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 71

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 71

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Rev. John F. Funk, Pastor of the Mennonite Church, at Elk- hart, and editor of the Herald of Truth, was born in Bucks county, Pa., April 6, 1835, and is a son of Jacob Funk, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Funk is a self-made inan, having started with a limited common-school education ; he worked and attended school during the summer and fall, and taught through the win- ters, for a few years. In 1857 he went to Chicago, and engaged in the lumber business for nine years. In 1864 he established a Men- nonite paper in Chicago, entitled, Herald of Truth, which he brought to Elkhart in 1867. He now owns a book-publishing house and bindery, which he runs in connection with his paper : He organized the Mennonite Church in Elkhart since locating here, and is still its Pastor. He was married January 17, 1864, to Miss Salome Kratz, by whom he has had 6 children ; of these but 2 are living, Martha and Phebe.

David Garver was born in Wayne county, O., July 30, 1819, and is a son of Frederick and Sarah Garver, the former a native Frederick Co., Md., and the latter of the vicinity of Williams- port, Pa. Mr. Garver was reared on a farm, and educated in a common school. He came with his parents to Cass Co., Mich., in 1828, where they remained until 1835, then removed to this county. He was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth Burget, by whom he had 9 children, 6 of whom are now living, viz .: Susan, Edwin, Albert, Silas, Ellen and David. Mrs. Garver died Nov. 30, 1864, and he again married Sept. 28, 1865, this time Susan Van Wert, by whom he has 4 children, viz .: Albert, Amelia, Em- ma and Clara. Mr. Garver owns a fine residence, on section-

Alexander Gordon .- Among the prominent farmers of Concord township, we find the name of Alexander Gordon. He was born Jan. 26, 1828, in Westmoreland Co., Pa. His parents were John

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

and Eleanor (McWilliams) Gordon, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Ireland, and came to America in 1793. Our subject was reared on a farm till he was 18 years of age, when he engaged in lumbering, which vocation he followed for about 25 years. His father died when he was quite young, and he had to support both himself and mother. His father at one time was one of the prominent farmers of Westmoreland county, but a great misfortune befell him. He went as security for other men and be- came so deeply involved that bankruptcy was the result, and he died in poverty, and in these limited circumstances he left his family. But in spite of all these hardships Alexander passed the prime of his life and thus accumulated property to the amount of $40,000. He was married Ang. 20, 1857, to Mary J., daughter of Robert and Mary McBride. They have had 8 children, 6 of whom are living, viz .: Allen H., Albert A., Alexander, Wm. G. Addie G. and Alice A. Mr. Gordon was Postinaster in Nebraska, Pa., for 4 years. In life he has always been considered prominent. He is a strong advocate of Republicanism.

James H. K. Gore, of the firm of Gore & Wright, planing-mill proprietors and wood-workers, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1837. His father's name was Samuel C., and his mother's name Ruth (Ketcham) Gore. His father was a pattern-maker. His family moved to Putnam county when James was two years of age, and remained there till he was 18 years old. He learned the pattern-maker's trade at Cold Springs, opposite West Point. When he was 18 years of age the family emigrated to the West, and set- tled in Elkhart, the father engaging in the wood-working business. James went to Mishawaka in 1860, and was employed in a furniture factory. Being a musician, in 1861 he enlisted in the 6th Michigan Infantry as leader of the band. His regiment was ordered to Baltimore, and remained there six months, then to Newport News, Ship Island, New Orleans, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, finally return- ing to New Orleans, where they were mustered out in 1862, the Government concluding to dispense with brass bands in the army. Returning to Mishawaka, Ind., Mr. Gore engaged in the mannfact- ure of chairs, for 13 months. In 1863 he raised a company in Mishawaka and was commissioned as its Captain, being assigned to the 138th Indiana Regiment, going out for 100 days, but remaining five months, mostly engaged in the duty of guarding railroads in the rear of Gen. Sherman's army while they marched through Georgia to the sea. In 1865 Capt. Gore went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and was employed as foreman of the Union Iron Works there. In 1869 he returned to Elkhart and embarked in the planing-mill and wood-working business with John Vanderlip, till Jan. 1, 1873, when Henry C. Wright bought Mr. Vanderlip's interest, and he firm of Gore & Wright was formed. In 1875 Fred Wright bought Henry C. Wright's interest, and has been Mr. Gore's partner until the present. The firm run a planing-mill, manufacture doors and blinds and sash, and do a general jobbing business in the wood-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

working line. Their factory is on Jackson street, east of Sage Bros' mills, and is furnished with a large amount of modern machinery. Capt. Gore was married in 1862 to Miss Elizabeth E. Field. One danghter, Grace, was born of this marriage. The first Mrs. Gore died in 1863, and Mr. Gore was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Ferris, of Mishawaka, in 1866. They have 1 son, Morton W. Capt. Gore is a third-degree Mason, and a member of the order of Chosen Friends. Religiously, he is a communicant in the Episco- pal Church. He suffered heavily by a fire on April 12, 1874, losing his wood-working establishment, but hopes by industry and good fortune to retrieve his loss.

Joseph O. Gregg was born in Circleville, Pickaway county, O., Jan. 5, 1841. His father, Israel Gregg, was engaged in the dry- goods trade in Circleville. Mr. Gregg from his earliest boyhood to the outbreak of the Rebellion spent most of his time in school. When Fort Sumter was fired upon he enlisted for three months in the 14th Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battles of Cheat River, Laurel Hill, Phillippi and Cassaek's Ford. When his first term of enlistment expired he re-enlisted for three years, and was engaged in the battles of Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson (where he was bayonetted), Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, was in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, and with Gen. Grant during the Wilderness campaign, the march on Richmond and the several battles of that famous movement, ending in the fall of Richmond. He is satis- fied with having filled his position faithfully in the ranks as a private of the Sixth Corps until he was honorably discharged. At tlie close of the war he engaged in his father's business, that of a dealer in dry-goods, on his own account, in Findlay, Ohio. Here he was married to Miss Emma F. O'Neal, daughter of Hon. Chas. W. O'Neal. Failing health forced him to dispose of his business and remove to the West. In 1870 he located in Elkhart, Ind., where he has continued to reside until the present. In 1874 he invented and obtained letters patent on a process for reducing wood to paper stock, and erected a small mill for its manufacture. In 1575 he invented and patented an improvement in his process, and patented the doubled-faced grinder in 1876. In 1878, finding the price of wood pulp declining, he invented the "combination board," on which he has obtained three letters patent, and is now engaged in its manufacture. This enterprise is proving to be a rich harvest to the Combination Board Company, of which Mr. Gregg is a member. Mr. Gregg's life so far has been a busy one. He firmly believes that close attention to business and careful manage- ment will win, and practically demonstrates his faith in this doctrine by devoting to it all his time and strength.

Michael Griffin was born at Chattam, near Canterbury, Kent, England, May 28, 1827. His father was Michael Griffin, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Baldwin. The father's occupa- tion was that of a paper-maker. His father now lives at Kidder- minster, England, and is 83 years of age.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Mr. Griffin lived at Kidderminster four years before he came to America, and there learned the trade of paper-making. When he had completed his apprenticeship he started out on the " paper- maker's round," as it was called, in search of work. He was furnished 18 to 24 cents a day by his trade association, and with this insufficient allowance lie traveled 1,300 miles, looking in vain for employment. When he had completed the great circuit he became disgusted with England, and turned his hopes and his face toward America, the land of freedom and glorious opportunity. He was furnished £10 by the emigration society of that day, and by its aid was enabled to make the voyage to New York. From that city he, with a companion in adventure, went to Hartford, Conn., where they worked for three months at various labor. Their next stopping place was at Herkimer, N. Y., where Mr. Griffin found employment in a paper-mill throughout the winter of 1849. He afterward worked at his trade in Bradford, Vt., where he remained 18 months. He was subsequently employed in Claremont, N. H., and Shirley, Mass. From the latter place he removed to Middle- town, Ohio, and was employed by the Erwin Bros., since so well- known in connection with the paper manufacture in Elkhart. Returning East, he was employed at Bennington, N. H., Dracut, Mass., and Lawrence. At the latter place he married Miss Lydia Cox, and has lived happily with her ever since. After leaving Lawrence he worked seven and a half years in Dorchester, Mass., and in 1864 he had what he considered an advantageous offer in Louisville, Ky., and worked in a paper-mill there for six months. The cost of living being high there he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and while there worked six weeks in Castalia. Afterward he removed to Richmond, Ind., then to Hamilton, Ohio, to South Bend, Sellers' Landing, Ill., Peoria, Excello, Ohio, finally locating permanently in Elkhart. Since coming here he has been in the employ of Erwin, Lane & Co., and in the tissne-paper mill. He was one of the corporators of the tissue-paper company, and now owns considerable stock in that institution. When he arrived in Elkhart he had but $140; now he owns a fine house and lot in North- east Elkhart, and his stock in the paper-mill, and is out of debt. He has been a "rolling stone," but he has gathered some moss, and his employment in so many different paper-mills in various parts of the country has given him a large experience in his business, a principal element of success in any calling. Mr. Griffin has 5 children living, having lost 2 by death. His 2 sons, Henry and Franklin, are employed in the paper-mill with their father. Jane, a daughter, married Lloyd Hatch, a paper-maker. Rhoda and Eliza are unmarried.

John M. Hackathorn was born in Plymouth, Richland county, O., Dec. 1, 1831. He was the son of Peter and Margaret (Andrews) Hackathorn, and remained in Plymouth till he was 25 years of age. Ile settled in Elkhart in 1859, and was here employed as a clerk for John Davenport for a time, and finally became his partner. In

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1860 he was married to Miss Clementine Davenport, daughter of his partner. In 1870 he engaged in the grocery trade, which he continued till 1875. In 1877 he began to deal in ice, and now manages the Elkhart ice houses. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having passed through all the degrees of that order, and now belongs to the chapter and commandery. He was once interested in the hydraulic works, and the Elkhart Woolen Mills. He built the brick store next south of the Clifton House, Main street, and a very fine residence on the corner of Second and Marion streets. He also erected a handsome dwelling in North Elkhart, where he now resides. Mr. Hackathorn is the principal ice dealer in Elkhart.

Dr. Robert Q. Huggerty was born in Hancock county, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1853, and is a son of the late Robert J. Haggerty, a prom- inent physician of Elkhart. He was educated at Notre Dame, Ind., and is a graduate of the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, and also of the Rush Medical College, of Chicago. He began practice in Elkhart in 1878, and is doing a good business, having practiced with his father prior to his death, which occurred in January, 1880.

Charles C. Harris was born in Yates county, New York, May 31, 1837, and is the son of Nathan and Phila A. (Cole) Harris, natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Harris was reared on a farm until 16 years of age. He began working for railroad companies in 1855, and has been a railroad man ever since. He began at the foot of the ladder and has gradually arisen until he is now conductor on a passenger train, and is in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Company. His parents came to this county in 1838. JHis father soon after died, and he returned with his mother to New York, where he remained until 14 years old, and then returned to this county. He was married in April, 1859, to Miss Salina Punches, by whom he has 3 children: George, Nellie and Carrie.

Wm. Hurtzog, farmer, sec. 24; P. O., Elkhart; is a son of Ben- jamin and Sarah Hartzog, natives of Pennsylvania; he was born in Wayne county, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1830; in 1843 he came with his par- ents to this county, where he grew to manhood; his education was attained in the common schools. He was married June 8, 1854, to Catharine, daughter of George and Mary Huiebaugh, and has had 5 children; 2 are living, viz .: Benjamin, married to Alice C. Big- gle, and Sarah A. Mr. Hartzog is of German ancestry. His grandfather came to America at an early day. Mr. H. is the owner of 206 acres of land, part of which is in sec. 24. Politically he embraces all the doctrines and principles of the Republican party.

James W. Hass was born in Springfield, Ill., Oct. 21, 1834; his parents were Jacob and Marial Hass, the former a native of Ger- many and came to America when only 11 years old. He was sold by the captain to a man in New York city for his labor, which re- quired his services for two years; in 1833 he settled in Springfield, Ill., when that State was yet a Territory. He pre-empted the land whereon the city of Springfield stands. In 1835 he removed to

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Butler county, Ohio, where he remained till 1841, then moved with his family to Randolph county, Ind .; in these two places our sub- ject was reared and educated. In 1853 they moved to Cass county Mich., and there Mr. Jacob Hass died. In 1854 James W. went to Dallas county, Iowa. In 1860 they returned to Cass county, Mich., and in 1866 came to this county, where he has since resided. May 15, 1856, he married Alcinda Paul and had 4 children. 2 of these are living, viz .: Hattie and William. Mrs. Hass was born Feb. 14. 1840. Her parents, Benjamin and Mary Williams, were early settlers in this county. Mr. Hass' father was a Captain in the war of 1812. Mr. H. owns a farm of S0 acres one-half mile south of Elkhart, worth $110 per acre.

Andrew Hay was born in Bedford county, Pa., Dec. 18, 1827, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Hay. He was reared on a farm and early became accustomed to hard labor. At the age of 17 he learned the plasterer's trade, which he has followed ever since, ex- cept two years, which time he farmed in Michigan. He came to this county in 1844; was married Oct. 11, 1855, to Miss Sarah A. Stockbarger, by whom he has 4 children: John J., Andrew Horace Greeley, Mary S. and Sarah H. Zoa. John J. is in the regular army at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory. Mr. Hay is a fine workman, and has a good, remunerative business.

Walter S. Hazelton, of the firm of Brodrick Bros. & Hazelton, was born in Strafford, Orange county, Vermont, Dec. 1. 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Kibling) Hazelton. Five generations of the Hazeltons have resided on the same farm, our subject's great- grandfather, grandfather, father, a brother, and his brother's son. The latter now resides there. This is in Orange county, Vermont. There are 12 children in his father's family, 6 boys and 6 girls, all living, and he is the youngest. The others are all in Vermont except his youngest sister, who is in California. He went to Cal- ifornia by way of the Isthmus, in 1864. He went there on bor- rowed cash, and when he arrived in San Francisco, he was withont money. He there borrowed $5 of a friend to bear his expenses to Sutler county, the place of his destination. He dug post holes the first month for his board. He walked to Lincoln on Sunday, a distance of 10 miles, to purchase a pair of sheep shears. His friend with whom he had been stopping, persuaded him to abandon the idea of sheep-shearing, and he took him to Cashville, and secured for him a situation as clerk. He returned to Elkhart in 1876, and February, 1877, opened a grocery store, which he ran for 18 months. In 1879 he engaged in the dry-goods business, and also carried a stoek of boots and shoes, notions, etc. This firm of Brodrick Bros. & Hazel- ton now do a business of $40,000 annually. In 1872, on the 20th day of October, while in the Golden State, he married Miss Lavona L. White, a native of Middlebury, this county. She happened to be on a visit to her uncle, Charles S. White, who was at that time a partner of Mr. Hazelton in business in Cashville, California.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

They have 1 child, Eva M. Mr. Hazelton is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

William C. Hendricks was born in New Canaan, Conn., seven or eight miles from Norwalk. He was the son of David and Sarah (Hoyt) Hendricks. His great grandparents emigrated to this country from Holland, and doubtless spelled their name with the suffix ichs. His grandfather started on a return voyage to Holland, but was never heard from after he put to sea. When he was eight years of age the family moved to Addison county, Vt .; from there he removed to Onondaga county, N. Y. The father was a carpen- ter and builder, and erected the first church in Pompey, N. Y., in 1818, a structure that still stands. Mr. Hendricks learned his father's trade, and studied architecture in New York city, and was employed in that metropolis nearly a year. He was married in the winter of 1828 to Mrs. Lois Stevens, he then being 29 years of age. In process of time he engaged in the furniture trade in Pompey. Having land in Hancock county, Ill., he in 1839 visited that State, and stopped in St. Louis a while thereafter. At length he came to Elkhart county, Ind., and located on a tract of land in Jefferson tp. His wife died about 30 years ago, and he was married a second time, to Emily Gould, of Pompey, N. Y., daughter of Col. Gould. Mr. Hendricks finally sold his farm and invested in Elkhart real estate, and has latterly resided in the city, busying himself in tak- ing care of his property. One of Mr. Hendricks' step-sons, Dr. Chas. W. Stevens, is superintendent of the St. Lonis Insane Asy- lum, and was a professor in a Missonri medical college. Richard F. Stevens, another step-son, is also a physician, and was once Col- lector of the port of New York.

Dr. John H. Henry was a pioneer physician of Elkhart. He was born in Urbana, Ohio, March 30, 1811. He was the son of David and Sarah (Robinson) Henry. When he was three years old his parents removed to Sidney, and lived on a farm. Here the future doctor spent his years till he was 21, when he began to study medicine with Dr. Thomas, and eventually commenced practice at Lima, Ohio. Subsequently he removed to Roundhead, and con- tinued practice there for five years. While residing at Roundhead he was married to Mrs. Zimmerman, who had 2 children by a former marriage. They came to Elkhart in 1840, and he began practice here. Forty years ago Elkhart was a mere hamlet, and the Doctor was one of the first physicians in the place. His prac- tice rapidly increased, so that he was obliged to ride night and day. This constantly subjected him to the act of getting in and alight- ing from his vehicle, which at last induced a disease of the knee- joints, by which the Doctor was made an invalid, and was obliged to take to his bed, where he remained 11. years and six months, when death came to his relief, which occurred on Sept. 2, 1872. His severe affliction attracted the attention of physicians far and near, many of whom visited him and made a study of his case. Being a strong Republican in politics, he took a profound interest

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in the Union cause at the outbreak of the rebellion, and his last effort before taking to his bed, where he was helplessly to remain so many long years, was to accompany the first company of Elk- hart volunteers to the depot, preparatory to their departure for the front. Dr. Henry was a man of great energy of character, of sterling moral convictions, clearness of intellectual judgment, and a thorough student in his profession. Whenever a new subject was presented to his mind he investigated it thoroughly and con- scientiously, and never allowed bigotry, prejudice or egotistic con- ceit to bias his mental decisions. He was a religious man, and a consistent member of the Methodist Church. His business ventures were successful, and he amassed a large property in houses and lands. Three of his sons and one daughter are now living. One is a physician in Chickasaw county, Iowa, and is a proficient in surgery.

Mrs. Isabel Henry, surviving widow of Dr. Henry, was born in the year 1812. She was a native of Ross county, Ohio. Her father, John Wallace, was a native of Ireland, and left Dublin for America when he was in his 20th year. He was a gentleman of education, taught school when a young man, and was engaged in the mercantile business in Ohio, finally taking up and improving a farm, on which he taught his boys to work. Her mother's name was Hannah (O'Connel) Wallace, a Southern lady. Mrs. Henry was first married in Ross county, Ohio, to James Zimmerman, by whom she had 2 children. He died when they had been married but three years. She afterward became the wife of Dr. Henry. She is a lady of remarkable character, and firm in her convictions of right and wrong. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been a life-long temperance advocate and defender. Her name has become historic as the leader of the Woman's Crusade in Elkhart in 1873. It was Mrs. Dr. Henry who led the famous prayer-meeting at a saloon on Harrison street, amidst a howling mob, where the heroic ladies maintained their ground till near mid- night, even after their leader, Mrs. Henry, had been knocked down by a missile hurled at her by one of the mob. The assailan t was prosecuted for the dastardly outrage, a fine of $500 was assessed against him, and he was sentenced to one year's imprisonment. The affair was published in the newspapers far and wide, and created a great sensation in Elkhart and throughout the West, but resulted in terminating the mob spirit in this city that had resulted from the anti-saloon crusade. Mrs. Henry is now residing in a comfortable dwelling on Pigeon street, waiting serenely for the summons that shall call her to meet her deceased husband on the golden shore.

Peltire Hill, President of the Excelsior Starch Works, Elkhart, was born in Kennebunk, York county, Me., Aug. 13, 1842. His parents were George and Mary (Lock) Hill. His father was a farmer, and till 18 years of age he attended school and worked upon the farm, after which he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he spent

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two years in various labor. He finally engaged employment in a starch mill, and remained in Buffalo until 1870. While in that city he was forenian in Gilbert's famous starch works. When he first arrived in Elkhart he superintended the construction of a starch mill for A. L. Muzzy, afterward known as the Muzzy & Sage mill, and managed it for them till 1873. At the close of this period he joined his fortunes to the Excelsior Starch Company, becoming one of its members, and assisting to establish its business. He superintended the erection of the company's works, and put them in running order, and performed the function of superintendent thereafter. He was elected vice president of the company the second year of its existence, and president in 1880. He was mar- ried in 1870 to Miss Almira Hulbert, daughter of James Hulbert, of Adrian, Mich. They have 2 children: Ruby and Charley. Mr. Hill is the practical man in manufacture at the Excelsior Works, and probably understands starch-making and the machinery for that purpose as well as any man in the West.

Joseph Hollis was born in Vermont June 17, 1829. His par- ents were Lyman and Elizabeth (Gardner) Hollis, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Vermont. Mr. Hollis was reared on a farm till lic was 21, and educated in the common schools. In 1841 he went to Seneca county, Ohio, and in 1847 to La Porte, and followed carpentering there till 1859; then came to this county and pursued his former occupation. In 1871 he moved his family to Elkhart, where he now resides. Is at present the foreman of a company of bridge builders on the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Nov. 9, 1856, he was joined in marriage to Ollie, daughter of Enos and Mary Eaton, and has had 2 children, both deceased, viz .: James S. and Mina B. Mrs. Hollis was born July 17, 1836, in Seneca county, O., and is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Hollis is a member of the Masonic order, and is also a member of the City Council.

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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 71

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