USA > Indiana > Marshall County > History of Indiana : containing a history of Indiana and biographical sketches of governors and other leading men. Also a statement of the growth and prosperity of Marshall County, together with a personal and family histry of many of its citizens, Vol. II > Part 22
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con, and in politics adheres to no party creed, preferring to be known as an independent.
John M. Shoemaker, for thirty-four years an enterprising business man of Plymouth, and senior member of the firm of Shoemaker & Son, dealers in fancy groceries, confections and tobacco, and proprietors of the leading restaurant of the city, is a native of Germany, and dates his birth from the 15th day of October, 1830. He early learned the jeweler's trade in his native country, and when a young man entered the German army, with which he served for a period of three years. In 1854 he came to the United States, and located at Detroit, Mich., where he fol- lowed his trade for six months, going thence to Chicago, where he was similarly employed for a limited period. His next stop- ping place was La Porte, Ind., where, in 1855, he married Lena Hausman, who was born in Germany in 1835, and came to America early in the fifties. From La Porte Mr. Shoemaker went to Michigan City, and in 1856 he located in Plymouth, where for a number of years he carried on a very successful jewelry business. About the year 1866 he purchased a mill and began the manufacture of flour in Plymouth, and was thus en- gaged for about ten years, when he sold out and began dealing in boots and shoes, which branch of business he continued until within a comparatively recent date. He subsequently took back his mill property, and after closing out the boot and shoe busi- ness, continued the manufacture of flour until 1881, when he again disposed of the mill and engaged in his present business with his son, Fred M. Shoemaker. Mr. Shoemaker has been prominently identified with the business interests of Plymouth, and has always manifested a lively interest in municipal affairs, having served at different times as member of the common council. Politically he is a democrat, fraternally a member of the Odd Fellows order, and in religion, a Catholic. To Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker have been born two children: John B. (deceased), was born in Michigan City, in 1856, died in Plymouth, March 2, 1888, leaving a wife and two children; Fred M., was born in Plymouth, November 6, 1859, educated in the city schools, and on completing his education, entered his father's business house, in which he served in the capacity of clerk until engaging with August Wolf in the clothing trade some time later. He continued the clothing business until 1881, at which time he en- tered into partnership with his father, and the firm thus formed still continues. He was married November 6, 1887, to Tena Shultz, of Michigan City, who has borne him one child, a daugh- ter, Laura.
John W. Siders was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 31, 1839, and is a son of Henry and Nancy (Kidd) Siders. His father was born in Maryland, and when a child his parents es-
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tablished their homes in Virginia, in which state he was reared. The mother was born and reared in Virginia, and her father was of revolutionary fame. The marriage of Henry and Nancy (Kidd) Siders was consummated in Ohio, and gave issue to five children, two sons and three daughters, of which only our sub- ject now survives. His father was a farmer by occupation, and died at the age of fifty-eight years, his death occurring in Illi- nois in 1860. His widow who removed to Illinois in 1856, now survives, and resides with her son. The subject of our sketch received a very limited education in the country schools up to the age of twelve years, since when he attended school for but forty days. He has gained a liberal education through the ave- nues of books, papers, and a wide experience. His father died when the son was but twenty-one years of age, and he began the struggle of life by assuming the position of the head of the family. He had taught school from the age of eighteen, teaching eleven winter terms and farming in summer. In the fall of 1875 he was elected county treasurer of McDonough county, Ill., and served two years, or one term. In February, 1878, he purchased an interest in the Plymouth Republican, and thereafter he has resided in Plymouth, and been identified with the publication of the Republican. He is a practical and able newspaper man, and a reputable citizen. He is and ever has been a staunch republi- can in politics. September 16, 1889, he was commissioned post- master in Plymouth, and is the present postmaster. June 19, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Ella J. Hume, born in McDonough county, Ill. Mr. Siders and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been active and full of perseverance. He is entitled to much credit, as an editor, citizen and official.
John Soice, a retired business man and ex-treasurer of Mar- shall county, is a native of Germany, born in Hillsbach, Baden (now Prussia), November 7, 1830. His parents were Frederick William and Regina (Brinkman) Soice, both natives of Germany, where they raised a family of three children, namely: Bernhard, a farmer of Minnesota; John, whose name introduces this sketch, and Elizabeth, wife of Charles Tascher. In the year 1839, the Soice family came to the United States, landing in New York city, after a voyage of fifty-nine days on the ocean. From New York city they traveled by railroad to Buffalo, N. Y., thence by boat over lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio, thence by the Ohio canal to Zoar, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, then by wagon to Car- roll county, Ohio, where the father began working at his trade of dyer, which he soon abandoned, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. About two and a half years later, he moved to Stark county, Ohio, where he also followed farming, until his death, which occurred February, 1844. His widow, who afterward re-
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married, came to Marshall county in 1849 with her oldest son, and resided here until August, 1871, at which time she moved to Mishawaka, St. Joseph county, where she died in October of the same year. The youthful days of our subject were spent in Stark and Carroll counties, Ohio, and at the age of fifteen, he began working for himself as a farm laborer, for one Richard Elson, in whose employ he continued two years. When seventeen years old, he began to learn the harness maker's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship, and on becoming proficient in the same, he came to Marshall county, Ind., 1850, and located at Plymouth. Being unable to find work at his trade immediately, he was em- ployed for some time on the construction of a brick jail, but later, engaged with Joseph Evans in the harness making trade, with whom, and others, he worked until the fall of 1852, at which time, he opened a shop of his own at the town of Bremen. He did a successful business there for a number of years, and while a resi- dent of the town, was very active in promoting its material in- terests. In 1860 he made a visit to Pike's Peak, Col., and after spending eight months in the gold fields with indifferent success, he returned to Bremen, which continued to be his home until his removal to Plymouth, in 1871. He was elected justice of the peace in 1856, a position he held for three terms, and in 1870, was the democratic nominee for the office of county treasurer, to which he was elected the following year. He held the po- sition of treasurer two consecutive terms, and while in the office, assisted in organizing the First National bank at Plymouth, of which he subsequently became cashier. He filled the office of cashier until 1878, when he disposed of his bank stock, and re- tired from the concern. In the spring of 1876 he purchased a farm of 300 acres in West and Center townships, to which he has since given the greater part of his attention. In 1875, he pur- chased his present brick residence on South Michigan street, where he has since resided, having practically retired from busi- ness life. Mr. Soice was married in Bremen in 1853, to Margaret Hartzog, who was born in Switzerland in 1832, and came to this country with her parents when but six months of age. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Soice, of whom the fol- lowing survive: Oliver G., present treasurer of Marshall county, and one of the leading young citizens of Plymouth; Emma A., wife of John Bell; Elizabeth E., wife of Edward S. Hogarth; Edward H., Clara A., Flora P., Milton E., Walter M., Rosa E., and Charles L. Mr. Soice is a notable example of what energy and determination can accomplish in the face of opposing cir- cumstances. As already stated, he began life for himself when but fifteen years of age, with but a limited education, and no capi- tal except a well formed determination to succeed. He learned his trade unaided, and since that time, has been compelled to rely
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entirely upon his own exertions. His sterling worth and char- acter for honesty and integrity, led the people to elect him to the most responsible position in the gift of the county, and they had no cause to regret their choice, for he discharged the duties of the office with credit to himself and a satisfaction to all con- cerned. Broad and liberal in his views, enterprising and progres- sive, he has been ready at all times to assist all worthy enter- prises having for their object the advancement of the interests of the county. He is one of the representative citizens of Plymouth.
Oliver G. Soice, treasurer of Marshall county, and one of the prominent young citizens of Plymouth, was born in the town of Bremen, this county, July 12th, 1855, and is the oldest living child of John Soice, whose sketch appears elsewhere. The early life of Mr. Soice was spent in his native town, and he received his education in the public schools, subsequently attending the Hills- dale college at Michigan, in which he completed the commercial course. He came to Plymouth in 1871, at which time his father assumed the duties of the treasurer's office. On quitting school Mr. Soice became deputy county treasurer under A. L. Thomp- son, since which time he has been continuously in the office as deputy of Mr. Thomson, Frederick Tescher and John K. Law- rence, and as county treasurer to which he was elected on the democratic ticket in 1886. Mr. Soice received a majority of 393 votes, which was a larger majority than that received by any other candidate on the county ticket that year, and at his re- election in 1888 he received a majority of 748, the largest ever given any candidate for the office of treasurer. This fact dem- onstrated the great personal popularity of Mr. Soice throughout the county, and was also an emphatic endorsement of his admin- istration of the office. Mr. Soice stands high in Masonry, in which he has taken a number of degrees, including that of Knight Templar, and is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Pythias. In 1884 he engaged in business in Plymouth in partnership with E. S. Hogarth, a well-known firm which deals extensively in groceries. Mr. Soice was married in Decem- ber, 1878, to Olive M., daughter of John D. Armstrong, of Plymouth. They have three children, viz .: Gertrude C., Claude W. and Harry J.
C. H. Swindell, dealer in butter, eggs and poultry, was born in Whitley county, Ind., February 28, 1862, the son of Charles and Sarah (Caldwell) Swindell, both parents natives of the state of Delaware. The father, who was a member of Company F, One Hundredth Indiana volunteers in the late war, was killed by a running train in Tennessee while in the service. He reared a family of five children, the following of whom are living: Emma; Joseph, who is a partner of the subject in business; May
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and C. H. The mother and children moved to Plymouth in 1881, and she died in January of the following year. C. H. Swindell was reared in his native county, attended the schools of North Manchester, and began his business life as a dealer of produce in that city in partnership with his brother. They carried on a successful trade in North Manchester until their removal to Plymouth in 1881, since which time their trade has largely in- creased, they being the most extensive dealers in their line in Marshall county. Mr. Swindell is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken a number of degrees, including that of Sir Knight, and in politics is a supporter of the repub- lican party. He was married in 1889 to Miss Erdine Showecker, daughter of Mrs. Louisa Showecker, of Plymouth.
Benjamin Switzer, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, was born October 28, 1827, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Mummert) Switzer. The parents were both natives of the southern part of Pennsylvania, and died in Columbiana county, Ohio. Their living children are the following: Isaac, Tobias, Levi, Benjamin; Susan, wife of Charles Holloway, of Michi- gan: Eliza, wife of James Crook, of Ohio; Ann, wife of Mr. Groves, of Trumble county, Ohio, and Sophia, who is unmarried. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Ohio, and early learned the carpenter's trade, and afterward engaged in the lumber business. He was married in Stark county, Ohio, October 13, 1851, to Miss Lydia Ann Blackford, daughter of Joseph and Mildred (Walker) Blackford. Mrs. Switzer's par- ents were natives of Ohio, and her grandfather, James Walker, was a gallant soldier in the war for American independence. After his marriage, Mr. Switzer resided for some time in Colum- biana county, and afterward moved to Jay county, Ind., where he followed carpentering for several years. He became a resident of Marshall county in 1861, locating at Bourbon, where he fol- lowed his trade for some time, and then engaged in the saw-mill business in which venture he was quite successful. He subse- quently moved to Kosciusco county, and later, in 1884, returned to Marshall county, and located in Center township, upon his present farm. Mr. Switzer is a substantial farmer and one of the progresive citizens of Center. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have five children: Leonda P., a mechanic, of Lincoln, Neb .; Le Roy G., of Portland, Ore .; Laura (deceased), twin sister of Le Roy; Cal- vin L., Emily A. and Alice Adelia, last two of whom are living at home.
Henry G. Thayer, a grain dealer and prominent citizen of Plymouth, was born in the town of Euclid, Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 20, 1834. His parents, Rev. George H. and Hannah (Griffin) Thayer, were natives of that state. The father was born in 1807, and was a life-long minister of the gospel, accord-
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ing to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. Henry G. Thayer, his son, had few educational advantages. The family re- moved to Indiana in 1845, and settled in Peru, Miami county, where he attended for three years, a school taught by his father. The family then went to Marshall county, and here during the win- ters of 1849 and 1850, he engaged in teaching. The careful training he had received from his father, and his general knowl- edge, eminently fitted him for the profession of teaching. In 1850 he became a clerk for H. B. Pershing, with whom he re- mained about six months, and subsequently, for a period of near five years, he remained in the employ of Messrs. Westervelt & Hewitt, as salesman, book-keeper and trusted clerk. In 1857 he graduated with honors from the Iron City commercial college, at Pittsburgh, Penn., and in the same year returned to Plymouth, Ind., and became book-keeper in the dry goods store of Cleve- land & Hewett. A few months later he was appointed deputy sheriff of Marshall county. Not long thereafter he gave up this office and embarked in the grain business at Plymouth, where he built and operated the first grain warehouse, giving the first grain market for Marshall county. About this time Mr. Thayer be- came interested at intervals with the grocery and dry goods pur- suits, only for a short time. Subsequently he became associated with N. H. Oglesbee, in the general lumber trade, which trade he suspended in 1868, by selling his interest. Thereafter he turned his whole attention to the continuation of the grain trade. This he has continued even unto now, each year increasing the magnitude of the trade and until his business has reached enor- mous proportions. Mr. Thayer is a remarkably successful and practical business man, and perhaps takes the front rank as a financier. He has amassed an ample fortune by untiring energy and industry, together with unswerving integrity. He was first a whig in politics, but in 1854 became an earnest supporter of the republican party, of whose principles he has since continued an ardent advocate. He held several positions of honor and trust. In 1872 he was a defeated candidate, by forty votes, for the state legislature as representative, and two years later received the support of his own county (Marshall) for nomination as candidate for congress, but refused to allow his name to be used as a candidate in the convention. Subsequently his party in convention, unanimously nominated him as presiden- tial elector for the Thirteenth congressional district, which posi- tion he accepted. During the civil war, although not liable to military duty, he placed a substitute in the field, and assisted the Union cause in various ways. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and has attained to the post of past grand. Mr. Thayer has long been identified with the Masonic fraternity of the city, state and nation. He received the York Rite degree in 14-B.
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1857. He held the high offices in the Blue lodge, the chapter and commandery. He held the position of grand commander of Knights Templar of Indiana. He became grand patron of the grand chapter of Indiana, also grand marshal of the general grand chapter of the United States. In 1877, at Boston, he was created sovereign grand inspector-general of the thirty-third de- gree, and honorary member of the supreme grand council of the ancient accepted Scottish Rite, for the northern Masonic jurisdic- tion of the United States. In 1878, he was initiated a member of the provincial grand lodge of the United States, of the royal order of Scotland. July 9, 1856, Mr. Thayer was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. VanValkenburgh, of Plymouth, daughter of James F. and Angelica VanValkenburgh. Mrs. Thayer is a lady of high Christian character, whose affectionate and devout qualities have no doubt largely aided her husband in achieving his success in life. Unto her marriage with Mr. Thayer have been born six children, namely: Harry, Edgar (deceased), George Henry, James Wesley, Alice Lavantia (deceased), Mary Angelica and Horace (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Thayer are zealous members of the Episcopal church, and they and family enjoy a high social standing.
Arthur L. Thomson was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., March 21, 1834. From his fifteenth year until he was twenty- one years of age, he was employed as shipping clerk by a firm in Ogdensburg, N. Y. At the end of that. term until 1861, he was clerk on the steamers Niagara and British Empire, on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence river, and in 1862 clerked on a steam tug at New York city. In 1863 he was lumber inspector at Chicago, Ill. In 1864 he came to Plymouth, Marshall county, Ind., and for two years assisted George H. Benson in the lumber trade, and in 1866 began work for H. G. Thayer in the grain business, and continued for five years, when he accepted the ap- pointment of deputy treasurer of Marshall county, under John Soice. At the end of eight years he became Mr. Soice's suc- cessor in office, and served for two terms. In 1879 he became senior member of the firm of Thomson & Brink, brick planing mill. In 1880 he bought his partner's interest in the concern, and has since then managed the business alone. In 1876 and 1878, Mr. Thomson was chairman of the democratic county central committee. He has served as clerk of both the town and city of Plymouth. From 1869 to 1881, he was vestryman of St. Thomas' Episcopal church of Plymouth, and, during the last year of that time, he was also junior warden, and was relieved from the duties of these offices by refusing to be re-elected. In 1877 he was elected director of the First National Bank of Mar- shall county. He was also city councilman from the First ward. He was married, March 1, 1869, to Miss Eunice Bell, of Plymouth,
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who died in May, 1871. He was again married, January 25, 1875, to Miss Julia E. Patterson, of this city. This second union has been blessed with three children. Mr. Thomson is a man of good business tact, fine executive ability, is very successful in business, is quite a politician, and is greatly admired by his friends.
William D. Thompson, whose brief biography is herewith pre- sented, was born in Fayette county, Ind., March 4, 1827, and traces his ancestry back through several generations to his great grandfather, James Thompson, who came to this country and settled in that part of the District of Columbia taken off the state of Maryland, where William Thompson, his grandfather was born in 1776. In 1798, was married to Miss Nancy Lewis, and moved to Bracken county, Ky., about 1800. He and his father were Baptist ministers, but after moving to Fayette county, Ind., in 1816, he severed his connection with the Baptist church, and became identified with the Disciples, of which denom- ination he was also a minister until his death. He assisted in the organization of a number of congregations in Fayette and other counties, and also preached in Marshall county, after set- tling there in 1836. On coming to this county he purchased a large tract of land near Maxinkuckee lake, on which himself and children settled. He reared a family of four sons and four daugh- ters, two of whom are now living, viz .: Mary, wife of Elias Dick- son, of Union township, and William E., of Lincoln, Neb. Lewis Thompson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born De- cember 20, 1804, in Bracken county, Ky., and was by occupation a farmer, in politics, a democrat, and a member of the Christian or Disciples church, and was married to Phebe Dickson, February 27, 1825. Of their children the following grew to maturity: William D., Alexander C., Nancy J. and Julia A. William D. Thompson came to Marshall county at the age of nine years, since which time he has resided continuously in the same county. February 14, 1850, he was married to Miss Amanda Logan, daughter of Thomas Logan, of the same county. The union has resulted in the birth of four children: Phebe C., Laura E., Al- bertus C. and Olive M. He held the office of justice of the peace in Union township, Marshall county, for four years ending in 1858, and held the office of township trustee, in Center township, same county, from April, 1882, to 1886, and in politics has always been a democrat, and is an elder in the Christian church of Ply- mouth, Ind.
Jacob Wade, a well-known merchant of Plymouth, member of the firm of Haag & Wade, proprietors of a grocery, provis- ions, hardware, tinware, cutlery and crockery house, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, June 6, 1840. After leaving school, he learned the trade of shoemaking in his native country, which
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he followed there until 1864, at which time, in company with a brother, Andreas Wade, he came to the United States, coming direct to Plymouth, where his half-brother and half-sister were then living. On arriving here, Mr. Wade at once began shoe- making, which he continued at intervals until 1870, when he was compelled to abandon the trade on account of impaired health. The same year he entered the store of Nussbaum & Mayer as clerk, in which capacity he continued thirteen years, severing his connection with the firm in 1883 to engage in business for him- self. He effected a co-partnership with Joseph Haag in the gen- eral grocery trade, to which he has since added the departments above enumerated, and the firm is now in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative patronage. Mr. Wade was married in Ply- mouth in 1867 to Elizabeth Stein, who was born in Germany in 1831 and died in this city in 1887, leaving three children, viz .: Katie, Andrew and Zeno. Mr. Wade married his present wife, Mrs. Frances Johnson, of Plymouth, on the 28th day of Novem- ber, 1889. Mr. Wade has been a member of the Catholic church since 1864, and is at this time chorister of the St. Michael congregation.
Richard Williamson was born in county Cork, Ireland, Octo- ber 28, 1815, son of James and Ann (Flynn) Williamson, who came to America in 1840 and settled in York state. Mr. Will- iamson was reared and educated in his native country, and in early life entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the mercantile business, at which he served until 1844. He came to the United States in that year and located in Evansville, Ind., where for six years he was engaged as a clerk in a dry goods house. He next went to Fairfield, Ill., where he established a business of his own, which he conducted with fair success for several years, subse- quently disposing of his stock and engaging as clerk in New York, in which city and Philadelphia he was employed for two years. In 1859 he came to Plymouth, Ind., and established a dry goods business, which he continued until 1881, meeting with good success during that period. During the last few years Mr. Williamson has not been actively engaged in business, having practically retired from the mercantile life, and is now giving his attention to his farm. He was married in 1854 to Miss Jennie B. Fillson, daughter of Robert Fillson, of Columbiana county, Ohio, but a native of Cumberland county, Penn. Mrs. Williamson was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., and is the mother of one child, a daughter, Mary, wife of Charles De May, of Chicago. Mr. Williamson's political views are in harmony with the prin- ciples of the democratic party, and the Catholic church holds his religious creed.
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