Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 83

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 83
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 83

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).

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TOWN OF LIGONIER.

A. R. McNAIR, barber and hair dresser, son of William and Elizabeth McNair, was born in Allen County, Ind., December 20, 1856. When about a year old, his grandmother undertook the care of him, and he lived with her until about nine years of age, when he returned to his home in Allen County ; his grandmother had, in the meantime, moved to a La Grange. The subject remained with his parents about six months, then came with them to La Grange County. After living at home three years, he commenced an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some time, and, after a vacation of fourteen months, resumed it again. After another year in La Grange, he spent six months at Brighton, then went to Sturgis, Mich., all the time work- ing at his trade, which he discontinued in 1877, and began his career as a bar- ber in Sturgis. He subsequently sold out and returned to La Grange, where he formed a partnership with J. Jagger. In 1881, he came to Ligonier, and established himself in his present successful business. He was married, Octo- ber 7, 1879, to Miss Orcena Selby, who was born in La Grange County March 9, 1860. Mr. McNair owns property in La Grange and Ligonier, and is a good citizen.

SOL MIER, banker and capitalist, stands among the men of Northern Indiana, who have made their career a successful one by industry and good business management. Mr. Mier came to Indiana in 1852, and, for two years sold goods through De Kalb County. He came to Ligonier in 1854, and for twenty years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1874, he established his present bank business, which is considered one of the most reliable in Noble County. He is also largely interested in real estate operations, and in buying grain and general produce, and horses. Mr. Mier has assisted materially in building up the business interests of the community. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., of Ligonier, and of the Emek Beracha Lodge, No. 61, I. O. B. B., of Fort Wayne.

JOHN S. OHLWINE is next to the eldest of twelve children of Charles and Elizabeth Ohlwine, and a native of Greene County, Ohio. His mother died in Ohio, and his father emigrated to Noble County in 1855, where he died in Sparta Township, in 1856. Until twenty-four years old, our subject worked on a farm in Ohio, where he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until 1856, when he came to Ligonier and formed a partnership with a Mr. Smith in the mercantile trade, which business he has principally been engaged in since. For ten years he was associated with J. C. Zimmerman. In the fall of 1857, Mr. Ohlwine, having been called to Sparta Township on business, found, upon arriving there, some men engaged in hunting a bear in a huckleberry marsh. Mr. Ohlwine entered the bushes and there witnessed John H. Ward struggling with a huge bear. Armed with a gun, he advanced, and was about to put the muzzle of the gun against the bear, when the latter turned and rushed upon him, and succeeded in getting him down in a sitting posture. Mr. O. managed to hold the bear off by the throat, when the bear was killed. This encounter is one of the many stories of early times related by Mr. Ohlwine, who is one of the oldest business men of Ligonier. He is a Mason, and has served on the City Council several times. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Maria Kendall, a daughter of John Kendall, an old settler of the county. They have two children-Laura Hays and Elizabeth Hepler, both residents of Ligonier.

FAYETTE PECK is the second of twelve children, and was born in La Grange County, where his youth was passed in assisting his father in distilling

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peppermint, and working on the farm. 3 His parents, Hawley and Harriet (Burnett) Peck, were early settlers of La Grange County, where he now re- sides. Our subject came to Ligonier in 1866, and with his brother, Jarvis Peck, was engaged in running a planing-mill until 1873, when they added a saw-mill. In 1878, he bought out his brother's interest, and since then has conducted the business alone. He contributes largely to the business in- terests of the town, and employs several hands in his mill. He was married in 1866 to Miss Ida S. Perry, a native of New York, and daughter of James Perry, who was an early settler of Steuben County. She is a member of the Disciples' Church, and they have two children-Oscar G. and James H.

JARVIS PECK, of Braden & Peck, millers, son of Hawley and Har- riet (Burnett) Peck, was born in Ontario County, N. Y. His father is a native of Connecticut, and his mother of New York. They were farmers, and came from Ontario County, N. Y., to La Grange County, in 1844, and settled in Clearspring Township, where they purchased land, and where she died in 1873. The father has held numerous offices of trust; was Justice of the Peace several terms, also served as School Director and Township Trustee, and is now living in retirement. Jarvis Peck is the third of twelve children, and was reared on his father's farm in La Grange County. In the spring of 1866, he came to Ligonier, and started a planing-mill, in connection with his brother, Fayette Peck. In 1873. they added a saw-mill, and conducted the business until 1878, when Jarvis Peck sold his interest to his brother and en- gaged in the lumber trade with J. M. Knepper, which he continued one year. In 1879, purchased an interest with $. M. Braden in a flouring-mill, with whom he is now associated. Mr. Peck possesses good business qualifications. He was married in 1870 to Julia Maxon, a native of New York. She has been a member of the M. E. Church since eighteen years old. They have two children-Gertrude and Edith.

A. W. RANDOLPH, wholesale and retail lumber, left his native State (New Jersey) at the age of fourteen, and came to Ohio. His parents, Abram F. and Abbey (Wilcox) Randolph, were also natives of New Jersey, and pio- neers of Ashtabula County, Ohio, where their last days were spent, and where the father was engaged in farming and carpentering. Our subject was reared on a farm, and for nine years followed the carpenter's trade. In 1864, he came to Perry Township and purchased a saw-mill, which he operated until the fall of 1879, when he came to Ligonier and built his present planing and saw mill. This, in connection with the wholesale and retail lumber trade, engages his present attention, and has become a leading industry. He constantly employs, on an average, seven men. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and occupies a position of prominence among the business men. In 1855, he was married to Miss Jane Rose, of Ashtabula County, Ohio. She died in 1874, leaving two children-Nevada McConnell, of Ligonier, and Oakley. Mr. Randolph, in 1875, married Miss Mary Britton, native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. They are both members of the Methodist Church.

E. REEVE, general produce, son of Hiram and Catherine (Elum) Reeve, was born in Columbia County, N. Y. He began his career in life as fireman on a steamboat on the Hudson River; engaged in this capacity for two years, then for three years he was salesman on a stationary barge in New York. He located in Bristol, Ind., in 1857, and followed his present business in connection with mercantile trade for five years, when he came to Ligonier, and has since remained in the general produce business, viz., eggs, butter, hides,

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poultry, etc. His business is extensive, and he is principally engaged in ship- ping large supplies to New York. At one time he employed six teams, but at present runs four. Mr. Reeve is at present serving his second term on Town Board. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Julia Jeanneret, a native of Lon- don, Canada, then a resident of Bristol, Ind. They have eight children- Alice A .. Marion A., Minnie E., Mary J., Henry J., Frederick E., Edith and Robert E.

H. REYNOLDS, attorney at law. is a native of Branch County, Mich., and the eldest of three children of Ambrose J. and Margaret (Deloria) Reynolds. The father is a descendant of the Puritan stock, and a native of New York. The mother is of French descent, and was born in Canada. They were married in Michigan, where they settled in about 1836, and farmed for many years. They are now living with their son in Ligonier. Our subject remained on the farm until twenty-three years old, when he went to Sturgis, Mich., and became a student in the law office of Daniel E. Thomas, and afterward studied with Gen. William L. Stoughton. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1879, but had previously commenced practicing with Daniel E. Thomas, with whom he was associated four years. Afterward, he practiced alone, until he came to Ligonier in January, 1881. In September of the same year, he formed a part- nership with S. D. Crane, now dissolved. Mr. Reynolds is a member of the I. O. O. F., and was married in 1873 to Miss Amy E. Whitman, of Michigan. They have one child-Elliott Deloria.

E. L. SCHLOTTERBACK, M. D., was born in Perry Township, Noble County, Ind., the fifth of a family of twelve children. His parents, Gideon and Mary (Engle) Schlotterback, were the first couple married in Noble County. Our subject lived on a farm until eighteen years old, when he went West and spent several months. In 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After fourteen months, he received his discharge, having received injuries which rendered him unfit for duty. He returned to this county, and attended school ; afterward, taught several terms. For a short time after this, he was engaged as an agent for medical works. In 1864, he was drafted and served several months in the Provost Marshal's office at Ken- dallville, when he was exempted and went to Michigan, where he was engaged in securing substitutes. He commenced the practice of medicine in Detroit, Mich., and then had an extensive traveling practice throughout the States of Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Missouri. In 1867, he solicited for paintings, then embarked in the patent rights business until the fall of 1868, when he resumed soliciting for paintings, continuing this until the spring of 1870. After one year at home, he started out traveling again. At Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1872, he practiced in his profession, and traveled over the State of Iowa in specialties. In 1873, after a few months spent at home, he returned to his practice over Iowa and Illinois; desiring new territory, in January, 1875, he went to California, and traveled over the State in his pro- fession, remaining until 1876. During the winter of 1876-77, he attended a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, afterward practicing over Illinois until the fall of 1877, when he came to Ligonier, and established himself in his profession. He makes a specialty of chronic diseases, also of head and throat diseases. These, he has made his study, and has been his own preceptor. He has considerable artistic talent, and has painted anatomical views descriptive of the veins, arteries, etc., for his professional use. Mr. Schlotterback is a Mason. He was married, in 1864, to Ellen M. Matthews,

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who was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and whose father, David Matthews, is now living in Albion. They have one child-Vivian.

GIDEON SCHLOTTERBACK, father of the subject, is a native of Sny- der County, Penn., where he was born, May 23, 1811. At the age of ten, he accompanied his father to Ohio, remaining there until he came to Noble County, Ind., in 1832, where he yet resides, and is a prominent citizen. He owns 500 acres of land, and has served creditably as Justice of the Peace, Trustee, Town Clerk and County Commissioner. The first court assembly in the county was held in an old house that stands on his farm. April 16, 1833, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Engle, born in Ohio November 20, 1810. She died January 23, 1856, and Mr. Schlotterback was again married to Miss Mary Hoak, a native of Ohio. Mr. Schlotterback has seven children living, viz., Peter, Henry, Eli, Amelia, Adam, Ira and Amy.

D. S. SCOTT, one of the leading merchants and influential citizens of Ligonier, is a native of Greene County, Ohio. His father, James A. Scott, was among the prominent men of Greene County. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for over forty years, served efficiently in public offices, hav- ing been Representative, Sheriff, Auditor and Recorder. After sixty-five years of married life, himself and wife departed this life in the year 1881, he at the age of eighty-eight, and she at eighty-six. Our subject, while in Ohio, learned the millwright trade, and followed it a number of years in connection with lumbering. After coming to Indiana in 1850, he was engaged in the lumber trade, at Rider's Mill, in Washington Township, where he located, until in August, 1851, when he went to Wolf Lake, Noble Township, and began general merchandising. In 1866, he sold out, came to Ligonier, and started as a broker, continuing this business until 1878, when he established an interest in the drug store of his son, J. W. Scott, and F. Sandrock, now the firm of D. S. Scott & Son. Mr. Scott also continues to do some brokering. He was Trustee of Noble Township for many years, and has rendered services to the public schools of Ligonier, also been a member of the City Council. In 1872, he was chosen Representative of Noble and Elkhart Counties, and served one term. During the time of the "Regulators," he was President of one of the societies. In 1850, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Amanda Leonard, a native of Pennsylvania, and resident of Miami County, Ohio. They have had three children-James W., David E. and Frank L.

J. W. SCOTT, of the firm of D. S. Scott & Son, druggists, is a native of Washington Township, Noble County. He learned the trade of dentistry with Dr. Gants, of Ligonier, and practiced it about eighteen months in Columbia City. He returned to Ligonier in 1873, and entered the drug busi- ness with F. Sandrock ; this partnership lasted until 1878, when Sandrock retired, and his father became a partner ; they carry a complete stock of goods in their line, and have an extended custom. James W. Scott married Miss Margaret Brandt, of Columbia City, in 1873.

JACOB SHEETS, of the firm of Sheets & Wertheimer, dealers in gen- eral merchandise, dry goods. clothing, carpets, groceries, boots and shoes, and custom tailoring, came to Noble County in 1855. His first experience in the mercantile business was with J. E. Braden in the grocery trade; this partner- ship was of three years' duration. Then, for ten years he was employed by S. Mier & Co., dealers in general merchandise ; at the end of this period, he became Mr. Mier's partner. This association lasted two years, when Mr. Mier retired in 1873, and Nathan Wertheimer became an equal partner with

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Mr. Sheets. They have since conducted the business and established a good trade. Mr. Sheets is a Mason, a present member of the City Council, and a good business man.

S. SHOBE, livery, is a native of Ross County, Ohio. His father being a tanner, he was in that business until 1838, when he came to this place and became a farmer in Perry Township, following this until 1849, when he started a tan-yard. This business he conducted until 1854, when he was forced to retire on account of failing health. After a year and a half's residence in Iowa, he returned and made a venture in the hardware business with George McLain, with whom he was associated three years. From this, in 1859, Mr. Shobe engaged in the livery business, which he still conducts. He owns fifteen to twenty good roadsters and fine buggies and carriages. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Blue Lodge. In September, 1839, he was married to Miss Mary Smalley, daughter of Joseph Smalley, who came to Perry Town- ship in 1836. They have six children-Sarah E. Kerr, Taylor C. (in Ligo- nier), Isabella Parsons, Mary Henry (in Coldwater, Mich.), Charles H. and Allie. Mr. Shobe is one of the oldest business men of Ligonier, and well known all over the country.

SAMUEL S. SHROCK, painter, is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Johns) Shrock, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and who came with a team, at an early day, to La Grange County, settling in Eden Township, where the father died in 1856. Three of their children are living-John M., with whom the mother is now living, in Eden Township; Joseph S., a jeweler at Ligo- nier ; and Samuel S. The latter spent the first twenty years of his life on his father's farm. His education was obtained at the schools of Valparaiso and La Grange, Ind., and Battle Creek, Mich. In 1879, he came to Ligonier and learned the painter's trade, which he has since followed. He was married in June, 1880, to Miss Ida B. Kegg, of Ligonier.

JONATHAN SIMMONS, retired farmer, a native of Pennsylvania, was born April 4, 1811. Here he remained until 1833, when he emigrated to Ohio. He was married to Sarah Shidler, also a native of Pennsylvania, and resided in Ohio until 1857. They then came to Noble County, where Mr. Sim- mons has since lived. October 9, 1872, his wife and one of his daughters were buried, having succumbed to that dread disease, typhoid fever. They died within a few hours of each other, and were laid to rest on the same day. Mr. Simmons was again married July 10, 1873, to Nancy Nelson, a native of Indi- ana. He has been employed in farming most of his life, and has been very suc- cessful. He was one of the early settlers of this county, and owns 158 acres of well-improved land, also town property in Ligonier, where he resides, hav- ing retired from the farm. Mr. Simmons was President of the Noble County Fair for two years ; is a member of the Christian Church. Of the children of Mr. Simmons, twelve in number, nine are now living. Two of his sons were soldiers in the war of the rebellion, one of them serving throughout the entire war.

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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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 83

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