Joseph C. Carson, physician and surgeon, was born at Malvern, Ohio, November 29, 1850, and is a son of Matthew and Margaret J. (Knox) Carson, natives of Ireland; the former died in Indiana in 1863, whither he came in 1861, and the latter is yet living in Porter Township, Porter Co., Ind. Joseph C. Carson first attended school at Hickory Point, then at Hebron, and later the high school at Valparaiso; he then commenced teaching and attending normal school, so continuing until 1876, when he graduated in the scientific course and became Principal of the school at Hebron for two years. During this period, he studied medicine and the branches appertaining thereto, and attended a course of lectures at Columbus, Ohio, in 1878-79. He graduated in the Medical Department of Butler University at Indianapolis in 1880. He then returned to Hebron, where he has now a good practice. On April 22, 1880, he was married to Miss Lizzie Cain. They are both members of the M. E. Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 319 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Joseph Kithcart was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1819, and is the eldest of the ten children of Thomas and Deborah (Wright) Kithcart, both natives of Pennsylvania; they died in Ohio, having been pioneers of Richland, now Ashland, County. Joseph received what education was afforded at a district school, and, as soon as he became able, took charge of the farm, remaining until his twenty-fifth year. On August 29, 1844, he was married to Miss Mary J. White, a native of Ohio. Joseph Kithcart commenced farming on the forty acres given to him by his father, and which he improved. This he sold and removed to Auburn, De Kalb Co., Ind., and engaged in the grocery business. His wife died in Ohio, leaving two children - Thomas W. and Martha. His second marriage was to Phebe A. Barber, a native of Ohio; this wife died in Auburn, leaving two children - Mary J. and J. C. His third marriage, in Ohio, was to May G. Tannehill, of Ohio. By whom he has four children - L. Ella, Charles T., Clark and Goldie. In 1868, Mr. Kithcart came to Porter County, where he bought 257 acres and made improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Kithcart are members of the Christian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 322 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Martin Luzerne Phares was born in Liberty Township, Porter Co., Ind., March 28, 1854. From the age of six until in December, 1872, he attended the district school, at which date he was engaged to teach at Salt Creek, four miles away. Teaching at this place three terms, he went, in the spring of 1874, in company with a friend, A. P. Bond (the winter previous, Mr. Phares’ pupil) to the “pineries” Oceana County, Mich. Here Mr. Phares taught one term, then returned and took charge of the school in which two years before he had been a pupil. Here he was engaged for or five terms; also again at Salt Creek, and in other schools of the county, until, in 1881, he accepted the Superintendency of Schools at Chesterton. This position he now holds. Mr. Phares’ higher schooling was principally at the Valparaiso Normal, beginning with the first term of that institution, in September, 1873, and continuing, alternately with teaching, until in the spring of 1880. His attendance here amounted to about three years, his work being such as he believed would be of greatest practical utility. Politically, with the principles of the Republican party taught him from early childhood, to which principles and their triumphs he continues warmly attached, he became an early convert to the National party, first voting with it in 1880. At this writing, he is the candidate of his party for the office of County Clerk, and was made a candidate a few years ago for County Superintendent, making a remarkably good race, but, on account of the weakness of his party only, was defeated. Mr. Phares is a young man of more than ordinary ability and promise; being a hard, thorough student, he has become one of the best teachers in the county, taking an active interest in, and studying political questions in a logical manner. As a writer, he uses logical reasoning, and accurate, exact expressions, having been connected with newspaper work for some time. He has been one of the leaders in the County Teachers’ Association, standing high in esteem of those who know him, as a strictly moral and conscientious young man.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 308, 309 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Martin Phares, Sr., farmer, was born May 16, 1816, in Greene County, Ohio. He is the youngest of ten children born to Robert and Mary (Clevenger) Phares, both natives of New Jersey. Martin lived with his father until twenty-one years old, and received the usual early educational advantages. He married, October 24, 1837, Maria Shafer, a native of Luzerne County, Penn. In 1841, they came to Porter County, and bought eight acres of the present farm, now consisting of 124 acres of good land, well improved, and farmed by their son, Fremont. Martin Phares taught a few terms of school here, held the office of Township Trustee, and in politics was a Whig, then joint the Republican ranks, from where he never separated. He died February 21, 1882, and his widow is living on the old farm with her son. She is an intelligent elderly lady, respected by all who know her. They have eight children - Samuel M., Emeline Biggs, Mary A. Wheeler, Adam P., Martin L., Lydia M., John C. F. and Amy C.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 308 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Martin Young was born May 13, 1841, in Erie County, Ohio. He is one of ten children born to Ira and Sophia (Crippin) Young, both natives of New York. The elder Young was a fisherman on Lake Erie for thirty years. Maternally, Mr. Young is of English descent, and paternally from Holland. When Martin was about five years of age, They came to Porter County, settling on “Twenty-Mile” Prairie. A sister of our subject was about the first school teacher of that settlement, and Judge Field was among her pupils. When about twenty-one years of age, Mr. Young enlisted in the Seventy-third Indiana, serving nearly three years, and participating in the famous battles of Stone River, Nashville, and on Col. Straight’s raid through Georgia. After he was discharged, returning to Chesterton, he engaged in the meat market business; he has built up the leading trade in this part of the county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. Mr. Young is a Republican, but favors the financial theories of the National party. Mr. Young has one of the finest brick residences in the county, richly furnished, and with the luxuries of piano, organ, etc. He was married in 1862 to Mary J. Lansing, a native of Porter County. She is well educated, having been a teacher. They have one adopted child - Arthur.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 313, 314 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Mrs. Martha McDonald, hotel proprietress at Hageman, was born in New York City in 1835. She is the youngest of thirteen children born to William and Mary (Dale) Wilson, both natives of Dublin. When Mrs. McDonald was about nine years old, her parents moved to Watertown, Wis. In 1851, she married Mr. McDonald, and went to St. Paul, Minn. They then went to Michigan, then to Michigan City, then to Furnessville, where they remained until the fall of 1881, when they separated and she went to Illinois, but soon came to Hageman and established a hotel, the only one in the place, where the traveling public are cordially welcomed and cared for. Mrs. McDonald is a lady of some wealth and taste. She has six children living - Charles, Martha, Fannie, Abbie, Henry and Mary.
(Martha Wilson McDonald was the wife of Henry R. McDonald)

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 304, 305 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Oscar S. Peterson, retired farmer, was born n 1837, in Sweden. He is one of eight children born to John and Anna (Lindstadt)Peterson, both natives of Sweden. When sixteen years of age, Mr. Peterson left home and came to the United States, and settled in Chicago, and was engaged in building the early Chicago “plank streets.” In a short time, he went to Aurora, Ill., and learned and worked in upholstering for about three years. He then went to Lyons, Iowa, and established his business there, but failed, and as he was but nineteen years of age, and lost all, he shipped on a steamboat as “roustabout” to St. Louis, where he was without work and food for about three days, but soon got work near, on a farm, for all winter. He afterward bought a team, and began farming in Madison County, Ill. After two years, he moved to Westchester Township, and began farming in Waverly, remaining there eleven years, when he bought his present farm of 209 acres of fine land, hidden by a fine grove. He has altogether about three hundred and thirty acres, indicating him to be a successful farmer and financier. He has been a member of the Swedish Lutheran church. He has always been a Republican, but in local affairs is liberal. He was married, in 1861, to Christina S. Carlson, a native of Sweden. They have four children - Charles A., Ida B., Arthur O. and Cora M. In 1863, he went to Sweden on business and on the way there and back he visited and traveled through Norway, Germany, France, Denmark, all Great Britain and Ireland, to see the countries.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 307, 308 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

August Pillman, junior member of the firm of Pillman Bros., in Porter Station, was born July 23, 1854, in Sweden. He is one of four children, living, born to Andrew and Mary (Peterson) Pillman. The elder Pillman came with his family to the United States, in 1864, and settled in Liberty Township. August lived at home until the spring of 1882, engaged in farming. He, with his brother, then bought their present store, furnished with a stock worth about $700. Their trade has grown very rapidly, so that their stock is increased to about $3,000, and includes a full line of groceries, provision, dry goods, boots and shoes, crockery, hardware, etc., and they are increasing their stock daily, and do a very extensive trade. Mr. Pillman is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and has always been a Republican in political faith.

John Pillman, senior member of the firm of Pillman Bros., at Porter Station, merchants, was born July 23, 1851, in Sweden. He is the eldest son of four children born to Andrew and Mary (Peterson) Pillman, both natives of Sweden. The elder Pillman’s father was a Swedish soldier in the early part of the nineteenth century. John lived at home until of age. In 1872, he married Hannah Johnson, a native of Sweden, and began farming one of his father’s farms. At the end of three years, he began railroading, until he and his brother formed their present firm. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, and in political faith is a Republican. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is interested in promoting temperance and other public benefits. His wife died in October, 1881. They had two children - both dead.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 309 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Porter Aylswroth is a native of Ohio, and a sone of Giles and Mary Aylsworth, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His parents came to this township in 1842, where his father taught school in the winters of 1842 and 1843. They had 440 acres in a home farm and 102 acres in various tracts. His father died in June, 1880, and his mother in October, 1879. Porter Aylsworth received but a spare education. He was married in 1856 to Miss Catharine Shinabarger, a native of Ohio. To this union there were six children - Elva, Giles C., Thomas M., Mary, Corbin and John. Mr. and Mrs. Aylsworth commenced housekeeping on his present place, in a house burned three weeks afterward. He now has a fine farm of 106 acres, with good buildings and improvements. He was Justice of the Peace seven years in Iowa, where he lived eleven years, and held the same office about two years in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Aylsworth are members of the Christian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 314 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Rev. H. F. J. Kroll, priest of the Catholic Church at Chesterton and it surrounding missions, was born October 4, 1855, in Baltimore, Md. He is the elder of two brothers born to Henry and Theresa (Freimuth) Kroll, both natives of Hess-Cassel, Germany. The elder Kroll still lives in Baltimore, engaged in the grocery business. Father Kroll was in the Baltimore Parochial Schools until thirteen years of age; then attended a priesthood preparatory college in the same city for two years; he then entered St. Vincent College, in Westmoreland, Penn., conducted by the Benedictine Fathers. After two years, he went to Milwaukee St. Francis Seminary, where he finished his preparation for the priesthood in five years; he was now ordained by Bishop Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, Ind., June 31, 1879, and given the Chesterton parish and its missions. When Rev. Kroll took the charge, it was encumbered by a debt of $1,500, the church poorly furnished, and a membership of thirty-five families, etc. The debt was paid over a year ago, the church well furnished, the number of families increased to fifty-five, the cemetery improved, a fine brick parsonage, 24x44 feet, erected and paid for; this is the fruit of the untiring and persistent energy and ability of its pastor. The intention of Rev. Kroll is to establish a Catholic school this coming winter. These facts show the church to be in excellent condition. He has a fine library of about 300 volumes. He, as all must be that enter his profession, has been a hard student, and is a fine scholar.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 302, 303 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Robert B. Lansing was born January 10, 1810, in Vermont. His is one of four children, living, born to Robert and Martha (Bingham) Lansing, the former a native of New York City, and the latter of Vermont. The Van Rensselaers, of New York fame, and the Lansing’s were related. The elder Lansing was in the war of 1812. The city of Lansing, Mich., derived its name, it is said, from the relatives of our subject. When Robert B. was quite young, his parents moved to Ohio. Robert followed mill-wrighting for about twenty-seven years in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. He educated himself in advanced studies, and was enabled to teach for five years. In 1849, he came to Chesterton and bought eighty acres of land in Liberty Township, where he farmed until 1880, when he sold out and has since lived in Chesterton. He was Trustee for about four years and Justice of the Peace for about the same time. He has been a strong Republican and an Abolitionist. In 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three years under Buell and others in the West, and was injured by an accidental fall while charging breastworks at Green River. He was married, in 1828, to Amy A. Burlingame, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Lansing has three children living - Caroline Dille, Mary J. Young and Isaac.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 303 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Robert Bryant is a native of Richland County, Ohio, born December 17, 1826, and is a son of Elias and Ann (Vance) Bryant. His parents moved to Lake County, Ind., about 1835, locating on the farm on which they died, being pioneers in the county. The advantages of schooling enjoyed by Robert were sparse. The nearest mill was 150 miles distant, and many things were to be obtained only at Michigan City. Robert Bryant remained at home until twenty-one years old, after which he labored for two years by the month, at $12 and $13. On September 20, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary G. Herriss, by whom he has two children - Daniel R. and Charles. Our subject and his brother had purchased eighty acres, which was sold, with half-interest in fathers’ farm, when he moved to Porter County, Ind., in 1854, where, with his brother, he purchased 480, and later 100 acres more. This remained undivided until about 1861; since then he has bought forty acres and forty more of timber. He ha no, where he lives, 310 acres of the finest land in the county, one and a half miles from Hebron. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 316 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Robert Douglas is a native of Burns, Scotland, and is a son of Samuel and Martha (McNabney) Douglas; his father was a native of Scotland, where his mother died. In company with three sons, his father landed in America at New York in 1879. Our subject had preceded him in 1872. He had been in the civil service in England. On the 16th day of June, 1872, he reached Porter County, Ind., with but $5 as his capital; notwithstanding this, however, by economy, perseverance and thrift, he got together money enough to purchase his present property, consisting of eighty acres, and also the necessary amount of stock found upon like sized farms. On the 6th of April, 1875, in Porter County, he was married to Miss Alice McNabney, a native of Porter County, whose father was a farmer and had been a soldier in the Mexican war. This union was blessed with four children - Andrew M. Mary, Roscoe and Ida.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 319 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Robert E. Miller, M. D., was born May 26, 1846, in Norwalk, Ohio. He is the eldest of four children born to Robert and Harriet (Wilkinson) Miller, the former of Connecticut and the latter of Pennsylvania. Dr. Miller’s grandfather was a soldier in the ware of 1812. The elder Miller soon went from Norwalk to go to Illinois, but stopped in Hobart, Lake Co., Ind., working at his trade of blacksmith. He entered near there 240 acres of land, and moved onto it, living there and clearing until 1852, when, as one of the victims of the “gold fever,” he went to California. He left his family on the farm, the mother taking care of it, and struggling to educate her family - she having been a teacher. After a stay of six years in California and one year in British Colombia, along the Frazer River, he came home, and died March 21, 1882, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother is still living on the old homestead. Dr. Miller had but few advantages of education before of age, but he possessed a love for reading. Five months before he was twenty-one, his father reluctantly consented to his entreaties to attend school, without any help from him. He went, and by cutting wood, boarding himself, working odd hours, etc., succeeded in paying his way. He then came home and worked for his father, doing this a part of the season, and acting as agent another part, for about two years; then alternated teaching and farming the two following years. He then began the study of medicine in the fall of 1871, with Dr. Morrical, of Chesterton, for three years, when ne entered the Rush Medical College of Chicago, taking one term of lectures. He then practiced over four years in Hobart, his old home, when he sold his practice, and, returning to Chicago, graduated. He remained in the city taking postgraduate studies, experimenting and studying city practice, for about eighteen months. In 1881, he returned to Chesterton, his preceptor having moved away, and began building up a practice, and has succeeded remarkably for a young physician. He is a member of both F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities, of Hobart, Ind. He has held all the different offices in the Odd Fellows Lodge, including Grand Representative. He is a moderate Republican; a very conscientious man, of studious habits and one of our best citizens. In June, 1876, Fr. Miller laid out the village plat of Crisman, at the junction of M. C. and B & O. R. R.’s. It comprises thirty-six acres.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 305, 306 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Samuel A. Samuelson was born, in 1839, in Sweden. He is the youngest of seven children born to Samuel Ericson and wife, both natives of Sweden. When thirteen years old, Samuel and parents came to the United States and stopped a year in Chicago, then settled in Westchester Township. Our subject left home at about his twenty-first year, and worked out until the war began, when he enlisted in the Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served at Stone River, Perryville, Murfreesboro, etc., for eight months, when he was discharged on account of a wound received. He was disabled for over three years, but soon worked his own farm alone up to the time of his marriage, in 1871, to Mary Swanson, a native of Sweden. She died in 1879. They had five children - John V., John L., Alfrida, Badea and Gustof. He has 219 acres of land, partly improved. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and has always been a Republican in Politics; he is an enterprising farmer, and a good citizen.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 310 Westchester Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Samuel Irvin is a native of Ohio, and a son of William and Martha (Brooks) Irvin, his father a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Virginia. The opportunities for education by the schools were very few to S. Irvin, who could not attend after his tenth year. In 1845, he moved to Porter County, Ind., locating in Porter Township and farming there, where he lived nine years. He was married in Montgomery County, Ohio, to Miss Ann C. Keller, daughter of John and Magdalene Keller. In 1854, Mr. Irvin removed to Chicago, where he engaged in brewing until 1857, then returned to Valparaiso, where he erected the first brewery in the county, and afterward engaged in railroad carpentering on the railway through Hebron, and also general carpentering. Mr. and Mrs. Irvin have had four children - William G., Alpheus A., Eddie S. and Annie B., living; and Luman, Alice and Sarah, deceased. Mr. Irvin was County Assessor three years, and Assessor of Boone Township fifteen years. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 322 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Thomas Clowes was born in 1840, in the State of Michigan, and is a son of Charles L. and Edith Clowes, both natives of Virginia; both died in Michigan, where the boyhood of Thomas was passed, and where he attended school - in Cassopolis- and where he remained until twenty-two years of age. At fourteen, he came to visit in Lake County, and afterward removed to Hebron, where, on June 12, 1866, he was married to Miss Mattie E. Johnson, of the family of Eli and Sarah Johnson. They have but one child - Edith. Mr. Clowes now made farming his principal business until 1882, where he procured a stock of groceries and provision; he also has a room for serving ice cream and lunches. Mr. and Mrs. Clowes are members of the Christian Church and most generally respected.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 319 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing