A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 82

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 82

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Astor, Lanay ang Tl'den Foundations, 1903

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John M Reaves

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Mrs John od Reaus

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a beautiful estate of fifty acres in Warren township, two miles from Lydick Station, where Mr. Walters is engaged in farming and trucking. There is a large huckleberry marsh on the place, and the farm is a fertile and well improved tract. He is a broad-minded, patriotic citizen, a supporter of Republican principles, and merits the genuine regard which is accorded him.

JAMES W. RYDER, a prominent represent- ative of the business interests of War- ren township, was born in eastern New Jersey, October 23, 1849, the year of the ever memorable emigration to the Pacific slope, occasioned by the gold discovery there, and like many others of the successful men of this country, he is of Irish parentage. His father, James Ryder, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and was there married to one of its native daughters, Elizabeth Quinn. Some time after their marriage they sailed for the United States, settling in New Jersey, but both died in Mill Creek, Laporte county, Indiana, the father when seventy years of age and the mother when seventy-four. They were members of the Catholic church, and reared their children in that faith. Two sons were born to bless their union, James W. and Thomas S. The last named is engaged in operating a steam shovel in Michigan.

James W. Ryder was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties of the field, and his educational training was received in New Jersey and Indiana. During the long period of thirty years he was in the employ of the Grand Trunk Railroad Com- pany in the capacity of foreman, and his rec- ord in the service of his company is one of which he has just reason to be proud, for he was prompt, vigilant and efficient, and one who at all times could be trusted and relied upon. Resigning the posi- tion at the close of that period, he turned his attention to farming and stock raising, and the Ryder farm now consists of one hundred and eighty-five acres of valuable land, located a half a mile from the town of Crumstown in Warren township. The fields are all under an excellent state of cultivation, and the estate is one of the valuable ones of the township.

On the 10th of November, 1890, Mr. Ryder was united in marriage to Frances Riddle, who was born, reared and educated in this county, where her father, William Riddle, early established his home, and a sketch of this honored early pioneer is found elsewhere

in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ryder have one son, James W., a bright little lad of fifteen years. The political affiliations of Mr. Ryder are with the Democracy, and he is a member of St. Patrick's church in South Bend.

JOHN M. REAVES. The popular Reaves Hotel has been made so by its genial and affable proprietor and owner, John M. Reaves. No hostelry in Warren township has so excellent a reputation for hospitable treat- ment as has the Reaves. Its well known pro- prietor is one of the honored pioneers of St. Joseph county, a veteran of the Civil war and a business man of Warren township. His birth occurred in Greene county, Ohio, Sep- tember 27, 1837, a son of Obediah and a grandson of Ashur Reaves, the latter of whom was represented in the war of 1812, and the deaths of both he and his wife occurred in Greene county, Ohio. Obediah Reaves was a native son of Tennessee, but in his early life he became a citizen of Greene county, Ohio, and was there twice married, his second wife being Susan (Humer) Marshall, a widow, and a daughter of Peter Humer, a native of Penn- sylvania. In 1846 Mr. and Mrs. Reaves came to St. Joseph county, Indiana, establishing their home in Greene township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their names occupy a conspicuous place on the roll of the honored early pioneers of St. Joseph county, which they assisted in reclaiming from its virgin state to one of the most popu- lous sections of the commonwealth, and in many ways were prominently identified with its early history. Their first habitation here was the typical log cabin so familiar in song and story, but with the passing years they were able to enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and became the own- ers of a beautiful estate of one hundred and sixty acres. In his early life Mr. Reaves gave his political support to the Whigs, and at the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks. He was an active and val- ued member of the Baptist church, having assisted in the erection of a church of that denomination in this county, and served as its deacon, steward and class leader, while in its faith he passed away in death at the age of sixty-five years, honored and respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. The wife and mother was called to the home beyond when she had reached the forty-fifth milestone on the journey of life, and she, too, was a worthy member of the Baptist church.

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The seven children born to these honored St. Remsted, of South Bend; Dan F. and John W. Joseph county pioneers were: Rebecca, de- The Reaves Hotel, of which Mr. Reaves is the genial proprietor, is one of the popular resorts of this section of St. Joseph county, with its four acres of fertile land, with its excellent cuisine, and with its honest, frank and genial proprietor. Mr. Reaves' peculiarly well adapted characteristics and affability of manner make him a host most attractive to the general public. ceased; John M., whose name introduces this review; Susan; Peter; Diana, deceased; Obediah, who for ten years was numbered among the well known educators of St. Joseph county; and George, who died at the age of twenty-one years. He was a young man of great promise, and his death occurred while he was preparing for the teacher's pro- fession in Valparaiso University. By his first marriage Mr. Reaves had two sons, Salathial, a resident of Jackson, Michigan, and Tomas, deceased.

John M. Reaves was a little lad of nine years when he came with his parents to St. Joseph county, Indiana, attaining to years of maturity within its borders, and receiving his education in the little log school house near his home. In 1864 he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Com- pany B, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer In-

fantry, serving first under Colonel Eddy and . Virginia, in 1828, a son of Elias Fisher, who

later under Colonel Wood. With Sherman he made the memorable march to the sea through Atlanta, Savannah, on to the Caro- linas, and thence to Washington, D. C., to participate in the Grand Review, receiving his final discharge at Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1862, prior to his enlistment, Mr. Reaves had married Amanda Owens, who was born in Marshall county, Indiana, and of their two children one is now living, Luetta Laning- differ. After the death of the wife and mother Mr. Reaves married Martha Luther, a native daughter of St. Joseph county, and their four children are George, Hart, William N. and Cora Harriet. On the 23d of March, 1874, Mr. Reaves was united in marriage to Sarah Replogle, who was born and reared in this county, where her father, Warren Rep- logle, had taken up his abode in a very early day. He was numbered among its honored residents for sixty-seven years. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 22d of November, 1830, a son of Dan and Elizabeth (Baker) Replogle, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. and in whose family were seven children. Warren Replogle married Joicy Wharton, and of their nine children seven are now living. He still survives his wife, who died at the age of sixty-four years. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and is one of the honored old residents of St. Joseph county. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Reaves-Myrtle

JOEL FISHER. The name borne by the sub- ject of this review has been indissolubly identified with the annals of St. Joseph county from an early period in its history, and has ever stood exponent for the most sterling personal characteristics. One of its honored representatives, Joel Fisher, has performed his full share in the wonderful transforma- tion which has been wrought in this section of the county, and is numbered among its earliest pioneers. His birth occurred east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Franklin county, also had his nativity in the Old Dominion state. The family, however, is of German descent, and was founded in this country by Peter Fisher, the grandfather of Joel, who coming from the fatherland to the United States located with a colony in Virginia, where he became identified with agricultural pursuits, and was a German Baptist in his religious affiliations. His son Elias grew to manhood on a farm in that commonwealth, and was there married to one of its native daughters, Lydia Henry, who was also of German descent. In 1832 the family. con- sisting of the father, mother and two children, started on the overland journey to Ohio, and for four years they resided near Dayton in Montgomery county. At the close of the period, in 1836, in the same primitive man- ner, with team and covered wagon, they again took up the line of march with their destination in St. Joseph county, Indiana, and on their arrival they located on eighty acres of heavily wooded land, where they erected a little log cabin, eighteen by twenty feet, with a clapboard roof, stick chimney and puncheon floor, and also a log stable. Mr. Fisher at once began the arduous task of clearing and improving his land, and with the passing years his efforts were attended with success, but when he had reached his forty-ninth year his busy and useful life was ended in death. He was a grand old pioneer man, and his memory is honored and revered

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

by all who knew him. He supported the first presidential nominee of the Republican party, General Fremont, and was a member of the German Baptist church, as was also his wife, who was called to the home beyond at the age of seventy-five years. They reared the following children: Joel, whose name intro- duces this review; Jacob, a resident of South Bend; Mary Poff, of Walkerton; George W., also of South Bend; Lydia, the wife of Wil- liam Chamberlain, of Portage township; Martha Wagner, who died in 1906, in South Bend; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Daniel Chamberlain and died in German township.

Joel . Fisher, the eldest child, was a little lad of four years at the time of the parents' removal to Ohio, and when he was eight years of age he accompanied them on their journey to St. Joseph county, attaining to years of maturity here and during the time assisted his father in clearing the home farm. The land was covered with a dense growth of heavy hickory timber, which they cut and sold for a dollar and a quarter a cord. In time Mr. Fisher bought out the other heirs in the estate and became the sole owner of the home- stead, consisting of four hundred acres. He erected a good residence and a large rock- basement barn, fifty by thirty-six feet in dimensions, and Fisher Hill Farm is now one of the beautiful rural homes of the township. He has since given a portion of the land to his children, his estate now consisting of three hundred acres, but it is a rich and valuable tract and yearly returns bounteous harvests in return for the care and labor expended upon it.

At the age of thirty-six years Mr. Fisher was married to Mary J. Mandeville, who was born in Laporte county, Indiana, a daughter of Dewitt Mandeville, whose birth occurred in the state of New York, but he became one of the early pioneers of St. Joseph county. His wife. Ellen Mandeville, was born in Kingston, New York, and her death occurred at the extreme old age of ninety-eight years. She was of German descent. In their family were the following children : Margaret Morss, of Warren township: Mary Jane Fisher, and John. a resident of South Bend. The parents were German Baptists in their religious affilia- tions. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have six living children : Laura Baker, who was born in the little log cabin which served as the first home of her parents, and she is now the wife of

David Baker; Henry L., a prominent business man and the assessor of Greene township; George W., who lives on a farm adjoining the homestead; Dan W., a resident of War- ren township; Ida Belle, the wife of Myron Milligen, of Warren township; and Elmer O., a young man at home. Four of their children died in childhood. As they grew to mature years Mr. Fisher has assisted his chil- dren to gain a start in life, and the sons are now successful business men. He cast his first presidential vote for General Fremont in 1856, and has ever since upheld the principles of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the German Baptist church, and they share in the high regard of a large circle of friends.

CHARLES F. CRUM. The well known and successful educator of Warren township, Charles F. Crum, is one of the native sons of St. Joseph county, in the welfare of which he takes a sincere interest. As an educator he stands in the front ranks, and he is a well known and popular resident of Crums- town. His birth occurred in Warren town- ship, St. Joseph county, December 4, 1874, a son of Nat H. and Hannah Jane Crum. Their son Charles was reared to years of maturity on a farm, and received his early educational training in the public schools of the county, this being later supplemented by attendance at the Valparaiso University. Previous to entering upon his college course he had taught school, entering the teacher's profession when but seventeen years of age, and he has continued therein for fifteen terms, all of which time has been spent in his native township of Warren. Mr. Crum is very thorough and conscientious in his work as an educator, and his labors have been effective in raising the standards of the schools with which he has been connected.

The marriage of Mr. Crum was celebrated in 1895, when Mary C. Page became his wife. She was born in Pennsylvania, where she spent the first nine years of her life, and then came with her parents, George V. and Sarah (Gearhart) Page, to St. Joseph county, Indiana. They have become the parents of two children, Fanny Irene and Goldie Lucile. Mr. Crum is a stalwart supporter of Republi- can principles, and for two years he repre- sented his party as a member of the advisory board of Warren township. He holds mem- bership relations with the Woodmen of the

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World, while Mrs. Crum is a member of the United Brethren church.

WILLIAM HENRY PRICE. Numbered among the leading agriculturists of Warren town- ship, St. Joseph county, is William H. Price, who with other brave comrades marched forth to defend the Union and maintain the supre- macy of the stars and stripes during the Civil war. He was born in Kirksville township, near Newark, Licking county, Ohio, October 6, 1842, and is a representative of a promi- nent old Virginia family, General Price of Confederate fame having been a cousin of his father. His grandfather, John Price, was a native son of Pennsylvania, but became one of the early pioneers in Licking county, Ohio, whither he removed with his sons, Joseph, John, Thomas and Benjamin.

Mordecai Price, the father of William Henry, also had his nativity in Kirksville township, Licking county, Ohio, and there grew to years of maturity. He married Nancy Perkins, a native of Maryland and a daughter of John and Caroline (Hatfield) Perkins, and they became the parents of the following children: Joseph, John, Nancy, Sarah, William H., Benjamin, Wesley, Susan and John. The last named died as a soldier of the Civil war, having been a member of the Sixty-third Indiana, Company F, and his death occurred at the early age of twenty- three years. He now .sleeps in a soldier's grave at Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. Price, the father, served as a soldier in the war of 1812, as did also his brothers John and. Adam. His death occurred when he had reached the eighty-eighth milestone on the journey of life, having long survived his wife, who died at the early age of thirty-seven years, dying in the faith of the United Brethren church, of which she was a worthy and faithful member. Mr. Price was a member of the Methodist denomi- nation.

Mr. William H. Price was twelve years of age when he came to St. Joseph county, and on a farm here he attained to years of matur- ity. When the tocsin of war sounded through- out the land he offered his services to his country's cause, enlisting on the 6th of Octo- ber. 1862, in Captain Mill's company, with which he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and was transferred to Company F, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Ezra L. Shields and Jasper Packard of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth regiment. With his regiment Mr. Price went into Camp

Newman at Indianapolis, from whence he was sent south to Crab Orchard, and also partici- pated in the battles of Altoona, Resacca, Buz- zard's Roost, Burnt Hickory, and on to the sea and the battle of Atlanta. Returning to fight General Hood's troops, he participated in the battle of Franklin, one of the hardest fought engagements of the war, and with his regi- ment he then fell back to Nashville, Tennessee, from whence he went to Savanna, Rialto, Goldsboro, Charlotte, Greensboro, Fort Fisher, Cape Fear, again at Greensboro, and was mustered out of service at Goldsboro, North Carolina, March 20, 1865, after a military career covering a period of three years and two months.

In 1863 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Evaline Platts, who was born, reared and educated in Indiana, and they have four sons : William S., engaged in the railroad business at Streator, Illinois; James F., who also re- sides near that city ; Elmer C., associated with the Studebaker Company of South Bend; and John C., a resident of the old homestead. Four of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Price, two sons and two daughters, died when young. The family reside on a beautiful estate of one hundred and ten acres in Warren township, St. Joseph county, known as the Maple Grove Farm, and there Mr. Price is extensively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the blue by his membership in the Grand Army Post at Walkerton, Indiana.

CHARLES CHAMBERLAIN. Through many years Charles Chamberlain has been an im- portant factor in the agricultural and finan- cial interests of Warren township, and his name is deeply engraved on the pages of its history. He was born in Trenton township. Delaware county, Ohio, March 15, 1830, and is a representative of one of the prominent old pioneer families of St. Joseph county. His grandfather. Freegift Chamberlain, was a native of the mother country of England, born in London, and was of the same family as Lord Chamberlain. Coming to the United States, he served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and during the early settlement of St. Joseph county, Indiana, he took up his abode within its borders. His residence here covered a period of about ten years, and his death occurred in South Bend, where he and his wife both lie buried in Mt. Pleasant cem- etery. He learned and followed the wagon-

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maker's trade, and was one of the first to engage in that occupation in this county. Mrs. Chamberlain bore the maiden name of Eliza- beth Whitaker, and was a member of a well- known Irish family. To them were born. a large family of children, numbering John, Thomas, Rachael, William, Elizabeth, Nancy and Mary, all now deceased. Mr. Chamber- lain was a protestant in his religious affilia- tions.

William Chamberlain, his son and the father of the subject of this review, was born in Pennsylvania, where he spent the first six- teen years of his life, and then removed to Ohio. In Delaware county of that state he was united in marriage to Julia A. Rush, who was born in Virginia, as were also her parents, Jacob and Catherine (Urice) Rush. In 1847 Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain left the Buckeye state, and with their six children started on the long and tedious journey with four horses and covered wagons across the country to St. Joseph county, Indiana, spending eleven days on the road ere they reached their journey's end at South Bend. After spending a short time at the home of their uncle, Thomas Chamberlain, they went to Portage Prairie in German township, where they established their home and spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of seventy- two years, while the mother reached the age of eighty-six years ere she was called to the home beyond, both dying as members of the Christian church. In their family were six children, namely: Charles, whose name intro- duces this review; Eli, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of W. O. Jackson of St. Joseph coun- ty; Daniel, who makes his home in German township; William, a resident of Portage township; and James, also of German town- ship.

In his native county of Delaware Charles Chamberlain was reared to mature years on a farm, having been early inured to its work. After his marriage he established a home of his own in Warren township, St. Joseph coun- ty, purchasing four hundred and twenty acres of land, but he has since sold a part of the tract and his landed estate now consists of two hundred and thirty acres, while the many improvements which add so much to its value stand as monuments to his industry and ability. This valuable homestead is known as Lake Chamberlain farm for the beautiful Lake Chamberlain lies within its borders. It

is a delightful rural home, and is located six miles from Michigan street.

Remaining at home until his twenty-first year, Mr. Chamberlain was then married to Miss Catherine Huston, a native of Warren township and a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Kingery) Huston, both of whom died in St. Joseph county, where they had taken up their abode in a very early day. The following children were born of this union : John W .; Clarintine Lambert, of South Bend; William R., who at his death left a widow and one child; Rosa C. Lower, of South Bend; and Franklin and Jacob, who also re- side in that city. The wife and mother passed away in death at the age of forty-three years, having long been a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist church. In 1876 Mr. Chamberlain wedded Martha Gillis, who was born in Wabash county, Indiana, there re- maining until her seventeenth year, when she came with her parents, John and Margaret Gillis, to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where they both spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Baptist church, and the father was a native son of Ohio. One daughter has been born of this union, Della, the wife of John White, of South Bend. Mr. Chamberlain gives his political support to the Republican party, and for eight years he served as a justice of the peace, an office equivalent to that of the present judge. He is also a member of and an active worker in the Baptist church, with which he has affi- liated during the past six years, while pre- vious to that time he was a Methodist and held the office of steward in his church. His wife is also a member of the Baptist church. The Chamberlain family are held in high es- teem, and their many sterling characteristics have won for them the friendship and good will of all.

ALEXANDER RIDDLE. One of the first fam- ilies to secure a home within the borders of St. Joseph county was the one now worthily represented in this section of the state by the subject of this review. For many years they have been identified with the agricultural in- terests of Warren township, aiding materially in the development of the resources of this section, and taking an active part in all move- ments for the upbuilding of its best interests. William Riddle, the father of Alexander, was one of the first to locate in Warren township. He was a native son of Indiana, and started

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out in life for himself a poor boy, and by his own industry, excellent ability and persever- ance mounted the ladder of success, step by step, until he became the owner of a valuable estate of five hundred and fifty acres. He married Mary Ann Replogle, who was born in Pennsylvania, but reared in Indiana, and they established their home on a little farm of eighty acres, their first home being a little log cabin, with a mud and stick chimney, the old- fashioned fireplace, a puncheon floor and clap- board roof. Their barn was also a log struc- ture, and everything about the little farm home was primitive and wild. With the help of his sons Mr. Riddle soon cleared and im- proved a valuable farm, and in time the log structures gave place to a pleasant and com- modious residence, a large barn and substan- tial outbuildings. In his young manhood he traveled with his father through Illinois and Indiana, also living for some years in the west, but returning to Indiana he spent the remainder of his long and useful life here, having reached the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey ere he was called to the home beyond. He was a Republican in his political affiliations. Mrs. Riddle died at the age of seventy-three years. She was a loving wife and mother, a kind neighbor and friend, and her memory will long live in the hearts of those who knew her. In their family were three children: Alexander, whose name in- troduces this review ; Mrs. Frances Ryder, of Warren township; and William Harrison, on the old homestead.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 2, Part 82

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