Charles P. Specht, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Charles P. Specht
CHARLES P. SPECHT. It was a wise, albeit a homely philosopher, who many years ago contrived the trite saying that "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," and surely those who by providing suitable amusement to lighten the burdens of life are contributing no small quota to its affairs. In this roster would come Charles P. Specht, who operates at "Burlington Beach" one of the most beautiful summer resorts in northern Indiana, a place where the attractiveness of natural surroundings has been enhanced by the comforts that modern life demands. This combination is irresistible and Mr. Specht is profiting by the fact that he recognized it and established at Flint Lake a resort of the highest class.
"Burlington Beach" is the alliterative title of this delightful place, which is situated on the south shore of Flint Lake, three and one-half miles from the city of Valparaiso, and reached by the interurban line which runs to Chesterton, Indiana. In 1897 it came under the able management of Mr. Specht and since then has steadily increased in popularity. There is a large airy and comfortable rooming house, capable of accommodating thirty-five people. At the dock are twenty boats, available for rowing or fishing. Flint Lake is full of all kinds of the finest fish and to the weary city worker it seems like a bit of heaven to come to Burlington Beach and spend two or three weeks in the invigorating air and amid such pleasant surroundings. The prices are moderate and within the reach of all, and the Beach well deserves the extensive patronage that is accorded to its popular proprietor.
Mr. Specht is a native son of Porter county, March 18, 1875, being the date of his nativity. He is the fifth of six children, three sons and three daughters, born to Marx and Katharine (Sothman) Specht, only two of whom are living. The other child besides the subject of this sketch is Emma, wile of John Clausson, a resident of Center township, who is a machinist by trade. They have two sons and one daughter, Vernon, William and Ruth. Mrs. Clausson was born in Nebraska, but was reared and educated in Center township. She belongs to the German Lutheran church.
The senior Mr. Specht was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1839, and is still living in Center township, where he has followed farming for many years. He came to America about 1865 as a poor boy amongst a strange people, and working against this handicap with economy and industry accumulated a good home and other property. He came direct to Indiana and has been content to remain. He is a Republican and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church in Valparaiso. They went to Nebraska in 1879 and remained there until 1896, when they returned to Porter county. Like her husband, Mrs. Specht is a native of Holstein, Germany, born in 1839, the same year as her husband. Mr. Specht left Hamburg in a sailing vessel which required forty days to cross the Atlantic on a course which is now covered by the great liners in five days. He and his wife reside on a pretty little farm of twelve acres near Flint Lake.
Charles P. Specht was educated in the Nebraska common schools and learned the butcher's trade. He began life for himself at the age of fifteen, and his first wages were rated at twelve dollars per month, so it will re seen that he started on the ladder of success at the very bottom round. In 1897 he assumed charge of "Burlington Beach" and has managed it ever since. His wife was Miss Helene Mary Lemster, to whom he was married on June 22, 1898. Two children, a son and daughter, have gladdened the union. Max is in the eighth grade, and is unusually bright in his studies. Viola, the younger, is in the fifth grade and is making rapid progress.
Mrs. Specht was born in Porter county, August 27, 1877, a daughter of Henry and Marguerite (Nuppnau) Lemster. She is the second in a family of eleven children. There were two sons and nine daughters, and the seven who are now living are all residents of Porter county except Amanda, wife of Adolph Lietz, who is an electrician and lives in Chicago. Their father was born in Holstein, Germany, and was only eighteen years of age when he came from the old country. He had no capital whatever, but his German grit carried him through and he is now a successful contractor in Valparaiso. He is a Democrat and active in the service of the party, but in local affairs takes the broad view of supporting the best candidate, irrespective of party affiliation. His wife was also reared in Holstein and was educated in the German language. They reside in Valparaiso.
Charles P. Specht made a trip to Germany in 1889 to visit the old home of his father and to see his grandparents. He made the trip on the “Harmonia” of the Hamburg-American line, and remained two months. He cast his first vote for McKinley and has consistently supported the Republican candidates ever since. His fraternal affiliations are with the B. P. O. E., No. 500 at Valparaiso. His business judgment is further attested by the fact that he carried a good line of insurance to protect his family.
In his enterprise Mr. Specht is ably assisted by his wife, who is a gracious hostess, cordial and genial in manner and attentive to the wants of guests at all times. They are young people of sociable nature and form friends with ease. Both are widely popular and their future is of the brightest. In their religious affiliation they belong to the Lutheran church.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 596-600
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook