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 107
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 107
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stead. Mr. Hapner began st once to clear and burn off his farm, made many im- provements, and by thrift and hard work added to his land until he owned in different parts of the county 613 acres. He was a very progressive and substantial farmer, and was well known as one of the earliest pioneers. He and wife were members in good standing in the United Brethren Church, which he assisted to establish in the township, and was both class-leader and steward. In politics he was at one time an old line Whig, but later he became a stanch Republican. He was one of the much-esteemed citizens of the county, and was township trustee for four years. A hard-working man in his youthful days, he finally broke down and had poor health until his death in October, 1876, when nearly sixty-seven years of age. When starting in this county he had little else save a pair of stout hands and any amount of push and energy. After paying the teamsters who hanled him from Ohio, he had but $20 left with which to begin life. At one time he walked with John Long (brother of Martin Long) to Fort Wayne one day, entered land, and walked back the following day, a distance of fifty miles. This walk, in connec- tion with his walk from Ohio, was supposed to have caused the death of Mr. Long, who died shortly afterward. Mr. Hapner was a man universally respected, and a citizen highly esteemed. His son, Abraham Hapner, the subject of this sketch, first opened his eyes to the rude surroundings of pioneer life in Elkhart county, January 19, 1835, and there st an early age began assisting his father to clear and develop his farms. He received a common-school education in the old subscription schools, and well remembers many of the old pioneers. On the 1st of October, 1857, when sbout twenty-three years of age, he was married to Miss Sarah Ott, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Juday) Ott, and after marriage settled on land on the Ft. Wayne rosd in Benton township, where he remained for one season. He then moved to the west side of the township, settled on eighty scres belonging to his father and resided there until the spring of 1861. He then moved on the farm of Michael Ott, buying an eighth interest, and there resided nutil January 21, 1868, when he moved to his present farm, then consisting of sixty-two scres, to which he has since added, until he owns 148 acres of productive land. He has made many fine improvements, has a comfortable house and good farm buildings, and an excel- lent orchard. From his industry and good management, Mr. Hapner has met with substantial results, and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of his section. To Mr. and Mrs. Hapner have been given five children, three of whom lived to mature years: Mahala, Marietta and Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Hapoer hold membership in the United Brethren Church, and he has been class-leader and steward in the same. He was lay delegate to the annual conference for five sessions, and assisted liberally with his means to build the church in his township. A Republican in politics, his first presidential vote was for Col. John C. Fremont. Mr. Hapner is 8 msn of quiet tastes, and although frequently solicited to hold office, has always refused. He has witnessed the marvelous growth of the country in the last half century and has contributed his share toward its development. Highly esteemed and respected, he is one of the county's most worthy citizens. His daughter Mahala married Nathaniel Long, a farmer on the old Long homestead; Marietta married William A. Juday, a farmer of this township, and has one child; Matilda mar- ried Jacob W. Ott, a farmer living with his father-in-law, the subject of this sketch, and has one child.
MICHAEL DAUSMAN (deceased). In order to perpetuate for coming generations the record of one who was very prominently connected with the growth and development of Elkhart county, but who has now passed to his final reward, a brief account of the life of Michael Dausman is placed on the pages of this volume. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the county, a most worthy and exemplary citizen, and one always liberal in his contributions to aid the social, material and religions advancement of the same. Mr. Dansman was born in Germany, August 26, 1826, and was the youngest child of David and Magdalene Dausman, both of whom were natives of the
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Fatherland. Six children were born to this worthy couple, all natives of the old country. David Dausman, his wife and six children-four boys and two girls-com- prised the family which left the old home March 5, 1828. They started from Alsace, France, with team and wagon and journeyed 240 miles to Paris, France, thence to the coast where they took the sailing vessel, "Great Britain." for New York. After a stormy voyage of sixty-eight days on the Atlantic, they reached New York in safety. They went immediately to Buffalo, but concluded to go thence to Canada, where they determined finally to settle, and there they lived ten years. They then moved to the United States and located on a farm near New Paris, Elkhart county, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives. Their children are Jacob Dausman, who lives in Dsusmantown, and is eighty-one years of age; David Daus- man, who lives on the old homestead near New Paris, and Henry Dausman, who lives in Oregon. Their three sisters are dead. Michael Dausman was but two years of age when his parents sailed for the United States, and as a consequence all his recollections were of this country. His youthful days were passed in Canada and New York State, and in the latter he received his education. He there also learned the carpenter and millwright's trade and followed that the most of his life. He assisted in building mills at Buffalo and worked at his trade until the family came to Indiana. Like many others he was taken with the gold fever in 1849 and started for the Pacific coast. He went with six others by way of the Isthmus and was in the mines of California for six years, meeting with fair success.
many hardships in that country, camped out for some time and took his tools and provisions to the camp on the backs of mules. He returned to the East with some money, and made the return trip by way of the Isthmus. For several years after- ward he worked at his trade, and in abont 1858 was married to Miss Mary Stouder, a daughter of Christian Stonder and a native of Elkhart county. She was one of a large family. After his marriage Mr. Dausman settled on a farm in Dausmantown, and he worked at his trade until 1863, when they went on a farm of eighty acres, which had been given Mrs. Dausmau by her parents. This was covered with wood, and they immediately erected & house and began clearing. With the help of his boys, Mr. Dausman cleared this place and bought another eighty joining the original tract, and this has also been cleared. In all there are 105 acres clesred and the rest is good timber. Michael Dausman made his home on this farm until his death, which occurred November 14, 1891. His record as a private citizen and neighbor were alike untarnished, and in all the affairs of life he bore himself in an upright manner, and was recognized as s man of true worth. He was a Republican all his life, and a man deeply interested in the welfare of his county. He was a great help to religion, education, etc., and no man in the county was more highly honored. His wife is still living. is residing on the old homestead in Union township, and part of the children remain with her. She has been in poor health for many years. Six children were born to this worthy couple: Juliann, born December 12, 1859, married Christian Weaver, a farmer of this township, and they have two children, Sylvia and Michael; Edward W., born September 27, 1861, is farming the home place, and is a Republican in his political views (he is deeply interested in the affairs of the county and is a well-informed young man, receiving a good practical education in the district schools; he is at present engaged in stockraising and general farming and is wide awake and enterprising); Michsel M., born September 20, 1863, in com- pany with his brother Edward, is engaged in the management of the home place (he is also a strong supporter of the principles of the Republican party, the dis- trict schools afforded him a fair education and he has assisted on the home place from early boyhood; he, too, is single); Lydia, born December 7, 1865, is the wife of Richard Pickering, and they have one child, Perly (they reside in Jackson township); Lucy, born September 20, 1867, married Henry W. Miller, and they live on a farm in Jackson township (they have four children-Leroy, Laura, Rolley and 8 baby yet unnamed); William, born in 1869, died when but three months old; and
He experienced
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Alice, born May 4, 1871, is at home keeping house for her brothers. They are thoroughgoing, progressive young men, and their farm of 106 acres is well managed.
MICHAEL F. MYERS. No tbeme has greater interest to the biographer than that of pioneer times, and the life history of those who have passed through that trying period and have made their way to comfort and prosperity through hardships and privations, is appreciated by every reader. Such a bistory do we have in the life of the one whose name is given above. Mr. Myers is of German descent, and his an- cestors were early settlers of Maryland. His grandfather, Michael Myers, was born in that State, but as early as 1803 he emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, and settled six miles southwest of Dayton, on Bear Creek. He was one of the earliest settlers of that region, cleared np a good farm and was active in all worthy enter- prises. Eight children were born to his marriage as follows: Moses, Michael, Mar- tin, Mannel and Manassa. The others are not remembered. Mr. Myers became one of the most prosperous farmers and wealthy citizens of his community. He en- tered land in Wayne county, Ind., gave all his children homes, and was much ee- teemed by all. His son, Michael, the father of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Maryland, May 5, 1798, and was five years of age when brought to Ohio. His youthful days were spent in duties upon the farm and a fair education was re ceived in the common schools. He was married in Montgomery county, Ohio, to Mies Elizabeth Frantz, also of German descent, and to them were given six chil- dren: Eli, Lydia, Mary, Michael F., Henry and Sarah E., all born in Montgomery county, Ohio, where Mr. Myers lived until sixty one years of age. Then, in 1859, he moved to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled in Jackson township where he had 160 acres of land partially cleared. Mr. Myers improved this and here passed the remainder of his days, dying at the unusual age of eighty-seven years. In politics he was first on old line Whig, but later he affiliated with the Republican party. He WR8 & man highly esteemed in the community, was liberal and open-hearted and assisted his children to a start in life. Michael F. Myers, the subject of this sketch, and son of the above, owes his nativity to the Buckeye State, born in Montgomery county, November 16, 1839, and received a good practical education in the common schools. He assisted his father on the farm and came with his father to thie county in 1859. He was then about twenty years of age and was married in this county to Miss Cynthia A. Blake, daughter of Charles and Martha (Berry) Blake. Four chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers: Lillie M., Matilda A., Clyde E. and Charles. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Myers settled on his present farm, then consisting of 120 acres given bim by his father, and to this he has since added until he now owns 240 acres. He is one of the substantial and prominent farmers of the county, is active in all good work, and especially sctive in educational matters. All his children have had good educational advantages and his daughter Matilda attended school in Goshen. In his religious views he is & German Baptist, and in politics he is a Republican. He is a man who stands deservedly high as a practical farmer and honorable citizen, and is well and favorably known for his integrity and uprightness.
MILTON MILLER LATTA, M. D. Among those who from early manhood have de- voted their lives to the cause of suffering humanity, Milton M. Latta may be re- garded as among the foremost, and in pursuing the noble calling of medicine he has made fame and fortune for himself. He owes his nativity to Champaign county, Ohio, where he was born July 9, 1822, being a grandson of Robert Latta, who was born in Pennsylvania, of which State his wife, Elizabeth Johnstone, was also a na- tive. The father and mother of Robert Latta were North of Ireland people, who took "French leave" of their parents to come to America to be married. The for- mer served with General Morgan in the Revolutionary war. He reared a large family of children, and always made his home in the State in which he first located on coming to America-Pennsylvania. Robert, bis son, was a strict adberent of the Calvinistic doctrine in religion for many years, but in middle life connected himself
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with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and did much in early times to promote the growth of this church in Indians. He was one of the first settlers of the Haw Patch in Indiana, and was well and favorably known to all the early settlers. Of & large family of children born to himself and wife, James, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. He was born in Pennsylvania, removed to Ohio with his parents, and was there married to Elizabeth Seegar, whose parents were among the first settlers of Logan county, Ohio. About 1823 James removed to Illinois, and until 1833 was au itinerant minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the central portion of that State. Upon his settlement in Indiana in 1833, in con- nection with his ministerial duties he was engaged in farming. He became well- known in church circles in both Illinois and Indians, and became noted as a faithful and zealous worker in the vineyard of his Master. He and his wife died at the old home at the Haw Patch, where they had lived so many years, and were so well known and universally respected. Their family consisted of eight sons, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest. The early days of Dr. Milton M. Latts were characterized by hard work, his common school advantages amounting to about two months out of each winter term until he was about fifteen years of age, when failing health compelled him to leave the farm, and in January, 1837, he was taken to Ham- ilton, Ohio, and placed in a combined drug and book store, and here it was that his real education began. He continued in this establishment the greater part of two years, during which time he read everything that took his fancy, aud commenced the study of medicine, which he continued in a desultory way for several years af- ter his return home. In 1840, at the age of eighteen years, he came to Goshen, Ind., and entered the office of his uncle, the late Dr. Johnstone Latts, one of the earliest and best known of the pioneer physicians of northern Indiana. In October, 1841, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the Ohio Medical College, where he remained one term, then returned to Goshen, and since that time has been con- stantly engaged in the practice of medicine. He is now the oldest and best known physician in northern Indiana. It has been his ambition to not only stand well with his profession, but to be regarded as a useful citizen and a public-spirited man. He has long stood at the head of his profession in this and adjoining counties, and this is especially true in the branch of surgery, of which he for many years made a specialty, not so much from choice as from force of circumstances. His reputation in this line was acquired by performing some difficult operations at a time when good surgeons were & rarity, and he soon had almost & monopoly in that branch of bis profession, although of late, on account of his age, he is gradually sharing his honors with younger practitioners. He has no superior as a general practitioner, for his long experience has gained him a knowledge of symptoms and of remedies that can only be acquired in that manner. A close student of human nature, of the mental as well as the physical conditions and peculiarities of patients, he seeks to understand them so thoroughly that his treatment may be exactly suitable to each particular case. Add to this a fatherly care and a tender sympathy for the suffering greatly above the average physician, and his popularity is not to be won- dered at. He has always taken an active interest in medical societies and ev- erything calculated to improve and elevate his profession. He assisted in organiz- ing the first society in Elkhart county in 1845, and supported it and its successors ever since. He was the first delegate from the State of Indiana to the Nationsl Medical Association at Baltimore, in 1848, the journey thither and home again oc- cupying six weeks. At the opening of the Civil war he was offered a surgeon's commission by Governor Morton, but on account of the death of his wife, and being left with a family of small children to provide for, he declined it. He, however, did much service for the Union cause as a draft surgeon, and in various other ways, and was a poorer man at the close of the war than at its commencement, owing to the fact that he made many enemies of those who were averse to being pressed into the service. He was a member of the Agricultural Society from the first, and did
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all he could to promote its success. In company with five other men he secured the first railroad connection for Goshen, and was one of the first directors and build- ers of the Hydraulic Canal. For one year he acted as village trustee, and it was during that year that the Madison Street School building was erected. That he has been a public-spirited citizen, no one who has ever known him will question. He took a great interest in years past in the improvements of the country roads and the building of bridges, spending a great deal of time and money in promoting the lst- ter enterprise. He subscribed heavily to the building of several of the besutiful church edifices of the city, donated more money for church purposes than any other man in the county; in fact, all good canses have received his hearty approval and substantial support. While by no means an "offensive partisan," he has always been 8 'consistent Republican, being one of the first to join the party, having prior to that time been & Whig. He was for about forty years surgeon of the Lake Shore Railroad, but lately resigned the position because, while the labor was increasing, the compensation was not. In 1845 he was married to Miss Julis A. McDevitt, a native of Maryland, who died in 1861, having become the mother of eight children: Mary E., Julia A., James McD., Charles C., Oliver L., William J., Henry P., and one that died in infancy. In 1871 the Doctor took for his second wife Miss Julia L. Redfield, s native of Cass county, Mich. To this union two children were given: Annie R., and a daughter that died in infancy. Dr. Latta's life has been one of use- fulness, honor and profit, and without doubt the world is better for his having lived in it.
WILLIAM A. WHIPPY, M. D. This gentleman was born in Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y., September 2, 1826, and the old Whippy residence in which he was born remained standing until quite recently, and was one of the old landmarks in that picturesque old town of canal locks. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors were colonial settlers of New England and sea-faring people. The father, George S., was born in Nantucket, Conn., in 1795, and his wife, who was s Miss Sarah C. West, in New Bedford, the same State. in 1799. Here they were married, and during the earliest settlement of western New York moved there and assisted in founding the town of Lockport. They made this their home until about 1836, when they removed to Tompkins county, and from there, after about three years, to what is now Schny- ler county, where they ever afterward resided. Mr. Whippy was s prominent Mason, and member of the same lodge as William Morgan, who wrote s so-called exposition of the order, and who so mysteriously disappeared after having done so. Excite- ment over the event ran high at that time, and Mr. Whippy was under arrest for 8 year, as being accessory to the disappearance and death of Morgan, but in the end was discharged and fully exonerated. He remained a consistent and honored Mason until his death, and lived to see almost the last vestige of prejudice against the ancient order give place to justly merited honor and respect. To him and wife were born four sons and four daughters, all but two married and reared families. They all, except our subject and s sister (Mrs. S. E. Sloan), who was s pioneer set- tler of Winons, Minn., have been residents of the Empire State. Of the number of grandchildren, the sons of the subject of this sketch are the only males that bear the name of Whippy. Dr. Whippy was a stanch Democrat, and a personal friend of Van Buren and other stalwart New York Democrats of that time. He was s member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his wife of the Quaker Church. He died November 8, 1853, and his wife s year later. Dr. William A. Whippy received an academic education, and at the age of eighteen began the study of medicine with Dr. E. A. Tompkins, a prominent physician of the alopathic school, who afterward removed to the Pacific coast, and became mayor of San Francisco. After about three years' study and attendance at a medical college he began practicing at Bath, Steu- ben Co., N. Y. After about three years of fairly successful practice he, through the intervention of an old friend, began investigating the Hahnemann system of medical practice, and it resulted in his becoming a convert to it, and his attending lectures
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at a college of that school. He then returned to his native State, but after a few years he moved to Winona, Minn., where he followed his profession until his removal to Goshen, Ind., in 1868. Since coming to this place he has built up a large and steadily increasing practice, and has been singularly and uniformly success- ful in the treatment of cases coming under his care. Dr. Whippy has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1853, was Miss Mary Beards- ley, a native of New York. This lady died in 1862, having borne him six children, one only living, Lestina Estelle, now the wife of E. E. Bates, of Hornellsville. N. Y. In 1868 at Winona, Minn., he was united in marriage with Miss Mary T. Harth, a native of Arkansas, her father, Makish Harth, being a native of Denmark, and a man of very superior education and intelligence. He left his native country to escape military service, and was teaching school in Arkansas at the outbreak of the war, and for his loyal sentiments and expressions he was killed by rebel buebwhackers. After the death of the head of the family her people left the South and took up their residence in Winona, Minn. To the Doctor's second marriage three children have been born: George A. (a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College and a rising young practitioner of Goshen), Lyman B. and Winnie M. Dr. Whippy has been a life-long Democrat, but has never aspired to political preferment. As a member of the city school board he did much to improve the schools of Goshen. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a charter member of Calanthe Lodge, No. 41, Knights of Pythias, and a member of Division No. 11, U. R., and is in all ways a most worthy, pro- gressive and public-spirited citizen.
JOHN D. RAHRER. No better citizens have come to Elkhart county, Iud., than those from the Buckeye State, and none have contributed more to the growth and development of this county than the native Ohioans. Mr. Rahrer has been a resident of Elkhart county for thirty years, and during that time his career has been not only that of an upright, honorable citizen, but of an intelligent and pro- gressive man. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, April 27, 1842, and was one of seven children, two of whom are deceased, born to Daniel and Lydia (Kindlebnr- ger) Rahrer. The grandparents, Jacob and Magdaline (Rahrer) Rahrer, were na- tives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Ohio. The name Rahrer is supposed to be of German origin. When but a lad, Daniel Rabrer came with his parents from Maryland, and settled in the woods of Berlin township, Holmes Co., Ohio. There the father died, and the mother subsequently came to Indiana, and received her final summons in Elkhart county. The seven children born to this couple were named as follows: Martin, David, Daniel, John, Jacob, Susan, and another daughter who became the wife of David Weaver. Susan married Peter Weaver. Daniel Rahrer was born in Maryland in 1812, and after reaching Holmes county, Ohio, attended the district schools of the same, and assisted his father in clearing the home farm. After reaching mature years he started out for himself, and was married to Miss Lydia Kindleburger. Immediately following this union, they settled on A farm in Holmes county, and there the father died in 1851, when thirty- nine years of age. Just prior to his death he bought 160 acres of land in De Kalb county, Ind., and was making arrangements to move to this when his death occurred. After his death his widow did not move, but remained on the farm in Ohio until her death two years later, or in 1853. She was a tender and loving mother, but had suffered with poor health and died with consumption. Her parents were early pio- neers of Holmes county. She was a member of the German Reform Church, and her husband also held membership in the same. The latter was an old line Whig in politics. During his short career he made a good start, but as his children were all young, at the time of his death they were taken and reared by friends. These children were named as follows: Jacob resides in Elkhart county, and is a man of a family; Mary resides in Holmes county, and is the wife of John Swartz; Catherine resides in the same county, and is the wife of Aaron Yoder; John D. resides in Union township; Elizabeth married John Marty, and resides in Holmes county,
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