USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 84
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In 1875 Mr. Hilbish was married to Miss Emma Walter, a daughter of Mr. Isaac Walter and a native of Snyder county, Pennsylvania, born in 1852. They have three children : Clyde, who is with his father ; Myron, who is bookkeeper for the Franklin Trust Company of Brooklyn, New York; and Florence. The family own an attractive home in Bristol, noted for its hospitality. Mrs. Hillish is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Hilbish belongs to the Reformed church. He is a Republican in politics and has been treasurer of Bristol. He owns farm lands in the township in addition to his home and business property and he is one of the representative citizens of the county, who while pro- moting individual success has also advanced the general welfare. It has been through the utilization of opportunity that he has risen to a prom- inent place in the public regard, working along modern lines and shaping conditions to meet his ends. Moreover his policy has ever been in accord with straightforward principles and he has naturally gained the respect and confidence of men.
JACOB S. LEATHERMAN.
Jacob S. Leatherman is the owner of one of the best and most pro- ductive fruit farms in Washington township and the place is an indication of his life of thrift, enterprise and practical effort. He was born in Mil- ford, Kosciusko county. Indiana. March 20, 1855, his parents being John and Elizabeth ( Mease ) Leatherman, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. John Leatherman came to Indiana when the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun. He was a farmer by occupation and became quite prosperous, eventually owning one hundred and eighty acres, which was well cultivated and equipped with good improvements. Both he and his wife were loyal members of the German Baptist church and died in that faith, the former passing away in 1873 at the age of fifty-eight years, while the latter died in 1873 at the age of forty years. Both died of typhoid fever within a brief space of time and their daughter, Sarah, also died of the same dis- ease. They were the parents of nine children, but the first born died in infancy. The others were Jacob S. ; John H., Rebecca, Sarah, and David, all of whom are deceased: Lavina, the wife of H. B. Lytle. a friut grower of Jefferson township, and Mary and Emma, both deceased. Of this family David E. Leatherman was a soklier of the Spanish American war. He enlisted in Company B, Thirty-fourth Regiment of Infantry in Minnesota, on the 5th of August, 1899, and was mustered out at Presidio, California. April 17, 1901. He served his entire time in the Philippine Islands and contracted malaria, which developed into consumption. He returned home, and although he received a brother's loving care from
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Jacob S. Leatherman, and every medical attention possible, it was all of no avail and he died March 7. 1904, when in his thirty-seventh year.
Jacob S. Leatherman acquired his education in the public schools of St. Joseph county, to which place his parents had removed. He was reared on the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He arrived in Washington township in the spring of 1874, when nineteen years of age, and entered the employ of Rev. Samuel Pease, the owner of a fruit farm, with whom he remained for two years. He then purchased thirty acres of land on section thirty- five, which was at that time all covered with timber, but with character- istic energy he began to clear away the trees and brush and he now has one of the prettiest and most productive fruit farms of his township. He raises various kinds of fruits and is a capital horticulturist, thoroughly understanding the needs of his trees as to soil and climate. In 1898 he built a beautiful residence and fine barn on his place and his farm is alto- gether one of the best improved and attractive in Washington township.
On the 22nd of January, 1878. Mr. Leatherman was united in mar- riage to Miss Gertrude Fisher, a daughter of Nicholas and Laura ( Depew ) Fisher. Her father was a farmer and became one of the early settlers of Elkhart county. Mrs. Leatherman was born in Bristol in 1858 and died April 1. 1905. She was a devoted member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, but for six years prior to her (leathi was an invalid. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leatherman had been born four children : Noah D., who was born March 19, 1879, and is a fruit raiser of Washington township, married Bessie Corson, a daughter of Roe Corson, and they have one child, Leone; Bertha, born November 9. 1881, who became the wife of Clyde E. Pickerel, on November 28. 1899. a farmer of Washington township, and they have two children, Walford and Paul: Katie, born November 19, 1884. and Eunice, born February 7, 1895, are both at home.
Mr. Leatherman has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a number of years and his labors have been effective in promoting its growth and extending its influence. He is now serving as steward and trustee of the church. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in his political views is a Prohibitionist. He is interested in all that tends to promote the moral progress of his race and to this end he gives his active co-operation to temperance and church work. In business affairs he is practical, far sighted and reliable and the fine appearance of his farm is an indication of his interest in his work and the progressiveness which marks his conduct of his business affairs.
L. BURR WHIPPY.
Born in the city of Goshen. December 24. 1872. a son of the late Dr. W. A. Whippy and his wife Mary T. Whippy, it has been the good for- tune of Mr. L. Burr Whippy to spend practically his entire career in the
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city of his birth, where for nearly ten years he has been numbered among the younger representatives of the Elkhart county bar.
Practical-minded and energetic. and possessed of the Hoosier wit which has distinguished so many sons of Indiana, he has, since his last day in the Goshen public schools, made his own way in the world. Before reaching majority he studied law one year with Charles W. Miller, now attorney general of the state, and during the three following years was engaged in the telephone business, operating the Goshen and Elkhart ex- changes for a time, and for the greater portion of the three years was in the arduous occupation of telephone construction in the west. . \ few days after his return to Goshen, in January, 1894. he entered the office and employ of Deahl & Deahl, the well known law firm, and has been con- nected with them ever since. He obtained admission to the bar in the fall of 1896. Besides attending to all the stenographic work of the firm he has charge of their probate practice, and also represents several insurance companies.
An active Democrat and for most of the years since he became a voter, taking an interested part in practical politics, Mr. Whippy for the past six years has served as secretary of the Democratic central committee in this county. His social activity is mainly in connection with fraternal work. He has held all but two of the chairs in the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 41. and has been honored with all the offices in Tonawanda Tribe No. 130, I. O. R. M., being past sachem and at present chief of records.
September 20. 1904. Mr. Whippy married Miss Retta .A. Cripe, a daughter of Chauncey Cripe. Mrs. Whippy is one of the well known and successful teachers of the county, having taught three years in Goshen, nearly three years at Waterford and one year at Millersburg. She is an active worker in the Baptist church, and esteemed in social circles.
ROSS NICHOLSON.
Ross Nicholson, living on section twenty-eight. Washington township, where he owns and operates sixty-two acres of land, is a son of George Nicholson, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1808. and died in this county in 1862. The paternal grandfather. James Nicholson, was also a native of Champaign county and with his brother, Vance, came to Washington township, Elkhart county, in the fall of 1828, walking the entire distance. They came on a pros- pecting tour and being pleased with the country they returned to Ohio and brought their families to this state in the fall of 1829. The brothers entered land, some of which is now comprised within the boundary limits of Bristol. There was quite a colony made the journey from Ohio, including Thompson Nicholson, William Nicholson, who afterward went to Cassopolis, Michigan: Mary Ann Lowe and others. George Nicholson began farming in this locality and lived upon his farm for sixty years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
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church and when he passed away his remains were interred in Oak Ridge, the old graveyard, with grandfather James, in the rear of the new school house in Bristol. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party and he afterward became a stanch Republican. He was of Irish lineage and accompanied his father from the Emerald Isle to the new world, making his home in Ohio until he came to this state. He married Eliza Chess, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, in 1820, and died in 1876. She was of Irish extraction and was a daughter of William Chess, who was born on the high seas while his parents were coming from the Emerald Isle to the new world. Mrs. Nicholson was one of five children, the others being William, John. Finley and Lydia. By his first wife, Mary Bassett, George Nicholson had two children : Sarah Ann, who married Michael Frank and is living in Bristol: and Mary, the deceased wife of Andrew Shriver, who is now living in Illinois. By his second marriage George Nicholson had eight children: Lydia, the deceased wife of George Cole: Sophronia: Finley. deceased: Rose, who is a milliner in Huntsville, Ohio: Olive, deceased; Ross: Emma, the wife of Judson Holmes of Washington township; and Eva, who is living in Bristol.
Ross Nicholson, who was born January 4, 1852, pursued his edu- cation in the district schools and in Bristol. He was reared upon the farm which his father had entered from the government on the north side of the river opposite Bristol, and throughout almost his entire life has given his attention to farming, although he conducted a meat market in Bristol for fifteen years, at the same time carrying on agri- cultural interests. He now lives on section twenty-eight, Washington township, where he has sixty-two acres of land, and he likewise owns forty acres in Jefferson township, which is mostly planted to fruit. He is practical in his methods, forms his plans readily and is deter- mined in their execution, and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success.
In 1885 was celebrated the marriage of Ross Nicholson and Miss Annie Ilannan, a daughter of John and Mary Hannan, who came to Jefferson township. Elkhart county, from Germany, in 1860. Four years later upon the farm there Mrs. Nicholson was born, and by her marriage she has become the mother of seven children-Berle, Finley, Hubert, Robert, Wilma, Helen, and Mary. Mrs. Nicholson belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and, like her husband, she shares in the high regard of many warm friends. Mr. Nicholson is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in politics he was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Prohibitionist, giving his ballet in support of the principles and candidates of the party which embodies his views on the temperance question. He represents one of the oklest pioneer families of Elkhart county and the work of public improve- ment which was instituted by his grandfather and carried forward by his father finds an advocate in him, for he is interested in all that
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pertains to the general welfare and gives his support to many measures for the public good.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross Nicholson have in their possession two of the old parchment deeds signed by President Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson.
REV. PETER HUFFMAN.
Rev. Peter Huffman, a general farmer and one of the most suc- cessful potato growers of Indiana, was born in Noble county, Indiana, November 13, 1863. His father, John W. Huffman, a native of Ger- many, became a resident of Ohio when thirteen years of age, emigrat- ing to the new world with his parents. He afterward lived in Stark county, Ohio, where he worked as a day laborer. He married Martha Howenstein, a native of Pennsylvania, their marriage being celebrated in Ohio. They removed to Indiana in 1862. settling at the place where Rev. Peter Huffman was born, and they became the parents of ten children, nine of whom reached adult age.
The second of the family was Rev. Peter Huffman, who was about sixteen years of age when he came to Elkhart county. He began working by the day, carrying water for the men engaged on the con- struction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He worked two sum- mers as water boy, earning his first money when thirteen years of age. Later he turned his attention to farm labor and was employed by the month as a farm hand until eighteen years of age. He afterward fol- lowed the stonemason's trade for two years, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on his own account, locating four miles northeast of Nappanee, where he rented land for two years.
Up to this time Mr. Huffman was living with the people who owned the farm, but in 1887 he was married to Miss Martha Strycker. a daughter of Jacob Strycker. They began their domestic life on what is known as the Ira G. Hubbard farm in Baugo township, four miles southwest of Elkhart, renting that place for a year. after which they removed to the Mike Weaver farm, a half mile south of Dunlap. year later Mr. Huffman purchased thirty acres in Baugo township, making a payment of one thousand dollars and incurring an indebted- ness of one thousand dollars. For twelve years that farm was their home and he then purchased fifty-four acres of the Ira G. Hubbard farm adjoining. Later he removed to Jamestown, Elkhart county, Indiana, where he bought forty-seven acres, on which he engaged in farming until 1905, when he took up his abode at No. 710 Wolf avenue, in Elkhart, purchasing the home that he now occupies. He sold his thirty acre farm in 1900 but still retains possession of the tract of fifty-four acres. During the time that he owed for his first farm he sold wheat for forty-eight cents per bushel in order to pay the interest. His life has been one of unremitting diligence and business activity and he is now an extensive potato grower, raising, in the year
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1904. twenty-six hundred bushels. He is the largest upland potato grower in this part of the county and the business is proving profit- able, adding annually a good fund to his income.
Rev. and Mrs. Huffman have no children of their own but have an adopted daughter. Pearl Nelson. They are active and influential workers in the German Baptist church, and Rev. Huffman has been connected with the ministry of that denomination for fourteen years, his work as pastor being in connection with the Osolo church, while formerly he was assisting the Baugo church. His labors in this con- nection have been far reaching and beneficial. Rev. Huffman served as township trustee of Baugo township from November 16, 1900, until January 1. 1905, being elected on the Democratic ticket. During a residence of twenty-six years in the county. he has become well known as the champion of progress, improvement and advancement along material, social, intellectual and moral lines, and his aid can be counted upon to further anything that is right. His own life record furnishes an example that is well worthy of emulation and proves that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
LOUIS HELFRICH.
Louis Helfrich is the well known and prospering furniture dealer of Elkhart, where he has been numbered among the substantial and enterprising business men for nearly twenty years. He is a man of marked ability and alertness, qualities that insure commercial success, and at the same time possesses that public spirit which is a most im- portant asset in the civic wealth of any city.
Mr. Helfrich was born in Crawford county, Ohio, in Jackson township. July 14, 1852. His father. Peter Helfrich, was born and married in Germany, and settled in Crawford county. Ohio, about 1843. A farmer and shoemaker by occupation. he came to this coun- try with little capital, besides his skill and industry, but by the use of both finally acquired a competency. His first purchase of land was only ten acres, but he added to this until he owned. at the time of his death in 1861, one hundred and thirty acres. His death was acci- dental, caused by a runaway team, and his wife met death as a result of falling downstairs. She was seventy-five years old at the time. Her maiden name was Barbara Bowman, and she was also a native of Germany.
Mr. Louis Helfrich is the fifth of his parents' seven children, five sons and two daughters. Living at home and assisting his mother on the farm until he was eighteen years old. at that age he began learning the wagon and carriage maker's trade at Galion, Ohio. After serving an apprenticeship of two and a half years he did journeyman work at Bucyrus three years and at Cressline, after which he returned to Galion and engaged in the manufacture of carriages in connection with two
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other partners, the firm being Kunkel, Shupp and L. Helfrich. Eight years later Shupp and Helfrich bought out the Kunkel interests and continued together three years longer, when Mr. Helfrich sold out to Mr. Shupp. On March 1. 1887, he came to Elkhart and went into the furniture business. For the first year and a half the firm was H. Hel- frich and L. Helfrich, until Louis Helfrich bought out his partner, and since 1889 the business has been conducted by L. Helfrich and Son. Their stock of furniture is as large and varied as that found in any retail house in the county, and the house has been growing into the favor of the public ever since its establishment.
As already mentioned. Mr. Helfrich has often turned his attention aside from purely individual business affairs to that which affects the life and interests of his city. A Democrat in politics, he served one term in the city council. He is one of the leading members of the Grace English Lutheran church in Elkhart, having filled all the lay offices and being deacon at this writing.
Mr. Helfrich married, December 22, 1875, Miss Louisa Stolz, and they have passed a most happy married life of more than thirty years. They are the parents of three daughters and one son : Harriett, the wife of Charles Hathaway, of Evanston, Illinois: Elmer, who is unmarried and who has been his father's partner for many years: Laura and Gladys. both at home.
OLIVER H. SHAMORY.
Oliver H. Shamory, a representative of educational interests in Bristol, being now superintendent and assistant principal of the Bristol public school, is a native son of Washington township, Elkhart county. born on the 26th of August. 1869. The father, John Henry Shamory, is a native of Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and now resides on a farm in Washington township, at the age of sixty-nine years. He first came to Elkhart county in 1862 and there settled upon a farm. His ancestors had established a home in Pennsylvania at an early epoch in the history of that state, coming to the new world from Germany. John Henry Shamory is a carpenter by trade, but during the greater part of his life has carried on agricultural pursuits, and is still successfully engaged in that business in this locality. He belongs to the German Reformed church and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party. He married Elizabeth Lenig, who is of German-Swiss lineage and was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania. She is also a member of the German Reformed church and is now sixty years of age. In the family of this worthy couple are three children : Clara E., the wife of Arthur Withers, of Elkhart. Indiana: Oliver H .; and Arthur M., who follows farming on the okl homestead.
Oliver H. Shamory was educated in the public schools of Bristol. the high school of Wolcottville, the high school of LaGrange and the normal school of Goshen, and he also pursued normal courses through the
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correspondence system. He was reared upon the home farm and, leaving school at the age of twenty years, he has since devoted his attention to teaching, having been connected with the grammar department of the schools of Bristol for six years, and also acting as assistant principal. He has taught altogether in the schools of Bristol for nine years and in the country schools for five years. He is a capital educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired. He has the faculty of inspiring the pupils with much of his own zeal and interest in the work and his labors have been effective and beneficial.
In 1895 Mr. Shamory was united in marriage to Miss Dora May Kessler. a daughter of William C. and Katherine ( Markley ) Kessler and a native of Elkhart, born in 1873. Her father was a carpenter by trade, but for a long period followed the occupation of farming. He is now deceased. but his wife yet lives in Elkhart. In their family were five children, Mrs. Shamory being the third daughter. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, Kessler, who was born February 27. 1896, in Bristol. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shamory are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is now secretary of the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Shamory belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Odd Fellows lodge, and his political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Northern Indiana Educa- tional Association and he stands for progress not only in the line of his profession, but in all departments of activity that tend to promote the material and moral welfare of the race and to uphold the political and legal status of the country.
GEORGE MILBURN.
George Milburn, who has wielded a wide influence in business and political circles in Bristol, was born in the province of Ontario, Canada. May 13, 1839, and is a son of John and Martha ( Rose) Milburn. The father was born in England, but in his early manhood became a resident of Canada, where he wedded Miss Rose, a native of that country and a descendant of the early Dutch colonists of the New England states. Mr. Milburn followed merchandising throughout his active business career. and at his death left a widow and four children, while two born of that marriage died in infancy and one son died in Cass county, Michigan, at the age of twenty-two years. Two sons, Thomas and John D., are now the only members of the family in Indiana. The mother died in Memphis, Tennessee. of yellow fever, in 1878.
George Milburn acquired a good common-school education, much more practical than theoretical, and when about sixteen years of age he came to the United States, where he began clerking for his uncle, from whom he was named. The store was at Mishawaka, Indiana, and he there remained until 1865. During that time he acquired an interest in the celebrated Milburn wagon works at that place, but after the big fire
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which destroyed a large part of the plant, at about the close of the Civil war, he disposed of his interests and removed to Bristol. Purchasing a small tract of land he engaged in fruit raising and from time to time, as his means permitted, added to his possessions until he now owns about three hundred acres of fine land in Washington township, over one hun- dred of which is planted to fruit-bearing trees. Since 1895, upon his retirement from the office of county auditor, he concentrated his energies upon the management of his invested interests, and finds that this occu- pies all of the time which he cares to give to business affairs. He is a man of keen discernment. of unfaltering activity and industry and earn- est purpose, and his prosperity is attributable in large measure to his own efforts.
Mr. Milburn is a Democrat. but is not a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term, although he feels deep interest in the ques- tions of the day and the adoption, by the voters of the country, of those principles which he believes most conducive to good government. In 1890 he was made the Democratic candidate for auditor, and his popu- larity was evidenced by the victory he achieved in overcoming the usual Republican majority of four hundred and winning a majority of four hundred and sixty-five above that given his opponent. Ability, prompt- ness and courtesy characterized his administration of the affairs of the office and unquestionably he gave satisfaction to the general public, re- gardless of political affiliation. He has also served for two terms as a member of the county council, was its first chairman and in fact filled that position both terms. He was likewise a member of the village board of Bristol for a number of years and was treasurer of the school board for nine years.
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