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 94

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 94

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also own and run a large saw-mill, and have 180 acres of timber land; in both departments of their business they employ from 18 to 30 hands.

Mr. Mellinger started a saw-mill here in 1873, even before the town of Nappanee was begun, in company with Frank Meyers. They continued as equal partners until 1876, when the former bought the latter out and continued alone until 1877, when he formed the partnership with the Coppes Brothers, already spoken of.

In 1876 Dr. C. H. Schwartz came to the town and located as a practicing physician and surgeon; in the year 1877 Binkley & Co. started a drug store; they still continue. In the same year Win. J. Charpie commenced buying grain in Nappanee; and in the year 1878 the tidal wave of business seemed to have come; during that year the following improvements and changes were established; a large clothing store was started by Samuel Meyers, of Goshen; this store carries a stock of abont $8,000; annual sales about $25,000; it is now under the charge of David Friedman; he keeps always on hand a complete stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods, and is doing a good business. During that year Jacob Hemminger moved his boot and shoe shop from Locke and established it at Nappanee. William B. Cowan opened up a large hardware store. Mr. C. is one of the best business men of the place; he carries a stock of $4,000; annual sales amount to about $12,000; he makes his own tin-ware, and has a good run of trade. In March, 1878, the Sierer Brothers started a drug store and still continue the same. The firm of Burns & Kreider, manufacturers of the Nappanee Pumps, was established this year, although Mr. B. had been en- gaged in the same business alone since 1877. During this year Dr. J. K. Julien settled permanently in Nappance, and Fred. D. Richmond became the genial proprietor of the Nappanee House. Peter C. Stahly established a large and commodious furniture store and jewelry shop; the latter is now under the control of his brother, S. C. Stahly. In 1878 W. F. Urich opened an agricultural ware- room, where he keeps all kinds of farming implements and sewing- machines; he is also an insurance agent, representing the York and Keystone Mutual Life Insurance Companies, of Pennsylvania, both responsible companies. During this year E. P. Brown and George Mclaughlin started a saloon, and Joseph M. Bailey com- menced to bny grain in Nappanee; the latter is doing a good business, and farmers can always depend upon getting the highest market price for all kinds of grain; during the year 1879 he

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bought 54,000 bushels of grain. In the year 1879 Benjamin Witham opened a blacksmith, wagon and carriage shop and Joseph Stromh opened an agricultural warehouse. Mr. S. is one of the enterprising business men of the town and does an excellent busi- ness in his line, keeping on hand a complete stock of agricultural implements in their season. This year Charles Biehl started a harness shop; he is a wide-awake business man, is doing a good business and certainly merits a liberal patronage of the people. During the year 1880 Dr. A. A. Ward, a practicing physican and surgeon, settled in Nappanee, and Dietrich & Co. opened a com- modious dry-goods and grocery store.

Thus the reader will observe how, little by little, the village of Nappanee has increased in business and in population. But six years ago here was a tract of low land and timber; now it is cov- ered with a thriving little village of almost 700 inhabitants, and is the most enterprising little town of its size in Elkhart county Among the business honses thus far unavoidably omitted one deserves special notice. Jolin and Jacob Hartman, under the firm name of Hartman & Brother, are the proprietors of the largest dry- goods store in Nappanee. They established their business here Oct. 6, 1875, and the store was run by W. G. Flengel until 1877, when Jacob Hartinan moved to Nappanee, and now controls it. The other member of the firm, John Hartman, is now at Locke, where he conducts a dry-goods store under the firm name of J. & J. Hart- man. At Nappanee the Hartman Brothers have a large and com- modious store-room, filled with a large stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, queen's-ware, etc. They are doing an immense business, carrying a stock of about $6,000. Their sales for the year 1879 amounted to $35,000.

And now, by way of recapitulation, we come to notice the pres- ent business interests of the place. They are substantially as fol- lows: Two dry-goods and grocery stores, two drug stores, one restaurant and lunch room, one first-class restaurant and grocery, one clothing store, one cigar and stationery store, one hotel, one jewelry store, one furniture store, one furniture manufactory, two saloons, two agricultural warerooms, one harness shop, two hard- ware stores, two boot and shoe shops, one butcher shop, one livery stable, two saw-mills, one planing mill and starch-box factory, one mill doing general wood work, such as making lath, shingles, etc., one pump factory, two millinery shops, two barber shops, one church, four doctors, two blacksmith, wagon and carriage shops,

ericholes andthe

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

two insurance agents, two collection agents, two grain merchants, one elevator, one Odd Fellows' lodge, one cornet band, one union school-building, and last but not least, one weekly newspaper, the

NAPPANEE NEWS.

. After the discontinuance of the Wakarusa Sun, at Wakarnsa, the Nappanee News was started at Nappanee, sometime in the month of March, 1879, with A. B. Smith as editor and proprietor. Mr. S. continued to publish the paper until Feb. 11. 1850. when it was pur- chased by E. D. Stoner and C. H. Whiteman, and published nnder their management until March 14. 1880. At that time W. H. Holdeman purchased Mr. Whiteman's interest, and the paper was then issued by Holdeman & Stoner until July 25. 1880, when Mr. Holdeman bought out his partner's interest, and from that time until the present the paper has appeared with W. H. Holdeman as editor and proprietor. The paper was formerly a four-page folio. until Mr. II. took charge of it, when it was changed to a five-column quarto. Sept. 25. 1880. the paper was fitted out with an entire new dress and new type. It is independent in politics, liberal in its views, and always looks to the best interests of the people. The paper is published on Thursday of each week, has now a circulation of over 500; the subscription price is only $1.50 a year, and every enterprising business man and farmer in the community would do well to take it, as it is published by an able editor and experienced writer.

NAPPANEE SCHOOLS.

The school building at Nappanee is one of the best in the county It was begun in 157S and finished in 1879. It is a Union school building. having been built by Union and Locke townships. The school trustees at the time of its erection, were Isaac Wisler, of Locke, and S. H. Smith, of Union. The building is a large and handsome brick structure two-stories high and was built at a cost of about $6,000. It is a graded school, and the patrons of the dis- trict have in it abont seven months' school annnally. and employ two teachers. At present the schools are conducted by W. H. Hol- deman as principal and Miss Florence Stauffer as assistant. The attendance is quite large, the enrollment for the month of June, 1880. numbering 160.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

ODD FELLOW'S LODGE.

This organization was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Indiana at the November session, in the year 1879. It was organized by Special Deputy, A. E. Boyce, of Wellsboro. The charter members were: Gabriel Wolf, P. S. Hare, C. H. Whiteman, Christian H. Schwartz and Will F. Peddycord. The lodge is numbered 575; the membership at present is 19.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

The church building at Nappanee was erected in 1875, and was built by the individual subscriptions of different persons throughout the community. The following are a few of the charter members of the Church organization at this place: Jonathan Yarian and wife, Benjamin Yarian and wife, and Joseph Rose and wife. At present the congregation numbers 15 members, as follows: Jonathan Yarian, Joseph Rose and wife, Wm. Rosenburg and wife, Julia Berlin, F. M. Truex and wife, Catharine Rarick, John Ernst, Mrs. Evans, Susan Engle, Alphens Markney, George Stull and Nettie Moneyhafer. The first minister of the Church at this place was Rev. John Good. The present one is Rev. E. F. Light. Regular services are held in the church every Sabbath at 10} o'clock. There is a union Sunday-school in the church, of which Will F. Peddycord is the present superintendent.

THE NAPPANEE CORNET BAND

was first organized at the town of Locke, in August, 1876, and was afterward re-organized at Nappanee in 1878. The leader of the band is A. C.Miller, of Nappanee. There were 12 charter mem- bers when first organized at Locke; it is now composed of 13 regular members, meets regularly once a week to practice, and furnishes as good music as any band of its age in the county.

And now we have noticed all the business interests of the town of Nappanee; we have observed how from year to year its citizens have increased in enterprise, and we have seen that the town is only six years old. There are few towns in Northern Indiana that can boast as much as this for its age. It is composed of an enterpris- ing, intelligent, literary class of citizens, who always look to the best interest of their progressive town first and themselves after- ward. Situated as it is, in the midst of a beautiful scope of farm-

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

ing land, several miles distant from a large town, it has proven to be an excellent market for all kinds of grain. It is rapidly increasing in population and improvements, and it is difficult to surmise what is yet in store, at no far distant day, for the citizens of this enterprising, progressive village.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

The rest of the history of this township is in the form of brief biographical notices of its pioneers or prominent residents, most of whom have toiled for many a long and tedious year to make the country the fruitful field it is seen to be to-day.

Joseph M. Bailey, a grain merchant at Nappanee, was born in Indiana in 1850, of Irish descent, and is the son of Isaac and Sarah C. (Mackey) Bailey, both of whom are living in Walkerton; the former is a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They came to this county in 1845, remained here five years, and then removed to Walkerton. The subject of this sketch was married in 1872 to Caroline Hetzel, who was born in Indiana in 1852, and is the mother of 2 children: Cliffie and Maud. Politically, Mr. B. is a Republican. He commenced buying grain at Nappanee in December, 1878; is buying for Joseph Calbeck, of Cromwell, and is doing a good business, always paying the highest market price for all kinds of grain. During the year 1879 he bought 54,000 bushels.

Ferdinand Beck, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Locke; was born in Germany in 1829, came to this country in 1856 and first settled in Ohio, where he lived abont two years and then came to this tp .; he is a son of Jacob and Catharine Beck. In 1860 he was married to Hannah Hare, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1843; she is the mother of 6 children, all of whom are now living: Rinnldon, Viola, William, Charles, Ella and Otto. Politically, Mr. B. is a Demo- crat. He was educated in Germany, where his school advantages were good; he now reads a great deal, both in English and Ger- man. Ile owns 80 acres of land on sec. 23, worth about $50 per acre. He had no start in life when he began for himself, but lias worked hard during the whole time and has succeeded quite well.

Fianna Berlin, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., Locke; is the daughter of Christian and Anna (Rhodes) Slabaugh, and was born in Penn- sylvania in 1824; her parents are both deceased and were natives of Pennsylvania ; her father died in Ohio over 30 years ago and her mother in this county in 1865. Mrs. B. was married in Ohio in 1851 to Solomon Berlin, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1827, and died Sept. 22, 1872. Hle was the son of John and Susanna (Hoffman) Berlin, was a Republican, and a member of the Masonic lodge at Wakarusa; was also a member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. B. owns 105 acres of land on sec. 13,

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

which she valucs at $60 per acre. She is the mother of + children, of whom 2 are now living: Francis E. and Warren E., both at home.

Julia Berlin, daughter of Christian and Nancy (Rhodes) Sla- bangh, both of whom are now deceased, was born in Portage county, Ohio. May 31, 1833. Her parents were both natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. B., the subject of this sketcli, isa member of the United Brethren Church. She was married Sept. 13, 1851, to Josiah Berlin, who was born in Ohio June 24, 1834. He was the son of John D. and Susanna (Hoffman) Berlin, and died in Elk- hart county March 27, 1864. Politically, he was a Republican. Mrs. B. is the mother of 2 children: George L. and Charles E. She is now residing in Nappanee, and owns 76 acres of land in Locke tp., worth about $3,500.

Cyrus Berlin Court, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., Nappanee. Mr. B. was born in Switzerland in 1831; came to America with his mother when only 12 years of age, and settled in Wayne county, Ohio. He is the son of John P. and Lizzie (Parrow) Berlin Court. His father died in 1839, and his mother about 1868; bothi were natives of Switzerland. Mr. B. came to this connty in November, 1853, and settled in this tp., where he still resides. The same year he was married in Wayne county, Ohio, and immediately after his marriage came West. His wife's maiden name was Anna Hanssauer; she was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1829, and is the mother of 11 children, of whom 7 are living: Elizabeth (wife of David Christner, of Lagrange county); Catherine, Rachel (wife of August Field, also of Lagrange county); Susanna, Sarah, David, and Fannie. He owns 120 acres of land, worth about $45 per acre. Has been an industrious laborer all his life. Mr. and Mrs. B. are inem- bers of the Amish Church.

Robert Berry, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., Locke; he is the son of James and Mary (Walburn) Berry, and was born in Ohio in 1840. His father died in this tp. in February, 1871; his mother is still living; both natives of Ohio. They came to this county in Sep- tember, 1839, and settled in this tp. Mr. B. was married March 10, 1861, to Rebecca Conner, who was born in Ohio June 7, 1840. She is the mother of 8 children, 7 of whom are living: Mary M., Eliza A., Jane, Larona, Nellie, Wesley, and Nora. Politically, Mr. B. is a Democrat; owns 40 acres of land on sec. 22, worth about $1,400.

John G. Blessing, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., Locke; was born in Ger- many in 1849, and came to America in 1866. He is the son of Christian and Christina (Coppenhaver) Blessing; his father is still living. Mr. B. came to Elkhart county in 1866, and to this tp. in 1875. He was married in this tp. in 1875, to Sarah Blyley, who was born in this tp. in 1845, and is now the mother of 3 children, all of whom are living: Huldah, Rosina and Herman. Politically, Mr. B. is a Democrat. He owns 40 acres of land on sec. 24, worth about $40 per acre.

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

Benjamin Clouse, farmer, sec. 15; P. O., Locke. Mr. C. was born in Pennsylvania in 1827, and is the son of John and Susanna (Snyder) Clouse, both of whom are now dead, and were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to this county about 1850; here they both died. In 1855 Mr. C. was united in marriage with Lydia Fink, who was born in Ohio in 1838; she is the mother of 11 chil- dren, of whom 10 are living: William, Chancy, Frank, Rosa, Emanuel, Susanna, Jutchen, Edward, Daniel and Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns 80 acres of good farming land, worth about $45 per acre.

Samuel D. Coppes, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., Nappanee; was born in Medina county, Ohio, March 22, 1844. and is of English-German descent. He is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Fravel) Coppes; the latter is living in Locke tp., and is a native of Pennsylvania; the former, also a native of the same State, died in 1876. They came to this county about 1850, and first settled in Harrison tp. Mr. C. was married in this county March 12, 1868, to Elizabeth Berlin, who was born in Ohio in 1842, and they have had 7 chil- dren, of whom 5 are now living: Harvey, Frank, Clora, Della and Lillie. Politically, Mr. C. is a Republican. His educational advan- tages were not very good, but he is a great reader. He owns 80 acres of' land on sec. 12, which he values at about $65 per acre. He has been a very hard-working, industrious farmer all his life and liad no start when he began for himself.

William B. Cowan, dealer in hardware at Nappanee, is the son of Joseph and Phebe (Bird) Cowan, both of whom died in this county, the former in 1873 and the latter in 1870. Mr. C. was born in Clarke county, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1820, and is of Dutch- English-Irish descent. Parents came to this county in 1834 and first settled in Jackson tp .; there they both lived and died. The subject of this sketch came to Locke tp. in 1878 and engaged in business at Nappanee. He was married in 1855 to Elizabeth Kirshiner, who was born in Ohio in 1826; she is the mother of 5 children, of whom 2 are living: Samuel S. and Phebe J. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the English Reformed Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were limited to a few months' school in the winter time; however, he is a self-made man. Ile owns 303 acres of land in Texas which he has never seen. Mr. C. was Justice of the Peace of Jackson tp. for 14 years: he also held the office of Constable in that tp., and is at present School Trustee of Locke tp. IIe is a good business man and an upright and highly respected citizen of the town in which he lives. Mention of his business interests has already been made.

Thomas Earl, farmer and brick-maker, sec. 2; P. O., Wakarnsa. Mr. E. was born in England Dec. 29, 1829, and came to America Dec. 3, 1848. He is the son of John and Mary (Mills) Earl. He came to this county in 1853 and remained about 20 months, when he went to New York and from there to Europe. After returning

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

to New York and remaining there for a time, he again (1859) came to this county and settled permanently. He was married in 1856 to Mary A. Stevenson, who was born in England in 1833; she is now the mother of 5 children, of whom 4 are living: Thomas R., Wallace, Evarissa and Edward E. Politically, Mr. E. is a Demo- crat. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He owns 100 acres of land on sec. 2, worth about $60 per acre. He has been a farmer all his life, and has also made brick for a num- ber of years. He has now a brick-kiln on his farm where he, in connection with D. R. Longenecker, makes brick, mostly for home use.

George W. Eby, a prominent and highly respectable citizen of this tp., is a son of John W. and Veronica (Weaver) Eby, and was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1829. His father was born in Penn- sylvania in 1807, and is now residing in Ontario; his mother, also a native of Pennsylvania, died there abont 40 years ago. Mr. E.'s forefathers on his father's side settled in Pennsylvania in 1717, and on his mother's side, in 1732. Mr. Eby came to this county in 1857; in 1850 he was united in marriage to Lydia Weaver, who was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1834, and is the mother of 10 children, of whom, unfortunately, only 1 is now living, namely, Lydia. Mr. E. has held the office of Justice of the Peace; is an Odd Fellow; his excellent wife is a member of the Mennonite Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He now reads and writes both German and English. In 1866 he helped lay out the town of Locke, and soon after started a general merchandise and lumber business; he retired from business in 1877, and commeneed farm- ing, where he now resides, as a successful tiller of the soil, on sec. 13, where he owns 160 acres of land. P. O., Locke.

Elias Fisher, farmer, sec. 14; P. O., Locke; was born in Ohio in 1842, and is of German-English descent; he is a son of Absalom and Charity (Rush) Fisher; his mother is living in this tp., and his father died in the tp. in 1866. His parents came to this tp. in 1851; in 1865 he was united in marriage to Matilda A. Furguson, who was born in Lake county, Ind., in 1843, and is the mother of 6 children, of whom 3 are now living: Elias E., John L. and Joseph B. Mr. F. has been Assessor. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were poor, but he has taught himself to a considerable extent. He owns 100 acres of land, of which 60 are under eultivation, worth about $50 per acre. Mr. F. has worked diligently all his life, has been a carpenter and also has run a saw- mill. He is now a farmer, and is au obliging neighbor, an honest, enterprising, successful man.

John Freed, farmer, sec. 3; P. O., Wakarusa; is the son of Jacob and Anna (Freed) Freed, and was born in Ohio in 1824. His father came to this county in 1852. In 1844 Mr. F. was married in Ohio, to Miss Catharine Newcomer, who was born in Ohio in 1824, and died in 1866; she was the mother of 8 children, of whom 4 are living: Jabob, Paul, Henry and Samuel. He was married

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

secondly, in 1867, to Catharine Boyer, who was born in 1824; she is the mother of 16 children, of whom only 2 are living. Politically, Mr. F. is a Republican; he owns 136 acres of land, worth about $60 per acre.

Duvid Gentzhorn, saloon-keeper at Nappanee, is a son of David and Fannie (Smith) Gentzhorn, both of whom died in Pennsyl- vania; the latter was a native of that State, and the former of Ger- many. Mr. G. was born in Pennsylvania in 1842, and is of German descent. IIe came to this county in the fall of 1863, and first located at Goshen, where he was first a day-laborer and after- ward ran a restaurant and saloon there. He was married in 1868 to Caroline Clouse, who was born in Ohio in 1848; she is the mother of 7 children, of whom 5 are living: Charles F., Harvey A., Birdie, James M. and one unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. G. are mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. Ifis educational advantages were limited, but he is a faithful reader at present. He engaged in business at Nappanee in 1876, and is now running a first-class saloon, doing a good business; keeps the Toledo beer. Owns town property worth about $1,300,

John Hartman, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Ramer) Hartman, both of whom are living in Union tp., was born in Elkhart county, Ind., in 1852, and is of German descent. He came to this tp. in 1875, and engaged in business in the town of Locke. He was mar- ried in June, 1878, to Rebecca Peters, who was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1858. Politically, Mr. H. is a Democrat. He is now residing in Locke, and is engaged in business at that place, being one of the partners of the firm of J. & J. Hartman. Mention of their business interests has already been made in the history of the tp.

Asher Lockwood is a prominent farmer on sec. 3; P. O., Wakarusa; is the oldest settler of the tp. now living. He was born in Windsor county, Vt., Nov. 18, 1832, and is of English descent paternally, and French maternally; he is the son of Samuel and Sarah (House) Lockwood. They came to this county in the fall of 1836 and settled in this tp., being the first settlers by about 10 days. Here they lived, amid the forests of tall trees and in the wilderness of a wild and almost unsettled country. His father died Dec. 18, 1846, and his mother Jan. 11, 1858; they are both buried on the farm on which they first settled and on which Asher, the subject of this sketch, now resides. Since the burial of his mother a tall tree has grown above her grave, and beneath its mass- ive roots they lie there, buried side by side, the first pioneers of Locke tp. In 1860 Mr. L. was married, in this county, to Matilda Whitmore, who was born in Ohio June 11, 1843; their union has been blessed with 11 children, of whom 6 are now living: Clara, Flora, Ellen, Ettie, Samuel and Lera. Mr. L. is a member of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. When we consider the circumstances with which young Asher was surrounded when a boy, it is needless to say that his advantages for securing

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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.

an education were extremely limited; during his whole life he has gone to school but three months. He owns 80 acres of land, well improved and excellent for farming purposes, on sec. 3, on which he resides, worth about $75 per acre; he owns also 80 acres on sec. 10, worth about 840 per acre. He has a saw-mill on his farm, which was built 27 years ago, and is the oldest one in the tp. Mr. L. is a hard-working, industrious and successful farmer, an honor- able and upright Christian man, who strives to live consistently with his profession.

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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 94

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