Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Brothers
Number of Pages: 786

USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead > Part 101
USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead > Part 101

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DEMPSTER BEATTY is one of the most prominent manufacturing and business men of Mishawaka, Ind. He was the first man to organize a company for the mannfact- ure of felt boots in Indiana, and the concern took the name of the Beatty Felting Company, which has already attained a wide reputation. Mr. Beatty was born in Sandusky City, Ohio, August 30, 1828, his grandfather, James Beatty, having been born in Bally Canoe, County Wexford, Ireland. The latter was a miller by occu- pation, and while following his calling built a dam at Bally Canoe, which is still in a good state of preservation. He was the owner of some real estate and was con- sidered to be a wealthy man. He was the father of James, John. Leonard, Demp- ster and a daughter, but the property which he accumulated went to his eldest son, James, and the other three sons determined to seek their fortune in America, and settled at New London, Conn. John made a fortune as a ship chandler, and bought a large tract of land in Erie, then Huron Co., Ohio, on which he settled and made his home until his death. Dempster Beatty, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parents, and upon starting out in life for himself began working at the cabinet-maker's trade in Philadelphia, after which he followed the same occupation in Norwich, Conn., where he married Elizabeth Ferguson. This nniou resulted in the birth of ten children: John, Will- iam, James, Ross, Jackson, Dempster, Leonard, Lurana, Elizabeth and Susan. Mr. Beatty continued to be a resident of Norwich, Conn., for a number of years, then re- moved to Ohio and settled at Milan, near Sandusky City, in 1813, at which time that section of the country was a wilderness, and Sandusky City a very small ham- let. Mr. Beatty entered land for a farm which he cleared. and on which he resided until 1830, when he moved to Chicago by wagon. Not being impressed with the place he came on to Niles and settled on Birdsley Prairie in 1832, and with his sons entered 300 acres of land, which they converted into a good farm, after which they removed to Kosciusko county, where he became the owner of another large tract of land on which the remainder of his days were spent. When his sons started on an independent career, he gave each of them, with the exception of two, from 120 to 160 acres of land, a horse and a yoke of oxen. To William, who was a cabinet-

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maker, he gave an equivalent, but Dempster received nothing, as he left home at the age of eighteen. Mr. Beatty was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, was a man of excellent education and great strength and integrity of character. In his old age he gave up farming and practiced law for some time, in which he was successful. He was a strong Democrat politically, was an early justice of the peace, and was one of the judges of the county of Kosciusko. He possessed an ex- cellent constitution, was powerfully built and lived to the age of seventy-five years. Dempster Beatty, the subject of this sketch, received only a limited education in his youth, but by reading and business experience he has become a well-posted man, being especially fond of reading historical and religious works. He was reared to the call- ing of a farmer, but the work did not suit him for a life calling, and at the age of eighteen he began learning the wagon-maker's trade. In 1846 he located in Os- wego, Ind., but one year later came to Mishawaka and continued to work at the trade with Adolphus and John Eberhart, with whom he continued for three years, the one following being spent in La Porte. He returned to Mishawaka and formed a partnership with Adolphus Eberhart in the wagon-maker's business, which con- tinued until 1858. In 1860 he became a member of the firm of Milburn, Eberhart & Co., with whom he did a profitable business for the Government during the Civil war. In 1864 he sold out and went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he was engaged in the agricultural implement business for two years. He turned his attention to hard- ware and the agricultural implement business in Chicago, in 1866, under the firm name of Starritt & Beatty, but was burned out by the great Chicago fire, in which he lost all his hard-earned accumulations. In 1876 he returned to Mishawaka and became connected with the St. Joseph Manufacturing Company, in which he was a stockholder. In 1880 he began business with his son, Leonard E., in the manufacture of felt boots, and the first year made 400 cases. It was the third firm in the United States to engage in this business, which has grown and prospered in an astonish- ing but very satisfactory manner. In 1886 a stock company was organized with a capital of $50,000, of which amount $45,300 was paid in. The present officers are: D. Beatty, president; E. L. Beatty, vice-president; Lutheria Beatty, secre- tary. The capacity is now 20,000 cases per year, but they are exceeding this, and are experiencing a difficulty in filling orders. The company has the best ma- chinery in this line procurable, and send out first-class goods, which is without doubt the secret of their success. In 1851 Mr. Beatty married Margaret, daughter of Elijah Fox, a pioneer settler of Terre Coupee Prairie, this county, and by her he became the father of two children: Leonard E. and Ida M. Mrs. Beatty died in 1861, and for his second wife Mr. Beatty took Miss Lutheria Wilsie. Leonard Beatty is with Hibbard Spencer, Bartlett & Co., of Chicago, in the hardware busi- ness, of which he is a stockholder, sad a man of excellent business capacity, and Ida M. is the wife of E. G. Studley, of Grand Rapids, Mich., president of the Grand Rapids Felt Boot Company. Politically Mr. Beatty is a Republican, and through- out life has pursued a course marked by integrity, his success in life being attrib- utable to industry. energy and excellent business qualifications. He is one of the foremost men of Mishawaka, and commands respect from all with whom he has business relations, as well as from the townspeople generally. In every respect he is of the staff of which model citizens are made.

GEORGE H. AsInE, of the firm of Asire Bros., manufacturers of steam and hot- water apparatus at South Bend, Ind., is a gentleman of the highest standing and ability, being thoroughly familiar with every detail of his important work. He was born in Holmes connty, Ohio. November 13, 1853, a son of John M. and Anna (Aultman) Asire, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. The father became a resident of the Buckeye State in an early day and there met and married Miss Aultman. The Asire family was originally from the land of windmills, but became residents of America soon after the ar- rival of the famous ship "Mayflower." The paternal grandfather, Henry Asire,

JOHN WARNER.

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was a soldier in the War of 1812. The parents of George H. Asire came to St. Joseph county, Ind., in the fall of 1857, and settled on a farm which they purchased near Lakeville, in Union township. At that time but little of the land was improved, but a small log house had been erected thereon, and in this the family resided until 1861, when they moved to Lakeville where the father established himself in the blacksmith business, continuing until his removal to South Bend in 1863. He continued this occupation after locating here until a short time since, but is now devoting his attention to agricultural pursnits in the vicinity of South Bend. While a resident of South Bend, he was a member of the city council for two years and was trustee of the water works for three years. During the Civil war he took an active part in raising and recruiting troops, was lieutenant of State militia, and at Lakeville was accidentally wounded by a gun shot which prevented him from entering the regular service. He is the father of four sons and one daughter, three of the former being partners in the man- ufacturing business: George H., Orlando J. and Lewis E. George H. Asire has been principally reared in St. Joseph county and educated in the public schools. Until fourteen years of age he resided on a farm, then began learning the bnsi- ness of steam heating and in the spring of 1884 considered himself sufficiently well versed in the business to open an establishment of his own, and time has proved the wisdom of his views, for he has been remarkably successful. He continued alone until 1891, when he associated with him two brothers and they are now doing a mammoth and constantly increasing business, their numerous orders compelling them to run their plant both night and day. He put up the heaters for the high school building, the Odd Fellows Block, Sherman House, Bap- tist Church and numerous others of the prominent buildings of the city. He has always been very public spirited, and aside from his responsible business interests he has found time to interest himself in public affairs, and for two years was an in- telligent member of the city council. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Royal Arcanum, is a Democrat politically, and he and his wife, whom he married in November, 1873, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her maiden name was Alice Lamb, a native of this county, and she has borne her husband two children: George, Jr., and Edith. Mr. Asire is the patentee of two boilers of great superiority and has a patent pending on another, called the Asire boiler. He and his brothers have excellent facilities for rapid and reliable production and employ a staff of competent assistants, who are ably supervised by the practical heads of the hoųse.

S. WESLEY and THOMAS J. HILL are the proprietors of the City Roller Mills. The use of cereals for food is rapidly growing in favor in this country. In Scot- land oatmeal is considered the essential thing for creating "brain and brawn." "More bread and less meat in your diet" is the standard prescription for indigestion and kindred ailments by the best read medical men. It will therefore be readily seen that an excellent class of flour is necessary for the well being of humanity, and this can be found in the article manufactured by the Hill Brothers, who have long been thoroughly familiar with the details of the work. Both gentlemen were born in Lime Ridge, Columbia Co., Penn., were brought up on a farm and educated in the common country and city schools. S. Welsey, the senior member of the firm, was born January 12, 1844, his parents being Jacob and Anna (Achenbach) Hill, also natives of Columbia county, Penn., of which section the Hills were early emi- grants from Germany. The paternal grandfather, Frederick Hill, was a colonel in the Revolutionary war and by occupation was a farmer, in which occupation his son Jacob followed in his footsteps. He died in 1S59, but his widow still resides in Columbia county. They were the parents of eight children: Charles F., of Hazel- ton, Penn. ; Emanuel, also of that place; James, of Chicago, Ill .; Mrs. Dr. E. W. H. Low, of Line Ridge, Penn .; S. Wesley; Mrs. Mary E. Evert, of Watsontown, Penn .; Thomas J. and Dr. J. W., of South Bend. S. Wesley was for a few years in

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the flour and grain business in Hazelton, Penn., but since 1878 has been a success- ful flour miller of South Bend, and turns out an exceptionally fine article of flour, which is becoming widely known. In 1870 he was married to Miss Alice Frease, a native of Columbia county, Penn., and to whom three sons and seven daughters have been born. Mr. Hill is a liberal contributor to all public enterprises and is a useful and highly esteemed citizen of South Bend. Thomas J. Hill was married in 1878 to Miss Jennie Meyers of South Bend, and they have two children. The mill now owned by himself and brother was first built in 1843 by J. A. Hendricks, who ran it a few years, when it was purchased by Coquillard & Miller in 1855. It was shortly afterward burned to the ground, and was rebuilt by this firm on the old style buhrs and run for some years. It was then sold to Loomis, and remained in his hands until purchased by Hill Bros., by whom it has been remodeled and the roller process introduced. These gentlemen have been the proprietors since 1878, and now turn out on an average 300 barrels every twenty-four hours. These gentlemen are highly esteemed in trade circles for their sterling integrity and their mill is well known and has a high reputation.

WILLIAM MILLER, president of the South Bend National Bank. In looking over a comparative statement of the institutions of a financial character doing business in this city, we find them in comparison with the same class of organizations elsewhere, solvent, prosperous and useful in the highest degree. The South Bend National Banks adds no little to this, and is one of the best and most substantial of ite kind in the State. Mr. Miller, its well-known president, was born in. Lebanon county, Penn., March 16, 1821, a son of Henry and Catherine (Harper) Miller, who were also born in the Keystone State, the great-grandparents having been born in Ger- many. They arrived in this country in 1743, and settled in what was then Lan caster county, Penn., which is now Lebanon county, where they both died. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers were in the Revolutionary war, were farmers by occupation, and paid the last debt of nature in Pennsylvania. Henry Miller followed in his father's footsteps and was also a farmer. After remaining in the East with his family until 1837, he turned his footsteps westward and made the journey to St. Joseph county, Ind., in wagons, locating in Portage township, on what is now a portion of South Bend. In 1843 he removed to Berrien county, Mich., in which State he was called from life in 1851. The mother died a few years later. They became the parents of six sons and four daughters, but at the present time only four members of this family are living: William; Joseph; Catherine, widow of David Gerberich, and Malinda, widow of John H. Kingery. William Miller, the subject of this sketch, was only about sixteen years of age on coming to this county, the first thirteen years of his life being spent on a farm, and in the primitive log constructions of early days he obtained some education, but the most of his knowl- edge has been acquired by practical experience and self application. His first bus- iness experience was obtained in a mercantile establishment of Harrisburg, Penn., where he acted as clerk, and after coming to South Bend he followed the same occu- pation for a number of different firms until 1849, when the "gold fever" seized him and he crossed the plains to California in company with ten others, and unlike the many who took the toilsome overland journey they arrived at their destination safely without experiencing any difficulties or hardships. Mr. Miller remained there engaged in mining and trading in stock until the fall of 1852, when he returned to South Bend, after which he built the stone works of the Illinois Central Railroad from the Calumet River to Kankakee City, finishing the job in 1854. Following this he purchased the Hendricks Flour Mill, which he operated until 1869, then sold out and entered the bank with which he is now connected, which was then known as the Bank of State of Indiana, and held the position of cashier under various changes for about twenty-two years, when he became president of the institution, and is still discharging the duties of that office. During this time he wns president of the Peninsular Railroad (now the Grand Trunk Railread), Indiana division, and for three

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years discharged the responsible duties of that position. He is a stockholder in the Mishawaka Pulp Company, the South Bend Gas Light Company and the Porcelain Company. He has been mayor of South Bend two terms, and during his adminis- tration there was much talk and strife over the system of water works to be decided apon, but his decision has proven very satisfactory. He has also served as a member of the city council a number of terms, and while a member of that body showed much good judgment and executive ability. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Folsom, in 1858 to Mary Groff, by whom he has four children living: Mrs. Kittie Clark, of Lawrence, Kas .; William F., of Mishawaka; John G., of Spokane Falls, Wash., and Eugene H. Mr. Miller'e third wife, who died June 29, 1887, was Mary K. Butler, who was born near London, England, but this union bas not resulted in the birth of any children. Mr. Miller has in his possession some writing which was done by his great-grandfather Harper, and also his pocket-book which he brought with him to this country in 1743. Mr. Miller is one of the highly esteemed residents of South Bend, and is rightly considered a capable man of busi- ness. The South Bend National Bank transacts a general business, and we may be permitted in conclusion to hope that its good works will live with instead of after it.

ADOLPHUS EBERHART, Mishawaka, Ind. The family of the name of Eberhart, Everhart, Eberhardt, whichever way it may be written, probably came originally from Germany to America, and possibly there are thousands of the same name in both countries. Rev. Uriah Eberhart, of Chicago, Ill., has compiled an interesting history of the family from A. D. 1265, to A. D. 1890, showing their mutations, in- crease, resemblances and dispersion, arguing that from their similarity of physical structure, mental acquirements and religious faith, that they all had one common parentage. In Germany be traced them back to the thirteenth century, when the family was of noble blood, well educated for the times and many of them holding offices of high degree in church and state. They nearly all belonged to the Lu- theran Church, one of the Eberharts greatly assisting Luther himself in the work of the Reformation. It would be impossible, in an article of the present kind, to give the various histories connected with this remarkable family, but we may at least out- line some of the distinguished former members. Eberhard the Noble was a Bavar- ian, born March 13, 1265, and both his father and mother were members of the royal family. He was one of the most daring and successful warriors of Wirten- berg and established that kingdom. His son Uriah succeeded him on the throne, and his son Eberhard the Good died June 5, 1325, after reigning nearly forty-eix years. Eberhard the Mild was the great-grandson of Eberhard the Noble and commenced to reign about 1392, continuing about twenty-five years. His son Eberhard the Younger died after a comparatively short reign; Duke Eberhart the Third began his reign about 1633 and reigned about forty-one years, and Duke Leo- pold Eberhard, who died in 1723, was the last reigning duke of Wirtenberg. The

throne was lost partly by his own improper conduct, but principally through the strife then existing between the Catholics and Protestants. In view of all the dig- turbances of the times, many of the family decided to leave the Fatherland and seek their fortunes and greater civil and religious freedom in the wilds of America. Hence, quite a number of them emigrated to this country between 1725 and 1750, coming mostly from Wirtenberg and surrounding provinces, and settled principally in Pennsylvania, becoming there sturdy pioneers and substantial farmers. Many of their descendants have become prominent and leading men in all walks of life. They are a numerous and enduring race and many of the representatives are scat- tered through the West. Adolphus Eberhart, the grandfather of our subject. came to America between 1775-7. He was the son of John Adam Eberhart, Duke of Al- sace. German tradition says that his father, John Adam, the Duke, was very wealthy, being the owner of extensive glass works and large tracts of land. He ap- pointed his brother, Philip of Wirtenberg, as administrator of his estates, and Philip so managed matters that he made his son the inheritor of the title and the

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greater part of the lands. Thus the heirs of the real duke were defranded out of their inheritance. Adolphus was born January 4, 1760, and consequently was about eighteen years of age when he came to this country from Carlruhe, Baden. He immediately enlisted in the army and was all through the Revolutionary war, being a brave soldier and fighting under General La Fayette. At one time he as- sisted in carrying the General off the field, where he had been severely wounded, and did not see him again until January, 1825, when he met him at Albert Gallatin's home near New Geneva, and in recognition they embraced each other. After the war Adolphus returned to his trade of glass blowing, and after some experiments in Baltimore, in connection with a man by the name of Johnson, he and his brother Martin with other friends, went to Frederick City, Md., and for a time carried on the glass business. There he was married to a Miss Sophia, danghter of David and Elizabeth (Brandenburg) Speelman, who was born February 7, 1770, and was an excellent woman. Some time after the close of the war Adolphus and his friends moved from Frederick City to a place called New Geneva, Fayette county, Penn., and bought land of Hon. Albert Gallatin and established the first extensive glass works west of the Alleghany Mountains. He was a good general scholar and although he had s German brogue when speaking English, he was, nevertheless, an intelligent, active business man for his years. For a long time he carried on an extensive glass manufacturing establishment. Both he and his good wife were members of the Lutheran Church and were noted for their fine musical ability. He died in 1828, aged sixty eight years. They had the following children: Martin Adolphus, who died in childhood; Charles, born February 18, 1789, and married Miss Minnie Kirk- wood, of Mapleton, Penn .; Sophia A. ; Margaret E .; Christian E. ; George Frederick; Anna; Henry; John L. ; Louis A. and Rev. Albert G. George Frederick Eberhart, son of Adolphus, was born March 30, 1797, in Greenburg, Greene county, Penn., and received the limited common-school education of the day. He learned the business of glass blowing of his father, many of the Eberharts following this business. He married Betsy Weltner, of the same neighborhood, and to them were born twelve children: Jacob, Sophia, Adolphus, John, Robert Charles and Charles Robert (twins), Christian, Albert, Elizabeth Frederick, Frank and James. Soon after marriage Mr. Eberhart moved to the State of New York and settled in the town of Clyde, Wayne county, where he engaged in his trade and lived until 1827, when he removed to Geneva, N. Y., and soon after bought a farm in Yates county, although he contin- ued to work at his trade in Geneva. He finally retired from this business and lived on his farm. In 1832 he removed to Greene county, Penn., where his father had owned a large tract of coal and iron lands. Mr. Eberhart bought out all of the heirs except one, but not being able to complete the purchase of the property he remained but one year. For the following two years he lived in Yates county, and in the spring of 1836 came with his family to St. Joseph county, Ind., and settled on the St. Joseph River, two miles north of Mishawaka, entering nearly 400 acres of land, making the journey to this county with two double horse teams, the snow being five feet deep when he started and the wagons were put on runners. The roads were good until Ashtabula was reached, when the snow disappeared and the remainder of the journey was made on wheels. The land which Mr. Eberhart entered was called Oak Openings, and presented a beautiful appearance, the large oak trees standing st a considerable distance apart, causing it to resemble an orchard. As there was little underbrush a large variety of wild flowers grew in this wood, while deer, wild turkey, squirrels and other game abounded. In their season the wild pigeons were in count- less numbers. A pigeon roost was within one and one half miles of their settlement, and millions of these birds would fly to this roost at night. The land on which Mr. Eberhart settled is still in the hands of his heirs, and the primitive log cabin which he first built had neither doors nor windows, as glass could not be obtained at that time at Mishawaka, which village had then but one store, that of the St. Joseph Iron Company. There was but one settler near Mr. Eberhart and there was a small set-

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tlement at Pleasant Valley. After a few years Mr. Eberhart built a good frame house and two good barns, which are still standing. A good farm was cleared up, with the assistance of his sons, consisting of 200 acres. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eberhart were devout members of the Methodist Church, and he was a local preacher while living in the State of New York. In conjunction with Richmond Tuttle and James Pembrook he organized the First Methodist Church, in which Mr. Eberhart was local preacher and class-leader for many years, contributing liberally of his means to support the church. His house was the home of the itinerant Methodist preachers of those early days who were the founders of Methodism in Indiana. Mr. Eberhart was a good, substantial, pioneer citizen, took great interest in public improvements and gave his children a fair education for those days. In politics he was an old line Whig, but afterward became a stauch Republican. He died at the age of seventy-two years, a man of powerful constitution, who was never sick in his life and who never missed a meal until his last sickness. He was a successful hunter, very fond of game and enjoyed hunting it. For horses he had a great affection, and in his early days kept fast ones, and when living in the State of New York had some very valuable ones for his times; but when he became a religious man he sold off his horses. He was respected by all who knew him as a moral, upright, pioneer citizen. Through life he was very positive in his convic- tions and died a sincere Christian, in 1869. The children of George Frederick Eberhart married and settled as follows: Jacob Weltner, born March 11, 1819, in Greenboro, Penn., was a young man of seventeen years of age when he came to Penn township, and married Louisa Ferris, born at Waterloo, N. Y., and to them were born three children-Sarah L., who died at the age of six years; Anna M., who died at the age of two years, and Charles H. who is now a farmer, married and settled on a farm north of Mishawaka. Jacob W. became a substantial farmer and died on the farm where his son now resides, aged sixty- seven years, his death occurring September 6, 1886. Sophia Eberhart, daughter of George Frederick, married Elias Cook, a farmer of Penn township, son of an old pioneer, and to them were born James, Anna (who died at the age of fourteen years), Arthur, Harriet, George and Sophia. Mr. Cook died on his farm at about fifty-eight years of age. He was a minister in the Methodist Church. Mrs. Cook married for her second husband John Ruddock, a farmer of Sumption Prairie, and he died at about the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Ruddock married for her third husband George Barnes, and they reside at Walkerton, Ind. A full sketch of Adolphus, the next child, will be given below. John H. was born on a farm in Yates county, October 8, 1825, and came to this county when eleven years of age. He married Mary A. Pembrook, but no children were born of this marriage and she died in 1857. In 1859 he married Mary McCann, and to them were born two daughters: Harriet A. and Nellie M. Mrs. Eberhart died December, 1890. Mr. Eberhart is a sub- stantial citizen and is one of the owners of the flouring-mill at Mishawaka. Robert Charles, a son of Frederick George Eberhart, was born April 9, 1828, became a farmer and married Lucy Landfere, in September, 1856. They had one son, Palmer A., born March 2, 1858, but the mother died two weeks later. Mr. Eberhart married June 28. 1860. Rachel Stair, and to them were born three children: Susan E., born March 1, 1862; Emma E., born April 15, 1864, and Dessie C., born Sep- tember 4, 1866. Mr. Eberhart is a prosperous farmer and a respected citizen of Penn township. Charles Robert, son of Frederick George and twin brother of the above, married Harriet Corp, March 15, 1858, and they are the parents of six children: Harry H., Eva M., Sylvia B., Albert R. and Leo B. The son Albert, wae drowned in the St. Joseph River on the evening of December 3, 1884,

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Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Brothers Number of Pages: 786

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Brothers
Number of Pages: 786