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 51

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 51

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The question of enchaining the press has often presented itself to the favored few. Some severe measures were enforced against a little editorial band in this country not many years ago; and though the honesty of the men deserved a higher consideration at the hands of Congress, their terrible denunciations of a just war half justified their punishment, and left the dangerous precedent uncriticised. Victor Hugo, who has labored in the interest of man's political freedom throughont a long and eventful life, has given a beautiful idea of the press in his eloquent warning to the French legislators: "Consider well what you would do," said he. "Reflect on the task that you have undertaken, and measure it well before you commence. Suppose you should succeed: when you have destroyed the press there will remain something more to de- stroy .- Paris! When you have destroyed Paris, there will remain France. When you have destroyed France there will remain the human mind. I repeat it, let this great European alarm party measure the immensity of the task which, in their heroism, they would attempt. Though they annihilate the press to the last journal, Paris to the last pavement, France to the last hamlet, they will have done nothing. There will yet remain for them to destroy something always paramount, above the generations, and, as it were, between man and his Maker; something that has written all the books, invented all the arts, discovered all the worlds, founded all the civilizations; something which will always grasp, under the form of revolutions what is not yielded under the form of progress;

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something which is itself unseizable as the light, and unapproacha- ble as the sun, and which calls itself the human mind!"

The veteran writer makes the press almost synonymous with the nation. Prescribe its liberty and the nation suffers: therefore let ns regard and cherish our newspapers,-stigmatize what is corrupt in them, and appland their justice. Such is due by the people to the press and to the nation.

The Northwestern Review and St. Joseph Intelligencer became a reality Nov. 16, 1831. It was the result of the literary and mechanical enterprise of two young journalists, J. D. and J. H. Defrees, and may be considered the first newspaper devoted to the interests of the St. Joseph country, as well as the first local sheet presented to and published for readers in this county. On May 23, 1832, the Messrs. Defrees removed the office of the Pioneer to the second story of a house in South Bend, once the tavern of Mr. Lilly, and being established there, gave to the journal the name of the St. Joseph Beacon, devoting its columns more particularly to the interests of the St. Joseph country. This was the troublous period of the Sac war excitement, which the sensible reasoning of the editors of the Beacon failed to allay. J. D. Defrees opposed his columns to the unwise action of the State in sending the 40th Regiment to the front, and again he criticised severely the conduct of the regiment, so that the eninity of the volunteers was not to be wondered at. On the return of the 40th from Chicago in 1832, the more reckless men attacked the Beacon office, and would have given it np to destruction had not wise counsel prevailed.

The Beacon continued to be published at South Bend until 1834, when Mr. J. D. Defrees transferred his office to White Pigeon. Previously, in 1833, Mr. J. H. Defrees disposed of his interest in the Beacon, and removing to Goshen, entered on that commercial career which has taken such a very important part in building up a prosperous town.

The Goshen Express was the first print projected within Elk- hart county, the first number being issued Jan. 28, 1837, and on the lapse of this name it was succeeded by the Northern Indianian in the latter months of 1839. This journal was edited by C. L. Mur- ray from its beginning to its last issue, and was a most important auxiliary in forwarding the good of the people.

The Beacon, Express, and Northern Indianian disappeared in turn, or as it was then said, merged into

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The Goshen Democrat. The first days of August, 1873, witnessed the transfer of the Democrat from Col. Melvin B. Hascall to Messrs. C. L. Murray and Win. . A. Beane, with the former of the new proprie- tors in the editorial chair. Four days after the transfer, or on Aug. 6, the editor addressed his constituents, and so pertinent was his review of the Democrat from its establishment to his time, that it will meet the whole requirements of history in this connection.

"To the great majority of our readers, we are well known," said Mr. Murray. " In all the publie events which have transpired and agitated the people we have taken a more or less active part. We have been their representative and their senator preceding and during the war, and thus shared their confidence as well as experi- enced somewhat of publie life. When but a boy we were put into a printing office, in Towanda, Bradford county. Pa. We followed the fortunes of onr brother-in-law, Warren Jenkins, with a print- ing office, in 1829, to Milan, Huron county, Ohio, and from thence, in 1832. to Columbus, the capital of the State, where in a few years we gradnated as a journeyman printer and assumed the foreman- ship of the Ohio Statesman, and was in that office when its proprietors. Gilbert and Melcher. sold to Sam. Medary. In 1836, in conjunction with David P. Espy, another brother-in-law, we purchased the office of the Piqua Courier, in Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, and along in 1836. sold out to J. D. Barrington; and at the solicitation of John D. Defrees and James H. Barns (a committee appointed by the citizens of Goshen to hunt up a printer here) we proceeded to Cincinnati. purchased materials, brought them as far as Dayton by canal, and wagoned them the balance of the way to the " Land of Goshen," and, in partnership with Anthony Defrees, Jr., published the first paper in Goshen. Soon after Mr. Defrees sold out his interest, and we became its sole owner and editor.

" The Goshen Democrat, edited by Thomas H. Bassett, followed about six months after the establishment of the Goshen Express. Neither paper at that time could live independent of the private contributions of their respective friends. Becoming involved in the general smash-up of the banks in 1838. the Express was taken off our hands by a number of gentlemen, who formed a company to sustain it. We retained an interest in the paper and conducted it for them. The original article of association now lies before us, signed with their own hands, yellow and worn with age; while most of the men-active. prominent men and politicians then-

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now molder in their graves. They are as follows :- John W. Violett, Oliver Crane, James H. Barns, Joseph H. Defrees, John- ston Latta, Elias Manning. Elias Baker, W. A. Thomas, Cephas Hawks, Fred. A. Harris, L. G. Harris, John Stanffer, William Latta. Sam. H. Clymer, John D. Defrees, J. L. Defrees, Davenport and Haine, Thomas Thomas. Jonathan Wyland, H. Beardsley, E. S. Hinton, James Frier, Mark B. Thompson, Jolin Weed, Geo. Crawford. J. D. Vail, John McBride, John Rohrer, Jacob Cornell, Owen Coffin, and James R. McCord. When we look back to those early times in our history and can think of such men as these as onr associates and friends, it makes onr heart glow with a just pride. The memory of the dead brings back many pleasant recol- lections, and the living have always our highest personal regard.

" The printing-office was finally, after a great many vicissitudes, sold and taken to Elkhart, and from there, in 1845, purchased by F. A. and L. G. Harris, and carried to Monoquet, Kosciusko county, where we had again the honor of publishing the first paper, con- tinning it there a little over one year, until the county seat was finally settled at Warsaw; it was sold ont to Peter L. Runyan and taken to that town. We moved to Indianapolis in 1846, and was employed by J. D. Defrees as a writer on the State Journal. Atter remaining there through the Taylor campaign we returned to Jefferson township, where we had previously bought land, and erected a log cabin, went to work, cleared up a farm, and lived there ever since, until we sold out and moved to town. All through these long years, up to the last presidential campaign, we acted with the old Whig, and after the rise and agitation of the slavery question, with the Republican, party. We attended the Cincinnati Conven- tion, was appointed a member of the State Executive Committee from this district, united with the Democrats in support of the National and State tickets, wrote and spoke in their support, and we stand with them to-day heart and soul, and with all those who sincerely believe that we had enough of political dishonesty and corruption, and will unite to overthrow it. It is with this purpose in our old age ' we return to our first love,' and take up the pen, caring nothing for parties or party names, having the utmost faith in the honesty of the people, and their power, if they will but exercise it, to correct all abuses and eliminate all official corruption."

The Democrat was projected in 1838 by Edward Brown and Thomas H. Bassett. Bassett was succeeded in the editorial chair by Dr. E. W. HI. Ellis, who, with his brother, W. R. Ellis, con-

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tinned its publication up to 1850. Mr. Beane, the present editor, entered the office in 1844 under Dr. Ellis, and has continned his connection with that journal down to the present time, with the exception of a few years devoted to other business. In 1850 Emery & Bonton purchased the paper; subsequently Judge Robert Lowry, of Fort Wayne, took an interest, and in 1855 the Judge disposed of his interest to J. T. Bennett. Earle & Heath succeeded as pub- lishers in 1858, and Win. A. Bcane as proprietor in 1860. Mr. W. H. Norton, the present assistant editor of the Democrat, purchased the controlling interest in 1862. From the latter part of 1863 to 1866 Mr. Beane held the editorship; H. S. Fassett, now of the South Bend Register, published it up to March, 1868. In 1872 Melvin B. Hascall with La Porte Heffner assumed control; but within the subsequent year the office became the property of Mur- ray & Beane. In 1878 Mr. Murray retired from the Democrat and entered upon the publication of the South Bend Herald, leaving the entire business in the possession of W. A. Beane. The office sent many gallant soldiers to the front during the civil war, among whom were E. F. Abbott, S. J. Connell, Wm. J. C. Blaine and Wm. Coffin. In many other respects, too, it has proved itself one of the strongest supporters of the first principles of the Republic, and so long as it continues in this course it must live and prosper.

William A. Beane, editor and proprietor of the Goshen Demo- crat, was born in Preble county, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1828. He was the son of William and Harriet (Howell) Bean. . The family removed to Elkhart county, Ind., in 1836, and resided at Benton village. There the elder Beane died in 1840, and his wife followed him to the undiscovered country in 1872. There were five sons and two daugh- ters in the family. One son and one daughter are in Oregon, and one son in Leesburg, Ind. William came to Goshen in 1843 and began to learn the printer's art in 1844, entering the office of the Goshen Democrat when Dr. Ellis controlled that paper, and being more or less identified with it ever since, with the exception of six years, during which time he was a clerk in the store owned by John Winder. In 1860 he bought the Democrat office, and has been its proprietor since, with the exception of short intervals. He has taken the paper through every political campaign since the memor- able Lincoln and Donglas contest, and has always wielded a vig- orous pen in behalf of Democracy. He is a genuine country editor, and accepts the inevitable ups and downs of newspaper life with equanimity, indulging occasionally in vigorons English when

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Alsander. Anderson

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

there is momentary call for it. but soon recovering his usual good nature and even temper. His paper is a prominent landmark in the history of Elkhart county, and has never been more conspicuous than under the editorial conduct of Mr. Beane, who has given it an individual and pronounced character. He has held and sought no office of any grade, choosing to be an editor only. untrammeled by the necessities of hunting and holding public place. Mr. Beane was married in 1854 and has six children, three sons and three daughters. His daughter Hattie married Dr. W. E. Geddis, who now practices at Leroy, Mich. Frank is married, and is a telegraph operator at Boone, Iowa. Charles E., the oldest son, is engaged with his father in the Democrat office. The youngest son, Joseph A., and the two daughters, Minnie L. and Lucy A., are yet small and attend school. The history of the Democrat as a newspaper appears else- where in this work.

The Kinderhook Dutchman was published in 1840, and edited by Dr. W. H. Ellis. Its columns were purely political in character. The editorial salutatory, from which is the following extract, is its history :

" A few reminiscences will account for the title of our paper. The first settlers of New York, and that delightful portion of country bordering on the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, emigrated from Hol- land, to endure the privations and share in the bounties of the new world. From them have descended some of the first statesmen of America, among whom stands pre-eminent Martin Van Buren, the son of a humble Dutch farmer of Kinderhook." The Dutchman was a quarto sheet, well printed, edited with ability and a terrible opponent of Wh'ggism. Yet the Whigs survived its repeated at- tacks, and proved once more that intolerance in political matters does not bring power to the party which advocates and practices it. Notwithstanding the earnest Democracy of the literary Doctor, it may be stated positively that he enjoyed the esteem of all men and the friendship of many.

The Elkhart County Times is said to have appeared in January, 1856, with Robert Gillson and J. M. Defrees editor and proprietor. We are told that the Goshen Times was established previously by E. W. Metcalf; and to this opinion many old residents incline; but that the County Times had an existence is not denied. Therefore, while conceding all that is asked for the enterprise of Messrs. Gill- son and J. M. Defrees, the writer does not feel justified in chang- ing a line of what he has hitherto written in connection with the 37

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Metcalf enterprise. It is possible, in fact probable, that one or other of the Defrees family took an active part in projecting the Times, as they did in every other newspaper enterprise in North- ern Indiana; but every record brought under the writer's notice points ont the following sketch to be correct:

The Goshen Times was established in 1855 by Editor E. W. Metcalf, who afterward transferred his interest to Dr. E. W. H. Ellis and C. W. Stevens. This newspaper may be said to have occupied a very prominent place from its first issue; and though it has been exposed to many and severe vicissitudes, it survived time and change and thus it comes down to the present, carrying with it the same principles and forin which insured it a welcome in 1855. Dr. Ellis and many of the men connected with the Times have passed to their eternity, but through some healthy influence the style of their moral writings has been perpetnated, so that to-day we may take up this journal with the assurance that in its columns nothing opposed to good taste will be found.

In January, 1861, Dr. E. W. H. Ellis disposed of his interest in the Goshen Times to C. W. Stevens. The salutatory address of the new editor was brief; but yet contained a reference to the high order of the services rendered by Dr. Ellis to the press and people. In Jnne, 1862, after a connection with the Times extending over six years, C. W. Stevens sold his interest to Messrs. Copeland and Cole. In November, 1863, Myron E. Cole retired, selling his in- terest to H. W. Smith. In 1867 William McKendall Starr pnr- chased the Times, and eight years later was joined by James R. Bookner, who, however, retired within six months. In 1877 Dr. Byerle purchased a half interest, and early in August, 1880, became sole proprietor, permitting Mr. Starr to retire after an exceptionally brilliant and useful career on that journal, extending over 13 years. Dr. Ellis may be termed the father of this journal. For many years he labored with assiduity to render its columns a re- flex of his mind, and, so far as can now be learned, had his labors attended with signal success. In his address to the editorial con- vention in 1859 he says:

"It is not less a man's duty than his right to form his principles from a sense of their correctness, and assert them without fear. If there be a man living whose prerogative it is to claim a position as an equal of his fellow man, it is the upright, conscientious, fearless, independent editor. It is his daily business to pass in review the shifting scenes of the panorama of the world, to discuss the great

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principles which lie at the foundation of the government, to ponder the acts of men in power, to weigh the merits of conflicting princi- ples, and to scrutinize the secret springs of human action. In the exercise of these functions he may often come in conflict with men aspiring to. or already occupying, positions of influence or of power; but even this should not deter him from the faithful discharge of his duty. The path of the sycophant may be smoother and carry one forward over gentle slopes and along flowery vales, and by purling streams, but the path of independence is that of honor." The honest old medico-editorial Ellis laid down a line of action which honest writers ever follow, but he treated the power that would venture to subject the people, the press, rather too gently; but perhaps the circumstances of his time did not call for stronger language. That he acted on what he believed to be the duty of an editor is conceded; that his good example and salutary advice, as a writer or a speaker, have had effect, cannot be doubted, and it is to be hoped that all men who, even for a day, hold an editorial chair, will, like him, oppose every creature who supports political and religious intolerance, public or private dishonesty, treason to the State, or the slavery of any section of our population.

Dr. Henry J. Byerle, editor and proprietor of the Goshen Times, was born in Berks county, Pa., June 4, 1823. He was the son of Frederick Byerle and Salome Miller Byerle. The elder Byerle was a blacksmith. Henry attended common school until he was fifteen years of age, when he began to clerk in a general store, where he remained until he was twenty-one. He began to study medicine when he was eighteen years of age, and graduated at the Philadelphia Medical College. He began the practice of medicine when he was twenty-one in Lebanon county. At the end of one year Dr. Byerle left Lebanon county, and practiced in other parts of the State. In 1856 he came to Goshen, where he remained two years, and then removed to Kosciusko county, where he resided till 1865. During his stay in that county he was elected to the Legis- lature, this being in the year 1863. On resuming his residence in Goshen he engaged in the drug business. In 1870 he helped to organize the Goshen Manufacturing Company, and superintended it till 1878. During this time he introduced the manufacture of extension tables, which was then a new enterprise in this part of the county, and has proved very successful, assuming large propor- tions as a branch of industry. Dr. Byerle served two terms in the City Council of Goshen from 1869 to 1873. He purchased an in-

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terest in the Goshen Times in 1877, and became sole proprietor of the establishment and editor of the paper in the summer of 1880. He is also at the present a partner in the drug and bookstore of Byerle & Tanneyhill. The Doctor has lost two wives by death, the last marriage taking place in 1877. He had three sons and four daughters by the first two marriages. The oldest son is a practic- ing physician in Chicago, and two of the sons are married and re- side in Goshen. A married daughter resides in Illinois. Dr. Byerle is a member of the Methodist Church, is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a Republican in politics. He has taken much interest in education, and has been twice elected a member of the School Board.

Mrs. M. E. T. Byerle, wife of Dr. H. J. Byerle, is the daugh- ter of the Rev. Thomas Tanneyhill, of Bryan, Ohio, and was born in Huntingdon county. Pennsylvania, Ang. 5, 1835. After receiving a common-school education, she entered Dickinson Sem- inary at Williamsport. Pa., and was graduated at that institution in 1857. In 1870 she received the honorary degree of A. M. from Baltimore Female College; and the same year she was chosen Preceptress and Professor of Mental Science in her Alma Mater, which position she resigned at the expiration of two years. In Nov. 26, 1877, she was married to Dr. Byerle. Mrs. Byerle has written a number of poems and narrative pieces for various publi- cations, and is the author of a Sunday-school volume entitled " The Young Folks of Rentfrew," which was published recently by the Methodist Book Concern.

The Elkhart Observer was placed before the people by Edward Molloy in 1872. Its editorial columns gave evidence of ability and even large experience, and were often contributed by Mrs. Emma Molloy. In 1873 the management was angmented by the addition of R. K. Brush, and subsequently its pages showed a decidedly Republican tendency. Local brevities and foreign news almost always claimed impartiality, so that the Observer may be said to have given general satisfaction to its readers, and conferred much'good upon the community by its comparatively broad views, and liberal-conservative teachings.

The Independent .- Messrs. George T. Ager and O. A. Rhine entered the field of journalism early in 1877. The town of Mil- ford, in Kosciusko county, was chosen for the birth of the Independent, and there its publication was regularly continued until Nov. 15, 1877, when the office was transferred to the much

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more important town of Goshen, and the publication of the jour- nal resumed. The first issue of the Independent as an Elkhart county newspaper was made Dec. 25, 1877. Since that period, in fact from its beginning, the publishers have pursued a course which has really made the name of their journal synonymous, or rather in keeping with its editorial columns. The principle of political independence, or independence in politics, has been clearly defined, and any breach of faith on the part of statesmen fully examined and justly condemned. The best interests of the country have had an able exponent and a careful guardian in its columns; a thorough knowledge of local and national affairs is evidenced in them, and far above all is the broad and liberal manner in which specifics against the intolerances of sectionalism are placed before the reader.

The establishment of a journal at Goshen, thoroughly independ- ent in its treatment of every subject, was necessarily opposed by many obstacles. There two ably edited newspapers held the con- fidence of Democrats and Republicans. An independent party scarcely existed in sufficient numbers to support an independent journal, but the business tact, political integrity, and editorial ability of the management, overleaped all difficulties and succeeded in winning for the Independent a permanent place and fair fame among the journals of the city and county.

The Elkhart Review was projected in February, 1839, by Messrs. Welier & Chase. For a period extending over 21 years, Charles Henry Chase has been connected with that journal; he has wit- nessed every step of its progress, saw associates come and go, until in May, 1871, the purchase of an interest in the office by A. P. Kent promised a permanent partnership, and in the year following the issue of a daily journal placed the capital upon Chase's enter- prise. and gave to the citizens the Elkhart Daily Review,-a sure monument of their advance in number and wealth. The Review treats local news fully and impartially; but in its editorial columns is intensely Republican in sentiment, and is looked upon by that political party as a true exponent of their principles.

Charles HI. Chase, editor and part proprietor of the Elkhart Daily and Weekly Review, was born in Franconia, N. H., Nov. 14, 1833. Ilis parents were Joseph and Lucretia (Demie) Chase. His father was a merchant, Government official and journalist. During his later years he resided in Boston, and was, under President Buchanan's administration, an attache of the Boston custom

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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 51

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