A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 24

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 887

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Mr. Howard's Acceptance. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board of County Commissioners and the County Council :

It is an honor that I appreciate most highly to be chosen on the part of the St. Joseph County Soldiers' Monument Association to receive from your hands this beautiful and enduring shaft which the good people of this county, through you, have erected to com- memorate forever the loyal and heroic citi- zen soldiers who went out from these borders to maintain the integrity of the republic. In gratitude to you, Mr. President and gen- tlemen, and to the noble men and women of St. Joseph county whom you represent, we accept this granite monument, surmounted with its noble bronze figures, commemorative of the soldiers and sailors who sleep in hon- ored graves in the cemeteries of every town- ship, city and hamlet of this splendid county named from and nestled in the bosom of the St. Joseph valley. So long as those, our heroes, sleep in the soil which their ashes have made sacred, so long, we trust, will this granite and this bronze bear aloft the flag which they lifted up to sunlight and glory. Happy are the people and secure are their liberties who thus remember and honor their heroic defenders. Well did the governor of the state say, in sending to us his congratu-

lations and his regrets for his unavoidable absence: "St. Joseph county honors herself in thus honoring her soldiers."

Nearly four years ago, on the 16th day of December, 1899, the St. Joseph County Sol- diers' Monument Association was formed for the purpose, as stated in its articles of in- corporation, of aiding "in erecting at the county seat a monument or memorial hall to the soldiers and sailors of the civil war from St. Joseph county who fought and died in defense of the Union and the rights of man." Membership in the association was open to all the citizens of the county. The following representative board of directors was chosen : John Hughes, Edwin Nicar, Timothy E. Howard, Joseph M. Dolph, John Layton, John A. M. La Pierre, Wilbur E. Gorsuch, Corwin B. Van Pelt, Edward P. Stanfield, Charles Frank, Edward A. Jernegan, G. H. Motts, W. S. Olmstead, William H. Deacon, H. A. Adle, Simon B. Cullars, James Oliver, Clement Studebaker, Joseph B. Birdsell, Marion B. Staley, George W. Lewis, Leighton Pine, George W. Loughman, Frederick H. Badet, Very Rev. Andrew Morrissey, Schuy- ler Colfax, Martin V. Beiger, Henry G. Niles, George W. Baker, George Wyman, John B. Stoll, Chauncey N. Fassett, Elmer Crockett, Patrick O'Brien, Irving A. Sibley, Charles T. Lindsey, Edward B. Reynolds, Lucius G. Tong, Myron Campbell, Charles L. Goetz and Frederick W. Mueller.

As the executive officer of the association the directors selected the man of all the asso- ciation best fitted for the task. On more than one occasion had Past Department Com- mander Edwin Nicar shown his capacity as an organizer, and those who realized how great the task before us turned instinctively to him, and he was selected as president. He thought at first that he had too little time to spare for so great a work and was reluctant to serve. But on the principle that if you want a thing done you must get a busy man to do it, he was pressed into service. There was in another respect a certain fitness in things in the selection of Captain Nicar as president. In 1896 the seventeenth annual encampment of the Department of Indiana, G. A. R., was held in South Bend, and it may be said, without disparagement of the work of any one else, that the success of that en- campment was due in great measure to the ability displayed by Edwin Nicar as head of the executive committee. The citizens of

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South Bend were generous on that occasion, as they always are when appealed to for a great and good purpose, and over $900 re- mained in the local treasury after payment of all expenses. What to do with this money was not easy to determine. In this emergency the thought of a soldiers' monu- ment came as an inspiration to Mr. Nicar, and the following resolutions drawn up by him were unanimously adopted. The money problem was solved and this fair monument loomed in the distance. These were the reso- lutions :

'Whereas, The executive committee has reason to believe that the wishes of the con- tributors to the encampment fund, and public sentiment generally, will sanction the follow- ing disposition of the surplus remaining; therefore,

"Resolved, That the balance above men- tioned be and the same is hereby appropriated and set aside as the nucleus of a soldiers' monument fund, to be used in connection with such other funds as may hereafter be secured for the purpose, in the erection of a suitable monument in the city of South Bend to commemorate the sacrifices and valor of the soldiers of South Bend and vicinity who lost their lives in defense of the Union in the war of 1861 and 1865.

"Resolved, That until a soldiers' monu- ment association shall be properly organized the balance above mentioned shall remain in the hands of the treasurer of this committee; but, when it shall appear to the chairman and secretary of this committee that such associa- tion has been properly organized and is ready for business, they shall draw their warrant upon said treasurer in favor of the treasurer of the monumental association and this being done the work of the executive committee shall be deemed completed and the committee dissolved."

With the funds so provided by the wise foresight of the local committee of the sev- enteenth department encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, all the ex- penses of the St. Joseph County Soldiers' Monument Association have been paid, un- der the watchful eyes of our efficient secre- tary, Comrade W. E. Gorsuch, and business- like treasurer, Mr. Frederick W. Mueller.

But to secure sufficient funds to build a monument worthy the great county of St. Joseph was a formidable task. To secure ar appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars

by your honorable board, it was necessary for the association, first of all, to present a petition signed, as the statute requires, by "the majority of the voters of the county." Whether this could be done or not was the question. The effort had been made several times already and failed. Committees on the part of Auten Post, G. A. R., had tried over and over again, but were unable to succeed. A man of untiring energy, of unflagging cour- age and perseverance was needed. Happily for this day's triumph, such a man was found.

Past Post Commander John Hughes was made chairman of the committee on petition, and he went to work with that quiet, unas- suming, patient energy that has always marked the character of one of the most modest, brave and true soldiers that ever wore the uniform of the republic. It was necessary to get over seven thousand names to secure a majority of the voters. Week

after week and month after month the quiet work went on, and whenever a discour- aged member of the association expressed doubt as to success Comrade Hughes quietly remarked that we must have patience, that the committee were getting there. It is a moral certainty that no one else could have accomplished the task, but in good time Com- rade Hughes brought in his great roll of the voters, and on counting, it was found that over nine thousand had signed the petition. The point of danger was passed.

Edwin Nicar has been the commander of our forces; you, gentlemen, the representa- tives of the people, have furnished the sinews of war; but John Hughes, the true soldier, . faithful to his assigned task, is the unpre- tending hero of the monument.

Then came the trying task of securing plans and bidders to do the work. Meeting after meeting of the association was held for this purpose. In this connection, while words of praise cannot be given to so many that richly deserve it, there is one name. that of a most public spirited citizen, that cannot be passed over. One of the most faithful attendants of the sessions of the association and one whose encouragement and advice helped very much to keep alive the spirit of the association was that broad-minded, large- souled citizen who sympathized with every elevating and patriotic movement in the com- munity. Clement Studebaker. The soldiers of his county were very near to Mr. Stude-

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baker's heart, and perhaps the very last pub- lic meeting which he attended was that of the association when the design of the present monument was finally selected.

Mr. President, gentlemen, the soldiers' monument is with us to stay. We receive it on the part of the people of St. Joseph county. We and you shall soon pass away, but the people will remain, and this enduring granite and bronze will remain with them as your monument also and ours. The people of our blood and kindred who shall succeed us, and all those who will come to dwell with them in the valley of the St. Joseph, will for a thousand years gather at the foot of this beauteous shaft to receive inspiration

from the silent heroes who are here commem- orated and they will, too, remember with pride that their fathers arose to the full dig- nity of patriotic duty when they erected this mark of their love and devotion to those who died that the nation might live.

And now we shall close the History of St. Joseph county with this story of the noble monument which the county has erected to the memory of those who, in the times that tried men's souls, went forth in defense of our homes and firesides and for preserva- tion of the republic.

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W. L. KIZER. For many years the Kizer family have occupied a distinctive place in the affairs of South Bend and St. Joseph county. From a wilderness this section has been gradually transformed into a fertile farming country and into one of the most prosperous cities of the Union, and in this glorious labor the Kizers have been active and zealous, leaving to their children and to posterity the records of useful, well spent lives. A worthy scion of this family, W. L. Kizer, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, February 15, 1844. His father, Ebenezer Kizer, came to St. Joseph county in the early year of 1846, locating in German township, where he purchased land and improved a farm. The latter part of his life was spent in South Bend, where his death occurred in 1883, when he had reached the sixty-third milestone on the journey of life, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was long a faithful mem- ber. Mrs. Kizer bore the maiden name of Susanna Ward, and was a native of Ohio. Her death occurred in South Bend at the age of sixty-four years. In the family of this worthy pioneer couple were seven sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to years of maturity, but the daughter died at the age of twenty-four years. The sons are: George, a resident of Michigan; Peter, also of that state; W. L., whose name introduces this review; Ebenezer, a resident of Michi- gan; James, a farmer of German township, St. Joseph county; Jacob, also an agricul- turist of German township; and Robert P .. of South Bend.

W. L. Kizer was only about two years of age when brought by his parents to St. Jo- seph county, and the early years of his life were devoted to the work of the home farm. while his education was obtained in the dis- trict schools near his home and in the city schools of South Bend. He also acquired a most liberal college education in the sciences and classics, where he also paid special at- tention to the study of the languages. He then became assistant revenue collector of the ninth district, fifth division, under Frank Tutt, and was later made deputy collector under Colonel Norman Eddy for the ninth district, state of Indiana, in which he re- mained for three years. He was next en- gaged in special agency work for the Etna Insurance Company of Hartford, but re- signed that position to engage in the real es-

tate business in 1869. His name is now well known in manufacturing circles, being secre- tary of the Malleable Steel Range Manufact- uring Company, one of the leading industries of South Bend. He is the director of the St. Joseph Loan & Trust Company, also of the St. Joseph County Savings Bank, and is in- terested in many other leading industries cf this county and city. At No. 803 West Wash- ington street, South Bend, Indiana, is located Mr. Kizer's fine home.

In 1871 Mr. Kizer was married to Elizabeth Brick, the daughter of William W. Brick, of South Bend, and they have a son and daugh- ter, Horace E. and Willimena, the latter the wife of. T. E. Morrison, a real estate and in- surance dealer of South Bend. Ward Wells, another son, died July 6, 1904, at the age of seventeen years. Mr. Kizer gives his politi- cal support to the Republican party, and has served as the city commissioner, and for six years as chairman of the board of city com- missioners during the administration of Wil- liam H. Langley and Hon. David R. Leeper. Success has crowned the well directed efforts of W. L. Kizer, and he is popular and re- spected in all circles.

JOHN HARVEY MYERS, a prominent con- tractor and builder of South Bend, Indiana, was born in Madison township, May 15, 1864. His father, John F. Myers, was born in the state of New York, April 24, 1838, and his father, Frederick Myers, was, as far as known, a lifelong resident of that state. Her husband having died and the ties which bound her to her old home having been broken, Mrs. Myers, grandmother of our sub- ject, emigrated to Indiana with her four chil- dren, and settled in Madison township, St. Joseph county, where she secured a tract of land, and there reared her family. Several years after coming to Indiana, she married a Mr. Hemlinger. John F. Myers, father of J. H. Myers, availed himself of the oppor- tunity of attending the district school and in the meantime resided on the farm, and after marriage continued to occupy the home farm, which he managed with signal ability until 1898, with the exception of two years, which he spent as a soldier in the federal army dur- ing the war of the rebellion. Since 1898 he has lived retired from active work, and is now enjoying the quiet of a well ordered life and the rest which is due the man who labors long and faithfully. He is a stanch Repub- lican in his political affiliations and holds

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August Herzog

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membership in the local G. A. R. post. The maiden name of his wife, mother of Mr. Myers, was Margaret Jane Grimes. She was born February 27, 1832, in Owen county, In- diana, where her parents were pioneers, and died December 23, 1895. She reared five chil- dren : Sarah Isabelle; George, who died August 3, 1879; John Harvey; Nancy Sophia, who died in 1893; and Emma Ellen.

John Harvey Myers attended school in his youth and assisted on the farm, until eighteen years of age, and then commenced work at the carpenter's trade, continuing to live with his parents until twenty-four years old, then, having married, went to Lakeville and worked at his trade there two years, in 1890 removed to South Bend and engaged in business as contractor and builder, which business he has continued successfully ever since. There are many attractive evidences of his labor on East Wenger street, where there are, besides his own residence, twelve neat and substan- tial houses which have been erected under his supervision and in addition to these there are many others in different parts of the city. Mr. Myers is a practical plumber as well as carpenter.

On October 18, 1888, Mr. Myers was mar- ried to Miss Flora Isabella Kring. She was born in Union township, St. Joseph county, July 22, 1869. Her father, Henry Kring, was a native of Stark county, Ohio. His father, grandfather of Mrs. M. Frederick Kring, emigrated from Ohio to Indiana, mak- ing the removal overland with wagons. This was a long time before there were other means of transportation thither than that of- fered by horses or oxen. He was an early settler of Penn township, where he bought a partially improved farm, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mrs. Myers' father was twenty-one years old when he came to Indiana with his parents, with whom he lived until his marriage, when he bought . good farm land in Union township and there he engaged in farming until about one year before his death, when he came to South Bend, where he died at the age of seventy- eight years, September 27, 1904. The maiden name of his wife, mother of Mrs. Myers, was Sarah Miller. She was born in Stark coun- ty, Ohio, daughter of John and Catherine (Wenger) Miller, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. She was fifteen years old when she came to Indiana with her parents, and she died April 16, 1904.

Mrs. Myers is the youngest of three daugh- ters, the others being named Violetta and Dora Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have one son, Cluro L., who was born September 9, 1889, and was educated in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are faithful and con- sistent members of the German Baptist church.

AUGUST HERZOG. When, after years of long and honorable labor in some field of busi- ness, a man puts aside all cares to spend his remaining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a well deserved reward of his industry.

"How blest is he who comes in shades like these,

A youth of labor with an age of ease-" wrote the poet, and the world everywhere' recognizes the justice of a season of rest fol- lowing a period of business lite.

August Herzog is one of the prominent citizens of St. Joseph county, and one of the few early pioneers of Mishawaka who have taken such a material part in the develop- ment of this beautiful little city.

Always active in business, and possessed of no mean ability, he has conquered fortune, and now in age is seeking rest, and the en- joyment of the fruits of his long life of toil. Few are there who are better known or have a wider circle of friends.

The Herzog family have resided in Misha- waka a full half century and are prominently identified with the best interests of the com- munity, not only in business, but in social and religious circles.

The founder of the family in America was August Herzog, father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in the dukedom of Baden, Germany, August 21, 1835. His father, Sebastian Herzog, a brick, stone and plaster mason, was a lifelong resident of Baden, his native land. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Kastner, also a native of Baden. She survived her husband several years, and visited America, but re- turned and spent her last days in her native home. She reared four children, named August, Thekla, Anton and Christina. All except Christina came to America and settled in Mishawaka. August Herzog attended school steadily until fourteen years old, and then commenced to learn the trade of shoe- maker and served an apprenticeship. of two and a half years, and then having become a skilful workman, received his discharge, and

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in accordance with the custom prevailing in that country, visited different cities, working a while in each city. He received a recom- mendation from each employer as an excel- lent mechanic and a youth of exemplary habits. At the age of eighteen he came to America. He sailed from Havre, France, in a sailing vessel and landed at New York for- ty-two days later. He found employment at his trade in the city and remained there six months, and then went to Massillon, Ohio, and worked at his trade there three and one-half years, and then, in March, 1857, he came to St. Joseph county and first stopped at South Bend, but not finding employment there, came to Mishawaka, and has been a resident here continuously since. He commenced here . as a shoemaker for Albert Hudson, proprie- tor of a shoe store, and was in his employ five years and then became a partner, firm name Hudson & Co., and continued seven years, and then Mr. Hudson sold to C. C. Godeman, and the firm name was changed to Herzog & Godeman, and continued four and a half years, and later Mr. Herzog bought his partner's interest and continued the busi- ness until the year 1899, and in the mean- time has added a gentlemen's furnishing line, and selling his business has lived retired from active labor.

He married in 1857, August 30th, Balbina Kotz. She was born July 17, 1837, in Ba- varia, daughter of Francis Joseph and Maria Victoria Besler. She came to America with her mother when she was thirteen years old, made the trip in sailing vessel and was fifty- five days on the water. The family settled in Massillon, Ohio, where they lived several years, and then came to St. Joseph county.

On the 30th of August, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Herzog celebrated their golden wedding. There were present at the time six of their seven children and thirteen grandchildren. There were ten children, nine of which grew to manhood and womanhood : Francis Joseph, Henry, August .H., Joseph, John A., Eliza- beth M., Marie, Anna Thekla, Katherine, and a nephew, named August Weber, left an orphan when an infant, was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Herzog.

JOHN AUGUSTUS HERZOG. Whether the elements of success in life are innate attri- butes of the individual, or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial de- velopment, it is impossible to clearly deter- mine; yet the study of a successful life is

none the less profitable by reason of the ex- istence of this uncertainty, and in the ma- jority of cases, it is found that exceptional ability supplemented by close application and earnest purpose, forms the real success which so many have envied. It is a noticeable fact that the young men are rapidly occupying the foremost places in business and financial circles. Whether this is due to superior edu- cation or training, or to personal ability, is a question of dispute, perhaps it is due to all of these. At all events the fact remains that every community numbers among its leading citizens men who yet young in years have made a success of life. And among those who deserve special mention in this volume is the subject of this sketch.

He was educated in the St. Joseph school, Mishawaka, where he attended until fifteen years old, when he entered the employ of the Dodge Manufacturing Co., where he re- mained six months, then commenced clerking in his father's store, and continued clerking until January, 1899, when he purchased the business which he has continued to the pres- ent time. At the age of twenty-one he was .elected city clerk and by re-election served four terms. Since starting in the shoe busi- ness he has given it such close attention that he has made his establishment the largest up- to-date shoe store in Mishawaka. He is a practical shoe man, having learned the trade on the bench when a boy of twelve years, as evidence of which he has among his collection in his Oriental room, a pair of boots he made at that time.

In 1900 his health required a recreation and he took a trip to Europe, starting from Mishawaka August 1st, through Canada, em- barking on ship at Quebec, up the St. Law- rence, passing Anti Costa, Labrador, through the Straights of Belle Isle to Ireland, Eng- land, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Egypt and the Holy Land, returning about December 1st greatly satis- fied after a very enjoyable time. His rare collection in Oriental footwear and souvenirs are on display in his Oriental room, also cards and photographs to show scenes along the whole trip.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 24

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 887

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 887