USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 82
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
tile establishment, having a good and profitable business. He was a member of the Episcopal church and belonged to the Masonic lodge. in which he was a past master. His early political support was given the Republican party and later he joined the ranks of the Democracy. He was a man of intelligence, called to public office on a number of occasions, and his capable service and sterling personal traits of char- acter gained him good standing among his fellow men. He died in 1892. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Sarah E. Romaine, was born in New York city, in 1814, and died in 1901. She was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Brown) Romaine, the former a school teacher. The Romaine family is of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Aitken had but two children, the daughter Annie being now the wife of John Santschi, a music teacher of Goshen.
Dr. Aitken, who is his sister's senior, was educated in the Bristol schools, having been brought to this city when about four years of age. He read medicine in the office of Dr. F. C. Eckelman, then of Bristol and now of Elkhart. and followed his preliminary reading by study in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York city, which he entered in 1864. He was graduated in 1868. as a physician and surgeon. and for two years practiced in the eastern metropolis. He then returned to Bristol, where he has practiced continuously since 1870, and he is one of the best as well as one of the oldest physicians of the county. He has always read and studied, carrying his investigation far and wide into the realms of medical research, and in practice he has shown ready adaptability of theories to the practical work of the medical fraternity.
Dr. Aitken has been married twice. In 1874 he wedded Miss Mar- garet Rough. who was born in Pennsylvania, was a daughter of Samuel Rough and died in 1894. at the age of forty years, leaving one child. Charles A., who is now a bookkeeper in Goshen. For his second wife Dr. Aitken chose Mrs. Elizabeth (Crocker) Kleckner. a daughter of Henry Crocker and the widow of Daniel Kleckner. She was born in Michigan in 1854. Dr. Aitken holds membership in the Episcopal church, and his wife is a communicant of the Lutheran church. He is an exemplary Mason and for twenty-five years has been secretary of the lodge in Bristol. His political allegiance is given the Democratic party and he has been corporation trustee, clerk and member of the school board. His interest in community affairs is deep, sincere and help- ful, and professionally and socially his standing in the public regard is enviable.
H. B. APP.
H. B. App, an influential and successful merchant of Bristol. con- ducting his store along modern business lines, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania. April 26. 1852. and is a son of John H. and Sarah ( Bassler) App, who were also natives of Snyder county. The family is of German lineage and was established in Pennsylvania during
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
an early period in its settlement. John H. App was a farmer by occu- pation and on coming to Indiana in 1861 settled about a mile and a half west from Bristol, where he purchased a tract of land and carried on farming for a number of years. He was known as a reliable man who gave undivided attention to his business interests. He died in 1888. having for a number of years survived his wife, who passed away in 1874. They were the parents of two sons, H. B. and D. W., the latter a resident of Quincy, Michigan.
H. B. App spent the first nine years of his life in the Keystone state and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, so that he was largely educated in the public schools of Elkhart county. He was reared upon the home farm and there remained until 1883. when thinking that he would find other occupation more congenial than the farm work. he accepted a clerkship in the employ of W. R. Merritt of Bristol. with whom he continued until 1890. He then embarked in merchandising on his own account and he now has one of the best stocked establishments in Bristol, carrying a large and carefully selected line of general merchandise. He is a man of excellent business quali- fications, who has followed a definite plan of action and guided his interests by a judgment that is safe and reliable.
In 1875 Mr. App was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Rough and they have three children: Fred H., who became a member of Company E of the One Hundred Fifty-seventh Indiana Volunteer In- fantry at the time of the Spanish-American war and went to Port Tampa and Fernandino, Florida : Earle B., at home : and Jessie M., who is the wife of William Alden, a manufacturer of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Mr. App is a Democrat in his political views and is recognized as a local leader in his party. He has served as president of the board of health and as town trustee. He belongs to George Washington Lodge. No. 325, F. & A. M .. of which he has served as worshipful master for eight years, and he is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, in which he has been chancellor commander. He ranks high as a business man and neighbor and is an affable, courteous, genial gentle- man whose social qualities and business worth have gained him rank with the leading residents of Bristol, while in his business career he has gained the success which always follows close application. unre- mitting diligence and the faithful performance of every duty.
CAPTAIN H. W. PEASE.
Captain H. W. Pease, well known as the head of the Pease Engine Works, one of the leading institutions of Goshen. is a native son of this city, his birth occurring here on the 30th of November. 1867. His father, Warren H. Pease, a native of Ohio, was brought by his parents to Elkhart when but two years of age, his father, Milan Pease, being numbered among the early pioneers of the county. He took up his
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abode on the present site of the city of Elkhart, and there erected a woolen carding and grist mill, using as its power the waters of Chris- tiana creek. The name of this worthy okl pioneer family has ever since stood exponent for the most sterling personal characteristics, and is in- dissolubly identified with the annals of the county from an early epoch in its history. Warren H. Pease became a machinist, and for some time was also engaged as a dentist, winning success in his profession. He married Matilda Douglass, a native of Nova Scotia, but who came to Ohio during her childhood days and was reared principally in Goshen. and they became the parents of four children: Charles, a master me- chanic of the Lodge & Shipley Machine Tool Company, of Cincinnati ; H. W., whose name introduces this review: George, a machinist in Jacksonville, Florida ; and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Pease now make their home in Florida.
H. W. Pease, the second child and son in his parents' family, re- ceived his educational training in Elkhart, whither he was brought by his parents when but one year old. When but thirteen years of age he began working at the machinist's trade, and this he has followed to a greater or less degree throughout the entire period of his business career. On attaining the age of twenty-one he engaged in business for himself in Chicago, opening a machine shop on Canal street, and there continuing until 1893. In that year he sold his interests there, and the following two years were spent in travel, after which, in 1895. he came to Goshen and embarked in his present occupation, the manufacture of gas, gasoline and special machinery, his business having now reached extensive proportions and furnishes employment to many skilled op- eratives.
In 1890 Mr. Pease was united in marriage to Blanche Keely, a daughter of P. G. and Annette ( Jerome) Keely. She was born at Edwardsburg, Michigan, but received her education in the Elkhart schools, in which she graduated with the class of 1888, and for two years thereafter was employed as a teacher. Two children have been born of this union-Gordon and Blanch. In his fraternal relations Mr. Pease is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Neighbors. Politically he is a life-long Repub- lican, and is commanding officer of Company G. First Indiana Infantry, National Guards, holding that office since 1903, and has taken an active part in the work of the organization. He is well known throughout Goshen and Elkhart county, and enjoys a wide popularity.
JOSEPH D. MATHER.
Joseph D. Mather, banker and agriculturist of Middlebury, was born on section ten. Middlebury township, May 15, 1862. His father, Jonathan S. Mather, was a native of Orange county, New York, born in 1836, and the following year he was brought by his parents to Elk-
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
hart county, Indiana. He was a son of David B. Mather, who on reach- ing the west located on one hundred and sixty acres of land on section four, Middlebury township, which at his request had been entered for him by his brother-in-law in 1836. This quarter section was secured with the intention of giving it to his son, Jonathan, when he became of age, and on reaching his majority Jonathan S. Mather received the deed to the place. There he spent his remaining days and he became an extensive farmer and stock raiser. In his business affairs he prospered owing to his capable management and enterprise and he ranked with the leading agriculturists of his community. In politics he was a stanch Republican but was not bitterly partisan. He served as county commis- sioner and was one of the first county assessors, while his father. David Mather. acted as sheriff of the county for one term, being chosen to that office about 1854. From pioneer times down to the present the Mathers have been active and influential in public life here and their efforts in behalf of the upbuilding and improvement of the county have been far reaching and beneficial. Jonathan S. Mather was one of a family of four children, the others being Charles S .: Mary, who became the wife of William T. Martin; and George D., who is living near Middlebury.
Jonathan S. Mather united in marriage to Frances DeFreese, who was born in Jefferson township, this county, in 1841, and is a daughter of James and Mary DeFreese. Her father was a native of Pennsyl- vania and came from Piqua, Ohio, to Indiana, settling first in Jefferson township. He was a miller by trade and operated a mill on Rock river near Goshen. Eventually he took up his abode in the city of Goshen. He married a second time and became the father of thirteen children. Mrs. Mather, who is the youngest child, now makes her home in Middle- bury, surviving her husband, who died in January. 1903. They were the parents of four children: Alice, the wife of Milton A. Stutz, a . merchant of Pendleton. Indiana : Joseph D .: Charles A., deceased ; and Mary. of Middlebury.
Joseph D. Mather acquired his early education in the common schools of Indiana. He was reared to farm life and has always engaged in agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of three hundred and seventy-six acres of land in Elkhart and LaGrange counties. To its improvement he gives his supervision and the farms return to him a gratifying income. He is perhaps even better known as a banker, being now at the head of the Exchange bank, which was established in 1885 by Daniel Elliott. Following the death of Mr. Elliott Jonathan Mather purchased the bank, which eventually came into possession of Joseph D. Mather. who is now at the head of the institution. He conducts a general banking business, meeting with good success and has made the institution one of the reliable financial concerns of this part of the county.
On the 28th of November, 1884. Mr. Mather was united in mar-
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
riage to Miss Ida Myers, a daughter of Andrew and Ellen Myers, the former a miller by occupation. Mrs. Mather was born in Constantine. Michigan, in 1866, and has become the mother of three children : Milton, Helen and Mary. She belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is an estimable lady, presiding with gracious hospitality over her at- tractive home. Mr. Mather votes with the Republican party and has served as justice of the peace and treasurer of the school board. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution ; and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. It is true that he became interested in a business already established, but in controlling and enlarging such an enterprise many a man of even considerable resolute purpose, courage and industry would have failed; and he has demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius, but the outcome of a clear judgment and push.
CHARLES ELLSWORTH DUTROW, M. D.
Dr. Charles Ellsworth Dutrow, son of Emanuel and Sarah E. Dutrow, was born on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, November 12, 1865. Three years later the family removed to western Iowa and one summer was spent in a log house upon a farm in the Missouri valley, ten miles above Council Bluffs and Omaha, but after six months of strenuous fighting against malaria and grasshoppers, the head of the family capitulated, loaded his remaining possessions into a prairie schooner and started slowly and sorrowfully eastward. By the time Elkhart county was reached health and courage were restored and the home in the schooner gave way to a fixed home in the village of Benton, while later they removed to a neighboring farm.
From this time until eighteen years of age, Charles Ellsworth alternately worked and played on the farm in summer and assisted in keeping some well meaning country school teacher active in winter. Later he attended the high school and college. In the fall of 1886. however, he returned to the country schoolhouse as teacher and for five years either coaxed or terrified the tender youth of Elkhart and Benton townships to at least a semblance of strenuous mental application.
Having decided to travel over the Esculapian route during his re- maining years, Dr. Dutrow began preparation for the practice of medi- cine and was graduated from the Medical College of Indiana, at In- dianapolis, in April, 1892. During the summer of 1893. having in the meantime married Miss Ida M. Bickel, of Benton, he became a resident and practitioner of the town of Bristol, in which place he still resides. and although he modestly does not claim great credit for what he has accomplished. the consensus of public opinion regarding his professional skill is most favorable.
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GEORGE A. FISHER.
George A. Fisher, following the occupation of farming in Washing- ton township, was born in U'lster county, New York, in 1854. His father. Nicholas Fisher, was born on the border between France and Germany and coming to America resided for some years in the Empire state, his removal to Indiana occurring when his son George was about six months old. He located in Bristol, where he first worked as a laborer and when his efforts had brought to him sufficient capital to justify the purchase of a farm he became the owner of a tract of land on section thirty-six. Washington township. after which he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He was the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land and his property was the visible evidence of a life of untiring energy, close application and strong determination. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and in his political views was a Republican. unfaltering in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He was a man of upright life. charitable spirit and kindly nature, and wherever he went he won friends. He ranked very high in the regard of his neighbors and he probably had not an enemy in the world. He married Laura .A. Depew, who was born in Litchfield, Con- necticut, and was a daughter of Abraham Depew. Her father was an iron worker and came to Indiana in 1854. He was descended from French royalty and was a third cousin of Senator Chauncey M. Depew. In his family were six children, of whom Mrs. Fisher was the youngest. Her brother, Theron Depew, was a missionary and circuit rider and Mrs. Fisher became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in her girlhood days and was very enthusiastic and earnest in church work. In August. 1902. Nicholas Fisher was called to his final rest, being then in his sixty-seventh year, and his wife passed away January o. 1887. They were people of the highest respectability and they left behind them many friends. In their family were seven children : Laura. the wife of Antone Miller, a resident farmer of Washington township: Nicholas Tracy, who is living in York township: Sarah, the wife of John Lee of Jefferson township: George .A. of this review: Julia. the wife of Fred Denstitt. living in Mishawaka. Indiana; Gertrude, who became the wife of Jacob Leatherman and died April 1, 1905: and Mary Ellen, the wife of Adelbert Merritt. a farmer of Yates county. New York. Following the death of his first wife. Nicholas Fisher married Mrs. John Back, a widow, who survives hin.
George A. Fisher has spent almost his entire life in this county, having been brought to Indiana when only six months old. He was educated in the district schools and in Bristol and was reared to farm life. which he has always followed, devoting his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits and fruit raising. He now lives on section twenty-five. Washington township, where he owns thirty-five acres of land. He also has thirty-three and a third acres on section twenty-six, forty acres on
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
section thirty-six and also another forty-acre tract on the same section, while his wife owns sixty-one and a half acres in York township. His farming interests represent a life of intense and well directed activity. He has labored persistently from his boyhood days down to the present in order to provide a comfortable living for his family and acquire a competence, and now he has a good farm property which brings to him a desirable financial return each year.
Mr. Fisher was married January 26, 1891, to Miss Alice E. Eldl- ridge, a daughter of Horace and Minerva ( Walters) Eldridge, who came from Ohio to Indiana at an early period in the development of this portion of the state. In their family were seven children, of whom Mrs. Fisher was the third in order of birth, the place of her nativity being Barry county, Michigan, while the date was August 7. 1860. Seven children have been born unto our subject and his wife: Gladys, now deceased; Ermyn C .: George A. ; Ronald E. W. ; Lucille ; Emmett N., and Donovan D. Mrs. Fisher is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, interested in its various departments of work and doing all in her power to aid in the upbuilding of the church. Mr. Fisher belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in politics is a Republican. He is at present a member of the advisory board of Washington township. In analyzing his life history we are reminded of the fact that faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed pur- pose in life will do more to advance a man's interest than wealth or advantageous circumstances. The successful men of the day are they who have planned their own advancement and have accomplished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty that could have been attained only through their own efforts. This class of men has a worthy representative in George A. Fisher.
MRS. LAURA ANN FISHER.
Mrs. Laura Ann Fisher died in Bristol, Elkhart county, Indiana, January 9, 1887, the beloved wife of Nicholas Fisher, aged almost sixty-four years. The decease of this estimable Christian lady is death's first visit to this now broken househokl. She was the youngest daughter of the late Abraham Depew, and sister of the late Rev. T. C. Depew. the spiritual father of the Presbyterian church in that part of Indiana ; also of Rev. N. A. Depew, a member of Central New York Methodist Conference. She was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, May 16, 1823, and in 1842 removed with her parents to Shandaken, Ulster county, New York. IFere she experienced religion and united with the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and about 1845 was united in marriage with her now bereaved husband. Her loving nature entwined around her husband's life with great strength of character, and together for more than forty years they met in holy union all of its varied vicissitudes. Seven children were born to them, two sons and five daughters.
.
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In 1854 they removed from the state of New York to Indiana. Here they toiled and through much labor and self-denial had just secured to themselves a competency and a beautiful home. Her pious devotion. tender religious conscience, which could not endure the slightest ap- proach of sin, was the most noted trait in her strong religious character. Her ill health for many years deprived her of the blessings of religious social life. and this sent her to secret communion with her God. She loved her private devotions, the Word of God and the Guide. Much of her time was spent in prayer and sweet answers came to her in the early conversion of her devoted husband and their children. Her heart was ever open to the spirit's influence, and most eminently it could be said. " She set her foot on hell." She had often expressed the hope that her departure might be on Sabbath morning and her request was graciously granted by her Heavenly King. She spoke in her corre- spondence with friends of late that she would soon depart and assured them of her willingness to go and the joy with which she would wel- come them on the " distant shore."
Joyful words, "We meet again!" Love's own language, comfort darting Through the souls of friends at parting ; Life in death-" We meet again!" When this weary world is past. Happy they, whose spirits soaring, Vast eternity exploring, " Meet again in heaven at last."
Her funeral was attended by a large and sympathizing audience of friends and relatives. Her only remaining sister. Mrs. J. \. Tracy, of the city of Elmira, New York, was summoned to the sad rites, and by chance the sister and relatives of his family also. We mourn for the desolate left here on these receding shores, but for her we can but hope it is an eternal gain. Her children can well say :
" And if I e'er in heaven appear A mother's holy prayer, A mother's hand and gentle tear, That pointed to a Savior dear, Have led the wanderer there."
REV. N. A. DEPEW.
BIG FLATS, New York, February 8. 1887.
CHRIST HINDERER.
Christ Hinderer, who has lived in Goshen for nearly fifty years and is one of the best known citizens and business men of Goshen and Elkhart county, was born in Wurtemberg .. Germany, May 13, 1835.
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Although now seventy years of age he is still active in affairs and is interested in every movement which means progress or uplift in his community. He is a public-spirited citizen, and all phases of his career reflect honor upon his character and integrity of manhood.
llis parents were John B. and Anna ( Stiefel) Hinderer, both na- tives of the fatherland. The father, who was a shoemaker and farmer by occupation, died when past seventy-three, and the mother lived to be still older, being eighty-two when called away. This vigorous and estimable old German couple were parents of thirteen children, of whom Christ, the fifth in order of birth, is the only survivor.
Spending the first twenty-one years of his life in the okl country, Mr. Hinderer attended the schools of his native place until he was fourteen years old, and then entered upon his apprenticeship to the wagon-maker's trade, being apprentice two years and a half and jour- neyman for a year. In 1856 he crossed the Atlantic and came directly to Goshen, which has ever since been his home. He began working at his trade here in October of that year, continuing as a journeyman until he went into business for himself in 1861. Several years later he engaged in the meat business, and in 1870 became local supply agent for a brewing house. This has been his principal line ever since. and in the course of this time he has turned in over six hundred thou- sand dollars to his company. He has also been engaged for some time in the ice business. His success as a business man has been very sub- stantial, and he is reckoned among the men of ability and enterprise who have built up the commercial prosperity of Goshen.
A Democrat in politics, he was three times elected a member of the city council, and for three years served as water commissioner. For many years he has taken an active interest in public affairs and political matters. Ile is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Hinderer married. in 1859. Miss Barbara Gross, who was born in Alsace, now a province of the German empire, but at the time of her Lirth a part of France. Mrs. Hinderer died in 1902. having been the mother of four children: namely, George, of Goshen: Louisa, deceased : Annie, wife of Frank Leibola, of Goshen ; and Miss Henrietta, at home.
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