A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 31

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 31

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James M. Russ is a native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, born September 23, 1868, but is now farming on the homestead in Penn town- ship. He married Nellie Herrick, and they have become the parents of two sons, Ray and Marion.

G. ALBERT MAURER, manager of the Misha- waka office of the South Bend Tribune, is a capable newspaper man and business mana- ger. He was born in South Bend, December 10, 1869. With his parents, Fred M. and Mary (Steirling) Maurer, at the age of eight years removed to Laporte, Indiana, where he passed through the public schools, and after a limited school training became a printer's apprentice with A. Beal, of the Laporte Her- ald.

In 1890 Mr. Maurer removed to Michigan City to accept a position with the Dispatch, but after a short term of employment there located at Mishawaka, being connected for a brief period with the Democrat. In 1891 he made another change of residence by going to South Bend, where he became first identi- fied with the interests of the Tribune, re- maining for seven years in its mechanical de- partment. His steady progress and perfect reliability in whatever task he was assigned convinced his . employers that he was worthy of greater responsibilities, and in January, 1899, he was appointed manager of the Mish- awaka office.

Under Mr. Maurer's energetic management the Mishawaka department has become a strong feature of the paper. He is a hard, faithful and judicious worker, and during the eight years of his superintendency has in- creased the local circulation of the Tribune from a small list to a large number, the ad- vertising columns having been expanded in proportion.

In 1894 Mr. Maurer was married to Miss Lida Nettleton, daughter of A. L. Nettleton, of Mishawaka, and they have one son, Llew- ellyn. Mr. Maurer is prominent fraternally, being a member of Mishawaka Commandery No. 51, K. T., and identified with the Knights of Pythias and K. O. T. M. He is active in

the work of the Business Men's Association, and takes a deep interest as well in the elevat- ing influences of music. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church.

AUGUST H. DEGROOTE, who is representing the Third ward of Mishawaka in the city council, is a native son of the city, born on the 16th of April, 1870, a son of Frederick and Rosalia (DeClarcque) DeGroote, who were born and married in Belgium. They became the parents of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, of whom August was the fifth child and second son in order of birth. In 1863 the parents set sail for Amer- ica, coming direct to Mishawaka, Indiana, where they reared their family and became prominent and well known citizens.

At the early age of seventeen years August H. DeGroote began the battle of life for him- self, having previously secured his educa- tional training in the public and parochial schools of Mishawaka, and then learned the machinist's trade, which he has ever since followed in this city, being now associated with the Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Company. From the time of reaching man- hood's estate he has taken an active part in the public life of his community, and in 1905 was made a member of the city council. In this responsible position he has made a fine record for general efficiency, fidelity and promptness in the discharge of his duties. He stands high in the councils of the Demo- cratic party in this district, and has been an energetic, efficient worker in its behalf.

On the 31st of January, 1895, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. DeGroote and Theresa Konewitter, she being a native daughter of Mishawaka, born November 28, 1872. Her father, Sebastian Konewitter, was one of the early pioneers to St. Joseph county, but was a native of Germany, and here he was employed as a mason for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. DeGroote have been born five children, Serena, Louisa, Wilfred (de- ceased), Agnes and Mildred. Mr. DeGroote has membership relations with the Modern Woodmen and the C. B. L. of Mishawaka. The family are members of the St. Joseph Catholic church.

MARTIN V. BEIGER. When Martin V .. Beiger passed away St. Joseph county mourned the loss of one of its most prominent and highly respected citizens. As the day, with its morning of hope, its noontide of activity, its evening of com-

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pleted and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one. He was the founder and promoter of many enterprises which advanced the material welfare of the state and added as well to his individual prosperity, but although an earnest business man, devoting his whole daily time and at- tention to the further development of his in- dustrial interests, he never allowed the pur- suit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserved his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influ- ences of human life.

The birth of Mr. Beiger occurred on a farm about three miles south of Mishawaka, on the 3d of February, 1847. His father, Jacob Beiger, was numbered among the early and honored pioneers of St. Joseph county, for it was in a very early day that he and his wife, who were natives of Germany, journeyed hither and took up their abode upon a farm, where they resided for several years. But the last thirty years of the mother's life were spent in Mishawaka. Mr. Beiger, during a pleasure trip, died in Holland about 1871. Nine children blessed the union of these old St. Joseph pioneers, but two have passed away.

Martin V. Beiger, the eldest of their four sons, entered the district schools near his home at an early age, but when only thirteen years old he put aside his text books to serve his country in its civil war. His services were during the latter part of the war, and in 1865 he returned to Mishawaka and en- tered the store of A. B. Judson, but a short time afterward severed his connection there- with to enter Wabash College at Crawfords- ville, where he worked his own way through, and thus his splendid educational training was the result of his own determined efforts. After completing his course he returned to Mishawaka and secured work in the woolen factory, where he gradually, step by step, mounted the ladder of success until he be- came the owner of the factory, and to him be- longs the honor of being the patentee of the knit woolen boot, while later he engaged in the manufacture of rubbers, etc. He was a man of resourceful business ability, and in addition to his large manufacturing interests he was also president of the First National Bank, president of the Malt Cream Company

and an officer in the South Bend Watch Company.

In December, 1876, Mr. Beiger married Susie S. Higgins, a native daughter of Mish- awaka, where her birth occurred on the 4th of August, 1859. Her father, Henry D. Hig- gins, was a native of Warner, New York, and in that commonwealth was married to Nancy Barnes, also a native of the Empire state, her birth occurring near Phoenix, and in 1847 they journeyed to Mishawaka, Indiana, where the husband and father was engaged as a jeweler and dentist. In 1849, during the gold excitement in California, he went to the Golden state, but disappointed in his search for the precious metal returned to this city and opened his jewelry store. . He was an ardent Republican in his political affiliations, and his death occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. To Mr. and Mrs .. Higgins were born four children, one son and three daughters, but two of the num- ber are now deceased, one having died in in- fancy, and Mrs. Beiger is the youngest of the family. Mr. Beiger was zealous in his sup- port of the Republican party, while frater- nally he affiliated with the Masons. Death came to him on the 26th of September, 1903. During many years he had been a consistent member of the Methodist church, an active worker in the cause of Christianity. In all the varied relations of life he was honorable, sincere and trustworthy, winning the praise and admiration of all who were associated with him in any manner.

JACOB ECKSTEIN. In the death of Jacob Eckstein Mishawaka lost one of her repre- sentative business men and respected citizens. His career was a long, useful and honorable one, and to the end he was a kindly, genial friend and gentleman with whom it was a pleasure to meet. His birth occurred in Ger- many, February 12, 1837, a son of John and Catherine (Greenawalt) Eckstein, natives also of the fatherland, where the father was employed as a cabinet-maker. When their son Jacob, who was the fifth in order of birth of their seven children, two sons and five daughters, was seventeen years of age the family came to America, where he learned the English language and also the black- smith's trade. It was in the year 1861 that he came to Mishawaka, and during the re- mainder of his life followed the carpenter and cabinet-maker's trades, his excellent business and executive ability winning him

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marked success, and, though the architect of his own fortunes, he builded wisely and well.

In Mishawaka, in 1864, Mr. Eckstein was united in marriage to Mary A. Haubert, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, February 26, 1843, but is of German parentage. She was eleven years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Mishawaka, where she completed her educational training. Her father, who followed agricultural pursuits, erected their present home in this city. In his political adherency Mr. Eckstein was a Democrat, zealous in the support of its prin- ciples, and for three years served as the trustee of his township. The family are members of the Catholic church, and he also had membership relations with the Catholic Knights of America. Throughout the long years of his residence in Mishawaka he was ever true to the trusts reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature, and his reputation in business circles was un- assailable. He commanded the respect of all by his upright life, and was well and favor- ably known in his adopted city.

JAMES BOLES. It is our privilege to pay a brief tribute to the memory of James Boles. An honorable, broad-minded gentleman, he commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men by his upright life, and to his family he left not only a comfortable com- petence acquired through years of honest toil as an agriculturist, but also the priceless heritage of a good name. His birth occurred in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, July 14, 1835, in which commonwealth his parents, James B. and Jane (Lawrence) Boles, were also born and married, and to them were born nine children, four sons and five daugh- ters.

James Boles came with his parents to St. Joseph county, Indiana, during his young manhood, assisting in the cultivation of the old Boles homestead, and after his marriage he continued to reside on the farm for two years, when he located on a place near Os- ceola, St. Joseph county, his time being ex- clusively given to his agricultural pursuits there until the time of his death, when he had reached the age of forty-eight years. . On the 31st of March, 1859, he was married to Calcina Belden, who was born in Penn township, St. Joseph county, October 14, 1839, the daughter of Zenos Belden, who claimed the Empire state as the place of his nativity, but when a young man he came to

St. Joseph county, Indiana, and soon pur- chased a farm in Bango township, Elkhart county, near St. Joseph county line, there clearing nearly eighty acres of land, which he placed under an excellent state of culti- vation and there reared his children. After his arrival in this county Mr. Belden mar- ried Hannah Jane West, a member of one of the old pioneer families of the county, and they became the parents of three chil- dren, two sons and a daughter, of whom Mrs. Boles was the eldest in order of birth and the only one to reach years of maturity. Mrs. Belden's death occurred in 1844. After the death of his first wife Mr. Belden married Jane McNay, and three children were born of this union, one son and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Boles became the parents of six children, two of whom are deceased. Two sons and two daughters live in Penn town- ship, St. Joseph county. Mr. Boles gave his political support to the Democratic party, taking an active part in its work, and was a Mason and a member of the Methodist church. For one year he served as the assessor of his township. By reason of his well-spent life he enjoyed the high regard of his fellow men, and in his death St. Joseph county mourned the loss of one of its true and good citizens.

SIMON YENN. Mr. Yenn is now living practically retired from the active cares of a business life. In former years he occu- pied a distinctive position in the commercial circles of his community, and has ever been faithful to his conceptions of the duties of citizenship, ever striving to advance the in- terests of his fellow men. His birth occurred in the far-off land of France, May 11, 1840, and in that country his parents, Theobold and Christena (Greenway) Yenn, were also born. The father was born on the 21st of January, 1813, and after completing his edu- cation in the common schools of his native land learned the mason's trade, while later he be- came a contractor. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Yenn were børn seven children, Simon, our subject; Christinia, deceased; Agnes, deceased: Ce- celia, who married Mr. Pealy of South Bend ; Edward, deceased; and two died in infancy. In 1849 the family set sail for America, spending their first year in Canton, Ohio, and in 1864 they came to St. Joseph county. Indiana, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Greene township. The father cleared the most of the land, and

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his life's labors were ended in death at the age of seventy-nine years. He affiliated with the Democratic party, and the family were members of the Catholic church.

When but five years of age Simon Yenn, whose name introduces this review, accom- panied his parents on their emigration to America, receiving his educational training in the east, and in Stark county, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Josephine, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Pohl) Roth, also natives of France. This union has been blessed by the birth of nine children: Simon M., who attended college in Buffalo, New York, and is now a contractor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Mary J .; Hattie E .; Clara Olivia; William H. and Francis J., twins, but the former is now deceased; George; and August B. and Augusta G., twins, the last named being also deceased.

It was in the year 1863 that Mr. Yenn came to Mishawaka, and for a time after his arrival drove a team, while during the sub- sequent four years he managed his father's farm in Greene township. Thus the time was spent up to the year 1868, when he embarked in the grocery business in Mishawaka, his connection with that department of trade covering the unusually long period of twen- ty-five years. He prospered in his enterprise, and now owns valuable property in this city. He has ever been actively interested in the promotion of the interests of the Democratic party, and in 1893 was elected the treasurer of St. Joseph county, while he has also been honored with many other offices of trust and responsibility. The family are members of the Catholic church. He has been a member of St. Joseph's Society since 1868, and has been treasurer for thirty-three years. He has been a member of the building committee of St. Joseph's church, which erected the mag- nificent church and school in Mishawaka. His life, which has nearly covered the Psalmist's span, has been filled with useful, loving deeds, which will be remembered long after he has been called to his reward.

ALBERT J. PHILION, the genial proprietor of the Hotel Milbourn, conducts one of the most popular resorts in St. Joseph county. The hotel is an old and well-established one, and the peculiarly well-adapted characteris- tics and affability of its present proprietor make him a host most attractive to the trav- eling public. He is a life-long resident of the county, for his birth occurred in the city

of South Bend on the 25th of February, 1868, his parents being Philias and Fannie (Shodonia) Philion, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Detroit, Michigan. The father was reared to years of maturity in his native country, and in 1856 came to South Bend, Indiana, where for many years he was one of the city's most prominent gro- cery merchants, but with his wife he now resides in Kingston, Illinois. Of the six chil- dren born to this worthy couple, three sons and three daughters, only two are now living and both are residents of St. Joseph county. The only surviving daughter is Emma, widow of Alford Belmner, and a resident of South Bend.

Albert J. Philion, the fourth child and second son in order of birth, received his educational training in the city schools of South Bend, and at the close of his school days became associated with his father in the grocery store. Subsequently he spent three years in the west, and on the expiration of the period returned to South Bend, but short- ly afterward came to Mishawaka, and during the long period of sixteen years was with the Dodge Manufacturing Company. From that time until assuming charge of the Hotel Mil- bourn in 1904 he was engaged in business for himself in this city, and since entering upon his present relations he has enjoyed richly merited success, while the future is bright with promise.

In 1904 occurred the marriage of Mr. Philion and Marian Rooney, she being the widow of J. Rooney. She is the mother of two daughters, Margine and Carmin, twins. Mr. Philion gives a stanch support to the Republican party, and is a member of the Owls of Mishawaka. He is well known to the citizens of Mishawaka, in which so many years of his life have been passed, and no hostelry in the community has so excellent a reputation for hospitable treatment as has the Milbourn.

' MICHAEL C. SHEA. Throughout the period of his residence in Mishawaka Mr. Shea has been justly numbered among its leading cit- izens. He is prominently identified with its leading business interests, and is now serving as chief engineer of the electric light and water plant. He is a native of Boston, Mas- sachusetts, born on the 29th of August, 1856, his parents being Patrick and Mary (King) Shea, both of whom were born in the far-off land of Ireland. In 1853 they came to

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America and located in Boston, where the father became well known in connection with railroad interests, and in 1859 removed to Girard, Pennsylvania, and assisted in the construction of most of the Lake Shore Rail- road, serving as foreman of the construction work. He was also connected with the Phila- delphia & Erie Railroad, but the most of his life was spent with the former company, and he died in their employ when fifty-two years of age. His widow is still living, and resides in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Michael C. Shea, the eldest of their ten children, was reared to years of maturity in Pennsylvania, whither he had been taken by his parents when only three years old, and received his educational training in the pub- lic schools of Pittsfield and Clark, that state. At the early age of fifteen years he was a fireman on the Lake Shore Railroad, remain- ing in the employ of that company for twen- ty-two years, and was also for a time with the Western New York & Philadelphia Com- pany, but it was then known as the Dunkard & Warren Railroad. During seven years he was employed as an engineer, and then en- tered upon construction work, mostly in the laying of track. His record in the service of the railroad is one of which he has just rea- son to be proud, for he was prompt, vigilant and efficient, and was fully relied upon by his superiors. For seventeen years Mr. Shea was a resident of Elkhart, Indiana, serving during a part of that time in the construction and train department. While serving as local engineer he also had charge of the power plant for the Indiana Railway three years, and was for five years with the Claws Print- ing Press Company, having entire charge of the plant, and was thus engaged at the time of his removal to Mishawaka, Indiana, where he assumed charge as chief engineer of the water and electric light plant, his present position, and in which he is giving general satisfaction to all concerned.

Mr. Shea was married in 1882, Emma, the daughter of Gus Thomas, becoming his wife, and they have five sons living, Patsey M., Thomas C., Chancy G., Minnie O., and Wil- liam R., all of whom are at home, and the eldest son is serving as his father's assistant. Where national issues are involved Mr. Shea votes with the Democracy, but otherwise is not bound by party ties, and is a valued member of the Masonic order of Mishawaka. The family is held in high esteem, and the

kindly social qualities with which they are endowed by nature win for them the friend- ship and good will of every one.

CHARLES MELVILLE COLLINS, of Mishawaka, St. Joseph county, has been consulting engi- neer for the Dodge Manufacturing Company during the past twelve years, and for a de- cade of that period manager of their cement department. During the previous seventeen years he was in the employ of the Stude- bakers as master mechanic.

FREDERICK J. COOK. One of the prominent old pioneer families of St. Joseph county is that of the Cooks, where they have been well represented ever since the opening decades of its history. They have ever borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region, and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all sub- jects. A worthy representative of this hon- ored name is Fred J. Cook, whose birth oc- curred in St. Joseph county on the 18th of June, 1866. His father, James Cook, was a native of New York, born in 1829. and in 1833 he came with his father, Arthur Cook, to St. Joseph county, Indiana. Arthur Cook, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, se- cured government land and was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits near Mishawaka until his death. James Cook engaged in agricultural pursuits until about 1900, when he retired from the active cares of a business life, and his death occurred in 1906, when he had reached the seventy-sev- enth milestone on the journey of life. His wife, née Arvilla Graham and a native of Ohio, preceded him to the home beyond, having passed away in 1893.

Fred J. Cook received his education in the district schools near his home, and he was early trained to the work of the farm, con- tinuing to follow the tilling of the soil until 1904, when he was elected township trustee of Penn township, being the present incum- bent of that position. He joined the ranks of the Republican party, and has since been one of its stalwart advocates, actively interested in all that will promote good government, and is a progressive, public-spirited citizen.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 31

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