Christmas Candle-Light Tour of Historic Homes - People Engaged in ...

After William’s death, his widow, Mary, continued to occupy the house for the
next 20 years, until her death in 1935. Like her husband, she died “at home.”
In March of 1938, the house was acquired by Telila J. Mathews (widow of Warren
Mathews, a butcher), and her daughter, Florence R. Marshall, who had been married to
Charles Marshall, Sr.. 7 Reflecting a business acumen that was unusual for women of the
time, Telila owned and managed a number of rental properties. It was during this era that
1001 Madison was converted into a multifamily dwelling. (The part you are touring is
the former Mathews/Marshall family residence.) In order to facilitate the conversion, but
sensitive to the house’s history, the original staircase was retained, but moved from its
original location near the front entryway, to its current location in the dining room.
Florence Marshall was a prominent woman who devoted her career to La Porte
county government, serving as County Treasurer for one term, from 1949-52, and County
Recorder for two, from 1953-1960. Marshall had two children, Charles Warren and
Elizabeth, who were teenagers when the house was purchased. Telila Mathews died in
1966, and Florence Marshall in 1969.
At this time, Florence’s son, Charles, then became owner of the house. Born in
1925, he was a 1943 graduate of La Porte High School, and during high school, started the
Charles Marshall Orchestra, a “big band” that played for many school functions. (The band
was disbanded after graduation, as a majority of the members were drafted into World War
II.) He owned and operated Marshall’s Jewelry Store on Lincolnway from 1947 until his
retirement in 1990. In addition to stylish jewelry for any budget, the store was revered by
La Porte’s “old money” families, who appreciated the exclusive higher-end gifts Marshall
carried. (The store was known as a “full-line” jewelry store, and carried four lines of fine
china, cut crystal, upscale watches, sterling silver, etc..)
Charles Marshall married Lois Snyder in 1952, who died in 1971. There were
2 children of this marriage, Cristopher and Lyn. Since Charles’s passing in the spring of
2005, at age 79, 1001 Madison has remained in the Marshall family, with son Cris as the
current owner. (The family no longer resides in the house.) It is worth noting that in the
nearly 140 years of 1001 Madison’s existence (subsequent to H.B. Weir), it has been in the
possession of only 2 families...the Andrews and the Marshalls.
In April 2008, Michael Adams and Matthew Kelley moved into the main residence
of the home. Mike and Matt are owner/operators of the Lens Lab Optical Service, off the
Pine Lake Avenue overpass. They are truly humbled to live in a house of such historic
significance and beauty...and gratified and honored to open it to our tour attendees.
7. In a twist of small town fate, Charles Marshall Sr. was the stepson of Henry B. Weir’s brother
William. (Charles’s mother, Elizabeth, married William Weir in 1911.)
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