Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 81

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 81
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 81

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).

JAMES B. KIMBALL, commercial traveler, is a native of Monroe County, N. Y. His parents moved, when he was a youth, to Maumee City, Lucas Co., Ohio, where they resided until their death. Our subject, at the age of twenty-two, went to Akron, Ohio, and learned the machinist's trade, where he remained from 1842 until 1850, engaged at mechanical work. In 1850, he went to Defiance, Ohio, and started a foundry and machine-shop, which is in successful operation at the present time. Mr. Kimball conducted these works for three years, at the expiration of which he removed to Adrian, Mich., and was in the machine-shops of the Michigan Southern Railroad for three years. He next embarked in the mercantile trade, running a retail grocery house there for one year, and, in 1857, commenced his career as a commercial traveler, and in which he has passed the last quarter of a century, for the past twenty-three years without losing a day's time. He began travel- ing for a Toledo grocery house, with whom he continued two years; thence to Cleveland, Ohio, representing a boot and shoe house for over six years, and then representing a New York house in the same line of trade for nearly the same period. In April, 1871, he again became the representative of a Toledo gro- cery house, and in that line of business he is still engaged. Mr. Kimball has traveled over about the same territory during his career-Ohio, Michigan and

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Indiana. He selected Kendallville as his home in 1861, where he has been an enterprising and valued citizen ever since, taking an active interest in the advancement of the city and in building it up. He has served upon the City Council, and upon the School Board, being a member of the latter at the time the schoolhouse was built. Mr. Kimball is one of the prominent and leading members of the I. O. O. F. of the State of Indiana. He was admitted to Summit Lodge in Akron, Ohio, in 1845, and was a charter member of Apollo Lodge, No. 61, of Middlebury, Ohio. Since coming to Indiana, he has filled all of the offices of the Grand Lodge of the State, in 1876 being Grand Mas- ter, and in 1877 and 1878 represented the Grand Lodge of the State at the meeting of the Grand Lodge of the United States, held at Baltimore. In Masonry, he is a Knight Templar. He was admitted in Toledo April 21, 1858 ; demitted and joined at Kendallville in 1861. He was one of the charter mem- bers of Apollo Commandery, No. 19, of Kendallville, and in 1877 and 1880, during the triennials at Cleveland and Chicago, was Eminent Commander. He is also a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kimball was united in marriage, December 17, 1844, with Miss Sophia D. Tyler, a native of Summit County, Ohio. They have one child-Charles D.

J. M. KINNY, livery, is a native of Illinois, and went out as a mem- ber of Company H, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service three years, participating in several of the leading battles of the rebellion. Upon his return, he practiced his profession of veterinary surgery for several years. He next was contracting upon the construction of railroads until 1872, when he returned to Illinois and engaged in merchandising for three years, subsequently engaging at farming one year. In 1877, he came to Ken- dallville, since which time he has been engaged in veterinary practice and the livery business ; in the latter, associated with William Hall. He is a member of the Society of Chosen Friends. Mr. Kinney married, in 1870, Miss Jennie L. McCune. They have two children-Bernice H. and Clarence M.

HERMAN KRUEGER, wholesale wines and liquors, is a native of Germany. He came to America in the spring of 1853, and settled in Kendall- ville, which at that period consisted of only a few houses. Here he has been identified up to the present writing. In 1856, he embarked in the grocery business with R. Miller, which association lasted about one year. For a period of years, up to 1864, he was mainly engaged in real estate. He then again entered in partnership with Miller, continuing until 1867, when they dissolved partnership. His next enterprise was the building of the present Kelley House, in which building he conducted a grocery trade until 1870, when he started in his present business. Mr. Krueger has added much to business interests of Kendallville, his latest enterprise being the "Krueger Block," on the corner of Main and Mitchell streets. This block consists of three fine salesrooms, is two stories in height and neatly trimmed, built under the contract of James Brace. Mr. K. has served one term as member of the Common Council, and, in May, 1881, was re-elected. Is a member of the K. of H.

JULIUS LANG, County Treasurer and merchant, is a native of Ger- many, and emigrated to America in 1849. He first located in New York, where he engaged in his trade of shoemaking, subsequently engaging in the boot and shoe trade in Brooklyn, which he continued for seventeen years. He next moved to Kendallville, when he embarked in the boot and shoe business, and which he is still conducting. He was elected Treasurer of Noble County in October, 1880, and is now serving in that PP

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capacity. Mr. Lang has served the city of Kendallville as Councilman for two terms, and as Treasurer of the Board of Education for three years. He ranks as one of the solid substantial business men of Kendallville, and, as a citizen, is progressive and enterprising. He was united in marriage, in 1850, to Miss Katherine Dietrich. They have eight children now living-Emily Bohn, a resident of Michigan; Henry, Julius, Herman, George, Louisa, Minerva and John.

JOHN H. LOHMAN, of G. H. Lohman & Co., druggists and manufact- urers of patent medicines, is a native of Germany ; he came to America in 1869, and for four years was engaged in various occupations in New York City, after which he came to Kendallville, and was an employe of Miller & Duerr for one year ; he then went to Bryan, Ohio, where he was engaged in the dry goods business for two years. At the expiration of this period, he returned to Kendallville, and was employed as a traveling salesman by his brother, G. H. Lohman, for the sale of his patent medicines. In 1877, he was admitted as a partner, since which time he has been the manager of the manufacturing depart- ment. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Mollie Reber, of Kendallville.

G. H. LOHMAN, of G. H. Lohman & Co., druggists and manufacturers of patent medicines, is a native of Germany. He became a citizen of the United States in 1865, and for one year was engaged in a drug store in Fort Wayne, coming to Kendallville in 1866 with the business interests of which he has since been identified. He was connected with the drug firm of Beyer, Meyer & Brother, until they sold out to Erickson & Bicknell, with whom he remained until 1869 when he went to Ann Arbor and entered the University of Michigan, from the pharmacy department of which he graduated in 1871. Returning to Kendallville, he engaged with W. & J. R. Bunyan, druggists, with whom he remained eight months. In the fall of 1871, he established his present business; since 1877 associated with his brother, John H. Lohman, under firm name of G. H. Lohman & Co. In addition to a large stock of drugs, medicines, etc., they manufacture six patent medicines, two of which, Dr. Marshall's Lung Syrup and Dr. Marshall's Bromoline, have an extensive sale, and are made a specialty. Mr. Lohman is a member of the Board of School Trustees, of which he is also Treasurer. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Mary Brust, of Kendallville, daughter of Charles Brust, a deceased merchant of former prominence. They have three children.

S. J. M. LOOMIS, dry goods, notions, etc., is a native of Port- age County, Ohio. In 1855, he came to Kendallville and engaged as clerk for George F. Clark, one of the first dry goods merchants of Kendallville, coming there from Medina, Ohio, in 1855, and in busi- ness until 1861. Mr. Loomis was associated as an assistant with Mr. Clark until 1861, when he embarked in business for himself, at Corunna, Ind., where he remained only nine months. Returning to Kendallville, he began business for himself, where he has since remained. Mr. Loomis is now the oldest dry goods man in business in Kendallville. He carries a large stock of dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, etc., and has secured a large and extended trade, which he manages successfully, giving his exclusive time and attention to its management. He is a member of the City Council and an advanced Mason, being a member of Kendallville Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Coun- cil. He was married, March 20, 1861, to Miss Angeline E. Fowler, a native of Huron County, Ohio. They have three children-Homer, Harry and Morton.

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HENRY J. LONG, editor and proprietor of the Kendallville Standard, is the oldest son of Michael F. and Jane C. Long, natives of Maryland. The marriage of Mr. Long's parents was solemnized at Georgetown, Penn., though their youth was spent in Lancaster County, of the same State. At an early day, they immigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, and subsequently, in 1836, removed to Auburn, De Kalb County, Ind., where they resided until their death. On the 1st of March, 1846, Henry J. Long was born in a log cabin near Auburn, De Kalb County, and here his youth was passed. Fair educa- tional advantages were afforded him at Auburn, in the earlier part of his youth, but in March, 1860, he began his career as a printer, in the office of the Waterloo Press, where he remained working diligently until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. When his term of service expired, at the close of the war, he came home, and purchased a one-half interest in the Waterloo Press, retaining the same until the spring of 1867. The following year, he entered the Standard office, at Kendallville, as foreman, and served in that capacity twelve successive years, and then pur- chased the entire paper, and has since been editor and proprietor. Under his management, the circulation of the Standard has been almost doubled, the cir- culation being largest of any in the county. Mr. Long is a practical printer, and was, during one winter, in the Public Printing Department of the Govern- ment, at Washington, D. C. He has also been in the employ of the Chicago Times. He is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, an active Republican, and has worked faithfully for the success of his party. He is a Knight Templar, and is a fifth degree member of the Odd Fellows. On the 3d of February, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Louise M. Rogers, of Rome City, Ind. Two children have been born to this union-Charles and Arthur. Mrs. Long is a lady of culture, and furnishes many interesting articles for the Standard.

V. C. MAINS, attorney at law, is a native of Belmont County, Ohio. His parents subsequently moved to Muskingum County, where upon a farm our subject passed his boyhood days. He received good advantages of education, and at the age of eighteen commenced teaching, which he followed for three years ; in the meantime commencing the reading of law, with J. M. Buell, of Dresden, with whom he remained until he was admitted to bar of Ohio, in 1854. He commence the practice of his profession immediately in Muskingum County, where he remained until 1856, when he came to Noble County, Ind. He located at Albion, remaining in practice there for three years, during two of which he served as prosecuting attorney for the counties of Noble and Whitley. In 1859, he became a resident of Kendallville, where he has been associated ever since, being one of the oldest lawyers in practice there. He is one of the progressive spirits of Kendallville, and a citizen of advanced standing and worth. Mr. Mains formed a matrimonial alliance in October, 1873, when he was united to Miss Leah Omsted, a native of Lancaster County, Penn. They have two chil- dren-Wilder D. and Maud M.

M. T. MATTHEWS, local editor of the Kendallville Standard, is a native of Morgan County, Va. His parents, Rev. L. W. Matthews, a divine of the U. B. Church, and Mary A. (Michael) Matthews, became residents of Wabash County, Ind., in 1860, where they have since resided. Our subject received fine educational advantages, having taken an academic course at the South Wabash Academy, and subsequently a collegiate course at Fort Wayne. He began the journalistic profession in August, 1881, by becoming the local editor of the Standard, and possesses the necessary attributes to make a successful career in his chosen field.

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H. McCRAY & SON, butter and egg packers. Mr. McCray, Sr., is a native of Licking County, Ohio. He is by trade a carpenter, which occupa- tion, together with egg packing, occupied his attention prior to his coming to Indiana. In February, 1868, he came to Kendallville and engaged in his present business. This business he has given his attention to up to the present time; since May, 1880, in partnership with his son Elmer. They are doing a large trade in their line, for which they have excellent facilities. In eggs, they make a specialty, for which they have erected a building, which is, in fact, a mam- moth refrigerator, and which will store several hundred barrels; their market is principally New York. Mr. McCray, Sr., has been a member of the Ken- dallville Common Council two terms, and in the order of Masons is a Knight Templar. He was married, in 1857, to Miss Amanda Reynolds, also a native of Ohio. They have five children-Homer (in Fort Wayne), Elmer, John, Cora and Lena. Mr. McCray is also the owner of a cooper-shop in which he manu- factures barrels in large quantities.

G. S. MERKLING, marble dealer, is a native of France. In 1831, he came to America with his parents ; they located in New York, where they re- mained for about one year, subsequently emigrating to Wayne County, Ohio, where they settled permanently. Our subject lost his father when twelve years of age, and was bound out to a farmer. When sixteen years of age he com- menced learning the shoemaker's trade, subsequently learning the marble cut- ter's trade, at Wooster. This trade was his principal occupation until 1863, when he came to Noble County and engaged at farming in Wayne Township, at which he continued until 1873, when he came to Kendallville and inaug- urated his present business, which he has, by skillful management, brought up to an extensive trade. He has the reputation of carrying the largest and finest stock of marble and granite between Toledo and South Bend. Employing also skilled and artistic workmen, he is prepared to compete with all opposition. He is also in association with T. M. Evans, engaged in the undertaking busi-

ness. Mr. Merkling is a member of Kendallville Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council, F. & A. M. He was married in 1852, to Miss Mary A. Miller, a native of Lancaster County, Penn. She died in December, 1872, leaving five children-Lewis, Rachel, Della, Luther and Otis. In 1874, he was united to a second wife, Mary Smith, of De Kalb County, Ind.

H. P. MILES, general produce dealer in butter, eggs and poultry. Mr. Miles is a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and until nineteen years of age was associated at farming and milling. He then went to California, where he passed four years engaged in mining. He then became a member of a com- pany of Massachusetts soldiers, enlisting at San Francisco, Cal. Upon their ar- rival in Massachusetts they were assigned to the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, and for two years served upon severe and active duty, participating in thirty- four battles, among which we briefly name Gettysburg, Cedar Creek, Winches- ter, the Shenandoah campaign, the seige and capture of Richmond, and was a witness of the surrender of Lee. The severity of his service is most forcibly illustrated when from 500 men who enlisted with him in California, only sev- enty-five returned. Returning to Ohio, he engaged at the carpenter trade, which, together with milling, occupied his attention until 1870, when he went to Cleveland and engaged in selling produce there for three years. In Novem- ber, 1873, he came to Kendallville, where he has since continued to reside. His business has been in the produce line, shipping extensively to New York. He represents the typical business man, being honorable, attentive and pro-

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gressive. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is a valuable addition to the business interests of the city. Mr. Miles married, in 1862, Miss Eliza J. Manuel, of California ; they have four children-Emma, William, Lottie and Archibald.

REUBEN MILLER, deceased, was born in Ohio, October 3, 1829. In 1853, he came to Kendallville, Ind., and remained until his death, which occurred October 17, 1879. He was married in 1855, to Eliza Browand, a native of Pennsylvania. Four children were born to them-Katie, William B., Mason M. and George W. Mr. Miller, during his life, was a very success- ful grocer, and at his death left property estimated at about $50,000. He belonged to the Knights of Honor and Odd Fellows.

JOHN MITCHELL, a banker and prominent citizen of Kendallville, born June 2, 1830, in Montgomery County, N. Y .; a son of William and Nancy (Keller) Mitchell, also natives of that State and farmers. William Mitchell was of Scotch-English and his wife of German descent. In 1836, they removed to this county, and located on a tract of 160 acres of timber land, on which he platted the first village lots in the present city of Kendallville. He occupied a position of distinction and influence among the people, and, although he had but. meager scholastic opportunities, yet his good sense and sound judgment made him master of a practical education. In 1843, Mr. Mitchell was the leader in the construction of the plank road built from Fort Wayne to Ontario, La Grange County, a distance of about fifty miles, which opened up that section of country to the trade of a large part of Southern Michigan. In connection with others, in 1852, he also engaged in the completion, under contract, of the Ohio & Indi- ana Railroad (now a part of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad), the first constructed in northeast Indiana, extending from Crestline, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, Ind., a distance of 131 miles, and to Mr. Mitchell is largely due the credit for the commercial importance of the city of Kendallville. He was an attendant of the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife was an active member. In 1840, he was elected by the Whig party to represent his district in the State Legisla- ture, and in 1860 he was elected by the Republicans of his district to Congress, and has also served the public in minor offices with distinction. When on a business expedition to Macon, Ga., in 1865, he died, lamented by a large circle of friends. His wife, a lady of marked worth, died in 1864. John Mitchell was six years of age when he came West with his parents. He attended school winters and worked on the farm the rest of the time during his minority. In 1863, the First National Bank of Kendallville was organized, in which he was. a stockholder and Director. His father was President until his death, when John succeeded him, which position he still holds, and to whom the success and prosperity of the bank is due. In connection with the banking business, Mr. Mitchell is engaged in farmning and real estate transactions. He is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a Knight Templar, and politically a Republican. He was married January 6, 1857, to Miss Sophronia J. Weston, of Rome City, this county. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is highly esteemed. They have three children-Lydia A., Kate R. and William. Mr. Mitchell is emi- nently successful in business, and a citizen of sterling worth. He has recently remodeled his residence, and surrounded himself and family not only with com- fort but luxury.

JAMES NELLIS, Postmaster, is one of the old business men of Ken- dallville. He is a native of New York, born near Fort Plain, upon a farm,

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where he was reared until sixteen years of age. He then learned the trade of carriage making at St. Johnsville, where he remained for five years carrying on the business there. In 1855, he came to Kendallville and started a car- riage shop, and for about twenty years was engaged in that branch of industry. He manufactured all kinds of wagons, carriages, buggies, etc., continuing un- til 1867, when he was appointed Postmaster of Kendalville and engaged in the duties of that office, where we now find him. He has been, for twenty-eight years, a member of the Presbyterian Church; is a member of Blue Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Kendallville, and a trustworthy honored citizen. He was married in 1855, at St. Johnsville, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth Borden, also a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Nellis have one child-Mrs. Agatha Tyner, of Chicago, Ill.

A. B. PARK, hardware, is a native of Ohio. He came with his parents to De Kalb County, Ind., in 1836. His father, Wesley Park, was a pioneer of that county, and subsequently one of its prominent business men. He laid out the county seat at Auburn in connection with other parties, and was for several years a county officer. Our subject was associated in the dry goods trade with his father at Auburn until 1861, when he followed the fortunes of the late war until 1865, when he came to Kendallville and commenced business life, where he has since continued. He was first in partnership with his brother, Harry A. Park, under firm name of A. B. Park & Bro .; they con- tinued in business together until 1877, when his brother retired, since which time he has conducted business alone. He carries a line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, tinware, agricultural implements, etc., and is the agent for the Eldridge and Domestic Sewing Machines. He has served the city several terms as a member of the Common Council, and takes a leading interest in all matters of progress and advancement. He is a Knight Templar and an en- campment member I. O. O. F. He was married, in 1858, to Miss Mary A. Cook, of Richland County, Ohio. They have three children-Mary S., Flora E. and Frank B.

A. S. PARKER, M. D., and proprietor of the Weekly News, Kendall- ville, is a son of Rial and Achsah (Snow) Parker, both natives of New York, and married in Huron County, Ohio, where they resided until their death. The senior Parker being a farmer, the early impression and education of A. S. were received under the influences of that occupation. He was afforded good school opportunities of which he made valuable use. After his maturity, he attended the Homeopathic College in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1857, he began the practice of medicine in Kendallville; continued until 1862, when he went to Iowa, remaining there two years, engaged in his profession. Returning to this State he entered the hardware trade in Ligonier; this, together with the foundry business, he followed until 1871, when he resumed the practice of medicine in Kendallville. In the meantime, the Doctor attended lectures at Cleveland, where he graduated at the Homeopathic College. In 1875, he went to Garrett and entered upon his practice, but subsequently purchased the Garrett News, which he conducted there until the fall of 1877, when he re- turned to Kendallville, bringing with him the paraphernalia of his printing office and started the Weekly News. This venture has proved a success, financially and otherwise. A profitable job trade has been maintained in con- nection with the paper. In 1868, the Doctor served as School Examiner of Noble County, and has been a member of the City Council in Ligonier. In 1869, he was married to Miss Chloe E. Wadsworth, daughter of Elihu Wads-

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worth, a pioneer in Allen Township. She was the first white female born in that township. They have four children living-Maud P., Wadsworth A., May G. and Wilson B.

P. B. PEPPLE, foreman of the sash and door department of L. N. Reed's establishment, is a native of Pennsylvania, and, in 1846, came with his parents, Abraham and Mary (Koons) Pepple, to Allen Township, where his parents still reside upon a farm. Our subject passed his early life upon the homestead farm, remaining until twenty years of age, when he learned his trade of carpenter and joiner, and at that vocation passed the years from 1852 until 1862. He then engaged upon the manufacturer of sash and blinds and doors, and for the past few years has been the foreman of that department, together with finishing, for L. N. Reed. Mr. Pepple is recognized as a superior workman, and is a citizen of worth and intelligence. He is in Masonry a Knight Templar. He married, in 1862, Miss Melissa Kerr, daughter of John C. Kerr, one of the pioneer settlers of Allen Township. Mr. and Mrs. Pepple have five children-Wilda, Edwin, Minnie, Bertha and Cora.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 81

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