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 103

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 103
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 103

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the plains to California, being six months on the road. This company was com- posed of men of courage and determination, and fear never entered their minds, although a company behind them was massacred by the Indians, none escaping except one boy. Mr. Alverson spent twenty-one years in the Western States and Territories and was in all except Alaska. He mined for three years, but the balance of his time was devoted to the saw-mill and stock business. He experi- enced many hardships, for the country was very wild and the Indians savage and treacherous, and his partner, George Fairbanks, was killed by the Indians in Idaho while prospecting. Mr. Alverson also had two men who were working for him killed, and had many narrow escapes himself. In the fall of 1871 he returned to Bristol a wiser man and full of experience, and it all seems like a dream to him. On his return here he engaged in his present business and has continued the same ever since. He is a good, law-abiding citizen and has many warm friends. He has accumulated considerable property and is in easy circumstances. Charitable and liberal to all, the poor and afflicted are never sent empty-handed from his door. Mr. Alversou was married in 1872 to Miss Catherine Fulk, by whom he has four chil- dren: Irene, Matie, Carl and Benjamin. In poli ics Mr. Alverson is an ardent sup- porter of Democratic principles.

MARTIN I. McDONALD is the third child of the old pioneer citizen, John I. McDonald, of whom mention is made in this work. Martin was born in Clark county, Ohio, on April 2, 1855, but since his third year he has been a resident of Elkhart county, Ind., and has always warmly identified himself with the interests of this section. He obtained his education in the district schools of Southwest and Harrison township, and his early career was not materially different from the most of farmers' boys, for as soon as old enough various farm duties were assigned him. In this manner he became thoroughly familiar with the work, and at the age of twenty-three years he started ont to do for himself, and being an industrious, hon- est and self-reliant young man, he was successful in accumulating means. He followed threshing for a number of years in addition to tilling the soil, and in this manner obtained a good start in life, sufficiently so to warrant him taking a wife, which he did in 1888, Miss Sarah E. Bechtel, a daughter of Daniel Bechtel, becoming the partner of his joys and sorrows. Since their marriage they have lived on the old Bechtel homestead, which they own and which they are putting in good repair. This is one of the oldest farms in the county and has been the home of the Bechtel family for many years. Mr. McDonald is an honor to the calling which he represents, and is a living illustration of what may be accomplished by a young man who is determined to surmount the difficulties which strew the pathway of all live business men. He is interested in the raising of stock and grain and owing to the earnest attention which he gives to each he is successful in each branch. His judgment has led him to support the Republican party on all occasions and he has proven himself a public-spirited, wide-awake young man, alive to his own and his county's interests. He is of the stuff of which sterling citizens are made and he and his wife have a large circle of friends and acquaintances. They have one child, Noah. Mrs. McDonald was the seventh child born to her parents, was born on September 20, 1858, and was reared on the old home farm of her father, Daniel Bechtel, which is her home at the present time.

EUOENE ATKINS. When a grain of wheat is cut across the middle and examined under a glass, the central parts are found to be composed offa white substance; if the grain is dry this interior readily becomes a pearly powder. Near the outside of the kernel the texture is more compact, and at the surface it becomes horny. This added firmness is produced by the increasing quantity of gluten, as the analysis advances from center to circumference. Understanding the structure of the grain, it has been the object of the miller to separate the various parts so as to get different grades of flour. It is the gluten which gives flour its strongest property, and it is in the nice separation of this constituent that the roller process excels. As one of

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the finest examples of the application of this process and machinery generally to the manufacture of fine flour, the Bristol Roller Mills of Bristol, Ind., command detailed mention. This extensive enterprise is conducted by E. Atkins, M. Stover and A. Stamp, and is equipped with all the modern machinery, roller process, and a fifty- horse-power engine. Mr. Atkins superintended the building of this mill in 1890, and at first it was a small frame structure. This year additions have been made as their business has increased so much as to make this necessary. Mr. Atkins is a practical miller, and was reared in the business. He was born in Ontario, in 1868, and his parents, George and Alice (Milroy) Atkins, were natives of Canada. They removed to Clare, Mich., in 1869, and there the father carried on a sash and blind factory, grocery, saw mill and lumber-yard. He carried on quite an extensive business, and died at Clare. His widow is still living, and makes her home in this city. Eugene Atkins was educated at Clare, Mich., in the public schools, and at an early age he learned milling and the millwright trade with Nor- dyke, Marmon & Co., of Indianapolis, the largest milling firm in the world. He subsequently became superintendent for this firm and built mills for them in over half the States of the Union, some being very large ones. He was second foreman in the erection of some of the largest mills in the. world. He remained with this company for eight years, commanded a large salary, and then thinking with his experience that he could do better if engaged in the business for himself, he planned the Bristol Roller Mills, and has since been actively engaged in this occupation. This firm manufactures 100 barrels of flour per day. He took in two partners and they do nearly all their own work, except running the engine. Mr. Atkins is out on the road a portion of the time, and Mr. Stover is salesman, on the road, some of the time. On May 3, 1891, he was married to Miss Azia Stover, of Elkbart. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., is a very enterprising young man, and is sure to succeed in life.

CHARLES M. COLLINS, the master mechanic for the Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Company at South Bend, Ind., was born in Harmony, Me., June 4, 1852, his parents, William and Mary (Sweeney) Collins, having been born in the Pine Tree State and Ireland respectively. The Collins family were early pioneers of the New England States, and the paternal and maternal grandparents spent the most of their lives and died in Maine, in which State William Collins was reared and followed farmiog until his death. His widow is now a resident of New Hampshire, and with four children survives him, the names of the latter being: A. C., of Hartford, Conn .; F. W., of Jefferson, N. H. ; Charles M. and F. A., of Portland, Me. Charles M. Collins spent his early life in the State of his birth, and until sixteen years of age was an attend- ant of the public schools of his native place. He then began learning the trade of a mechanic, for which he seemed to have a natural inclination and a decided aptitude, and for two years thereafter was an apprentice of Henkley & Egery and Dalle Bros., of Bangor, Me. He then became very desirons of improving his education, and through his own efforts obtained sufficient means to permit him to enter college at Bucksport, Me., but unfortunately, on account of his father's death, he was c om- pelled to give up his course and return to the shop. He, however, did not confine himself to one particular establishment, but followed his trade in the principal cities throughout the New England States, nor to one particular class of work, but devoted his time to the various branches which was the means of perfecting his knowledge of every detail. In 1878 he came west to Elkhart, Ind., with the expectation of going to work in the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern shops, but found that the chance of promotion was very doubtful, and he had no desire or intention of waiting for " dead men's shoes," so he gave up the idea and came to South Bend, and here soon after secured employment in the mammoth establishment of the Studebaker Bros. His mechanical skill was soon made manifest, and came to the notice of the members of the firm, who were sufficiently well versed in the details of the business to realize that he was an expert workman, and in 1888 his ability and faithfulness were

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rewarded by his being made master mechanic over the entire manufactory. This very responsible position he has filled with undiminished zeal, faithfulness and skill up to the present time, and he enjoys the entire confidence and respect of his employers. He has sixty men under his supervision, over whom his rule is firm and absolute, yet light In May, 1892, his intelligence was further recognized by the townspeople, for he was elected one of the trustees of the City Water Works, in which he had been deeply interested from the first, and of which he was one of the leading promoters. All matters that are calculated to benefit and improve the city find a generous and influential patron in Mr. Collins, and he is in every sense of the word public-spirited. In 1881 he led to the altar Miss Lennie Allen, to whom two sons have been given: Fred and Homer. Mr. Collins is a Knight Templar in the A. F. & A. M., is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and politically the prin- ciples of the Republican party have always commended themselves to his judgment. JOHN HAY, who, for a number of years, has lived in Harrison township, Elkhart Co., Ind., was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, December 25, 1829, being the eldest of a family of seven children reared by Michael and Christina (Crull) Hay, the former of whom was born in Bedford county, Penn., in 1806, his parents being Valentine and Esther (Martin) Hay. Valentine Hay was a Pennsylvanian by birth, whose father, Michael Hay, was a Hessian, and came to this country from Germany during the Revolutionary war. He was a worthy founder of the family in this country sud reared four children, of whom Valentine, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was one. Michael Hay was a tiller of the soil and he and his wife died in Pennsylvania. Valentine attained manhood in the State of his birth, learned the millwright's trade in his youth, which he afterward followed in con- nection with farming. He was married in the Keystone State, and eight children were the result of his union, their names being as follows: John, who died in St. Joseph connty, Ind. ; Michael; Mary, who was the wife of Noah Anderson, an esrly pioneer of Elkhart county; Barbara, who was the wife of Jonas Miller, of Elkhart county, and after his death became the wife of Samuel Fryman, of Harrison town- ship, both being deceased at the present time; Joseph, who died in Ohio; Hettie, who is the wife of Mr. Fryman, and is a resident of Ohio; Abraham, who is living in Ohio, Montgomery county; Isaac, who died in Montgomery county, Ohio. The father and mother lived and died in that county and State, also having for many years been members of the German Baptist Church. The father passed from life

in 1853, and the mother in 1863, at which time they were in good circumstances. Michael, the father of the subject of this biography, was educated and reared in Pennsylvania, and as he was reared to the duties of farm life, it was but natural that he should make that his chief occupation after starting out in life for himself. After his removal to Ohio, with his parents, he married in that State, in 1828, and immediately thereafter settled in the woods of Montgomery county, on which he and his wife lived and died. They were members of the German Baptist Church, in which the father was an active worker. He was industrious, prudent aud econom- ical, and with the valuable assistance of his worthy wife, he succeeded in accu- mulating a good property. He was a pronounced Jacksonian Democrat in his political views, but later an esponser of the martyr President, Abraham Lincoln. He died in August, 1879, and his widow, in 1889, six of the seven children born to them surviving: John, the immediate subject of this skelch; Hattie, who is living near the old home in Montgomery county, is the wife of Samuel Erbangh; Masolma is the wife of Noah King, and lives in Missouri; Joseph was, for many years, a resident of Elkhart connty, Ind., died in 1890, and his widow and family are still living on the old homestead; Michael resides on the old home farm in Montgomery county, Ohio; Abraham also resides there, and Mary A. married George Arbaugh and lives in the vicinity of the old home in Ohio. All these sons are members of the German Baptist Church, and are prominent in the sections in which they reside. The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent in Mont-

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gomery connty, Ohio, and as he early commenced assisting his father in the duties of the farm, he received but limited school advantages. Knowing the advantage of a good education, he attended school after he was grown, and in this manner acquired a practical education. He remained at home until about twenty-four years of age, then was united in marriage with Miss Rachel, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Priser) Heistand, the former of whom was born in Maryland, in 1788, and died in 1853, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a farmer and school teacher by occupation, in politics was a Whig, and prior to his death had prophesied the war of the Rebellion, but was strongly opposed to it. He was a man of su- perior knowledge, was a practical business man, and accumulated a good property. In every respect he was a gentleman of the old school. He was one of the early pioneers of Ohio, and was married in Montgomery county, of that State, where he lived for a number of years. In 1853 he sold his property there and while en route for Madison, Wis., with his family, died at the home of a brother-in-law in Ohio. His wife died in 1839, the mother of six children: Benjamin, who died in 1877, lived in Shelbyville, and died in Florida, a man of family and an ex-soldier of the Rebellion; Jesse died in 1880, in Crawford county, Ill., leaving a family; Hiram was a man of family and died iu Madison, Wis., in 1870, having also been a soldier of the Civil war; Rachel, the wife of Mr. Hay; Anna is the wife of Joseph Owines, and lives in Ohio; and Mary, who is married to J. Herring, is a resident of the Hoosier State. Mrs. Hay was only six years old when her mother died, but in Montgomery county, Ohio, she grew to maturity and married. She and her bus- band have long been members of the German Baptist Church, and since 1856 have been residents of Elkhart county, Ind. They bought 160 acres of woodland, besides which they now own a farm of ninety acres in Bango township, on which one of his sons is living. He has always been active in political matters, at all times supports the principles of the Republican party, and has always been exceedingly public spirited. He is interested in all enterprises tending to improve the county, and especially the immediate section in which he resides. He experienced the hardships of life on a pioneer woodland farm and devoted many a hard day's labor to clearing it and getting it in good farming condition. He had some means, in which respect he was more fortunate than many of the early pioneers of the section, but he has always been prudent in his expenditures aud never run in debt. In 1860 he built the large brick house in which he is now living, which was, in all probability, one of the first erected in the county. His farm is finely improved in every way, his fences are kept np, his buildings in good repair, and every nook and cranny of fields and fences are in admirable condition. His children are as follows: Abraham, born September 8, 1854, is a farmer of Baugo township, was married to Ellen Cline, and is the father of two children-Leroy and James; Michael was born October 29, 1860, is assisting his father on the home place, and is a Republican in politics; John was born August 12, 1863, and died November 26, 1863; Amasa P. was born Sep- tember 4, 1864, and is also at home; Mary M. was born November 4, 1868, and died February 2, 1869; Christina was born October 7, 1870, is the wife of Daliem Kurtz, of Harrison township; Joseph, born July 25, 1874, is attending school; and Ids, born December 7, 1876, is also attending school. Mr. Hay and his family rank among the prominent people of the county, and this reputation has been acquired not through their means, but through their public spirit, fair dealing and earnest Christian purpose.

JAMES ASLIN. A plumber of South Bend. Ind., who has made an excellent repu- tation for good work, and who is doing a thriving business, is James Aslin whose place of business is at 216 Michigan street. He was born in Hartfordshire, England, Jannary 25, 1860, son of George and Susanna (Barber) Aslin, in which country they belonged to the farming classes. The father was born in St. Albin's Abbey, there received a good education, and like his worthy ancestors before him, became a tiller of the soil when settling in life. Iu 1875 he sailed for the United States and first

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located in Hartford, Conn., in the vicinity of which place he followed agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1889. His widow died in England in 1892, having become the mother of eight children, six of whom survive her: Louise, Frederick, Elizabeth and Susanna who reside in London, England; Matilda, a resi- dent of Hamelhempstead, England, and James, the subject of this sketch. He was reared in the land of his birth, where he was partly educated, but in 1874 left that country to seek his fortune in America and soon after reaching this country he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned his trade; thence to Chicago, where he worked at the same for two years. In 1899 he came to South Bend and until two years ago worked as a journeyman when he established himself in business and has built up a large and constantly growing patronage. He is a thoroughgoing and energetic business man, reliable at all times, and is highly respected among a large circle of business and social acquaintances. He is himself a practical mechanic and gives careful and personal supervision to all work done. This includes everything in the line of gasfitting. In the matter of charges, he makes it a rnle to be moderate and reasonable, and this has undoubtedly had an influence in building up the excellent trade enjoyed. Another feature that has given great satisfaction among his patrons . ie the promptness with which all orders are attended to. He was married in 1885 to Miss Sophia Pommart, daughter of Andy Pommart, the first drayman of South Bend, and to them three gons have been born: George, Harry and Fred. Mrs. Aslin is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Royal Arcanum.

L. B. RooD is a member of a prominent family of Elkhart county, to which sec- tion he came from Ohio in 1865, although his birth occurred in Bedford, Mass. His parents, Aaron and Phily (Carter) Rood, the former being a member of a family that took root on American soil at a very early day. Aaron with his family removed to Ohio, and there he and his wife eventually passed from life, both being quite aged. They reared four children: Aaron, Alpha, Lauren B., William and Elizabeth. Lauren B. Rood, the subject of this sketch, was married in Ohio to Susanna Golder, daughter of John and Mary Golder, Pennsylvania people who early removed to Ohio, where they reared four children: Garrett, Jackson, Devereau and Susanna. After his marriage Mr. Rood farmed in Ohio until 1865, and since that time has followed the same occupation north of Gosben, where he also manufactured the first tile ever made in the county and himself manufactured the first machine for the pur- pose. To himself and wife four children were born: John, who is a farmer of Jefferson township; Nelson, who is a farmer and a brick and tile manufacturer four miles west of Goshen; Elizabeth, and Wilson H., who is a farmer and is associated with his brother in the manufacture of brick and tile, also township trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Rood have reared a family of honest, industrious children, who are good citizens and well to do in worldly goods. Nelson Rood was born in Mercer county, Ohio, in 1848, April 18, and was a son of L. B. and Susanna (Golder) Rood, being the second of their four children: John, who is a farmer residing east of Goshen; Nelson L .; Chester, who died at the age of eight years; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Eli MeQuate, and Wilson H., married to Cora Bemenderfer December 1, 1887, one child Winnie B., born August 5, 1888, who is a resident and trustee of Harrison township. Nelson W. Rood was a resident of Mercer county, Ohio, until he was about nineteen years old, and in the district school of that county he obtained a good practical education, and after coming to Elkhart county he attended a select school of Goshen for some time. At the age of twenty-one years he began teaching and for three years was a successful pedagogue in the district schools of Elkbart county, since which time he has given bis attention to farming and the manufacture of brick and tile, embarking in the latter enterprise at about the age of twenty-two years, using a small hand machine, and remained thus associated with bis father for four years. After his marriage he removed to Olive township, on the Jacob Shann farm, where he followed tile and brick making for four years alone, then associated with him his brother Wilson. In 1882 they sold their farm to Aaron Shanu and bought

Hon. JOHN M. BUTLER.

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the farm, now owned by John Statsman, consisting of 122 acres. They have been very successful in their line of work and the output of their establishment is large aud consequently paying. Their plant is valued at about $10,000 and is the result of a great deal of bard labor. The clay on this place is of a very superior qual- ity and is well suited to the manufacture of crocks. They employ aix or seven men' during the tile season and find a ready sale for their product. Mr. Rood is one of the most public spirited of men, and politically is a Republican. He has always been interested in affairs of his section and makes it a point to keep well posted on the current topics of the day. Heis a member of the Evangelical Church, in which he is treasurer and secretary and has always shown much interest in Sunday-school work. November 26, 1874, he was married to Hutoka Blue, daughter of Abner Blue. Mrs. Rood was born two miles north of Goshen on the old homestead of the Blue family. She is one of the following children: Louise, who is living in Nebraska is the wife of John E. Adams; James L. is a farmer of Adama county, Neb .; Hutoka (Mrs. Rood), and May. Mrs. Rood was born February 21, 1853, and has borne her husband two children: Hallet E., born November 25, 1877, and Carlos, born January 10, 1886. They have an adopted daughter, Maud (Willy) Rood, who is now sixteen years of age. They are among the prominent young people of Harrison township and well and favorably known. Mr. Rood is a young man of superior business qualifications and is highly regarded in business circles.

W. R. HOBBS, furniture dealer of South Bend, Ind. Of the marked improve- ment on the culture and general good taste of the public no more convincing proof is to be found in South Bend than by a visit to the forniture warercoms of W. R. Hobbs at 122 South Michigan atreet, which is conducted in an able and efficient manner and is in the enjoyment of a prosperous career. Mr. Hobbs owes his na- tivity to Yorkville, Ill., where he was born January 25, 1859, a son of Nathaniel and Caroline (Graham) Hobbs, the former of whom was born in Portland, Me., and the latter in Haverhill, Mass. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were of English descent and were early settlers of New England. The great-grandfather, Josiah Hobbs, was a colonel in a Maine regiment during the Revolutionary war. The early members of the family were engaged in mercantile pursuits. Nathaniel Hobbs emigrated from Maine to Illinois in 1855, and in the town of Yorkville he built a saw-mill and was engaged in milling and lumbering until the big flood of 1858, when everything he owned was swept away, leaving him totally destitute of means. He then turned his attention to agriculture, purchasing a farm on time one mile from Yorkville, and by good management and hard work in time succeeded in entirely paying off his indebtedness. In 1868 he sold this property and moved to Aurora, Ill., where he opened a furniture establishment which he conducted in a successful manner until 1887, at which time he sold his stock to bia two sons, W. R. and Albert J., and from that time until his death in 1889, lived a retired life. His widow survives him and lives on the old homestead in Aurora. She bore her hus- band four children: Albert J .; George; Mrs. Flora E. Hammond, of Aurora, III. ; and William R., of South Bend, Ind. The subject of this sketch was but five years of age when his parents left the farm and in the city of Aurora, Ill., he received his educa- tion, graduating from the high school in 1876, at the age of seventeen. The subse- quent three winters he taught school in the vicinity of Aurora and in the summer worked for Gannon & McGrath, of Chicago, at which place he learned the up- holsterer's trade. After becoming a thoroughly competent upholsterer he entered his father's establishment with whom he remained associated until he purchased an interest in the business upon his father's retirement, but in 1890 sold out to his brother and soon after purchased his present atore and has since conducted a pros- perous and creditable business. The premises are suitably arranged for sale and work purposes and he carries the largest stock of furniture in Indiana, north of Indianapolis. He is not only thoroughly conversant with the details of the business but also with the demands of the public, whom he zealously and successfully strives

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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 103

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

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