A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 71

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 71

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Mr. McEndarfer, the father, was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 12, 1839, and is now a resident of the city of South Bend. When he was but a little lad his parents emi- grated in true pioneer style to Liberty town- ship, St. Joseph county, their first purchase of land consisting of a half section, the homestead of Mr. Frank McEndarfer being a part of this tract. The land was mostly heavily timbered, and in those early days the Pottawatomie Indians roamed at will over this section of the state, while the father also killed deer on his premises with a shot gun which is now in the possession of his son Frank. This gun is an old time relic, the grandfather becoming its possessor by trading a colt for it. He, as well as some of his sons, have used the old ox teams in breaking the soil preparatory for the plow, and they have also used the old fashioned turkey wing cradle in cutting the grain. The first home of the family here was a little log cabin of the most primitive kind, but many happy hours were spent within its walls. Mr. Eli McEndarfer was a successful man in his business, and accumulated one hundred and sixty-four acres of land in Liberty township, while all the excellent im- provements which now adorn the farm stand as monuments to his industry and ability. The homestead is known as "Maple Avenue Farm," and the first home which he erected still stands, it being the birthplace of his son Frank. It was in 1893 that Mr. and Mrs. McEndarfer took up their abode in South Bend, there to spend the evening of their long and useful lives in quiet retire- ment, enjoying the rest which they have so truly earned. He is a stanch Jackson Demo- crat in his political affiliations, and both he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, which is located about a half a mile south of their farm, which the husband assisted in erecting and also con- tributed generously of his means thereto. Mrs. McEndarfer was born in Stark county,

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Ohio, September 15, 1839, and with her hus- band she attended the old log cabin schools of the early days, furnished with slab seats without backs, with only a broad board for a desk, and they have also written with the old goosequill pen fashioned by the master. She is of German lineage, while her husband traces his ancestry to "Bonnie Scotland," the land of hills and heather.

Frank McEndarfer, whose name introduces this review, received his educational training in the McEndarfer school of Liberty town- ship, to which belongs the honor of furnish- ing more teachers than any country school in the county. During eleven years he was also engaged in that profession, having taught ten years in St. Joseph county and one year in Berrien county, Michigan, while he has devoted his more recent years to the pursuits of farming and stockraising. In 1894 he took charge of the homestead, known as the Maple Avenue Farm, and in addition to its cultivation he operates a threshing machine, owning a twenty horse power double cylinder Rumley engine and separator, and also a huller. He is one of the best known thresh- ers in St. Joseph county, and on one occa- sion in eight hours threshed two thousand three hundred and seventy bushels of oats and wheat, also having to move and set his machine three times during the day.

The marriage of Mr. McEndarfer was cele- brated on the 3d of June, 1888, when Miss Lizzie A. Snoke became his wife, and they have five children: Emma, who received her diploma from the country schools with the class of 1905, having been the second highest in honors in the township and fourth highest in the county, and she has also re- ceived a good musical training; Howard A., who received his diploma in the class of 1905, being the third highest in the county and the highest in the township, and he is now a student in the North Liberty high school, driving to and fro each day, a distance of five and a half miles, and he has never missed a day during the year; Charles E., a mem- ber of the sixth grade; John R., in the third grade; and Mary, the youngest of the fam- ily. Mrs. McEndarfer was born in Warren township of St. Joseph county August 18, . 1864, a daughter of John W. and Ruth (Brick) Snoke. In the parents' family were seven children, three sons and four daugh- ters, and five are now living, namely; Ar- thur, a carpenter and joiner in South Bend;

Lizzie A., the wife of Mr. McEndarfer; Schuyler, the manager of the automobile de- partment in the great Studebaker works of South Bend; John H., a railroad employe in Kansas City, Missouri; and Mary, the wife of William Farlow, a decorator in Bir- mingham, Alabama.

Mr. Snoke, the father, was born in Cum- berland county, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1836, and is now living in South Bend. He traces his lineage to the fatherland, and the original German spelling of the name was Snough. He became a resident of St. Joseph county fifty years ago, and therefore half a cen- tury has rolled its course since he became identified with its interests, during all of which time he has been an active worker in its upbuilding and improvement, and is now classed among its honored pioneers. He is a stanch advocate of the Prohibition party, and is an active worker in the cause of temper- ance. Mrs. Snoke was born in Warren town- ship, St. Joseph county, March 24, 1841, and she can recall many pleasant remembrances of the olden days, well remembering when South Bend was but a straggling village. Both she and her husband are members of the Church of God. Previous to her marriage, Mrs. Mc- Endarfer was one of the successful teachers of the county. She has been an able assist- ant to her husband in the establishment of their home, which contains many valuable and interesting relics, among which may be mentioned an old brass clock which belonged to his Grandfather McEndarfer and which was purchased July 21, 1842. It is yet in excellent repair, and is a souvenir which they highly prize. Mr. McEndarfer cast his first presidential vote for Cleveland, and has ever since continued to uphold the principles of the Democratic party. He has often been selected as a delegate to the county conven- tions, and both in his public and private life he has been true to the trusts reposed in him. Both he and his wife are adherents of the Evangelical faith.

WILLIAM H. CONNER is a veteran of the Civil war and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, while in the paths of peace he has also won an enviable reputation through the ster- ling qualities which go to the making of a good citizen and a trustworthy official. Dur- ing the long period of forty-one years or almost half a century he has been connected in an official capacity with the great Gould

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system, the Wabash, and his record in the service is one of which he has just reason to be proud. Indiana claims him among her native sons, his birth occurring in Mont- gomery county on the 27th of September, 1843, his parents being William and Nancy (Teeter) Conner. In their family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, and four of the number are now living, namely : Mary, wife of Richard Harrison, a resident of Danville, Illinois, where he is employed as a tailor; C. F., a resident of Paris, Texas, and foreman of bridges and building for the Texas Pacific Railroad Com- pany; Emily J., the wife of Wallace Rich- ards, a harness dealer in Indianapolis, Indiana.

William Conner, the father, was born in Harrisburg, Kentucky, the Blue Grass state of the Union, September 3, 1805, and was there reared and learned the trade of a mill- wright. In an early day and in true pio- neer style he emigrated to Montgomery county, Indiana, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government fif- teen miles from Crawfordsville, their first habitation there being a little log cabin, and the scenes connected with this early home are still vivid in the minds of his children. It was about the year 1857 that the family removed to Warren county, Indiana, and in 1869 they went to Attica, this state, where the father lived and labored until his death on the 4th of April, 1872. He was an old- line Whig until the formation of the Re- publican party, when he espoused its cause and cast his first vote for the great and good Lincoln. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason, and both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist church. Mrs. Conner, who was born in Lancaster, Girard county, Kentucky, June 9, 1811, died on the 2d of March, 1862. She was a kind and affectionate wife and mother, and with her husband she now lies buried in Warren county, Indiana.

In his native county of Montgomery Wil- liam H. Conner spent the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving his education in its primitive pioneer schools, and in 1857 he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Warren county. Before he had reached his eighteenth year the tocsin of war sounded throughout the land, and with other brave and noble hearted youths he responded to its call, enlisting in Company K, Thirty-third Indiana

Volunteer Infantry, at Williamsport, Indi- ana, his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and his division com- mander was General Thomas. Their first battle, Wildcat, was fought in Kentucky on the 21st of October, 1861, where two men of the regiment were killed, they having been the first killed in the great conflict in that commonwealth. He afterward took part in the engagements at Cumberland Gap and Thompson's Station, the latter being a des- perate battle in which Mr. Conner was taken prisoner, while four of his company were killed and seventeen wounded. From March until the following May, 1863, he was in- carcerated in Libby Prison, when he was ex- changed at Richmond and returned to In- dianapolis, there re-organizing and moving south to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence to Murfreesboro, where they served on guard duty on the Louisville & Nashville railroad until February, 1864. After veteranizing for further service in the conflict Mr. Conner went to Indianapolis and was given a thirty days' furlough, and in the following spring went with his regiment to Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, and joined General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, taking part in the celebrated siege of Atlanta, where the brave boys in blue were under fire for one hundred . days, participating in the battles of Resaca, Cassville, Culp's Farm, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Golgotha, New Hope Church and the entire siege of Atlanta, last- ing from the 1st of August until the 2d of September. At the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864, Mr. Conner captured a Rebel flag from the Thirty-third Mississippi regiment, which had been forced into action by the Thirty-third Indiana. While carrying the flag on his arm and at the same time loading and firing his rifle Captain Beecher, one of the staff officers of General Ward, of the Third Division Army Corps, and who by the way was a nephew of the celebrated Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, rode up and said: "Soldier, let me take that flag," Mr. Conner obeying the command, and he has never been able to locate this war relic.

His regiment was the first to enter the captured city of Atlanta, their colonel being John Coburn, while Mr. Conner was corporal of the company and was its commander on entering the city. This occurred on the 2d of September, 1864, and the Twentieth Corps

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remained there until the 15th of November, when commenced. the celebrated March to the Sea and the capture of Savannah on December 21, 1864. In January, 1865, they started on the march north, passing through the Carolinas in pursuit of General Joe Johnston, their first battle being Averysboro, North Carolina, on the 16th of March, 1865, and it was in this immediate vicinity that Mr. Conner and two comrades were detailed to drive back the Rebel sharpshooters who were located in the house near by. Marching through the deep mud and water they came to the Rebel breastworks, covered with pine boughs, where they met five rebels and two twelve pound howitzers, but the three Fed- erals fought bravely and captured both men and guns. Passing northward, the regiment participated in the battles of Goldsboro and Bentonville, North Carolina, finally march- ing into Virginia and on to Washington, where with Sherman's tattered and battle- scarred veterans they passed down Pennsyl- vania avenue before the reviewing stand on which sat the president and his cabinet. Re- turning thence to Louisville, Kentucky, the brave young soldiers received their final dis- charge and returned home. Mr. Conner ar- rived home on the 21st of July, 1865, his military career having covered a period of about four years, from the 12th of September, 1861, until the 21st of July, 1865. He was at Raleigh, North Carolina, when the joyful news was received of Lee's surrender, and just five days later the cry went forth of Lincoln's assassination.

On the 1st of November, 1866, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Conner and Miss Kate O'Brien, and four children have been born of the union, two sons and two daugh- ters, but only two are now living. The elder, Mary, graduated from the Attica high school, after which she completed a commer- cial course at the Valparaiso University, and . has since done stenographic work in her fa- ther's office. Emma graduated with the class of 1901, after which she took the teach- er's course at the Tri-State Normal at An- gola, Indiana, and during the past five years has been engaged in teaching, two years in the county schools and three years in the intermediate department of the North Lib- erty schools. Both of the daughters have also received musical training. Mr. and Mrs. Conner suffered the sad bereavement of los- ing both of their sons, who were promising

young men just entering young manhood. They both had many friends and admirers, and the following lines were written at the time of their deaths: Frank, the elder son, died Sunday eve, July 12, 1891, aged twenty- one years, ten months and sixteen days. Frank was a noble-hearted boy, the pride of his parents, sisters and friends. His burial occurred from St. Paul's Catholic church, and the funeral rites were performed by Fa- ther Lemper of Attica, Indiana, at St. Paul's Catholic church of Columbia City, Indiana. He was a devoted Christian, and always ex- expressed himself as ever ready to cross the dark river whenever the will of Providence called him. The son "Willie" died at North Liberty, Indiana, April 12, 1902, aged eighteen years, nine months and twelve days. He had removed with his parents from Co- lumbia City, Indiana, to North Liberty in 1893. He had been a patient sufferer from boyhood, and when his young life was snuffed out there was a void in the family circle . which can never be filled. He was of a cheer- ful and affectionate nature and admired by all his playmates. He had passed the first year's high school work, and great promise was before him had his life been spared. Many friends attended the last sad rites over his beloved remains, and the floral offerings were many. All that medical skill could do was given him by loving parents. The fu- neral services were pronounced by Father Ellering of St. Paul's Catholic church of Columbia City, Indiana. Many tributes of love and respect could be pronounced on these two sons would space permit. Mrs. Conner is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in county Clare in March, 1845, but when a young lady of fifteen years she came to America.

On the 19th of June, 1866, Mr. Conner entered upon his long career in the railroad service, beginning at the very bottom for the Wabash Company, and for forty-one years he has been connected with this corporation. Be- ·ginning as a bridge builder, he was promoted to the position of foreman of a gang of bridge carpenters, and then to the track de- partment, while since the 16th of January, 1885, he has filled the important office of road master. During that time he has had charge of three divisions, first between Peru and Tilton, Illinois, next from Logansport to Butler, Indiana, and then from Ashley to Clark Junction. Thus for almost half a

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century Mr. Conner has continued to dis- charge his important duties, and during all this time obedience to orders has been his watchword. In April, 1893, the family home was established in North Liberty, where they are well and favorably known and where they extend a gracious and warm hearted hos- pitality to their many friends and acquaint- ances. Mr. Conner is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and cast his first vote for the soldier president Grant. He has often been selected as delegate to the state and county conventions. He is a member of Joseph Brown Post, No. 197, G. A. R., of which he has served as commander for seven years, and his wife and daughter Mary are members of Norman Eddy Relief Corps, No. 1, at South Bend. He is also a member of the Maccabees, South Bend Tent No. 1. Both Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the Catholic church at Walkerton, Indiana, as are also the daughters, and the family is one of prominence in their community.

LEONARD S. PEARSE. One of the first fam- ilies to take up their abode within the bor- ders of St. Joseph county was the Pearses, and for many years its representatives have been identified with the various interests of their communities, aiding materially in the development of the resources and taking an active part in everything tending to promote the welfare of the majority. Leonard S. Pearse is a native son of St. Joseph county, born on the 26th of February, 1837, the eld- est of two children of Franklin and Teresa (Wakefield) Pearse. The father, who was a native of New York, subsequently took up his abode in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and in 1836, with ox teams, they came across the country in true pioneer style to St. Joseph county, Indiana, establishing their home in Liberty township, of which Lincoln town- ship then formed a part. The old homestead comprised three hundred and twenty acres in Liberty township, and the deed for this land is still in the possession of the Pearse brothers. Their first habitation was a little log cabin, the doors and windows of which were closed by the quilt which the mother hung up, and at that time the Pottawatomie Indians were plentiful and often came to their home to ask for food. They were then in charge of the French Canadian Coquil- lard, who was gathering them together for the purpose of transporting them west of the Mississippi river. Mr. Pearse had to clear

much of his land, but as the years grew apace he succeeded in converting this virgin soil into a beautiful and productive farm and accumulated a splendid property. He was a stanch Whig until the formation of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. Mrs. Pearse was a native of Milton, Vermont. and was .reared to years of maturity in her native state.

Almost three-quarters of a century has passed since the birth of Leonard S. Pearse, and during all that time he has maintained his residence in St. Joseph county, actively identified with the interests intended to pro- mote the best interests of his community. He was reared as a farmer lad, remaining with his parents and giving them the benefit of his time and labor until his twenty-sixth year. On the first of October, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude B. Williams, and two children were born of this union: Anna, who died at the age of twelve years, and Alice, who married Alfred Finch, the lead- ing grain dealer in North Liberty. Mr. Finch is a native of St. Joseph county, born on the 3d of December, 1865, and although he was reared to agricultural pursuits, in the sum- mer of 1896 he embarked in the grain busi- ness and has met with excellent success in his undertaking. They have become the par- ents of three daughters, Carrie G., Mabel D. and Teresa P. Mr. Finch is identified with the Republican party and the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Pearse was also a devout mem- ber of the Methodist church, and in its faith she passed away on the 21st of May, 1896, loved and honored by all who had the pleas- ure of her acquaintance. For over thirty- three years she and her husband had trav- eled the journey of life together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, and her loving prayers and admonitions will long be cherished in the hearts of her children. She was laid to rest in the North Liberty cemetery, where a beautiful stone stands sacred to her memory.

After his marriage Mr. Pearse located on a farm three-fourths of a mile south of North Liberty, which continued as his home until his removal to that city, and in 1887, with his brother Wakefield, he began his mercan- tile career in which he has achieved such eminent success, and at that time he was also engaged in the buying and shipping of stock.

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They carry a good line of staple merchan- dise, and their excellent business methods have secured for them a large and remuner- ative patronage. Mr. Pearse cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and has ever since remained true to Republican princi- ples. He is a worthy member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and has aided in the erection of every church building in his im- mediate vicinity. He is numbered among the early and honored pioneers of old St. Joseph county, his life history being closely identi- fied with its subsequent development and progress, and he deserves a fitting recogni- tion among those whose enterprise and abili- ties have achieved splendid results.

JOHN IACHHOLTZ. During almost a half century John Iachholtz has resided in St. Joseph county, and his name appears fre- quently and prominently in connection with its early history. He was born across the waters in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 21, 1839, a son of John and Elizabeth (Greiner) Iachholtz, natives also of Wurtemberg. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Margaret, the wife of George Hawblitzel, a prominent farmer of Union township, St. Joseph county ; John, whose name introduces this review; Charles, who is married and is an agriculturist of Seneca county. Ohio; Rosanna, the wife of Jacob Marshall, also of Seneca county; and Christ, who also makes his home in Seneca county. He married, but his wife is deceased, and he has five children.

John Iachholtz, the father, was a weaver by trade, and received a common school edu- cation in his native land. In the spring of 1847 the family bade adieu to home and na- tive land, sailed down the Rhine and across the North sea to London, England, where they took passage on a sailing vessel for the city of New York, the voyage consuming forty-seven days, for the little ship was driven from her course by severe storms. Landing in a strange country amid strange people and with but little capital, this brave and sturdy couple set to work to establish a home and secure a competence in this free land. Making their way to Pittsburg, they resided there for one year, when they re- moved to Seneca county, Ohio, going by way of the lakes, canal and railroad and reach- ing their destination in three weeks' time. they having come on the first trip that was made on the railroad. There the father lived

and labored until he was called to the home beyond, winning for himself a name and place among the business men of his com- munity. His political support was given to the Democracy, and both he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran church. Both now lie buried in Carlisle, Ohio, where a beautiful stone marks their last resting place.

John Iachholtz, their son, was but a little lad of eight years when he became an Ameri- can citizen, and has ever remained true to its national institutions, and, making the most of his opportunities, has steadily worked his way upward to success and to all that is ennobling in life. The first school which .he attended was of the typical log cabin kind, and the building afterward served as a residence for the Iachholtz family. When he reached the age of twenty-one years he was the owner of a span of colts, which he sold for fifty dollars. Coming to Liberty township, St. Joseph county, he began clear- ing land for others at six dollars an acre. thus laying the foundation for his future successful business career. In those early days he furnished the Studebakers with native hickory and oak for their singletrees, spokes. etc., they having paid him five dollars extra on every one thousand on account of the superior material which he produced. South Bend was then a little city of three thou- sand population, while the present magnifi- cent Studebaker works was but a little in- significant affair. Mr. Iachholtz's first pur- chase of land consisted of forty acres of timber, which he afterward sold and then bought another forty-acre tract, to which he later added forty acres in Liberty township, going in debt for this amount. However, he worked early and late, and his diligence and excellent ability enabled him to meet all obli- gations. The little log cabin long since gave way to the beautiful frame residence which now adorns the place, and many other sub- stantial buildings also stand as monuments to his skill and labor.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 71

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