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 52
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house, but being a Douglas Democrat he was obliged to vacate his position when the rebels held temporary sway in the Washington cabinet. He once was a candidate for the Massachusetts Legisla- ture on the Democratic ticket. When he died he was connected with the Boston Herald. Charles' parents moved from New Hamp- shire to Vermont when he was young, and resided in Derby Line, on the Canada border. He attended school at Stanstead Academy, finishing his scholastic tuition when he was 13 years of age. One of his preceptors has since become Judge J. W. Jameson, of the United States District Court at Chicago. When he was 14 he became an apprentice in the office of the Sherbrook (Can.) Express, and remained there a year and a half, when he went to Manchester, N. H., and was employed in the office of the Messenger there. His parents removing to Cambridge, Mass., Mr. Chase accompanied them, and found work at his craft in the famous Riverside book printing house. In 1854 he followed the star of empire, and at length found himself at Winona, Minn. There he had charge of the Winona Argus. He remained there till 1845. and in the latter year returned to New Hampshire, he then being 21 years of age. In connection with O. S. Eason he purchased the New Hampshire Farmer, published at Manchester. He soon tired of the unprofit- ableness of this concern, sold out, and in the fall of 1835 went South and spent the following winter in New Orleans and Mobile. In the spring he came North with the birds, and located at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained till 1-57. At Burlington, Iowa. he was married to Cynthia M. Parmenter. That year he removed to Cleveland, O., and was connected with the Cleveland Daily Review, which he relinquished in 1858, going to La Porte, Ind. In the spring of 1839 he came to Elkhart. and with J. S. Weller bought the Review office, with which he has been identified ever since. In November Mr. Weller retired, leaving Mr. Chase in complete possession. On Dec. 3, 1863, Mrs. ('hase died, leaving no children. On Nov. 14, 1866, Mr. Chase married for his second wife Miss Alice M. Defrees, daughter of James Defrees, and niece of J. H. Defrees, Goshen. They have four children. In 1866 Moses P. Mattingly joined partnership with Mr. Chase in the ownership of the Review, and he retiring in one year. Geo. S. Chase, a brother, came into the firm. In 1861 he retired and A. P. Kent bought an interest, and the firm of Chase & Kent has since conducted the
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
printing and publishing establishment. The daily edition was started on Aug. 12, 1872, and has been since uninterruptedly issued. Since residing in Elkhart Mr. Chase has held the office of City Clerk, and was U. S. Assessor for two years during President John- son's administration. He belongs to the Masonic order, the Knights of Honor and the Royal Arcannm.
The Democratic Union was established in November, 1867, by D. W. Sweet, and for many years took a leading place among the newspapers of the State. It was an unflinching advocate of Demo- cratic principles and institutions, nor did the advent of G. F. Shutt, as associate editor and proprietor lessen its influence; on the con- trary, its pages grew more interesting and its editorial columns began to abound in well-written articles in the interest of the party whose principles it hitherto merely reviewed. D. W. Sweet retired, and the present editor of the Elkhart Democrat took possession of the editorial chair. Under the control of G. F. Shutt, the Democrat makes rapid strides, and must be a most valua- ble auxiliary in the promotion of Democratic interests.
The Herald of Truth was published by Funk Brothers, in the interest of the Mennonite Church, and, as it is claimed, had a cir- culation of some extent. In July, 1878, the publishers launched forth the Gospel Banner, and afterward the Evangelium's Panier.
The Millersburgh Enterprise, published at Millersburgh, was projeeted by Joel P. Heatwole in 1876. Mr. Heatwole made many sacrifices in the interest of the people of that district, but failing to meet with that liberal encouragement, which is the just due of an editor, he changed his office to Middlebury in May, 1878, and in the following month entered upon the publication of the Middlebury Record which has now a liberal patronage and gives promise of that permanency, which it deserves.
The Bristol Banner .- The origin of this paper is due to C. F Mosier, whose enterprise led to its establishment in 1877, and who still pursues the even tenor of his way, while presiding over the destinies of that newspaper. The support accorded the Banner is comparatively liberal, and so the labors of the editor are appreciated. The Bristol Banner is a very popular little journal, supplying the people of the community with the substance of the news of the day, and affording the citizens a good medium of advertising and discussion of local interests.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
The Nappanee Weekly News is a well-printed, well-edited, lively little sheet, thoroughly in accord with the ideas of its sub- scribers, and watchful of the interests of the county. It was pro- jected by A. B Smith in 1879, who on retiring, left the onus of the editorial position to devolve on Will H. Holdeman, who is now its principal.
The Elkhart County Journal is the latest newspaper enter- prise. Messrs. Hawk & Christophel are the projectors. Their efforts during the few months that have lapsed seem to be much appreciated, so that its place among the standard journals of the county is almost insured.
David H. Christophel, associate proprietor and editor of the Elkhart Journal, was born in Harrison township, Elkhart county, May 13, 1850. He was the son of Christian and Rebecca Christo- phel. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm and in acquir- ing the rudiments of an English education at Harrison Center school. When he was 14 he attended the Butler Institute, at Goshen, and when he was 15 years of age he began to teach, and pursued that avocation till he was 17. He then entered the publishing house of J. F. Funk & Bro., Elkhart, to learn the printer's art, and remained there about a year. He afterward taught school four years. In 1872 he was an instructor in Mayville Normal Academy. During his stay here there were 22 students in the institution, 17 of whom received first-grade certificates, and became efficient teachers, evincing the quality of instruction that was afforded at that institution. In 1873 a stock company was formed, with the Funk Bros.' publishing house as a nucleus, and Mr. Christophel became a stockholder and superintendent of print- ing. The institution became known as the Mennonite Publishing Company. He remained with this company for seven years. The Elkhart City Museum owes its establishment to Mr. Christophel and Dr. F. L. Mills, and the first contribution of a section of mas- todon's tusk, and a tooth of that extinct monster, was secured by them, and placed as a beginning of the very creditable collection that can now be seen in the city building. These remains of the mastodon were found on the farm of Mr. Delancy, two miles south of Elkhart. Mr. Christophel and Dr. Mills leased the land on which they wished to search, and thus secured for themselves what- ever curiosities might be found thereon. They discovered a skele-
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ton, probably of an Indian female, on the wrists of which were two silver bracelets. Both the skeleton remains and the bracelets are now part of the Elkhart City Museum collection. Mr. Christophel made two trips to Kansas and the Rocky mountains, which enlarged his experience among men and the peculiarities of Western life. On July 1, 1880, Christophel & Hawk, founded the Elkhart Journal. They paid cash for their office material, and have a fine outfit of news and job type, etc., and a cylinder Hoe press, run by steam. Their success thus far has been very flattering, and the Journal already has a large circulation in Elkhart county, which is rapidly increasing. Mr. Christophel was married on Thanksgiv- ing day, 1877, to Miss Rosa Merritt, formerly of Brookville, N. Y.
The peculiar circumstances and disadvantages attending the life of W. E. Hawk and his remarkable success in spite of them, make this sketch one of unusual interest to the reader of brief biographies. William Edward is the fifth of six children born to Samuel and Artimesa Hawk. He was born near the village of New Paris, Ohio, on March 25, 1848, his father being a farmer of limited means. When he was three years old his parents removed to Wayne connty, Ind., and three years later to Delaware county, Ind., near the village of Yorktown, where his mother yet lives. At the age of seven he was sent to school in the little log school-house in the woods, about a mile distant from his home, where he attended during the months of one summer. The studies in this silvan seat of learning consisted of the rudiments of spelling and reading. About a year later an event transpired in the life of Mr. Hawk which must have influenced more or less his whole after career. He had a severe and protracted attack of typhoid fever which deprived him entirely and permanently of his hearing. But, child as he was, he at once resolved that this obstacle should not prevent his attain- ing the object of his ambition, which was to acquire such an education as would enable him to occupy a position of honor and usefulness in life. He was scarcely able to leave his sick-bed when he applied himself to study, and soon, with no other aid than the spelling lessons which he had received, and a written copy of the alphabet, he learned to read and write. In 1860, at the age of 12, he was sent to the school for the deaf and dumb at Indianapolis, where he attended during six terms of the school. Returning home, he worked hard on the farm, spending part of his small earn- ings for books and magazines, and his spare time in study. When he was 22 years of age, farming not having proved agreeable to
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him, he left home and studied dentistry in the office of Dr. Dills, at Piqua, Ohio, and later continued his studies in Dayton. In 1873 he came to Elkhart and was employed in Dr. Cummins' office for a number of years. In 1879 he was offered and accepted a situ- ation in one of the leading dental offices in Detroit, Mich, but, at the request of friends, returned to Elkhart after remaining a few months in Detroit, and on July 1, 1880, in partnership with Mr. D H. Christophel, issued the first number of the Elkhart Journal, a newspaper that is a credit to the city and county in which it is published, and is having a very remarkable success.
As Mr. Hawk is still a very young man and has just entered upon the business which seems best suited to his tastes and talents, we must look to the future for the development of the best fruits of his life. As a dentist he earned a high reputation, and as a jour- nalist he will no doubt have even higher success and accomplish more good.
LIGHT AND SHADE.
These journals have often devoted columns to personal notices, generally consolatory and complimentary. Sketches of quite a dif- ferent character have also appeared in them, and under the heading of " Light and Shade " many of such may be grouped.
THE DANGER OF BEING A BACHELOR.
Never in the writer's experience has such a list as the following been offered for his delectation until the Elkhart papers came un- der his notice. Its beneficent influences cannot be questioned, as a number of the men noticed have since chosen a better half.
The chief among confirmed bachelors of the district round Goshen and the city itself must undoubtedly be Mr. Michael Bashor. We are not certain as to his age, but recollect as far back as 1843 of hearing unmannerly persons call him " Old Mike Bashor." He may be 50 or he may be 75 for all we know, al- though he does not look much older than he did 23 years ago.
Then, there are Drs. Latta, Jackson and McMorris,-the first two in the prime of manhood, with good practice, fine houses, horses and carriages; and the way matters now stand we see no reason why they should not marry. Mac will probably leave their com- pany as soon as he thinks he can make both ends meet by the practice of his profession.
Rev. H. L. Vannuys has certainly withstood temptation well for many years, and as he is beloved by his congregation, and all who are acquainted with him, we hope soon to see him take a part- ner and settle down for the remainder of his life.
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Col. R. M. Johnson is a good-looking young lawyer, full of life and energy, and doing a first-rate business. He sowed what wild oats he had several years ago, and would make a number one hus- band. He is well worth looking after, girls.
Hon. W. A. Woods is also one of the finest-looking men in town, has a good practice, and is said to be as good a lawyer as practices at the bar. No fault can be found with him, unless it is with his whiskers, which are auburn.
Mr. Wm. Triford is a quiet kind of a gentleman, rather bashful, and does not go ont much into company. He is more easily de- seribed than the others, from the faet of his having both auburn hair and whiskers, and what are called " ealico eye-brows." He has but very little resemblance in other respeets to Mr. Woods.
Capt. George Gibbon has been on the bachelor list a long time. He served through the late war with distinction, and is now en- gaged in the dry-goods trade. We hardly know what else to say about George. He is, however, a elever fellow, and has liad con- siderable experience in the world, so that a wife could not teach him many things that he does not know something about.
Sergt. Aaron Arnold was described last summer as a juryman, and needs no further recommendation. He is liked by everybody, and would make a jolly husband.
Messrs. C. Weiler and Johnny Smith are named in conjunction on account of being so near in size. Frequent disputes have arisen as to which is the taller, but if our judgment is correct will wager that Chris is at least 12 inches higher in his stocking feet.
We hope none will feel themselves slighted at not being named in the first list, as the short time we have had would not permit a record of all. Their turn will come next. We are collecting the statisties as rapidly as possible. So wait patiently, girls and boys.
Everybody in town is acquainted with Charles Cloes. He has been a resident in Goshen for a number of years. During that time he has been engaged in the hotel business, farming and other in- dustries.
Mr. August Jennings was a buteher for many years, and now takes the world easy by riding about in a new wagon with a picture of the lynx killed in Noble county painted on the box.
To commence with triplets, we first come to Patrick Joiee, James II. Crary and Mr. Frank Abbott. We venture to say that in height there is not an inch difference, and as to weight they would not vary a pound either way, and when you see one you have the out- lines of the other two.
Messrs. Wm. Bachelor and Wm. Smith are two enterprising, industrious gentlemen, and both of very modest habits. Mr. Bachelor sticks to one thing as attentively as any man we ever knew, and never loses an hour from work except on Thanksgiving and eirens days.
James A. Beck is in every respect a good-conditioned young man.
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ALL ABOUT APPLES.
In September, 1846, five large apples were presented to a citizen of Goshen by Messrs. Joseph Cowan. Elihu Tremble, Balson Hess, Matthew Rippey, and Ezekiel Compton, weighing respectively 13 ounces. 22 ounces, 173 ounces. 16 ounces and 19 ounces. A post- cript to the description of the apples, the ceremony of presentation, and the beautiful contentment of donors and acceptor. says the apple from Jackson township has been quartered and eaten, as will be seen by the following
CERTIFICATE.
We certify this noble apple, The best with which we've had to grapple,- Is just as good as man can raise. To Joseph Cowan be the praise. Signed: E. G. CHAMBERLAIN, GEO. TAYLOR,
E. W. H. ELLIS, R. LOWRY.
HOW EDITORS COMMUNE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
The editor of the Democrat, after quoting a local notice from the South Bend Register, to the effect that no man need be withont a Bible, since Jerry Knight, of the Oliver House, will give one for a nickel, or in case of total insolvency without it, expatiated on the notice, saying : " Wonders will never cease! Jerry Knight selling Testaments !" What kind are they ? After the style used where the Maine liquor law is in force? Send us a nickel's worth, Jerry." The editor of the Times, referred at some length to the brother literatenr's action in the matter, concluding his notice with the fol- lowing paragraph: "With the return mail the Testament came to hand, and Mr. Beane sat down on Sunday and read it nearly through, as he informed us, though he did not say it was the first time he had ever read such a work-and on Sunday evening he was at church, greatly interested in the services. So we have strong faith in the reformation of our brother."
A MICHIGANER'S EPISTLE TO AN ELKIIART GIRL.
MOTTVILLE, MICH., MAY 26, 1879.
DEAR ---- it is with pleas nre that i set down to drop you a few lines to let you know that i got home all rite and i am fealing all rite and hope you are fealing as well as i am i never had so much pleasure in my life and I hope you are pleased with the ride i never will go with no other gurl ontil i Sea your fair Sweet fase a gin or hear from you i am comeing down shoe day that is the 11th June rite as soon as you get this from your friend -- - to mis - yon must excuse poor riteing for I am riteing at noon and
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
i am in a hurry to get through you must excuse the way i got ac- quainted with you and oblige me
direct to Mottville sant go co mich
rite as soon as you get this i will be pleased to hear from you dear good by rite sune if you have your potograf send it to me.
DELINQUENT NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIBERS.
Under the heading " Mark the Runaways," the Express of 1837 used to deal with subscribers. In the last issue of the paper for April of that year it devotes fully one half column to a B. F. Dey, who vamosed with his goods and chattels, leaving his name upon the roster of the subscribers to the Express, as a memento of his stay. In the same issue there are notices of four other vagrants. The first name to figure on this roll of honor is that of Charles C. Thrasher.
He came to this town not long since, and purchased a grocery store froin Messrs. J. D. & J. S. Defrees. He ran in debt $100 or $200 besides in this purchase, and all on a sudden he sold the grocery for ready money in hand. This was no sooner done than he decamped, leaving his creditors to whistle for their pay. He left his family, who have since followed hard after him. It is supposed that he is some- where in the State of Michigan. In stature he was of the middle height, and tolerably thickly set. He has a kind of a sheepish look, and when he talks it is done in a kind ofa lazy, whining tone.
The last name on the roll is Robert Craig, "another vagabond," who left us, his other creditors and his family behind without saying which way he was about to tramp. Should his eye rest on these notices of his motley companions and scape-goats from a world of trouble, he may consider this as a " receipt in full," so far as our account goes. A friend at our elbow informs us that Craig, too. has pushed for Ohio. Our Buckeye printers must be on the look- ont for these worthies.
S. H. Burnett, a drunken, red-visaged tippler, a farmer and mill- tender by trade, ran off without paying for his paper, and leaving numerous bills unfooted through the county. He has put for Ohio with his family of live stock.
By the last mail, December, 1837, we received a line from the postoffice at Eikhart, saying that H. Doolittle wished his paper discontinued. Mr. Doolittle has received our paper from the begin- ning without paying us a cent. Now, we shall not discontinue do-little's paper until he concludes to do-more. Just show him the terms, Mr. Postmaster.
CHAPTER XV.
THE CHURCHES.
"Live while you live," the epicure would say,
"And seize the pleasures of the present day :"
" Live while you live," the Christian preacher eries.
"And give to God each moment as it flies."
Lord, in my view let both united be :
I live to pleasure while I live to thee.
That there exists a God is doubted by very few ; and so generally received is this fact, that millions of men, called wise men, have ceased to inquire even into His attributes, and continue to adore Him. A writer, who once merged into infidelity. returned to a calm inquiry after the mental storm which tossed him on the waves of doubt had subsided, and exclaimed, "There is a God!" The herbs of the valley, the cedars of the mountain bless Him; the insect sports in His beam; the bird sings Him in his foliage; the thunder proclaims Him in the Heavens, the ocean declares His immensity: man alone has said there is no God ! Unite in thought the same instant the most beautiful objects in nature. Suppose that you see at once all the hours of the day and all the seasons of the year; a morning of spring and a morning of fall; a night bespangled with stars and a night darkened by clouds; meadows enameled with flowers; forests hoary with snow; fields gilded with the tints of fall,-then alone yon will have a just con- ception of the universe! While you are gazing on that sun which is plunging into the vault of the West, another observer admires him emerging from the gilded gates of the East. By what incon- ceivable power does that aged star, which is sinking fatigned and burning in the shades of the evening, re-appear at the same instant fresh and humid with the rosy dew of the morning! At every hour of the day the glorious orb is at once rising, resplendent as noon-day, and setting in the west; or, rather our senses deceive us, and there is properly no east or west, no north or south in the world. Poetry never yet doubted the existence of a Deity, and some of the most astute thinkers were poets and Christians; the most gifted prose writers devoted much attention to the ques-
(626)
A.J. Beyerle
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tion of a God, and proclaimed the existence of Him, who is at once the omniscient and omnipotent. Everything combines to prove and glorify a God. Man alone questions His reality; but happily the questioners are few and far between, and still Christian majority here grants to Jew, Turk, atheist and heathen Mongolian every toleration, leaving them at liberty to worship at their respective shrines. This is the first principle of liberty; its pro- tection is gnarantied by the Republic, and under its genial influence the Christian and the non-Christian make just such progress as each class merits.
In this county the varied forms of Christianity have made great advances, churches have multiplied, until every village and town show their spires and cupolas, and yet their bells do not now ring out peals of discord; for the civilization of our time, in this Republic, has, let us hope, abolished forever religious bigotry, leaving Nature to act the despot in winning the minds of men to the first truths of the Christian Church, and the Great Designer to form their hearts for the reception of such truths, as he did the skeptics in the tempest:
Then, then, those doubters saw with dread The wondrous scene before them ; Their limbs waxed faint, their boldness fled, Strange awe stole creeping o'er them.
" This, this," they said "is Judah's Lord, For powers divine array him ;
Behold ! He does but speak the word And winds and waves obey him ! "
The evil examples offered by members of the various Churches, do more injury to Christianity than all the sophisms of the infidel, the arms of the united Mussulmans or the presence of 100,000 Mongolian mandarins and high-priests. Therefore it would be always well to make provision for the correction of abuses from within, and by so doing each section of the Christian Church will just have sufficient work on hand to prevent its uncharitable interference with its neighbor, and gain that valuable experience which has resulted in rendering so many men capable of minding their own business.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The progress of Methodism in Goshen, and throughout the county of Elkhart is something remarkable. So early as 1829, when set- tlers from the East flocked hither to possess themselves of the 160
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acres which Congress offered under the pre-emption law. the Methodist missionary followed in their trail. and. subsequently arriving at their settlement, dwelt among them. The first mis- sionarr of the Methodist Church, who came here at the instance of the Ohio Conference. was named Felkner; but in 1831 the Indiana Conference began to extend its boundaries, with the result of sub- stitnting the Rev. Nehemiah Griffith for the Ohioan. Mr. Grif- fith's mission comprised all the St. Joseph country, and subjected the preacher to much laborious work and many troubles. How- ever. in 1832. this state of affairs was remedied. the district was divided into parishes or cirenits. and Rer. R. S. Robinson told off for duty in Elkhart. In 1833 the ministerial force was angmented by the advent of Rer. Messrs. Beswick and Phelps; their mission was extended. and their dnties in every way increased. The Pre- siding Elders were Armstrong. Hargrave, Beers. Brenton. Daniels. Good, Colclezer. Stallard. Stabler. Aaron A. Wood. who. in the conrse of their duties. met with every co-operation from such men as Latta. Defrees. Pease. Myers. Carpenter. Col. Jackson. Sparklin. Durlan, Mercer. Zollinger. Thomas. Cephas Hawks. and many others. with their wives and daughters, who took a prominent part in making religion practical by heing ever ready to help the ailing and the poor. The names of the ministers succeeding to the charge of this old mission may be placed in order of precedence in point of time. They were Revs. Ball. Harrison. McCoole. Boyd. Posey. Skillman. Stagg. Holdstock. Wheeler. Munson. Stonex. Bruce. Green. Meck. Lamb. Graham. Taylor. Stright. Pettijohn Miller. Demott. Gilham. Comstock. Stubler. Meninhall. Hasty. Newton. Mahin. Martindale. Rhodes, Lamport. Phillips and Dr. Pierce.
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