USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 62
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January 1, 1873, he married Miss Anna C. Jackson, a daughter of Colonel John and Catharine (Carr) Jackson. She was born in this county. May 4. 1837, and was reared and has spent all her life as a resident here. Mr. Thompson in 1875 erected a beautiful brick resi- dence on his estate, and the Thompson homestead is known all over the county for its beauty and agricultural excellence and for the genial per- sonality of its owner. He has a hundred and thirteen acres of fine land, situated in Jackson township, and his stock and general farming inter- ests still receive his personal attention and supervision. In 1853 Hon. Thompson went to the state of lowa and at that early date there was not a rail or railroad tie across the Mississippi river, where now in 1905 it is gridironed with trunk lines of railroads.
Formerly a Whig and casting his first vote for General Scott. Mr. Thompson now advocates the principles of the old Jefferson and Jack- son Democracy. In 1858 he was elected to represent his county in the state legislature, and the choice of his fellow citizens returned him to the assembly in 1873, in 1877, 1881 and 1887. He was in the legis- lature which voted the construction of a new capitol, and was still a member when the assembly first met in the new state house.
MICHAEL WENGER.
Michael Wenger, representing the German sturdiness and American enterprise which have been factors of first importance in developing the material resources of this country during the last half century, has lived in Elkhart county since boyhood, and in Harrison township, where he has lived for fifty years, he has long held a place as a foremost citizen and successful man of affairs.
Mr. Wenger was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 23. 1844. the fourth child in a family of seven, four sons and three daughters, whose parents were Christian D. and Mary ( Wenger) Wen- ger. He now has only a brother and a sister living: Eli, who is a farmer in Harrison township and is married and has five children : and
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Fannie. wife of Christian Weaver, a farmer of Harrison township, and they have four living children.
Christian Wenger, the father, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. January 25. 1800, and who died in this county October II. 1882, followed the occupation of miller many years, and then devoted his energies to farming during the latter part of his life. From Penn- sylvania he moved to Canada in 1856, and. being a bright and all-observ- ing boy of eleven years at the time, the son Michael distinctly remem- bers most of the incidents of the journey, which was made by rail. In particular does he recall how he and the rest of the family walked across the suspension bridge over the Niagara falls. The father did not remain long after locating in Waterloo county, Ontario, and in October of the same year came to Elkhart county. The first land he owned was in section 16 of Harrison township, and he afterward purchased the farm where his son Eli now resides. For some years after their arrival here the Wenger family lived in a story-and-a-half log house, having a barn of like material. The father followed the fortunes of first the Whig and then the Republican party, and he and his wife were members of the Mennonite church. The mother, who was born in Pennsylvania, Janu- ary 30, 1817, died September 25, 1900, after attaining the great age of eighty-three years and eight months.
Since he was only eleven years old when he came to this county Mr. Wenger received most of his education after his arrival. He was brought up on the farm, trained in farm duties, and has followed agri- culture all his career, with most successful results. Remaining with his parents till he reached his majority, at that time his father gave him a three-dollar ax. and with this implement as his stock-in-trade he earned his first money by cutting cord wood at from forty-five to seventy-five cents a cord. He also hired out to work by the month at wages of eighteen dollars. Although during his earlier years he prospected through the states of Illinois. Michigan and elsewhere, Elkhart county has been his actual home through all his active career, and his efforts have been identified in a very important way with his home township. Beginning with no capital, he has gained success above the ordinary through the application of industry and good management. The first real estate he owned was a lot in the city of Elkhart. This he traded for ten acres of timber land in Harrison township, which he later sold for four hundred dollars. In 1887 he purchased his present place of eighty acres at sixty dollars an acre, going in debt for part of it, but his thrift and diligent effort have since cleared off all incumbrances. In ad- dition he has placed innumerable improvements on his farm, so that it now ranks among the model farmsteads of the township.
January 5. 1893, Mr. Wenger married Miss Saloma Troxel. Four sons and a daughter were born to them. and the four still living are : Allen, in third grade of school; Nora, in the second grade: John, in the first grade: and Harvey. Mrs. Wenger, who was born in St. Joseph
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county. June 26, 1868, a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Killer) Troxel, was reared and educated in St. Joseph county and lived there till her mar- riage.
A Republican and a loyal supporter of his party, Mr. Wenger has not participated to any extent in practical politics, but in all matters that affect the welfare and progress of his community his effort and influence are counted upon as factors of first importance. He has made one of the most efficient road supervisors in Elkhart county, having served for sixteen years in that office. It is claimed that no other township in the county has better roads than Harrison. He has also served on the ad- visory board, along with Peter Berkey, another public-spirited citizen, and they have had the confidence of the entire township in their acts. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger are members of the Mennonite church.
J. D. UMBENHOWER.
John D. Unibenhower is a man too well known in Goshen and through Elkhart county to require any lengthy introduction for his life history. Having lived here nearly forty-five years, for many years en- gaged in business in different parts of the county and adjoining counties, having been the incumbent of various public positions, he is however best known by the work he has accomplished for the cause of music. The most universal of the arts, appealing almost without exception to all persons, music as a personal accomplishment and its awakening and culti- vation as a permanent taste in thousands of individuals, has been the basis of Mr. Umbenhower's career, and it is a source of profound satis- faction to him that he has enriched the character of so many people by educating and training their musical talents.
Mr. Umbenhower was born in Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, May 27. 1842. His grandfather, Jacob, of German descent, was born in Virginia and died near New Paris, Indiana, May, 1870, aged eighty years. The father, John Umbenhower, was a substantial farmer, having moved to this county in March, 1861. and he died at the age of sixty years. August 21, 1874. His wife was Elizabeth Ritter, born near Canton, Ohio, and died at the age of seventy-four, at Goshen, September 14. 1800. They were the parents of five children : two daughters, Sarah. wife of George W. Rule, Goshen druggist, and Mary .A., of Chicago; three sons, William S., a farmer living ncar Cromwell. Indiana, and Lewis H., deceased.
John D., the third son, spent the first eight years in his native county ; then from Stark moved to Wayne county. Ohio, and at the age of eighteen past, in 1861, moved to Elkhart county, Jackson township, in which county he has resided ever since. Almost entirely self-educated. he has selected that knowledge from the world's store which has been most beneficial to him, and along the lines which his mind and ambition have followed. He speaks with the authority which is born of long
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experience and eager inquiry to the bottom of things. During the Civi! war he was twice drafted for the service. He received this high honor of being drafted the second time, and hired two substitutes, paying one hundred and twenty -five dollars for the first one and eight hundred and fifty dollars for the second one. And yet, as the war records show, he served nine months in the Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, but has never received a cent in compensation from the United States government for services rendered. His career as a singing school teacher began in 1861. His first term of thirteen lessons was taught in New Paris; second term at Groveland school house, Union township; third term at Ott's church, Solomons Creek. He taught on till the fall of 1862, when he was drafted for service, and with many others went to Indianapolis, Camp Sullivan, where were found eight thousand drafted men. On return from service and partial recovery of his health, he began the musical work again and continued therein until now he has taught the wonderful number of over four hundred terms (a term is thirteen lessons )-a record which upon best authority cannot be surpassed in the United States-and at the same time is teaching yet, and for the last several years is devoting much time to evangelistic services over the country. Recently five of the lead- ing music publishing houses of Chicago complimented Mr. Umbenhower upon his ability and record by presenting him eleven hundred pieces of music, which are highly appreciated by Mr. Umbenhower.
In addition to the above, Mr. Umbenhower has held scores of con- certs and for many years has been the musical director at county teachers' institutes, Sunday school township institutes, for several years leading in ten different township institutes; also often at county conventions. Mr. Umbenhower always took an active part in the discussions, being a natural debater. He had offered to him the professorship in three colleges, but saw fit to decline them all, and in many ways his record among music instructors is unique and interesting. In the year 1876, Centennial year, August 10, up to this time having taught two hundred and twenty-five terms, he concluded to give his scholars and friends a musical treat called Jubilee Day, held seven miles southwest of Goshen, in Stewart's Grove, Harrison township, on Saturday, August 10, 1876, from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. The day was lovely. The program consisted of solos, quartets, duets, anthems, glees, comic songs, choruses and a chorus class of over five hundred voices, orchestra and New Paris cornet band and good addresses, made by Rev. Boxer, who made the musical oration; Prof. A. Blunt, Hon. Lew Wanner, Rev. B. H. Crider and Dr. Hunt all of Goshen except Dr. Hunt. The citizens of near Southwest postoffice ( Jubilee grounds ) took a great interest and beautified the grounds, erected a large music stand ; also presented one of the finest dinners that was ever enjoyed. Chief among those present were Mc- Dowells, Bowsers, Shivelys, Rarricks, McDonalds, Hartmans, Cripes, Bechtels. Hoovers, Benners, Alfords, Kerchers, and many others. They came from far and near, and the number in attendance was over five
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thousand, the largest musical gathering ever held in the county. Sheriff Samuel R. Miller and Prosecuting Attorney I. A. Simmons were present.
Mr. U'mbenhower was the first to establish the closed door system, in 1861, which proved a great blessing and other teachers adopted it. Mr. Umbenhower never in all his school life had a class broken up. disci- pline being one of his strongest characteristics. He also invented one of the finest music charts ever placed before a music class-a self-instructor.
In 1868 he bought a half interest in the dry goods, grocery and general store of M. A. Ferrell, of Waterford Mills, and resided and con- tinued said store at Waterford for four years, then removed the store to New Paris and continued till May 3. 1876, when the store burned : loss, five thousand dollars, owned by J. D. Umbenhower & Co., his father being the company. In 1881 he moved to Goshen. While at New Paris he was agent for Hartford and Ohio farmers' fire insurance companies. which agency he held for nineteen years and did a very prosperous busi- ness. In 1892 he began again in the grocery business with his son. Frank J., on East Lincoln avenue, at the same time teaching, working insurance, etc. His son, Frank J., organized the Umbenhower Goshen Cornet Band, of which Frank J. was leader. In June. 1808, he moved his store building and stock up to 510 Reynolds street, Goshen. Janu- ary 2, 1899, he sold the stock of goods to M. Kelly & Son, who rented store building and did business to September 9, 1901, when the building and stock was destroyed by fire. Mr. Umbenhower proceeded at once to erect a new frame two-story and basement, metal-roof store-room and dwelling, occupied by Howard F. Sarbaugh since 1901.
Mr. Umbenhower was with Cyrus Seiler in the county treasurer's office during his four years: also with Frank G. Romaine his first two years. From 1871 to 1881 Mr. Umbenhower served as justice of the peace in Jackson township, holding that position till he moved to Goshen. Mr. Unibenhower was secretary, general manager, director of the Peo- ple's National Building and Loan Association from its inception until it ceased business, and with such ability did he direct its affairs that the institution was solid as a rock in its finances, and not one member paid one cent of fine or penalty. Neither was there a single forfeiture, and all members received their claims in fuil. The first officers were: C. L. Landgraver. J. A. Arthur, J. D. Umbenhower, P. C. Messick. Another point of note is that during his career as a justice of the peace, with a record of over five hundred cases, there was not one appeal taken nor any business furnished to the circuit court. which is marvelous. And while for six years as collector in the treasurer's office he never made one levy, but with kindness collected the taxes, which is an unheard-of incident and proves to a certainty that Mr. Umbenhower is the poor man's friend. One of the highest compliments ever paid Mr. Umbenhower was con- tained in an address made by Judge H. D. Wilson, of the circuit court. in district No. 4. Harrison township, when Judge Wilson said to a large andience that Mr. U'mbennewer had done more for Elkhart county than
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any person that ever lived in it, a tribute which, in view of the facts already narrated, was entirely merited.
Mr. Umbenhower married, in 1865, Miss Malinda Messick, a sister of P. C. Messick and a daughter of Jewett Messick. She was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and after a happy married life of over thirty years she passed away, happy in the Lord, October 7, 1898. There were two children, Prof. Frank J., who is one of the leading musicians of the county, who was musical director of the Hammond Cornet Band, 1899 and 1900, and during the years 1901 to 1903 was the musical director of the famous Elk Band of Logansport, and for the year 1904 was leader of the cornet band at Alamogorda, New Mexico. He is at present located in Chicago.
Charles F., the other child, died when sixteen months old. Mr. Umbenhower has been a lifelong Christian and an active worker in vari- ous Christian organizations. He voted the Republican ticket from Lin- coln to Garfield, and in 1896 voted for Wm. J. Bryan on the issue of free coinage of silver : but prior and since votes the Prohibition ticket. Mr. Umbenhower is Prohibition secretary of Elkhart county, also town- chip chairman of Elkhart township. Mr. Umbenhower is considered a very good violoncello player, has played that instrument for over forty years, and thousands of people have heard him sing and play.his big gospel fiddle, as he calls it. Mr. Umbenhower played tuba in New Paris band for over four years. Mr. Umbenhower also plays the organ.
JAMES KAVANAGH.
James Kavanagh, senior member of the well known grocery house of Kavanagh and Pollard, whose business was established in Elkhart over a quarter of a century ago, was born in Wethersfield, New York, May 26, 1842. The greater part of his career has been spent in Elk- hart, and the city owes him much for his public-spirited activity in its behalf. His father. Charles Kavanagh, was born, reared and married in Ireland. and. coming to this country in 1838, followed his trade of shoemaker in Wethersfield and in Brooklyn. The father died at the age of fifty-one and the mother aged seventy-two. They had a large family, twelve children, eight of whom are living at this writing.
Mr. Kavanagh, who was the third child, was reared and educated in his native state, obtaming a common school training. In 1861, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the Union army as a private in Com- pany A. One Hundred and Fifth New York Infantry. He saw active service until the second battle of Bull Run, at which he was taken prisoner. He was finally paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, but was not exchanged and did not rejoin his regiment. He returned home, went west to Chicago, where he followed the trade of machinist four years. and in 1872 located permanently in Elkhart. He was pit boss for the Lake Shore Railroad the first five years, after which he went into
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the grocery business. In the July following his entrance into the busi- ness he took John B. Pollard as a partner, and they have now been in business together for twenty-seven years. Theirs is one of the most successful grocery houses in the city of Elkhart, enjoying a large trade and carrying the finest selection of staple and fancy goods. Mr. Kav- anagh has also been identified with other enterprises of this city which have, directly or indirectly, promoted its prosperity and insured its sub- stantial development. Ile was a director in the St. Joseph Valley Bank up to 1904, at which time he disposed of his interests in the institution. He assisted in the organization of and is now a director and stockholder in the Home Telephone Company. He was at one time manager and a director of the Elkhart Street Railway Company, and promoted the building of the same
Though a stanch Republican all his life, Mr. Kavanagh has never ac- cepted an opportunity for political preferment and has been content to perform his civic duties quietly and as a private citizen. He was a charter member and one of the directors of the Century Club, and is now an honorary member of that well known social and business or- ganization.
Mr. Kavanagh married, October 8, 1873, Miss Maria O. Good- speed, who died in 1881, leaving three children-Charles H., Ellen Marie, and John M. On October 22, 1884, Mr. Kavanagh married a sister of his first wife, Henrietta S. Goodspeed. She was born near Ann Arbor, Michigan. November 8, 1834. and her father, Hiram Good- speed, was born in Warsaw, New York, in 1810, and was an early set- tler of Michigan.
HON. LOU W. VAIL.
Lou W. Vail, for over a quarter of a century prominently identified with the bar of Elkhart county, former state senator, and a leader in business and professional affairs, was born in Benton township of this county, January 20, 1851.
His honored father, Jesse D. Vail, now deceased, one of the pioneer merchants of Benton, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 29. 1814. The Quaker ancestors -- and the members of the family have remained in the faith of the Friends down to the present time -- came across the waters and made settlement in Pennsylvania in 1682, with the great founder of the colony, William Penn. Jesse D. Vail and an older brother, Charles G., came to Indiana in 1836, and were engaged in merchandising at the new town of Benton, where they were quite prosperous until overtaken by the disastrous financial panic of 1844, when they and many others went down in the crash. Jesse D. then took up school lands in the county and, clearing out a home from the forest. continued the occupation of farming until his death, on December 4. 1900, passing to his rest after a long and useful career. His first wife. Elma Cope, also a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Lou W.
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Vail, passed away in 1868 at the age of fifty-six, their children being : Samuel C., who died in 1875: Sarah, wife of George Kinnison, presi- cent of the News-Times Printing Company of Goshen, and Lou W. Jesse D. Vail afterward married Sarah Prickett, widow of Elmer Prick- ett. and they had one child, Emily, wife of Amasa Hoovens, of Goshen.
Successful as a farmer. Jesse D. Vail was also active in affairs of citizenship. During the existence of those parties, a Whig and a Free- Soiler, during the years just preceding the war he became one of the organizers of the Republican party in Elkhart county. Throughout the Civil war he served as a county commissioner, and in that capacity per- formed a very valuable part to his country, in enlisting soldiers for the war and looking after the disabled soldiers and widows. He main- tained an active interest in politics until his death.
Mr. Lou W. Vail began his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses which formerly dotted the county of Elkhart. and in 1868 went to Adrian, Michigan, and entered the Quaker school. the Raisin Valley Academy. and completed his education in Earlham College, Richmond, this state. In the meantime, and altogether for some ten years, he taught school during the winter terms in the country districts and later at Millersburg, Benton and Wakarusa. In the spring of 1871. when a young man of twenty, he went out to the then wild pioneer country of western Kansas and took up a homestead adjoining what is now the townsite of Smith Center. After three years of this experience he returned to this county, in June, 1874, and continued school teach- ing. Taking up the study of law in the spring of 1877, in the office of Judge Henry D. Wilson, he gained his admission to the bar in Decem- ber. 1879, and has since been located in active practice at Goshen. He is now the senior member of the firm of Vail and Wehmeyer, whose high standard of ability and success is recognized throughout the county and northern Indiana. For the first five years of his practice he was in partnership with Daniel and Aaron Zook, and then for five years, as deputy prosecuting attorney, conducted many of the important trials on the docket during that period. He was elected to the city council in 1891, but in the following year, on his nomination for the state senate, resigned in order to conduct his campaign, in which he was successful. He served creditably in the state legislature during 1893-95, and has since been devoting his energies to his practice. In 1900 he was a candi- date for eireuit judge, and on the first ballot received the highest vote of any of the candidates at the greatest mass convention ever hekt in this section.
Mr. Vail is a director in the State Bank of Goshen and in the Elk- hart County Loan and Trust Company, and also in the News-Times Printing Company. He served as county attorney for six years, from 1896. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and order of Elks.
January 20, 1881, Mr. Vail married Miss Orelia Whittam, of
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Their one son. J. Dean Vail, was educated in the University of Michigan and is now a civil engineer for the Lake Shore Railroad.
FRANK M. BECKNER.
There is no better proof of the attractiveness of Elkhart county as a place of residence and of the advantages which it offers to its citizens than the fact that so many of its representatives have retained their resi- dence here from boyhood down to the present time. To this class Mr. Beckner belongs, being one of the native sons of this portion of the state. His birth occurred on the Elkhart prairie, January 21, 1841. and he is the eldest in a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, whose parents were Isaac and Mary ( Ulrey ) Beckner. Only two of the children are now living, the brother of our subject being Levi L. Beckner, who is employed by the Big Four Railroad Company. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born about 1816, and his death occurred in 1872. His youth was passed in Pennsylvania and Ohio and he acquired a common school education. Reared to the occupation of farming he always followed that pursuit, and in an early day he removed from the Buckeye state to Elkhart county, becoming a pioneer resident here. He purchased eighty acres of partially improved land and his first home was a log cabin, typical of the times and of the prog- ress which then marked the advance of the county beyond its primitive conditions. As the years passed he carefully tilled his fields and culti- vated his crops, becoming a successful farmer of his community. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party and upon the organization of the new Republican party he joined its ranks, remaining one of its stalwart advocates until his death. He and his wife were menibers of the German Baptist church and aided in the erection of the first house of worship of that denomination in their locality. Mrs. Beckner was born at Johnstown. Pennsylvania. about 1815, and her death occurred when she was about fifty-six years of age.
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