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 107

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 107

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).

1167

HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

mother is living in DeKalb county, at the advanced age of 69 years.

William Palin, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Bristol; was born in Bickerton, Cheshire, England, Sept. 8, 1822, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Palin, also natives of England. His mother died in England Sept. 15, 1822, and his father died Oct. 6, 1873, at his home in England. He was deprived of his mother by her death, when he was but one week old. At the age of nine years, in com- pany with his uncle, Geo. Moss, with whom he was living, he came to America and located at Newton, Trumbull county, Ohio. He there labored on the farm with his uncle for 12 years. He then returned to England to visit his father and remained there two years. He then returned to Trumbull county, O., and engaged in the mercantile trade in the city of Warren, continuing in that busi- ness eight years. He then started on a trip, by the Nicaragua route, to California, remaining in the gold fields of that region two years, returning by way of Panama. On his return to Warren, O., he again resuured the mercantile trade, which he continued two years. In 1862 he again visited England and took a journey to the borders of Europe, via France, Belgium, Germany and Hol- land, returning via Scotland, Ireland and Wales. He removed to Bristol here in the spring of 1856, purchased a farm, and now, after many long years, resumed the occupation of his boyhood, and was again a farmer. He is the owner of 93 acres of land, worth $100 per acre, and 40 acres on the Hill, valued at $50 per acre.

He formerly owned the land on which the race and dam were built for the hydraulic water-works, an enterprise of great value lying in waste. In 1868 Mr. Palin raised probably the largest crop of wheat ever grown in the county. It averaged 60 bushels per acre, by accurate measure, notwithstanding a storm just previous to harvesting had blown down and so tangled the grain that a goodly quantity was lost in harvesting the crop. So great was the waste that the volunteer crop the next season produced 15 bushels per acre. The wheat was known as the Springdale variety. He was married in Warren, O., Sept. 14, 1854, to Nancy Harsh, who was born in the same place in August, 1830. Their 3 children are Win. R., Anna and John H. Mr. Palin is an ardent supporter of the Republican party

Joseph Rieth, farmer, sec. 31; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Berks county, Penn., Oct. 16, 1820; father was a farmer and a native also of Pennsylvania. He remained with his father until he was about 25 years old, when he married Susan Wenger in 1845, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn .; they have had 5 children: Isaac, Daniel, Samuel W., Mary and Ellen; 4 of these are married. In 1852 he came West and located west of Goshen, where he rented a farm, remaining two years; then he moved npon the Basco farm, where he remained nine years; then upon the Keller farm, where he remained until he bought in Middlebury tp. and lived 10 years; he then sold out and bought his present farm, consisting of 170

1168

HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

acres of land, under a fair state of cultivation, worth $75 per acre all of which he attained by his steady attention to business, having only $50 to begin with when first married and started out for him- self. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at Elkhart. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Mrs. E. P. Rolf, widow of the Rev. E. B. Rolf, deceased, who was born in Vermont in 1812, and died Nov. 16, 1872. At an early day Mr. Rolf moved from Vermont to New York, where he was educated for the ministry, and from there he came to Indiana, where he married Mrs. E. P. Brown, who was born in Columbia county, N. Y., Jan. 25. 1818, and had by her former husband 2 children: Freeman M. and William D., both deceased. The latter enlisted in the late war of 1861 and died while in the service at Camp White, Tenn., and her former husband died in 1859. He was a native of Vermont. She owns 120 acres of land, worth $70 per acre, and she resides on her farm. She is a member of the Communion Baptist Church.

Franklin G Romain, books, stationery, groceries, etc., Bristol; was born in New York city Aug. 20, 1848. His father came to Indiana in 1859 and located near Bristol, and soon after moved into the town of Bristol and sold goods until his death in 1861; his mother is still living in Bristol. The subject of this sketch was married in 1871 to Mary A. Salsbury, born in Indiana; they have 4 children: Forance M., Theodore K., Benjamin and Anna. Mr. R. clerked in a hardware store in Eikhart six years, and since his marriage he has continued to carry on his present business; has held the office of Town Clerk three consecutive terms, and Tp. Treasurer two terms; they are members of the Episcopal Church ; he is a Republican.

Jonas Sassuman, farmer, sec. 34; P. O., Bristol; was born in Snyder county, Pa., Ang. 23, 1838; his parents were also natives of Pennsylvania. His father died Sept. 1878, and his mother still resides iu Pennsylvania. He was principally raised on a farm and educated in the old way of attending school. He was married in 1865 to Mary Jane Bertch, also a native of Snyder county, Pa., born in 1845. They have had 9 children; the living are: Oliver, Franklin, Noah, Eva and Mary Susan (twins), and Byron; those deceased are: Emma, Anna and 1 in infancy. In 1866 Mr. S. came to Indiana and farmed one year; he then moved up into Michigan, where he farmed for five years: he then came back to Indiana, where he bought a farm consisting of 80 acres of land, worth $60 per acre. He was one of the lucky ones in the wheel of fortune, and drew a card which took hin into the late war, where he remained nine months. They are members of the German Lutheran Church and politically he is a Democrat.

Charles T. Seibert, carpenter and lumber dealer, Bristol, was born in Northumberland county, Pa., Sept. 22, 1830, son of John and Magdalena Seibert, natives of Pennsylvania; father died in June, 1846, in his 56th year, and his mother died in 1861 in her

1169

HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

66th year. The subject of this sketch was raised upon a farm and received a common-school education in the district schools. At the age of 20 he began his trade, following it in Pennsylvania for his support; in 1861 he came to this county and began to carry on his trade. In 1864 he married Mary E. Kessler, who was born in Ohio in 1847. They have 4 children: Charles K., Mary Emma, Mary Magdelena and Bertha. In April, 1877, he added to his business the Inmber trade, which he carries on for Maxon, Parme- ter & Co., of Elkhart. They handle from 200,000 to 250.000 feet of lumber each year, and he also has a full supply of lime and cement. He owns a neat and comfortable residence in the town of Bristol. They are members of the Presbyterian Church, and polit- ically he is a Republican.

R. J. Sherwin, farmer, sec. 32; P. O., Bristol, was born in Bris- tol, Ind., Dec. 25, 1848. His parents were natives of Canada, and came to this county in 1840 and located where the subject of this sketch was born, and educated in the common schools. The latter was principally brought up on a farm; dealt in live stock in Kan- sas six years ; then in a grocery at South Bend four years, and he came to the farm he now owns, March 25, 1880, which consists of 122 acres of land, and worth $60 per acre. He was married in 1872 to Clara Paxson, who was born in this county in 1853, and they have 1 child, Ada May, who was born in 1878. Politically, Mr. S is a Democrat.

Anunias Stom, barber and hair-dresser, Bristol; was born in Stark county, O., Nov. 21, 1845; his parents were natives of Ohio; father deceased. He came to this county in 1873 and located in Bristol. He was married Feb. 5, 1880, to Intha M. Ernsberger, born in Ohio in 1858. In connection with his trade, Mr. S. keeps first-class cigars, also billiard and pool tables. He respectfully asks the patronage of the citizens, and guarantees satisfaction. He is a Democrat.

Dennis Sullivan, cabinet-maker and joiner, Bristol; was born in Ireland April 1, 1828; his father emigrated to America in 1834, landing in Quebec; from there he went to Bangor, Maine, where the subject of this sketch commenced for himself, working on a farm for Mr. Reed; he then went to New York and worked in a tobacco factory, then to Connecticut, where he again followed farm- ing with Mr. Smith. At the age of 17 he commenced to learn his trade, which he followed four years, then moved West and located in Batavia, Ill., where he engaged in business, working at his trade. He then moved to Indiana and located in Bristol, where he followed his occupation, working part of his time in Elkhart and Constan- tine; finally he opened his present business, and has since continued to follow it. He was married in 1852 to Mary A. Hall, born in New York, 1826, and died May 17, 1870; they had 5 children, 3 of whom are deceased; the 2 living are Hattie, now Mrs. Kline, and William.

Mr. S. married for his second wife E. A. Jessup, born in Ohio in August, 1846; they have 1 child, Bertha M. He commenced life

1170

HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

with nothing but his own hands: has earned all by his own labors and attention to business: they are members of the M. E. Church; Mr. S. is a Republican.

Thomas Wells, farmer. sec. 20; P. O., Bristol; is the son of Charles and Mary Ann Wells. His father died in December, 1852. and his mother is now living, part of the time with him. He was born Feb. 2. 1844. in this tp .. and was reared on a farm: re- ceived his education in the common schools. and was married in 1568 to Caroline Shadle, who was born in Fulton county, Ind., in 1848. He now owns 58 acres of land. well cultivated, and worth $70 per acre. He is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church.

.Joseph Wheeler, keeper of a hotel and grocery store. Bristol, was born in Genesee county. N. Y., Feb. 16, 1816. His father and mother were natives of Vermont and moved to New York in 1815. locating in the town where the subject of this sketch was born and raised. At the age of 17 years he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. working only eight months as an apprentice, and followed the same until 1535. He came West and located in this tp., where he commenced to carry on his trade and engaged in the construc- tion of railroad eating-houses and railroad bridges. He built the eating-house in Elkhart on the line of the L. S. & M. S. R. R .. which took him three months. and he says it was the only one he built that he lost money on. He married for his first wife Cordelia Clark, who was born in Vermont, and died in 1847. They had 3 children, of whom only 1 is now living: Charles M. For his second wite Mr. W. married Mrs. Francis Blair, who was born in Ohio in 1848: she had by her former marriage 4 children; the living are: Francis and Walis. She died in 1852. Mr. W. married for his third wife Marilla M. Canvass. She was born in the city of Erie, Penn .. and died in 1560. They had by this marriage 5 children; the living are: Homer C. and Herbert H .: the 3 deceased were: Henry H., Milard and Joseph. For his last wife he married Jane M. Pierson, who was born in Ohio. He owns the property he occu- pies. and we can say that not many have undergone as much as he as and stood the storm. Politically, he is a live Republican.

Harrison Zeigler. farmer. sec. 28: P. O., Bristol; was born in Union county, Penn., January, 1820. His parents were natives of the same State; father died in 1866, and mother in 1-71. He was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania among the hills and rocks, and received his education in a common school; at the age of 21 he commenced with $50 on a farm. and continned there 11 years; in 1855 he came West and located in this county on his present farm. which consists of 105 acres of land. well improved, and worth §§5 per acre. In 1546 he married Catherine Snyder, born in Sny- der county. Penn .; they have had 5 children : the living are: Elmira, now Mrs. Cox: Lucretia. Samnel W. and Amanda: 1 is deceased: William A. Mrs. Z. is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Z. s a Democrat.

YORK TOWNSHIP.

Prior to the final division of the northern part of this county this had been a portion of the territory comprising Middlebury. The soil of this township is sandy, of medium fertility and easy of cultivation. A continnation of the hills spoken of in the Wash- ington township history extends into this township, and are used in the cultivation of fruits, which are abundant. The people, as a class, are industrious, contented, and from these qualities is always derived a bountiful supply of happiness.

The first settlement, with the intent of actnal improvement, is said to have been made by Wm. Hunter in 1833, who located in the southern part of the township near the Little Elkhart river. In 1834 this adventurous pioneer received a considerable reinforcement when came J. N. Brown, J. and Wm. Cummins, Win. Hall. Friend Curtis. David Ebi, Hiram Chase, E. Bonney, John and Ruby Van- Frank, Edward Joyce and A. Arnold, and settled on the Vistula road. They soon were convinced of their numerical powers, and the

Many hearts of pioneers Which always beat as one

combined in the petition for an organization of a new town- ship, which petition was granted; and from the fact of a majority of the citizens having come from the State of New York. the appro- priate conclusion is easily drawn why the newly organized domain should, by common consent, receive the lasting title of "York."

From this time forth the settlement of the township was rapid. Settlements and improvements were made in other localities, and farms were opened up with all that steady, healthy rapidity char- acteristic of the determined minds of those who fearlessly. reso- Intely and manfully place themselves in that sometimes nnenviable position to fulfill, or fail in the attempt to fulfill, the resolution to " grow np with the conntry."

Abont the time of the organization of the township Samuel Ebi started a distillery in the northwestern part of the township, which was continued in operation for abont 30 years, or until 1865, when the demand for spirits was found to be not so great as when log-rollings were inore numerous and revenue was not so highi.

(1171)

1172

HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

In April, 1837, an election was held at the residence of Friend Curtis, which resulted in the choice of Wm. R. Cummins as Justice of the Peace, Jedediah Cummins as Constable, Daniel Ebi as Supervisor of Roads, and John Shelhamer and Mr. Williams for Overseers of the Poor. And as none could rightly lay claim to be considered rich, ; though not absolutely poor, these men could almost claim by virtue of honest election to have the entire citizen ship under their jurisdiction.

Luke and Mark Sanker, Samuel Ebi and Nathan Whipple came in 1837. Mr. Whipple and Edward Bonney built a flouring mill and saw-mill on the Little Elkhart in 1837, which were the first mills erected in the township. These mills are situated about three miles east of the town of Bristol, and are, after a lapse of 43 years, yet doing service for the community.

It is somewhere written that the first school was taught by Miss Melinda Bliss, in an old cooper shop; but later investigation develops the fact that there were no old cooper shops at that time, and that the first school was taught by Maro Wheeler, then but 15 years of age, later a member of the firm of Secor, Berdan & Co., wholesale grocerymen of Toledo, Ohio. A school-house was built on sec. 21, in 1837, which was the first school building erected in the township.

The first religious services were held by a Mr. Depew, a Presby- terian who did missionary work near a place called Bonneyville. Services were held in a school-house at that place. In 1836 Rev. Eli Garrison came to this township and organized a Baptist Church, which was the first Church organization here of which we have any knowledge. He died in April, 1837, and his is said to have been the first death to occur in the township.

The carpenter and joiner's trade was first represented by David Ebi, who also attended the duties of undertaker. He did the work of his trade in his dwelling.

During the autumns of 1837 and 1838 the fever and ague raged among the people with great distress, and even in this sparsely settled community. Mr. Ebi had orders for three coffins at one time, all for grown people.

The L. S. & M. S. railroad passes across the northwestern part of the township. During its construction a wood-shed was built at a point along the track, where the people of this community and of Middlebury made an effort and were successful in securing a depot at the same point. It answered to the name of " Middlebury

1173

HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Station " until the place was granted a postoffice, when it was given the name of " Vistula." The place was laid out in 1865, and receives the freight for Middlebury.

The town of Vistula now has two churches,-Disciple and Lu- theran; also a Methodist organization, which holds services in the Lutheran church. The present minister in the Disciple church is the Rev. Mr. Kershner, who was formerly a minister among the Mormons. It has one dry-goods store, kept by Smith & Patterson; and a grocery store, kept by Shellenbarger & Son, who also deal largely in lumber and Grand Rapids land plaster. Blacksmith and wagon shops are in operation by Seymour & Seybert, and a wagon shop by Edwin Corp, who also is engaged extensively in apiary husbandry. There is also one hotel.

This quiet precinct was once, in its early history, the scene of a very exciting tragedy, which for a time kept the inhabitants sup- plied with conversational material, and was the occasion of not a little nervousness. It seems that one Samuel Miller began a series of strange pastimes which betokened an approaching fit of insanity or ungovernable madness, by walking the road, unoccupied, and curiously passed one of his neighbor's houses and threw down a package of small papers, which, when afterward examined by a friend and returned to his wife, were found to be notes and valuable papers of upward of $100 in value. He then went to his home, procured a large knife, sought his wife and informed her of his inten- tion to kill himself, yet also horrifying her with the statement that his purpose was to take her life first, and without further warning plunged the blade of steel into her breast while she was sitting with her babe in her arms. He then without pansing to know the result of his attempted murder upon his wife, stabbed himself, inflicting a wound that in a few hours caused his death. Surgical aid was soon obtained, the wounded wife was well cared for and finally recovered. She was a very estimable woman and afterward married a worthy man, Aaron Brooks. They now reside in the edge of the State of Michigan within a mile of the scene of the bloody tragedy.

PERSONAL.

We close with a few biographical sketches of prominent residents in this township.

Harvey Clauson, farmer, sec. 33; P. O., Middlebury ; was born in Orange county, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1820; was raised and remained

1174 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

in his native State until 21 years old; then moved to New Jersey, where he resided 29 years; thence to this county, where he is now located on a farm, consisting of 240 acres of land under good state of improvement, with good substantial buildings, and well supplied with fruit, which he values at $70 per acre. He married for his first wife Charlotte Purdy, in 1841; she was born in New Jersey in 1819, and died Dec. 12, 1852, leaving 2 children: Henry P., born in 1843, now living in New York; and John H., born in 1846 in New Jersey. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, where he died June 13, 1862, at Raleighville, Tenn. Mr. C. mar- ried for his second wife Phebe Mathers, who was born in 1816 in New York State. and died in Indiana March 21, 1873; she left 1 child, Charles E., born May 4, 1858, in New Jersey. For his third wife Mr. C. married Miss Lydia Brown Burridge, born in this county in 1842. Mr. C. is a Democrat.

David Ebi comes of an old and respectable family, his grand- father, David Ebi, having served as a soldier in the Revolution, in a Virginia regiment of volunteers, through the entire war, when he was honorably discharged, but never claimed the pension allowed the old veterans of 1776. He of whom we write was born near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1813, and was one of a fam- ily of 17 children, of whom 14 survive. The first 19 years of his life he remained at home, assisting his father on the farm. At this time, however. he evinced a desire to learn the carpenter's trade, and stipulated with his father for the remaining years of his minority, agreeing to pay him $50 therefor, which contract he faithfully ful- filled, much to the satisfaction of the father. In 1831 he shouldered his knapsack and left his father's roof to begin life for himself, and was domiciled for that year with his uncle, David Ebi, during which time he attended school. In 1832, with his brother Michael, he was apprenticed to a carpenter, but worked so hard that at the end of the second year he was obliged to return to his uncle's house to recuperate, availing himself of the opportunity, in the meantime, to again attend school, and resumed his apprenticeship in the spring. .

Aug. 30, 1835, he engaged in a business expedition to Michigan, for a brother, and walked to Akron, Ohio, the first day; he arrived at Mottville Sept. 6. walking from Detroit since the 2d of the month. On arriving at Mottville he found his brother. Daniel Ebi, living with his father-in-law, Daniel Shellhammer. Here he met his future wife, Catharine Shellhammer, to whom he was married March 30, 1837. Mrs. Ebi was born in Schuylkill county, Penn., Nov. 11, 1817, and died Sept. 26, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Ebi had S children, of whom 5 still survive. Among their greatest trials was the loss of three of their older sons, who died at a time when they were just developing into interesting youths. An unfortu- nate financial transaction, caused by the delinquency of another, cost Mr. Ebi the loss of all his hard-earned property, at a time when he was laying the foundation for future competence. His life-history

1175

HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

is a chequered one, experiencing all of the vicissitudes of a pioneer existence. He has at last, after many wanderings and changes, returned to the township, where he made his first stay in Michigan of more than a single night.

He came to this tp. the day after he was married, a one-horse wagon sufficing to transport his wife and all of his household effects. He bonght 40 acres of land and built a small board house, without doors, windows or chimney; the cooking was done out of doors, a stump being utilized for a stove, and thus they passed the honey- moon ; it would scarcely come under the head of " love in a cottage," and yet love was not wanting, though the cottage was yet to be built. It came in good time, however, and was all the better for being the sole handiwork of the master of the house himself. He resided here 12 years, when his wife's health failing, he changed his location to the village of Bristol, in which place he built two cot- tages for his own nse, residing there many years.

On the 10th of April, 1860. in company with one A. P. Wright, he went to Colorado, where, after prospecting for a time, he settled in Gilpin county, and engaged in mining. At intervals he worked at building himself a house, which, on completion, he converted into a provision-store, and succeeded well in the business of mer- chandising in that line. In 1866 he returned to Bristol, where he met Mrs. Barbara Koehler, a widowed lady whom he had known for 20 years, and April 15 following they were married. He sub- sequently purchased the farm of his wife's former husband, on which they resided two years, and then sold the same and moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they resided five years. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Ebi paid a visit to his sons living in California, where they remained nearly a year, and returned to Elkhart July 6, 1874, and on the 18th of the same month fixed their residence, as at present, in Mottville. Mr. Ebi, while in Colorado, assisted in framing the territorial laws and regulations, and was a delegate to the first territorial convention, in 1860, from Gilpin county. IIe is a member of the M. E. Church, which he joined, with his wife Catharine, in 1838.

The present wife of Mr. Ebi has 2 children by her former hus- band, Conrad Koehler (a native of Germany), a son and a danghter. She was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1821, her maiden name being Barbara Whitman. She was first married when 19 years of age.

Samuel Eby. farmer, sec. S, was born in Stark county, O., March 31, 1807; was raised on a farm under his father's care, and at the age of 18 years, set ont to work by the day and month, pay- ing one-half of his earnings to his father until he was 21 years old; worked in a brick yard, and learned the distilling trade; at the age of 28 he married Elizabeth Kessler, who was born in Pennsylvania Ang. 20. 1810; they lived several years in Ohio, and continued to farm until the fall of 1837; Sept. 14 he and his family landed in this county. where he purchased a farm of 176 acres, on which he

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.

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 107

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

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