A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 70

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 70

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In his political affiliations Mr. Bettcher is a stanch Republican, and since casting his first vote for Lincoln he has continued to sup- port the ticket. He has been selected as dele- gate to both the county and congressional dis- trict conventions, and was appointed post- master of North Liberty by President Gar- field, but resigned ere his term was completed. He is a prominent Mason, having served as past master of North Liberty lodge No. 266, and is also a member of South Bend Chapter, No. 29, and Terre Haute Council. He was initiated into the order in 1866 in Terre

Haute, and has ever since exemplified in his life its beneficent principles. He is a past commander of Joe Bowen Post, No. 197, G. A. R., at North Liberty, and is now a member of Auten Post, No. 8, of South Bend. Mrs. Bettcher is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and the Women's Relief Corps, No. 193. Mr. Bettcher is also a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, com- posed of officers of the Civil war, and he may well feel proud of his membership in this or- ganization.

JOHN NELSON RUPEL. St. Joseph county was exceptionally fortunate in the character of her pioneers, who, save in rare instances, were God-fearing, law-abiding citizens, pa- triotic and true to their native land and con- scientious in the discharge of every duty to- ward their fellow men. Of such a stamp were the ancestors of John Nelson Rupel, who were numbered among the country's earliest and most prominent citizens, and the subject of this review is one of its native sons, his birth occurring in Liberty township on the 17th of March, 1837, the youngest of six children, two sons and four daughters, born to John and Anna (Loring) Rupel, but only four of the number are now living and the eldest is Catherine, the widow of James Garrard and a resident of Fresno, California.

John Rupel, the father, was a native of Ohio, born in 1800, and his death occurred on the 4th of May, 1854. in St. Joseph county. Indiana. His education was received in the pioneer schools so common in the early days, and he made his way to success through his own efforts, possessing the strength and per- severance of the German race, for his father came to this country from the fatherland. The early years of his life were spent in Ohio, where he was married, and in 1834 with his bride he came to Indiana in true pioneer style, making the journey by wagon over marshes and quagmires and through the dense forests to St. Joseph county, where he pur- chased a quarter section of land within a mile of North Liberty, their first home being a primitive log cabin. At that time the present site of North Liberty contained only a mill and the remnants of the Pottawatomie In- dians. As he was able Mr. Rupel added to his original purchase until at the time of his death he owned about five hundred acres in Liberty township, extending to the Kankakee river, and at that early day the grain was hauled to Michigan City, a distance of thirty

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miles, while their trading was done in South Bend, which at that time was a little strag- gling village with not a railroad in the entire county. In his political affiliations he was an old Jackson Democrat, ever remaining true to those principles, and both he and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, he being the leading factor in the erection of the first church of that denomi- nation in his community. Mrs. Rupel, who was born on the banks of Licking river in Kentucky in 1802, died in 1886. She was but a child when her parents removed to Ohio, and her father was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, well remembering Daniel Boone, the great Indian fighter. Mr. and Mrs. Rupel are interred in the New Liberty cemetery, where their son Nelson has erected a beauti- ful monument sacred to their memory.

John Nelson Rupel, whose name introduces this review, was early inured to the tilling of the soil, and during the principal part of his business career he has been engaged in the buying and selling of stock in the eastern and northern markets, being still active in this occupation and his annual sales reach as high as seventy-five thousand dollars. His early educational training was received in the log cabin school which stood on the pres- ent site of the Dunkard church, one mile south of his home. The building was only eighteen by twenty-four feet, with a clap- board roof and puncheon floor, and heated' with the old-fashioned box stove. The seats were slabs with wooden legs to stand on, while the desk was a broad board, and he has used the old-fashioned goose quill pen fash- ioned by the master, who boarded two weeks with each pupil during the school session. After his father's death Mr. Rupel assumed charge of the estate, a heavy burden for such young shoulders, but he discharged his duties faithfully and well and as the years grew apace developed into an excellent business man ..

On the 19th of February, 1865, in the city of Laporte, Mr. Rupel married Miss Isadore Waxham, and one son has been born to bless this union, John F., who is one of the lead- ing young merchants of North Liberty. After completing his education in the common schools he pursued a commercial course in the Valparaiso normal college. He wedded Miss Emma Barnhardt, and they have become the parents of two daughters and one son, name- ly: Neva May, who is now thirteen years of

age and is in the eighth grade in school, while she has become proficient in both vocal and instrumental music and is organist in the Brethren church; Blanche Adell, is pursuing her studies in the sixth grade; and Clare Fenley is a bright young lad in the fifth grade. In 1906 Mr. John F. Rupel entered upon his mercantile career in North Liberty, and he is meeting with. excellent success in his undertaking. He gives his political support to the Democracy, while fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and he has served as president of the school board at Liberty.

Mrs. Rupel, the wife of John N. Rupel, was born in Laporte county, Indiana, January 8, 1846, a daughter of Zachariah and Caroline (Nevins) Waxham. In their family were seven children, five of whom are now living, namely : Isadore, who became the wife of Mr. Rupel; Ernest, who received a college education and is a commercial traveler over all the western states; George, a horticulturist in Florida; Frank, a physician and surgeon in Denver, Colorado; and Charles, also a physician and surgeon and a resident of Sugar City, Colorado. Mr. Waxham, the father, was born near the city of Ely, Eng- land, December 10, 1821, and was only nine years of age when he came to America, spend- ing his youth and early manhood in Erie, Pennsylvania. He became one of the early pioneers of Indiana, passing through Chicago when it contained only five houses, and his death occurred in 1902. Mrs. Waxham was a native of New York, born in 1823, and her death occurred in 1900, both being interred in Rockford, Illinois. Mrs. Rupel was reared and educated in Laporte county, Indiana, and after her marriage to Mr. Rupel they began life on the old homestead, residing on the farm until 1905, when they came to North Liberty and took up their abode in their pretty modern cottage home. Mr. Rupel has witnessed the many great changes which have occurred in St. Joseph county since the pion- eer days, and can well remember when the city of South Bend was but a village, and he can also recall the old turkey wing cradle and the advent of the first reaper into the town- ship. He is a stanch Democrat in his political views, but his first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln. During a period of seven and . a half years he served as the township trustee, was also assessor for four years, and is treas- urer of the village board at the present time.

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He is one of the noble men who offered their services to their country during the dark days of the Civil war, enlisting in Company C, Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at South Bend, and his regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under General Rosecrans. He participated in the battle of Stone River on the 31st of December, 1862, and the 1st, 2d and 3d of January, 1863, where he was wounded by having his hip broken by a piece of shell. He was sent to the hospital and received his honorable discharge for disability, returning home in March 1863. His grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, as was also Mrs. Rupel's grandfather Nevins, and thus their descendants are entitled to be- come members of the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. Mr. Rupel has one of the old parchment deeds executed by President Mar- tin Van Buren, which is a rare relic in the Rupel home. During a period of forty-two years he has been a member of the Masonic or- der, his connection being with North Liberty Lodge No. 266. His wife is of the Episcopal faith. They are among the best known citi- zens of Liberty township, where their friends are legion.

CHARLES C. SCHRADER. Numbered among the early pioneers of St. Joseph county are the Schraders, who for many years have been actively associated with the development of this portion of the state, always noted for in- dustry and integrity. They are descendants of the persevering and honored sons of Ger- many, and the original spelling of the name was Schroeder. Charles C. Schrader is one of the native sons of St. Joseph county, born on the 17th of January, 1863, his parents being Charles and Mary (Steam) Schrader. Of their eight children, four sons and four daughters, six are now living: Fred, who is married and is a prosperous farmer in Lib- erty township; Mary, the wife of Ruda Sel- lers, an employe in a hardware store in South Bend; Anna, the wife of J. J. Hoke, a business man of Champion, Nebraska ; Charles C., whose name introduces this review ; Henry, who married Miss Jennie Drieblabliss, and is a contractor and builder in South Bend; and Edward, who married Miss Mary Hilde- brand, and is a salesman in a hardware store in South Bend.

Mr. Schrader, the father, was born in Ger- many. where he was engaged in farming. and . after his marriage the young couple set sail from Bremen for the United States in 1851,

landing in the harbor of New York after a pleasant voyage. They at once made their way to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where the father began as a wage earner, but after a short time was able to purchase forty acres of timber land in Portage township, their first home being a primitive log cabin so well known in the early days. Mr. Schrader was obliged to go in debt for this farm, but his native industry and perseverance soon en- abled him to meet all his obligations, and selling his original purchase became the owner of eighty acres of land in Liberty township, which he also later sold and then purchased his present homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, on which his son Charles now re- sides. At the time of the purchase all the improvements the farm contained was a little frame house and barn, but these have long since given place to the present beautiful homestead, large basement barns and many other substantial buildings. In 1889 Mr. Schrader laid aside the active cares of a busi- ness life and removed to South Bend, there to enjoy the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. His political support is given to the Democracy, and he is a worthy member of the German Lutheran church. with which his wife was also identified. She, too, was born in Germany, and her death occurred on the 7th of March, 1902. She was a loving wife and mother, and her presence in the home is sadly missed.

Charles C. Schrader, whose name intro- duces this review, has resided in his native county of St. Joseph throughout his entire life, and he is thus well known to its resi- dents. Although farming has continued as his principal occupation throughout his busi- ness career, he is proficient in many lines of industry, among which may be mentioned car- pentering and masonry work. He is also ex- tensively engaged in stockraising, keeping only the best standard bred stock upon his place, and on this valuable old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres there are twelve running springs, from which the place de- rives the name of "The Springdale Farm," and it also contains a fish pond stocked with German carp.

The marriage of Mr. Schrader was cele- brated on the 3d of April, 1890, when Miss Elizabeth Barnhart became his wife, and their only child, Albert C., is now pursuing his studies in the fourth grade of school. Mrs. Schrader was born in Elkhart county, In-

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diana, February 16, 1864, a daughter of Phil- ip and Christena (Linderman) Barnhart, and of their six children, four sons and two daugh- ters, only three are now living: Albert, who is married and is a salesman in South Bend; Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Schrader; and Wil- liam, who is married and is a member of the police force of South Bend. Mr. Barnhart, the father, was born near the Rhine river in Germany in 1827, and died in September, 1897. After reaching manhood's estate he embarked on a sailing vessel for the United States, landing in the harbor of New York after a voyage of eleven weeks. Subsequently he came to South Bend, Indiana, but later re- moved to Elkhart county, and returning to St. Joseph county purchased seventy-three acres of land in Greene township, where he spent the remainder of his life. His political affiliations were with the Republican party, and he was a valued member of the Evangel- ical church, as is also his wife. She was born in Stark county. Ohio, December 20, 1834, and now makes her home with her daughter. When she was but a child her parents came in true pioneer style to Elkhart county, where the father was first employed as a wage earner, and Mrs. Barnhart is one of the brave pioneer mothers who are loved and re- vered for the noble work which they have performed. She yet recalls the olden days when the Indians roamed at will over this sec- tion of the state, when the deer were plentiful and often passed their little cabin home, and she has attended the old log school houses, whose seats were of slabs and the desks a broad board, heated by the old fashioned fire- place and maintained on the subscription plan. She has ever been a true wife and mother, lovingly caring for her children until they left the home roof, and she has now reached the good old age of seventy-three years. Mr. Schrader gives his political sup- port to the Democracy, casting his first presi- dential vote for Cleveland, and he is num- bered among the leading business men of Lib- erty township. Both he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, and as worthy scions of honored pioneer fam- ilies they well deserve mention among the leading men and women of St. Joseph county.

MRS. EMELINE STEELE. The ladies of our nation have played a conspicuous part in its true history, and therefore we take pleasure in presenting to the readers of this volume the life record of Mrs. Emeline Steele, who

is a representative of one of the early and honored families of St. Joseph county, and within whose borders she has resided during the greater part of her life. She was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 12, 1844, a daughter of George and Lucy (Long) Houser, in whose family were eleven children, the daughter Emeline being the fifth in order of birth. The father claimed Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, born in 1813, and his death occurred when he had reached the seventy-first milestone on the journey of life. When he was a little lad of eleven years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where he became a tiller of the soil and was very successful in his chosen occupation. He was what may be truly called a self educated man, and he gave his political support to the Republican party, while both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Evangelical church. Their first home was a little log cabin of the most primi- tive style, but in time the little cabin gave place to their commodious and substantial home, and they were numbered among the leading families of their community. Mrs. Houser, who was also born in Pennsylvania, in 1817, removed to Ohio with her parents during her girlhood days, and her death oc- curred in her daughter's home at the age of seventy-eight years.

Mrs. Steele became a citizen of St. Joseph county at the early age of twelve years, and here she has spent the remainder of her life with the exception of her two years' resi- dence in Nebraska. After completing her education in the common schools she taught in Liberty township and also in Laporte county, and was numbered among the suc- cessful members of the profession. On the 9th of March, 1876, she gave her hand in marriage to John Steele, and to them were born four children. The eldest, Alva C., is a teacher in a high school in Indian Terri- tory. He received his diploma with the class of 1894, and then attended the Valparaiso University. For his wife he chose Miss Maud B. Rensberger. Maude E. graduated with the class of 1899 in the Walkerton high school, having also received musical instruc- tions, and during the past eight years she has been engaged in teaching, the last four in Mishawaka, Indiana. Myrtle Beatrice grad- uated from the common schools with the class of 1896, when twelve years of age, and in 1902 completed the course in the Walkerton

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high school. She, too, is a teacher, and dur- ing the past four years has taught in the schools of Liberty township. J. Rolland re- sides with his mother on the old homestead and is engaged in farming and stock raising. After completing his education in the com- mon schools he studied for one year in Walk- erton, and then graduated from the North Liberty high school, after which he returned to the Walkerton high school and graduated with the class of 1904.

Mr. Steele was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1847, and became one of the lead- ing business men of Liberty township, where he was extensively engaged in the purchasing and shipping of stock. He accumulated an estate of two hundred and sixty acres of the finest land in Liberty township, but at the time of their marriage the young couple be- gan life in a little frame house on a small portion of the present homestead. He voted with the Republican party, and was a faith- ful member of the Brethren church, as is also his wife. In his death, which occurred in 1890, Liberty township lost one of her most prominent and useful citizens, and al- though a number of years have been added to the past since he was called to his reward his memory is enshrined in the hearts of his old friends and associates, to whose interests he was ever faithful.

HENRY B. GEARHART. Many years have passed since the Gearhart family became identified with the interests of St. Joseph county, and its various members have won for the name an enviable reputation in the various walks of life. One of its representa- tives, Henry B. Gearhart, who is counted one of the leading agriculturists of Liberty town- ship, was born within its borders March 14, 1861. a son of Henry and Cassiah (Wolf) Gearhart, to whom were born eight children, two sons and six daughters, but only three of the number are now living: Catherine, the wife of Jeremiah Steele, one of the leading farmers of the township; Henry B., the sev- enth in order of birth of the eight children; and Eliza Jane, the wife of Samuel New- comer, an agriculturist of Marshall county, Indiana. Mr. Gearhart, the father, was a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born about 1825, and his death occurred in 1871. He was but nine years of. age when the fam- ily bade adieu to the fatherland and sailed for America, landing in Baltimore, Mary- land, after an ocean voyage of six weeks.

They at once made their way to Columbiana county, Ohio, where the father purchased. land, and in the Buckeye state the son Henry grew to years of maturity and received his education in the German tongue. He was" reared as a farmer's lad, and after his arrival .. in St. Joseph county, which was in a very early day, he purchased forty acres of land' just south of the old homestead in Liberty : township, but soon afterward sold that tract .: and bought the land where his son Henry. now resides. Mr. Gearhart had been married previous to his removal to St. Joseph county and their first home here was a little love, cabin, the birthplace of Henry Gearhart> while deer and wild game of all kinds plentiful in those early days, and their fans implements were of the crudest and mot primitive style. Mr. Gearhart gave his por litical support to the Democracy, and bott he and his wife were members of the Ges man Baptist church. She was a native Columbiana county, Ohio, and her death curred on the 10th of October, 1897; with her husband she now lies buried North Liberty township, where a beautiful stone marks their last resting place. That came to St. Joseph county in the fall of 185

Henry B. Gearhart, their son, began lay the foundation for his future life after reaching the age of majority, and on 19th of March, 1882, he was united in m

₹ riage to Miss Fyetta Smick. Their unt has been blessed by the birth of four dren, two sons and two daughters, but the are now deceased, Melvin, Blanche and B., dying at the ages of ten, five and the years respectively. Florence, the only ing child, graduated with the class of 190 and she also pursued a full musical comer She is now giving instructions in music. is very efficient as a teacher. Mrs. Gearl" was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, 10, 1858, a daughter of Michael and Reb (Hartman) Smick, to whom were born children, two sons and three daughters, only two are now living, the younger be Solomon Smick, pastor of the United By ren church in Vinton, Iowa. He prep for the ministry at Dayton, Ohio, and by marriage to Miss Etta Mangus he has children, Lela and Charon. Mr. Smick, father, was born in Paris, Ohio. in 1831, his death occurred on the 12th of October 1895. During the early part of his business career he was a brick manufacturer, having

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Astor, Lenay and Tiden Foundations. 1909

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made the brick which was used in the con- struction of the first residence in South Bend. It was in 1856 that he established his home in Liberty township, St. Joseph county, where he purchased eighty acres of unim- proved land, and made his home thereon un- til his life's labors were ended in death. He was married in Ohio, and his wife accom- panied him on the journey to St. Joseph county, which was made with ox teams and wagon to Liberty township. He was a Demo- crat in his political affiliations, and both he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran church. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1830, was there reared and educated, and her death occurred in 1891.

Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart began their married life on the old Gearhart homestead, and their present beautiful homestead, known as "Sunny Banks," comprises one hundred and nineteen acres of the finest land in Liberty township, which is under an excellent state of cultivation and contains most excellent im- provements, including a modern residence and fine barn. There is also upon the place a "ram," which forces the water from a spring over four hundred feet to his barn and into a large tank, from which he can adjust hose for lawn sprinkling and other purposes. In their home they also have a number of relics of the pioneer epoch, among them a double coverlet woven three-quarters of a century ago and which belonged to Mrs. Gear- hart's grandmother, also a large and small spinning wheel which were used by Mr. Gear- hart's mother. Mr. Gearhart cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland, and has always allied his interests with the De- mocracy. The family are highly respected by all who have the pleasure of their acquaint- ance, and they are worthy representatives of honored pioneer families.

B. F. McENDARFER. Among the pioneer families which have contributed to the pros- perity of St. Joseph county, and particu- larly to that of Liberty township, the one represented by B. F. McEndarfer occupies an important place. He is one of the native sons of the township, born on the 7th of Sep- tember, 1866, the second of four children of Eli and Lydia (Rensberger) McEndarfer. The eldest son, John A., is numbered among the young and successful merchants of South Bend. He married Miss Ida Stombaugh, a native also of Liberty township, and they have one little son, Eli. He affiliates with

the Democratic party. B. F. McEndarfer, of this review, is the next in order of birth. Josiah Edward, engaged in the hardware business in South Bend, married Miss Anna Bergman. He was formerly engaged in teaching in Liberty township. George Ira, the youngest son, is a prosperous farmer in this township. He married Miss Olive Hildebrand, and their three children are Wil- fred, Myron and Herbert.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 70

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