St. Joseph County, Indiana - Chapter 20: Acthoes and Selections, 1880

Chapter 20: Acthoes and Selections

Mrs. Flora L. Stanfield was born in Cleveland, Ohio, October, 1848. She is the daughter of T. G. and Laura O. Turner, both of whom were possessed of literary talents of no mean order, sketches of whom are given elsewhere. Mrs. Stanfield began to contribute to the local papers printed in the vicinity of her home when but twelve years of age, her contributions creating no little interest. Soon her articles found their way into the columns of the New York Independent, and other papers of that character. In 1870 she was married in South Bend, to Howard Stanfield, son of Judge Stanfield, of that place. Mrs. Stanfield has usually contributed under the nom de ^??^me of "Malcolm Duncan," though some of her best contributions have appeared over her own signature. In all matters pertaining to literature and art, Mrs. Stanfield has taken great interest. She was cliiefly instrumental in forming the "Pleiades Club," as well as the "Women's Literary Club," of South' Bend. The following poem was written by Mrs. Stanfield when but thirteen years of age, and gave token of the more mature thoughts and genius of later years:

Five Yeaks

Wood ! wood ! wood ! wood ! Five happy years have the mountains stood, Five happy years have the seasons fled, And love is triumphant, and hate is dead ; And blessings still follovr the life so good, Who now wears the crown of motherhood, And a cradle of wood is the potent charm That keeps the heart of the household warm. And parries the thrust that would bring it harm.

Ten Years

Beaten and molded and pounded thin. Tin that has heard the breakers roar Off the rugged coast of the Cornish shore. It comes to-night with a shining face The end of a long decade to grace ; And though it is called but an humble ore It declares that it never will sorrow more. For it says, as it counts its blessings o'er. That the fates and the graces, though both combined, Could not give an honor more to its mind. Than the right to come, at the bride's request, To this happy home as on honored guest. 'Tis dark without ; ' tis bright within.

Twenty-Fivk Years

May every one of us be alive When the wedding of silver shall arrive. 'Tis silver that crosses the gypsy's palm, 'Tis sUver that acts as the beggars balm,' 'Tis a silver moon that lights the dark When the sun goes down on the weary barque And there is fillet or gem as rare To place on the brow of u matron fair As a wonderful wreath of silver hair. '

Fifty Years

Gold! gold! gold! gold! A heart of gold can never grow cold, A deed of gold can never grow old. The wedding ring is growing thin, And memories all that remain of tin. And friends are fewer and far more dear. And earth is fading and Heaven is near;' And the church bells waiting that they may toll The breaking apart of the golden bowl. And the golden gates are opening wide For the happy steps of the groom and bride. Oh ! the happiest part of the voyage long Will be when they hear the triumphant song Of Jerusalem the golden !

Oh, hard and thorny road, Oh, great and heavy load. Stay by me while you can ; For life is but a span, -And at the final mile My soul will look and smile. Some time.

Somewhere the waves are calm ; Somewhere there is a balm For all the vague unrest That trembles in my breast ; Somewhere the smile of God Will help me kiss the rod, Some time.

Oh, roses washed in dew. Oh, violets so blue. Sometime the flowers I wear Will be so very fair That you will turn as pale As lilies of the vale, Sometime.

Oh, melodies so sweet, And harmonies complete. Of you I can but tire When thinking of the choir, That with celestial sound Will compass me around. Sometime.

Oh, true and gentle friend. Whose patience knows no end, The tears are in my eyes At thoughts of Paradise, Wliere all the good of earth Will have a heavenly birth, Some time.

I do not ask to know How long before the glow Of promise and of rest Will glorify the west; To eyes upturned to heaven The vision will be given. Some time.

Miss Eleanor J. Wilson

Tlie subject of this sketch was born in Ohio, and with her parents became a resident of South Bend in 1851. Quite early in life she manifested poetical talent which found expression in the local papers of South Bend and other places. Miss Wilson was for some years a teacher in the public schools of St. Joseph county, and subsequently followed her parents to California. As a specimen of her poetical genius the following poems are given:

Iiistoey Of St. Joseph Codnty

The following poem, the author remarks, is based upon an incident in which a youth was portraying in golden colors his future career through college and tiirongh life. He was interrupted after the close of each scene by his aged friend to whom he was talking, by the simple words, "And then?"' After telling how he expected to spend his closing days - "And then?" inquired the old friend. "And then - and then" - the youth hesitatingly replied, "why, then, I suppose I shall die." " And then?" solemnly inquired tlie old

Peof. T. E. Howard

Timothy E. Howard was born near Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jan. 27, 1837. His childhood and early youth were passed in the healthful exercises of farming, with but little facilities for education till his seventeenth year, when he attended school for two terms in Ypsilanti, Michigan. At the age of eighteen he entered the

Histoky Of St. Joseph County

University ot'Michigan as a student, where he remained till he had entered upon his sophomore year, but before its termination was obliged, in consequence of sickness in the family, to return home and assi;me the responsibilities of head of the famil}', a position which he had occupied since the death of his father some years previous. In the following year, having placed the family affairs on a firm footing, so as not to require his constant superintendence, he engaged as a teacher in the public schools, in which occupation he continued for two years. On reaching his majority he was elected School Inspector, which office he filled with credit to himself and advantage to all concerned foroneyear, after which he resigned, his aspiring mind urging him to seek a higher degree of culture than it had as yet attained. Accordingly, in the spring session of 1S59, he entered Notre Dame University for the purpose of completing his collegiate studies, at the same time engaging as a teacher in the preparatory classes.

In 1862 Mr. Howard, prompted by that lofty sense of patriotism which never allows personal convenience or interest to interfere with duty, enlisted as a private in the 12th Regiment Michigan Yolunteers. On the 6th of April, at the battle of Shiloh, he received a severe bullet wound in the neck, the bullet passing close to the jugular vein and severing some of the tendons of the left arm. "He was taken to the hospital at Evansville, Indiana, where lie lay until June, when he was honorably discharged, his wound rendering him incapable for further service in the field.

After his discharge Mr. Howard returned to Notre Dame, and, as he had completed the required studies before he entered the army, received his first degree of Bachelor of Arts, and was appointed professor of rhetoric and English literature in the University. Two years later he received his second degree of Master of Arts.

Prof. Howard has always been a staunch Democrat and an ardent supporter of the principles and nominees of that party. In 1876, he was appointed chairman of the Democratic Congressional Committee. In 187S he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the same year was elected member of the Cily Council from the fourth ward, and re-elected in 1S80. He is secretary, of the St. Edward's Land and Emigration Society, and also of the "Wisconsin Land and Emigration Society.

As a teacher. Prof Howard is not only well qualified as respects knowledge, but he has the peculiar tact of gaining the afl^ections of his classes. He possesses, moreover, in a high degree, those refined qualities which make the pleasing and instructive writer. He is the author of three works which have met with good sale - ''A Grammar of the English Language," for the use of beginners, "E.xcelsior; or Essays on Politeness and Education," and a small volume of moral tales for the vouns;, entitled " Uncle Edward's

Stories." He has also written manj excellent poems, which appeared from time to time in various journals and periodicals. As illustrative of his prose writings, the following extract is taken from an essay on "True Education," by Prof. Howard:

" Education, in its broadest and best sense, signifies the harmonious development of all the powers of man. Man, by his nature, consists of body, soul and mind (the physical, the moral, and the intellectual), strength, love and wisdom. The mind forms, as it were, the link between the body and the soul, giving expression to the feelings, thoughts and aspirations of each, but partaking chiefly of the character of the soul, of which it is the intellectual manifestation - triune nature, whose true culture form the crown of the visible creation - a complete man. How important, therefore, that we should consider well by what means we may best promote the development of this wonderful organism given us by the all-wise Creator! Nor is it strange that good men in all ages have thought it their first duty and highest pleasure to provide for the education of their people.

''As man is composed of body, mind and soul, so his education should be physical, mental and moral. Ho who is trained in one of these respects to the exclusion of the others is, properly speaking, not educated. The extraordinary development of the physical powers, with little attention to the mind or soul, gives ns the mere bully and prize fighter. The extraordinary development of the mind, with little regard to the body or soul, gives us the lean, lank infidel or the dreaming philosopher, turning the world upside down with their wickedness or nonsense, and leaving to sounder and better men the weary task of building it all over again. While the extraordinary development of the soul, with little care for mind or body, gives us the simple enthusiast, whose mind and body are too weak to hold the spirit, which becomes an angel because he disdained to remain a man. Educating our lower natures only, makes us lower than men - brutes; educating our intellectual nature only makes us worse than men - demons; educating our moral nature only, makes us better than men - angels. But if we wish to remain simply men, we must educate the whole nature of man. This education must be harmonious, moving together, all the powers receiving due attention in their turn. As the body acquires vigor, agility and grace, the mind must acquire strength, wisdom and knowledge, and the soul purity, truth and charity. Men thus educated are models of beauty, lords of wisdom, and friends of God. Such were Adam and Eve before the fall, perfect without education from the hand of their Maker - Adam, type of manly strength and proportion ; Eve, fairest of women - whose minds were bright with intelligence, and whose souls were pure as the morning dews of Paradise.

" They walked the groves and valleys, mountains and flowery fields of Eden, vigorous as tlie noonday, lovely as the morning. Looking out on all nature, tliey road as in a book ; the green earth and the starry heavens were the bright open pages on which the words formed into histories and poems more grand and beautiful than sage ever penned or poet dreamed. Day and night their hearts, not thinking evil, rose to God an endless hymn of praise. But they fell, and ever since their fall the world has been educating in the sublime endeavor to return to those model types fashioned by the hand of divinity."

Chimes Of Notre Dame In October

I. It comes again, that subtle force. Stealing in air and stream and grove, Purples the water's winding course. And paints the woods as poets love.

The liquid heaven in depths of blue, Broods over hills of mist and gold, O'er sleeping vales of crimson hue, Orange and green and tints untold.

'T is beauteous Death, so placid, grand, Hath sent before her flush of pride. Hath flung her banners o'er the land, Triumphing ere her lance is tried.

There gorgeous trappings deck the tomb. And hide its yawning from the eye ; The victims crowned in flowers come, And move in pomp all stately by.

And doth this shame our sable show. Our funeral cortege, plumes and weeds? World-conciuering Rome did never know Triumph superb as Death here leads.

Endless processions, crimson-robed. All wailings hushed to breathless rapture, Hath none the god-like secret probed, And found this hidden joy of nature?

Ah, she hath never sinned or sorrowed; She hath the primal purity; Her flush from the vernal sun is borrowed, And her Eden life shall ever be I

Alfeed Bryant Miller

Alfred B. Miller was born in South Bend, February, 18-i5. He received his education principally in the old County Seminary. Mr. Miller quite young when the war commenced, but enlisted in the 21st Indiana Battery, and before the close of his term of service was promoted Lieutenant. Before entering the army he evinced a taste for literary work, and contributed both prose"and poetry to the columns of the Register, at South Bend, the McGregor, Iowa, Journal, and the Home Journal of New York. While in the army he was the regular correspondent of the Chicago Trlhune and New York Herald, and an occasional contributor to Harpei'^s Weekly and Frank Leslie's Neiospaper, several of his poems being illustrated in those papers. Of the three selections which are taken from his writings, " Mist at Morn" was illustrated in Frank Leslie and '' The Siijnal Light " in Harper's Weekly. When Lieutenant Miller returned tVoin the array he became associated in the publication of the Register at Soutli Bend, where he remained as editor in chief until ISTii, when he sold his interest in that paper and in connection with others began the publication of the South Bend Tribune, after which he became managing editor. While Mr. Miller is an easy and graceful political writer, his tastes tend to general literature. The following poems are from his pen.

E. Burke Fisher was born in Philadelphia. At an early age he evinced a great taste for reading and an ardent love of literature, and never wearied in the acquisition of knowledge. Before he was 15 years of age he was contributor to several periodicals. He was carefully educated, commencing the study of the classics at nine years ot age. At 15 years of age he engaged as clerk in the office of the Saturday Evening Post, then published and edited by Samuel C. Atkinson, of Philadelphia, wliere he remained a few years, when he became associated with Horace Greeley in The New Yorker. This paper not proving a financial success, it became merged into the New York Trihune.

Mr. Fisher then located in Pittsburg, becoming publisher and editor of The Saturday Evening Visitor (afterward edited by Mrs. Swisshelm). Here he had control of a large steam printing-office, publishing several periodicals, among them The Witness, edited by Wm. H. Burleigh, of Abolition fame; also a magazine edited by himself. The Literary Examiner and Monthly Review. The publication of this heavy and expensive undertaking brought financial ruin.

He was soon after admitted to the Bar, and commenced practice in Cleveland, Ohio, at the same time being connected with several periodicals in that citj' and Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. F. was a man of rare abilities, his mind was widely comprehensive and his temperament highly poetic. He had no ambition for literary fame, and wrote more cheerfully for others than for himself. Many who have been distinguished in the literary world owe much of their fame to the productions of his pen.

A P.Ean, As On The Heart

Wear a glad smile of triumph now ; For the conqueror comes like a prince to his throne And the garlands of hope o'er his pathway are strown.

During the war F. E. Tutt, of South Bend, 'was made Provost Marshal for St. Joseph county, and in the discharge of his duty arrested a deserter named Christy, and while taking him to Indianapolis, he escaped from the train at La Porte. Mr. Fisher,

Moral

Other residents of St. Joseph county have been distinguished as authors; as Prof. J. A. Lyon, author of the "Silver Jubilee," and "Lyon's Elocution;" T. G. Turner, author of the "Gazetteer of the St. Joseph Valley," and other works; Rev. A. Y. Moore, author of the "Life of Schuyler Colfax;" John D. Defrees, Eev. N. H, Gillespie, Rev. M. B. Brown, Rev. J. 0. Carrier, Prof. A. J. Stace and Mrs. E. Kingsley.