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 86

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 86

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He was a pioneer of the county, and among the first of the set- tlers who are entitled to the credit of opening up this beautiful region. He was a man of marked ability, a pungent writer, a ready, pleasing and convincing speaker, and his intellectual superiority made him respected and influential. In religions matters he was unorthodox in belief, always entertaining a high respect for Church organizations, religious rites, and the convictions and opinions of others, but unable to accept many of the creeds and practices of the Churches. He was firm in his political position, and active in the support of his convictions, but was in no sense a politician. In 1830, upon the organization of the county of Elkhart, he was elected Recorder; his commission being signed by James Morrison, Secretary of State, and James B. Ray, Governor of Indiana. He held this office seven snecessive years. In 1830 he was appointed Major of the 82d Regiment of Indiana Militia; in 1840 he was a candidate for Associate Jndge, but his party being largely in the minority, he was defeated, and in 1842 he was appointed Commis- sioner for the Erie & Michigan canal, and subscribed $1,000 toward its construction. He was a candidate of the Whigs for State Sen- ator in 1844, but was defeated, although securing more than his regular party vote. In 1854-'5 he built the Violett House in Goshen, which stands to-day as a monument of his public spirit.

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During his life-time he was a model and enterprising farmer, and engaged extensively in a nursery, supplying the county with fruit and ornamental trees, in which he was the pioneer of this section. Major Violett in private life was a cordial, genial gentleman. His home was the center of a free and hearty hospitality, dispensed with- out ostentation by himself and family. Here, surrounded by a loving family and kind friends, endeared to him by long years, he passed the remainder of his days. His character was above reproach. He died Oct. 24, 1871, in the 76th year of his age, lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends. The subject of this sketch, John H. Violett, as we have before said, was the first white child born in Elkhart county. The old cabin, which his father built in the spring of 1829, in which the family lived at the time of his birth, was after- ward sold to Daniel Hess, but the outside door, being the only one in the cabin, and the first one hung on hinges in the connty, is still perserved by the family as a relic of value.

His early educational advantages were extremely limited. The log cabin in which John received his first school experience was built on sec. 27, near where Waterford now stands, and was con- structed with one log left out on the side, with strips of wood nailed across, over which oiled paper was pasted, serving as a win- dow. At the age of 15 he closed his school-going days, and devoted his time exclusively to hard farm labor for about six years. In the spring of 1850, in company with others, he went by the over- land route to California, where he engaged in mining with satis- factory success, remaining there until the following March, when he set out for home from San Francisco, by way of Panama and New Orleans. Unfavorable winds and weather drove them hun- dreds of miles south of the equator in the first part of the return trip, and they ran near the Marquesas Islands, arriving in port after a voyage of 74 days. He soon afterward bought a farm of his father not more than 100 rods from where he was born, upon which he built a substantial and commodious brick dwelling. He also purchased a saw-mill on the Elkhart river, and engaged in farming and the manufacture and sale of lumber, continuing both until 1853, when he sold the mill, and gave his attention entirely to his other interests. At the opening of the war of the rebellion he at once set about arranging his affairs so that he could leave home, and on Sept. 2, 1861, he enlisted as a private, refusing pro- motion, in Co. E. 9th Regiment Indiana Infantry, in which he served faithfully for three years. Among the sanguinary battles in which he was engaged were the two days' conflict at Pittsburg Landing, April 6 and 7, 1862; Stone River fought, Dec. 31, 1862, and Jan. 1 and 2, 1863; Chickamauga, of June 19 and 20, 1863; Lookout Mountain, on the occasion of the great achievement of General Hooker's division, by which the summit was reached, and the rebels were charged and defeated by the boys in bine, that memorable conflict known in history as the battle fought " above the clouds," which occurred Nov. 24 and 25, 1863; and was in nearly all the

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severe engagements in which his regiment participated. He was made prisoner in Tennessee and taken to Libby prison, but was immediately exchanged, being among the last of the captured who received that favor from the hands of the rebels. At the expira- tion of the term of enlistment of his regiment, and after having experienced three years of active duty in the service of his country, he was with his regiment ordered to Indianapolis, where they were mustered out Sept. 6, 1864, since which time he has devoted him- self chiefly to farming until the spring of 1878, when, his wife having died, he rented his farm for two years. He has now prac- tically retired from active business; but his inclinations having always been for agricultural pursuits. His habits of active business life make him await with ninch anxiety the time when he may again assume control of his farm. In all his transactions he is methodical, prompt and energetic. His farm, which we have before referred to, consists of 170 acres, mostly prairie land, with a valu- able tract of timber extending west to the river, which gives a delightful view. He prides himself on keeping his farm in a high state of cultivation. In the fall of 1864, before Mr. Violett returned from the army, he was placed in nomination by his friends as a candidate for Sheriff. The Goshen Times in reference to his nomination said:

"John H. Violett was nominated for Sheriff withont his knowl- edge or consent, while he was manfully doing his duty as a private soldier "'way down in Dixie,' and that, too, over other worthy men, who were present in the convention working for the place."

He was elected by a gratifying majority, and held the office for two years. In politics Mr. Violett is an uncompromising Repub- lican. He was a Whig until the breaking up of that organization in 1854. He is earnest in the support of his political convictions, as well as a liberal contributor. Mr. Violett is an extensive reader, being familiar with the general news of the day, as well as with present and past matters of literature. He is a clear thinker, a close observer, and a sound reasoner, and acts upon his own judg- ment. He is a good and pleasing converser. His contributions to the press are clear, comprehensive and forcible, and he is especially strong in sarcasm and pungent humor. In religion he is entirely unorthodox in belief. He was reared in a strong moral atmosphere, although not under Church discipline. In early youth he began his reflections, and soon became doubtful concerning theological dog- mas, and may now safely be termed a radical. Mr. Violett was married April 28, 1852, to Miss Catherine, daughter of David Rodibaugh, of Elkhart tp., an esteemed lady, and a woman of marked ability. She died July 16, 1877. They had 4 children, 1 of whom is living: Mariet J., born Oct. 11, 1853, died June 2, 1860; Horace E., born Nov. 2, 1855, died April 23, 1859; Chloe, born Ang. 11, 1857, married Charles A. Irwin, son of E. D. Irwin, of Elkhart Prairie, Oct. 14, 1873; Florett, born April 21, 1860, died Oct. 16, 1863. He was married Nov. 28, 1878, to Melissa Leedy,

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of Elkhart tp., a lady of pleasing presence, of good parentage, culti- vated and refined in appearance, and highly respected. They have by this marriage 1 child, Ethel May, born Jan. 26, 1880. Mr. Violett is of the usual stature, squarely and solidly built, stands erect, and possesses a robust constitution and good health. His character is above reproach. A portrait of him is given in another part of this volume.

William N. Violett (deceased) was born in Ohio Oct. 25, 1826; his parents, John W. and Chloe Violett, came to this county in 1829, and it being a new and wild country, he had but limited edu- cational advantages; he managed, however, to acquire a good education, and became a good writer and anthor; many of his articles and excellent poems have found their way into the news- papers. He was married in 1852 to Miss Eliza A. Haney, daughter of Joseph Haney, of St. Joseph county, Ind. They had 4 children: Frank S. (dec'd), James E., Byron H. (dec'd), and Mary E. Mr. Violett died Feb. 27, 1873, loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a zealous worker in the cause of temperance, and labored for the promotion of morality and good society. He was a great lover of home and family.

Henry Wanner was born in Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., March 28, 1832. His father was John Wanner, and his mother's name, before her marriage, was Elizabeth Behiel. He passed his child- hood in his native place, and attended subscription school; when he was 16 he was apprenticed to his brother to learn the tanner's trade; he served at this three years, and afterward worked as a journeyman three years; he then went on a tour of observation, traveling through Pennsylvania, Ohio and other countries. Return- ing to Berks county he engaged in the tanning business with his brother, which he followed for six years; then went to Ohio and worked at his trade in Canton, Wooster and Mansfield, and after- ward in Ft. Wayne, Ind. He again went to Canton, Ohio, where he engaged in the leather trade and currying business; remained there one year, and then, in 1866, removed to Goshen, where he located, starting in the tanning business again, and continued in it for five years. Latterly he has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of composition stone, and laying sidewalks; he also com- bines with this a trade in coal, lime and cement; he has experi- mented largely in the making of composition stone, and has brought his work to perfection. He makes an article as enduring as the natural rock, avoiding all cheap material that would injure the stone which he turns out. The large amount of wide and handsome stone sidewalks that beautify Goshen, and give it such an unusually mature and substantial appearance, can be attributed to Mr. Wan- ner's enterprise and perseverance. He is thus leaving a record of himself in enduring stone that shall last through many future gene- rations, and should therefore rank among Goshen's benefactors. Mr. Wanner is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. Ile adheres to the Democratic political faith.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

J. M. Wanner, one of the substantial citizens of Goshen, was born in Kutztown, Pa., July 6, 1857. His parents were P. C. and Sarah (Moyer) Wanner; he remained at Kutztown during his boy- hood, leaving that place and coming to Goshen in 1876; he attended Normal school in his native place, beginning at the age of 10 years; he was six years in the model department of that institution; he taught school two terms. After arriving at Goshen he worked for his uncle, who was in the leather trade, until July, 1879, when he bought his uncle's interest, and has since continued the business on Main street; he deals in hides and leather, and has the only estab- lishment of the kind in Goshen, and probably the largest in the county. Mr. Wanner belongs to the Reformed Church, is a Democrat in politics, and being still young gives promise of suc- cess as a business man, and nsefulness as a citizen.

Lou Wanner, Esq., is one of the younger attorneys of Goshen, yet he has had a large experience in public and professional life, as the following sketch will show. He was born in Berks county, Pa .. in 1846; his father was David Wanner, and his moth - er's maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Bower; he attended com- mon school in Reading, Pa., he spent 12 years at the Allentown Seminary, and finished his school days there in the fall of 1861. During that fall he entered Franklin and Marshall College, Lan- caster, Pa., and graduated from that institution in 1864. After a course of legal studies he was, in 1868, admitted to the Bar, and began to practice in Reading. Fortune seemed to favor him, and he was made Deputy Register of Berks county, and served in that capacity in 1868, 1869, 1870 and 1871. He was a member of the City Council of Reading 1871-'2, and presided over that body. Thinking that he could better his fortune in the West, he pros- pected in Kansas and Nebraska in 1875. Returning eastward, he fianlly located in Goshen, and opened a law office the same fall; here he has since practiced his profession with increasing success. Being an active Democrat, he was the candidate of that party for District Attorney in 1876, but failed of an election through the numerical weakness of his supporters; he has been City Attorney since the spring of 1878. In 1866 he was married, in Allentown, Pa., to Miss Kate M. Deck and they have 4 children, 3 danghters and a son. During the last presidential campaign Mr. W. was actively engaged in making speeches at political meetings, and did much to further the success of his party.

Rev. Luther M. C. Weicksel, the Reformed clergyman of Goshen, was born in Venango county, Pa., April 30, 1853; he was the son of Rev. Henry Weicksel, a Bavarian by nativity, and Angelina Crager Weicksel, a native of Maryland. There were 6 children in his father's family, 4 sons and 2 daughters, one of the latter a half sister to the other children. Two of the sons are now study- ing for the ministry. The boyhood of Mr. Weicksel was principally spent in Warren, Warren Co., to which place his father removed when Luther was about five years of age. The father had a pas-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

torate at Warren, and remained there until Luther was 11 years of age. His education was begun in the common and graded schools of the place. In 1864 he removed with his parents to Wilmington, Del., and in 1867 was placed at school in Thiel Hall, an academy located at Water Cure, Pa., and which has since been removed to Greenville, is now called Thiel College, and is under the control of the Reformed Church. Mr. Weicksel remained at Thiel Hall two years, when he entered Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., and graduated at that institution in 1873. He afterward took a three years' course in the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Philadelphia, and was ordained as a Reformed minister at Reading, June 14, 1876, by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. In March of the same year he received a call to the pastorate of the Reformed Church in Goshen, accepted it, and began his labors here in the June follow- ing. The congregation was then just organized. The German Methodist church building was purchased and refitted for a place of worship. A charge was also established in Benton, of which Mr. Weicksel became Pastor, and so remains to the present time. Under Mr. Weicksel's ministration these two congregations have steadily prospered, and the outlook for the future is encouraging. Lately the church building at Benton has been considerably improved, and both that and the parent organization at Goshen are free from debt.

John Werner is a native of Saxony; was born on that noted day Jnly 4, in the year 1825, and is a son of Godfrey and Christiana Werner, who were also natives of Saxony. John was yet an infant when his father died, and his mother died when he was only five years old. In 1849 he came to America, landed at New York city Aug. 28. His vocation is masonry, having learned it in the old country. For some time after he came here he was engaged as a day laborer. In 1850 he moved to Goshen, where he followed his trade. In 1858 he moved west of Goshen, and for two years pur- sued brick-making. In 1860 he purchased the farm where he now lives, which contains 250 acres. Since his residence here his occupa- tion has been brick-making. He manufactured the brick for the present court-house, which required 1.200,000. He also superin- tended the building of this edifice. He also furnished the brick for the Presbyterian church, which took 250,000, and for the Episcopal church and the new school-house. In June, 1848, he was married to Caroline Saxon, who was born in Saxony. To them were born 2 children, both now deceased. Mrs. Werner died April 20, 1865, and Mr. W. married again, Nov. 19, the same year, Frances, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Cripe, of Ohio. In 1878 Mr. Werner built a very fine residence, at a cost of $5,000. In politics he is a Democrat.

Reuben Whitmer was born in Northumberland county, Pa., in 1833. Ile is the son of Benjamin Whitmer, and his mother's maiden name was Lydia Michael. Both parents were of German descent. About a year after Reuben first saw the light the family

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

removed to Juniata valley. They remained there 10 or 15 years. When Mr. Whitmer was 18 years of age he began an ap- prenticeship to the wood-worker's trade in Lewistown, Pa. His ed- neation then consisted of what he had been able to acquire in the common schools. In 1864 he came to this State and landed in Bristol. At last he settled in Goshen, and soon after he was mar- HIe

ried to Miss Mary Hackenberg and they have had 5 sons.

embarked in the sash, blind and door business in 1866. He after- ward took in a partner. Albert Yates, and still later W. H. Vena- mon bought ont the share owned by Mr. Yates, and Whitmer & Venamon have since carried on the business. Their factory is the only one of the kind in Goshen, and they consequently have a thriving trade. They have a fine brick factory building on the hydraulic canal, filled with excellent machinery. Mr. Whitmer is a Presbyterian, a Mason, and adheres to the Republican political faith.

Dr. William W. Wickham is one of the veteran physicians of Goshen. He was born at Onondaga Hill. Onondaga Co .. N. Y .. Ang. 16, 1820. His father's name was Allen Reynolds Wick- ham, and his mother's maiden name was Susan Starkweather. His father's ancestors were English.and his mother was of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather was one of the Mayflower pilgrims. and therefore the Doctor can glory in being a scion of the Plymouth Rock stock. He seemed to be an enterprising boy at a tender age. for he was only nine when he left his father's house to seek his fortune in the wide and unfriendly world. He then was unable to read. not even knowing the letters of the alphabet. His first venture was at work on a farm in Niles township, Cayuga Co., N. Y. At 16 years of age he apprenticed himself to the carpenter and joiner's trade, and thus labored for three years. studying medical books in the evenings. After he began to work at his trade on his own account, he continued to study medicine. In 1843 we find him in Ohio. where he continued to work at his trade. He prac- ticed medicine for a period in Ohio under the direction of his pre- ceptors. Drs. Johnson and Price. of New Haven. Huron Co. He finally moved to Goshen, Indiana, and began medical practice here in 1847. He has continued to practice here since that time, a period of 33 years.

Dr. Wickham has been married to fonr wives. The wife of his vonth was Miss Lydia A. Rogers, by whom he had 2 daughters, both of whom are now living. The vonnger is married to Dr. Wm. B. Krider. of Goshen: the elder is still single. The first wife died of consumption, after living with her husband seven years. After his bereavement the Doctor remained single for three years, when he was married to Miss Anna Reiley, who died of dropsy, after about eight years of wedded life. Two children were born of this union; the first a daughter. Mary Eliza; the second a son, William Allen Reynolds. The son began reading medicine with his father at the age of 15. and graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College

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at the age of 19. He practiced a short time, and is now in Chicago. After the death of his second wife Dr. Wickham married Miss Amanda E. Woodworth, daughter of Ira B. Woodworth, of Middle- bury. Elkhart Co. The ceremony was performed while the lady was enduring her last illness; she, seeing that her days were drawing to a close. with tonching constancy and devotion requesting of her affianced that the contract of marriage be ratified on the appointed day, so that she might die the wife of Dr. Wickham. Her disease finally terminated in a brain fever, which was the cause of her death. Atter a lapse of time the Doctor was again married, to Miss Emma L. Kendall, which was in 1865.

The fruit of this last union was a daughter, who has developed a wonderful genius for music; in fact, she is a musical prodigy. At three years of age she astonished her parents by stepping to the piano and playing a tune without the slightest instruction. That was the initiative of a remarkable unfolding of musical proficiency. About three years ago she elamored for a violin, and at length her father procured one for her. She seized it with eager hands and immediately displayed wonderful facility in performing upon it. She was instructed by Prof. J. B. Henry Van der Velpen, and after three months' tuition she played the overture " William Tell " to very near perfection. After taking lessons a year of the Professor she was taken to Cincinnati by her parents, and was interviewed by Theodore Thomas and Yacobson, both of whom were astonished at the manifestation of her musical genius. They nrged her parents to place her under tnition in Cincinnati, but the Doctor informed them that, as he was then sitnated, he could not possibly afford the money to defray the necessary expense. So enthusiastic were the two great musical instructors that they offered to give her tuition gratnitonsly. The offer was accepted and the young prodigy en- tered upon a course at the conservatory. She has remained there one year, and has made wonderful progress. Remenvi has seen her, and. after witnessing one of her performances on the violin, declared that, considering her age, only 12 years, her equal could not be found in Europe or America. She even now plays in the best orchestras of Cincinnati, with the oldest musicians. The world will soon have a new ninsical sensation in the performances of Miss Wickham.

Dr. Wiekham's present wife was a danghter of Emanuel Kendall, of Mansfield, Ohio. Her parents died when she was only 12 years of age; she at that age was placed in "College Hill Seminary," was there six years and gradnated at 18 years. She is a fine pianist. Mrs. Wiekham's grandparents on both sides were natives of Germany.

The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Master Mason. Politically. he is a Greenbacker. In 1863 he was called by Gov. Morton to go to Stone river to act as a surgeon for the relief of those who suffered from the battle there. He had charge of hospital No. 14 during that service. Of late years the

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Doctor's life course has been even, his time being devoted to his large practice. Latterly he has associated with himself Dr. Albert J. Irwin, a young physician of ability and reputation, and only thus is Dr. Wickliam able to manage his large practice.

Susan Wogoman is the earliest representative now living among the pioneer settlers of Elkhart county. She was born Sept. 9, 1806, in Adams county, Ohio. She, with her first husband. John Nicke- son, left Nobleville, Hamilton Co., Ind., Nov. 12, 1827, and reached Pleasant Plain Dec. 1. They came with an ox team and wagon bearing their household goods, one barrel of flour. two bushels of corn-meal, tea, coffee, etc., to last one and a half years. There was snow on the ground, which obscured the wagon track of the five families that had previously gone through trom Ft. Wayne. but they traced their way by the blazed trees. Though undisturbed by Indians and other mishaps that often befall pioneer travelers, yet they experienced the hardships of emigrant fare. They were obliged to build fires, gather boughs, and scrape away the snow for their night camping. and once, when five miles in the wilderness, the king-bolt of the wagon broke and Mr. Nickeson was obliged to go back that distance and get it mended, while his wife built a fire, and with babe and cows for company spent the long hours of the day. For 40 miles she walked and drove three cows, and much of the time carried the baby. They settled on the east side of Pleasant Plain. on nice prairie land, built a comfortable cabin, plowed the land

and raised vegetables. Wild game was plentiful. Other settlers began to come in, and the prospect was a pleasant home, after the usual pioneer hardships. In 1829 Col. Brown was surveying in the county, and they paid him $8 to run the section lines, which, when completed, divided all the land they had taken between the Indian reservation and the school section. After this they were allowed to remain only by paying rent, thus losing all their labor in breaking the land.

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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 86

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