A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 44

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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FRANK ROGERS. In perusing the life his- tory of Frank Rogers it will be seen that he is truly a self-made man, one who has battled

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

earnestly and energetically, and by indomit- able courage and integrity has achieved both character and position. He was born in Lapeer county, Michigan, September 27, 1857. His father, Frank Rogers, was a native of New York and of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a lumberman by occupation, and his death occurred in 1861, when only thirty-two years of age, but he is still survived by his wife, nee Olive Rogers, who was also born in New York, and is now the widow Stevens, residing near Niles, Michigan. In their family were but two sons, the brother of our subject being Ward Rogers, of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The educational training of Frank Rogers was received at Spring Lake, Ottawa county, Michigan, but as he was obliged to begin the battle of life for himself when only thirteen years of age his school privileges were naturally limited. At that early age he be- gan working at any honorable occupation which he could find to do, while from 1870 to 1884 he worked in the lumber woods. Coming thence to South Bend he followed agricultural pursuits for two years, while for one year he was employed by the Hill Brothers, and at the end of that time engaged in the sewing machine business, first with the Wheeler & Wilson Company, with whom he remained for six years, and since that time, covering a period of seventeen years, his agency has been with the Singer Company. In 1903 he also became connected with the phonograph busi- ness, handling both the Edison and Victor.

During his residence in Michigan, on the 30th of July, 1882, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Ida May Bennett, a native of Union township, St. Joseph county, Indiana, and a daughter of John H. and Margaret (Burns) Bennett. Five children have been born of this union, namely : Lessie, who died in her twentieth year; and A. I., D. C., Ralph and Nina. at home. Mr. Rogers uses his franchise in favor of Republican principles, and in 1905 was elected a councilman of the First ward, in which he has served for four years. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is well and favorably known in the city where he has so long made his home.

HENRY C. STEGMAN, who is associated with the extensive corporation known as the Bran- den Durell Company. is a life-long resident of South Bend, his birth having occurred in this city on the 14th of October, 1872. After completing his education in its German

Lutheran school, he was for seventeen years an employe of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, beginning his association therewith when a boy and gradually rising from one of its lowest to one of its highest positions, that of assistant foreman. In about 1902 he engaged in business for himself as a grocer in South Bend, but two years later, in 1904, he sold the business, but a short time after- ward. resumed the trade, continuing therein for about one year longer, when he again sold, this time also disposing of his store building, which was located on the corner of Carroll and Du Bale streets. Mr. Stegman then became associated with the Happen Mark Company, at 309 and 311 South Michi- gan street, continuing with them until the firm was merged into the Branden Durell Company, with whom he has since remained as foreman. He is the manager of their bar- gain basement department, and he discharges the duties connected with this important position with the utmost ability.

In 1896 Mr. Stegman was united in mar- riage to Bertha, a daughter of Charles and Rosa Krause. She was born in Germany, but was only a babe of one year when brought by her parents to the United States. To this union have been born four sons, Herbert, Edward, Martin and Oscar. Mr. Stegman is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and during the administration of Mayor Fogerty was appointed city sealer, but on account of his large business interests he was obliged to decline the position. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, tak- ing a very active part in the work of the denomination, and at all times may be safely relied upon to use his influence in the ad- vancement of whatever is for the good of the community. One daughter was born to them, but she died in February, 1898.

JOHN L. BOWMAN. In reviewing the his- tory of St. Joseph county it will be found that the name of Bowman has been closely connected with the progress and advancement of this section of the state. Wild was the region into which Jacob Bowman, the father of John L., came in 1831, making the journey hither from Ohio, and to him belongs the honor of being one of the first settlers of the county. Securing land from the government in Portage township, he there established his home, and it was on this old farm homestead that John L. Bowman was born on the 26th of October, 1835. His education was received

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in the old log school houses so common in those early days, and he remained at home and assisted his mother in the work of the farm until his marriage, which occurred on the 5th of June, 1857, Mary Frances Shed- drick becoming his wife. His mother, Chris- tina (Leer) Bowman, remained with him until her death, April 5, 1871: His father died September 16, 1838. Mrs. Bowman was born in Decatur county, Indiana, about three miles from Greensburg. Her father, John Shed- drick, a native of Kentucky. moved to Dear- born county, Indiana, and thence to St. Joseph county, where his death occurred when he had reached the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Sheddrick, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Sherer, was a native of Decatur county, Indiana, and lived only to the age of sixty-two years, dying March 14, 1882. In their family were eleven children, nine of whom grew to years of maturity, and Mrs. Bowman was the eldest in order of birth. She was about ten years of age when she came with her parents to St. Joseph county, and grew to years of maturity on a farm in Penn township. By her marriage she became the mother of two sons, the elder of whom, Frank D., was born on the old Bowman homestead on the 19th of September, 1859, and on the 17th of November, 1881, was married to Cordelia Ernsperger, whose parents, John and Mary Ernsperger, were numbered among the early pioneers of St. Joseph county, and the daughter Cordelia is one of its native daugh- ters. Her mother died when seventy-five years of age, but the father survived until his ninetieth year. Two children, Mae F. and Herbert J., have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman. The younger son, Samuel J., was also born on the old homestead, July 16, 1867, and was married to Ada Hilderbrand, Jan- uary 18, 1888, their three children being Estella, May Gertrude and Ralph.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bow- man took up their abode on the Bowman homestead, where he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1892, in that year selling the farm and moving to South Bend, where he afterward lived in quiet retirement until his death on the 4th of March, 1896. While residing on the farm he served for the long period of fourteen years as road super- visor, looking after all the roads in Portage township, and well and faithfully did he dis- charge the duties entrusted to his care while an incumbent of that position. Throughout

the years of his manhood he loyally upheld the principles of the Republican party, taking an active interest in public affairs, and was well and favorably known throughout the county in which his entire life had been passed. His path was marked by good deeds and honest purpose, and when the final sum- mons came he left a record that is well worthy of emulation.

HERMAN H. BEYER, superintendent of the city parks of South Bend, possesses talents which has placed his name high among the landscape artists of Indiana. He was born in Laporte, Indiana, August 30, 1873, the third son of August F. Beyer, whose history will be found elsewhere in this work. The son Herman was brought by his parents to South Bend when only one year old, and his education was received in its public schools, also spending two terms in Notre Dame Uni- versity, where he pursued the commercial course and also a course in landscape drawing and engineering. For a time thereafter he was connected with his father in business, and also did some private work in the city. For a number of years he was employed by James Oliver as his landscape gardener, and July 1, 1903, was appointed by the board of public works as their landscape artist and engineer to superintend the work of the parks of South Bend. In this important position he super- intends the following parks: the Howard (dedicated in honor of Judge Howard), La- peer, Coquillard, Kelly, Henry Studebaker, La Salle and the Pottawattomie.

In 1898 Mr. Beyer was married to Bertha Hagedorn, a daughter of August and Eva Hagedorn, and they have one son, Raymond. Mr. Beyer's fame as a landscape artist is not confined to his present position, for he has done much private work, and is well and favorably known for his genius and artistic ideas.

CHARLES KRAUSE. One of the best known business men of this section of South Bend. and certainly one of the best patronized, is Charles Krause, whose well appointed meat -market is located at 307 North Emerick street. During the long period of twenty years he has continued at this stand, which is an in- dication of strong business vitality and the conducting of an establishment along estab- lished commercial lines, with an intimate acquaintance of the peculiarities as well as needs of a varied line of customers. The pro- prietor of this long established market,

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AARON JJONES. The name of Aaron Jones has been inser bel high on the rod of St. Joseph county's honored pioneers and wal- neut men. and the part which he has taken in the founding and development of the county well entitles him to prominent men-

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G. Barche, superintendent of the Con tery of South Bend, was born .bot reded. Saffok ccante, on the east- of E: _ land. When f urteen years to come with his parents to the United the family home thing established in New York, where the young lad as father in Forest Hill cemetery. atly he spent a short time in Spring- massa ch retts, going thenee to Phila- w .i a short time afterward to Cam- Massachusetts, where he followed the

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Charles Krause, is a native son of Germany, born on the 14th of October, 1861, to Charles and Rose (Bratten) Krause, also natives of the Fatherland. In 1872 the family left their native land for the United States, making their way at once to South Bend, where the husband and father spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-nine years. He is survived by his widow, who has reached the sixtieth milestone on the journey of life.

Charles Krause, the eldest of their six children, was a little lad of nine years when he became a resident of South Bend, and here he has ever since lived and labored, pursuing his education in its public schools. He began business for himself in 1888, on the site where he is yet located, and for twenty years he has here catered to a large patronage from the best class of citizens. He is building a modern market next to his old place and when this is completed he will be better able to take care of his large trade. He is a wideawake, energetic and enterprising busi- ness man. His honesty, industry, courtesy and fair dealing are proverbial in this city where such business probity and enterprise are esteemed at their true worth. Aside from his business he also takes an active interest in public affairs, representing the Democracy, and although he is a prominent worker in its ranks he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office.

On the 29th of December, 1887, Mr. Krause was united in marriage to Lucinda Grile, a native of Marshall county, Indiana, and a son and daughter have been born to them, William and Rosie. Mr. Krause is a promin- ent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, which is under the pastorate of Rev. Thiema, and for six years he has held the office of trustee therein. He is an active worker in the cause of Christianity and South Bend numbers him among her most progres- sive and loyal citizens.

JOHN G. BARKER, superintendent of the Riverview Cemetery of South Bend, was born in Huntingfeld, Suffolk county, on the east- ern coast of England. When fourteen years of age he came with his parents to the United States, the family home being established in Utica, New York, where the young lad as- sisted his father in Forest Hill cemetery. Subsequently he spent a short time in Spring- field, Massachusetts, going thence to Phila- delphia, and a short time afterward to Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, where he followed the

occupation of gardening. Mr. Barker's next employment was in the Pine Grove cemetery in Lynn, that state, where he served as superintendent for fourteen years, and dur- ing that time developed that cemetery into one of the finest ones in the country. During a. period of ten years he served as superin- tendent of the Forest Hill Cemetery at Bos- ton, which also became one of the finest in the country under his supervision. During his residence in both Lynn and Boston he served as chairman of the Garden Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the second oldest institution of the kind in the United States, and was also well known as a public speaker on horticultural subjects. He has also served as president of the Asso- ciation of American Cemetery Superintend- ents. From Boston Mr. Barker went to New- castle, Pennsylvania, where he laid out Cas- cade park, one of the most beautiful in the country, and after his work there was ended he came to South Bend. For a time after his arrival in this city he was employed on work in the city parks, and while thus en- gaged also assisted in the selection of the site now occupied by the Riverview Cemetery. The genius which he possesses as a landscape artist is inborn not acquired, as from his boy- hood days he has expressed his artistic tastes, and his name now occupies a high place among the men of his calling in the United States.

Mr. Barker married a Miss Edson, who was born, reared and educated in Springfield, Massachusetts, and they have three children : Herbert C., a traveling salesman; Gardiner H., a dentist in New York city, and Florence, the wife of Wallace C. Brackett, also of the city of New York, where he is a civil engineer with Westinghouse, Church & Kerr, architects and engineers, New York City. Mr. Barker is a Republican in his political views, but is not bound by party ties, preferring to sup- port the men whom he regards as best quali- fied to fill the positions for which they are chosen. He exemplifies in his life the princi- ples of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a member, and is also a worthy member of the Baptist church.

AARON JONES. The name of Aaron Jones has been inscribed high on the roll of St. Joseph county's honored pioneers and emi- nent men, and the part which he has taken in the founding and development of the county well entitles him to prominent men-

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tion in this volume. St. Joseph county has services pre-eminently entitled, not only on remained his home throughout his entire life, the part of the student of biography, but also by every citizen who, guided by the past, would in the present wisely build for the future. for his birth occurred within its borders, in German township, on the 9th of September, 1838, his parents being Samuel and Polly (Pearson) Jones, the former a native of Vir- ginia and the latter of North Carolina. As early as 1829 the family home was established in St. Joseph county, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits in German township until his busy and useful life was ended in 1850, at the age of fifty years.

When fourteen years of age Aaron Jones left the country schools to enter Franklin College, where he remained for two years, thence continuing his studies in Antioch Col- lege. Thus with an excellent educational training to serve as the foundation on which to build his future life work he began farm- ing in Penn township, his father at that time having given him a tract of land and he also purchased one. Although he has not been engaged in active farm work for thirty years, yet he managed his estate until seven years ago, when this work devolved upon his son Aaron, who resides upon the old homestead. In 1878 Mr. Jones was elected master of the State Grange, continuing to fill that import- ant position for the long period of twenty years with the exception of an interval of seven years when he served as auditor of the county, to which he was elected in 1882, his term expiring in 1891. At that time he was re-elected master of the Grange, while in 1897 he was made master of the National Grange, continuing as the incumbent of that high official position until 1905. The na- tional membership embraces about one mil- lion, and during Mr. Jones' able administra- tion almost six hundred thousand new mem- bers were added. During a period of ten years he also served as a member of the State Board of Agriculture, being president for two years of that time and chairman of its execu- tive committee for six years.

In 1860 Mr. Jones was married to Margaret W. Wiley, a daughter of John and Hannah (Esterley) Wiley, of Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania. Two children have been born of this union,-Aaron, Jr., and Mary J., now Mrs. Ort. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 45, Chapter No. 13 and Commandery No. 29. His influence has passed beyond the confines of locality and has permeated the national life. To such as he is a careful study of the life, character and

WILLIAM C. Row. A popular and efficient employe of the government during the past twelve years, William C. Row has during all that time served as a United States letter carrier in South Bend, and has thus become well known to many of its residents. St. Joseph county also numbers him among her native sons, his birth occurring in Liberty township, April 25, 1869. His father, Jacob D. Row, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, but was reared in Coschocton county of that state, and was there married on June 30, 1860, to one of the state's native daugh- ters, Hannah Knepp. In a very early day the young couple left the Buckeye state and journeyed to St. Joseph county, Indiana, this being in May, 1861, and they established their home in Liberty township, where Mr. Row engaged in agricultural pursuits, while in addition he also had a large practice as a veterinary surgeon, his name being a familiar one in the profession throughout this part of the county. He now resides in Union town- ship, and in addition to his homestead there also owns another farm in Liberty township. His wife passed away when sixty years of age, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters: Jennie, the wife of Louis Lonzo, of Union township; William C., whose name introduces this review; Martin A., also an agriculturist of Union township; Albert O., whose sketch will be found on other pages in this work; and Clara A., the wife of Clarence Rensberger, of Lakeville, Indiana.

William C. Row spent the early years of his life on the old homestead farm in Liberty township, and after completing his education in its schools taught for six years, five years of the time in St. Joseph county. During 1893 and 1894 he served as the deputy sur- veyor of St. Joseph county, and since 1895 he has been a government employe in the capacity of a United States letter carrier in South Bend, in which position he has won the commendation of all.

In 1895 Mr. Row was united in marriage to Sadie C. Bair, who was born and reared in Elkhart county, Indiana, a daughter of Michael and Amelia (Kenrich) Bair. Mr. Row is an exponent of the principle that whatever is inherently wrong can not be made

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right by legislation, and therefore casts his ballot in opposition to licensing the liquor traffic and its kindred evils. He is a valued member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation of South Bend. He is deeply inter- ested in the affairs of the city which has so long been his home, and all who know him have the highest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind.

ROBERT CODD. On the roster of the officials of South Bend appears the name of Robert Codd, who is now capably serving as presi- dent of the board of public safety, and who is also connected with the business interests of the .city as one of her leading linotype operators. He has spent almost his entire life in South Bend, although his birth oc- curred in Allegan, Michigan, November 4, 1874, his parents being Robert H. and Mary (Pool) Codd. The father had his nativity in Erie county, New York, and he became a representative of the tinner's trade, his life's labors being ended in death at the age of sixty years, but he is still survived by his widow, who yet resides in South Bend, her native city, her father having been one of the earliest settlers of St. Joseph county. Of their two sons, Delbert D., the younger, is a resident of St. Joseph, Michigan.

Robert Codd was reared to years of ma- turity in South Bend, and received his edu- cational training in the Edwardsburg common and high schools. When but a lad of twelve years he began learning the printer's trade, at the same time continuing his studies, and he has since served on the staff of the Times and Tribune, his journalistic career covering a period of about sixteen years. He has taken an active part in the public affairs of his city and county as a representative of the Democratic party, and for five years he has served as president of the board of public safety. He is a man of marked integrity, and is therefore well qualified to discharge the responsible duties of his position.

In 1894 Mr. Codd was united in marriage to Anna Nieb, a daughter of the late Philip Nieb, of Niles, Michigan, and they have three children, two daughters and a son, Eunice, May and Robert E. His fraternal relations connect him with the order of Eagles, and he is also a member of the Typographical Union of South Bend. As has been stated he has been a resident of this city throughout nearly his entire life, and many of his Vol. II-17.

stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood,-an indication that his life so far has been an upright and honorable one.

A. J. PURUCKER, who is serving as engineer for the high school of South Bend, with resi- dence at 1718 Michigan avenue, was born in Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1853, a son of Simon and Amelia H. (Piffer) Purucker, both natives of Germany. In 1848 they emigrated to America, establishing their home in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but in 1854 removed to South Bend, Indiana, and located on the corner of. Madison and Wood streets in a little log house, having paid three hundred dollars for one acre of land. The father was a glass blower, but after coming to St. Joseph county was employed on the Lake Shore Railroad and rented his little farm for eight years. He then purchased another farm and erected the brick house on the Mt. Pleasant road which continued as his home until his life's labors were ended in death at the age of sixty-six years, having been accidentally killed by being thrown from a load of hay. Mrs. Purucker reached the age of seventy- four years ere she was called to the home beyond. They were the parents of three sons, Christopher, Andrew J., and John A.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 44

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