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 76

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 76

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Michael Truby, jeweler, was the son of Philip and Elizabeth Truby, and was born in Greentown, Stark Co., O., Jan. 4, 1827. Until 21 years of age he remained at home, dividing his time, when of sufficient age, between going to school, blacksmithing and farm- ing. At 21 he journeyed to Indiana and located at South Bend, his parents having taken up their residence on a farm on Pleasant Plains, two miles south of Elkhart. He was first employed in South Bend in a wagon-repairing shop, and in that capacity ironed the first carriage made in that place, making even the springs. During the eight years he resided in South Bend he taught day and singing-school a portion of the time. He was also member of a brass band there, and chorister in the Baptist Church, a position which he held for three years. In 1859 Mr. Truby tried his for- tune in Mexico, Mo., where he was successful in business till the breaking ont of the civil war, when he felt obliged to leave the place on account of his adherence to the Union cause. This was a serions material loss to him, for he left behind considerable real estate, from which he has as yet failed to realize. When he came to Elkhart, in 1862, he was much reduced in circumstances, and was obliged to begin at the foot of Fortune's ladder. He opened a watch-repairing shop, and has since prospered, till now he has a full assortment of jewelry, silverware and books, and is doing a profita- ble business. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and of the German Workingmen's Society, of Elkhart. Mr. Truby was married in South Bend Jan. 18, 1855, to Mary V. Ketcham. They have 4 sons, the younger 2 living, James M. and Charles M.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Truby. Mr. Truby has a remarkable literary relic, a German Bible published in 1676, which came into the possession of his mother's family immediately after the Revolution. The family record in this heirloom reaches back to 1327. The volume is a huge tome 15 inches long and a foot wide, bound in embossed leather, fastened with brass clasps, with brass nails in the corners. The letter press and engravings in this almost mediaval volume exhibit a high art, showing that but little improvement has been made in the printer's and engraver's crafts since the 17th century. Mr. Truby is the inventor of a combination door latch and alarm bell, on which he has a patent. This ingenions device connects the latch with the bell, and can be detached whenever it is not desired to give an alarm. It is a perfect instrument for a door latch and alarm com- bined, and a complete security against unwelcome intruders.

Col. Alba Mark Tucker, the well-known military and railway man, was born at West Hartford, Windsor Co., Vt., Nov. 14, 1836. He spent his boyhood, until 12 years of age, on his father's farm; then, feeling a spirit of enterprise and a desire for a higher education, he procured employment as a teamster on the Vermont Central railway. He afterward worked in the stone quarries at Portland, Conn. The money thus earned enabled him to begin a course of study at the Newbury Seminary, which he continued two years. In 1854 he was employed as a civil engineer on the Connec- ticut & Passumpsic River railroad, and remained a year, and in 1855 he went to Adrian, Mich., for the purpose of securing employ- inent on the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana railroad. When he arrived he had but $4 in money, and his need of employ- ment under the circumstances became painfully pressing. He ap- plied to Col. James Moore, Superintendent of the above named road, who gave him a clerkship at Tecumseh station, at $25 a inonthi. In the May following he was transferred to Elkhart to take a similar position, at $40 a month. He was shortly after made agent of the station, a remarkable promotion when it is considered that at this time he was but 18 years of age. He afterward resigned and accepted the lucrative position of union ticket agent at Janes- ville, Wis. His next step on the ladder of fortune was made at Toledo, Ohio, where he became clerk in the General Superintend- ent's office of the Michigan Sonthern & Northern Indiana railroad. Subsequently to this he engaged in selling goods in Elkhart, which he pursued one year, when lie accepted a place as clerk in the general freight office at Toledo. In 1862 he enlisted in the 100th Ind. Regt. of Vol. He was commissioned 2d Lieutenant by Gov. Morton, and was soon promoted to a 1st Lieutenancy, and was made Regimental Quartermaster. He afterward became Post Quarter- master and Commissary at Indianapolis. His regiment being removed to Memphis, Tenn., he was, in March, 1863, appointed acting Assistant Quartermaster. He was in October ordered to change the gange on a section of the Louisville, Frankfort & Lex- ington railway, a work which he speedily accomplished. He was

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

simultaneously engaged in the superintendence of other important railroad and engineering work. He was at one period of the war disbursing Quartermaster at Louisville, and was during the erection of barracks, Quartermaster at Jeffersonville and New Albany.

Such was the ability displayed by Col. Tucker in all the various railway and Quartermaster service which he performed that he was offered a position as Assistant Quartermaster in the regular army, but he declined the proffer, and resigned his position in the army Oct. 18, 1865. On leaving the army Col. Tucker was offered the position of General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Central railway, but did not accept it. In 1867 he was President of the Board of Trustees of the town of Elkhart. He was elected County Auditor Oct. 10, 1867, by a flattering majority. He was superin- tendent of construction of the new court-house at Goshen. After leaving the auditor's office Col. Tucker enjoyed a period of com- parative freedom from labor and responsibility, until about two and a half years ago, when he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Michigan Southern & Lake Shore railway, with an office in Elkhart. This position he occupies at the present time.

V. Voisinet and family came to Elkhart from Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Voisinet had been a farmer near that city. He bought the old mill owned by Morehouse & Swift, and carried that on a few years with Nicholas Webber. He then purchased Mr. Webber's interest, and conducted the business individually for a few years. His son, V. E. Voisinet, went into partnership with him two years since, A. M. Doll also taking an interest, the firm assuming the style of V. Voisinet & Co. Mr. Voisinet built the present four-story mill in the fall of 1875. It is supplied with four run of stones, and one donble set of rolls, and is fitted up in all respects as a first-class flouring-mill. The grain converted in this mill is purchased in the vicinity, and the product mostly shipped to the East, thus making it a home enterprise of great local value, and one of the most im- portant in Elkhart.

Charles Walley, one of the leading furniture dealers of Elkhart, was born in Albany, N. Y., April 3, 1834. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Walley. His father's occupation was the manufact- ure of Inmber and shingles. When Charles was six years of age his parents removed to Williamstown, Mass., where they remained till he was 20 years of age. He then went to South Adams, Mass., and was there two years. During his minority he had learned the carriage-painter's trade, and had charge of the painting department of a carriage shop at Williamstown. In 1855 he went to Chip- pewa, Canada, and tarried there six months. We next find him at Battle Creek, Mich., where he had charge of a paint shop. After three months, he spent some time at Constantine, and then went to Superior City, Wis. He there established himself in the house and sign-painting business. He spent the years 1856-'8 there, during the period when that city was growing rapidly. He speaks of the great abundance of wild game that roamed in the vicinity at the

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

time, and says that it was a common thing for a party of hunters to go out for a half-day's sport and return with a wagon load of deer. Leaving Superior City Mr. Walley and family came to Indiana, and had charge of the Mishawaka Iron Company's paint shops for five years. He then bought a cooper shop and managed that three years, making a good thing of the enterprise. In 1868 he sold this business, and bought Kellogg Bros.' retail furniture store at Mish- awaka. He carried forward this business for three years, and in 1871 sold out and moved to Elkhart, where he established a furni- ture store, and has continued that trade here ever since. He has an undertaking department connected with his business, and is one of the two dealers in first-class furniture in Elkhart. He is conduct- ing an excellent business, and has received ample encouragement for the legitimate and honorable way he performs his obligations to customers. Mr. Walley has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Sarah Trow, previous to marriage. This lady died in 1859. He was again married in 1860 to Emily E. Ross, of Mish- awaka. They have 4 living children. Mr. Walley is a member of Kane lodge of Freemasons, Elkhart. £ He was elected Council- man from the First ward in 1874, and took a seat in the first Council after the city had been incorporated.

Ransom H. Watson, son of John and Isabel ( Dyer ) Watson, was born in Chenango county, New York, Feb. 14, 1821. He was reared on a farm, and his educational advantages were none other than those afforded by the common schools. His mother died in New York, and he moved with his father to Smithfield, Pa., where his father died. Ransom H. then came to Kirtland, Lake Co., Ohio, where he remained some time. While there he attended ser- vices in the Mormon temple, which then existed. He was married in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1842, to Miss Rebecca Ferguson, by whom he has had 4 children: of these, 2 are living, Albert A. and

Nettie. He came to this county in 1844 and settled on a farm three miles west of Elkhart, but soon afterward went to Mishawaka. In 1845 he went to Joliet, Ill., and remained six months. He then returned to Mishawaka and engaged in making cemented cis- terns, which were about the first of the kind made in Elkhart connty. He remained in Mishawaka two years, when he moved into the conntry to a point about four miles west of Elkhart, and for four years kept an inn or country hotel, called the " Indiana House," but more commonly known as the " Elephant House," as his sign was the pict- ure of an elephant. After living in various places he finally settled in Elkhart, and has engaged in various vocations, but mostly deals in real estate, buying and repairing city property, etc. He has resided seven years of this time on his farm, but has resided in Elkhart since 1875. He carried the mail from Elkhart to Dowagiac, Mich., for eight years. Mrs. Watson died in 1878, and he again married in 1879, this time Miss Olive Stone.

M. K. Weaver, druggist, was born in Ashland county, Ohio, June 13, 1847. He was the son of Michael and Elizabeth ( Kilmer )

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Weaver. The family resided on a farm in Ohio, and emigrated to Elkhart connty, Ind., when Mr. Weaver was six years of age, set- tling in Olive tp. At 16 Mr. Weaver entered the drug store of Hill & Miller, Elkhart, and continned in their employ three years. He afterward spent a year in Toledo, and some time in other places, still continuing in the drug trade. He purchased the drug business and stock that he now owns abont three years ago, and has been in the business since. Keeps a full line of drugs and goods in his line, has a fine position on Main street, and enjoys a thriving trade.

Chester Wentworth, dairyman, Elkhart, was born in Hamilton, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1821, and is a son of Burl and Rebecca Wentworth. He was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools. At the age of 16 he went as an apprentice in the blacksmith shop. Dec. 28, 1848, he married Miss Sallie M. Owen, who was born in Lebanon county, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1830; she was a daughter of Stephen and Mary Owen, also natives of New York. They have had 2 children, Jennie E. (now Mrs. Edward B. Smith), of. Elkhart, and Orin C., in Chicago. Mr. W. followed dairying in Smyrna, N. Y., for some 10 years, then went to Boone county, Ill., where he pursned the same vocation, and in 1871 he came to this county. He is located one-half mile sonth of Elkhart. He keeps 31 cows and supplies a portion of the city of Elkhart with milk.

Jacob Wertz, after a long and toilsome life of labor, has passed into retirement. He first saw the brightness of the sun Jan. 18, 1815, in the county of Berks, Pa. His parents, John and Mary Wertz, lived to a good old age. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1854 he went to Berrien county, Mich., and in 1857 he came to this county, where he has since resided. He married Oct. 19, 1849, Sarah Dubbs, by whom he had 9 children; 1 is deceased. The following are the living: Susanna (now Mrs. Stephen Orney), Eli, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Sam'l Stroup), Samuel, John, Sarah (now Mrs. Alfred Trump), Frank and Milton. Mr. Wertz owns a farm of 88 acres, in sec. 13. In politics he is a Republican.

Aaron Work was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 26, 1837, and is a son of Abel E. Work, a native of the same place, and born on the same farm. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common school and at Crawfordsville. Ind. He came with his parents to Middlebury tp. in 1842, and settled on a farm where the father still resides. He was married in 1866 to Miss Amanda Walmer, daughter of Jolin Walmer, of Middlebury tp. They have 3 children, Luetta M., George E. and John C. Mr. Work removed to Elkhart in 1867. and in 1869 engaged in the grocery business, which he continued three years, when he abandoned it on account of failing health. He engaged in the sale of lime, cement, coal, etc., 1873-'5, and has now resumed the same business and has a good trade. Mr. Work also owns stock in the Elkhart Tissue- Paper Mills. He has recently erected a fine brick residence on High street.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Dr. James A. Work was born in Middlebury tp., this county, Feb. 15, 1845, and is a son of Everett Work, a native of Fairfield county, who settled in this county in an early day. The Doctor was brought up on a farin, and received his early education in the common school; but later he attended the Lagrange Collegiate Institute, and also a select school in Goslien. He then read medi- cine, and in 1866 attended a course of lectures at the Ann Arbor Medical College, and in 1869-'70 attended another course, gradu- ating at that institution in March, 1870. In April of the same year he located in Elkhart and began the practice of his chosen profession. He has built np a good practice, and has won the confidence of the people. Ile makes diseases of women and chil- dren a specialty. He was married Oct. 10, 1872, to Miss Emma Bartholomew, by whom he has 4 children: Lyda E., Henry E., Madge M. and Ruth. Both the Doctor and Mrs. Work are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Elkhart City Board of Health, and also a member of the Elklart County Medical Association, and of the St. Joseph Valley Medical Associ- ation. Not only has the Doctor won the confidence of the people, but he stands high in the medical profession. He has, since locat- ing in Elkhart, represented the county four years in the American Medical Association. In politics he is an uncompromising Demo- crat.

Henry C. Wright, Inmber merchant, of Elkhart, was born in Whitehall, Washington county, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1832, and is a son of Daniel S. and Lucy A. (Wadhams) Wright, the former a native of Shoreham, Vt., and the latter of Wadhams' Mills, Essex county. Mr. Wright received his education at St. Lawrence University, Pottsdam, Vt., where he graduated in 1849. He clerked in the Collector's office in Whitehall for three years; he then clerked in his father's drug store for some time, and also "stayed" in a grocery a short time. During the winter of 1857-'S, he was Librarian for the New York Legislature. In the spring of 1858 he went to St. Louis, Mo., and the following autumn to Rantoul, Champaign county, Ill., where he kept a general store until 1861. IIe then entered the army in Co. I, 25th Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., and was inade Regimental Quartermaster, with the rank of First Lieu- tenant. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Altoona, Atlanta and others. He was married in 1857 to Miss Marion Hendricks, a native of Amsterdam, N. Y., and daughter of John R. Hendricks. This union has been blessed with 5 children: Ella F., Mary E., Ernest, Lucy W. and Victor. Mr. Wright moved to Battle Creek, Mich., in 1865, and to Kalamazoo in 1868. IIe remained there two years, when he removed to Elkhart, Mr. W., however, having come the fall pre- vious and established a business in the lumber trade. He now owns a large lumber yard there, and is doing a good business. He was Mayor of the city in 1876, and was a member of the Board of Corporation Trustees of Elkhart prior to the city organization.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Jacob Zook is a native of Chester county, Pa., and was born Oct. 19, 1824. His parents were Abraham and Elizabeth Zook, natives of Pa. He was reared on a farm and educated in a common school in his native county. In December, 1855, he came to La Porte, Ind., where he superintended the manufacture of agricultural imple- ments for Jervis & Co. for one year. He then, the next day after Buchanan was elected President, entered into the employ of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company, and has remained in their employ to the present time. He came to Elkhart in 1871, when the railroad shops were removed from La Porte to this place. He is foreman in the pattern shops. He went back East in 1856, and at Cape May, N. J., that year, married Miss Caroline Meach, a native of Berkshire county, Mass. They have had 4 children, of whom 3 are living, viz., George, Grace and Mary. Mr. Zook was City Surveyor in La Porte, and was a member of the Elkhart Board of Education one year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

David Thompson

ELKHART TOWNSHIP.

This township, though not so extensive as it was 50 years ago, contains 5,431 people, of whom 3,968 reside at the county seat. We have seen in the county history how the first Board of Justices divided the new district into the townships of Elkhart and Con- cord. Here it will only be necessary to note its topography, the names of men connected with its early history, and review its prog- ress.

The face of the country is undulating and rather hilly toward the north. It is watered by the Elkhart river, which enters the township near Latta's line in section 34; by Rock run, a purely Elkhartian stream, and by Turkey creek, which enters at section 33, and forms a junction with the Elkhart near Waterford village. In sections 2 and 3 are two small lakes or ponds. The hydraulic canal receives the waters of the Elkhart river in section 24, one mile and one-half along its course south of the city of Goshen. Elkhart river forms the western limit of the city. The forests of the district are valuable, and occupy a large area.

The drift soil or sandy loam that now takes the place of the great inland seas, which a few centuries ago spread over our prairies, and even occupied that place on which nature has planted her sand hills and her forests, yields up a mine of agricultural wealth and bestows comparative peace and competence npon hundreds of industrious farmers, and helps to render the trade of towns and villages pros- perous. The privileges given to the people of this township by nature itself cannot be overestimated-a rich allnvial soil, beautiful rivers and streams, thrifty forests of the most valuable trees, and a climate genial and comparatively healthy-all, all tend to prove the existence of a favored tract, where the best energies of man may be expended with pleasure and profit to himself and good results to the nation.

Elias Riggs and William Simpson may be named as the first settlers in the township. Mrs. Susan Nickerson, better known as Mrs. Wogoman, was here in June, 1828; John B. Cripe in March, 1829; Balser Hess and his brothers, William Felkner, Solomon Hockert, Major Violett, and John H. Violett, the first white male

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

child born in the township, Nov. 22, 1829, were actual settlers be- fore the close of that year,-the Frier brothers, Pearman, Peppen- ger, Irwin, Carpenter, Beek, Meddill, Sparklin, Bishop, Latta, John Inks, Stntsman, Blair, Cook, Jacob F. Cripe, Daniel Cripe, Stauffer, McConnell, E. Felton and Thomas Thomas, together with many whose names appear in the sketch of Goshen City.

The first mechanic was Jacob T. Cripe, who often grated corn in a perforated tin pail, and so prepared it for the morning's frugal meal .

John Inks was the first millstone cutter, and the work of these years was that of making stones for Rock'Run and Elkhart Mills.

The honest blacksmith of the settlement was Joseph Knox. It is unnecessary to describe that old forge; it looked as delicate as a toy house, and like a match, would light up and fall into ashes in a few minutes. However, Knox did his work well and took his equal part in building up the country.

The first preacher among the white settlers was Rev. E. Felton. Azel Sparklin was also a preacher and elass-leader, both introducing the doctrine of the Methodist Church.

Daniel Cripe was the first Dunkard minister, and is considered to have even preceded Felton.

Balser Hess was the Baptist minister of the day, and a cotem- porary with Cripe. He was succeeded by Lechrist and Comer.

The first marriage in the township was that of Eve Hess and Jacob Weybright. It was celebrated with unusual eclat, and the young couple enjoyed the friendship of the community ever after- ward.

The first baptisms among the white settlers were those of Stauffer and McConnell in 1830. This is so stated, but yet there are many circumstantial evidences of such introductions to Christianity hav- ing been previously made.

The first school was taught by Mr. Potts in a grotesque little cabin on Elkhart Prairie, known as the Wilkinson Lake School, commonly called "The University " by some newspaper men of the St. Joseph valley. The yonng Friers, Sparklins, Blairs, Thompsons and Dr. Jackson claimed this humble school as their alma mater. It, too, took a great part in building up the town- ship.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

SCHOOLS.

The township school-houses are all substantial brick structures, and are valued at $12,000. Few, if any, of the children of the township are unable to read; but the prevalence of a total igno- rance of the language of Webster, and its written signs, is sadly apparent among the ranks of the aged and their immediate juniors. This ignorance of American letters is, in some cases, attended with a want of sympathy with the institutions of the Republic; however, the influence of the unsophisticated is so very limited that very little evil can result from their ignorance. On the con- trary, the disadvantages under which they labor urge on their chil- dren to industry and study, and thus a great misfortune leads to a great good. It is a case of light from obscurity.

In 1880 there were nine school-houses in Elkhart township, all brick, of which the value was $12,000; value of school apparatus, $150; special school tax, four cents per $100, besides 25 cents special tax on each poll; total estimate of special school tax, $500; local tax for tuition assessed on each poll, 25 cents; number of volumes in library, 327; number taken out during the year, 87; number township institutes in 1880, 6; as to revenue for tuition, the amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879, $932.71; amount received in February, $849.27; amount received in June, $1,000.98; miscel- laneous receipts, $217.13; total, $3,000.09; amount expended dur- ing the year ending Sept. 1, 1880, $2,014.70; amount on hand Sept. 1, 1880, $985.39; amount of special revenue on hand Sept. 1, 1879, $932.07; amount received during the year, $1,160.22; amount expended during the year, $1.136.75, leaving a balance on hand of 8955.54. There were 229 male pupils admitted to the school during the year, and 190 female; average daily attendance of all children, 302; average length of school taught within the year, 140 days; there were nine male teachers employed and seven female, the average wages of the former being $1.96 per day, and of the latter, $1.513. There is one district graded school in the township.

CHURCII.

The German Baptist (Dunkard) Church of Elkhart township, was organized in 1834. The first members were David Cripe and wife, John Miller, Martin Weybright, John Cripe, Samuel Cripe, Elizabeth Stutzman, John Woolsey and wife, and Jacob Cripe, Sen. The society grew gradually in numbers by the accession of

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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 76

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