USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A standard history of Elkhart County, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development, Volume II > Part 15
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JOHN W. BLISS. Now living retired at Elkhart, in his eighty- first year, John W. Bliss was one of the early manufacturers at Elkhart, has the characteristic mechanical genius of the typical New Englander, and spent many years in mills and factories in the New England states, and also at various points in the Middle West, having been particularly identified with paper manufacture. Mr. Bliss also has an honored record as a soldier in the Civil war.
He was born on a farm in the northwest part of the Town of Lee, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, June 12, 1835. In many public libraries can be found an extended genealogy of the Bliss family, which is of an old and honored lineage in New England. His grandparents were William and Hannah Bliss. William Bliss from Rehoboth, Massachusetts, removed to Berkshire County, and bought a farm in Lee and Stockbridge, and assisted each of his children to secure a home.
Simeon Bliss, father of John W., was born in Rehoboth, Massa- chusetts, December 3, 1790, and during his youth learned the trade of millwright. After his marriage he located on a farm which his father gave him in Lee, and which is now included in the West- inghouse estate. While looking after the management of this farm, he continued work at his trade the greater part of the year. In 1847, having sold his property in the Town of Lee, he moved to Cape Street in East Lee, where he soon built a house and resided until 1865. Selling out, he next moved to Colebrook, Connecticut, bought a farm and resided there until his death, June 25, 1877. The maiden name of his wife was Clarissa Turner, who was born in Hillsdale, Putnam County, New York, July 3, 1797, a daughter of Frederick and Mary Turner. She died September 19, 1874, and seven children whom she reared were named Alvin F., Cathe- rine, Hiram, Mary E., Florilla, John W. and Charles.
John W. Bliss spent his early life much after the manner of other New England boys of that generation, attended the public schools of Lee, and for two years was a student in the Lee Academy.
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When he was seventeen years of age he began an apprenticeship at paper making in the mills of Benton and Garfield, and spent four years in mastering the trade. After a few months' employ- ment with the firm of Kroah and Finney at Lee he went to New- burg, New York, and was in the mills of J. DeWitt Walsh, but then returned to Lee and became foreman in the May and Rogers mills. He was afterwards in the Chaffee and Hamlin mills. In July, 1858, he resigned his position with the latter firm and became foreman of the two mills owned by P. C. Baird. In 1859 he resigned and went to Middlefield, where he bought an interest in the firm of Bulkley Brothers.
From New England, early in 1861, he transferred his interests to Mount Holly, Pennsylvania. However, he soon enlisted in a company of Pennsylvania Reserves, attached to General Nelson's brigade, and was sent South and took part in the campaign under General Buel in Kentucky and Tennessee. From Paducah, Ken- tucky, he went with his command to Fort Henry, and afterwards to Fort Donelson, thence to Nashville, and from there his regi- ment was ordered to Pittsburg Landing. He and his comrades were twenty-five miles away when the roar of cannon an- nounced the progress of the terrific engagement at the Landing, and by a forced march they arrived on the battlefield at night, and fought all the following day. On the evening of the second day in that decisive conflict, Mr. Bliss and his comrades had to sleep in a cornfield. He had no blanket, the ground was frozen, and he lay down on the top of a ridge marking a row of corn, while the depression between the rows was filled with slush and ice. He awoke in the morning sick and delirious, was taken to Covington, Kentucky, and thence to the hospital at Washington, D. C. On enlisting he had signed his name John W. Bliss, but it was written on the roll as John H. Bliss, and under that name he was reported to have been slain at the Battle of Pittsburg Landing.
After remaining in the hospital until partial recovery, he re- ceived an honorable discharge and then returned to his old home in Lee, Massachusetts, where he again resumed employment with the firm of Benton & Garfield as foreman of their paper mill. In 1864 Mr. Bliss bought a mill at Colebrook, Connecticut, formerly owned by S. D. Crosby, and operated it until it was burned in 1868. He rebuilt the mill in 1869 and continued its operations until he removed to Newburg, New York, remaining there during the sum- mer of 1874. From the East he came west to Indiana and at Avilla, in Noble County, bought a hotel. This was a new under- taking, but in January, 1875, he removed with his family to Middle-
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town, Ohio, and after getting them established he left and came to Elkhart, where he entered the employ of Erwin, Upp & Com- pany. In 1876 Mr. Bliss became associated with Abram Upp and built the Elkhart Tissue Paper Mill, of which he was secretary and manager until December, 1877. Having sold, he next bought an interest in the Ball & Sage wagon factory, converted the plant into a paper mill, and he was thus prominently identified with two of the original paper making plants in Elkhart. In December, 1878, he sold his interest in the latter plant and removed to West Point, Cummings County, Nebraska, where he conducted a paper mill two years, and next bought and operated another mill at Blue Rapids, Kansas, for two years. After that for a short time he was located at Niles, Michigan, then at Lawrence, Kansas, and finally returned to Elkhart, which has since been his permanent home.
Mr. Bliss is a popular member of Kane Lodge No. 183, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Aside from his long continued business activities, he has always been interested in musical affairs in every locality where he has lived, and is more than ordinarily gifted in that art. In 1855, when a young man, he took lessons on organ from Professor Emerson of Boston. The agreement was that in addition to a small payment to Professor Emerson for each lesson he was also to play the organ Sundays in the Old South Meeting House of Boston, and he was the organist in that historic church every Sunday for three months. Later he played for ten years in the Colebrook Church, and in almost every place where he has lived he has been church organist.
In 1857 Mr. Bliss married Hannah M. Heath, who was born in Tyringham, Massachusetts, a daughter of Lucian and Lovisa Heath. One son was born to that union, named Charles W. For his second wife Mr. Bliss married Lucia Sage of Colebrook, Connecticut, daughter of Hiram and Lucy Sage. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are both members of the Presbyterian Church. They are the parents of five children : Clarence ; Flora, a teacher in the Central School of Elkhart ; Ellen ; Frank J .; and Lucia C.
CHARLES A. CROOP. One of the oldest and best known families in the southwestern section of Elkhart County has a representative in Charles A. Croop, now assistant secretary of the Elkhart County Trust Company, at Goshen, but best known to the largest number of Elkhart County people through his service a few years ago as county treasurer.
Born in Union Township of Elkhart County, January 26, 1872, Charles A. Croop is a son of Daniel P. and Louisa (Epert) Croop.
ELLEN B. WILLARD
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Daniel P. Croop was born in Erie County, New York, March II, 1839, spent part of his boyhood in New York, and when quite young came to Indiana with his father, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Union Township, where he cleared up some land, hewed a farm out of the wilderness, and for a number of years lived in one of the rude log houses which were so typical as home structures over the landscape of this part of Indiana fifty or sixty years ago. His individual industry was a substantial element in the improvement and development of the county. In 1862 he married Miss Louisa Epert, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, November 16, 1839, and died in November, 1900. She was a splendid wife for a pioneer settler, was a devoted mother, and was widely admired for her many excellent qualities of mind and heart.
Charles A. Croop spent his early boyhood largely in Jackson Township, where he attended the country schools and the public schools at Waterford. His higher education was secured in the normal school at Angola, from which he has the degree Bachelor of Science. Mr. Croop first became known as a productive worker in Elkhart County through the profession of teacher, and for four years served as principal of the Waterford High School. He left the school room to take up the larger field of public affairs, and was appointed and served for three years as deputy under County Treasurer E. E. Drake. At the latter's death, August 13, 1907, he was appointed to fill the vacancy and was elected in the November election for two years. On retiring from the office of county treasurer Mr. Croop became assistant secretary of the Elkhart County Trust Company in 1909, and he has since been one of the group of substantial men who direct the destinies of this large concern.
On August 28, 1901, he married Miss Myrtle E. Clark, a daugh- ter of John and Anna ( Simmons ) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Croop have two children: Anna L. and Clark D. Their home is at 912 South Sixth Street, in the best resident district of Goshen. Politically Mr. Croop is a republican, and for a long period has been one of the active leaders in that party. Fraternally he is affiliated with Calanthe Lodge No. 11 of the Knights of Pythias and with the Knights of the Maccabees.
MRS. ELLEN B. WILLARD. While the science of chiropractic is not altogether new, yet representatives are not numerous in the older states, and as is the case with every progressive movement it has had to encounter prejudice and opposition. More and more it is becoming recognized as deserving a dignified place among the
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older branches of medicine and surgery, and its success as a form of "drugless healing" is becoming more and more pronounced.
The leading chiropractic of Goshen is Mrs. Ellen B. Willard, who is now well established in her profession in that city. Mrs. Willard was born in Noble County, Indiana, December 3, 1864, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Bittings, all of Noble County. Mrs. Doctor Willard received her primary education in the com- mon schools, also attended a select school and a normal school. After an experience here as a private nurse Mrs. Willard became connected with the office of Doctor Ash, acting as special nurse for ten years. She finally attended Ross College at Fort Wayne, where she graduated in the science of chiropractic with high honors, demonstrating ability and intelligence of a high order. After graduating she came to Goshen and opened an office. Her many years' experience as a nurse prior to taking up her present vocation undoubtedly gives her an additional advantage, and because of her thorough capability, she is doing big things for both herself and her patients. Since then she has built up a large practice.
GEORGE W. HATTLE. By reason of his long and successful career as a merchant, George W. Hattle up to the time of his death, which occurred at Goshen, August 19, 1914, held a prominent position in Elkhart County, and was a man whose name and services deserve to be remembered.
He was born in 1844 in Pennsylvania, and was seventy years of age when he passed away. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Lehman) Hattle, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, but were married in Ohio. A great many years ago the family moved to New Paris in Elkhart County, in which locality Jacob Hattle was long engaged in farming. From New Paris he moved to Goshen, established a store, and died in that city in his seventy- ninth year, while his wife passed away in her eighty-sixth year.
The late George W. Hattle spent nearly all his life in Elkhart County, had the advantages of its common schools as a boy, and also went through Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Michigan, but quite early became experienced in business affairs. For a time he con- ducted a general store, later was in the leather business, and for many years handled coal and operated one of the chief coal supply yards in Goshen. He prospered through his business relations, and this prosperity was reflected in his ownership of a large amount of general real estate and business houses, which he left as a large estate at the time of his death.
By his first marriage George W. Hattle was the father of three
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children : John Hattle, now deceased; Edith, wife of W. W. Poyser of Goshen ; and Gertrude, wife of Otis Fuller of Goshen. In 1903 Mr. Hattle married for his second wife Mrs. Mary E. Ellis, widow of Lee Ellis. Her parents were George W. and Phebe ( Yates) Miller, and her father died in 1885 and her mother in 1896. Mrs. Hattle has long enjoyed a substantial position in Goshen society, is a woman of many kindly qualities and active philanthropy, and also has good business judgment, which she requires for looking after her business property in Goshen. At the time of his death the late George W. Hattle had completed a fine residence on East Lincoln Avenue, and that is now the home of Mrs. Hattle.
WALTER CLARENCE DAVIS. The long standing position of Wal- ter C. Davis as a figure in the retail shopping district at Elkhart is an excellent proof of the fine service which can be rendered by the progressive and reliable merchant. His is one of the most complete and best stocked jewelry establishment in Northern Indi- ana. February 22, 1891, was the date that Mr. Davis began business and made his first bid for favor and patronage in Elkhart. For twenty-four years and more his business home has been in one location, at 311 South Main Street. For almost an entire genera- tion the people who live in Elkhart and through their trading there have come to recognize the Davis store as a landmark and as the home of high grade merchandise, where the personal reputation and integrity of the proprietor are behind every sale.
Though for nearly a quarter of a century a jewelry merchant, Mr. Davis was at one time an active farmer and stock breeder and made no little reputation for success in that field. He represents some of the fine old Quaker stock that settled and did most of the pioneer work in the development of Wayne County, Indiana, and Walter C. Davis was born at Dublin in that county September 23, 1858. His parents were Norton and Ellen ( Chamberlin ) Davis. His father was born at Mendon, Monroe County, New York, in 1818, and died at the age of sixty-four in 1882. The mother was born in Henrietta, Monroe County, New York, in. 1821, and died in 1890. Walter C. was the youngest of their six children and the only one now living. Norton Davis was nineteen years of age when he settled in Wayne County, Indiana, and there took up the manufacture of farm implements under the firm name of Davis & Lawrence. He was in that business for about fifteen years, and on selling out bought a farm near Dublin, and living in that town gave his active supervision to stock raising and farming for a number of years. While reared a Quaker, he afterwards became
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a Universalist in religious faith. In his early years he voted with the whig party, and later was a republican, though never a seeker for official honors.
While growing up in Wayne County Walter C. Davis attended the public schools at Dublin and finished his literary training in the Miami Academy at Dayton, Ohio. His first interests and occupation were as a farmer and stockraiser, and he soon became associated in a business partnership with his brother Albert. These two young men had the distinction of being the second parties who engaged, on a systematic and commercial scale, in the breeding of thoroughbred Jersey cattle in the State of Indiana. They suc- ceeded in introducing this splendid stock in many sections of In- diana, and were in active business along that line for ten years. After selling his interests in that industry Mr. Davis engaged in the drug business at Dublin for about three years, and then took up the jewelry business at Cambridge City, Indiana, for about seven years. From Cambridge City he came to Elkhart and established the enterprise with which his name has been so favorably associated for almost a quarter of a century. Besides handling a stock of high class jewelry, his store is headquarters for cut glass and optical goods.
Mr. Davis has always been an interested participant in local affairs, giving his judgment and influence to everything which would make Elkhart a better and greater city, and in 1914 was elected secretary of the school board, an office he still holds. For three years he has served as treasurer of the Century Club, and is one of the working members of that club's public service board. Polit- ically he is a progressive, and fraternally is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Davis is very justly proud of his little family. On Novem- ber 23, 1881, he married Delphia M. Willson. She was also born at Dublin in Wayne County, Indiana, daughter of Christopher Willson, who was a pioneer settler in that county. Mr. Davis has two sons who have already reached some of the creditable distinc- tions as workers in the world. Royden, the older, is now consulting engineer for the Peoples' Gas & Coke Company of Chicago, and by his marriage to Alice Powell of Utica, New York, has one son named John. The younger son, Edward, is an instructor in the electrical engineering department of the University of Minnesota, and by his marriage to Jennie Campbell of Muncie, Indiana, has a daughter named Jane.
CHARLES EDWIN WALLEY. There has never been a time when the proper, dignified, sanitary conduct of funeral obsequies has
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been so complete as at present. Funeral directors and undertakers of the present day in America are no longer mere mechanics, but, on the other hand, are carefully trained in this profession. For more than forty years the name Walley has been identified with undertaking and embalming at Elkhart, the business having been founded here by the father of the present representative of the name. As a funeral director Mr. Walley's reputation is well known all over the northern section of the state, and his skill and learning combined with an innate tact and diplomacy, has given him an established position in his calling.
Born at Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana, June 7, 1866, he is a son of Charles B. and Emil E. ( Russ) Walley. His father was born at Albany, New York, April 3, 1833, received his educa- tion there and was reared to manhood, and in 1854 located at the head of the Great Lakes, taking up his residence at Superior, Wis- consin. A short time later he removed to Mishawaka, Indiana, where he was married in 1860 to Emily E. Ross, who was born in Clinton, New York, November 25, 1838. His home continued to be at Mishawaka until October, 1870, at which time he came to Elkhart and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and was occupied in that way until his death January 1I, 1912. From May, 1886, he was associated with his son under the firm style of C. B. Walley & Son. The late Mr. Walley took an interest in civic affairs and was one of the prominent and influential men of the city and county, serving as a member of the board of county commissioners of Elkhart County and two years as a member of the Elkhart City Council. He was a stanch republican in his political views. He was active also in religious work, and for several years was a warden of St. John's Episcopal Church. Fraternally he was known in Masonry, belonging to Kane Lodge No. 183, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Concord Chapter No. IOI, Royal Arch Masons, and Elkhart Commandery No. 31, Knights Templar. Mrs. Walley, who survives her husband, resides at her comfortable home in Elkhart. Five sons and one daughter were born to her and her husband, of whom the daughter and Charles Edwin, the third born, are the only survivors.
Charles Edwin Walley received his education in the graded and high schools of Elkhart, but in 1883, at the age of seventeen, left high school to learn the undertaking business under the capable preceptorship of his father. In 1900 he graduated from Clark's School of Embalming at Indianapolis, having made a special study of the most modern branches of the art of embalming and under- taking. As already stated, he was admitted to a partnership with
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his father in 1886, at which time the firm of C. B. Walley & Son was founded, and he continued to be associated with his father until the latter's death in 1912, since which time he has conducted the business under his own name. Mr. Walley has officiated at the largest funerals held in this section of Indiana, and has not only the individual qualifications but all the facilities demanded in such work. He maintains a commodious chapel and well equipped morgue, fitted with everything known to the profession for the dignified and reverent care of the dead. His business headquarters are at 314 South Main Street. The only automobile ambulance in Northern Indiana is operated in conjunction with the business, and he also employs an expert lady assistant.
Mr. Walley is a member of Elkhart Lodge No. 425, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and has been its treasurer for four- teen years, Pulaski Lodge No. 60 Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Elkhart Lodge No. 75, Knights of Pythias, of which he was trustee for two years, Elkhart Aerie No. 395, Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he was member of the board of trustees for four years, Lodge No. 599, Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is a charter member, and served as treasurer for two years, Elkhart Camp No. 30, Woodmen of the World, Progress Camp No. 3320, Modern Woodmen of America, the Loyal Neighbors of America, and Lodge No. 154 Northern American Union, of which he was treasurer for two years. He has always been interested in munici- pal matters, is a republican in politics, and has taken an active part in shaping public sentiment when the welfare of the city has been at stake. He was a member of the sinking fund committee of the city of Elkhart, and for the last ten years has been a member of the township advisory board of control.
ALBERT S. MENAUGH. One of the well known figures in realty circles of Goshen, Albert S. Menaugh received his early training as an agriculturist, his boyhood and youth having been passed on his father's homestead and his more mature years on a farm of his own in Elkhart Township. Since 1901, however, he has been a member of the business community of Goshen, where, in addi- tion to the duties of his business he discharges those of the office of secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Aid Association.
Mr. Menaugh was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1859, and is a son of James and Mary (Shutter) Menaugh, also natives of the Keystone State. His father, a car- penter by trade, developed into a contractor and erected many structures in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but in 1881 removed
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with his family to Indiana, in which community he engaged in general farming and stockraising. Later on he removed to Whitley County, Indiana, where he continued his operations in agriculture. and there still makes his home, the mother passing away there in 1892. Mr. Menaugh is a substantial citizen, although now retired from active affairs, and during a long life of industry and honorable dealing has accumulated a satisfying property and gained and re- tained the respect and esteem of the people of his community.
Albert S. Menaugh received his primary education in the public schools of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He then returned to the home farm and resumed his labors in assisting his father, re- maining under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old. At that time he was married and founded a home of his own on a farm of eighty acres, which he had purchased in Elkhart Township, Elkhart County, and which he put under a high state of cultivation. He erected substantial buildings, installed modern improvements of all kinds and developed one of the handsome and valuable farms of the township, on which he continued to make his home until 1901. In the meantime, he had become interested in realty affairs and with a strong faith in the future of the com- munity had invested his holdings in property in the county. His business in this direction grew to such proportions that in 1901 he came to Goshen to devote his entire time and attention to han- dling his properties. He handles real estate, loans and insurance, and has been the medium through which some large transactions have been consummated, his business acumen, judgment and fore- sight, as well as his thorough knowledge of realty values, having attracted to him a large volume of business. In 1909 Mr. Menaugh was made secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Aid Association, one of the solid institutions of Elkhart County, organized forty-five years ago, of which J. J. Zollinger is president. Mr. Menaugh is well established as a business man, is well known in realty affairs, and is thoroughly versed in matters of a business and financial character.
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