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 59
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From 1856 to 1860 the town boasted of but few inhabitants, and for four long, desolate years, from 1861 to 1865, the fruits of the war, as we have stated, cast a shadow upon it; but from 1866 to 1879 the people, aroused as it were from the ashes of inactivity, went to work with renewed zeal, and the very air became musical with the ring of the hammer and the rasping sound of the saw in mechanical hands. Not only were new houses seen going up in all directions upon every street, but new store buildings began to go up, ultimately presided over by men of force and standing in the community; and among those men we take especial pride in mentioning, besides those we have alluded to, Messrs. Hoffman & Davis, who built the store building now occupied by Mr. Pence, a leading dry-goods merchant, and successor of Hoffman & Davis; Elhart Ells & Bowers can also be included in the list as dry-goods merchants, and were gentlemen of unquestioned ability and de- cided energy. John U. Christener, deceased, opened ont with a miscellaneous stock. He is described as a man of honor, thrift and nncommon energy, and succeeded well with the people with whom he cast his lot. He died some four years ago, and the busi- ness of the store is now successfully carried forward by the esti- mable widow of the deceased. Eli Wilson and Messrs. J. & J.
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Singler, grocers, Andrew C. Coy and others are prominent busi- ness men of Millersburg.
W. H. Kiblinger & Co. is a firm that commands the confidence of the people whose trade center is at Millersburg, and we accord- ingly speak of it. The firm is composed of father and son, though the junior member is senior in point of age. The origin of the business dates back to nine years ago, the firm style then being P. F. Kiblinger. W. H. Kiblinger afterward became sole proprietor, and subsequently a brother, J. W. Kiblinger, became a partner. Last fall he retired from the firm, and P. F. Kiblinger again be- came connected with the business, really in name alone, however, for he is interested in the introduction of a patent eaves-trongh, and the management of the business naturally rests with his son, who is a business man by training and experience; was for three years bookkeeper in a large book and publishing house of Chicago, and since locating here he finds his time well occupied. The firm is the only one in the village which does a hardware, stove, tinware and agricultural implement trade. They have a well-stocked establish- ment, too. Mr. Kiblinger, Sr., is a native of Virginia, and 28 years ago located in Lagrange county, this State, from there remov- ing here. While not among the oldest residents of this immediate locality, both father and son are to be spoken of as progressive business men, and so we make this mention.
W. T. Barnard is the only representative of the drng trade in Millersburg. Mr. Barnard has been a resident of the county for the past nine years; he is a native of New York State and once before lived here, and seven years ago engaged in the grocery trade in this village. Continuing it as a specialty until three years ago he then added drugs to his other stock, and since then drugs and groceries have comprised his trade. Mr. Barnard has a good bnsi- ness, a business built up by fair dealing. He is well known to all who make Millersburg a purchasing point and our report upon the trade of the county naturally enough embraces him. Mr. Barnard is a middle-aged gentleman-a reporter's gness would place him at about " 40." He is wide awake to his business interests, and it is to be hoped he will be comprised in our business circle these many years yet.
D. & H. Hockert constitute, we believe, the most recently organ. ized firm in the village, they having established their present honse last JJuly. Neither of the gentlemen are strangers to this commu- nity, however, for they are, although young men, among the oldest
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residents of the county, in fact they are natives. For the past ten years they have been in the mercantile business in Pleasantville, Iowa. The Messrs. Hockert are making a specialty of the dry- goods and general merchandise trade.
The first physicians of the place were Win. Chamberlain and Bartlett Larimer, who located abont 1858. The minister was Wm. Bowmer, who settled about 1850, and preached in the school-honse, built in 1855. The first church was of Lutheran denomination, was commenced Aug 7, 1867, and dedicated one year later, Aug 18. Pastor, G. J. Biddle. A second church of the Presbyterians was built about this time, and of the two was the first organized. The German Reformed Church, or perhaps now more widely known as the " American " Reformed Church, was brought to completion in 1868. Pastor, Henry Bayr. In 1878 the present commodions school-house, superseding the frame, and rathier classed as a " pio- neer " school-house, was erected. In 1879 the first school-house situated in town was destroyed by fire.
Miller's north addition to the town was made in about 1860, the eastern addition during the war. The town comprises about 80 acres, numbers about 500 population, is very pleasantly situated at the extreme southern portion of Clinton township, and is a shipping town of considerable importance. Its leading professional and business men, not omitting the ministerial profession, are: Drs. Bartlett Larimer, S. B. Junkins, J. W. Jennings and Dr. Witmer; Rev. Mr. Work, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal; of the Lutheran, Jabez Shaffer; Rev. Mr. Ziegler, of the Reformed; Presbyterian, no regular pastor; Roman Catholic, built during the present year and dedicated; no regular pastor to date. There are two grocery stores, three dry-goods stores, two drug stores, two hardware stores, one grist-mill, one saw-mill and planing-mill (the proprietor, Mr. L. W. Witmer, also attends to scroll work in connection with his other business enterprises); and two cooper shops.
The first postmaster was Wm. Brown, appointed by Buchanan; there have been several since then. In 1877 Mr. Miller became the postmaster, receiving his recognition as such from President Hayes. The first hotel was built by J. and J. Singler, occupied at first by Singler, then David Gross and Samnel Weyborn; the present occupant is J. S. Vanhanten. Lawrence Konant built a hotel, now known as the " Union House."
It would perhaps be deemed superfluous to call attention to the thriving, prosperous citizens of Millersburg, as their name is legion.
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Each one has lifted a hand that the tide of affluence might tend steadily upward and onward, and great honor rests upon them for their efforts in the founding of a town, their extension and diffusion of knowledge, and liberal patronage of literary productions of merit. The town is quiet and orderly; few disorderly characters stain the records of its existence. The Constable is Ernest Long; Justice of the Peace, Wm. B. Rush.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The history of Clinton township would be far from complete without the sketches of the lives of its most prominent citizens, which we now proceed to give as faithfully as it is possible to com- pile such mat
Daniel Bachelor, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 2; P. O., Millers- burg. In this age,, when friendship is seemingly at a discount and sociability of rare occurrence when compared with former years, it is with a feeling of unalloyed pleasure that one grasps with friendly hand the pioneer whose aged footsteps still traverse the shores of time. Among the few veteran pioneers Daniel Bachelor is worthily classed. He was born in Hancock county, Me., in 1808, the son of Benjamin and Olive (Layton) Bachelor. After a short residence at his native place he accompanied his parents to Athens county, O., where he received a district-school education. He married Mary, daughter of Eli Evritt, of the State of New York. Moved from Ohio to this county in early day, when the forests were inhabited by wild beasts and Indians, and the prairies were unbroken; the dwellings of white people were few and far between. Hle purchased a piece of land, and here, enclosed in the forest and surrounded by the aborigines, the wolves and plenty of wild game, he lived happily for many years, participating occa- sionally in the log-rollings incident to the time, and in hunting ex- peditions, etc., killing one autumn season 27 deer. At this time it was his wont to make his way to what is called "Elkhart Prairie " for breadstuff. There was then upon the banks of Elkhart river a grist-mill, constructed after the pattern of that day. There were no regular schools or churches, although it was the habit of those religiously inclined to assemble for worship at some neighbor's cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Bachelor have 5 children living : Marion, William, Mary J., John and Eliza. Mr. B. votes the straight Democratic ticket, casting his first vote for Jackson and his last for Hancock.
Mrs. Esther Beane was born in Preble county. O., Nov. 14, 1809, the daughter of Adam and Esther (Hardman) Harter. of German descent; was educated in Ohio, where she resided until mar- riage. in 1830, to Joseph Beane, a native of Virginia; they have had S children, of whom 2 sons and 5 daughters are living. The family
42
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removed to Elkhart Prairie in 1837, and endured all the privations of pioneer life. Mrs. B. was obliged to fasten her doors and secure her children in the house, so numerous were the wolves in the imme- diate vicinity. Mr. B. was a prominent and well-known citizen of Elkhart county, having served several terms as Justice of the Peace, several years as an Associate Judge, and one term as a mem- ber of the Legislature. During his life-time he married more couples than any other official in the county; was also a man of considerable literary taste, and died in 1878, an exemplary member of the M. E. ('hurch. Mrs. B. is a member of the same denomina- tion.
J. H. Berry, farmer, sec. 35; P. O., Millersburg; was born in the State of New York in 1834, the second child of Thomas and Mar- garet Berry; father a native of Mexico, and mother of Holland. They became residents of Ohio in 1834. J. H. grew to mature years in his native place and in 1863 he married Margaret, daughter of Amos and Susannah Down, of this State, and their 3 children are: Clarence D., Mary E. and Amos. During the war Mr. B. dealt considerably in tax-title land, and in 1867 he purchased his present property of 146 acres.
Simon Boomershire was born Aug. 3, 1813, in Montgomery county, O., a son of Peter and Maria M. (Rumberger) Boomershire, of German ancestry; attended high school one term; followed farm- ing and also taught school in Ohio until 23 years of age, when he was married to Hannah C. Schroyer, a native of Ohio, and of their 10 children 6 are living, and are well-known residents of this county. Mr. B. is an old resident here; has been Tp. Trustee, and Assessor of Jackson tp. for a number of years. He resided in the latter tp. from his immigration to this county in 1838 to his removal to Millersburg in 1877. Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Amos Brown, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 10; P. O., Goshen; was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, the sixth child of Robert and Sarah Brown, natives of Maryland and early settlers of the Key- stone State; they removed to Perry county, Pa., in 1827, and in 1837 Amos settled in what is now Middlebury tp., in this county, and subsequently changed his residence to this tp., where he now resides on a farm of 80 acres. In December, 1838, he married Miss Sarah, danghter of John Phillips, of Virginia, and of their 8 chil- dren 4 are living. Mrs. Brown died in 1854, and the following year Mr. B. married Mrs. Brode, relict of David Brode, and dangh- ter of Miles Evans, of Pennsylvania; by this marriage there is 1 child.
John Bryner, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, a son of Jacob and Rachel E. (Hart) Bryner; settled in this tp. when 21 years of age; married Malinda, daugh- ter of David McGeary, and they have + children, Charles, John, James and Jennie. Mr. Bryner is a zealous Republican.
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Madison Chivington, deceased, was born in Ohio in 1830, a son of John and Harriet (Patten) Chivington; the exact date of his set- tlement in this county cannot now be ascertained, but it was probably over 25 years ago. He was married in this tp. to Miss Fanny, daughter of Fred and Maria (Pickle) Staver, and their 5 children are Audelia, Annabel, Sarah J., Thomas J. and Mary Emily. When the "Solid South " flung to the breeze the black flag of secession. Mr. C. enlisted in the defense of the Union, and served faithfully for 15 months, when he was honorably discharged; he died in 1864, from the effects of exposure in the service. He was a faithful member of the M. E. Church.
John Conklin was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1830, son of Gabriel and Maria (Dygert) Conklin, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York State; when very young his father died, and in 1844 he was brought by his mother and step- father in immigration to this county; worked in a saw-mill near Goshen 18 years. In 1853 he married Nancy E. Hunt, who died in Angust, 1859, leaving 3 children; in September, 1861, Mr. C. married Angelia Mabie, who died two years afterward, leaving 1 daughter, who now resides in Koscinsko county. During the war Mr. Conklin enlisted in the 74th Ind. Vol. Inf., and partici- pated in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga Sept. 19-20, Mission Ridge Nov. 25, 1863; was wounded at Chattahoochie July 9, 1864, when he was sent to the Jeffersonville, Ky., hospital, and thence to Madison, Ind., where he was discharged March 7, 1565; he then returned to his own home in this county and re- sumed his former occupation at the mill. Sept. 22, 1865, he mar- ried Mary Ann Rupp, and they have 1 son and + daughters, all but 1 of whom are now attending the high school at Millersburg. Mr. C. is now foreman in the extensive steam saw and planing mill of L. W. Witmer, in Millersburg. He is a staunch Republican, and both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
B. F. Dewey, farmer, sec. 33; was born in this tp. in 1847, the son of C. B. and Mary Ann (Benjamin) Dewey, who were natives of Ohio, and of English descent; father was an early settler of this county, a prominent farmer, and in politics a Republican ; he died in 1862; B. F.'s mother was a member of the Lutheran Church and died October 22, 1879. B. F. and his brother C. N. are conducting the farm of the old homestead, and the latter is also a successful school-teacher; a sister is at home with them. The farmn which they successfully carry on consists of 230 acres, 50 acres of which belong to B. F. Dewey. The latter was married Sept. 21, 1871, to Samantha Longcar, and they have 3 children. He is a Republi- can, and she is a member of the M. E. Church.
Jesse Dillon was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1817. His parents were natives of the same State, and of English ancestry. He removed with his parents to Ohio in 1819, where he attended the common school; at a suitable age was apprenticed to the black- smithing trade for a term of six and one-half years. Was Constable
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and Supervisor in Ohio, in which State he was married in 1839, to Mary Green; they have had 2 children, who are now residents of this State. Mrs. Dillon died in 1858. Mr. D. was again married in 1861, to Elizabeth Grimes, daughter of an old resident of Clinton tp. They are the parents of 6 children, of whom 5 are living, viz .: James F., born Aug. 31, 1862; Marion Belle, May 23, 1868; Wil- lian E., Dec. 8. 1872; Rufus W., June 10, 1875; Emma Jane, April 18, 1879. Mr. D. is a member of the M. E. Church, and politically a Republican.
Jonathan Guntle, farmer, sec. 24; P. O., Fish Lake: was born in Preble county, O., in 1827, the 3d son of Peter and Mary Gun- tle, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, father a resident of Ohio from 1802 to 1849, and mother from 1804 to 1869, when she died. In 1865 Jonathan settled in this township, where he has since resided, following farming and school-teaching. In 1863 he enlisted as a private soldier in the service of the Government, and experienced the exciting episodes incident to Morgan's memorable raids. In 1854, in Preble county, O., he married Miss Caroline, a daughter of Henry Snider, sr., of that county, and of their 10 children 7 are living : William H. H., James M., Sivilla H., John D. D., John Q. Adams, Charles Carroll and Caroline. Mr. G. is a gentleman of refined taste, liberal edueation and exemplary manners.
Jacob Hasel was born Oct. 22, 1834, in Pennsylvania. His parents were John M. and Mary ( Frederick ) Hasel, natives of Penn- sylvania, of German ancestry. They removed to Huntington county, Ind .. where he was for some time employed in a saw-mill, but soon became dissatisfied with that part of the country, which was then densely wooded, and he soon coneluded to return to Ohio, where he made but a short stay, and onee more came to Indiana, this time settling in Middlebury tp., where for a portion of the time he followed carpentering, and was also engaged in farming.
Mr. II. was married Jan. 1, 1857. to Elizabeth Yonker. They are the parents of 5 children, 2 of whom are living. namely: Ellie J., about 20 years of age, and Willie L., about 18 years of age. Mr. HI. is a member of the Gerinan Baptist Church; was Land Ap- praiser for one year; owns a valuable farm, with pleasant surround- ings.
Peter Hoffman was born in Luxemburg, Germany. in 1826. the son of Michael Hoffman; educated in the common sehools of his native place; emigrated to this country, landing in New York in 1847; learned, and followed for a number of years, carpentering and cabinet-making. by which he made his start in the world; for 14 years he was road-master on the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne railroad, a position that requires a thorough business man: at the end of this time, although the company was not willing to give him np, he resigned his situation and went to farming, and since that time has been engaged in that vocation. He was married Nov. 10, 1852, to Elizabeth Dillinan, and they have 2 sons and 7 daughters. Mr. and Mrs. H. belong to the Lutheran Church, of which society
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Mr. H. is one of the trustees. Politically he is a Democrat, and as a farmer lie is considered first class; he owns 240 acres of good land. He settled in this tp. in 1860.
John Hoovens, farmer, sec, 20; P. O., Goshen; was born in this county in 1838, son of Matthias and Frances Hoovens, natives of Virginia, who settled here in 1835, and were therefore among the original pioneers of Northern Indiana. Mr. H. received a fair education considering the period of time in which he passed his boyhood, and acquired his present property by the slow and grad- ual process of unremitting toil. He now owns 140 acres. In 1866 he married Miss Mary, daughter of Samuel Cripe, of this tp., and they have 6 children: Emma, Amza, Maranda, Cordelia, Charles and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. H. belong to the Baptist Church. J. A. Hoover, a prominent and successful farmer on sec. 8, was born in Pennsylvania March 3, 1825, the son of Abraham and Christina (Martin) Hoover, natives of that State, and of German descent; educated in the common school in Ohio; was married in 1848 to Susannah Eschliman, born Aug. 22, 1826, and of their 8 children 6 are living, namely: Abraham, born Aug. 3, 1849, and died April 2, 1873; John M., born Aug. 29, 1850; Martin E., born Sept. 27. 1852; Mary, born Feb. 22, 1854, and died May 1, 1873; Christian, born May 17, 1856; Elizabeth, born March 27, 1858; Samnel A., born Aug. 16, 1860; and Jonas O., born Aug. 10, 1863. The eldest was born in Stark county, O., and all the rest of the children in Indiana; they are all intelligent and industrious, and have a good education; most of them are members of the Church, Men- nonite or Amish. Politically Mr. Hoover is a Democrat, and has held the office of Tp. Trustee. He owns 120 acres of land where he resides, besides 160 in Illinois, where he lived several years.
Isauc Horn, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Ashland county, O., in 1844, and is the third son of Frederick and Deboralı Horn, nee Green, residing in Ohio until attaining his 20th year. Isaac located in this county in August, 1862. He enlisted in Co. E, 74th Ind. Vol. Inf., for three years' service or during the war, participating in numerous engagements, as Chick- amanga, Spoon River, etc. During the fierce combat at Atlanta he was severely wounded in the face. Feb. 27. 1865, he was honora- bly discharged, when he returned home, where since the war he has established a well-stocked farm, comprising 60 acres. The wife of Mr. Horn was Miss Sarah Simpson, a daughter of George and Mar- garet, nee Justis, Simpson, and their marriage occurred in 1869.
James Horn, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Goshen; was born in Ohio. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in August, 1862, in Co. E, 74th Ind. Vol. Inf., and participating in the battles of Chicka- manga, Jonesboro, Mission Ridge, etc. IIe was married Nov. 1, 1864. to Miss Elizabeth Hostetler, who died in February, 1879. The second wife of Mr. Horn was Miss Mahala King, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth King, nee Burns.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Abraham Hostetler, farmer, sec. 2; P. O., Fish Lake; was born in Lagrange county, this State, in 1849, the son of Emanuel H. and Fanny (Stutzman) Hostetler; married Miss Priscilla, daughter of John and Mary Yoder, who was born in 1846 in Wayne county, O., and settled here 12 years ago. The children are Chauncey M., Harmon H., Franklin, Ardelia May and Alvin E.
Mrs. Isabella Hulvey was born March 29, 1829, in Champaign county, O., and is the daughter of William and Matilda Latta, early settlers on Elkhart Prairie, who emigrated to Indiana in 1829. The subject of this sketch was educated at the college at Ontario, Indiana, and in 1856 was married to Henry B. Hulvey, and their 4 children living are: Lilian, aged 23; William H., about 22; Anna M., 19; and Snsan E., 16. When Mr. Hulvey was married he was extensively engaged in the dry-goods trade, and ran a grist and saw mill; he afterward went to farming in Benton tp. He died Sept. 24, 1876, leaving a handsome piece of property, which he had accumulated wholly by his own industry. Mrs. H. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
J. R. Kauffman, farmer and fruit-raiser, sec. 29; P. O., Millers- burg; was born in 1835 in Ohio, the eldest son of David Kauffman, of Pennsylvania, who settled in Ohio many years ago. The subject of this biography was united in marriage, in Wayne county, O., to Miss Barbara Smoker. For some little time Mr. K. worked at his trade of carpenter and joiner, and in 1853 located in Lagrange county, Ind., where he married Miss Lydia Miller, a daughter of Solomon and Rachel Miller, by whom he has 10 children: Mary, Adeline, Rebecca, Barbara. Lydia A., Martha, Daniel, Samuel, Fanny and Emanuel. Mr. K. is very successful as a small-fruit- raiser. especially of the Wilson strawberry, raspberries, grapes of all varieties, and other small fruits too numerous to mention. He also manufactures an excellent brand of grape and other wines, that have brought him considerable more than a local reputation. Adjoining the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Miller is a spring of living water, unsurpassed in this county, and of an even temper- ature throughout the year. Mr. K. has 60 acres of land.
Joseph S. Kauffman. deceased, was born in Pennsylvania in September, 1819, a son of Andrew and Anne (Stoffer) Kauffman, and their children since born are: Chris., John, Jacob. Fred., Andrew, Benjamin, Joseph. Magdalena, Elizabeth and Nancy. In Bedford county, Pa., November, 1850, Mr. Kauffman married Eliz- abeth Evans, a lady of unusual intelligence, who proved a good help-meet in the subsequent battle of life. Their children are: Albert, Mahala, Levi, Rufus, Amzi, John H., and Laura, deceased. Mr. K. settled in this tp. in 1851, where he purchased 80 acres of land, on which he conducted his farming business with success. He died in 1876, respected as a gentleman, and as a man of advanced ideas. He was a member of the M. E. Church.
Bartlett Larimer. M. D., was born in Rush Creek tp., Fairfield county, Ohio. Feb. 21, 1833, and was the 7th child of Jolin and
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Rachel Larimer, who were married March 12, 1818, the names of the children being Brice, William, Isaac, Margaret, Eleanor, David, Bartlett, John and Edson. Jolfn Larimer was of Irish descent, Rachel Larimer of Scotch descent. John moved with his family from Ohio to Middlebury tp., Elkhart county, Ind., arriving Oct. 15, 1835, being among the early settlers. Bartlett Larimer had bad health when starting to move, and it was expected by many that he would be planted by the road-side, but on the way he began to recruit, and soon after arriving in Indiana would call for something to eat through the night. He was so slender and light that coming along his father could lift him in and out of the moving wagon by the coat collar. His father entered and settled on 280 acres of land in Elkhart county, and owned 160 acres more in Noble county, Ind. At this time there were still a good many Indians in Middlebury tp. and they used frequently to visit Mr. Larimer's residence. The Doctor's mother died Aug. 15, 1838. in the 38th year. The family lived as well as they could without a mother, till the father went back to Ohio and married Mrs. Nancy Smith, Jan. 30, 1840. She brought along with her, her 3 children. Ellen, John and Green Smith, which considerably increased the size of the family. They all lived peaceably together, for the stepmother was a very fine woman. The father died Feb. 24, 1843. in the 49th year of his age. After that the family lived on the farm as usual for a year or two, when the stepmother concluded to go back to Hocking county, O., to the farm she had left on coming to Indiana. Brice, Eleanor and Bartlett Larimer carried on the old farm till the fall of 1850.
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