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 18

Author: Weaver, Abraham E
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 626

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 18

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Even within the recollection of George W. Cramer not all the pioneer conditions had disappeared from Stark County when he was a boy. He attended some pioneer schools in LaGrange County. Indiana, being about twelve years of age when the family located in this section of Indiana. As soon as strength permitted, he was wielding an ax in the clearing of the forest, and following a plow in tilling the soil. At the age of twenty-one he began an independent career as a farmer. He made his start on rented land in Eden Township of LaGrange County. After his marriage he lived on his father-in-law's place and operated it on shares for two years, and from there came to Elkhart County and for nine years was a renter in Clinton Township. Then returning to LaGrange County.

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he bought forty acres in Eden Township, but sold out after two years, and returning to Elkhart County again became a renter, and had the management of one or two farms on the beautiful Elk- hart prairie until 1891.

As an agriculturist Mr. Cramer has had a varied experience, and has lived not only in Ohio and Indiana but in states further west. In 1891 he went out to Kansas and spent two years in Mc- Pherson County. On the opening of the Cherokee Strip of Okla- homa in the fall of 1893, he joined in the historic rush for claims, and was fortunate enough to secure a homestead. He lived on his land, improved it, put up good buildings, worked with his fellow citizens in establishing new homes and institutions and improve- ments, and remained a resident of Oklahoma Territory and Okla- homa State seventeen years.

About five years ago Mr. Cramer returned to Elkhart County and bought an improved farm in Concord Township four miles southeast from the City of Elkhart. That is his present place of residence, and it is his intention that he and his good wife shall pass the remainder of their lives in that locality. At the age of twenty- one Mr. Cramer married Sarah Longcor. She was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County, a daughter of Silas and Sarah Longcor. Mrs. Cramer died in 1885.

Mrs. George W. Cramer was born in Clinton Township of Elk- hart County, and her maiden name was Annie Cripe. As already stated, she belonged to the noted Cripe family that has had so im- portant a part in the development of Elkhart County since pioneer times and which is represented now by such a numerous relationship in this and other localities of Northern Indiana. Her father, Sol- onion Cripe, was born in Clinton Township in 1836, a son of Samuel Cripe, Jr., who was born in Pennsylvania, and a grandson of Daniel Cripe, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. Daniel Cripe moved west to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was an early pioneer, and after improving a farm there he finally sold out and in 1830 established a home in Indiana as one of the early settlers of Elk- hart County. He was the first Dunkard preacher in the county, and therefore was a leader of that important colony of religious people who have since been so prominent a factor in the county's history. Daniel Cripe died in Elkhart County at the age of eighty- four.

Samuel Cripe, grandfather of Mrs. Cramer, came to Elkhart County in 1829 and bought a tract of timbered land near Goshen, to the clearing and cultivation of which he gave his best attention for many years. He was one who could in every sense of the term be

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regarded as a pioneer, both in time and in the influence in Elkhart County. He secured land from the government, improved a farmi and was so successful that he was able to give an eighty-acre tract to each of his seventeen children. All this he accomplished before his death at the early age of sixty-two. Three of his children were by a first marriage and fourteen by his second wife. His second wife, the grandmother of Mrs. Cramer, was named Susan. In the early days she was an old time housewife of extraordinary industry and activity, and carded, spun and wove cloth from flax or wool and dressed her children in homespun. In fact, she knew all the arts and accomplishments of the pioneer housewife. The eleven sons of Samuel Cripe were named Benjamin, Jacob, Daniel, Joseph, Levi, Emanuel, Noah, David, Tobias, Solomon and Aaron. The daughters were Catherine, Susan, Martilene, Fannie, Polly and Betsey. From these children are descended the many members of the Cripe family found in Elkhart and other counties of Indiana and many other states.

Mrs. Cramer's father, Solomon Cripe, has spent all his active life in farming and now lives retired in Goshen. The maiden name of his first wife was Priscilla Monroe, who was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, daughter of William and Rachel ( Knight ) Monroe, natives of Virginia and pioneers of DeKalb County. Mrs. Cramer's mother died in 1873, and her father married for his second wife Catherine Cripe. His six children were all by his first marriage and their names were: Rachel Ann, Samantha Jane, James M., Arminta, Ida and William H.

While Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have no children of their own, they took charge of a three weeks' old baby girl and reared and educated her. Though they never legally adopted the daughter, she took their family name, and was known as Jennie Cramer before her marriage to Mr. John Riley. Mr. and Mrs. Riley now live in Kansas City, Missouri.

EDWARD B. ZIGLER. During his practice as a lawyer at Elkhart for more than eighteen years Edward B. Zigler has combined a thorough knowledge of the law with a practical ability as a business man and has been most successful in handling legal matters con- nected with business organization and has taken an active part in the establishment and direction of several local concerns.

Born on his father's farm in Jefferson Township of Elkhart County April 24, 1875. Edward B. Zigler is of one of the oldest and most honored families in this section of Northern Indiana. About 1838 his grandfather Benjamin Zigler, who was a native of

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Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, brought his family out to Elkhart County, locating in Jefferson Township, where on eighty acres of timbered land he literally hewed a home out of the wilderness and for several years lived in one of the typical log cabins which were the mansions of that period. In 1853 he sold his farm in Jackson Township and moved to Jefferson Township, where he died at the age of seventy. He was a very capable farmer and an exceedingly useful member of the community. He was a trustee of Jefferson Township, voted the democratic ticket as long as he lived, and was of the Lutheran faith. Benjamin Zigler married Mary A. Wagner who was also born in Lebanon County, Penn- sylvania, and who died in Elkhart Township at the advanced age of eighty-two. Their children were: Elizabeth Judia, David, Henry, Louisa, Shonp, Andrew, Jonathan, Mary Jane and Sarah C. Kessler.

The parents of the Elkhart attorney are Andrew and Lovina (Ricks) Zigler. They are both still living, in good health in spite of advanced years, and have their home on a comfortable rural estate of five acres in a recently built bungalow near Elkhart City. Andrew Zigler was born in Jackson Township of Elkhart County August 9, 1845, and has already passed the age of three score and ten. Part of his education came from the schools at Goshen, and in early life he alternately taught school and farmed. His wife, whom he married in 1866, was born in Allen County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Eliza A. ( Stockham) Ricks, and has lived in Elkhart County since she was four years of age, when her family located here. For two years after his marriage Andrew Zigler continued farming and teaching in St. Joseph County, then located on a farm three miles north of Goshen in Jefferson Township, but subsequently bought eighty-four acres in the same township which he sold in 1900. In 1901 he bought a farm in section 26 of Cleve- land township, but is now retired from active farming. While a resident of Jefferson he served as assessor nine years, and in 1904 was elected trustee of Cleveland Township. For many years his has been an honored name in Elkhart County. He and his wife had three children: Carry, now deceased, who married George Stauffer ; Ira Elbert, who has long been identified with the Elkhart postoffice ; and Edward B.

Edward B. Zigler spent his boyhood on his father's farm, attended the public schools, and for several years was a teacher in the country districts. He finished his education in the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso, now Valparaiso University, and on March 8, 1898, was admitted to the bar. For several years

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Mr. Zigler practiced alone in Elkhart and on January 1, 1901, became the partner of the present judge of the Superior Court, James L. Harman, under the firm name of Harman & Zigler. This has been his only important partnership association, and after four and a half years it was dissolved and he has since conducted a large individual practice, has handled cases in all the courts of Indiana, and in general ability ranks with the best attorneys of Northern Indiana. Mr. Zigler has helped to organize many manufacturing industries, and at the present time is vice president of the Wheat Paper Company, manufacturers of paper; is director in the Twin City Grocery Company, a wholesale business; is interested in the Metzgen Register Company, and in a number of other local enter- prises.

He is a member of the City and County Bar Associations, of the Century Club, the Columbia Club at Indianapolis, is president of the Elkhart Automobile Club, and fraternally is identified with Elkhart Lodge No. 425 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Elkhart Lodge No. 75 of the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America.

In political circles Mr. Zigler has long been known as one of the stanchest upholders of the republican party in Elkhart County. Dur- ing the campaign of 1912 he was county chairman. On November 27, 1895, he married Miss Maude E. Rice, who was born in Goshen, daughter of Daniel and Emma (Mills) Rice. The parents were both born in Stark County. Ohio, and her father died at the age of fifty-six and her mother is now living at Elkhart. Mrs. Zigler was fourth in a family of five children, only two of whom are now living. Mr. Zigler and wife have one son, Arthur Edward, who is now eighteen years of age, and having completed his work in the public schools and a preparatory course at St. John's Military Academy at Delafield, Wisconsin, is a student of law in the Uni- versity of Michigan.

TIMOTHY H. HOLDEMAN. Among the business men of Elkhart, Timothy H. Holdeman, of the firm of Brusman & Holdeman, has been known for about fifteen years. Entering business after a career in teaching, in 1901, he soon won the esteem and respect of all with whom his business brought him into contact, and from that time to the present his popularity has steadily increased. He may be said to be the fortunate possessor of just those qualities which are essential to success in any line of endeavor, and, having had long experience in his present line, understands thoroughly the needs of his customers and spares no efforts to please them and to mect their wishes in every regard.

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Mr. Holdeman is a native son of Elkhart County, born Decem- ber 27. 1873, his parents being Christian N. and Harriet (Gongeer) Holdeman. His father, born in 1848 in Ohio, was brought to Indiana as a child by his parents and secured his education in the public schools of Wakarusa, Elkhart County. A bright and alert scholar, with a retentive mind and energetic nature, he began teach- ing school when only seventeen years of age, and followed that voca- tion for eight or nine years in the country and village districts of Elkhart County. From his youth he had been a lover of fine horses, and when he had accumulated sufficient capital settled on a farm in Elkhart County and engaged in breeding carriage horses, as well as thoroughbred cattle and fine sheep and hogs. In this occupation he continued until his death at the age of sixty- four years, in February, 1912. Mr. Holdeman was a republican, but was an unassuming man, not inclined to push himself forward, and never cared for the honors of public office. He and his wife were consistent and liberal members of the Mennonite Church. Mrs. Holdeman, who was born in Elkhart County in 1842, died in 1886, the mother of seven children, of whom five survive, Timothy H. being the second in order of birth.

Timothy H. Holdeman was given good educational advantages in his youth, attending the Elkhart County public schools, the Normal University at Valparaiso and the Business College at Elk- hart. Following in the footsteps of his father, when he was eighteen years old he engaged in teaching school in the country districts of Elkhart County, and during the ten years he was so engaged became known as one of the most popular and efficient educators in this locality. During this time he had accumulated some capital, and when he gave up teaching engaged in business with William H. Brusman, under the style of Brusman & Holdeman. The firm deals in coal, coke, lime, cement, plaster, face brick, common brick and building blocks, with a large patronage both at Elkhart and in the surrounding towns and villages, and maintains an office and yard at 330 South Main Street. Mr. Holdeman is independent in his political views and has had no experience in public life. With his family, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His business relations have brought him into contact with a large circle of acquaintances, and among them he has a large number of warm friends. A man who is alive to the best good of the community, and in touch with all movements which are designed to promote the public welfare, his success is most creditable, resulting from well directed and honorable effort, and he well deserves his prosperity and the regard in which he is held.

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In 1895 Mr. Holdeman was united in marriage with Miss Flora E. Cook, who was born in Saint Joseph County, Indiana, and they are the parents of one son: Lowell A.

LEVI ROWE, who now lives retired in Elkhart, has been a life- long resident of Elkhart County, and for a great many years was a successful contractor in plaster work.

He comes of pioneer stock in Elkhart County and was born on a farm in Concord Township November 12, 1850. His father was Henry Rowe, who was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in 1815. The grandfather was John Rowe, a native of the same locality. John Rowe's father lived in Pennsylvania when the people had to fight to maintain their homes against the Indians and other enemies, and he was killed by a band of Indians in the early days. Grandfather John Rowe spent all his life in Snyder County.

Henry Rowe was the founder of the family in Elkhart County, to which locality he moved when a young man and settled in Con- cord Township. After his marriage he began housekeeping in a log house and improved a goodly tract of land and made it valuable not only for its cultivation but also on account of a group of sub- stantial buildings. Late in life Henry Rowe sold this farm for $100 per acre and after that lived retired until his death at the age of eighty-six. The maiden name of his wife was Harriet Bickel. She was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew Bickel, who, a native of the same state, moved first to Stark County, Ohio, where he improved a farm and about 1843 he brought his family to Elkhart County and acquired a tract of land in Concord Township. Andrew Bickel spent the rest of his days in Concord Township, and was very successful as a farmer and business man, and gave to each of his children eighty acres of land. Mrs. Henry Rowe died in 1858, leaving four children named Laura, James, Levi and Samuel.

Levi Rowe married Abbie A. Ulrich, who was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Valentine and Rebecca (Stuck) Ulrich. Her grandfather was John Ulrich, who lived to be ninety- nine years of age. The Ulrich family came to Elkhart County in the early days and bought a home in Concord Township, where Valentine and Rebecca Ulrich spent the rest of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Levi Rowe reared three children named Herbert, Dora and Ernest.

HERBERT A. ROWE. This native son of the City of Elkhart here has held for the past twenty years the office of superintendent of

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the Home Telephone Company, and in this connection he has the distinction of having served for a longer consecutive period than any other superintendent of an independent telephone company in the United States, his punctilious care of all details, his thorough technical knowledge and his admirable executive ability having made his administration significantly effective in bringing the service of the local telephone company up to the highest standard.

Mr. Rowe was born in the City of Elkhart on the Ist of Sep- tember, 1873, the eldest in a family of four children, three of whom are living. He is a son of Levi and Abbie A. (Ulrich) Rowe. The parents of Mr. Rowe have maintained their home in Elkhart for more than forty years and his father is now retired from active business, having been for many years a successful contracting plasterer in this city. He has been at all times deeply interested in all that concerns the well-being of the community and is numbered among the stalwart adherents of the republican party.

The public schools of Elkhart afforded to Herbert A. Rowe his early educational advantages, and the discipline thus acquired was supplemented by a thorough course in electrical engineering, this course having been taken through the medium of a leading corres- pondence school.

Mr. Rowe's initial experience in connection with practical elec- trical work was gained through service of about three years as a lineman in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany. Thereafter he was similarly engaged for one year with the Bell Telephone Company, and he next served about two years as lineman for the Elkhart Electric Light Company. Since 1895 he has held his present position of superintendent of the Home Tele- phone Company of Elkhart, and thus he has rounded out a score of years of effective service in this capacity.

Progressive and liberal as a citizen, Mr. Rowe is not constrained by strict partisan lines in politics and gives his support to men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment, without defining for himself any specific political affiliation. He served for some time as a member of the city fire department of Elkhart and is still actively identified with the Firemen's Benevolent Association. He is affiliated with Elkhart Lodge, No. 425, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and with Court Elkhart, No. 4403, Independent Order of Foresters, of which organization he served for several terms as treasurer.

On the 8th of May, 1900, Mr. Rowe wedded Miss Mary A. Witmer, who was born at Waterloo, Province of Ontario, Canada. They have no children.

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ANTHONY DEAHL. There are many elements which work for success in life, in the best sense of the word, but none can assure it without industry-quiet, persistent, ambitious industry. No matter what degree of talent may be present or rare mental equipment, industry must be the chosen companion. Often necessity is the spur that arouses this helpful factor and this was the case in the circum- stances and environment by which one man of unusual quality at Goshen, Indiana, was moulded. Reference is made to Anthony Deahl, now president of the Salem Bank, of Goshen, a recognized leader of the Elkhart County bar and so usefully connected with public affairs that his place is with the foremost citizens of Goshen. A self-made man, Mr. Deahl's advance to professional prominence and financial standing is due to unflagging industry.

Anthony Deahl was born at Millersburg, Elkhart County, Indiana, in September, 1861, a momentous period in the life of the country. His parents were Jacob and Margaret ( Hoffman ) Deahl, the former of whom was born in Hesse Castle, Germany, November 23, 1817, and the latter in Luxemberg, in February, 1822. Jacob Deahl came to the United States in 1850 and located in Elkhart County, Indiana, where he was married October 11, 1859, to Mar- garet Hoffman, who had come to Indiana in 1852. He was a car- penter and contractor during his active years and died April 26, 1900, his wife surviving until June 30, 1903. They were parents of three children : Anthony, B. F. and Mary, the last named being the wife of James H. Rogers, of Goshen.

The school advantages enjoyed by Anthony Deahl in boyhood and youth were limited to three months during the winter season each year. He assisted on the home farm and also learned the carpenter trade but neither agriculture nor mechanical skill satisfied his ambition, hence it was particularly gratifying when, through pri- vate application to his school books, he successfully passed the examination and was given a teacher's certificate. For a number of terms he proved capable in the school room, not only succeeding in making study interesting and profitable to his pupils but also in curbing what, in his day, was the usual concomitant of a country school, a rebellious and disorderly clement. His entire attitude brought to him approbation and general support and in looking back over this trying period, Mr. Deahl, from his present standpoint, can feel justifiably proud of what he accomplished and believes that the discipline also did him good and, in a way, prepared him to face bravely the later problems of life. In 1881 he began to teach in the country schools and in 1883 became an educator at Millers- burg, subsequently becoming principal of the Millersburg schools, in which position he continued for seven years.

Yours truly Chethong Kleall.

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During his long period of educational work at Millersburg, twenty-five terms in all, Mr. Deahl continued his own studies, direct- ing them particularly to the law and in the fall of 1889 entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, to complete his law course, and on June 26, 1890, was graduated with honors, having taken the two years' course in one, being the only member of a class of 300 who assumed such a burden. Imme- diately after receiving his coveted and well won degree, Mr. Deahl returned to Indiana and opened a law office at Goshen and this city has remained the scene of his efforts and his unusual professional success. In 1896 his brother B. F. Deahl became a partner in the business, the firm of Deahl & Deahl being then established, and this firm has long been regarded as one of the most honorable, re- liable and able in Elkhart County. Mr. Deahl has served as special judge in the Circuit Court in this district and was admitted to the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana on January 18, 1910, and on the same day was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. His first experience in the law was while teaching at Mil- lersburg, when he was elected a justice of the peace and also was town clerk for six years. On several subsequent occasions, his democratic friends have insisted on his candidacy for public office, in 1894 for representative and in 1900 for senatorial honors, and in each campaign his personal popularity was shown by the heavy vote he carried from the republican ranks. Not as a politician or office holder, however, has Judge Deahl made a lasting impression upon his day and times in Elkhart County. His professional suc- cess, his large and legitimate business interests, his recognized char- acter based on truth and justice, his civic consciousness which has made him public spirited and helpful and his unselfish and thought- ful care for those whom he, in business or private life, feels in any way responsible, entitle him to that regard that is almost universally his from those who, in many cases, have known him for more or less his entire life.

On June 11, 1882, Judge Deahl was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Rogers, and they have three sons : Floyd, who was born July 15, 1883; Ray, June 5, 1886; and Orlo, September 30, 1801, the two elder sons completing their course in law in the University of Michigan but under much easier conditions than did their father. During a part of the year the Goshen residence is occupied but the summer season usually finds a cottage situated in beautiful seclusion on the bank of Wawasee Lake, the family home.

Patience, calmness and cool judgment are the marks of useful. superior people wherever they are found, and these characteristics

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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 18

Author: Weaver, Abraham E Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : The American Historical Society Number of Pages: 626

Author: Weaver, Abraham E
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 626