A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana, Part 37

Author: Deahl, Anthony, 1861-1927, ed
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publ. Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 37

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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27, 1867, and is thus one of the old and substantial church congrega- tions of the county. Its present pastor is John M. Miller. A. C. Culp was the architect of the new building, and the building committee con- sisted of J. H. Dell. Dr. Sensenich and Joseph Eshelman, Jr.

GOSHIEN CHURCHIES.

First M. E. Church .- The present edifice was erected in 1874 at a cost of twenty thousand dollars, replacing the old brick church on Main street that had been built in 1846. Rev. M. J. Magor is minister.

Fifth Avenue M. E. Church .- This congregation dedicated its beautiful building on May 12, 1880. The increasing needs of the North Side Methodists, which could not be satisfied at the First church, led to the erection of this church. The pastor is Rev. J. A. Sumwalt.

First Baptist Church .- An imposing brick and stone structure, Washington and Sixth streets, erected in 1876. The church was organ- ized in 1858, by eight ladies. Rev. J. V. Fradenburg is pastor.

First Presbyterian Church .- This church whose present pastor is Rev. E. A. Vannuys, nephew of Rev. H. L. Vannuys, has 464 members in communion, and on the church rolls are the names of 1.151 persons. The history of the church is given above.

St. James Episcopal Church .- This parish was organized March 26. 1859, and the present church building was completed in 1861. Rev. Frederick Welham is rector.

German M. E. Church .- This denomination was instituted in 1859. by Rev. Mr. Ruff. The first services were in private homes, then in rented quarters, and in 1864 a building was erected at Fifth and Purl streets, which, since remodeled, still serves as their house of worship. Rev. W. P. Rueckheim is pastor.

St. John's Catholic Church .- The members of this church still worship in the building erected in 1860. The priest is Rev. James Fitz- patrick. The first parochial school was built in 1867, and a brick school- house was put up in 1881.

German Baptist .- Rev. George Swihart, pastor.

First Reformed Church. Was organized in September, 1875. by E. R. Willard. with twelve charter members. The house of worship was on North Main street until 1892, when their present handsome church was erected on Fifth street. Their present minister is Rev. N. B. Mathes.

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This church was

PARFITT

ENGR. CO

FIRST BAPTIST

GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL SHARITH ISRAEL

FIRST.METHODIST EPISCOPAL

ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC

GOSHEN CHURCHES

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY

organized January 27, 1876, and first worshiped in the German M. E. building. finally purchased and remodeled that property, and in 1894 came into possession of their larger building on South Fifth and East Madison streets. Rev. Luther Hogshead is pastor.

Sharith Israel .- This congregation was organized September 3, 1878, prior to which time the Jewish residents worshiped in private homes. The old Baptist church building was purchased and converted into their synagogue, and the first services held in 1878. A Sabbath school was organized in 1886, and in 1887 the congregation purchased the ground which is now the Sharith Israel Cemetery. A new church was erected in 1899. Rabbi II. Weinstein has served his people in Goslien continuously since 1881.

Trinity Lutheran Church .- The First Evangelical Lutheran church was organized October 27, 1861, the congregations in Harrison and Benton townships helping in support of the pastor. The old Presby- terian church was purchased and made the house of worship. From this congregation, in 1875. a portion formed the English church. The services are conducted in German and English, C. E. Clessler, minister.

First Christian Church .- This congregation was organized in 1886 in the building known as the Coliseum, and, until the completion of their building in the fall of that year, services were held in the Coliseum and in Mennonite Hall.

Mennonite Brethren Church .- Was organized December 27. 1883. and their house of worship was erected in 1894.

Wells Memorial Lutheran Church .- Organization was effected. with twenty-six charter members, January 26, 1892, and after worshiping in a store room on the north side, their present home was erected on Third and Oak Ridge streets. Rev. S. P. Fryberger is pastor.

German Baptist Brethren Church .- The work of this denomina- tion began in Goshen in a mission tent meeting in 1895, and for several years the adherents of the faith worshiped in rented quarters. Growth of their membership justified the erection of a church, and on November 26. 1890. their present edifice, at Fifth and Clinton streets, built at a cost of five thousand dollars, was dedicated.

SOME ELKHART CHURCHIES.

St. John's Episcopal Church .- The first Episcopal service was held at Elkhart about 1845. but the parish was not organized until May. 1868, and the first church building erected in 1873. The present beauti-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY

ful church was completed in the summer of 1896. R. R. Graham is pastor.

Trinity M. E. Church .- This congregation has a consecutive his- tory extending over seventy years. The present beautiful church, on Second street, was dedicated February 10, 1890. Somerville Light is pastor.

Congregational Church .- This church was organized in 1800: for several years the members worshiped in the Baptist church, and the present church was completed in 1872. A. W. Ogilvie is pastor.

First Presbyterian Church .- W. J. Frazier, minister. Organized in 1840: this congregation for many years worshiped with the Congre- gationalists, having been separate since 1869.

First Christian Church .- Organization was effected October 23. 1878: their first home was dedicated in January, 1879; another building was erected in 1889, and this has since been moved, received two ex- tensive additions and been entirely remodeled. the final dedicatory serv- ices ling held in December, 1897. The pastor is W. W. Denham.

Castle U. B. Church .- The United Brethren have been identified with the religious progress of Elkhart since pioneer times, claim being made that one of their preachers delivered the first sermon ever heard in Elkhart. Rev. John Denham, of this faith, preached in this part of the country as early as 1830. J. E. Grimes presides over the church at present.

First Baptist Church .- O. V. Wheeler, minister. Was organized in 1856, a building was erected in 1860, and the present edifice, corner of Third and Pigeon streets, was completed in 1888.

St. Vincents Catholic Church .- The buildings of St. Vincent's parish, located on South Main street. consist of the large church, the new rectory, the sisters' home and parochial school. H. A. Boeckleman is the spiritual head.

First Lutheran Church .- Organized in 1873. services were first held in rented quarters, and in December, 1874, the present edifice. Marion and Ninth streets, was dedicated.

Watch Tower Evangelical Church .- The first meeting of this Eng- lisl: society of the Evangelical church was held September 26, 1872, and in October, 1873. their church building was dedicated.

Methodist Protestant Church .- This church was organized in 1893, and a beautiful little house of worship was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Memminger.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY

German Evangelical Lutheran Church .- Was organized in 1874, and the first home erected in the same year, and on August 25. 1889, their present church edifice was dedicated.

Other churches with their ministers are as follows: Free Meth- odist, J. M. Jolly. Riverside Christian, J. A. Wood. Willowdale M. E .. P. E. Greenwalt. Swedish Lutheran, Rev. Bowandes. German Baptist Brethren, J. \ Felthouse and E. L. Heestand. First Church of Christian Scientists. St. John's German Lutheran, Fred Ewald. Mennonite Brethren in Christ, C. I. Scott.

On Easter day, 1905. was dedicated at Elkhart the beautiful Evangelical church, one of the latest and most pretentious additions to the church architecture of the county. The magnificent new edifice was erected at a cost of $23,000. The property on which it was erected is valued at $0, 300. The type is Spanish Gothic, the material is red pressed brick with Bedford stone trimmings. The church has a front- age of 84 feet on the south and the depth is 76 feet. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 900, and 500 may be accommodated in the Sunday-school room in the basement. Rev. L. S. Fisher, the present pastor, is a son of Rev. Joseph Fisher, the first Evangelical pastor in Elkhart. The church was organized in 1860, worshiping at first in a small frame chapel, and in 1868 erected a brick church, which was in use until the present edifice was completed.

The following has been furnished concerning the dedication of the Methodist church at New Paris.

"On November 20, 1885, the new M. E. church of New Paris, Indiana, was dedicated by the Rev. I. C. Pershing, D. D., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Female College. The church enterprise was commenced last spring. The subscription paper was written April 4, and the pastor began his arduous work of soliciting subscriptions for the erection of the building. While there were many who very much desired a new church there were few who had any hope of success and some thought it an impossibility to put up such a building as some of the starters of the enterprise desired. And even the pastor was reminded in a kind way by a professor of religion that the outsiders said the last spark of Methodism in New Paris had gone out. I suppose that is one reason why the outside friends were so liberal in donations.

" In May the advertisement was made for bids to erect the structure. and in June the contract was let. S. S. Whitehead. Dr. James Mathews and the pastor, Rev. W. R. Wones, were selected as the building com-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY

mittee. The work was commenced at once, and on July 3 the foundation was finished, the corner stone being laid the next day by the Rev. A. E. Mahin of Warsaw. The work was so ably and successfully pushed forward that in less than eight months the building was completed at a cost of $4,400. There was a subscription of $3.400, the old church building sold for $300, and $650 was asked for on the day of dedication. which amount was raised, and enough more to pay for building a fence around the lot, and to spout the building. It was estimated that over seven hundred people were in attendance on the day of dedication. Dr. Pershing pronounced it the neatest structure he ever saw for the money expended on it, while those who are mostly interested in the enterprise are more than pleased. Well may New Paris feel proud of her three church buildings. The new church is brick veneering. The main building is 35 x 58 feet. the audience room 34 x 46 feet. with two bay windows 8 x 18 feet, and will seat 250 persons. The class room, 10 x 28 feet, will seat 50 persons, and the gallery, 12 x 34 feet, 75 persons, mak- ing 375. and when well seated, according to plan. 400. The vestibule or entrance is at the southeast corner, and is 10 x 10 feet, surmounted by a belfry and tower, the whole 80 feet in height."

HON. ALBERT R. BEARDSLEY.

Hon. Abert R. Beardsley. prominent as a man of affairs, influen- tial and active in political circles, and a leading factor in the commercial and financial activities of Elkhart, is a conspicuous character in the his- tory of Elkhart county, both by reason of his personal achievements along the lines just mentioned and because of his connection with a family name which is one of the first to be mentioned in recording the founding of Elkhart.

Born in Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, November 7. 1847. Mr. Beardsley is a representative in the eighth generation of the Beards- ley family that was founded in America by William Beardsley, who was born in England in 1605 and who landed among the Massachusetts colonists in June. 1635. From Massachusetts he transferred his home to the Connecticut colony, settling at Stratford, which town he assisted to establish and was named, probably, in honor of Stratford-on-Avon, where, according to tradition, was the original family seat of the Beards- leys. A man of ability and influence such as to mark him from his fellow citizens, William Beardsley became clerk of the general court at Hartford, serving as such thirteen years, was one of the founders of the first Congregational church at Stratford, and in many material ways

A. M. Beardsley

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY

contributed to the growth and development of the new country. lle was a pious Puritan, making his Christianity an integral part of his daily life, and in many of the old historical documents he is referred to as " the good man Beardsley." He died in 1661. His son Samuel was the first member of the family born on American soil. The intervening generations from this first American ancestor have each contained men prominent in industrial, professional and political affairs, a large num- ber of the family having reached distinction in the professions of med- icine, law and the ministry.

Captain Phineas Beardsley, who was the great-grandfather of .Al- bert R. Beardsley, was a captain in the Revolutionary war, having enlisted, January 1, 1777, in the Seventh Connecticut Regiment and serv- ing three years. Under him. in the same regiment, was his son, Elijah Beardsley, who not only served throughout the Revolutionary war, but was, according to family tradition, a member of the famous Boston Tea Party. The diary of this intrepid patriot, still preserved in the family archives, shows that he was with Washington during the memorable winter at Valley Forge and that his military experience took him to many other places that have become famous in the history of our coun- try.

In the westward expansion which began soon after the close of the Revolution, and in accordance with the Beardsley characteristic to be pioneers, various members of the family took up their residence in Delhi, New York, and Elijah Beardsley, in 1814. went still further west and settled in Delaware county. Ohio, whence he afterward moved to Springfield. in the same state, where his death occurred October 2, 1826.

Elijah Hubbel Beardsley, a son of the Ohio pioneer just men- tioned and father of the Elkhart business man, and younger brother of Havilah Beardsley, was born at Delhi, New York, September 10. 1807. being the youngest of fourteen children. When a boy he accompanied his parents to New Carlisle, Ohio. in 1837 went with them to Dayton, and in 1853 settled on Beardsley Prairie in the northern part of St. Joseph county. Indiana. Elijah H. Beardsley, who was a wagon-maker ly trade and followed that pursuit during much of his active business life. died at Buchanan. Michigan. September 8. 1885. when seventy- eight years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Lemon. died in 1860.

It has been in keeping with such an honorable ancestral record that Hon. Albert R. Beardsley's career has been wrought ont. There are other names pertinent to the record which might have been mentioned, but for the history of Dr. Havilah Beardsley, the founder of Elkhart, the reader is referred to other pages of this work, where the Beardsley name appears often and conspicuously.

The business career of Mr. Beardsley has been one of substantial success and progress from youth up. Equipped with a common school

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY

education, in 1864, at the age of seventeen, he became a clerk in an Elkhart store. In six years he had saved enough from his earnings, and with capital from his father. to establish himself in a merchandising business of his own, and he conducted a very successful business for six years. From then until 18go he had an active interest in the Muzzy starch factory. In 1800 becoming a stockholder in the Dr. Miles Med- ical Company, he has since held the office of treasurer and has been active in the management of the business. He is a director in the First National Bank of Elkhart, and for a number of years he has been a factor in the business and financial enterprises of the city.

While almost constantly busied with the practical affairs of life, Mr. Beardsley has at the same time revealed a high degree of public spirit and loyalty to city, state and nation. One of the prominent and well known Republicans of Elkhart county and of Indiana, he has for over thirty years taken a leading part in public and official life. In 1872 he was elected city clerk of Elkhart, was elected city treasurer in 1870, and from 1892 to 1896 was a member of the city council. In the wider sphere of state politics he was elected a member of the house for the sixty-first and of the senate for the sixty-fourth general assembly, and took a very prominent part in the election of \. J. Beveridge to the United States senate. In 1896 and again in 1898 he was sent as a delegate to the state Republican convention. In 1897 Governor Mount appointed him to the position of colonel on the governor's staff, which rank he also held during the official term of Governor Durbin. Mr. Beardsley is a member of the Century Club and the Kenwood Golf Club of Elkhart, and has identified himself very closely with the business and social life of his city.

HON. GEORGE T. BARNEY.

HIon. George T. Barney, the octogenarian lawyer of Elkhart, the oldest active representative of the Elkhart county bar, has enjoyed a career which for wide range of activity and usefulness to society has few precedents. Born at Willsboro, Essex county, New York. April 10. 1822 he is now several years past the age of fourscore, having. dur- ing the nine derades in which he has lived, witnessed the most impor- tant events since the founding of the nation and as one of the units which make up the nation he has himself borne no inconspicuous part of civic responsibility.

Mr Barney, himself a man of distinction in the affairs of life, is also a member of a family whose individual members have performed useful parts in their respective communities. The ancestral history in the paternal line goes back to Ireland, where was born his grand- father Samuel Barney, who at an early age, however, came to this country and married his wife at Salisbury, Vermont, at which place he lived till death. Samuel Barney, the father of George T., was

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born at Whitehall, New York, lived in Vermont to the age of sixteen. then went to Willsboro, where he learned the trade of iron worker. and in 1833 moved to Birmingham, Ohio, where he was employed. in the iron works a number of years, and where he died in March, 1862. He married Abigail Adsit, who was born in Willsboro Point, New York, a daughter of Jacob Adsit, who was an officer in the Revolu- tionary war and for his services received a bounty of eight hundred acres in New York. Mrs. Abigail Barney died in Elkhart in August, 1867. she and her husband having been the parents of nine children. all of whom they reared to adult life. These children are as follows: Richard, who died in 1853: George T .: William M., of Elkhart; An- drew J., of Milan, Ohio; Samuel, who died in Elkhart in 1902: Cor- clelia and Phoebe, both deceased, about 1882, who were teachers: Julia. who died about 1859: and Rhoda, who died at Florence. Ohio, in No- vember. 1896.

Mr. George T. Barney, the second child and second son of the family, was about twelve years old when the family moved to Birming- ham, Ohio, where he lived until oll enough to do for himself. His first independent occupation was to carry the mail between Elyria and Oberlin, making the trip once a week on horseback, but after the first year he made the trip daily. Two years at this occupation, and then he began learning the carpenter's trade at Elyria and for the following four years did carpenter work in Ohio and Michigan. Then in 1847 came his experience as a soldier of his country. He enlisted in the American army and served under its victorious banner throughout the campagin from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, his service in the Mexican war covering eighteen months. In 1848 he moved to Kafa- mazoo, Michigan, where he had his home a number of years, and where, on January 15. 1852. he married Miss Mary A. Gerona Musell, who was born in Springville, New York, July 21. 1834. and at the age of fifteen came to Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her parents, Austin C. and Lucy ( Bugbee ) Musell.

From Kalamazoo Mr. Barney went to Marquette on Lake Su- perior, where he followed his trade and became one of the prominent citizens of that place. In the spring of 1855 he was elected constable. in the following fall was elected sheriff of the county, and by re-elec- tion served two terms. Through the influence of General Cass he was appointed government timber agent for the upper district of Michi- gan, and while in that office was also appointed to make an enumera- tion of the Chippewa Indians in that section of the state. He also held the office of justice of the peace. In 1861. on the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Company .A. Michigan Volun- teer Infantry, for three months' service, and was elected captain of the company, but was rejected for service on account of disability.

In 1863 Mr. Barney located at Ligonier, Indiana, whence he came to Elkhart and made permanent location in this city in August, 1866

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It Ligomer he was engaged in the mercantile business with his brother, and was also in business the first two years of his residence in Elk- hart. Having studied law and been admitted to the Michigan bar in 1861, soon after locating in Elkhart he took up the active practice of his profession, so that he has at this writing been a successful mem- ber of the bar in this county for over forty years, being the dean of the profession. In connection with the law he also writes fire and life in- surance.

Mr. Barney has the distinction of being one of the very oldest Masons in the county or state. He took his initiatory degrees in No- vember. 1850, so that he has enjoyed the fraternal brotherhood for fifty-five years. His other fraternal associations are with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. of which order he is the oldest living member, and he is an esteemed member of the Century Club of Elkhart. He belongs to the Presby- terian church, while his wife is a communicant of the Episcopal church. One of the very few Mexican war veterans still living in this county. about 1867 he took part in the formation of the association known as the Indiana Mexican War Veterans and has taken a prominent part in the organization ever since, being elected to the office of president and being several times called upon to address the society at its re- unions In 1874. on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Barney was elected to the Indiana general assembly. In 1878 he was elected clerk of the Elkhart city court, serving four years. In 1900 he was elected a member of the Elkhart school board, serving three years.

Mr. George E. Barney, of Elkhart, who is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Barney, was born in Kalamazoo in November, 1852. They have traveled life's road together for over fifty years, having cele- brated their golden wedding several years ago, and with their souls enriched with the associations of the past they linger happily in the last scenes of lives that have been useful and noble.

NORMAN SAGE.

Norman Sage, president of the First State Bank of Elkhart, is one of the oldest men in the city still actively connected with business affairs. Beginning the journey of life over eighty-six years ago, long before the first permanent settler had penetrated the forests which cov- ered Elkhart county, he has in his lifetime Icen the witness of a most remarkable development and progress in his country and of such a series of great national events as few men have had transpire during the period of their own lives. Monroe was still president of the United States when Mr. Sage was born, he was a man of nearly thirty when the war with Mexico occurred, was a man of middle age during the Civil war, and altogether lived through eight decades of the last cen- tury. He has been intimately concerned with the business and civic

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life of Elkhart since 1868, and is one of the most honored men of the 'county.

Born in Chantauqua county, New York, March 6, 1819. he was a son of Moses Sage. The latter, who was a native of and was reared and educated at Bennington, Vermont, was by occupation a merchant and miller and is also to be remembered as a Michigan pioneer, hav- ing settled at Adamsville. Cass county, in 1834. He erected there one of the first grist mills in all that part of the country. His death oc- curred in Cass county when he was seventy-two years old. Mr. Sage's mother was Nancy Goldsmith, a native of Connecticut, who lived to be about forty years of age.

There were just two sons in the family, the brother of Norman being Martin G., who was the okler, and who died some years ago in Elkhart. \ hoy of fourteen years when he moved to Cass county, Mr. Sage's schooling was obtained principally in his home town of . Fredonia. New York, and he had very little schooling after moving to the new Michigan country. When he and his brother had attained majority they went into partnership with their father, under the name of Moses Sage and Sons, conducting a large mercantile and milling business at Adamsville, Michigan. On the father's death the name of the firm was changed to M. G. and N. Sage, and was thus con- tinued in Adamsville until 1868, when the brothers came to Elkhart. where they built and conducted for nearly thirty years the Harvest Queen Mill, finally leasing the property to other parties. They were also interested in several lines of manufacturing, holding a half inter- est in the starch factory, in a paper mill, and a wagon manufacturing plant. The Sage brothers made a noteworthy record for barmonions and effective co-operation in their various enterprises, they never serious- ly disagreed, their interests were always held in common until shortly before the death of the brother, when a division of property interests became necessary, and withal they demonstrated in a remarkable way the strength that comes from unity of action among brothers. Upon the organization ot the St. Joseph Valley Bank Mr. Norman Sage was elected its president, and later, when he sold his stock in that institu- tion, he organized the First State Bank, of which he is still the active executive head. He has considerable real estate in this city, and his business operations, past and present. have covered a very wide field. lle was formerly interested in the Elkhart Hydraulic Company, was the treasurer of the Elkhart Gas, Light and Coke Company, treasurer of the Elkhart Straw Board Company, of the Globe Tissue Paper Company, the Baldwin Sage Wagon Company. Jones and Hill Chew- ing Gum Company, the Mussey and Sage Starch Company.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana, Part 37

Author: Deahl, Anthony, 1861-1927, ed Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publ. Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Deahl, Anthony, 1861-1927, ed
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publ. Co.
Number of Pages: 1044