USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical memoirs of Blackford County, Ind. : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography embellished with portraits of many well known residents of Blackford County, Indiana > Part 49
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carried out when the first favorable oppor- tunity presented itself. Being near his fa- ther's home upon one occasion, with no par- ticular duty to perform, he quietly stole away one dark night and secreting himself in the cellar remained there in hiding over two weeks. Meantime the army moved to other parts and when sure of being free from ar- rest he emerged from his place of conceal- ment and made good his escape. He died in Prussia in 1853, his wife having preceded him to the grave.
The youthful years of Philip Kleefisch were passed in his native place and until the age of fourteen he attended the town schools, obtaining a knowledge of the primary branches of learning only. His father being in limited circumstances and unable to do much for him in a financial way, the lad was early thrown upon his own resources and before his fifteenth year he was battling with the world as a farm laborer. He continued in this capacity the greater part of the time until twenty years old when, in accord with the law of Prussia, he was compelled to en- ter the army and act his part as a possible defender of the honor of the fatherland. His military career embraced a period of three years and to his credit it is said that during that time he was never heard to utter a com- plaint on account of his enforced service nor do a single act to tarnish his record as a soldier.
At the expiration of his term of service Mr. Kleefisch obtained employment as a coachman, an occupation to which he had given some of his time previous to entering the army. Being a good horseman and ex- ceedingly careful in the management of his animals and vehicles, his services were al- ways in great demand and for a number of years he was employed by some of
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the wealthiest families of his native place a : not infrequently did he act as coach: an for the nobility. Later he went to Belgium, where he was similarly employed, but after a few years in that country he was appointed by the Belgium government emigrant agent for all people going to America. He dis- charged the duties in an eminently satisfac- tory manner for a little more than one year and then concluded to sail for the United States himself. Accordingly, in 1865, he made the voyage, and proceeding westward to Erie, Pennsylvania, took service near that city as a farm hand and a little later engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his own re- sponsibility. By reason of a protracted spell of the much dreaded ague, then prev- alent, he was finally compelled to abandon farming and seek more agreeable employ- ment. This he soon found in a factory for the manufacture of pumps, where he re- mained one year, husbanding his earnings the meantime with the object in view of go- ing farther west.
Learning that plenty of employment could be obtained on the railroads : that time in process of construction through va- rious central states, Mr. Kleefisch came to Indiana and engaged with the Panhandle Company, whose line was then being graded through Blackford county. After one year's hard work on the road he threw up his job for a more pleasant and at the same time more remunerative position in the grist-mill of C. R. Cooley, of Hartford City, where he was employed for seven years, becoming fa- miliar during that time with every feature of the manufacture of flour. Having by the exercise of economy accumulated consid- erable means, he concluded to embark in business for himself and accordingly he pur-
chased a dray and horses and by reason of his wide acquaintance and genial disposition soon had all he could do in the transfer line in Hartford City. This he followed with encouraging success for thirteen years, when he disposed of his stock and retired from active business pursuits. Being by nature and habit very industrious and finding a sed- entary life quite irksome, Mr. Kleefisch, in 1895, purchased a stock of groceries and opened a business place on his premises on Walnut street, where he and his family have since carried on a successful trade. This venture was not merely for the purpose of pecuniary gain but, as stated above, to afford employment for a mind and body unused to inactivity. It has also proved profitable fi- nancially and the name of Kleefisch deserves conspicuous mention with the successful busi- ness men of the city.
Mr. Kleefisch has been twice married, the first time, in 1869, to Elizabeth Cale, daugh- ter of Conrad and Barbara (Hizer) Cale, by whom he had one daughter, Margaret, born in January, 1870, and died in infancy. Shortly after the death of her child Mrs. Kleefisch was called to the land of shadows and on the 17th of January, 1872, Mr. Klee- fisch entered into the marriage relation with Matilda Cline, slaughter of Michael and Eliz- abeth (Geyer) Cline. To this union the fol- lowing children have been born: Auretta, whose birth occurred March 26, 1873; she married Dr. Clapper, one of the leading phy- sicians of Blackford county, and resides in Hartford City; Frank E., born September II, 1875 ; Frederick W., born March 2, 1878, a baggageman on the Panhandle Railroad; Ernest E., born March 18, 1881, died Sep- tember 10, 1882; Louella, born March 1. 1882, and Emma G., who first saw the light of day on November 11, 1884.
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Mr. Kleefisch became a member of Lodge No. 262, I. O. O. F., Hartford City, in 1872, and has filled all the minor offices of the lodge, besides taking an active interest in the general welfare of the order. He believes the noble principles of this brotherhood, if rightly lived, will conduce to higher and nob- ler manhood, hence his life has conformed to the standard as set forth in the teachings of the fraternity.
Mr. Kleefisch's voyage from Europe to the United States was made on a sailing ves- sel and it was six weeks after leaving Ant- werp, March 2, 1865, that he landed on the 16th of April following in the city of New York. Before landing he heard of the news of the assassination of President Lincoln and his arriva ! in this country was one of the darkest and gloomiest hours of its his- tory. Born and reared to manhood under conditions wholly unlike our free institu- tions, Mr. Kleefisch was not long in accept- ing American ways and, although retaining in his heart a deep and abiding affection for his fatherland, he is nevertheless a true and loyal citizen of the United States, which he believes to be the best country for struggling humanity on the face of the earth.
Thus modestly and in a general way have been set forth the leading facts in the career of a gentleman whose influence for good has had great weight in the community and whose example may safely be emulated by those just starting in the pursuit of fortune upon life's rugged highway. No higher compliment can be paid to a man than to say that he is industrious, truthful and honor- able, and all these virtues Mr. Kleefisch has exemplified in his convictions of right as he sces the right. Prompt in the discharge of every duty devolving upon him, jealous in maintaining his good name and eager in pro-
moting the welfare of his fellow man, he is indeed a model citizen and a typical gentle- man of the old school.
Religiously our subject and family are attendants of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church, of Hartford City.
THOMAS E. CRAFT.
Thomas Evans Craft, the efficient street commissioner of Hartford City, is a native of Indiana, born on the 28th day of Febru- ary, 1837, in the county of Wayne. Ilis fa- ther, Timothy Craft, was born in New Jer- sey, but left that state when but twelve years of age, removing with the famiy to Preble county, Ohio, where he afterwards married Mary A. Stevens. Subsequently Timothy and Mary Craft took up their residence in Wayne county, Indiana, where they lived for a number of years and reared a family, afterwards removing to Henry county.
The subject of this article was about one year old when his parents moved to the county of Henry and there he remained until reaching his majority, attending mean- time a few months each year such in- different schools as the country at that time afforded. Indeed his advantages for obtaining an education were so limited that but little progress was made in the way of scholastic training, but this deficiency was largely made up in after years by reading and intelligent observation. Until twenty-one he remained under the par- ental roof, assisting his father on the farm, performing such laborious tasks as clearing, making rails, ditching, breaking new ground and like work, the effect of which was to de- velop a strong physique and lay the founda- tion for vigorous health.
IL C
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Soon after arriving at manhood's estate Mr. Craft began farming for himself in Rush county where he leased land until 1856, meeting with fair success as an agriculturist. In the year 1880 he abandoned farming and, coming to Hartford City, engaged in the transfer business in connection with other vocations and here he has since continued to reside.
Mr. Craft's life has been one of great activity and industry and his record as an upright and law-abiding citizen has never been questioned by the many people with whom he has long sustained relations of the warmest personal friendship. In Septem- ber, 1899, he was honored by being chosen road commissioner and since entering upon the duties of his office he has matured plans for a general and radical improvement of the various streets and highways under his charge.
Mr. Craft is a married man and the fa- ther of four children. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Jane Grundon, is the daughter of Joseph and Martha ( Mc- Coy) Grundon, and the names of their chil- dren are as follows: Florence A. married Edgar T: Addison and has two offsprings, Grace P. and Merle; Emery, the second in order of birth, departed this life March 29, 1872; James married Mary Stahlsmith, who bore him four children, Frederick and Ger- tie, living, and Georgie and Amy, deceased ; the fourth child died in infancy unnamed. The grandfather of Mrs. Craft was a Revo- lutionary hero and an early pioneer of north- ern Ohio. Her mother's people were among the pioneers of the Buckeye state, settling many years ago in Butler county.
Mr. Craft has been a consistent member of the Methodist church for forty-seven years and in every relation of life he exem-
plifies the religion which he professes. As stated above, industry and uprightness have been his chief characteristics and an tin- blemished name is the reputation he sustains among his fellow citizens of Hartford City and the county of Blackford. In a quiet way he has nobly done his part towards adding stability to the community and it is a com- pliment well deserved to speak of him as a gentleman in every respect, with few if any enemies and a host of friends who have learned to value him for his many sterling qualities.
JACOB KEMMER SHICK.
The subject of this article was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 13, 1844, and is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Cline) Shick. He is of German descent and traces his genealogy back to the early history of Pennsylvania, where the family located many years ago. His paternal grandfather was born in Germany. As early as the year 1819 Mr. Shick's father and grandfather moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling in the county of Muskingum, and there the latter afterward died. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Ja- cob Shick; John, Samuel, Lydia and David. Jacob and Barbara Shick reared a family of nine children, whose names are as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Huffman; John married, first, Elizabeth Bradshaw and afterwards, Ann Lyon; Catharine. wife of James Ayres; Leonard married S. Jewell; Nancy became the wife of Spang Brugh; William married Adaline Burst; Henry, de- ceased; Maria, deceased; and Jacob K., whose name appears above.
When the subject of this sketch was four
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years old his parents moved from their Ohio home to Blackford county, Indiana, and it was in a district school near his father's farm that he acquired a practical knowledge of the English branches. At the early age of fourteen he began learning the cabinet mak- er's trade under the direction of W. H. Gable and after becoming proficient therein worked at the same during the interim be- tween 1859 and 1866. In the latter year he turned his attention to carpentering, which he carried on for some years with good suc- cess and then turned to his former trade. After four years of cabinet-making, he began contracting at carpenter work and with quite a force of hands soon had all he could do in both city and country. He has continued contracting to the present time and his repu- tation as a builder is second to that of no other in Hartford City, while his services liave been greatly in demand in other cities and towns. To enumerate all the buildings built by him in Hartford City and Blackford county would far transcend the limits of an article of this character as the evidences of his mechanical and architectural skill are to be seen upon nearly every street and high- way. Among the many edifices of the place may be cited the J. H. Dowell block, the bank block, the Shinn residence, Covault dwelling, the Ford home, the pulp and paper mill of Hartford City and many others, in- cluding thirty-one tenant houses erected for the Hartford City Glass Company.
On the 4th of January, 1864, Mr. Shick and Miss Anna M. Taughinbaugh were made man and wife and their marriage has been blessed by six children, five of whom are living. Their names are as follows : Ly- dia married Jason Huggins, and has two children, Charles and Mabel; William L .; Iladasca married Walter Cline and is the
mother of one child, Catherine; Rosa and Walter, the last named marrying Millie Buckles.
Mr. Shick joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in March, 1896, since which date he has filled different official positions in Lodge No. 262, Hartford City. He also belongs to the Rebekah degree and is active in many ways in promoting the interest of the fraternity.
Our subject is a wide-awake, energetic man, always alive to the interests of his busi- ness and general prosperity of the commu- nity. He is complete master of his vocation, stands high in the esteem of his fellow citi- zens and is one of the substantial men of Hartford City. His life has been singularly free from faults of any kind and the pos ion he today occupies has been accorded him by reason of true worth and manly character.
WILLIAM A. BEATH.
William Alfred Beath, a retired farmer, was born in Licking township, Blackford county, Indiana, July 25, 1836. Paternally Mr. Beath's family is of English origin, and on the mother's side he is descended from Ir- ish ancestors. Both families were among the carly settlers of Virginia and later they figured in the history of Ross county, Ohio. His father, John Beath, was born in Vir- ginia, and when a young man became a res- ident of Ross county, Ohio, removing thence, in the early 'thirties, to Blackford county, Indiana, and settling in the township of Licking. John Beath married Anna Keeler and reared a family of ten children, namely : Alexander, Martha Ann, William R., Joseph A., deceased; Leander, Mary Jane, Nancy
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Catherine, Susan Ann, Samuel K. and Thomas B.
The early years of William A. Beath were passed on his father's farm, where amid the routine of daily toil he grew to maturity, attending in the meantime the different sub- scription schools common in Indiana a half a century ago. When of sufficient age to choose for himself he decided to become a tiller of the soil; accordingly he began farm- ing in his native state and continued the same until after attaining his majority. Thinking that he could better his condition by learning some mechanical trade, he aban- doned agriculture and for a limited period worked at carpentering, which he soon found was not at all to his liking. Having suc- ceeded in accumulating some capital Mr. Beath purchased a small farm of fifty-two acres in Licking township, and again began tilling the soil, but after awhile he laid aside the implements of husbandry and turned his attention to threshing grain. He operated a machine for some years with good success, but finally returned to the farm which he in- creased in area and conducted with financial profit until 1888. As an agriculturist Mr. Beath became well known for his careful methods of tillage, and by great industry, economy and the exercise of wise fore- thought succeeded in reaping the benefits of his labor to such an extent that in the year 1895 he was enabled to leave the farm and retire with a competency to Hartford City where he is now spending the days yet allot- ted to him.
During the Civil war all of Mr. Beath's brothers served in the army, but he did not see his way clear to become a soldier by rea- son of the home affairs of his father's family requiring his attention. He was loyal, how- ever, in his adherence to the Union and
would have been one of the first to go to the front had not circumstances over which he had no control interfered.
On the 16th day of October, 1860, Mr. Beath and Elizabeth R. Stewart, daughter of Henry and Susan (Shroyer) Stewart, he- came man and wife, the issue of which mar- riage was five children, Marion L., born April 1 .: 1862, a farmer residing near the town of LeRoy, Kansas; George Riley, born December 20, 1865, a farmer of Blackford county; John W., born July, 1868; Henry Allen, born April 13, 1870, and Owen V., born December 20, 1871. The mother of these children, a most estimable lady, respect- ed by all who knew her, departed this life on the 21st day of February, 1886, and subse- quently, October 1, 1895, Mr. Beath entered into the marriage relation with Catherine E. Slahsmith, a union without issue.
Mr. Beath has acted well his part in life and is one of the oldest native sons of Black- ford county now living. He has been an eye witness of many remarkable changes in the appearance of the country and in a quiet way has contributed to the present high position which Blackford enjoys among her sister counties of the commonwealth. Honest toil, with its inevitable rewards, has ever actuated him and in the true sense of the word he is a man of the people and a great admirer of the free institutions under which they are enabled to work out and achieve a high des- tiny. While not a partisan in the sense of seeking office he takes a lively interest in public affairs and believes that every Ameri- can citizen should be well informed on all the leading questions of the day. He has the courage of his convictions, maintains the soundness of his opinions intelligently and endeavors to keep abreast of the times not only in matters of public policy but also in
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THIE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
all moral and religious movements for the good of the populace.
Owen V. Beath, the youngest son of William Alfred and Elizabeth Beath, was born in Blackford county, Indiana, on the 20th day of December, 1871, and remained under the parental roof in Licking township until his nineteenth year. After obtaining a knowledge of the branches constituting the common school curriculum he became a stu- dent of the Central Normal School at Dan- ยท ville, Indiana, where he pursued his studies one term, and the following year was en- gaged in teaching in his native county. The better to prepare himself for the teacher's profession, he entered the State Normal at Terre Haute, where he took a two-years course. At the end of that time he re- sumed teaching in Licking township and earned the reputation of being a very effi- cient and popular instructor. Had he seen fit to remain in the educational field he no doubt would have distinguished himself as teacher, for he possesses not only the ability but the tact essential to success in this, one of the most respectable and useful of callings. Not being content to spend his life in the school room, Mr. Beath subsequently entered the Indianapolis Business University, from which he was graduated gust 15, 1897, and in September of the year following as- sisted in the organization of a company for the manufacture of glass, being elected its secretary and treasurer. This was known as the Mill Grove Glass Company, and in ad- dition to the official positions named he be- came one of the leading stockholders as well as one of the active business managers. In July, 1899, Mr. Beath disposed of his inter- est in the above concern and purchased stock in the Diamond Flint Glass Company, with which he is now identified in the capacity of
secretary, having been the unanimous choice of the board of directors for that position. lle was united in marriage, November 9, 1898, to Miss Emma Williams, youngest daughter of Zadok Williams, and has a beau- tiful home in Hartford City, supplied with all the conveniences and luxuries calculated to make his domestic life pleasant and agreeable.
Our subject is a young man of much more than ordinary intelligence and thrift. By the exercise of energy, directed and con- trolled by good judgment, he has been enabled to win success and a position of in- fluence in the wealthy company with which he is officially connected. His social and business reputation in Hartford City is with- out a flaw, and few men of his years stand as high in the estimation of the public or possess in as eminent a degree the confidence of all classes of people in both city and coun- try. Progressive and alert in all matters per- taining to his business, he is equally alive to the interests of the city, being an earnest ad- vocate and liberal patron of all worthy ob- jects which promise to benefit the commu- nity.
MICHAEL SCHMIDT.
Michael Schmidt, a respected citizen of Hartford City, and a descendant of one of the early settlers of Delaware county, was the son of William and Anna ( Barber) Schmidt. He was born December 4, 1846, in: the county of Delaware and there spent the years of his boyhood, removing with his parents to Blackford county in 1860 and set- tling on a farm near the village of Dundee. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, bore his full share in the labor of the farm and
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Michael Schmidt
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Catharine Schmidt
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received the best education obtainable in the public schools, which he attended regularly during the years of his minority.
He began life for himself as a tiller of the soil, to which honorable vocation he de- voted his attention for some years, and then became manager of a large saw and gristmill owned by his wife's brothers, which he op- erated successfully for a period of ten years. At the expiration of that time he effected a co-partnership in the grocery business at Hartford City with Eli Hughes, continuing in that line of trade until 1892, meanwhile devoting much time and attention to book- keeping, in which he soon became much more than ordinarily expert. Severing his con- nection with the mercantile business, Mr. Schmidt accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Blackford County Bank, and there he remained to the satisfaction of his employer for four years, the precarious condition of his health at the end of that time necessitat- ing hs retirement from active labor.
On the 7th day of December, 1873, Mr. Schmidt entered into the marriage relation with Mary H., daughter of Davis and Eliza- beth McKonke, the union resulting in the birth of three children, all of whom died in infancy. After a happy life together of less than eight years Mr. Schmidt was bereaved of his companion, who died on the 8th of June, 1881. Later he married Malinda Hughes, who was the willing sharer of all his joys and sorrows for a period of ten years, when she, too, was called from earthly scenes, departing this life April 30, 1893, and leaving besides a devoted husband, three children, viz : Laura F., since deceased ; Lena M. and Roy R. The second Mrs. Schmidt was the daughter of Eli and Susannah ( Ash- baugh) Hughes; she was a woman of most - exemplary character and died as she lived, 24
with a well grounded hope in the merits of the one who has tasted death for all and made possible a life of bliss beyond, the grave. where loved ones shall never more parted be. On the 25th of January, 1898, Mr. Schmidt was a third time married, choosing for a companion Catherine Guedel, daughter of Frederick and Anna ( Barber) Guedel, who with her husband's aged mother and his two children survive his loss.
After his retirement from the bank, noted in a previous paragraph, Mr. Schmidt strug- gled in vain against the disease which slowly but surely continued to sap his strength and which eventually, in July, 1898, resulted in his death. The life and character of this ex- cellent citizen, kind neighbor, loving hus- band and tender and devoted father is an open book, read of all men in the community where he lived. He was baptized in infancy in the Lutheran church, received confirma- tion in youth and throughout life continued a consistent and active follower of the Nazarene, whose spirit and teachings were beautifully exemplified in his daily walk and conversation. Mr. Schmidt was indeed a true Christian gentleman, honorable and up- right in all his dealings, kind, courteous and obliging to all with whom he had business or other relations, and his name was never known to have been even remotely coupled with an act not consistent with the most absolute integrity. It was the u: 'versal opinion frequently expressed that those who knew him best loved him most and it is a well recognized truth that few lives ever ex- erted such strong and wholesome influence for good on the manners and morals of the community. In the true sense of the word Mr. Schmidt was a self-made man. Begin- ning life's struggle with little encourage- ment and but limited financial resources, he
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