USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 68
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WARREN H. THOMAS, M. D.
Dr. Warren H. Thomas, a man of scholarly attainments, of strong intellectuality, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Elkhart, is accounted one of the representative men of that city, exercising a potent influence in its public affairs and in its intellectual, moral. and material development in addition to figuring prominently in professional circles. He was born at Goshen, Indiana, April 28, 1837. his parents being Thomas and Mary ( Kelly ) Thomas.
Thomas Thomas was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born De- cember 17, 1792, and was reared in Virginia. He came to Elkhart county, Indiana, in the year 1828, locating two miles east of the present site of the city. This was then a wild frontier region. The county at that time did not have an existence but was organized by act of the state legislature during the session of 1820-30. There were but two white families on the present site of the county at that time-Elias Riggs and William Simpson having located there. After spending some months on Elkhart prairie Mr. Thomas removed to what was then Carey's Mission, now Niles, Michigan, spending a winter at that place, but in the spring of 1829 he returned to Elkhart county. Hc was elected its first county clerk and a part of the session of the first court was held in his log cabin. He took an active and helpful part in the early development and improvement, and aided in laying the foundation for its present intellectual, moral and legal status. In 1850 he removed to Jackson township and in 1852 was appointed post- master of the Jackson postoffice, now New Paris. He lived in that locality for several years and subsequently removed to Warsaw, where he died. He was familiar with all of the facts which form the early history of Elkhart county. being a participant in many of these and a witness of others. He was a frequent contributor to local newspapers.
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and his articles concerning the pioneer development and early progress are of great historical value. He died December 6, 1883. in his ninety- first year, respected by all who knew him, and his name should be in- scribed upon the pages of history because of the active and helpful part which he took in the substantial growth and progress of this portion of the state. The portrait of this pioneer citizen and county official appears elsewhere in this volume. His wife, who was born in Virginia. died at Goshen, Indiana. April 6. 1845.
Dr. Thomas is the only surviving son in a family of eleven chil- dren. When fourteen. years of age he left home, entering the business world for himself. Making his way to Michigan he secured employ- ment in Washington, Macomb county, and later remained for a time in Romeo, in that county. He spent two years as a student in Dickinson Institute, desirous of supplementing his early educational privileges by greater advantages along that line. His love of adventure led him to the far west and he spent a portion of his earlier life amid the Rocky Mountains and in the gold fields of Idaho. Such a course is a thor- ough test of a young man's character. as the pioneer experiences and the hardships which must be endured bring out his native strength or expose his weakness, and Dr. Thomas fully stood the test.
During his residence in the far west he became imbued with a desire to enter the medical profession and to this end matriculated in the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, from which he was gradu- ated in 1876. Having won his degree he entered upon practice, and for thirty-one years has been a resident of Elkhart. His professional services were in constant demand and almost from the beginning he was accorded a liberal patronage. He is a high type of the medical practitioner, hav- ing due regard for the ethics of the profession and discharging his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation. His professional career has likewise been characterized by continuous progress. for, through read- ing and observation, experience and investigation, he has kept in touch with modern thought and with the advancement which in recent years has brought about logical ideas in the methods of medical prac- tice, gradually promoting the efficiency of the members of the frater- nity. In addition to the daily performance of his duties as a private practitioner he is now serving as president of the board of trustees of the Clark Honkeopathic Hospital, of Elkhart, has been president of the Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan Homeopathie Society and is secretary of the Board of Health of Elkhart. He also served for one year as president of the State Homoeopathic Institute.
On the 2d of January. 1867. Dr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Emma F. Hill, and to them was born one son, George .A., who is now engaged in the drug business at Elkhart. They also have two adopted daughters, Mrs. H. E. Vanderlip, of Chicago, and Mrs. Vic- toria Chartrand, who lives at her beautiful home at No. 211 Marion street.
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Dr. Thomas has wielded a wide influence in the public life and development of his chosen city. He is president of a number of char- ities of Elkhart county, and is a valued member of the Masonic fra- ternity. Dr. Thomas was a member of the Elkhart school board for six years ; two years of which time he was its president. He is a mem- ber of the Century Club. Ile is also vice-president of the Elkhart County Historical Society and since 1886 has been the president of the Elkhart Lecture Association, one of the largest and most popular associations of this character in the United States. He has every rea- son to be proud of his work in this connection and for what has been accomplished through the organization, for the association has brought to the city many notable lecturers and orators, including Henry Ward Beecher, Lyman Abbott, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Hon. Justin Mccarthy, M. P., Susan B. Anthony, T. De\Vitt Talmage, General Lew Wallace, Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, Rev. Rob- ert Collyer. Murat Ilalstead. James Whitcomb Riley, Professor David Swing, Clara Louise Kellogg, Mme. Scalchi and many others.
Dr. Thomas is a representative of our best type of American manhood and chivalry. He is a gentleman whose courtesy is unfail- ing, whose integrity is above question. Without ostentation or any desire for praise he has labored most earnestly for the welfare of Elkhart and his efforts have redounded to the credit and benefit of the city.
JOSEPH A. BEANE.
As editor and publisher of the Goshen Democrat, the oldest news- paper of Elkhart county, Mr. J. A. Beane has been referred to several times on other pages of this work. As a monument to the life work of father and son the Democrat will always memorialize the Beane family. and through its columns have been expressed the personality and energetic individuality as well as the editorial influence of these two men, so that the history of the paper is in many respects the narra- tive of its best known editors and publishers.
The present editor of the Democrat was born in Goshen, May 8. 1863, and he proudly claims this city as his almost constant residence from earliest years. He is a son of the late William A. Beane, who died in 1893. Born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1828. this well known Elkhart county journalist located at Benton in 1835, his boyhood days being passed during the period of greatest prosperity in that village. Directed by some undisclosed influence toward a journalistic career. when fifteen years okl, in 1843. he entered the office of the Democrat in the employ of the famous Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, and thenceforth until his death, for a half century, was identified with the interests of the Democrat, for many years being its editor and proprietor.
Attendance at the Goshen public schools gave Mr. Beane his edu- cational equipment, and when seventeen years old, in 1880. he entered
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the Democrat office. Therein he was everything and everybody, from devil up to the higher ranks of journalistic honors, and thanks to this experience he is acquainted with all the details of modern newspaper- making and equipped as few men of his age are for the successful con- duct of a large daily and weekly paper. After the death of his father he took the management of the paper for the heirs, and later purchas- ing the other interests is now sole proprietor. In December. 1893, President Cleveland appointed Mr. Beane, who has always been a con- sistent upholder of Democratic principles, as postmaster of Goshen to succeed L. H. Beyerle. This office he filled with credit four years, un- til, at the change of national administration. President Mckinley ap- pointed Milton A. Cornell to the position. On retiring from the post- office in 1897 Mr. Beane established the daily edition of the Democrat, making the third daily for the city at that time-the News, the Times and the Democrat.
Mr. Beane served several years as secretary of the Democratic central committee and as secretary of the Thomas A. Hendricks Club at Goshen. Fraternally, he became a Knight of Pythias in 1885, and for three years was keeper of records and seal and is now a past chan- cellor. In 1904 he joined Goshen Lodge No. 798. B. P. O. E.
January 26, 1886, Mr. Beane married Miss Louise M. Henkel, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Henkel. Her father was born and reared in this county, for eight years, 1875 to 1883. filled the position of county auditor, besides other public offices, and belongs in history as one of the prominent men who have been behind the steady progress and prosperity of Elkhart county. Mr. and Mrs. Beane have a charming family and their home is one that friends and acquaintances lelight to enter on account of its cordiality and cheer. The oldest daughter. Louise, who was born August 26, 1888, is a student in the high school, and Isabelle, born July 17. 1895. attends the grade school. Their second daughter, Mary, who was born May 18, 1890, was taken from them by death on October 14. 1900.
PROFESSOR FRANK SWART.
Education is the great civilizer of the world and indicates a man's real worth, showing his position in relation to his fellow men. The educator, as Holland has truthfully said, has more to do with fash- ioning and molding the character and minds of the children than par- ent or pastor, and Professor Swart in this connection has wielded a wide and beneficial influence, leaving the impress of his individuality and high worth upon many pupils who have come under his guidance. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Elkhart county, and was born here June 25. 1876, being the second in a fam- ily of three children, whose parents were Jelle and Hiltje (Symensma ) Swart. The eldest son. Charles, a resident of Jackson township, is a
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representative agriculturist, who is married and makes his home in the county, where he was reared und educated. Frank is the next of the family. Addison is also a representative young farmer of Jackson township.
Professor Swart was reared amid a refining home atmosphere and his life has been one of study and meditation. From his boyhood days to the present time he has been a student, always interested in mental development. He began his education in the common schools and afterward entered the Goshen high school in the fall of 1894, pur- suing a classical course there for two years. He next entered the Cen- tral Normal College, in the fall of 1897, and won his degree of Bache- lor of Arts in that institution upon graduation with the class of 1898. When not engaged in pursuing his own education he has taught school. For a year he was a teacher in his home district, but ambitious to pur- suc a collegiate course he determined to enter the Leland Stanford University, of California, and in the fall of 1900 matriculated there. enrolling as a pupil in economics, history and law. History has al- ways been to him a most interesting study and the thorough course which he was enabled to pursue in Leland Stanford University largely ied to his selection of that college when he entered upon his more ad- vanced educational work. He spent two years as a student there and will soon be accorded the Bachelor of Laws degree. He was thor- ough and earnest and his close application gave him high rank in his classes.
Returning from the Pacific coast to Elkhart county, in 1902. Pro- fessor Swart was then elected principal of the New Paris public schools. where he has since remained. He had scarcely entered upon his work when he realized the needs of the schools and set about to supply these. introducing new and progressive methods, inspiring the teachers tin- dler him with his own zeal and interest in the work. He also has the ability to arouse and hold the interest of the students and soon his serv- ices as a principal won him high encomiums. He also improved the curriculum and catalogue of the course of study for the first time in the history of the school. He was ably assisted in the work which he undertook by the school trustee, Israel Immel. As a teacher Pro- fessor Swart is clear and concise in his explanations and has the abil- ity to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired. For four years he has stood at the head of the public schools of New Paris, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the mental development of the city. During his connection with the schools thir- ty-two new students have completed the course prepared to enter higher educational studies or to perform the duties of home and business life. Professor Swart has made oratory a feature of his school, doing much to promote this oft neglected branch of learning in which he has him- self ever been equally interested. During the year 1905 there was an enrollment of one hundred and nine pupils under a corps of four teach-
S
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ers. There is a good school library, containing historical and reference works.
Professor Swart is a Jeffersonian Demoerat and he has always advocated the principles of the party. Fraternally he is a member of Milford Lodge No. 478. 1. O. O. F., and his religious faith is that of the Christian church. He has taken a great interest in the Sunday school work and is an earnest Bible student. proving in the religious school a teacher equally as effective and earnest as in his daily work. Already he has become known in Indiana as one of the successful rep- resentatives of the public school system and in his chosen field of labor he is striving for high ideals and the maintenance of superior stand- ards.
ELIAS E. FISHER.
Elias E. Fisher, whose home is on section II, Locke township, was born in this township. April 6, 1870, and is the eldest son of Elias and Matilda ( Ferguson ) Fisher, who are represented elsewhere in this volume. His boyhood days were spent in his native township and his education was acquired in the common schools, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him through- out the period of his youth. He remained at home until twenty- one years of age and gained the practical experience and knowledge that enabled him to carry on farm work in a successful manner when he entered upon an independent business career. He was married Aug- ust 30. 1891, to Miss Etta Lockwood, a daughter of Asher and Ma- rilda ( Richmond ) Lockwood. Her paternal grandfather was the first settler of Locke township, which was named in his honor, and Mrs. Fisher was born in that township and spent her girlhood days there. To this marriage has been born one son, Orvil J., whose birth occurred in the city of Elkhart in 1894.
For two years after his marriage Mr. Fisher followed farming and in 1892 removed to Elkhart. where he was engaged in the dairy business, following that pursuit for eight years, supplying many Elk- hart customers with milk. He paid a rental of six hundred dollars for a farm of one hundred and forty acres, and prospering in his un- certakings he was enabled to put by a sum of money wherewith he purchased his farm of sixty acres. It was in 1900 that he gave up the milk business and bought his present home, to which he has since added forty acres in the same locality, so that his farm comprises one hundred acres which is rich and arable. It is in fact regarded as one of the finest farms of Locke township, the fields being highly culti- vated, while the improvements are in keeping with all modern and progressive ideas of agriculture. He carries on general agricultural pursuits, also raises stock and during the winter seasons engages in dressing hogs, which he furnishes to the eity markets of Elkhart and Goshen. He has been very successful in the last few years, owing to
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his capable management, strong purpose and integrity in business mat- ters. In his political views he is a free-silver Democrat, believing in the principles of sixteen to one. He has never sought or desired of- fice, however, preferring to give his undivided attention to his busi- ness interests, and he is to-day numbered among the prosperous farm- ers and respected citizens of his native township.
JOHN ULERY.
John Clery, who is now living retired in Union township-the place of his nativity .- was born on the 3d of February. 1846. His paternal grandfather, John Clery, was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter's father was born in Germany. whence he emigrated to Amer- ica about 1790. Daniel U'lery. the father of our subject, was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and in his boyhood days accompanied his parents on their removal to Goshen. Indiana. There he was reared and when he had attained man's estate he chose for a companion and help- mate on life's journey Miss Mary Davenport, who was born in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, and was of English lineage. She came to Elk- hart county during her girlhood days with her parents and remained at her father's home until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Ulery. The young couple began their domestic life in Union township. where Mr. Ulery entered a tract of land, and there in the midst of the forest he began hewing out a farm. With characteristic energy he began the arduous task of clearing away the trees and brush and improving the fields for cultivation and he lived upon the farm for exactly fifty years. He was a member of the German Baptist Brethren church, in which he took an active and helpful interest, and for several years served as one of its deacons. He died in the seventy-eighth year of his age, passing away respected and honored by all who knew him. To him and his wife were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, all born in a log house in Elkhart county and with the exception of two all are yet living. John Ulery is the third child and was reared upon the old home- stead farm, being early trained to the labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He pursued his education in a log schoolhouse, and although the methods of instruction were primitive he gained a good knowledge of the fundamental branches of English learning. His train- ing at farm labor, however, was not meagre, and in early manhood he joined his brothers in the operation of a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. At the time of his marriage he located two miles east of Nappanee and upon that farm in Union township he engaged in the tilling of the soil and the raising of stock for about thirty years, when on the 26th of June. 1902. he removed to Nappanee, where he has since lived retired. He owns, however, one hundred and thirty-five acres of land and the property returns him a good annual income.
On the roth of March. 1872. Mr. Ulery was united in marriage to
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Miss Mary J. Whitehead, a daughter of Valentine and Margaret ( Lentz ) Whitehead, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ulery is the youngest of their five children and was born in Jackson town- ship, Elkhart county, Indiana, February II, 1851. She is indebted to its public school system for the educational privileges she enjoyed. and she remained with her parents until she gave her hand in marriage to Jolin Ulery. This union has been blessed with two children. The son. Edward, born December 13, 1872, was educated in the common schools and in Nappanee, and from early boyhood has been connected with agricultural pursuits, now having charge of the home farm. He was married December 15, 1896, to Miss Lucy J. Weaver, a daughter of Jacob Weaver of Nappanee, and they have two interesting children. Edna Marie and John Weaver.
The daughter. Margaret Elizabeth. is the wife of Albert Mutschler, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Ulery also reared an adopted son. David A. Leatherman, who became a member of their family when six years of age. He was an orphan, his parents, John and Elizabeth Leather- man, having departed this life. David A. Leatherman remained in the Ulery family until his death, which occurred March 4, 1903.
In his political views Mr. Ulery is a stanch and earnest Republican. taking an active part in the local work of the political organization, and is now serving as assessor of his township. He is a man of unabating energy and with industry that never flags, and although he is now leaving the active work on the farm to his son he is a recognized factor in public affairs in Nappanee and his part of the county. He is still financially interested in business enterprises, and was interested in the furniture and canning factories of Nappanee. Throughout the county he is well known. The interests which have made claim upon his time and attention have been varied, for anything which tends to the better- ment of conditions for mankind. for the stimulus of material progress and for the improvement of the city receives his endorsement and assist- ance.
ELDER DANIEL WYSONG.
Elder Daniel Wysong is noted among the early settlers of Elk- hart county, having for long years been a witness of its growth and improvement. He resides on section 33, Union township, where he has controlled valuable farming interests. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, September 28, 1842, and the birth of the father. Robert Wysong, occurred in the same house. The mother hore the maiden name of Anna Miller and was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of Elder Damel Miller. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wysong was celebrated in December, 1841, and in 1845 they removed to Elk- hart county. Indiana, where they spent their remaining days, each living to a ripe old age and passed away respected by all who knew them. The father departed this life when about eighty-five years of age and his
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wife's death occurred when she was seventy-six years of age. They had long been numbered with the pioneer settlers of the county. Mr. Wysong built a log house upon his farm in the spring of 1845 and made the doors of puncheon, hanging them with wooden hinges. He con- tinued to reside upon that farm until his life's labors were ended, but in the meantime he had wrought a wonderful transformation in the appearance of the place, adding to it all modern equipments and acces- sories, while placing the fields under a high state of cultivation. With the exception of Daniel Wysong all of the members of the family -- three sons and a daughter-were born upon the old homestead.
Damel Wysong, the eldest, was three years of age when his par- ents removed to Elkhart county and in a log schoolhouse in Union township he pursued his education. The first school building was con- structed of round logs, and pins were driven into the wall on which a board was laid to serve as a writing desk. The benches were without backs and in one end of the room was a huge fireplace. The methods of instruction were also primitive, and the pupils had little opportunity of attending school save in the winter months, for the labors of both sons and daughters were needed upon the home farm in the summer seasons. Elder Wysong assisted in the work of the home farm up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated September 7, 1862, Miss Mary Miller, a daughter of David C. and Rachel ( Bigler ) Miller, be- coming his wife. Her father was born in Darke county, Ohio, and her mother in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of ten children, a son and nine daughters, Mrs. Wysong being the third child and second daughter. She was born in Darke county, Ohio. Sep- tember 13, 1843, and was seven years of age when she came to Union township, Elkhart county. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wysong located on the farm where they now reside and where they have since made their home with the exception of four years spent in Nappanee. Seven children came to bless the household, but three died in childhood. The living are : Melvin, who in 1891 married Cath- erine Smith and is now engaged in the onion business near Wolf lake in Noble county, Indiana; Calvin, who was married in 1890 to Melinda Stahly and is engaged in the same line of business near Wolf lake: Clara Etta, who became the wife of Daniel Stump in 1892 and is now living in Nappanee, where her husband is engaged in the dray business; and Cora, at home.
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