USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 94
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Sarah F. Stockwell, M. D., is the daughter of James and Sarah Kocher, natives of Pennsylvania, her father of French and her mother of Welsh descent. She was born in Lagrange county, Ind., Nov. 11, 1841; received a liberal education and afterward she entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and graduated in 1876. She commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Buchanan, Mich., where she remained a short time; she then removed to this city and commenced the practice of her profes- sion here. Her office is at No. 61 Washington street, and she has an extensive patronage. She was married in 1857 to James Stock- well, of Lagrange county, this State. They have 2 children,- Adelbert, born Feb. 28, 1859, and Lillian S., born Sept. 6, 1861.
Clement Studebaker, President of the Studebaker Manufacturing Company, is a son of Jolin and Rebecca (Mohler) Studebaker, natives of Pennsylvania; his father was born in Adams county in that State, and moved to South Bend in 1851. A further sketch will be found on pages 872-'4.
Henry Studebaker, the eldest son of John Studebaker, and brother of the preceding, was born in Pennsylvania in 1826. He moved with his parents to Ohio when nine years of age, where he
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
spent his early life, working most of the time with his father in the blacksmith shop. His schooling consisted of a few months' attend- ance at the district school in the winter. In 1852 he came to Indiana with his father, locating in South Bend. His father engaged in blacksmithing and wagon-making, and continued this business here for many years. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of five brothers, and was the founder of the now celebrated "Stude- baker Bros. Manufacturing Company," who have the largest wagon and carriage manufactory in the world. He was connected with this institution for about seven years, when his health failed him and he was obliged to withdraw from the company. He then pur- chased a farm near South Bend, and has since been engaged in farming, having one of the best farms in the tp. He was married in this county in 1853 to Miss Susan, daughter of Samnel Stude- baker, who was one of the first settlers on the St. Joseph river. She died June 8, 1871. They had 6 children by this marriage. In 1873 he was married to Miss Precilla Gresbaum, of Elkhart county, Ind. They have 3 children. Mr. S. is a self-made man. His father, being a poor man, could not give his children the advantages of an education, and the only legacy he left them was a thorough schooling in the blacksmith trade, and, when they started in busi- ness, gave them a set of blacksmith's tools. With this small begin- ning Henry Studebaker began life, and by strict attention to business, and untiring efforts, he laid the foundation for the mammoth Studebaker shops that are now the largest of the kind in the world. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, bnt has never taken an active part in political affairs.
Peter E. Studebaker, of the firm of Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., wagon and carriage manufacturers of South Bend, Ind., is a native of Ashland, Ohio, and was born April 1, 1836; was educated as a merchant. He came to South Bend in 1852, and clerked for a con- siderable time at fifteen dollars per month, boarding himself. When by dint of great economy he had saved one hundred dollars, he began merchandising as a peddlar. This he continued until his mar- riage, in 1856, when he went to Goshen and entered into partnership as a merchant with his brother-in-law, P. A. Welch. In 1860 he left that line of business and began handling wagons in Goshen for his brothers, and also dealing in horses. Being quite successful in introducing the Studebaker wagon, and pushing its acquaintance among the farmers in that section of Indiana, overtures were made to Mr. Studebaker by his brothers, then the makers of the wagon, Clement Studebaker and J. M. Studebaker, to join them. These were accepted by him, and he became an equal partner with his brothers named in the business. This partnership was consum- mated in 1864, and in January, 1865, he went to St. Joseph, Mo., . and opened at that point a branch, which proved a very important move for the firm, St. Joseph at that time being the great outfitting town for the mines and the far West. The foothold then obtained enabled the company to extend its trade into all the States and
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Territories of the West and Southwest. Mr. Studebaker returned from St. Joseph in 1872, and has since then filled the position of treasurer of the company in the home office.
Mr. Studebaker was first married in October, 1856, to Miss Dora Handley, a native of Ohio, brought up as an adopted daughter of Dr. Chase, of Cincinnati. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her death occurred in 1865, in South Bend, making motherless 3 children: Wilbur F., born in 1857; Mary R.,
1860, and Dora L., 1863.
The two former were born in Goshen, the latter in South Bend. In 1866 Mr. Studebaker married Mrs, Alice W. Mitchell, widow of Caleb B. Mitchell. a native of White Pigeon, Mich., and a daughter of Mr. Woodbury, of the State of New York. She was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and died in 1869. In 1872 the subject of this sketch married Mrs. Mary L. Guthrie, of South Bend, a native of Logansport, Ind., daughter of Judge Charles Ewing. Mrs. Studebaker is also a mem- ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
The Presidential campaign of 1880 was regarded by Mr. Stude- baker as an important one, involving the business interests and gen- eral prosperity of the country, and he therefore took earnest hold of the cause in favor of the election of the Republican nominees. He wrote for the press and delivered public addresses. One of his speeches, delivered especially to working men, in South Bend, about the middle of September, was copied by both Western and Eastern newspapers, and was widely circulated as a campaign document, no doubt assisting materially in bringing about the general awakening of business men everywhere in the country, especially noticeable toward the last of the campaign, and which resulted in the success of the Republican ticket.
George W. Sumption was born in this county Feb. 20, 1832, the youngest son of George and Elizabeth (Rush) Sumption, the former a native of Lexington, Ky., and the latter of Somerset county, Pa .; has resided here all his life, and is now the oldest native resident of the county. He has therefore experienced all the phases of pioneer life elsewhere described in this volume. He was brought up in farm life, but ever since he was 22 years of age he has been a mer- chant and salesman. He followed merchandising in South Bend for several years; was salesman for a wholesale house in New York for a time, and for the last 16 years he has been salesman for the Studebakers. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been City Assessor, Deputy Sheriff, etc. He has voted at every election since he became of age. June 23, 1853, he married Sarah Jane Throck- morton, a native of Ohio. She died Sept. 26, 1863, in this county, leaving 3 children: Albert, born April 13, 1854; Martha, Jan. 23, 1856; and Bion, Feb. 1, 1858, all living, the two sons married and residing in South Bend. Jan. 24, 1865, Mr. S. married Miss Liz- zie, daughter of Miranda and Jane Peck, a native of Ohio, and the children by this marriage are now 2 in number, Orrie and Harry.
Alexander N. Thomas was born in Pennsylvania in 1839 and
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
came to this county in 1854. He is the son of Fred and Ann Thomas, natives of Pennsylvania. His early life was spent on the farm at home, attending school during the winter months. At the time of the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, he was attend- ing the Northern Indiana College, then located in this city. In 1862 he enlisted in the 73d Ind. Vol. Inf., and was taken prisoner while on a raid and confined in Libby prison one year; was taken from there to Macon, Georgia, and then to Columbus, where he succeeded in making his escape and joined Sherman's forces in the rear of Savannah. After his return from the army he kept a grocery for a short time. In the fall of 1867 he was elected County Recorder, which position he held for two terms of four years each. He was Councilman for two years, and in 1876 was elected Mayor of South Bend, which office he held for two years. He was admit- ted to the Indiana Bar in 1876, and has since been engaged in the practice of law and general insurance business. Mr. Thomas has taken a deep interest in the Sunday-schools of South Bend, and has been identified with every movement in their behalf. He is one of the Elders of the Disciple Church in this city, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with that denomination.
Elliott Tutt was born April 7, 1812, in Culpepper county, Va., son of Charles M. and Joanah (Royston) Tutt, the former a native of Spottsylvania county, Va., born June 15, 1779, and died May 4, 1825; the latter was born in Caroline county, Va., Aug. 17, 1778, and died in 1814. £ Mr. Elliott Tutt came to South Bend in Octo- ber, 1832, with a sister (Mrs. Lewis) and several brothers, men- tioned on former pages. Having been a resident here ever since his immigration here, he must be counted among the oldest resi- dent pioneers. In his younger days he learned the tanner's trade, which, as well as farming, he prosecuted for a number of years, his farm being just east of the river. He has held the office of Town- ship Trustee for 20 years, that of School Trustee several years, and has been a member of the City Council. March 4, 1852, he was married by Rev. John L. Smith to Mrs. Sarah M. Monson, widow of Albert Monson and daughter of Samnel C. Sample, so well known in the history of this county, and their children are: Mary Howard, who died Feb. 22, 1854; Mary Katharine; Elizabeth Elliott, who died Sept. 15, 1860; Lucy Howard and Lillian Lewis. The second of these married Charles H. Fowler, and had 2 children, now de- ceased. Mr. Fowler also died, and she subsequently married Wm. H. Lewis, of Indianapolis. Mr. Monson's children were Anna Rose, Walter Sample and Ella Albert; the latter died at the age of 8 years, and the two former are married. Mrs. Tutt was born in Connersville, this State, her parents having moved there from Maryland in May, 1824. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Politically, Mr. Tutt is a Republican, and is a leading citizen, com- fortably situated in the southern suburbs of the city of South Bend.
F. R. Tutt, brother of the above, is also one of the early settlers of South Bend. He was born in Virginia, July 25, 1810. He re- mained at home and worked on the farm up to the time of his
947
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
father's deatlı, which occurred when he was 14 years of age. He was then apprenticed by his guardian to a saddler, where he worked seven years. Having a dislike for the institutions of slavery, at the age of 21 he determined to remove to a free State, and went to Columbus, Ohio, where he opened a shop and worked at his trade for a short time. He then sold out, purchased a pony and started West on horseback, passing through Indianapolis, Logansport and Lafayette, then small villages, and reached the city of South Bend in the spring of 1832, where he located. In the fall of the same year, he returned to Ohio for his family. South Bend, at this time, was in its infancy, and Mr. Tutt took an active part in the improvement and building up of the young town. He opened, and operated for two years, the first harness and saddle store in the place. In 1834 he was elected the first Asses- sor of the tp., which office he held one term. He was then elected Justice of the Peace for two terms of seven years each, and one term of four years. While acting as Justice he began the study of law, and resigning his office during the third term, he engaged in the active practice of law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1850, and has been engaged in active practice since. Mr. Tutt is a self-made man; he began life without money, and with but little education, and by persistent efforts has acquired a large property and is a man of culture and refinement. He mar- ried Miss Martha, danghter of Obadiah and Grace (Cox) Hackney, and they have 3 children: Alice B., wife of Dr. Windle, of Des Moines, Ia .; Charles H. and Grace. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a strong adherent of the Republican party.
Thomas R. Tutt, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Virginia in 1814. He came to Indiana in 1834, locating in this county. He was married in this county in 1837 to Miss Mary Hardy, who was born in Virginia in 1820, and they have 9 chil- dren. He is a member of the First M. E. Church in this city, and has a fine farm near the city limits.
Israel Underwood, M. D., was born in Wayne county, Ind., in 1819. He is the son of John and Mary Underwood, natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this county in 1868, and located in South Bend in 1873. He began the study of medicine when 30 years of age, graduated at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati in 1853, and commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in La Porte county, this State, in 1854. The Doctor has a large practice in this city, and is one of the leading physicians of the place. He was married in La Porte county, Ind., in 1854, to Catherine, daugli- ter of William and Patience Frederickson. They have one daughter, Clara L., wife of Frank P. Sturges, of Colorado. Mrs. Underwood is a graduate of a medical college in Philadelphia, and is also en- gaged in the practice of medicine. The Doctor and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and he is also a Freemason.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Martin L. Wenger was born in Lebanon, Pa., in 1820, and is the son of Martin and Elizabeth Wenger, natives of that State. His early life was spent on a farm, receiving such education as the com- mon schools of that day afforded. He located in this county in 1841, and for four years was engaged in threshing grain, running eight machines. He then bought a piece of timbered land and cleared up a farm of 160 acres. He lived on this farm for three years and then moved to the farmn he now occupies, on sec. 13, Portage tp. He began his married life in a one-story frame honse 16x18, where the first three years were spent. His present farm consists of 160 acres, upon which he has built a fine residence, at a cost of about $8,000. He was married Feb. 18, 1845, to Miss Christina, danghter of Samnel Studebaker. She was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1824. She came to this State with her parents in 1831. Her father entered and settled on the farm where she now lives. The first saw-mill in the county was erected by her father on what was then known as the "Studebaker creek." They have two children living: Mary Etta and Charles M. They are members of the Ger- man Baptist Church.
Alfred Wheeler, third son of Thomas and Eunice ( Williams) Wheeler, was born in the town of Ridgeway, Orleans county, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1874. He came with his father and family to Quincy, Mich., in 1835, and in 1836 they moved to Bristol, Ind. In 1840 he left home, came to South Bend and entered the Free Press printing office as an apprentice. In the fall of 1843 he left on a " tramp," and from that time until the fall of 1857 resided in vari- ous places in the Northern and Southern States, engaged in various pursuits, such as fancy, chance or necessity dictated. In the fall of 1851 he returned to South Bend, and from that time until the fall of 1865 he was connected with the St. Joseph Valley Register, first as pressman and compositor, then as foreman, and afterward as associate editor and business partner with Hon. Schuyler Colfax, and then as editor and business partner with Alfred Hall. From 1867 to 1875 he held the office of County Auditor, elected on the Republican ticket; first term by S20 majority, second term by 1,010 majority; at each election polling many more votes than his party strength. In 1876 he became a stock-holder in the South Bend Tribune Printing Com- pany, and for a time acted as treasurer and bookkeeper, but failing health soon compelled his retirement from active service. He was married at Bloomington, Ind., April 24, 1849, to Elizabeth Ruth Garrison, by whom he has had 8 children; 7 of these are now liying: 1, Charles Robert, married and living in Oregon; 2, Agnes Irene; 3, Frederick, married and living in Kansas; 4, Ada Inez, deceased; 5, Richard Alfred; 6, Eunice Evelyn; 7, Almon; S, Brent Marshall. Mr. Wheeler is one of the enterprising, leading men of South Bend, and one of the prominent leaders of the Republican party in St. Joseph county.
Orlando S. Witherell was born in Washington county, N. Y., April, 1824; in 1830 he went with his parents to Auburn, N. Y.,
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
where he resided until 1842; he then went to Boston, where he resided three years, when he returned to Auburn and remained until 1850; then he removed to Owego, Tioga Co., and in 1855 came to South Bend, where he has since resided. He followed mer- cantile business for a time, and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1855, and in 1861 was appointed U. S. Paymaster, which position he held until November, 1865, when he was mustered ont of the service. In 1867 he resumed the practice of law, in which business he has since been engaged. He held the office of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1868 to 1872, and acted as City Attor- ney from 1868 to 1870. Mr. Witherell has always taken an active part in political affairs, and has been a life-long Republican. He was married in the State of New York Oct. 30, 1847, to Mary D. Green, daughter of John H. Green, Esq .; she was born in New York in 1828. They have one daughter, Emma, wife of Dr. G. F. Nevins, of this city.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized in 1835, and it now contains about 42 sections. Many of the old settlers, in passing through it on their way to some of the other townships, thought it an almost worthless tract of land on account of the marshes. During the wet season of the year it seemed as if the greater part of the country was a vast pond, with here and there a dry piece of land. It was not settled as early as some of the other townships in the county, on this account. When the Michigan road was put through the township, men began to settle along that; and as the western part is somewhat more rolling than the rest, they soon began to build their log cabins through there. As the conntry became cleared, and openings were made, the marsh land began to disap- pear, and in its place we find some of the finest farms that the county ean now boast of. At present through the south central part there is a good deal of low and useless land. In every part of the township we find small swamps and marshes; but they are fast dis- appearing, and every year more of the low land is coming nnder cultivation.
Just south of Lakeville are several small lakes, the largest of which are called Pleasant and Riddle's lakes. The ground around them is quite miry and mueky. One of them is said to be quite deep. Along the east part of the township a ridge runs across it. It is mostly a black, sandy soil. The Turkey creek road follows this ridge, through the township and along it are some very fine farms. On seetions 6 and 8 have been found a great many Indian relics. Among other curiosities discovered by the removal of the surface of the earth are round holes dug in the ground and nicely walled up with stones in the shape of a common kettle. Some of them have been found to be four or five feet in depth. For what purpose they had been made the people of the neighborhood are unable to surmise. A great many arrowheads, tomahawks and other things of like nature have been found here and in other parts of the town- ship, thus bringing to our minds that but a short time ago another race of people inhabited this region, perhaps no less industrions in their way than the people who have just come and taken possession of the country.
The first settlement in the township was in the spring of 1833, when Elijah Lineback moved his family here. He erected a cabin on section 35. The same year came John Henderson with his fam- ily and settled on seetion 25. John, Jacob and Mark Rector came on seetion 1 some time in 1833. Hubbard Henderson came in 1834 and settled on seetion 35. In the fall of 1834 John Moon
(950)
951
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
came but staid only a short time. He returned in the spring of 1835, accompanied by his brother James. John took np land on section 28, James on section 34. Eli Moon came some years later and entered land in section 27. Although James Moon came in 1835 he did not make it his permanent home till in 1841, when he removed with his family to the farm on which he now resides. James Annis came abont 1836, on section 9, and Michael Hupp, Abijah Mills, William H. Robertson, Henry Hardy, Esan Lamb and Daniel Glenn settled here the same year. Amos Heston, Henry and John Riddle came in 1837. James Watson, John Shiv- ely, William Hughs, Joseph Morris, W. Nickelson, David Whit- inger, John Long, Mr. Byers and Mr. Gibson are among the old settlers.
Thus we see that these sturdy pioneers have in less than 50 years turned what then appeared to be an almost worthless country to a blooming garden, a country which is now prepared to support a dense population, in comparison with what it was then, in ease and prosperity.
The greater part of the township was heavily timbered with wal- nut, ash, oak, hickory, white-wood and various other timber peculiar to this climate. Lumbering and milling, as a natural consequence, became quite a good business as the railroads opened up a market for their lumber.
The township contains but one village,-Lakeville. It is a pleas- ant little village, located about the center of the township, and con- tains several hundred inhabitants. The people are kind, intelligent and social. Although they have no railroad, a large business is car- ried on by the merchants. The village contains two good country stores, a drug and hardware store, a hotel, a couple of shoe-shop and three or four blacksmith shops, a saw-mill and grist-mill,-all doing well. It has also two'churches, with a good school, while three M. D's attend to the afflicted in the town and vicinity.
The first election was held in Earl's tavern, in April of 1836. All the voters in the township were present, and 30 votes were polled. John Henderson and Jacob Rector were elected for Justices of the Peace, and one supervisor was elected. Previous to this they had gone to South Bend to vote.
THE SCHOOLS.
The schools of this township are in an excellent condition. None bnt good teachers are hired, and to them fair wages are paid during the winter terms. Most of the people take a great pride in educa- tion, and consequently a great many of the young people have been and are now being educated in our colleges and normal schools. The school buildings are mostly in good condition.
The first school-house in the township was a log structure built in 1836, on the corner of James Moon's farm. It was a good house at that day, but would hardly fill the bill for one of our modern
952
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
buildings. The first school was taught in the winter of 1836-'7, by James Roberson, of South Bend. This was a subscription school, and was attended by about 20 scholars. The second teacher was John Hardy.
CHURCHES.
The first church was built in 1843, by the Methodists, under the pastorship of Rev. Lawson Munson. It was built of hewed logs, on section 34, one mile north of Lakeville. This served for a place of worship until the present church was erected in Lakeville. The old house is still standing, and is occupied by a family for a dwell- ing house. The M. E. church building in Lakeville was commenced in 1857 and finished in 1858. The trustees were John and James Moon. Hubbard Henderson, Martin Page and William Biglow. Mr. Harrison was the first traveling minister sent to this circuit. This was in 1839, and about the time that the society was organized. They then held their meetings in private houses, and among their members were Hubbard Henderson and wife, Milford Leonard and wife, George Hardy and wife, John D. Roberson and wife, John Price and his sister. Their first class-leader was George Hardy. They have now about 50 members in their society. As this is in the same circuit as Sumption's Prairie, for a list of their ministers sec sketch of that Church in the history of Greene township.
About the same time that the Methodists started here, United Brethren ministers came in and began their labors. They soon formed a society about two miles north of Lakeville. Here they continned to hold their meetings for a number of years, when they removed to Olive Branch and formed the society which is known by that name. They worshiped in the school-house till a few years ago. The new church at Olive Branch was commenced in April of 1878 and finished in a short time. The trustees were: Joseph Shuppert, John H. Bennett, H. A. Manuel, W. Lower, Rev. N. F. Surface. John Todd was the Pastor at that time. The church is 30 by 40, and is a very neat, pretty building. Its cost was about $1,000. The society numbers now about 50 members, is out of debt and flourishing.
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