USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 93
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
In the spring of 1861, President Lincoln having called for 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion inaugurated by the "Con- federate States of the Sonth," Governor Morton called an extra session of the Legislature, and issned a proclamation for the assembling of Indiana's quota of militia at Indianapolis, to join the Union forces. Mr. Murray being a member of the State Senate, before repairing to the capitol, issued a call for volunteers through the two newspapers of Goshen, made out the first muster- roll, and, heading it with his own name, left it at the Auditor's office for signatures, which was soon filled beyond the complement allowed to single companies. On the evening of his departure he got them together at the court-house, nominated Milo S. Hascall for Captain, and E. R. Kerstetter for First Lieutenant, and then left on the night train for Indianapolis, and after taking his seat in the Senate, was soon followed by all the volunteers on his mnster- roll. He went to war as a private, was promoted Orderly Sergeant, then Quartermaster of the 48th Ind. Vol. Inf., which position he resigned on account of sickness ; but on account of his efficiency as a soldier and officer, it was three months before his resignation was accepted. In 1862-'3 he resumed his seat in the Legislature, and after the expiration of his term he continned by all honorable means to sustain a vigorous proseention of the efforts of the Govern- ment to suppress the Rebellion. In 1870 he sold his farin and moved into Goshen, and subsequently contributed as a miscellaneous writer to the Democrat; in 1872 he took the stump for Greeley, having been appointed a member of the State Executive Com- mittee by the "Liberal" party; the next year he purchased the Goshen Democrat, and in December, 1874, he took possession of the South Bend Herald, with his son C. T. in charge; in 1876 he moved to this eity and assumed the entire management.
In July, 1836, he married Ann Maria Spriggs, of Kentucky. His children are Francis W., Charles T., Edward, Gordon N., IIarris F., Willis G., Emeline, Mary S. and Eliza O.
934
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Cornelius HI. Myers, M. D., was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1852, and is the son of Enos and Mary Myers, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They settled in Elkhart county, this State, in 1852, where the subject of this sketch spent his early life with his parents on a farm, attending the district school during the winter months. He taught school for two years and then began the study of medi- cine in 1874 at Goshen, Ind., with Dr. W. A. Whipple, the most prominent homeopathic physician in Elkhart county. He attended the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago in 1875, gradnated in 1877, and began the practice of medicine in South Bend in 1876, in connection with Dr. Partridge, the leading homeopathic physician of Northern Indiana, with whom he has since continued in practice. He was married in 1879 to Miss Gertrude W. Harris, of this city. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Myers is a Republican.
Henry Nelville, M. D., was born in Ohio, Dec. 14, 1839; he re- mained at home and worked on the farm until twenty years old, receiving such education as the common schools of that day afforded. He then taught school for a number of years, and at the age of 29 began the study of medicine in the Homeopathic College of Cleve- land, Ohio; graduated in 1872, and soon began the practice of inedi- cine and surgery in Randolph, New York, where he remained a short time and then moved to Albion, N. Y., where he continued his practice for three years. Dec. 30, 1879, he came to this city and located, where he now resides. He was married in 1868, in New York to Miss A. S. Jones, daughter, of Abner and Lydia S. Jones, natives of Vermont. She was born in New York in 1844. She began the study of medicine in 1869, graduating at the Home- opathic College of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1872, and has since been engaged in the practice of medicine in connection with her husband. They have 2 children: Pearl and Ruby. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J. M. Partridge, A. M., M. D. Dr. Partridge was born in Gus- tavus, Trumbull county, Ohio, May 17, 1835, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Bailey) Partridge. His father, Isaac, was born in Connecticut in 1808, and in 1820 removed with his grandfather, Thomas, to Ohio, where he still resides. . His mother, a danghter of Ida Bailey, was a native of Vermont, and removed to Ohio about 1825. She died in February, 1856. His grandfather, Thomas Partridge, served through the Revolutionary war, and took part in the engagement that resulted in the final sarrender of the British forces under Lord Cornwallis.
During his early years Dr. Partridge lived on a farm, where he received a good common-school education. At the age of 20 years he began teaching school in the winter, and assisted on his father's farm in the summer. Thus he continued for three years, when, yielding to an earnest desire for a classical education, at the age of 23 he began his studies at Oberlin preparatory to a college, course. Here he encountered and overcame difficulties that would have
Am. Partridge AM, M.D.
937
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
utterly discouraged many. A stranger and almost penniless he soon found employment, so that by working a few hours each day and studying, often till midnight, throughont the six years' course of study he paid all current expenses and kept up with his classes. During part of this time he was employed as teacher in the pre- paratory department of the college,
In 1863 he enlisted in the Ohio State Militia, an organization intended for home protection, but subject to the orders of the Gov- ernor. In April, 1864, during the darkest hours of the Rebellion, his regiment, the 150th Ohio, was ordered to the front and attached to the garrison holding the fortifications about the city of Wash- ington. His company (K) was garrisoning Fort Slocum at the time General Early attempted to take it in his attack upon Wash- ington, July 3, 1864, and which attack was signally repulsed. On the 15th of August following, his regiment was inustered out of the service at Cleveland, O., and he immediately returned to Oberlin, where he graduated with his class, receiving his diploma and title of A. B. Ang. 28, 1864. At this time Rev. John G. Fee, an earn- est anti-slavery reformer, had conceived the idea of establishing an academic school at the heretofore obscure town of Berea, in the backwoods of Kentucky. He asked Pres. Fairchild, of Oberlin College, to send him a teacher who had ability and courage to suc- cessfully assist him in this work. Dr. Partridge was recommended. He remained with Mr. Fee six months and organized the first classes in Greek, Latin and algebra that were ever taught in what is now Berea College.
In the spring of 1865 the subject of our sketch entered the office of Dr. L. B. Dye, at Gustavus, to pursue the study of medicine; the following September he entered as student in the office of Drs. Blair and Sanders, at Cleveland, O., and during the ensuing win- ter he attended the first course of lectures in the Cleveland Home- opathic College, both of his preceptors being Professors, and Dr. Sanders, President of the College. In November, 1866, he com- menced medical practice, in partnership with Dr. Craig, at Niles, Mich., where he remained a year, and then attended a second course of lectures at the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, where he received a diploma in the spring of 1868. The preceding year he had received his second literary degree and title of A. M. from his alma mater at Oberlin. In March, 1868, he commenced practice in South Bend, where he has ever since remained, now having a partner in his business, Dr. C. H. Myers. He was the first physician to make homeopathy a success in this community, which he has most signally accomplished, not only in popularizing the merits of his system, but also in a pecuniary way. He has already added to the beautiful city of South Bend a fine block of residences, and made himself a comfortable home. His quiet and unassuming manner, his superior mental discipline, his sympathy with the afflicted and his excellent judgment in all cases of emer- gency draw to him an immense patronage who will be his firm friends
58
938
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
for life. Although a thoroughly educated homeopathist and a firm believer in that system of administering remedies, lie is very liberal in his views toward other systems, cheerfully acknowledg- ing and thankfully employing the good he finds in any system. Dr. Partridge is a member of the Indiana Medical Institute, and frequently contributes to the medical press. His writing is char- acterized by that clearness of expression and condensed statement which is most desired in medical or scientific literature. Relig- iously the Dr. and his wife are Congregationalists. Politically, he he is a strong Republican, but owing to the pressing duties of his profession, he has taken no very active part in politics or political campaigns.
On the 28th of October, 1866, on leaving Ohio for Niles, Mich., Dr. Partridge was married to Aurelia H. Chapman, of Kingsville, Ohio, a native of Madison, in that State, and a daughter of Jedediah and Sarah E. (Osborne) Chapman. She also is a graduate of Oberlin College, class of '65, and at the time of her marriage was Precep- tress of Kingsville Academy; she is an educated Christian lady, an exemplary wife and mother. In the family of Dr. Partridge are 5 daughters and one son, namely: Clara, Eloise, William Harvey, Charlotte, Anna and Katie, all residing at home. The family are of the very highest standing in the community.
Dr. Partridge had two brothers, Harvey W. and George S., and five sisters, Esther, Mary, Minnie, Julia and Sarah. They are all now living excepting his brother, Capt. Harvey W. Partridge, who was killed in the bloody battle of Chickamauga while in command of Co. "I" of the 105th Ohio Regiment, and now lies buried in the "Soldiers' Cemetery," at Chattanooga, Tenn. His cousin, Col. Jas- per Partridge, of Carmi, Ill., was at one time Aid to Gen. John F. Miller, formerly of South Bend. The Doctor's father, Isaac, now 72 years of age, is the only surviving member of a family of eight. There were five brothers, namely : Samuel, Jasper, Wakeman, David and William, and two sisters, Mary and Sarah.
A portrait of Dr. Partridge accompanies this sketch.
Benj. Robert Perkins was born in London, Eng., Dee. 25, 1832, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wotham) Perkins, the former a wholesale tin and Japan-ware manufacturer during his life-time, employing some 600 hands at times; he is now dead, but his sons, James W. and Richard W., still carry on the business, under the firm name of " B. Perkins & Sons." The subject of this sketch obtained his education in what was called " the city of London school," where he finished the prescribed course; afterward he was for two years a member of the literary and scientific institution on Aldersgate street, London, E. C .; at 17 he was " articled " to Wm. Smith, gas engineer of Snow Hill, London, to learn the business; completed his articles at 21, and at the suggestion of his father, vis- ited this country, expecting to remain only one year, but it resulted in his becoming a citizen of this Republic. On his first arrival he settled in New York city, where he was employed by Samuel
939
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Downs as a gas- meter manufacturer, afterward by the American Meter Company of Philadelphia; was subsequently sent out as their foreman to manage their branch works in Cincinnati, where he remained three years. During this time, in 1856, he married Mary M. Westwood, danghter of John C. Westwood, then engineer of the Cincinnati Gas Company; during this year he was assistant inspector for that company. In 1857 he returned on a visit to London, which was extended to a ten-years' residence, during which, until 1861, he assisted his father in his business; he then opened an establishment on his own account, in gas engineering, fitting up a large portion of the famous Crystal Palace at Kensington, which had been used in the Great Exposition of 1862; in company with R. S. Parry, he assisted in fitting up that celebrated vessel, the " Great Eastern," with furniture, stores, etc., and sailed on the same when she made her trial trip. He was afterward engaged in the shipyard of his wife's nncle; at this place were built the largest class of iron-clad vessels, among them the " Resistance " and " War- rior."
In 1866 he returned to the United States and took a position with the Springfield (Ill.) Gas Company, which he resigned two years afterward and accepted a similar position at Peoria, Ill .; in 1870 he left the latter place and until 1875 superintended the gas works at Franklin and Columbus, Ind .; he then came to South Bend, where he has been connected with the gas works to the present time; he is now superintendent.
Mr. Perkins has now a family of 6 children.
George Pflegler was born in the State of Pennsylvania in 1842, the son of George and - - (McConnell) Pflegler; educated at college; located in South Bend in 1861; he read law, and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1862, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law in this city. He has formed a co-partnership with Hon. William G.George, and the firm of George & Pflegler is one of the leading law firms in South Bend, and they have a large practice. Mr. Pflegler was elected a city judge in 1869, which posi- tion he held several years. In 1877 he was appointed Postmaster of South Bend by President Hayes, which position he still holds. He was married in 1864 in Pennsylvania to Louisa Hamilton, daughter of Isaac and Charlotte Hamilton, of - Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1841. They have one son, William G. Mr. Pflegler belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a stannch Repub- lican.
Philias Phillion was born in Canada in 1837, and located in South Bend in 1860. He enlisted in the U. S. army in 1861; was in the service three months; he then re-enlisted in the 48th Ind. Vol. Inf. and served one year. In 1868 he commenced in the gro- cery trade in this city, on a capital of $200, and is now doing a large business. He was married in this county in 1862 to Miss Fanny Changoman, of this city, and they have 4 children now living.
940
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Charles Polock, manager of Polock's cigar store. This institu- tion was opened in this city by Mr. Pollock in 1877, in the Oliver House block, and in December following he was burned out. He then reopened at 64 Washington street, where the business has since been continued. At the time this store was established Mr. Polock found he bad much to contend with, the opposition in this line of trade being very great; but the citizens soon found he was a man of large experience and practical knowledge in this line of business, that his goods were always first-class, and that he carried a stock so much larger than his neighbors that he could give them a better quality of goods at lower prices than other dealers. He now carries a stock of $5,000 and upward, and by strict attention to business and fair dealing he has built up a very large trade, per- haps double that of any other dealer in the city. His stock of fine goods is without doubt the best in Northern Indiana.
Benjamin F. Price was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 30, 1807, the son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Fisher) Price, natives of Vir- ginia, who moved to Pennsylvania in 1807. The subject of this sketch served his apprenticeship at the cabinet trade with Col. W. B. Roberts, of Uniontown, and came to South Bend in 1835 and engaged in the furniture business, which he still continues. He was the first man to apply water-power to the manufacture of fur- niture in South Bend. He is one of the owners and directors of Price's theater, of which he is now the manager. He also owns the building on Washington street where his son now carries on the undertaker's business, and a number of houses and lots in the city. He was for several terms President of the Town Board before the city was organized, and was president and manager of the " Odd Fellows Hall Association," which position he held for over 20 years; and the present beautiful hall of that order was built under his management and direction. He was married in Uniontown, Pa., in 1832 to Miss Lucinda Welsh, and they have had 3 boys and 3 girls. Politically, Mr. Price is a Republican.
Simon Raff, M. D., was born in Wittemberg, Germany, in 1804; came to this country in 1844, settling in Pennsylvania; in 1846 he settled in Sonth Bend, where he now resides. He read medicine in the Innspruck Medical College, and graduated at that institu- tion in 1827; he continued the practice of medicine until 1846, since which time he has conducted a drug store in this city. He was married here in 1846 to Miss Sarah Fry, of this place, and they have 2 children, Louisa and Columbus. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Lafayette Ringle, M. D., is the son of Levi and Charity Ringle, who were natives of Ohio; he was born in this county in 1851; re- ceived a classical education and commenced the study of medicine when 23 years of age, graduating in 1877, and in the same year he began the practice of medicine and surgery in this city, which he has continued ever since. The Doctor has a large and lucrative practice in the community. He was married in Logansport, Ind.,
941
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
in 1879, to Emma L. Hoechen. They are members of the Presby- terian Church in this city.
Jacob Ritter was born in Ohio in 1806; located in Wayne county, Ind., in 1817, and in 1830 came to St Joseph connty and settled on Portage Prairie, where he has continued to reside ever since. He was married in Wayne county, Ind., in 1827 to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Montgomery county, Ind., in 1809. He had by this marriage 11 children, 5 boys and 6 girls. Mr. Ritter has held a number of offices of trust and importance in the county, and is a member of the Odd Fellows order in this city.
Alex. Rica, M. D., was born in Hungaria in 1847; pursued his medical studies in his native land, graduating at the Medical Col- lege of Amestroburg in 1871; came to this county in 1875, and for a number of years practiced in the large hospitals of New York and Chicago, and then located in this city, and has had remarkable success in his practice; has had many difficult cases in surgery, which have been highly spoken of by the press of this city. His office is now on the corner of Main and Washington streets. He was married in Chicago in 1880 to Miss Hattie Lemien, who was born in Illinois in 1852.
John D. Robertson was born in Virginia in 1791; his early life was spent at home on the farm; was taken by his parents to Ken- tucky in 1795, and the next year they moved to Ohio, where they cleared np and entered Government lands. Mr. Robertson had but little school advantages; his father being a poor man, he was obliged to work hard and assist in the support of the family. He was married in Ohio in 1813 to Miss Betsy Gogle, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1791; they had + children, 3 now living. He came to this county in 1834 and cleared up a farm and engaged wholly in agricultural pursuits; he afterward moved to South Bend and was for many years a Justice of the Peace; was afterward elected one of the Judges of the Sessions, which office he held a number of years. He came to this county without any means and with little or no education, and has acquired a large property, consisting of over 1,000 acres of choice land, a considerable portion of it being near and in the city limits; and while working during the day to make a home he did not neglect the culture of his mind, and devoted his evenings to hard study; and he is reaping the rich reward of his early industry.
William Ruckman was born in Pennsylvaniain 1822, and is the son of William and Margaret (Colwell), Ruckman, natives also of the same State; his father is of English and his mother of Scotch descent. He came to this State in 1844, locating in this county, where he has since resided. His early life was spent on a farm, which business he continued until he was 35 years of age; dealt in real estate ten years. In 1872 he went into building and " contracting," which he still continues; he has erected most of the principal public and private buildings in South Bend, among which are the county jail, erected in 1861, and the First M. E. church in
942
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
this city. He also built all the sewers in South Bend, and graded, graveled and paved all the business streets. He was married in Pennsylvania in 1846 to Caroline Silsby, who was born in that State in 1834. They have 4 children now living, William S., Mary, Jennie and Edward. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically, he is a Republican.
Peter E. Rupp, the youngest son of Peter and Helena Rupp, natives of Pennsylvaina, was born in the same State in 1829. His early life was spent at school until the age of 19, when he began the study of medicine in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, and graduated in 1851. He than began the practice of med- icine in Leesville, Ohio, where he remained five years. He then moved to Williams county, Ohio, where he continued the practice of medicine for 14 years. He then came to South Bend, and engaged in the drug trade, and has one of the finest drug stores in the city. In 1876 he also resumed the practice of medicine. His store and office is located at 75 Washington street.
John C. Sack, M. D., was born in Germany in 1822. He began the study of medicine when 28 years of age, at the Wittemberg Medical College, and graduated in 1855. He came to this country and located in South Bend, Ind., in 1855, and commenced the prac- tice of medicine and surgery, which he still continues. He was married in this city in 1856 to Margaret Koenig, a native of Ger- many; they have 3 children now living: Anna M., wife of F. M. Miller, of this city; Rosa A. and Thekla E. The Doctor has always enjoyed a large and successful practice.
John F. Sell, M. D., was born in Ohio, received a liberal edu- cation, and at the age of 19 began the study of medicine in Phila- delphia, where he graduated in 1872. He located in South Bend in 1879, where he has since continued the practice of medicine and surgery, with fine success. He was married in Ohio in 1875 to Miss Mary J. Keith, who was born in Ohio in 1854. Their 2 chil- dren are Minnie and Sarah.
B. F. Shively, editor and proprietor of the South Bend Era, was born near Osceola, this county, in 1857, and was brought up on a farm; at the age of 16 he commenced teaching school during the winters, which he followed for several years, while he worked upon the farm during the summer months. The Industrial Era in South Bend having been suspended in February, 1880, the ensu- ing month Mr. S. occupied the situation with his present paper, a further notice of which is given elsewhere. . Mr. S.'s father, Joel, was born in Stark county, O., of German ancestry, and his mother, Elizabeth, nee Penrod, was a native of Somerset county, Pa., of English ancestry; in 1855 they settled near Osceola, where they now reside.
Alexander T. Stephenson was born in North Carolina in 813; at 17 years of age he emigrated to Henry county, Ind., where he lived ten years, teaming and farming. He then moved to Grant county, Maine, where he remained several years; he then returned
943
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
to this State and located in South Bend in 1838, and engaged in packing pork and the grocery business, which he continued some time. He was married in this city in 1839 to Miss Priscilla King, who was born in Ohio in 1823. He has as the result of this mar- riage 5 children now living. In 1840 he removed to Wabash county, this State, where he resided 13 years, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1856 he returned to this city and has since resided here. For a number of years he followed buying and ship- ping stock. In 1868 he engaged in the manufacture and sale of pumps, gas-fitting and plumbing, in connection with his sons, the firm being "A. T. Stephenson & Sons." Mr. Stephenson is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.
Rev. Michael W. Steffey was born in York county, Pa., April 27, 1821, and is a son of Jacob N. Steffey, also a native of Pennsyl- vania. He was reared on a farm and educated at Manchester Col- lege. He took a theological course in the conference of the German Evangelical Association. He entered the ministry in that denom- ination in 1852, and has been in active service ever since. He was Pastor of the Church at Dayton, O., Fort Wayne, Ind., and other large places. He organized the first class of that faith in South Bend, and also organized the Ft. Wayne Church. He was Presid- ing Elder of the following districts, for four years each: Wabash, South Bend, Ft. Wayne and Elkhart. He became Pastor of the Church at Elkhart in 1872, which charge he now has. His labors have been very successful. He was married in 1843 to Miss Anna Fisher, by whom he has had 13 children; 7 of these areliving, viz .: Martin L., Sarah J., Alice, Josiah H., Gideon W., Milton M. and Ida May. Five are married, and the two youngest, Milton and Ida, remain at home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.