USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 51
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
In 1849 Mr. Yates married Miss Jane Wyland, a daughter of Daniel Wyland, whose brother Jonathan built and was the proprietor of the Wyland mills in Jackson township, which are mentioned at the proper place in the general history of the county. Mrs. Yates was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1830, and was reared in Miami county. where she married. The five children of their marriage are as follows : Miss Frances, who is at home: George, of Elkhart: Alice, wife of Henry Smith, of Chicago: Maggie, a trained nurse in Redoak, Jowa; and Maud, wife of Harvey Smith. Mr. Yates is a lifelong Republi- can, and in the Baptist church of Goshen has long been a very active member having filled all the lay offices in the same.
476
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
CHARLES A. WEHMEYER.
Charles A. Wehmeyer, whose name is always mentioned in connec- tion with the leading lawyers of Elkhart county, is one of the men of self-achievement of whom this history furnishes several conspicuous ex- amples. To his own initiative, to his diligence and perseverance, com- bined with his native ability, is due his success in life and in a profession which demands unusual talents of mind and character.
Born on an Elkhart county farm in 1867, so that he has been throughout his life identified with the county. he was thrown on his own resources at the age of fourteen, and since that period of incipient youth has been winning his own way. . At the age of sixteen he transferred the scene of his activities from the country to Goshen, and by dint of much effort gained an education in the high school of this city. He was only sixteen years old when he was granted a certificate to teach in the county. and thus equipped he taught two terms in one of the district schools of the county. Beginning his law studies under Baker, Defrees and Baker. he obtained admittance to the bar in 1880, and since that date has been engaged in active practice in Goshen. He is now a member of the firm of Vail and Wehmeyer, and besides his strictly legal work he discharges the cluties of fire insurance inspector for Goshen and vicinity. In politics he is a Republican, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Elks and the Maccabees.
Mr. Wehmeyer married. December 31, 1891. Miss Kate A. Myers, who is a daughter of Jesse H. Myers, one of the pioneers of this county.
CHARLES A. D.AVIS.
Charles A. Davis, for over thirty years identified with the business and manufacturing interests of Goshen, where he has resided practically ever since he was fourteen years okl. is senior proprietor of the well known firm of C. A. Davis and Son, whose lumber yards have for many years supplied much of the building industry of this county.
Born October 4, 1846, on a farm in Concord township just two and a half miles east of the city of Elkhart, on the banks of the St. Joseph, he is the son of Colonel Henry G. and Cynthia ( Tibbits ) Davis, his father a native of Massachusetts and having earned his title during the war of the rebellion.
His younger years spent on the farm, where he attended country schools, in 1860 Mr. Davis came to Goshen to make it his permanent home. and with the exception of three years, 1878-79-80, spent in the lumber business in Chicago, he has lived here ever since. He attended school at Notre Dame University one year and took two years in the college at Kalamazoo, Michigan. All his ambitions for a business ca- reer have centered in the lumber industry, and while yet on the farm he preferred getting out logs from the timber to any other form of farm labor. On beginning his active career he established a sawmill in
L. a. Davis
477
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
Jefferson township, but four years later came to Goshen, where for about twenty-five years he operated a sawmill on the hydraulic canal, cutting all kinds of hardwood lumber that grow in this vicinity. In 1890 he became connected with the retail lumber business by purchas- ing an interest in the lumber yard of Smith Brothers, and when this business was sold out in 1898 Mr. Davis started a yard of his own at his present location. He carries all grades of lumber and manufactured building supplies, and his flourishing trade makes him one of Goshen's most substantial business men. Among his business associates in the past have been John B. Drake. now deceased. Charles W. Niedig for two years, and more recently his son Clyde H.
.A Republican in politics and long known as a public-spirited citi- zen, Mr. Davis has served two terms in the city council and in Novem- ber, 1900, was elected a county commissioner, taking his seat in 1901, and in 1904 was re-elected for another period of three years, and dur- ing 1904 was president of the board. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and is a demitted member of the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Davis married, in 1871, Miss Henrietta Crider, who is a daughter of the late Benjamin H. Crider. Three children have been born of their marriage: Blanche, Clyde H., and Donald B., who died when twelve years old.
ISRAEL IMMEL.
Israel Immel, one of the enterprising, practical young men of New Paris, whose progressive spirit has been an element in the upbuilding and growth of this section of the county, was born in Elkhart county. February 22, 1870. and is the ninth in a family of ten children-four sons and six daughters, whose parents were Israel and E. ( Kaughman ) Immel. The father was born in Ohio. April 30, 1819. and passed away November 12. 1875. He was reared in Ohio, spending the early part of his manhood in that state. after which he came to make his home in Elkhart county, Indiana. He followed the occupation of farming and he gave his political support to the Jacksonian Democracy. Suc- cessful as the years passed. his labors enabled him to acquire a valuable property and at his death he was the owner of four hundred acres of rich land in Jackson township. He was one of the honored pioneers of the locality, arriving herc when the red men still roamed through the forests and when deer and other wild game was to be had in abun- dance. Hardships and trials fell to the lot of those who established homes on the frontier, but the Immel family bore all cheerfully and bravely in the endeavor to secure a good farm and obtain through its cultivation a substantial financial reward. Mrs. Immel was born in Chillicothe. Ohio. March 21. 1837, and passed away December 25, 1902, when sixty-five years of age. She was a member of the Ger- man Baptist church and was laid to rest by the side of her husband. beautiful stones marking their last resting place. Of their family five
478
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
are yet living : Delilah, who is the wife of Lewis MeClure, an agricul- turist of Jackson township: Matilda, the wife of Joseph Kaughman, of Jackson township: David 1., who is living in Elkhart City ; and Minnie E .. who is engaged in dressmaking in Goshen, Indiana. Lewis, who was married and an agriculturist of New Paris, died August 8. 1905.
Israel Immel was reared in his native township, early becoming familiar with the labor of the home farm and in the public schools he obtained his education. He is well known in Elkhart county and that his life has been honorable and straightforward is indicated by the large circle of friends which he has. He remained with his mother until twenty-three years of age, carrying on agricultural pursuits after- ward on his own account for ten years. He inherited a tract of land of sixty acres in Jackson township atter paying to the other heirs the sum of five hundred dollars. In his farming operations he has always leen practical and systematic, placing his land under a high state of cultivation and carrying on his work in a most careful and successful manner.
Mr. Immel has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Elva Sheline, who lived but a short time, and he married Miss Ota Clayton, on the 29th of April, 1896. She was born in Kosciusko county. De- cember 27, 1873, and there largely spent her girlhood days. Her par- ents were Samuel and Hannah Clayton, who are still residents of Mil- ford, Kosciusko county.
Mr. Immel votes with the Democracy and he cast his first presi- dential ballot for Grover Cleveland. He is recognized as one of the local leaders in the ranks of the party, doing all in his power to pro- mote its growth and insure its success. In 1900 he was elected a trustee of Jackson township, and during his service he did much to advance material improvement of his locality. He favored the employ- ment of good teachers and the erection of good schools and during his incumbency five iron bridges were built and three stone bridges. He watched carefully the interests of the general public and often through personal sacrifice promoted the welfare of the community. In 1000 he erected on the north side of New Paris a pretty, modern cot- tage, surrounded by thirteen acres of land. The lawn is well kept and everything about the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Immel are young people worthy the regard that is uniformly extended them and they certainly deserve mention in this volume.
VALENTINE BERKEY.
Valentine Berkey, for fifty years prominently identified with the business, industrial and civic affairs of Elkhart county, at this writing being chairman of the county council, known as one of the oldest and most active luilermen in the county, as well as a very successful farmer. was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. May 29. 1833. The family,
479
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
of Dutch stock, has been long established in Pennsylvania, his grand- father. Peter Berkey, being also native to that state. His father, Daniel P. Berkey, who was born also in Somerset county, was a farmer by voca- tion, and after retiring from active pursuits came to Elkhart county, in 1866, where he died in his eighty-sixth year. He was an active member of the German Baptist church. His wife, Fannie Huffman, was born in the same county of Pennsylvania and lived to be about eighty years old. Five of their children reached adult age: namely. David. deceased; An- drew, a resident of this county : Valentine, Mary, wife of Lewis Berkey. of Elkhart county, and Peter D., another well known citizen of this county.
Reared in his native county and receiving his education in the dis- trict schools. Mr. Berkey was about twenty-two years of age when he came to this county, in 1855. Locating in Elkhart township, for about two years he was best known as a practical thresherman, after which he followed the carpenter's trade for some years. In 1857. after his mar- riage, he located on a farm in Harrison township and was engaged in farming there until 1880. in which year he moved to a farm in Elkhart township, and from there, in 1890, came to his present home in West Goshen, and has not been actively engaged in farming since that date. Mr. Berkey is perhaps best known to the people of the county through his connection with the lumbering interests, having carried on his oper- ations in this line, in connection with farming. for the past forty years. In a single season he has transacted business involving two million feet of lumber. He is now a buyer for the Sanders-Egbert Company of Goshen, and for some years he was with John Lesh, the lumber king of Elkhart county. He still owns a farm of one hundred and seventeen acres in this county, and also has real estate interests in Kansas.
A lifelong and active Republican, Mr. Berkey has filled various civil offices in this county. He was township trustee for eight successive vears in Harrison township, was township assessor and the incumbent of other local offices, and at the present time is member and chairman of the county council. the important administrative body which by recent act of legislature has been given a prominent place in the civil govern- ment of the county.
Mr. Berkey was married in 1857 to Miss Hetty Miller, and they have spent a happy married life of nearly fifty years. She was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. October 14, 1835. being the only daughter of Jonas and Barbara ( Hay ) Miller, who were born in Pennsylvania and were both reared in Montgomery county, Ohio. Mrs. Berkey's father died at South Bend, and her mother married again. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Berkey. Those still living are as fol- lows: Austin: Ida, wife of O. S. Compton, of Pasadena. California : Ira, married and located in South Bend: Ella, wife of Jesse Heefner, of Goshen: Nettie, wife of Elijah Brakes, of Goshen : Floyd V .. in Logans- port. The deceased children were Monroe J .. who died at the age of
480
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
forty years: Nora Belle, who died aged four years; Alvin, who died at the age of twelve ; and Clermont, who was seven years old at the time of his deatlı.
MELVIN URIAH DEMAREST.
Melvin Uriah Demarest, in the real estate and brokerage business at Elkhart, has been intimately identified with the financial and business affairs of this city for a number of years. But not alone as a merchant and an official in one of the leading banks of the city is he known to nearly everyone of his fellow citizens, but also in public, fraternal and other affairs lias his great interest been shown, and without doubt he is one of the broadest-gauged men of Elkhart.
Born in Broadalvin, Fulton county, New York, December 14, 1852, he was a son of David U. and Lucy C. ( Johnson ) Demarest. When he was but a lad his parents located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but soon returned to their old New York home and remained there till the close of the Civil war, when they once more sought a home in the west, set- tling at Coldwater, Michigan. The parents still live at Coldwater, where the father followed his trade of cooper until advancing old age compelled him to forego the activity upon which he so long depended for his living and which served as the basis for his comfortable circumstances.
The career of M. U. Demarest is that of a man who has made his own way since he was eleven years old, and who is therefore a self-made man in the best sense of the term. In 1874, when a little past the age of majority, possessed of a fair common school education and with an am- bition which meant success, though confronted with all obstacles, he came to Elkhart and took a clerical position with the dry-goods house of Will- iam Proctor. Three years later he became a partner with J. B. Daven- port in the dry-goods business at LaGrange, this state. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Demarest accepted of Mr. H. E. Bucklen the position of adver- tising agent, and for the following ten years traveled in the interests of that great proprietary medicine company, Elkhart being his home and headquarters. His business connection with the Bucklen house was sev- ered on account of the serious illness of his only daughter, who has never been fully restored to health, and on whose account he thought it best to give up the life of traveling man. He took this step in September, 1891, and has since been actively associated with the business and finan- cial affairs of Elkhart. During the following winter, with Charles N. White, he purchased three bankrupt stocks of groceries and participated in one of the liveliest mercantile wars ever known in the grocery trade of Elkhart. Then in August, 1893. he inaugurated a successful coal business under the name of the Independent Coal Company, and energy, faultless business methods and full public confidence characterized this flourishing business during the eight years in which he was connected with it. He finally sold out the business. In September, 1893. coinci- dent with the inception of the coal business, he was appointed receiver
4×1
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
for the Eagle Knitting Company, and his executive ability enabled him to make a prompt and most satisfactory settlement of the matters of this company. Another enterprise which he organized, but which was barren of profitable results, was the Eikhart Bridge Company. In May. 1904. Mr. Demarest organized, together with Col. Thomas Snell. of Clinton. Illinois, and others, the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Elkhart. Those in control of this institution saw fit to continue its existence only a brief time, when they went into voluntary liquidation, and the stockholders having secured a controlling interest in the St. Joseph Valley Bank, of which he was formerly a director, they effected a reorganization of the latter institution, of which he was a director and was elected cashier. This is one of the strongest banking honses of the county. Mr. Demarest resigned as cashier in March. 1905.
A lifelong Republican, Mr. Demarest has taken more or less active part in local politics, and has been especially interested in the welfare of his city. From 1894 to 1898 he served in the common council from the third ward. In June, 1899. he was elected a member of the school board of the city schools, and at this writing is president of the board. Mr. Demarest is one of the best known Masons of northern Indiana, being now past eminent commander of Elkhart Commandery No. 31. K. T. For years he has been a leading member of the well known Century Club. of which he was secretary from 1897 to 1899, and is now a member of the board of directors.
Mr. Demarest married, in April, 1876. Miss Ida Belle Gore, of Elkhart. Their daughter and only child is Minnie Belle, who is one of the popular young ladies in the social circles of this city.
J. L. HIVELY, D. O.
J. L. Hively. D. O., represents the osteopathic school of medical and surgical practice, and though a recent resident of Elkhart he has gained a large following and is one of the successful osteopaths of northern Indiana.
Dr. Hively is a native son of Elkhart county, having been born on a farm in Concord township, February 4, 1866, a son of Peter S. and Elizabeth H. (Cowan) Hively, both now deceased. the mother having passed away only about two years ago. The name Hively is of German origin, and Cowan is Scotch, which is a good admixture of races. Dr. Hively was just four years old when his father died, and he is the young- est of the nine children born to his parents.
Reared on an Elkhart county farm, he attended the country schools during his boyhood and later was a pupil in the Elkhart city schools. Leaving the farm at the age of twenty-three, he thenceforth for eight years followed railroading, and then applied himself to preparation for the medical profession. In January, 1901, he graduated from the Amer- ican School of Osteopathy at Kirksville. Missouri. with the degree of
482
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
D. O. For a while he was located at Idaho Springs, Colorado, was a year at Denver. and on January 8. 1903. located permanently at Elkhart. where he has gained professional prestige and a very satisfactory prac- tice.
Dr Hively affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He was married in 1892 to Miss Ruth Ilart, of Elkhart, and they are very popu- lar in the social circles of this city.
CHARLES L. MONGER.
Charles 1. Monger, of Elkhart, has won success in business from a start without capital or influence. He is one of the prosperous men of the city at this time, owns a considerable amount of profitable real estate, cares for a large wholesale lumber trade on the road, and in general is known as a man of enterprise and ability and of excellent publie spirit.
Born in Rockingham county, Virginia, September 25. 1867, a son of William H. and Margaret ( Vauters ) Monger, both of old Virginia families and both now deceased. Mr. Monger at an early age gained ex- tensive experience in the lumber business owing to the fact that his father operated a sawmill and manufactured large quantities of lum- ber. For education he enjoyed the advantages of country schools and the public schools of Mt. Crawford. Starting out for himself at the age of twenty-one, he left Virginia and came to the city of Elkhart in the spring of 1889. He became assistant blacksmith in the Elkhart Carriage and Harness Manufacturing Company, and during the six- teen months that he was thus employed at manual labor he attended evening classes in the business college, and later this was supplemented by a three months' course in the commercial department of Lebanon Normal at Lebanon. Ohio. With this equipment for a commercial life added to his native ability in that line, he became bookkeeper for Newman Brothers, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds and house furnishings, and was with them two years and a half. While with them he had been given the opportunity to go out on the road for the firm, and this opportunity having been well improved, he thus began his career as a traveling salesman. In 1804 he began selling lumber to the wholesale trade on commission, and he has continued this with increasing success to the present time. He has achieved his own suc- cess, for when he came to Elkhart some fifteen or sixteen years ago he made the trip on borrowed money, and his own efforts have been the basis for his business prosperity. A firm believer in the material pros- perity of Elkhart, he has been willing to invest his capital in this city. und in 1904 completed the Lexington building, a handsome business block on Lexington avenue, and in 1005 erected the elegant Monger building, a four-story and basement office building, occupying ground
C. L. Monger
MONGER BUILDING
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY 483
space fifty-six by one hundred and seventeen feet and which is thor- oughly modern in all respects.
December 27. 1893. Mr. Monger married Miss Anna Titus, and at once moved into the residence which he had built in preparation for this event. They have two children. Ralph L. and Ruth. They are members of the Methodist church.
CHARLES W. FRINK, M. D.
Charles W. Frink. M. D., the son of a man who has cast distinction on the medical profession in Elkhart county, and himself one of the most prominent members of the medical fraternity in this county, was born over in LaGrange county, on a farm, January 20, 1863. a son of Charles S. and Anabel ( Vermilye or Vermilje ) Frink.
On his mother's side Dr. Frink is of pure Dutch descent, represent- ing the present generation of the family which Johannes Vermilye, of Holland, established in this country during its colonial epoch, and it is a matter of record that this Johannes Vermilye was one of the twenty- three original grantees of the old town of Harlem, New York city.
His father, Dr. Charles S. Frink, who was a son of Nathan Frink. a native of New York, was born in New York state and in early life came to Indiana, married and settled in LaGrange county. He held the office of county recorder several years. He studied medicine, graduating from the University of Michigan just before the Civil war, and volun- teered his services to the Union cause. He made a distinguished record as surgeon, became lieutenant colonel, and served as medical director of the Twenty-third Army Corps. Locating in Elkhart at the close of the war, he continued in active practice here until his death, in 1893, at the age of fifty-six. He was a member of the American Medical Association and also of the state society, was a prominent G. A. R. man and a mem- ber of the Loyal Legion, was a Mason, and took a very active part in church work as a member of the Methodist denomination, being secre- tary of the board of trustees and contributing largely to the erection of the edifice where he worshiped till his death. Twice married. by his first wife he had a son and a daughter, the latter now Mrs. D. J. Yoder. a widow, living in Elkhart. For his second wife he married Angeline S. Lowe, of Philadelphia, who now survives him and lives in Elkhart The children of the second union are Lauer S., Arthur S., Ralph M .. Mrs. Z. F. Benfer, of Chicago, and Miss Emily.
Dr. C. W. Frink was reared in Elkhart and has spent most of his active career here. Graduating from the Elkhart High School in 1880. he entered the office of S. M. Cummins, D. D. S .. and spent two years in the study of dentistry. He then spent one year each in Hillsdale Col- lege, Michigan, and DePauw University in Indiana. Then in 1884 matriculating at Rush Medical College, Chicago, he graduated from that well known institution in 1887. For the following four years he prac-
a
484
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
ticed at Indianapolis, and for one year of that time was deputy coroner of Marion county. He came to Elkhart in 1891, joining his father and continuing a joint practice until the latter's death in 1893. and since then has carried on his large practice alone. He does a large amount of pro- fessional business as surgeon and medical examiner, being surgeon to the Big Four and the Indiana Electric Railroad companies, and is medical examiner for the Mutual Life of New York, the New York Life, the Massachusetts Mutual, the Northwestern of Milwaukee, the Connecticut Mutual. the Mutual Benefit of New York, the Manhattan, and served other life insurance companies. He is a member of the county and state medical societies and of the American Medical Association, and also of the American Academy of Railway Surgeons. His religious connections are with the Presbyterian denomination.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.