History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Part 82

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 82

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James McKnight, sec. 11; P. O., Mishawaka; is a son of John and Sarah (Tilfer) Mcknight, who came to Indiana about the year 1814. He was born June 16, 1824, in Franklin county, Ind., and received his education in a log house, with slab seats, puncheon floor and a huge fire-place in one end of the room. He came with his parents to this county in 1834, where he lias since resided. He married Miss Eliza McCreary in 1847, and they have had 4 chil- dren, viz .: Saralı, deceased; John T., Ida A. and Mollie. Mr. McKnight has not confined himself to any one particular business; for several years he butchered during the fall. In general he is a farmer, but is now engaged more or less in lending money and buying notes. He owns 267 acres of land, which is managed by his son. Mrs. McKnight is a worthy member of the M. E. Church, and he is a Republican straight.

Milton McKnight, P. O., Mishawaka; was born in Franklin connty, Ind., May 3, 1833, and is a son of John and Sarah McKnight, the former a native of Rockbridge county, Va., and the latter of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. They settled in Southern Indiana, which was then a Territory, in 1814, and came to this county in 1834. Mr. McKnight died in 1840, and Mrs. Mcknight in 1866. Milton was reared on a farm and attended district school three months each year when a boy. His father

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

entered about 600 acres of land, and moved first with his family of 8 children into a small log cabin, containing bnt one room. Mr. McKnight was married in April, 1860, to Miss Lucinda Finch, by whom he had 2 children, Robert and Anthony D. He resides on the homestead on sec. 11, engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Knight are members of the Valley M. E. Church.

S. B. McQuillen was born in Tecumseh, Mich., July 4, 1851, and is a son of John and Mary McQuillen, of Mishawaka. They removed to Lima, Ind., in 1853, then to Wisconsin, where they remained over eight years. S. B., the subject of this sketeh, was educated in Mishawaka; clerked for Clark & Whitson, dry-goods merchants of Mishawaka, for two years, and two years for V. Beige in this place; he began business for himself in December, 1875; he earries a stock of $1,800, consisting of groceries, queen's-ware, glassware, notions, ete., and also rnns a bakery. He does a good business. He was married Dec. 31, 1879, to Miss Lillie M. Towle.

Lawrence Meixell, sec. 35; P. O., Mishawaka; was born in Cumberland county, Pa., Dec. 28, 1847; was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. His parents eame with their family to this eounty in 1848, where they still reside. June 12, 1867, he married Miss Jane Smyser, daughter of Cornelins Smy- ser, of whom we make further mention in this work. They have had 6 children, 3 of whom are living, viz .: William, Lizzie and Belle. He is engaged in farming and owns 80 aeres of land. Mrs. Meixell is a member of the M. E. Church. Jacob Meixell, the father of the above, was born in Cumberland county, Pa., May 12, 1816, and is a son of John and Mary Meixell, deceased. His boy- hood days were spent on a farm, and his educational advantages were snch as were furnished by the common schools. He was mar- ried April 13, 1843, to Miss Evaline Westfall, by whom he had 10 children, 7 now living, viz .: Mary, Lawrence H., George, John, Jake, Leroy and Ann. Mr. M. eame to this connty in 1848, where he still resides. In his younger days he followed threshing to some extent. He now has 150 acres of land, and has given farins to his children. Mr. and Mrs. Meixell are worthy members of the Christian Church. In politics he was a Whig, and now, of course, is a Repub- lican.

Adam Miller, sec. 25; was born near Zanesville, O., Jan. 8, 1819, and is a son of Adam and Sarah ( Prior) Miller, who removed with their family to this county in 1830. He was reared to hard work and received a limited education in a subscription school taught in a log house, with slab seats, and a board supported on pins in the wall for writing desks. His teachers were of the "ox- gad persuasion." He was married in December, 1838, to Miss Mercy A. Mead, by whom he has had 8 children. Those living, are Eli, Leeo, Anna and Julins. He is engaged in farming and stock- raising, and owns 30 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Miller and all their children are members of the Christian Church.

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY.

Joseph Miller was born in Lebanon county, Pa., Feb. 27, 1823, and is a son of Henry and Catharine (Harper) Miller, also natives of Pennsylvania. Their ancestors came to America with William Penn, and Mr. Miller is of the fifth generation from the Pennites; his early educational advantages were very limited; his school education was obtained on a slab bench in a little log cabin, whose windows were about 12 inches high and about six or seven feet long. He came to this county in 1837, and resided where Sonth Bend now stands; he also resided awhile in Michigan. Oct. 4, 1844, he married Miss Martha A. Scott, by whom he has had 2 children, Elizabeth A. and Mary C. The latter is deceased. She was drowned with a party of three others when boat-riding at South Bend, the boat being drawn through the broken dam by the current. Mr. Miller is a miller by trade; for an account of the mill, see page 795.

Jacob Minnick, farmer, sec. 33; was born in Pennsylvania Nov. 6, 1816, and is a son of Jacob and Susan (Hanie) Minnick; he was reared on a farm, and received a limited education in a subscrip- tion school in Stark county, Ohio, where his parents removed when he was but six weeks old. The country there was new and he was obliged to work hard and undergo many hardships and privations which pioneer boys are heir to. His father died when he was quite small and he began working by the month as soon as large enough to make a hand, at $7 a month; worked many a day in the harvest field from sunrise until the gathering darkness, for 50 cents. In 1845 he married Miss Mary Becker, by whom he has 6 chil- dren, viz .: Louisa, George, Amanda, Ruhama, Ellen and Laura. Mrs. Minnick is a worthy member of the Catholic Church. They removed to this county in 1849, settling in Penn tp., where they still reside. Mr. Minnick owns 170 acres of land, and has given his son 60 acres; he began in life poor, but has been very success- ful, making all by his own exertions.

John Monroe was born in New York city Jan. 16, 1817; his parents were Abraham and Sarah (Butters) Monroe, also natives of New York; he was reared on a farm and had no educational advan- tages until he was married; he came to Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1837, where, in 1842, he married Miss Mary Topper, and they have had 6 children,-5 living: William, Elizabeth, Margaret, James and Lucinda. He came to this county in October, 1850, where he still resides, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising on his farm of 180 acres, sec. 6, Penn tp. Mr. Monroe has worked hard in improving this country. In politics he is Democratic.

Calvin Moon was born in this county May 16, 1849, and is a son of James Moon, who came to this county in 1834. He was reared on a farm and educated at Valparaiso College; was a mem- ber of the engineer corps in the employ of the C. & C. So. R. R., for three years; was married in December, 1876, to Miss Cynthia Stonehill, by whom he has one child, Sewell. In June, 1877, Mr. Moon was elected County Superintendent of Public Instruction,

William Miller

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

for St. Joseph county, and in June, 1879, he was unanimously re-elected to the same office by acclamation.

Nelson Moon, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Mishawaka; was born in Yates county, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1816, and is a son of Reynolds and Nancy (Briggs) Moon, deceased, natives of Rhode Island; the for- mer was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Moon was brought up on a farm, and educated in a common school; for many years he was a contractor for furnishing wood to the Lake Shore and other railroad companies. He was married Aug. 31, 1837, to Miss Bet- sey Hoard, daughter of James Hoard, dec., a soldier in the war of 1812. They have had 9 children; 6 are living, viz .: William, Caro- line, Sarah, Alice, Emma and Nelson. Mr. Moon came to this county in the year 1839, and settled in Penn tp., where he still resides, and owns 175 acres of valuable land. This part of the county was covered with a heavy growth of timber at that time, and the pioneers had an immense amount of very hard labor to per- form in preparing their lands for the plow, and in improving the country, of which Mr. Moon has done his share. Few men have performed the amount of labor that he has, and remain active as he, at the advanced age of 65 years. He has been a member of the Masonic order for over 30 years.

Solomon Moon, deceased, was born in New York, March 25, 1825, and was a son of Wanton and Barbara Moon; he was reared on a farm and received a common-school education; came to this county about the year 1855, where he engaged in farming; settled in the timber in Penn tp., and labored hard in making a home for himself and family. He was married June 26, 1861, to Miss Char- lottie Hollingshead, by whom he had 9 children; of these, but 4 are living, viz .: Annie, George, Ira and Laura. During the last few years of his life, Mr. Moon was afflicted with the consumption, and traveled through the West and Sonth to find relief, but, Dec. 25, 1872, death called him to a land of rest. He was a consistent Christian and worthy member of the M. E. Church for several years. He was a very generous man, always giving as he was pros- pered in life, to the support of the gospel, to missionary canses and other benevolent enterprises. It can truly be said that the country is better for his having lived in it.

E'li O. Newman was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Aug. 19, 1839, and is a son of Thomas and Fannie (Weeks) Newman; his father died when Eli was but 3 years old, and he then went to live with his unele, John Low; most of his early life was spent on a farm. His uncle was a miller, and he was early placed in the mill to work, and consequently enjoyed limited educational advantages. He engaged in furnishing wood, by contract, to the railroad com- pany for over four years; he served in the late war in Co. I, 9th Ind. V. I., and participated in the battles of Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Atlanta campaign, Franklin, Nashville, and others, twenty eight in all. He was mar- ried in 1862, while on a furlough from the army, to Miss Caroline

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

Moon, daughter of Nelson Moon, and they have had 6 children, of whom 4 are living, viz .: Clara A., Howard W., Anna E. and Julins A. Mr. Newman is engaged in farming and stock-raising, on sec. 1, Penn tp .; he and Mrs. Newman are worthy members of the M. E. Church.

Charles C. Niles was born in Maysville, Wisconsin, May 1, 1852, and is a son of John and Ellen D. (Bennett) Niles, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New York. Mr. Niles was reared in Mishawaka, as his parents located here several years ago; he was educated at Racine College, Wisconsin. September 10, 1875, he married Miss Annie M. Stoner, by whom he has one child, Rushton D. Mr. Niles is a member of the Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Niles of the Baptist Church. Mr. N. is a prominent citizen, and a stockholder in the St. Joseph Manufacturing Company.

Thomas Norman was born in Clinton county, N. Y., April 7, 1833, and is a son of Thomas Norman, deceased. He was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education; is an engineer by profession, but at present is engaged in teaming in Mishawaka; came to Mishawaka in 1855, and for 12 years thereafter he run a threshing-machine. He was married July 5, 1857, to Miss Anna E. Crooks, daughter of James Crooks; she is a worthy member of the M. E. Church.

Dr. Byron R. O'Connor, physician and surgeon, Mishawaka; is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, born Aug. 12, 1838. His parents were Washington and Elizabeth (Delle) O'Connor; the former a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., and the latter of Virginia; he came to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1848, and to Mishawaka in 1855; he received his literary education in Mishawaka, and gradu- ated from the medical department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, at Philadelphia, in 1867; he began practice in 1865 in Mish- awaka, having attended two courses of lectures prior to this; he married Miss Fannie Stiles, daughter of Dr. John M. Stiles. deceased, so well-known in the early history of this county; they have had 3 children, 2 living: Eugenia M. and Armon S. The Doctor began poor, and in 15 years he has laid by $20,000, besides paying security of $3,000.

August Bernard Oechtering, the youngest son of Gerhard H. and Therese Benning (Maiar) Occhtering, at Rheine, Province of Westphalia, Prussia, Sept. 8, 1837. He completed his studies at the college of the Rheine in 1858, and in July of the same year came to America to prepare himself for the extensive mission of the Catholic Church, for which he always felt a great desire. For this purpose the newly appointed Bishop Luers, of Fort Wayne, Ind., to whom he had applied for admission into his diocese, sent him to the seminary of " Mount St. Mary's of the West," near Cincinnati, where he completed his theological studies in May, 1861. On the 17th of the same month he was ordained priest in the Cathedral at Fort Wayne by Bishop Imers. Soon after his ordination he was appointed Rector of the much neglected mission of St. Joseph's

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

Church at Delphi, Carroll county, Ind., where, from May 26, 1861, until Dec. 22, 1865, he labored with good success in building up a good congregation and school. At the same time he also attended several small missions in the surrounding country eight to twenty- five miles distant. In 1864 he accompanied his kind friend, Bishop Luers, to Europe, where, after an absence of six years, he visited his aged parents, who at that time celebrated their golden wedding, on which occasion the family held a reunion of all the S children and their families. In 1865 Mr. Oechtering was appointed Rector of St. Mary's Church at Avilla, Noble county, Ind. While there he labored for 18 months with 11 different congregations, scattered over four counties. In Waterloo. DeKalb county, Ind., a new church was erected, and in Kendallville, Noble county, a honse was purchased of the Baptists and fitted up for Catholic worship. He also labored at several other places at the same time. During his short stay in Avilla he delivered many lectures upon Catholic doc- trines, such as Confessions, Popery, the True Church, etc., in the different missions, thus clearing away many prejudices that many people held concerning the Catholic doctrines and Catholic customs, and silencing many false accusers. In 1867, at the request of the Bishop, he took charge of the St. Joseph's Church at Mishawaka, where he has since labored with good success. In December, 1879, the Bishop at Fort Wayne, Dr. Dwenger, tendered him a much larger and more remunerative field of labor; but he declined it, as he had formed an attachment to his people in Mishawaka and pre- ferred remaining with them. In 1875 Rev. Oechtering again went to Europe. While there he visited Rome and had an audience with the venerable and saintly Pius IX. He also traveled through France, England and Ireland. This last journey he refers to fre- quently as one of much benefit to himself.

P. J. Perkins was born in the mountains of Warren county, N. Y., near Lake George, April 13, 1824. His parents were Newman and Elizabeth (Tanner) Perkins, natives of Rhode Island, who came to Lenawee county, Mich., in 1815. P. J. was reared on a farm in New York; he worked in an ax manufactory in the village of Cohoes, near Troy, for five years; there he was married, in 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Skiff, by whom he has 2 children, Charley and Edward; he removed to Kane county, Ill. in 1854, and to this county in 1871; he became interested with his brother, P. C. Per- kins, in the manufacture of axes in Mishawaka, in 1869, and in 1871 they began the manufacture of the Perkins windmills in the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are members of the Presbyte- rian Church. There are eight brothers in the Perkins family, all of whom united with the Church before arriving at the age of 16 years.

Abner J. Pettit was born in Miami county, Ohio, June 18, 1830, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Blue) Pettit, also natives of Ohio; he was brought up on a farm and received a common-school education; he came with his parents to Mishawaka in 1835; he engaged in cabinet-making for eighteen months, then worked at the

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

carpenter's and joiner's trade for a time; he clerked in a store two years, when he bought and moved "onto " a farm; in 1871 he en- gaged as ticket and freight agent with the Grand Trunk R. R. Co., taking charge of the Mishawaka station, which position he still holds. He was married in 1860 to Miss Ann E. Smith, by whom he has 2 children: Hattie L., deceased, and Carrie Alberta. Mr. and Mrs. Pettit are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is clerk of the session.

Melvin R. Phillips was born in Essex county, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1826, and is a son of Reuben and Lydia (Cole) Phillips, also natives of New York. Mr. Phillips was brought up on a farin and edu- cated in the common schools; when a boy, just prior to merging into manhood, he went npon the lakes and sailed for several years; he also pursued various other avocations. He came to this county in 1846, and engaged in farming; in 1852 he married Ruth A. Cook, and they had one child, Jay; he again married in 1859, this time Louisa Headley, by whom he had 2 children: Frank and Myron. Mr. Phillips is a prominent stone-mason, and generally has charge of all the masonry in improving the mill-race at Misha- waka, and for the different mannfacturing companies here; also did the mason work on both of the new iron bridges at Mishawaka. He resides on sec. 1, range 3 east, and is engaged in farming.

Henry S. Plumb, merchant, Oceola, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1827, and is a son of George and Abbie PInmb, natives of Massachusetts and Ohio, respectively; he was reared on a farm and educated in Elyria, Ohio. In 1848 he left his parental roof, spending three years in Iowa, three years in Illinois and three years in the late war, in Co. A, 17th Ill. V. 1 .; he par- ticipated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg and others; he came to this county in 1864, and married Miss Alma A. Bancroft, the next day after arriving here; he had previously become acquainted with her when visiting in this locality; they have had 3 children, but one of whom is alive, Abbie E. In 1870 Mr. P. engaged in the mercantile business in Oceola; he carries a general stock of $2,000, and is doing a good business.

Charles K. Pulling was born in Monmonth county, N. J., May 15, 1811, son of Samnel and Charlotte Pulling, natives of New Jersey. He was reared on a farm and received a common-school education; was in the railroad company's employ for some time, and in 1853 came to this county. He was married in Philadelphia in 1836 to Miss Mary A. Nailer, by whom he had 12 children, 6 living, viz .: George, Emeline, Annie, Henrietta, John and Ellen. He owns 235 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising on sec. 8. His sons, George and John, were soldiers in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Pulling are worthy members of the Baptist Church at Mishawaka.

John H. Quigg, of the firm of Quigg & Beemer, was born in Wayne county, Ind., Nov. 25, 1830, son of Henry and Amanda

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

(Ireland) Quigg, who came to this county in 1833 and to Misha- waka about 1835. He was educated in Mishawaka; labored as a common laborer for some time; attempted to work at the tailor's trade but failed in health; he ran on the St. Joseph river for ten years upon different boats; he was married in 1857 to Miss Ida Julian, daughter of John Julian, deceased. He served in the late war in Co. H, 138th Ind. V. I., for six months; was Deputy Provost Marshal in Mishawaka up to the time of his enlistment; clerked in a store in Mishawaka for fifteen years. He formed a partnership with Mr. Beemer of this place in 1879, and engaged in the sale of dry-goods, staple and fancy notions, carrying a stock of $4,500, and is doing a good business.

Geo. W. Redding was born in Benton county, N. Y., July +, 1824, and is a son of James I. and Rhoda (Ketchum) Redding. He came to this county with his parents in 1836, settling on a farm, and receiving a common-school education. Being somewhat of a lover of music, Mr. Redding improved his talent in this direction by taking lessons under Professors I. B. Woodbury, Foote, Baker, Tuttle and other leading vocalists. For the last 35 years he has successfully taught vocal music in St. Joseph county, and is also agent for some of the most popular organs and pianos. He was married in 1845, to Miss Mary Eller, danghter of J. Eller, deceased. The professor is also engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing on his beautiful farm, on sec. 18. He teaches in the winter, and attends to his farm during the summer seasons. Mrs. Redding is a worthy member of the M. E. Church.

Jacob Rhoads,.sec. 8; P. O., South Bend; was born in Hunting- ton county, Pa., Feb. 27, 1825, and is a son of John and Margaret Rhoads, also natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rhoads was brought up on a farm, and educated in the common schools. His parents removed with their family to Ohio in 1835. Abont 1849 or '50 Mr. Rhoads came to this county on a visit, and being favorably impressed with the country he removed to Madison tp. in 1851. In 1857 he married Miss Rosetta Watkins, and removed to this tp. They have had 8 children, of whom 7 are living, viz .: Ida A., Lillie B., Minnie L., Mark W., Keturah, Margaretta and Lucy. Mr. Rhoads has resided in this county since 1851, except five years, which time he resided in Elkhart county. He owns 80 acres of land, and is engaged in general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads are worthy members of the M. E. Church.

Samuel Ritter was born in Butler county, Ohio. His parents were Jacob and Sarah (Writter) Ritter, the former of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. Mr. Ritter was brought to this county in May, 1832, when about nine years of age; in 1844 he married Sally Jones, daughter of Samnel and Polly (Terson) Jones, of this county; her father died in 1850, and her mother is now living with her. She was born in 1802 in North Carolina and came to this county in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter have 6 children living, and 5 deceased. The former are members of the Penn Township Grange,

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

which now meets in South Bend. Mr. R. owns 116 acres of fine farm land, worth $100 an acre. He is a Republican.

John Robbins was born in Ohio April 18, 1813, and is a son of William and Mary (Nichols) Robbins, natives of Pennsylvania; he was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to this county in 1835, having married Miss Precious Jenkins the year previons. They had 3 children: Delila, Samuel and Mary A. Mrs. Robbins died Jan. 6, 1845. Mr. Robbins mar- ried a second wife, Miss Rachel Jackson, by whom he has had 4 children, 3 living, viz .: Calvin C., Sarah and John W. Mr. Rob- bins began poor, worked hard, and managed well, and now has a good farm of 160 acres.

Aaron Rogers, deceased, was a native of Ireland. He came to America about 1840, and located in Mishawaka, where he worked on the new mill-dam, which is still standing. He was mar- ried to Miss Catharine Loomans, by whom he had 7 children; 4 living viz .: John, William, David and Oliver. He died in March, 1874, and Mrs. Rogers died in September, 1879. John, who is a subscriber for this work, resides on the old home place, sec. 5, and conducts the farm. He married Miss Mary Kizer in April, 1880.

Frederick A. Rohleder was born in Germany Jan. 6, 1846; was reared and educated in the village of Vollmershain, Germany. He came to this place (Mishawaka) in 1860, where he followed carpen- tering for 13 years. In 1873 he erected a brick block in Misha- waka, and kept a bakery and grocery with Mr. Kuss for 6 years. In 1869 he engaged in the dry-goods trade here, and is doing a good business, with a capital stock of $5,500. He married Miss Sarah Wees in 1873; they have 3 children, Emma, Walter and Emma.

James A. Roper was born in St. Joseph county, Mich., Dec. 15, 1846. His parents were John and Cornelia Roper, the former a native of England, and the latter of Onondaga Co., N. Y. They came to this county when he was but three months old, where he has since resided. He was educated in Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind .; was married in 1868, to Miss Ella M. Dowling, by whom he had 4 children: Henry C., Clarence A., Harry D. and Eugene. Mr. R. served three years and eight months in the late war in Co. F, 48th Ind. Vol. Inf., and participated in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Raymond, Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Tunnel Hill and others, and accompanied Sherman's army in his noted march to the sea.

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History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Part 82

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

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