A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 49

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 49

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ADAM ZELL, who is now serving as council- man at large, representing the Sixth ward in the city of South Bend, was born in Poland, Germany, December 24, 1870, but when only about eleven years of age, in 1882, came to America and direct to South Bend with his parents, Valentine and Mary Zell. His education was received in the German schools of this city, and after completing his educa- tion began learning the trades of painting and hard wood finishing, in which occupation he is still engaged.

Mr. Zell was married in this city to Mallyer Cleese, a native also of Poland, and their six children are Kazmar, Lottie, Edward, Sal- vina, Sylvees and Sylvester. Mr. Zell is a stanch Democrat in his political affiliations, and is an active worker in the party ranks. In 1904 he was elected councilman at large for the city of South Bend, which position he still fills with ability, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and St. Hedwidge's Society.

FRANK S. HOSINSKI. Although numbered among the younger residents of South Bend, the name of Frank S. Hosinski stands on the pages of its later history, for he is now serv- ing as alderman of the Second ward. He is connected with the Oliver Company. He is also a native son of the city, his natal day being the 14th of August, 1880. His parents, John and Mary Hosinski, were natives of Poland, but in 1879 left their native land for America, and made their way direct to South Bend, where both are still living. In their family were seven children, four sons and three daughters.

Frank S. Hosinski, the eldest child, is in- debted to the South Bend public schools for the educational training which he received, and when about fourteen years of age he be- gan work in the foundry of the old Economist Chilled Plow Works, while later for four years he was engaged in the butchering busi-

ness. At the close of that period he went to Bremen, Indiana, and was employed in the foundry of that city for about four years. after which he returned to South Bend and secured employment with the South Bend Foundry Company and later with the Stude- baker Company, remaining with the latter corporation for six months. Returning thence to the South Bend Foundry Company, he served as foreman of the foundry depart- ment since the memorable fire, a period of five years, until January, 1907. During all the years of his active business life he has taken a commendable interest in the public affairs of his native city, affiliating with the Demo- cratic party, and in 1905 was elected to rep- resent the Second ward in the city council, re- ceiving a four years' term and is the present incumbent. He is a man of keen discernment and resolute purpose, and is therefore well fitted for the political honors conferred upon him.

In 1901 Mr. Hosinski was married to Rosie Piechorowska, and they have had three chil- dren, two daughters and a son, but the lat- ter, Clem, is now deceased, and the daughters are Gertrude and Bertha. Mr. Hosinski is a member and secretary of the St. Stanislaus Polish society and treasurer of the St. Joseph Polish society. He commands the respect of his fellow men by his sterling worth, and South Bend is proud to number him among her native sons.

AUGUST E. JAHNKE. Among the younger representatives of the business interests of South Bend is numbered August E. Jahnke, the proprietor of one of the leading bakery establishments of the city. His birth occurred in Germany April 13, 1872, a son of Charles and Tressa Jahnke, also natives of the father- land. It was in 1886 that they left their Ger- man home for America, coming directly to South Bend, where the father is still an hon- ored resident, but the mother has passed away in death.

August E. Jahnke spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native country, pur- suing his education in its public schools, and accompanying his parents to America and to South Bend became a resident of this city at the age of fourteen. At the age of twenty years he had learned the baker's trade, and in 1895 he engaged in business for himself on Paris street, where he remained for two years, coming thence to his present location, 807 South Michigan street. Here he erected

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his own business building, a two-story brick block, his own business occupying the first floor, while the second is fitted for residence purposes. He is an enterprising young busi- ness man, whose diligence and ability have won him continued advancement, and he is now able to give employment to six skilled workmen, while his trade is constantly in- creasing.

On the 16th of June, 1896, Mr. Jahnke was united in marriage to one of the fatherland's native daughters, Mary Jordan, whose par- ents were Galfred and Carrie Jordan. They have two children, Arnold and Dorothea. Mr. Jahnke is independent in his political affilia- tions, and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, in which he has served as a deacon and takes an active part in the church work. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and all that pertains to the public welfare receives his hearty endorsement.

VINCENT NIEDBALSKI, a druggist at the cor- ner of West Division and Arnold streets, South Bend, was born in Prussian Poland, in May, 1858, and was educated in his native place. Coming to America in 1874, he spent the first two years in the state of New York, while during a similar period he was a resi- dent of Michigan, and in 1879 he arrived in South Bend, where he has ever since made his home and been identified with its varied in- terests. During the first years of his resi- dence in this city he worked for the Olivers, the Studebakers and the Singer Manufactur- ing Company, and in 1883 he was able to start in business for himself, embarking in the grocery trade at the corner of Walnut and Napier streets, where he remained for about two years. At the end of that time selling his interests to his brother, he spent the following sixteen months as an employe in the whole- sale department of Russ Company, after

Mrs. Whitmore came to Indiana with her parents and lived with them until September 20th, 1872, when she gave her hand in mar- riage to Charles Whitmore. He was born in which he served in the capacity of a clerk . New Haven, Connecticut, where he was also for Meyer Livingston for about three years. He also spent about nine months in the em- ploy of Charles Korpal, and in 1893 engaged in the drug business at 1127 West Division street, but in 1895 moved to his present quar- ters. His life has been characterized by energy, perseverance and hard work, and to these principles his success is due.

On the 24th of May, 1886, Mr. Niedbalski was married to Katherine Szybowicz, also a native of Poland, and their seven children are Stanislaw, Apolonia, Julius, Hedwig. Re- gina, Mary and Tedos. Mr. Niedbalski is

somewhat independent in his political affilia- tions, but upholds the principles of the Republican party and is a member of the church societies.

MRS. MARY JACKSON WHITMORE, who has resided in Indiana since her girlhood days, has during a number of years past been num- bered among the esteemed residents of South Bend. She was born in Seneca county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John Jackson, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, and he was a son of Silas Jackson, who also claimed the Keystone state as the commonwealth of his nativity. From there he moved to Knox county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder of his life there.

It was on this old homestead farm in Knox county that John Jackson grew to years of maturity, but after his marriage he purchased a farm in Seneca county. Remaining there until 1855, he then removed with his family to Indiana, the family home being established in St. Joseph county. Mr. Jackson purchased a farm twelve miles from South Bend, where he carried on his farming and stock-raising interests, becoming in that time one of the county's leading agriculturists and business men. His life's labors were ended in death when he had reached the age of fifty-nine years. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Eager and was born in Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of James and Isabelle Eager. She survived her husband for several years, and died on the old home farm in St. Joseph county. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson reared a family of ten children: Jane, Edward, Lydia, Joseph, Hiram, John, May, Silas S., Newton and Sarah.

reared to years of maturity and received his educational training. Coming to Indiana during his early manhood, he located in Fort Wayne, where during the subsequent few years he served in the capacity of a clerk. Removing thence to Plymouth, he embarked in the insurance business and the sale of musical instruments, and thus he continued his activities until his life was ended in death, February 3, 1893. After that sad event Mrs. Whitmore sold the business, and with her stepson, Charles H. Whitmore, came to South Bend, where they have ever since resided.

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Mr. Charles H. Whitmore has engaged in business in this city. He married Etta Eck- man, and has one child, Donald. Mrs. Mary Whitmore is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.

MRS. AMBROSIA (POPE) BIERBAUER, who lives at 1237 Michigan avenue, South Bend, represents one of the pioneer families of St. Joseph county. She is also the widow of a gallant soldier who fought for his adopted country in the civil war. She substantiates her claim to being one of the real pioneers of the county by the fact that she was born in a log house in Clay township. Many of the older residents remember her father, John Pope, who was born in New York, January 1, 1812, and in 1825 moved from New York to Ohio, making the journey overland with teams and settling near Pickaway. His par- ents, John and Mary (Atwood) Pope, were natives of New Jersey, and the latter, after the death of her husband in Ohio, came to Indiana to live with her daughter, Mrs. Samuel Tabor. Mr. Tabor had been one of the first settlers in the vicinity of Plymouth, and his son Cyrus was the first white child born in Marshall county. Mr. Tabor kept an inn in a log house in the early days, and was known far and wide for the hospitality which he dispensed in those primitive quarters.

John Pope, the father of Mrs. Bierbauer, who had ten sisters and no brothers, was thir- teen years old when the family moved to Ohio, and during the brief time that he at- tended school in his new home he was com- pelled to walk three miles to the schoolhouse. Being the only son he early had to assist in the labors of the farm. He married in Ohio, and soon afterward started with his bride overland to Marshall county, Indiana, where he lived with his brother-in-law a few months. Then for two years he was engaged in dray- ing in Bertram, which was a flourishing place, and from there moved to Clay township, St. Joseph county, where he bought land, only a small part of which was improved, and on it was the double log house in which he lived for some years and in which his children were born. At the time of his coming not a rail- road had been built in the state, and all grains had to be hauled to Lake Michigan for transportation to distant markets. After ten years he sold his place and moved to Michi- gan, buying land in Niles township, Berrien county, where he lived until his death at the age of seventy-four. The maiden name of his

wife was Phebe Wolf, born in Pickaway, Ohio, March 2, 1813, her father being a na- tive of Virginia and pioneer of Ohio. Mrs. Pope died at the age of about fifty-eight years. Her four children were: Philander, who died in service during the civil war; Am- brosia, Lucretia, and Marilla.

Ambrosia, the oldest of the daughters, has a distinct remembrance of the removal of the family home from St. Joseph county to Mich- igan, and she recalls a pioneer period in this county when Indians and deer were still everyday features of life. Being without railroad facilities, the settlers came and went by team, and all traffic depended on this form of locomotion except what was done by way of the river. She lived with her parents until her marriage, on December 1, 1861, to Simon Bierbauer, a citizen whose career deserves recognition in this history.

Simon Bierbauer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 16, 1832, was one of the nine children of Jacob and Catherine Eliza- beth Bierbauer, lifelong residents of Bavaria, the others being: John, Charles, Louise, Jacob, William, Henry, Louis, Elizabeth. All came to America except John, Louise and Eli- zabeth. After attending school quite steadily until seventeen years of age, Simon came to America and for three years was employed in his brother's brewery, after which he moved to Michigan and engaged in farming. In the year of his marriage he had become a soldier for the Union, having enlisted in Com- pany E of the Twelfth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and for three years, until January 17, 1865, served with a regiment whose record for bravery and endurance became firmly established. Shiloh was the first battle in which he engaged, and from that time he was constantly marching and fighting and per- . forming a soldier's duty until his term was . over. His farm, to which he returned after his honorable discharge, was close to the state line in Niles township, and he continued farm- ing until his death, on December 7th, 1890. His family remained on the farm for a time after losing him, and then moved to South Bend, where they now occupy a pleasant home on Michigan avenue. There are three daugh- ters Lena H., Henrietta and Katherine, two of whom are teachers. The family are mem- bers of St. James Episcopal church.

F. C. RAFF is identified with the real estate interests of South Bend, of which city he is a native son, his birth having occurred in

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He has won an excellent reputation in citrus, and im all progressive move- s he takes a deep and commendable in- '. is of G. ripmn descent. his pare its Simon and Sarah ( Frey) Raff, ^ a native of Sinftgari, Germany. a physician, and when a young man las abode in South Bend and tomar cieine here for many years. Dur- early days of the gold excitement 't so he joved the forty niners in the a the previous metal, Int after a few "o returned to South Bend and spent mander of his life here, his death oc- when he had reached the age of Sears.

only six years of age F. C. Raff was his parents to Illinois, receiving his the public schools of that stato Wheaton College. After com- : his education he was employed by the Stage Railroad Company as a telegraph ". For the long period of twenty-five po was one of ther trusted and com- mployes, filbins many responsible posi- 'ering that period, and on leaving the store he became general superintendent afroad. being thus employed for three tors. On the expiration of that period he d his connection with railroad work. i've. and embarked in the real estate busi- South Bend. as a member of the firm & Frevermath, real estate and in; i For dealers. Since entering upon his 1. career Mr. Raff has been steadily tare mitil he now occupies a very ere i- a! enviable position in the business of St. Joseph county.

Raf married Mr. Emma Prever, a ative of Mishawaka India s. their wedding bern rukebrated in 1-76. One daugh- wer , born of this union, Florence. The . are well and favorab v known, and .. I Wish in the community.

PENY NAVE one of the well-known and ia cutegens of St. Joseph county. has bred les residence in South Bend for a rs. Throughont tha, period he - s couranted with all interests tin- dev lopment of this region, he - : ", confidently counted upon to en- wat a . times progressive measures. He hogyan Starke county Indiana. Novem- . !! :

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1849. He has won an excellent reputation in business circles, and in all progressive move- ments he takes a deep and commendable in- terest. He is of German descent, his parents having been Simon and Sarah (Frey) Raff, the former a native of Stuttgart, Germany. He was a physician, and when a young man he took up his abode in South Bend and practiced medicine here for many years. Dur- ing the early days of the gold excitement in California he joined the forty-niners in the search for the precious metal, but after a few years there returned to South Bend and spent the remainder of his life here, his death oc- curring when he had reached the age of eighty-three years.

When only six years of age F. C. Raff was taken by his parents to Illinois, receiving his education in the public schools of that state and also at Wheaton College. After com- pleting his education he was employed by the Lake Shore Railroad Company as a telegraph operator. For the long period of twenty-five years he was one of their trusted and com- petent employes, filling many responsible posi- tions during that period, and on leaving the Lake Shore he became general superintendent of a railroad, being thus employed for three years. On the expiration of that period he severed his connection with railroad work, in 1903, and embarked in the real estate busi- ness in South Bend, as a member of the firm of Frey & Freyermuth, real estate and in- surance dealers. Since entering upon his business career Mr. Raff has been steadily advancing until he now occupies a very cred- itable and enviable position in the business circles of St. Joseph county.

Mr. Raff married Miss Emma Pfleger, a native of Mishawaka, Indiana, their wedding having been celebrated in 1876. One daugh- ter has been born of this union, Florence. The family are well and favorably known, and stand high in the community.

PLINY NAVE, one of the well-known and influential citizens of St. Joseph county, has maintained his residence in South Bend for a number of years. Throughout that period he has been actively connected with all interests to promote the development of this region, and has been confidently counted upon to en- dorse at all times progressive measures. He was born in Starke county, Indiana, Novem- ber 12, 1867, a son of John and Eleanore (Jones) Nave, both natives of Tennessee. During the days of the Civil war the father

removed to Indiana, locating in Starke coun- ty, where he was engaged in farming until his death in 1888.

After receiving his education in the pub- lic schools of Starke county, Indiana, Pliny Nave became a member of the teacher's pro- fession, having taught in the schools of his native county for five years. On the expira- tion of that period, in 1889, he came to South Bend and engaged in the grocery business, but subsequently retired from that occupa- tion and in 1901 became connected with the real estate and insurance business. In all his various undertakings he has been fortunate for the most part, and while he has attended strictly to business and to the discharge of all his personal duties he has not neglected the obligations resting upon him as a citizen. For two years he served as the city clerk of North Judson, and in 1902 was the Republican nominee for the office of city clerk of South Bend.

The marriage of Mr. Nave was celebrated in 1887, when Miss Allie, the daughter of Abner Hay, of Starke county, Indiana, be- came his wife, and they have three children- Vennie, Guy and Earl.

JOSEPH H. DE LORENZI. Since, in its most intelligent form, success is measured by the faculty of contributing to the well-being of humanity by the promotion of soundness in ethics, education, politics, finance and the use- ful arts of living, the career of Joseph de Lorenzi must be regarded as of representative and singular importance in the history of Mishawaka and St. Joseph county. In scope, ascended from a jeweler's apprenticeship to promoter of leading industrial and mercan- tile enterprises of this county. There must be for success a certain material basis in char- acter, and for us to look back in our time of prosperity and see the things of which we are proudest, we find that those memories are as- sociated, not with the days of ease, but with the days of effort; the days that we have had to do all that is in us to accomplish some worthy end. And as has been happily said by our President, "The worthiest of all worthy ends is to make those that are closest and nearest and those that surround you, happy, and not sorry that you are alive." And he is certainly deserving of the greatest honor and regard whose efforts have been of the greatest blessing to his fellow citizens, judged by their standard. A work of this character would be incomplete were not spe-

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cial mention made of the gentleman whose name introduces these brief memoirs.

Joseph de Lorenzi was born in the city of Simmern, Prussia, September 8, 1856. His father, Charles de Lorenzi, was born in Prus- sia. His ancestors were natives of Italy and removed to Germany in 1774 and first settled at Bingen on the Rhine. The father of our subject kept public house in Simmern all his active life. He died in 1871, aged forty-eight years. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Louise Rottman. She was born in Simmern. Her father, Joseph Rott- man, was a native of Simmern. He acquired a good education and in early life entered the government service, and through promotion became mayor of his native city. He also rep- resented his native city in the Reichstag. He was a lifelong resident of his native city. The mother of our subject spent her last years at Crefeld, where she died in 1902. She reared nine children : Anna, Louise, Charles, Amalie, Joseph, Katherine, Herman, Mathilde and Al- bert. The subject received his education in the public schools, where he prepared for col- lege. His father's death changed his plans and he had to assist in the hotel, and at six- teen commenced to learn the trade of a jew- eler, and served an apprenticeship of three years, and then, at the age of nineteen, en- tered the army and served three years, and then was honorably discharged and returned to work at his trade, and in 1881 came to America, and after a few weeks in South Bend, came to Mishawaka and entered the employ of Henry D. Higgins, jeweler, and continued in his employ until about 1894, when he succeeded to the ownership of the business which he continued most success- fully until 1906, when he disposed of that business and has since devoted his time to the multiplicity of enterprises with which he is intimately connected. Among the more im- portant industries with which he is connected. is the Mishawaka Folding Carriage Company, of which he is treasurer. He is also vice president of the M. V. Beiger Realty Com- pany, president of the East Mishawaka Realty Company, director of the Mishawaka . Hotel Association, and also president of the

Mishawaka Business Men's Association. He was married in 1883 to Sarah M. Higgins. She was born in Mishawaka, daughter of Henry D. and Nancy Higgins. They have three children : Joseph, now a student at Wa-

bash College; Susie, who has studied in Ber- lin, and Helen.

AUGUST ERB, who is now resting from the arduous cares of a business life after a long and successful career as a cabinet maker, principally in the manufacture of church fur- niture, is a native son of Germany, where he was born on the 4th of July, 1838, and in the fatherland his parents, Adam and Adelia (Schnider) Erb, also had their nativity, and in their family were seven children. The father also devoted his business career to the trade of cabinet making and the manufac- ture of church furniture.

Mr. August Erb spent the first twenty-eight years of his life in the land of his nativity, coming thence to America and establishing his home in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. After a three months' residence in that city, how- ever, he journeyed to Freeburg, Illinois, where he followed his trade for three years, and on the expiration of the period, in 1871, came to Mishawaka and became associated with the Montgomery Furniture Factory. where he labored for about two and a half years. It was in 1874 that he started in busi- ness for himself as a cabinet maker, and dur- ing the long period which intervened from that time until 1905 he remained faithfully at his work, his excellent ability and unceasing labors winning him a place among the leading business men of his adopted city. But in that year he laid aside the active cares of a busi- ness life, and has since lived in the enjoy- ments of the fruits of his former toil.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 49

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