A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 46

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 46

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A South Bend pioneer whose name is very deserving of mention in this connection was Benjamin Wall. He was a native of Ken- tucky, and arriving in South Bend in 1836, when there was only a small population along the river banks, he became a tavern-keeper, having one of the first, if not the first, public house in this locality. Besides holding the position of landlord, which was a very digni- fied office in those days, he was also honored by being elected justice of the peace, serving as such for many years. He lived to the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife, whose maiden name was Priscilla King, a native of Delaware, survived until her eighty-second year. Of their family of five children three are now living, namely : D. K. Wall, of Den- ver, Colorado; Mr. M. C. Veasey, of South Bend; Mary L., the youngest of the family, who has been a lifelong resident of South Bend, became the wife of Mr. Hine. As the widow of one of South Bend's well known citizens, and as a member of one of the city's pioneer families, Mrs. Hine lives in the con- stant esteem of the people of her home city.

CHARLES BRECHENSER. The history of South Bend would be incomplete without mention of this worthy representative of its industrial interests, C. Brechenser, to whom belongs the honor of being one of its oldest merchants in years of continuous service. He was born in Putnam county, Ohio, December 22, 1858, and is of German parentage, his father, Frank Brechenser, having left his na- tive land of Germany for America during his young manhood, and he is now a resident of Dowagiac, Michigan. He removed to Cass county, Michigan, when his son was only six months old, and there the latter grew to years of maturity and learned the baker's trade, engaging in that occupation in Niles, that state, when sixteen years of age. Four years later he removed to Three Rivers, Michigan, where he remained for one year, going thence to Dowagiac and entering the bakery and gro-

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cery business. His next place of residence was at Plymouth, Indiana, where he remained until September, 1883, and in that year came to South Bend and in company with Sylvester Gordon continued his grocery and bakery business. In June, 1884, this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Brechenser purchasing his partner's interest, and he has continued as the sole proprietor of the business to the pres- ent time, though in July, 1904, he closed the bakery department. In 1887 he started an- other store, which he operated about one year, then sold to Mr. Paxson. Thus during the long period of twenty-four years he has been numbered among the prominent business men of South Bend, where his intrinsic worth is recognized, and in addition to his large gro- cery interests he is also a stockholder in the South Bend Wholesale Grocery Company.

During his residence in Plymouth, Indiana, Mr. Brechenser was united in marriage to Matilda M. Hankey, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and they have one little daughter, Mary Alice, a little maiden of two years. In his political connections Mr. Brechenser is a Democrat where national issues are involved, but locally votes irrespective of party ties. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic church and of the Cath- olic Knights of America.

A. A. WATERFIELD, sales manager of the Colfax Manufacturing Company, with resi- dence at 304 North St. Louis street, South Bend, is one of the younger representatives of the city's business interests, but he has al- ready attained a leading place in its com- mercial activities. He was born in Notting- ham, England, July 2, 1878, a son of James and Julia (Denman) Waterfield, both of whom were also natives of the mother coun- try. When their son was a little lad of four years they came to the United States, locating in Newark, New Jersey, but about four years later they removed to Oswego, New York, and subsequently to Maumee, Ohio. From there they journeyed to Cincinnati, that state, thence to Amsterdam, New York, and finally came to South Bend. The son accompanied his parents on their various removals and at- tended the schools of the different places in which they resided, completing his education in the Commercial College of this city. His first business employment was in the humble position of office boy for the Colfax Manufac- turing Company, with whom he became asso- ciated in August, 1897, and gradually, by his persistent effort and laudable ambition, he

ascended the ladder of success until in 1902 he was made the assistant manager of this large corporation. On the 1st of May, 1907, he entered upon his present relations with the company, that of sales manager, and in the absence of the general manager he is now in charge of the plant.

On the 28th of June, 1900, Mr. Waterfield was united in marriage to Cora L., a daughter of Joseph and Sarah MacDonald, and they have one son, Albert J. M., who was born on the 30th of May, 1901. Mr. Waterfield is well and prominently known both in the busi- ness and social circles of this city which has been his home during the past fourteen years, and South Bend is proud to claim him among her younger sons.

JOSEPH E. MOSSEY. A most exemplary citizen and an honored hero of the war of the rebellion is Joseph E. Mossey, of South Bend, where for many years he has held a responsible position with one of the leading manufacturing concerns of the country. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, September 15, 1847, but when not yet four years of age he was brough by his parents, Francis and Clara Mossey, to South Bend, arriving in this city on the 2d of August, 1851. When he had attained the age of eleven years his parents removed to a farm north- east of the city about five and a half miles, in Penn township, where the little lad at- tended school during three months of the win- ter seasons, the remainder of the year being devoted to the work of the farm and to the pleasures of youth. He was but eighteen years of age when he enlisted for service in the Civil war in 1864, entering Company F, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, en- tering the ranks as a private, and continuing to serve his country faithfuly and loyally un- til the close of the conflict, and was honorably discharged on the 25th of July, 1865. When his country no longer needed his services Mr. Mossey returned to his home to resume the peaceful pursuits of farm labor, thus con- tinuing until about 1871, when he came to South Bend and became an employe of the Birdsell and Singer manufacturing compa- nies, working in the machinery department. In 1873, desiring to see the western life, Mr. Mossey went to Columbus, Nebraska, but a short time later continued his westward jour- ney and became a cowboy on the plains of the North Platte river, continuing that wild and fascinating life for one season. He was

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then ready to return to his old home in South Bend, where he resumed his connection with the Singer company, first as a pattern filler and later as a shaper, for the long period of seventeen years continuing his work as a ma- chinist. He was then appointed to the re- sponsible position of foreman, the duties of which office he has ever since continued to fill with ability. Thus for many years he has devoted the labors of his life to the Singer company, being now one of their oldest as well as most competent employes. For his connection with this one corporation covers the long period of thirty-seven years, years largely devoted to the upbuilding and en- largement of their interests, and this long con- nection of itself speaks volumes for his ex- cellent business ability, his trustworthiness and his superior characteristics.

On the 30th of April, 1876, Mr. Mossey was united in marriage to Eleanor M. Thomas, the daughter of William H. and Martha J. (Bor- den) Thomas. She was born in Summer- ville, Ohio, but was only a babe of six months when brought to South Bend. In 1871 she also went to Nebraska, where she remained for four years, returning thence to South Bend. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mossey. Ernest L. and Mildred M., both at home. Mr. Mossey has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 14, of South Bend, and since age gave him the right of franchise he has been identi- fied with the Republican party.

JERRY VOELKERS is a typical American citi- zen, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the republic, and making the most of his opportunities, has steadily worked his way upward to success, being now the manager of the South Bend Brewing Association. His birth occurred in Germany on the 27th of August, 1864, and in his native land he re- ceived his educational training and learned the plumber's trade. In 1892 he bade adieu to his home in the fatherland, and crossing the ocean to the United States, established his home in Racine, Wisconsin, where for ten years he worked at the plumber's trade, grad- ually forging his way forward in his chosen line until his name became a familiar one in the business circles of that city. It was in the year 1902 that he came to South Bend and with his usual energy entered into the busi- ness life of this city, resuming the vocation in which he had become so proficient and thus continuing until the first of April, 1904, when

he became the manager of the South Bend Brewing Association, his present position.

Ere leaving his native land Mr. Voelkers married Regina Foelsen, also a native of Ger- many, and they have become the parents of five children,-John, Jerry W., Carl, Ger- trude and Mary. Mr. Voelkers is a member of the Elks, the Turners, the Owls and the Catholic Foresters, in all of which he is prom- inent, and he is an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party.

F. H. KOWALSKI, a prominent grocery mer- chant of South Bend, was born in Poland. Prussia, March 5, 1845, and in his native country received his education in the common schools. In his young manhood he decided to cast his lot with the citizens of America, and coming direct to South Bend he arrived in this city on the 19th of June, 1872. His first work here was for the Studebaker Broth- ers, with whom he remained for eight years as a body maker, and at the end of that period embarked in the grocery busi- ness on Dunham street, 1002 to 1004, entering upon his independent business career on the 1st of April, 1880. Mr. Kowalski sub- sequently sold this store to C. V. Korpal in 1890 and then turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, purchasing the farm of David Cravison in Warren township, St. Jo- seph county, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres. He still owns this place, al- though in 1894 he rented it and returned to South Bend and to the grocery business, at that time erecting his large double building in which for the past fourteen years he has been actively engaged in the grocery trade. In conducting this enterprise he has constant- ly enlarged its scope, and is now numbered among the representative grocery merchants of South Bend.

On the 23d of April, 1872, Mr. Kowalski was united in marriage to Katharine An- drzejewska, and they have four living chil- dren, namely: Kazmiera, the wife of Anton Buholtz; Lucy, the wife of Leo Hasinski; Leonard; and Edward. Mr. Kowalski gives his political support to the Republican party, and from 1888 to 1890 represented the Sixth ward in the city council, and in many other ways has shown his public-spirited interest in the welfare of his adopted city. For many years he has been a member of the Society of St. Hedwige's, and for the past ten years has served as its president, and also belongs to the Polish National Alliance of U. S. N. A.

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909

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In his business career Mr. Kowalski has worked earnestly and energetically, and the success which he has achieved in the merited reward of honorable effort and straightfor- ward dealing, which commands the respect of all.

MARION S. GORSKI, president of the Kos- ciuszko Building and Loan Fund Association of South Bend, was born in Wiktorowo, West Prussia, Germany, October 3, 1874. When he was only eight years of age the family left their little German home for America, arriv- ing in the city of New York on the 4th of December, 1882, but they at once made their way to Alpena, Michigan, where the son Marion was reared to years of maturity and received his education in the public and parochial schools. When but thirteen years of age he began working at the trade of cigar making, and after traveling about the country for a time took up his permanent abode in South Bend in September, 1892, being still engaged in the occupation of cigar making. Since attaining to years of maturity Mr. Gorski has taken an active interest in public affairs, having organized many labor unions, and was made president of the Kosciuszko Building and Loan Fund Association on the 20th of December, 1905, having previously held the office of vice-president. He has also held most of the offices in the Cigarmakers' Union, and serves as recording secretary now, served as secretary and vice-president of the Central Labor Union of South Bend, and is an active worker in the ranks of the Demo- cratic party. In 1904 he was elected to rep- resent the second ward in the city council, in which position he served for two years, and in all life's relations, political, social and pri- vate, he commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he comes in contact. He is president of the St. Casimir Society, a member of the Polish National Union and the Turners and also of the St. Hedwige's Catholic church.

On the 14th of January, 1895, Mr. Gorski was united in marriage to Victora Otolski, and they have six children,-Michael, Louis, Clara, Martha, Helen and Marie (deceased).

HENRY EDWIN HAIN. During almost his entire life Henry E. Hain has been num- bered among the citizens of St. Joseph county. His birth, however, occurred in Edwardsburg, Michigan, on the 17th of September, 1836. His father, Leonard Hain, was a native of North Carolina, but his death occurred in

South Bend in 1883, when he had reached the age of eighty years. He removed from Springfield, Ohio, to Edwardsburg, Michigan, where he resided for two years, and the re- mainder of his life was spent in South Bend, where he became well known as a chair maker and painter. In his political affiliations he was first a Whig and later a Republican. Mr. Hain married Julia Ann Niblick, whose step- father, Mr. Beardsley, was the first white set- tler in Cass county, Michigan, at Edwards- burg. Mrs. Hain's brothers moved to Cass county in 1835, where they entered land, and her death occurred in South Bend at the age of eighty-one years. She became the mother of thirteen children, but the son, Henry E., and daughter, Sarah Marilla Slusher, of South Bend, are the only ones now living.

Henry E. Hain was but two years of age when brought by his parents to South Bend, Indiana, which continued as his home until 1859, in that year coming to Harris township, St. Joseph county, to work for Ed Irvin, the most prominent farmer of this township. In 1861, with twelve other employes of Mr. Irvin, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, be- coming a member of Company F, Twenty- ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel John F. Miller. They were assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Hain took part in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, also many minor engagements, but after a year and a half of service he con- tracted typhoid fever and left Chattanooga for his home. He later, however, assisted in recruiting the Twenty-first Indiana Battery and accompanied it to Indianapolis, where its officers were chosen, Captain Andrews being placed in command and Mr. Hain its sutler, continuing in that capacity until the battery was disbanded at Covington and ordered to the Department of the Cumberland. Mr. HIain then returned home and resumed work for Mr. Irvin, with whom he remained until he started on his long journey to the Pacific coast in 1864. Leaving St. Joseph, Missouri, on the 1st of February, 1864, with a mule team he journeyed to Idaho, thence to Kotui, British Columbia, and on to Washington and Oregon, spending the winter of 1865-1866 in the Blue mountains. Leaving San Francisco during the latter part of 1865, he continued his journey to Manila, Mexico, and then started on the return journey home by way of Panama and New York, ar- riving home in November, 1866, where

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he again resumed work on the farm of Mr. Irvin. His connection with that gentle- man continued during the long period of twenty-nine years, which speaks volumes for his integrity and excellent business ability. During the past twenty years Mr. Hain has resided on his present farm in section 13, Harris township, originally a part of the Ir- vin place, and now well known as the Syca- more Fruit Farm, for on his land stands the only sycamore tree between Granger and South Bend. The homestead consists of eight acres, devoted wholly to the culture of all kinds of fruit adapted to this soil and climate, and the many substantial buildings which adorn the place stand as monuments to his ability.

In 1867 Mr. Hain was united in marriage to Maximelia Baker, a native of Poughkeep- sie, New York, and whose death occurred in Missouri, leaving two children, Mamie C. Cun- ningham, who resides with her father, and Erne B., a traveling salesman and whose home is in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1884 Mr. Hain married Melvina Shurte, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, and died in April, : 1903. There were no children by the second marriage. Mr. Hain is a member of the Grange, the Gleaners, the Knights of the Mac- cabees, the Horticultural Society of St. Jo- seph County, the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and was formerly a member of the Ma- sonic order. A lifelong Republican, his first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fre- ' mont, and for ten years he served as chair- man of the Republican township committee, and was also appointed census enumerator. Mr. Hain can relate many interesting inci- dents of his pioneer life in St. Joseph county, for as a boy he played with the Indians, and during his early residence in South Bend there were only eighteen houses in the now populous city, while the roads of the county were then but mere trails. He worked as a brick carrier at thirty-five cents a day on the construction of the first Methodist church in the city, and he was with the Studebakers when they were manufacturing the Utah wagons. He can recall the time when they paid him and a companion the only dollar they had on hand to attend a circus that had come to town, for everything was plentiful in those days excepting money. But through- out all the years which have since come and gone he has steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence, advancing step by

step along the tried paths of honorable effort until he has reached the goal of prosperity.

RENATUS H. DUEY. When Renatus H. Duey passed away South Bend lost one of its most valued citizens. His entire life was spent in the city of his birth, and during a long period he was one of its noted singers, so that as long as memory remains to those who knew him his beautiful life will remain as a blessed benediction. His birth occurred in South Bend on the 27th of August, 1850, and it was during the pioneer epoch in the his- tory of St. Joseph county that the Duey family was founded within its borders, aiding in its subsequent wonderful development. They owned the first piano in South Bend, which is now in possession of Mrs. Duey, and were numbered among the leading citizens of the community, their in- fluence being ever used for the good and well being of those associated with them in any way. Henry Duey, the father of R. H., was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and his name is numbered among those who came to South Bend in its early days and were prominent in its subsequent history.

In the University of Notre Dame, Mr. Duey of this review received an excellent educa- tional training, and early in life his wonder- ful powers as a musician were developed, finally becoming recognized as one of the most beautiful baritone singers of the city as well as in the entire county. His wonderful talent led to his membership in the St. James Orchestra, one of the finest in this section of the state, and he was the first of its members to pass away in death. It has been said that the soul finds its best and truest expression in music, and thus it seemed to Mr. Duey, but death ended this beautiful life on the 9th of October, 1904. He has gone to "Join the choir invisible

Of those immortal dead who live again

In minds made better by their presence."

Mr. Duey was first married to Nellie Rob- inson, who died after a happy married life of twelve years, and on the 2d of January, 1904, Mr. Duey married Ruth Lumbert, the daugh- ter of E. J. and Mary Earl. She had been previously married to O. N. Lumbert, by whom she had one daughter, Ollie, the wife of R. H. Blackburn, of South Bend. Mrs. Duey was born in Lockport, Michigan, but during her girlhood days accompanied her parents on their various removals, residing in Jackson, Hillsdale, Michigan, Syracuse, New

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Renatus Honey

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York, Detroit, Michigan, and finally came to diana claims him among her native sons, his South Bend, where she now owns what is . birth occurring at Valparaiso on the 24th of known as the Duey Flats on East Wayne street, consisting of twelve flats, and in addi- tion also owns the old homestead of the Dueys. In the death of R. H. Duey the community mourned the loss of one of its most valued citizens, but his wonderful personality and his influence for good will remain with those who knew him.

JAMES LAKE is one of the best known among the dealers in meats in the city of South Bend, his courtesy, fair dealing and industry being proverbial in a city where such business probity and enterprise are estimated at their true worth. He was born in the mother coun- try of England, at Devonshire, on the 29th of April, 1854, and there he spent the first seventeen years of his life. Coming thence to the United States to make for himself a home and a place in the activities of life he located in Chicago, Illinois, and in 1876 en- gaged in business in Englewood, one of its principal suburbs, where he lived and labored for eighteen years. It was at the close of that period, in 1904, that he came to South Bend, where he has since been numbered among its representative business men and citizens, and to his credit it may be stated that he is the only man to win success at his present location, 531 South Michigan street. He has attained his prestige by personal effort and the correct application of the powers · which are his, while his course has ever been such as to retain to him unqualified confidence and esteem as an able business man and a public-spirited citizen.

In 1880 Mr. Lake was united in marriage to Laura M. Nicks, also a native of England, and they have two children living, a son and a daughter, Winnet Ralph and Edna B. Mr. Lake holds fraternal relations with the Elks, the Masonic order and the Sons of St. George, and also for a time affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He is independent in his politi- cal relations, voting for the man regardless of party ties, and he is numbered among South Bend's honored citizens.

JOHN B. HABERLE is numbered among the most successful and leading business men of South Bend, prominently identified with its manufacturing interests. Many years of his life have been passed within the confines of this city, and his advancement has been along the lines of its growth, due to progressive, resolute purpose and laudable ambition. In-

June, 1855, a son of Joseph and Cynthia Haberle. It was in 1872 that Mr. John B. Haberle came to South Bend, entering the employ of Jacob Strayer & Company, with whom he served his apprenticeship as a ma- chinist, remaining in their employ for twelve years. During the succeeding nine years he was connected with the Studebaker works, having charge of their machine shops during five years of the time. Severing his connec- tion with that corporation, Mr. Haberle in company with Messrs. John Graham and El- mer Strayer purchased the Jacob Strayer & Company's shops, this being in January, 1894, and later the two former gentlemen pur- chased the interest of Elmer Strayer. At the death of Mr. Graham in 1905 Mr. Haberle purchased his heir's interest in the business and thus became the sole owner and proprie- tor. A man of distinctive and forceful in- dividuality, he is leaving his impress upon the industrial world, but it has been upon the ladder of his own building that he has climbed to prominence.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 46

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