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 35
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Railroads .- Bremen is located on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railway, and though this is the only railway touching the place, still it gives to the town an outlet to the east and to Chi- cago and the west, that presents splendid shipping facilities. In 1872 this railroad was proposed, and the progressive and liberal citizens of Bremen and vicinity, gave valuable subsidies, including right-of-way, and gratuitous donations. In this same year the survey was made, and two years later (in 1874), the road was completed, and the first train passed the observation of the Bremen citizens, through their own town and home. The rail- road is recognized as one of the best in the country, and such is its splendid system of management, that since 1874 the people of Bremen and German township have enjoyed excellent railway facilities which have enabled them to find a market with more ease than that accompanying the prior way of hauling by wagon and team, over long roads to, perhaps, Plymouth and South Bend, which cities then afforded the principal markets for the farmers. Few other towns no larger than Bremen, afford any greater traffic for railroads, as from here are shipped large quan- tities of wheat, corn, oats and other grains, live stock, timber and lumber, the last two commodities being those that have greatly added to the wealth of this section.
The growth of Bremen in population has been steady; the percentage of increase during the past decade of years has been very small and scarcely perceptible. According to reliable au- thority the actual population in 1890 is, in round numbers, 1, 100, however, 1,500, and even by some 1,800, has long been claimed as the population, but it is well known how often our town and city populations are over-estimated. Among the people of Bre- men and vicinity there are representatives from nearly all the eastern states, and, perhaps New York and Ohio are best rep- resented. There is, perhaps, no other county that is better rep- resented than Stark county, Ohio, among the early settlers, for many of them came from that county. Most of the foreign-born citizens have passed to their eternal home, and with them there have passed away nearly all of the old settlers, and only a few who participated in the early settling of the place and township 21-B.
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are left to tell the story of progress presented along the march of time. Among the population that people this town and town- ship there are lineal descendants of not a few nationalities. There are represented the German, the English, the Swiss, the Polish, the Scotch, the Irish, and others, but the most predomi- nant is, evidently, the German.
In an early day the settlement of Bremen and German town- ship was made by a hardy and sturdy people, largely German and Swiss. They took up their habitation in the wilderness of dense forests; built their log cabin homes, and began the earnest and rugged battle of life as pioneers. Hard toil was the daily lesson; many were their trials and privations. Clearing and chopping, cultivating the soil in a rude way were labors of the father and sons. The mother and daughters, too, had their irk- some duties, but amid all it is questionable if these early settlers did not live a more contented life than their seemingly more prosperous descendants. Contented with their lot and duty these pioneers struggled hard in the improvement of their farms and homes, and we of to-day are indebted to them for our mag- nificent country with its most excellent farms, and homes which make a paradise in comparison with what our forefathers had. These early settlers were not unmindful of the necessity of church, and early began to establish churches.
Religious Denominations. The religious denominations that have maintained an existence in Bremen are Lutheran, Allbright (later Evangelical association), Presbyterian (or German Re- form), United Brethren, Congregational, Catholic and Metho- dist Episcopal. The Lutheran was the first to be established, which was in 1845, by Rev. G. K. Schuster, a Bavarian. The church has ever been prosperous and has increased in member- ship until more families of Bremen and vicinity are now repre- sented in its congregation than in any other church of the place. Among the early families of the church were the Bauer, Koontz, Hay, Gass, Keifer, Vollmer and others. Their first place of wor- ship was a log cabin on the north side of the Yellow river, now in the present limits of Bremen. In 1855 a new place of worship was built on Mill street, and later, in about 1875, the present edi- fice was erected in the southeast portion of the town. It is a commodious frame, and adjacent to the same the church has a separate building in which is taught their parochial school, em- ploying regularly a teacher to educate their children in both English and German; the school is an adjunct of the church. The present pastor is Rev. C. H. Luecker, and the parochial school teacher is George Wamsgaus.
The Evangelical association, as a congregation, was organized in the late forties by Rev. Peter Burgener, a Swiss, and among the early members there were represented several families in-
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cluding the following: Berger, Beyler, Heim, Weis, Gruber, Seiler, Fentz and others. The first church house was built about one and a half miles northwest of Bremen about 1849 or 1850, and was a frame structure. This continued to be the place of worship until about the year 1868, when the present elegant frame structure was built in Bremen, on Plymouth street. The church is in a prosperous state and has a fairly large membership. There have been several ministers in charge of the congregation, and the present pastor is Rev. Mr. Speichert, a descendant of Swiss parents.
The Presbyterian or German Reformed church, of Bremen, was organized, perhaps, about 1852, and the first minister of the gos- pel in the church was by name Rev. Miller, and among the more prominent members were the following families: Voegli, Koontz, Roth, Voegler, Snyder, Diedrich, Freese and others, many of which had broken off from the Lutheran church by reason of the strict orthodoxical discipline of that church. The first place of worship was a log cabin on the site of the present cemetery of Bremen. In 1859, on lot 6, of the original plat in Bremen, the first regular church was built, and here the congregation worshiped up to 1882, in which year their present attractive and large brick edifice was erected on Center street. For a decade of years, Rev. Philip Wagner preached for the congregation, and few others have preached for them, and at this writing Rev. Meyer is acting pas- tor. The members are numerous and are zealous and active workers, and the prosperity of the church is assured.
The United Brethren church has continued in Bremen since 1853, the year in which the organization was made under Rev. S. W. Wells. Other ministers of this church have been the fol- lowing: J. S. Todd, Preston Wells, A. Richhart, H. Tack Fletcher Thomas, D. Williamson, M. Hutt, A. Reed, J. Surran, John Good, J. C. Larue, A. M. Cummins, Eph. Best, J. S. Todd, N. F. Surface and others, while the present pastor is Rev. J. W. Showley. This church had no well fixed place of worship till about 1862, when in unison with representatives from other churches there was built on the Bremen cemetery grounds, a Union church house, and here as well as other congregations, the United Brethren worshiped till about 1878-9, and then ac- complished the building of their present frame church house, in Bremen, where now a goodly number of members have a fixed place for worship.
In the fall of 1873 the first effective attempt was made that led to the organization of the Congregational church of Bremen. Messrs. Baldwin, Morris, Loney, Wright and their families held at their homes on the Sabbath appropriate services. Mr. J. J. Wright appropriated a part of his shop to a higher use, and on
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the second story of his shop there was fitted up and completed "a convenient room, which was comfortably and tastily furnished, and known as Congregational chapel. The Rev. Everts Kent, of Michigan City, was invited to preach here, and on April 12, 1874, ·a large congregation assembled and listened to the preaching of the gospel according to the Congregational church faith. In the afternoon of that Sabbath the first communion service was held, :and the church was organized, Congregational in creed or faith, and the members consisted of J. J. Wright and wife; W. D. Wright, their son; Mr. and Mrs. Loney, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Macombe, and D. J. Baldwin. The number ·of members has increased with a large percentage, and various pastors have preached for the congregation, and at this date, 1890, Rev. D. Lee Sandburn is minister in charge. It has been about ten years since a regular church house was erected. The same was erected by means of donations, and is a convenient frame, well arranged and modern in architecture, and here this denomination, now grateful for a place to worship their creator, meet in both church service and Sunday-school work, and con- stitute a zealous and prosperous society.
There are few Catholics in Bremen, still they have a place of worship. A church house of frame was erected just west of the town in 1874, Luther R. Martin, of Indianapolis, donating a lot for the site.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Bremen was organized "at an early date, and afterward the congregation purchased the Bremen Turnverein Germania hall and converted it into a de- sirable and commodious place of worship, and here they con- tinued to worship for a few years only, and subsequently the church membership grew weaker and smaller, and finally there was no class, and to-day there is no Methodist Episcopal church of Bremen.
Schools .- Bremen is blessed, too, with most excellent schools. The first school building was erected in 1853, on lot number 5, which lot was donated to the township trustee by George Beyler. The building was a one-story frame, 22x30 feet, and the first school in it was taught by George Pomeroy.
Five years later the school population had increased so much that more school room was necessary. Accordingly, in 1858, to the former building an addition of the same dimensions was made, and between the old and new a folding door was con- structed. The schools were under the supervision and instruc- tion of one teacher for a few years, perhaps until 1862 or 1865, when two teachers were employed. Not until 1871 was it found necessary to extend the capacity of the school building. In this year the building was improved and made a two-story frame at a cost for building and furniture of perhaps $4,500. In 1880
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another addition, two-story, was made, and now gives both suffi- cient capacity and convenience. The present school population of Bremen is 386. The first classification of the pupils was made in 1858. Now the school is a regular graded school with a high school department, and with a course of study adequate for giv- ing its pupils a liberal English education. For several years the schools have been under the superintendency of Prof. H. H. Miller, who is recognized as an able educator; and the superior- ity of the Bremen schools is due to his zealous efforts, assisted by three able assistant teachers.
The people of Bremen are, and may well be, proud of their good schools, and there seems to be among the masses an earn- est desire to educate; and the surety that the schools ever will continue to be prosperous, well regulated, thorough and of splendid facilities to educate the youth, is evident from the manifested interest in them.
Secret Socictics .- Among the secret societies of Bremen, the prevailing one, perhaps, is the Masonic. Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., was organized on the 2nd of March, 1869, under a dispensation, in which the following officers are named: Lewis Theobold, W. M .; Jacob Schilt, S. W .; Moses Keyser, J. W. A charter was granted and the lodge regularly organized, June 16, 1870, by E. R. Shook, of Plymouth, deputy grand master. The following have served as masters: A. B. Younkman, Lewis. Theobold, A. B. Younkman, Charles H. Lehr, Moses Keyser, Charles H. Lehr, Daniel Fore, Charles H. Lehr, A. B. Younk- man, G. W. Moody, A. B. Younkman, up to 1886, when Christian Seiler was elected; then A. B. Younkman, and the present master, John W. Braugher. The lodge is a prosperous one, and consists of a working membership of perhaps twenty-seven.
Bremen lodge, No. 427, I. O. O. F., was organized Novem- ber 20, 1873, with following charter members: A. C. Holtzen- dorff, Andrew Berger, John Bauer, Gottlieb Rosenbaum, Jacob Walter. This fraternity continued an existence up to about 1888, when for lack of energy and interest among the members, the lodge was discontinued and the charter surrendered.
During 1872-3-4 the Grangers maintained an existence, but its fate was in common with many others of its kind in Indiana, and hence was of short duration.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen organized a lodge here, and continued for a short period, covering perhaps two or three years, probably from 1882 to 1885, and was discontinued in the absence of prosperity.
In September, 1889, there was organized, with a membership of eighteen, the Knights of Maccabees of the world, a secret society having perhaps, for its main purpose, mutual insurance of
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its members. The lodge is still continued, but not maintaining an active growth, as there are only fourteen members.
The Hartzog post, No. 400, department of Indiana, G. A. R., was organized January 1, 1885, with thirty-five charter members. The following have been the commanders: Adam Koontz, Joseph W. Hume, Jacob Kaufman, D. C. Smith, and now (1890) Adam Koontz. The post contains an affiliating membership of about thirty-five, and is one of the most active in this section, and is attended with prosperity and evidence of a long con- tinuance.
Fire Department .- The fire department of Bremen was or- ganized and established September 8, 1874, at which time there were issued bonds to the amount of $2,100 to purchase the neces- sary apparatus. However, the bonds have been redeemed and now the town is clear of debt. The town has a building for the fire department apparatus, which consists of an excellent hand engine, two hose carts and 1,200 feet of hose, and a hook and ladder wagon. At appropriate locations in the town there have been excavated sixteen cisterns, from which ample water may at any time be had for extinguishing fires. There are eighty-five members of the department, divided into four divisions: An engine company, a hook and ladder company and two hose companies. The following have been chiefs of the fire department: H. J. Macomber, 1874 to 1877; A. B. Younkman, 1877 to 1879; H. H. Miller, 1879 to 1890. Hoosier Hook and Ladder Co. No. I was organized June 5, 1874, with Adam Hans foreman, and in 1890 the foreman is Edward Conrad. It is a most excellent company and took the first prize at the fireman's tournament at Bourbon, in September, 1877, running 300 yards, stacking ladder and putting man over top, time: thirty-four and a half seconds. The Union Engine company was organized October 15, 1874, with John Walter, foreman, and at the present, John Huff is the foreman. Union Hose company No. I was organized October 14, 1874, with Charles Glass as foreman, and the present foreman is Goetlieb Brenlin. Union Hose company No. 2 was organized June 13, 1878, and subsequently disbanded and there was organized an expert hose company and is known as Hose company No. 4, with S. G. Lehr as present foreman. September 6, 1877, the engine and hose companies attended the firemen's tournament at Goshen, Ind., where they made the best time, running 100 yards, laying fifty feet of hose and throw- ing water fifty feet, in thirty-four and one-fourth seconds, receiving the first prize, amounting to $80. Hose company No. 4, in September of 1885, at a tournament at Michigan City, won first prize, receiving $100 and a water service. In August, 1887, at Plymouth, they received $50 and the championship of Indiana.
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The Union Engine Company No. 1, in 1882, won the state championship as an engine company, and it was in 1885, at South Bend, that Messrs. Ed. Hickeman and Theo. Walter, as couplers from this fire department, took the world championship from Bret. The department is the best organized and drilled in Indiana, and is a most excellent department.
The Bremen Cornet band is one of the best in Indiana, and was organized in 1866. In 1861 the first band of Bremen was organized with Peter Vogeli as leader, and Mr. Vogeli also be- came leader of the Cornet band and was its leader up to a recent date, in fact till ill health necessitated him to resign the leader- ship. The band consisted of nine members and nine pieces of music when organized. They had become skillful in music under its veteran musician and leader, and now consists of fourteen members, all of whom are good musicians.
Newspapers .- About 1872 the first newspaper published in Bremen was established and published by the Macomber Bros., and was known as the Bremen Clipper. It continued but a short time and was suspended. In 1876 Charles W. Sweeny published, in the interest of democracy, the Bremen Gazette, but it, too, was of short duration. About 1878, George and Lee Sunderland, brothers, established the Bremen Banner, a weekly issue. It was the first newspaper of any consequence, and gained a fair circu- lation, and was fairly well appreciated by the patrons. It was discontinued about 1888. Bremen now has a prosperous and fixed publication as a newspaper, and is known as the Bremen Enquirer. It was established in 1885 by Brook H. Bowman, who made the first issue of his paper November 17, 1885. Each week, since this date, it has appeared as an eight column sheet, neat, newsy and ably edited by its founder, who has continued as editor and proprietor. It has gained a circulation of 800, and has an assured prosperity. It is neutral in politics, and aims and does give its many patrons the current news of interest.
Physicians .- Among the early physicians of Bremen and Ger- man townships, there were Dr. Pollard and Dr. Moore, who prac- ticed here in the forties. In 1854, Dr. William Stange became the first resident physician of Bremen, and here he continued for many years, his death occurring about 1887. In 1856, Dr. Chris- tian Seiler located at Bremen, and here continued an active and successful practice till his death occurred in 1883. He was a trusted family physician of more than a local reputation as an able physician, and by his practice in the profession amassed a fortune, dying universally respected by all who knew him. Dr. Baird was also a well-known physician who practiced medicine and resided in Bremen from 1866 to 1875, his death occurring in the latter year. In 1867, Dr. A. B. Younkman located in Bremen, and began the practice of medicine. He has continued an active
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and successful career as a physician and surgeon, and is one of the four physicians now practicing at Bremen. More recently the other three physicians, namely, Drs. Wahl, Church and Her- ring, have located here at Bremen, and built up a practice. There is also in Bremen a skilled dentist, Dr. A D. Scott; and also an able veterinary surgeon, Chas. H. Gollatz. The following are physicians who located and practiced medicine in Bremen but a brief time: Drs. Deppler, Oults, Bishop and Moody.
The legal profession is also represented in Bremen by a very able attorney, S. J. Hayes. Mr. Hayes has practiced law here several years, and is recognized as a man of strong legal mind and ability by not only the people in general, but by the members of his own profession.
George Balsley, a representative farmer of German town- ship, was born in Marion county, Ohio, April 19, 1840, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Hunselman) Balsley. The parents were native of Alsace, Germany, were married in Marion county, Ohio, and their union resulted in the birth of the following chil- dren: Sophina, Jacob C., John, George, Joseph, Sarah, Cath- erine, Mary and Charles. In the fall of 1847 the parents left Ohio, and came to Indiana, locating in German township, Mar- shall county, where their deaths subsequently occurred. George Balsley was reared and educated on a farm, and remained with his parents till past twenty years of age, working at farm work. In 1860 he went west and for a few months was in the gold mines of Pike's Peak, Colorado. He returned to this county, and in 1861 married Mary Radabaugh, who became the mother of one child, namely, William W., after whose birth she was called away by death. In 1873 Mr. Balsley married for a second wife, Caro- line Frie, who was born in Germany, March 28, 1850. To this marriage there have been born the following children: Minnie, Elizabeth, Elnora, James H., Clem S., Walter S., Harmon C., Cora Alice and Lee Roy. Mr. Balsley enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth Indiana volunteer battery, September 13, 1862, and was discharged June 30, 1865. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and participated in many engagements, among which were the siege of Knoxville, Resaca, Atlanta Campaign, Frank- lin, Nashville and others. At the close of war Mr. Balsley re- turned to Marshall county, and has since mainly followed farm- ing in German township. In connection with farming he has spent eight years in saw-milling. He is a thrifty and successful farmer, and an industrious citizen. He is a member of the G. A. R., Hardzog post of Bremen; also of the Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., and in politics he is a staunch republican.
John Bauer, Jr., a native of Stark county, Ohio, was born September 14, 1836, and is a son of John and Margaret (Foltz) Bauer. The father was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1812, and
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the mother in Beirn, Germany, in 1814, and with their respective parents they emigrated to America, in about 1833. They were married in Starke county, Ohio, about the year 1834, and their union resulted in the birth of the following children: Elizabetil, John, Adam, Caroline, Jacob, George, William, Charles and Maggie. For ten years after their marriage they resided in Ohio, and in 1844 emigrated to Indiana, and settled near Bremen, Mar- shall county. Here the mother died in 1861. The father mar- ried a second time in 1865, and now resides in Bremen, as one of its oldest and best citizens, whose life has been spent in farming. John Bauer, his son, was reared on a farm, and given a fair edu- cation in the German language, and also acquired a fair knowl- edge of the English branches. Farm work was his duty till he was about seventeen years old, when he learned blacksmithing, which he followed some eight or nine years. In 1859 he married Miss Margaret Walters, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, in 1837, dying at Bremen in 1877. The above marriage was blessed by the birth of four children, namely: William (de- ceased), Mary E., Lucinda and Annie. In 1881 Mr. Bauer mai- ried for a second wife, Mary Eslinger, born in St. Joseph county, Ind., January 17, 1845. In 1860 Mr. Bauer became a hotel proprietor in Bremen, where he kept hotel for about eighteen years. In 1874, he built the " American house," and operated it for one year, selling out in 1875. Later he was in the boot and shoe business for a short time. In the fall of 1884 he was ap- pointed postmaster for Bremen, and he held the office till in the fall of 1888. He has held several positions of trust in the county and town, once serving a term as county coroner, and is at pres- ent one of the Bremen councilmen. He is a member of the Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., and in politics a staunch democrat.
Brook H. Bowman, editor and proprietor of the Bremen Er- quirer, is a native of Albion, Ind., born May 31, 1863, and is the only surviving issue of the marriage of Simon and Cornelia (Baughman) Bowman. The father and mother were born in Ohio, and their marriage was consummated in Noble county, Ind. March 21, 1865, the father became a Union soldier, and later was made second lieutenant of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana infantry, with which he served until his death, which occurred at Nashville, Tenn., August 19, 1865. Subsequently, in 1867, his widow was wedded to O. H. York, whose death occurred at Lisbon, Ind., in 1876, and she, in 1878, became the wife of Henry M. Garver, with whom she now re- sides in Bremen. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Albion and Kendallville, of Noble county, where he was reared. When his mother married Mr. Garver, she brought her son with her to Bremen, at which time he was but fifteen years
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of age. He secured work in the printing office of the Bremen Banner, and here learned the art of setting type. Here, as a printer, he worked till in 1884, when, with a partner, he located at Rome City, Ind., and founded and published the Clipper, till in 1885, when he sold out his interest to his partner. Subse- quently, for a short time, he was engaged at work in the office of the Fort Wayne Daily Gazette. In the fall of 1885, he returned to Bremen and began the publication of the Bremen Astonisher, now the Enquirer. His paper is an independent weekly, and has a circulation of about 700 copies. As an editor Mr. Bowman ranks well, and at his early age he achieved much success in his chosen avenue of life. He is a member of the K. O. T. M., of Bremen, and of the Sons of Veterans.
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