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 66

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 66

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

apartment adjoining the sanctum. Its furnishings are complete, cases well filled with new type and all the suggestive parapher- nalia of the chapel in the hands of experienced men and a judicious management. The job room is very extensive, and in the extent of its various fonts and the excellence of its presses may vie with many great printing establishments of the Union's cities. The neatness and dispatch with which the work of this department has been performed have won for it a high reputation, and insure its progress.

THE ATMOSPHERIC-GAS ENGINE.

This work of art is quite in keeping with the Review office. It is so constructed that gas and air, mixed in such proportions as to give a mild explosive compound, are admitted under a piston, which slides air-tight in a vertical cylinder open at the top. The compound is ignited, explodes, and the explosion drives the piston upward. The ignited gases having increased in volume, lose their heat, their pressure becomes less as the piston rises, and wben it has reached the top of the cylinder a partial vacuum is formed, and the pressure of the atmosphere makes the piston descend. The work thus done steadily by the atmosphere during the return stroke of the piston yields the driving power, which is transferred to the shaft by suitable mechanism. This utilization of the instantaneous driving power of the explosion by allowing the piston to fly up freely from it without doing other work than emptying the eylin- der of air, is the basis of great economy and success of these engines. The nearest approach to this piece of mechanism is the spray engine, recently invented in Russia. The superiority of it, how- ever, is not in the machinery, but lies solely in the fuel. This mag- azine of dormant energy, as we may term raw fuel, is simply the fluid refuse of petroleum oil, and after being blown into a spray by means of a jet of steam from the boiler of the engine, it is ignited inside the furnace, and burns with a roaring sheet of flame. Such a mode of combustion has several prominent advantages over the usnal coal fire. It requires no stoking, and the flame can be manip- ulated like a jet of gas, and the steam pressure kept up to a required degree. Like the atinospheric-gas engine, it is unaccompanied with smoke or ashes; but for the purposes of the press-room comes far below the American machine in its utility.

The gas engine is a most interesting and useful adjunct of the Review office; there is no boiler, no steam, no fire. All the labor

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HISTORY OF ELKIIART COUNTY.

involved in feeding a steam engine is dispensed with. The expense of running it does not exceed $8 per month, all the dangers of steam are obviated, it can be put in motion at any moment, and everything in connection with the department is clean and orderly. The visitor to the Review office should seek a conference with the foreman of the press-room. He will show the workings of this small but powerful contrivance of mechanical genius, and as it is really a thing of beanty as well as of utility, the visitant will be more than amply rewarded. The press on which the daily and weekly editions of the Review are struck off is another interesting work. To learn the part that a newspaper really plays in the world of intellect, one must travel from the editorial chair to the press room, and there behold the result of another branch of study in that machine, which receives, prints, and delivers the living sheets to the circulating clerks. Elkhart owes a debt to her newspapers.

THIE ELKHART OBSERVER,

which has been already noticed, passed into the possession of the Review in April, 1876. A contemporary residing in a neighbor- ing county conveyed his thoughts to the press, and in congratulat- ing the purchasers, said:

"We understand that Messrs. Chase & Kent, of the Elkhart Re- view, have purchased the Observer office, in that place, and consoli- dated the two offices. That is right. There should be but one Republican paper in Elkhart, and we congratulate the Review upon its success in obtaining the field. Now, boys, shake us up a live paper." The boys did shake up a live paper, creditable alike to themselves and to their city.

The Elkhart Democrat. This journal is identical in principle and form with the Democratic Union, established by D. W. Sweet in 1866. Under the management of Mr. Sweet a daily edition was issued for some time; but owing to varied causes this offspring of the old weekly was discontinued.

Mr. Shutt, the present editor and proprietor, took possession of the journal Aug. 30, 1878, and has since continned to enjoy the confidence of the political party which he represents. In 1879 the name of the paper was changed to that of the Elkhart Democrat, and the form converted into an eight-page sheet 32x44 inches. The value of the office is $2,000, the weekly issue 1,000 copies, and the number of hands employed, four.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

The Elkhart County Journal, a very neat eight-column weekly. under the proprietorship of Messrs. D. H. Christophel and W. E. Hawk, two young men well known in the city, the former long connected with printing and newspaper work and a native of this county, and the latter a retired dentist. The character of the Journal was at once apparent and unmistakable. It is Republi- can in politics, independent in spirit, pure in tone, and beautiful in typography. Its contents at the start showed that its projectors had made a deliberate survey of their field, and studied thoroughly the wants of the people of Elkhart county. It at once became a favorite with the readers, as is shown by its rapid growth in circula- tion. It has at the present writing, just three months after its establishment, a circulation of 700 copies, a result which has rarely, if ever, been reached in local journalism. The office is as complete as that of any weekly newspaper may be. Fonts of new type, standard presses and a steam engine make up the modus operandi; while ability in the editorial and assidnity in the com- posing room render the workings of the establishment almost per- fect.

The Herald of Truth was established in 1864, at Chicago, by Funk Brothers. Three years later the firm removed the office to Elkhart, and during the period of 13 years, connection with the city have made remarkable progress. The journal, which they publish monthly, has a wide circulation throughout the United States, the Canadas and Europe. Their office comes next to that of the Review in extent. and, like it, possesses an improved atmospheric-gas engine. This is known as the "Otto Silent." It docs its work effectively and noiselesly, and is certainly a mechanical curiosity. It differs from that in the Review office by its compression of the explosion. The entire cost of running it 10 hours per day is about $33.00 per monthi, and its power equal to that of four horses. The press-room is very well equipped: the composing and editorial departments are well organized, and altogether the establishment may be considered complete. The business of the Herald and Publishing House of Funk Bros. gives employment to 20 hands and the monthly circulation of their journal is said to have reached 5,000 copies.

CHURCHES.

Presbyterian .- The Rev. E. Barr has. in conformity with his unquestioned zeal and the promptings of a literary mind. furnished the following sketch of the Church over which he now presides:

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

The First Presbyterian Church, of Elkhart, Ind., was organized with 10 members, May 1, 1840, in the house of Judge S. P. Bee- bee, corner of Main and Jackson streets, by a committee of the Presbytery of St. Joseph, consisting of Norman Kellogg, Luther Humphrey and Noah Cook, ministers, and Elias Smith, an elder from the Church at Mishawaka. James Crawford and James Irwin were ordained elders, and Rev. Norman Kellogg was the first minister. During a period of 30 years the Church was served by various ministers as " stated supplies" for a longer or shorter time. The first pastor installed over the Church was Rev. William J. Essick who took charge of the Church on the 1st of May, 1870, in obedience to a call signed by all the members of the Church, and whose installation took place on the third Sabbath evening of the December following. The Presbyterian Church was one of the earliest Church organizations formed in the town of Elkhart; and had no house of worship for several years after its organization. During the summer of 1846 a frame church editice was completed on the corner of High and Second streets. This was the first church building erected in the town; and for some eight years was the only house of worship available, not only for the Presbyterians, but also for two or three other religious denominations. The earnest and self-denying efforts put forth at the time of securing this house for the public worship of God by the little handful of pioneer Christians, amidst the difficulties incident to the condition of things at that early day, can scarcely be appreciated by the youth- ful generation that has arisen since. The congregation continued to occupy this house as its place of worship for about 26 years; but during the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Essick it was decided to erect a more commodious house.

During the years 1871 and 1872 the old structure was disposed of and gave place to the new brick one which stands on the same lot. The present building is but the rear section, or lecture room, of a main edifice designed to front on High street, and which, when completed according to the design, will be an ornament to the city, a credit to the society, and, in a measure, that which is due to Him for whose worship it is to be built. The portion now com- pleted and in use is, however, itself a large, well-finished church. It is nearly 40 by 80 .feet in its extreme, outside measure. The walls and ceilings are frescoed, and the windows are of beautiful stained glass. The room has a gallery at each end, with seats for 200 persons; and the entire seating capacity is fully adequate

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

for the comfortable accommodation of 500 people. The house is lighted with gas, and has furnace heaters. The central location of the church makes it easily accessible from all parts of the city. The present membership actually resident is about 100. The Sabbath-school numbers 100, and at the present writing is on the increase. The session and trustees constitute a "Church Council" of 13, viz .: the pastor, six elders and six trustees or deacons, to whom is committed the general management of the affairs of the Church, the appointment of ushers, treasurers, chorister, organist, sexton, officers of the Sabbath-school and all the standing com- mittees of the Church. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered quarterly, on the first Sabbath, respectively, of March, June, September and January. In 1870 Rev. W. J. Essick became pastor and served the Church for nearly three years. During his ministrations the present church building was constructed. It has cost, as it now stands, about $14,000. The front, which was designed, has not yet been built. Since 1873 the Church has been served by Rev. S. M. Crissman and Rev. S. E. Barr, and for the past year by the present pastor, Rev. Edward Barr, who was installed in November, 1879. The present number of members is 180.

The present officers of the Church are as follows: R. D. Braden, J. R. Mather, J. D. Devor, Aaron Work, Win. C. Hendricks, M. Spangler. Win. Mann, J. M. Hughes, Elders. Hon. I. N. Everett, Dr. J. A. Work, H. T. Browning, Dr. Wm. George, Trustees.

Congregational .- The Congregational Church is a re-organiza- tion of the first Congregational Church, established here between 1841 and 1845, but afterward merged into the Presbyterian Church. This organization took place April 10, 1869, and the names of the first members are D. J. Clark, Mrs. Ruth Clark, Mrs. A. M. Bon- nell and Mrs. Catarin Ellis, who were members of the old Church prior to re-organization, with the following who subsequently joined it: Mrs. S. Shney, Mrs. Mary Faber, Alphens Bugbee, John W. Ellis, Mrs. C. W. Ellis, Mrs. Mary Clark, Mrs. Amanda Reynolds. John W. Ellis was the first clerk. D. J. Clark was the first deacon, and Josiah Graves, Joel Ellis and John W. Ellis, trustees, with Rev L. R. Royce, first pastor. The church was completed in 1872, at an expense of $8,000. The size of the edifice is 40x50, and the style composite, or a grouping of Grecian and Roman. It gives a seating capacity of 500. In 1874 Rev. Wmn. Royce gave place to Rev. C. S. Warburton, and he was succeeded by Rev. M. W. Dar-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

ling, who is now the incumbent of that mission. Messrs. John W. Ellis, S. Maxon and W. H. Quaife are the trustees.

German Evangelical Church .- The establishment of this con- gregation dates back to 1860, when Rev. E. L. Lipplinger, of the Mishawaka circuit, rendered the services of the Church. Then the only members forming the society in the town of Elkhart were Christian and Gertrude Theis. William and Matilda Panl, Conrad and Lora Zissel, with J. M. Gomer and R. Piegel. The two latter members continued the good work of Mr. Lipplinger until 1865, when Rev. G. A. Hartel took charge of the mission district of Mishawaka. More German emigrants having settled in the district, Hartel found it necessary to devote greater attention to the wants of his increasing flock, and procure for them a suitable place of worship, instead of the small dwellings in which their periodical meetings were held.

The pastor, with the members, made arrangements for a place of worship; the members, with the aid of good citizens, raised $1,100, then purchased the west lot of the block, on which the large, new school building is now located, where the one-story dwelling occu- pying it was fitted up into a neat little chapel and used for worship. The old school building being burned, the city contemplated to build a large house needing more ground, and proposed an ex- change of that lot for the lot on Division street, where the Evan- gelical Church now stands. The little chapel was moved on the new lot, fitted up, and in 1867 the Indiana Conference located a mission in the city; sent Rev. J. Fisher here as missionary, when an extensive revival was held. Quite a number were converted and united with the Church. The little chapel was now too small, so arrangements were made to build a larger and better church. These arrangements were carried out in 1868 at a cost of $9,000. The church then erected is a brick structure 65 by 45 feet, and two stories in height; in the basement is a Sunday-school room, two class rooms, and an audience room. Above the structure are a cupola and bell.

From 1868 to 1872, a number of English citizens were converted and united with the Church, so that it became necessary to organize an English class. In 1872, conference being held here, the congre- gation was divided, some 70 inembers were organized into an English society, and an English mission established. This reduced the German congregation to 100 members, but since 1872 an in- crease of 31 has been recorded. The trustees are: C. Zissel, J.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Trachsel, M. Fisher, II. L. Martin, Frank Rinehart. Together with the pastors hitherto named, Reverends John Fox, John Cas- teller and W. G. Brackley were pastors for short intervals since 1872, while M. W. Steppey holds the pastoral charge at present.

The First English Evangelical Lutheran Church was organ- ized in June, 1873, with 43 members. The year following Rev. J. G. Biddle entered upon the church-builder's task. The masons had already completed their portion of the work, but before the roof could be placed in position the cyclone of June, 1874, passed over the country, and among the ruins which bore testimony to its destructive powers were those walls of the proposed church. Sub- sequently, in 1874, the congregation, assisted by the people, sneceeded in erecting the building, which since has been their house of worship. T. J. Himes is the present pastor.

The Sweedish Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organ- ized Nov. 15, 1873. The first pastor was G. Lundahl, who came from La Porte to this place once a month. The first trustees were L. Wahlberg, John Hutlin, Adolf Johnson and Gust. Simonson. The first members were A. P. Robinson, A. Wahlin, A. F. John- son, John Hutlin, John Anderson, Joel Stromquist, P. M. Nelson, C. Anderson, C. A. Johnson, A. Nystrom, A. E. Lundgren, with all their wives, and N. A. Coilberg, G. Simonson, I. J. Simonson, Fr. Nilson, J. Nystrom and Ida C. Johnson.

The church building was erected in 1875, of brick, at a cost of about $2,500; size, 30 by 46 feet, and ceiling 16 feet high.

The present pastor, G. Lundahl. Present trustees: J. Strom- quist, F. Nilson, S. Stenson and C. Magnuson. Present number of communicants, 48. The congregation belongs to Augustine Synod, a great Swedish ecclesiastical body in this country. A Sun- day-school flourishes in connection with this Church.

Catholic Church .- The first congregation was formed in the fall of 1866, by Rev. Angust Oechtering, with Vincent Voisnett, Val- entine Marx, A. Ludwig, Jos. Ludwig, I. Singer, F. Lenkerheld, Wm. Ringwald, James Evans, Denis Brophy, James McGuire, and H. A. Martin. In 1868-'9, the new church was inaugurated, and completed at a cost of $1,500, and opened for divine service Octo- ber 25, 1869. This work was carried out under the direction of the Rev. A. B. Oechtering. In November, 1869, Rev. John Oech- tering succeeded to the pastoral charge. Rev. J. H. Quinlon was appointed pastor in November, 1871, and during the nine years which have since elapsed, Rev. Mr. Noll, and Rev. Wm. Kroeger,

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the present pastor, have been in spiritual charge of the congrega- tion. The number of communicants is estimated at 300, and that of children attending Sunday-school at 145.

The Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Church of Elkhart was organized so early as 1832, within the mansion of one of the early settlers, as related in a foregoing page. The appointment of S. B. Ball, of the South Bend circuit mission, in 1836, and the visits of other missionaries between that year and 1841, when C. W. Miller was appointed, kept the members of the little congregation together. The visiting ministers succeeding C. W. Miller were: Warren Grif- fith, in 1842; E. Holdstock, 1843; B. Winans, 1844; O. V. Lemon, 1845; J. H. Bruce, 1846; James Farnsworth, 1847; B. Winans, 1848-'9; E. Holdstock, 1852-'3; Isaac Ayers, 1854; E. Preston, 1855-'6; W. S. Birch, 1857-'8; J. II. Hutchison, 1859-'60. James Johnson was the first resident pastor in 1861; T. Comstock, 1863; V. R. Beamer, 1865; H. J. Lacy, 1867; E. Hall, 1869; S. H. Rhodes, 1871-'3; A. E. Matin, 1875, and M. H. Menenhall, D. D., the pres- ent incumbent. The church edifice was inaugurated in 1856 and completed the following year, at a cost of $10,000. Later a terrific storm swept over the town which carried away a portion of the roof and razed many feet of the walls; however, the damage was immediately repaired; since that time the building has been much improved and extended. It is Romaic in architectural style, and possesses an area of 3,600 square feet. The present congregation number 400. The trusteeship devolves upon Wm. Axtell, J. C. Stuck, Wm. Banger, A. IIay and T. J. Bostwick. The Rev. J. H. Hutchison, the acting mayor of the city toward the close of 1880, was among the carly pastors of the Church.

The Baptist Church was organized with five members in July, 1860. The Rev. Dr. L. A. Alford was the first pastor. The church possessed by this society is a frame building, semi-Gothic in style, and commodious. The Reverends Russell, Huntley, W. W. Smith and the present pastor, R. E. Neighbor, have held pastoral charge in succession since Dr. Alford's time, and though the Church has been without a shepherd for some time, the members have always manifested a rare fidelity in their adherence to the First Baptist congregation. The church was erected in 1861, and dedicated August 3, the same year.

St. John's Episcopal .- This congregation was organized in 1867 with Rev. M. V. Averel as pastor. Rev. R. Totter and A. E. Bishop succeeded him in the administration of the parish. In

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1873 the church of St. John was erected, and, with the grounds on which it is located, cost the congregation about $4,000. The Church has been attended from time to time by the pastor of the neighbor- ing parish of St. James; but now the congregation has not a resident pastor.

The Christian Church was organized Oct. 23, 1878, with C. F. Mortimer as pastor, and I. C. Stephens, John Titus and A. F. Lan- den, trustees. The house of worship was erected in November and December, 1878, at a cost of $1,400 including lot, and is in extent 24x40 feet. The style is plain, with Gothic gables. Mr. Mortimer undertook to build this church withont advising with his congregation, without a dollar in the church-building fund, or without a written contract with the constructors. He carried his enterprise to a successful issue, so far as the building is con- cerned, but bequeathed to his congregation a small debt-large when the limited number of the brethren is considered-which entails upon each principal member a considerable annual expendi- ture in payment of interest on the amount due to the builders.

The Mennonite Church .- The organization of a Mennonite congregation was entered upon in the fall of 1867, and completed during the ensuing spring. The first place of worship was sup- plied by J. F. Funk, who bestowed upon his co-religionists a large room in connection with his book-store. The members of the first congregation comprised J. F. Funk, H. B. Brenneman, Joseph Summers, A. R. Funk and a few others, with the first-named as pastor. From 1868 to December, 1870, two regular meetings were held. During the closing days of December a congregation was formed to meet every two weeks; but not until the completion of their church in November, 1871, did the members observe regu- larity in attendance. This church is a frame building 36x40 and was erected at a cost of $1,200. Jos. Summers and M. D. Wenger arc the trustees at present, and I. F. Funk with J. S. Coffinan, pastors.

The United Brethren Church of Concord township was erected in 1863, the society having been organized some time previous. It has a membership of 34. Henry Smith is class-leader, Isaac Stauffer, steward, and Rev. Mr. Seese. pastor.

Emanuel Church of the Lutheran German Reformed denomina- tion is situated on sec. 11. The corner-stone of this divine temple was laid Oct. 15, 1859. In this " temple foundation rock " were deposited a copy of the Bible, of a hymn book, the Church cate-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

chisms and of the Church periodicals, and a prayer was offered that the gates of hell might not prevail against it. The church build- ing was commenced soon after and finished in 1860. It now has a membership of 28 and is prospering.

Middleport Congregational Church .- The society at Middleport known as the "Congregational Brethren " first sprung up about the year 1870. At this date and for some years previous they had mingled with a society of members of opposite belief and they worshiped together till the winter of 1870, when Rev. Jacob C. Cripe commenced a protracted meeting in the Elkhart Valley church. The meetings continued about two weeks, and great good was being accomplished, when very unexpectedly trouble came like a "thunderbolt," and soon the society was in twain, and the society of " Brethren " concluded to be no longer " ruled by men, but by the commandments of God;" and the only course to pursue was to organize a new Church, knowing that in so doing they could wor- ship their God in accordance with the dictates of their own con- sciences. Accordingly, on Friday, Oct. 23, 1874, Revs. Hendricks and J. C. Cripe organized the society, and the following Wednesday communion was administered at the house of Mr. David Garver, this being the first ordinance carried out in the society. Meetings of worship were held in the school and private houses till the fall of 1878, when the leading members met and determined to build a church of their own. The building was commenced and finally finished, although under the greatest difficulty. The second Sun- day in January, 1879, it was dedicated to the service of God, the sermon being delivered by Rev. J. H. Hutchinson. The present Bishop is Rev. Daniel S. Cripe.

Evangelical Church .- Middleport is a small village situated near Dunlap station, about five miles from Elkhart, on what is known as the "Elklart and Goshen road." The Evangelical Church at this place was built in 1866, by Wmn. Eisenbeiss; Stan- ton Stevenson and Michael Weaver (now deceased), trustees. The principal contributors were Charles Hate, Benjamin Weaver, Wm. Shroyer and others. The society now has a membership of 16. Wm. Shroyer is the present class-leader, and Rev. S. S. Albert, pastor.

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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 66

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