USA > Indiana > Marshall County > A twentieth century history of Marshall County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 24
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ing success in that connection. In 1864, in response to the country's call for aid he joined the army as a member of Company E, Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and was detailed on hospital service at Knoxville, Tennessee. While thus engaged he became ill and passed away, thus giving his life as a sacrifice upon the altar of his country. The Republican party received his stalwart allegiance, for he was a firm believer in and was in hearty sympathy with its principles to prevent the extension of slavery into northern territory.
Elmer E. Jones was reared in Kosciusko county, Indiana, and came to Marshall county in 1880. He engaged in teaching school for ten years, being thus connected with the educational interests in the district schools of West, North and Polk townships. As a representative of the pro- fession he gave excellent satisfaction, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1888, however, he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing his present farm of thirty acres, which he has converted into a fruit farm, raising nearly all kinds of fruit that can be produced in temperate climates. He cleared about six acres of land, while the remainder had been already cleared. Most of the improvements, however, have been placed here by Mr. Jones and he has set out all the fruit. His success in this line makes his opinions of value in horticultural circles and his knowledge and ability are indi- cated by the fact that he produces some of the finest fruit raised in this section of the country.
Mr. Jones was married in St. Paris, Champaign county, Ohio, in 1888, to Miss Elizabeth Groves, a native of Champaign county, Ohio, her birth occurring upon the farm where she was reared. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born six children, of whom two are now deceased, the eldest and the fifth in order of birth having died in infancy. The others are: Theron E., who was born May 1, 1891; Ethel M., born September 30, 1893; Candace, born August 26, 1895; and Sherman Orville, born March 23, 1900. All were born upon the farm which is now the family home.
Mr. Jones has been a lifelong Republican, for he is thoroughly con- vinced in his own mind that the principles of that party are most con- ducive to good government. He is active in its local ranks and is the present assessor of West township. He is also a member of the Court of Honor and belongs to the United Brethren church at Donaldson. He was but a little child of three or four years when his father died, and from an early age has depended largely upon his own resources for whatever success he has enjoyed. He may well be called a self-made man and in a review of his life it seems that he has been actuated by the spirit of Lincoln, who said, "There is something better than making a living-making a life." While Mr. Jones has prospered in his under- takings he has at the same time developed a character that commands for him the admiration and respect of those with whom he has been associated.
THOMAS TRIBBEY, one of the best known citizens of Marshall county, greatly respected by reason of his integrity in business and his loyalty in citizenship, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, January 27, 1842, his parents being Thomas and Priscilla (Mondell) Tribbey. The parents
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were natives of Pennsylvania and were married in that state, whence they removed to Holmes county, Ohio. When fifty-three years of age the father went to DeKalb county, Indiana, and purchased a tract of land in the midst of the forest. He then began to clear the place in order to develop a farm, but became ill and died. The other members of the family therefore never removed to that farm and at a later date the mother took up her abode in Argos, Indiana, where she passed away at the age of sixty years. During the last eighteen years of her life she was an invalid, this condition being occasioned by paralysis. In the family were nine children, but only two are now living, the brother of our subject being Joseph Tribbey.
Thomas Tribbey was reared on the old homestead farm in Ohio and lessons of industry and diligence were early impressed upon his mind. His educational privileges were somewhat limited from the fact that at the age of twelve years he was thrown upon his own resources and has since been dependent upon his own labor for the acquirement of success. In 1865 he arrived in Marshall county, where lived his brothers and other relatives. He began farming here on the shares on a tract of land belonging to a cousin and soon after he took up the business of buying and shipping stock. For fourteen years he continued in that department of activity, while later he resumed general farming, retiring from the stock business, however, only a few years ago. He was an excellent judge of stock, so that his purchases were judiciously made and his sales proved profitable.
On the 13th of September, 1865, Mr. Tribbey was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Brownlee, a daughter of Hugh Brownlee, and they now have four children : May, the wife of John Croup; Oscar, a resident of Plymouth; Fred, who is living on a farm in Green township; and Daisy, the wife of Elton Boggs.
In politics Mr. Tribbey was for many years a stalwart advocate of the Republican party and its principles but his great interest in the temper- ance cause has led him during the past twelve years to give unfaltering allegiance to the prohibition party. From the age of twenty-two years he has been a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist church and in his life has exemplified his belief. He is serving as a trustee in the church, to which his wife also belongs, and in all of its work they are deeply and helpfully interested. Since 1904 they have resided in Plymouth in the enjoyment of well earned rest. Starting out in life as he did without capital, Mr. Tribbey deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. Prompted by laudable ambition, he has put forth persistent effort, intelli- gently directed, and as the years 'have gone by he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity, deriving his income at the present time from a valuable farm of one hundred and ninety-one acres. His life has ever been upright, his actions manly and sincere and the many good traits of his character, as well as his business success, have gained for him the admiration and respect of those who know him.
WILLIAM F. SCHILT, the proprietor of the Bremen Rolling Mill, has been identified with the business interests of this city since 1876, and from that time to the present has been the proprietor of the flouring mill which
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he now owns and which was erected by his father in the early days of the city's history. During this time, however, the mill has been remodeled and equipped with the latest improved machinery, and now has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day, and there is also a feed mill in connection with the flouring department. He is a stockholder in the grain elevators of Bremen and Lapaz and is extensively engaged in the buying and ship- ping of grain.
William F. Schilt is a native son of Marshall county, born in its township of German, on a farm three-fourths of a mile from Bremen, August 12, 1856, his parents being Christian and Frances (Burlett) Schilt. Christian Schilt learned and followed the molder's trade in his early life, but after becoming a resident of Laporte, Indiana, he became identified with manufacturing interests, and from there he came to Marshall county, Indiana, and in 1856 erected the mill which is now operated by his son William. He became well known as a prominent and successful business man, and continued the supervision of his flouring mill until 1872, when he traded the property and became interested in mercantile pursuits. The death of this well known business man of Marshall county occurred in 1874. Of his six children one died in infancy and the remainder grew to years of maturity, while four are now living. William F. Schilt, the third child and second son, spent the early years of his life on the farm on which he was born and completed his educa- tional training in the Hillsdale College of Michigan. On the 11th of October, 1877, he married Christena S., a daughter of Moses and Chris- tena Keyser, and they have had five children-Bertha, Christian (de- ceased), Ernest, Scott and May. The political affiliations of Mr. Schilt are with the Republican party.
EDWIN SOUR. Numbered among West township's oldest and best known farmers and business men is Edwin Sour, whose birth occurred in Summit county, Ohio, January 1, 1832. For many years Henry Sonr, his father, was a farmer there, but was born in Pennsylvania. He grew to years of maturity in Summit county, and was there married to one of Pennsylvania's native daughters, Katherine Swigard, they becoming the parents of five sons and five daughters.
Edwin Sour, their sixth child and third son in order of birth, spent the early years of his life in his native county of Summit, and on attain- ing to manhood's estate he was there married to Susan Frazer, born in Pennsylvania, to whom were born four children, two sons and two daughters, Mary Katherine, Ellen (deceased), Lafayette and Ira, the last named being the only one born in West township. It was in 1861 that Edwin Sour with his family sought a home in Marshall county, In- diana, and after his arrival here he purchased one hundred and forty-five acres of land in West township, his present homestead. With the passing years he has succeeded in clearing most of his land, for it was a wild and uncultivated tract when he took possession, and he has placed many valuable improvements on this fine old estate. He is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres, in section 27, West township. In 1864 Mr. Sour put aside his home duties to serve as a soldier in the Civil war, entering Company F, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
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with which he served until the close of hostilities, doing mostly skirmish duty. He was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea, and saw much of the horrors and hardship of army life. Returning to the old home place after the close of hostilities he has ever since devoted his time to the work of the farm. His political affiliations have been with the Republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
EDMUND MORRIS. The beautiful banks and shores of Lake Maxin- kuckee would seem unfamiliar, and a striking feature taken from its pretty waters, were the figure of Edmund Morris eliminated from the landscape of this locality ; for this has been his home since he was virtu- ally an infant, or for a period of fifty-seven years, and for nearly three- score years he has been building and renting pleasure boats, and showing recreation seekers the beauty spots of the surrounding country. As his father before him was the pioneer boat builder of the region, the name of Morris is perhaps more closely connected with the development of this beautiful lake country than any other which could be mentioned.
Edmund Morris was born in Union township, Marshall county, Indiana, on the 7th of March, 1847. Isaac N. Morris, his father, was a native of Rush county, Indiana, and in 1836 settled in Union township, on Burr Oak Flats, about three miles from Culver. In 1850 he removed to the wild country about Lake Maxinkuckee, and became the pioneer boat builder of the region. He died at the age of thirty-nine. His wife (nee Emily Thompson) lived to the advanced age of almost eighty years, being the mother of two sons and four daughters. Edmund is the third child and second son of this family, and was but three years of age when his parents fixed the homestead on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee. He early became an expert at his father's occupation, but, besides assisting him, drove a hack and engaged in other occupations. Later, he became an independent tiller of the soil, and since 1880 has been engaged solely in building and renting boats. As a designer and builder of sail boats, launches and row boats, he is an acknowledged expert in this part of the country, his annual business in this line amounting to some two thousand dollars. He also owns about one hundred boats, which he rents to pleasure seekers. His large acquaintance and popularity has given him considerable influence as a Republican, and among other local offices he has served his township as assessor for three terms. Mr. Morris is unmarried.
FRED CORSE, the efficient trustee of Center township and one of its most prominent agriculturists, was born in West township, Marshall county, Indiana, March 16, 1862, a son of James A. and Nancy ( Pomeroy ) Corse. James A. Corse was a native of the state of Delaware, but came to Indiana when a young man, and in St. Joseph county married Nancy Pomeroy. Soon after their marriage they took up their abode in West township, Marshall county, where he cleared and developed a homestead and lived for many years. He was numbered among the county's most prominent farmers and citizens, and in his death in 1890 one of its bravest and most loyal pioneers was laid to rest.
Mr. Corse became the father of several children, of whom his son
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
Fred was the last born, and he was reared on the farm and was given a common-school education. Together with his father he worked on the old homestead until he had reached the age of twenty-one years, and he then married and settled down in life as a farmer, thus beginning the battle of life for himself. During the first five years of his married life Mr. Corse resided in West township, where he farmed on rented land, and he then became the owner of sixty acres in Center township, the nucleus of his present homestead, the boundaries of which now comprise one hundred and eight acres, and to this farm he at once removed and has ever since resided. The land is now well improved, and as a farmer and stock-raiser Mr. Corse ranks among the foremost in his county.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Corse married Freelove A., the daughter of one of Marshall county's most esteemed citizens, David How, and mention of him will be found below. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Corse has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Nettie, Louisa, Sybil and Berard. In politics Mr. Corse has always affiliated with the Republican party, and in 1904 he was its candidate for the office of township trustee, to which he was duly elected, and he has rendered satisfactory service as a public official.
David How, the father of Mrs. Corse, was a son of Isaac How, one of the early pioneers of Marshall county, who established his home within its borders in 1857, and in the little log cabin which he erected he removed with his family, including David, then about ten years of age. A few years later when a vacancy occurred in the office of clerk of the circuit court, Isaac How was appointed its incumbent and was afterward elected to the office. Building a frame residence in Plymouth he removed thither with his family, then numbering five children, and David was the third eldest. Isaac How died in 1848, before he had reached his fiftieth birthday, but his wife survived him many years and died in 1892, aged ninety-three years. He was a fairly well educated man, handsome and popular, and was universally respected for his true worth of character and courage. His eldest son, John How, went to California as one of the "forty-niners" and died there many years afterward.
David How was left fatherless in 1848 and his oldest brother going to California in the following year, he assumed charge of the family affairs, and although his mother continued to reside in Plymouth, he purchased the old homestead and in time added to its acreage until it became a large estate, and he became a prosperous and leading farmer. In 1866 he was elected the sheriff of Marshall county, and in this office he served two terms, giving general satisfaction to his constituents. In April of 1855 he married Mary Amanda Wolf, a native of Ohio, and she lived but a few months after her marriage, dying at the early age of twenty-five years. For his second wife Mr. How married Mary Emeline Cummings, also a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of four children-Freelove A., who became the wife of Fred Corse, Mrs. Harley Logan, Dr. Tabor How and Mrs. J. M. Black. Mr. How died on the 5th of April, 1899, when he had reached the seventy-second milestone on the journey of life.
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
CHRISTIAN H. DIETRICH. In the death of Christian H. Dietrich Marshall county lost one of its most valued citizens. His entire life was spent within its borders, and for a number of years he was in control of one of its leading industries, and possessing a keen appreciation of the ethics of commercial life, he commanded the respect of his fellow men for his uprightness and true worth. Bremen was thus proud to claim him among her native sons, his birth occurring here on the 27th of April, 1852, the second son and third child of John and Elizabeth Dietrich, who were natives of Switzerland. They came to the United States and to Bremen in 1852 and inscribed their names high on the roll of Marshall county's early pioneers and honored citizens. In the schools of his native city of Bremen the son Christian obtained a part of his educational train- ing, completing his studies in the Hillsdale College of Michigan, and after leaving the school room he became associated with his father in business, to which he was later admitted as a partner, and he continued an active factor in the industrial life of Bremen until within about three years before his death. He was a man of large heart and broad humani- tarian principles and his public career and private life were alike above reproach.
On the 13th of December, 1877, Mr. Dietrich was united in marriage to Mary A., a daughter of John and Hannah (Volnagle) Link, who came to Marshall county during an early day in its history, when their daughter Mary, a native of Ohio, was but five years old, and she has spent the remainder of her life within its borders. Three sons and a daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich: Oliver, born January 16, 1880; Laura E., born December 18, 1884; Theodore J., May 14, 1887, in Tampa, Florida ; and Willis Link, December 12, 1895. Mr. Die- trich was a member of the Evangelical Emanuel church, and was a Democrat politically. He left to his widow a large estate, and in addition to other property she owns a business block in Nappanee and two busi- ness houses in Bremen. Mr. Dietrich died January 6, 1904, and the community mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citizens.
JOHN E. WHITESELL, section foreman for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, now residing at Donelson, is one of Marshall county's native sons, his birth having occurred in West township, October 17, 1865. He is the eldest son of Joseph Whitesell, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. The days of his boy- hood and youth were passed on the old family homestead and the district schools of West township afforded him his educational privileges. When not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields and early learned the value of untiring industry as a foundation for success. When he had attained man's estate he was married on the Ioth of October, 1885, the lady of his choice being Miss Minnie Smith, who was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, and was brought to Marshall county by her parents when twelve years of age. She is a daughter of Harvey J. and Elizabeth (Thaxton) Smith. Her father was a farmer of West township, owning, clearing and improving a tract of land there.
The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Polk township, where they lived for two years, on the expiration of which
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period Mr. Whitesell entered the railroad service. He has been with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company for eighteen years and his long connection therewith indicates clearly his fidelity to duty, his ability and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He has erected a home in Donelson, where he now resides, and he also owns a farm in West township, comprising thirteen acres of land.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whitesell have been born two sons and two daughters, Goldie, Charley, Jennie and Pearl. The family are well known in Donelson and this part of the county and have the warm regard of many friends here. Mr. Whitesell has been a life-long Democrat and takes an active interest in the work of the party. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masonic lodge and the Court of Honor and is loyal to the teachings of these organizations, which have their basic elements in mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness.
NORMAN S. NORRIS, D. D. S. One of the acknowledged leaders in the ranks of the dental fraternity in Marshall county is Dr. Norman S. Norris, who has practiced in Culver since his graduation from one of the best known dental colleges in the state, the Indiana Dental, in 1904, and he has since steadily advanced in the profession. The Doctor was born in . West township, Marshall county, Indiana, September 6, 1879. His father, Harvey Ransom Norris, is also a native son of Marshall county, born near Lake Maxinkuckee in 1851, and his mother, nee Louisa Adler, was born in Stark county, Ohio, and both are now living and residents of Union township.
Dr. Norman S. Norris, the youngest born of their four children, three sons and a daughter, spent the early years of his life on his parents' old homestead, attending first the district schools of the neighborhood, and then the Markle high school, in which he graduated in 1898. During the two years following his graduation from the high school he taught school, and then entering the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis he graduated therefrom in 1904, beginning at once his practice at Culver. The Doctor is a member of the Northern Indiana Dental Association, and also has membership relations with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Culver. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the Republican party.
On the 22d of July, 1907, he married Matilda Hawkins, a daughter of Ezra and Mary (Abling) Hawkins. Dr. Norris has been a life-long resident of Marshall county, and during the years which have passed since he entered professional life he has won for himself a place of distinction in the dental fraternity in this community. He has an office well equipped with modern appliances, and keeps in touch with the advancement that is constantly being made in the profession.
ELIJAH C. MARTINDALE, a prominent and well known attorney, has practiced at the bar of Plymouth since 1882. He entered upon the study of law under the preceptership of Enoch Sturgeon at Rochester, Indiana, and was admitted to practice in 1879. For a shore time there- after he was located at Argos, but in 1882 he was elected the prosecuting attorney of Marshall and Fulton counties and removed to Plymouth in
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the same year. He served two terms in that position. In his private practice his ability has won him a distinctively representative clientage.
Although so long and prominently identified with the interests of Marshall county, Mr. Martindale is a native son of Cass county, Indiana, born on the 2d of February, 1850, to Isaac Martindale. The father was born in North Carolina, but removed with his parents when a small boy to Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits and was also a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, his death occurring when he had reached the age of fifty-three years. He was of Welsh descent. Mrs. Martindale bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Cornwell and was born in Virginia. Her father, John Cornwell, served as a soldier in the War of 1812. She was an only child and came with her mother to Indiana when thirteen years of age, and in Hancock county of this state she gave her hand in marriage to Isaac Martindale. The young couple continued their residence in Hancock county for several years and then removed to Cass county of this state, the birthplace of their son Elijah, the youngest of their five children, three sons and two daughters, who grew to mature years, and three of the number are now living: Sarah, the wife of George W. Kessler, of Rochester, Indiana; Isaac, who resides in Fulton county, this state, near De Long, and Elijah C.
When a little lad of four years Elijah C. Martindale accompanied his parents on their removal to Fulton county, and he received his educational training in the Rochester high school. He was first married in 1872, Samantha Bridges becoming his wife, and her death occurred in Kansas in 1873. In 1879 he married Anna M. Stair, and they have one living son, Frank E. Their elder son, Fred C., died when twenty-two years of age. Mr. Martindale upholds the principles of the Democratic party, being an active worker in its ranks, and he is a member of the order of Ben Hur. He ranks high at the bar and in political circles, and Plymouth numbers him among her leading and influential citizens.
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