History of Elkhart County, Indiana; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history: portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, C. C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1192


USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > History of Elkhart County, Indiana; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history: portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 100


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 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108


Politically, this township is strongly Republican. At the October election of 1880 they polled a majority of 153. Several of the township's old residents became quite prominent, and at present hold responsible county offices.


The land of this township was formerly very heavily timbered. A goodly part of the land has been cleared, and there is discovered a tract almost unequaled in fertility. The value ranges from $60 to 850 per acre. It is settled by an industrious, enterprising and intelligent class of people, farming and stock-raising being their chief pursuits. Lumbering is also followed to some extent. Among the leading farmers of this township we find Jeremiah Hann, C. Nusbaum, John Moore, C. W. Nusbaum, Richard Terwilliger, Joseph Holderman, C. N. Holderman, Amos Jones, D. Wisler, Thos. Moore and J. H. Dell, who also is engaged in a saw-mill, A. Lechlitner, Geo. Berkey and a few others.


BIOGRAPHIES.


We give more at length the biographies of many of these lead- ing farmers and other prominent citizens, as follows:


Jucob Bell, retired farmer; P. O., Wakarusa; was born in War- ren county. Ohio, Oct. 29, 1809. His parents were James and Sarah Bell. His father was born in New Jersey, and his mother in Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the country. The schools were held in log houses of the rndest sort, with furniture, if possible, even rougher. In 1831 he settled iu St. Joseph county, while the Indians were there and the wild animals yet inhabited its forest. In 1848 he came to this county, where he has since resided. In 1841 he mar- ried Mary A., daughter of Nathaniel and Anna (Dixon) Drake, who were early settlers in this county. They were from Ohio. Fourteen children were added to this family, 7 of whom are living, viz .: Emeline,now Mrs. C. Holderman; Amos, who married Rebecca Burk; James, who married Minnie Shepherd; Jolin, who married Gethie Stauffer; Jane, now Mrs. John Burk; Silas and Harriet. Mrs. Bell died May 9, 1860. Mr. Bell's grandfather, Jacob Warner, served six years in the Revolution for the national independence. Mr. B. owns 80 acres of land in sec. 26.


J. H. Brubaker, attorney at law, Wakarusa, was born in this connty May 22, 1854, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Bru- baker, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio; came with his parents to this county in 1849; was reared on a farm till 14 years of age;


-


1105


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


then his parents moved to Wakarusa; then our subject entered a drug store as clerk, in which position he remained three years; then went to Ohio and sold dry-goods for one year; next returned and opened a dry goods store in Wakarusa, and did business in that line for one year; then engaged in the drug trade for about a year and a half; then commenced reading law. He also edited the Wakarusa Sun about three years, but some time ago it was discon- tinned. He was married Nov. 13, 1876, to Hattie E., danghter of Harvey and Lucinda Bly, natives of New York; had 2 children, Arthur and Walter. Mr. B. had a brother Amos in the army, who was killed at the battle of Mission Ridge.


John Crater .- Among the Union's veterans we find the name of Jolın Crater. He was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Oct. 24, 1843. His parents, Jacob and Sarah Crater, were also natives of that State; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the military service, Co. G, 55th Ohio Inf. Vol., under Capt. Strong. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta (which lasted three days), Savannalı, then Hardyville, S. C., where he was taken prisoner and confined for a short time in the Cheraw and the Salis- bury(N.C.) prisons; then was transferred to the Libby prison at Rich- mond, Va. While thonsands of others lay bleeding and dying on the field of battle lie was in the dungeon cell almost dying of hun- ger. He at one time gave §5 for a morsel of corn bread. After four months of intense suffering he was released, and subsequently fought in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was in the entire Atlanta campaign, and also with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war. Ile then returned to this county, where he still resides. He was married Oct. 29, 1865, to Jane Bowes, daughter of Roger and Elizabeth Bowes, natives of England. They emigrated to America in 1850. To this marriage S children were born, 2 of whom are living, viz .: Elizabeth and Cornelia. In politics Mr. Crater is a Re- publican. " He votes the way he shot."


Jacob Cripe, deceased, who lived near Wakarnsa, was a native of Ilagerstown, Pa., whence he moved with his parents to Montgom- ery county, Ohio. At the age of 25 years and while yet living in Ohio he was married to Miss Elizabeth Shank. Four children were born to them, namely: Henry, Samuel, Mary and Catharine, when by death Mr. Cripe was deprived of his wife. He afterward married Mary Shank, a sister of his first wife; they had two chil- dren, namely : John and Nancy. In 1829 he moved with his present family and his oldest son, Henry, together with a few of his neigh- bors, into the wilds of Indiana, into " Elkhart Prairie," then inhab- ited by "Lo!" the poor Indian. He planted a small acreage to corn, and in the fall returned to Ohic, where he remained through the winter. Then they returned to Indiana and settled abont one mile west of where the city of Goshen now stands, where he lived until 1854; he then sold his farm to Mr. Dillman and moved to Clinton


1106


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


tp., where shortly after he died. He is said to have been the first white settler in Indiana west of the Elkhart river. They were troubled considerably in the beginning with the Indians who were continually loitering abont their dwelling and begging for some- thing to eat. His son Henry married Magdalena Miller, and Samuel married Miss Elizabeth Miller, sisters, and members of a pioneer family. Mary was married to Jacob Dill, who lives near Wakarusa. The remainder of the family, Jacob H., Nancy, Mary, Catharine and Solomon, are all living in this and adjoining coun- ties, in good circumstances. and are useful members of their respect- ive communities.


Jacob F. Ehret. Trustee of Olive tp., sec. 14; P. O., Wakarnsa; was born July 15, 1836, in Philadelphia, Pa. His parents, Elias and Sophia Ehret, were natives of Germany and came to America in 1818 and settled in Philadelphia. In 1835 they moved to Medina county, Ohio, and in 1840 came to this county. Jacob F. lived on a farm till 19 years old, then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 22 years. He was married New Year's day of 1862 to Mary J., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Morris, who were among the earliest settlers of this tp. Mr. and Mrs. E. have had 9 children, viz .: Cornelins O., Minerva E., Lavina E., Alice, Clara, Sophia. Bertha, Frederick C., and Sarah A. Mr. E. was elected to the office of Tp. Trustee in 1878, and re-elected in April. 1880.


Peter Fink was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Sept. 29, 1832. His parents are Emanuel and Lydia Fink. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married in 1854 to Mary Clonse, by whom he has had 8 children, viz .: Mary A .. Sarah A. Reuben, Alsetta, Emanuel, John and Frank. Mr. Fink came with his parents to this county in 1842, and still resides here, en- gaged in farming and raising stock. He owns a farm of 100 acres, in sec. 2, well improved. August 20, 1862, he enlisted in the army, Co. I, 74th Reg. Ind. Inf., and fought in the following bat- tles: Chickamanga, Mission Ridge, Jonesboro, and also skirmishes, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was discharged in June, 1865. Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics is a Democrat.


George Halsey Gore was born Feb. 15, 1817, in Preston, New London Co., Conn. At 5 years of age, the family moved to New York. where the subject of this notice attended the com- mon school; at 12 he was apprenticed to the woolen-cloth manufacturing business, and served seven years. Losing his health, he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and continned in that business till 1850. when he moved his family to Lagrange county, Ind., where he was a millwright a few months; he then bought an interest in the foundry at Sturgis, Mich. He afterward made an engine and erected a steam saw-mill in Concord tp., this county. In 1859 he sold this mill, moved to Goshen, and was employed in the construction of threshing-machines two or three years. In 1863 he moved to Wakarusa, where he now resides. Oct. 29, 1840,


1107


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


he married Eleanor Kay, of Glasgow, Scotland, and they had 5 children: Harriet J., Charles H., (who married Martha Lincoln and had Cora and Charles E.). Mary J .; Caroline; and Emily, (who mar- ried Stephen Morris.) Mrs. G. died, and Mr. G. married Phoebe J. Mitchell, and by her had James F., John S. and Martha M. Mr. Gore's second wife died and he married, for his third wife, her cousin, Mrs. Mary A. (Morris) Mitchell, and by her had 2 children, Elmer E. and Lucy M. This last wife had 2 children living, Samnel J. and Wm. H.


Jeremiah Haun, son of John and Martha Haun, was born in Fayette county, Pa., Feb. 14, 1830; in 1836 he and his parents moved to Holmes county, Ohio; here he was reared and educated. He was married Feb. 14, 1852, to Miss Maria, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Longenecker,and they have had 13 children, of whom 5 are living. viz .: Martha E. (now Mrs. Allen Manerer), Joseph G., Pera E., Adelphia E. and John M. In 1864, while in Holmes county, Ohio, his family was seized with a very fatal form of diph- theria. In the short space of two weeks 5 of his children died, namely: Mary, Almira, Isaac, Joseph and Harrison R., and 3 others died soon after. Mr. Hann and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He owns a farm of 161 acres, in sec. 22, valued at $9,000. He is a Republican, and has filled the office of Township Trustee for two terms.


Philip Kilmer, farmer, sec. 36: P. O., Wakarusa; was born Ang. 9, 180S, in Pennsylvania. His parents were Isaac and Eve Kilmer, of the same State. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. Nov. 4, 1853, he came to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming. March 15, 1858. he was married to Catharine, daughter of Christian and Hannah Morton, of Pennsylvania. They have had 10 children, 6 of whom are liv- ing, viz .: Jacob, who married Christiana Lindamon; Hannah, now Mrs. Martin Loucks; Ere, now Mrs. Thos. Clay; Martha, now Mrs. Henry Miller; Philip, who married Anna Moyer; and Catharine, now Mrs. Fremont Degolyer. Mr. Kilmer had 1 son, Christian, who was a soldier in Co. K. 73d Reg't Ind. Vol. Inf., in the late war. and fought in the battle of Stone River, where he received a fatal wound, and died April 27, 1863, at the Nashville hos- pital, after an illness of over four months. Mr. K. owns a farm of 117 acres on sec. 36, worth $60 per acre. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, and politically is a Republican.


Richard Me Donough, of the firm of Gore, Nusbaum, McDonough & Co., stave factory, Wakarusa, was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., April 5, 1856, and is a son of John and Magdalena Mc- Donough. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1874 he came to this county, and in 1878 entered part- nership in the above-named firm. In August, 1877, he married Leah Lechlitner. by whom he had one child. Mary, born Jan. 1, 1878.


1108


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


Daniel Mikel, an early pioneer of Elkhart county, was born in North Carolina Ang. 18, 1808, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Mikel, who moved to Ohio in 1811, settling near Cincinnati; there he was reared and educated in the common schools held in little. low log cabins; he well remembers seeing the soldiers of 1812 as they were marching by their liumble residence to the little village of Cincinnati, which to-day is the metropolis of Ohio. In 1829 he came to this county, and for the first two years followed boat- ing on the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers; then the light canoe of the Indian would pass their heavily laden flat-boat like a bird on the wing: the steamboat did not yet ply its beautiful waters, and the shrill whistle of the iron horse was not heard: the noise of the atmospheric insects and the Indians' " jabbers," or their savage. war-like yells, was the only music for the few white men that wan- dered in this forest. In 1831 Mr. Mikel came into Olive tp .; there were but two other settlers within its limits; he chopped down a few trees and built a log house and moved into it; although the tall, sturdy oak seemed to defy his strength. he did not sit still and watch their bonghs waving gracefully in the breeze, but with his ax com- menced slaying these monarch oaks, and it was not long until he had prepared several acres for the plow. Thus his industry surmounted many great obstacles that came in his way. The meat they ate was all wild, principally deer and wild turkey.


On one December morning, being in need of meat, he shouldered his rifle and started out in search of a deer: after going some dis- tance from the house he saw a large deer standing in the path; he raised his gun and fired; the deer ran a few steps and leaped over a large log; Mr. Mikel loaded his gun, and on looking up, saw a deer gazing over the same log at him; he leveled on the deer, and it very quickly disappeared behind the bushes; lie reloaded his gun, and on looking at the log again he saw the deer still looking; he raised his trusty old rifle and discharged its contents at the sup- posed taunting deer; it disappeared; he once more loaded his gun; on looking up, saw a deer trot out in the path before him and stop; he dispatched him with a bullet, and on looking behind the log he found that every shot did its intended work,-three deers killed. He took care of his game. then resumed his hunting for the day, and at night returned with five more, being eight in all. They were so nninerous that sometimes a gang of 60 would be seen.


In December. 1827. Mr. Mikel married Catharine Eller, and they have had S children; 5 of these are living. viz .: Joseph, William, Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Fields, Sarah and Albert. Mr. M. owns 120 acres of land, partly in sec. 2, worth $50 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and for many years was the only Whig voter in his tp. Some of his early ancestors were soldiers in the Revolution.


Dr. Hugh T. Montgomery, physician and surgeon, Wakarusa, Ind., was born in Harrisburg, Penn .. Dec. 10, 1849: his parents were Riland and Caroline Montgomery; father was a native of Pennsylvania and mother of Maryland. In 1855 he moved with


1109


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


his parents to South Bend, and in 1861 to Warsaw, where they re- sided until 1867, when they went to Bourbon, Ind. The Doctor was educated in the schools of South Bend and Warsaw, but prin- cipally at the last named place. He began the study of medicine in 1871 under Dr. A. T. Mateliett, of Bourbon, and continued there till the fall of 1873, when he attended the Chicago Medical Col - lege, and graduated March 16, 1875; he also graduated at the Chi- cago School of Anatomy. In the year 1875 he came to Wakarusa, and commeneed the duties of his profession, and has good patron- age. He is a Demoerat, and was nominated by that party for Rep- resentative, but owing to his extensive business he declined to serve. Dr. M. was married Oct. 12, 1878, to Miss Hattie Lin- wood, who was born July 17, 1858, and is a daughter of E. B. and Mary Linwood, who were natives of New York and Massachusetts; they have one child, Ethyl L.


John Moore was born in Washington county, New York, Feb. 18, 1820, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah Moore, the former a na- tive of England and the latter of Ireland. His father served in the French Revolution, under Gen. Wellington, and fought at the bat- tle of Waterloo, where they were repulsed by Napoleon's army. Ile eame to America in 1804 and settled in Washington county, New York; in July, 1835, he and family came to this county, and in 1837 settled in Olive tp. Here John was reared and educated. He was married April 5, 1846, to Julia Crampton, by whom he has had 12 children; 10 are living: Elizabeth J., now Mrs. Tabor Mitchell; James C., Harriet M., now Mrs. Samnel Rowell; Emma A., Martha J., Sarah C., now Mrs. Lamar Gillette; Charles H., Maggie L., John S. and Thomas E. Mrs. Moore died April 27, 1873, and Mr. Moore again married in 1875. He is a Democrat; has held the office of Justice of the Peace for nearly 12 years, and is the present candidate (October, 1880) on the same ticket, for Representative. IIe owns 144 acres of land in sec. 11. worth $60 per aere.


Thomas Moore, brother of the preceding, was among the early residents of this county. He was born in Washington county, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1832. In 1835 he and his parents came and located in this wild and almost unbroken forest of Elkhart county, passing the first two years of their pioneer life in Concord tp., but afterward moving into Bango tp. Here, in Nature's temple, Thomas was reared and educated, learning more about frontier life than of the treasures contained in the school books. Oct. 27, 1857, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Ann Troxel, who were born in Pennsylvania. They had 10 children, of whom 2 are deceased. The following are the names of the living: Emma J. (now Mrs. John F. Root), Wm. P., John H., James H., George I., Peter, Mary A. and Frank W.


Stephen Morris was among those upon whom the " sun of life " fell in a melancholy forest. This event took place Nov. 18, 1834. His parents were Isaac and Eliza (Sailor) Morris. Here in this


1110


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


place of solitude he grew to manhood, having for an education access only to the common schools that were held in the rudest sort of log houses, but his help at home deprived him of many advan- tages that would have proved beneficial to him in after life. He was married Dec. 30, 1856. to Mary Chance, by whom he had + chil- dren: of these 2 are living, Caroline and Samantha. Mrs. M. died May 13. 1864, and he again married Sept. 18, 1865, this time Emma Gore, and had 1 child, Charles E., born in April. 1867. Mr. Morris, enlisted in the army in Co. C., 9th Regiment Ind. Vol. Inf., under Capt. T. F. Mann, and participated in the capture of Grafton and in the battles of Philippi and Laurel Hill. He was discharged in Angust, 1861. In 1855 he went to Olmsted county. Minn., and was appointed Sheriff of that county by the "Club law." being the first sheriff in the county. His father was among the early settlers of this county, having located here in 1832. He was born in Vir. (?) Feb. 7, 1503. In 1806 he and his parents moved to Monroe county, O., thence here. He, like many other pioneer boys, had a very limited education. He was married Sept. 25, 1825, to Elizabeth Sailor, and they have had 10 children, 9 of whom are living, viz .: Isaac, Stephen. Moses, Cornelins. Esther, Elizabeth, Eliza, Mary, Rachel M., and Jacob (deceased), who was a soldier in the late war. and died at Louisville, Ky.


Joseph Nittrouer was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. 1809. His parents, Samuel and Catharine Nittrower, were also natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of 11 years Joseph was cast out among strangers to do for himself. In 1844 he went to Montgomery county, O., and in 1864 came to this county, where he still resides. Feb. 2, 1837, he married Anna Metzler, by whom he has had 9 children: David, Jacob, Samuel. Abram, Mary (deceased), Catha- rine, Elias, Anna (deceased) and Amy. Mr. N. owns 80 acres of land, worth $60 per acres, all the fruit of his honest labors. His mother is still living, at the ripe age of 88 years. His grand- mother lived to the age of $7 years and nine months.


C. M. Nusbaum was born in Switzerland April 30, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine Nusbaum, also natives of Switzer- land; was reared and educated in his native country. In 1858 he came to America on the vessel " Samuel Fox." He first settled in Putnam county, Ohio, where he resided one year, then came to this county. He was married April 1, 1861, to Rhoda E. Sailor. At that time the war was raging. and heeding the call to arms, he, with a true patriotic spirit, not conforming to the old Mosaical law " that he should remain with his wife one year after marriage be- fore going to war," the following Angust (1861), enlisted in Co. G, 74th Reg. Ind. Inf., under Capt. Davis and Gen. Sherman. He participated in the terrible conflict at Chickamauga. the battle of Mission Ridge, Jonesboro and other minor engagements, numbering 14 in all. He also accompanied Sherman's army on their march to the sea. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, having served nearly four years. He returned home and resumed farming


1111


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


and stock-raising. In this family were 6 children, of whom + are living, viz .: Emeline, Albert A., Milo K. and John. Mr. N. owns a farm of 80 acres in sec. 11, well improved, and a fine resi- dence. He and wife are both members of the Evangelical Church, and he is a Republican.


C. W. Nusbaum, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Wakarusa: was born Nov. 11. 1:36. in Ashland county, Ohio, and is a son of Christian and Catharine ( Wise) Nusbanm, natives of Switzerland and Baden respectively, who emigrated to America in an early day. In April, 1848, Mr. N. came with his parents to this county, where he has followed farming and stock-raising for some years; was engaged in the mercantile business in Wakarusa for one and one-half years; also taught school for abont eight years. Feb. 18. 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Bechtel, daughter of Jacob and Anna Bechtel. and they have had 11 children; of these. 9 are living. viz .: Leander B., John W., Lucretia C., Oliver P., Charles M., William W., Anna M., Jacob V. and Matie V. Mr. N. owns a farm of 110 acres in sec. 23, worth $65 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of Assessor for 13 years. Mr. and Mrs. Nusbanm are both members of the Evangelical Association.


David Ramer, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Wakarnsa, was born in Richland county, Ohio, Feb. 4. 1842. His parents were Jacob and Catharine (Reed) Ramer. He was reared among the "Buckeyes" till 1848, then came to this county and passed the re- mainder of his young days among the Hoosiers. His education was received in the common country schools. August 4. 1864, he married Miss Hannah (., daughter of I. C. and Mary Bennett, natives of Canada. They have had 3 children, viz .: Emma A., Olive E., and Clarington C. Mr. R. was a soldier in the late war, in Co. G, 74th Reg., I. V. I., and participated in the battle of Lonisville, where he was taken ill, and on that account was discharged Feb- ruary 24, 1863. He then returned to Wakarusa and has since pursued the wagon-making and blacksmith trade. Politically, he is a Republican.


E. W. Robinson, meat merchant, Wakarusa, was born July 1, 1822,in Franklin county, Pa .; his parents were Hezekiah and Cath- arine Robinson, also natives of Pennsylvania; he was reared and edneated in Thomastown, Pa .; in 1850 he went to Tiffin, O., and in 1865 he came to Wakarusa, where he has since been engaged in the meat trade. He was married in 1854 and had & children; of these, 3 are living, viz .: Wm. F., Albert W. and Mary C. (now Mrs. Frederick Whitmer). Mr. R. enlisted in the army May 2, 1861, Co. A, 164th Reg. O. V. I., National Guards, and served 100 days, then was discharged; had one son who served three years.


Nelson Rood, proprietor of the Elkhart Tiling Factory, sec. 2 ; is a son of Lorain B. and Susanna Rood, and was born April 18. 1848, in Mercer county, Ohio. IIe was raised on a farm and edu- cated in the common schools. He followed school-teaching some years. In 1868 he came to this county ; he first located the tiling


1112


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


factory in Jefferson tp. in October, 1871, and in 1878 he removed it to its present site. He mannfactures 2, 23, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 inch tiling. The engine is 10-horse power. He married Nov. 26, 1874, to Hutoka Blne, daughter of Abner Blue, and had one child, viz .: Hallet Ernest.


Samuel Seitz was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., Sept. 25, 1822. His parents were Jacob and Salome Seitz. He was reared on a farm, receiving but little education. His parents were poor, and his lot was cast among almost heartless strangers. He attended school only when the inclement weather prevented him from working. Thus he did not attend school more than a month (in all) in a year. In March, 1853, he came to Olive tp., this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming, etc. He mar- ried Aug. 11, 1844, Lucetta Williard, by whom he has had 5 chil- dren; 3 are living, viz .: Lydia A., now Mrs. Michael Ehret, in Mich. ; Catharine, now Mrs. Eli Waggoner, and Harriet, now Mrs. Bishop Shutts. Mr. and Mrs. Seitz are both members of the Re- formed Church. Mr. S. is also a Republican. He owns a farm of SO acres in sec. 27.




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.