USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 31
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
In religious belief he is a member of the Advent Christian church ( not Seventh-Day Adventist) and has been a tower of strength in the denomina- tion. He has given liberally for denominational and educational work, especially for the benefit of the Advent Christian College of Aurora, Illinois. In recognition of his help so freely given, the main building of the institution is named Eckhart Hall. Considering that he has succeeded so well with such meager schooling as he had, one might expect him to esteem schools but lightly, but he does not do so. He believes every child is better off with schooling, at least up to high school, and higher where a professional life is contemplated.
In Auburn Mr. Eckhart has been always ready to help in whatever he considers for the general welfare of the community. He is a member of the DeKalb county board of charities and corrections, and is also a member of the county council. He contributes liherally to the churches of Auburn, and one of his benefactions that Auburn will always remember with gratitude is the Eckhart Public Library. He was a member of the Auburn public library board when the library was in an upstairs room south of the court house. Recognizing that it was inadequate, the board decided to seek subscriptions and ask Mr. Carnegie to contribute liberally. Mr. Carnegie agreed to con- tribute twelve thousand five hundred dollars, but later Mr. Eckhart agreed to purchase the ground where the library is now, present it to the city and build the library. Dr. Lida Leasure wrote Mr. Carnegie to the effect, and received from Mr. Carnegie a reply saying in part: "Let me congratulate Auburn upon having such a citizen as Mr. Eckhart. I should like to shake him by the
329
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
hand as a fellow worker in a good cause. Happy man, who can console him- self through life with the thought that because he lived one little spot on earth has been made better than it was before. I wish him long life and happiness." A more extended description of the library and grounds will be found elsewhere in this work. It is said by competent authorities that there is probably nowhere to be found a finer nor better equipped library for its size than the Eckhart Library of Auburn. His aim in every stage of construction was to have the best of material, design and workmanship, and he spared no expense to make it so.
In 1912, Mr. Eckhart and his son Frank contributed twenty thousand dollars each with which to purchase the ground and erect the Young Men's Christian Association building at Auburn. Since then they have each con- tributed twenty-five hundred dollars additional, and will probably have to give as much more, making in all fifty thousand dollars for the grounds, buildings and furnishings complete. An organization of Auburn business men was formed to carry forward the work, and the building erected at its present location at the southeast corner of Fifth and Main streets. A more extended description of the building will be found under the appropriate heading.
Mr. Eckhart's first wife was called to rest on September 10, 1903. In her childhood and youth she was innured to the privations and hardships incident to early settlement. She bore her share of the burdens of home life when her husband's business was in its humble beginnings ; she was with him as it grew to its later magnitude; but no change in fortune ever made any change in her ideal domestic character. She loved home and family, and her constant purpose was to make the fireside attractive and to bring up her children by precept and example to become worthy and useful members of society. She was a member of the Advent Christian church, in whose creed she had full belief and confidence. On October 18, 1904, Mr. Eckhart mar- ried Martha A. Hoffman, who was born near Carey, Ohio, and is a daughter of Rev. J. H. and Margaret Hoffman. Her father was a Lutheran minister, a graduate of Gettysburg College, a good Greek scholar, and preached in both German and English. Although well educated and fitted for the more public places of the cities, his earnestly devoted disposition led him to do missionary work in out-of-the-way churches and among the poor. His daughter, now Mrs. Eckhart, also has the disposition to do good for others and seconds her husband in his philanthropies.
Of Mr. Eckhart's children, Frank E. Eckhart, who is manager of the
330
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
Eckhart Carriage Company, married Grace Leiter and has three children, George, Mary Ellen and Josephine. He has a beautiful home in Auburn, is much like his father in his desire to use his money for good causes, and is a member of the Methodist church. Morris Eckhart, who is at the head of the Auburn Auto Company, is a keen, active business man, and has one of the finest residences in northeastern Indiana. He married Ada McInterfer, of Waterloo, and has one daughter, Ruth. William Eckhart, who is at Los Angeles, California, with the Shugers Manufacturing Company, makers of automobile tops, married Nettie Willis, daughter of Moses B. Willis, of Auburn, Indiana, and they have a son, Charles W., and a daughter, Edith. Annie is the wife of George W. Shugers, of Anburn, who is now proprietor of the Shugers Manufacturing Company at Los Angeles. They have no children of their own, but are rearing a bright little girl named Clara.
JOHN ZIMMERMAN.
The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its reputation for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their influence such as to mold the characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing John Zimmerman in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recognized through- out the locality which is honored by his citizenship. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leadership, he has contributed much to the material, civic and moral advancement of this com- munity, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straight- forward course of his daily life have won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moves.
John Zimmerman was born at Leo, Allen county, Indiana, on January 17, 1868, and he is the son of Elias and Mary ( Bittenger) Zimmerman, who are represented elsewhere in this work. In the fall of 1875 the family re- moved to Auburn, where the subject has since resided. He secured his edu- cation in the public schools, though from the age of nine years he began to work in the Zimmerman factory, when not in school. After completing the high school course at Auburn, Mr. Zimmerman received preparation for
33I
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
his future career by attending a business college at Ft. Wayne. In April, 1886, he permanently identified himself with the factory, in the affairs of which he has since been a prominent figure. At the age of twelve years he had been placed in charge of the engine room, where he had worked hard, a part of his duties consisting in firing the boiler with green saw-dust. In 1886 he went into the office and took charge of the books, really acting as secretary, though not officially elected to that position until 1889, when he had reached his majority. He has continued to act as secretary, and for many years has also served as treasurer. In 1910, upon the death of his brother, Franklin T., he was made general manager, and he is now discharg- ing the multitudinous duties of these several offices, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
The Zimmerman Mfg. Co. has had an interesting and successful career. In 1873 Franklin T. Zimmerman and a partner named Watson started a plan- ing mill, in which they intended to manufacture building material. The fol- lowing year Watson withdrew from the firm, selling his interest to George B. Zimmerman, a brother of Franklin T. About 1876 their father, Elias Zimmerman, bought the interests of George B., and the business was operated under the name of the Zimmerman Company until December, 1886, when the Zimmerman Mfg. Co. was incorporated, with the following officers: Presi- dent, John W. Baxter; secretary, Elias Zimmerman; treasurer, Albert Rob- bins ; general manager, F. T. Zimmerman. The planing mill was devoted to the manufacture of church furniture for a few years, but about 1882 they began the making of wind mills and tanks, in which they continued to be successfully engaged until 1908, when these features of the business were sold to the Celina Mfg. Co., of Celina, Ohio. In 1890 the Zimmerman Mfg. Co. began the making of buggies, an industry that has been eminently success- ful and which has steadily grown in volume and importance, the output amounting to about two thousand five hundred vehicles a year. In 1907 the company began the manufacture of automobiles, in which also they have met with pronounced success. The original building owned by the company was about sixty feet by eighty feet in size, but the rapid and continuous in- crease in the business has necessitated a number of additions and improve- ments. In 1908 the first half of the present factory building was erected, it being a substantial concrete structure, and in 1909 the other part was built, as well as two other three-story buildings. The main building is two hundred and eighty feet by sixty feet in size, and, with the other buildings, provides about seventy-five thousand square feet of floor space. About
332
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
eighty men are constantly employed, most of whom are experts in their indi- vidual lines. In the manufacture of automobiles, the company has turned out a few very light cars, though the greater part of their output has been of the four-cylinder type; they are now making a six-cylinder car, ranging in price from sixteen hundred to twenty-three hundred dollars and which is the equal of any similar-priced car on the market. Though the automobile branch of the business has assumed extensive proportions, the buggy branch of the business has not been allowed to languish, but is looked after care- fully, both in the manufacture and sale. The present officers of the Zimmer- man Mfg. Co. are as follows: President, Elias Zimmerman ; vice-president, C. C. Schlatter, of Ft. Wayne; secretary-treasurer and general manager, John Zimmerman. In the splendid success which has characterized this company, John Zimmerman has been an important factor, for he is a man of acknowl- edged business ability, sagacity and far-sightedness, who has won and retains the confidence and respect of all who have had dealings with him.
In the civic life of the community Mr. Zimmerman has taken an intel- ligent interest and has contributed in a definite measure to the advancement and improvement of the city. In 1898 he was elected a member of the town board, while in 1900 he was elected a member of the city council and was re-elected in 1902, thus serving six years. During this period many im- portant improvements were made, including the electric light, water works and the sewer system, while the paving of the streets was begun. Mr. Zim- merman is a member of the Commercial Club and has been active in the work within its province.
On May 20, 1891, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Clara E. Altenburg, the daughter of Henry Altenburg, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Nellie, who graduated from the Auburn high school in 1911; Joseph, now a student in high school, and Lois, who is also in the public school. Religiously, Mr. Zimmerman and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Zinimerman was superin- tendent of the Sunday school for thirteen years, or until his resignation in 1910. He and his family are popular in the social life of the community, and to the son Joe belongs the distinction of having originated the slogan now used by the Commercial Club. The club offered a prize in the spring of 1912 for the best slogan for Auburn, and the one suggested by Joe Zim- merman, "Auburn Forever, with Honest Endeavor," was awarded the prize and on March 26, 1912, was adopted as the slogan of the club. Personally, John Zimmerman is a man of genial and kindly impulses, who easily makes
333
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
friends, whom he always retains. He holds worthy prestige in business and industrial circles, being regarded as distinctively a man of affairs and wield- ing a potent influence among those with whom he associates.
MILO J. THOMAS.
The two most strongly marked characteristics of both the East and the West are combined in the residents of the section of country of which this volume treats. The enthusiastic enterprise which overleaps all obstacles and makes possible almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigor- ous Western states is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy which we have borrowed from our Eastern neighbors, and the combination is one of peculiar force and power. It has been the means of placing this section of the country on a par with the older East, and at the same time pro- ducing a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is frequently lack- ing in the West. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed by the subject of this sketch, Milo J. Thomas, a leading citizen and successful business man of Corunna, DeKalb county, Indiana.
Milo J. Thomas, to whom the enterprising town of Corunna, DeKalb county, Indiana, is largely indebted for its present prosperity, is a native of the county in which he now lives, and was born on August 15, 1861. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Reckenwalt) Thomas, both of whom were natives of the state of Ohio, the father born at Louisville. Daniel Thomas came to Indiana in an early day, settling in Richland township, where he fol- lowed the vocation of farming with splendid success until his retirement, when he moved to Corunna, where he now resides. The subject of this sketch and an older sister, Almira, who died in infancy, were the only children born to him. Milo J. Thomas received his preliminary education in the common schools of DeKalb county, and then went to Valparaiso University, this state, where he attended one hundred and six weeks, and, thus well qualified, he engaged in the pedagogical profession and for eight years was numbered among the successful teachers of this locality, his summers being employed as a clerk, in which he gained valuable mercantile experience and familiarized himself with business methods and ideas. In 1888 Mr. Thomas engaged in the general mercantile business at Corunna, carrying a general line of hard- ware, lumber and farming implements, his hardware stock including a well selected line of heavy and shelf hardware, stoves and ranges, and in the con-
334
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
.
duct of this enterprise he seemed to have met a long-felt want, for his success was notable from the beginning. This success was not accomplished without much hard labor, indefatigable effort and a persistency that would brook no obstacles, and twice during his business career he was visited by disastrous fires, first on May 9, 1889, and again on July 22, 1895, but, undaunted by apparent disaster, Mr. Thomas at once rebuilt and restocked his new store and has now the enviable reputation of owning the largest and best equipped hardware and implement store in the state, the size of the town considered. Among the hardware men of Indiana Mr. Thomas has long enjoyed a high reputation, both because of his business success and because of his high stand- ing as a man, and he was recently elected president of the Indiana Retail Hardware Dealers' Association, an honor deserved by him and thoroughly appreciated. He was also chosen a delegate to the National Hardware Deal- ers' Association, which convened at Jacksonville, Florida. On November 15, 1897, Mr. Thomas engaged in the banking business under the name of the Thomas Exchange Bank, and in this enterprise his judgment was again vindicated, for the Thomas Exchange Bank has grown in importance and influence until today it is one of the leading banks of DeKalb county. It also has the honor of being one of the fifteen hundred banks in the United States which have won a place on the Roll of Honor, which means that the surplus and undivided profits are greater than the capital stock. Mr. Thomas is now president of the DeKalb County Bankers' Association. Always on the lookout for an opportunity to advance local conditions, Mr. Thomas, in 1893, succeeded in getting telephone communication with the outside world and the Corunna Telephone Exchange, which was established in 1897, be- came one of the most popular public utilities of this locality. Eventually Mr. Thomas disposed of his interests in the same, but to him belongs the credit for its establishment here. Mr. Thomas also for a number of years held important interests in the Corunna Flouring Mills, and in many other ways has been one of the most important and influential factors in the ad- vancement of the commercial interests of this thriving town. Sound mental powers, invincible courage and a determined purpose that hesitates at no opposition has so entered into his composition as to render him a dominant factor in the business world and a leader of men. He is essentially a man of affairs, of sound judgment, keen discernment, rare acumen, far-seeing in what he undertakes and every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in liberal financial returns. His success in life has been the legitimate fruitage of consecutive effort, directed and controlled by good judgment and correct principles.
335
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
On September 17, 1885, Mr. Thomas married Vesta Kline, the daugh- ter of Henry J. and Elmira S. ( Harding) Kline. Mrs. Thomas's father was born in Huron county, Ohio, and her mother in DeKalb county, Indiana, Elmira Harding was a daughter of Dimmick Harding, who came from New York state to DeKalb county, settling in Richland township. He became the father of two children, Mrs. Thomas, who was born June 26, 1868, and Archie, born in December, 1872, and who died at the age of one year. Henry J. Kline came to DeKalb county at the age of twelve years with his parents, John and Catherine (Geisler) Kline, who settled in Richland township, their former home having been in Crawford county, Ohio, and he was married to Elmira Harding in 1862. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Kline married Elma Reynolds, the daughter of Nathaniel and Jeannette Reynolds, who had come to DeKalb county from New York state. He died on July I, 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been born five children, namely: Harry K., born March 24, 1887; Bertha M., March 5, 1889; Charles A., July 16, 1894; Hugh A., July 27, 1896; Wilma, October 26, 1900. Hugh A. Thomas was accidentally shot and killed by a companion on February 26, I9II.
Thus in brief have been given the leading facts in the eventful career of a man whom Corunna honors as a successful business man, public-spirited citizen and a man whose private life will stand the test of scrutiny. Finally, in him there are combined the qualities of head and heart that win confidence and beget friendship, and in the locality which has so long been honored by his citizenship no one enjoys to a higher degree the good will of all know him.
MICHAEL KIPLINGER, JR.
Among the well known citizens of Waterloo, Indiana, who are num- bered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of DeKalb county, is Michael Kiplinger, Jr., who was born on April 20, 1846, in Ashland county, Ohio, and is the son of Michael Kiplinger, Sr., and wife. The subject grew to manhood in his native state, secured his education in the public schools and then adopted the profession of teaching. He came to Waterloo and here followed the pedagogical profession, having among his pupils Flora Den- nison, the daughter of George and Eliza (Fenner) Dennison. On May 31, 1871, he and Flora Dennison were united in marriage and for a time there- after he gave up teaching and became a salesman. Afterwards he took up
3,36
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
carpentering, which has been his chief occupation since, but he is a good all around mechanic and has been employed at various lines of work. From the time of his marriage he resided at Waterloo. He is a strong Democrat in his political views, and for a time he took an active part in party work. He was elected city clerk, which office he filled for three years. He has also served as secretary of the Northeastern Indiana Agricultural Association for five consecutive years. To him and his wife have been born six daugh- ters, namely: Viola May, the wife of Frank Myers, of Waterloo; Olive H., wife of Ralph L. Thomas, ex-sheriff of DaKalb county, who lives at Auburn, and who is represented elsewhere in this work; Orpha Estella, wife of a Mr. Ladd, and after his death she became the wife of Rev. Browne, a minister of the Evangelical church; Bertha Belle, the wife of Dr. J. E. Graham, a dentist at Auburn; Delia Matilda, the wife of Dr. C. L. Hine, a dentist at Tuscola, Illinois; Cora Delilah, the wife of Albert Bogart, who lives at Albion, Mich- igan. The mother of these children was born in Richland county, Ohio, on October 29, 1851, and when a year old was taken by her parents to Wood county, Ohio, where they lived until 1868, when they moved to Waterloo, this county. She died on August 31, 1886, shortly before her thirty-fifth birthday and when her oldest child was a girl of but fifteen years and the youngest only three years old. The father kept the children together, assisted by his sister, for a year, or until the older children were able to keep house and care for the younger ones. Mr. Kiplinger still resides at Waterloo, being now sixty-seven years old, but is still actively engaged at his work. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and because of his con- sistent life and high personal character, he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and regard of all who know him.
COLONEL AUBREY L. KUHLMAN.
A due measure of success invariably results from clearly defined pur- pose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life, but in following out the career of one who has gained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which makes such accomplishment possible. Such attributes are evidently possessed by the subject of this sketch, who, during all his manhood years, has been prominent in commercial and indus- trial life, and who has impressed his personality upon the lives of all with whom he has come in contact. He has always stood ready to identify him-
CC. L. Kullman -
337
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
self with his fellow citizens in any good work and extend a co-operative hand to advance any measure calculated to better the condition of things in his community, that will give better government, elevate mankind, insure higher standards of morality and the highest ideals of a refined, ennobling culture, being a man of public spirit and correct conduct, aand eenjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know him, by reason of these commendable character- istics, coupled with a genial, gentlemanly address and a heart of charitable and hospitable impulses. Indecd, no family in DeKalb county has been better or more favorably known than that represented by the subject of this sketch, the name Kuhlman standing for progress, upright manhood and loyal pat- riotism.
Aubrey Linden Kuhlman was born in Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana, on December 25, 1869, and is the son of Enos and Amanda (Rhodefer) Kuhlman. Enos Kuhlman was born at Canton, Stark county, Ohio, the son of William and Mary (Hoover) Kuhlman, whose ancestors originally came to this country from Germany. Enos Kuhlman was reared and educated at Canton, and in young manhood came to Auburn, Indiana. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, Enos Kuhlman enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which command one of his company comrades was Winfield T. Durbin, ex- governor of Indiana. Mr. Kuhlman rendered gallant and faithful service to his country and at the conclusion of the war he returned to Auburn. Here he became a salesman, traveling the greater part of the time until 1890, when he went to Mulhall, Oklahoma, where he has since been successfully engaged in the general mercantile business.
Soon after his return from the army, Enos Kuhlman married Amanda Lorena Rhodefer, who was born and reared near Auburn, the daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Feagler) Rhodefer. Elizabeth Feagler was a granddaughter of Henry Feagler, who was a captain in the war of 1812, and Colonel Kuhlman has now in his possession a military order addressed to Captain Feagler at Frederickstown, Maryland, during that second war with England. Abraham and Elizabeth Rhodefer came to DeKalb county from Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1845, locating first about three miles northwest of Auburn, but eventually moving to a farm two miles south of that city, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To Enos and Amanda Kuhlman were born five children, the eldest, Clyde, being killed at school at the age of seven years, and a daughter, Geneva Nevada, the young-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.