Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 101

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976

USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 101
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PHILIP REIDENBAUCH (deceased), son of Philip Reidenbauch, was born in Germany, and learned the carpenter's trade there. At the age of twenty, he came to America and followed his trade for four years. March 16, 1844, he married Catharine Comingue, daughter of Lorenzo and Mary A. Comingue, all natives of Germany. Mrs. R. came to America in 1840. The subject and wife lived three years in Zanesville, Ohio, then came to Springfield, Elkhart Township, where, during the winter, he was engaged in carpentering, and then settled on their farm of eighty acres in Section 25. This land he cleared and improved, making subsequent additions until it now numbers 240 acres, 140 of which is cleared; and, together with the large frame residence and other requisite buildings thereon, presents really a beautiful appearance. Mr. Reidenbauch died October 18, 1881, much regretted by all. He was a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a highly respected citizen. Mrs. R. is a member of the same church. They had nine children- Henry, killed in the battle of Mission Ridge; Catharine and Jacob, both mar-

445

ELKHART TOWNSHIP.

ried and living in Elkhart Township; Christina, living in Detroit, Mich .; Melinda, living in Wayne Township ; Lizzie, a resident of Michigan, and John, Philip and May A., all living at home.

JOHN W. RENDEL, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, is a son of Will- iam and Susanna Rendel, natives of Pennsylvania ; came with them to Wayne Township, Noble County, and located on a farm. The subject was reared in Noble County, and taught school when eighteen years of age. He was mar- ried, November 14, 1869, to Catherine E. Haller. She was born in Wayne County, and her parents, John F. and Joanna Haller, were natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1870, they came to Elkhart Township, where Mr. Rendel purchased eighty acres of land, which he has largely improved. For some time Mr. Rendel followed teaching in connection with farming, and for the past five years has been engaged in the ministry. He has served as Township Trustee two terms, and is serving his third by holding the office on account of his successor's incompetency. He and wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. They have four children-John A., Charles F., Orvill and Ota E.

JOSEPH A. RITCHISON, son of Thomas and Mary Ritchison, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and was reared and educated in Ohio. His parents were natives of Maryland, and came to Ohio, where they were engaged in farm- ing, and where they died. Joseph Ritchison was brought up to hard labor on a farm, and spent some time in boating on the canal and river. In 1836, he went to Greene County, Ohio, and was there married, in 1837, to Margaret Boroughs, a native of that county, and daughter of William and Sarah Bor- oughs, who were born in Maryland, and died in Ohio. The subject and wife lived in Greene County for thirty-eight years, engaged in farming, and then sold out and came to Indiana, where Mr. Ritchison purchased a farm of eighty acres in Elkhart Township, and resumed his old occupation. This land he has largely improved, and has erected numerous buildings. While in Ohio, Mr. Ritchison was elected Constable eight different times, and filled the office of Trustee two terms, and that of Deputy Sheriff two terms. They have had three children-Mary J., married, and living in Sparta Township ; Milo A., married, and living in Elkhart Township ; and William B., deceased.

WILLIAM ROBERTS was born in New Jersey, but passed his boyhood in Knox County, Ohio. His father, James P. Roberts, was a native of Scotland ; his mother, Hannah, was of Pennsylvania. They settled in Knox County, where they died. In February, 1855, James was married to Mary M. Coffinberry, daughter of G. L. Coffinberry. Her parents lived in Ohio, where she was born. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts came to Albion April 13, 1855, where he engaged in painting, having learned the trade in Fredericktown, Ohio. After six years in this employment, he purchased a stock of furniture and undertaking, which busi- ness he ran four years, then sold and purchased a half interest in a grocery and provision store; this occupied two years of his time, when he sold to William Johnston. In 1868 and 1869, he clerked for Mr. Black, and in 1870 came to Wawaka as clerk in Mr. Ward's drug store. In November of 1871, he pur- chased the business. This establishment burned in 1875, about one-half of the stock being saved ; sustained a loss of $700. Started up the business again, and sold out in 1877 ; then purchased a farm of eighty acres. His health fail- ing, he sold at the end of two years, and engaged in insurance, which business now receives his full attention. Representing, as he does, seven of the strong- est companies, adds largely to his prestige of success. He makes his office

446

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

with G. W. Mummert. Mr. Roberts and wife have the following-named chil- dren-George L., James R. and Charlotte B. Mr. Roberts for four years administered the law to the satisfaction of the community as Justice of the Peace.

FREDERICK SCHWAB is a native of Switzerland, where he spent his boyhood years, and where his parents were born and died. In 1857, he came to this country and located at Springfield, in this township. Here he served two years as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade with his brother. Continued at this trade until 1862 ; then enlisted in Company B, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. participating in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Resaca, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. In addition to this, had his share of marching, skirmishes, etc. His health be- ing impaired, he engaged in shoemaking in Missouri for two years. Returned to Wawaka in 1875, and engaged in butchering for a summer ; then, after one year in the grocery business, Mr. Schwab commenced general merchandising, in which trade he still continues, carrying a stock of about $4,000 ; being well- adapted to this calling, he has become popular and commands an increasing cus- tom. His wife was Mary A. Lower, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Lower, natives, respectively, of Germany and Ohio. The father came to America in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Schwab were married in May, 1866. They have had five children-Margaret A. (deceased), Millie M., William D., Nora E. (deceased), and Charles W. Mr. Schwab is a member of the Ligonier Lodge, No. 267. I. 0. 0. F.

GOTTLIEB SCHWAB was born in Switzerland, where he served as an apprentice for two years at the shoemaker's trade. In the year 1866, he came to this country from his native land and settled in Wawaka. Following his in- clination and previous training, he engaged in shoemaking and in the boot and shoe trade. This business he still continues, having the only establishment of the kind in the village. Mr. Schwab has had thorough training in his line, and by close attention to his business has been able to draw custom from a large section of the surrounding country. He carries a well-assorted stock of about $1,500 worth. October 29, 1868, Mr. Schwab was married to Nancy Hersey, daughter of Henry Hersey, a native of Ohio. To this union were born five chil- dren, viz., Fannie F., Jennie, Cora, Ira and Clarence ; the latter, deceased. Mr. Schwab is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Ligonier Lodge. His parents were John and Annie Schwab, both of whom died in Switzerland.

CALVIN A. SEYMOUR, M. D., is a native of this county, born in No- ble Township, where he passed his early days with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then entered school at Albion which he at- tended two years. After which he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Leonard in Albion, completing with Dr. E. H. Depew, of Wolf Lake. In the meantime our medical student taught school some. He graduated in his pro- fessional studies at the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. He then be- gan this practice at Sheldon, eleven miles south of Fort Wayne, where he con- tinued with excellent success for nine years. Subsequently the Doctor came to Wawaka and located permanently, where he continues in his profession. In the year 1869, he was united in marriage with Callie V. Keller, a native of Vir- ginia. She is a member of the Christian Church. They have three children, viz., Horace A., Bertie B. and Ovis. The Doctor's father was a native of New York, and came to Indiana in 1834, worked at " Rowdy Ridge," now known as Christian Chapel. He purchased a farm near Wolf Lake, where he died in 1873.

447

ELKHART TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS SHAW is the son of Hamilton and Abigail Shaw, and was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, the nativity of his parents. They removed to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1847, where they now live on a farm. Thomas Shaw was reared on a farm; was married in December, 1853, to Susannah Stump, native of Hancock County, Ohio ; she died in 1862. Mr. Shaw came to Elkhart Township in 1855, and located on unimproved land, which he culti- vated for eight years, when he went to Illinois, where he remained on a farm about one year. Returned to this township and located on his present farm of 126 acres which is under a good state of cultivation, and which he has improved by adding necessary and comfortable buildings. He also owns thirty-six acres of other land. He was married to his second wife, Rachel Grisamer, in Novem- ber, 1863 ; she was born in Perry Township, this county, to Joseph and Anna Grisamer; the mother died in March, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He served one year as Township Trustee, and is the father of three children by his first wife-Jesse B., Marion F. and David A.

FRANCIS M. STAGE is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and remained with his parents, Benjamin and Loraine Stage, until twenty-five years of age. They came to Indiana in 1834, and located on wooded land in Perry Township, Noble County, where they died. Benjamin Stage was born in New Jersey, and his wife was a native of Maine. Francis M. Stage was commonly educated, and reared to farm labor. October 11, 1856, he was married to Louisa Bradford, whose parents, Joseph and Phebe Bradford, natives of Ohio, came to Indiana, and located in York Township in 1831, where the father died in 1839. Mrs. Bradford died in Perry Township. Louisa Bradford is a native of York Township, and after her union with Mr. Stage, they settled on their present farm in Elkhart Township, where they are comfortably and pros- perously living. When twenty years old, Mr. Stage began teaching, and taught three terms. He has served two terms as Township Trustee, and is a member of the I. O. O.,F. They have had nine children-Anson B., Otis, Willard, James, Ward, Loraine (deceased), Lillian, Benjamin and Lydia, twins, (deceased).

JACOB E. STAGE, one of the prominent farmers of the township, is a native of the Buckeye State, and lived with his parents until twenty-three years of age, assisting in clearing and improving land. Benjamin and Loraine Stage, his parents, natives respectively of New Jersey and Maine, came to this county in 1834. locating in Perry Township, where they cleared a farm and subse- quently died. The subject married Miss Catharine Marker, May 12, 1853, and located on the farm in Elkhart Township-that his father had previously purchased, and which was slightly improved. Mr. Stage is sufficiently skilled in the trades to do his own carpentering and blacksmithing, and is a thorough and practical farmer ; has a fine orchard, and the land under excellent cultiva- tion. His wife died in 1874, August 24. Her parents were George and Mary Marker, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Indiana, and located in Perry Town- ship, where they died. Mrs. S. left two children-Albert F. and Emmett M., the latter now clerking at Slabtown. Mr. Stage's present wife was Mrs. Sarah A. Teaford, daughter of Abraham and Mary Yost, and a native of Ohio. Her father was born in Virginia, her mother in Maryland. They have three children-Mary A., Rosa A. and Alton H.

RICHARD J. STAGE is a native of Noble County. His parents, Ben- jamin and Loraine Stage, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and Maine, were

448

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

early settlers of this county, where they came in 1834, locating in Perry Town- ship, on the place known as the Haw Patch. Richard's early life was passed here with his parents, and he attended the common district school. In 1861, he married Miss Melinda Swank, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and daughter of Jacob and Mary Swank, who were natives of Virginia, now deceased. They have had five children ; one, Mary E., is deceased, and the rest are living at home-Ida M., Sarah, Bell and Alma. Sarah is deaf. Mr. Stage learned engineering in 1869, and has followed it up to the present time, with the exception of one year.

ANANIAS STEWART is a native of Elkhart Township, where he was- reared on a farm, receiving instructions in the common school. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Indiana in 1839, locating in Elkhart Township, Section 24, where he had previously pur- chased 160 acres of wooded land. After clearing a place he built a log cabin, and made other land purchases, among them, in 1865, 100 acres in Iowa, where he moved the ensuing year, and where he died in 1867. The mother is sixty-four years old, and is living with her youngest daughter on the old farm in Elkhart Township. The subject, in 1862, enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was in the battle of Lexington, and was taken prisoner. For two days he went without food, and on the third day was paroled. In about eighty days, was exchanged, and received his discharge in January, 1863, making in all about six months' service. He married Salome Osborn, September 28, 1865. She is a native of La Grange County, and daughter of Nathan P. and Elizabeth Osborn, natives of New York and Ohio, who came to Indiana in 1838, located in La Grange County, Clearspring Township, but subsequently moved to Elkhart Township, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and are living on the father's old farm, where they first settled. They have four children-John, Cary, Walter, Cora E., all living at home.

HENRY STUMP is living upon the farm to which he moved from Mich- igan, in which State he commenced housekeeping after he was married, Decem- ber 23, 1866, to Emily A., daughter of Isaac and Barbara Tibbott, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Indiana. Mrs. Stump was born in Elk- hart Township. The farm of Mr. Stump is well improved, with a fine brick residence, good barn and other necessary fittings. He is a native of Seneca County, Ohio, the son of John and Barbara Stump, who came to Indiana in 1856, locating in this township, where they died. They were natives of Penn- sylvania. Henry Stump spent his boyhood in Hancock County, Ohio, and came to this township in 1857, and taught school that winter. In the spring of 1858, went to California, and in the fall to Oregon ; in the spring of 1859, to Klikitat Valley, W. T .; was one of the first four in that valley ; he re- turned to the Willamette Valley, Ore., then went on a prospecting tour to Fra- zer River, a distance of 800 miles ; this venture was a financial failure. Re- turned to the Willamette Valley late in the fall, where he remained during the winter ; in the spring, he went on a prospecting tour with a party of seventy to southeastern Oregon, near the Blue Mountains ; here, in Baker County, they discovered the Auburn mines. When ready to return, the company di- vided into three squads ; one company going northwest, were captured by the Indians, and all killed but one. Mr. Stump's party arrived in safety. He returned to the mines the next spring, and worked them that season with ordi- nary success ; spent the following winter in the Willamette Valley, and in the

449

ELKHART TOWNSHIP.

spring, in company with his brother, located within ten miles of the mines with a herd of cattle, where they remained two years, engaged in raising grain and vegetables and caring for their stock, at the end of which time he returned to Elkhart County. Mr. Stump has filled the office of Township Assessor seven consecutive years. They have one child-Minnie M .- living at home.

HENRY WALKER, a well-to-do farmer of Elkhart Township, was born in Baltimore County, Md., and reared in Ohio, whither his parents-Chris- topher and Magdalene Walker, natives of Maryland-came in 1819, and de- voted their remaining days to the pursuit of agriculture. The father made a trip to Indiana, and purchased 426 acres of Government land in Elkhart and York Townships. Henry Walker lived with his parents until twenty-three years old. December 23, 1841, he was married to Catharine Davis, a native of Maryland, and daughter of James and Elizabeth Davis, both natives of Maryland, where they died in Baltimore County. They commenced married life on the father's farm in Ohio, but in 1842 came to Indiana and located on their present farm of eighty acres ; this is now in a fine state of cultivation, and contains many fine buildings-good barn, frame residence, etc. His wife is an adherent of the Old School Baptist Church. They have four children- Nehemiah, living in Kansas ; William, in Ionia County, Mich .; George W., in Albion, and Cecilia, living with her parents.

WILSON L. WELLS is a native of New York, where he lived until twenty-six years old. His education was obtained at the common school in Masonville, Delaware County. At the age of eighteen he began lumbering, and carried lumber by raft from Deposit to Philadelphia. He followed this busi- ness seven years. His parents, Levi and Electa Wells, natives of Connecticut, died in New York. Wilson Wells was married, in 1835, to Julia Smith, native of New York, and daughter of William H. and Betsey Smith ; the former died in the war of 1812, and the latter in Noble County. The subject and wife came to Noble County in 1835, with a two-horse wagon, bringing their effects with them. The journey lasted about five weeks. They located in Elkhart Township, and began clearing and improving the land. The Indians, although at that time numerous, were not troublesome. The first acre of spring wheat that Mr. Wells sowed, produced eighteen bushels. He paid $200 for his first land, eighty acres, and subsequently added eighty more that adjoined it. His farm now consists of 208 acres, seventy of which are cleared, and contains many fine buildings, a good orchard, and all the modern improvements and conveniences. The subject at one time graded two miles on the Lake Shore Railroad at a cost of about $8,000, but was never remunerated for his services. By his first wife, who died in 1842, he had one child-Cordelia (now deceased). In 1844, he married Emily Sebbins, native of Massachusetts. She died in 1847. They had one child-Julia (now deceased). Mr. Wells' present wife, Abigail (Smith) Wells, is a native of Delaware County, N. Y. They have two children-Alice (now married and living at home), and Electa (who married a farmer of Elkhart Township). His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN ZIMMERMAN came from Switzerland, his native country, with his parents, in 1833, at the age of fifteen. The family located on a farm in Tus- carawas County, Ohio, John assisting in clearing the land. His parents, Daniel and Ann Zimmerman, remained here until they died. After ten years at home, John learned the tanner's trade, serving as an apprentice two years with Phillip Warnce. March 22, 1841, he married Susanna Schranz, whose parents; John

450

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and Magdalene Schranz, were natives of Switzerland, came to Ohio in 1833, subsequently to Marion County, Ind., where they died. Mr. Zimmerman and wife, with their effects in a one-horse wagon, came to this township with $15 in money. He purchased four acres of land, and erected a log tannery. The first oil he used in his business he brought in a ten-gallon keg on horseback from Goshen, twenty-five miles. At the end of three years he bought forty acres of land, which he began improving ; to this he continued to add until he became the owner of 400 acres. He continued his tanning in connection with farming until 1868, when he came to Wawaka and engaged in the hardware and leather trade ; subsequently changed to a general stock of merchandise, which business he now conducts. Mr. Zimmerman's first wife died in 1864. By her he had the following children-Joseph, William, Elizabeth, Delilah, Jacob L., Daniel T., Mary, Ellen, Manuel (deceased), and Sarah. In 1865, he married Mrs. Hoffman. From this union there have been two children- Sophia and Millie, the former deceased. Uriah a son of Mrs. Hoffman by former husband, has also been a member of the family. Mr. Zimmerman has been Township Trustee four terms. Himself and wife are members of the M: E. Church, of which he has been Steward twenty-three years. He has in his day erected twenty-three buildings. His business room is a neat brick and his residence a commodious structure of same material.

SPARTA TOWNSHIP.

JESSE BAKER is a native of Kosciusko County, Ind., where he was born September 13, 1835. His parents moved to this township when he was about one year old, thus becoming associated with pioneer experiences from his earliest days. The log schoolhouse, with its greased paper windows and other- wise rude character, was his only opportunity for an education, and clearing the farm of his father gave ample opportunity for physical development. October 31, 1857, he married Eliza Lane, and by her has become the father of eight children-John E., Alice (deceased), Myron, Celestia, Ella, Charlie, Melvin and an infant deceased. In 1862, Mr. Baker bought a farm of 170 acres, and has cleared in his life about 130 acres, and has produced from 300 to 1,800 bushels of wheat per year. This farm he traded, in 1878, to Mr. Shearer for his present farm. Mr. Baker's parents were John and Jane (Thompson) Baker. The father was a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and was left with the care of four children by the death of the mother in 1844. He died August 26, 1879. Jesse Baker had one brother in the Union army during the late war. Is a Democrat in politics, and is a well-to-do and industrious farmer.

JOHN CALBECK was born in the Dominion of Canada, near Montreal, March 1, 1837, the fourth child of John and Eliza (Shrader) Calbeck. His father, John Calbeck, was a merchant near Liverpool, England, previous to 1831, when he came to America, after which he followed the occupation of farming. John Calbeck received a good common-school and academical educa- tion in Stark County, Ohio, where his father moved from Canada. In 1858, he came to Indiana to visit his brother, Joseph Calbeck, and that winter taught school. In 1861, he came to Indiana, and located, buying, in 1862, forty acres of land on Section 11, where he has since resided. Mr. Calbeck has paid considerable attention to scientific researching, and has a fine library, also an

451

SPARTA TOWNSHIP.

interesting collection of geological specimens. He has delivered quite a num- ber of lectures on science and theology, and has educated himself and family. In politics, he is liberal, voting for the interests of the people. In religion, he he is Swedenborgian, believing the teachings of the Bible as expounded by Swedenborg. He now owns 280 acres of fine farming land. He was married, March 11, 1861, to Catharine Gesaman, and they had seven children- Orlando, Rinaldo, Milton, Almina (deceased), Newton, Milo and Lacemtum. Mr. Calbeck is a highly respected, honorable citizen.

JOSEPH CALBECK is a native of England, and was born near Liver- pool May 14, 1827. He is the third in order born to John and Eliza Calbeck. The father, who was a merchant in England, crossed the ocean in 1832 and settled in East Canada, where he commenced farming. In about three years, he went to West Canada, shortly after which, his family came over from England and joined him. In the meantime, his attention had been attracted to the United States, which ripened into a determination to cross the line. Consequently, after a time, he, with his family, emigrated to Stark County, Ohio. In that fertile section he remained until his death in 1867. The rep- resentative of this sketch, owing to the vicissitudes and surroundings of his early life, received but a meager education ; but, by reason of superior natural endowments, he has become well informed and has developed into prominence in business affairs. In the fall of 1855, he came to Indiana, and after working rented land about three years, he purchased eighty acres in Section 15 of this township. For fourteen years, in connection with farming, Mr. Calbeck bought and shipped stock. Since that he has been dealing in grain and trans- acting quite a brokerage business in Cromwell. By his acute perceptions he has been able to make his grain operations remunerative for himself, and others have profited by his dealing for them. He now owns 248 acres of land, but does no farming himself. In 1852, he was married to Miss Mary Lichten- walter, and by her has five children-Ida, Isabel, Lewis, Myron and John. Mr. Calbeck is a Republican and stands high in business and other circles.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 101

Author: F.A. Battey & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 976

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976