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 7
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Mr. Bradford was married in 1870 to Miss Loretta Powell, who was born, reared and educated in Steuben County, New York, daugh- ter of Miles and Asenith Powell, and to this union there has been
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born one son: Miles P., who is engaged in business with his father, as mentioned, and is an energetic and capable business man. Miles P. Bradford married Miss Alta Larrimer, and they are the parents of two sons: William A. and Joseph M. Abram M. Bradford is a republican in his political views, but has taken only a good citizen's interest in politics, and has confined his public services to a helpful participation in those movements which have assisted civic develop- ment and civic pride. His home is at No. 612 Emerson Street.
GEORGE MUTSCHLER. In the death of George Mutschler, which occurred at Goshen, Indiana, November 18, 1911. passed away one of the men whose work and influence had been most conspicuous in the development of Goshen as a manufacturing center and as a civic community. He became identified with Millersburg shortly after the Civil war, in which he made a gallant record as a soldier. He was a hard worker, a good manager of men, a keen and resource- ful business man, and was faithful and efficient in the performance of his civic responsibilities.
Born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 28, 1839, he was about fourteen years of age when, in 1854, with the training of German schools and with good habits and industrious nature, but without other capital, he set out alone to cross the Atlantic and find his fortune in the New World. At Canal Dover, Ohio, he learned the furniture trade as a cabinet maker, and was employed along that line at Wooster in Wayne County, Ohio, until the spring of 1861.
For over three years the late George Mutschler helped to fight the battles of the Union during the Civil war. April 15, 1861, only three days after the fall of Fort Sumter, he entered a three-month regi- ment, and when that term expired he re-enlisted as a private in the Fourth Ohio Infantry for three years. In his first campaign he was under McCleland at Rich Mountain, Virginia, and subsequently was with General Shields' division and in service in the Shenandoah Valley until July, 1862. From that time until June, 1864, he was with the Army of the Potomac. He was in all the battles of the Second Army Corps until wounded in the left thigh by a minie-ball at Spottsylvania Courthouse. From June to November, 1864. he was in the hospital, but otherwise was in practically continuous service from the opening of the war.
Following an honorable discharge which came to him at Colum- bus, Ohio, in 1864, he resumed work as a cabinetmaker in Wooster and Norwalk, but in 1866 moved to Elkhart County. He set up a shop as a manufacturer of furniture at Millersburg, and in connec- tion carried on an undertaking business. In May, 1893, Mr. Mut-
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schler, who in the meantime had become well known all over the county, moved to Goshen, and bought an interest in the I. X. L. and Goshen Pump Company. In 1896 he was made general manager and treasurer of the company, one of the largest and best known manufacturing establishments of Elkhart County. He continued to be closely associated with manufacturing and other business con- cerns in Goshen until his death. In politics he was a democrat, had been an active member of the Reformed Church since he was four- teen years of age, and as an old soldier had membership in Randall Post No. 320 of the Grand Army of the Republic at Millersburg.
In November, 1866, the same year he located in Elkhart County, Mr. Mutschler married Miss Sarah Froelich, who was born and reared in Ohio. To their marriage were born six children, four sons and two daughters : Emma, who married B. F. Deahl, the well known attorney of Goshen ; Albert, who became prominent in manufactur- ing at Nappanee; Alice, wife of Lloyd Burris ; George ; and William, who graduated from the University of Michigan in June, 1906.
WILLIAM MUTSCHLER. With much of the genius of his father, the late George Mutschler, for manufacturing and technical affairs, William Mutschler has for the past ten years been most closely identi- fied with industrial affairs in Goshen and is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Hoosier Motor Company of that city. This company succeeded to the business of the Oswald Motor Company, which was reorganized in 1908 and has been incorporated since 1912. The Hoosier Motor Company manufactures a large line of automobile motors and screw machines, and the output is sold over practically all the states of the Union, largely through jobbers. The plant is one of the largest in the manufacturing district of Goshen, and occupies a large building, 60x210 feet. About fifty people are on the payroll, and all the power for the machinery is supplied elec- trically.
A native of Indiana, and a son of the late George Mutschler, whose career has already been traced, William Mutschler was born at Millersburg, Elkhart County, March 27, 1883. He attended the common and high schools at Goshen, and then entered the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1906. The following two years after leaving college he was connected with the factory of the Coppes, Zook & Company at Nappanee. Returning to Goshen, he became interested in the firm of which his father was at that time treasurer, the I. N. L. Manufacturing Company, but after a year re- signed and assisted in reorganizing and taking over the business of the Oswald Motor Company. After the reorganization was com-
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pleted he was made secretary, treasurer and general manager, and has been largely responsible for the efficient manner in which this con- cern has built up and expanded its trade.
On June 10, 1909, Mr. Mutschler married Miss Maude Marion Newell, daughter of Charles Newell, of the firm Newell Brothers, dry good merchants at Goshen. Mr. and Mrs. Mutschler are the parents of a daughter, Frances Jane, born June 15, 1915. Fraternally Mr. Mutschler is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his little family reside in an attractive home at 716 South Sixth Street.
EPH CULP. For a great many years Goshen has had as one of its best known firms the undertaking and embalming establishment of E. Culp & Sons, the senior member of which is Eph Culp, a native of Elkhart County and member of a pioneer family. The name bespeaks one of the largest family relationships in Elkhart County, and since the early pioneer times the Culps have been active and useful in developing the land, in business and in varied trades and professions.
On the old home farm in Harrison Township, Eph Culp was born July 26, 1864, the oldest son of Henry J. and Catherine (Laucks) Culp. Peter Laucks, father of Catherine, was also an early settler in Elkhart County, and died in 1899 at a ripe old age. Henry J. Culp was brought to Indiana when eleven years of age by his parents, and after his marriage he located on a farm in Harrison Township and devoted the best years of his life to agriculture. He made one of the fine farms of Harrison township, improved with good buildings, with the land in perfect cultivation, and with cattle, horses and hogs. Henry J. Culp is now living retired.
During his boyhood on the farm Eph Culp attended District School No. 4 in Harrison Township, and secured also a good physical training by the various duties around the home place. Leaving school at the age of fourteen, he began regular work, and found varied employment up to his twenty-first year. He then learned the trade of carpenter and continued to live in his father's home until the age of twenty-six, when he married Miss Amanda Gorsuch, a daughter of William and Nancy ( Cripe) Gorsuch.
After his marriage Mr. Culp bought a farm of sixty-three acres in Harrison Township and looked after its cultivation nine months. On May 5, 1891, he moved his family to Goshen and took up the business of funeral director and embalmer. In the past quarter of a century Mr. Culp has supplied an efficient and kindly service to a great many of the best families in the county and as his sons grew to manhood they also became associated with him until the name of
Eth buff
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the firm was changed to E. Culp & Sons, undertakers and embalmers. This firm, which has recently completed twenty-five years of busi- ness activity, has always been progressive, and a mark of this is found in the fact that it was the first firm to introduce the automobile into the undertaking business in Elkhart County. They now have an extensive equipment, employing both automobiles and horses.
Mr. Culp's sons are Elmer J., Floyd S. and Joy W. The sons Elmer and Floyd are both associated in business with their father. Mr. Eph Culp is a graduate of the J. H. Clark School of Embalming at Cincinnati, Ohio, and his license number is 14. He received his diploma in 1893. His son Elmer graduated from the Barnes School of Chicago in 1911 and the number of his license as an embalmer is 1462. Floyd graduated from the Worsham School of Chicago in 1914, with license No. 1713. The youngest son Joy W. is now connected with the Golden Rule drug store at Goshen.
Mr. Eph Culp is one of the oldest undertakers and embalmers in Elkhart County. Aside from his business he has a valuable property in Goshen and is one of the prosperous citizens.
FRED O. TIHIERS. One of the very oldest of the active business men of Goshen is Fred O. Thiers, who identified himself with this city fifteen years ago, and has been closely identified with its mer- cantile activities, particularly as a merchant tailor, the business by which he is best known to a large circle of patrons. Mr. Thiers is a public spirited citizen, a man whose honesty is proverbial and whose pledged word is considered as good as a bond.
A native of France, he was born February 26, 1846, but soon after his birth his parents removed to Germany, in which country he grew up and acquired his education. In addition to the common schools he attended a military school 2162 years and served three years in the Turkish army. In 1865 he came to the New World and landed at New York. After visiting a number of cities he located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for fifteen years. He finally located at Goshen, and set himself up in the clothing and tailoring business, and continued those varied lines for fifteen years. He sold the clothing department, and then in addition to the tailoring busi- ness he opened up an establishment principally devoted to dyeing, cleaning, repairing. His business headquarters have been a land- mark in Goshen's business district for a great many years.
In 1907 Mr. Thiers married Mrs. Conela Schwartz of Goshen, widow of William Schwartz. Their home is at 117 South Third Street. Fraternally Mr. Thiers is affiliated with Goshen Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Goshen Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; and Goshen Commandery No. 50, Knights Templar.
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MELVIN B. WHITEHEAD. There is probably not a family in Goshen which is not acquainted with the products of the Whitehead bakery. It is at once the oldest and the most important establish- ment for the production of wholesome and sanitary food supplies in Elkhart County.
Melvin B. Whitehead was born in the state of Michigan, at- tended the common schools up to his eighteenth year, and then gained a practical knowledge of flour milling by work in a mill in Michigan. In 1903 he came to Goshen and, in 1908, bought his present business. Besides the superior bread which comes from his ovens and has such a wide distribution and represents the acme of quality, he also manufactures cakes and pies, cookies and other staple articles.
Mr. Whitehead has injected new enterprise and many modern ideas into the business. In the course of a general enlargement he has also introduced many improvements, and the large baking plant is now equipped with the most improved machinery for mixing bread and with the latest designs of ovens for baking. The daily capacity of the ovens at the present time is seven thousand loaves. It is not merely a local business, since the products are shipped extensively to all the neighboring towns and cities around Goshen. From eight to ten people are employed in the various departments.
Mr. Whitehead married Miss Josephine Fulton of Michigan. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and with the Moose Lodge of Goshen.
WILLIAM H. ACKERMAN. One of the live, energetic and pushing business men, who has won his own way and has developed abilities that enable him to win success in the midst of strong competition at Goshen, is William H. Ackerman, the proprietor of a prosperous furniture and outfitting establishment. When he left the home farm he had but little to aid him save ambition and determination, habits of industry and sobriety and the ability to use his head as well as his hands, and with these assets he has built up a business and established a reputation among men not lacking in business capacity.
Mr. Ackerman was born in Sparta Township, Noble County, Indiana, January 15, 1868, and is the eldest son of James G. Acker- man. His father was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1823, and was four years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, the family settling in Pennsylvania, after landing at New York. Later they went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where James G. Ackerman learned the trade of carpenter, a vocation which he followed for
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many years. Later in life, however, he became interested also in agricultural pursuits, taking up his residence in Noble County, In- diana, where he met and married Mary Ann Kingsley, who was born in Ohio, and removed with her parents to Noble County, In- diana, as a girl. There she was educated and grew to maturity, and after her marriage she and her husband settled on a farm in Sparta Township, although he continued to follow the trades of carpenter and cabinetmaker.
William H. Ackerman received his education in the country schools and at a select school, and for a time after laying aside his studies was employed on a farm. In 1897 he entered the employ of Hawk's Milling Company, at Goshen, and while there learned the trade of a miller. He was identified with this company for five years and then for five years was with the Hawk's Electric Company, fol- lowing which he had a brief experience in the real estate busi- ness. His next venture with with the Art Novelty Company, and finally, with a comprehensive training in various lines of business, he decided to enter business on his own account, and accordingly purchased the furniture stock of Mr. Brownell, whom he succeeded as proprietor of the establishment. He now has a well stocked store, located on South Main Street, opposite the Interurban station, with a salesroom 22x161 feet. Energetic business methods, fair and honorable dealing, and absolute knowledge of every detail of his busi- ness have combined to make a success for Mr. Ackerman, who is justly accounted one of the solid and substantial men of the city.
Mr. Ackerman was married in 1888 to Miss Rosetta Teeters, of Steuben County, Indiana, who was born in that county, daughter of D. B. and Susanna ( McInhaney ) Teeters. To Mr. and Mrs. Acker- man there has been born one daughter: Susie Marie, a graduate of the Goshen High School, who attended the Goshen Business College for some time and is now attending the Goshen School of Music, Goshen College. Mr. Ackerman is a valued and popular member of Woodmen of the World Lodge No. 32, and of the Knights of Pythias. His pleasant family home is at No. 405 East Jefferson Street.
WINEY BROTHERS. One of the industries which have given Elk- hart its enviable position as a manufacturing and business center is that of Winey Brothers, wholesale and retail lumber dealers, and manufacturers of doors, sash, frames, mouldings and interior finish. Under the name Winey Brothers Manufacturing Company are really conducted a business with half a dozen branches, any one of which could stand alone as a successful and prosperous enterprise. Vol. II-5
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The constituent members of this prominent business firm of Elkhart are Austin B., August G. and Harvey Winey. They are all natives of Pennsylvania and sons of Daniel G. and Mary ( Boswick) Winey, who were born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. There were nine children altogether, and five are still living. Daniel G. Winey was also a carpenter by trade and the sons all learned that vocation as a preface to the business in which they are now engaged. The father first came to Indiana during the '70s, but in a short time re- turned to Pennsylvania, and came back to Elkhart in 1886, and spent the rest of his days there.
Of the brothers Austin B. was the first to locate in Elkhart, and was joined by the other two members of the firm in 1905. They es- tablished a planing mill on Franklin Street, and in 1910 moved to a new location on East Street. The manufacturing company has an extensive plant, employing every working day in the year a force of forty men or more. Their payroll is an important asset in the pros- perity of the city, and the products of their mills have served to emphasize the name of Elkhart as a manufacturing city in many remote parts of the country. In their lumber department they carry an immense stock of both hard woods and soft woods, and all their lumber is under cover. . In the manufacturing end of the business they have separate departments for planing mill, carpenter work, doors, frames, moulding, finishing and glazing. They manufacture an immense amount of interior finish and store fixtures, and their products go all over the country.
Another important phase of the business is the mill contracting work, which is under the personal supervision of August G. Winey, who has charge of all the outside contracts, while his brothers Austin and Harvey handle the manufacturing department. They are all practical men, carpenters by trade, and have built up an industry of which Elkhart is justifiably proud.
The brothers are all married and have families of their own. Austin B. Winey was married in 1884 to Anna Winey, and to their marriage were born two children: Clarence, who died at the age of seventeen, and Hazel who is living. August married Nettie Moyer, and their three children are Harold, Fern and Ruth. Harvey mar- ried Ida Leader, and they have a son named Paul.
BRICE S. LARIMER. The record of a good man and his good deeds should persist long after the memory of many events and material facts have gone. The late Brice S. Larimer was not only a pioneer of Elkhart County in the point of time, but also in accom- plishments and influence, and in reality was one of the strong con-
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structive and conservative factors in the early growth and devel- opment of the county and left his impress for good both in town and country and on the incastrial and civic life of its community.
He lived a long and useful life. He was born July 24, 1819, near Lancaster in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was sixteen years old when he came to Elkhart County in October, 1835, with his father John Larimer, who located in the southeast corner of Middlebury Township not far from Forest Grove. Only a few settlers were scattered about over that portion of the county and almost all the land was covered with heavy timber. John Larimer at once entered 280 acres of woodland and began the task of clearing. He had seven sons and two daughters, Brice being the oldest, and naturally his father's most efficient helper in bringing the farm into condition for cultivation.
In the years that followed the Larimer family experienced all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life and to the building of a home in a new country. The year 1838, three years after they settled, was known to everyone as "the sickly season." In the light of modern understanding the malady was probably contagious, and affected everyone more or less, and reduced the usual standard of personal efficiency far below the normal and exceedingly few escaped altogether. For a considerable period the necessary work upon the farms had to be neglected, and there was no one to take care of those who were ill except those who were the least ill, who would do the best they could in caring for the others. During that season Mrs. John Larimer died leaving her husband with a large family of children to care for. Five years afterwards in the winter of 1843, which was the hardest winter ever known in Northern Indiana, John Larimer also died, leaving the younger children dependent upon the older ones for their care and support.
In the meantime Brice S. Larimer had grown to manhood, and was giving his energies in unstinted measure to the welfare of those dependent upon him. In 1847 he removed to Clinton Township, and conducted a sawmill until the plant was burned a year later. In 1858 he settled where the town of Millersburg now stands. His house was the fourth built in the town. In 1859 when the railroad station was located there he was made station agent, and served in that capacity for twenty years, retiring from the work in 1879.
Soon after locating in Millersburg he was elected justice of the peace, an office he filled eight years. In this capacity he was required to draw up and take acknowledgment for most of the deeds for the original town of Millersburg. After he ceased to be a jus- tice he was commissioned a notary public.
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However, the public service for which he deserves longest mem- ory came in 1882 when he, together with John A. Smith and Wil- liam McVitty was elected county commissioner He took his seat in the following December. The term of service covers the greater portion of the period when the controversy was raging over the purchase of a big marsh for a poor farm. He and his colleagues, under the guidance of the ablest county attorney Elkhart County ever had, Capt. J. A. S. Mitchell, rendered a valuable service in rescinding the infamous deal whereby over 400 acres of marsh land was being saddled on the county at an enormous price. The fight was protracted and bitter, and it required more than ordinary cour- age to withstand the attacks that were made upon the board of com- missioners and their counsel by the individuals most interested in the poor farm deal. But the purchase was prevented and the county saved from having forced upon it a tract of land far removed from the county seat and about as inconveniently located as could have been. Mr. McVitty died the winter following the election and Henry Bemenderfer was appointed to fill the vacancy. Without any disparagement it can be said that never in the history of the county has there been a board made up of better or more conscientious men. They deserve to be held in grateful remembrance by the people whom they served so capably and so well.
In the course of his lifetime Brice Larimer saw the transforma- tion of a wilderness into one of the best agricultural counties in the Hoosier State. Not only did he see this but he had a part in the labor by which the transformation was made possible. He observed the growth of cities and towns where stood unbroken forests at the time of his arrival. Thus his name became prominently identified with the county's industrial history as well as being inscribed in an honorable place upon its official records
Brice S. Larimer died at Goshen, May 9, 1906, when in his eighty-seventh year. On July 11, 1847, he married Lucy E. Bently, who died June 29, 1900. To their union were born four children : Emma O., William T. B., Margaret J. and Atta E., three of whom reached adult age.
The daughter Emma married James Freeland, and they reside in New York City. Their children are Lucy R., Earl L. and James L., Jr.
Margaret married William McClure of Wabash, Indiana, and at her death she left the following children : Lola, Brice, Lucy and Ben- jamin. The daughter Lola is the wife of Edwin Lower, and their children are Margaret, Sherman and Ross Lower. Benjamin McClure has one daughter Georgianna.
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William T. B. Larimer, the only son of the late Brice Larimer, married Elizabeth Stauffer. Their children are: George A. of Memphis, Tennessee; Milton Brice of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Atta, now Atta E. Bradford; and Mary Emma of Goshen. The only grandchildren of William T. B. Larimer are Lucy Elizabeth, William Abram and Joseph Miles Bradford, children of Miles and Atta Brad- ford.
AMOS STAUFFER was born near Goodville in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 3d, 1826. His early life was spent there, where also he was married to Susan Garman August 26, 1847.
In April, 1865, they came to Indiana, locating in Millersburg, where they resided eight years. During this time he was engaged in the lumber business and was justice of the peace. In 1873 they moved to Middlebury, Indiana, where he engaged in farming. On his farm were the three large hills that first met the eye of the traveler as they neared the town. The major portion of his life was spent in farming with a commendable degree of success.
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