ohio and the Pere Marquette. In 1893 Mr. Wells left Colorado and has since practically lived retired upon his farm in Noble township, this county, where his early life was passed. He is held in the highest esteem by all who know him, and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends.

JOHN and EDWARD JULIUS LONN. In this age of colossal enterprise and marked in¬ tellectual energy the prominent and successful men are those whose abilities, persistence and courage lead them into larger undertakings and to assume the responsibilities and labors of lead¬ ers in their respective vocations. The extensive business interests of LaPorte place these gentle¬ men among the leaders in industrial circles, and they have achieved that success which is the logical result of enterprise, systematic effort, resolute purpose and straightforward methods. There are no other qualities absolutely essential to development, and upon the ladder of his own building John Lonn has climbed to prominence and prosperity.

John Lonn, the senior member of the firm, was bom in Jonkoping, Sweden, in 1835, and in i860, when twenty-three years of age, he came to the United States, making his way at once to LaPorte, Indiana. Ere leaving the land of his birth he had learned the tanner's trade, and on his arrival in this city secured the position of su¬ perintendent in the old Eliel tannery, while later he operated for two years his own tannery. After selling his tannery Mr. Lonn embarked in the wholesale hide, fur and wool business on his own account, and in 1871 founded the Lonn store at 921 Main street, where it has remained con¬ tinuously for over thirty years. The wholesale manufacturing business was inaugurated in 1883, this being a direct outgrowth of the retail store, and a few years later, in 1889, the Lonn block, a substantial brick structure covering half a block on Main street, was erected, in which the retail store is located. The business is conducted tinder the firm name of John Lonn & Sons, the officers of the company being as follows: John Lonn, president; Charles Lonn, vice president; J. William Lonn, treasurer; and Edward Julius Lonn, secretary. This is one of LaPorte's most important industries, and they manufacture har¬ ness for the wholesale trade, their output being from twelve to fifteen thousand sets a year.

Besides being a "captain of industry," John Lonn has also contributed largely to the religious growth of the city, having been one of the few Swedish residents who succeeded in establishing the Swedish Lutheran church of this city in i860, when a few faithful followers banded together to guarantee the expenses of maintaining a min¬ ister, and he has served as treasurer of the or¬ ganization for thirty-one years and has been one of its most liberal supporters. It will also be remembered that he was prominent among those who made the payment for the church's pipe organ, and in numerous ways has proved him¬ self a stanch friends and earnest supporter of the organization. In his political affiliations Mr. Lonn is a zealous Republican, active in the work of the party, and labors earnestly for the adoption of the principles which he believes will best ad¬ vance good government. He has served as a member of the city board of aldermen, and is a valuable, enterprising citizen, greatly esteemed throughout the community. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nellie Parmbla, was called to the home beyond in 1896, her parents, who were among the first settlers of LaPorte, sur¬ viving her, their demise having occurred since that time. Her father, Peter Parmbla, lived in LaPorte for more than fifty years, and when he came here there were less than one hundred fam¬ ilies living in LaPorte.

Edward Julius Lonn, the eldest son of John and Nellie Lonn, and the junior member of the firm, is a native son of this city, his birth having occurred here in 1869, and to its public school sytem he is indebted for the educational advantages which he received in his youth. At an early age he became identified with his fa¬ ther's business, soon acquiring an interest there¬ in, and father and son have ever since been closely related in their business interests. In 1897 John Lonn & Sons established a bicycle factory in La¬ Porte, of which E. J. Lonn was made manager, and two years later, in 1899, he succeeded in or¬ ganizing here the Great Western Manufacturing Company, a large bicycle concern which absorbed the Lonn plant and the bicycle factories of the Adams & Westlake Company and the David Bradley Manufacturing Company - the two lat¬ ter being Chicago concerns. These were re¬ moved to LaPorte, and the plant as it now stands represents the consolidation of the three com¬ panies, large new buildings being erected here. The officers of the Great Western Manufactur¬ ing Company are as follows: F. B. Jones, of Chicago, president; J. H. Bradley, also of Chi¬ cago, vice president ; and E. J. Lonn, of LaPorte, secretary and general manager. During the past ten months the output of these works has been thirty thousand machines, their pay roll amount¬ ing to fifty thousand dollars a year, and this is now the largest independent bicycle concert) in the United States, their principal makes being the Adlake and Crown. In these two industries employment is given to two hundred men, which is an indication of their importance to the city of LaPorte. '

The marriage of Edward J. Lonn was cele¬ brated in 1891, when Miss Jennie Miller became his wife, and they have two children, - Julius Miller and Earl Wendell. In his fraternal rela¬ tions Mr. Lonn is a member *of the Benevolent

Thus it will be seen that John and Edward J. Lonn are numbered among the leading repre¬ sentatives of the industrial interests of this sec¬ tion of the state, and belong to that class who, while promoting individual prosperity, also ad¬ vance the general welfare. The life of John Lonn has been characterized by industry, deter¬ mination and ambition, qualities which have en¬ abled him to overcome the difficulties and ob¬ stacles in his path and work his way steadily up¬ ward to the plane of affluence. To-day he ranks among the leading citizens of LaPorte county, and his creditable life work has won him the re¬ spect and commendation of all who are familiar with his history.

J. H. WILLIAM MEYER, M. D. Much of the civilization of the world has come from the Teutonic race. Continually moving westward, they have taken with them the enterprise and* ad¬ vancement of their eastern homes, and have be¬ come valued and useful citizens of various lo¬ calities. In this country especially they have demonstrated their power to adapt themselves to new circumstances, retaining at the same time their progressiveness and energy, and have be¬ come loyal and devoted citizens, true to the in¬ stitutions of "the land of the free" and untiring in promotion of all that will prove of benefit to their adopted country. The German element in America forms an important part of American citizenship, and its representatives have given evidence of their power to become the factors in various communities to whom the locality owes its progress and prosperity.

A worthy representative of this class is Dr. J. H. William Meyer, now a successful physician and surgeon of LaPorte. He was born at Buer, near Bremen, Germany, in 1853, and is a son of Fritz W. and Marie (Landwehr) Meyer, both of whom were natives of Buer, which is the an¬ cestral home of the family. The father belonged to one of the prominent old feudal families there, and lived on the family estate up to the time of his marriage, when he took up his abode in the village, and there engaged in the dry-goods busi¬ ness, remaining a merchant there throughout the rest of his days. He died in 1900, but his widow is still living in Buer.

with his brother, Otto Meyer. They located in LaPorte, July 5, 1871, and secured positions in mercantile houses. After continuing in business here for some years, Otto Meyer removed to Clinton, Iowa, where he is now a prominent drygoods merchant. Dr. Meyer first worked as a salesman for Guggenheim, Wile & Fox, a prom¬ inent dry-goods firm of that day, owning the largest store in LaPorte. After three years he left their employ and entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Thompkins Higday, then a successful practicing physician here, who was his preceptor until 1876. He en¬ tered the Rush Medical College of Chicago, in which he was graduated with the class of 1876. He then received an appointment as interne in the Cook County Hospital, in which capacity he served during the years 1876 and 1877, and while thus engaged he took up the study of the diseases of the eye and ear as a specialty and was awarded a diploma by the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary. In 1877 he returned to LaPorte, where he has since engaged in the practice of medicine, and his broad reading, continued study and skill made him the equal of any member of the profession in this part of the state, and the superior of a large majority of practitioners.

_ In 1886 he returned to his native land and studied for a time at Heidelberg under Professor Czerny, and renowned surgeon, to whom Dr. Meyer became a special assistant. He also pur¬ sued a course under Professor Becker, noted as an eye and ear specialist. From Heidelberg he went to Vienna, where he continued his studies along the line of his specialty under Professor Koenigstein. Returning to LaPorte he resumed the practice of his profession after more than a year's absence in Europe, during which time he had gained a comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of many of the world's distin¬ guished physicians and surgeons.

He engages in the general practice, but has gained his greatest success as a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye and ear and de¬ serves to be ranked among the best in this line in all the central west. He now lectures on the anatomy and diseases of the eye in the Practical School of Watchmaking, in LaPorte, to the stu¬ dents who are preparing to become opticians. He is the local surgeon for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and in addition has a very large private practice, which is indicative of the confidence reposed in him by the public, who recognize his marked capability. He is now the honored president of the LaPorte County

In Chicago, in 1876, was celebrated the mar¬ riage of Dr. Meyer and Miss Eva M. Warren, a niece of his first preceptor, Dr. Higday. They have five children living: Frank Roy Otto, Marie, Warren, Walter and Rose. Their eldest chil¬ dren, Mathilde and Frederick William, are de¬ ceased. Socially the Doctor is connected with the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and is a charter member of the local lodge of Elks. He is very popular as a man and citizen as well as a physician, and he has many friends.

PHILIP ZORN is the president of the Zorn Brewing Company of Michigan City. He was born in the city of Wurzburg, Germany, Febru¬ ary 21, 1837, his parents being Philip and Mar¬ garet Zorn, who were also natives of that coun¬ try. His paternal grandfather was Adam Zorn, who died in the fatherland when well advanced in years. He was a farmer by occupation, and in his family were eleven children, three sons and ei^ht daughters. The maternal grandfather also died in Germany, passing away at the age of seventy-two years. He had Iwo children. Philip Zorn, Sr., the father, was a brewer by oc¬ cupation and followed that business in Germany until his death, which occurred in 1849, when he was forty-one years of age. His wife survived him until 1879, and passed away at the age of sixtv-eight years. Both were Lutherans in reli¬ gious faith. Their children, ten in number, were three sons and seven daughters, and of these only four are now living: Philip; Maria, the wife of a Mr. Drazak, of Germany; Barbetta, the wife of John Wuttig, of Idaho Springs, Col¬ orado ; Margaretta, the wife of John Hubner, of Chicago.

Mr. Philip Zorn resided in Germany until seventeen years of age, and in accordance with the laws of his native land pursued his education in the public schools, and afterward attended the agricultural college at Nurnberg. In 1854, when a young man of seventeen, he sailed for the new M^orld, and for a year resided in New York city. He then made his way westward, establishing his home in Blue Island. Cook county, Illinois, where he resided until 1871, and there he was master of a brewery. Coming then to Michigan City, he built a brewery here, which he is still operating, and in 1903 he erected a brew house. For a number of years he was alone in business, but afterward associated his two sons, Charles and Robert, with him, and the Zorn Brewing Company was organized. They now employ about twenty people and manufacture a product which finds a good sale upon the market because of its excellence.

In October, 1856, occurred the marriage of Mr. Zorn and Miss Sophia Miller, a daughter of Christian Miller. They became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters: Charles, who is associated with his father in business; Amelia; Sophia; Leonhart, who died at the age of two years ; Robert, who is with his father in business ; Herman, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Louisa. Mrs. Zorn died in March, 1897, at the age of fifty-eight years. She was a member of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Zorn also adheres, having been reared in that faith. He belongs to Germania Lodge No. 182, F. & A. M., and formerly was connected wtih the German Singing Society, the Turner Society, and the Sharpshooter's Society.

His political adherence is given to the Democ¬ racy, and he served as a member of the city council of Michigan City for one term and was also school trustee and commissioner of highways in Blue Island, Illinois. His attention has not been confined entirely to the brewing business, for he has become financially interested in other enterprises, and is now the first vice president of the Citizens' Bank. He came here a poor young man, and was dependent entirely upon his own labors and business capacity for a living. Gradu¬ ally he has worked his way upward, and he stands to-day as one of the successful men whose life records are an indication of what can be accom¬ plished in this country through persistent and untiring energy when guided by sound judgment.

CHARLES E. RUSSELL. The name of Russell has been associated with the development of the great oil industry almost since the first discovery of petroleum in this country, and Charles E. Russell is now operating along these lines as one of the leading representatives of the business in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and Kansas as an oil territory. A man of splendid business ability, resourceful and energetic, he has directed his energies along lines where discriminating judgment has led the way, and to-day he ranks among the successful representatives of an industry which has largely revolutionized trade interests in this country.

to an old New England family founded in Amer¬ ican at an early period in the colonization of the country. He was one of the original oil opera¬ tors in Pennsylvania, and was connected with the first great oil discovery and excitement at Pit Hole in that state. For a long number of years he has been more or less closely connected with the oil business and for a considerable period he was also actively interested in railroad con¬ struction in the north central states. He now makes his home in Cleveland, Ohio. He mar¬ ried Elizabeth Lockard, whose people were among the first settlers of Columbiana county, Ohio, her father a native of Ireland, locating there in pioneer days.

Mr. Russell obtained the greater part of his mental training in the public schools of East Saginaw, Michigan, where his parents were lo¬ cated for several years. When still a boy he be¬ came deeply interested in railroading, and his taste in this direction determined his first step in a business career. He became a locomotive fireman on the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad in Michigan, and later he was for a number of years in the locomotive department of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, being thus engaged until 1882, when he engaged in the oil business, in which he has since con¬ tinued. He is the owner and developer of oil wells and oil lands in Indiana, Ohio, West Vir¬ ginia and Pennsylvania, and is associated in these operations with his brother, William L. Russell, of Linia, Ohio. The Russells have al¬ ways been highly successful in this business, and are among the prominent operators of this coun¬ try. They have studied the question of oil pro¬ duction and the indications showing oil lands until their knowledge is comprehensive and exact, and their judgment is rarely, if ever, at fault upon questions relative to oil and the devel¬ opment of wells.