USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 48
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DAVID BOWMAN. The members of the Bow- man family are among the most numerous and worthy representatives of the pioneer ele- ment in St. Joseph county. At a reunion of the family held on Sumption's Prairie, in
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1896, there were one hundred and fifty mem- bers present, the special occasion being to commemorate the eighty-ninth birthday of Mrs. Susanna Rupel, then the oldest surviv- ing representative of the family. As re- marked by one of the speakers at that cele- bration : "While the Bowman family have not made any vivid marks of distinction as representatives in the national halls of con- gress, the supreme bench, the literary world or journalism, they have been at parity with the highest encomiums of honor and integ- rity. Those of you who have Bowman blood coursing through your veins need not be ashamed of a single drop of it."
Mrs. Susanna Rupel (nee Bowman), men- tioned above, was an aunt of David Bowman, now deceased and well worthy to bear the honorable name of the family. John Bowman, his grandfather, the founder of the American branch, was born in Germany, settled in Pennsylvania and was twice married, three boys and four girls being born of his first union. All of the sons were ministers of the United Brethren church, and, with the excep- tion of Jacob, lived from early boyhood in Montgomery county, Ohio. Rev. Jacob Bow- man, the father of David, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, moved with his parents to that county, where he was reared and married, and in 1831, with his wife and nine children, moved to St. Joseph county. His wife, Elizabeth Moyer, was also a native of Pennsylvania. Of the three sons and six daughters born of their union David Bowman was the youngest child. When the family came to St. Joseph county they estab- lished their home in Center township, where the Rev. Bowman entered one hundred and forty acres of land from the government. His sons assisted him in the clearing and cultiva- tion of the farm, and, in addition to his agri- cultural labors, he also faithfully and ably performed his duties as pastor of the Dun- kard church, continuing in the active work of the ministry until his life's labors were ended in death. In his political affiliations he was an old line Whig.
David Bowman spent his early boyhood days on the old home farm in Center town- ship, assisting in its cultivation and improve- ment, and when not thus employed attended the primitive log schoolhouse near his home. As the years passed he became successful in his farm labors, and at his death, February Vol. II-18.
23, 1893, left an estate of two hundred and forty acres.
On the 9th of October, 1849, Mr. Bowman married Elizabeth Stull, who died in 1874, leaving an only child-Grace, who became Mrs. Grace A. Dubail. Mr. Bowman was again married, September 9, 1876, when Lu- cretia Fox became his wife. She was born in Pennsylvania, February 12, 1849, a daughter of Andrew and Catherine Fox, her parents being representatives of the stanch farming class. Mrs. Bowman was reared and educated in her native commonwealth, and came to St. Joseph county upon the occasion of her mar- riage, which resulted in one son, John A. Mr. Bowman gave his political support to the Re- publican party, proving an active worker in its cause. He was also a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, and, although he did not push himself unduly to the front, in whatever field of activity he engaged he evinced faithfulness, industry and intelli- gence and earned the implicit confidence of his associates. In short, he upheld the high record of the family for unvarying honor and practical ability, and by his good and useful life strengthened the assurance already quoted-"those of you who have Bowman blood coursing through your veins need not be ashamed of a single drop of it."
PROFESSOR CARL JUNGKUNTZ, who is devot- ing his time to the instruction of the young, being a teacher in the primary grade of the St. Paul German Lutheran School of South Bend, was born in North Judson, Starke county, Indiana, December 6, 1884, a son of Rev. H. Jungkuntz, the pastor of the German Evangelical church at Columbia City, In- diana. The latter's birth occurred in St. Louis, Missouri, and the educational training which he received in the schools of Water- town, Wisconsin, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana, was completed in his native city of St. Louis. He married Regina Graebner, who was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and of their family ' of nine children eight are living at the pres- ent time. The eldest son is Rev. Henry Jung- kuntz, a minister in the German Lutheran church at Apache, Oklahoma, while the sec- ond son, Otto, is a student in the Fort Wayne college. The three daughters of the family are Clara, Martha and Dora, and the young- est son, Paul, is attending school. Professor Jungkuntz, the second child in order of birth, was educated under private instruction at Columbia City, Indiana, and graduated at
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Addison, Illinois, in 1903, after a five years' course. Coming to South Bend in the same year, he entered upon the duties of his pres- ent position as a teacher in the primary grade of the St. Paul German Lutheran school. His labors have done much to quicken literary interest and to promote intellectual activity, and he is gaining marked prestige as a teacher of superior mental force and ability.
JAMES WILLIAM CAMPER, one of the oldest business men of South Bend, his residence here covering a period of over sixty years is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of guns, fishing tackle, etc., at 116 West Col- fax avenue. His birth occurred in this city on the 13th of June, 1836, his father, William Camper, having arrived here just two years previous to that time, in 1834. He was a native of Virginia and a wagon-maker by oc- cupation, and after his removal to South Bend continued in that occupation until his life's labors were ended in death in 1844. His name was inscribed high on the roll of the city's honored pioneers and business men, and he was of stanch old German ancestry. Ere leaving his old home in Virginia Mr. Camper married Elizabeth Stevers, who was born and reared in that commonwealth. Her life's labors were ended in 1849, after becom- ing the mother of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to years of maturity, but only two, James W. and his sister, Mrs. L. T. Stedman, are living in South Bend.
James W. Camper, the fifth child and third son in his family, received his educational training in the schools of South Bend, re- maining in this city until he was eighteen years of age, when, in 1853, he went to La- fayette, Indiana, and in December, 1855, to Delphi, this state. In March, 1857, he started on the overland journey to California, mak- ing the trip with horse teams and in the Fisher train, but after a sojourn of eight years in the Golden state he returned to South Bend, and three years later, in 1868, engaged in the manufacture of guns, to which occupa- tion he has ever since devoted his time and attention, his labors being crowned with a well-merited degree of success.
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On the 25th of December, 1865, Mr. Camper was united in marriage to Mary Smith, whose death occurred on the 9th of February, 1885, and on May 4 of the following year Mr. Camper married Emma Miller, the widow of a Mr. Culp and a daughter of Joseph Miller.
.Mr. Camper has given a lifelong support to the Republican party, and in his fraternal re- lations is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. He is of a social disposition, courteous and genial manner, and throughout the city in which nearly his entire life has been passed he has a host of warm friends.
ISAIAH L. DICE. From its early pioneer days the Dice family have been identified with the interests of St. Joseph county, and the subject of this review has made his home within its confines during his entire life, being now prominently associated with its well driving and gas fitting interests. His birth occurred in Center township September 2, 1876, a son of James and Sarah (Rose- berry) Dice. The father, who was of German descent, was born in Pennsylvania, but came to St. Joseph county in the early days of its history and allied his interests with its pion- eers. He became identified with agricultural pursuits in Center township, and lived to the age of fifty-six years, his widow still surviv- ing him and residing at 735 South Michigan street, South Bend. In their family were eight children, namely: Rille, the wife of John Strickler; Augustus, of South Bend; Isaiah; Birdie, with her mother; James, a resident of Michigan; Bessie, deceased; Blanch and Clelle, who are also at home.
After attaining to mature years Mr. Dice learned the trades of paper hanging and plumbing, but after seven years in those occu- pations he gave up the paper hanging depart- ment and has since been engaged in well dig- ging in connection with his plumbing, a large and remunerative patronage being accorded him in these occupations.
In 1902 Mr. Dice was united in marriage to Julia Fluckey, who was born in Union town- ship, St. Joseph county, Indiana, a daughter of Henry and Certicea Fluckey. The Repub- lican party receives Mr. Dice's active support and co-operation, and he is well known throughout the county in which his entire life has been passed.
EDGAR E. BURNER. In the comparatively few years in which Edgar E. Burner has been identified with the business world he has achieved a commendable success, the result of enterprise, resolute purpose and straight- forward methods. South Bend may well be proud to claim him as one of her honored residents, for as a contractor and builder he has added much to its beauty and substantial
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development. He was born in Crawford county, Illinois, on the 7th of April, 1872, a son of Henry and Almeda (Beem) Burner, both natives of Ohio. The father, whose birth occurred in Licking county of that state, has devoted his entire business career to the work of the farm, and he now resides on the old Burner homestead in Crawford county, Illi- nois, but his wife has preceded him to the home beyond, dying at the age of sixty-two years. In their family were eleven children, all but one of whom grew to years of matur- ity and are living at the present time.
Edgar E. Burner, the fifth child in order of birth, was a student in the normal school at Danville, Indiana, also the business depart- ment of Smith College at Lexington, Ken- tucky, thus receiving an excellent educational training as a foundation on which to rear the superstructure of his life work. For three years thereafter he was engaged in the furni- ture business in Robinson, Illinois, when he sold his interests there and came to South Bend in 1899. During the first years of his residence in this city Mr. Burner was in the employ of H. G. Christian & Company in the capacity of bookkeeper, and in 1903 em- barked in the contracting and building busi- ness on his own account in this city. Many of South Bend's largest and best buildings are the result of his skill and ability, and among them may be mentioned the church for the Evangelical Association, and at the pres- ent time is engaged in the erection of the public school building at Bremen, Indiana, and two school buildings in South Bend.
In 1896 Mr. Burner was united in mar- riage to Emma B. Hulse, of Robinson, Illi- nois, and they have two children, Kenneth and Wilma. Mr. Burner is a member of the Court of Honor, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of South Bend, and is a Repub- lican in his political affiliations. His religious connection is with the First Methodist church, and he is numbered among the well-known young business men of South Bend.
CHARLES W. DOOLITTLE. On the roster of Mishawaka's officials appears the name of Charles W. Doolittle in connection with the office of street commissioner. His entire life has been passed within the confines of St. Joseph county, and has been one of uniform honor in business and fidelity in places of public trust. He was born in Penn township of St. Joseph county August 21, 1864, and his father, William H. Doolittle, also claimed
that township as the place of his nativity. He was a son of Charles Doolittle, who was num- bered among the early and honored pioneers of St. Joseph county, and the family since that early day have been prominently identi- fied with its varied interests. William H. Doolittle yet resides in Penn township, one of its venerable and highly esteemed citizens. He was three times married, and the mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Ellen Hollingshead. She, too, was a native of Penn township, where her father, William Hol- lingshead, was one of the earliest settlers and was prominently identified with its early his- tory. Her death occurred when her son Charles was but two years old.
Charles W. Doolittle, his parents' only child, spent his early life on the old home farm in Penn township, assisting in its culti- vation and improvement, and also attending the district schools near his home. The train- ing which he received therein was supple- mented by attendance in the Mishawaka city schools, and when eighteen years of age he put aside his text books and began the battle of life for himself. Farming continued his vocation until his removal to Mishawaka in 1890, from which time until Mishawaka's ad- mission as a city he was engaged in teaming. At that time, however, he was elected by the city council as street commissioner, and has ever since continued to discharge the duties of that office with the exception of a year and a half when he served as foreman of the building of a large six-story factory for the Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Company.
In 1886 Mr. Doolittle married Emma . Smyser, who was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, the daughter of Cornelius Smyser. They have two daughters, Gladys W. and Mary. Mr. Doolittle has given a lifelong sup- port to the Republican party, active in its growth and upbuilding, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity in Misha- waka. He enjoys the regard of his fellow citi- zens, and is widely and favorably known in this city and St. Joseph county.
THOMAS J. SLICK. One of the boys in blue of the Civil war, and at all times a loyal citi- zen, true to the interests of county, state and nation, Thomas J. Slick is numbered among the business men of South Bend. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of August, 1841, a son of Samuel H. and Mary (Youndt) Slick, both also natives of the Keystone state. In 1841 the family
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home was established in Stark county, Ohio, where it remained until 1860, when they came to South Bend and the father embarked in the grocery business with his sons, John Y. and Thomas J. He was numbered among the honored early citizens, his name being con- spicuous on its roll of business men, but in 1877 his busy life was ended in death. At that time the business was sold and Thomas J. Slick then engaged in agricultural pursuits near South Bend, this claiming his time and attention for fifteen years. Returning thence to South Bend in 1895 he was elected assessor of St. Joseph county for four years.
In the meantime, in 1882, Mr. Slick's brother, John Y., had established a laundry business in South Bend, and the former's son Charles had taken possession of the Home Laundry in 1901, and on the expiration of his term of office Mr. Slick became associated with the latter in the Home Laundry, while in 1904 they purchased the business of Mr. John Y. Slick, now conducting both under the name of the Slick Laundry Company, owned by Thomas J. and his sons, Charles and Samuel H. This is one of the important enterprises of South Bend, and its proprietors are excellent business men, straightforward and honorable in all their dealings.
In 1862 Mr. Slick offered his services as a soldier for the Union, becoming a member of the Twenty-first Indiana Battery, in which he served for three years in the western army under Rosecrans and Thomas. He particip- ated in the battles of Chickamauga, Chattan- ooga, Franklin and Nashville, and was mus- · tered out of service in October, 1865, return- ing home with a creditable military record. After his return to South Bend he was for a number of years proprietor of the Windsor Hotel, one of the leading hostelries in those days.
In 1862 Mr. Slick was united in marriage to Laura A. Whitten, a daughter of President Whitten, one of the honored early pioneers of South Bend, and seven children have been born of this union, six sons and one daughter, namely : Edmund H., a member of the South Bend Engraving Company; Thomas W., a leading attorney of this city; Samuel H., in the laundry business with his father, as is also his next younger brother, Charles W .; William Albert, a member of the legal frater- nity of South Bend; John L., a student at Notre Dame; and the only daughter, Kate, is now the wife of Earl Dunkle, of South
Bend. The family are members of the Meth- odist church, and Mr. Slick also holds mem- bership relations with the Grand Army of the Republic, Auten Post, in which he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the blue.
SAMUEL R. THOMAS, the present assessor of Portage township, St. Joseph county, was born in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1854, a son of William W. and Mary M. (Small) Thomas, both also natives of the Key- stone state. Throughout his entire business career the father was engaged in railroad work, and his death occurred in New Jersey.
Samuel R. Thomas, the fifth in order of birth of his parents' twelve children, spent the first ten years of his life in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, after which the family home was removed to Erie, that state, where Samuel attended the Erie Academy. During the early part of his business career he was con- nected with railroad work on the Pennsyl- vania lines, but in 1880 he abandoned that occupation and came to South Bend, obtain- ing employment with the Oliver Chilled Plow Works for eleven years. During that time he was also connected with other lines of busi- ness activity, having' for a few years been identified with the furniture trade. In 1900 he was made the township assessor, elected on the Republican ticket, and so well did he dis- charge the duties entrusted to his care that in 1904 he was returned to that position, being its present incumbent.
In 1881 Mr. Thomas was married to Flora S. Secoy, a native of Wabash, Indiana. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and Knight Templars of the Masonic order, is a member of the Elks of South Bend, and dur- ing the past ten years has served as record keeper for the Knights of the Maccabees. He has been a lifelong supporter of Republican principles, and on one occasion was chairman of the county central committee, always tak- ing an active and helpful interest in every movement for the upbuilding of the county. He is a member of the Business Men's Asso- ciation of South Bend and of other local or- ganizations. Many years of his life having been spent in St. Joseph county, he is well known among her citizens, and is held in uniform regard.
ALFRED SMITH, the deputy sheriff of Notre Dame, has been identified with the interests of the place during much of the time for the past twenty-two years, and his fidelity and
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sterling worth have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow townsmen. He was born in the commonwealth of Delaware, March 15, 1854, a son of John R. and Rebecca (White) Smith. The father died when his son Alfred was but three years of age, and the little lad then went to live with his uncle, Daniel White of Delaware, with whom he made his home until the age of twenty-one years, and in the meantime receiving his edu- cation in the common schools of his com- munity. In 1874 he went to Cass county, Michigan, but two years later continued his westward journey to Illinois, where he lo- cated at Wyanet. From there he came to Notre Dame in 1899, and two years later, in 1901, was made its deputy sheriff, the duties of which position he has continued to dis- charge for the past seven years.
In 1876 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Emma Carter, who is now deceased, leav- ing four children: May, the wife of Lew Howe, of Galesburg, Illinois; Edna the wife of Bert Lowe, also of that city; Edith, also married; and Charles, a resident of Wyanet, Illinois. Mr. Smith upholds the principles of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Pathfinders' Lodge of South Bend. His labors have been effective in maintaining the law and order in his community, and in the faithful discharge of his duties and as a worthy citizen he has won and retained many friends in St. Joseph county.
FRED P. FUTTER. On the roster of South Bend's officials may be found the name of Fred P. Futter in connection with the posi- tion of plumbing inspector. He is public- spirited and thoroughly interested in what- ever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of South Bend, and for almost his entire life has made his home within its borders. A native of Erie, Penn- sylvania, he was born on the 12th of Septem- ber, 1869, his father being Jacob P. Futter, who was born across the sea in the fatherland. When a small boy, however, he came to Amer- ica with his parents and was reared in Penn- sylvania, there learning the shoemaker's trade. In 1870, the year following the birth of his son Fred, the family home was estab- lished in South Bend, where he is still an honored resident, as is also his wife, Magdel- ana, nee Wamsgans.
Fred P. Futter, the second child and eld- est son in the above family, was only one year old when brought by his parents to South
Bend, where he has spent the remainder of his life and to its public schools is indebted for his early educational training. When the time came for him to enter upon a business life he learned the plumbing trade under the preceptorship of James Aslin, and after its completion worked for three years in Mil- waukee. After that he worked in different states in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Ne- braska, returning thence to South Bend and establishing himself as a plumber in this city. In October, 1902, Mr. Futter was ap- pointed city plumbing inspector, this having been the inauguration of that office in South Bend and he its first incumbent. At each subsequent election since that time he has been returned to the office, an indication of his popularity and prominence, and all who know him willingly accord him a leading place among the citizens of the community. His political support is given to the Demo- cratic party, and he is an active and efficient worker in its ranks. Mr. Futter is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and assisted in the organization and is one of the charter members of the local Plumbers' Union.
CASIMIR WOLTMAN. Since attaining to years of maturity Mr. Woltman has taken an active share in the development of the re- sources of his portion of South Bend, has ma- terially aided its public institutions, and has used his influence in behalf of everything making for good citizenship. He was born in Poland, Germany, February 11, 1867, and was reared and attended the schools of his native country until his thirteenth year, when, in 1880, he accompanied his parents on their removal to America, the family home being established first in Erie, Pennsylvania. At the end of eight months, however, they transferred their residence to South Bend, where the son attended a law school for a time, and then became an employe in the toy works, at the same time continuing his studies in a night school. He was subsequently ap- pointed to the position of deputy street com- missioner, in which he served for one year and six months, and during the past four years has been associated with the Meyer Liv- ingston Sons in the capacity of clerk. Dur- ing a period of two years he also served as a councilman at large, and was elected presi- dent of the Jan Sobieski Building and Loan Association. while for five years he served as trustee of St. Casimir church and is now fill-,
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ing the position of secretary of St. Casimir society. The Republican party receives his active support and co-operation, while in his social relations he is a member of the St. Stanislaw and St. Hedwidge Societies, and is an active worker in their interests.
In 1892 Mr. Woltman was married to Mary Wojciechowska and they have four children, Lottie, Steve, Sylvester C. and Sophia. His life is exemplary in all respects, and he has ever supported the interests which are formed to benefit and uplift society.
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