USA > Indiana > Marshall County > A twentieth century history of Marshall County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 14
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The only living son of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Moore) Deeds, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and of German descent, he was
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born in Hancock county, Ohio, November 25, 1853, and has one living sister, older than himself, Minnie, the wife of James E. Peterson, of Warsaw, Indiana. As he was but three years old when his parents moved to Kosciusko county, this state, he was reared there and educated in the Warsaw public schools, when he became a partner in a cooperage factory with his father until 1889. He then began the study of dentistry in Warsaw and in August of 1890 located for practice in Plymouth. Since then, however, he has attended a post-graduate course in the Northwestern University, of Chicago, his post-graduate diploma bearing the date of 1899. He is a member of the Northern Indiana Dental Society, the Indiana State Dental Society, and of the Masonic fraternity of Plymouth, affiliating with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and is also a Sir Knight.
Dr. Deeds married, in 1877, Dora Wahl, born in Hagerstown, Indiana, a daughter of Charles Wahl, of Warsaw. Their only child is a daughter, Leonora. Dr. Deeds is a stanch Democrat, and November 9, 1905, was elected a member-at-large of the city council of Plymouth, Indiana, for a four-year term.
CHARLES E. HAYES, the leading liveryman of Culver and one of its large property owners, is a native of Illinois, born in Bement, Piatt county, on the 15th of July, 1874. His father is Abraham Hayes, a native of Ohio, who came to Culver in May, 1895, and entered the livery business, Charles E. buying a one-half interest in the enterprise in the year following its establishment. In 1906 he purchased his father's interest and thus became sole proprietor of the business.
Charles E. Hayes received his education in the schools of his native Illinois town, graduating from its high school, which is considered one of the best in the state. After leaving school he went south and spent five years in Alabama and Georgia, engaged during that period in the winery business, and in 1896 transferred his activities from Tallapoosa, Georgia, to Culver, Marshall county. Since that year he has been devel- oping a fine business, and is now the owner of the most complete and modern livery in the town. His establishment includes a stable of fifteen horses, carriages of the latest make, an automobile and facilities for heavy teaming. In 1901 he erected a commodious barn, 120 by 70 feet in dimensions. Besides his livery plant Mr. Hayes owns three residences in Culver and other property of value. He is also interested in a number of local corporations, including the Culver Water Works. In politics he is a Republican, and although one of the most popular men of the locality, has evinced no desire for public preferment. Mr. Hayes' wife, to whom he was married in January, 1897, was formerly Bertha E. Parker, daughter of Eli and Catherine (Spangler) Parker, both widely known . residents of the county, a record of whose lives is published elsewhere in this work.
WILLIAM SCOFIELD, at the time of his death in 1902, was accounted one of the most influential and successful farmers of North township. A residence of forty-five years besides giving him the fullest personal knowledge of all the citizens of the township and experience in local
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affairs, was also fruitful of material success and that gradual ripening of character to dignity and esteem. He brought his wife and one child to Marshall county in the spring of 1857, and on a place that he had previously selected in North township began the improvement of a home- stead. A small log schoolhouse near by the site of the present family home gave shelter to his family until he could erect a little board shanty as his first and primitive home. The readers of this history are familiar with the usual trials and labors marking the progress of the early settler from the time he first settled in the county until he reached a state of prosperous circumstances. The clearing of his raw land, the cultivation of its acres, the business connected with agricultural industry, and the providing of home and its comforts for family were all parts of the experience of this deceased citizen, and his family treasure many indi- vidual experiences of his long career. Under the conditions as outlined and with limited capital he began a career of industry that at the close of his life was represented by a homestead of several hundred acres and the ownership of other valuable properties in the county. As a stockman he ranked among the leaders in his township and county. His interest in the breeding and raising of fine horses and cattle was productive of special benefit to the public in the agricultural and live stock fairs which he and Mr. John Seltenright maintained for some years. After the dis- organization of the county agricultural society they purchased the grounds at sheriff's sale and subsequent to 1887 put their individual enterprise and backing in the promotion and maintenance of fairs that were a credit to the county.
William Scofield was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, December 4, 1833, a son of William and Mary ( Marshall) Scofield. The grand- father was Caleb Scofield, a native of England, who came to America and in 1813 built what is said to have been the first cooper shop at Cincinnati, and was a worthy pioneer in the early settlement of southern Ohio. Of his six children. William, Sr., married Mary Marshall in 1829, and in the spring of 1834 moved his family to Franklin county, Indiana, and engaged in the cooper's trade near the present site of Mt. Carmel, marketing his goods in Cincinnati. He died in 1862. Mary Marshall ( the mother, who died the next year after her husband) was of a colonial Virginia family, where in early years they were planters and slave owners. From Virginia the Marshalls came to Franklin county, Indiana, in the thirties.
When eighteen years old William Scofield rented the home place and in managing it for three years obtained his start in life. In 1855 he mar- ried Miss Julia Jackman, of Franklin county, and two years later they came to Marshall county. His first wife and children are all deceased, and by his second marriage, in 1865, with Lydia Emerson, only one of the four children reached maturity. Adelia Miller, who became his wife in 1879 and who survives him, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, where her father, John L. Miller, was also a native. Her mother, Sarah Terry, was of English parentage, and was born in South Carolina. Mrs. Scofield, whose brother and four sisters are all living, came to Marshall county when six years old, and was reared and educated in this county. Since the death of her husband she continues to live on the home farm
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of 280 acres, where her son, Sterling I. Scofield, is manager. The other son, Floyd W. Scofield, lives in Indianapolis. Mrs. Scofield also owns property in Lapaz and in South Bend. Both as the widow of one of North township's most successful men and for her own personal worth she is held in high esteem.
OLIVER G. SOICE. In an early day in the history of Marshall county there came to reside within its borders a sturdy son of the fatherland, John Soice, whose birth occurred in Bavaria, Germany, and who after coming to America first located in Ohio, from whence he came to Marshall county in 1850. In time he became intimately associated with several of the leading industries of the county and engraved his name indelibly on the pages of its history. His first home on coming here was in Plymouth, but shortly afterward he removed to Bremen, where he resumed his trade of a harness and saddle maker, and he was one of the first residents of that place and the first to erect a frame house in the town. He became active in the political as well as the business life of the county, voting with the Democratic party, and in 1870 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, continuing therein for two terms, and he also served as a justice of the peace, as a member of the city council and the school board. He was one of the organizers and for some years the cashier of the First National Bank of Plymouth, and was also one of the charter members and a stockholder in the Plymouth State Bank. After the expiration of his term in the treasurer's office he invested his means in farm lands in Center township and superintended his landed interests while maintaining his residence in the city. Mr. Soice married in Bremen, Margaret Hergoz, who came from her native land, Bern, Switzerland, to America when young, and her death occurred at the age of sixty-four years, after becoming the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to years of maturity and nine are now living.
Oliver G. Soice, a son of this well known and honored pioneer of Marshall county and the eldest of his thirteen children, was born in Bremen on the 12th of July, 1855, and there he spent the first sixteen years of his life, attending its public schools and those of Plymouth, and he also pursued a college course at Hillsdale, Michigan. From 1875 until 1888 he served as the deputy county treasurer, and in the meantime in 1886 he was elected the treasurer of Marshall county, taking the oath of office in the following year, and he served as its incumbent until 1891. After the expiration of his term of office Mr. Soice was free from business cares for a time or until he became identified with the Plymouth State Bank as its cashier. He was one of the organizers of this leading financial institution of Marshall county, and he has ever since continued to discharge its duties of cashier.
In 1878 Mr. Soice married Olive May, a daughter of John D. and Henrietta (Stansbury) Armstrong, and they have become the parents of three children-Gertrude Clare, Claude W. and Harry J.
Mr. Soice is a valued member of Plymouth Kilwinning Lodge, No. 149, A. F. & A. M .; Plymouth Chapter, No. 49; Plymouth Commandery, No. 26. He also holds fraternal relation with the Order of the Knights
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of Pythias. He has always taken an active interest in both local and state politics.
PETER E. DIETRICH. For many years Peter E. Dietrich has been an important factor in the industrial interests of Bremen, his name being well and prominently known through its association with the Bremen bank, and he is also a native son of the city, born on the 28th of October, 1859, the sixth child and fourth son in order of birth of John Dietrich, Sr., one of the best known and most honored pioneers of Marshall county. From his native land of Switzerland he came to the United States and to Marshall county, Indiana, in the spring of 1852, and for one year resided on a farm near Bremen, in German township. He then moved to Bremen and engaged in the cabinet and undertaking business, and he was the first undertaker in the city. In 1861 he turned his attention to the mercantile business and continued as a merchant of Bremen until his death in 1889, when he had reached the seventieth milestone on the journey of life. His name is prominently enrolled among the sturdy and honored pioneers of Marshall county, as well as among its most promi- nent business men, and his influence was ever used for the good and well being of those associated with him in any way. He was married in Switzerland to one of its native daughters, Elizabeth Feitz.
Their son, Peter E. Dietrich, obtained his educational training in the city schools of Bremen with a five months' commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Chicago. From the school room he entered the business world in 1884 as a partner in his father's mer- cantile store, and continued as a general merchant until 1905, when the business was divided and Mr. Dietrich, of this review, became cashier of the banking department. The bank is capitalized at fifty thousand dollars, of which he owns a two-thirds interest, and this is one of the reliable financial institutions of Marshall county.
Mr. Dietrich married, August 29, 1895, Clara, a daughter of Ernest Kunz, of Linkville, Marshall county, and they have one daughter, Erma, at home. The Democratic party receives Mr. Dietrich's active support and co-operation where national issues are involved, but locally he casts his ballot for the men whom he regards as best qualified for office. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity of Bremen and of the Congregational church, in which he holds the office of treasurer.
WILLIAM MCKESSON is an enterprising man, whose diligence forms the basis of his prosperity. He is identified with farming interests and is also a stock buyer and well driver of Polk township. He was born in Erie county, Ohio, May 14, 1851. His father, John Mckesson, now deceased, was an agriculturist of Polk township and was a native of Pennsylvania, but when about eight years of age left that state and went to Ohio, where he was reared on the farm, early becoming familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He also learned and followed the blacksmith's trade in connection with general agricultural pursuits. He was married in Ohio to Miss Matilda Monroe, who was born in that state near Fremont, in which locality she was also reared. Mr. and Mrs. Mckesson became the parents of twelve children, six sons
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and six daughters, of whom William was the second son. In 1866 the father with his family came to Indiana, establishing his home in Polk township, Marshall county, where he purchased a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres. With the assistance of his sons he cleared this place and continued its improvement and development, making it liis home until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-eight years of age. In business he was reliable and trustworthy, as well as ener- getic and diligent, and as the years passed he transformed his land into a fine farm equipped with many modern accessories. In politics he was a lifelong Republican and was greatly interested in the success of the party, but never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his loyalty to its teachings.
In his boyhood days William Mckesson attended the district schools of Polk township and remained upon the old home farm until twenty years of age. The periods of vacation were largely devoted to the work of the fields and he became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He was about twenty years of age when he started out in life on his own account, working by the month as a farm hand and also at different times doing work upon the railroad and in sawmills. It was an assured fact that he was always busy, for his life has ever been one of unwearied industry and unabating energy.
July 27, 1877, Mr. Mckesson was married to Miss Eliza A. Car- penter, a daughter of John S. Carpenter, a soldier of the Rebellion, who laid down his life upon the altar of his country. Mrs. McKesson was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, and to her husband has been a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. Their marriage has been blessed with twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, of whom Pamilla is now deceased. The others are Delph, Jesse, Ressie, Willard, Ethel, Nellie, Alva, Harley, Arthur, Edna and Lowell. All were horn and reared in Polk township.
Following his marriage Mr. Mckesson purchased land in Polk township, acquiring the ownership of one hundred and eighty acres. He owned many other farms in the township and for about twenty years he lived in Tyner, where for a long period he operated the mill. In the spring of 1907, however, he purchased his present farm of forty acres, which is situated in Polk township. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and also engages in the purchase and sale of live stock. He is likewise well known locally as a well driver and pump maker and does a good business of that character, having continued in this line for twenty- eight years. His political allegiance is given the Democracy and for one term he served as supervisor. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and is well known throughout the county, his business interests having brought him a very wide acquaintance, while his diligence and thorough reliability have gained for him the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
WILLIAM F. YOUNG. Throughout the period of his residence in Marshall county Mr. William F. Young has taken an active interest in
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its public affairs and at the present time he is the incumbent of the office of justice of the peace. His first official position was as a member of the city council, to which he was elected in 1886, and following his retire- ment from this office he was made a member of the city board of health. His next public position was as the trustee of Center township, entering upon the duties of that office in 1891 and serving until 1894, and in the fall of 1902 he assumed the office of a justice of the peace.
Mr. Young was born in Buffalo, New York, February 10, 1851. His father died when he was but a child, and in 1858, when a lad of seven years, he came to Plymouth, but in the same year went to Ft. Wayne and in 1860 to Lafayette, which continued as his home during the following four years, and at the close of the period, in 1864, he returned to Plymouth. During his young manhood he became identified with railroad work and continued that fascinating life for ten years, from the age of seventeen to twenty-seven, and since that time he has followed the barber's trade. Since attaining to mature years he has been an active worker in public affairs, voting with the Democracy, and Plymouth numbers him among her business and political men.
Mr. Young married Mary M. Gunther, of Ft. Wayne, in 1882, and although they have had no children of their own, they have reared a daughter. Mr. Young is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Ben Hur.
SAMUEL A. GARN. During the early days of Marshall county, when its forests stood uncut and its broad prairies had been unturned by the plow, there journeyed hither a young lad of twenty years, David Garn, to establish a home in the wilds and to cope with the many privations and hardships incident to a life on the frontier. He journeyed in a wagon from his native commonwealth of Ohio, and arriving in Union township, Marshali county, he purchased eighty acres of land, to which he later added another eighty-acre tract, and he cleared and improved his land. At the commencement of his life here he erected a little cabin home, which continued as his residence during many subsequent years, and in the meantime he added to his land until he was the owner of nearly a section. After a time Mr. Garn returned to his Ohio home for his bride, and the young couple took their wedding journey in a wagon to the husband's new home in Marshall county. They passed through the many trials and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants of a pioneer's life, and the names and deeds of these brave frontiersmen should be held in reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil. During the later years of his life Mr. Garn moved to West township and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the present home- stead of his son Samuel, and there he passed to his final reward at the age of sixty-six years. He gave his political support to the Republican party, was a member of the Evangelical church, and also held member- ship relations with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Garn was blessed by the birth of five children, four sons and one daughter, as follows: John Franklin, Samuel A., Margaret E., Francis E. and Ira M., all of whom were born in Union township.
Samuel A. Garn, one of the best known farmers and stockmen of
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West township, was born in Union township, Marshall county, May 9, 1861. At his father's death he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the parental estate, and he is now the owner of the old homestead farm of one hundred and forty-two acres. On the 16th of November, 1882, he married Rose S. Burgener, the daughter of Peter Burgener, whose genealogy will be found on other pages in this work. Four children, three sons and a daughter, have been born to them in West and Union township-Herbert R., who received his diploma from the common schools in class of 1901 and took one year's work in the high school and also a business training in the Atheneum Business College in Chicago ; he is bank clerk in W. T. Rickards & Co.'s Commercial bank. Vernon E. received his diploma in the class of 1906; he is now taking a course in the high school. Mark B., not in school, and Esther L., the youngest. Mr. Garn has given a lifelong support to the principles of the Republican party, has fraternal affiliations with the Knights of Pythias Order, No. 117, Castle Hall, Plymouth, and is a member of the United Brethren church. Marshall county has been his home throughout his entire life, and throughout the period of his majority he has been promi- nently identified with its business interests as a farmer and stockman. As a stockman he has been very successful and he is extensively engaged in both buying and selling. Mr. Garn has flowing wells on his estate, which increases the value of the land.
GOTTLIEB GRIMM, a prominent and well known agriculturist of Mar- shall county, has been identified with its interests since a young man of seventeen years, when he came with his father from Ohio to reside within its borders. Farming has been his life occupation, and on his valuable and well improved estate of one hundred and forty acres there is a pleasant farm residence, erected in 1892. In addition to this property his wife owns eighty-two acres of land.
Gottlieb Grimm was born in Marion county, Ohio, May 10, 1845, a son of Michael and Salome ( Heimlich) Grimm, both of whom were born and reared in the fatherland of Germany, the father in Bavaria, and they came to the United States at the ages of twenty and twenty-six. respectively. Their marriage was celebrated in Marion county, Ohio, and there they settled down in life as farmers and resided until 1862. It was in that year that the family left their Ohio home and sought a new location in Marshall county, Indiana, locating on the land where their son Gottlieb now resides. The mother died there in 1848, leaving four children-John George and Michael, both deceased, and Gottlieb and John. For his second wife the father married Axthelm Ossing, and he passed away in death on his old home farm in Center township when he had reached the age of seventy-seven years, in September, 1888. He, too, followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, achieving success in his chosen vocation, and he was a member of the Lutheran church. His political affiliations were with the Democracy.
Gottlieb Grimm made his home with his father until his marriage, in 1869, to Catherine Jacoby, a daughter of Elias Jacoby, and she lived but eighteen months after her marriage. In 1873 he wedded Laura Noll, who died in 1888, leaving two children, Bertha and Lizzie, but the younger
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died at the age of twenty-one years. In 1889 Mr. Grimm married Laura Zimmerman, and two children were born of the third union, Clara and Cecil, of whom the younger is also deceased. Mr. Grimm supports the Democratic ticket in politics and is a prominent member of the Lutheran church, as also is Mrs. Grimm.
GEORGE W. VOREIS. A lifelong resident of Union township, Mar- shall county, George W. Voreis has for years been a strong figure in the public affairs of his home locality, and of late years has become especially honored for his straightforward methods as justice of the peace. In the field of the trades and the industries he is a capable and honest painter and paper hanger, and is therefore thoroughly in sympathy with the trials and perplexities of those who earn their living by means of the handi- crafts. Mr. Voreis was born in Union township on the 12th of July, 1846, a son of John H. and Eleanor (Jacobs) Voreis. His father, who was a Marshall county pioneer of 1836, is supposed to have been born in Kentucky, while his mother is known to have been a native of that state, her birthplace being near Millersburg.
George W. Voreis was reared and educated in Union township and is the fourth in a family of six children. In his earlier years he engaged for a time in school teaching, but, inclining toward a more active occu- pation, later took up the painter's trade and in still later years added paper hanging to that avocation. In these related labors he has since occupied himself energetically and profitably. Good citizen that he is, Mr. Voreis has not contracted his activities to the business field, but for years has been known for his good judgment in public affairs. A stanch Democrat, his party maintained him in office as town clerk for a con- siderable period, and for several years he has administered the affairs of justice of the peace with unpartisan fairness and judicial ability.
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