History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Part 70

Author: Chapman, Chas. C., & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 986


USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 70


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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W. I. Oliver, son of George and Bessie (Irvin) Oliver, was born in Roxboronghshire, Scotland, June 1, 1821; in the fall of 1834 he came to Genra, N. Y., landing at Mishawaka in the fall of 1836; this has been his home until a few years since, when he moved on the farm on which he now lives. Ilis father died in 1837, at the age of 74 or 75 years, and his mother died in Lagrange county,


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this State, at the age of 85, in June, 1867. Mr. Oliver was mar- ried in October, 1842, to Lucinda D. Ford, daughter of John and Lois (Hammond) Ford, natives of New York, and they have 5 chil- dren, namely: Jennie, born in September, 1844, now living in Mishawaka; Henry B., now in Kansas, was born in 1847; Bessie, born in 1857; Hattie, born in 1864, and Mollie in 1867. Mr. Oliver is a blacksmith by trade and swung his sledge hammer for many years in his shop at Mishawaka; he is now tilling one of the beautiful farms of Sumption's Prairie, on sec. 32. He received his education in Scotland. P. O., South Bend.


Mahlon Pearson was born Aug. 16, 1828, and came to this tp.when but five years old, with his parents, Samuel and Mary (Wharton) Pearson, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia; they settled on the farm now owned by C. Schang in 1833. Mahlon was married in 1849 to Sitha Jenkins, who was born in North Carolina; their children are as follows: Charles, now in the regular army; Lncetta, married to Mr. Ilay and living in Frank- lin county, Neb .; Ida, married Frank Hagerman, and living in Michigan. Mrs. Pearson died in 1867, and in 1869 he married Betsey A. (Inınan) Hummer, who by her former marriage had 4 children: Lawrence, Lonise E., Ada and Henrietta.


Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have 2 children, William and Cora. Mrs. P. was born in this tp. Nov., 1836. Mr. P. was in the 12th Mich. Inf., Co. I, in our late war; is a member of the M. E. Church; was educated in the common school; is a carpenter and farmer, sec. 16. P. O., South Bend.


John Phillips was born in Floyd county, Va., in 1832; came to this county with his parents, William and Jane Phillips, in 1834; moved on his farm in this tp. in January, 1855. In December, 1854, he married Mary Shibily, daughter of John and Margaret Shibily, of Union tp., who was born Ang. 4, 1836; their children are: Francis A., born Oet. 7, 1855; John W., June 17, 1859; Theodore A., Dec. 21, 1861; Mary V., July 1, 1864; Daniel M., June 1, 1867. Mr. Phillips is a farmer and mason; owns 80 acres in sec. 16. P. O., South Bend.


Daniel Rupe, son of Jacob and Susanna (Long) Rupe, natives of North Carolina, was born in December, 1816, in Wayne county, Indiana; he came with his parents to Wayne county, Indiana, and from there to Pleasant Plain, in Elkhart county, in 1829; came to this tp. in the spring of 1831, and settled in sec. 1. His mother died in 1854, and the father in 1868. Mr. Rupe was married in December, 1840, to Martha Stull, who was born in Jennings county, Indiana, in 1820, and they have 5 children: William, Henry, Mar- garet, Melissa and George. Margaret married James Cook; Melissa married Linus Foot, Jr., Jan. 22, 1870, who was born in 1850; his parents are William and Maria Foot, of Centre tp., who came to this county in 1851; they were natives of Connecticut. Mr. Foot lived in South Bend several years after his marriage, where he f ol- lowed teaming; he is now engaged in farming on sec. 7; they have one child, born in 1874. P. O., South Bend.


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


John M. Rupe, son of Henry and Martha (Garwood) Rupe, natives of Ohio, was born in this tp. August, 1837. He was mar- ried April 16, 1857, to Miss Hannah M. Ball, daughter of Rev. H. B. Ball, of this conference of the M. E. Church, who was born in 1838, and they have 3 children: Henry F., born Feb. 3, 1858; Edward H., born Oct. 19, 1867; Mary M., born Jan. 10, 1878. Mr. Ball removed to Wayne county Ind., in 1871, but returned again to this tp. in 1879; he has 80 acres of land in sec. 13; was educated in the public schools of the county, and is a Republican. P. O., South Bend.


Samuel Rupe was born in North Carolina, in the year 1808; his parents, Jacob and Susanna Rupe, came to Indiana about the year 1812, and settled at Pleasant Plain, in Elkhart county, in 1826. Mr. Rupe came to this tp. about 1832. Like most of the early set- tlers he came here poor, but by diligence and perseverance he has made, for his old age, a pleasant home. His farm consists of 158 acres of choice farming land, on sec. S. He was married at the age of 21 to Rachel Whitmer, of Wayne county, Ind., and they had 5 children: Lovina, Jolin B., Elizabeth, Franklin and Mary. Mrs. Rupe died about 1840, and Mr. Rupe married Sally Ann Owen, widow of the late Rev. T. Owen, and they have 6 children: Susan, Martha Jane, Allie, Lucinda, William H. and Albert. Mr. Rupe has been a member of the M. E. Church for 54 years; was licensed to exhort about 47 years ago, and to preach about 25 years ago. He has been one of the pioneer Methodists of this country. P. O., South Bend.


John J. Rupel was born in Virginia, Sept. 16, 1818, the son of John and Elizabeth Rupel, who came to Elkhart county in 1832. Dec. 27, 1849, he married Lydia Chord, daughter of Jacob and Susanna Chord, both of whom were natives of Montgomery county, Ohio. They settled in this county in 1831. Mrs. R. was born Jan. 11, 1827. They have 3 children, namely: Mary A., born March 3, 1851, married Jacob Wolverton and lives in South Bend; Nora M., born Nov. 18, 1853, married Arthur Invy, of Sonth Bend; and Chord S., born Feb. 18, 1858, is married and living at home. Mr. Rupel worked at carpentering when young, but has been a far- mer for the last 30 years. He left Elkhart county in 1839, and set- tled on his present farm in 1851. He owns 335 acres in this tp. He also has a fine residence in South Bend. When Mr. Rupel came to this farm there was but little improvement on the place, but by hard work and careful management he has made it one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Rupel are members of the Advent Church. P. O., South Bend.


Christopher Schang was born in France Sept. 14, 1816. He came to Stark county, Ohio, in 1847. In 1865 he removed to Sontlı Bend. He was married in Ohio to Margaret Fultz, who was born March 25, 1823. Their children are as follows: George, born Ang. 9, 1852; Mary A., June 8, 1854; Jacob F., Sept. 14, 1856; Clara J., Oct. 25, 1862; and Ella M., Sept. 12, 1865. Mary A.


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


married Richard B. Moffitt, of this county. Mr. Schang, when young, learnt the blacksmith trade and that has been his business through life. He carried on a shop in South Bend for nine or ten years, when he removed to his farm in this tp., where he has been working on his farm and at his trade since. In the spring of 1878 George went to Texas, but soon grew tired of the "land which flows with milk and honey," and concluded that St. Joseph county was not so bad a place after all; so procuring a pony and saddle he left the " Lone Star " State, came through Arkansas and Missouri, and made the trip home in about two months. During the gold . fever in California Mr. Schang went thither, by way of the Gulf and crossing Central America, and thence on the Pacific to the land of gold. He returned in about 18 months by way of the Isthmus and New York, to South Bend. Mr. Schang was educated in France, and belongs to the Catholic Church. P. O., South Bend; residence, sec. S.


J. M. Swaim was born in Randolph county, N. C., Jan. 26, 1822, where he worked on his father's farm until he reached his 23d year, when he removed with his family to Indiana in the autumn of 1844. The first four years of his life in Indiana were spent in teaching school and the study of medicine. In the spring of 1847 he was married to a daughter of Dr. Way, of Richmond. The next spring, with a number of his wife's relatives, he removed to the northern part of Illinois, then a comparatively new country, remaining, however, only one year, when he returned to Indiana, to the vicinity of South Bend, where he has since resided. Ancestry: Anthony Swaim came from Holland in 1700, and settled on Staten Island. Anthony had 3 sons: Michael, Mathias and William. The latter with his 3 sons, John, Moses and Michael, went southward and settled in North Carolina, then a British colony. John married Elizabeth Vickroy, by whom he had S sons and 3 daughters. The sons were Ashley, Christopher, William, Joshua, John, Marmaduke, Moses and Michael. Moses married Adda Swindell, by whom he had 7 sons and 4 danghters. Four of the sons are still living, one, the subject of this sketch, in Indiana, one in Illinois, one in Missouri, and one in North Carolina. Two of the danghters are still living in Indiana. The family is numer- ous and widely scattered over the United States. In some localities the name has degenerated into Swain, sometimes spelt Swayne; but they are all of the same family, and trace their ancestry back to Anthony, the Dutchman.


Charity Wharton was born in Warren county, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1825, the daughter of William and Sarah Throckmorton, who were early settlers in this connty. The former was a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania, and came to this tp. from Warren county, O., in. 1836. They settled on the farm now owned by W. A. Aldrich, where they both died in 1864. The subject of this sketch was married to William Wharton Feb. 6, 1844. He was born in Warren county, O., June 23, 1815, and came to this tp. in


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


1842. They have 4 children living: Sarah L., born Oct. 2, 1845; David F., Feb. 4, 1848; James G., Nov. 9, 1853; Henrietta, born Jan. 11, 1859. Mrs. Wharton has lived on her present farm for 31 years. Mr. Wharton died May 11, 1877. He was a man honored and loved by all that knew him, and left a large circle of friends to mourn his departure.


Margaret Whitman was born in Seneca county, O., Aug. 14, 1844. She is the daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jones, of that place. She was married there May 26, 1856, to Daniel Whitman, son of Samuel and Rachel Whitman, of the same county. He was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 5, 1821. They came to this county and settled on their farm in this tp. in March, 1861. This conple have 5 children: Samuel N., born in August, 1857; Ellen, born Sept. 9, 1861; Clara A., born Nov. 12, 1863; Frank, born Nov. 30, 1865. Margaret, died in 1876, aged 19. By a former marriage Mr. Whit- man had several children, one of whom is living: Newton J., born in August, 1851. Jesse W. was born Oct. 10, 1844, and died Oct. 23, 1863, at Chattanooga; was a member of the 21st Ind. Battery; went out in September, 1861. Samantha J., married George Cobb, and died Jan. 6, 1876. Mr. Whitman was a farmer. He died April 2, 1874. For many long years before his death his health had been very poor, but he bore all his affliction with a Christian forti- tude, waiting for his Master to call him to that blest home where sickness never comes.


J. J. Whitman, son of Joel and Artemisia Whitman, was born in Lake county, Ohio, in September, 1834; was married in the fall of 1867, to Druzilla Bennett, daughter of Stephen Bennett, of this county, formerly of Morrow county, Ohio, but a native of Virginia. Their 9 children are: Lester J. (deceased), Eva May, Amelia E., Martin E., Alvia A., John M., Mary E., Carrie E. and Gertrude. Mr. Whitman is a carpenter and also attends to his farm of 65 acres in sec. 13. He served nine months in our late war in Co. E., 23d Ind. Inf. P. O., Sonth Bend.


Joel Whitman, son of Jesse and Catharine (Vanderhoof) Whit- man, was born in New York Jan. 1, 1811. They left New York in 1830 and went to Erie county, Penn. There he married Arte- misia Hewitt, daughter of Daniel Hewitt, of that county. She was born here in 1813. They had 10 children, 7 of whom are living: John J., Marcia (now Mrs. George Philips), Adelia (now Mrs. W. Inman, of Liberty tp.), Sylvia M.(now Mrs. Bownbork, of Centre tp.) James E., of Arkansas, Francis A. and Joseph A. Mrs. W. died in '52, and Mr. Whitman was again married in 1857, to Charity Cortril, daughter of John and Phebe Cortril, of this connty. They have 3 chil- dren: Nettie, Ada M. and Belle. Mrs. Whitman died May 25, 1879. Mr. Whitman left Erie county, Pa., in '33 and moved to Ohio; in '36 he came to St. Joseph county. He is a farmer, and owns 20 acres in sec. 18. By trade he is a carpenter and joiner. Is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church in North Liberty. Was land Assessor


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


for the year 1880 and had been Town Trustee for a number of terms. P. O., South Bend.


Michael Woollet was born in Allen county, Ohio, April 7, 1840. His parents, Michael and Catharine Woollet, were natives of Penn- sylvania. He was married in May, 1863, to Mary E. Oyler, daughter of William and Elizabeth Oyler, of Green tp., but formerly of Shelby county, Ohio. They have 8 children: Lewis, Charles, Ellen, Alice, Marion, Clara, Melvin and Rosa. Mr. Woollet came to the county in 1853. He is a farmer. P. O., South Bend.


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HARRIS TOWNSHIP.


This township lies in the extreme northeastern part of the county. It is bounded upon the north by Cass county, Mich., on the east by Elkhart county, Ind., on the south by Penn township, and on the west by Clay. There is much marsh land in the township, being in the middle and sontheastern part, and running a southwest course into and through the northwest corner of Penn township.


This land is unfit for agricultural purposes, except for grazing and haying. The State cnt a ditch commencing at the south edge of J. Balwin's farm on section 17, and running a south course about 160 rods, then turning southwest, which course it pursues through sections 20, 19, 30, 25, 26 and along the south line of the last named section, and also about 50 rods on the south line of section 27, where it takes a southwest course into and through Penn township. Great good has been accomplished, as this marsh was entirely covered with one continuous sheet of water, that lay upon the ground until late in the summer months, even after the abatement of the water, great portions of which was so boggy that it was inaccessible by man or beast; but this ditch has so drained this vast area that it has become solid footing, and hundreds of acres are mowed. Notre Dame University owns the largest farm in this township, inost of which is marsh land, where they raise their beef and their milk supply for the University, of which further mention is made else- where.


This township took its name from Jacob Harris, of Ohio, who came in 1830 and settled on Harris Prairie, where he raised the first wheat that was eut in the township, it being harvested in 1831. His neighbor, Jacob Meyer, who came the spring of 1831 and still re- sides in this township, on section 15, helped cut Mr. Harris' crop. Samuel Bell, a son-in-law of Mr. Harris, came with him in 1830. Adam Miller, a Baptist preacher, came in 1830 or '31, also Adam Ringle, and settled on section 15. Mr. Ringle died several years ago, and Miller either died or moved away. The first settlers erected cabins on this prairie.


David and Josephus Baldwin and family were probably the first settlers in this township, though other historians speak of Mr. Harris being the first. Mr. Baldwin stated that he was here when Mr. Harris came, and said he and his brother David came in 1828 or '29. Joseph Buel came in 1831 and settled on section 15. Ar- bogast Zaehnle came in 1834, and settled on section 22, where he still resides. Henry Augustine put in his appearance on section 15 in 1831; also Hartzel, the same year, on the same section. Robert Kennedy arrived in 1833 and built his cabin on section 14. David


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


Ringle and his sons Samuel and Levi came in 1833 .or '34 and pitched their cabins on section 14.


The first school-house was a log structure built on section 10, on the north edge of Harris Prairie. Though struggling through the pressure of poverty and privations, the settlers planted among them the school-house at the earliest practical period. An object so im- portant as the education of their children they did not defer until they could build more comely and convenient houses; they were for a time content with such as corresponded with their rude dwell- ings; but soon better buildings were erected. As may readily be supposed, the accommodations of the earliest schools were not good. Stoves and the latest improved heating apparatuses were unknown. The house was built of round logs, 14x16 feet; cracks chinked and daubed with mud; door in the south end and a mud and stick chimney in the other; with earthen earth and fire-place wide enough to take in a log nearly as long as the width of the house, and smaller wood was used to ignite the larger; logs better known by the old pioneers as "back logs." This rudely constructed chimney and fire-place served for warming purposes in winter and a kind of conservatory in summer. For windows part of a log was cut out in either side and a few lights of eight by ten glass set in. Their writing benches were made of wide split pieces of tim- ber puncheons, resting on pins or arıns driven into two-inch-auger holes bored into the logs beneath the windows. The seats were made out of the same material; also the floor. The ceiling was of round poles or logs, and covered or plastered with mud on top. Everything was rude and plain, but many of America's greatest men have gone ont from just such school-houses to grapple with the world, and make names for themselves, and have come to be an honor to their country.


Robert Kennedy taught the first school in the township, that being in such a house as just described. The first church built was the Presbyterian, which stands in the woods near Mr. Kennedy's resi- dence. There is but one other church, and that is owned by the Evangelical people. It is situated on the east side of section 21. The Christian Church was organized Jan. 7, 1863, by Elder Green, con- sisting of 31 members. The Church has been prosperous. Many of its members have moved to the West, and in consequence its membership is but a few more than when it was first organized. Its present minister is Charles Hendershot, who holds service once in two weeks. Present deacons are Robert Savage and James Lowry. They occupy the Presbyterian building. They contem- plate erecting a house of worship as soon as they can secure a suit- able site. This portion is not affected by the marsh, is in fair state of cultivation, and at no distant day the marsh will become tillable and settled by an enterprising people, at which time it will compare favorably with other townships that are settled with more wealthy citizens to-day.


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


The Grand Trunk railroad passes through this township, running a northeast course. There is no town upon this line in this town- ship,-nothing but a station, where there are a depot and postoffice, called Granger; no business of any kind is done.


The Indian trail leading from La Porte, or rather from Chicago to Detroit, passes through the southeast corner. Mr. W. and E. M. Irvin and Jas. Lowry, extensive farmers, settled here in an early day.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


Following is a brief mention of several prominent residents and pioneers of Harris township. It will be of equal interest with the foregoing items, especially to the citizens of that community.


Geo. Hassig, a native of Strasburg, France, born Nov. 17, 1808; was a son of John and Barbara Hassig; he was reared on the farm, and came to America in 1832; stayed three days in New York city; then came to Stark county, O., and in 1837, to this county. He returned to Ohio in 1839, and came back the same year. He married Mary Keiffer in 1840; 5 of their 7 children are living, to wit: Napoleon, Franklin, Emanuel, Israel and Mary. Mr. H. owns 212 acres of land; is a farmer and stock-raiser in Harris tp., sec. 16. P. O., Edwards.


John Koker, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 22; was born in Switzer- land January, 1802, and is the son of Benedict and Mary Koker; he came to America in 1824, and located in Ohio, where he resided until 1846, then came to this county, settling in Clay tp., thence to this tp. in 1847. He married in 1825, Mary Becher, a native of Switzerland; 3 of their 5 children are living. He has had good success, having SO acres of land that he has been offered $5,200 for. Mrs. Koker died Dec. 31, 1879. Mr. K. is a member of the Pres- byterian Church. P. O., South Bend.


Joseph L. Krupp was born in Germany Jan. 1, 1817, and is a son of Charles and Catharine Krupp, who removed to Seneca county, O., in 1833. He came to this county in 1839, and worked for several years at the blacksmith trade here and in Michigan. He was married in 1842 to Miss Sophia Smith; they have had 4 chil- dren: Eliza A., John, Mary and Louisa. Mrs. K. died October, 1851, and in 1853 Mr. K. married Miss Susan Long, by whom he had 5 children; 4 are living: William, Perry, Clayton and Philo. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising on sec. 9, Harris tp., and owns 440 acres of land.


Jacob Meyer was born in France July 17, 1807; son of Jacob and Mary Meyer, also natives of France, who came to America in 1828, and to this county soon after. Jacob came to this county in 1831, and settled on the present farm. He married Miss Catharine Bueb in 1829, who was born in September, 1807; they have had 11 children, 9 of whom are living, to-wit: Francis, Mary, Gracie, Jacob, Caroline, Joseph, Josephine, Clara and Sophia. Mr. Meyer


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


commenced in life by working on the canal ; his first purchase of land was 160 acres, and at present owns 460 acres of beautiful land. He has held the office of Trustee and is a member of the Masonic order. His son Joseph was born July 26, 1843, in this county; he married Miss Minerva Smith Jannary, 1870, and they have 3 children, to-wit: Pliny E., Thomas A. and Henry E. Mrs. M. died April 26, 1873. He married Miss Helen Smith Sept. 15, 1874, who was born Sept. 30, 1853; their 2 children are Harry and Arthur. Mr. M. owns 21 acres of land, and is superintending his father's farm of 460 acres in Harris tp., sec. 15. P. O., South Bend.


Christ. Schneck was born July 10, 1825, in Germany, and is the son of Adam and Margaret Schneck, now deceased. He left his native land in 1853; took passage in one of the New York steainships, and had a pleasant trip to New York, where he remained a short time, and then took up his march westward, stopping at Toledo; he located in Berrien county, Mich., in 1854, where he resided six years, then came to this tp., where he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1856 he married Miss Dora Streveal, a native of Germany, born in 1833, and came to America in 1851. Their 9 children are Caroline, Christine, Mary, Lydia, David, Emma, Mattie, Elizabeth and Ida. Mr. S. has been successful thus far through life, now owning 93 acres of good farming land on sec. 9; he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. P. O., Edwards.


John M. Shimp was born Jan. 18, 1848, in this county, and is a son of Jacob and Hannah Shimp, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Ohio, who came to this county in an early day. John was reared on the farm, and received a good education, attend- ing college two terms. He married Miss Sarah J. Longley March 16, 1870; she was born in Elkhart county, this State, April 15, 1849; 2 of their 3 children are living, to-wit: Delbert and Andrew. Mr. S. owns 60 acres of land, worth $65 an acre, in Harris tp., sec. 11. P. O., South Bend.


Michael Smith, a native of Germany, born Ang. 24, 1824, is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth Smith, who came to New York in 1826, staid there six months, then went to Buffalo and remained one year, thence to Canada, near Black Rock, where he resided three years, thence to Stark county, O., where he died. Michael was reared on the farm, received a common-school education and came to this county in 1842. He married, July, 1853, Mary E. Ander- son, daughter of Samuel Anderson, who came to this county in 1836, and died in 1852. She was born Nov. 20, 1827, in Columbia connty, Pa. Mr. S. owns 380 acres of valuable land in sec. 17; he also raises stock. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyte- rian Church. P. O., Granger.


John A. Zaehnle was born in this county Jan. 7, 1843; his par- ents were Abogast and Rosa (Binder) Zaehnle, natives of Germany ; his father came to this country in 1830, locating in Ohio, and his


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.


mother in 1832, also locating in Ohio. They were married in 1834, moved to this county the same year, and have since had 8 children, 3 of whom are living: Rosa, Samuel and John A. Mr. Z. first entered 80 acres of land, and has since added 120 acres; April 29, 1874, John A. married Theresa Sehirk, who was born in Germany Sept. 18, 1849; their 4 children are Emma, Clara, Edward L. and Otto A. Mr. Z. has been Assessor ten years, and is now holding the office of Trustee the second term; he was Paymaster's Clerk in the army, and has been clerk in a wholesale house in Louisville, Ky .; he is now working on his farm of 40 acres in Harris tp., sec. 22; also works his father's farm. In 1874 he went to Germany, and when he returned, brought an aunt and the young lady whom he afterward married. After leaving the district school he entered the University of Notre Dame, where he continued three years, graduating in the commercial course. He then went to Louisville, Ky., and was Paymaster's Clerk under Major Camp, who was sta- tioned there. Afterward he went to Bowling Green and Nashville, acting in the same capacity, under Major Fell. He then was clerk in the sutler store of C. Henry Fink, where he remained until near the elose of the war, then returned to his home in this county. P. O., South Bend.




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