A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 32

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 32

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In 1888 Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Minnie Doolittle, a daughter of James H. Doolittle, a well-known resident of St. Joseph county. Two children have been born of this union, Grace A., born October 1. 1890, and James R., born May 2, 1896. Mr. Cook is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,

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and has lived a conscientious Christian life, characterized by many good deeds.

GEORGE FRANK STOECKINGER, although a resident of America less than twenty-five years, ranks as among the most successful men of affairs of Mishawaka, having thor- oughly mastered the business of plumbing, sewer construction and steam-fitting-a suc- cessful combination which requires un- usual mechanical ability and sound judg- ment. These qualities which, in a certain sense, are national traits, Mr. Stoeckinger possesses in a marked degree. He was born in Geiselwint, Bavaria, Germany, on the 6th of May, 1860, and is therefore in the full vigor of middle age. Sebastian Stoeckinger, his father, was a native of the same place, where for some years he operated a mill, but later engaged in agricultural pursuits. He resided in the Fatherland until 1885, when he emigrated to the United States, locating at once in Mishawaka, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife (the mother of George F.) was formerly Barbara Dotter- weich, and she is still a resident of that place, having given birth to the following eight children : George Frank, Fred, John, and George, four sons; and Elizabeth, Mag- dalina, Maggie, and Barbara, four daugh- ters.

George F. Stoeckinger attended the schools of his home community quite steadily until he was sixteen years of age, and subsequently assisted his father in the conduct of his mill and farm. Thus employed, he remained at home until he reached his majority, when he went to reside with a maternal uncle, with whom he was employed in agricultural pur- suits until February 2, 1883. On that date he returned to his home in the Fatherland for the last time, remaining there until late in April, when he received a letter from his uncle, Valentine Stoeckinger, a resident of Mishawaka, in which was inclosed a ticket for the journey from Sweinfurth, Bavaria. to that point. On the 26th of April he bade his home people farewell, but before taking passage called upon his uncle and family, with whom he had lived for about two years. Being of military age, Mr. Stoeckinger took secret passage from Antwerp, and. landing in New York on the 12th of May, 1883, trav- eled direct to Mishawaka.

When George F. Stoeckinger thus became a permanent resident of Mishawaka and St. Joseph county, he secured employment for Vol. II-13.

a short time with the Roper Manufacturing Company. For two years he then worked on the farm of William Milburn, and next ac- cepted the foremanship of the Andrews Manufacturing Company of Niles, Michigan, being thus engaged until the factory was re- moved to Chicago three years later. During the succeeding seven and a half years he was head steam-fitter for the Niles paper mills, and returning thence to Mishawaka em- barked in his present business on a small scale. Steadily perservering in this line, he forged his way to the front, secured trade and patronage by his thorough workmanship and courtesy, was gradually forced to em- ploy assistance to meet the demands upon his services, and he is now the proprietor of a large and remunerative business, in which he furnishes employment to a number of men. He is now the leading sewer contractor of the city, and during the construction of the rubber plant in this city furnished all of its steam fittings. Neither is his trade con- fined to this city, but extends to South Bend, where his name is almost equally well known. The final result, therefore, of Mr. Stoeck- inger's business efforts is to build up an en- terprise which not only greatly redounds to his individual ability, enterprise and advan- tage, but is also of decided industrial benefit to his home community.

In 1886 Mr. Stoeckinger was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Endres, and they have become the parents of four chil- dren, of whom Maggie is deceased. Katie married Charles Schelter, George is asso- ciated with his father, and Fred is a student. Mr. Stoeckinger gives his political support to the Democracy, and, although public spir- ited and actively interested in the affairs of his community, has never aspired to official notoriety. For the past twenty years he has been identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is, in every regard, prominent- ly connected with the social and business life of St. Joseph county.

W. S. MOORE, who is well known to the citizens of Mishawaka because of his effect- ive, earnest labors in the position of city engineer, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 14, 1875, a son of John and Ellen (Manix) Moore, the former a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. The father now resides in Indianapolis, where has won a name and place among the leading contractors of the

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city. In their family were seven children, five sons and two daughters, but only four of the number are now living.

W. S. Moore, the fourth child and third son in order of birth, received his early edu- cational training in the public schools of his native city of Indianapolis, graduating therein in 1893, and in the following year he entered Purdue University. During four years he pursued his course of civil engineer- ing in that famous institution of learning, receiving his diploma on the expiration of that period, in 1898, and in the same year was appointed assistant civil engineer in South Bend. On the 16th of June, 1904, however, he resigned that position to become the city engineer of Mishawaka, wherein he has labored earnestly and untiringly and is winning the commendation of all.

In 1900 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Moore and Miss Hettie Haverly, she being a daughter of James and Anna (Plum- beck) Haverly, of Laporte, Indiana. Mr. Moore gives a stanch and unfaltering sup- port to the principles of the Republi- can party, and fraternally is a mem- ber of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus of South Bend and the Foresters of Mishawaka. He is also a member of the Sigma Nu Society of Lafayette. Personally he is esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, for he is loyal and true to his friends, courteous and kindly in dis- position, and has due regard for the rights and welfare of his fellow men.

JOHN ALEXANDER McMICHAEL, a promi- nent representative of the business interests of Mishawaka and St. Joseph county, was born in Harris township of this county, September 14, 1846. His father, John Mc- Michael, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of September, 1813, and was of Scotch descent. His death occurred on the 2d of April, 1905. In the early year of 1833 his father's family made the journey by wagon to St. Joseph county, Indiana, encountering many hardships and difficulties on their way hither, and after their arrival the father engaged in farming. John McMichael took an active and promi- nent part in the subsequent development of the county, and for years served as super- visor of Harris township, also assisting in the construction of the first public highway through that township. In 1857 he gave up his agricultural pursuits and came to Misha-

waka, where he served as stock-buyer for A. B. Judson for a number of years. He gave his political support to the Democratic party, and was a worthy and consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. His first wife, née Mary Level, was a native of Ken- tucky, and they became the parents of thir- teen children, of whom four sons and two daughters are now living, namely: Mary Rachel Stoy, of Defiance, Ohio; John Alex- ander, whose name introduces this review; Margaret E. Householder, of Mishawaka; and Alfred R., Adoniram B., and James A., all of Toledo, Ohio.

J. Alexander McMichael received his edu- cation in the public and high schools of Mishawaka, and from 1861 until 1863 served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade on the St. Joseph Valley Register in South Bend. He then went to Elkhart, Indiana, and joined his brother, William C., who was at that time publishing a paper there, but shortly returned to Mishawaka and took charge of the office work of the Mishawaka Enterprise until 1871. In that year he went to Mason City, Iowa, to take charge of the Cerro Gordo Republican, but in the follow- ing year came again to this city and for a time thereafter was connected with his broth- er in the publication of the Ave Maria at Notre Dame. Mr. McMichael next had charge of the mechanical department of the St. Joseph County Register, but his health becoming impaired he sought outdoor em- ployment and for seven years was engaged in farming near Mishawaka. On the expira- tion of that period he became connected with the Mishawaka Enterprise, thus con- tinuing for eight years. In the meantime his brother, William C. McMichael, had been elected clerk of St. Joseph county, and he then left the journalistic field to become the latter's deputy, remaining in that position during the following eight years. Return- ing once more to Mishawaka, he assumed charge of the Mishawaka Building & Loan Association as secretary, at the same time engaging in the real estate business, in which he has since continued. He is also secretary of the Masonic Temple Association, which controls some of the most valuable property in the city, and is one of the directors and members of its executive committee. He has served as city commissioner. also as city trustee, and in 1886 was admitted to the bar of St. Joseph county. His talents are many

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and versatile, and in the various positions which he has been called to fill he has nobly performed his work and has won a name and place among the leading business men of his city and county.

In 1871 Mr McMichael was married to Eva A. Norton, of Perry, Ohio, whose death occurred on the 8th of December, 1906, leav- ing one daughter, Grace E. Mr. McMichael exemplifies in his life the principles of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a member, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.

CHARLES ALBERT. Representing as he does one of the oldest families of St. Joseph coun- ty, the subject of this review is well entitled to an honored place in the records of this section of Indiana. The family have borne a very important part in the development of the community, which was a wilderness at the time of their arrival here from Pennsylvania, the birthplace of their son Charles, who was born in Philadelphia March 7, 1843. His father, Anthony Albert, was a native of Ger- many, but during his young manhood came to America and located in Philadelphia, where he was married to Barbara Beck, also a native of the fatherland. In that city he worked at his trade of carpentering a few years or until he saved enough money with which to purchase a horse and wagon and to enter an eighty-acre tract in St. Joseph county, Indiana. Thus in true pioneer style the family journeyed overland to In- diana, arriving in Elkhart in 1850, and in the same year they continued the journey to St. Joseph county, where the husband and father purchased eighty acres of unim- proved land in Madison township, erected a little cabin, and at once set about the ardu- ous task of clearing his land and placing it under cultivation. In time this task was accomplished, and he remained on the old homestead until his life's labors were ended in death at the age of fifty-five years. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and for many years was its representative in the office of township supervisor. Unto this worthy old pioneer couple were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, and all are yet living. The father and mother were members of the German Evangelical church.

Charles Albert, the eldest of the seven chil- dren, received his educational training in the district schools of Madison township, and the

early years of his life were spent in assist- ing in the clearing of the old home farm, be- ginning that arduous labor when only seven years of age. At the time of his marriage he took up his abode on a farm in Penn township, where he cleared a part of two farms and was also the owner of several farms, at one time having in his possession six hundred and thirty-five acres of land, while he has also erected four houses and four barns. His entire active business career was devoted to agricultural pursuits, but in 1905 he laid aside its cares and responsibilities and re- moved to Mishawaka, where he erected the pleasant residence in which he now resides, and is also the owner of considerable other valuable property in this city.

It was on the 12th of May, 1864, that Mr. Albert was united in marriage to Margaretta M. Klein, who was born in Prussia, Germany, January 15, 1845, a daughter of Mathias Klein, also a native of that country, where he was a prominent farmer and miller. The fam- ily came to America in 1854, making their way direct to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where the father cleared a farm in Penn township, and became one of the leading agricultur- ists of his community. Mrs. Albert was edu- cated in the schools of Penn township, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children, namely: Mary, the wife of George Moon, a farmer; Katherine, the wife of Adam Huntsberger; Louis; Anna, wife of Winfield Hauston, also an agriculturist; Bena, wife of William Lechlitner, a carpenter; Theresa R .; Matilda, the wife of Jacob Weiss, a farm- er; and M. Victoria, Mrs. Melvin Hunts- berger. The children were all born and reared in Penn township. Mrs. Albert, the loving wife and mother, was called from the family home by death on the 28th of May, 1906, when sixty-one years of age. Mr. Albert gives his political support to the Republican party, but is also an active worker in the ranks of the Prohibition party, and for several years served as the supervisor of Penn township. His religious affiliations are with the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and he is an active worker in the cause of Christianity.

DAVID A. SHAW. The name which intro- duces this review is one which is familiar to the residents of Mishawaka, for he is now serving as its postmaster and is one of its leading business men. His birth occurred in Hamden, Delaware county. New York, Aug- ust 24, 1866, a son of Hector and Rachel A.

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(McClaren) Shaw, also natives of the Em- pire state, where their deaths occurred. The father was a tanner by occupation. There were but two children in the family, the daughter being Kittie, the wife of Rev. H. A. Percival, an Episcopal minister of Peoria, Illinois.

David A. Shaw, the only son and eldest child, spent his early life in the place of his nativity, and graduated at the Andover Pre- paratory School. It was in the year of 1892 that he came to Mishawaka, Indiana, remain- ing in a clerical position until his appoint- ment to the office of postmaster in 1903 by President Roosevelt. He is a stanch Repub- lican in his political affiliations, and is well known in his community as an active worker in public affairs. Hs is now serving as sec- retary and treasurer of the Niles Realty Com- pany, of Mishawaka, who own the Edgewater addition to the city, which is one of its most beautiful and valuable sections.

In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shaw and Elizabeth M. White. She is a native of Delhi, New York. Mr. Shaw has attained the Knight Templar degree in the Masonic order. He is an energetic and capable young business man, in whom are exemplified the best and noblest elements of manhood.

WILLIAM S. WARNER. As he journeys down the western slope of life Mr. William S. Warner is vouchsafed an honored retire- ment from labor, as the reward of a long, active and useful business career, for through a long period he was identified with the agri- cultural interests as well as the carpenter's trade in St. Joseph county. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1822. His father, Michael Warner, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was there mar- ried to one of its native daughters, Margaret Slabauch, and they became the parents of twelve children, nine sons and three daugh- ters, and two are now deceased. When their son William, who was the sixth child in order of birth, was a lad of eight years the family moved to Ohio, and in Stark county of that state the father passed away in death.

It was in the early year of 1854 that Wil- liam S. Warner came to St. Joseph county, Indiana, securing work at the carpenter's trade in South Bend. In 1875 he moved to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Penn township, which continued as his home for eleven years, but at the close of the period,

in 1886, he sold the farm and came to Misha- waka to resume the carpenter's trade. His enterprise, energy, capable management and honorable dealings through all these years brought to him a comfortable competence, and in 1903 he laid aside the burdens and cares of a business life to rest in the en- joyment of the reward of his former toil, spending the evening of his life in the pleas- ant home, 217 East Lawrence street, Misha- waka. He is the owner of two houses and lots in this city.

In Canton, Ohio, on the 2d of May, 1847, Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Bar- bara Bushong, who was born in Stark county of that state July 23, 1826, the daughter of John and Barbara (Crishbaum) Bushong, who were farming people. Mrs. Warner died July 6th, 1888. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Warner, namely: Mary Barnhardt, Emeline (deceased), Elizabeth, Margaret (deceased), Milton, Ellen (de- ceased), William Henry, Edward, Lorenzo, Emilie (deceased) and Schuyler. The Re- publican party receives Mr. Warner's hearty support and co-operation, and he as a stanch advocate of all measures to improve and benefit his community. His reputation in business has ever been unassailable, and in all the walks of life he is found true to duty and to the trusts reposed in him.

JACOB C. SNYDER, a retired carpenter and farmer of Mishawaka, with residence at 223 East Grove street, is distinctively the archi- tect of his own fortunes, and from the study of his life history one may learn valuable lessons. He was born in Ohio on the 17th of September, 1825, a son of Christian J. Sny- der, who claimed the fatherland of Germany as the place of his nativity. During his boy- hood days he came with his brothers to Amer- ica and located in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, where he learned his trade of a butcher and continued there in that occupation for nine years, when he removed to Circleville, Ohio, and resumed his trade. From that city he made his way to Marion county, Ohio, and in that state was married to Sarah Miller. who was born, reared and educated in Penn- sylvania, the daughter of Adam Miller, one of the early pioneers to Portage township. St. Joseph county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder became the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Ohio. The father spent the re- mainder of his life in that commonwealth.

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but the mother's death occurred in Indiana. He gave his political support to the Demo- cratic party.

Mr. Jacob C. Snyder, their eldest son and second child in order of birth, was but eleven years of age when he left the parental home and started out in the world to battle for himself, learning the carpenter and mill- wright's trades under the direction of Ben- jamin Cramer. When he had reached the age of nineteen years he started for the west, and on the St. Joseph river he met a man with whom he secured employment for a few weeks, thence went west to Illinois and re- mained one year, returning at the expira- tion of that period to his old home in Ohio, where he was married. With his young wife he then journeyed to St. Joseph county, In- diana, locating on one hundred and sixty acres of heavily wooded land in section 23, Madison township, and at once began the arduous task of clearing his farm and plac- ing the fields under cultivation. This was an early epoch in the history of St. Joseph county, when the wild animals were yet plentiful in this'vicinity, and the first home of the family was a hewed log house. Later he built a frame house. In 1866 Mr. Snyder rented his land and moved to Mishawaka, building a residence on the old Vistula road, now called Second street, but this he later traded for one hundred and twenty acres of land in Clay and Harris townships, living there for about thirty years, then he moved to Mishawaka, bought the present home, and has lived here ever since. He de- voted his time for awhile to carpentering, then retired from active life and is enjoying a well-earned rest.

In Ohio, in 1850, Mr. Snyder was married to Catharine E. Arthur, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1830, a daughter of Aaron B. Arthur, who was also of that common- wealth and a representative of a prominent old family, to which President Arthur also belonged. Spending her first sixteen years in her native state of Pennsylvania Mrs. Sny- der then moved to Marion county, Ohio, where she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Snyder, and to them have been born six children, five sons and one daughter: John W. (deceased), Arthur B., Henry J., Schuy- ler H .. Sarah M. and Charles (deceased), all born and reared in St. Joseph county. In his younger life Mr. Snyder gave his political support to the Democracy, but when the Re-

publican party was formed to prevent the institution of slavery he joined its ranks, for he was an ardent anti-slavery man, and in its behalf had many a heated debate with emi- nent politicians, including Draper and Thomas Hendricks. During the war which followed he served in the irregular service and was a member of the Union League. Dur- ing a period of four years he served as the assessor of Madison township and for one year was its deputy appraiser. Mr. Snyder is also an active church worker, affiliating with the Baptists, and on the 14th day of May, 1867, he helped to organize the church of that denomination in Mishawaka, and of its eighteen charter members only three are now living. His path has ever been upward, his friends are many and his example is well worthy of emulation.

WALTER MICHAEL. Among the officials of Mishawaka will be found the name of Walter Michael in connection with the position of city clerk. This is an indication of his popu- larity and prominence, and all who know him willingly accord him a leading place among the esteemed citizens of the community. His entire life has been passed within the borders of St. Joseph county, and has been one of. honor in business and fidelity in places of public trust. On the 14th of May, 1876, in Mishawaka, Indiana, there was born to Wil- liam and Ella (Friend) Michael a son to whom they gave the name of Walter, and he is proving a worthy scion of a noble sire. The parents were natives respectively of Mishawaka and Portage Prairie, St. Joseph county, Indiana, and the father was long en- gaged as a wood turner in this city, his death here occurring at the age of fifty-two years, but his widow still survives. They were the parents of two children, the daughter being Grace, the wife of O. W. Gingrich, of South Bend.

Walter Michael, the only son and younger child, supplemented the educational training which he received in the schools of Misha- waka by a commercial course in the National Business College of Chicago, in which he was graduated in 1897. He afterward secured the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Rankert & Eggleston of Mishawaka, with whom he remained for three years, and since that time has been connected with the public affairs of this city, first serving as the deputy clerk in 1902, and in 1906 was elected to that important office, assuming charge of its af-

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fairs in September, 1907. He has been effi- cient and faithful in the discharge of his duties, making a most competent official. The fraternal relations of Mr. Michael connect him with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and with the Elks of South Bend. In political affiliations he has been a zealous Republican, active in campaign work, and laboring ear- nestly for the adoption of the principles which he believes will best advance good govern- ment.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 32

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