USA > Indiana > Huntington County > History of Huntington County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 54
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ington Lutheran church, in which he and the members of his family have numerous friends, as they have in all walks of life.
WILLIAM H. ECKMAN. One of the fine farms of Rock Creek town- ship is known as Cedar Glade Farm, and its owner, William H. Eckman, is one of the most capable farming men of the township, as well as one of its representative citizens. He has made a name for himself as a farmer, and his position in the community is secure by reason of the many excellent qualities that dominate in his life. He is a native son of the county, born in Lancaster township on May 27, 1862, and is a son of Jonathan and Anna (Barr) Eckman, concerning whom some mention should be made in this connection.
Jonathan Eckman was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and his wife was a native daughter of the same region. There they grew up in the same community and were married when they reached years of matur- ity, after which they came to Huntington county and located in Lan- caster township. The year 1859 marked their advent into this section of the country, and they spent their remaining years where they had located in their honeymoon days.
Here the young husband built a log house and barn and applied himself with creditable diligence to the Herculean task of clearing away the wilderness, and here he reared his family and achieved a fair measure of business success. In 1871 fine frame buildings took the place of the early log house and barns and many other improvements were brought into place as time passed. Mr. Eckman was a progressive man, and he owned the first sawmill in the township. He also applied progressive ideas to his farming activities, and the success that he experienced was his by right of the thought and energy he expended on whatever enterprise he launched. A public spirited man, Mr. Eckman had a prominent place in his community. The family were leading members in the German Baptist church and bore their full share of the financial and other burdens of the organization. The father died in 1878, while the mother lived until 1906.
They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living in 1913. Jacob was killed by a horse in 1911, and the others are William H., of this review, Marion W. of Huntington, Indiana; Elmina, Laura and Emma, the wife of Samuel Funderburg.
William H. Eckman was reared on his father's farm in Lancaster township, and was educated in the public schools of that township. He continued at home until he was twenty-two at which time he married and established a home of his own. He married Lina M. King on Sep- tember 24, 1884, she being the daughter of Samuel and Sarah King, and she was reared on the farm where they now live in Rock Creek town- ship. Mrs. Eckman had her early education in the public schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Eckman are leading members of the Methodist Episco- pal church at Plum Tree and Mr. Eckman is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and politically is a progressive.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Eckman are Merle, a graduate of the
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Warren high school, the State Normal, and now a teacher in the public schools; Glade K., a graduate of the Huntington high school and a student in Purdue University; and Ruth A., a graduate of the Hunt- ington high school and a junior in the state university at Bloomington.
MATTHIAS KIEFER. Huntington county maintains an advanced posi- tion in the domain of modern and scientific agriculturism, and among the able and popular representatives of this great basie industry in Hunt- ington township is the sterling eitizen whose name introduces this paragraph and who is eminently entitled to recognition in this history. He came from Germany to Ameriea when a young man, without more than nominal financial resources and dependent upon his own exertions in winning for himself a position of independence and prosperity. That he has succeeded admirably in his worthy ambition is shown by his present status as one of the substantial farmers of Huntington county, where he owns a well improved farm of fifty-five acres, devoted to diversified agriculture and to the raising of excellent grades of live stock.
Mr. Kiefer was born in Germany, on the 4th of February, 1859, and his parents, Matthias and Angeline (Petts) Kiefer, passed their entire lives in their fatherland,-folk of sterling character and unassuming ways. Of their seven children four are now living,-Jennie, John, George, and Matthias, and all of the number still reside in Germany with the exception of the subject of this review, who is the only representative of the family in America.
Matthias Kiefer, Jr., gained his early educational discipline in the excellent schools of his native land, where he also served the prescribed three years in the German army. In 1883, when about twenty-four years of age, he severed the ties that bound him to home and fatherland and set forth to seek his fortune in America, his ambition having thus shown itself to be one of courage and determination and the same having never wavered in the face of the various trials and obstacles which he has encountered since coming to the United States. Mr. Kiefer landed in the port of New York city and thence set forth for the west, his avail- able funds being practically exhausted at the time when he arrived in the eity of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was employed for a time. He came to Huntington county, where he secured employment at farm work. From his monthly wages he saved earefully and with much abstemious- ness, as he was determined to bend every effort toward the gaining of a position of independence. In 1886 he assumed greater responsibili- ties, as he then took unto himself a wife, in the person of one of the gracious and popular young women of Huntington township, and for the ensuing eight years Mr. Kiefer was associated in the work and management of the homestead farm of his wife's parents, who had set- tled in Huntington eounty in an early day, both having been born in Germany. At the expiration of the period noted Mr. Kiefer purchased his present farm of fifty-five aeres, eligibly located in Huntington town- ship, and he has not only brought the place up to a high standard of productiveness but has also made many excellent improvements of
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a permanent order. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, kindly and considerate in his relations with others, Mr. Kiefer has a se- cure place in popular confidence and esteem, as also has his wife, who has been a resident of Huntington county from the time of her nativity. He is a democrat in his political allegiance and both he and his wife are zealous communicants of the Catholic church of Sts. Peter and Paul, in the city of Huntington.
On the 14th of October, 1886, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kiefer to Miss Elizabeth Kanff, who was born in Huntington township, on the 23d of March, 1866, and who, as before intimated, is a representa- tive of one of the sterling German pioneer families of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer became the parents of ten children, all of whom are liv- ing except John, who was born August 7, 1889, and who died at the age of five years. The names of the surviving children are here entered, together with the respective dates of birth : Andrew C., August 18, 1887 ; Frank, September 30, 1891; Josephine, June 8, 1894; Mary F., April 14, 1896 ; Herman J., September 30, 1898; Celia, December 21, 1900; Eliza- beth, Angust 8, 1903; Henry, June 23, 1906; Teresa, September 23, 1908. The eldest son conducts a well equipped dairy, from which he supplies milk and cream to an appreciative patronage in the city of Huntington.
WILLIAM L. FOLK. For a period of more than thirty years William L. Folk has acted in the capacity of agent for the Standard Oil Com- pany, and during seventeen years of this time has been the representa- tive of this great industry at Huntington, Indiana. One of his com- pany's most trusted employes, he has given of his best abilities in its service, yet has never failed to find time to give to the interests of the community in which he has made his home for so long. Mr. Folk was born March 20, 1865, in Pennsylvania, and is a son of John H. and Elizabeth Folk, also natives of the Keystone state, where the father was for many years engaged in contracting and building.
Mr. Folk obtained his education in the public schools of his native place, and secured his introduction to business life as an employe in the works of the Union File Company, of Philadelphia. He was still a lad when he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to accept a position with the Standard Oil Company, in 1882, and after several years in that city was sent to the oil shops of the same concern at Cleveland, Ohio. There he remained, still in a minor capacity, until removing to Fostoria, Ohio, and from the latter place came in July, 1896, to Huntington, Indiana, having been appointed agent for this city. Practically all of Mr. Folk's career has been passed in the employ of his present firm, and his busi- ness life has been one of constant and continued advancement. He was content to start in a humble position and learn thoroughly every branch of the business, so that today he is possessed of a broad knowledge of the line with which he is identified. His specified dnties consist of taking charge of the storing of the oil which is contained in the immense tanks here, and this oil is distributed in Huntington and the surrounding towns
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by three wagons. The capacity of the storing plant is thirty thousand gallons, supported by brick walls with aisles between, so that the wagons may be driven directly underneath and thus affording easy facilities for filling. Mr. Folk is widely and favorably known among the business men of Huntington, and his judgment is frequently sought as to matters of importance both in his own line and in others. He has no outside con- nections, however, except his poultry business, to which he devotes his leisure hours. Starting this as a hobby, he has gradually developed it into a paying venture, and his Buff Orpingtons are in great demand all over this part of the county.
Mr. Folk was married to Miss Ella Schofield, of Toledo, Ohio, a daughter of William Schofield, a citizen of that place. To this union there have been born three children, all daughters: Bernice E., Martha D. and Jenies M. The pleasant family home, amid beautiful surroundings, is located on First street. Mr. Folk is a member of Amity Lodge No. 483, F. & A. M., Huntington Chapter No. 27, R. A. M., and Huntington Commandery No. 35, K. T., of the Masonic fraternity, and also holds membership in the local lodge of Elks. He has never aspired to public office, but is known as a public-spirited citizen who has the welfare of his community at heart.
ROBERT L. IRWIN. Farming, with all its branches, has been con- sidered a good line of business since the beginning of the world, and such have been the changes and modifications within the past quarter of a century that to be a farmer is now probably the most dignified as well as most independent vocation in the entire range of human activities. Agriculture in such a county as Huntington offers a splendid field for the man of energy, perseverance and ability. In this class stands Robert L. Irwin, of Salamonie township, a man who has been in a remarkable degree the architect of his own fortunes, and who owes his present suc- cess in life entirely to his own efforts.
Mr. Irwin is a native of North Carolina, born in Guilford county, October 15, 1856, a son of James and Elizabeth (Kirkman) Irwin. Both were natives of the same state, the father being now deceased, and the mother lives in the old north state. They were parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living, but all are residents of North Carolina except Robert L. and James L., the latter a farmer of Blackford county.
While growing up in North Carolina Robert L. Irwin had limited opportunities, attended school irregularly, gave up his books and studies at the age of eighteen, and when twenty-one started out for himself. Two years later he journeyed to a state where he might find better oppor- tunities, and located in Salamonie township of Huntington county. At that time he was a poor man, and had to establish his right to a share in the world's goods by diligence, faithfulness to duty, and a forehanded- ness in grasping and accepting the opportunities presented. On Decem- ber 27, 1885, Mr. Irwin was united in marriage with Emma A. Foust. She belongs to one of the pioneer families of Huntington county, and was born on the farm now occupied by herself and husband December 22,
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1863, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Colbert) Foust. The Foust family came to Huntington county from Highland county, Ohio, and Mrs. Irwin received her education in the District school at Salem in Salamonie township. Mr. Irwin and wife are the parents of seven chil- dren, whom they have reared carefully and upon whom they have be- stowed the best opportunities for education and for making themselves useful in the world. The older ones are now married and settled in life, and several of the younger ones are still in school. These children are : Lelia, who is a graduate of the common schools and is the wife of Irwin Neber, a resident of Jackson township in Wells county, and field fore- man for the Ohio Oil Company, and there are two children of Mr. and Mrs. Neber ; Forrest, who after finishing a course in the common schools, became a student in DePauw University, later graduated from the Northwestern University, and has done much teaching; George and Bertha, twins, both finished the common school course, and the former is a graduate of the Warren high school and a teacher, being principal of the Ward school at Momence, Illinois, while Bertha is the wife of Verl Preble of Salamonie township; J. Leroy is a graduate of the common schools and the Bluffton high school and now a student in the Muncie normal school; Jesse L. and Glen F. are both students of the common schools. Mr. Irwin and wife have three grandchildren.
The families are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem, and Mr. Irwin is one of the trustees of that denomination. In politics he supports the prohibition cause. Mr. Irwin as a farmer oc- cupies the southeast quarter of Section 35 in Salamonie township. This is a farm which for years has been one of the best known in southern Huntington county, and is known in the neighborhood as Jonathan Foust farm, having been entered from the government by Jonathan Foust in the pioneer days. The old parchment deed for the land was signed by Martin Van Buren, who, it will be remembered, was president of the United States from 1837 to 1841.
JAMES M. CRAIG. Another of the sons of Levi and Lenora (Smith) Craig, and one who has made a place for himself among the successful farming men of Lancaster township, is James M. Craig, a brother of Mack Craig, who is mentioned in other pages of this work at some length. Mr. Craig was born in Henry county, Indiana, on June 24, 1866, and came to Huntington county with his parents in the year 1870. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Washington county, Maryland, who came to Indiana in young life and in Henry county met and married. The father was a veteran of the Civil war, and he is now a resident of Huntington, Indiana, as is also his wife, the mother of the subject.
James M. Craig was the second born in his parent's little family, and he was three years old when they came to this county. He had his school- ing in the Majenica district schools, where he attended during the severe winter months, the summer and spring seasons being devoted to farm work up to the time he was about nineteen years of age. When he was twenty-one he began to work for his father for wages, a custom of the
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family, and after a timc he rented a farm and set up an establishment of his own. He married Clara Eichhorn on November 26, 1887, and she died on August 6, 1888, without issue. He later married Myrtle Glass, a daughter of George W. and Lida (Ryan) Glass, who was born in Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana, and was there reared to farm life. She was given exceptional educational advantages for a country bred girl, and became a teacher, as well as being well advanced in musical knowledge. One child was born of their union, Gladys M. Craig, born August 29, 1907, now a student in the local schools.
Mr. Craig is the owner of a nice place of one hundred acres of fertile land, his farm lying eight miles distant from Huntington on the south- cast, on the Huntington and Warren Pike, and he is regarded as one of the successful agricultural men of the township, as well he may be.
The family are members of the Christian church at Majenica, and Mr. Craig is a republican in his politics. They are people of excellent standing in the community, both of them coming of highly respected families of the state. The father of Mrs. Craig, George W. Glass, now resident in Jefferson township, is an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which he served from the beginning of the conflict until the last gun was fired, and he has passed his life as a resident of Wells county.
SAMUEL T. EBERHART, a teacher and respected citizen of this com- munity and now manager of the Fertile Valley Stock Farm, was born in Warren township, two and a half miles east of Bippus, on October 29, 1876. He is a son of Linns and Elizabeth (Ada) Eberhart, and he is the youngest of their nine children.
Rcared on the farm on which his birth took place, Samuel T. Eber- hart had his early education in the district schools of Warren township. He was graduated from the common school in the year 1895, after which he entered the Bippus high school, and was graduated therefrom, taking highest honors. The young student then entered Danville College in the spring of 1898, but he did not find the school to his liking and after spending the spring and summer there, he entered the State Normal school at Terre Haute. He did about two years work in that institution and later attended Winona College, but did not quite finish and so did not receive his A. B. degree, for which he was almost ready.
Mr. Eberhart then began teaching and the next thirteen years he spent in that profession. During the last ten years of his pedagogic work he was principal of the Bippus high school, and when he withdrew from the profession he held a three years' common school license, a three years' high school license, and a life state license. After giving up school work Mr. Eberhart began to devote himself to the business of overseeing his farm in Sections 2 and 27 of Warren township, and he has since been occupied in that manner, experiencing a very pleasing success as the proprietor of Fertile Valley Stock Farm, as his place is widely known.
On October 26, 1902, Mr. Eberhart married Miss Della Farmer. She was born on May 10, 1874, in Putnam county, Ohio, and moved to
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Wabash county, this state, with her parents when she was eight years old. They later moved to Warren township, Huntington county, and the family home is yet here. She had her education in the schools of Ohio and Indiana, her higher training coming in the Bippus high school, Columbia City Normal, and Danville College. After that very thorough training she engaged in teaching and she was for eight years active in the teaching profession, the last four years being spent in the primary department of the Bippus schools, where she experienced a most pleasing success. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eberhart, Edna Mae, born April 9, 1912.
Mr. and Mrs. Eberhart are members of the Bethesda United Brethren church in Warren township. Mr. Eberhart is a republican in his politics. He is the ardent advocate of clean politics and the open enemy of the saloon and the liquor traffic. He was one of the organizers and a charter- member of the Huntington County Civic League, which was organized for the purpose of enforcing the laws after the county local option law was passed under the administration of Governor Hanley, and he has. bce : otherwise active in township and county politics.
Mr. Eberhart was an organizer of the Bippus State Bank, and is one of its stockholders, and he is connected with other institutions of varied nature. He is recognized as one of the progressive citizens of Warren township, and it is remembered that he was one of those who brought. about the present excellent system of stone roads in the county. The first petition, calling for sixteen and three-quarters miles, was no sooner. carried out than a second petition followed, with still others at intervals, until the system in Warren township is practically complete today, con- necting with improved roads to Huntington, North Manchester and South Wheatly.
In these and other ways has Mr. Eberhart shown the quality of his: citizenship, and he properly takes his place today among the leaders in thought and action in Warren township, where he and his wife have a. wide circle of old time friends.
FRANK F. HOLZINGER. In Huntington county large quantities of that. most useful commodity, brick, are manufactured by Frank F. Holzinger, who some years ago started this business in a small way, and now is a factor in the production of more brick than any other one concern in the county. Mr. Holzinger represents an old and substantial family of Huntington township, and his own career has been one of progress and of influential activities since he reached manhood.
Frank F. Holzinger was born in Huntington township October 13, 1869, a son of John and Caroline (Eberly) Holzinger. His father, now' retired, after a long career as a farmer, is living with his wife in Hunt- ington, on Cherry street. There are four children still living at this. writing, Frank being the oldest, and the others: Joseph, of Huntington township ; Mary, wife of Joseph Harkenrother; Lena, wife of J. L. Kock.
Frank F. Holzinger was reared on the home farm, attended the dis- trict schools and later the parochial schools of Huntington, and his resi --
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dence continued with his parents, until he was twenty-six years of age, at which time he married Miss Theresa Eckert of Huntington township. She was born in that township, and like her husband received her educa- tion in the parochial schools.
Twenty-five years ago, in 1887, Mr. Holzinger started the manufacture of brick. His first kiln was a small one, and he employed only one or two hands during a portion of the year, and had somewhat crude facilities for the manufacture. At the present time he has a large plant at his home north of Huntington, located on twenty acres of land, with all the facilities for making perfect brick of several textures and commercial varieties. Mr. Holzinger also owns a half interest in the Huntington Brick Company, whose plant is located south of Huntington on the Warren Road.
The seven children born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Holzinger are : Agnes, aged thirteen; Herman, aged eleven; Francis, aged nine ; Mary, aged seven; Carl, five years old; Rudolph, who is three years old ; and Pauline, the baby. The family are communicants of the church of Sts. Peter and Paul, Catholic, at Huntington. Mr. Holzinger is a democrat in politics. He and his wife have labored together in estab- lishing a home and a gratifying degree of material prosperity, and while enjoying the estcem of the community, they find their chief pleasure in their home and in affording their children the best of advantages in schools and in training under their own supervision.
JOHN C. ETZOLD. An expert in his calling, John C. Etzold has been connected with the Circuit Court of Huntington county for almost a decade of years, and his services in the capacity of court reporter have been of a nature to carn the hearty commendation of the officials with whom he has been associated. His present high efficiency has been at- tained through constant application, untiring study and steady persever- ance, and he has been able to develop his powers of concentration to a high degrec. Mr. Etzold is a native son of Huntington county, having been born in the city of Huntington, December 11, 1873, one of twins of the eight children who formed the family of Charles and Pauline (Welz) Etzold.
Charles Etzold was born in Germany, and as a lad left the Father- land in company with his parents, the family emigrating to the United States and settling in the city of Syracuse, New York. There Mr. Etzold grew to manhood, receiving a common school education and carly learning the trade of shoemaker. He therc also met and married Pauline Welz, who had also come to the United States from Germany as a child, and after his marriage Mr. Etzold continued to reside in Syracuse for a number of years. Finally, however, deciding that he could find better opportunities in the West, he migrated to Indiana, and, settling in Huntington, established himself in business as a shoemaker. He was an carnest and thrifty workman, possessed of the honesty and industry of his race, and while he did not amass a fortune was able to keep his family in comfort and to give his children good educational advantages.
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