USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 74
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E. J. Vincent, of the firm of B. H. & E. J. Vincent, was born Aug. 19, 1846, in this county; his parents are B. H. and Betsey Vincent, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio; was reared on a farm and educated in the common country schools. The year 1868 he followed railroading, and about seven months of 1869 le clerked in C. Behrn's store at Walkerton. There he was paeker in a flouring mill for a time. He then followed his trade, carpenter and joiner, till the fall of 1876, when he in connection with his father opened a furniture store at Walkerton, and were also undertakers. They carry a stock of goods, consisting of house furniture, caskets, ete., to the amount of $3,000. Their annual sales amount to $4,000. Mr. V. was married Aug. 23, 1869, to Rebecca Woodard, daughter of Samuel Woodard, and 3 children were born to them, of whom 2 are living, viz .: Edward R., Clyde B. and Cora E., deceased.
Thos. H. Wiley. Among the earliest pioneers in (now) Lincoln tp. was Thos. H. Wiley, who was born in Monroe county, Ky., Dec. 27, 1810, a son of John and Mary (Sims) Wiley. In 1815 he was taken by his parents to Ohio: in 1817 they went to Tennessee, and in 1827 returned to Darke county, Ohio. Thus he spent the days of childhood and early manhood amid the wilds of Kentucky and Tennessee, and the vast, unbroken forests of Ohio, which then
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was inhabited only by the " noble" red man, and the wild animals roamed in almost countless herds through that vast wilderness. Mr. Wiley lived in Ohio till 1834, when he and his family, which consisted of his wife and 2 children, started for the " Hoosier State " on horseback. After six days of tiresome traveling they arrived in St. Joseph county, where they set stakes and spread their blank. ets. There were at that time but four other settlers in this (Lin- coln) tp., and they were living some distance from him; all his near neighbors were Indians and wild animals. When Mr. Wiley arrived here he had but little property, and it consisted of two horses and another worthless " old plug." Thins he started in life.
Mr. Wiley's educational advantages were very limited. He attended school held in log school-houses, with greased-paper win- dow lights, slab floor and seats, and stick chimney. What a hard- ship this would be to the children of the present day! In 1828 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Loring, by whom he has had 8 children; of these, 5 are living, viz .: Samuel, Augusta, Mary, now Mrs. John Dare, Geo. W. and John. Mr. Wiley's grandfathers, Wiley and Sims, were very early settlers in Kentucky. They were immediate successors of Daniel Boone, and one of them was an Indian spy. One day, in company with one Mr. Molky, a preacher, he struck an Indian trail. They followed it till it came to a large cavern in a hill, where they supposed an Indian had secreted him- self. They began to explore the cavern in search of " big Injun," but had not proceeded far when by accident Mr. Molky's gun was discharged. This frightened Mr. W. almost out of his wits, and he seized Mr. M. by the arm and almost instantly emerged from the cave and sought refuge behind a large tree, thinking that it was from the Indian's rifle and expecting the next shot would be aimed at him; but was much surprised when Mr. M. recovered from the shock, to learn that it was from his gun.
Leonard Wolf, deceased, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, in March, 1812. His parents were George and Mary Wolf. He was reared on a farm. His father was among the first settlers in Hock- ing county, which was then an immense forest of very large trees, among which wild animals roamed undisturbed. Mr. Wolf came to Noble county, Ind., at a very early day. In 1834 he married Lutetia Martin, a native of Fairfield county, O., a daughter of Ellison and Jane Martin, who were natives of Pennsylvania. While they lived in Noble county Mrs. Wolf shared the severe lot of an early pioneer. She frequently was alone for the full week in the little log cabin, as Mr. Wolf was absent laboring for their sup- port. The wild animals then were very numerous. Very frequently when Mrs. Wolf was alone and in the darkness of night, the vi- cious wolves, enraged by hunger, would come prowling around the pig-pen, and Mrs. Wolf would throw fire-brands at them and frighten them away. The wild Indian was also to be seen. At one time a band of 30 of these red savages camped on the farm near Mr. Wolf's, while she was alone. What moral courage was
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
exhibited in these trying times! What heroic spirits these early pioneers possessed! They knew not but they might at almost any time fall into the hands of the merciless savages and all be massa- cred, as such has been the case.
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf lived in Noble county till his death, which occurred about 1870, when Mrs. W. came to Walkerton. She has had 10 children, 6 sons and 4 daughters, viz .: Wm. J., Ellison M., Theron, T. J., a clothier in Walkerton; Jane, now Mrs. Henry Hastetter; Rhoda A., now Mrs. John J. Miller; Martha, now Mrs. Calvin Gilbert; Geo. W., Chas. S. and Maggie B., a milliner in Walkerton.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Madison township is situated in the southwestern part of St. Joseph county, and is bounded on the north by Penn township, on the east by Elkhart county, on the south by Marshall county, and on the west by Union and Centre townships.
This was one of the latest settled townships of St. Joseph county, the settlment of which did not begin until abont 1840; and it is probable that to-day there are fewer old settlers living in the township from whom a complete history of its early settlement onght to be obtained than in any other township in the county. And it is likewise probable that at the time of its early settlement it was the poorest township of farming land in the county; and this accounts for the fact that it was not settled simultaneously with the surrounding townships.
To-day the greater part of the land is marsh and covered with heavy timber; however, by means of ditches, and clearing off the timbered land and making use of the logs at the numerous saw- mills, great improvements and progress have been made within the last 20 years by the industrious class of citizens who are now resi- dents. And one would naturally suppose from first glance, did he not take cognizance of the fact that he was in Northern Indiana, surrounded by the oldest settled and most beautiful tract of coun- try in the whole State, that he was in the midst of some Western country where the process of " clearing up" had just begun, or that he had been transported back a half century when the work of settlement had just commenced by our forefathers of old. As indicative of this fact, numerous saw-mills which maintain many families are found here and there in the midst of the tall timber throughout this township and county.
Probably the earliest settlers of this township were Mr. Cline, who settled on section 19, and Mr. Bennett, who settled on section 18. About the same time, during the year 1840, came Christian Helminger; in the year 1841 came Godfried Enders; in 1842 came Mr. Palmer; Peter Kline, in 1846; Adam Kieffer, in 1847; William Border, Thomas Crakes and Jonathan Gilman, in 1848; in 1850 the following, besides many others, made this township their home: Christian Grose, John Schaffer, Philip Berger, Adam (Rader, and Michael Kettring. From this time on the township settled very rap- idly. In 1852 came Amos and D. B. Jewell; in 1853 came Hiram Locker, Jacob Hetzel, John Kelley and Jacob Marker. During the year 1854 a number of others settled here; the following are a few: Jacob Conrad, David Newcomer, A. J. Strope, Daniel Homes, Adam Mochel, John and Charles Kelley, Henry Flory, Harrison
(751)
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Pentecost and John Hawkins. In 1855 Samuel Shearer removed to this township; in 1856 the following: Jacob Loucks, A. C. Hiner and John Shenefield; John Barkey, in 1858; George Fried- man, in 1859; Jacob Birk, Jacob Futler and Henry Fox, in 1860.
A considerable portion of the southern part of the township is known as the " Yellow river country," from the fact that the Yel- low river flows through it. Some of the early settlers of this region, whose names have not yet been mentioned, are the follow- ing: George Zimmer, Jacob Helminger, Nicholas Hummel, John Zigler, Joseph Zeiger, Christian Eslinger, Philip Manges, Michael Smith, Jacob, George and Philip Kline, John Meyers, Philip Ber- ger, Michael Fagler and Mr. Sweisberger. And besides the many already mentioned, there are still a few more who caine some time prior to 1851: Hugh MeLoughlin, James Belford, Joseph Jewell, Amos Wilson, J. Pittman, Edward and Jonathan Buck, Philip Fries, T. Longley, Henry Allwood, Mr. Clugston and Mr. Crow.
It is said that during the early settlement of this township men came and made it their home and set out fruit trees, making some improvements; but afterward becoming sick, gave up their land, abandoned their scanty improvements and left the township; and what was the most remarkable, in the course of a few years fruit trees were found growing in the midst of the forest trees and weeds.
The first justices of the peace were Allen Mead and Mr. Bennett; the first law-snit in the township, was before 'Squire Mead, at his house on section 15; the suit was between John Zeigler and John Newberry, concerning the shooting of a deer; however, the case was settled before entering into litigation.
In 1871 a fire broke out in some parts of the township, starting from fires which men had built and then gone away and left them to do the work of destruction. These fires did immense damage to some residents of the township, especially in the eastern part, by way of burning their timber and fences.
There are two cemeteries in the township; one on seetion 18 near the Evangelical Church, and one on section 22, near the German Lutheran Church.
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
Madison township is well supplied with churches, there being five in it; a full and extended history of some of them it has been im- possible to obtain.
German Lutheran. - This church, situated at Woodland, on sec- tion 15, was built in 1868. The first regular pastor was Rev. Con- rad Schuster, of Bremen. Some of the first members of the Church were these: Adam Rader and wife, Adam Kieffer and wife, Leon- · ard Jordan and wife, Joseph Meyer and wife, John Kelley and wife, Martin Slough and wife, John G. Kling and wife, Martin Saner and wife, George Kelley and wife, Mr. Wahl and wife, Michael Andrew and wife, and Mrs. Mary Fulmer. The present pastor is
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY.
Rev. George Rosenwinkle, of Mishawaka, who holds services every Sunday. The congregation at present is ordinarily large, and in- cludes some of the best citizens of the township.
Evangelical Churches .- There are two Evangelical churches in the township, one situated on section 15, at Woodland, built by the Methodists, who held services there for a number of years, after which it was purchased by Fred Weber, Christopher Weigel and Fred Fassnacht, then members of the Evangelical Church. Since then that denomination has held services in it. Prior to the erec- tion of the present church edifice, there was a log house on the same site, which was used for religious purposes. This building was the first church built in the township. The present pastor is Rev. F. Bolz, who is a resident of the township, and holds services there every other Sabbath. The congregation is small, numbering only abont 16 members.
The other Evangelical church, situated on section 19, was built in 1868, and supplied the place of an old log house which stood just across the road on section 18. Some of the charter members of the Church were: Philip Marker and wife, Matthew Klein and wife, Peter and Philip Bollenbacher and their wives, Nicholas, Philip and Jacob Schlarb and their wives, and Peter Bechler. The congre- gation now numbers about 45 members. The first pastor was Philip Wagner; the second was Nicholas Burghart; the third, Charles Ritzman; and the fourth, Fredrich Bolz, who is the present incum- bent.
Evangelical Association .- The church known by this name, is situated on section 10, and was built in 1864. A few of the first members of the Church were: Jacob Zimmer and wife, Philip Ber- ger and wife, Michael Zimmer and wife, Michael Smith and wife, Christian Eslinger and wife, George Wise, Sr., and wife, George Frei and wife. The first pastor of the Church was Rev. George Platz; the present one is Rev. E. Treyer. The congregation is quite respectable in number, being about 55 or 60, and including many of the best citizens of Madison township.
United Brethren .- This church is located on section 17, and was built in 1878. The congregation is small. The Kidders and A. Hummel were among the earliest members of the Church. The first minister of the Church was Rev. Mr. Simons, who helped to put up the church building. The present pastor of the denomination is Rev. Mr. Beghtel, of Elkhart county.
SCHOOLS.
The present School Trustee is Amos Snyder, who was elected to that office in the fall of 1877, and was re-elected in the spring of 1880. There are 12 school buildings in the township, conveniently located, in which about seven months' school are kept annually. The educational interests of the township are well attended to by the citizens in every particular.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
WOODLAND.
There is a small collection of houses in Madison ,township on secs. 15, 16, 21 and 22, which is called Woodland. This little rural place was never laid out as a town, but a store was started here about 25 years ago by Martin Fink and Wm. Shenefield, who continued run- ning a small grocery store and keeping a little whisky-which was very common in those days-for about two years. At the end of that time they abandoned the business and a store was never opened until 1877, by Mr. Maiming; this was run by Dr. Bishop, a prac- ticing physician at the place. After a short time the store went into the hands of Adam Mochel and Fred Weber, who still have the place. A short time after the first store was opened, Conrad Kelley started a saloon, but continued only about three years; the same institution was then conducted by Michael Kettring for three or four years, until about the close of the war.
In 1872 Philip Buhler started a blacksmith shop, and still con- tinues; about the same time, or a little prior to this, Fred Weber started a wagon shop; he also still continues in the situation.
Dr. Fisher, who located there in May, 1880, is a practicing physi- cian.
There is a good school-house in the place, built in 1874 or '75, which does honor to the citizens of the immediate neighborhood. The first and only postoffice ever established in the township, is at this place, and Fred Weber is now postmaster; however the office at first was a short distance south of Woodland.
So that at present the place consists of a small grocery store, which does a small business, a postoffice, wagon-shop, blacksmith shop, one doctor, a school-house and two churches. But just half a mile south of Woodland is a large saw-mill, which tends to add some- what to the business interests of the township. This mill is situ- ated on section 22, and was built in 1864 by Lang, Smith & Co. It next passed into the hands of Lang, Frank & Co .; at present the firm name is Lang & Frank, but the mill is run by Charles Frank, They are doing a good business, employing from four to twenty hands. In 1875 they put in machinery for making staves, which they continue to manufacture.
There is also another large saw-mill on section 27, run by Scott Shenefield and his cousin. The mill was built in 1864 or '65, by the following men, as a kind of joint-stock company: F. Shearer, Lewis Wedling, Peter Coler and another man. The present pro- prietors purchased it in February, 1879, and are doing a good busi- ness, hauling considerable lumber to Mishawaka. They run the mill four or five days in the week. And there is still another large saw-mill on section 13, owned and run by Thomas and L. W. Crakes. The first mill on this site was built several years ago, but two or three have been burned down on the same location. Mr. Crakes and son, the present proprietors, have owned it but a
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
short time. They are doing a good business, and sell lumber at Mishawaka and South Bend.
But even this one does not complete the number of saw-mills, for they seem to be more numerous in Madison township than any- thing else. There is one on section 24, owned and run by Adam and Peter Buhler. This mill was built about four years ago. The one on section 33 is owned by William Uline; the one on section eight, by Mr. Huntberger; and the one on section ten, by Mr. Miller; and just across the road from the saw-mill, on section eight, is a small grocery store, owned by Jacob Pittman.
Madison township has not the advantages of a railroad town. At one time the Canada Southern was proposed through the southern part, but the track was never laid: neither are the watering facilities of the township numerous. There is a branch of a stream in the northeastern part, which waters that portion; and in the southern part the Yellow river passes ; but this is a small stream, being of little or no benefit to the township, as it is almost entirely dry.
But everything in connection with Madison township seems to presage that its day of rank in the county has not yet come, for there is certainly something better in store for the citizens here; and we venture to say that Madison township will some day be one of the finest townships of farming land in St. Joseph county.
PERSONAL.
The following sketches are short biographies of many of the pioneers and leading citizens of Madison township, which will be found equally interesting to the residents of the community.
John Barkey, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Mishawaka; son of John and Susan (Buzzert) Barkey, was born in Holmes county, O., in 1828, and is of German descent. His parents, who are now deceased, were natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this county in 1858, and settled in this tp., where he still resides, as a success- ful farmer; politically, he is a Democrat. When commencing in life he was limited both as to his education and finance ; but he has been an industrious tiller of the soil, a prudent manager and an upright man; he now owns 240 acres of land in Madison and 20 acres in Penn tps., all of which is worth about $60 per acre. In 1855 he was married to Elizabeth Weldy, who was born in Ohio in 1828, and they have had 3 children, of whom only one, Levi, still survives, Susan and an infant child being dead. Mrs. B. is a member of the Mennonite Church.
Peter Behler, son of George and Catharine (Shearer) Behler, both of whom died in New York, was born in Germany in 1817, came to America in 1848, and to this tp. in 1854; he was married during the same year to Mary Webla, a native of Germany, and they have had 9 children, of whom 8 are living: Philip, Peter, Sarah, Fredrick, Adam, Charles, Jacob and Joseph. Mr. B. and
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wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He owns 300 acres of land in this tp., although he commenced with nothing.
Philip Berger, son of Michael and Fredrica (Matz) Berger, deceased, was born in Germany in 1821, and came to this country with his parents in 1832, and to this State in 1838, settling in Marshall county, where he resided until 1850, when he came to this tp. He was married during the same year to Elizabeth Walmer, who was born in Germany in 1826; they have 10 children: Peter, Mary, Michael, Elizabeth, William, Katie, Edward, Caroline, Sarah and Ellen. Mr. B. and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association; politically, he is a believer in the doctrines of the Republican party. His educational advantages were rather limited; he has worked hard all his life, being poor when he began for him- self; he now owns 280 acres of land, which he values at about $30 per acre; he is a successful tiller of the soil on sec. 15. P. O., Bremen.
Jacob Birk, farmer, sec. 30; P. O., Mishawaka; was born in Germany in 1836, and came to this country in 1852, and to this county in 1860. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Feerer) Birk, now deceased, and were natives of Germany. In 1857 Mr. B. was married to Regne Hoss, who was born in Germany in 1833; they have 6 children, all of whom are living: Christina, Henry, Elizabeth, Catharine, Susan and Lewis. They are members of the Evangelical Church. He owns 140 acres of land, worth about $35 per acre.
Peter Bollenbacher, son of Michael and Elizabeth Bollenbacher, was born in Prussia in 1823, and came to this country in about 1848, and to this tp. in 1855. He had nothing when he first began in life and has worked hard during the whole time. He now owns 80 acres of land, worth about $45 per acre. He was educated in Germany; is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. In 1849 he married Miss Margaret Schlarb, who was born in Germany in 1821; they have had 6 children, of whom only 2 are now living: Margaret, who is the wife of Jacob Topper, a farmer in this tp., and William, who is still at home.
Jacob Conrad, son of Jacob and Mary (Stilengerboner) Conrad, was born in Prussia in 1847, and came to this tp. in 1854. He was married in 1873 to Mary E. Marker, who was born in this tp. in 1856, and they have 2 children: John P. and Charles J. Mr. C. and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. Politically, he is a Democrat; his educational advantages were only ordinary. He owns 40 acres of land; has worked hard all his life.
Thomas Crakes, son of Francis and Martha (Marshall) Crakes, was born in England in 1827, and was brought to America by his parents when quite young. They first settled in New York, and are now deceased. Mr. C. came to this tp. in 1848; he was married in 1849 to the widow Hollingshed, whose maiden name was Mary Moon; she was a native of New York, and died in 1868, leaving 6 children: Francis M., Lawrence W., Martha A., Mary J., George
L.J. Itam
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY.
O. and Hattie H. In 1868 he was married to Elizabeth (Moon) Pickerd, a sister to his former wife, who had 3 children: Cath- oline, Alonzo and Martha. Politically, Mr. C. is a believer in the principles of the Republican party; he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. C. owns 125 acres of land, worth about $6,000; also a saw-mill and eight acres on which it is located, worth about $1,400. Mention of this mill has already been made elsewhere. He has always been an industrious farmer, and is now on sec. 7. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, in company F., 48th Ind. Inf. Vol., at Mishawaka, under the command of Captain Bur- ket; was in the service until Jan. 16, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He engaged in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Vicks- burg, Jackson and Champion Hills, together with a number of other battles, entering as a private, but was soon promoted to Cor- poral, and afterward to Sergeant, which position he occupied during the whole war. P. O., Mishawaka.
Traugott Enders, farmer, sec. 3; P. O., Bremen; son of Gotfred and Fredrica Enders, natives of Germany; was born in this tp. in 1842; he came with his parents to this county abont 1841. In 1864 he was married to Catharine Rader, who was born in 1836, and they have 6 children, 2 boys and 4 girls. Politically, Mr. E. is a Republican. He and wife are members of the Albright Church. He owns 80 acres of land, worth abont $50 per acre.
Henry Fox, son of John and Mary (Shier) Fox, was born in Aslıland county, O., in 1842, and came to this county in 1860. His father and mother were natives of Germany; the former is living in this tp., and the latter died in 1875. Mr. F. was married in 1872 to Philbena Schlarb, a native of Indiana; they have had 4 children, of whom 2 are now living: George and Frida. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Church; politically, he is a Democrat; he owns 120 acres of land worth about $4.000.
Charles Frank, son of George F. and Catharine (Ronp) Frank, natives of Germany, was born in Pennsylvania in 1842, and came to this county in 1864. His mother is now living in Pennsylvania, and his father died there in 1872. Mr. F. is prominently connected with the history of Madison tp., and is one of its most enterprising citizens; he is now Justice of the Peace; is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Bremen, number 427, and a Republican. In 1868 he was married to Mary A. Buhheit, who was born inPennsylvania in 1844, and their 3 children are: George F., Norman J. and Es- tellà M.
Mr. F's educational advantages when young were good; he reads a good deal, both in German and English. At present he is in partnership with Fred F. Lang, of Mishawaka, and is running a steam saw-mill on sec. 22, mention of which has already been made. He is an equal partner in the mill, which he valnes at about $6,000, and also in 160 acres of land, worth about $4.000.
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