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 37
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Melkous Heinke, a farmer by occupation, and a citizen of German township was born in Saxon, Germany, June 13, 1830. He is a son of Jacob and Sophia (Franklin) Heinke. Both the father and mother were natives of Saxon, Germany, and unto their marriage were born three children: Sophia, Melkous and
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Jacob. In 1836 the parents and children emigrated to the United States, and for a short time lived in Buffalo, N. Y., where the father followed his trade of a wagon-maker. In the spring of 1837 the family settled in Stark county, Ohio, where the father continued up to 1843, when he removed his family to St. Joseph county, Ind., where he settled in the woods and took up farming for an occupation. In this county the mother died in 1875, aged seventy-four years. In 1882 the father removed alone to Kan- sas, where he died in 1885, aged eighty-three years. Melkous Heinke, the subject of this sketch, was raised and educated on a farm, and farming has been his occupation throughout life. He was married in 1852 to Elizabeth Roth, who was born in Baden, Germany, April 5, 1832, and unto their marriage there have been born four children that have reached maturity, namely: William, Philip, Mary and Sarah. Soon after his marriage Mr. Heinke settled down in life on his present farm in German township, and here he has lived the honest and industrious life of a successful farmer. He owns a well improved farm of 140 acres, and is one of the well respected citizens of his community.
George Helmlinger, a prominent merchant of Bremen, was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 11, 1839, and is a son of Chris- tian and Margaret (Chlemmer) Helmlinger. The father was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1804, and in his native schools gained a thorough education in both German and French, and for ten years taught both languages in Alsace. The mother was also born in Alsace, Germany. She died in St. Joseph county, where the father now resides. Unto Christian and Margaret Helmlinger there were born the following children: Sophia, Christian, Jacob, George, Philip and Louisa. The first two were born in Alsace, Germany, the others in the United States. In 1835 the parents emigrated to America and settled in Stark county, Ohio, where they resided until 1841, when they removed to St. Joseph county, Ind. Since coming to the United States the father has followed farming for an occupation. He resides on the old homestead where he settled in 1841, and is one of the oldest pioneers of St. Joseph county. His parents in a few years after his coming to America, came also, and died in Indi- ana. Their only daughter married in Philadelphia and died there. George Helmlinger, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and received a limited education in the early schools of Indiana. Under the instruction of his father he gained a fair education in the German language. He left the father's home, at the age of sixteen years, and began work at the shoemaker's trade, which he followed exclusively for a number of years. In 1863 he began merchandising, which he has since continued in St. Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall counties, and since 1872 has continuously been in business at Bremen. He
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began life a poor man, but by a practical business career he has grown prosperous and now has a lucrative trade established, doing an annual business of about $18,000 in general merchandise. In 1859, March 10, he was married unto Caroline Bauer, born in Stark county, Ohio, October 3, 1841, of German parentage. The marriage occurred in Bremen, and has resulted in the birth of five deceased and two living children. Those that live are William and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Helmlinger are members of the German Lutheran church, and are among the leading and best respected families of Bremen.
N. A. Herring, M. D., was born in Goshen, Ind., December 27, 1856. His father, Frederick Herring, was born in Prussia, Ger- many, October 30, 1812. The father grew to manhood in his native country, where he received a common school education, which was supplemented by a thorough course in classics, sciences and medicines, by attendance at the better academies and colleges of Germany. After completing his medical education Frederick Herring began the practice of his chosen profession in Germany, where he continued until May 13, 1855, when he emigrated with his wife and six children to the United States, subsequently making a permanent settlement in Goshen, Elk- hart county, Ind., where he has continued an active and success- ful career as a physician. He is considered among the most able and skillful physicians of northern Indiana. His marriage was consummated in Germany with Amelia Wolf, a native of Prus- sia, born June 24, 1815, which union resulted in the birth of eight children, namely: Frederick A., Mollie, Milla, Christian J., John H., Paul, Nathaniel A. and Elizabeth; the first six being born in Germany; the last two in Goshen, Ind. Of the sons, one is a leading attorney of Chicago, Ill., and two are practicing physicians. Nathaniel A., the immediate subject of this biogra- phy, is a resident physician of Bremen, Ind. He was reared in Goshen, where he received a high school education, and at- tended two terms at the Hillsdale college, of Michigan, subse- quently completing a special course in the Indiana State university, at Bloomington. In 1876 he began the study of medi- cine under the guidance of his father, and later began the prac- tice of his profession in Elkhart county. In 1878 he entered the " Bennett Eclectic Medical college, of Chicago," where he com- pleted his medical education, graduating in 1880. In the summer of 1880 he located at Bremen, where he has since continued an active and remunerative practice, with an increasing patronage. He is regarded as a successful practitioner, and ranks with the foremost of his profession in this county. In 1881 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy E., daughter of John J. Wright, a well-known citizen of Bremen. Mrs. Herring was born in Chicago, Ill., March 7, 1858, and her marriage with Mr. Herring
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has been blessed by the birth of one child, Freddie J. Dr. and Mrs. Herring are members of the Congregational church, and are among the leading people of Bremen. Dr. Herring is a representative and progressive citizen, and is a recognized friend to churches, schools, public improvement, enterprise, and what- soever concerns the public welfare.
John Huff, a furniture dealer and undertaker of Bremen, was born in Bucks township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, October 27, 1843. He is the son of Francis And Margaret (Gass) Huff. The parents were born in Reinbeir, Germany, the father in 1818, the mother in 1819. The father was a son of Francis and Elizabeth Huff, natives of Germany, and unto them there were born these children: Francis, Jacob, Elizabeth and Kasarina. The parents emigrated to America in 1836, and settled in Ohio. They died in Marshall county, and lie buried at Bremen. Their son, Fran- cis, was a farmer by occupation, and was married in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he lived and died, his death occurring in 1872. His widow still resides on the old homestead. The mar- riage resulted in the birth of the following children: John, Eliza- beth (deceased), Charles, Kasarina, Jacob, and Francis (de- ceased). John, the oldest, and the subject of this mention, was raised on a farm and given a limited education. Upon reaching his majority, he came to Bremen, Ind., where he has since re- sided. Up to 1880 he followed house carpentering. Since this date he has been engaged in the merchandising of furniture and in the undertaker's trade. In October, 1867, he was married to Christine Gass, who was born in Germany, March 12, 1843. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of two children, viz .: Elnora M. and Clayton E. Mr. and Mrs. Huff are members of the German Lutheran church, and are well respected. He is a prosperous business man of Bremen, of whose popular fire depart- ment he is a member. In politics he is a democrat.
William Huff was born in Reinbeir, Germany, February 27, 1832, and is a son of Philip and Catherine (Lahm) Huff. The parents were born in Reinbeir, Germany, and were married in their native country, and in about 1835, emigrated to America and set- tled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and later in 1851, located in German township, this county, where both died. Unto the mar- riage of the parents there were born ten children, namely, Louisa, Philip, Rebecca, Caroline, Charles, William, Frances, Jacob, Noah and Soloman. The first six were born in Germany, the others in the United States. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and both father and mother were members of the German Presbyterian church. The father died in 1873, aged eighty- two years, and the mother in 1878, aged seventy-eight years. Their son William was reared on a farm and given a common school education. He remained on the farm with his father till
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twenty years of age, at which time he took up the carpenter's trade, and followed the same until the year 1867. Since then he has been engaged in saw-milling and lumbering, in which he has amassed considerable wealth. At present he and sons are inter- ested in an agricultural store in Bremen. Mr. Huff was married in 1858, wedding Eliza Annis, born in Indiana, in 1838. The children that have been born unto the marriage are: Francette; Flora E., deceased; Eva, Clynton, Erven and Frank A. Mr. Huff is a member of the Evangelical church, and his wife a mem- ber of the United Brethren church. In politics he is a staunch democrat, and has held several positions of honor and trust in the township. In 1880, he was elected trustee of German town- ship, and was re-elected in 1882. He served two terms and made a good officer. He is a representative and enterprising citizen, enjoying the esteem and confidence of his fellow townsmen.
William H. Huff, a saw-mill operator and lumber dealer of Bremen, was born in Marshall county, Ind., March 16, 1852, the son of Philip and Lydia (Keyser) Huff. The father was born in Reinbier, Germany, June 30, 1820, and was a son of Philip and Catherine (Lahm) Huff, natives also of the same country. They emigrated to America in about 1835, settling in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. Our subject's father came with his parents, and January 23, 1845, in the above county, was united in marriage with Lydia Keyser. To this marriage there were born the fol- lowing children: John P., deceased; Eliza, Elizabeth, William, Harriet, James B., Catherine, Charles F., George W., Walter M. and Philip. November 19, 1846, the parents came to Marshall county, Ind., and settled on a farm in German township. The father was a farmer by occupation, and on coming to this country, settled in the woods, for at that time this vast domain of north- ern Indiana was in a wilderness state. The parents were of the Albright church faith, and enjoyed the esteem of a wide ac- quaintance. The father died, but the mother still survives and resides in the township. William H., the subject of this sketch, was raised on a farm and given a fair education in the country schools, which were in his day, very poor. By more or less read- ing, and by a wide experience, he has gained a knowledge of the world and of business, and is conversant with such subjects as concern the education of to-day. He remained under the parental roof till near twenty-two years of age, and then with a limited capital, began the battle of life as a farmer. In 1876 he was united in marriage with Caroline Paige, who was born April 19, 1854, in Marshall county. This union has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Myrah, Olive, Arthur W. and Alice. Mr. Huff farmed but a short time, and then engaged in saw-milling and lumbering, in which he has been engaged for over twelve years. In this pursuit through his practical ability
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as a business man, he has been very successful, and from a man of limited means he has grown to be prosperous, and is now one of the foremost business men of Bremen. In connection with Jacob Carbiener he has operated at Bremen a stationary saw- mill, of an annual capacity of one and a half million feet of lumber. Mr. Huff is a self-made and progressive citizen. He is a member of the Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., and in politics an ardent democrat. He enjoys the esteem of his fellow townsmen, and is one of their leading and enterprising citizens.
Jacob C. Kaufman, one of German township's leading citi- zens, was born in Canton, Ohio, October 28, 1838, and is a son of John Kaufman, a pioneer settler of German township. John Kaufman was born in Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, June 15, 1801. October 21, 1825, in his native land he was united in mar- riage with Catherine Adler, who was born in the same locality. This marriage resulted in the birth of the following offspring: John, Mathias, Caroline, Catherine, George, Jacob C., Elizabeth, Maria L., Margaret and Amelia. The first two were born in Germany, the others in Canton, Ohio. In 1832, the parents and the first two children immigrated from Germany to America, and settled in Canton, Ohio, and in 1849 the father purchased a land warrant for 160.acres in German township, Marshall Co., Ind., from a Mexican soldier, and after visiting the land deter- mined upon removing his family to the same, which he did in 1850, locating in the woods. Here he spent the remainder of his life as did also his wife. She died April 15, 1872, aged sixty- three years, six months and twenty-eight days. He died June 2, 1881. The father was a turner by trade, and in his native coun- try followed his trade as a journeyman. He resided in Canton, Ohio, nearly eighteen years, devoting his time to his trade, and on coming to Marshall county he followed his trade in connection with farming. He and wife were universally respected. He was an honest and industrious citizen, and in politics either a staunch whig or republican. His old homestead is still owned and culti- vated by his son, Jacob C., who is the direct subject of this sketch. Jacob C. was but twelve years of age when his parents settled in German township, where he was reared to farming, re- ceiving a fair country school education for his day. He remained under the parental roof till September 13, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company C, Twentieth Indiana volunteer infantry. He was discharged at Camp Alexandria, Va., as a private in Company F. of the same regiment, on the 31st of May, 1865. Among the several engagements in which he participated were Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, Spottsylvania Court House and others. After being honorably discharged by reason of the close of the war, he returned to Marshall county, and October 13, 1866, was married to Cather-
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ine Casper, born in Stark county, Ohio, March 5, 1839. After the marriage Mr. Kaufman settled down in life as a renter upon his father's farm, which farm he purchased in 1872. He is a practical and successful farmer, and a representative citizen. In politics he is a republican. In 1888 the people of German town- ship elected him for their township trustee, and he has just closed a successful term in this capacity. He is a member of the G. A. R., of the Bremen post, and is a member of Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M.
Absalom Keyser, a native of Tuscarawas, Ohio, was born February 18, 1841, and is one of the following children born unto Solomon and Sarah (Domer) Keyser: Lydia, Elizabeth, Jacob, Absalom, Sarah, and others that died in early life. The father and mother were born in Pennsylvania in the years 1805 and 1806, respectively, both of German descent. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1851 removed his family to Indiana, and settled in German township, this county. He set- tled in the woods and brought into a state of cultivation the present homestead of the subject of this sketch, where he lived till his death in 1875. In 1851, in partnership with Philip Huff, he built the first steam saw-mill in German township, and con- tinued to operate the same for eleven years, when it was pur- chased by Martin Kelley. This pioneer settler was a well- known and respected citizen, was a moral, sober and industrious man, and a zealous member of the United Brethren church. His widow, also a member of this church, is now past eighty-six years of age, and resides with our subject. Mr. Keyser was about ten years of age when his parents came to this county, and he was raised and educated on the farm, and his entire life has been devoted to farming as an occupation. As a farmer he is consid- ered very successful, and he owns a well improved place. April 28, 1878, he married Elizabeth Boyer, who was born in Marshall county, April 7, 1858. Unto this marriage have been born three children, namely: Oscar, Franklin and Floyd.
Zachariah Keyser was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, March 14, 1834, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Fisher) Key- ser. Both the father and mother were born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent, the former in 1798, and the latter in 1806, and in an early day they came with their parents to Ohio, where their marriage was consummated. To this marriage there were born the following children: Rosann, Benjamin, Jonathan, Mary, Zachariah, Eliza, Peter, Daniel, Jeremiah and Annie, all of whom, excepting Jonathan, Mary, Zachariah and Eliza, are de- ceased. Benjamin, Peter, Daniel and Jeremiah were soldiers in the civil war, in which they lost their lives. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in February, 1849, settled on a farm in the woods of German township, where he lived a long and
MARSHALL COUNTY.
useful life, dying in a ripe old age, respected by all who knew him. Our subject was born and raised on a farm and here he has spent his life at hard work tilling the soil, and although he began in life without a dollar, he has gained a good home and established a good name and character. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Jane Medcalf, who was born near Bremen, Ind., in 1845. Unto this marriage there have been born these child- ren: William, Phila, Ella, Clinton, Elveretta, George and Della. Mr. Keyser is a well respected citizen and a representative farmer, owning and cultivating a good farm of 150 acres in Ger- man township. He is a staunch democrat in politics.
Harmon Knobloch, a resident farmer of German township, was born in Stark county, Ohio, September 29, 1842. He is a son of Jacob Knobloch, who was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1803. Jacob was reared in his native country where he learned the stone-mason's trade and plastering. In 1823, in company with his brother Frederick, he emigrated to the United States, and subsequently settled in Canton, Ohio, where he was married to Margaret Keller, a native of Switzerland. She became the mother of the following children, and then her death occurred: Henry; Josephine, deceased; Jackson, Benjamin, Harmon, Frank- lin and Elnora. Subsequently the father married a second time, and his widow now lives in Bremen. This second marriage re- sulted in the birth of the following children: Caroline, Charles, Louis, Edward, James and Clara. Jacob Knobloch worked at his trade in Canton, Ohio, where he resided, until the fall of 1850, when he removed his family to Indiana, and located in the woods of German township, this county. After coming to Indiana he followed his trade and farming until 1865, when he removed into Bremen and built a hotel which he kept until 1869, when his death occurred. He was a Free Mason, and a charter member of the Plymouth lodge. He being a stone-mason, he cut the head- stone that marks his resting place in the Bremen cemetery, and on it he carved the square and compass, the emblems of his order. He was a worthy and well respected citizen, in politics a staunch democrat, and held in life several positions of honor and trust in the county. Harmon Knobloch, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared and educated on a farm. June 16, 1864, he was united in marriage with Sarah Mathes, born in New York, December 28, 1848. The following are the names of their children: Nella, Lillie, deceased, and Arthur. Since his marriage Mr. Knobloch has remained on the old homestead where his father settled in the county, and has led a successful life in farmning. Besides farming he was also, from 1866-74, engaged in saw-mill- ing. He and wife are members of the German Presbyterian church, and are among the highly respected families of the com- munity. In politics he is a zealous democrat. In the spring of
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1884 he was elected township trustee, and was re-elected in 1886. He is a member of the Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., and is one of the well respected farmers and citizens of German township.
Christian Knoepfle, one of Bremen's enterprising business men, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, April 23, 1835, and re- ceived a fair German education in his native schools. In early youth he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and in 1872, at the age of seventeen years, he emigrated to the United States alone, coming direct to Bremen, Ind., where he has since resided. At once he secured a situation at his trade with Christian Seiler, for whom he worked six years; after which he worked for John J. Wright, in the bending factory for six years, and in 1884 formed a partnership with Jacob Vollmer, and began the manufacturing of laths, shingles and dressed lumber. In 1878 he married Miss Caroline Vollmer, born in Bremen, August 1, 1856, of German parentage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knoepfle there have been born five children, namely: Charles F. W., Doretha, Otto, Annie and Meina. Mr. and Mrs. Knoepfle are members of the German Lutheran church, in Bremen, of which he is elder and a trustee. He is one of the representative citizens of Bremen, being one of its board of councilmen, and he is also one of the charter mem- bers of the excellent fire department, and a well respected citizen.
Adam Koontz was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), April 22, 1838, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Parson) Koontz. Both parents were born in Alsace, where they were raised and married. The following are the names of their chil- dren: Elizabeth, Caroline (deceased), Dorotha, Catherine (de- ceased), Margaret, Adam, Magdaline, John (deceased), and Peter. In 1847 the parents emigrated to the United States and settled in German township, Marshall county, Ind., on a tract of land, a part of which is now the Koontz addition in the town of Bremen, where they lived and died. They were members of the German Evangelical Association church, and the father was a farmer by occupation. The mother died at Bremen in 1855, aged fifty-two years. The father died in 1887, aged ninety-one years. Adam was only eight years old when his parents came to this country. He was raised on a farm, and learned both Eng- lish and German languages. He worked on the farm with his father up to the beginning of the civil war, and on January 16, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifteenth Indiana battery as a private. Briefly stated, the following is his military record: Harper's Ferry, Va., there taken prisoner, and on the following morning was paroled and taken to Chicago, where he was exchanged. Then at Indianapolis received a new outfit and was armed and placed back in the service, assisted in the chase and capture of Morgan, marched through Kentucky, on to east Tennessee,
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joining Burnside and taking part in the defense of Knoxville when besieged by Longstreet; and after the east Tennessee campaign was in the Atlanta campaign under Sherman. Then under Thomas to Nashville, fighting at Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, and was sent to Washington and on to Wilmington and Raleigh, N. C., and from Raleigh was sent to Indiana, where he was discharged June 30, 1865, as a second lieutenant. On leaving the service he returned to Marshall, where he has since lived, following farming for an occupation. In October, of 1871, he was united in marriage with Kate Allen, born in Pennsylvania, January 20, 1851. The following are their children: Mabel A., John R. S., Ida A. M., Milton G. N., Burt O. L., Clarence A., George W., and Milo C. E. Mr. Koontz began life with no cap- ital other than willing hands, but he has been successful, and owns a well-improved farm of eighty-nine acres. He is a fair and liberal minded man, and in politics a republican, and is one of the leading citizens of German township. He gives consid- erable attention to bee culture, in which he is quite proficient, and at this time has an apiary of about fifty hives.
Rev. C. H. Lueker, pastor of the Bremen German Lutheran church, was born in Prussia, Germany, October 12, 1843, and is a son of Gottlieb and Sophia (Hagemier) Lueker. The parents were born, reared and married in Prussia, and unto their mar- riage there were born the following children: Frederick, Charles H., Gottlieb, Sophia, Henry, Louisa, William, and An- nie L. Lueker. In 1857 the parents immigrated to the United States and settled in Madison county, Ill. Here the father died in 1881, aged sixty-six years. The mother still resides in that county and state. When his parents immigrated to this country our subject was about fifteen years of age. In Germany he had gained a fair German education, and in 1863 he entered the Con- cordia Theological college of the German Lutheran church, at St. Louis, where he graduated in 1867. From 1867 to 1869 he had charge of a congregation in Cape Girardeau county, Mo., and then from 1869 to 1888, had charge of a congregation in Dickin- son county, Kas. In November of 1888 he took charge of the church at Bremen, and beside the Bremen congregation he has charge of others at Woodland and near Plymouth. In Madison county, Ill., in 1867, he was united in marriage with Sophia Lueker, born in Prussia, Germany, June 30, 1848. Unto the marriage there have been born Martin, Clarrie, Bertha, Henry, Louis, Carl, Sophia, Adolph, deceased, August and Lydia.
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