USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 56
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Manassa Baer. the father, was born in Ohio in 1800, was reared in his native state, receiving the education afforded by the poor common schools of that period, and after a successful career as a farmer he passed away May 2, 1857. Coming to Elkhart county in 1851, when much of the county was still in its primitive condition, he purchased land in Jack- son township near the Benton township line, and it was there he made his home till death. He was a Whig in politics, and lived long enough to vote for the first Republican ticket. Both he and his wife were members of the German Baptist church. The latter was born in Ohio about 1804 and died June 8, 1873.
Reared in her native county of Stark, the daughter Hannah was married there on April 10. 1846, to Stephen Brothers, and the large family born to them consisted of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, of whom seven are living at this writing. Byron, who had a public and normal school education, is a resident of Wichita, Kansas, . and by his marriage to Miss Cora U'mbenhour has two children, Lois and Gordon. Mary, who, after attendance at the common schools and the Goshen high school, was a teacher in New Paris a number of terms and also one year in Kansas, is now the wife of F. M. Rohrer, a carpenter and joiner at Goshen, and they have one child, Romain. Chloe, born a mute and graduated from the Deaf and Dumb Institute at Indianapolis. is the wife of J. W. Priestly, a mechanic residing in Goshen, and has one child. Clarence. Marjarah resides in Jackson township on the old homestead with her venerable mother. Elizabeth, a graduate of the Goshen high school and for eleven and a half years a successful teacher
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in this county, lives with her mother; she is the widow of the late Dr. Albert Eisenbeiss, who was a graduate of Indiana Medical College in the class of 1886 and who died in 1895. Albert, who completed his educa- tion at Purdue University and is now a practical farmer in Elkhart town- ship, married Miss Lovina Rodabaugh and has three sons, Chester, Wal- ter and John. The last of the living children is Dr. G. M. Brothers, whose life history immediately follows this sketch.
Stephen Brothers, the late husband of Hannail Brothers, was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 15, 1819, and died March 29, 1892. He received a common school education and followed the occupation of farming. A Whig during his early voting years, he became a Republican on the birth of that party, and cast his ballot for all the candidates from Lincoln until his death. He was often chosen a delegate to the county and district conventions, and was a loyal supporter of the Grand Old Party. He and his wife were members of the German Baptist church, and at his death the township and county suffered the loss of a man who had been faithful to all the obligations imposed by church, state, society and the countless relations of life. The estate which this pioneer built up by his labor and diligence is known as the "Wayside," and is the be- loved old home where children, relatives and friends still delight to linger and enjoy the rich associations of the past and present.
GUY M. BROTHERS, M. D.
The pupil of Aesculapius as exemplified in the graduate of our modern medical college is a factor that plays a most conspicuous part in home, community and nation. For, as Pope has expressed it :
" A wise physician, skilled our wounds to lieal. Is more than armies to the public weal."
The genial, sympathetic and skilled doctor, bringing sunshine into the sick chamber. is ever welcome to suffering humanity, and the ideal physician can never be too highly exalted in our minds. The old- school doctor. more potent for healing by reason of his sympathy than through knowledge or skill, though still beloved and fondly remem- bered, is giving place to the modern graduate, well equipped by study and experience and bringing to his work the vast sum of knowledge accumulated through years of experience and co-operative practice in this great field of applied science.
It is a physician and surgeon of the modern type whose career is presented in the following brief sketch of Dr. Brothers. A represen- tative of one of the most prominent old families of Jackson township, he needs no further introduction to the readers of this history, and a short history of his career finds a most fitting place in the annals of the county as found recorded in this year 1905.
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Born on the old homestead in Jackson township, September 15. 1873. the youngest of his parents' thirteen children, whose more de- tailed history is given above. Dr. Brothers spent his youth on the farm. receiving his diploma from the common schools in 1889. and finished his public school course by two years in the New Paris schools and two years in the Goshen high school. In 1893 he continued his studies in the Valparaiso College, where he studied until he received his diploma for the courses in pharmacy and literary departments. This scholastic career he completed so successfully only by relying upon his own efforts for the means of accomplishment, and he can be proud of the title of self-made man. On his return home from Valparaiso he took the examination for a teacher's license. obtained one, and for six years shaped the plastic minds of many boys and girls in his home dis- trict, where he is remembered as one of the very successful teachers.
In the meantime he had resolved upon the profession of medicine as his life work, although the law had also appealed to him strongly, and in the fall of 1900 he entered the medical department of Butler College, now the University of Indiana, and after pursuing the full course was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1904. During his period of preparation he was associated with Dr. Erastus M. Eisenbeiss, one of the most noted surgeons of the state, and from him gained much both in the way of inspiration to the highest ideals and also in direct practical benefit. After his graduation he passed the examination set by the state board. by which he was licensed to practice in twelve states of the Union, and in 1904 he located for active practice at New Paris, where he has already gained a very high place in his profession and is recognized as one of the most thoroughly equipped and able young practitioners in the county. Anxious to achieve success of a substantial and permanent character. and success measured from pro- fessional ideals rather than from a financial standpoint. he is as enthusi- astic a student now as when in college, and grasps every opportunity to better perfect himself for his life work. While the opportunity has been given him to enter practice in a large city, many reasons have persuaded him to begin his career in his home township. and here his influence and patronage have already become widespread. He is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, as also of the similar professional organization in this county, and is connected with the well known literary and medical body, the Sydneyham Society. Politically he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Mckinley, and his religious preference is for the Methodist faith. Much travel through the states of the Mississippi valley, as also continued and intimate con- tact with affairs and men, have contributed much to breadth of mind and universal sympathy which are characteristic of Dr. Brothers, imme- diately observable on brief acquaintance with the doctor, and his ability goes unquestioned throughout his native county.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
DR. JAMES .A. WORK.
Dr. James A. Work, one of the ablest representatives of the med- ical profession in Elkhart, who has practiced in that city for over thirty years, was born in Middlebury township of this county. Febru- ary 15, 1845. He is a son of Abel Everett Work, who was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, and came to Elkhart county in 1842. A blacksmith by trade, he followed that occupation in connection with farming. and had a shop for many years on his farm in Middlebury township. He was a respected and well known resident of the county for over fifty years, and died at an advanced age in 1808. \ Presby- terian, he was one of the founders of the Little Elkhart church, and its deacon many years. He was of Scotch-Irish descent through his father. Aaron Work, who was a native of Mifflin county, Pennsyl- vania. Dr. Work's mother, Cynthia H. ( Larimer ) Work, a native of Ohio and who lived to her seventieth year. was also of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The parents had eight sons, and all grew to manhood. Aaron is in the real estate and insurance business in Elkhart. Isaac L. and John W. both died in the service of their country during the rebellion. the tormer in 1863 and the latter in 1864. Dr. Samuel A .. who died at Vandalia, Michigan, in 1902, aged sixty years, had been a prominent physician there for twenty years. James .A. is the subject
of this sketch. William C. is a retired farmer living in Elkhart. Rob- ert W. is a blacksmith at Fawn River, Michigan. Rev. Abel M. is a Presbyterian clergyman at Brookings, South Dakota.
Dr. Work was reared on his father's farm in Middlebury town- ship, and the first schooling he had was in the Forest Grove district. He later attended the La Grange Collegiate Institute and the Goshen high school, and, obtaining a certificate, taught school three years as a means to entrance upon a professional career. He finished his edu- cation in the University of Michigan, graduating from the medical department in 1870. In the same year he located in Elkhart, and here for the subsequent thirty-five years has had a large general and sur- gical practice. Though never restricting his practice to one depart- ment. he has given special attention to surgical cases and also to pediatrics. He is one of the best known and considered one of the most reliable physicians in the county. He has maintained very ex- tensive professional connections, being a member of the Elkhart County, the Indiana State Medical societies, and the American Med- ical Association. and was the Elkhart representative to the interna- tional medical congress which met at Washington in 1887. there be- ing twenty-seven hundred delegates from all over the world at the congress. Dr. Work has twice served as president of the Elkhart County Medical Association, and has been secretary of the city board of health three times. He is a member of the Universal church. and is a strong Prohibitionist in political views.
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Dr. Work married, October 10, 1872. Miss Emma Bartholomew, a daughter of Henry and Ann Bartholomew. Seven children have been born to their union: Lydia E., the wife of Prof. D. F. Jantzen, a professor in the Central Mennonite College at Bluffton. Ohio; Henry Everett, who died at the age of twelve; Madge M., who is the wife of O. A. Kemp. a grocer of Elkhart; Ruth E., a teacher in the Elkhart public schools; James .A., Jr., graduated from the literary course at Michigan University, and is now studying medicine there; Paul B .. who is a graduate of the Elkhart high school and has also taken courses at the University of Michigan, is now teaching in the La Grange high school: Catherine E ... who is a pupil in the Elkhart high school.
ABNER HOLDEMAN.
A1. able representative of the agricultural class which forms the foundation of Olive township's material prosperity, Mr. Holdeman has for a number of years held an honored position among his fellow citizens. Born in Elkhart county, August 13, 1863, he has spent his lifetime in this county, and by diligence, attention to business and careful manage- ment and foresight, has achieved a very considerable success.
Mr. Holdeman was the oldest of eight children, three sons and five daughters, born to Abraham B. and Mary ( Kilmer) Holdeman. By liis previous marriage his father had a daughter Emma, who is the wife of Frank Girl. of Lorain county, Ohio, and has three children, Edna. Chloe and Walter. Mr. Abner Holdeman has four sisters living, namely : Anna E. is the wife of Daniel Wenger, a farmer of Olive township: Alice is the wife of Abram E. Wenger, a farmer of Baugo township: Priscilla is the wife of Irvin A. Long, of Baugo township: and Martha is the wife of William Delbert Cook, an agriculturist who resides on the old homestead in Bango township.
Abraham B. Holdeman. the father, who was born in Ohio. April 4, 1834, and till recently lived in Baugo township, came to this county with his parents when he was fifteen years old. That was still during the log-cabin epoch, and deer und wolves were frequently seen about the family's early home. By attending the common schools and apply- ing himself to study in private he became a well educated man, such that he became a school teacher himself and taught awhile in this county. His first home in this county was a log cabin on the one hun- dred and sixty acres purchased by his mother. He was a Republican in polities. having supported that party since its organization. He and his good wife, who was born in Ohio May 24. 1841. and is still living, were members of the Mennonite church and people of eminent worth who had been held in high esteem in this county for many years. Ah- raham Holdeman died on June 18, 1905. and the following obituary de- seribes his life in greater detail :
"Abraham Holdeman, one of the old residents of Bango township,
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Elkhart county. Indiana, died on Sunday evening. June 18, 1905. For fifty-six years he resided on the same farm where he died. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio. April 4, 1834, and was the youngest of twelve children. and the last one to die. All of the twelve lived to raise fam- ilies and three of theni died at the age of seventy-one years. At the age of fifteen he removed with his mother to the farm on which he died. On May 4, 1856, he was married to Elizabeth Weed of near Goshen, Indiana, who died May 11, 1860. To this marriage were born two children, one of whom, Mrs. Emma Girl, survives him. On September 15. 1861, he married Mary Kilmer. To this union were born seven chil- (Iren, five of whom, with their mother, survive him-Abner, Anna ( wife of Daniel Wenger ), Alice ( wife of Abraham Wenger). Priscilla ( wife of Irvin Long). Martha ( wife of Delbert Cook ) : also Louisa Basler, an adopted daughter, whom he loved and respected as one of his own chil- dren. He leaves also twenty-eight grandchildren and a large circle of relatives and friends. Five years ago Bro. Holleman was badly injured by his team running away in the city of Elkhart, and for weeks his mind was a blank. Since that time his health was greatly impaired, but he so far recovered from it that he could go about and attend to business to some extent. During this time he was still much interested in the sub- ject of religion and the advancement of the cause of Christ. On Feb- ruary 26, 1905, he had a stroke of paralysis and since that time was con- fined to his bed. He was very patient and never complained or mur- mured, and seemed to be unwilling to cause any unnecessary trouble. and often suffered the want of some things rather than ask to have them brought to him. On June fth he grew worse and continued sink- ing until June 18th, when he gently fell asleep in Jesus. He was a firm believer. in the Mennonite faith, though for many years not a mem- ber of the visible church. He was active as a Sunday school teacher und also used his pen to promote the interests of the kingdom, and in his views on the doctrines and practices of the church he was strictly orthodox, and remained faithful to the end. He was a kind husband. a loving father and a good neighbor, and gave many kind and good admonitions to his family during his days of suffering. He was buried at the Olive M. H., where services were conducted on the 21st of June by John Blosser of Ohio, and J. S. Shoemaker of Illinois, from I Cor. 3:21-23. His departure made a very marked impression on the family and especially on the sorrowing companion. May God comfort and bless both the mother and the children."
Mr. Holdeman spent his early years in Baugo township, where the common schools afforded him his education, and the years up to his ma- jority were passed under the parental roof. Without capital with which to begin life independently, he hired out to his father at eighteen dollars a month, and so continued until his marriage. He was fortunate in finding a helpmate who has been all that a wife should be-kind and helpful in all his undertakings, an affectionate mother. an excellent
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neighbor and esteemed member of the community. Eight children have been born during their wedded life, and seven are living: The son, Warren, who is now in high school, .took his diploma in the common schools in 1904 and his ranking average of scholarship was ninety-two per cent, as high as any in the township; Roscoe, who in his studies is mathematically inclined, will finish the common schools in 1906; Wal- ter is in the fifth grade. Florence in the fourth, Vera in the second, and Martha and Nelson have not yet been sent to school.
Mrs. Holdeman is herself a native of Elkhart county, born June 3, 1868, being the fifth in eight children, equally divided between sons and daughters, whose parents were James C. and Harriet ( Terwilliger ) Dodge. The five children yet living are: Jasper, who is married and is a farmer at Sand Lake, Michigan; Derrick C., who resides in New York state; Lee, who is married and is a barber in Mendocino, Cali- fornia ; Emma S., who is Mrs. Holdeman, their marriage having been celebrated December 6, 1885; and Nellie, wife of Levi Burkett, who is a mail carrier and lives in Baugo township. James C. Dodge, the father, who was an unele of Judge James S. Dodge of this county, was born in New York state and for many years farmed in Elkhart county. where he died. He was a Jackson Democrat in politics. His wife, who also came from New York, is now living at Sand Lake, Michigan. Mrs. Holdleman was reared in this county and gained her education in its common schools.
Relying upon their industry and economy. Mr. and Mrs. Holde- man after their marriage went to work to make a home and place in the world for themselves, and it is due to their persistency and faithful efforts that they have attained the culmination of their desires. On October 13. 1893. they located on their present farm, where they lived several years as renters. In 1898 they bought a farm, going in debt for most of it, but by capable management closed up the transaction with a profit, and in 1899 bought his present farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres, where they have a comfortable home and are making a success of their operations. Mr. and Mrs. Holdeman are erecting a pretty and comfortable brick veneer residence twenty-eight by forty feet, two stories, which will be a credit to the township of Olive. Hon- esty and uprightness they have considered as not less important factors in their life work than diligence and shrewd management, and the place they occupy in the community shows how well they have wrought along the lines which lead to success.
.A stanch Republican, Mr. Holdeman cast his first vote for James G. Blaine and has always upheld the principles of the Grand Old Party. He is well known in this part of the county for the interest he takes in first-class stock, especially horses, and he raises and sells each year some very excellent specimens of heavy draft horses. Mrs. Holdeman is a member of the Mennonite church.
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HISTORY OF. ELKHART COUNTY
EDWARD CARLYLE CROW, D. O.
Edward Carlyle Crow, D. O., who for the past four years has been numbered among the successful practitioners of Elkhart and as a repre- sentative of the modern osteopathic school has achieved a very notable success, was born in Pike county, Missouri, January 24, 1862, a son of Martin and Louisa ( Hendrick) Crow. His father was born at Harrods- burg, Kentucky, and his mother in Pike county, Missouri, and both are still living, though in advanced age. His father has been one of the suc- cessful farmers and stock-raisers of Missouri, and has been unusually prosperous in financial matters. He is one of the prominent men of Pike county, and served four years as county judge. He has been a resident of that county seventy-four years, being now a venerable man of eighty- four years.
Dr. Crow, who is the third child and second son of seven children, grew up on his father's farm. His early school days were passed in a country school, and he then attended Watson Seminary at Ashley, Mis- souri, and, in 1882-83. the commercial department of the Missouri State University at Columbia. He first devoted his attention to a business career, conducting a furniture and carpet house in Bowling Green, Mis- souri. for nine years. He then matriculated at the well known American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, and after successfully pur- sning the courses of study and investigation graduated in June, 1901, with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy. He practiced for a brief time at Petoskey, Michigan, and in September. 1901, located in Elkhart, where he has built up a thriving practice. He is a member of the National Association and the Indiana State Association of Osteopathy.
Fraternally Dr. Crow is a Master Mason, an Odd Fellow and an Elk. A Republican in politics, while a resident of Bowling Green he served as councilman and has always taken a public-spirited interest in the affairs of his community.
Dr. Crow married, in 1883, Miss Elizabeth Marzolf, who also grad- uated from the same school in 1001, and is in active practice with her husband. They have one son. Martin E. Crow, who is assistant manager of the Home Telephone Company at Elkhart.
LEANDER ANDERSON.
Leander Anderson, who was born in Harrison township. Elkhart county, July 12, 1848, has been throughout his active career prominently identified with the agricultural and civie affairs of the county and is also entitled to especial distinction in this work as being the son of one of the very oldest pioneer settlers of the county.
Flis father, the Hon. Noah Anderson, who died in 1874. in his sixty- second year, was a native of Delaware state and had come to this county as early as 1832, which is one of the early dates in the county's history. He chose the fertile region of what has since become Harrison township,
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taking up a quarter section of government land, and cleared it up and made a beautiful farm, on which he lived till his death. His trade was that of millwright, and at one time he was in the employ of the Hawks Milling Company and in a plow factory. In 1860 he was a member of the state legislature and, from the organization of the party a stanch Re- publican, he was identified in many ways with the public life of his county. He served as county commissioner several terms and in other local offices. He married Mary Ann Hay, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1885 at the age of seventy-four. She was of German stock, while his ancestry was English and Scotch. They were parents of six sons and four daughters, two of whom died in infancy, while the rest grew to adult years.
Leander Anderson, the eighth child and fourth son, was reared on his father's farm in Harrison township, where the public schools fur- nished him his education. By choice of occupation an agriculturist. and one of the most successful of those who have followed that calling in this county, until within the last ten years his attention was devoted entirely to that line of business. He farmed on the home place until 1885. then was located on his farm just south of Elkhart until 1893, and in that year retired from active participation in farming and moved to Elk- hart. He had been interested to a considerable extent in city real estate. and in 1901 built the Anderson block in Elkhart, a three-story office and business structure which forms one of the best modern additions to the business district. Besides other property in Elkhart, he is the owner of a good farm in Harrison township and also one in Concord township.
A strong Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Anderson has held the office of justice of the peace and for ten years has been city com- missioner. He is a member of the Century Club, and in business and social circles has long been one of the popular and influential men of Elkhart.
SOL MILLER.
A practical education and business acumen, coupled with integ- rity of character, are the cardinal qualifications for a successful busi- ness man. Among the younger element of our people, upon whom has fallen the robe of responsibility in directing the affairs of com- merce, will be found in each community one or more possessing these characteristics and by the very nature of their talents taking a fore- most place in the business and social activities of their home commun- ity. Such a person is Mr. Sol Miller, whose permanent home is at Syracuse, but who has been identified for some time with the business affairs of the town of Wakarusa. Coming of a family which has fig- ured very conspicuously in the early history of southeastern Elkhart county, he is a grandson of that Solomon Miller who finds a promi- nent place in this history as the founder of the town of Millersburg.
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