USA > Indiana > Marshall County > A twentieth century history of Marshall County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 37
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Mr. and Mrs. Armantrout became the parents of the following children : George W., of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Franklin, who died in infancy ; Albert, whose death occurred at the age of twenty-six years, two months and twenty-six days; Elmer E., who resides on the farm southwest of the homestead; Ella, now Mrs. Seavolt, and a resident of Bourbon township; Oliver, who resides on the homestead; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Armantrout came to Marshall county when it was but sparsely settled, and to the privations, hardships and earnest labors of such as he have resulted the establishment of one of the foremost sections of this commonwealth. He was an earnest, honest citizen, a loving husband and father, and his memory is cherished and revered by all who knew him.
JOHN D. THOMAS. The name of John D. Thomas is inscribed on the pages of Marshall county's history in connection with the record of her jurisprudence. It was many years ago, in 1877, that he sought a home in Bourbon, and during the long period which has intervened his ability has won him marked success. His birth occurred in Rush county, Indiana, November 20, 1842, his parents being Edwin and Nancy (Din- widdy) Thomas, natives respectively of New York and Kentucky. Dur- ing his boyhood days the father came with his parents to Indiana, and after his marriage he removed to Madison county, this state, but in 1860 he transferred his residence from the Hoosier state to Illinois. His
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death occurred in 1885, in California, where he was visiting his sister.
After attending the district schools near his boyhood's home, John D. Thomas became a student in the Grand Prairie Seminary, of Onarga, Illinois, entering that well known institution at the age of twenty-one and remaining for two and a half years. He then matriculated in the University of Michigan, where he graduated in law in 1870, and in the year of 1877 he established his home in Bourbon. This city has ever since continued as the scene of his operations, and he is accorded a prominent position at the Marshall county bar. He is an independent voter and a strong supporter of W. J. Bryan.
In 1877 Mr. Thomas married Mary J. Irvine, whose birth occurred in Illinois, and their daughters are: Isa, now Mrs. Brownell, of Ne- braska; Helena, now Mrs. Smith, of Denver; and Amy, Mrs. Burnett, and a resident of Nevada.
HENRY STEINBACH. For many years Mr. Henry Steinbach was numbered among the most prominent business men of Bourbon, where he has made his home since the early year of 1863. He came to this city to obtain timber for the manufacture of his handles which he was making for railroads, and, deciding to establish his home here, brought his family, and has ever since continued the manufacture of handles, working on a railroad contract until 1871. The disastrous fires of that year so blackened the timber as to make it unfit for his handles, and he then resumed his old trade of wagon-making in partnership with W. J. Acker. The firm of the Steinbach & Acker Manufacturing Company became well and prominently known, but after seven years the partner- ship was dissolved, and Mr. Steinbach continued the work alone until his retirement from the business world.
Although so long and prominently identified with the business inter- ests of Indiana, Mr. Steinbach claims the fatherland as the place of his nativity, born in Prussia, Germany, in 1831, and a son of William and Maria (Dilthy) Steinbach. In 1846 the family came to the United States and located in Washington county, Wisconsin, the community at that time being the home of many Indians and all was new and wild. Henry was the, eldest of their four sons, and he assisted in his early youth in the work of clearing his father's farm from its heavy growth of timber, that farm continuing as the home of his parents until their deaths, the father dying at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and the mother was ninety when called to join him in the home beyond.
In 1853 Mr. Henry Steinbach went to Chicago, and was there mar- ried to Mary Peters, a native also of Germany, and four years later they moved to Kansas, but as that community was in an unsettled con- dition they returned to western Missouri, where Mr. Steinbach followed his trade of wagon-making. Leaving that state in 1862, he returned to Chicago, and in 1863 came to Bourbon, which has ever since con- tinued as the place of his residence and the scene of his operations.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Steinbach, namely: William, a resident of Warsaw; Frances, now Mrs. Vink; Emma, the wife of William Rhodes, of Plymouth, Indiana; Harry, who is engaged in business with C. C. Vink in Bourbon; Louis 'E., the incumbent of the
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office of superintendent of schools; Fred, who is connected with the School of Correspondence of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and resides in Kansas; and Mamie, now Mrs. Philpot, of Warsaw. During the long period of forty years Mr. Steinbach has held membership relations with the Masonic order, and still longer, for forty-five years, he has affiliated with the Odd Fellows order. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Red Men and of other societies. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Steinbach died January 3, 1893.
JAMES HOGATE. After a successful business career James Hogate is now living a retired life in the village of Tippecanoe. He is a repre- sentative of one of the county's earliest pioneer families, and he is a grandson of Phillip Hogate, who was a Revolutionary soldier of English descent, and his wife, nee Priscilla Center, was of Irish parentage. Their son, John C. Hogate, whose name is recorded among the first settlers of Marshall county, was born in New Jersey, from whence he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, locating on the present site of Salem, and, after his marriage to Sarah Summers, also a native of New Jersey and a daughter of Dave and Harriet Summers, he made the journey across Lake Erie and by canal to Logansport, and thence by team to Tippecanoe town- ship, Marshall county, Indiana, in 1844. This was during a very early epoch in the county's history, and during the journey hither their team ran away and the entire family were nearly killed. The first home of the family here was a little log cabin, but Mr. Hogate sold his first farm and bought land one mile south. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hogate: Hannah, who died on the 2d of January, 1904 ; James, the subject of this review; Catherine Emmons, who died in Kosciusko county, near Warsaw; Ann Jane Fry, who died near Alliance, Ohio; Susan, a twin of Sarah, died near Spokane Falls in Washington ; Kesiah resides with her brother James; and Permelia Hill died in Plymouth on the 29th of December, 1879. James, the first born child, died when one year old, and David died at the age of six years. John C. Hogate, the father, was called from this life when sixty-four years of age. During the early part of his business career he served as cap- tain of a steamboat, and for fourteen years he was engaged in boating on the Delaware river from Carpenter's landing, New Jersey, to Phila- delphia. He later became identified with agricultural pursuits, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Hogate died at the age of sixty-four years, surviving her husband but three years.
James Hogate grew to years of maturity on the homestead farm in Tippecanoe township, and in 1865, during the period of the Civil war, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and served until the close of the conflict. He was made captain of Company D, and for a time was in General Dudley's command. With his regiment he went to Gloucester, Tennessee, where he remained for a time, and at the close of the war he received an honorable discharge as a brave and loyal soldier. With his sister Kesiah he is now living retired from business cares in the little village of Tippecanoe. He has reached the seventy-ninth milestone on the journey of life, and is one of the best known and most honored residents of Marshall county.
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
GEORGE D. HARTMAN, who for some years has been identified with educational and with agricultural interests in Marshall county and now cultivates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, April 5, 1877. His father, Francis M. Hart- man, was the second son of Thomas W. and Malinda Hartman, and having arrived at years of maturity he was married, January 14, 1869, to Miss Nancy J. Alward, who died January 15, 1873. There were two children of that union, but Carrie J. died in infancy and Addie M. is also deceased. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Hartman wedded Mrs. Elizabeth Bondurant, nec Huff, on the 17th of October, 1875. They became the parents of four children: George D., Lydia G., Grover C. and Millard. In the year 1862 Francis M. Hartman made the overland trip to California with a mule team to Nevada City, and thence to San Francisco, spending about five years upon the Pacific coast, after which he returned to the middle west by way of the Isthmus of Panama, cross- ing the lake on that isthmus on a steamboat, after walking for eleven miles over the mountain range to take the boat. There were many. Mexican bandits in the mountains at that time who waylaid the travelers returning from California and robbed them of their gold. On the eastern side of the isthmus Mr. Hartman embarked on a steamer for New York city, and thence proceeded up the Hudson river and by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo. He arrived in Marshall county, Indiana, in 1877, settling in North township, where he spent his remaining days as a farmer. In 1884 he united with the Wesleyan Methodist church and remained one of its faithful adherents until his death. In politics he was a Democrat and as a citizen was loyal to the best interests of his community. Many sterling traits of character gained for him the con- fidence and respect of his fellowmen and wherever he was known he was held in high esteem. His birth occurred in St. Joseph county, Indiana, April 26, 1842, and he died February 5, 1902, when almost sixty years of age. His widow, who was born January 19, 1850, is now living in North township, this county. She was first married to Allen S. Bondurant and unto them were born two sons, Phillip and Clinton A.
George D. Hartman, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, supplemented his early educational advantages, afforded by the public schools, by study in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. When twenty-one years of age he taught his first school at Buffalo, in North township, Marshall county, and had fifty-two stu- dents under his supervision. He afterward engaged in teaching in German, Center and Walnut townships, following the profession of teaching during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he carried on farming.
On the 3Ist of March, 1901, Mr. Hartman was married to Miss Lizzie Fogel, who was born in Center township, Marshall county, In- diana, January 17, 1878, her parents being Henry and Barbara (Flosen- zier) Fogel. Her father was born in Delaware county, Ohio, August 24, 1850, and the mother in Germany, November 29, 1853. They were married in Center township, Marshall county, Indiana, July 19, 1877, and became the parents of three children: Mrs. Hartman, Lee W., who died at the age of nine years, and Volline, who is at home. Mr. Fogel
Mrs. Paulenca Schafer
George schaper
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came to Indiana in the early '6os and settled in Center township, Mar- shall county, where he now resides. He has since lived the life of an active, enterprising farmer, and is well known in the community. Po- litically he is a Democrat, and both he and his wife are consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran church.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hartman has been blessed with two children, H. Earl and Russell. The parents are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Hartman gives his political allegiance to the Democracy. Fraternally he is connected with Castle Hall Lodge No. 212, the Walnut Arbor of Gleaners and Tribe of Ben Hur at Plymouth. One of Indiana's native sons, he pos- sesses the alert, enterprising spirit of the middle west, and as the years pass by is meeting with the success that ever crowns earnest, persistent effort.
GEORGE W. SCHAFER, for many years prominently connected with the business interests of Marshall county, was born in Canton, Ohio, December 5, 1829, a son of John and Rosanna Schafer, both of whom were born in Wurtemberg, Germany. They were married in their native land, and in 1816 set sail for the United States and landed in the harbor of New York, from whence they journeyed to Stark county, Ohio, in the same year and located where the city of Canton now stands. Mr. Schafer was perhaps the first wagon-maker in that city, and he plied his vocation there for many years, also owning a farm near Canton on which he and his wife spent their remaining days. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, and politically was a Jefferson and Jackson Democrat. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Schafer a daughter only is now living.
The boyhood days of George W. Schafer, the youngest born of the eleven children, were spent at Canton, Ohio, until he arrived at the age of nineteen years, when, as it were, the spirit of ambition which so often kindles in the bosom of youth a desire to push out and see the world and make a mark for himself, took possession of this young man, and with this aim in view he started west and landed in Plymoutlı, Marshall county, Indiana. For a time he contented himself working at his trade, assisting in the building of what is known as the old Parker House, where now stands the brick hardware building, and the Coffee House and many other old-time buildings were left as monuments of his early industry.
Again that pent-up spirit of ambition could not be restrained any longer in Plymouth, and while yet a mere boy he started for California, landing, after six months and five days of sojourning by stage and other ways of travel in vogue at that time, at the Golden Gate city. There he engaged in mining, and it is fitting at this time to relate an incident which took place at the mine, and in fact shows that mark of character which characterized his whole life and caused him to ever lead that even tenor of his way. It was the day before Buchanan's election, and the mine in which he was working caved and completely buried himself and comrade, and while in that condition and seeing no way of escaping death he ventured to ask his friend for whom he expected to vote on
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the following day. As those who were working for their release came close enough he coolly and calmly directed from below their work of rescue.
After five years of frontier life he determined to visit his old home at Canton, from whence he returned to Plymouth, Indiana, but business called him to Valparaiso soon after his return here, and there he met for the first time the girl, Paulina Miller, whom fate had designed was to be his future life partner. In July, 1859, with the newly wedded wife, he again started for the west, settling for a time in St. Joseph, Missouri, from whence in the year of 1862 his guiding star directed him to Colorado, where he at once engaged in farming, cattle raising and selling goods. After four years of successful business operations, "homeward his footsteps he did turn," and in the autumn of 1856, with his family, he landed at Inwood, Indiana, where, with his usual spirit of thrift and industry, he immediately engaged in the saw-milling busi- ness with Charles Croup, and this partnership continued until the death of Mr. Croup, after which he conducted the business for about two years alone or until he formed a partnership with C. L. Morris. In 1890, however, the business relationship of Schafer & Morris was dis- solved, Mr. Morris taking the mill and business at Plymouth and Mr. Schafer the business at Inwood. In 1894 Mr. Schafer purchased the saw mill at Argos, where he moved his family and continued the business until that ambition for financial success was satisfied, when he retired, leaving his son Louis the sole proprietor. After retiring from this long life of active business he built a new home in Argos where he and his wife might live the remainder of their lives in that quiet contentment that all, sooner or later, must seek.
Mr. Schafer was married on the 5th of July, 1859, in Valparaiso, Indiana, to Miss Paulina Miller, a native daughter of Wurtemberg, Germany. She came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Miller, when seven years of age, to the United States, the family being first estab- lished in Lancaster, New York, and later in Michigan City, Indiana, where Mr. Miller followed his trade of a confectioner for many years. He was in his political affiliations a Jefferson and Jackson Democrat, and was a member of the German Lutheran church. Mrs. Schafer is, the youngest born of their four children, and by her marriage she has become the mother of six children, but only three of whom, with their mother, survive the husband and father: William and Louis N., and, a daughter Jennie, all of Argos. Three sons, George, Jr .; Charles and John preceded him to the home beyond. After an illness of only short duration Mr. Schafer passed away on Thursday, November 7, 1907, respected by all, and whose comradeship, intellectual and in the close relationship in the affairs of life all enjoyed because of sturdy and sterling qualities recognized and appreciated. His was a Christian life refined and consistent. He united in infancy with the German Re- formed church, and always remained steadfast to its teachings.
CHARLES C. DURR, D. D. S., dentist and manufacturer of dental supplies, Plymouth, has attained high rank in his profession. His alma mater is the old Philadelphia Dental College, where he graduated with
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its class of 1873, and in the same year of his graduation he located for practice in Plymouth. During the past seven years he has served as the dentist for the Culver Military Academy, having offices both there and in Plymouth.
Dr. Durr was born in Pulaski county, Indiana, in what is now Monterey, September 24, 1852, a son of Dr. Gustavus A. and Eliza (Lopp) Durr. The father was a native of Baden Baden, Germany, but the mother was born in this country, in Indiana. Coming to America, Dr. G. A. Durr located at Monterey and moved to Lake Maxinkuckee in 1856, and he remained in practice there until his death at the age of sixty-one years. His wife was forty-four when called from this life, and in their family were two children who grew to mature years.
Dr. Charles C. Durr, the elder, was four years old when his parents located at Lake Maxinkuckee, and his education was received in the public schools of Plymouth and in the Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal College, where he was a student for two years. Following his gradua- tion in 1873 from the Philadelphia Dental College, he entered at once the dental fraternity of Plymouth, his residence here covering a period of thirty-three years, and as he was only four years old when he came to Marshall county he may be said to have spent his life thus far within its borders. He is a member of the State Dental Society, the Knights of Pythias and Ben Hur fraternities, and votes with the Republican party.
The doctor married, first, Ida Southworth, who at her death left one daughter, Grace, now the wife of E. W. Burris, Tulsa, Oklahoma. His present wife was before marriage Josephine Redd.
HIRAM F. BOWMAN, president of the First State Bank of Bourbon, was one of the organizers of this well known financial institution in 1902, and has the honor of being its first and continual president. The bank from its beginning has enjoyed a very prosperous career, paying 8 per cent dividends, and has a capital of forty thousand dollars, with a surplus of thirty-five thousand, and its deposits are increasing year by year, evidencing the high confidence this bank enjoys in the community.
Mr. Bowman was born on the 5th of February, 1860, in Kosciusko county, Indiana, a son of Daniel and Lucinda (Hall) Bowman. The father, a prominent and well known physician of northern Indiana, was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1821, but when a boy moved with his parents to South Bend, Indiana, and in 1847 to Kosciusko county, where he practiced medicine for twenty years. He was there married to Lucinda Hall, a daughter of Judge Hall, of that county, and in 1867 they came to Marshall county, where for five years Dr. Bowman continued in the practice of his profession. But at the close of that period he laid aside its dutics and was thereafter identified with the drug business until his death in 1887. His widow died in Bourbon in 1907. In their family were three children, Mr. Bowman, of this review, being their only son, and the two daughters are Flora, who became the wife of C. W. Shakes and died in 1889, and Alice, the wife of James H. Matchett, of Winona Lake. Dr. Bowman was well known for his skill and ability in the practice of medicine and was a highly respected man, retiring in his manner and not a seeker after public honors, although he was a member
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of the school board and was an alderman. He voted with the Repub- lican party.
Hiram F. Bowman received his educational training in the common schools, but when only a little lad of thirteen years he started out in the world to make his own living, after which time his parents had no further expense on his account. He lived at home and clerked in a store, worked in the harvest fields, taught school and in fact spurned no occupation that would yield him an honest dollar. In this way he saved enough to buy an interest in his father's drug business, his first business venture, and after continuing in that vocation for fifteen years he went on the road for a Chicago wholesale drug house. At the close of his three years as a traveling salesman he opened a drug store in South Bend, but in 1888 sold his interests there, and during the following year was associated with the South Bend National Bank. In 1889 he came to Bourbon and conducted a private bank with J. H. Matchett. In 1902, as before stated, he assisted in the organization of the First State Bank, of which he was made the president, with C. C. Vink as cashier and Jacob Pritch vice president. He is the heaviest stockholder in the bank, owns several pieces of real estate in this county, and in addition he also owns over seven hundred acres of valuable land in Wisconsin.
Mr. Bowman married, in 1881, Mary Dale, a daughter of Elijah Dale, of Illinois. She was teaching in the schools of Bourbon before her marriage, and the union has been blessed by the birth of three sons. The eldest, Dane S., is a graduate of Purdue University. He occupies a very responsible position with the Westinghouse Electric Company, and, although only three years out of school, he has charge of all the government work coming to the company. Horace D., the second son, is pursuing a course in civil engineering in the Illinois University. Neil H. is at home. Mr. Bowman, of this review, is a charter member of Lucullus Lodge No. 233, K. of P., of Bourbon, and he is also a member of the Methodist church. A high standard of morality and elevated principles have always governed the actions of this prominent business man and citizen of Bourbon, and his well directed efforts have brought to him a valued success, and best of all he enjoys the esteem and confi- dence of all who know him.
CHARLES VAN BUSKIRK is the Tippecanoe superintendent of the Heinz Pickle Plant. In tracing the careers of those who have achieved success in the business world and of those who stand highest in public esteem it is found in almost every case that they are those who have risen gradually by their own efforts, their diligence and perseverance. These qualities are largely possessed by Charles Van Buskirk, and who by reason of his marked business ability has been appointed the man- ager in this place of one of the largest corporations of the kind in the world. The plant here was erected in 1899, fifty by one hundred feet, supplied with all modern machinery for carrying on the work of manu- facturing the Heinz food products, and this is the banner plant of the state.
Mr. Van Buskirk was born in West Cairo, Ohio, in 1883, and being placed upon his own responsibilities when a boy he secured his education
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
through his own exertions, first attending the graded schools, later the high school of Muncie, and subsequently became a student in the Eastern Indiana Normal of that city. With this excellent training he re-en- tered the school room as a teacher, and for two years continued his educational labors at Muncie, from whence he came to Marshall county and spent three years in the schools of Bourbon township and two years in the city schools there, where he had charge of the seventh grade. Leaving on the expiration of that period a professional for a business life he became associated with the Heinz Pickle industry in the capacity of manager of their Tippecanoe plant, and has ever since continued to discharge the duties of this important position.
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