USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 74
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
JOHN ALBERT COOK, M. D.
John Albert Cook. M. D., of Goshen, is one of the younger but none the less remarkably progressive physicians and surgeons of this county, and in the course of ten years' practice has made a reputation and gained a professional business which are exceedingly creditable to his ability and skill.
Dr. Cook was born in Clinton, Canada, December 12, 1873. and his parents, Peter and Lucinda ( Cook) Cook, were also natives of the Dominion. For his early rearing and educational training Dr. Cook remained in his native town of Clinton. He matriculated at Trinity Medical College of Toronto, and in 1895 was graduated from that well known professional school with the degree of M. D. Almost at once he came to Goshen, and has since been actively engaged in building up his practice. He makes a specialty of surgery, being thoroughly equipped by training and natural deftness for this line of work, and he also has a good general practice to attend to. He is vice-president of the Elkhart County Medical Society and is a member of the State Medical Society. Alert and enterprising, with an ambition that keeps him out of rits and the mediocre, he gives much time to study, and in 1901 broadened his professional training by a post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic.
675
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
Fraternally Dr. Cook affiliates with the Knight of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is politically a Republican.
HUGH M. HALL, M. D.
Dr. Hugh M. Hall, engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery and also making a specialty of ophthalmology, is a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Union, Cass county, in 1872. fle is a representative of an old Virginian family, his paternal great- grandfather having been born in that state, whence he removed to Indiana, and later to Michigan, settling in the Wolverine state at a very early period in its development and improvement. Two of his sons, Henry and John, were soldiers of the Civil war, going to the front with a Michigan regiment. Ilis son, Martin Hall, was born in Michigan, and became a farmer by occupation, devoting his entire life to that pursuit. He married and had two sons, Orlando and Hiran. the latter a professor of music connected with the Boston Conservatory. Orlando J. Hall, born in Cass county, Michigan, was reared to the occupation of farming and followed that pursuit throughout his active business career, but is now living retired, making his home in Elkhart. at the age of sixty years. He wedded Miss Mary May Sullivan, whose birth occurred in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1850. She is a daughter of Patrick Sullivan, a native of Ireland. who came to the United States in his boyhood days with his father, who located in Elkhart county. but soon afterward removed to Ilinois, passing through Chicago when on his way to his destination. At that time the great metropolitan city. whose growth has been one of the wonders of the world, contained Indian wigwams and the cabin homes of a few white settlers. Patrick Sullivan became a well-to-do farmer of Bureau county, Illinois, and eventually he removed to Missouri, where he had accumulated consid- erable landed property and spent his last days. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rose Downey, was also a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of four children. all of whom died in infancy with the exception of Mrs. Hall. Patrick Sullivan was again married after the death of his first wife and had eight children by that union. Mr. and Mrs. Orlando J. Hall were members of the Baptist church until recently. when they united with the Presbyterian church. They have a large circle of friends in Elkbart, where they now make their home. In their family were six children: Hugh M., of this review : Grace S., the wife of C. P. Hulee, county superintendent of schools of IHillsdale county, Michigan; Fred IL., a farmer of Cass county, Mich- igan: Blanch, who is a nurse and lives in Elkhart: Charles J., of the same city : and Mary, at home with her parents.
Hugh M. Hall began his education in the district schools of his native county and afterward attended the high school at Bristol. In- diana. He then engaged in teaching school for two years prior to
676
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
entering upon preparation for the practice of medicine. His prelimi- nary reading was done under the direction of Drs. F. M. Aitken and C. E. Dutrow, of Bristol, and subsequently he attended lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, a department of the University of Illinois. There he received his diploma in the year 1898, and in the fall of 1904 he pursued a post-graduate course in his alma mater on the eye, ear. nose and throat. He began the practice of his profession in Chicago, in 1897, being permitted to do so through special examination. After remaining in that city for a year he opened an office in Millersburg, where he has since gained an enviable reputation as a skilled and capable representative of the medical fraternity. He is now a general practitioner with a large and growing practice, but he also makes a specialty of the treatment of diseases of the eye. for which he is well qualified by thorough training. Reading and study also keep him informed concerning the new thought of the medical fraternity and he is quick to adopt all advanced methods whose efficiency and value seem evident. He is local surgeon of the Wabash Railroad Com- pany and health officer of Millersburg. He is also a member of the Elkhart County and Indiana State Medical societies, the American Medical Association, the Northern Tri-State and Wabash Railroad Surgeons' Association and the International Association of Railroad Surgeons.
In 1895 Dr. Hall was married to Miss Rose M. Trager, who was born in Bristol, in 1868. a daughter of John W. Trager, a harness maker, who married Wilhelmina Koeblin, both of whom are natives of Germany, and they had nine children, of whom seven are living : W. F., Fred C. and Julian H., who are in partnership in the ownership and conduct of a meat market at Lansing, Michigan: Christian M .. a harness dealer at South Bend, Indiana: Martin L., who is also conduct- ing a harness business in Bristol: Emma. the wife of George A. Kantz. a farmer of Michigan ; and Rose M.
Dr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Lutheran church and they have a wide and favorable acquaintance in Millersburg, where the hos- pitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Dr. Hall is quite prominent in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Masons, Knights of Pythias, in both the lodge uniform and endowment ranks, the Woodmen of the World and the Patricians. Ile is now medical examiner for these various organizations and likewise for a number of the old line life insurance companies. In politics he is independent at local elections, where no issue is involved. but at national elections gives his support to the Republican party. Interested in his profession and with a full realization of the responsibility and obligation that devolve upon him, he has to the best of his ability qualified himself for the work and is now recognized as one of the capable representatives of the medical fraternity in his part of Elkhart county.
677
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
JACOB M. GARBER.
Jacob M. Garber, following the occupation of farming in Clinton township, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1848. His father, Abra- ham Garber, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and about 1813 removed to Ohio, whence he afterward came to Indiana. He was one of a family of ten children, others being: Jacob, Henry and David, all now deceased; Christian, who is living in Clinton town- ship; Mary, the deceased wife of Henry Geisinger; Martha, the de- ceased wite of Abraham Hoover: Fannie, deceased; and Hettie, who is living with her brother Christian. Abraham Garber was the second in order of birth in that family. Reared and educated in Ohio, he was there married and made his home until about 1857, when he came to Elkhart county, settling on section 2. Clinton township, where he spent his remaining days. He was a carpenter by trade and for a number of years followed building operations, but later devoted his energies to farming. He passed away on Christmas day, 1889, amid the deep and widespread regret of many friends who had learned to respect and honor him because of his genuine worth. His wife bore the maiden name of Fannie Martin, and was born in Pennsylvania. She is now living at the age of seventy-eight years, making her home with her son Jacob. She is a daughter of Henry Martin, and the eld- est in a family of four children, the others being: Mary, the widow of Samuel Weaver, her home being near Harrison Center, Indiana : Nancy, the widow of Jacob Brenneman, and now living in Orville, Ohio: and Christian, who makes his home in Goshen. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Garber were the parents of thirteen children: Henry, who follows farming in Emmet county, Michigan: Jacob M .: Fannie, the wife of Peter Schrock, a farmer of Nampa. Idaho: Nancy, the wife of Daniel Schrock, of Goshen: Christian, a carpenter residing in Goshen: Mary, deceased: David, a farmer living in Hesperia. Califor- nia: John, a resident farmer of Clinton township: Annie, the wife of Noah A. Lehman, a furniture dealer of Nappanee: Abraham, who is engaged in carpentering in Nappanee: Marvin, deceased: Lizzie, the wife of Aaron Smeltzer, a farmer of White Cloud. Michigan: and one who died in infancy.
Jacob M. Garber was reared upon his father's farm and now lives on section 16. Clinton township, where the family own eighty acres. He obtained his education in the public schools near his home, and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his early manhood. but now he gives his undivided attention to his agri- cultural interests. His place is neat and thrifty in appearance and the well tilled fields and substantial buildings always in good repair indi- cate the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
In 1872 Mr. Garber was married to Miss Elizabeth Schrock, who clied about 1882. They had five children but the first and last born
675
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
are deceased, and David, the fourth of the family, has also passed away. The others are: Jennie, the wife of Charles McClintock, who is a mechanic in a tablet factory in Elkhart ; and Harvey, a carpenter, living in South Bend.
Mr. Garber was married in 1884 to Miss Catherine B. Stutzman, a daughter of Jonathan Stutzman. She was born in Ohio, in 1850. and her father came to Indiana about 1860. taking up his abode in Clinton township. He had five children: Elizabeth, the wife of Solo- mon Yoder; Catherine B .; Annie, the deceased wife of Moses Kauff- man; Jeptha, who is living in Clinton township; and Sophronia, who married David Hartzler and afterward Frank Boyts, but is now .de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Garber have four children : Clayton and Lulu, both at home; Arvilla; and Warren, deceased. The parents are mem- bers of the Mennonite church and are well known in the locality where they reside and where they have many friends.
CHARLES R. MYERS.
Charles R. Myers, following the occupation of farming in Clin- ton township, has not confined his efforts alone to any line of activity but has extended his labors to other fields, being now the president of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company. He was born in Clin- ton township, in 1870, and is a grandson of John Myers, who came to Indiana several years after Jacob Myers, the father of our subject, arrived in this state. Jacob Myers was a shoemaker by trade but dur- ing much of his life carried on agricultural pursuits and after coming to this state he made his home with his son Jonathan, in Clinton town- ship. Hle was a member of the German Baptist church and in his polit- ical views was a Democrat. He married a Miss Bowman, a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of eight children: Jonathan, David, George. John, Daniel, Mrs. I. Miles, Mrs. Betsey Shively and Mrs. Barbara Miller.
John Myers, the fourth member of the family, was born in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, in 1822, and when twenty-one years of age made his way to this state. He located first in Union township and cast in his Jot with the pioneer settlers who were engaged in the work of reclamation, there utilizing for the purposes of civilization the land which had hitherto been in possession of the red men. About 1850 he removed to Clinton township, where he carried on farming for many years. He wedded Miss Hester Ann Riley, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, and is now living on the old homestead farm at the age of seventy-five years. There John Myers continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in 1901, when he had almost reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Riley, a native of Miami county, Ohio, who was married there to Miss Stutzman, also a native of that county. Prior to the
67:
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
`5os they came to Indiana, settling in Elkhart township, Elkhart county. Their children were: Levi, deceased; James A., who is engaged in the hardware business in Goshen: Mary. the deceased wife of Henry Miller: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Moses Berkey-Pile; and Ma- tilda, who is living in Goshen.
Charles R. Myers spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farm lads of the period and locality and his early educational privi- leges were supplemented by study in Mount Morris College, at Mount Morris, Illinois. In early life he engaged in teaching school for eight years in Clinton township, and the periods of vacation were devoted to farm labor. Now his attention is largely given to agricultural pur- suits and he owns and operates ninety-four acres of land on section 19. Clinton township, constituting a well improved farm supplied with all modern equipments. He is engaged quite extensively in stock feed- ing and he is likewise the president of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, with headquarters at Millersburg. Associated with Robert W. Davenport he organized this enterprise, and has since been at its head. Such a course is indicative of his progressive spirit, and the line has been of the titmost value as well as of convenience to its many patrons.
January 2, 1892, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Myra Belle Miller, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1872. Her father, Dallas Miller, was a native of Maryland, and removed to Miami county, Ohio, whenee he came to Indiana in 1875, settling in Clinton town- ship. Elkhart county. He was a carpenter by trade and after his arri- val in this state followed building operations in Goshen, while in Clin- ton township he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He and his wife belonged to the Baptist church and his political faith was that of the Democratic party. At the time of the Civil war he stood loyally by the Union cause and for three years faithfully defended the stars and stripes upon the battlefields of the south, participating in nineteen different battles and forty engagements. He afterward became a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old army associates. His death occurred December 19, 1896, when he had reached the age of fifty-one years and eleven months. He was one of a family of twenty-one children born of his father's two marriages. Dallas Miller was joined in wedlock to Miss Priscilla Yates, also a native of Miami county, Ohio, and now living at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Myers, at the age of fifty-nine years. She was the youngest in a family of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nezer S. Yates.
Mr. and Mrs. Myers have two children: George Earl. who was born in 1893: and John Dallas, born in 1898. The parents are mem- bers of the German Baptist church, actively interested in its work and upbuilding. Mr. Myers votes with the Democraey, although he has not been active in search of political office. He has served as superin-
680
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
tendent of his Sunday school and has been helpful in all of the church work. He is a young man of enterprise, who has closely studied busi- ness conditions and possibilities of the times, and his utilization of opportunity has made him a foremost factor in business circles of Clin- ton township.
HENRY HIRE.
The name of Hire is well known in the southeastern part of Elk- hart county, for representatives of the family to which Henry Hire be- longs and of which he is a worthy member have for many years figured in public life here as reliable business men and enterprising citizens, their influence being given for the furtherance of all movements that promote public progress and improvement. It was on the 18th of November. 1852, in this county that Henry Hire first opened his eyes to the light of day, being the third in a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, who were born to William and Elizabeth ( Wilkinson ) Hire. The father, now one of the most venerable and respected citizens of the county. was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1820 and is therefore eighty-five years of age at the present writing. His mind is still bright and active and his memory forms a connect- ing link between the primitive past and the progressive present. Throughout his entire life he has engaged in agricultural pursuits, en- tering upon that work as soon as he had completed his education in the pioneer schools that were common in his boyhood days. He be- came a resident of Elkhart county when a young lad, locating in Ben- ton township, where the Hire family entered claims from the govern- ment, and the original property has since remained in possession of representatives of the name. William B. Hire in an early day built a log cabin, to which he took his bride at the time of his marriage. They began life there in true pioneer style and shared many of the hardships and incidents common to a frontier existence, but as the years passed they were enabled to add many comforts to their home. and the husband and father prospered in his business affairs. As his financial resources increased he made judicious investment in real estate, becoming the owner of four hundred acres of land in Elkhart and Noble counties. He was very successful in all of his transactions and moreover was strictly fair and honorable, never being known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any business dealing. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party and when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he espoused its principles and has since rested his political faith upon its platform. He and his wife were devout Methodists, first worshipping here in a little schoolhouse. Later a small frame church was built on section twenty-two and Mr. Hire contributed generously toward its construction. In 1881 a beautiful brick church was built on section twenty-three and the congregation expects soon to rebuild
681
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
and remodel this, making a more modern, commodious and attractive house of worship. In all of the church work Mr. Hire has been deeply and zealously interested and has served as a trustee, steward and class leader. Now in his declining years he leaves the church work largely to others, yet his interest therein has never abated. The work of the farm tou has been given over to his children and he is enjoying a well earned rest. His wife, also a native of Ohio, was born about 1823 and died May 15, 1904. She too was a devout Christian and her many womanly qualities and good traits of heart and mind endeared her to all who knew her. Four children born to this worthy couple are yet living: Susan, now the widow of John Haney of Benton township and the mother of four living children: Rudolph, who is married and is a prosperous agriculturist of Benton township; Henry, of this re- view ; and Thomas Jefferson, who is a breeder of fine short-horn cat- tle, living on a farin in Benton township. He too is married.
Henry Hire, well known to many citizens of Elkhart county as a worthy native son of Indiana, has spent his entire life in this section of the state, living for many years in Elkhart county and for twenty years in Noble county, just east of his present homestead. He is an agriculturist, having been reared to that occupation, and he has seen no reason to change his mode of life, finding in this work ample op- poitunity for the exercise of his native talents and the development of his latent energies. As a school boy one can see him in retrospect conning his lessons in a little log building about eighteen by twenty- two feet. It was built after the architectural style of the times and he studied from the elementary spelling book and MeGuffey's readers, sitting on a slab bench which had no back, neither was it upheld by iron supports, but rested upon wooden pins, and the same supports up- held a board which extended around the room and served as a desk on which the older pupils wrote out their exercises. The pioneer school has long since been replaced by modern educational institutions and the methods of teaching have been equally improved and the stand- ard of learning greatly raised. High schools have been established since the youthful days of Mr. Hire, but in the early common school he gained a fair knowledge of several branches of English learning and by reading, experience and observation he has greatly broadened his mind in later years.
Mr. Hire remained upon his father's farm until his marriage. which was celebrated on Christmas day of 1873. Miss Jane Wolf be- coming his wife. She was born near Joliet, Illinois, her natal day be- ing February 17, 1852, while her parents were John F. and Saloma (Pontius) Wolf, in whose family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, Mrs. Hire being the fifth in order of birth. Seven of the number are vet living, but she is the only one residing in Elk- hart county. Her father, who was a native of Germany, died in 1861 at the age of fifty-five years, after following agricultural pursuits as
682
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
a life work and also dividing his time with the church as a minister of the Evangelical denomination. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, died about 1890. The members of their family are as follows: Lewis, who was a soldier of the Civil war for four years and is now living in Kansas; William, who is a follower of Alexander Dowie and re- sides at Zion City, Illinois: Lydia, the wife of Joel Wilkinson, who is now living retired at Leesburg, Indiana; Jacob, who is married and is, engaged in teaching music in Kansas: Mrs. Hire; Samuel, who is a music teacher residing in Los Angeles, California; and Ellen, the wife of William Scott, a dealer in real estate in Houston, Texas. Mrs. Hire was a little maiden only six months old when brought by her parents to Elkhart county, where she has resided since, and at the usual age she entered the public schools.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hire took up their abode upon the farm which has been their home continuously since. It is a splendid property, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land that is very arable and productive. He has done much to raise the standard of stock found in this part of the county and makes a specialty of polled Durham cattle and has paid as high as four hundred dollars for two head. He also raises Poland China hogs and Shrop- shire sheep. The improvements are of the best class and the home would be a credit to a city in its architectural style, furnishings and surroundings. Mr. Hire has installed an acetylene gas plant whereby the residence is illuminated, and has introduced other modern equip- ments. The home has been blessed with the presence of one son, Curtis G., who now resides in Noble county, where he is actively en- gaged in farming. He received his diploma from the common schools in the class of 1890 and afterward entered the Ligonier high school, in which he pursued a two years' course. He possesses much natural musical talent and performs well on the violin and cornet and at one time was a member of the Ligonier band. He wedded Miss Della Emory and they have two children : Lucile Marie and Margaret Eliza- beth. Their farm comprises ninety acres of good land in Noble county and Curtis Hire is capably and successfully cultivating this tract. He is a Republican who cast his first presidential ballot for William Mc- Kinley, and he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Henry Hire is also a stalwart Republican and his first presidential ballot was cast for R. B. Haves, since which time he has voted for Garfield. Blaine, Mckinley and Roosevelt. In the fall of 1904 he was elected trustee of Benton township and in the office exercises his official prerogatives to advance every movement for the public good. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he now has under his supervision ten excellent schools, while ten pupils in Benton township received diplomas in 1905 in recognition of their completion of the regular school course. Mr. Hire has served as a delegate to both
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.