A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 91

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826

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Henry F. Elbel, the immediate subject of this review, was born in South Bend on the 9th of November. 1856, a son of Lorenz and Johannah Elbel, both natives of Germany. Early in life. however, they crossed the ocean to the United States and became thoroughly American citizens, in harmony with the spirit of the republic, and. making the most of his opportunities, Mr. Elbel steadily worked his

way upward to success and all that was de- sirable and ennobling in life. Their son Henry F. received his educational training in the schools of South Bend, and was for many years thereafter engaged with the Singer Company. He is now a member of the firm of the South Bend Engraving and Electro- typing Company, one of the leading and most prosperous institutions in the city. He has ever been active and earnest in his ad- vocacy of all measures for the public good, and the cause of education especially finds in him a stalwart friend. He is now serving as treasurer of the school board, and has proved himself a valued factor in its behalf.

EDWARD MUESSEL. During a pioneer epoch in the history of St. Joseph county the Mues- sel family was founded within its borders by Christopher Muessel, the father of Ed- ward, and who was a native of Bavaria, Germany. In a very early day, however, he came to South Bend, and the members of his family have taken an active and promi- nent part in the development of this sec- tion of the state. He was a brewer in the old country. as was his father before him, and after coming to Indiana continued in the same occupation, his first brewery being located at Vistula, and a part of this old building is still standing. He owned one hundred and thirty-six acres of land north of the city. on which was splendid water power, but in about 1868 he removed to the present site of the brewery. It was the first one established in the town and is still owned by the family, Mr. Edward Muessel serving as its president. It is one of the oldest in- stitutions of the county, and has served its part in making South Bend one of the lead- ing industrial centers. Though his business demanded much of his attention, Christopher Muessel yet found time to labor for the ad- vancement of many movements and measures intended to benefit the community and pro- mote the welfare of his fellow men. He was a public-spirited. progressive citizen, honored for his integrity in industrial life and for his fidelity to every trust.

Edward Muessel, a son of this honored In- diana pioneer, was born in South Bend on the 3d of January, 1858, and in its public schools received his early educational train- ing. while later he was a student in Notre Dame University. He then began work with his father in the brewery. and in 1895 com- menced a wholesale liquor business. He was

Edward Hewessel,

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Astur "> wid Tilden Fr untetons, 1509

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

married to Mary Miller, a daughter of George Miller, of Marshall county, Indiana, and they have two daughters, Alma and Netta. Mr. MInessel is a member of the South Bend Turn Verein.

WILLIAM MUESSEL. One of the oldest and most enterprising business men of South Bend is William Muessel, the secretary of the Mnessel Brewing Company, and who is ranked with the representative citizens of the place. His birth oceurred across the sea in Germany, July 10, 1847, but when only six years of age he was brought by his father, Christopher Muessel, to the United States. who at once made his way to South Bend and permanently established the family home in this city. The year of the emigration was 1852, and shortly after their arrival the father established the brewing business. The little son grew to years of maturity in this city, and after completing his education in its publie schools began work in his father's brewery, thus continuing until the latter's death, the son being then about thirty years of age. His brother Ludwig then assumed charge of the business, and when it was reor- ganized as the Muessel Brewing Company William Muessel was made the secretary, an office which he has since so ably filled. Al- though he entered upon a business already established, in conducting this and enlarging its scope he has so directed his efforts that its interests have grown apace with the prog- ress which dominates this progressive age, and with the other members of this large manu- factory he occupies a leading place in the business life of the community.

Mr. Muessel was married in 1875, Martha Kelner then becoming his wife, and she, too, claims the fatherland as the place of her na- tivity. Their union has been blessed by the birth of seven children: Leander, Otto S., Emma, Henry, Albert, Clara and William. In his fraternal relations Mr. Muessel is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of this city and the Turners Society. During the long period of fifty-three years he has made his home in South Bend, and during that time he has attained prominence in its business circles, while in private life no man in the city has more friends than he.

WALTER G. MUESSEL, treasurer and man- ager of the Muessel Brewing Company, was born in South Bend on the 5th of September, 1869, the eldest of the two sons of Ludwig Muessel. The father was the eldest son of

Christopher Muessel, who came to this coun- try from Germany, and in an early day estab- lished the family home in South Bend. To him belongs the credit also of the establish- ment of the Muessel Brewery, and although fifty-five years have passed since that event it is yet owned by the family, and under their guidance has grown to large proportions, oe- cupying a leading place among the large manufactories of South Bend.

Walter G. Muessel, the grandson of this early St. Joseph county pioneer, has spent his entire life in South Bend. After attend- ing its public schools he entered Purdue Uni- versity, where he pursued the mechanical en- gineering course and graduated in 1892. Dur- ing the following two years he was employed as an engineer in different localities, and on the 1st of March, 1895, assumed the important position he now holds in the Muessel Brewing Company, that of treasurer and manager, while in addition he is also director of the American Trust Company of South Bend. His interests are many and varied, and he is numbered among the successful young busi- ness men of South Bend, where his entire life has been passed and where he has won and retained many friends.

The marriage of Mr. Muessel was celebrated in 1897, when Florence, the daughter of the late Andrew J. Chrisman, became his wife, and their three children are Robert, Helen and Hester. Mr. Muessel holds a leading place in the social as well as business circles of South Bend, and has membership rela- tions with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Masonic orders.

ADOLPH J. MUESSEL, superintendent of the Muessel Brewing Company of South Bend, was born in this city on the 3d of October, 1870, the second son of Ludwig Muessel. The latter is the son of Christopher Muessel, who was the founder of the family in the United States and the organizer of the Muessel Brew- ing Company. After completing his educa- tion in the city schools of South Bend Adolph J. entered Notre Dame University, where he completed a three years' general course. Dur- ing the three succeeding years he was em- ployed in the sheet iron works of this city. and on the expiration of that period, in 1893. was made the superintendent of the Muessel Brewing Company, one of the largest manu- facturing concerns of St. Joseph county. He has ever since discharged the duties of that important position, and South Bend is proud

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to claim him among her enterprising young business men.

In 1897 Mr. Muessel was united in mar- riage to Sarah E. Blyler, the daughter of David Blyler, of St. Joseph county, and their only child is a daughter, Margaretta. Mr. Muessel is a member of the Turners Associa- tion, and is a valued factor in the social life of his community.

LEIGHTON PINE. When Leighton Pine passed away one more name was added to the list of honored dead whose earthly rec- ords closed with the words, "Well done," but as long as memory remains to those who knew him the influence of his noble life will remain as a source of encouragement and in- spiration. Many business concerns and moral enterprises owe their excellence and progress largely to his influence. He was in touch with the people, and from a sincere and deep-felt interest in their welfare la- bored for all that would prove of public benefit until the busy and useful life was ended.

Mr. Pine was born in the city of New York, February 10, 1844, the youngest son of William Pine, and his education was re- ceived in the schools of his native city. At an early age he learned photography, and during the Civil war was official photogra- pher on the staff of General Gilmore. In the early '60s he entered the employ of Francis A. Ross, at that time engaged in cabinet work for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. With his far seeing judgment Mr. Pine pro- posed to the Singer Company the establish- ment of a cabinet factory in the middle west, which was approved, and he came to South Bend on the 15th of May, 1868. The city then, as now, offered superior inducements. and the company built on the east race, but the site was abandoned in a few years and the mammoth concern was built on West Di- vision, one of the finest plants in the world. and with the new plant was established a foundry. In 1875 Mr. Pine left the Singer Company and went with the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, assisting in organizing the plant and becoming its secretary. But in November, 1879. he returned to the Singer Company, remaining with that corporation until his life's labors were ended in death. In the late '70s Mr. Pine also organized the Econo- mist Plow Company, while later he organ- ized the South Bend Spring Curry Comb Company, but the latter afterward passed

into the control of Marvin Campbell. He · was a man of distinctive and forceful indi- viduality, and the Singer Company even- tually made him manager of all its great cabi- net works in South Bend, Cairo, Illinois, Scotland, Germany and Russia. In this high position Mr. Pine displayed executive power and keen discrimination, and was widely recognized as a most capable business man. Much of the strength of his life for many years was given to the betterment of public life. He fought relentlessly against boodle and graft in public affairs, and his life was beautiful in its purity, goodness and Chris- tian virtues. A staunch Republican in his political affiliations, he defended the policy of his party with intelligence and ardor.

On the 5th of November. 1865, Mr. Pine was married to Maria C. Barmore, of New York city, and one son was born to them, Milton B., who now ably fills his father's position. The death of the loving husband and father occurred on the 15th of Novem- ber, 1905. His loss was deeply mourned in this community, and his memory is en- shrined in the hearts of his friends and associates, to whose interests he was ever faithful.

GUSTAV A. STUECKLE. From a little Ger- man home across the sea Gustav A. Stueckle made his way to the United States and en- tered upon a career which has proved suc- cessful. He is distinctively the architect of his own fortunes, for coming to this country without capital he has made his way to suc- cess through wisely directed efforts and to all that is ennobling in life. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 1st of De- cember, 1863, a son of Jacob John and Caro- line (Rapp) Stueckle, also natives of Wur- temberg. They now reside in the village of Rohracker, in the district of Cannstatt, and Mr. Stueckle also has two brothers and two sisters in the fatherland.

After receiving an excellent educational training in his native land Gustav A. Stueckle came to the United States, arriving in this country on the 23d of July, 1881, and im- mediately took up his abode in South Bend. Thus for many years his life history has been closely identified with the history of this city. His career has been one of un- tiring activity, but success has attended his efforts and has placed him in the ranks of the leading men of affairs. His first em- ployment here was as a cabinet-maker, which

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Theodora Thorwald

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

was also the trade of his father, thus con- tinuing for twelve years. During all those years he was also a diligent student, obtain- ing a good comprehensive knowledge of the English language and of the business meth- ods of this country. In 1899 he entered upon a business life for himself, and through many channels he has contributed to his own pros- perity and to the welfare and upbuilding of South Bend. He is president of the South Bend Brewing Company, which was organ- ized in 1903, the stock of which is principally owned by local capital, and in 1900 he was elected a member of the city council to repre- sent the Fourth ward, to which position he has been twice re-elected and is now serving his third term. The Democracy receives his hearty support and co-operation, and he is an active worker in its ranks.

In 1886 Mr. Stueckle married Elizabeth Margaret Doberlein, a daughter of John Döberlein, who came from Germany and set- tled in St. Joseph county in the early '70s. One son has been born of this union, Clar- ence C. Mr. Stueckle is a member of the Turn Verein, the Mannerchor and the Eagles. He arrived in this country a stranger in a strange land, with no knowledge of the English language, but by persistent study and hard and diligent work he has mastered the intricate problems of life, and few have more devoted friends than he. He has but lately returned with his family from a visit to his native land.

THEODORE THORWARD. No better illustra- tion of the characteristic energy and enter- prise of the German-American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of Theodore Thorward, one of the best known business men of South Bend. Coming to this country with no capital except his abili- ties, he has made his way to success through wisely directed efforts, and he can now look back with satisfaction to past struggles. He was born in Germany on the 11th of Novem- ber. 1859, and coming to the United States with relatives settled in Powhattan, Ohio, where he was educated in the public schools and also attended the German Methodist Episcopal College of Wallace, at Berea, Ohio. He fully realized the value of an education, and therefore worked his own way through college. Thus with an excellent foundation for his future life work he busied himself at various occupations until 1881, when he went to Fort Wayne. Indiana, and entered

the telephone business. He commenced work by soliciting for the first independent tele- phone company there, and after obtaining a thorough knowledge of the business he was made the assistant manager of the Home Telephone Company of that city.

At that time Mr. Thorward began looking about for new fields for his operations, and as South Bend offered a splendid opportu- nity he induced capital to invest here and secured a thirty-seven year franchise for a telephone system in South Bend and Misha- waka. He then organized the Home Tele- phone Company, with exchanges at South Bend, Mishawaka and several places, and the company now has two hundred miles of toll line connected with the Home Company. The system is one of the most perfect in the country, and under Mr. Thorward's presi- deney and management has been very suc- cessful, representing an investment of five hundred thousand dollars, including real es- tate in South Bend and Mishawaka. Mr. Thorward has also interested some well known capitalists in Chicago in the organizing of a long distance independent toll line between Chicago and South Bend, with the result that this city will be the hub of a large inde- pendent toll line system. IIe is president and general manager of the Home Telephone Company, and although his residence in South Bend dates from only 1902 he is num- bered among its best known and most suc- cessful business men. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he takes an active interest in its work and upbuilding.

The marriage of Mr. Thorward was cele- brated in 1881, when Miss Minnie Dendel, of Allegan, Michigan, became his wife, and they have two sons. George T., a graduate of the University of Michigan and now as- sistant manager of the Home Telephone Company, and Benjamin, a graduate of the South Bend high school and now a student at Ann Arbor. The family worship in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Thor- ward is a member of the order of Elks, the Commercial Athletic Club and the Indiana Club.

JOSEPH GREELEY BARTLETT, who died in South Bend on January 9, 1873, was one of the prominent pioneer merchants of the city, and, aside from his business career, is especially impressed upon the minds of the old settlers because of the leading part he took in the establishment of the Presbyterian

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

church in this locality. A native of New Hampshire, born in 1816, he came to St. Joseph county in the early thirties, while still a youth, and was thereafter reared, edu- cated and trained to manly ways in the com- munity in which he passed the balance of his life. When he came to Indiana all rail- roads were in their early infancy, and he passed through New York on his way west- ward, via the Erie canal. He lived, there- fore, through a remarkable era of develop- ment. both for the east and west, of which latter section Indiana was a border state at the time of his coming to it.

When Joseph G. Bartlett arrived in South Bend he was already master of the baker's trade, and immediately proceeded to open a shop. He prospered in the undertaking, and added groceries to his bakery goods, the com- bination proving, in the after years, remark- ably profitable. During his career as a mer- chant in these lines he received Myron Camp- bell into partnership, and for many years before his death he was placed among the leading business men and honorable, public spirited citizens of St. Joseph county. Quite early he built the present residence of the Bartlett family, its location then being at the head of Washington street.

Mr. Bartlett was married in New England to Elizabeth Springer, by whom he had four children-William, Joseph, Anna and Charles, all natives of South Bend. where the wife died in 1861. In 1865 he married again, his second wife being Mrs. Sarah Whittaker, and by this union had a son and a daughter -Harry H. and Mabel A. Both of these children were also born and reared in South Bend. Harry H. Bartlett is well known for his connection with the Singer Sewing Ma- chine Company, and Mabel A. is a talented organist. The life of Joseph Greeley Bart- lett is therefore very closely intertwined with the history of South Bend, considered from the standpoints of business, religious and family reasons.

During his long residence in South Bend Mr. Bartlett was among the most active lead- ers in the work of the Presbyterian church. He was long one of its most influential elders, helped to build its present house of worship, and was in every way among the most liberal contributors to its support and progress. He was an old-line Whig and Re- publican. and a member of the I. O. O. F. Energetic and conscientious in whatever field

of activity he entered, endowed with great common sense and an unusual power for mak- ing and retaining friends, when death called him away at the comparatively early age of fifty-nine, the community deeply mourned, both because of close attachment to his per- sonality and because he seemed to be snatched away at the very height of his broad usefulness.

CHARLES ARTHUR CARLISLE. The glory of our republic is the perpetuation of individ- uality and in according the utmost scope for individual accomplishment. Of America is the self made man a product, and the record of accomplishment in this individual sense is the record which the true and loyal Ameri- can holds in the deepest regard and highest honor. From a poor lad Mr. Carlisle has alone made his way, step by step, until he won admittance to one of the greatest com- mercial institutions of the land.

He was born in Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, May 4, 1864, and was educated in the public schools of that city, but to his mother he gives all credit for her persevering pri- vate tutoring at home. Owing to financial reverses in the family, he began at a very early day to contribute financial support at home, his first work being as a clerk in a grocery store, after which he tried his hand at the dry goods business, but found both confining and not to his liking. He next en- tered the railway service, commencing as messenger boy for the Marietta & Cincinnati Railway, now the Baltimore & Ohio South- western Railroad, at Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1884, however, he left the railway service and identified himself with journalistie work, becoming connected with the Ohio State Jour- nal, of Columbus, Ohio, a leading Repub- lican paper. In the broad field of journalism he came into contact with those who moulded publie opinion. and from his association with public men his inspirations led him forward successfully into the great arena of public activity.

In 1886 Mr. Carlisle re-entered the rail- way service, determining upon a career in that great arm of commerce. Standing again upon the lowest round of the ladder. in a subordinate position with the local freight department of the Nickel Plate Railroad, the New York. Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. at Cleveland, Ohio. he passed successfully through various departments and in 1888 was elected to fill the very important posi-

Charles A. Carlisle

THE NEW YORK PUBLI LIBRARY

Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

tion of cashier of three joint stations. In the following year he became the private secretary of the general manager of the To- ledo & Ohio Central Railroad, at Toledo, Ohio. In 1890 he was made purchasing agent of the "Burke System" of railways, to which had been added the Toledo, Co- lumbus & Cincinnati Railroad and the Kanawha Michigan Railroad.

Mr. Carlisle has recently been selected by the unanimous choice of the board of di- rectors of the American Trust Company as its president. This is a new financial insti- tution with a capital of two hundred thou- sand dollars and a surplus of fifty thousand, and which began business at South Bend about January 1, 1904. This institution, which ranks prominently among the foremost financial concerns of the state, is made up of the progressive element of this busy com- munity, and numbers among its stockholders substantial, conservative leaders in modern and advanced methods, and who are promi- nent in civic, state and national affairs. He is a director of the Studebaker Brothers' Manufacturing Company. of South Bend. in charge of the purchasing department, the advertising department and the traffic de- partment. He is the secretary of the South Bend Fuel and Gas Company, a director of the South Bend Malleable Iron Company and is prominently identified with many other ex- tensive corporations.

Although Mr. Carlisle has no political as- pirations and not seeking public favors, he has served as president of the Harrison Re- publican Club, the leading permanent Re- publiean organization in St. Joseph county. IIe is vice-president of the National Asso- ciation of Manufacturers, and, if the will of that organization had been heeded, he would doubtless have been at the head of the new Department of Commerce and Labor -with a seat in President Roosevelt's cabi- net. He is a member of the executive com- mittee of the Carriage Builders' National Association and is the vice-president for In- diana of the Scotch-Irish Society of America. He is also prominent in the great order of Masonry. being a thirty-second degree Mason and å Shriner as well as a Knight Templar. He served for four years as a member of Governor Monnt's military staff of Indiana, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. and when Governor W. T. Durbin came into office he

commissioned Mr. Carlisle as a member of his staff, with the rank of colonel.

On the 17th of September, 1891, at South Bend, Mr. Carlisle was married to Miss Anna Studebaker, only daughter of Hon. and Mrs. Clement Studebaker. He has a beautiful summer home at Chautauqua, New York, where his summers are spent. He is a mem- ber of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church of South Bend, and takes a prominent inter- est in all the work of his church and is a member of its official board. He was an honored guest at the meeting of the Gridiron Club of Washington, D. C., at its banquet on January 31, 1903. His name has been enrolled in the great Guest Book of that world-famed organization, and will go down to posterity associated with the greatest and most brilliant of national leaders. Mr. Car- lisle is also a member of the American Acad- emy of Political and Social Science, of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania; the American Insti- tute of Civies, of New York city; the Twen- tieth Century Club, of Chicago, Illinois; the Sphinx Club, of New York city, composed of only national advertisers; the Columbia Club, of Indianapolis, Indiana; the Chicago Athletic Association, of Chicago, Illinois : the Indiana Club, of South Bend; the North- ern Indiana Historical Society, of South Bend; and the Country Club, of St. Joseph Valley, of which he was its first president. IIe is a life member of the Scottish Patri- otic Association, of Glasgow, Seotland, the object of which is the cultivation of the spirit of patriotism and the defense of Scot- land's national rights. He is also chairman of the executive committee of the Associated Charities of South Bend, an association that devotes much time and attention to the poor as well as correcting the indulgences of evil in the community.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 91

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 826

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826