Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 77

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962

USA > Indiana > Whitley County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 77
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 77

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ENGEL & CO., clothing and merchant tailors. This firm comprises two business men of long and successful experience. Joseph Kaufmann came to Noble County in the spring of 1856, locating at Ligonier, when he embarked in business with Strauss Bros., under firm name of Strauss & Kaufmann, dealers in clothing and general merchandise, which association lasted until the fall of 1864, when he went to New York and remained in business until 1880. He formed a partnership in Kendallville in 1862 with Moses Jacobs, under firm name of Kauf- mann & Jacobs, which business was condctued by Jacobs until 1869. The firm of Engel & Co. was formed in 1867, when Mr. Kaufmann became connected with J. Engel, in the clothing, gents' furnishing, and merchant tailoring business,

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with Mr. Engel as the managing partner. They carry a large and extensive stock and do a successful business. Mr. Kaufmann returned in 1880 and settled upon his farm, consisting of 160 acres of finely improved land, located near Kendallville, and is also giving his attention to his business connection in the city. J. Engel became a resident of Kendallville in 1865, when he began his business career with the firm of Kaufmann & Jacobs, with whom he remained two years. He then became a partner with Mr. Kaufmann in their present business, to which he has since devoted his attention, and the extended trade that the firm enjoys is the result of his wise and judicious management. He is a Council member of the Masonic Order, and a citizen of worth and progress. One of the leading features of this establishment is the merchant tailoring de- partment, in which they have established an extended trade. They carry a splended line of piece goods, and have in their employ a practical cutter, there- by enabling them to turn out stylish and well-fitting garments. In all depart- ments this firm will be found to be among the leaders. The firm was dissolved February 13, 1882 (since the above notice was put in type), and the business is now carried on solely by Jonas Engle.

S. W. FISH, grocer, is a native of Albany County, N. Y. His parents re- moved to Crawford County, Penn., when he was quite young, where, upon a farm, he was raised. In 1844, he went to Akron, Ohio, where he remained for nearly fourteen years engaged in the mercantile and bakery business. His next venture was in the grocery trade in Cleveland, where he remained until 1860, when he came to Kendallville and engaged in the hotel business, remaining two years, thence to Ligonier, where he was connected with a hotel about the same length of time. He then removed to La Porte, Ind., where for four years he was proprietor of a hotel. At the expiration of this time, he returned to Crawford County, Penn., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his father's old farm. Returning to Kendallville in 1875, he started his present business, to which he has since devoted his attention. Since 1878, associated with his sons, George M. and John W., under firm name of S. W. Fish & Sons. They carry a large stock of groceries and general produce, and are one of the leading business houses of Kendallville. Mr. Fish has served as member of the City Council two years. He was united in marriage with Miss Orrilla Ford, of Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1836. They have two sons. George M. married in 1871 to Miss Eunice Trace, of Pennsylvania; they have two children-Alice J. and an infant. John W. was married in 1875 to Miss Laura J. Stanley.

F. P. FORD, photographer, is a native of New York State, and when a youth came with his parents to Adrian, Mich. His first business experience was in a printing office, where he was engaged for some years in the job and press work department, in which he became proficient. In 1862, he began learning his present art, continuing in Adrian until 1868, when he came to Kendallville, located, and has been in successful operation ever since. Mr. Ford is anxious to excel in his art, and has been a constant student of all of the many improvements in photography ; that he has succeeded, his superior work attests. His work bears the reputation of the best in Northern Indiana, which, coupled with reasonable charges, renders his trade extended. He was united in marriage, in 1869, with Miss Emma E. Allsbaugh, of Adrian, Mich.

AUGUSTUS P. FRINK was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., and at the age of nine years came with his parents to this county. When eighteen years of age, he entered mercantile life as clerk in Fort Wayne, and was in same capacity subsequently, in Ligonier. In 1853, and until 1857, he was in

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trade for himself in Goshen, Ind. Soon after this he entered the Clerk's office of this county as an assistant. In 1862, he became a member of Company A, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, and had three years' service in the army. Returning home, he entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, subsequently serving the same company as station agent in Ohio, returning to Kendallville, where he filled the same position, being in their employ about nine years. He then for a time conducted a hardware business, since which his occupation has been varied. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Frink was married to Rebecca Teal ; seven children were born to them, two dying in infancy. Nathan Frink, the father of A. P., was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1800, and at the age of twenty-one was married to Marian Pease, of Lewis County, same State. They had six children, the eldest dying in infancy. In 1836, the family came to this county, and settled in York Township, where the mother died in 1837. In 1842, Myra E., the eldest daughter, married William Pool, who subsequently died; she then became the wife of Isaac Jopp. She had three children by her first husband, and two by the second. Harriet B., the second daughter, in 1849 married Nathaniel P. Eagles, and had eight children. Agnes E. became the wife of Thomas M. Eagles in 1854, and had seven children. Charles S., the youngest son, was married in 1858 to Isabel Vermilyea ; she dying, he married again a few years later ; he was the father by first wife of three children, and of four by second. Nathan Frink married for his second wife Achsa Kent ; they had four children. His wife died in 1874, and in July, 1878, he died in Elkhart County, Ind., at the age of seventy-eight. He was a citizen of good standing. serving as Justice of the Peace for several years, and as Assessor.

JOHN L. GALLUP, lumber dealer and farmer, son of Rufus B. and Abi- gail (Reynolds) Gallup, natives of New York and pioneer settlers of Wayne Town- ship, Noble County, located on Section 26 in 1850, which land his father had purchased some years previous. His parents remained upon their farm until 1874, when they removed to Kendallville, where his mother still resides, his father dying in 1876. He was a successful farmer, an honored citizen, and, with his wife, a consistent member of the M. E. Church. Three of their children are now living-Luthena Jones, of Wayne Township ; Adeline Wright, of the same township, and the subject of this sketch, who is a native of Saratoga County, N. Y. He has devoted much of his past life to farming operations, and is still the owner of the old homestead farm. In 1876, he added to his enter- prises a saw-mill and brick and tile yard, which he still operates, and, in 1879, moved to Kendallville, forming a partnership with A. O. Hamilton in lumber- ing interests. This business the firm of Hamilton & Gallup are pushing to extensive and successful issues, and with their one-half interest in the Reed, Hamilton & Gallup Handle Manufactory, form one of the leading business houses of the county. Mr. Gallup is a Knight Templar, an officer in the Grand State Council of Chosen Friends, and a member of the K. of H. He has assessed Wayne Township six times on personal property, and twice on real estate, and is one of the promising, active and progressive young business men of Northern Indiana. He was united in marriage, in 1864, to Miss Martha E. Young, a daughter of Jacob Young, one of the early settlers of Wayne Town- ship; they have one child-Rufus B.

WILLIAM GEDDIS, blacksmith, is a native of Richland County, Ohio. He learned his trade in Knox County, Ohio, where he remained two years, subse- quently working one year in Richland County, and then, in 1852, came to

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Noble County, Ind., where he has been identified ever since. Mr. Geddis first settled in Jefferson Township, where he remained two years. Orange Town- ship next became his residence, pursuing his calling there about six years. He then removed to Allen Township, where he handled the hammer, etc., in Lis- bon for about six years, after which he became a resident of Kendallville, where he still continues in his business. He is considered a first-class mechanic, and is well known all over the county. Mr. Geddis married, in 1853, Miss Mary J. Sheffer, of Morrow County, Ohio; they have seven children-Martha M., Frederick, James D., Warren, Ellsworth, Hattie E., Merritt A. and Seth G. Mr. Geddis is a member of the I. O. O. F.

J. L. GILBERT, physician and surgeon, is one of the leading members of his profession in Northern Indiana. He is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and was identified upon his father's farm until his seventeenth year. He then commenced the study of medicine at Salem, Ohio, under the instruction of an experienced physician for two years. He supplemented his studies by a course of lectures at the Ann Arbor Medical College during the season of 1864-65, and subsequently attended two courses at the Bellevue Medical College of New York. In 1867, he located in Kendallville. In his practice here he has met

with flattering success. Dr. Gilbert adds to his practical knowledge all in- formation to be gleaned from close study of the discoveries that are being made in medical science, and is thoroughly imbued with the progress of the age. He is a member of the Northeastern Indiana State Medical Association, and the County Medical Society. He now fills the chair of Theory and Practice in the Fort Wayne Medical College, with which institution he has been identified since its organization. Socially, and as a citizen, he is jovial and popular. In 1872, Dr. Gilbert was married to Miss Isabelle Chapman, of Ligonier, daughter of Hon. G. W. Chapman. They have two children living-Eva and Clara ; their eldest daughter, Lillian, died when four years of age.

W. W. GLOSSER, of W. W. Glosser & Co., groceries and provisions, is a son of D. H. Glosser, who came from Knox County, Ohio, and settled in Jefferson Township, Noble County, in 1854, where he still resides, engaged in farming. Our subject is the second child of a family of four children. He remained upon the farm in Jefferson Township until he was twenty-two years of age. He then learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, to which business he devoted his attention for fifteen years. He became a resident of Kendall- ville in 1878. In May, 1881, he embarked in his present business, succeeding L. E. Pike, now deceased, formerly a prominent business man of the city. He came from New York in 1871, and was in business until his death in 1881. In September, 1881, Mr. Glosser associated with him in partnership Mr. G. P. Alexander-under firm name of W. W. Glosser & Co. This young firm are well started on a prosperous business career and, being progressive and enterprising, will doubtless soon take a leading position among the business houses of Kendallville. Mr. Glosser was married in 1873 to Miss Josephine Demmon, a daughter of Leonard Demmon, one of the pioneer settlers of Allen Township. Mr. Demmon is now a resident of Kendallville.

THOMAS L. GRAVES was born in Clarksburg, Va., the 10th day of December, 1830, where his father died in 1833. The same year his mother, with seven children, removed to Kosciusko County, Ind. At about the age of fifteen, Thomas L. began the printer's trade, and became a first-class workman. In intellectual force he matured early, and at the age of seventeen commenced the publication of a paper at Warsaw, Ind. Since attaining his majority, he has

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almost constantly held some public position. During the administration of Franklin Pierce he was appointed Postmaster at Warsaw, and served two years, when he resigned. An election was held to fill the position, but the result was ignored by the department at Washington, and as showing the reliance placed upon his sound judgment, the First Assistant Postmaster General wrote to him, saying : " If you will not hold the office any longer, please designate your successor." In 1858, Mr. Graves removed to Columbia City and was shortly after elected Clerk of the corporation. In 1860, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal to take the United States Census of Whitley County. In the winter of 1861-62, he removed to Kendallville, and in the spring was elected Justice of the Peace for Wayne Township, and served twelve consecutive years. Just before the expiration of the last term, he was elected Mayor of Kendallville, serving six years. He then declined another re-election. The Common Council then appointed him City Attorney, and at the end of two years was re-appointed, which position he still fills. Though constantly in official office, Mr. Graves is not a politician, but gives his attention to his busi- ness. He is what may be termed an office lawyer, and though delicate in ap- pearance, the amount of business transacted by him is almost incredible. In addition to his professional business, he gives some attention to the mercantile trade, being associated with his son as James Graves & Co., who carry a line of groceries and provisions. He belongs to the Masonic Order.

J. H. HASTINGS, carriage and buggy warerooms, has for over twenty years been a resident of Kendallville. He is a native of Boston, Mass., where at the age of thirteen, he commenced learning the painter's trade. He remained with the Slade & Widon carriage works for nine years in Boston, and went thence to Cleveland and entered the employ of O. W. Hurlbut, and was employed by him ten years on fine carriage painting. After one year spent in travel- ing, he located in Kendallville. Mr. Hastings is a natural mechanic, and in the line of fine carriage painting has no superiors in Northern Indiana. He keeps constantly on hand at the warerooms, carriages, buggies, phaetons, etc., and does general repairing in all branches, trimming, painting, woodwork, blacksmithing, and also deals in second-hand buggies. His location in Kendall- ville is permanent, and his reputation for superior work extended. He ranks as one of the prosperous and enterprising citizen of Noble County. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., advanced to the Ligonier Encampment.

H. L. HELMAN, grocery and produce, is a son of R. P. Helman, and a native of Allen Township, Noble County, Ind. He commenced an active busi- ness career when sixteen years of age, during the late war buying horses for the army, in association with his father. He then went to Michigan and was en- gaged in the lumber business and in dealing in horses until 1867, when he went to Iowa, buying land in Henry County, and followed farming, attending school in the meantime at Mt. Pleasant, and handling stock for three years ; he pur- chased this stock in Missouri and the Indian Territory, shipping it to the east. Returning to Indiana, he purchased a farm near Lisbon, soon after trading for a hardware store in Kendallville, which he conducted, in association with his father, for five years, doing a large and successful trade and carrying a valuable stock. He then sold out on account of ill health, went to the West and was dealing in land until January, 1877, when he returned to Kendallville and commenced a broker's business, also as commercial traveler for a Bryan (Ohio) manufacturing company, continuing about three years. In the meantime, had engaged in the grocery and produce trade, to which he now devotes his atten-

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tion. Mr. Helman carries a fine line of groceries, and is also an extensive shipper of apples, produce, etc. He is an enterprising and wide-awake business man, and a citizen of value to Kendallville. He is a Knight Templar and a fifth-degree member of I. O. O. F. Mr. Helman was married in April 4, 1871, to Miss Maria Merchant, a native of Adrian, Mich. ; they have two children, Robert and Claude.

R. P. HELMAN (deceased), was a native of Center County, Penn. His parents removed to Wayne County, Ohio, when he was a youth, settling upon a farm near Wooster, where the remainder of their days were passed. Our subject, in 1836, came with D. S. Simons to Noble County, and located some land near Lisbon. Returning to Ohio, they remained until 1844, when the two families came to this county in a one-horse wagon, settling upon their land in Allen Township. Mr. Helman was an active and progressive man, at various times engaged in mercantile and milling enterprises. In 1850, he re- moved to Grant County, Wis, remaining there only one year, then returning remained here until his death, in 1872. He was for several years a resident of Kendallville, and, in connection with his son, H. L. Helman, carried on the hardware trade for several years. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a typical pioneer. His wife, whose maiden name was Louisa M. Smith, was a native of Stark County, Ohio, and daughter of Ralph Smith. She is now living with her son in Kendallville. Three children from this union now survive : H. L. Helman, in Kendallville; Doran and Gordon in Kansas ; five are deceased-Ralph, Juline Sherman, Mary, Elizabeth and Lucretia.

WILLARD C. JACKSON is a son of Eldad and Olive Jackson, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of New York. Willard Jackson was born in New York, Delaware County, April 3, 1818, and there remained until he came to La Grange County, in 1844. Here he remained about seven years, then moved to Steuben County, and in 1865 to Kendallville, since which time he has made this place and vicinity his home. He owns valuable town prop- erty, besides a farm of 80 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have a family of twelve children ; the eldest was born in 1840.

E. G. JOHNSON, contractor and builder, is a native of Virginia. His parents were pioneer settlers of Seneca County, Ohio, and at an early day came to Jefferson Township, Noble County, settling upon a farm. His father, William Johnson, remained there until his death ; his mother still survives. Our subject remained with his parents upon the farm until he was seventeen years of age. He then learned his trade, and has followed it ever since, achiev- ing a splendid reputation as a workman and builder. He came to Kendallville in 1858, where his home was established and has remained. In 1858, he con- structed the old schoolhouse. In 1859, he built the first Methodist Church and many other of the old buildings of the community. His work of later years is to be seen all over the surrounding country, and ranks among the best. He is a citizen of established integrity and worth ; has served upon the City Council, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married in 1859 Miss Emily J. Kerr, daughter of John C. Kerr, Esq. They have three children-Willie C., George B. and Ina P.

W. C. JOHNSTON, proprietor of tannery, is a native of Canada, where he learned his trade. He came to the United States when twenty-two years of age, going to Rochester, N. Y., where he was employed two years, subsequently going to Spencerport, a town near Rochester, where he remained twelve years, working at his trade. In 1864, he came to Kendallville, where he has since

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resided. He was employed at first at his trade, subsequently, 1871, formed a partnership with Mr. Oviatt, which lasted two years, at the expiration of which he bought out his partner, since which time he has conducted business alone. Mr. Johnston has a complete institution of its kind, and manufactures superior grades of leather, also doing custom tanning. He is an honorable business man, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the order of Masonry he is a Master. - Mr. Johnston was married in New York State to Miss Mary Kinney in the year 1852. They have one child-Mrs. Dora Waltman, wife of J. G. Waltman, cashier First National Bank of Ken- dallville.

J. KELLER & CO., general merchandise. This is one of the most enterprising commercial firms in Northern Indiana. In 1862, M. Jacobs, after six years' business experience at Ligonier, came to Kendallville, and, in associa- tion with J. Kaufmann, under firm name of Jacobs & Kaufmann, began a general mercantile business. In 1864, J. Keller became a partner. In 1869, Kaufmann retired, and Jacobs & Keller conducted the business until 1871, when J. Kann became connected with them, continuing until 1876, when he retired from the business, since which time the partners have been M. Jacobs and J. Keller. Their salesrooms are commodious and their trade extensive. They carry a large stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, carpets, etc., also a full line of gents' furnishing goods and ready-made clothing, making a specialty of merchant tailoring. This latter department is under the charge of Mr. Wolff, a courteous gentleman, with a long business experience. To Mr. Keller, the managing partner, a large share of the prosperity which this firm enjoys is due. He is a shrewd buyer and possesses progressive views. He has served on the City Council and is a Mason. Keller & Kann consist of M. Jacobs, J. Kel- ler and J. Kann. They handle yearly a large amount of grain and general produce, in which business they are the most extensive in Kendallville. J. Kann, the manager, came to Indiana in 1854, and was for several years in bus- iness in De Kalb County. In 1859, he went to Ligonier, where, until 1870, he was a partner with Sol Mier. He then came to Kendallville, where he has since lived.

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.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 77

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ; Number of Pages: 962

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962