USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 40
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
Our subject and his wife were married December 9, 1869, and they began their domestic life in Miami county, Ohio, where they lived for some years. In 1877, however, they purchased what is known as the Pence homestead, residing thereon until 1884, when they re- moved to Jackson township, Elkhart county, and bought ninety-four acres of land, constituting their present farm. This was at one time the Ira Jackson homestead. Mr. Pence has made improvements in the house and has carried on his farm work along progressive lines. He keeps good grades of stock and everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance. The home has been blessed with a son and a daughter, both yet living. The latter, Pearl, is the wife of Omar Darr of Syracuse, Indiana, who is a carpenter and joiner by trade and they have a little daughter. Vera. Mrs. Darr was educated in the com- mon schools to the age of fourteen years and then entered the Nappa- nee high school. She afterward became a student in the high school of Goshen, Indiana, from which she was graduated with the class of 1895. She afterward successfully engaged in teaching in this county for several years and she is now an active member of the church and an ardent worker in the cause of temperance. Ollie was educated in the public schools of Benton and is now a practical farmer and stock- man. Ollie wedded Miss Ferne Judy, of the old pioneer family, and they make their home in Jackson township.
Mr. Pence votes with the Democracy and is a staunch advocate of Jeffersonian principles. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been identified since 1872, joining the organization in New Paris. He has passed all of the chairs in the local lodge and is now affiliated with Goshen Lodge No. 34. I. O. O. F. He is likewise a member of Goshen Tent, K. O. T. M., and his son Ollie is a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp No. 7930, at Benton. Mrs. Pence belongs to the United Brethren church. Both our subject and his wife stand high in the esteem of all who know them and are well worthy of representation in this volume.
SOLOMON ROWDABAUGH.
Solomon Rowdabaugh whose integrity and strength of character have been strong elements in the successful career that makes him one of the prosperous farmers of Jackson township, and whose public spirit has been the motive element that has caused him to co-operate in many measures for the general good, was born in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania, January 7. 1843. He is the third in a family of four children-two sons and two daughters, born to John and Sabina (Shaw) Rowdabaugh, but only two of the children are now living. the elder being Elizabeth .A., the wife of Noah Rasor, a pros- perous agriculturist of Jackson township.
The father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, Feb-
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ruary 8, 1814, and died January 26, 1894. He came of an old Penn- sylvania German family that was founded in the Keystone state at an early day. He was a cooper by trade and followed that pursuit in earlier life, but afterward gave his attention to agricultural interests. He remained a resident of Pennsylvania until after his marriage and in fact until 1851, when he left his native state for Ohio, settling in Montgomery county, about ten miles northwest of Dayton. The trip was male through the mountains in a wagon, and Mrs. Rowdabaugh, grandmother of our subject, says she will never forget the incidents that occurred in the journey. There were few railroads at the time and most of the travel was done by water or private conveyance. The family began life in Ohio by renting land and for ten years remained residents of Montgomery county. On the Ist of October, 1860, they came to Elkhart county, Indiana, and Mr. Rowdabaugh purchased eighty acres of unimproved land. Here he began life somewhat after the primitive manner of the times and he continued to carry on general farming up to the time of his death. His home was a log cabin which has been remodeled and still stands on the premises, one of the few remaining landmarks of pioneer days. He assisted in the building of the German Baptist church, known as the " Big Church " and he also aided in measures for the benefit of his township and county, being a gentleman of progressive spirit and helpful disposition. In politics he was a Republican and his religious faith was that of the German Baptist church. Into the minds of his children he instilled lessons of morality, truth and uprightness that have borne fruit in the honorable lives in later years. His wife was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, August 10, 1819. and is yet living, having now passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. She yet enjoys good health and her mental faculties remain unimpaired. She can relate many in- teresting incidents of early days in Ohio and Indiana, having for long years been a witness of the growth and progress of these states. She was a daughter of William and Susanna ( Landis) Shaw, the former a native of England, whence he was brought to America when only two years old. He became a brick and stone mason and was always identified with building operations in that way. Mrs. Rowdabaugh spent her girlhood days in her father's home, there remaining until her marriage. To her husband she proved a faithful helpmate on life's journey and now that he has been called from this life she makes her home with her son Solomon. Although well advanced in years she is still able to attend church occasionally.
Solomon Rowdabaugh was a youth of about seventeen years when he became a citizen of Elkhart county, and here he has since remained. He began his education in one of the old-time log school- houses of Pennsylvania, conning his lessons upon an old wood bench and writing his exercises upon a desk that was made of a broad board resting on wooden pins, driven into the wall. There was an immense
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fireplace in one end of the room. The methods of teaching were al- most as primitive as the building, and the school was supported through private subscription. He has otten written with the old-fashioned goosequill pen, which was made by the master. The schools which his mother attended were ever more primitive in character. Both the mother and the son became familiar with all of the evidences of pio- neer life and Mr. Rowdabaugh and his wife now have in their pos- session one of the old-fashioned coverlets which were used upon the beds at an early day, while his mother has a pair of fire tongs made in 1839 and a pair of snuffers used in connection with the candles which furnished the only means of illumination at that time. In his youth Solomon Rowdabaugh assisted in the active work of the farm from the time of early spring planting until after crops were harvested in autunin, giving his father the benefit of his services up to the time of his marriage.
Mr. Rowdabaugh has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Christina Weybright, and they had four children-a son and three daughters, of whom two are living: John Wesley, a practical agricul- turist and a man of good business ability, is now secretary of the Ger- man Baptist board and also secretary of the New Paris Mutual Tele- phone Union. He married Miss Grace Rensberger and they have four children. Minnie is the wife of James D. Neff. a leading farmer of Kosciusko county, Indiana. After losing his first wife Mr. Rowda- baugh married Miss Mahala Longenecker, on the 10th of November, 1878, and they had twin children. The daughter, Lydia Florence, has attended the public schools to the present time and has also been a student in instrumental music. The son is deceased. Mrs. Rowda- baugh was born in Kosciusko county, October 5. 1862, and is a daugh- ter of Isaac and Sarah ( Brunbaugh) Longenecker, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. In their family were seven children, of whom four are living: Catherine, the widow of Samuel Denlinger, and a resident of Montgomery county : Conrad, who is mar- ried and follows farming in Kosciusko county; Mahlon, who is mar- ried and is a resident farmer of Noble county, Indiana: and Mrs. Rowdabaugh. The last named was reared in Kosciusko county to the age of six years, when the parents removed with their family to Law- rence county, Illinois, but subsequently returned to the former county. Her maternal grandfather, Conrad Brunbaugh, was one of the first settlers of Elkhart county, making his home on Elkhart prairie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rowdabaugh have the warm esteem of many friends. He is a Republican in his political views, but is content to do his pub- lic duty as a private citizen without seeking office as a reward for party fealty. A devoted member of the German Baptist church. he takes a very active and helpful part in its work, contributing gener- ously to its support and doing everything in his power to extend its influence. He is one of the trustees and also a deacon of the church.
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filling the latter position since 1887. His farm is a valuable property of one hundred and thirty acres, which is splendidly developed and many of the modern improvements upon the place are the evidences of his handiwork. What he has accomplished makes him one of the prosperous citizens of his community and his life record, honorable in all its relations, constitutes him well worthy of representation in this volume.
JOHN WESLEY ROWDABAUGH.
It is a noticeable fact that at the present age and in this period of progressive development and advancement it is the young men who are bearing the burdens of life, who are establishing new business methods and promoting the various activities wherein rests the com- mercial, industrial and agricultural prosperity of state and nation. Mr. Rowdabaugh, one of the enterprising young men of Elkhart county, was born in Jackson township. July 19, 1869, and was the second in the family born to Solomon and Christina ( Weybright ) Rowdabaugh. who are mentioned on another page of this work. At the usual age he entered the public schools and his close application to his studies gave him a thorough knowledge of branches of learning whereby he was well fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. He has a good command of language and as a writer is well known in connec- tion with correspondence for various journals, including the Milford Mail. the Farmers' Guide and different newspapers of Goshen. He also reported the conference meetings of the German Baptist church in the years 1895, 1896 and 1902 as news matter, and his report of the last conference was given over the telephone to the Goslien papers. being taken down in shorthand at the other end of the line. His atten- tion. however, has been chiefly given to agricultural pursuits and in all his farm work he is practical, methodical and systematic, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Into an- other field of activity he has extended his labors, being now the secre- tary of the New Paris Mutual Telephone Union. His farm comprises seventy acres of productive land situated on sections 26 and 27, Jack- son township, and a glance at the place indicates to the passerby the careful supervision of the owner.
Mr. Rowdabaugh was united in marriage to Miss Grace Parolee Rensberger, on the 30th of October. 1892. She was born in Elkhart township not far from the city of Goshen, March 22, 1874. and is a daughter of Samuel and Martha ( Hess) Rensberger, in whose family were ten children-six sons and four daughters. Of this number eight are yet living: Josephine, who is a graduate of the Fort Wayne Medi- cal College, is now the wife of Dr. John M. Hoover, an agriculturist of Elkhart township, and they both engage in the practice of medicine; Albert is a practical farmer of Clinton township, who married Miss Mary M. Smith; William, who wedded Miss Anna Worthington, is a
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barber, residing in Las Animas, Colorado: Hiram, who wedded Miss Ella Miller, is living on the old homestead in Elkhart township; Melvin .A., a resident of Union City, Indiana, is an agriculturist and also a minister of the German Baptist church and was one of the trustees of the North Manchester College; Chloe is the wife of Edwin Berkey, an agriculturist, living in Jackson township; Cephas, living in Los .An- geles, California, is a member of the Heavy AArtillery and served in the Spanish-American war, being sent to aid in the capture of Manila, then in the Philippine movements; Mrs. Rowdabangh of this review completes the family. By her marriage she has become the mother of three sons a daughter, all of whom are yet living: Seth Earl, Will- iam Floyd, Bertha Marie and Solomon Carl, and the three eldest are now students in the public school.
Mr. Rowdabaugh exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. He belongs to the German Baptist church, in which he has served as clerk of the official board for eight years. He is also vice president of the Farmers' Insti- tute of Elkhart county for Jackson township. In all his work for public progress and improvement he has the endorsement and encour- agement of his wife, and they are both deeply interested in church work, he having served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Rowdabaugh now has in his possession a copy of the Carlisle Herald and Eraminer, which was issued January 1, 1840, and contains an announcement of the candidacy of William Henry Harrison for presi- dlent of the United States. It also gives an account of the first session of the twenty-sixth Congress. Mrs. Rowdabaugh is the possessor of a fine ivory snuff box which was brought from Germany many years ago and is more than two centuries old. She also has a flat-iron which has been in existence for ninety-six years and is in weekly use. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rowdabangh are well known in the locality where they reside and belong to that class of typical citizens who stand for im- provement, progress, truth, justice and right.
REV. JOHN HENRY WARSTLER.
Devoting his life to the high and holy calling of proclaiming the gospel to his fellowmen and aiding them to follow principles which develop a noble character and high and honorable manhood and wom- anhood, Rev. John Henry Warstler as pastor of the German Baptist church, of New Paris, is now doing an effective work, his influence being of no restricted order. He is a native of Frederick county, Mary- land, born June 24. 1840, his parents being John and Mary Ann ( Glad- hill) Warstler, in whose family were seven sons and three daughters. The father, also a native of Maryland, was born November 10, 1818, and died in 1898. He was reared and educated in the place of his nativity and became a cooper by trade. About 1864 he removed from
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Maryland to Preble county, Ohio. where he remained for a few years, after which he took up his abode in Union City, Randolph county, In- diana. There he was married a second time and in that city his death occurred when he had reached the venerable age of eighty years. His early political support was given to the Democracy, but in 1860 he supported Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and Rev. Warstler now has in his possession as a cherished heirloom the catechism which his mother used. The Warstler family is of German lineage and in his life John Warstler displayed many of the sterling characteristics of the ancestry which come from the fatherland. His wife, also a native of Maryland, was born October 11, 1822, and died in 1860. She was an affectionate wife and mother, a kind neighbor and a devoted Chris- tian woman. Of their ten children six are vet living: Rev. Warstler being the eldest. The others are: Josiah, who is married and follows farming in Jackson township; George W., who is married and is an agriculturist of Randolph county, Indiana; Jacob D., who is married and also lives on a farm in Randolph county; Martha E., the wife of Charles O. Ebel, a publisher of Terre Haute, Indiana ; and Charles F .. who follows agricultural pursuits in Marshall county, Indiana.
Rev. John H. Warstler in early life began working with his father at the cooper's trade and continued as his assistant up to the time of his marriage. He is what is termed a self-educated man, having ac- quired his knowledge largely through self-exertion and the devotion of his leisure hours to reading, study and investigation. From early life he entertained a strong desire to enter the ministry and was always a close and earnest student of the Bible. The years brought him the fulfilment of his hope and in the German Baptist church he has labored most faithfully, preaching the gospel as he understands it to the people who come under his teaching and exerting a wide and bene- ficial influence for the moral development of the communities in which he has lived.
Rev. Warstler has been twice married. On the Ist of November, 1800, he wedded Miss Mary E. Harshman, and they became the par- ents of ten children, of whom three sons and three daughters are yet living, namely: Flora E .. the wife of D. T. Gripe, in charge of the city electric light plant of Goshen, Indiana: Charles E., who married Miss Nancy Holtzinger, and is section foreman on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad: Otha IL., who wedded Miss Susan Renfrew, and is section foreman on the Lake Shore & Michigan South- ern Railroad. making his home at Elkhart: Eliza C., the wife of U. S. Hoover, an agriculturist of Jackson township: Albert W., a farmer of Jackson township, who married Miss Ella Moorehouse: and Mary C., the wife of J. J. Kiefer. a farmer, residing at Middlebury, Indiana; The mother of these children, a native of Maryland, was born October
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I, 1839, and is now deceased. She was a member of the German Bap- tist church. On the 15th of February, 1905, Rev. Warstler was mar- ried to Miss Ella Cline, who was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, June 17, 1851, and is a daughter of Elias and Martha Jane (Drake) Cline, in whose family were four daughters and a son, and only two are living : Margaret, the wife of Henry Judy, a farmer of Benton township; and Mrs. Warstler. The father was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1817, and died in 1893. He possessed much me- chanical ingenuity which he exercised at the same time that he fol- lowed farming. He had little opportunity but made the most of his advantages throughout life. He remained in Virginia until he attained his majority and then came with his parents to Elkhart county, making the journey by wagon in true pioneer style, the family settling in Jack- son township in 1837. It was a pioneer district into which they came. Indians being still found in the neighborhood, while various kinds of wild game roamed through the forests. The first home of Mr. Cline was a log cabin of pioneer style, and as the years passed he became a successful agriculturist. He gave his political support to the Demo- cratic party and both he and his wife were members of the German Baptist church. She was born in Ohio, in 1820, and died March 23. 1905. at the age of eighty-five years, retaining her mental faculties un- impaired until the last. She was a kind and good pioneer mother, devoted to her family. She came to Elkhart county in 1830 and often related how she and her brother visited the Indian battlefield just south of Goshen, in Elkhart township, where the ground was strewn with the bones of the dead red nien and where they also found many silver ornaments made by the Indians. These they brought home and showed their mother and she made them return them to the graves on which they had found them. Her life was characterized by good deeds to the poor and needy and to the sick and afflicted, and her mem- orv is yet cherished by those who knew her. Mrs. Warstler always remained at home with her aged mother and performed willingly every service which she could do for her. Mr. and Mrs. Cline contributed generously toward the erection of the house of worship of the German Baptist church. In 1873 they located in the village of New Paris where they occupied a beautiful and attractive home, in which Mrs. Warstler now resides. Called to their final rest, interment was made in the Baintertown cemetery, where a beautiful monument has been erected to their memory.
In 1878 Mr. Warstler began his work as pastor of the German Baptist church and for a quarter of a century he has ministered in this way to the people of Jackson and Benton townships. He has also delivered many public addresses and sermons throughout the state and his life is devoted to the cause of the church of which he is now a most able representative. In politics he is a Republican on national
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affairs and at local elections votes independently. His time is given in almost undivided manner to his church work and his efforts have been far-reaching and beneficial, ably supported by his good wife.
ALFRED LOWRY.
As present mayor of Goshen and for many years prominently identified with the manufacturing, business and public affairs of this city, Alfred Lowry's broad and self-attained individual success has likewise identified him in many useful ways with his city and com- munity.
Born in New York city and having been left an orphan, he was brought to Elkhart county and reared to manhood in the home of William D. Platter at Waterford. Mr. Lowry has been a resident of Goshen since 1872. The Waterford and Goshen schools furnished him a fair amount of education, but as a matter of fact he has been earning his own way since boyhood. being a practical, self-made man. whose achievements in life have been due more to his own energy and persevering ambition than to any circumstances of fortune or heritage. He was introduced to the every-day world of labor by becoming an employe, while a boy, first on the farm, working by the month, and then in the Goshen Pump Company's factory, where in time he rose to the position of foreman. Having thus become thoroughly familiar with pump-making in all its branches, he became one of the organizers of the I X L Pump Company, and later of the I X L and Goshen Pump Company. the well known manufacturing corporation of Goshen, and held the offices of president and treasurer of the company. He with- drew from this business, however, in 1897. and became assistant cash- ier in the State Bank of Goshen, which institution he helped organize. and has been a director of the same since 1891. Mr. Lowry was one of the founders and, since its organization, has been a member of the board of directors of the Elkhart County Loan and Trust Company. While continuing to discharge his duties as cashier he is also inter- ested in real estate transactions, and is the owner of valuable farm property, the management of which he directs. Mr. Lowry is a fine type of the successful business man who has gained each successive step through his own well directed effort and industry.
Mr. Lowry in politics is a stanch Republican, and, long noted for the public-spirited part he has taken in municipal and civic affairs. has a record of public service marked with the utmost fidelity to duty in the administration of public matters entrusted to his care. He served as a member of the Goshen common council, 1896-98 and 1900-02. and in 1904 was elected chief executive of the city, a choice which has proved most felicitous for the welfare of Goshen. Fraternally Mr. Lowry affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Alfred Lowny
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From this brief review of his life his interests are seen to be varied and so important that his own welfare and success involve the well- being of others. The strength to carry these responsibilities has been given him, and he has made excellent use of the opportunities which have been vouchsafed to him.
LEWIS K. MCCLURE.
Lewis K. MeClure, who, applying his natural energy and busi- ness ability to the development of the resources of the county. has thereby won success, becoming a substantial farmer of Jackson town- ship, was born in Elkhart county, March 7, 1853. His parents were John and Rachel ( Lloyd) McClure, in whose family were six children, two sons and four daughters, Lewis K. being the fourth in order of birth. Only four of the number are now living and further mention is made of the family in the sketch of John F. McClure of New Paris, given on another page of this work.
Lewis K. McClure was reared in Elkhart county and at the usual age entered the common schools. The school system at that time was very imperfect. for pioneer conditions existed. He began his studies in a little log building standing on section twenty-two. It contained but one room and was furnished with slab benches. There were no desks before any of the seats, but a board was placed around the sides of the room, resting upon wooden pins driven into the wall. Upon this the older children wrote their exercises. The Elementary spelling book was used and an old-fashioned goosequill pen made by the master was found in the hands of the older pupils. The branches of learning taught were somewhat limited, being confined largely to reading, writ- ing, arithmetic. grammar and geography. It is probable that Mr. Mc- Clure enjoyed the pleasures of the play-ground as thoroughly as he did the duties of the schoolroom. When not occupied with his text books during the summer seasons he aided in the work on the home farm and continued to assist his father until he had attained his ma- jority, when his father gave him a horse and with this as his sole stock in trade he started out in life on his own account.
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