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 38
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William B. Macomber, a citizen of German township, is the subject of the following biography. Sometime prior to the French and Indian war (1754-63) there emigrated to America from Scotland three brothers, one of whom settled near Boston, Mass., one near Concord, N. H., and one near Niagara Falls, in
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Canada. A son of the Massachusetts settler became the father of several children, among whom was Elijah Macomber, the father of the following children: Stephen, Adams, Eliza, Wash- ington, Horatio, Julia, Leonard and John. The father settled in Durham, Androscoggin county, Me., and here, July 26, 1808, his son Adams was born. Adams Macomber was united in mar- riage with Betsie Briggs, who was born in Auburn, Me., Octo- ber 7, 1805. She was a daughter of William Briggs, a native of Massachusetts and of English lineage. Unto the above mar- riage there were born: William B., Elijah A., Hiram J., John L. and Zebina A. Macomber. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and resided in Maine till 1845, when he removed his family to Winnebago county, Ill., where he engaged in farming. In the spring of 1850 he settled in Elkhart county, Ind., where he died November 3, 1853. The mother died in Bremen, February 15, 1884. The parents were of the Universalistic church faith. William B., their oldest son, is our subject. Elijah A. became a second lieutenant in Company B, Twenty-ninth Indiana volun- teer infantry, and at the battle of Chickamauga, Tenn., received a wound that caused his death at New Paris, Ind., September 20, 1864. Hiram J., of South Dakota, is a resident minister of the gospel in the Congregational church. John L. is farming in Kan- sas, where he went in 1882; he left Indiana in 1876, as did also Zebina A., who is now farming in Missouri. William B. was born in Parkman, Piscataquis county, Me., November 19, 1833. He was aged seventeen when he located in Elkhart county, and he resided there till 1866, since when he has lived in German township of this county. He received a limited common school education, but has gained a fair knowledge of general subjects through the general reading of books and papers. At the age of eighteen he began life for himself, by daily labor at various things, but principally carpentering, in which he worked for about nine years. Since that time farming has been his principal occupation, but for over twenty years, in connection with farm- ing, he was engaged in saw-milling. September 16, 1861, he married Miss Belinda Hess, born in Elkhart county, Ind., Sep- tember 12, 1838. The marriage has resulted in the birth of the following children: Charles A., Tremella J., Mary E., Julia E., Ira L., Lewis E. and Betsie C. Mr. and Mrs. Macomber are members of the United Brethren church, and are highly re- spected. He is a republican politically, and is one of the repre- sentative and progressive citizens of the county.
IV. F. Mensel, station agent, telegraph operator and express agent at Bremen, was born in Marshall county, Ind., October 13, 1862, and is a son of August and Barbara Mensel, early settlers of Bremen. He was born and reared in Bremen, and received a common school education in the schools of the town. In 1880
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(December) he went into the B. & O. railway office at Bremen, and here learned railway office work, together with telegraphy, and in February of 1882 he took charge of the office, and has continuously held the position since. In December, 1883, he married Miss Laura M. Bowman, a native of Indiana. The children are Harry and Frank. He is a member of the K. O. T. M. of Bremen.
Prof. Henry H. Miller, who has been the popular principal of the Bremen schools for over twelve years, was born in Tus- carawas county, Ohio, March 6, 1851, and is a son of Philip and Catherine (Maurer) Miller. The father and mother were born in Bavaria, Germany, in the years 1819 and 1827, respectively. The father was a son of Philip and (Hettesheimer) Miller, natives of Bavaria, Germany, emigrating to America in 1835. Unto them were born: John, Philip, Frederick and Catherine, whose births occurred in Germany. Our subject's parents were married in about 1846, and to their union were born the following children, viz .: Catherine, Frederick, Henry H., Caroline L., Philip P., Charles W., George W., Adam, Frederick C. and Mary M. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Ohio, in 1885. The mother survives and resides in Ohio. Henry H., the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, and he gained a fair common school education, which in after years he broadened by graduation, in 1877, from the Northern Indiana normal school of Valparaiso. He completed the scien- tific course, receiving the degree of B. S. He taught five terms in the district schools, and in 1879, took charge of the Bre- men schools, in which he has won the esteem and confidence of the patrons who regard him as a very able and successful teacher. In 1877 he was united in marriage with Harriet Ringle, born at Bremen, May 3, 1853. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Ada M., Verne A. and Charles O. Mr. Miller is a member of the Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M. . He has been chief of the Bremen fire depart- ment since 1878, and was one of its charter members. In poli- tics he is a democrat. He is insurance agent for four good com- panies, and is a leading and progressive citizen.
Daniel Ringle, one of the pioneers of German township, was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., September 12, 1809. He is a son of Daniel and Mary (Baum) Ringle. The father was born in Lehigh county, Penn., in 1869, and died in Stark county, Ohio, in 1834. He was a son of Mathias Ringle, who was born in Old Philadelphia, of German extraction. Mathias Ringle was the pro- genitor of the following offspring: Abraham, John, Joseph, Adam, Jacob, Eve, Margaret, Elizabeth, Daniel and Mary. The father was married a second time. He was a wagon master in the col- onial army during the American revolution for seven years, un-
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der the command of Gen. Washington. Daniel Ringle, his son, was united in marriage with Mary Baum, who was born in Le- high county, Penn., in 1772, and died in Stark county, Ohio, in 1856. Unto the above union there were born the follow- ing children: . Elizabeth, Margaret, Adam, Mathias, Mary, John, Susannah, Daniel, Nancy, Barbara and Sarah. The father served in the early Indian wars. He was a blacksmith by trade and also farmed for some years, and moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1816. His son Daniel, was but a boy at this time. He was reared on a farm and given a meager education in reading, writing and arithmetic. He worked on the farm with his father till he was past twenty-four years of age, and then with a very limited capital began the battle of life. He started on boat down the Ohio, passed up the Mississippi, thence to Peoria, Ill., then walked to Chicago, then to St. Joseph county, Ind., where he arrived in 1835. After purchasing lands, he visited Ohio, then returned to Indiana and purchased in German town- ship, this county, a tract of land. In 1837, in Ohio, he was united in marriage with Eliza Carus, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 15, 1818. She is a daughter of John and Hannah Carus, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent. The above marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Sarah Ann, Mary M., Martha E., John C., William C., Elizabeth, David C., Wesley, Harriet, Harrison and Ellsworth. In IS39, Mr. Ringle located on his purchase in German township, where he farmed till 1856. In 1854, he built the first saw-mill of Bremen, and subsequently spent nine years in saw-milling, together with farming, which he discontinued in 1863, since which time he has resided in Bremen. At this period he embarked in merchandis- ing, which he continued for about twenty-two years. Since then he has lived somewhat of a retired life. He is one of the oldest and best respected early settlers of Bremen, and has held several offices, among which were township clerk under the old law, and that of justice of the peace, which office he now holds. In politics he is an ardent republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church, but formerly was a member of the Evan- gelical Association.
Jacob Schlosser was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 29, IS29. He is a son of Jacob and Doretha (Ritchie) Schlosser, both natives of Bavaria, unto whom were born five children, Jacob being the oldest. He came to America in 1848, with his brother Philip, was reared to farming to the age of thirteen, and then was taught the trade of a locksmith. Upon reaching the United States he landed in the city of New York, where he fol- lowed the baker's trade, and in 1857, nearly ten years later, he was united in marriage in that city to Margaret Karrer, who was born in Baden, Germany, October 18, 1829. She is the daughter
Mary Ann Seiler
yours ding Christian Seiler for
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of George and Elizabeth (Oblender) Karrer, unto whom there were born thirteen children, Margaret being the oldest but one. The mother died in the old country, and in 1855 the father and eleven children (two having died) emigrated to the United States and located in New York city. The father, subsequently, lived and died in New Jersey. Unto the marriage of Jacob and Margaret Schlosser there have been born the following children: Frederick, Philip, George, Henry, Jacob, Doretha E., Gustav, William and Samuel, all living. In June, 1857, Mr. and Mrs. Schlosser came to Marshall county from New York city, and set- tled in the woods on their present homestead in German town- ship, and here they have continued to reside ever since, Mr. Schlosser following farming for an occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Schlosser are members of the Evangelical church and enjoy a high social station. Near their home, and one mile from Bre- men, is situated the Cottage Grove creamery, which is owned and operated by two of their sons, Henry and Jacob, with whom Philip was formerly associated. The creamery was established in 1884, and is one of the valuable enterprises of German town- ship. Here is manufactured a fine grade of creamery butter, which finds a market largely in Baltimore, New York, Chicago and other cities, to where the enterprising proprietors also ship large amounts of eggs. Henry, the senior member of the firm, was born March 28, 1863, and Jacob was born May 15, 1865, and both are young and practical business men of energy and enterprise.
Frederick Schlosser, a young and energetic farmer of Ger- man township, was born in the township February 23, 1858, the son of Jacob Schlosser, an early settler of the county. He was reared and educated on a farm, working with his father until he was past twenty-one years of age, then he left home and became a hired hand at farm work, which he continued for three years. In 1883 he was united in marriage with Alice Alberts, who was born in German township, July 12, 1862. She is a daughter of John Alberts, who died a Union soldier in the civil war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schlosser's marriage there have been born two children, namely: Harriet Etta and Hazel Margaret. Mr. Schlosser, after his marriage settled down in life on his father's farm and took up the pursuit of agriculture, which he has since continued as an occupation. In 1889 he purchased his present homestead of eighty acres near Bremen, and here resides, mak- ing dairy farming somewhat of a specialty. He is an industrious man, a well respected citizen, and in politics is a firm republican.
Christian Seiler, Jr., the subject of this sketch, first saw the sun rise on the morning of March 18, 1838, on the shore of Lake Brienz, near Interlaken, Canton Berne, in Switzerland. His father was born in the same house on August 10, 1806. His
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mother was Anna Fentz, born August 15, 1810, in Gsteigwyler, a romantic spot within two miles of Interlaken. Her father was a farmer. In the year 1798, when the French generals took Berne, the capital of Switzerland, and demanded all the money that had been hoarded up there, in the national treasury, for ages, Grandfather Fentz was called on as a militiaman to help defend his country. Perhaps the first and only duty he performed was to obey the orders of some French commander to watch the money that was boxed up and ready on the sidewalk in front of the treasury building for shipment to Paris. Afterward the old man often said that he was a fool for not taking a box of the gold and walking away with it. He was in that day considered a wealthy man, as he owned a great deal of land, cows, horses and sheep. In the summer season he was always up in the Alps herding his stock and making cheese and butter. In the spring of 1837 Christian Seiler, Sr., and Anna Fentz were united in marriage, and to them six children were born, viz .: Christian; Frederick, born October 12, 1839, and Anna, January 1, 1841, both dead; Anna (now Mrs. Freese, living in Bremen), born March 18, 1843; Susan and Margaret (twins), born October 11, 1849, all in the same house in Switzerland. In the year 1853 the Seiler family determined to emigrate to America to better their fortunes, having heard and read much of this fruitful land and the oppor- tunities it offered to those who were seeking homes. So on the 13th day of October, 1853, the entire family started from their native home for the western world. They made their way across Switzerland, through France to Paris, and thence to Havre where they took passage in a French sailing ship, and after a voyage of twenty-eight days arrived safely in the harbor of New York. They remained there over Sunday, and then proceeded west by way of the Erie railroad to Buffalo, by boat to Cleve- land and Toledo, thence by the Lake Shore to South Bend, Ind., where they arrived on the Ist of December. On the 5th of that month they rode on an ox wagon, owned by Uncle John Dietrich, to the town of Bremen, which was their destination. Christian Seiler, Sr., bought of his brother-in-law eighty acres of land one mile west of Bremen, for $700, of which $300 was paid in cash. The subject of this sketch was bound out to his uncle, John Dietrich, for the period of five years to earn the $400 that was unpaid on the land. About June Ist, 1854, Dietrich with his family moved to Bremen into a log house, and in the spring of that year erected the first cabinet shop, in which our subject learned his trade and served his time, which ended January Ist, 1859. In 1859 young Seiler went to Olney, Ill., where he worked as a carpenter in summer and as a cabinet-maker in winter. He received for wages $1.25 a day and board. Return- ing to Bremen Mr. Seiler continued to work at his trade with
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good success until the breaking out of the civil war in 1861. In the fall of that year he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-ninth Indiana volunteer infantry. He took part with his regiment in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, and siege of Corinth. During several months of the year 1863 Mr. Seiler occupied the honorable position of color-bearer of his regiment. In October, 1863, he received an injury that compelled him to lay off for a while, and a month later was discharged by reason of expiration of service. Returning to Bremen he resumed work at his trade. On the 15th of February, 1866, Mr. Seiler was united in marriage to Mary Ann Beyler, who was born in German township in 1846. To their union were born the follow- ing children: Frederick William, Margaret Ellinore, Eda Annie, Edward Clayton, Clara Erclina, Jennetta May, Emma Estalla, Josephine and two sons who died at birth. Of the above men- tioned ten children, the six girls are all living and the four boys are all dead. Mrs. Seiler's father was George Beyler, a native of Alsace, France, who came to this country in 1833, first settling in Ohio, and later in Marshall county, Ind. In 1837 he married Rebecca Lehr, a native of Lancaster, Penn. Mr. Beyler cleared land and was very successful in business, accumulating a great deal of property during his useful life. He was a good Chris- tian man, holding membership with the Evangelical association for thirty-five years. He lived respected and loved by all who knew him, and died in 1881, aged nearly seventy years, sincerely lamented by the whole community. His wife still survives him. The subject of our sketch worked at his trade until 1871 when he built a shop and storehouse and went into the furniture and undertaking business, in which he remained and prospered until 1882, when he sold out to John Miller, of La Porte. He has held the positions of assessor of German township, member of the town school board, clerk and treasurer of Bremen and justice of the peace. He filled all these offices conscientiously and gave satisfaction to the people who had conferred the honors upon him unsolicited. Mr. Seiler built a house in Bremen for his aged father, when he retired from farming in 1873 on account of old age. He died there December 17, 1873, aged over sixty- seven years, and was followed by his gcod wife on the 16th day of March, 1887, aged seventy-six years. Mr. Seiler is not a member of any church, but belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and the G. A. R. post of Bremen, Ind. In 1881 he took a run over to the old country, revisiting beautiful Switzerland, the scene of his birth and childhood, and visited other countries, remaining abroad about three months.
Rev. Daniel Showley was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Janu- ary 23, 1846, and his paternal great-grandfather was Jacob Show- ley, a native of Switzerland, and the father of one son, Jacob by 23-B.
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name. His wife's given name was Susannah, and she was also a native of Switzerland, where their son was born. This Swiss family emigrated to the United States in 1804, and settled in Liberty township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, where they afterward lived and died. The father was a farmer by occupation, and continued upon the farm where they settled till his death, De- cember 25, 1810, aged sixty-eight years. His wife died March 7, 1814, aged fifty-three years, and they both lie buried on the old homestead. Their son was eleven years of age when his parents came to this country, and he grew to manhood on the farm in Ohio, where his marriage was consummated with Ursilla Salada, a native of Switzerland, coming to America with her parents in about 180S. To the above marriage were born nine children, of whom only two sons, Samuel and Jacob. reached maturity, the others dying in early life. The parents, late in the fifties, re- moved from Ohio to Fulton county, Ind., where they continued till called away in death. The father died December 3, 1864, aged seventy-one years, seven months and twenty days; the mother died April 10, 1870, aged seventy-six years and three months. Their son, Samuel, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 12, 1821, and February 28, 1841, was united in marriage with Ann M. Burkhardt, who was born in Switzerland, March 25, 1815, coming with her parents to the United States in about 1830. Unto her marriage with Samuel Showley there were born eleven children, of whom four reached maturity, namely: Sarah A. (deceased), George who died a Union soldier in the civil war), Daniel and Jacob B. The father was a shoemaker by trade and a farmer by occupation. He and family came to Fulton county, Ind., in 1853, where he died November 17, 1884. The mother's home is now with Daniel, the subject of this biography. Our subject was reared on a farm and given a fair common school education in the country schools. He worked on the farm with his father till twenty-two years of age, and January 2, 1868, in Wayne county, Ind., his marriage was consummated with Cath- erine E. Urbin, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 15, 1848. The above marriage has resulted in the birth of ten children, of whom the following are living: Minnie E., Nor- ma O., Samuel M. J., Jesse Ray, Bartmas and Otis Earl. For about nine years after Mr. Showley's marriage he farmed in Ful- ton county. February 24, 1877, he became a licensed preacher of the gospel in the United Brethren church, and since contin- ued an active life as a minister. He is now serving his third term as pastor of the United Brethren congregation of Bremen, where he resides. Mr. Showley is a faithful worker in his church, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of all. The Showley family have all been reared in the United Brethren church faith, from the Swiss emigrant on down to the present generation, and
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our subject is regarded as an able man in his profession, and be- fore him lies a bright future.
D. C. Smith, the present postmaster of Bremen, was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 1, 1841, and is a son of James and Susan (Tschupp) Smith. The father was born in Allegheny county, Penn., January 27, 1818, and the mother in Stark county, Ohio, April 30, 1819. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah, David, Annie, Jacob, Maria, Lydia, Susan, Daniel, Cath- erine, Emaline, Samuel and Hannah. The immediate subject of this mention was raised and educated on a farm. Septem- ber 15, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Seventeenth Indiana volunteer mounted infantry, with which he participated in the battles of Nashville, Anselma, and other engagements. At Anselma he received a wound, losing his left arm. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, August 28, 1865, by reason of the close of the war. Just before enlisting in the army, August 14, 1864, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Susan A. Hopkins, who was born in Stark county, Ind., February 22, 1840. To this union there have been born the following children: Dora E., Lydia M., Etta M., Elmer G., Charles E., Eva J. and Bessie. After the close of the war, Mr. Smith returned to his wife in St. Joseph county, and at South Bend took a course in commercial education. For two years he served in South Bend as constable and deputy marshal, and two years as assistant post- master. Then for eight years he was traveling salesman for reapers, binders, mowers and general wrapping paper, and from 1884 to 1886 he was engaged in the farm implement business at South Bend. In 1886 he came to Bremen, and engaged in the implement business. In the spring of 1887 he was elected town marshal in Bremen, and in the same spring was elected constable, and re-elected in the spring of 1889. In 1888, in the republican county convention at Plymouth, he was nominated candidate for sheriff, and in the fall election reduced a majority of near 700 to 240 votes, and this may be cited as an evidence of his popularity throughout the county. October 1, 1889, he was appointed post- master at Bremen and still holds this office. Mr. Smith is a staunch republican in politics, and is a member of the G. A. R., Hardzog post, of Bremen, and of the K. O. T. M., of Bremen.
Simon Snyder, an old and well-known resident of Marshall county, is a native of Lancaster county, Penn., born September 23, 1811, the son of Henry and Mary (Restler) Snyder. The fam- ily is of German descent, the paternal grandfather, John Snyder, having come to America from Saxony, Germany, prior to the revolution, in which struggle he took a part. The following are the names of the children born to Henry and Mary Snyder: Henry, Simon, Catherine, Mary, Salome and Elizabeth. The mother died in Lancaster county, Penn., and the father departed
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this life in Kosciusko county, Ind. Simon Snyder early learned the carpenter's trade, and at the age of sixteen removed with his parents to Ohio, and in 1844 became a resident of Indiana, locat- ing in Marshall county. He was married in Stark county, Ohio, May 9, 1841, to Salome Schmachtenberger, a native of the same county and state, whose birth occurred October 14, 1817. To this union were born the following children, viz .: Martin, Benja- min, Henry, William (deceased), Margaret, James B. and Simon (deceased). Mr. Snyder has been a resident of Marshall over forty-five years, and during his long period of residence has built up an enviable reputation as an honest, intelligent and progres- sive citizen. He has undergone many hardships and trials inci- dent to a life in a new country, but has lived to see his labors crowned with abundant success, being at this time one of the substantial and well-to-do farmers of the township in which he resides. He is a democrat in politics, and has held several minor official positions at different times.
Peter Voegeli was born in Switzerland, February 21, 1839. He is a son of Ulrich and Barbara (Schild) Voegeli. The father and mother were born in Switzerland. and both died at Bremen. Ulrich Voegeli was born March 14, 1802, and died March 18, 1866; Mrs. Voegeli was born November 29, 1805, and died in May of 1885. They were blessed in their marriage by the birth of the following offspring: Barbara, Elizabeth, Ulrich, Mar- garet, Mary and Peter, all of whom were born in Switzerland. The family immigrated to America in 1850, leaving their native land April 16, and locating in Marshall county, Ind., July 5, 1850, settling on a farm near Bremen. The father, who followed farming here, was a drill master of recruits in the Swiss army. His later years were spent operating a meat market in Bremen. He and wife were members of the German Reformed church, and were well-respected citizens. Peter Voegeli was reared on a farm and educated in both the English and German languages. In 1857 he took up the cooper's trade, which he has followed all his life. October 22, 1861, he enlisted as a musician in the band of the Thirty-fifth Indiana volunteer infantry, and September 9, 1862, was discharged by reason of Gen. Buell's order No. 43, or- dering all volunteer regiment bands to be discharged. Jan- uary 2, 1864, he re-enlisted as bugler in the Twenty-first Indiana battery of light artillery, with which he served until honorably discharged, June 26, 1865. December 29, 1868, he was united in marriage with Annie Hardzog, born in Marshall county Septem- ber 26, 1845. The marriage has given issue to the birth of three children: Frank L., Charles N. and Clemens O. Mr. and Mrs. Voegeli are members of the German Reformed church. She oper- ates the leading millinery store in Bremen, and he follows his trade for a livelihood. He is a member of the G. A. R., Hard-
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