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 92

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 92

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The early pioneers were not entirely without preaching. Says an old settler, "The ministers of the gospel of the Savior of the world hunted us up and preached to what few there were, therefore we did not degenerate and turn heathen, as any community will

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where the sound of the gospel is not heard." There is but one church building in this township, and this is occupied by the Ger- man Baptists.

As this township is centrally located among others well supplied with cities and villages, there is no municipality of this kind within its bounds, and no churches other than the one just mentioned.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The biographical notices which follow constitute the most impor- tant element of the history of Jefferson township, being, as they are, life sketches of well-known citizens, some of whom have braved the hardships of frontier life, to which we have so often alluded in this volume.

Christidor Ast, a native of Switzerland, born Ang. 16, 1805, son of Chris. and Annie Ast, natives also of Switzerland, and now deceased. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and received a common German education. He came to America in 1845, first settling in Stark county, Ohio, where he resided until 1850, at which time he came to this county, settling in this tp. He was married in 1830 to Miss Magdaline Lounber, who was born in Switzerland in 1807. They have had 10 children, 8 of whom are living, to wit: Christian, Rudoff, Libba, John, Annie, Jacob, Joseph and Maggie. Mr. Ast was poor when he came to this coun- try, and by hard work and close economy he has accumulated con- siderable property, owning 110 acres of good land. P. O., Goshen.

C. A. Barthel, a native of Saxony, Germany, was born May 1, 1829. His parents were C. G. and Christiana Barthel, who came to the county in 1853. The subject of this sketch emigrated to this tp. in 1849, in which he has lived ever since, except three years he resided in Goshen, when he followed his trade (masonry), giving the most of his time to farming, doing only occasional jobs of masonry work for his neighbors. Ile married in May, 1849, Miss Frederica A. Schultz, a native of Germany, by whom he had 5 children, to wit: John, Lydia, Henry, Mary J. and Alfred. Mr. B. lost his life- companion Oct. 12, 1868 or '9. He married again Sept. 5, 1872, Miss Susan Ruhlman, who was born Dec. 28, 1841, in Mahoning county, Ohio; by this marriage were 3 children: Hallie M., Cathi- erine I. and Louis F. Mr. B. owns 120 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Lutheran Church. Residence, sec. 16; P. O., Goshen.

H. Bemendorfer was born Ang. 18, 1824, in London county, Va., son of Peter and Susan Bemendorfer, natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Virginia in 1813, where they resided until 1828, when they moved to Stark county, Ohio; here they remained some 10 years, at which time they migrated to Carroll county, where they

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

resided until their death. The subject of this sketch became of age here and married Miss Rebecca E. Prince Sept. 25, 1851, who was a native of Stark county, Ohio; they have had 10 children, 9 of whom are living: John P., Mary E., Malinda S., Allen R., Charles H., Geo. W., Cora E., Hattie M. and Burtrige. Mr. B. was reared on the farm. When of age he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he worked some 28 years; for the last seven years he has devoted his time to farming and brickmaking. Ile keeps a full supply of brick on hand. He has held the office of Tp. Trustee 10 years; owns 115 acres of land on sec. 34; P. O., Goshen.

William Berkey, a native of Somerset county, Pa., was born April 11, 1828. He is the son of James and Elizabeth Berkey, who are also natives of Pennsylvania, and are of German descent. They moved to Holmes county, Ohio, in 1830, where they resided until 1864, at which time they came to this county and settled near Goshen, where Mr. B. resided until his death. Mrs. B. departed her life some years later, at the residence of William Berkey. The latter came to this county in 1847, working in woolen mills and various other kinds of work for three years, when he went to California and worked in several mines for nearly two years, returning again to this county, where he was engaged as clerk in a store. This he followed for some time, when he bought ont a boot and shoe store. This business he pursued until the pur- chase of his farm, since which time he has devoted his attention to that vocation. He was married Jan. 1, 1856, to Miss Lydia Stuts- man, a native of Pennsylvania, and born Feb. 14, 1830; their 2 children are Nettie and Jennie. When Mr. B. started ont in life for himself he was in debt for the boots he wore on his feet; to-day he is the owner of a nice farm, and is a well-to-do farmer. Resi- dence, sec. 17; P. O., Goshen.

Abner Blue was born in Miami county, Ohio, April 3, 1819, and is the son of James and Mehetabel Blue; the former was born May 20, 1774, in Miami county, Ohio, and departed his life May 20. 1819; the latter was born Aug. 12, 1777, and died in this county Jan. 30, 1850. Abner was reared on the farm, and received a common education. At the age of 17 years he came to this county and followed the carpenter's trade for a number of years. Mr. Blue purchased his first land in 1837, and since he has added to it, now owning 150 acres. Mr. B. has given his entire attention to farming for the last 12 years. Ile was married Aug. 17, 1844, to Miss Harriet Clay, a native of New York. They have had 5 children, 4 of whom are living, viz .: Louisa, James L., Clarinda and Hutoka. Mr. B. lost his life companion July 26, 1859, and he again married Oct. 28, 1862, this time Miss Eliza Doolittle, a native of St. Joseph county, Ind., born Feb. 28, 1838; of their 2 children one is living, May. Mr. B. has held the office of Tp. Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. He is an Odd Fellow

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

and member of the Baptist Church. Residence, sec. 32; P. O. Goshen.

Rev. Thomas Comstock. of the North Indiana Conference, was a native of Ohio, born March 2, 1829, but was bronght with his father's family to Wabash county. Ind .. in 1836. Judge Comstock. his father, settled on Eel river, at the place which is now called Lib- erty Mills, where he opened a large farm. erected mills and engaged in other business pursuits. Here the subject of this sketch spent the years of his youth and earlier manhood, and was well trained to habits of industry and business. He married Miss Elizabeth T. Thorne in September, 1852: she was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, born in 1828; their 4 children were Alma C., John D., Lura E., and Wilbur T. While Mr. Comstock was in his youth. he was converted at a camp-meeting. He was baptized and received into the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1843, by Rev. C. W. Mil- ler. He entered the North Indiana Conference in 1834, and trav- eled the Harlan Circuit one year; but feeling the necessity of a more thorough education, he attended school Fat Genesee College and subsequently took the regular course at the Garrett Biblical Institute. He served one year as professor in Fort Wayne College, and re-entered the Conference in 1859; he was Pastor at Decatur one year; at Goshen one year; at Elkhart two years; was again connected with the Fort Wayne College one year; Pastor of Warsaw Sta- tion three years, and of Wabash Station two years; though his return was unanimously desired by his charge, he was then ap- pointed to Central charge at Richmond. He was just entering upon his third year's work in this charge, when he was taken with typhoid pneumonia. All that affectionate care and the skill of two physicians, his own choice friends, to prescribe was done for six weeks, when he was informed by his physicians that his closing honr was near. The information did not startle or alarm him-not at all, though until then he had thought it possible that he would recover. He asked to have the Sacrament administered, and that prayer should be offered that he might have victory, and while they prayed God gave him triumphant victory to his weeping wife and children. He said mnost tenderly, " I love you : I love you; gladly would I go with you through life, but Jesus loves you better." When ice-cold water was given him, he said "Jesus the water of life will give." He gave directions to make no display, " The Master is coming, and I wait patiently his arrival." Such are but few of the many words uttered by him in his last hours.

At about 11 o'clock, a. m .. June 17, 1872, he calmly and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. Thomas Comstock was a model as a pastor. He was also an able, clear, pointed and successful preacher, and the several charges served by him will long remember him as a most consistent and indefatigable worker. "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

John Eldridge was born in Logan, Hocking Co., Ohio, March 19, 1820, and is the son of Walter and Mary Eldridge, former a

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

native of Connecticut and latter of Pennsylvania. John was reared on the farm, receiving a common education in district schools; lie came with his parents to this State, first settling in Forrest Grove near Middlebury. He lived two years in Lagrange county, and married Miss Phoebe Larimer Jan. 13, 1842; they have had 6 children, 5 of whom are living, to wit: Mary, Sarah J., Harriet, Emma and William. Mr. E. lost his life companion Sept. 8, 1866, and he again married in 1867, and the third and last time, Ann Schermerhorn in 1869. Mr. E. has been reasonably successful in life. He bought his present farm of 100 acres in March. 1878. Mrs. E. is a member of the Lutheran Church; Mr. E. is a member of the Presbyterian. In politics Mr. E. is a Republican. Residence, sec. 4; P. O .. Bristol.

Joseph Gardner, Sr., one of Elkhart's early pioneers, is a native of Rottenburg, Germany, and the son of Joseph and Victoria Gard- ner. The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 22, 1810, and at the age of 22 years he faced Westward, crossing the Atlantic, to seek his fortune (if such was in store for him) in the New World. He first located in Buffalo, N. Y., where he resided until 1835, at which time he migrated to this county, first locating south of Goshen, where he resided one year; he then moved to his present farm, where he has resided continuously ever since, following the occu- pation of a farmer. In his boyhood and early manhood days he worked in oil mills. He was married Oct. 4. 1832, to Miss Cath- erine Vollmer, of Buffalo, N. Y., who was born April 9, 1809, in Rottenburg, Germany; they have had 8 children, 7 of whom are living, to wit: John L., Wm., Joseph, Daniel, Charles and George W., twins, and Benjamin. Mr. Gardner received a good German education, and subsequently a common English education. He commenced poor in life, and now is owning 280 acres of beautiful land, besides giving each of his 7 children $1,400 apiece. He is of a remarkable family, being one of 22 children. Residence sec. 22; P. O., Goshen.

Joseph Gardner, Jr., a native of this county, was born Oct. 11, 1840, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine Gardner; was reared on the farm, and received a fair English education in the common schools of this county. He married Miss Nancy Logan Feb. 8, 1862, who was born Feb. 2. 1843, in Ohio, and their + children are : Charles, Carrie, Minnie and Ira. Mr. G. owns a nice farm of 160 acres on sec. 9.

Adam Harman, a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, was born in 1814; his father was born in Adans county, Pa., and mother on board of a vessel en route to the United States. Mr. H. married Miss Catharine Wolford, a native of York county, Pa., in 1840, and they have had S children. Mr. Harman is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, owning a nice farm on sec. 29. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Lutheran Church. Residence, sec 29.

Noah Hollinger, a native of this county, was born July 14, 1850, and is the son of Samuel and Barbara Hollinger; was raised a

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

farmer, in which ocenpation he is at present engaged. He was mar- ried to Miss Amanda Bowers Feb. 16. 1575, who is a native of DeKalb county, this State, being born in 1554; they have 1 child, Alfred E. Mr. H. owns 60 acres of No. 1 land. worth $70 per acre. Residence. sec. 15; P. O., Goshen.

Paul Kirklorifer, a native of France, was born July 6. 1817, son of Christian and Mary Kirkdorffer, both of whom are now deceased. The subject of this sketch began learning the crockery trade at the age of 14 years, which business he followed some 30 years. At the age of 19 he came to the conclusion to try America. which he accordingly did. On arriving here he had but one dollar in his pocket, and could speak only his native language: he was in New York without friends or money to fight the battles of life with. under great disadvantages; he got trusted for board, and luckily found work in a lumber yard, piling up lumber. for which he received $1 per day. This he did for a few days, when he went up North river some 100 miles distant from New York city, where he worked seven years and saved as miny hundred dol lars, daring the time working for $10 to $16 a month at the tanner's trade. During this time he lent $400 of his hard-earned money, all of which he lost. Not at all discouraged, he kept on with that same energy. In consequence of this loss he conclu led to push on further West, which he accordingly did in 1844. first locating in Goshen, where he was engaged in the pottery business, which he pushed forward with great zeal. In 1852 he removed to Union tp., and settled on land purchased prior to this date, and here he also opened his pottery business, which he followed until 1874; in the meantime he carried on his farm. At this date he quit his trade and moved to this tp., where he has given his entire atten- tion to farmning and stock-raising. He owns 415 acres of beautiful land, all of which he has purchased from his own personal earn- ings. Mr. K. was married to Miss Soloma Dausman in 1-47. Miss D. was born in Canada in 1830: 6 children have since been born to them, viz .: Jacob. George, Mike, Paul, Edwin and David. He lost his companion in 1863, and in 1865 married Miss Lydia Knapp, who was born in 1841 in this county. One child has been born of this union, Morris A. Many can be protited by notieing the situation Mr. K. was in when he landed on American soil, and the difficulties he necessarily had to overcome. He has become independent. as far as the necessaries of life are concerned, by his energy, skill and good management. Residence, sec. 21; P. O. Goshen.

Frank Knapp, a native of Ontario county, N. Y., is a son of William H. and Catherine E. Knapp, natives of New York, who came to this connty in 1849 and settled in Middlebury tp., where they resided until their death, the former occurring in August, 1870. and the latter in April. 1871. Frank was reared on the farm. and has always followed farming, except two and one-half years he was engaged in the lumber trade. He worked in the Auditor's

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

office under Col. A. M. Tucker. He married Miss Jennie Lind, daughter of the late Judge Chamberlain, Sept. 15, 1871, who was born Feb. 24. 1851, in this county. They have 1 child, Christine Nilsson. Mr. K. owns 70 acres of good land on sec. 34. P. O .. Goshen.

R. C. Lake is a well-known and respected citizen, and also among the early pioneers of this county, who came in 1836, when the Indian population was 20 to one white. Mr. L. attended schools in the early days, when the teachers were of the ox-gad per- snasion; he received sufficient education in these schools to be of great use to him in business thus far. He was born March 27. 1815, in Monongahela county, W. Va., and was married in 1846 to Nancy J. Middleton, who was born near Columbus, Ohio. They have had S children. 5 of whom are living, to wit: Mary, Geo. W., John O., James I. and Richard. Mr. L. has followed brick- making, though at present he is engaged in farming. stock-raising and trading. He owns 320 acres of good land, all of which he has purchased with his own earnings. Residence. sec. 10; P. O., Bristol.

Daniel Lehman, a native of Somerset county, Pa., was born April 10, 1812, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Lehman, the former born in 1876 and the son of John L. Lehman, of Switzer- land. He died in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. The latter was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Holmes county, Ohio. Daniel was reared on the farm, and at the age of 16 years he began to learn the cabinet trade, which he followed some 14 years. He came to Indiana in 1843, settling in Miami county, where he resided until 1863, at which time he came to this tp., and has followed the occu- pation of a farmer until a few years ago; at present he is living a retired life. Mr. L. has been successful, financially. He owns 200 acres of good farm land. He was married to Miss Magdalena Shrock Jan. 11. 1831, a native of Mithlin county, Pa., born Feb. 5, 1809; by this union 12 children were born, to wit: Elizabeth, Lib- bie, Henry. Jacob C .. John D .. William B., Lucinda, Joseph A., Cornelius P .. Franklin P., Mary M. and George W. This family is perhaps the most remarkable one in the county, as John D. and William B. are twins, and Franklin P .. Mary M. and George W. are " triplets," all of whom are living. Jacob C. served in the 14th Ind. Vol. Inf. in the " late unpleasantness." Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the Amish Church. Residence, sec. 21; P. O., Goshen.

Elizabeth Logan, nee Donaldson, was born April S, 1826, in Huntingdon county. Pa .; married David Logan in August, 1849, who was born July 25. 1800. in Ireland; brought to America when three months old by his parents, settling in Fulton county, Pa .; in 1851 he moved to Stark county. Ohio, and to this county in 1854; was financially very successful during life, and died April 10, 1873. Mrs. Logan is now carrying on her farm of 215 acres,

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

on sec. 21. Her children are: Daniel, Mary, Emma, Frank, Hester Ann, Eliza, Eli and Elliott. P. O., Goshen.

Samuel McDowell was born in Greenbrier county, Va., July 16 1823, son of James and Jane MeDowell, the former a native of the county of Down, Ireland, and was born April 6, 1791, and the latter of Monroe county, Va., and born Nov. 4, 1791. They emi- grated to this county in 1835, settling on sec. 35, Harrison tp., where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1874. Mrs. MeD. died in 1867. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and received his education in the subscription schools; he was married to Miss Elizabeth Peerman, April 4, 1844, who is a native of Washington county, Tenn., and they have 12 children, 10 of whom are living, viz .: James A., Chloe A., Wm. B., Jane M., Andrew T .. Thos. M., John M., Joseph Z., Howard S. and Emma E. The first place Mr. MeD. lived after his marriage was on sec. 26, this tp« from there he moved to Clinton tp., where he lived 13 years, on land he purchased for $11 per acre, and such was the rise of land that he sold it for $50 per acre in 1865. After look- ing around he concluded to buy land in this county, which he accordingly did. In 1879 he came to this tp. and bought W. H. Newell's farm, where he is at present. Mr. McD. has held the office of School Trustee in this tp. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell have been members of the M. E. Church 30 and 40 years respectively. Residence, sec. 24; P. O., Goshen.

G. W. Miller, a native of this county, was born May 24, 1844; his parents, Abram and Catherine Miller, were early set- tlers of this eounty; he was reared on the farm and received a common education. He married Miss Hester Ann Stutsman Nov. 3, 1867. Miss S. is a native of this county. By this union were 7 children, viz .: Ira, Franklin, Chancy, Jessie, Charles, Milo and Arthur. Mr. Miller owns 80 aeres. Mr. and Mrs. M. are mem- bers of the Dunkard Church. Residence, sec. 22; P. O., Goshen.

E. T. Mooney, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born March 2, 1816, and is the son of John and Nancy Mooney, both of whom are natives of Ohio and are of German descent. Mr. Mooney served in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was married March 25, 1843, to Miss Isabel Sites, who was born December, 1823. The fruits of this marriage were 5 children, 3 of whom are living, to-wit: William E., Isaac N. and Aliee P. Mr. M. emigrated to this county in 1867, locating in this township. Mr. M. received a common-school education in his early life, and attended medical school at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he received a thorough knowl- edge of medicine, after which he began the practice of that profes- sion and pursued it for several years with reasonable suecess. At present he is devoting his entire attention to farming and stock- raising. He is the owner of a nice farm. Mr. M. has held the office of Justice of the Peace. He and his most amiable wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Residence see. 17; P. O., Goshen.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

David Myers was born in this county Jan. 3, 1850, and is the son of John and Hester Ann Myers, natives of Ohio, who came to this county in 1841. David was brought up on the farm, to which vocation he has devoted the most of his life thus far. Mr. Myers has followed the book business at his leisure times, selling family Bibles, History of the Great Republic and many other American standard works. Mr. Myers bears a good reputation as canvasser of considerable note. Mr. S. married Miss Ella Miles Sept. 22, 1878, who was born Oct. 22, 1857, in this county. They have 1 child, Clara A. Mr. M. has had good success, now owning 78 acres. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the German Church. Residence sec. 31; P. O., Goshen.

John Q. Neff, native of this county, was born Feb. 10, 1838, and is the son of John and Sarah Neff, both natives of Virginia, and early settlers of this county, emigrating here abont 1835. John was reared on the farm and received his education in the common school. He was 10 years old before he ever saw a school-house. He attended school in a house that stood where John Eldridge now lives, taught by James VanFrank; this was in the year of 1846; also he attended school taught by Miss Fannie Warren, now Mrs. Doolittle, living in Iowa. Mr. N. was married Sept. 13, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born March 7, 1845. Their 3 children are Carrie, Ora and Howard. Mr. N. is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, paying particular attention to raising horses. He has a fine three-year-old Norman stallion, 16 hands high and weighing 1,600 lbs., which he purchased of Samnel Carver, when he was eight months old, at the cost of $400. His sire was imported from France by E. Dillion, of Bloomington, Ill., and the dam was raised by Mr. Dillion. Mr. N. is an active worker in the Sunday-school and Church (Baptist), of which he and his wife are members. Residence, sec. 4; P. O., Bristol.

P. F. Nye is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, also the present School Treasurer of Jefferson tp. P. O., Goshen.

P. W. Roler was born in Rockingham county, Va., Jan. 3, 1803, son of John and Susan Roler, also natives of Virginia, both now deceased. He was reared on the farm until 15 years of age, when he began to learn the trade of chair-making, and continued to work at it some five years, when he changed his business to that of general merchandising, in partnership with Edward Stevens, in the town of Mount Crawford ; from there they moved their stock to Sidney, Augusta Co., at which place they carried on the business until Mr. R. came to this county in 1835, first settling near Benton. Finally he moved to Benton, where he also sold goods in partnership with Samuel T. Clisner for one year, when he moved to Middlebury tp., where he resided until 1851, when he returned to Benton and bought a farm, where he followed farming for 10 years, at which time he moved to Goshen, when he lived a retired life some 14 years, and is at present living with his son-in-law, Mr. Lincoln, who is farm ing Mr. R.'s land. Mr. Roler was married to Miss Catherine

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Carson in March, 1832, who was a native of Frederick county, Vir- ginia, born in 1813. They have had 3 children, 2 of whom are living: Edward O. F. (who is a professor in the Chicago Medical College), and Ellen C., wife of H. U. Lincoln. Mr. R. has held the office of Sheriff. Although well along in years he prefers walking to Goshen, some three miles distant, to riding. Mr. R. is well known throughout this county, and well liked by all. Residence, sec. 34. P. O., Goshen.

John W. Simmons, farmer, is a native of Shelby connty, Ohio, and was born Dec. 7, 1838. He is the son of Andrew and Mary Ann Simmons, natives of Ohio, who emigrated to this county in 1847, locating in Harrison tp., where they resided until death. John W. was reared upon the farm, receiving a common English education in the schools of Ohio and Indiana. He was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Lonisa Mock, Nov. 6, 1859. Miss M. is a native of this county, and was born Jan. 6, 1842, and they have had 6 children, 3 of whom are living, to wit: Emma F., Elmer E. and Charles G. Mr. S. served one year as Corporal in Company K, 57th Indiana Vol. Inf .; being in many battles, of which Stone River was one. Mr. Simmons speaks with pride of his regiment ; and so he can, as it has a clear record, having never faltered in the discharge of its duty, winning many laurels on the field of battle. Mr. S. is very much disabled, caused by the bursting of a blood vessel on his left leg while he was in the dis- charge of his duty. Residence, sec. 31; P. O., Goshen.

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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 92

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