A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 25

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

USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

He was married July 7, 1891, to Henrietta Elenoir Yenn. She was born in South Bend and is the daughter of Simon Yenn and Jo- sephine Yenn. Mr. and Mrs. Herzog have two children, Mildred May, born October 6th, 1893, and Francis Elenora, born February 7,

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1896. The family are members of St. Joseph Catholic church.

JOSEPH MILLER. For many years Joseph Miller has been a resident of St. Joseph coun- ty and has been identified with many of the interests that have contributed to its substan- tial development and improvement. His probity, fidelity and sterling worth have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow men, and now, in the evening of life, his path- way is brightened by the veneration and re- spect which ever follow an upright career. He was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylva- nia, February 27, 1823, a son of Henry and Catharine (Harper) Miller, also natives of the Keystone state. Their ancestors came to America with William Penn, and Mr.' Miller is of the fifth generation from the founders of the family on American soil. He was reared in the county of his nativity, attend- ing the log school houses so common in the early days, but the instruction which he re- ceived therein has been greatly supplemented by extensive reading and observation in later years. In the early year of 1837 he made his way to Michigan, locating on the present site of the city of South Bend. On the 3d of October, 1844, seven years after his arrival in this state, Mr. Miller married Martha A. Scott, the daughter of William and Susan (Nash) Scott. natives of Culpeper county, Virginia, but their daughter Martha was born in Jennings county, Indiana, November 3, 1827. She was about eight years of age when she accompanied her parents on their re- moval to St. Joseph county, and was reared in German township, on Portage Prairie, her education being obtained in its country schools.

In 1844 Mr. Miller located with his bride on a farm in German township, St. Joseph county, where they continued to make their home until 1849, going thence to New Buffalo, Michigan, where he had charge of the light house. But in 1853 the young couple re- turned to the farm in German township and were engaged in agricultural pursuits there until in April, 1865, when they took up their abode in South Bend. After locating here Mr. Miller engaged in the milling business, forming a partnership with a Mr. Judson, at that time the wealthiest man in the county, but after two years the partnership was dis- solved, and during the following five years Mr. Miller was engaged in business with Hiram Loomas. From 1876 until 1886 he was

engaged in the milling business in Mishawaka, returning in the latter year to South Bend and engaging in the wood and coal business with Samuel Lontz, who had served as his head miller for twenty years, and was there- fore very proficient in the business. During the long period of forty years this firm has continued in business in South Bend, where they have become widely and favorably known and are awarded a liberal patronage. Mr. Miller` was one of the first justices of the peace in Warren township, but after holding that office six years he removed to the city, and during his residence in Misha- waka he served as president of the board of trustees. He was chairman of the board of trustees of Mishawaka for four years, being twice elected to that office. He was the founder and first member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has ever since been an efficient and active worker. A stanch Republican in his political views, he has ever taken an active interest in the upbuilding of the party.

'Mr. and Mrs. Miller have traveled the path- way of life together for many years, mutually sharing the joys and sorrows which checker the lives of all, and to them has come the privilege of celebrating their sixty-second wedding anniversary. They have one living daughter, Elizabeth A., the wife of Dennis S. Brownfield, of South Bend. Their daugh- ter Molly C. was drowned in the St. Joseph river, having with three companions fallen over the dam. Mr. Miller, who is one of the oldest pioneers of St. Joseph county, can re- call many reminiscences of the early days, and he can distinctly remember of having heard Hon. Schuyler Colfax make his first speech, being then about seventeen years of age. His career has been an active, honor- able and useful one, and during his long residence in South Bend and St. Joseph coun- ty he has won the love and veneration of its residents.

WILLIAM H. HOLLAND, president and man- ager of the Sibley Machine Tool Company of South Bend, was born in Florence, Nebraska, June 4, 1867. His father, James Holland, was a native of England, but came to Amer- ica during his young manhood, and in New York was married to Margaret Finley, also a native of England. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Holland took up their abode in Elkhart, Indiana, from which place the for- mer enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war.

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In 1865 they removed to Florence, Nebraska, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and in 1872 they returned to Indiana, locating in South Bend, where Mr. Holland was employed in the manufacturing of paper. His death occurred when he had reached the age of sixty-four years. In their family were eight children, all of whom grew to years of maturity.

William Holland, the seventh ehild in or- der of birth, was but five years of age when he was brought by his parents to South Bend, and in its public schools he received the edu- cational training which fitted him for life's active duties. After its completion he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade in the firm of Sibley & Ware. His apprenticeship beginning in 1884, after eight years of effi- cient service Mr. Holland was made the su- perintendent, and thus continued until the company was organized as the Sibley Ma- chine Tool Company, when he became vice- president of the corporation, and at the death of Mr. A. P. Sibley he was made president and manager, his present position.

Mr. Holland is president of the Commer- cial-Athletic Club of South Bend, and in so- cial as well as the business circles he is popu- lar and well known. In 1888 he was united in marriage to Mary A. Hanley of South Bend and their home has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Helen, of eleven years.

GEORGE BUTZBACH, whose name is closely identified with the business interests of South Bend, is at the head of one of its leading in- dustrial concerns, being president of the South Bend Fruit Company. He was born in Berrien county, Michigan, April 4, 1861, and is of German parentage. His father, Phillip Butzbach, after coming from his na- tive land to the United States, established his home in Berrien county, this being about the year of 1843, and he is still residing within its borders, having for many years been prominently identified with its agricultural interests. His wife, who is also living, was Blanche Harmen before marriage and a na- tive of Germany, coming to America with her parents. In Phillip Butzbach's family were twelve children, all of whom grew to years of maturity and eleven are living at the present time.

George Butzbach, their seventh child in or- der of birth, spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the home farm in Bainbridge township, Berrien county, Michigan, assist-

ing in the work of the old homestead until 1884, when he embarked in the fruit cooper- age business in Benton Harbor. After sev- enteen years in that connection he sold his interests therein and came to South Bend and organized the South Bend Fruit Com- pany, in which enterprise he is associated with Jacob and Samuel G. Butzbach, himself being the president and manager. They do an exclusively wholesale business, handling all kinds of fruits, and they ship to all points in Indiana, southern Michigan and parts of Illinois, their annual sales reaching to nearly half a million dollars, while each week they handle about thirty carloads of this perish- able commodity. A large building, about sixty by two hundred and ten feet, is utilized for the business, located at 526-28-30 South Scott street. Mr. Butzbach has attained an enviable success in the business world, but his prestige has been won through marked executive ability, keen discrimination, sound judgment and unfaltering industry, and his life work thus far illustrates the wonderful possibilities which America affords her young men of energy and ambition.

On the 5th of May, 1886, Mr. Butzbach was united in marriage to Lettie Weber, a daughter of John Weber, of Bainbridge town- ship, Berrien county, Michigan, and four children have been born of this union: Sam- uel G. and Irwin R., both associated in busi- ness with their father; and Nora May and Florence Blanch, at home. Mr. Butzbach has fraternal relations with the Elks, and in his political affiliations is a stanch Repub- lican. He is among the active workers in the party ranks, and during his residence in Benton Harbor he served for six years as its alderman, while for one term he was its mayor pro tem. A man of natural ability, his success in business has been uniform and rapid. After all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the ends sought in the schools and books; he must essentially formulate, de- termine and give shape to his own character, and this is what Mr. Butzbach has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a definite purpose and gained a most satisfactory re- ward.

HENRY FORSTER. The honored subject of this memoir was during a long period closely identified with the business interests of South Bend, Indiana, being one of her prominent and influential merchants. He was successful

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in his business, and continued his operations as a dealer in flour until his busy and useful life was ended in death, February 11, 1905. St. Joseph county was proud to name him among her honored sons, his birth occurring in Clay township on the 17th of May, 1854. His father, John Forster, for many years a prominent agriculturist in Clay township, was a native of Bavaria, Germany, born May 17, 1812. After reaching manhood's estate he left his native land for America, arriving in Clay township, St. Joseph county, Indiana, in 1850, and was here married to Barbara Ruming, a native also of Germany and at that time a widow with two daughters, Mar- garett and Barbara. By her marriage to Mr. Forster she became the mother of two sons, but one died in infancy, and Henry was the younger in order of birth. Mr. Forster, the father, was a Democrat in his political af- filiations, and after reaching a ripe old age he retired from the active cares of a business life, his death occurring in South Bend in June, 1907, when in his eighty-sixth year.

Henry Forster spent the days of his boy- hood and youth on the old homestead farm in Clay township, and the training which he received in its public schools was supple- mented by attendance at the University of Notre Dame, where he enjoyed superior edu- cational advantages. From 1870 until 1878 he was employed by Knoblock & Gintz in their flouring mills, while during the follow- ing two years he was associated in the busi- ness of L. C. Axford, and laten embarked in the flouring business for himself, gradually winning a name among the leading business men of South Bend. At the time of his mar- riage he purchased his present property on Lafayette street, and in 1900 erected their present commodious dwelling.

On the 11th of September, 1888, Mr. Fors- ter married Anna C. Elbel, who was born in South Bend December 4, 1859, the daughter of Earhart Elbel, a cabinet maker of South Bend. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, but during his young manhood came to Amer- ica, and in South Bend was united in mar- riage to Sophie Fickenscher, also a native of Bavaria. He had learned his trade of cab- inet-making in his native land, and continued one of its faithful devotees during the re- mainder of his life. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elbel, two sons and six daughters, all of whom were born and edu- cated in South Bend and two are now de- Vol. II-11.

ceased. The father gave his political support to the Democracy, and was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, having been one of the first members of the order in the South Bend lodge. His death occurred in his eighty- second year, for he was born in the year of 1824 and died in 1905. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Forster were born two children, a son and a daughter,-Florence Eleanor, born on the 28th of July, 1890, and Herbert, born Octo- ber 5, 1894. Mr. Forster was also a sup- porter of Democratic principles, and to him was accorded a leading place among the rep- resentative citizens of South Bend.

HENRY .C. MORGAN is an honored veteran of the Civil war and one who has for many years held an important place among the business men of South Bend. He is a native son of the city, his birth occurring on the 20th of July, 1842, a son of Charles and Sarah (Shumarg) Morgan, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of New Jersey. In a very early day the father removed to Wayne county, Indiana, where he worked for some time at the carpenter's trade, and in 1833 established his home in South Bend, here continuing his trade. His name was a well known and honored one in the early days of this city, and he was prominently identified with its early history.

Henry C. Morgan is indebted to the public schools of his native city for his educational training, and after completing his education he worked at the wagon maker's trade with Whitten & Conrad, receiving twenty-five dol- lars for his first year's work and fifty dollars for the second. At the inauguration of the Civil war in 1861 he offered his services to the Union cause, and in the following year became a member of Company C, Seventy- third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His serv- ices continued until the close of the war and he was mustered out July 4, 1865. He was a member of the Army of the Tennessee and participated in the battles of Nashville, Stone River and Perryville. While participating in Colonel Straight's raid in Tennessee he was captured and held as a prisoner of war, near Rome, Georgia, and finally on Belle Isle, where he was paroled and afterward dis- charged. He shared the fortunes of his com- mand, often being in the thickest of the fight, and all honor should be paid to those who aided in upholding the principles of liberty.

Returning to his home in South Bend Mr. Morgan began work in the grocery store of

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

John Day, but after a short time embarked in the same busines for himself in company with Charles George, the firm of Morgan & George continuing for six years. During the same length of time Mr. Morgan was en- gaged in the grocery business for himself on Washington street, on the expiration of which period he sold his interests therein to G. II. Porter and became connected with the Dodge Manufacturing Company, having charge of the shipping department for six years. Again selling his interest he purchased the Miller farm near Mishawaka, but a few years later sold that place at a great profit and then embarked in the real estate business in South Bend, being now numbered among the repre- sentative real estate dealers in St. Joseph county.

Mr. Morgan married Miss Phebe W. Wad- hams, a daughter of Carlton Wadhams, of South Bend, and they have one son, Carlton W., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near Niles, Michigan. Their only daughter, Estella, died when twelve years of age. Mr. Morgan is a public-spirited citizen, actively interested in every movement for the upbuild- ing of his native city and county, and he has represented the fifth ward in the city coun- cil. He is a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and the Maccabees. He is a director in the First National Bank.

HENRY LEER. During the early history of St. Joseph county the Leer family became identified with its interests, and during the many years which have since elapsed its rep- resentatives have aided materially in the de- velopment of its resources, and have taken an active interest in all the movements for its welfare and upbuilding. The family came originally from Switzerland, but for many generations they have resided in this coun- try, and the grandfather of Henry Leer was a native of Pennsylvania. Samuel Leer, the father, and also a native son of the Keystone state, came to St. Joseph county as early as 1829, being one of its first settlers. At that time the present city of South Bend was noth- ing but a trading post, and immediately after his arrival he secured land from the govern- ment, continuing to make his home in this county until his busy and useful life was ended in death in 1850. He was a man of the strictest honor and integrity, and to his posterity he left an unblemished name and a record of which they should be ever proud. In the city of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Leer was

united in marriage to Mary Bowman, also a native of Pennsylvania, and they were blessed by the birth of nine children, all but one of whom grew to years of maturity.

Henry Leer, the only surviving child, was born in the little log cabin in which his par- ents began their life in St. Joseph county, on the 2d of October, 1845, and within the borders of old St. Joseph he has spent his entire life. When he was but five years of age his father died, but he remained in the family home with his mother until she, too, was called to her final rest. During the early years of his life he was engaged in farming on the old homestead, which now forms a part of the city of South Bend, and in 1900 he platted a part of the land, laying out fifty lots, which are now included in the most valu- able portion of the city, the lots selling from four hundred and fifty to fifteen hundred dollars apiece. The land is now known as the Henry Leer addition, and is a valuable adjunct to the city.

The marriage of Mr. Leer was celebrated in 1868, when Caroline Shedrick became his wife, and they have two daughters,-Minnie, the wife of Ezra Bimm, of South Bend, and Dora, the wife of Harry Moore, an agricul- . turist of Clay township, St. Joseph county. Mr. Leer has been a lifelong resident of St. Joseph county, actively identified with its up- building and development, and although a Republican in his political sympathies in local affairs he votes for the man whom he regards as best qualified for office. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.

JOSEPH E. NEFF. Among those who have won a name and place for themselves in the industrial world is Joseph E. Neff. His life history exhibits a long and virtuous career of private industry, and is the record of a well balanced mental and moral constitution, strongly marked by those traits of character which are of especial value in such a state of society as exists in this country. A commu- nity depends upon commercial activity, its welfare is due to this, and its promoters of legitimate and extensive business enterprises may well be termed its benefactors.

Prominent in the business circles of South Bend stands Joseph E. Neff. He was born in Grant county, Indiana, on the 25th of De- . cember, 1864, a son of John and Catherine (Bloomer) Neff, both natives of Ohio. In

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the days of the gold excitement in California the father joined the tide of emigration to that state and for six years was engaged in search for the precious metal. Returning to the east in 1860, he took up his abode in Grant county, Indiana, and engaged in farm- ing, and is yet an honored and respected resi- dent of that county, having reached the age of seventy-two years. In his political affilia- tions he is a Democrat, being firm in his con- victions and zealous in support of the princi- ples in which he believes. The cause of edu- cation has also always found in him a warm and faithful friend, and in all matters per- taining to the welfare of his fellow men he has always taken an active and helpful in- terest.

In 1884 Joseph E. Neff became a student in DePauw University, where he spent seven years, taking a course in liberal arts and graduating in law in 1891, with the degrees of A. M. and LL. B. In the same year he came to South Bend and began the practice of law with A. L. Brick, but in 1894 he abandoned a professional for a business life, and during the following four years was dep- uty collector of internal revenue under Cleve- land's administration. In 1903 he organized the American Trust Company, and previous to that time, in 1900, in company with C. T. Lindsay, he had organized the Citizens Trust Company, being connected with that institu- tion for two years. Since 1904 he has been secretary of the American Trust Company. He also organized the Navarre Place Com- pany, of which he is the secretary, and also assisted in organizing the Michigan City Trust Company and the Farmers and Mer- chants Trust Company of Ligonier, Indiana. He gives his political support to the Demo- cratic party, and is an active worker in its cause.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 25

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