INDIANA TRAILS
LAPORTE COUNTY OBITS
A Useful Life Ended.
Sketch of the Late Capt. John H. SMITH. He held Various Offices of Honor and Trust, Led a Useful, active Life.
The Columbus, (Kans.) Advocate of March 7, has the following to say of the late Capt. J. H. SMITH, brother of our worthy citizen, Mr. William SMITH of the firm Smith & Crane; whose death occurred very suddenly at Topeka, March 4, 1895, of Apoplexy, aged 45 years.
“The telegram announcing the death of Capt. John SMITH, at Topeka, March 4th, was the most startling news that has reached this city in a long time, and it not only conveyed sorrow to the stricken family, but all Columbus mourns the loss of a good citizen, a warm friend, and a devoted worker in every cause which he conscientiously thought was right, and no one could have been taken from our midst that would be more missed in the business of the town, in the church, the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities than Capt. John H. SMITH.
John H. SMITH was born in LaPorte county, Indiana, January 10th, 1841. He was baptized in his infancy, by Dr. John L. SMITH then, until quite recently a presiding elder in the North-west conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he was a student at a Methodist institute in Valparaiso, Indiana, which has since merged into one of the most noted Normal Colleges in the country. His school books were at once laid aside in response to the call of the president for soldiers to put down the rebellion. He enlisted as a private in Company G, Fifteenth Indiana infantry, one of the first three year regiments mustered into the service from that state.
He was in all the campaigns, marches and battles of his regiment, from the time of his enlistment in April 1861 to his final muster out in June 1864. He was twice wounded. First in the foot at the battle of Stone River and in the hand at one of the battles preceding the down fall of Atlanta. He rose by the usual grade, from a private, to the captaincy of the company, and was honorably discharged after three years and two months services.
He was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. MARTIN, at Westville, LaPorte county, Indiana, November 9th, 1864. Four children, three sons, and one daughter blessed their union, three of who are living, the eldest and first born dying at Paola, soon after coming to Kansas.
Capt. SMITH came to Kansas some time in the late fifties and while in the west made a journey over land to Pikes Peak, Colorado.
He located first, permanently, in Kansas, at Paola, in the fall of 1866 and was a resident of that city for about seven years and during that time was twice elected mayor and was postmaster for a term.
His first introduction to this country was in 1873 in superintending the erection of the Zinc Works at Weir City, of which he was superintendent and manager, for a time, after the works were in operation.
While a resident of Weir City, he was elected a representative district being, at that time, the north two thirds of the county.
He removed to this city in 1876, which has since continued to be his home, though at times away a great deal in the public service of the state.
From 1878 to 1885 he was chief deputy U. S. Marshal for the District of Kansas.
In the spring of 1885, he was by Gov. John A. Martin, appointed to the responsible position of Warden of the Kansas penitentiary, a position he filled with singular credit to himself and the state.
In the spring of 1891, the legislature having created a new board, known as the State Board of Public Works, on whom devolved the responsibility of the construction of public buildings for the state.
He took an active part in political affairs and was zealous for the principals of his party and the success of its candidates. He was probably the best known to the citizens throughout the state of any man in the county. He had friends in every locality of the state who will be pained to learn of his death.”
Deceased leaves a wife, two sons, and one daughter to mourn; the eldest son, Dr. Harry, and the daughter, Miss Mona, will be pleasantly remembered in Batavia, from their visits at their uncle's in this city.
[Batavia Herald, Kane County, IL, 28 March 1895]
[Contributed by Kim Torp]
L. C. Crane and family returned Saturday evening from LaPorte, Ind., where they were called by the serious illness of Mr. C’s father, who passed away soon after their arrival. He was a gentleman of over 70 years of age and died of paralysis.
[Batavia Herald, Kane County, IL, 19 Oct. 1893]
[Contributed by Kim Torp]
Obituary from the La Porte Herald-Argus published 10 Jan 1927, page 2

The funeral for Leonard Burden, age 82, who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs Lillie Robbins, Andrew Avenue at 13th Street, at 4:20 Saturday afternoon, will be held at the Oak Grove Church tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The Rev. M. G. Long will officiate,  Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in charge of E. E. Ebbert.  The remains may be viewed at the Ebbert Chapel this evening.

Mr Burden was born in Marshall County, Ind., March 19, 1844.  He had lived in La Porte County since 18 years of age.  Mr Burden was a retired farmer.  He married Rachel Coleman of LaPorte County in 1869.

The deceased man was a member of the Methodist Church as well as the La Porte Patton post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs George Haverstock and Mrs Melvin Robbins, both of La Porte; one sister, Martha Cummings of Plymouth; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  His wife passed away 21 years ago.
From an untitled newspaper dated 25 August 1930
Mrs Lillian Robbins, age 45, rural route No. 3, passed away Saturday at the Holy Family hospital after a five day illness of complications.  The daughter of Mr and Mrs Leonard Burden, Mrs Robbins was born in La Porte County Dec. 16, 1884, living in this county all her life.  She was married 24 years ago to Melvin Robbins, who survives.  Mrs Robbins was a member of the Oak Grove Methodist Church.

Others surviving are seven daughters, Mrs Lester Lee Stevens of Gridley, Ill., Mrs Gladys [N.B. should be Hazel, not Gladys] Kaiser of Three Oaks, Mich., and Ruth, Alice and Gladys, all at home; three sons, Charles, Eugene and Robert Robbins, at home, and a sister, Mrs Alice Haverstock, of La Porte.

Buriel is in Oak Grove Cemetery, Wills Twp, LaPorte Co, Indiana.

[Contrary to what the obit claims, Lillian lived outside of LaPorte Co, Indiana at least long enough to give birth to her last two children (abt 1920) in Woodford Co, Illinois and to be counted in the Woodford Co, Illinois census for 1920.]

News-Dispatch, The (Michigan City, IN) - December 31, 1997
 Chief Marshal James Kautz dies
James Kautz was performing a duty he had carried out hundreds of times before in the late afternoon darkness of Nov. 4, 1997. The veteran chief marshal of the tiny Long Beach Police Department was assisting Michigan City police at the scene of a traffic accident when the routine chore took a tragic turn. Kautz was struck by a car driven by a 29-year-old New Buffalo, Mich., man. Suffering multiple injuries, the chief marshal was airlifted from St. Anthony Hospital to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill., where he died exactly one month later. The grim story of a policeman cut down while doing his job was chosen by News-Dispatch readers as the top local news story of 1997. The Kautz tragedy was the clear No. 1 choice. The story was listed on 36 of the 41 ballots returned to The News-Dispatch, and was the first choice on 13 ballots. With 10 points awarded for a first-place vote, nine points for second place and so on, the Kautz story had 288 points. For the second straight year, riverboat developments was the readers' No. 2 pick. The opening of the Blue Chip Casino had 230 points and was the first-place pick of eight readers. Although top stories emerge, the balloting every year demonstrates the diverse viewpoints readers have about what constitutes important news. Of the 36 stories listed on our ballot, only one didn't receive any votes, and 15 different stories received at least one first-place ballot. This year, too, several readers listed write-in choices, although none of those picks made the top 10. The rest of the top stories, from third through 10th, were: the acquisition of Memorial Hospital by the corporation that owns St. Anthony Hospital; Mayor Sheila Brillson's decision not to support the Miss Indiana Pageant and the controversy surrounding that decision; a small-plane crash over Lake Michigan near Chicago whose victims included three area people; the opening of the Meijer department store as South Side development continued; an Aug. 16 storm that caused widespread damage and left NIPSCO customers fuming in the wake of power outages; the closing of Long Beach and Eastport elementary schools; the tug-of-war over the old Garfield School between the city and Prisoner And Community Together; approval of a $3.5 million park bond issue. Summaries of each of these stories appear elsewhere in today's paper. The annual reader survey drawing winner was local attorney Doug Bernacchi. His ballot was picked at random and earned him a $50 check. The accident that ultimately claimed Kautz's life occurred at 5:45 p.m. Nov. 4 near the Golden Sands Motel, 4411 E. U.S. 12. Kautz was helping Michigan City police at an earlier traffic accident. A car driven by Randy Tarwater struck Kautz as he stood on the road. A St. Anthony Hospital official said Kautz suffered from "multiple, multiple trauma, including multiple compound fractures of both legs and broken shoulder with numerous skin tears" and a head injury, but was still alert and talking when taken to the helicopter. Officials had planned to take Kautz to the University of Chicago Hospitals, but bad weather there forced a detour to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. Although doctors had to remove Kautz's spleen and his right leg below the knee, there seemed to be hopeful signs in the early going. However, his condition took a turn for the worse the weekend of Nov. 8, when he suffered a massive stroke while undergoing additional leg surgery. He never recovered after that, and died at 1:59 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. He was 55. Scores of friends, family members and police officers - some from as far away as Terre Haute - attended Kautz's funeral Dec. 8 at Notre Dame Catholic Church. The colorful but somber funeral procession, including dozens of police and emergency vehicles, wound from the church through Long Beach and Michigan City, passing both police stations before ending at Greenwood Cemetery. "He was proud of his department and would fight for what he thought was right," Long Beach Town Council President Tom Ringo said of Kautz. "If he had to go, going in the line of duty is the way he would have wanted to go."

News-Dispatch, The (Michigan City, IN) - December 31, 1997
LAPORTE - Infant John R. Chesnut III died at 8:02 p.m. Monday (Dec. 29, 1997) at LaPorte Hospital.
The funeral service will be held privately with the Rev. Vrabely officiating. Burial will be in Posey Chapel Cemetery.

News-Dispatch, The (Michigan City, IN) - December 31, 1997
Genevieve B. "Jean" "Tootsie" Stellema, 74, Michigan City, died at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 30, 1997) at her home.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Monsignor Michael Tomaszewski officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel. The St. Stanislaus Rosary Society will recite the rosary at 3 p.m., and the parish rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., both Thursday at the funeral chapel.

News-Dispatch, The (Michigan City, IN) - December 31, 1997
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. -Frances Reed, 77, of Crossville, formerly of LaPorte, died at 8:45 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 27, 1997) at Cumberland Medical Center, Crossville.
The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at LaPorte Assembly of God, with the Rev. Jeffrey A. Hines officiating. Burial will follow at Springville Cemetery, LaPorte.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Friday at Haverstock Funeral Home, LaPorte.

News-Dispatch, The (Michigan City, IN) - December 31, 1997
TRAIL CREEK - , 65, Trail Creek, died Tuesday (Dec. 30, 1997) at St. Anthony Hospital.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Matevia officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Carlisle Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church
Inter Ocean 8/02/1888
At LaPorte, Ind. Wednesday William Ellsworth, aged 18, was shot and killed by Oliver White, the quarrel being caused from White and other boys throwing stones into the river where Ellsworth was fishing
Barbara Wheeler nee Kerr
Obit: Barbara Kerr Wheeler, age 61, of Albuquerque, passed away on February 18, 2005. She was born Feb. 14, 1944 to Richard and Patricia Kerr in LaPorte, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Frank Cliff Wheeler. She is survived by her siblings, Pamela Kerr Bissett and husband, Willaim, Deborah Kerr Tagliarini and husband, Peter and Richard H. Kerr and wife, Jan; nephews W. Paul Bissett III, J. Wesley Wienman, Geoffrey Bortz Kerr, P. Alexander Tagliarini; nieces Courtney Bissett-Hayes; Darby Bissett Steadman, and Chawnee Jean Wienman; grand-nephews and nieces, Corbin A. Hayes, Logan A. Hayes, Liam K. Steadman, Wm. Aidan Bissett, Dylan P. Bissett, Kyra M. Bissett and Audrey Steadman. Barbara was active in several organizations and was the Past Royal Matron, La Mesa Ct#3, Order of the Amaranth; Past Worthy High Priestess, Abq. Shrine #1, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem; Order of the Eastern Star, Desert Rose #70 and Order of Does, BPOE. There will be a funeral service celebrating Barbara's life followed by an ice cream sundae reception on Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6901 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 821-4676, where Barbara was an active and much loved member for many years. Interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery will take place the following week. In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations to Barbara's memorial fund at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Newspaper: Albuquerque Journal (NM), Feb. 26, 2005 Submitters Name: Ida Maack Recu
Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 5, 1973
Orton P. Zent, 60, R.R. 2, Rochester, died at 3 a.m. today in the LaPorte hospital where he had been a patient nine days. He was ill nine months. Born May 10, 1913, in Kosciusko county near Mentone, he was the son of Lloyd and Blanche AMES ZENT. His marriage was March 17, 1935, in Rochester to Clarabelle Hunter. She survives. A farmer, Mr. Zent had resided most of his life in the Mentone and Rochester areas. He was an employee of the Charles Fear and Son Implement company. hewas a member of the First Baptist church in Rochester and the F&AM 79 of Rochester. Also surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Carol) LANGE, R.R. 1, LaPorte; two sons, Ronnie (ZENT), Rochester, and Michael (ZENT), at home; six grandsons; one brother, Robert E. (ZENT), of Mentone. Final rites will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Foster & Good funeral home. The Rev. Donald MAUGHAN will officiate. Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. cemetery here. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Tuesday where the F&AM 79 will conduct memorial services at 7 p.m. The family has requested that memorials other than flowers be made to the Cancer Society.
submitted by Ida Maack Recu
Plainfield, Ind, April 13—Henry Sanders, one of the well-to-do farmers of Hendricks county, died at his home, in this place, last night, of Blight's disease, aged seventy. He was a native of Ohio and came to this county in the forties and has lived on a farm all hia life until within the last three months.
Indiana Journal April 15, 1896
Old Man Dies of Weeping
La Porte, Ind., Sept 27 – Caleb Harvey, an old and wealthy citizen of this city died here today as the direct result of grieving over the assassination and death of President McKinley. The physicians say that Harvey literally cried himself to death. He wept for hours continuously from the afternoon the president was shot suffering intensely. The physicians consider the case without precedent.
The Oklahoman 9/28/1901 Transcribed by Dale Donlon
John G. LANTZ, a well-known German of Laporte, was found dead in his chair. He lived alone, and his death is thought to have occurred two days before the body was discovered.
Indiana General News Items from the Indianapolis News 12 December, 1890 Page 6 Column 5
Killed on theTracks.
LAPORTE, Ind., March 9.—Charles Miller, an old resident of this city, was Instantly killed while driving; across the Lake Erie railroad tracks this morning. His horse escaped unscratched.
The Indiana Journal March 11, 1896



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