A. D. Bartholomew, attorney at law, was born in Morgan Township, Porter County, Ind., May 20, 1843; one of a family of ten children, six of whom are yet living, born to Joseph and Mary Ann (Spencer) Bartholomew, natives of Greene and Somerset Counties, Penn. The parents were born April 3, 1801, and June 1, 1805. When six years old, Joseph came with his parents to Ohio, Perry County, and there on the 22d of February, 1827, was married. He came to Porter County in 1834; settled in Pleasant Township, but, being dissatisfied, moved to Morgan Township, were he entered 160 acres of land, erected a log cabin, and began breaking up the prairie. Indians were in abundance at that time, and, when crazed by liquor, would often become very troublesome, and sometimes dangerous; in addition to this, wild animals would carry away young stock, although housed. Their marketing was one in La Fayette, afterward Michigan City. Milling and marketing were generally accomplished by three or four families getting together and making up an ox-team. Many other trials of a pioneer life fell to the lot of Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew, but they gradually prospered, and to such people porter County can attribute her present prosperity. Mr. B. died April 19, 1881; his widow is yet living and resides with her son in Morgan Township on a part of the old homestead. A. D. Bartholomew was reared and educated in Porter County. He attended law school at Chicago University, and began practicing in Valparaiso in 1866. His first partner was Col. Pierce in 1867, and his present partner is E. D. Crumpacker. He was married, November 18, 1869, to Miss Mary Eason, who was born May 22, 1848. To their union were born three children - Maggie, Joseph and John. Mr. Bartholomew is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. His cussess as a lawyer has been notable and lucrative.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 234, 235 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

C. W. Dickover, County Sheriff, was born in Lazerne County, Penn., February 17, 1832; is on of ten children, five yet living, born to George and Catharine (Rymer) Dickover, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. George Dickover was a stone mason and plasterer by trade. His father, Jacob Dickover, was a native of Switzerland, and came to America previous to the Revolutionary war. George Dickover and wife lived and died in Pennsylvania, receptively aged seventy-seven and forty-five. C. W. Dickover, next youngest of his parents’ family, was reared in his native State; fairly educated in the common schools, and there learned the brick mason’s trade. In 1854, he came to Valparaiso; worked as a journeyman several years, and then engaged in contracting. He has resided in Valparaiso ever since, except two years when working in Dubuque, Iowa. After the fire at Chicago, he went there and assisted in rebuilding the burnt district for about four months. In December, 1857, Mr. Dickover returned to Luzerne County, Penn., where, on the 5th of January, 1858, he married Miss Mary Willits, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. D. has contracted for and executed a great deal of work in La Porte, Lake and other counties, He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the parents of six children; C. Howard, Mark L., Daisy, living, and Jessie, Ford and Maude, deceased. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has ascended to the Commandery, being a Sir Knight of Valparaiso Commandery, No. 28. He is a Republican, and in October, 1880, was elected Sheriff of Porter County, and at the Republican County Convention, in July 1882, was re nominated by acclamation.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 242 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

Dr. Seneca Ball (deceased) was born in Warren County, Ohio, August 18, 1798. His father, Calvin Ball, was born in Morris County, New Jersey, and was the son of Deacon John Ball, who died at the age of ninety-five. Dr. Ball’s mother was Christina, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Eulass, of Rockingham County, Virginia. Dr. Ball was educated, first, in the old log schoolhouse of his day, then attended a graded school at Waynesville, Ohio, then studied Latin under Judge Wick, at Lebanon, and then became his own preceptor. He read medicine under Dr. William Bunnell, at Washington, Ind., and then, with his brother Cyrus, engaged in merchandising in Lafayette, Ind., February, 1828. In August, he returned to Ohio and married Miss Eliza Blackford, came back to Lafayette, continued his business, and practiced until November, 1831; removed to La Porte, Ind., remained there four years merchandising, and on Christmas Day, 1836, came to Valparaiso, being thus one of the earliest settlers. He continued to trade a few years longer, sold his stock and resumed practice, which he followed until, in his judgment, the infirmities of age disqualified him. He went to Kansas in 1868, and returned in 1874, making his home with his son Erasmus until his death, October 4, 1875. He was the father of three children - Mrs. Angeline Gregg, of Garnett, Kans.; Erasmus and Cornelia, who died the wife of Judge Henry W. Talcott, of Kansas. The Doctor had served his fellow citizens as Probate Judge, State Representative for Porter and Lake Counties, and as Justice of the Peace.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 232 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

Erasmus Ball was born in Warren County, Indiana, February 16, 1832; he married Mary Ann Doty, who died January 11, 1865, leaving two children - Ina E., now Mrs. Andrews, and Alice C. February 12, 1866, he married Henrietta B. Clark, who has borne him three children - Charles Sl, Lily T. and Mary. Mr. Ball was among the early drug merchants of Valparaiso, and afterward station agent on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., for over nineteen years. In January, 1881, he was elected Cashier of the First National Bank of Valparaiso, of which he was a stockholder, and het fills that position. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

"Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical" Goodspeed and Blanchard published 1882 page 233, City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

Ezra S. Beach, son of Truman and Catherine (Burke) Beach, was born April 18, 1837. Truman Beach was born in Connecticut in 1805; was reared a farmer, and was married in Canada in 1832. In 1836, the Beach family, consisting of Ezra and Polly (Stoddard) Beach (grandparents of our subject), and six children came to this county, where the children still reside. They all settled on adjoining farms in Washington Township. Truman Beach and wife there resided until 1856, when they came to Valparaiso, remained one year, and they purchased a farm in a state of nature, but now one of the best improved farms near Valparaiso. For many years Truman conducted a nursery, but of late has retired from active life, and the farm is managed by Ezra S. The old place consists of fifty-six acres, but Ezra S. owns the old homestead of 160 acres additional in the same township. Ezra S. was educated in the common schools, but finished his education in the old Male and Female College of Valparaiso. He was married, September 12, 1860, to Miss Jennie E. Fifield, who has born him six children - Truman A., who died when seventeen year’s old; Kittie, George, Minnie, Mark and Ray. Mr. Beach is independent in his political views.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 235 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

G. W. Babcock, dealer in agricultural implements, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, September 1, 1829. He is a son of Clark and Anna (Lee) Babcock, who were natives of Ontario County, N. Y., and Northumberland County, Penn., and the parents of seven children, three of who are yet living, viz., George W., Margaret J. and Anna. Clark Babcock was a farmer, and emigrated to Indiana in 1832, locating first in La Porte County, but that same fall moved to what is now Porter County (then La Porte County), and settled in Washington Township. What is now Porter County had less than twenty inhabitants, and was in a state of nature. He built a log house and engaged in farming, and made that his home till his death, in September, 1854, followed by his widow about ten years later. Both are buried in Luther Cemetery, in Washington Township. G. W. Babcock was reared in Porter County to manhood, and has always made it his home. He received a common school education, and was married February 22, 1855, to Elmira Lewis, and by her has four children - Agnes, now Mrs. Kellogg; Lizzie, Lawrence R. and Luella. The mother was born in June, 1830, in Union County, Ind. Mr. Babcock is a Republican; has held township offices, and is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. Besides good town property, he owns a small farm in Washington Township - a part of the old homestead. He was over the ground where the city of Valparaiso now stands long before it was laid out, and has seen it grow from one to hundreds of houses.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 232 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

Hans Bornholt, the younger of two children born to Max and Kate (Hadenfieldt) Bornholt, is a native of Holstein, Germany, and was born in March, 1838. The mother died in the old country, when the father married Anna Hendricks, who became the mother of six children, one of whom lives in Valparaiso. The father died in Germany in 1868; the widow survives and still resides in that country. In the spring of 1864, Hans Bornholt came to Valparaiso, and for about four months worked as a laborer on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. In January, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served about eight months. Returning, after the war, he learned the butcher’s trade, which he has followed ever since, with the exception of one year in which he was engaged in farming. He was married, March 4, 1864, to Anna Harbek, who has borne him five children - Charley, Gus, Jule, Leo and Lydia. Mr. Bornholt is a Republican and has served two terms as Trustee. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and rising from comparative poverty, Mr. B. has secured for himself and family a good property and a first-class trade.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 236 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

H. B. Brown, principal of the Northern Indiana Normal School, was born in Mount Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, October 6, 1847. He is a son of Thomas and Rachel (Mills) Brown, of German and Scotch descent respectively and parents of seven children, of whom six are yet living. When H. B. Brown was about two years of age, his parents moved from the common schools, and, at the age of fifteen, began his career as teacher, with his earnings paying for his tuition in the higher branches. He attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and Lebanon schools, the national Normal School, and at Republic, Ohio, where he taught two years in a normal school. In June 1873, he came to Valparaiso and built up his present school, of which he has made a complete success.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 238 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

H. C. Coates, M. D., is a native of Marlboro, Stark Co., Ohio, was born June 8, 1826, and is the fifth in a family of twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, born to Amos and Jane B. (Norris) Coates, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State and of English descent. Amos Coates was a farmer, and one of the early settlers of Stark County, Ohio, and one of the chief educators of his day in Marlboro. The subject of this sketch began the study of medicine when quite young, at home, under the advisement of his cousin, Dr. J. G. Coates; afterward under Dr. G. W. Bettis. In 1855, he entered the American Medical College, Cincinnati, and in 1856 embarked in the practice of his profession in his native town. In 1861, he took a contract as Physician and Surgeon under the United States Government at Cleveland, remaining about three years. During this time he attended the medical department of the Western Reserve College in Cleveland, and graduated the winter term of 1863-64. After the war, he continued his studies in medicine at Cleveland, and after attending the medical department of the University of Wooster, received a special diploma dated from the winter term of 1865-66. He also took a practitioner’s course in the Chicago Medical Department of Northwestern University. The summer of 1866, he came to Valparaiso and opened an office, and has remained here ever since, actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and as resident Surgeon for the F., Ft. W. & C. R. R., for fourteen years. In 1882, he was chosen as County Physician, by the County Commissioners of Porter County, and is now serving in that capacity. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. He married, April 15, 1847, Miss E. W. Ward, of Portage County, and Ohio, and to this union were born four children - Alfred W., Phebe L. (deceased), Lura E., now Mrs. S. Ramsey, and Maud D.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 239 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

H. M. Beer, M. D., son of the Rev. Thomas Beer, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 20, 1838, and was reared in his native county. He received a good academical education, and at twenty-one years of age began the study of medicine under Dr. P. H. Clark, with whom he remained two and a half years; then for a year he attended Cleveland Medical College, then enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining as such until the close of the war. He then located in Cumberland, Md., practicing, and at intervals attending the college at Cleveland, from which he graduated in 1868. In that year he came to Valparaiso, and has here been actively engaged in practice ever since, having been uncommonly successful, his patients being among the best and most prominent families of Porter County. Dr. Beer is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 235 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

Hon. Mark L. De Motte, Representative to Congress from the Tenth Congressional District of Indiana, was born December 28, 1832, at Rockville, Park Co., Ind. His father, Daniel De Motte, was of French descent, his ancestors coming to America a number of generations back and settling on Long Island. His mother, Mary (Brewer) De Motte, was of Dutch descent, her father being a native of Holland, but passing the greater part of his life in Kentucky. To their marriage were born eight children, the subject of this sketch being the youngest. His father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith, and for forty years was occupied in ministerial labors all over the State. Fifteen years of this time he was financial agent for Asbury University. He died at Greencastle, Ind., in 1875 at the age of seventy-seven years, preceded by his wife in 1866 at the age of seventy-four years. Mark L. De Motte was reared to manhood in Indiana. After attending public schools, he attended a seminary for one year at Greencastle, afterwards entering Asbury University, at that place, from which institution he graduated in 1853, receiving the degree of A. B. He immediately entered upon the study of law, attending the law school of Asbury University, and graduating in 1855 with the degree of LL.B. In that year he came first to Valapariso, Ind., and entered upon the practice of his profession. On the organization of the Republican party, in 1856, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the judicial circuit, comprising the counties of Porter, Lake, La Porte, St. Joseph, Marshall and Stark. The month of December, 1856, at Valparaiso, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Christy, and they lived happily here until 1861, when he entered the Government service as Senior First Lieutenant of the Fourth Indiana Battery, and continued with his command til April, 1862, when he resigned to accept the Captaincy on the staff of Gen. Milroy. In this capacity he participated in the battles of Pope’s campaign of 1863, closing with the engagement of Second Bull Run, afterwards going with Gen. Milroy to West Virginia, remaining there till after the battle of Gettysburg. The remainder of his service was on post duty at Harrisburg, Penn. In August 1865, he removed to Lexington, Mo. In 1869, he became owner and editor of the Lexington Register, a Republican newspaper, and remained in active journalistic work until 1877, when he removed to his old home in Valparaiso. While in Missouri, he was twice nominated for Congress on the Repulican ticket, but, owing to a majority of 10,000 or upwards of opposition in his district, was never elected. After his return to Valparaiso, he resumed the practice to law, which he continued without interruption until 1880, when he received the Republican nomination and was elected to Congress from the Tenth District, over a fusion candidate. For the past two years he has served with signal fidelity and satisfaction to his constituents, who, on the 17th of August, 1882, complimented him by a renomination. Mr. De Motte, aside from being a prominent public man, is an influential and esteemed private citizen. He and his wife are the parents of two children, Mary and Louise. Mr. De Motte, in 1879, was prominent and influential in the organization of the Law Department of the N. I. N. S., of which he is one of the instructors.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 241, 242 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

Jacob Axe (deceased), one of the pioneers of Porter County, was a native of Virginia, and in 1828, his mother, Christina (Kesecker) Axe, widow of William Axe, moved with her family to Wayne Co., Ohio where she died in March, 1836. Jacob Axe there married Miss Agnes C. Cornell, and in 1836 they, in company of William Dye and family, and Elias Axe, a younger brother, started into Indiana with teams and wagons, and after a trip of eighteen days through swamps, with no road and an almost incessant rain-falling, arrived in Porter County. The first home of Jacob Axe was on College Hill, in Valparaiso, where he remained about three months, afterward moving one and one-half miles east of the village (which then comprised about six houses), into a log cabin erected by some squatter. The spring of 1836, he returned to the village and engaged in work at his trade - carpenter and joiner. He then bought the Sager mill property, but sold it at the end of about a year, and engaged in farming east of town some six or seven years. Succeeding which he moved to the farm now owned by his son, Cyrus. He was then engaged in a number of different movements, principally farming, working at his trad and merchandising in Valparaiso. He was an active and energetic citizen, and a man who commanded universal respect. He was a Democrat, and he and wife were members of the Christian Church. He died August 5, 1853, and his widow married James Bundy, who died some few months after their marriage. Mrs. Bundy then moved to Delaware County, Iowa, where she married William Cates, and where both are still living. To the marriage of Jacob Axe there were born eight children, of whom six are still living. Cyrus, a son of Jacob and Agnes Axe, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 4, 1834, and was reared to manhood in Porter County. His occupation has been stock dealing, and for the past few years he has been operating a meat market in conjunction with his other business. He spend the summer of 1861 in Colorado, where he went in pursuit of health and on a mining expedition. In 1864, he was in Montana, where he and others were engaged in freighting goods across the plains. The summers of 1865 and 1866, he fitted out wagons and sent them loaded across the plains in charge of his younger brother, Nathaniel. In 1870, he went to Salt Lake Valley, where he engaged in shipping stock. He was married in 1865, to Miss Harriet L. Finney, whose parents were old settlers of Porter County. To them have been born four children - Addison C., Hattie B., Lida M. and Pearl. Mrs. Axe is a member of the Baptist Church and Mr. Axe is a Democrat and an Odd Fellow. He owns 155 acres of good land in Centre Township, besides valuable town property. The spring of 1880, a part of his land lying between the college grounds and the N. Y., C & St. L. R. R. depot was annexed to the corporate city limits and is known as Axe’s Sub-Division.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 231, 232 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing

J. F. Carter, farmer and dealer in timber, was born in Jackson Township, porter County, Ind., July 4, 1842, and is one of the eight children, five yet living, born to Jacob and Chloe (Doud) Carter, a sketch of whom will be found in Jackson Township biographical sketches. J. F. Carter was reared in Jackson Township to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools. August 27, 1861, being then only nineteen years old, he was mustered into service for the defense of the Union in Company H, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and immediately went to the front. He participated in all the movements of his company and regiment until after the battle of Shiloh, and was engaged in the battles of Green Briar, Buffalo Mountain and Shiloh. The second day of the fight of the last named battle he was sitting on a rail pile when a shell from the enemy, striking the rails, exploded and threw Mr. Carter some distance very forcibly. He experienced no particular injury at the time, but that night, during the rain, got wet, took cold which settled in his back, which was badly strained by the explosion, and in consequence was disabled for duty, and he is yet a sufferer from the effects of this. For this reason he was discharged the spring of 1863. As soon as able, he engaged in farming in his native township, and there, January 1, 1865, married Mrs. Nancy A. (Brierly) Comer. In 1870, they removed to Iowa, remaining there two years, afterward returning to Porter County and locating in Valparaiso, where they have ever since resided. They are the parents of two children - Frank J. and Charles R. Mr. Carter is a Republican, and is one of the substantial citizens of the place. He owns a farm of 280 acres in Washington and Centre Townships, and has taken an equal part in the support of all laudable enterprises that pertain to his town or county.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake Indiana, Historical and Biographical” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 238, 239 City of Valparaiso
Data Entry Volunteer - Suzan Schaeffing