USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 11
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Ellis Bloomer was the seventh in order of birth of his parents' nine children, of whom three sons and two daughters are still living. Reared on his father's farm, he attended the district schools in his youth, sub- sequently took a course in the Wabash Academy under the presidency of Professor Wilbur, and completed his education in the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. He taught his first term of school when twenty years of age, and continued as an educator until after his marriage, when he began farming on the land on which his father resided for so many years. He continued as an agriculturist in Liberty township until September, 1911, and through industry, good judgment and well-applied effort made a decided success of his operations. He had long been interested in political affairs, and had served as assessor of Liberty town- ship, and in 1910 became the nominee of the republican party for the office of clerk of the courts, to which position he was sent at the ensuing election, taking office in January, 1912. His subsequent able handling of the affairs of the county has shown the citizens of this section that they made no mistake in their choice. Socially Mr. Bloomer is connected with the Masonic fraternity. With his family, he belongs to the Chris- tian church.
Mr. Bloomer was married December 15, 1878, to Miss Julia A. Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, a farmer of Liberty township, and to this union there have been born eight children, as follows: Guy S., who died when fourteen years of age; Joseph R., a practicing phy- sician with a large professional business at Rockville, Indiana; Fred- erick H., engaged in agricultural pursuits in Huntington county, Indiana; Marie, who died at the age of seven years; Kenneth E., who passed away when twenty years old; John W., engaged in farming in Grant county, Indiana; Bessie, who is serving capably in the capacity of deputy clerk in her father's office; and Ellen E., residing at home with her parents.
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JESSE PARMENTER. Twenty-nine years of continued residence in the city of Wabash have established Jesse Parmenter most securely in the common confidence and esteem of the best people of the community, and he takes his place here today, as he has for years past, among the leading citizens of the town. His business activities have always been along the line of fire insurance, and since he established himself in Wabash he has conducted a thriving insurance agency that has grown with the years and witnessed the beginning and end of many another similar con- cern. Mr. Parmenter, by reason of his long residence here, feels him- self a native of the Hoosier state, though he is properly a Michigan product, born in Shiawasse county, Michigan, on September 10, 1840. The Parmenter family is an interesting one and in so far as the sparse- ness of facts relative to it will permit, mention will here be made of the parentage and ancestry of the subject.
Jesse Parmenter is the fourth born child in a family of eight born to his parents, Joseph and Sally (Irons) Parmenter, natives of Vermont and New York state, respectively.
In the year 1834 Joseph Parmenter was a pioneer to the state of Michigan, and in Shiawasse county he preempted fifty-five acres of land. Here the young man met with all the trials that were the inevit- able lot of a newcomer in a new land, and he had the not unusual ex- perience of having to clear a spot of virgin trees before he could find space to put up a log cabin. The cabin, when completed, was primitive enough in its type, the logs unhewn, and elm bark used for roofing, with roughly split logs for the floor. Mr. Parmenter was the ninth white man to settle in the county, and it will be conceded that he had a gen- erous amount of courage else he would not have ventured as far as he did, for after spending a few months in his new location and building a sort of shelter for himself, he returned to the east, married in the following winter, in the year 1835, and moved back to the wilds of Michigan with his bride. Something might be appropriately said for the courage and fortitude that the young wife displayed, too, for the life of the pioneer in the thirties was not an enviable one. They were of stern stuff, however, and the experiences they were subjected to in their new home did not quench their spirits, for they continued there, building up a real home, and spending the balance of their lives in the community that eventually was formed.
Thus it was that Jesse Parmenter was reared amid pioneer scenes and activities in his native community. Such education as he acquired comprised something like fifteen months, spent intermittently, in the district schools, which in that day were scarcely worthy of the name. This lack of education Mr. Parmenter has in some measure overcome, for he has been a wide reader, a careful observer and a faithful student in the great school of experience all his days.
At the age of twenty he began life on his own responsibility, hiring out as a farm hand at $12.00 a month and he was thus employed when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted on August 24, 1861, and September 4th following was mustered in as a private in Company H, Stockton's
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Independent Regiment which was later converted into the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. With his command he went direct to Washington, D. C., and first encamped there on Meridian Hill, where they remained about four weeks. They then crossed the Potomac, en -. camping for the winter on Hall's Hill. On March 12, 1862, they left their winter quarters and started for Richmond as a part of the Fifth Army Corps under General George B. McClellan, but later they were transferred to boats for a different route, and were landed at Hampton Roads on the Peninsula. Mr. Parmenter was in the various manoeuver- ings of the army until the battle of Gaines' Mill and following this he was in the skirmish at Savage Station. He was also in the activities at Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam (as a reserve at the latter battle), Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, in the latter engagement being on Little Round Top at a time when he had a full view of Pickett's charge. The winter of 1863-4 found Mr. Parmenter returned to his home on a veteran furlough, and in February, 1864, he rejoined his command at Rapahannock Station, Virginia, and from there went into the battle of the Wilderness. Here, on May 7, 1864, he was wounded through his left shoulder by a minie ball, and he was cap- tured at the hospital on' the night of the 7th by the enemy but after five days was paroled and came home to recuperate. On February 19, 1865, after four years of continuous service, he was honorably dis- charged at Detroit, Michigan.
When Mr. Parmenter had recovered from his military experience he resumed farming in his native county, and he continued to be so occupied until about the close of 1868, when he was appointed to an office in the State prison at Jackson, and he was there in service for four and a half years. That experience weaned him away from the farm, so that when he retired from his duties there, instead of returning to farm life, he took a position as a traveling salesman for a wholesale house in Jackson. In 1882 he went to Logansport and there he became identified with the fire insurance business, on a salary basis, but in July, 1885, he withdrew from his Logansport connections and established him- self independently in the fire insurance business in Wabash. He has continued in that enterprise without a break, and his success has been one well worthy of the name. In connection with his insurance busi- ness he has also for 25 years been the correspondent for the loan depart- ment of the Equitable Insurance Company, and in that time has loaned for them, over one million dollars. He is the only man in the county loaning money, who has direct relations with the east.
Mr. Parmenter has been a lifelong republican, and he has held a number of offices under republican government as the appointee of the party. From January 18, 1906, to a corresponding date in 1910 he served as postmaster of Wabash, by appointment of President Roosevelt. He is a Mason, of the Royal Arch body, and has membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. Although a Baptist in religious senti- ment, he has membership in the Presbyterian church of Wabash, and is reasonably active in the work of the church.
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On November 27, 1865, Mr. Parmenter was married at Jackson, Mich- igan, to Miss Alice Hendee, daughter of Jonathan H. and Charlotte Hendee.
ISAAC NEW. Forty-one years of life in Wabash gave to Isaac New a prominence and security of position that were well worthy of one of his estimable character and of his accomplishments in the community, and when he died here on May 3, 1907, he was in the seventy-fourth year of his life. He was born in Odernheim, Bavaria, Germany, and was a son of Alexander New. His parents died when he was quite a small boy, and he soon after emigrated to the United States, being but four- teen years old at that time. He crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, and settled in New York City, there finding employment in a clothing store, and he continued as a resident of that city until 1860. He had in 1858 married Henrietta Gallinger, and two years later they moved from New York to Atlanta, Georgia, and in 1861 they moved thence to Lagro, Wabash county, Indiana. A few months of residence in that community resulted in his removal to Wabash, which city was ever afterwards their home.
Here, in partnership with his uncle, Charles Herff, under the firm name of Herff and New, he embarked in the dry goods business, continu- ing thus until about 1870, when the firm dissolved partnership, Mr. New engaging in the dry goods business alone and under his own name. Since that time the name of New has been conspicuous in the mercantile annals of the city.
It was while thus associated that Mr. New became actively interested in the civic growth and development of Wabash and of the county, and he was always an influence for good along lines of upward and outward growth. He never aspired to political office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his private and business enterprises. He was a Democrat in his politics, and in his race and religion a Jew. But he was especially stanch in his American citizenship, and always a lover of its greatness and its wonderful institutions.
Mr. New was one of those old fashioned men who had a firm belief in honesty, not because of the benefits to be derived from fair and honor- able dealings, but because he loved righteousness for its own sake. A deep thinking man, he arrived at a conclusion deliberately and then rigorously lived up to the spirit of his convictions. His was a clean, courageous and upright life, and it was one reflecting credit upon his native land as well as that of his adoption.
Nine children were born to Isaac New and his wife, and of that num- ber eight are now living. Mrs. New died on April 5, 1913, when she was more than seventy-six years of age. She had been a faithful wife to her husband and was ever a devoted mother, rearing her children to habits of industry and thrift, and inculcating within in their consciousness principles that have stood them in excellent stead in the activities of life. Their children were named as follows: Hannah, who married S. Barth and died in 1887; Alexander, a lawyer of Kansas City; Joseph, a mer-
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chant of New York City; Henry New, who succeeded to the mercantile business founded by the father in Wabash; Nellie, the wife of Felix Livingston; Charles, a manufacturer at Louisville, Kentucky ; Theodore, a merchant in New York City; Jeannette, the wife of D. H. Blumen- thal, of Marion, Indiana; and Rosetta, who married I. Myers, of Kokomo, Indiana.
Henry New, the only son of the family who resides in Wabash was born here on March 26, 1865, and this city has ever been his home. He had his education in the city schools, and early began to assist his father in the business. Here he learned all the details of the enterprise under the able leadership of his father, who was a born merchant, and his son has inherited those qualities that have made for success in his life as well as in that of his honored father.
Mr. New is an independent in politics, and is not especially active in those matters, though he has ever been a good citizen, and has per- formed well his part in the city, much in the manner of his father before him. He has always taken an active part in the growth of the city and in getting new industries to locate within its confines, and is classed as one of Wabash's most public-spirited men.
Mr. New is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
NORVA P. LAVENGOOD. The life record which has been made by Norva P. Lavengood, county treasurer of Wabash county, indicates a strong force. of character, laudable ambition and earnest purpose, for, starting out in life empty-handed at the early age of seventeen years, he has depended entirely upon his own resources and is today accorded a place of prominence in public regard in Wabash by reason of the position he has filled in business and political circles. Mr. Lavengood was born on a farm in Noble township, Wabash county, Indiana, December 2, 1872, and is the eldest of the three children (but one now living), born to the marriage of Samuel M. and Mary Jane (Hubbard) Lavengood. The former still survives and is living at Roann, where he operates a harness shop, while the mother is deceased.
Norva P. Lavengood lived on the farm until he was about ten years of age, during which time, after becoming old enough, he attended the neigh- boring district schools. From that time until attaining manhood, he lived in Roann, where he completed his scholastic training in the public insti- tutions. He began life's battles on his own responsibility when seventeen years of age, becoming a farm hand, and continued thus some two years, the ensuing four years being passed as an employe of the carpentering and building department of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road Company, at Garrett, Indiana. Subsequently, he returned to Roann, and there aided his father in the latter's harness-making shop, but later resumed carpentering, at which he continued to be engaged in 1905, when he embarked in the general automobile sales, garage and repairing business. He followed this line with marked success for seven years, but at the time of his election to the office of county treasurer,
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M.P. Gavengood
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disposed of his interests at Roann and moved to Wabash, which city has since been his home. Mr. Lavengood began to take a deep interest in political affairs when still a young man, and has ever been a stanch supporter of the policies of the democratic party. His loyalty and hard work, as well as his general worth and fitness, were recognized in Novem- ber, 1912, when he became the nominee of his party for the office of county treasurer. He was elected and served four years, from 1909 to Jan- uary 1, 1913, as assessor of Paw Paw township, resigning to take the office of county treasurer. For four years prior to 1909, he was deputy assessor of Paw Paw township. Wabash county has been singularly fortunate in the character of the men who have filled its important public offices and among those who stand as representatives of its interests at this time none have gained more widespread public approval than has Mr. Lavengood. He has evinced, in marked degree, that faculty possessed by men of large and successful affairs of bringing around him able co-workers and inspiring them with his enthusiasm and determination to get the greatest and best results from the matters in hand. He has shown some interest in fraternal work and is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
On June 1, 1898, Mr. Lavengood married Miss Lulu Ritter, of Steuben county, Indiana, and three children have been born to the union : Leona, Ritter and Bessie. Mrs. Lavengood is a consistent mem- ber and liberal supporter of the Christian church.
ERNST H. HOLDERMANN. As a business builder few Wabash county merchants have a record that compares favorably with that of Ernst H. Holdermann, whose mercantile enterprise in the city of Wabash is known all over the county, and has a splendid patronage. Mr. Holder- mann has lived in Wabash most of his life, and his business record has been such as to entitle him to the esteem of his fellow citizens, and render his position secure in the mercantile annals of his native city.
Ernst H. Holdermann was born in the city of Wabash, July 21, 1873. He was one of six children, five of whom are still living, born to Louie and Elizabeth (Seifert) Holdermann. His father was a native of Baden Baden, and the mother of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. Louie Heldermann, while still unmarried came to the United States in 1866, and Miss Seifert came about the same time. In his native land he had learned the locksmith's trade, but worked at it very little after coming to America. In Wabash county, he soon found employment in the quarrying industry, at first under the direction of Fred Kanne, and subsequently was with several successive owners of the Quarries. In 1883, he bought out the previous proprietor, and his ownership was fol- lowed by an energetic exploitation of the industry. He shipped stone in bulk over the old canal to Fort Wayne, and other places up and down the Wabash Valley. Quarrying was his regular business from that time until his retirement from active affairs about ten or twelve years ago. Louie Holdermann was born in 1840 and with his wife now
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lives retired in Wabash, enjoying the fruits of a long and honorable career.
Ernst H. Holdermann, when a boy, attended the Wabash public schools, and was trained in industrious habits by his father. Among his early duties, which he recalls, were the carrying of mail between the post office and the quarry, and also he served as water boy, carrying buckets of water around to the workmen, and also had a number of other minor responsibilities in the quarries. One year of his youth was spent in the study of telegraphy, but he never followed that profession. His business career, may be said to have been inaugurated in September, 1889, when he became clerk in the store of J. W. Busick & Son. His work with that firm continued until 1897, in which year he went out to Omaha, Nebraska, to take charge of the dress-goods department in the establishment of Hayden Brothers. Six months later he enlarged his mercantile outlook and experience, in the city of Chicago, where he was employed with the well known dry goods house of Charles A. Stevens and Brother. For one year after that he was manager in charge of the Schroeder Dry Goods Company at Racine, Wisconsin.
While at Racine, on June 14, 1899, Mr. Holdermann married Miss Henrietta Catherine Peters, a native of Wooster, Ohio. In that year he entered upon a partnership with George B. Fawley, and engaged in merchandising at Elkhart, Indiana, where he remained two years. In 1901, returning to Wabash, Mr. Holdermann and Mr. Fawley opened a dry goods store, that being the foundation for his present splendid success as a merchant. In 1909, the partnership was dissolved, and in the meantime the partners had established and for three years had operated a branch store at Winamac. In 1910, Mr. Holdermann began business as sole proprietor of an establishment which in extent and variety of stock and in its facilities for prompt and excellent service ranked as one of the leading emporiums of the time.
Mr. Holdermann is a German Evangelical Protestant in religion, in politics he is a progressive and though affiliated with some local fra- ternal organization he is essentially a business man, and divides all his time between his home and his store. He and his wife are the parents of two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Katherine Louise.
JOHN C. HEGEL. The old and homely aphorism "Let the shoemaker stick to his last" is applicable to other lines of industry as well, and when a farmer is found who has the good judgment to stick to his farm, credit should be duly accorded to him as justly his due. Many an unsuccessful professional or business man has been the outcome of the spoiling of a good farmer and the fact is a deplorable one, indeed. John C. Hegel has been one who appreciated farm life and has applied himself all his days to the business of successful farming. That he has succeeded in his work will not be denied, for his farm is said to be one of the finest in the township, and he is regarded among successful farming men as being one of the most prosperous and progressive. Mr. Hegel's farm of one hundred acres lies on the west side of the Rock Spring Road,
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five miles northeast of Lagro, in Lagro township, and it is the place where his birth occurred on Christmas day of 1865.
John C. Hegel is the son of Jacob and Mary (Bitzer) Hegel, the father a native son of Germany, who came to America when he was twenty-one years of age. He first settled in Ohio, but spent only a few months there, when he came to Indiana and located on the farm now occupied by his son, the subject of this review. The farm has been entered from the government by another early settler, but had never been improved to any extent, and presented a primitive aspect even then, when farms were beginning to make a fairly good showing in this vicinity. Mr. Hegel paid $800 for the eighty-acre tract, and felt himself fortunate in securing ownership of such a place at the price. He felled trees on a suitable spot for the erection of a log cabin, and it is not- able that the little cabin he built then is still in use and does duty as a part of the comfortable home now occupied by John C. Hegel.
Mr. Hegel in time added a twenty. acre adjoining tract to his orig- inal holdings, and later added 61 acres, so that he owned 161 acres, and this was sufficient to occupy his entire attention. In the spring of 1902 he felt himself able to retire from active farm life, and he moved to Wabash, where he bought a home and settled down with his wife to enjoy quietly his remaining years. He lived there until July, 1910, when he died at the age of eighty-four years. His widow still survives him and is an honored resident of Wabash.
Jacob Hegel was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Bender, who died after the birth of her second child. Her two children were as fol- lows: Mary, who became the wife of Andrew Weist, and Miss Chris- tine, who never married. Mr. Hegel's second wife was Mary Bitzer, a native daughter of Indiana, and she became the mother of seven chil- dren, here briefly mentioned as follows: Charles, who is elsewhere men- tioned at length in this biographical work; Reuben; Harry; Lauretta; John C., of this review; William; Lydia, the widow of S. J. Bechtold, also mentioned on other pages of this work.
John C. Hegel had his early schooling in the district schools of his vicinity, and was reared to farm work under the supervision of his father, who was a capable and intelligent farmer. In early manhood he and his brother William bought seventy-seven acres and together they carried on farming activities for six years, after which he sold his interest to his brother and returned to the home place, where he farmed with his father on shares for eight years. In October, 1909, he bought 100 acres of the old home place from his father, who a few years pre- vious had retired from active life and settled in Wabash, and John C. Hegel has since devoted himself to intensive and extensive farming. Be- tween the years of 1889 and 1907 he owned and operated a threshing machine in the township, and in that enterprise he was able to realize a nice profit in the annual threshing season, and he still gives some at- tention to the work along that line. His own place of one hundred acres claims a good share of his attention, and he also takes care of a forty near by that is his mother's property, so that all considered, he is one Vol. II- 7
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of the busiest men in the township. Success has attended his efforts, and as an aggressive and progressive farmer he is widely known here- abouts.
Mr. Hegel has not confined his activities to farming alone, but he is known here as one of the organizers and a stockholder and director in the Citizens' State Bank of Lagro, of which his father, Charles F., is president. He is a member of the Evangelical Association at Bethel and is treasurer of the church, of which his wife is also a member.
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