Col. Norman Eddy

Norman Eddy was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, New York. His father was one of the earliest settlers in that part of the State. In 1836, having studied medicine, he removed to Mishawaka, in this county, for the practice of his chosen profession. In 1847 he removed to South Bend, where he resided, except when temporarily absent in the discharge of public duties to which he was called, till the day of his death. In the practice of medicine he was very successful, but feeling a strong desire to become a lawyer, he accordingly prepared himself by a thorough course of study, and was regularly admitted to the Bar of this county on the first day of April, 1847. After he had practiced three years he was elected State Senator on the Democratic ticket. In 1852 he was elected to Congress, having Schuyler Colfax as a competitor, but in 1854, was himself defeated by the latter on the Nebraska issue. In 1855 he was appointed United States District Attorney for Minnesota, by President Pierce, and in 1856 Commissioner of Indiana Trust Lands in Kansas, which office he held until the fall of 1857. At this time he again commenced the practice of law, associating himself with the late Judge Egbert, but two years after was appointed by the Legislature on a commission to settle claims due the State.

When the war of the Rebellion broke out he zealously took his stand on the side of the Union, and in 1861 organized the 48th Indiana Regiment, of which he was appointed Colonel. He fought with great bravery in the battle of Iuka, where he was severely wounded; also at Corinth and Grand Gulf and the siege of Vicksburg, until its surrender, when he resigned, being disabled by his wounds from further serving his country as a soldier. Resuming the practice of his profession, he continued in it until 1865, when he was appointed Collector of Revenue for the Ninth District, by President Johnson.

In 1870 he was elected to the office of Secretary of State, which office he held at the time of his death, which took place Sunday morning, Jan. 28, 1872, in the city of Indianapolis, of enlargement of the heart, aged 62 years.

Commencing late in life as a lawyer, Colonel Eddy never achieved that success in his profession to which his legal accomplishments entitled him. The reason for this is obvious. His professional life was not continuous enough to build up a large and lucrative practice. The law, like the other professions, demands all of one’s energies, and Colonel Eddy, who at various periods gave it up to accept office at the hands of the public, could not, with all his abilities, attain that success which his brother attorneys were devoting their lives to attain. He was not a custom-seeking lawyer, any more than he was an office-seeking politician. He was one of the most impressive speakers in the northern part of the State. His delivery was dignified and graceful. His voice was deep and full. He never seemed to have taken the infection common to young men of giving great importance to mere speech. He possessed that justness and beauty of diction, that happiness and grace of figures, and that facility of expression which never failed to attract and delight his hearers. Though a lawyer he never confined himself to that contentious style which breathes nothing but war and debate. Politically he was a Democrat of the old school, and while he earnestly advocated the doctrines that he espoused, he did it in such a manner as to gain the respect and good will of his opponents, even though he did not convince them of the justness of his cause. He was never an office-seeker. In his case the office sought the man, and not the man the office.

He was during the greater portion of his life the victim of ill health. He had the head to manage, but not the constitution to bear, the affairs of State. Had he possessed a strong and healthy body, coupled with the higher aspirations, his splendid abilities might have earned him a much wider reputation. To know him was to love and respect him. It was in the sacred precincts of the domestic circle, or when surrounded by faithful and admiring friends, that the fine gold in his nature came out with its richest effects. To the friend who entered his residence or place of business, he gave a frank and cordial reception, stretching forth that pure hand which had never been soiled by a mean act. His conversation was rich in political and moral instruction; rich in anecdote and character of times that were past. His address, politeness and knowledge of the world qualified him to wield a powerful influence over the minds of others. It was to him a source of pleasure to impart to the young that best wisdom which is learned from real life. Lord Bacon has somewhere written that “a good man is like the sun, passing through all corruption and still remaining pure.” In no way can this be applied with greater justice than to the career of Colonel Eddy. During a quarter of a century, at various times, he was called upon to fill offices of trust and responsibility, and while all around him were growing rich from the spoils of office, he was

Through all this tract of years
Wearing the white flower of a blameless life.

His was the white page in the blotted volume of politics. Such is the example Norman Eddy has bequeathed to the young men of Indiana. He was a lover of his kind, a friend to the friendless, the outcast and forlorn. Right royally could he forgive an injury. A faithful public servant, a considerate patriot, a true man and friend, a loving husband and affectionate father, has gone to his reward. The Bar of this county held a meeting and passed a series of resolutions of respect, which resolutions were reported to the Circuit Court and Court of Common Pleas and transcribed upon their records.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
St. Joseph County’s Illustrious Dead

Mrs. Hannah D. Matthews

Mrs. Matthews was born in the city of New York, March 21, 1805. Her maiden name was Stryker, and her grandfather, Samuel De Lamater, was one of the old Knickerbocker families of that city. At the early age of fifteen she married Schuyler Colfax, of New Jersey, and whose mother was a Miss Schuyler, cousin of General Philip Schuyler. Mr. Colfax was tell of the Mechanics Bank of New York. Three years after his marriage to Miss Stryker, he died of consumption, leaving her a widow with one little daughter, who died the year following. Soon after his father’s death, Schuyler, the second child of this marriage, was born. She remained a widow, living with her mother, Mrs. Stryker, and assisting her in keeping a boarding-house, until her son became 11 years of age.

During this time, and although in straitened circumstances pecuniarily, she strove to give her son the best education the common schools of New York afforded, and by example and precept to give him that best of all gifts, character. Often in his speeches he has casually remarked that such and such a rule in life he had learned in his youth from maternal instruction, and he has always in social conversation attributed his success in life to the impress of his mother’s mind and teaching on his youthful years, when widowed, and fatherless, they were all in all to each other.

In 1834 she married George W. Matthews, then a commission merchant in New York. By this marriage she had 5 children, one of whom died in childhood, the others living to man’s and woman’s estate.

In 1836 she removed with her husband and little family to New Carlisle, this county, where Mr. Matthews opened a store and sold goods for several years, Schuyler serving as clerk and deputy postmaster.

Mrs. Matthews had always taken a great interest in Sunday-school work, and shortly after her arrival in New Carlisle, organized a school which prospered greatly under her fostering care. She obtained a library for the school from New York, and her son was made librarian. Some of these books are yet found in that locality, treasured as mementoes of what one woman’s energy did for the Christian cause in a new country.

In 1841 Mr. Matthews was elected Auditor of this county, and the family removed to South Bend, the county seat. Here Mrs. Matthews was largely instrumental in organizing the Reformed Church Sunday-school, and every member of her family was connected with it either as teacher or scholar. After Mr. Colfax’s election to Congress, Mr. Matthews received an appointment at Washington, and ruing the sessions of Congress was there with his wife. For nine years they formed part of Mr. Colfax’s family there, residing with him, and during five of the six years of his Speakership, Mrs. Matthew’s “received” him, acting as the head of his family, he being a widower. Though 60 years old then, her vivacity, as well as her genial manners, was remarkable, and in a great measure served to make her son’s receptions the most popular in Washington. Her popularity in social circles was universal. President Lincoln had a deep and abiding friendship for her, and a great respect for her judgment on important public questions which came up in his administration, and in which she took all the interest of a statesman. Frequently at her son’s receptions, she was the recipient of the most flattering attention from the martyred President.

Shortly after the war, that terrible disease, cancer, commenced its ravages upon her system. Five times extirpated, it returned each time with increased violence. Once it was thought the disease was mastered, and her family were quite hopeful; but while returning from California, in 1869, she was attached with mountain fever, and came near dying at Cheyenne. From that time she failed, and although every effort was made to destroy the disease, it became evident, in time, that the cancer had obtained absolute mastery of the system, and that nothing could longer hold it in bay.

Her sufferings for several years were indescribably great, and but for her strong hold on life, and the most faithful, affectionate and devoted nursing by her husband, she must have soon succumbed to the intense agony she often endured, in addition to the terrible drain upon her system. She bore it all, however, with Christian resignation, illustrating that profession in which for forty years she had never faltered, and with abiding faith that beyond this life she would be free from pain and anguish.

After her return from Washington, in the spring of 1872, she steadily grew worse. As long as she could keep up her husband took her riding daily, but daily these rides were made shorter, until at last her vital forces were so sapped and weakened she was compelled to keep her room and finally her bed. For two or three years previous to her death she scarcely saw any company, and her family had but little lest it might weary her.

On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 11, 1872, she peacefully died, and with but little suffering, recognizing her family most lovingly to the very last. Noble in all her traits of character, cheerful in her disposition, carrying sunshine and gladness wherever she went, it is seldom that death finds such a shining mark.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
St. Joseph County’s Illustrious Dead

FATHER LAURENCE, C. S. C.

Brother Laurence, a well-known and popular steward of Notre Dame University, died in the infirmary attachment to that institution, Friday evening, April 4, 1873. Brother Laurence was named “in the world,” Jean (John) Menage, and was born March 22, 1816, at St. De Gatines, in France. He was induced by Father Sorin, while giving a mission in that locality, to enter the Congregation of the Holy Cross, in the year 1840. He made his religious profession in 1841, at the Mans. His death, therefore, took place in the fifty-seventh year of his age, and in the thirty-second of his profession. He was one of the six original companions who cam with Father Sorin to the United States, landing in New York on the 14th of September, 1841. The little colony settled first at St. Peter’s, near Vincennes, in this State, but the year following they moved to Notre Dame, where they arrived on the 30th of November, 1842. From that time Brother Laurence was closely identified with the growth of the institution, and contributed not a trifle to its prosperity. He filled for many years the responsible office of steward, and was three times deputed to the General Chapters of the Congregation, where his voice was always listened to with marked attention.

Father Sorin, founder of the University, and Superior General of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, in a circular letter issued on the death of Brother Laurence, thus speaks of him: “Brother Laurence carries with him the deep and unfeigned sentiment of respect and esteem, not alone of his entire congregation, but of all with whom he came in contact, either as a “religious”, or as the agent or steward of the institution. For more than thirty years he spent here, he was always, as every one knows, foremost among those who sought honestly and earnestly to promote the interests of the community; and if anyone is to be named as having contributed more than others by earnest and persevering exertions, both of mind and body, to the development and prosperity of Notre Dame, if I did not do it here, the public voice would declare it, and name Brother Laurence. No religious in our family ever possessed and retained more constantly the confidence of his superiors and the community at large. In the death of Brother Laurence we sustain a serious loss, which none can better appreciate or more keenly feel than myself, however much his memory may be held in gratitude and love among those who knew him best, or whom he assisted most in advice or example, or in pecuniary transactions. It was myself who brought him to the community thirty-three years ago; and although I have seen more than any other men of my age, religious of undoubted fidelity, of great zeal and admirable devotedness, I can remember none whom I would place above our departed one on these various points. He leaves behind him not only a long, but also a stainless record, such indeed as would honor the memory of the most ambitious among us. Not only will you not perceived in the ensemble of his religious life none of those blemishes that paralyze the effect of the best qualities; not only was he remarkable by a clean negative of serious defects, but he was really prominent by the strength of his mind, the freshness and often the originality of his inventions and resources in general, of which he always had some in reserve. Directly or indirectly he has benefited persons and things here more than any one of us. May all whom he leaves in justice obligated to him, acknowledge it now by the fervor of their applications in his behalf. The community loses in Brother Laurence one of its first pillars; but his spirit will not die away with him, or disappear; his virtues and examples shall live forever on the spot where his name is identified with every acre now cleared, and every building erected with his personal assistance. The neighborhood itself loses one of its hardiest pioneers, and one of its most efficient and honest citizens. As to myself, I lose a friend who never refused me any sacrifice, who for thirty-two long years kept himself, without a moment excepted, ever ready and willing for any call of obedience. Never can I forget his devotedness.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
St. Joseph County’s Illustrious Dead

REV> AUGUSTUS LEMONNIER

Augustus Lemonnier was born April, 1839, at Ahuille, France. His boyhood and early youth were passed amid the enjoyments of a happy home, and in preparing himself for college by the elementary studies pursued in the common schools. At the age of nineteen he entered the College of Precigne, in the diocese of Mans. Here he spent seven years, during which time he completed the full collegiate course of that institution. On his departure from college, he entered upon the study of law, not having any idea at the time of studying for the sacred ministry. For one year he prosecuted his study in the office of Monsieur Hontin, and the year following in the office of Monsieur Dubois, at Laval, France.

After two years’ experience in a law office, he began to look upon the world in a far different light from that in which other young men in similar circumstances usually view it, and after a few months of serious reflection, and consultation with judicious friends, he abandoned the bright prospects of distinction which then smiled upon him, and rejoined his brother and college classmates, at the Theological Seminary at Mans, where he passed one year in the study of philosophy. The death of his mother, about this time, removed the only obstacle to the execution of a project which he had entertained from the time of his determination to study for the ministry, namely, to enter the Seminary of Foreign Missions, at Paris. However, Father Sorin, his uncle, induced him to come to America, and, with this understanding, sent him to Rome, to study theology in the Roman College. While in Rome, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross, in October, 1860, being received by Father Dronelle, then Procurator General of the Congregation. In 1861 he was called to America, and arrived at Notre Dame in February of that year, where he completed his theological studies and after making his profession as a member of the Congregation, was ordained priest on the fourth of November, 1863.

Soon after his ordination, Father Lemonnier was appointed Prefect of Discipline, in which office he continued until May, 1865, when he was appointed by the Provincial Chapter, which met at that time, Prefect of Religion. In July, 1866, he was appointed Vice President and Director of Studies in the University, and afterward succeeded Rev. W. Corby as President, which position he occupied at the time of his death, which occurred at Notre Dame, Oct. 30, 1874.

Father Lemonnier displayed a great deal of natural energy in the discharge of his official duties, and gave evidence of considerable ability of a literary character. His almost complete mastery of the English language, within one year after his arrival at Notre Dame, showed a decided aptitude for languages, and several very fine dramatic productions, written amid the cares and annoyances of his office, gave evidence of literary talent of a high order. It is seldom that nature combines in one the polished gentleman, the scholarly professor, the religious teacher and correct business man as she did in him.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
St. Joseph County’s Illustrious Dead

REV. N. H. GILLESPIE

N. H. Gillespie was born at Brownsville, Pennsylvania. His early years passed without incident, beyond the usual catalogue of events common to youth whose chief occupation is to attend school and prepare themselves for usefulness in after-life. He was sent to Notre Dame to complete his studies, having accomplished which, he received the degree of A. B. in June, 1849, being the first graduate, in course, of the University. In 1851 he entered the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, and began his theological studies, fulfilling, at the same time, the duties of Professor of Mathematics in the college. In 1854, having made his religious profession in the preceding year, he was sent by his Superior to Rome, to complete his theological course in the celebrated schools of the Eternal City. This he did in the following years, and was ordained priest on the 29th of June, 1856.

Returning to Notre Dame, Father Gillespie was appointed Vice-President in 1856, which position he occupied till 1859, when he was appointed President of St. Mary’s College, Chicago, Illinois. In 1860 he was recalled to Notre Dame, and again filled the post of Vice-President. In 1863 Father Gillespie was sent to Paris where he remained a year, and then being summoned to the Mother House of the Congregation at Mans, remained till the summer of 1866, when he returned to Notre Dame. For several years after this, he performed the duties of Master of Novices, and was for some time editor of the Ave Marie, one of the leading Catholic magazines of the country.

Father Gillespie, after an illness of several months, died at Notre Dame on Thursday morning, Nov. 12, 1874. A peculiar interest centers around his death from the fact of his being the first graduate of the university, whose interests he afterward did so much to promote.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
St. Joseph County’s Illustrious Dead

PROFESSOR BENJAMIN WILCOX

Benjamin Wilcox was born in Connecticut in the year 1816. His early life was spent in an earnest attendance of the schools of his native place, and until the age of 16, in assisting his father in the duties of his farm. At that age his career as a teacher began. Later he entered Williams College, and graduated with high honors in 841 at the age of 25 years. With a strong inclination for the study of medicine, a careful review of his qualifications convinced him that his widest and most natural field of usefulness lay in the onerous but noble duties of a teacher. He consequently adopted it as his life profession, entering it with his soul full of purpose and determination to succeed. His wide-spread fame, and the manifest good results of his life’s labor, have demonstrated with striking force the wisdom of his choice. His life as a professional teacher began at Yates, New York, soon after his graduation; subsequently he taught at Wilson, New York for 11 years, and then removed to Wisconsin, from where he was called to take charge of the high school at Valparaiso, in 1864. During his residence in Wisconsin misfortunes overtook him by an almost wholesale destruction of his property by fire, so that he came to Indiana in rather limited circumstances. He remained at Valparaiso until 1870, when a more advantageous offer from the School Board of South Bend induced him to come here and assume the preceptorship of the high school, a position he filled with great public satisfaction and personal gratification until his untimely and lamented death. In his professional life he was always thorough, earnest and energetic. He was a most perfect disciplinarian, and knew no higher ambition than that which prompted him to become one of the best and most distinguished instructors in the country. His schools were governed, not by the chafing power of an iron will, but by the unbounded love and respect which his treatment of pupils invariably commanded. Under his loving rule it was easy and pleasant to conform to the ever strict regime of the school, for love was the controlling power, and self-respect the guardian angel. In evidence of the high esteem in which he was held wherever he has lived, the family archives contain columns of notices of presentations of beautiful and valuable gifts by his pupils and others. In life he kept a list of all persons who had received instruction from him during his professional career, and a correct record, as far as possible, of their whereabouts and condition. When it is known that this list contains between nine and ten thousand names, the magnitude of his life-work will be comprehended. This labor extended through a period of 42 years in all, and 34 as a professional teacher.

Professor Wilcox was twice married, his first wife being a sister of his bereaved widow. Five children were the issue of these marriages. His home was a happy, peaceful one; his private life pure, joyous and undisturbed. Nothing ruffled his even temper; offense was unknown to him. There was a quiet, impressive dignity upon his face, in his speech and daily walk which forbade offensive approach, and silenced importunity. He was a professed and earnest Christian, a Mason and an Odd Fellow, an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, and so zealous in his labors that a former pastor remarked on leaving that he was consoled with the thought that the Church could not go down so long as Professor Wilcox lived.

With health impaired by long continued labor, he left South Bend in the summer of 1875, to seek its restoration in the salubrious air of the Atlantic coast. But the continued wet weather and dense fogs during that season affected him so unfavorably that it was deemed best to return. While on the boat he was taken seriously ill, and while on the cars grew rapidly worse, necessitating a stop at Le Roy, New York, where his only sister lived, and where he breathed his last, on Monday afternoon, Aug. 16, 1875. His remains were brought to South Bend for interment. Rev. Mr. Morey preached his funeral discourse, raking for his text 2d Timothy, iv: 7, 8, 9: “For I am no ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also who love His appearing.” Mr. Morey spoke of the dead with great feeling. All might say of him that “he had fought a good fight.” He had kept himself humble, steadfast and true in a world full of selfishness, deceit and trickery. His life had never been marred by a single underhanded blow. He was pre-eminently a man of faith, and had the utmost reverence for the Bible as the word of God, and implicit confidence in Jesus Christ as a divine Savior. His faith was absolutely royal, or rather it was the child-like faith that asks not sight. It colored the whole atmosphere of his life, and gave to his character manliness, purity and tenderness, making a perfect whole, commanding and receiving the homage of all. His appreciation of the true and beautiful in character, in thought or nature, was marvelously keen, and his power of expression was something wonderful.

Mr. Morey closed his address with an exhortation to the pupils of the dead professor, to cherish his memory and teachings, by quoting his parting words to the graduating class of 1875. “We hope that the moral precepts that you have received in connection with your daily lessons will not be altogether fruitless; but that you will ever be found identified with the friends of truth, morality and religion. We hope it will ever be yours to walk in the light of the wisdom that comes from God, and in the personal assurance of His approving grace. And now, commending you to God as your protector, and His word as your guide, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”

Resolutions of respect and condolence were passed by the teachers and students of the high school.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
St. Joseph County’s Illustrious Dead

ELDER C. WENGER

One of the early settlers of this county was Elder Wenger, of Sumption Prairie. Mr. Wenger was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 10, 1814. In the spring of 1837 he emigrated to St. Joseph county, Indiana, stopping for awhile with the family of Samuel Studebaker. In the fall of 1838 he was joined in wedlock to Esther, eldest daughter of Samuel Studebaker, and for several years ran the little saw-mil that used to stand near the Wenger bridge, on the road from Mishawaka to South Bend. In 1843 he moved to a piece of land on the Turkey creek road. Here his wife died, leaving 4 children. In 1852 he married Esther Ullery, who survives him. From this marriage he had 2 children. On Thursday morning, Nov. 2, 1876, he died in the full assurance of faith. Elder Wenger was widely known through this section of country, and was a minister of the German Baptist church for over thirty years, and an elder for over twenty years, and in the early days he had to travel long distances to fill appointments, and very often through the most inclement weather, but so zealous was he in the Master’s cause that he did it cheerfully. In the death of Elder Wenger the community lost one of its most useful, honorable and energetic members; the Church, an honorable counselor, and an industrious, faithful and able minister of the gospel; the bereaved family, an affectionate husband and kind father. In his sickness of twenty-five days of intense suffering, he never murmured, but patiently resigned his will to God, bid farewell to his family and friends, and died without a struggle or a groan.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
St. Joseph County’s Illustrious Dead

Deb Murray