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 80

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 80

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Waterford, Elkhart township, but was organized at Benton, in Ben- ton township, Oct. 9, 1842, by Elder Peter Banta, with a member- ship of nine. Their names were as follows: David Monroe, David Bowser, Benjamin Benner, Elias Baker, Isaac Longeer, Eliza Stanley, Caroline Benner, Elizabeth Bowser and Maria Monroe. But three of the charter members are living, viz .: Benjamin Ben- ner, Caroline Benner and Elizabeth Bowser. This little band of worshipers adopted nothing but the Bible for its rule of faith and practice. There were no meetings held at Benton after the organization, for the place of meeting was immediately changed to the log school-house one mile west of Waterford.

The first pastor was Rev. Banta, the fonnder. The first confer- ence in the district was held in 1850, in the barn of William Albin, who resided near Waterford. They crected a honse of worship in Waterford, in 1853, and Nov. 26 of the same year changed the name or title of the Church (or class) to that of the Christian Church at Waterford. They sustain regular services and have a flourishing little Church of 50 communicants. The present pastor is Rev. Geo. Abbott.

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

This most important branch of township history must commend it- self to every one. That it necessarily contains much valuable informa- tion and the relation of a series of events more or less historical is conceded. Therefore it is considered just and proper, that any- thing which may have a place in the pages devoted to it should be passed lightly over in the foregoing chapters, in order that repeti- tion might be avoided, and the more precise and complete facts intermingled with the always interesting reminiscences generally given in personal sketches.

Hon. Charles B. Alderman, present Mayor of the city of Goshen, was born in Greenville, Vt., Nov. 16, 1828, the son of Bidwell and Vesta (Smith) Alderman. The former died before the subject of this sketch was born, leaving the care of the family to the sorrow- ing widow, who removed to Western New York when Charles was two years old, and located at Leroy. Mrs. Alderman afterward married the father of General Hascall, now of Goshen, and thus became the step-mother of the General. They remained in Leroy till the spring of 1854, and while there he attended district school. At the age of 16 he left the farm and was engaged as a clerk in a grocery and crockery store, owned and conducted by Steward Chamberlain. He held this position till he was of age, when, close confinement having impaired his health, he engaged in contracting

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

and building for three years, an occupation designed to benefit his health on account of the outdoor exercise it gave him. During this period he was married to Miss Elizabeth McLaren, a lady of Scotch ancestry. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Alderman came to Middle- bury, this county, and in 1854 he located in Goshen. When Mr. and Mrs. Alderman settled in Goshen their only child had been born to them, a son, George F., who is now cashier of the Sherman House, Chicago.

When well settled in Goshen Mr. Alderman went into the employment of Hascall & Ellis, as clerk in the large mercantile house they were then conducting. When that firm made an assign- ment, and A. W. Hascall & Co. bought the stock, Mr. Alderman went into the firm as third partner. In the spring of 1856 the firm sold their business to West & Gallantine, who after six months of trade desired a change, when Hascall, Alderman & Brown bought them out. In 1860 Mr. Brown sold his interest to his partners and retired, and Hascall & Alderman continued the business till 1864, when A. N. Hascall bought an interest in the firm, Mr. Hascall also retiring in the spring of 1865. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Alderman sold his interest to Gen. Hascall, and left the firm on account of failing health. During his career as a retail dealer in goods, himself and associate partners, from 1856 to 1868, sold over $1.000,000 worth of goods.

The time at length arrived when Mr. Alderman was to make a new departure and become a manufacturer instead of a merchant. In 1869 he joined forces with Mr. James E. Winnegar, and began to build the Goshen Woolen Mills. This work was finished in 1870. They erected the substantial three-story-and-basement brick structure, which is such an important feature among the improve- ments on the hydraulic canal, and filled it with costly and modern machinery. This establishment has since been one of the principal industries of Goshen, and is a lasting honor to its projectors and builders. In 1872 Gen. Hascall took a third interest in the busi- ness, but in 1875 he sold his share to J. M. Noble, the firm as thus reorganized continuing business till 1879, when a sale of the entire establishment was made to the present owners, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. In 1875 Mr. Alderman joined the stock company that now controls the Goshen Gas Works, himself taking half the stock. He has since occupied the position of president of the company.

Mr. Alderman's official life in Goshen began in 1874, when he was elected Councilman of the first ward for the term of two years. In 1876 he was elected Mayor, and his fellow-citizens hon- ored him with a re-election in 1878. Still pleased with his administration of municipal affairs, Mr. Alderman was elected Mayor for a third time in 1880. This last election, however, was not an easy "walk-over," for his opponents urged the battle against him to the utmost. But such was Mr. Alderman's popularity that he came through the contest victorious by a handsome majority.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

During his term as member of the Common Council Mr. Alderman was Chairman of the Finance Committee, and also of that on the water-works, and the duty of placing the water-works bonds de- volved upon him. The bonded indebtedness was negotiated at satisfactory rates to tax-payers of the city, and Mr. Alderman won high praise for his efficiency in this important business.

Mr. Alderman has been a Freemason since 1864, when he took the Master's degree in Goshen lodge, No. 12, and was raised in that lodge Feb. 11, 1867. Ile is at present a Royal Arch Mason in Goshen Chapter, No. 45, and was exalted June 8, 1868; a member of Bashor Council, No. 15, and a member of South Bend Con- mandery, No. 13. Mayor Alderman's life since he came to Goshen has been crowded with events, and no resident of the city has been more honored and distinguished by his fellow-citizens.

John Baker, one of the aged citizens of Elkhart county, was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1801. He is thus 79 years of age, yet at this writing he is vigorous and active, and signs his name in a bold, distinct and strong hand. His father's name was John, and his mother's maiden name was Barbara Hershey, the latter living till the age of 96, and bnt recently deceased. The family is of German descent. When John was 21 years of age his mother removed to Ohio, the children accompanying her, the father having previously died, and the mother having married a Mr. Arnold. Mr. Baker remained in Ohio till 1834, when he came to Elkhart county, Ind. He was married at the age of 23, and settled on a farm two miles west of Waterford. This property he traded for the farm he now occupies. It was formerly the Joseph Stonter estate, and Mr. Baker arranged the transfer with the heirs. Mr. Baker has been on this farm for 23 years, and has brought it to a high state of cultivation. He lias three living children by his first wife. Ilis second marriage was in 1835, to Susanna (Cripe) Stonter, widow of Joseph Stouter. He has also three living children as the result of this union. Mr. Baker belongs to the German Baptist denomination. He is, as a man, a remarkable instance of strong and hearty old age, and may live yet many years.

Hon. John H. Baker, M. C., was born in Parma tp., New York, Feb. 28, 1832; removed at an early age with his parents to the present county of Fulton, Ohio, where he assisted in snch farm labor as is incident to frontier life until he was nearly 21 years of age. His school education was limited to a few winter terms of the pioneer kind. He afterward taught school, and attended the Wes- leyan University at Delaware, O., completing the first two years of the college course; studied law at Adrian, Mich .; was admitted to the Bar; commenced practice in 1857 at Goshen, in which he was constantly engaged until his election to Congress in the fall of 1874; was elected as a Republican by 13,671 votes, against 13,613 for his opponent, Freeman Kelley; was re-elected in the fall of 1876 by 18,481 votes, against 16,273 for the same opponent. IIe has been re-elected twice since that time. In the 44th Congress he

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

was second on the Committee on Elections, and as a working mem - ber he perhaps took a more prominent part than any other. In the 45th Congress he was on the Committee on Appropriations, and took a very active part. In the 46th he was continued on the same Committee, and ranks first on the Republican side. Other mem- bers of this Committee are Frank Hiscock, of New York; James Monroe, of Ohio; Jay A. Hubbell, of Michigan; and J. G. Cannon, of Illinois.

Jumes Beck was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, Oct. 20, 1803. J. Beck, his father, was also born in Kentucky, but now de- ceased; was the father of 16 children, of whom 4 were girls and 12 were boys. Mr. J. Beck was a man of untiring energy and perse- verance, and accumulated a snug little fortune, but too insignificant to start his large family out in the world with a capital that would support them for any great length of time. Mr. James Beck, be- ing a man of pluck, and determined to secure wealth and position, came northward and settled in this county, where his energy and daring soon became known, and he was elected the first Constable of this county, which office he filled with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his constituents, who, not being satisfied with the honors already bestowed npon our pioneer, elected him Sheriff of the county in 1832, which office he administered as only a man of his peculiar qualifications could. The people being highly pleased with the manner in which he dispatched the business of the office, in 1834 again elected him Sheriff, but after serving for one year, he resigned.

He was married to Miss Sarah West, of St. Joseph county, Sept. 7, 1834, who was born April 12, 1813. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beck 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy, all of whom are liv- ing, and respected citizens of Goshen. Hannah Jane was married in 1877; Mary E. and James A. are living at home, administering to the wants of their father, who has so kindly cared for them in their infancy until such times as they were able to go forth and battle the world alone. Mrs. Beck is a woman of delicate taste and lofty purpose, and has not failed to instill into the minds of her children while they yet could be easily molded, the same noble and inspiring elements.

Mr. Beck describes in a very graphic manner his first arrests while holding the offices of Constable and Sheriff. The following are items:

In 1831 an unmarried man by the name of Morgan, being indebted on a note to the amount of $50, and at the maturity of said note being unable to pay the same, a capias was issned for his arrest. Being better posted than his pursners, he had fled from the county to avoid being arrested. Mr. Beck, not knowing that his power to arrest was limited, pursued Morgan, and came up with him in an adjoining county, and undertook to make the arrest. Morgan, not willing to be thus deprived of his freedom, informed the Constable that his papers were valid only in the county for which he was act-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

ing as Constable, and thus tantalized Mr. Beck to his entire satis- faction. At last Mr. B., not knowing what to do, consulted an attorney, who suggested that they issue a civil process, which was done, and in due time the debt was collected.

The second arrest was made in what is now known as Benton. A man named Lyman Leonard, a counterfeiter, was the victim. He was arrested and tried at Goshen, in an old log house, and found guilty and sent to Jeffersonville for five years. His accomplice, Wilkinson, was acquitted, as there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. He was taken by Mr. Beck to Jeffersonville, on horseback, having his legs and hands shackled, as he was a des- perate character. There was considerable difficulty experienced in taking Leonard to Jeffersonville, but Mr. B., being accustomed to the wilds of a new country, was equal to the emergency, and suc- . cessfully performed his duty.

Joseph C. Beck, one of the prominent merchants of Goshen, was born in York county, Pa., Sept. 30, 1836. His parents were Joseph and Lydia (Chust) Beck. 'Mr. Beck's boyhood was passed at home, a portion of his time being spent in common school. For some time after he arrived at manhood's estate he was a dealer in general merchandise, at Davidsburg, York county, Pa. He came to Goslien in 1859, and here embarked in the general grocery and dry-goods trade in 1865. In the same year he married Miss Caro- line E. Shaeffer, by whom he has four children, 3 sons and 1 danghter. Two of these sons, George and Clinton, are now with their father in his store. The youngest son, Weston, is pursuing his school studies. The two older sons are graduates of the Goshen high school, and the daughter, Anna, will graduate in the spring, having taken a Latin course. Mr. Beck's store, on the corner of Maine and Market streets, is one of the best known places of the kind in town, which has been made conspicuous not only by his liveliness as a merchant, but also by his unique way of advertising by the bulletin-board system. He originated the Goshen Building and Land Association, which is a chartered institution; was its first president, and is now its secretary. This association was organized in 1874, and has a pledged capital of $50,000 and an authorized capital of $100,000. The company has already built a dozen houses. Mr. Beck was also the first who moved to raise stock for the Elkhart County Agricultural Society, and was elected its treasurer at the first annual meeting of the directors, and has held that position since. Mr. Beck took an active part in securing gaslight for Goshen, and was instrumental in getting a pledge of stock to the gas company. He is an active man in private and public business, and one of the most useful citizens of Goshen. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church of Goshen, and is at present Deacon. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Bashor Council, Blue Lodge 306, and to the Chapter.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Milton J. Beck, Esq., attorney and Justice of the Peace, is one of the younger representative men of Goshen. He was born in Allen county, Ind., and has spent most of his life in this State. His father is Noah Beck, and his mother's maiden name was Joanna Jenkins. His father was a Pennsylvanian of English descent, and his mother was a native of Virginia, and also descended from Eng- lish ancestry. When the subject of this sketch was eight years of age his parents moved to Ohio, settling in Miami county, where they remained four years. They then ventured another removal, this time trying their fortunes in Elkhart county, Ind. During childhood Mr. Beck attended the common schools nearest at hand; when older he enjoyed the advantages of the high school, finishing his education in that department of instruction. At the age of 19 he began teaching, and continued that occupation till he was 23, studying law with Baker & Mitchell during that time. At the end . of a three years' course of law study he was admitted to the Bar, and immediately thereafter opened an office in Goshen. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1878, and was married in the month of June following to Miss Mary L. Billings, daughter of Capt. E. L. Billings, of Goshen. They have 1 child.

Though Esquire Beck is yet a young man he has made a flatter- ing progress in his profession, and can look hopefully forward to a career of prosperity. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist denomination. He is President of the State Fire- men's Association, a member of the Hose Company No. 3, Goshen, and takes much interest in the means of fire defense. In a word, he is an active and useful member of Goshen society, and is ac- knowledged as such by his friends and neighbors.

Dr. Henry J. Beyerle was born in Berks county, Pa., June 4, 1823. When he arrived at the proper age, he attended the village school for a few months each winter until he was 16, when he was installed as clerk in a small country store. Later in life he entered npon the study of medicine with Dr. McDonough, at Bernville, Pa., and he was graduated at Philadelphia Medical College in 1850. He practiced his profession in different localities in Penn- sylvania until the spring of 1856, when he came to Indiana. After stopping a few months in Goshen, he removed to Syracuse, Kos- ciusko county, and subsequently to Leesburg, in the same county, engaging in the practice of medicine. In 1862 he was elected to the State Legislature, serving through the stormy and eventful ses- sion of 1863.

In 1865 Dr. Beyerle again took up his residence in Goshen, en- gaging in the drug business, in which he still continues. About the year 1871 he took charge of the business of the Goshen Man- ufacturing Company, of which he was the leading stockholder. The company had a foundry and machine shops, engaging in the mannfacture of reapers and other machinery, and doing also a gen- eral foundry business. Dr. Beyerle introduced the manufacture of extension tables as a part of their business, and this soon became

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

the most important branch of it. Their tables were shipped east to the Atlantic and west to the Pacific; also nortli into Canada, and south as far as Tennessee and South Carolina. Other shops for the manufacture of extension tables were started in Goshen and sur- ronnding country, until their manufacture became a leading enter- prise of Elkhart county.

In the spring of 1877, Dr. Beyerle purchased a half interest in the Goshen Times, and in August, 1880, he became sole proprietor and editor of that paper. In politics he was a Whig while there was such a party, casting his first vote for Henry Clay for President, and he has given the Republican party his support since its organiza- tion. In his earlier years, Dr. Beyerle contributed a variety of articles, both in poetry and in prose, to some of the leading maga- zines of Philadelphia and New York; and he wrote also a few reports of interesting medical cases to the Philadelphia Medical and Surgical Journal. He now gives the Times his exclusive attention. In Goshen he has served the people in the City Council and upon the School Board, and he has always taken an interest in the local enterprises of the day.

Dr. Beyerle has been married three times, namely: to Miss Lydia Bicksler, of Fredericksburg, Pa., who died in 1862; to Miss Amelia Shull, of Montpelier, Ind., who died in 1877, and to Miss M. Ellen Taneyhill, of Bryan, Ohio, his present wife. He has 5 living chil- dren. 3 sons and 2 daughters.

A portrait of Mr. Beyerle is given in this volume, from a photo- graph taken in 1880.

H. W. Bissell was born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 26, 1812, and is a son of Eliphaz and Diantha (Norton) Bissell, natives of Litchfield county, Conn. The former was a surgeon in the war of 1812. Mr. B. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and Cazenovia (N. Y.) Seminary. He came to Goshen in 1837, where he began selling goods in 1839, in which he remained a few years, and then engaged in buying grain. He was married May 7, 1840, to Miss Sabrina A. Spencer, by whom he had 3 chil- dren, 1 living, Amelia Jennette, now Mrs. A. E. Billings, of Jack- son, Michigan. Mrs. Bissell died May 26, 1846, and he again married, Oct. 10, 1847, Mrs. Anna M. Sands, who died May 19, 1880. Mr. Bissell owns a farm of 600 acres, which he runs by hired men, and resides in Goshen. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Prof. Ambrose Blunt, son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Sproul) Blunt, was born in Bristol, Lincoln Co., Me., Nov. 14, 1835. His ancestors are of English descent upon his father's side, and of Irish extraction upon his mother's side. They came to America long before the Revolution, and settled in New England. His great-grandmother was a Kaler, and of German descent. His grand- father, Samuel Blunt, was a man of unusnal literary attainments, and the distinguished Edmund M. Blunt is of the same family. The father of Mr. Blunt was a sca captain, and followed the sea for

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

many years. Later in life he became a farmer. His grandfather on his mother's side was a man of wealth and influence in Maine. His ancestors were in the Revolution, and his grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Mr. Blunt's youth was spent on the farm, receiving his early education in the district school. At the age of 16 he entered Lin- coln Academy, at New Castle, Maine, with the intention of fitting himself for a teacher, and continued during the fall term, and the following winter taught school. For four years he worked on the farm in summer, attended school in the fall, and taught in the winter. In March, 1856, he entered Yarmouth Academy, at Yar- month, Maine, and commenced studies preparatory to entering college, giving special attention to the Greek and Latin languages. He remained here about three years, teaching during the winter months. In the spring of 1859 he was elected Supervisor of Schools in his native town, and held the office for one year, during which time great improvement was made in the schools. In the antumn of 1859 he entered the freshmen class of Waterville Col- lege (now Colby University), at Waterville, Maine. He continued in this institution three years, taking a high stand as a scholar, especially in the languages and mathematics. While here he taught during the winter vacations. In the fall of 1862, having obtained an honorable dismission from this institution, he, after passing a rigid examination, entered the senior class of the Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Middletown, Conn., where he gradnated with honors in July, 1863, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and subse- quently, in 1866, the degree of Master of Arts. During his seven years'(conrse of study he received no pecuniary aid from any one, but depended entirely upon his own labor for support. Soon after graduating he took charge of Cincinnatus Academy, N. Y., where he remained four years. Under his management this academy acquired a standing as a scientific and classical school equal to any in that part of the State. He resigned this position in the summer of 1867, and took charge of Deposit Academy, New York, the fol- lowing autumn. Here he remained two years, with eminent success, and npon resigning this position he accepted a call to take charge of the Salem high school, at Salem, Ohio. This school, under his administration, ranked with the best in the State. The mathematical course was equal to that of any Western college, and in the classical department the course in the ancient and modern languages fitted pupils for any college. He continued here two years. Many of the students who attended his various schools, are now physicians, lawyers, ministers of the gospel, teachers of emi- nence and authors. Prof. H. J. Worman, anthor of a German grammar, and Prof. Roberts, formerly of Lyons, N. Y., were members of his school. One of his pupils took the first prize at Princeton College, and a post-graduate's fellowship.

Finding the labors of the school and close confinement to study wearing upon his constitution, and especially upon his nervous sys-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

tem, he resolved to abandon the profession for a time and enter upon a business that would give relaxation and exercise. In De- posit he had an interest in a book store, and was also editor of the Deposit Courier for two years, in connection with Hon. Joshua Smith of that place. In the summer of 1871 he came to Goshen, and purchased the book and stationery store of C. J. Madden. In the following October he formed a partnership with Charles C. Latta, of Goshen, and added a news department to the business. They greatly enlarged the business, and had a rapidly increasing trade. He sold his interest to Mr. Latta in 1876. The professor is, in every sense of the word, a self-educated man, having paid his own way through college at an expense of about $1,600. He married Miss Elizabeth J. Lee, of Cincinnatus, New York, in July, 1865. She is a daughter of Mr. G. Lee, formerly of Con- necticut, and on her mother's side, is a relative of the Browns, founders of Brown University. She is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Seminary, Mass., and a person of fine literary attainments. They have 5 children living, viz .: Charles Lee, James Griswold, Georgianna Cleis, Achsa Margaret and Harry E., and a deceased child named Hermione.

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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 80

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