USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 50
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In Mishawaka, in 1874, Mr. Erb was united in marriage to Mary Beglin, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Mary Beglin, who were born and reared in Germany. On coming to. America, they located in Ohio, and from there made their way to St. Joseph county, Indiana, in an early day. On their arrival in this county they secured a farm of one hundred acres in Harris township, and on this old homestead they reared their children to years of matur- ity. To Mr. and Mrs. Erb have been born six children, five sons and one daughter, three of whom are deceased, and all were born and reared in Mishawaka. Mr. Erb has given a lifelong support to the Democracy, and is a member of the Catholic church and of the Catholic Knights.
GEORGE C. CLARK, a machinist and manu- facturer of aluminum shoe and foot lasts at 1111 North Main street, Mishawaka, is rapidly
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winning for himself a name in connection with industrial circles that is widely known. He is also one of the city's native sons, his birth occurring on the 15th of August, 1874. His father, Chester W. Clark, a machinist with the Snell Manufacturing Company of South Bend, was born in Defiance, Ohio, but was reared and educated in St. Joseph coun- ty, whither he had removed with his parents when young, the family locating in South Bend, where Chester W. was married to one of the county's native daughters, Flora Ever- son. They became the parents of three sons, the eldest of whom is deceased, as is also the second son, Frank, and George C. is the only surviving child. All were born in Misha- waka. During the long period of twenty-five years Chester W. Clark had charge of the St. Joseph Iron Company. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and has taken an active part in the political life of the county, while for one term he served as a member of the city board.
George C. Clark obtained his education in the city schools of Mishawaka, and after its completion he learned his trade of machinist under his father's directions, but it was not long before he began experimenting on the aluminum shoe last and was successful in his ventures. In 1906 he opened the shop of which he has since been the proprietor, and here he is rapidly forging his way to the front and winning success as a manufacturer.
The marriage of Mr. Clark was celebrated in 1894, when Grace Rarencroft became his wife. Her birth occurred in St. Joseph county, and she is the daughter of J. A. Rarencroft, a farmer in Ohio, but who for many years was a salesman for the Misha- waka Woolen Company. The only child, a son Kenneth, born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark is now deceased. Mr. Clark gives his political support to the Republican party, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity.
ISAAC K. PARKS. About ten years ago Mr. Isaac Kane Parks, then a young man of eighteen years, came to Mishawaka. Since then, as journalist, attorney, jurist and citi- zen he has been an important factor in the development of the town and no one is more highly esteemed. He was born on the old Santa Fe trail in eastern Kansas, September 10, 1879. His father, Horace Parks, is a na- tive of St. Joseph county, Indiana, where he was also reared, and his life occupation has been farming. The early years of his life
were spent in Penn township, and. during three years he was a soldier in the Army of the Cumberland. Returning thence to Misha- waka he was married to Sarah Miner, also a native of St. Joseph county, and in the sam: year, with his young bride, he started for the west, his destination being Olathe, Kansas, where he resumed his farming operations. He · still resides in the Sunflower state.
After completing his literary education in the schools of his native state Isaac Kane Parks entered the Kansas University, where he graduated in the law department in 1897. Coming thence to South Bend, Indiana, he entered the office of B. F. Shively for about three years. He then entered upon his jour- nalistic career in the office of the Mishawaka Democrat, but later resumed his law practice, and is one of the leading members of the bar of Mishawaka. He was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney for St. Joseph county in April, 1907, by Joseph E. Talbot, prosecut- ing attorney. He was admitted to.the bar in Kansas, and after coming to Indiana, al- though yet under age, he was allowed, through the courtesy of the court, to con- - tinue his practice here. His first case was tried before he had reached his twenty-first year, in which he was pitted against three of the leading lawyers, who are now holding re- sponsible positions, one being on the federal bench and one a past attorney general of In- diana. Mr. Parks has also been a prominent factor in the ranks of the Democratic party. He stands high in the councils of the party in his district, and has been an erergetic, effi- cient worker in its behalf. He belongs to the Masonic order in Mishawaka, and in all life's relations is true to duty and the right.
KONSTANTINE LEWINSKI, vice secretary of the Kosciusko Building and Loan Association, and in many other ways identified with the interests of South Bend, was born in Poland, November 6, 1865, a son of Severyn and Cath- arine (Siuchninski) Lewinski, both also na- tives of that country. They came to South Bend in 1882, and in this city they have ever since made their home, the father having at- tained the age of eighty-two years. In their family were three children, Frances, Stanis- laws and Konstantine.
Konstantine Lewinski, the youngest of the family, was reared and received his education in his native land, remaining there until he was fifteen years of age, and at that early age he came alone to America and on to
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South Bend, the year of his emigration being 1881. During the first fourteen years of his residence in this city he was an employe of the Olivers, working as a day molder until he was given a position of second foreman in the stock rooms. On account of poor health, however, he was obliged to leave the factory, and since that time has been prominently identified with the interests of the people of his native land. During the long period of fourteen years he served as secretary of the St. Hedwige's society, for a similar period was councilman for the Kosciusko Association, while at the present time he is serving as vice secretary of that organization. He is a mem- ber of the St. Hodwig's society, the Kosciusko Building and Loan Association, the Polish Turners, and is a member of the committee to care for the Kosciusko Hall, which belongs to the Turners. He is also a member of the Polish Alliance of America, No. 193, and is a Republican in his political affiliations, ac- tive in the work of the party.
On the 13th of February, 1889, Mr. Lewin- ski was married to Wladyslawa Kluszczyuski, and they have eight living children, Hedwig, Adolph, Edward, Sophia, Joseph, Tresia, Al- bin, and Clara. Leonard, the oldest son, was shot and died from the wounds in a few hours, June 23, 1907.
JOHN C. ELLSWORTH, one of the leading merchants of South Bend, St. Joseph county, is a native of that city, where he was born on the 20th of December, 1874. His father, Fred D. Ellsworth, was also a native son of the county, his birthplace being Mishawaka and the day of his birth, December 27, 1849. The paternal grandfather, James, commenced his life at Watkins Glen, New York, being of substantial English ancestry, and coming to St. Joseph in the real rugged pioneer days of the county. As all the region was a devel- oping wilderness, and roads and highways were prime necessities of its settlement, he found eager use for his professional attain- ments as a civil engineer. When he first came to St. Joseph county he located at Mishawaka and there spent the balance of his days, busily engaged in professional work.
The father of John C. Ellsworth received his education in the public schools of Misha- waka and at Notre Dame University. When a young man he commenced clerking in the store of John W. Chess, and there obtained his first insight into mercantile operations and principles. Having obtained the neces-
sary practical knowledge required by men of common sense, who succeed in the busi- ness affairs of the world, Fred D. Ellsworth established his own dry goods store, and, under his able and genial management, it waxed in strength as a mercantile venture. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Gar- land E. Rose under the firm name of Rose & Ellsworth, which continued mutually ad- vantageous and harmonious until the death of Mr. Rose in 1892. Mr. Fred D. Ellsworth then purchased the interest of the heirs of his deceased partner, and conducted the busi- ness alone until his own death in 1897. Fred D. Ellsworth was in his forty-eighth year at the time of his demise. His widow before marriage was Helen M. Chess, daugh- ter of John W. Chess, in whose store he ob- tained his first experience in mercantile mat- ters. Mrs. Ellsworth died in 1900.
John W. Chess was an early settler of St. Joseph county, having been for many years prior to his death engaged in mercantile pur- suits as proprietor of a general store. He also owned and operated a large farm on the Division street road, Chess Island having been named for him. His wife and widow, known in her maiden days as Olive Winans, is still hale and hearty, although a venerable lady of eighty-five years. She makes her home with her children, and is a universal object of love and veneration.
The subject of this review is the only son of the paternal family, and is the sole representative of both the Ellsworth and the Chess families now living in St. Joseph county. After receiving a thorough educa- tion in the public schools of South Bend and at Phillips Exeter Academy, he became as- sociated with his father in business, and at the death of the elder Ellsworth assumed its management, which he has continued with sig- nal ability. The Ellsworth store, as it is still popularly called, maintains its former reputation as a progressive dry goods store, its stock being always complete and up-to- date and its proprietor courteous, clear sighted and energetic. Its patronage is de- rived from this and neighboring counties. The store so aptly named "The brightest spot in the town" is a household word for miles around.
On October 14, 1903, Mr. Ellsworth mar- ried Miss Alice Chalifoux, a native of Lowell. Massachusetts, and daughter of J. L. and Nellie Chalifoux. Their two children are
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Helene and Fred. Mr. Ellsworth is well known as a fraternalist, being identified with St. Joseph Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., and South Bend Lodge No. 235, B. P. O. E.
CHARLES H. JACKSON, who for a number of years past has been an active factor in the industrial interests of South Bend, has through his diligence, perseverance and abil- ity won for himself an honored name. He was born in St. Joseph county, near Lake- view, February 1, 1867, a son of Newton and Caroline (Deppen) Jackson, the former a native of Ohio, born in 1810, and the lat- ter of Pennsylvania. Very early in the '50s the father made his way to St. Joseph county, taking up his abode in Lakeville, where he operated one of the first saw mills in the county. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and has ever been an active worker in its ranks, while for a time he served as the commissioner of St. Joseph county. In 1875 he embarked in the lumber business, in which he was engaged until 1886, when he laid aside the active cares of life and has since lived in comparative retire- ment, enjoying the pleasures which years of toil have brought to him. He still has, how -. ever, saw-milling interests in Tennessee. He now makes his home in South Bend. The wife and mother died in 1877, at the age of thirty-nine years.
After attending the public schools of South Bend Charles H. Jackson pursued a commercial college course, after which he worked for his father for two years, there gaining a broad and general knowledge of the lumber business. In 1887 he engaged in the same business with Barney C. Smith, the firm of Smith & Jackson being numbered among the leading lumber corporations in South Bend. Mr. Jackson gives his political support to the Republican party, and al- though he takes an active interest in the public life his attention is devoted princi- pally to his large business interests. He is a member of the order of Elks, also of the Pev Se Club, of which he has been president for several years, and he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN VERMANDE. During a period of twenty-three years John Vermande has been numbered among the representative citizens and business men of South Bend, and during the principal part of that time has been engaged in general contracting and building. His entire career has been marked by signal
integrity, and his genius and talent as a business manager has resulted in the pros- perity of the enterprises with which he has been identified and the employment of large numbers of workmen. His birth occurred in Goes, province of Zeeland, Holland, April 29, 1862. In 1883 he left his native land for the United States, making his way direct to South Bend, where during the first years of his residence he readily embraced any occu- pation that presented itself, at intervals teaching German and French, his strong point being mathematics. During one year Mr. Vermande was also associated with the Studebaker Brothers as a millwright, and in 1889, in partnership with George Russell, he entered the contracting field, but the partner- ship only continued for a period of eight months, since which time Mr. Vermande has been alone in the business. During the past two years he has performed much work for the Studebaker estate, also all of the work for the Indiana Railroad Company during the year of 1906, and he has just closed a contract for the remodeling of the store building for John Ellsworth, involving a sum of ten thousand dollars. Many of the public buildings of South Bend also stand as monuments to his ability, and in 1906 he erected his present residence at 812 East Washington street.
On the 21st of November, 1895, Mr. Ver- mande was united in marriage to Anna Luella Chalfant, who was born in Clay town- ship, St. Joseph county, Indiana, the daugh- ter of the late Thomas B. Chalfant, one of the early pioneers of St. Joseph county. He took up his abode within its borders as early as 1832, and was actively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Clay township, residing on one farm from 1832 until his death in 1902. Mrs. Vermande is the eldest of his three children, the second being Mrs. L. E. Carpenter, of South Bend, and the youngest, Robert, also a resident of this city, his home being at 826 East Colfax street. Mr. and Mrs. Vermande have one son, Robert J. Mr. Vermande gives a stanch and unfaltering sup- port to the Republican party, and is a mem- ber of the Elks and the Turners.
JERRY R. WOODWARD. Mishawaka in- cludes among her representative farmers and honored citizens Jerry R. Woodward, who was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, August 23, 1859. The early years of his life were spent on his father's farm in that
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county, which was devoted to the raising of peppermint, and the little son was early inured to the raising of that commodity, which has continued as his life occupation. The growing of peppermint was first started in New York, and about 1845 was introduced in Michigan by Wolf Brothers, while later its popularity spread over that entire section of the country and northern Indiana. It was in 1889 that Mr. Woodward came to St. Joseph county, Indiana, locating on a farm east of his present place, where he devoted three hundred acres to the raising of pep- permint, in which he was assisted by his two brothers, J. W. and W. M. Woodward. After a residence there of eight years he pur- chased other land, including his present farm of three hundred acres, which is principally devoted to the raising of peppermint, he' doing his own distilling and placing the oil on the market. In the pursuit of his chosen occupation he has been very successful, and while he has attended strictly to his business and to the discharge of all his duties as a husband and father, he has not neglected the remoter obligations resting upon him as a citizen. He has voted with the Republican party throughout the years of his majority, and from 1901 to 1905 was its representa- tive in the office of trustee of Penn township.
During his residence in Michigan, on the 7th of December, 1887, Mr. Woodward was united in marriage to Cora Pomeroy, who was born in St. Joseph county of that state, the daughter of A. S. and Charlotte (Foote) Pomeroy, in whose family were three chil- dren, one son and two daughters. The hus- band and father followed carpentering and farming as his occupation. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodward. Grace, May, Madeline, Beatrice and Logan, all of whom have had their nativity in St. Joseph county, Indiana. Mr. Woodward has membership relations with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, and both he and his wife are associated with the Grangers. Their reli- gious affiliations connect them with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in their pleasant home on East Second street they ex- tend a gracious hospitality to their many friends and well-wishers.
LOUIS A. HICKEY, one of the leading con- tractors and builders of South Bend, with residence at 912 North Laurel street, is a representative of two of the oldest and most
honored pioneer families of the city, which also claims him as one of her native sons, his birth occurring on the 30th of May, 1859. His father, Louis Hickey, was born in Canada, but came to South Bend in 1849, this being at the time when the first engine made its way to this city, and he too was a carpenter and builder, but he is now re- tired from the active pursuits of a business life, enjoying the rest which has been se- cured through honest, earnest labor. He has now reached the seventy-seventh milestone on the journey of life, and is one of South Bend's honored early pioneers. Mrs. Hickey bore the maiden name of Julia La Fountain and was born in South Bend, of French de- scent, her parents being Anthony and Julia La Fountain, who established their home in this city in an early day in its history. They were natives, however, of Canada.
Louis A. Hickey, the second in order of birth of his parents' nine children, began the carpenter's trade at the early age of eighteen years, while in 1900 he entered the contracting field, and he now has in his employ from eleven to twenty-four men, thus adding to the general welfare while advanc- ing his own interests. In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hickey and Miss Sarah Flynn. She is a daughter of Thomas and Julia Flynn, and was born in Niles, Michi- gan. They have six living children : Elenora, the wife of Alonzo J. Heston, of Ravenna, Ohio, Thomas L., Warren, Ruth, Geneva and Marvin. Three of their children also died in infancy. Mrs. Heston has one son, Louis J. Mr. Hickey has been a lifelong resident of South Bend, prominently identified with its interests and upbuilding, and his friends here are many. His sympathies are with the Democratic party, but locally he is not bound by party ties, and his fraternal relations are with the Elks of South Bend and the Cana- dian Foresters and the St. Vincent de Paul societies.
GEORGE H. ALWARD, JR., the late efficient and popular clerk of St. Joseph county, holds and merits a place among its representative citizens, and for many years he had been prominently identified with its public affairs. South Bend may well be glad to claim him as one of her native sons, his birth occurring in this city on the 14th of July, 1858. His father, the Hon. George Henry Alward, was born at Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, February 24, 1834, being a son of Squire
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Alward, a prominent citizen of that county and a native of New Jersey. When a young man the latter moved to New York, and was there married to Miss Abigail Boughton, whose father was a well known and highly respected citizen of Cayuga county.
It was in the year 1855 that Judge George H. Alward came to South Bend, but previous to this time he had received a good educa- tion and had taught school in his native state. After his arrival in South Bend he secured the position of clerk in the store of A. G. Cushing, and while thus engaged pur- sued the study of law, a partnership with Alvin Dunbar subsequently being formed, the firm of Dunbar & Alward becoming well known throughout this section of the state. Subsequently, however, Judge Alward re- tired from the firm to enter the office of clerk of the circuit court, while previous to this time he had also held the offices of dep- uty county auditor, city clerk, and judge of the municipal court. He was elected to the office of clerk of the court in 1883, and held the position until his death on the 11th of November, 1885. His influence for good was widely felt, and his example was indeed worthy of emulation. For many years he was an honored citizen of South Bend, ac- tively interested in all measures for the good of the people, and he performed his full share in the development and the improve- ment of his community. The judge was a Republican in his political affiliations, and a cultured Christian gentleman ; a man whom St. Joseph county was proud to claim as a citizen. He was a thirty-second degree Ma- son. being past master of Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., high priest of South Bend Chap- ter No. 29, R. A. M., and eminent commander of South Bend Commandery, Knights Temp- lar.
Judge Alward was united in marriage with Miss Martha Hodgkinson, whose father, James Hodgkinson, was numbered among the early settlers of Berrien county, Michigan, and who was a native of England. Four · sons were born to Judge and Mrs. Alward : George H., James S., Harry B., and Albert F. The death of Judge Alward was deeply deplored throughout the community in which he had so long made his home, and the funeral services were conducted under the imposing rites of the Masonic order. Judge Alward was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
George H. Alward, Jr., whose name intro- duces this review, received his early educa- tional training in the public schools of South Bend, and on putting aside his text books he became connected with the South Bend Reg- ister and Times, thus continuing for a few years. In 1880, in company with George M. Fountain, he established the New Carlisle Gazette and was thereafter engaged in vari- ous enterprises until 1885, when he assumed the duties of the office of circuit clerk, being appointed by the commissioners to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father. From 1894 until 1902 he served as deputy clerk under George M. Fountain, and in the latter year he was elected to the office of county clerk, the duties of which he dis- charged with honesty and intelligence, until he concluded his term of office and retired to resume his private interests. As a Re- publican, Mr. . Alward has taken an active and prominent part in politcal affairs, and has ever been an efficient worker in all mat- ters pertaining to the welfare of his county, state and nation.
He was married on the 26th of June, 1879, to Miss Mary E. Rockhill, a daughter of William Rockhill, a prominent early pioneer of St. Joseph county, Indiana. They have three sons: Robert, born July 25, 1880; Chester, August 2, 1884; and Henry, August 8, 1891. Mr. Alward holds membership in the Masonic order, and is connected with several other societies. He is of a social dis- position, courteous and genial manner, and throughout the county, in which his life has been passed, he has a host of warm friends.
ISAAC GORSUCH. While South Bend and St. Joseph county are indebted to the men of the present for what they are accomplish- ing for their welfare and further upbuild- ing, they also can never repay the debt of gratitude which they owe to the pioneers of
the county, the men who coped with the nat- ural wild conditions, who bravely faced the dangers, trials and difficulties ever incident to frontier life, and who laid broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this section of the state. And none are more worthy of special mention in a volume of this character than the subject of this sketch.
Isaac Gorsuch, who settled in South Bend in 1847, was born about four miles from the city of Baltimore, Maryland, February 1, 1818. His father, Elijah Gorsuch, was
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a native of the same state, probably born in Baltimore county. He learned the trade of shoemaker and followed that trade much of the time in his native county until 1872, and then he and his family removed to Ohio, making the entire journey with teams, taking their household goods along. They put up at taverns when convenient to do so, but at times encamped by the roadside. He located in Dayton, then a quiet city of about four or five thousand inhabitants. He bought a lot upon which he built, but soon sold, and after that built and sold several houses, and later bought a farm near by, which he oper- ated for a time, then sold and returned to Dayton, where he engaged in the manufac- ture of shoes for a time, then went to Fletcher and engaged in the mercantile business a few years, then sold and removed to Sparta, Illinois, and engaged in mercan- tile business a few years, then came to South Bend to live with his grandson. When he was eighty-nine years old he went to Illinois to visit his daughter, and died on his arrival, without any sickness or premonition. The maiden name of his first wife, mother of our subject, was Savannah Gore, a native and lifelong resident of Maryland. His sec- ond wife was, before her marriage, Rebecca Bailey, also a native of Baltimore county. There were six children by the first marriage and twelve by the second marriage.
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