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 17
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In the old Empire State was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Dinehart to Miss Chloe Cole, who was born at Prattsburg, Steuben County, New York, on the 16th of December, 1817, and who pre- ceded him to eternal rest by five years, her death having occurred in January, 1896. Mrs. Dinehart was a daughter of Henderson and Betsy ( Parmalee) Cole, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Connecticut. After their marriage Mr. Cole and his wife continued their residence in New York until they set forth on their journey to Indiana, the entire trip having been made with teams and wagons. They were numbered among the first settlers in what is now Concord Township, Elkhart County, where Mr. Cole reclaimed a farm from the wilderness and where he passed the residue of his life. His wife survived him and lived to the venerable age of eighty-seven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Dinehart became the parents of nine children, namely : Orilla, Bessie, Louisa, Samantha, Harmon, Rhoda, Charles, Harvey and Martha. Bessie and Louisa became successful and popular teachers in the schools of this section of the state, and of the children two sons and three daughters are still living. Miss Orilla, who still occupies the old homestead, which is endeared to her by the hallowed memories and associations of the past, remained with her parents until their death and accorded to them in their declining years the deepest filial care and solicitude. She is well known in the city and county that have ever been her home and it is but consistent to say that her circle of friends is limited only by that of her acquaintances. It is through her appreciative considera- tion that the publisher of this history gained the data from which was prepared the brief memoir here presented.
BRICE H. REID. There is a double reason for assigning Brice H. Reid place among the "live wires" of the business community
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at Elkhart. He not only represents those qualities of enterprise which are conveyed in the phrase, but his business itself is closely related with that practical application of the great element out of which has originated the term now employed in a figurative sense to express a particularly live and energetic member of a com- munity. Mr. Reid is the founder and head of the Brice H. Reid Company, electrical contractors, whose headquarters at 211 South Main Street are the leading center for a service in everything electrical.
Elkhart is indebted to the State of Illinois for this progressive business man. Brice H. Reid was born at Chatsworth in Livings- ton County, Illinois, March 26, 1870. His remote ancestors were probably Scotch, but the first of the name came to this country from England as early as 1629. Mr. Reid's parents were William Jackson and Sarah Ann ( Howe) Reid. His father was born in Frederick County, Maryland, January 22, 1831, and died November 23, 1895. On December 4, 1861, he married Miss Howe, who was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, May 7, 1840, and died August 28, 1908. The paternal grandparents were Patrick and Justian (Hahn) Reid. The latter was born in 1792 and died in February, 1848, and William J. was the youngest of their five children, three daughters and two sons. William J. Reid when twelve years of age was bound out to learn the carpenter's trade, and after com- pleting his apprenticeship followed the work as a journeyman in Mississippi and Louisiana, but in 1858 located in Illinois, buying a tract of land from the Illinois Central Railway Company at Onarga in Ford County. After developing his farm interests for several years he removed to the vicinity of Chatsworth in Livingston County, Illinois, and there became the pioneer nurseryman in that section of the state. He did an extensive business in supplying the farmers over a large section of country with selected stock of fruit trees, and finally retired from business in 1887, then locating at Elkhart where he lived until his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, politically acted independently, and though a good business man was noted for his liberality in responding to every demand upon his public spirit. William J. Reid and wife became the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter: Samuel D .; Marcellus; Alice C .; Brice H .; and William C.
Few men have been more completely the architect of their own fortunes than Brice H. Reid. From early boyhood his nature had to express itself in practical work, and this made him naturally restive under the restraints and routine of commonplace school work. When he was ten years of age he left the public schools
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which he had attended at Chatsworth, and found employment at hauling water for a ditching outfit, his main task being to supply the engines with water. Later he was given other responsibilities in connection with the ditching work, and at the age of fifteen was promoted to engineer, and this responsibility probably afforded him more satisfaction than any subsequent success that has come to him. With experience he necessarily realized the handicaps to his future imposed by his lack of educational training, and Mr. Reid ascribes to his devoted mother the greatest credit for his real education. His mother had been a school teacher, and when he was about fifteen years of age she took charge of his studies and gave him a careful instruction and training in the common branches and in some of the high school studies.
It was on the 3rd of July, 1885, Mr. Reid left home as his own master. Going to Chicago, he arrived at Elkhart, Indiana, on the 4th of July, and his first work here was as newsboy on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway. In November, 1887, he formed a more satisfactory connection with the C. G. Conn Musical Instrument Manufactory, and was with that local firm at Elkhart until July, 1893. He then became associated with F. A. Buescher, manufacturer of jewelry specialties, and subse- quently became superintendent of the factory, which at times employed as many as two hundred people.
Resigning his position as superintendent in 1903 Mr. Reid engaged in business for himself under the name Brice H. Reid Company, electrical contractor, about 1910 the firm was incorpo- rated, the two other incorporators being Mrs. Anna J. Reid and Clyde E. Ingerson. This company's motto is to furnish a thorough service in everything comprehended under the term electrical con- tracting. Its work ranges from such a small matter as the repair or installation of an electric switch to handling some of the largest jobs in the lighting and installing of power for large factories and buildings. The contract for wiring the new city hall at Elkhart and the Superior Court Building was awarded to this firm, and it also put in the light and power plant for the Conn Musical Instrument factory, and did the electrical installation work in the Goshen court house, the Elkhart High School Building, the Jefferson Theater, the Bucklen Theater and a list of smaller contracts too numerous to mention. The firm also installed many of the elaborate electric signs in Elkhart. The general range of the service can be described by the following topics : power installation, house wiring, electric supplies, gas and electric fixtures, fan motors, power motors, elec- tric fans, storage batteries, battery charging, electric automobiles, heating devices and vacuum cleaners.
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The company has membership in the Society for Electrical Development, Incorporated, of New York, and in the National Elec- trical Contractors' Association, the Indiana Electrical Contractors' Association, and Mr. Reid is also a member of the Jovian Order, which was organized at St. Louis March 15, 1910, and is made up of dealers in electrical goods.
The success of his business career has been accompanied with a corresponding interest in local affairs. In November, 1913, he was elected city councilman at large and is still one of the most progressive members of the city government. Fraternally he is affiliated with Kane Lodge No. 183, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons; Concord Chapter No. 101, Royal Arch Masons; Elkhart Council No. 70, Royal and Select Masters ; Elkhart Commandery No. 31, Knights Templar; and Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis.
On July 21, 1891, Mr. Reid married Miss Anna J. Bender. She was born at Elkhart, a daughter of Jefferson and Mary (Tur- nock) Bender.
CHARLES A. AITKEN. A resident of Goshen since 1892, and during a large part of that time connected with public affairs in Elkhart County, Charles A. Aitken is now serving in the capacity of deputy county clerk. His record both as a citizen and as an official is an honorable one and among his fellow citizens he enjoys the reputation of being a promoter of public-spirited and beneficial movements.
Mr. Aitken was born October 14, 1875, at Bristol, Washington Township, Elkhart County, Indiana, and is a son of Dr. Frederick F. and Margaret (Rough) Aitken. Andrew Aitken, the grand- father of Charles A. Aitken, was a pioneer of Indiana, coming here in 1850, and married Elizabeth Romaine, who was born in 1814 and died in 1904, aged ninety years. Dr. Frederick F. Aitken was born in the city of Buffalo, New York, in 1846, and was four years of age when brought to Indiana. He received his early education in this state, and early displayed a predilection for medicine. With some preparation, he entered Irwin Bellevue Hos- pital, New York City, from which institution he was duly gradu- ated with his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1872, and at that time returned to Indiana and entered upon the practice of his profession at Bristol, where he became one of the leading physi- cians and surgeons of Elkhart County and continued in the enjoy- ment of a large and lucrative practice until the time of his retire- ment. He belonged to the various organizations of his profession and was held in high repute by his fellow-practitioners.
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Charles A. Aitken received his primary education in the public schools of Bristol, and after his graduation from the Bristol High School went to Chicago, where he took a course in the business branches at the Metropolitan Commercial College. With this prep- aration, he returned to Goshen and a short time thereafter was appointed deputy county auditor under George Milburn, continuing to act in that capacity from 1892 until 1896. At the expiration of that time he was employed by the Thomas Albright Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of Hydraulic presses and machinery and continued with that concern until 1911. In the fall of 1910 he became the candidate of the democratic party for the office of county clerk of Elkhart County and, being elected, took charge of the duties of that office in January, 1911, and discharged them capably and faithfully until January, 1915. He was then succeeded by the present incumbent, County Clerk George H. Rimpler, who had formerly been Mr. Aitken's deputy, and who appointed Mr. Aitken to his present position as deputy county clerk. His official life has been one which has gained him the confidence of the public and in which he has contributed materially to the welfare of the community.
Mr. Aitken was married June 1, 1897, to Miss Orleeta Soute- nour, of Goshen, a daughter of John Soutenour, a well known resident of the city. They have had no children. Mr. Aitken is a member of Calantha Lodge No. 41, Knights of Pythias, of the National Union and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has many friends in fraternal circles. His fine new home, with its attractive surroundings, is located at No. 511 South Fifth Street.
LORENZO D. HALL. This well known lawyer at Elkhart belongs to a family that has been closely identified with Northern Indiana since pioneer times. Mr. Hall has practiced law continuously at Elkhart for the past fifteen years, and prior to entering the law was a successful teacher. For several years he lived in the Northwest.
Born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, November 26, 1868, he is a son of Sylvester and Harriet ( Landis) Hall. His father was born in Knox County, Ohio, in October, 1825, and died in 1911. He first married Marie Swihart, who died September 7, 1855, the mother of five children, three sons and two daughters, three of whom are still living. His second wife, Harriet Landis, was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1831, and died in 1904. She became the mother of six children, all of whom are still living. Lorenzo being the youngest. Mr. Hall's paternal grandparents were Isaac and
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Prudence Hall, who came to Indiana in 1837, locating three miles west of Milford in Kosciusko County, where they were among the very early settlers and the grandfather helped to clear up a tract of wild land. Sylvester Hall was about twelve years of age when the family removed from Ohio to Indiana, gained most of his early edu- cation in the primitive schools conducted in Kosciusko County dur- ing the late '30s and '40s, and as a business man became a con- tractor and builder. He put up many of the homes on Elkhart Prairie and in Waterford Township during the early days, but about 1860 located on his farm near the old homestead in Kosciusko County, and spent nearly all the rest of his life in farming. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, and in politics was first a whig and later a republican.
Lorenzo D. Hall worked for his education and for everything else he has gained in this world. After attending the public schools of Kosciusko County, he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, where he completed the literary and scien- tific course with the class of 1891. At the age of nineteen he took up teaching as a profession, beginning in Kosciusko County, and for seven years he was numbered among the successful educators in that locality. In 1891 he removed to Bozeman, Montana, taught about one year there, and then became principal of the schools at Virginia City, Montana, a position he held until 1895. Then returning to Indiana he re-entered the Northern Indiana Normal College, in the law school, and was graduated LL.B. in 1897. He gained admittance to the local and state courts of Indiana and the federal courts, but did not at that time take up practice here, return- ing to Virginia City, Montana, where he was admitted to the courts of that state, and practiced law there for about two years. In August, 1899, he returned to Indiana, and has since enjoyed a large and growing general practice as an attorney at Elkhart. In 1914 Mayor Smith appointed him city attorney for Elkhart. He be- longs to the Elkhart County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose in Lodge No. 599, and also with the Knights of the Maccabees of the World. In politics he is progressive.
On January 2, 1901, Mr. Hall married Miss Luella K. Gainan, who was born in Virginia City, Montana. They are the parents of three children, Robert Bruce, Edna Elizabeth and Kathryn Joy.
ERASTUS R. ZIMMERMAN, M. D. The medical profession of Elkhart County has always been noted for the excellent attainments and high character of its members, and in the ranks of the active
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practitioners of the day are men whose ability place them among the best of the profession in the state. Among the younger physicians and surgeons at Elkhart is Doctor Zimmerman, who is perhaps best known professionally as a specialist in diseases of the ear, nose and throat. His career since locating at Elkhart some five years ago has been marked by expert qualifications and success- ful work. His offices are at 109 West Lexington Street in Elkhart.
The ancestry of Doctor Zimmerman is traced back in America to men of that name who came to this country prior to the Revolu- tionary war. One of his ancestors was Emanuel Zimmerman, who was a gallant soldier of the Revolutionary war. Through his mother Doctor Zimmerman traces his ancestry to the family of John Quincy Adams. Doctor Zimmerman was born at Medina, Orleans County, New York, July 22, 1878, a son of Lyman Franklin and Mary (Snyder) Zimmerman. His father was born in Niagara County, New York, March 10, 1842, and his mother in the same county, July 11, 1844, and they were married May 27, 1867. Their five children are: Edward F .; Laura, wife of John LeValley ; Louise, wife of W. J. Hammond; Erastus R .; and Mary, who died in infancy.
Doctor Zimmerman's father, who is now living retired at Medina, New York, has had a most interesting career, first as a soldier dur- ing the Civil War, and later as a business man. He began life with a public school education and learned the cigar maker's trade and set up in business as a tobacconist at Medina. During his twenty- first year he enlisted August 20, 1862, in the Seventeenth New York Independent Volunteer Battery, going out for three years, or during the war. He was mustered in at Lockport, New York, August 27th, and most of his service was with the armies of the Potomac and the James, and also on detached service at Fort Fisher. In December, 1864, he left Fort Fisher and joined the Army of the James on February 22, 1865. He was with that command of Union troops up to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. He was mustered out June 26, 1865, at Richmond, Virginia, and soon afterward returned to Rochester and then to Medina, New York. He has some interesting recollections of the memorable scene of the surrender of General Lee to General Grant. It will be recalled that that surrender took place under an apple tree at Appomattox. Soon afterward Mr. Zimmerman and his comrade, A. D. Hevener, started for the scene for the purpose of getting a piece of the apple tree to keep as a souvenir. On arriving at the spot they found only a hole in the ground, since many others, ani- mated by a like desire, had taken out the tree, roots and all, and Vol. II-11
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divided it as momentoes of the occasion. Disappointed in their original plan, he and his companion, who was also a cigar maker, set up an impromptu cigar factory in the hole where the tree had stood, and securing a supply of tobacco, started to make cigars, which they readily retailed, on account of the historic flavor which came from the surroundings where they were manufactured, at twenty-five cents apiece. They did a rushing business, and refused to make change in case they were tendered more than a quarter for the cigar. In a short time they sold about one hundred and fifty dollars worth of cigars, and Mr. Zimmerman kept two of the cigars for himself. One of these is now owned by his son, Doctor Zimmer- man, while the other one is in the possession of the noted writer, George Kennan.
After returning home at Medina, New York, Lyman F. Zim- merman was engaged as a bookkeeper in a hardware store, later for about two years was with the Merchant Milling Company at Shelby Center, New York, and for eight years was a bookkeeper in the Union Bank at Medina. He then engaged in the general insurance business, also operated a farm, and conducted an evaporating plant. From these activities he finally retired May 1, 1912. He has served as a probation officer at Medina since 1884. He is a member of Hood Post No. 91, Grand Army of the Republic at Medina.
The little City of Medina in New York State was the early home of Doctor Zimmerman, and after graduating from the local high school he entered the University of Michigan in the department of homeopathy in the medical school, and was graduated M. D. with the class of 1903. Doctor Zimmerman began practice at Waterloo, and remained there from 1904 to 1910, at which date he came to Elkhart. His particular abilities and experience had led him more and more into practice as a specialist in diseases of the ear, nose and throat, though he also looks after a general practice.
Doctor Zimmerman is a member of the Elkhart Academy of Medicine, the Indiana State Medical Association and fraternally is affiliated with Kane Lodge No. 183, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Concord Chapter No. 101, Royal Arch Masons ; Elkhart Commandery No. 31, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically is independent.
On June 15, 1904, soon after beginning his practice as a physi- cian, Doctor Zimmerman married Miss Carlie Calahan. She was born in LaGrange County, Indiana, and died June 26, 1913. She is survived by two daughters : Helen and Eunice.
GEORGE W. CRAMER. Out in Concord Township a homestead that gives indubitable evidence of prosperity and the comforts which
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are more and more coming to be associated with rural life is that owned by George W. Cramer and his good wife. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cramer come of pioneer stock. The Cramers were especially early in becoming identified with that interesting and historic section of old Ohio known as Stark County. Mrs. Cramer is a member of the Cripe family, which has a very numerous relationship in Elkhart County, and has been identified with this section of Indiana since the Indians and the white settlers mingled together on the prairies and in the woods and in numbers there was little disparity between the red and the white population.
It was in Stark County, Ohio, that George W. Cramer was born. His birth occurred in Nimishillon Township on December 22, 1843. He has lived a long and industrious life, filled with much good work both for those dependent upon him and for the benefit of the communities where he has successively resided. His father was John H. Cramer, who was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1818. The grandfather, Henry Cramer, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was either of German or of Holland ancestry. Henry Cramer was reared and was married in Penn- sylvania, and lived there until the year 1818, when he loaded his household possessions upon wagons, and with teams of horses or oxen he went across the rough intervening country and by means of rude trails and highways to Northeastern Ohio. He was one of the many settlers who about that time were attracted to Stark County. It was nearly a century ago, and while Ohio had been a state for about a dozen years, but the greater part of its land was still in a wilderness condition. This was particularly true of all the northern half of Ohio, including Stark County, where the Cramer family established their home in the wilderness, when land could be purchased at will from the government and in great quan- tities, and at a small price, and when wild game of all kinds was in abundance. Henry Cramer bought a tract of timbered land twelve miles north of Canton in the locality known as Hartville. He built a log cabin and literally hewed a farm out of the wilderness. That was his home until his death. His place was on the main road leading from Cleveland to Cincinnati. His settlement there of course antedated railroad building or the construction of canals or any other permanent highways. In the early days the only means of transportation between the two cities which are now the largest in the state was by teams and wagons, and there was almost a con- stant procession of vehicles back and forth before the Cramer home- stead. After some years Henry Cramer replaced his log house with a commodious frame building, put up large stable quarters, and
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operated a hotel or an inn, which supplied comfort for man and beast and was a noted place of public entertainment along the great central thoroughfare. As a stage station it was known far and wide as Midway.
John H. Cramer was one of three sons, the other two being Andrew and Samuel. John H. was just about six months of age when the family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio. He grew up amid the pioneer scenes of Stark County and had many interesting associations and recollections concerning the old farm and the inn along the highway just mentioned. He lived in the vicinity of Mas- sillon, Ohio, as a farmer from 1850 to 1855, and then, accompanied by his family, he came west to LaGrange County, Indiana. He became a settler and located in Eden Township of LaGrange County, where he bought 120 acres of timbered land. There he put up a cabin of round logs, and rived clapboards to cover the roof. With many changes and improvements resulting from his labor and management, he continued to live there until 1883. Most of the land was cleared before he left it and there were excellent buildings for the shelter of the family and for the care and keeping of grain and stock. After selling his farm in LaGrange County John H. Cramer moved to Noble County and bought a farm on which he lived ten years, and then sold out and removed to the City of Goshen, where he lived retired until his death in his eighty-ninth year. John H. Cramer married Christina Bixler, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of David L. Bixler, also a native of that state. David L. Bixler married a Miss Markley, also a native of Pennsylvania. The Bixler family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and also became pioneers in Stark County where David L. and wife spent their last years. Mrs. John H. Cramer died in 1864 at the age of sixty-five. She reared nine children, namely: George W., Uriah, David L., Elizabeth, Susie, Mary, Emma, Lida and Ida.
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