Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 87

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 87
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 87

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).

P. SISTERHEN, boots and shoes, a native of Germany, came to America in 1847, locating in Stark County, where he followed shoe- making - which trade he had learned in the old country - until 1863, when he became a resident of Ligonier. He was first engaged in the manufacturing of boots and shoes exclusively, subsequently investing in a stock of ready-made goods, and has built up a large and success- ful trade. Since 1873, his son, George W., has been associated with

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him, under the firm name of P. Sisterhen & Son. They make a spe- cialty of custom work. Mr. Sisterhen is a chapter member of the Masonic Order. He was married in 1849, in Stark County, Ohio, to Miss Mina Stru- ble. They are both members of the Disciple Church, and have four children living-George W., Rosa Simmons, of Perry Township, William A. and Ed- ward.

J. C. STANSBURY & SON, merchants ; was born in Stark County, Ohio, where his parents, William and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Stansbury, came at an early day, and are still residing. He remained on his father's farm until fifteen years of age, when he went to Canal Dover, and served a three years' apprenticeship at the tailor's trade. Then went to Greenville, Ohio, and was there in business for himself one year ; thence to Massillon and clerked two years. Here, also, he had two years' experience in the grocery business in company with T. Tinkler. In 1856, he came to Ligonier, where he has resided since. He followed his trade a number of years, then was engaged in railroad- ing. In 1870, he started on a small scale his present business, which he has extended, and succeeded in establishing a large trade. He has two fine sales- rooms, which were constructed for this special purpose. He carries a large line of dry goods and groceries. His son Robert has been a partner in the business since 1875. In 1852, he married Miss Mary Watchorn, a native of Stark County, Ohio. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Robert is their only child.

STRAUS BROTHERS, bankers and capitalists, consist of an associa- tion of three brothers-F. W., Jacob and M. Straus. F. W. Straus came to Ligonier in 1853, and in 1855 was joined by his brother Jacob, when they formed a partnership in general merchandising. In 1856, the firm of Straus & Kaufmann was organized, consisting of the two brothers and Mr. Kaufmann. The firm were actively engaged in general merchandising until 1863, when Mr. Kaufmann retired, and M. Straus, who had come to Ligonier in 1862, was ad- mitted as a partner. They continued together in the mercantile business un- til 1869, when M. Straus and Meagher bought out the goods and continued that business, while F. W. and Jacob Straus started a broker's office. In the spring of 1870, Jacob withdrew from this association, and went to New York, where for six months he was engaged in manufacturing colored papers, when he returned to Ligonier, and re-instated himself with his brother in the broker and real estate business. In 1873, M. Straus entered with his brothers, having disposed of his interest in the mercantile business, thus organizing the present firm. They do a general banking business, to- gether with buying and shipping grain, and dealing in real estate. The firm of Straus Bros. is situated in one of the best business blocks of Ligonier. The senior member, F. W. Straus, is a Mason, and has served on the City Council. Jacob and M. Straus are both members of the Emek Bera- cha Lodge, No. 61, I. O. B. B., of Fort Wayne.

JOHN B. STOLL, journalist, was born in Wurtemberg March 13, 1843. His father, Bernard Stoll, was an extensive land-owner and the proprietor of a large country hotel. In the fall of 1842, before the subject of this sketch was born, the father was drowned in the River Murg while watering his horses. When young Stoll had reached the age of ten years, his mother immigrated to the State of Pennsylvania, locating in the city of Harrisburg. Two years later, the beloved mother died, and our subject was placed on a farm near Har- risburg owned by Simon Cameron. In this position he remained one season ;

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in the meantime being kindly advised by Mrs. Cameron to learn her husband's trade-that of printing. He resolved to accept the advice, though, as he was too young at the time to begin, he engaged himself for a time to George Dress, a baker in Harrisburg. About six months later, through the influence of his Sunday-school teacher, William K. Verbeke, he entered the office of the State Printer, George Bergner. Here he served an apprenticeship of three years, beginning the latter part of 1855. Having no educational advantages after his tenth year, he applied himself industriously to the accumulation of knowl- edge and to a general familiarity with newspaper work. He learned to read the English language in the Lutheran Sunday school. His readings were extensive, especially in newspapers; and though a worker in a Republican office, he evinced decided Democratic tendencies. During the campaign of 1856, he organized a juvenile "Buck. and Breck." club, and participated in all the Democratic festivities. At this time, though still in the office of ardent Republicans, the boy frequently contributed to the columns of the Harrisburg Democrat. After his three years' apprenticeship, the boy accepted a position as journeyman in the office of the Middleburgh (Penn.) Volksfreund (People's Friend), published by A. J. Peters, father of the foreman in the Banner office at Ligonier. A year later, when in his seventeenth year, he bought an in- terest in the Independent Observer, at Johnstown, Penn. Here he continued about a year, or until his partner had robbed him of his earnings. Young Stoll made his first political speech in 1860, after the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. At this time, though but seventeen, he weighed 183 pounds and was considered "of age." A large audience greeted the young orator, and, though shaking with fright, he spoke for two hours without notes, and after that was in great demand. At the commencement of the war, he took a decided stand for the suppression of the rebellion. He delivered many addresses to that effect, and induced numerous hesitating Democrats to enlist. He enlisted in one of the eight companies that were organized at Youngstown within ten days after the fall of Sumter. His company was rejected (as the quota was overflowing) and was disbanded. About this time Mr. Stoll resumed his old position on the People's Friend. Here he remained, subject to various changes of fortune until he came to Noble County. At the almost unprecedented age of twenty-three years, Mr. Stoll boldly shouldered the responsibilities of editorial life in a Repub- lican county, having to encounter the merciless criticism of a keen-edged editor of opposing politics in a neighboring town, and the frowns and gibes of numerous enemies. In appearance, he seemed older than he really was, and, from his first arrival in the county, was " dubbed " " Old Stoll," a phrase that yet clings to him like Sindbad's burden. Possessing great physical vitality, vast mental energy, and a placid and hopeful demeanor under difficulties, he steadily grew in popularity, influence and social worth. His style in speaking and in writing is much the same. His diction is excellent ; his sentences clear and sweeping, somewhat too heavy for light reading, but extremely forcible and con- vincing when delivered from the stage. He soon attained great notoriety as a public speaker, and became the leader of his party in the county. In Decem- ber, 1867, he was, by special direction of President Johnson, appointed Assist- ant Assessor of Internal Revenue, in recognition of his unwavering support of the President's reconstruction policy. In 1868, he was elected Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, filling the position during 1868, 1876 and 1880. In 1870, he became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for

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State Auditor, and, though less than four years a resident of the State, came within twenty-nine votes of securing the nomination against heavy odds. Two years later, he received the nomination for State Auditor against his successful competitor of 1870 ; but at the election, with the bulk of the Democratic ticket, was defeated by 172 votes, most of the other candidates suffering a much heavier defeat. In 1876, Mr. Stoll was elected a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis, of which body he was elected one of the Vice Presidents. In 1878, he received the nomination for Congress, and made a vig- orous campaign, reducing the Republican majority from 2,300 in 1876 to about 1,600. Mr. Stoll was largely instrumental in organizing the Northern Indiana Editorial Association, of which he was President for six terms ; at this writing he is President of the Democratic State Editorial Association. He was two years Treasurer and three years President of the Noble County Agricultural Society ; was a member of the Ligonier Town Council for five consecutive years ; was Presi- dent of the two Building, Loan and Saving Associations of Ligonier, and is now Secretary of the Ligonier School Board. In 1869, after Mr. Stoll had retired from the Internal Revenue service, he established the La Porte Argus, of which he was publisher and editor until the fall of 1872, when he sold his interest. In 1875, he assisted in establishing a German paper at South Bend, called The Courier, of which he was editor-in-chief for something over six months. It is scarcely necessary to add that Mr. Stoll, in his political, editorial and social capacities, has done a great deal for the prosperity of Ligonier, for schools and churches, for industrial enterprises, for his patrons and for the county. On the 4th of August, 1861, while at Middleburgh, Penn,, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Snyder, a lady of much social worth. The young couple began housekeeping upon the husband's income of $5.50 per week, and as both were practically familiar with economy, they managed to save some of their earnings, with which Mr. Stoll purchased of his employer the little " print shop " in which he had for several years worked. Four children of these parents are living-Ella C., aged nineteen ; Eva B., eleven ; Edgar A., seven ; and Elmer Roscoe, four. Four children have died in infancy, the severest loss being that of Johnny B., aged four years and three months, whose death occurred during his father's absence in the southern part of the State, during the cam- paign of 1870.

U. R. TREASH, of Gerber & Treash, is a native of Stark County, Ohio, and lived until eighteen years old upon his father's farm. After learning the carpenter and joiner's trade, he worked at it in that county several years. He then went to Akron, Ohio, where he resided two years, and in 1861 came to Indiana; located in Marshall County ; engaged two years in following his trade summers and teaching school winters. He returned to Stark County, and spent two years, finally, in 1866, settling in Ligonier. Here, until 1871, he was employed at his trade, when he became a member of the firm of Gerber, Treash & Krichbaum, manufacturers of plows and agricultural implements. For four years they conducted this business, when they added another branch of industry, viz., that of carriage and wagon making. They continued both until 1879, Mr. Krichbaum in the meantime retiring. The present firm of Gerber & Treash, at one time, employed about eighteen men, but now furnish work for ten, under the supervision of Mr. Treash. Their works are large and commodious, and their sales extensive. Mr. Treash is a member of the Order of Chosen Friends. He was united in marriage, in 1863, with Miss Sarah Evans, of Stark County, Ohio. Their children are Olive M. and Mabel.

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JACOB VANCE is a native of Preble County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He came to Indiana in 1834, locating in Elkhart County, where he remained two years, when he came to this county, Perry Township, with which place he has been identified up to the present time. He is familiar with . all the phases of pioneer life, and has cleared 160 acres of land. He married Margaret Price in 1833. They have five children-Harrison and Jacob, Caro- line Long and Mary L. Redmon, of Ligonier, and Sarah Long, a widow, living in Perry Township. Mr. Vance retired from active life, and came to Ligonier in 1881, where he now is living. He owns eighty acres of land in the town- ship which his son Harrison operates. When Mr. Vance first came here, Lig- onier consisted of but one log cabin. He is a valuable citizen, and is worthy of mention as one of the typical pioneers.

D. C. VAN CAMP, counselor and attorney at law, son of Benjamin F. and Hannah E. (Kirby) Van Camp, both natives of Virginia, passed his early youth upon his farther's farm. He learned the machinist's trade, and also worked at carpentering. In 1864, he became a member of the West Virginia troops, and served until the war closed, participaring in some severe engage- ments. He then returned to West Virginia, and followed carpentering until February, 1867, when, in company with his father's family, he came to Indiana, and located in Huntington County, where, with his brothers, he went to lum- bering, furnishing timber for railroad purposes. Subsequently, he formed a partnership with William Crabbs, for contracting and building ; this was a successful enterprise, and they employed a large number of hands, and were ex- tending their trade into various counties, when, in 1869, Mr. Van Camp met with a severe accident, that lamed him for life; and he was forced to discon- tinue the business. While engaged in business, he was, ad interim, attending school and reading law. When his condition had improved sufficiently to ad- mit of his attending school, he spent three years at the Roanoke Seminary, teaching at intervals, and afterward in the Seminary. In the fall of 1873, he was a teacher in the County Normal School. The ensuing winter he was elected Superintendent of the High School of Drovertown, Ind. He afterward entered the law office of Hon. H. B. Saylor, and was with him over two years. During this time (in 1874) he was admitted to the bar. In 1876, he came to Ligonier, where he has since resided, and has established a leading practice. He is well versed in all law matters, and ranks as one of the rising young law- yers of the county. During the year 1878, he served as City Attorney. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Lillie Truax, daughter of William Truax, of Whitley County, Ind. They have two children-Lloyd H. and Maud.

JOHN WEIR, of Weir & Cowley, hardware, is a native of La Grange County, Ind., and son of Elijah W. and Amy (Hern) Weir, both natives of Eastern New York. They were married in La Grange County. The father came to La Grange County in 1836, and is now living in La Grange. His wife died in 1847, and he subsequently remarried. He has occupied a con- spicuous position in public life ; at one time served as State Senator, and has been connected with numerous minor offices. Our subject, in 1861, started in the drug business, as his father's representative, continuing about two and a half years. He commenced his career as a hardware merchant in Ligonier in 1864, with the firm of Weir, Welch & Co. This partnership, after three years, was dissolved, Weir continuing the business in association with his father until 1873. From that time Mr. Weir was the sole proprietor until in 1881, when B. W. Cowley became a partner. In addition to a complete line of hardware, they

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deal largely in agricultural implements. Mr. Weir is a public spirited citizen, and a substantial business man. He is now serving his sixth year as City Treasurer. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Alcinda J. Welch, whose father, John W. Welch, was an early settler of La Grange County. Their children are two in number-Fred E. and Harry W.

JACOB WOLF is next to the oldest living settler in Noble County. He was born in Pennsylvania (Cumberland County) in 1805. His father, George W., was of the same nativity, and his mother, Margaret Wolf, was a native of New Jersey. They were married in Pennsylvania, and in 1816 went to Hock- ing County, Ohio. From there they moved to this county in 1836, locating in Perry Township, on a farm where their last days were spent. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. Of twelve children, six came with them to this county -- Leonard (now deceased), Jeremiah, Nancy Harsh and Catharine (deceased) and Margaret. Jacob, after he was twenty-one years of age, was for five years employed on the Ohio Canal. In August, 1831, with $500, he came to Perry Township, and bought 160 acres of land, which now adjoins Ligonier. Upon this tract, in 1844, he erected the first brick dwelling built in the county. In 1833, Mr. Wolf was elected Justice of the Peace and received twenty-four out of twenty-five votes cast, filling the position five years. As Township Trustee, he served several terms, and was appointed Road Com- missioner, during which service $4,000 of the three per cent bonds were expended in opening roads. In 1846, he was elected County Commissioner and served three years. Being elected to the same position in 1866, he served three years more. During this time, the County farm was purchased and the poor-house built, as also were a number of the large bridges in the county. December 31, 1833, Mr. Wolf was married to Miss Deliliah Hostetter, of Perry Township. She died in 1865. They had ten children, six now living- Abel, Henry, Silas, Allen, Matilda and Mary. Mr. Wolf moved to Ligonier in 1875 and retired from active life. His son Abel is probably the oldest living male child born in Perry Township. In 1862, he engaged in the livery busi- ness, and after five years opened a saloon with Mr. Hardenbrook, in which line he continues. He was married, in 1861, to Miss Loantha Walker. They have one child living-Ollie.

HARRISON WOOD, retired farmer, is the son of Niah and Polly (Hoyt) Wood, natives respectively of New Hampshire and Vermont. They were res- dents of Franklin County, N. Y., for many years, and subsequently spent one year in Michigan, coming to Noble County in 1837, and settling at Rochester, Perry Township. He was a pioneer settler of New York and also of Noble County. He followed farming in Perry Township, where they both died. They brought with them six children-Achsa, Harrison, Charles (now a resi- dent of Nevada), Charlotte Kinnison (of Perry Township), Evaline Shobe and George (both of Iowa). The subject is a native of Franklin County, N. Y., where his early life was passed. In 1834, he went to Michigan, where he resided near Detroit for three years, then came to this county. He purchased land in Perry Township and farmed until 1844, when he was elected County Sheriff and moved to Augusta, then the county scat. He served two terms and subsequently was appointed Probate Judge, was re-elected and served until 1851, when the office was abolished. He then returned to Perry Township and re-engaged in farm- ing. In 1874, he retired from active labor and located in Ligonier, where he has a fine home residence. Mr. Wood owns 500 acres of land, 350 of which are finely improved. Besides the above offices, Mr. Wood served one term as

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Township Trustee and is a prominent citizen, esteemed by all. He was married, in 1844, to Miss Barbara Engle, her father, Adam Engle, being one of the early settlers of Perry Township. She died in 1858, leaving two children- Frank and Alice. In 1860, Mr. Wood married again. His wife, Elmira L. Drake, is a native of New Jersey.

J. C. ZIMMERMAN, retired merchant, is a native of Switzerland, and came to America with his parents about 1831, locating in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on a farm, where his parents remained until their deaths. At the age of twenty years, our subject quitted farm life and went to Canal Dover, where he began his mercantile experience. His stay here was brief, and he came in 1849 to Indiana, locating in Elkhart Township, where he worked at carpenter- ing for a short period, when he went to Albion, and became a clerk for Judge Clapp. After four years with him, he started in business-general merchandise -with Owen Black, of Albion. One year at this, then he sold out, and in 1857 came to Ligonier, and established a successful merchandise trade. For many years his sons, Greeley M. and Frank W., were working with him, and in the spring of 1879 became his partners, under firm name of Zimmerman & Sons. They carried a large line of dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots, shoes, etc., and did an immense business. November 10, 1881, the father disposed of his interest to his sons, and the firm was changed to Zimmerman Bros., and he is at present retired from business. He has figured conspicuously in public offices ; for eight and one-half years served as Township Trustee, and represented the counties of Elkhart and Noble, in 1877, in the State Legislature one term. He has also served several times on the Common Council, and has been an active worker in the schools. He is a Mason-Knight Templar-having been con- nected with that order since 1853. In 1853, Mr. Zimmerman married Miss Sarah J. Brown, daughter of Abram Brown, an early settler of Elkhart Town- ship. She was a native of Ohio, and died in 1876. Three of six of her chil- dren are now living-Greeley M., Frank W. and Verona J. His present wife, to whom he was married in 1877, was Miss Callie Young, daughter of John Young, a prominent citizen of Noble County.

COL. S. M. ZENT, tinsmith, is a native of Stark County, Ohio, and son of John and Jemima (Masters) Zent, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Stark County, subsequently moving to Richland County, Ohio, and in 1853 to Huntington County, Ind., where the father is now living ; he is a farmer. The mother died in 1863. The subject is the eldest of ten children, and fol- lowed farming until eighteen years old, when he learned the tinner's trade at Mansfield, where he remained four years. In 1854, he came to Indiana, and until 1861 was in the employ of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- road. At the beginning of the war, he went out as private in the Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, being the first man in Fort Wayne to enlist. He was actively engaged throughout the war, passing through forty-seven battles and engagements, being most of the time with the Army of the Potomac. He was regularly promoted through the different grades up to that of Lieutenant Colonel, excepting that of Major, and was commissioned Colonel by brevet by the President. After four years' service, he returned to Roanoke, Ind., and engaged in the hardware and tinware trade. He continued this until 1871, when be went to Fort Wayne, and spent one and one-half years, then went to Ligonier, where, in 1875, he was instrumental in starting a Gordon expedition to the Black Hills, but they were intercepted by United States troops, and com- pelled to return. The following year he spent West, mining among the Black

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Hills, and since then has been residing in Ligonier, where he is now proprietor of a tin store, giving particular attention to the repairing of goods in that line. jobbing, spouting, etc., and fitting iron, tin, copper, etc., for their various uses, Col. Zent is a Mason and a very desirable citizen. He was married in 1858 to Miss Sarah A. Price, of Roanoke, Ind. They have five children living- William S., John F., Charles F., Eva M. and Henry H.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

MRS. ELIZA BECKNER, whose maiden name was Slabaugh, was the wife of Eli Beckner (deceased). He was born in Elkhart County, Ind., Feb- ruary 12, 1837, and lived on his father's farm until his death, November 6, 1869, of consumption. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and had a family of thirteen children, seven girls and six boys. Mr. Beckner's mother died October 24, 1861, at about the age of sixty-two years ; his father died October 14, 1881, at the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Beckner, after the death of her husband resided with her parents for about five years. Her father, Elias Slabaugh, then gave her a farm, upon which she erected a house, and with her children moved in ; this she has since made her home. She has three children-Jacob W., born October 16, 1861; Mary A., October 27, 1863; Chauncey A., November 6, 1866. Mrs. Beckner's farm of sixty-nine acres is well improved, and with the judicious management bestowed in its cultiva- tion affords a comfortable and well provided home.

FRED BORCHART came to Chicago from Germany in 1855. After a stay in that wonderful city of about two years, Fred took his baggage, and transferred his place of residence to La Porte, Ind., and then to Elkhart, where he remained some time. In 1862, Mr. Borchart came to Noble County, settling on his farm of eighty-four acres, where he now lives. March 9, after his ar- rival, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Salina Lorman, a native of Prussia. They have become the parents of four children, whose names are Henry, Emma, Frank and Minnie. Fred Borchart was born in Germany May 27, 1827, the youngest of four boys, whose names were Charles, John, Henry and our subject. They constituted the family of children born to John and Elizabeth Borchart, who died in Germany in the year 1857, about four months apart. Fred Borchart and wife belong to the German Methodist Church, and live according to its precepts.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 87

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