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 91
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Daniel Shively was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1829, the son of Isaac and Susannah (Snyder) Shively, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. The subject of this sketch has been in this tp. since 1849, and has stood on the walls of Zion faithfully in this community. He has proclaimed the gospel here in Jackson tp. for 20 years for three Churches, and at present the Churches are all in a flourishing condition. Rev. Shively seldom votes, but his politi- cal views are with the Republicans. In 1852 he was united in marriage to Hester Whitehead, and of their 8 children only 2 are living. Mrs. Shively is a member of the same Church that her husband has so long preached for (the German Baptist). Mr. Shively is a man that reads and knows what is going .on in the world, and, as he should be, is a teacher as well as a preacher. " An idea in the head is worth more than a dollar in the pocket." Mr. Shively has been moderately successful in business.
Abram Stromh was born in the tp. of Uxbridge, Upper Canada, March 11, 1839. Both parents were natives of that county. He came to Elkhart county in 1840, and settled in Union tp., and after- ward returned to Canada in 1848 and lived among the farmers the best way he could, roughing it at the very outset of life in the truest sense of the word. On leaving Canada in 1852 he came back to the same part of the State from which he had removed, to make a start in life for himself. He commenced to work at farming, and studying at night, withthe view of obtaining an education, so that he might be qualified to teach, which he finally accomplished by arduous exertion. He commenced to teach in the fall of 1858, teaching in the winter and in the summer was engaged at farming; and thus his time passed on for a period of 11 years, alternately engaged in teaching, studying and farming. In 1870 he moved to New Paris, at which time his sight was very much affected, the result of close application to his studies; so much so that he was compelled in consequence to change his business, and he engaged in selling goods through the country. In July, 1875, Mr. Stromh commenced business in New Paris with a wagon load of goods, such as were sold in a general country store, and by strict integrity and good executive ability and attention to business, has made an envi- viable reputation as a merchant in the tp. in which he resides, and in a pecuniary point of view is well situated, and enjoying the con- fidence of the people who deal with him.
In 1861 Mr. S. was married to Sarah E. Miller, daughter of Henry M. and Catherine Boomershire, and they have had 3 chil- dreu, 2 boys and 1 girl, all of whom are living.
This would be an incomplete sketch without inention being made of Mrs. Stromlı, a most estimable woman, who has in every way been of valuable assistance to her husband in conducting his busi- ness, his impaired sight rendering her service necessary, which she always gave in the most cheerful manner. Mr. Stromh has a large and commodious store, which is filled at all times with a full line of goods, such as his customers require; a fact that is undeniable
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evidence of the enterprise of this self-made man. Mr. S. is one of the most esteemed citizens in Jackson tp.
Jane Struby was born in Ohio in 1530. Her maiden name was Mary Smith, and her parents were natives of Virginia. She has been married three times and is a widow at the present time. She is living in Jackson tp. on her own farm of 51 acres. She has one son living with her; his name is J. O. Middleton. He is capable of taking a hand at any kind of work on a farm and is not afraid of work. He and his mother are getting along very well.
Mark Baird Thompson was one of the old settlers in Elkhart connty, and shared in the trials and triumphs of the early pioneers. He was born in Orange county. New York, Nov. 17. 1502, and died greatly lamented by a large circle of acquaintances, June 23, 1872. His ancestry is of English and Irish descent, and came to America subsequent to the Revolution. His father was in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. The family moved to Butler county, Ohio, when he was but one year of age, and bonght a small farm, npon which he settled, and engaged in boat- ing on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and died in New Orleans, where he is buried. The family remained in Butler county after his death for several years, where his wife died of cancer in the face.
Mr. Thompson, the subject of this sketch, followed farming dur- ing his minority, and also learned the tanner's trade, but abandoned it. Upon the death of his mother, the family were broken np. and he went to Wayne county. Indiana, and bought a tract of land. and engaged in farming. While here he married Jane Thomas. dangh- ter of John Thomas, a native of Wales. and a shepherd by ocenpation in his own country. At the age of 27 he sold his pos- sessions and moved his family to Elkhart county. and pre-empted the east half of sec. 2 in Jackson tp. He arrived here April 5. 1829. One-half of his purchase was prairie land, and the other half heavy timber. The steel plow was not in use in that day, and plowing the prairie was a difficult task. His more immediate neighbors were Col. John Jackson, Elias Riggs and William Simp- son. Major Violett, William Latta and AAsel Sparklin came in abont this time. The Indians were numerons, but never molested the settlers. Wild turkeys and wolves were plentiful, and the latter frequently annoyed the flocks. Deer were hunted by fire-lights on the river, and at first afforded the settlers a plentiful supply of fresh venison.
Mr. Thompson was twice married. His first wife had 6 chil- dren. 3 of whom died young. The others were : Harriett, who married Timothy McCarta, has a family and resides in Minnesota ; he was in the Union army during the Rebellion, and died in Libby prison ; John E., who lives near the old homestead; and Helen who married William Wyland. and resides in Shelby county, Iowa.
Mr. Thompson married, for his second wife, Harriet Beane, of Benton, and by her had 5 children, as follows : Charles E ..
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Catharina J., Mark B., Lafayette HI. and one who died young. Mark B. enlisted in the Union army during the Rebellion, and was killed in the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia. He was a worthy young man, and his loss was severely felt in the family circle. Mr. Thompson's patriotism was manifested by sending three boys to the army during the Rebellion, and by carrying on the farm alone at the age of 60. Mrs. Thompson died May 6, 1872, and was soon followed by her husband " to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns," honored and lamented by the whole community.
Hon. John E. Thompson, a wealthy and influential farmer of Jackson tp., Elkhart county, was born Sept. 20, 1828. in Wayne county, Ind. He is the son of Mark B. and Jane (Thomas) Thompson. His father came originally from Orange county, New York, from which State he first removed to Ohio, then to Wayne county, and afterward to this county. His mother was a native of Wales and emigrated to this country in childhood. Capt. Thompson is a descendant of John Thompson, who was of Irish parentage, and who arrived in the United States some years before the war of 1812, in which he participated, serving under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. The early education of the subject of this sketch was very limited, being obtained by an irregular attendance at the primitive common schools of a thinly settled country. Assisting in the hard manual labor of his father's farm, he could devote bnt little time to study. and when about 15 years of age he was obliged to abandon seliool entirely. Possessing an observant and retentive mind, he succeeded, notwithstanding his disadvantages, in acquiring sufficient practical knowledge for his guidance through an active and useful life. On attaining his majority he received from his father a deed for 40 acres of land, on which he began lite for himself. Prospering in the cultivation of this tract, he was soon enabled to purchase 96 additional acrcs. He erected a neat and substantial brick dwelling and ont-buildings, and now possesses a model farm in every respect.
In politics Capt. Thompson was a Whig until 1854, becoming a Republican on the organization of that party, of which lie has since been an earnest and consistent supporter. Although he has held many positions of honor and trust. he has accepted them only at the earnest solicitations of his constituents. In 1858 he was elected to the State Legislature for a term of two years by a flattering majority, and during the sessions served on the committees on temperance and on commerce. Sept. 19, 1861, lie enlisted. and on the 24th of the same month was mustered into the service of the United States as 1st Sergeant of Co. K, 30th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. In Jnne. 1862, he was commissioned 2d Lientenant of the above-mentioned company, and in the following January was promoted to the rank of Captain, in which capacity he remained until the company's term of enlistment expired. Among the many battles in which he participated during the war may be
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
mentioned Pittsburg Landing, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chicka- mauga and Lookout Mountain, or "the battle above the clouds." Capt. Thompson also took part in the siege and capture of Corinth and Atlanta. His regiment accompanied Gen. Sherman to Love- joy Station, 25 miles beyond Atlanta, at which point it was ordered back to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence to Indianapolis. Here it was mustered out of the service Sept. 29, 1864, and Capt. Thomp- son proceeded to Goshen, where he arrived Oct. 5, and at once resumed his work on the farm.
In 1866 he was elected Commissioner of Elkhart county, and served four years. He was again chosen to represent his county in the Legislature in 1872, acting as Chairman of the Committee on Counties and Townships, and as a member of those on Corporations and on Statistics. Being re-elected in 1876 he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, and a member of the Committee on Fees and Salaries. In 1878 he was one of the can- didates for Representative of Noble and Elkhart counties, jointly, and was defeated by only 10 votes. In Elkhart county he received about 100 votes more than his associates on the same ticket, but the Democratic and Greenback influence in Noble county caused his defeat. In the fall of 1880 he was elected to the Legislature for the fourth term, by 573 majority, and 83 ahead of the Senator. During his administration as Commissioner many of the public improvements of the county were inaugurated and consummated, among which were the construction of long-needed bridges, and the erection of county buildings. In the discharge of the duties of his office he manifested such energy, ability, and fidelity, as to command the confidence and respect of his political friends and opponents. As a Legislator he was indefatigable in his efforts to promote the best interests of his fellow-citizens, regardless of their party affiliations. He introduced the bill for reducing the time of holding the office of Tp. Trustee of schools to a period of two terms, the passage of which resulted in increased efficiency of the common-school system. He also proposed the bill providing for refunding to corporations, towns, etc., money which they had ad- vanced in aid of proposed railroads which had not been constructed within three years after such advance. This bill was also of great importance in certain sections of the State. Capt. Thompson is prominent in all enterprises undertaken for the benefit of the com- munity and county in which he lives.
He married Jan. 1, 1872, Annie C. Jackson, of Jackson tp. He is not a member of any Church, but is a liberal contributor to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a devout and worthy communicant. During his active career in Elkhart county, he has won the respect of all; and now, in the pride of manhood, has the promise of many years of usefulness. Ile owns 136 acres of land.
A portrait of Mr. Thompson will be found in this volume.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Myrick Watts, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., New Paris; native of Vermont, of English ancestry; came to this tp. in 1844; has been twice married, first to Miss Mary Foster who died while they were living in Vermont; then he married a daughter of Mr. Rippey. Mr. Watts was born in Vermont in 1829, where he lived with his parents until he was married. He is a man of great energy, and as a farmer has been successful at every undertaking in which he has been engaged.
John Whetten, Jr., farmer, sec. 32; P. O., New Paris; was born in Allen county, Ind., Nov. 25, 1852, of English ancestry. Dec. 25, 1872, he was married to Miss Adelphine Saver; they have 2 children, Nellie and Lou. Mr. Whetten has been a life-long Republican, casting his first vote for Mr. Hayes in 1876, and his second Presidential vote for Mr. Garfield; he is a man of ability and energy, who will make a success of whatever he undertakes.
Thomas Whetten, son of John and Jane (Greer) Whetten, was born in Allen county, Ind., March 31,1850, and came to this county in 1864. He has been twice married, first to Louisa Frasier; who died in 187 -; he married for his second wife Miss Mary McCloud, Oct. 25, 187 -. Mr. Whetten is a very industrious young man and will succeed in whatever he undertakes. He has a farm of 100 acres all under cultivation, and has at the present time 30 head of hogs, eight horned cattle, 40 sheep and three horses, all of which denote high breeding. Mr. W. is a Republican, casting his first vote for Grant.
William Whetten, sec. 22; P. O., New Paris; was born in Allen county, Ind., Oct. 18, 1844, son of John and Jane Whetten, of English ancestry ; was reared on a farm, and brought by his par- ents to this county in 1864, who settled on sec. 22, Jackson tp .; he married Catherine Dillen Oct. 22, 1869, and of their 3 children 2 are living: Eddie Edwamia and Woodford. Mr. Whetten is a very energetic young man and has accumulated quite a little for- tune, which he knows how to preserve. He has 208 acres of land, of which 160 are under cultivation, with stock enough to consnme what the farm produces. Mr. Whetten will in a few years become one of the foremost and wealthiest citizens of the community. He cast his first national vote in 1868 for U. S. Grant, and is still an advocate of Republican principles.
Daniel J. Whitehead was born in this county in 1850. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Frantz) Whitehead, father a native Pennsylvania, mother of Virginia, and both of German descent. He received his education in the common school in this connty. By occupation he is a farmer. He was married in 1870, to Susanan Smith. They have had + children, but only 2 living at present. Two of the daughters are deceased and 1 boy and 1 girl living. Mr. and Mrs. W. are both members of the German Baptist Church, in which society he is a Deacon. He does not "take much stock " in politics, but when he votes, he votes the Democratic ticket. He is the owner of two-thirds of 160 acres of
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
land, where he is living at the present time and where he was born and has passed his life, on sec. 17. He never went to school in any other place than in District No. 6, where he resides.
S. S. Whitehead, carriage manufacturer in New Paris, was born in this county June 7, 1844. He is the son of Valentine and Eliz- abeth Lantz, natives of Montgomery county, O., near Dayton, and of German descent. He received his education in the common school in this county. His occupation most of his life has been that of a carriage-maker, in which business he has been successful. At the present time the firm name is Whitehead & Landgraver. They also run a saw-mill. Mr. Whitehead had been in the business 10 years before Mr. L. came in as a partner. Mr. Whitehead is a Re- publican in politics. He is a man that reads; he takes eight pa- pers, and has a choice selection of good books in his library. His partner is a solid Democrat. Mr. W. has been twice married, the first time in 1865, to Henrietta Deitz, and they had 3 children, all living, 2 boys and 1 girl. He lost his companion in 1872, and in 1874 he was married to Martha Jane Vail. They have 2 children living, 1 boy and 1 girl. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the M. E. Church. In business he has been successful, but not withont some reverses. In 1874 he met with a sad loss by fire. Ilis car- riage and blacksmith shops and saw-mill all were burned to the ground. The firm name at this time is Bonebrake, Deitz & Whitehead. The building was rebuilt by the present firm, and on a more extensive scale. They employ about 22 hands, and are doing a great deal of first-class work.
Valentine F. Whitehead was born in Montgomery county, O., in 1833. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Frantz) Whitehead, father a native of Pennsylvania and mother of Virginia, and both of German descent.
He received his education in the common school in this county; he has spent most of his life in this county. His parents came here when he was only two and one-half years old. His occupa- tion has been that of farming all his life, except four years spent in teaching school. He was married in 1861 to Christina Smith, and they have 2 boys and 4 girls. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Whitehead is a Republican in politics. He has been financially successful in business; is the owner of 360 acres of land, 190 under a high state of cultivation. Mr. W. is a man that knows more than to idle away liis time. Life is short to make the most of, and he works industriously every day.
Marion W. Young was born in Pennsylvania; came to this county Aug. 16, 1827; both father and mother were natives of the same State. The subject of this sketch left Pennsylvania in 1854, and settled in Union tp., this county, and remained there abont 20 years. On leaving, he settled in Elkhart county, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Young was married in 1849, to Mar- garetta Brothers, of Stark county, Ohio, who died in May, 1879,
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
leaving no children. In regard to education his advantages were limited, having no other opportunities than those furnished by the common schools of early days. He has always followed the life of a farmer, and owns 80 acres, which is under a high state of culti- vation, and raises fine crops of wheat. His farm is located on sec. 7. George W. Zinn was born in Franklin county, Ohio; the son of George and Elizabeth (Parnell) Zinn, natives of Maryland; father of German descent, mother of English. His great grandfather came from Germany. His father was an early settler in Ohio, and built the first house in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. His father had 7 brothers, all of whom grew to manhood. Mr. Zinn received his education in the common schools, mostly in Ohio. By occupation he is a farmer. He was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Myers. They have 3 children living; 3 are dead. The son is in business in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Zinn are members of the Methodist Church. He has acted as Steward of the Church. In politics he is a Republican. He has held several minor offices; at the present time he is the County Commissioner of this county. He came to Elkhart county in the month of October, 1837. He has spent some time in traveling; was in the city of Galesburg, Knox Co., Ill., when there was only one house there; it is now the fifth town in size in the State. It is with surprise that the pioneers of Illinois and Indiana look back and see the rapid strides that these States have made in their memories. Mr. Zinn has been a steady, hard-working and persevering man, and has steadily added to his farm since he came here. He started in without much of earthly possessions. To illustrate his increase financially, he holds five deeds for the land where he lives at present, of the different parts. He has one of the best farms in this county, consisting of 200 acres, well improved. Most of his land is prairie. In a finan- cial point of view Mr. Zinn has been successful. He has given his children all a good opportunity to obtain an education.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
This is a full Congressional township except one-half of section 31, which the Elkhart river cuts off by running from the southeast corner of the above section in a northwest course out of the west side of the section. The general surface of this township is much varied. That portion lying south west of a line drawn from the north- west to the southeast corner is comparatively level, and is very fine for agricultural purposes; and its farms with its magnificent resi- dences and large and commodious barns will compare favorably with those of other portions of the county. That portion lying northeast of this line as described is very rolling, and a greater part is so broken it is unfit for agricultural purposes. The farms are generally small, and the attention of those occupying them is given to fruit-growing. There is in this township a body of water covering an area of about 100 acres, and is known by the name of Dock lake. Whence it derives its name, we are not informed. The surround- ing country for some distance is very rough and broken. Pine creek, which has its source in the southeastern part of the town- ship, flows in a northwesterly direction, and leaves the township on section 6 abont one mile from where it enters into the St. Joseph river. The numerous small branches which flow in this creek afford ample drainage for almost all the land in the township.
To Thomas Carick and father, and a person named Stutsman be- longs the honor of being the first settlers in this township. The for- mer pre-empted the southwest quarter of section 21, but paid very little attention to farming, most of his time being spent in hunting and trapping. James Wilson also settled about the same period, and was soon followed by James Defrees, afterward justice of the peace, being the first elected in the township. Next came Joseph Gardner, who settled on section 22 in the spring of 1835. William and Joseph Newell, William Martin, Elijah Adams, James Kane, John Neff and John Wilson soon afterward became residents, from which date the township was rapidly settled. Ozias Stotts, deceased, was an early pioneer, settling in 1834 on section 34, and living to the ripe age of 75 years. R. C. Lake, Abner Blue, Joseph D. Knox,
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Israel Wolf and P. W. Roler are early settlers of the county, and reside at present in Jefferson township.
Soon after the arrival of the above named pioneers, settlers began to pour in so fast that it was even then difficult to keep pace with their advent, and after the lapse of 40 years it is impossible to speak of them in the general order of their coming. They formed one of the pleasantest communities in Northern Indiana. To those who opened up and developed the wonderful resources of Jefferson township, the present and coming generations will owe eter- nal gratitude. They suffered untold privations and inconveniences, labored with unflagging energy and will, receiving only meager compensation for their toil, were far away from their friends and their old homes, and, with scarcely any means of communication with them. The pioneers were encouraged and kept up with the hope of soon establishing comfortable homes for themselves and their families, and with a noble ambition of conferring on posterity blessings which shall ever be a monument to their memories.
Though struggling through the pressure of poverty and priva- tions, early settlers planted among them the school-house at the earliest practical period. As may readily be supposed, the accom- modations of the earliest schools were not good. Sometimes schools were taught in log cabins, which had a mud-and-stick chimney in one end of the building, earthen hearth and fire-place, wide and deep enough to take in a four-foot back-log. For win - dows part of a log was cut out in either side and maybe a few lights of eight-by-ten glass set in, or just as likely as not the opening would be covered over with greased paper. Seats were made of slabs, and writing desks were made to match.
The first school building erected was on section 21, which met all the requirements of that day. Its continuous occupation was up to the date of its burning. Here the young minds were taught to " shoot " by a Mr. Stockdale. Directly after above building was burned, another was erected, and at present there is a fine brick structure standing in place of the first one. Things are changed now ; we no longer see the log school-honse, but instead, we see frame or brick structures here and there over Jefferson township, buildings too, of which the people of this township can feel proud.
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