USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 85
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In 1864 Mr. Milburn was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Han- ford, who died two years later, and in 1868 he wedded Miss Elizabeth P'. Congdon. They have six children, of whom four are now living : Henry H .. now living in Seattle, Washington, where he is assistant secretary of the Northwestern Commercial Company. which owns a number of vessels sailing between that port and Alaska and Siberia: Mary E. : Laura, who died in January, 1892; and Helen, who was married in 1895 to W. S. Daniels, a merchant of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and died in April. 1899. at the age of twenty-three years, leaving two children. George and Laura, now with their grandfather: Florence ; and Rollin. Mrs. Milburn is a member of the Episcopal church and the family is prominent socially, their home being noted for its courteous and pleasing hospitality. Mr. Milburn has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to leave his native province and establish a home in the United States, with its livelier competition, greater business opportunities and advancement more quickly secured, for here he found good business opening, and by the improvement and utilization of these he has become one of the substantial citizens of his adopted county.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
AUSTIN E. MENGES.
Austin E. Menges, who is a teacher in the grammar department of the Bristol schools, was born in Bristol in 1874, his parents being John 1. and Sarah Ann ( Everingham ) Menges. The father, who is of Scotch and German lineage, came from Pennsylvania to Indiana in 1863, set- tling in Washington township, Elkhart county. He has followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life, and he now resides upon a good farm about two miles west of Bristol, at the age of fifty- seven years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active and helpful part in its work. In 1899 he left this county and went to Tennessee, where he resided until the spring of 1905, when he returned to the north and is now occupying a good farm which yields to him a gratifying income. His political views are in accord with the principles advocated by William Jennings Bryan, and while living in Tennessee he served as township trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Maccabees. He married Sarah Ann Everingham, a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, who is now living at the age of fifty- one years and is a daughter of Moses and Mary Ann ( Hitesman ) Ever- ingham. Her parents removed from Pennsylvania to York township, Elkhart county, Indiana, and there the mother died, while the father's death occurred in Washington township, this county. Mrs. Menges comes of Quaker ancestry, but is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. By her marriage she became the mother of three children : Austin E. ; Walter, who is in the United States revenue service in Ten- nessee ; and Mary, who died in 1892 at the age of twelve years.
Austin E. Menges, having passed through successive grades in the primary and grammar departments of the public schools of Bristol, con- tinued his education in the high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. He also spent one summer as a student in Michael's University at Logansport, Indiana. He was reared to farm life and after leaving school he began teaching in a district school in Cass county, Michigan. He also taught in Jefferson and Washington townships of this county, and for the past four years has had charge of intermediate schools in Bristol, where he is now successfully teaching. He is a capable educator, well qualified for the work he has undertaken, and his zeal and interest therein are an inspiration to his pupils.
Mr. Menges was married to Miss Irene Alverson, a daughter of Isaac N. and Katherine A AAlverson. Mrs. Menges was born in 1877 and died in 1899, leaving a son, Austin, whose birth occurred in that vear. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her (leath was deeply regretted by many friends. Mr. Menges was again married in 19oi, his second union being with Cora E. King, a daughter of S. H. and Ellen King, the former a farmer and stock raiser. Mrs. Menges was born in Cass county, Michigan, in 1879, and she has had three children : Mary, born in Cass county in 1902; Russell, born in Bristol
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in 1903: and Ellen B., born June 16, 1905, and died August 30, 1905. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for several years Mr. Menges has been secretary of the Sunday school here. Fraternally he is a Mason and a Samaritan, and politically is a Democrat. lle belongs to the Northern Indiana Educational Association and is in- terested in all that tends to advance the public school system of the state and render it more effective as a preparation for life's practical duties. He has traveled quite extensively, for from 1883 until 1889 he resided in Bartow, Florida, where he attended school through the summer months. He is well known in Bristol and Elkhart county and is com- mended for his conscientious devotion to professional duties as well as. his fidelity to all of the principles that develop honorable manhood.
IRA B. WINEGAR.
The attractiveness of Elkhart county as a place of residence is indi- cated by the fact that many of her native sons have always made their home within her borders, and to this class belongs Ira. B. Winegar. He now lives on section thirteen, Washington township, where he owns and operates two hundred and three acres of rich land. His birth occurred in York township in 1862. and he is one of the seven children born to Edmund M. and Catherine ( Woodard) Winegar, the former born in New York state in 1828 and the latter in LaGrange county, Indiana, in 1831. Edmund M. Winegar removed from the Empire state to Indiana with his parents, Ira and Mary Winegar, in the year 1839, and here the grandfather entered eighty acres of land from the government, develop- ing therefrom a good farm. He had four children : Edmund M., Phil- lip, James E. and George. Of this family, James, who was formerly a woolen manufacturer of Goshen, Indiana, is now living retired in Iowa at the age of eighty-six years. Edmund M. Winegar was reared upon his father's farm and throughout his entire life carried on agricultural pursuits. He prospered in his undertakings, and at the time of his death was in possession of three hundred acres of valuable land. llis sound business judgment and reliability were recognized by all who knew him, and in his later years he was often consulted by his neighbors regarding legal matters, and he frequently tried cases in the justice courts. In politics he was a Democrat, prominent in the local ranks of the party, and he served as assessor to York township for twenty years and was also township trustee. His fraternal relations were with the Masonic lodge and in his life he exemplified the teachings and tenets of the craft. He stood high in the estimation of his friends and neighbors and was a man of kindly, benevolent spirit, in whom the poor and needy found a friend. He was thrice married, hi ; first union being with Miss Sarah Mell, by whom he had one son, Monroe, who is now a practicing physi- cian of Hamilton, Kansas. For his second wife he chose Catherine Woodard, whose parents came from Ohio to Indiana at an early day.
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settling in LaGrange county. The father took up his abode upon a farm and was also engaged in the lumber business. By their marriage there were seven children: Julia, who died at the age of sixteen years: Quincy D .. a farmer residing in York township: Carrie, the wife of C. N. Blood, of York township: Jennie, the wife of Joseph McCann. a farmer of the same township: Ira B. : Nellie, the wife of Clement L. V. Hedrick. a practicing physician of Kansas City, Missouri; and George, who died about 1900. Mrs. Winegar died in 1894. and Mr. Winegar for his third wife chose Mrs. Ellen Franks. To this marriage was born one son. Ed, aged six years. His mother is still living in Jefferson township. the wife of David Logan, a farmer in that township. Mr. Winegar survived until November 16. 1900.
Ira B. Winegar, having obtained his preliminary education in the district schools, continued his studies in the Middlebury high schools. He was reared to farm life, which occupation he yet follows, and his home is now on section thirteen, Washington township, where he has a valuable tract of two hundred and three acres of land that he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He also has ninety acres in York township and in his farming operations is meeting with excellent success.
Mr. Winegar was married May 21. 1901, to Miss Grace L. Cong- don. a daughter of Ira F. and Sarah ( Crumbaker ) Congdon and a native of Larned. Kansas, born in 1880. Her father was a farmer and was born in Washington township. With the exception of three years he has always lived in Washington township, and he is of Scotch Irish de- scent. Both he and his wife now reside in Bristol. Mr. and Mrs. Wine- gar have one child, Warren, who was born in March, 1901. Mrs. Wine- gar belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Winegar is a Democrat. who has served as assessor. Both enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends, the hospitality of the best homes of their town- ship being accorded them. In his farm life Mr. Winegar has worked per- sistently and earnestly, realizing that labor is the basis of all success. and he now has valuable property interests which make him one of the leading agriculturists and prosperous residents of Washington township.
HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRICK.
As the congressman from the thirteenth Indiana district, which includes Elkhart county, Hon. A. L. Brick, though a resident of South Bend, has a definite place in the history of Elkhart county. Born on a farm in St. Joseph county, May 27. 1860, he is distinctly a man of the world insofar as familiarity with men and affairs in all the depart- ments of life is concerned. As a boy he entered with whole-souled en- thusiasm into the sports of his neighborhood and acquired that love for nature which has always remained with him as an abiding trait. He attended a country school, where, studious and not unduly mis- chievous, he gained the affection of his first teacher in a way that
ABRAHAM L. BRICK
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
called from hier. many years later, a very appreciative tribute to his mind and character in its plastic state.
His tather, William W. Brick, who was a good old country 'squire and is well remembered in the county, moved to South Bend when Abraham was still a boy, and there he became acquainted with life in new and practical phases. Willingness to work at any honest labor that would give him an honest penny was a Yankee quality which early manifested itself in the case of this future statesman. He sold newspapers, chopped wood and carried it from the street to the upper stories of many business buildings of South Bend, did all sorts of jobs: then became a delivery boy for the George Wyman dry goods house, delivering carpets in a wheelbarrow along the principal thor- oughfares of the city : then became the jack-of-all-trades and useful-man for a clothing house, in which he had to brush all the clothes once a week. scrub floors, and anything else that might suggest itself to the managing head. Another vacation was spent with another clothing house, and he next hecame a general office boy for J. B. Arnold, in the law, abstract and real estate business.
All this time young Brick was making the best of his opportunities in the ward and high schools of South Bend, and after graduation from the high school he entered Cornell University and later went to Yale, but ill health compelled him to leave the latter institution before graduating. After spending a period in recuperation on a Kansas ranch, he entered the University of Michigan and was graduated in 1883. He had, while still a boy, fixed his mind upon the law as his profession, and by private study as well as university aid, he never ceased preparation until he was ready to take up active practice. On beginning practice in South Bend, he started alone, his parents both dead and lie without means, except his industry and native ability. through which he became later on one of the strongest lawyers in the state. Upon being elected to congress, he formed a partnership with D. D. Bates, and today they make, with A. G. Graham who has lately entered the firm with them, a legal combination unexcelled anywhere.
Mr. Brick's career in public service began with his term as state's attorney. 1886-88. In 1890 he was elected chairman of the thirteenth congressional district Republican committee, serving until 1802: was delegate and a member of the committee on credentials at the national convention in St. Louis in 1896, when William Mckinley was first nominated for president on the Republican ticket. This usefulness in party affairs and his increasing reputation and ability as a lawyer and man of affairs made him available in the larger fields of national politics, and in 1898 he was compelled to accede to the wishes of his friends and accept the nomination for congress as representative of the thirteenth district. He was elected, and since then has been four times nominated without opposition and each time elected. the last time in November, 1904, when he received the unprecedented majority of seven
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thousand votes. His reputation as a forcible speaker and logical de- bater, earned in his home district many times over, followed him and was proved in the halls of national legislation, where he has with dis- tinction identified himself with the remarkable series of policies by which the Republican party has gained and maintained its powerful position in this country.
Mr. Brick has a cozy home in South Bend, where he and his tam- ily, consisting of his wife and daughter Estelle, spend most of the time except during the congressional term at Washington.
GEORGE B. CAINE.
George B. Caine is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred acres on section fifteen. York township, in the midst of which stands a fine residence. There he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in the raising and shipping of stock, and his business ability and close application have won him prosperity. He was born in Cuyahoga county. Ohio, in 1859, and comes of Manx ancestry. His father. Abel Caine, was also a native of Cuyahoga county, and his death occurred in 1889. when he was in the sixtieth year of his age. He arrived in Indiana in 1875, settling in York township, this county, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He was the fourth in a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, and the family was estab- lished in Ohio at an early period in its development. His political support was given to the Republican party from the time of its organ- ization. He was recognized as a citizen and man of worth, receiv- ing the good will and respect of those with whom he came in contact. He married Emaline Chase, also a native of Cuyahoga county. Her parents died in Ohio, while Mrs. Caine passed away about 1870. at the age of thirty-two years. She was a member of the Disciples' church and was one of three children, the others being sons. Mr. and Mrs. Caine became the parents of seven children: Charles H., who is living in Cleveland, Ohio: Arthur, a resident of Bedford, Ohio; Miles, deceased : George B .: Mary, the wife of Z. T. Flick, a mill- wright of Bedford, Ohio; Clara, who is also living in that place ; and Christiana, deceased.
George B. Caine acquired a common school education and when about twenty-one years of age took up his abode in York township. That was in 1880 and he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, on section fifteen, owning here one hundred acres of good land which responds readily to the cultivation bestowed upon it, re- turning golden harvests for the care and labor of the owner. An in- portant branch of his business, however, is his stock raising and ship- ping interests and he is now quite well known as a dealer in live stock.
In 1880 George B. Caine was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Middleton, a daughter of Isaac and Susan (Gates) Middleton and a
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native of La Grange, Indiana, born in 1862. Her father was a farmer and at the time of the Civil war enlisted for service with the Union army. his death occurring in a hospital as a result of a wound sus- tained in battle. Mr. and Mrs. Caine have one daughter. Elsie, now fourteen years of age. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Caine is a Republican, now serving for the second term as township assessor. The invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, industry and ability a successful career, and the truth of this assertion is abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Caine, whose business career has not been free from difficulties and obstacles, yet he has overcome these by determined purpose and laudable endeavor. working his way steadily upward to success.
JOHN IRA BURKLEY.
John Ira Burkley, who is successfully engaged in the raising of thoroughbred Durham cattle, and is the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and eighty acres on section twenty-nine. York town- ship, was born in Middlebury, Elkhart county. December 4. 1862. His father, John G. Burkley, was a native of Germany and in the '50s came to the United States, establishing his home in Middlebury. He was a stone mason and plasterer by trade and followed those pursuits until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he enlisted in defense of the Union cause as a member of the 21st Indiana Battery, with which he did active service until killed at the battle of Chicka- mauga, September 19. 1863, thus giving his life as a ransom for his country. As long as memory remains to the American people they will cherish the history of those who fought and died for their conn- try and as an adopted son of the United States John G. Burkley was especially worthy of the praise and gratitude of the nation. He held membership in the Lutheran church. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Louise Hess, was born in Homer, Michigan, and died in 1894, at the age of fifty-five years. She. too, was a member of the Lutheran church. After losing her first husband she became the wife of Thomas Murphy. The children of her first marriage were Eliza- beth, now deceased, and John. of this review.
In the common schools John Burkley acquired his education and his boyhood days were spent upon a farm. He has always followed agricultural interests and is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of arable and productive land on section twenty-nine, York township. He raises throughbred Durham cattle and also high grades of other stock. His life has been one of continuous activ- ity. in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county.
August 23. 1890. Mr. Burkley was married to Mrs. Phebe Myr- tilla Daily, the widow of John Daily and a daughter of Joel H.
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Austin. Her father was at one time a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and afterward united with the ministry of the Bap- tist church. He acted as pastor of a church in Lima, Indiana. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda Irena Ludington, was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and died January 29. 1902, at the age of seventy years, but Rev. Austin is still living in Goshen. They were the parents of three children: Emory Eugene, a resident of Goshen; Wellington J., who is connected with the postoffice serv- ice in Chicago: and Mrs. Burkley. Mrs. Burkley has an old family Bible which was published in 1780 and was brought from Ireland by her grandmother, Martha Austin. This is one of the oldest books found in the county of Elkhart, Indiana.
Rebekah Rose, Mrs. Burkley's great-aunt, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 13. 1795, four years before the death of Gen. Washington, and was a daughter of Russell Rose, an officer in the Continental army for seven years, and a member of the staff of General Washington. Mr. Rose had three brothers in the Continental army. Russell Rose removed from Connecticut and settled in the pres- ent township of Sullivan, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1807. It was in the townships of Sullivan and Covington that almost the entire life of Rebekah was spent. She was a maiden of twelve when she came to Tioga county. Her father died at the age of seventy-seven and her mother at the age of ninety-three, and she had one sister who died at the age of ninety-nine. Mrs. Burkley's grandmother's name was Phoebe Rose, and she wedded William Ludington.
By her first marriage Mrs. Burkley had one son. John Emory Daily, and a daughter has been born unto our subject and his wife. Louise Irene, whose birth occurred September 18, 1899. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Burkley is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while in his political views he is an earnest Democrat. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and notably reliable and his close application to business and his ex- cellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosper- ity which is today his.
DAVID B. COX.
David B. Cox, who is following agricultural pursuits on section twenty-seven, Washington township, where he owns one hundred and five acres of rich and well improved land, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. in 1846. His father, William .A. Cox, was a native of the same township and county in which the son was born, and was of Irish lineage, the family, however, having been founded in Pennsyl- vania at an early epoch in its settlement. One of the representatives of the name served as a quartermaster in the Revolutionary war. William A. Cox in early life learned the trade of a stone mason and brick layer. but through many years followed the occupation of farm-
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ing. He wedded Mary Knepp, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German lineage. They came to Indiana, settling on the farm now owned by their son, David, and there the father continued to engage in agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1895, when he was sixty-four years of age. His political belief was that of the Democratic party. His widow still survives him and is now living on the old homestead at the age of eighty-five years. They were the parents of five children: Luther T .. now de- ceased : David B. ; Hebron T. and Mary S., both deceased ; and Martha 11., the wife of Summerville Light, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Elkhart.
David B. Cox was reared upon the home farm and attended the common schools. He taught in the public schools for ten years dur- ing the winter seasons and in the summer months worked upon the farm, but now gives his undivided attention to agricultural interests and is the owner of one hundred and five acres of rich and arable land lying on sections twenty-seven and thirty-three, Washington township. The place is well improved and the land is productive, so that he annually harvests good crops that return to him a gratifying income.
Mr. Cox was married in 1860 to Miss Almira Zeigler, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1847. Her parents, Harrison and Katherine Zeigler, came to Washington township. Elkhart county, in 1848, and casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers here resided until called to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of four children, but lost their first born, Ida M. The others are Mary, Elma and Elsie. Mrs. Cox is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Cox belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity of Bristol Castle 369, in which he has occupied all of the chairs. In politics he is a Democrat and has been trustee of the village schools. He has con- ducted his business affairs with tireless energy, industry and ability, resulting in success, and is now one of the leading and enterprising agriculturists of his community.
NICHOLAS TRACY FISHER.
Nicholas Tracy Fisher, whose farm of one hundred acres on sec- tion twenty-eight, York township. is a well improved property and in its excellent appearance indicates the supervision of a painstaking and progressive owner, is one of the citizens that the Empire state has furnished to Elkhart county. His birth occurred in Ulster county, New York, in 1852, his parents being Nicholas and Laura .1. ( Depew ) Fisher. His father was born on the German-French border and came to America that he might enjoy better business opportuni- ties. He removed from New York to Indiana in 1854 and later he- came the owner of an excellent farm in this county. Further men-
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tion of him and his wife are made in connection with the sketch of George A. Fisher, on another page of this work.
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