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 39
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zog post, No. 400, of Bremen, and in politics he is a staunch re- publican. He is a natural musician, and is a leading member of the excellent Bremen cornet band.
G. F. Wahl, M. D., a practicing physician of Bremen, was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., April 23, 1859. He is a son of Michael and Mary A. (Fink) Wahl. In 1836 the father was born in Alsace, Germany, the second of the following children: Fred- erick, Michael, Philip, and Eve, children of George and Mar- garet (Wander) Wahl, natives of Germany. They emigrated with their family to America in 1840, and settled in Canton, Ohio, and later in St. Joseph county, Ind. Michael Wahl was one of the early lumber men of northern Indiana, and later in life fol- lowed farming, and finally merchandising. He now resides in Bremen. Mary A., his wife, was born in Pennsylvania in 1839, of German descent. Her marriage with Michael resulted in the birth of seven children, namely: George F., Ida M., Josephine V., Elvira J., Harmon, Bertha, and Martin. George F. was reared on a farm, where he worked till about eighteen years of age. He received a fair education in the country schools; then completed a course in the Bremen schools, and later took a special course in the Northern Indiana Normal at Valparaiso. In the spring of 1879 he began the study of medicine at Bremen under the in- struction of Dr. H. M. Bishop, and in September of 1880, entered the Rush Medical college, of Chicago, where he graduated in the spring of 1882. In January of 1883, he located at Bremen, where he has since continued an active and lucrative practice. He is among the leading physicians of the county, and is a mem- ber of the Marshall County Medical association, of the Indiana State Medical society, and also of the American Medical associ- ation. He is a member of the Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., and in politics is an ardent democrat. At Bremen he is a mem- ber of the board of health, and of the fire department, of which he is treasurer. In 1884 he was married to Ellen P. Diedrich, a native of Bremen. The marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, named Lulu.
Solomon Weaver was born in Lehigh county, Penn., Novem- ber 10, 1834. He is the third of the following children born unto Solomon and Catherine (Hunsicer) Weaver: Polly, Jonathan, Solomon, Annie, John, Catherine, Lydia, Mary J. and Susan E. The parents were born in Lehigh county, Penn., of German ancestry, the father in 1805, and the mother in 1808. They were married in their native county, and in 1836, with their family, came by way of wagon to Ohio, and settled in the wilds of Mahoning county, where they continued to reside for nearly thirty years. In the spring of 1864 they removed to Marshall county, Ind., where they lived near Bremen till 1875, when they returned to Mahoning county, Ohio, where the father died in
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1877, aged seventy-two years, and the mother in 1883, aged seventy-six years. The father was a weaver, mason and plas- terer by trade, and a farmer by occupation. Our subject was reared and educated on a farm in Mahoning county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and he remained under the parental roof till he was united in marriage with Susannah Lynn, in 1859. Mrs. Weaver was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, August 14, 1841. Unto the above union there have been born the following children: Emma A. (deceased), Mary M. (deceased), Orrie E. (deceased), Clarrie E. and Della A. After his marriage Mr. Weaver resided in Ohio till 1863, when he came to Indiana. He settled in German township, Marshall county, the last week in December of 1863, and since has resided here. Farming, to- gether with carpentering, has been his principal pursuit. As a farmer he is considered one of the foremost and practical in the county. He owns a neat and well-improved farm near Bremen, consisting of 130 acres. Here Mr. and Mrs. Weaver live happy and prosperous lives, and they are active members of the Ger- man Lutheran church, and are well respected. In politics he is a staunch democrat, and is one of the representative citizens of German township.
David A. Whitaker, a native of Erie county, Penn., was born February 18, 1842. He is a son of William and Lepha (Mor- rison) Whitaker. The parents were born in Saratoga county, N. Y., the father in 1806, of English descent, and the mother in 1804, of Scotch ancestry. Their marriage was consummated in their native county, and unto their marriage there were born the following children: Silva, Roxie, Jonathan, Henry, Cyntha, James, Amanda, David A. and Daniel. Soon after their mar- riage the parents removed to Pennsylvania, and settled in Erie county, and in 1860 they removed to Cold Water, Mich., where the mother died in 1866. Farming was the father's occupation. His death occurred near Millbrook, Mich., in [888, at the home
of his son. David A. Whitaker was born and reared on a farm, and his life has been devoted to farming, together with saw-milling. He remained at home with his parents till he was past twenty-one years of age, and in the fall of 1862 returned to his native county, and there, in 1863, was married to Helen Eddy, daughter of Elizur and Sophia (Farmer) Eddy, natives of New York. Mrs. Whitaker was born June 13, 1843, and her marriage with Mr. Whitaker has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Charles, Sabrah, Edwin, Mella, Dollie and Lewis. For five years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Whit- aker lived in Pennsylvania, then for a short time resided in Michigan. In 1871 they settled in Marshall county, where they have since continued. Where they now reside, in German township, they own 320 acres of land, on which they settled when
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it was in a wilderness state. They are now in a prosperous and well-respected station of life. Mrs. Whitaker is a zealous mem- ber of the United Brethren church, and he is a representative farmer and citizen.
John J. Wright was born on Long Island, N. Y., January 28, 1828. He is one of the following children born unto William P. and Eliza (Jackson) Wright: Charles, Alfred, John J., Henry, Julia and Emily. The last two were born in New York city, the others on Long Island. The father was born on Long Island in 1800, and was a son of Charles Wright, of English lineage. The mother was also born on Long Island, in 1808, of English ex- traction, and was a granddaughter of John Jackson, a Quaker in faith, and one of the progenitors and land-holders of the city of Brooklyn. The marriage of William P. and Eliza Wright was
consummated in New York city. Their lives were spent on Long Island and New York city, in which, for the greater part of his life, the father was a wholesale merchant. John J. Wright, our subject, received his early schooling in New York city, and later was placed in school at Redding, Conn., where he finished a liberal academical education. He began the earnest battle of life for himself at the age of twenty-two years. At New Haven, Conn., he began work at coach manufacturing, and by continued study and actual experience he became a skillful workman. In 1852 he located at Chicago, Ill., and here invested capital in car- riage manufacturing. He continued manufacturing till about 1868, and in the following year he came to Bremen, Ind., where he has since remained. Upon locating here he constructed a wood-bending factory, which he has since continued to operate. The work of this factory consists of the material for carriages, wagons and such as requires bent-wood work. It is one of the valuable enterprises of Bremen, and its annual out-put will reach $20,000. In the operation of the factory an average of twenty workmen are employed throughout the entire year. Besides being proprietor of this factory, Mr. Wright is engaged in a general mercantile trade, which represents an average annual business of about $20,000. Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Sarah F. Loomis, in 1854. The marriage was consum- mated at Westfield, Mass., and has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: William D., Edward M., and Lucy E. Mrs. Wright was born in Blanford, Mass., July 30, 1832, of Puritan origin. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Con- gregational church of Bremen, and enjoy a high social station in life. Mr. Wright, in the true sense of the term, is a self-made man. He began life with no capital, and although many obstacles have arisen in the course of life, he has surmounted them by means of energy and a determination to succeed. As a citizen he is progressive and earnestly participates in the various enter-
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prises that are inaugurated for and tend to advance the public good. He has never aspired to public or political career, but has preferred the life of a prosperous business man and a well- respected citizen. Though not regarded as a politician, he is a firm republican in politics, and is universally respected by his fellow-citizens.
A. B. Younkman, M. D., the oldest practicing physician of Bremen, Ind., was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 14, 1835. His paternal great-grandfather was Daniel Younkman, who was born in Germany, and who was the father of three children, a daugh- ter that died in early life, and two sons, Jacob and Daniel. The mother's name was Catherine. The parents with their children emigrated to America in 1777, and being unable to pay their pas- sage, were at Baltimore sold in bondage, which they served, and then they came westward and settled in the wilds of what is now Stark county, of that state. Here the father died in 1838, the mother in 1847. Daniel, their youngest son, was born upon the Atlantic ocean, on the way to this country. He became the father of several children, lived to be aged, and died in Huntington county, Ind. Jacob, a brother, was born in Germany, and died in Stark county, Ind., April 8, 1870, aged seventy-nine years, nine months and fourteen days. He was married in Stark county, Ohio, wedding Mary Shell, a native of that county, and of Ger- man descent. The marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Daniel J., Elizabeth, Tarsey, Mary and Catherine. Daniel J. is our subject's father, and was born in Stark county, Ohio, and was united in marriage with Nancy Lieghley, also a native of Stark county. The marriage gave issue to the following children: Anthony B., Mary A., Susan, Samuel, Jeremiah, Sarah, Timothy and Cyntha. Anthony B. Younkman, the subject of this biography, was reared on a farm. After receiving a fair country school education, he was placed in Mt. Union college of his native county, where he completed a liberal education, both classical and scientific. In 1858, he began the study of medicine at Liberty Mills, Ind., under Dr. C. V. Lent, as preceptor, and later, Dr. W. B. Lyons of Huntington, became his successor. Later, he took a course of lectures in the Rush Medical college of Chicago, and in March, of 1878, graduated from the Ft. Wayne Medical college. He has had a wide experience in the practice of medi- cine, first beginning in 1865. In April of 1867, he located at Bremen, Ind., where he has since continued a very active and re- munerative practice. He ranks among the leading physicians of northern Indiana, being a member of the county medical associ- ation, of the state society and of the American association. His marriage with Catherine Smith was consummated in 1858. The marriage has resulted in the birth of seven children, of whom the following survive: Sarah, Flora M. and Eva A. The doctor is a
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member of the Bremen lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., and of the Plymouth chapter, No. 49, R. A., and in politics he is an uncom- promising democrat.
George Zimmer, one of the oldest and best known citizens of German township, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), December 17, 1825, and is one of the following children born unto George and Sophia (Windstind) Zimmer: Sophia, George, Christian, Catherine, Elizabeth, Louisa and Jacob. The parents were born in Alsace, where they were married, and emigrated to the United States in 1832. They first settled in Albany county, N. Y., removing thence to Stark county, Ohio, a few years later, where they resided till in the fall of 1841, when they, in company with four other families, came to Indiana, making their settle- ment in St. Joseph county, in the winter, or in the early part of 1842. The families came by way of wagon, and the first work was cutting the Mishawaka road, and then were built the log cabins that became the homes of the five pioneers who settled in the wilderness. Here our subject's father lived for a num- ber of years, removing in later years to Bremen, where he died in 1874. The mother, who is now past ninety years of age, re- sides in Bremen. The parents were from early life, members of the German Lutheran church. Our subject was reared and edu- cated on a farm, and worked on the farm with his father till he was past twenty-one years of age. He began life for himself as a hired hand at farm work. He worked for $12 and $13 a month till he had earned and saved up $200, to which his father added $100 as a reward for his faithfulness as a son. With this sum Mr. Zimmer purchased what is now his present farm in Ger- man township, and in 1850 he married and settled down in life on this place. He was united in marriage with Dorothea Koontz, born in Alsace, Germany, March 6, 1830. Unto the above union there have been born the following children: William, Mary, John H .; Lucinda and Malinda, twins and deceased; Tilda, Sarah, Adam and Clara. Mr. Zimmer's life occupation has been farm- ing, and in his vocation he has been practical and successful. He and wife are zealous members of the Evangelical association as a church, and he is lay minister of his church. He is one of the representative and well respected citizens of German township, and since about 1883 he has resided in Bremen living the life of a retired farmer.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Jacob Galbraith was born April 10, 1846, in Mifflin county, Penn. He is a son of Samuel Galbraith, who was born in the same state about the year 1813. Samuel Galbraith was married in Pennsylvania to Sarah Lougher, who bore him ten children,
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viz .: Alexander, Samuel, John (deceased), Sarah J., Mary M., Thomas, Sarah E. (deceased), Shannon, Anna C. and Jacob, whose name introduces this sketch. The father resided in Penn- sylvania until 1856, in the fall of which year he moved with his family to Miami county, Ind., for the purpose of purchasing land, which he was unable to do, owing to the failure of a bank in which the greater part of his money was deposited. With the small amount he had left he purchased a modest home in the village of Bunker Hill, and afterward farmed on rented land for a number of years. He subsequently moved to his property in the town where he still lives, having reached the ripe age of sev- enty-seven years. Jacob Galbraith accompanied his parents to Miami county, Ind., and remained at home from his tenth to his seventeenth year, at which time he began learning the carpen- ter's trade. After becoming proficient in his chosen calling, he began contracting and building, first in Indiana and later in Illinois, and for some time was employed in a sash and door factory in the latter state. He returned to Miami county in 1873 and resumed his trade, which he continued with success for three years, when he opened a meat market in the town of Bunker Hill. He continued the latter business about two years, and then purchased a tract of land in Howard county, Ind., which he subsequently exchanged for 143 acres in Greene town- ship in Marshall county, to which he at once removed, and upon which he still resides. Mr. Galbraith is essentially a self-made man, and from an humble beginning has, by strict attention to business, succeeded in building up a comfortable and prosperous home. His marriage, which was solemnized April 17, 1874, with Elizabeth Doufel, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Spangler) Doufel, has resulted in the birth of two children, viz .: Will- iam H. and Mellie P. Mr. Galbraith is a democrat in politics.
Amos Harman was born in Crawford county, Ohio, Novem- ber 11, 1846, and is one of the following children born to John B. and Elizabeth (Heckard) Harman: Jonas, Sarah, Michael, Daniel, Philip, Christina, Reuben (who as an Union soldier was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn.), David, Mary, Amos, and Elizabeth. The father and mother were born in Dauphin county, Penn., he January 23, 1810, she August 26, 1808. They were married in their native county about 1832, and about 1842, removed to Crawford county, Ohio, and in 1856 became residents of Kosciusko county, Ind., where the mother died August 9, 1881, and the father October 17, 1887. They were of Dutch descent, were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and univer- sally respected by all who knew them. Amos was reared on a farm, educated in the country schools, and remained with his parents till he was united in marriage with Mary J. Munn, Feb- ruary 12, 1876. Mrs. Harman's maiden name was Lightle, and
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she was born in Hancock county, Ohio, January 23, 1851. Her first marriage was consummated with Charles Munn, who died after two children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Harman's marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children: Etta M., Will- iam O., and Eva Fay. After their marriage they continued in Kosciusko county till 1883, when they removed to Marshall county, where they have since resided. In 1872, Mr. Harman began school teaching, and up to 1886 taught fourteen successful winter terms. In 1886 he abandoned teaching altogether, and has since that time followed farming exclusively. As a farmer, he is one of the most successful ones in the county. He owns a fine and well-improved farm consisting of 260 acres in Green township, where he resides, and this he has gained through hard work and industry. He started out in life with no means, but has surmounted this obstacle and is now prosperous. In politics he is a staunch republican.
Jasper Milburn Lake, for whom this sketch is prepared, is a native of Marshall county, Ind., born in Green township, May 21, 1850. His father and mother, Elisha and Lorrain (Norris) Lake were the parents of two children, beside himself, viz .: Wes- ley A. and Marquis L. Elisha Lake was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1823, and at an early age removed to Rush county, Ind., where he remained for a limited period, moving thence to Marshall county, which was his home from 1850 until 1852. In the latter year he left his family, and with other spirits as advent- urous as himself, joined the great army of gold-seekers, and went to California in quest of a fortune. He met with fair success in the mines and was absent from his family about twenty years. He returned home in 1872, and died four months later, his death occurring on the 20th of March, 1873. Mrs. Lorrain Lake was born in Orange county, Vt., October 12, 1816, and was the daugh- ter of John and Lydia (George) Norris. Her father, Asa George, was descended maternally from the well-known Wort- ley family of England, in whose veins some of the best blood of Great Britain flows. Jasper M. Lake remained with his parents until his twenty-third year, and was educated in the common schools. He early learned the carpenter's trade, in which he ac- quired great proficiency, and in 1873 went to Oregon and fol- lowed his chosen calling in that state principally as a bridge builder. He assisted in the construction of several large bridges, among which was the first wagon bridge across the Willamette river, and also the large bridge across a part of the San Fran- cisco Bay, Cal. He remained in the west working on different bridges until 1875, at which time he returned to his home in Marshall county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits on the pa- ternal homestead. Laura E. Price, daughter of Amos and Mary Price, became his wife in 1879, to which marriage five children
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have been born, whose names are as follows: Nora E., Clara D., Orvin J., Orley C. and William G. Mr. Lake purchased por- tions of the farm at different times, until he now owns and cul- tivates 160 acres of highly improved land which is one of the best farms in Marshall county. Mr. Lake has taken considera- ble interest in political matters, and while not radical in his opin- ions, is a staunch and conscientious supporter of the republican party. In 1886, by the unanimous consent of his party friends in Green township he became candidate for the office of trustee, and such was the esteem in which he was held by the people that at the ensuing election he overcame a democratic majority of forty, and was triumphantly elected. In the discharge of the duties of his position, Mr. Lake's only ambition was to serve the people regardless of party, and so well did he accomplish this end that two years later he was re-elected by a largely increased majority. Since taking possession of the office of trustee he has made a record of which he may well feel proud, and which has met the approbation of the intelligent people of his township. Mr. Lake is a member of the Adventist church at Maxinkuckee.
Joseph N. Low was born in Wayne county, January 23, 1838, and is the son of John C. and Margaret (Ditmars) Low. The parents were married in New Jersey, November 10, 1822, and reared a family of ten children whose names are as follows: Eliza J., Margaret A., Christine S., Abraham, Peter D., Levi, Joseph M., Sarah E., Cornelia and John C. The father, who was a practical and successful farmer, was born in New Jersey, Octo- ber 21, 1797, moved to Ohio in 1837, thence to Marshall county, Ind .. in 1848, where his death occurred December 13, 1871. Joseph N. Low was reared to agricultural pursuits, attended the country schools at intervals, and remained with his parents until his marriage September 13, 1860. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Thompson, daughter of John and Sarah (Faegan) Thompson, has borne him the following children: Lloyd (de- ceased), Fairie E., C. Ellsworth, Lillie M., William E. (deceased), Emma C., Junietta, Welcome J. and Sarah M. At the breaking out of the late civil war Mr. Low entered the army, enlisting in the Ninth Illinois cavalry, being at the time a resident of that state. His regiment was actively engaged in many of the suc- cessful and bloody battles of the war, in all of which Mr. Low bore a brave and gallant part. He was mustered out of the service December 10, 1864, and, on leaving the army, returned to Marshall county and engaged in farming, which has since been his occupation, and in which he has been very successful. He owns a well-improved farm in Greene township, is a member of Lafayette Gordon post, No. 132, G. A. R., of Argos, and in politics is an earnest supporter of the republican party.
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Andrew Marshall, a native of Indiana, was born June 8, 1825, and is the son of James and Margaret (Morrison) Marshall. James and Margaret Marshall reared a family of nine children, whose names are as follows: James (deceased), Hugh (deceased), Robert, Andrew, Joseph (deceased), Esther, James (deceased), William and Sarah. The father was a native of Virginia, but early left that state, immigrating to Indiana and locating in Fay- ette county about the year 1816. He was a farmer by occupation and resided in the county and state of his adoption until his death in 1852. Andrew Marshall remained with his parents until at- taining his majority, at which time he began life for himself as a farmer in his native county. In 1850 he was united in marriage to Louisa Hill, who bore him one child, Louisa. After a brief season of wedded life Mr. Marshall was called upon to suffer the loss of his companion, who died within five months after he began farming for himself. Mr. Marshall subsequently returned to his father's home in Fayette, and there remained until 1856, when his second marriage was solemnized with Nancy Reed, a union blessed with the birth of four children, viz .: Eugene, Margaret, Jessie and James. In 1872 Mr. Marshall was again left a widower, and remained so until 1876, when he married his present wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Morgan. About this time he purchased a farm of seventy-two acres in Green township, Mar- shall county, where he still carries on agricultural pursuits, being classed with the successful farmers of the community in which he resides. He is one of the progressive citizens of the town- ship, an unswerving democrat in politics, as were also his father and grandfather before him.
Elijah McElfresh is a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and dates his birth from the 29th day of October, 1837. His father and mother, William and Sarah (Allison) McElfresh, were the parents of six children, viz .: The subject of this sketch, Eliza- beth, Benjamin, Ellen A., Martha and Nancy A. William Mc- Elfresh was a native of Virginia and of Scotch descent. He became a resident of Holmes county, Ohio, and was married to Sarah Allison in 1835, and in 1843 he came to Indiana, and pur- chased 100 acres of land in Fulton county, upon which he lived until his death, September 15, 1873. Elijah McElfresh grew to manhood on the farm, attended the country schools at intervals during his minority, and began life for himself in his native state. Thinking the west afforded better opportunities for a young man than the older neighborhoods of the east, he spent a number of years mining in California and Nevada, meeting with but indiffer- ent success in his quest of a fortune. In 1866 he returned to his home in Fulton county, Ind., and resumed farming, which he car- ried on there until his removal to Marshall county, in 1869. On coming to this county, Mr. McElfresh purchased 100 acres of
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