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 111

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 111
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 111

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JOHN W. MITCHELL. The family of which the subject of this sketch is a repre- sentative, is one well known to the people of Elkhart county, for one or more of its members have been identified with its agricultural interests since 1850. In that year the parents of Mr. Mitchell, James G. and Rebecca A. (Frizzell) Mitchell, came to Elkhart county, settled in Jefferson township, and there resided many years. About 1880 they removed to Bristol and there the father's death occurred on July 11, 1888. The mother is still living and finds a comfortable home with her son John W. She was a native of the Buckeye State and the father of Maryland. Our snb- ject was born in Licking county, Ohio, October 18, 1839, and came with his parents to this county where he finished his growth and education. He assisted his father in cultivating the soil and continued under the parental roof until November 19, 1865, when Miss Catherine B. Bartmess became his wife. She was born November 10, 1842, and the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Stutsman) Bartmess, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Elkhart county, Ind. Both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have been born these children: Lanrs B., Hattie E., Charles L. (deceased) and William F. Laura B. Mitchell married H. W. Kantz, a young lawyer who is practicing in Bristol; Hattie E. Mitchell married W. A. Kantz, who is conducting a butcher shop in Bristol. Mr. Mitchell owns 140 acres of good, productive land in this township and is the owner of 160 acres in Ala-

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bams. He is a wide awake, thoroughgoing farmer and stockraiser, making standard- bred horses s specialty, and his agricultural interests are conducted in a very successful manner. He has a comfortable and pleasant rural home and has every thing to make it attractive and pleasant. He and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Limited Brethren Church, and in politics he is a strong supporter of Republican principles. He served the Union faithfully in the Rebellion, enlisting September 11, 1861, in Company K, Thirtieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in service three years, being discharged at Indianapolis, September 24, 1864, st the expiration of time. He participated in the battles of Green River, Dalton, Ga., besides numerous severe skirmishes. He was on duty at the barracks at Louisville, Ky., for about a year during his time of service.

WILLIAM H. OREN, of the firm of Oren & Baker, wholesale and retail grocers of South Bend, is a very enterprising business man, and has a patronage that extends to all parts of the city, as well as throughout the surrounding country. All his goods may be relied upon as being in fine condition, as well as of high-class quality. He is anative of York county, Penn., where he was born September 11, 1849, a son of John and Elizabeth (Durand) Oren, also Pennsylvanians, but of German .descent. The father was an honored "son of the soil" and he and his wife spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania, being now survived by four of the eleven children born to them, of whom William H., the subject of this sketch, is the youngest. His early life was spent in Pottsville, Penn., in the public schools of which place he re- ceived his education, and when about fourteen years of age he began clerking in 8 grocery and dry goods house of that place, but received a very small compensation for his services. In 1870 Horace Greeley's advice seemed to him to be sound, and he turned his footsteps westward and soon found himself in Decatur, Ill., where he followed the calling of & clerk for a few years. He next opened a general store at Latham, Ill., which he conducted with fair success for about five years, but in 1880 disposed of his stock to remove to South Bend, Ind., and here he soon after purchased the grocery and baker shop owned by J. C. Knoblock and began busi- ness under the firm name of Keasey & Oren, but it only continued thus for a short time when A. D. Baker purchased Mr. Keasey's interest and business has since been successfully continued under the firm name of Oren & Baker. Their business has been conducted all this time at their present stand, 116 West Washington street, but is under the immediate management of Mr. Oren as Mr. Baker is vice-president of the South Bend Chilled Plow Company and manager of the same. Mr. Oren's knowledge of his chosen svocation is perfect, and with his abundant resources, in- fluentisl connections and superior organization, he would appear to be but entering on a career whose future contains promise of the most encouraging character. These gentlemen conduct 8 bakery in connection with their store which is also 8 paying business. These gentlemen are widely known and greatly esteemed, not alone within the lines of this important trade, but by a wide circle among the com- munity generally. Mr. Oren was married in 1874, Miss Sallie Baker, daughter of G. W. Baker, of Decstur, Ill., becoming his wife and the mother of his five children: Mande, Arthur, Jessie, Kizzie and Jed. Mr. Oren is a member of the K. O. T. M., the National Union and the Royal Arcanum. Politically he is & Re- publican.

JOHN N. LEDERER, real estate and insurance agent. To no class of people is the prosperity of s city due more than to the real estate men. It is his energy and vim that induces capital to invest, and houses spring up under the magic wand of his power in inducing people to locate. South Bend is very much under obligations to this class of business men, and to none more than to Mr. Lederer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 16, 1833, to Frederick and Barbars (Kunstman) Lederer, who were also native Germans, the father being a blacksmith and wagon maker by trade. He and his wife died in their native land, having become the par- ents of ten children, eight of whom are living. John N., was the fifth in order of

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birth and was resred in his native land where he was also educated. After attend- ing the public schools he entered college at Wunsiedel, a Latin school, and later entered an institution st Hof, which was called The Gymnasinm, graduating from the latter institution. In 1853, when in his twentieth year, he sailed for America, taking passage in a sailing vessel at Bremen, and landed at New York City after a voyage of thirty-seven days. From the American metropolis he came directly to South Bend, where he had acquaintances, and soon after his arrival, entered the employ of Harper & Deyo, who were engaged in milling. He at first received 8 compensa- tion of $8 per month, and after remaining with this firm until the spring of 1854, he left the mill and began working on the Air Line Railroad. At the end of two weeks the contractor ran away and he and his fellow workmen were left without their money. He then made his way to La Porte and secured employment in the gravel pit at Hud- son Lake, where he labored faithfully for four months. He next secured a position as a clerk in a grocery in South Bend, which position he filled for six years, hie agreeable manners and willing spirit meeting with the unreserved approval of his employer. Following this he opened a meat market and butchering establishment on the ground where his present buildings are, which business ocenpied his attention for twelve years. By this time he had accumulated considerable means, and in 1880 he built the substantial brick building at 110 West Washington street. In 1872 be went to Europe and was absent one season, and immediately upon his return opened a grocery store, in connection with John C. Knoblock, the firm name being Knob- lock & Lederer. In 1876 he made the race for county treasurer and was defeated. The succeeding year he sold out his interest in his grocery, and einbarked in his present business, his long residence in this section making him thoroughly familiar with real estate values. He is the general agent for steamship lines, and represents a number of the best insurance companies. He is sctive and energetic, and has hosts of friends in business and social circles, and is well liked by all who know him, either in a business or social way. He is a whole-souled, genial friend and acquaint- ance, and one of the shrewdest business men of South Bend, whose judgment in real estate and insurance matters can be safely relied upon. He has held the position of school trustee four years, is the originator of the Turner's Society of this place, which was started in 1860; is treasurer of the Northern Indiana Hedge Fence Com- pany, and socially is a member of the A. F. & A. M. In 1860 he was married to Miss Antoinette Bauer, who bore him two children: Anna, now of St. Louis, Mo., and Hugo, who died of diphtheria in May 1864. His second marriage took place in 1880, Miss Maggie Kunstman becoming his wife and the mother of the following children: Herbert, Alma and Irma. Agnes is deceased.

WILLIAM W. WILSON. Among the active enterprises of the town of Bristol the livery business occupies, necessarily, an important place, and Mr. Wilson is actively engaged in this industry. In connection he also deals in buggies and carriages, and is one of the representative business men of the place. He was born in Chau- tanqua county, N. Y., March 25, 1834, and is a son of Ashley and Lorinda (Graves) Wilson, the former a native of Whitehall, N. Y., born 1800, and the latter born in Cayuga county, N. Y. Ashley Wilson emigrated to La Porte county, Ind., in 1844, made his home there until 1856, and then went to Illinois, where he made his home for two years. From there he went to Michigan, and about the year 1861 came to Indiana, settling in Bristol, where his death occurred in 1872. His wife had passed away in La Porte county, Ind., in 1856. This estimable couple were the parents of the following children: Lyman (died in 1853), Ashley, Griffin, Lucius, William W., Mary J., Sarah A., Emma and Irene. William W. Wilson was abont ten years of age when he went with his parents to La Porte county, Ind. He received but a limited education on account of the scarcity of schools, and most of his time in youth was spent in assisting his father to improve and develop the different farms on which he resided. At an early age he learned the trade of bricklayer, became very profi- cient, and later followed contracting and building for thirty years. He was very

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successful in this, and amassed a comfortable competence. On August 11, 1862, he enlisted at La Porte, Ind., in Company E, Fourth Indiana Cavalry and served three years, being mustered ont at the expiration of the war at Macon, Ga., June 29, 1865. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Bridgeport, Waldon's Ridge, Mouse Creek, David Ridge, Kenesaw, Nashville, Franklin and several others. He was in fourteen hard-fought battles during one month, and was wounded twice during service, both times in the left leg below the knee. Mr. Wilson chose his life companion in Miss Mary Mitchell, who died in March, 1863, leaving two children: Charles C. and Coda P. Mr. Wilson's second marriage was to Miss Mary Curtis, and one child was the result of this union, Harry C. In his political views Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Republican party. As a business man Mr. Wilson has met with well-deserved success, and has gained an enviable reputation for business integrity and promptness.

A. L. HUDSON, draggist at 519 East Jefferson St., South Bend, Ind. The advancement and progress of a city displays itself nowhere more readily than in the elegance of its drug stores; and the establishment of which Mr. Hudson is the fortu- nate proprietor, is one of the most elegant and completely fitted up of any in the city. Mr. Hudson is a product of Dexter, Mich., where he was born December 28, 1850, to Charles and Elizabeth (Phillips) Hudson, natives of Lockport, N. Y. Charles Hudson became a resident of Michigan when a boy and in that State grew to man- hood and married. He was a speculator, and being a man of exceptionally good judgment he accumulated a great deal of property, owning at the time of his death, which occurred in Marshall county Ind., in 1855, 1,400 acres of land in the " Hoo- sier State. He was cut down by the hand of death while in the very zenith of his career of prosperity-being only thirty-four years of age. His widow survived him until 1890, when she, too, passed away. She bore her husband five children: Amelia, wife of William Alleman, who is president of the Argus (Indiana) National Bank; Alonzo L .; Charles; Lewis P .; and Louise, who died in Denver, Colo., of con- sumption. A. L. Hudson was but five years of age when his father died and he re- mained with his mother until he attained his majority. He obtained his early edu- cation in the public schools, and from early boyhood the calling of the druggist had a fascination for him, and this be determined should be his life work. In order to better prepare himself for this profession he entered Eastman Business College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and upon graduating from the same he entered a college of pharmacy at Chicago, which institution presented him with a diploma in 1871. He soon after purchased a half interest in a drug store at Argus, Ind., but two years later sold out and went to Lincoln, Ind., where he followed a like occupation for four years. In the fall of 1882 he came to South Bend, at once opened a finely stocked drug store to the public and has conducted a safe and very remunerative business ever since. The whole interior appointments of this establishment reflects the greatest possible credit upon the good taste of the proprietor, and a full and pure line of drugs and chemicals are constantly kept in stock, as well as a great variety of toilet articles, perfumes, soaps, sickroom-supplies, surgical appliances, fancy goods, cigars, and, in fact, everything that is to be found in a drug store of high order. Miss Narcissa Booker became his wife in 1872, and to them two children were born: Nellie L. and Edwin A. His second union was celebrated in 1881 and has resulted in the birth of one child, Claude E. His wife was formerly Miss Emma Hartpence.

Da. WARREN H. THOMAS, one of the prominent physicians of northern Indiana, a representative of one of the oldest and best known families of Elkhart county as well as one of its leading citizens, was born at Goshen, Ind., April 28, 1841. The hig- tory of the Thomas family is inseparably connected with the early history of Elkhart county, and is given in full in the biography of the Doctor's brother, William A. Thomas, who is now residing in Goshen. Dr. Thomas received his early scholastic training in the public schools of his native town, and later he attended the Dickinson Institute at Romeo, Mich. Having decided upon the practice of medicine as his

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vocation in life, he became a student of Dr. W. A. Whippy, at Goshen. For a time he was engaged in the practice of his profession at Monticello, this State, but the greater part of his career as a physician, has been passed in Elkhart, Ind., where he is best known. Besides being a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, Ill., Dr. Thomas has never ceased being a student of pathology. It is his aim to keep abreast of his profession, and that he has done this, his large and select practice is evidence of the most pronounced character. Aside from this, the Doctor is an extended reader of current literature. He has held high positions among the Masons, is a Knight Templar, was once president of the Indiana Insti- tute of Homeopathy, has filled every office in the Board of Education, and is now serving his second term. He was for several years president of the Elkhart Lecture Association, and was a member of the committee of that association for several years beside. He is one of the board of managers of the Century Club, one of the most noteworthy institutions of the city, and has always been among the men whose en- ergy, enterprise and public spirit are foremost in public undertakings. To his mar- riage, solemnized Jannary 2, 1867, with Miss Emma Hill, a daughter of Daniel Hill, of Elkhart, two children have been born: Royal and George A. The first named is dead; the latter is a graduate of pharmacy, and is one of the principal druggista of Elkhart. A portrait of Dr. Thomas appropriately graces the pages of this volume.

ANDREW J. MENGES. Agricultural pursuits have formed the chief occupation of this gentleman, and the wide awake manner in which he has taken advantage of every method and idea tending to the enhanced value of his property, has had con- siderable to do with his success in life. Born in Union (now Snyder) county, Penn., September 5, 1846, he is a son of Elias R. and Henrietta (Zeigler) Menges. Elias R. Menges was born near Freeburg, Union Co., Penn., June 16, 1816, and his parents, John Jacob and Catherine (Roush) Menges, were natives of the Keystone State also, the father born in Lebanon and the mother in Northumberland (after- ward Union, now Snyder) county. When seventy-two years of age, John Jacob Menges died on the farm where he had resided since 1822, and there his wife passed away when in her seventy-ninth year. Elias R. was reared on this farm, and was educated in the old-fashioned subscription schools of that day, principally in the German language. In 1843 he was largely instrumental in having the common- school system adopted in his township, and always manifested much interest in edn- cational matters. He was secretary of the school board for six years, and held other positions. In 1843 he was commissioned by the governor of Pennsylvania as ad- jutant of the First Battalion, First Division, of State militia, in which capacity he served for seven years. In the fall of 1855 he was elected associate judge of the Commou Pleas Conrt, served two terms, and was one of the prominent men of his section. Previous to this, on June 16, 1842, he married Miss Henrietta Zeigler, and six children were the fruits of this union: Mary C .. Andrew J., John J., Amelia M., Martin L. and Anna M. Mr. Menges sold the farm on which he had been reared, and in 1864 emigrated to Indiana, locating on Section 28, Washington township, Elkhart county, on March 27 of that year. He first purchased sixty-seven acres of land, but in the spring of 1865 he purchased 157 additional acres, the main part of which was in the same section, on the Bristol and Elkhart roads. He was a liberal and npright citizen, and one whose career was above reproach. His death occurred on May 29, 1892, but his widow survives him and resides on the old home- stead. Andrew J. Menges was seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to Elkhart county. On February 13, 1873, he was married to Miss Sarah Heintzle- man, a native of Snyder connty, Penn., born February 15, 1845, and the daughter of David and Catherine (Myer) Heintzleman, natives of Pennsylvania. Both parents died when Sarah was an infant. To Mr. and Mrs. Menges were born the following children: Rhinehold E., born January 12, 1874; Lotta M., born January 28, 1877; Eva J., born September 6, 1879; Clement A., born November 23, 1881; Howard H., born October 12. 1884; Mary C., born November 14, 1887; and Edna Mabel, born

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January 10, 1890. Mr. Menges owns 104} acres of land, most of which is improved, and is engaged principally in raising wheat and grass. However, he gives consid- erable attention to the raising of sheep, and is doing well in this industry. He has a pleasant, rural home, good out-buildings, etc., and is prosperous and con- tented. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically he is a Democrat.

ALFRED B. MILLER (deceased) was born in South Bend, Ind .. February 6, 1840, a few years prior to which event his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Miller, came here from West Chester, Penn., dying in this city April 17, 1888, and September 19, 1885, respectively. The father was a practical printer and journalist all his life, and yonng Alf got his taste and inspiration for that calling by coming in contact with the old Free Press and Register offices, where bie father worked at the case. He was a serious, studious and industrious lad, and though the most of his spare time was given to some useful occupation, he was companionable and even dispositioned. He attended the best schools which the town afforded and wound up his literary education in the old seminary of South Bend. He still continued to pursue the paths of learning of his own accord, and the best books obtainable in the field of art, literature and science were explored by him, and he hecame one of the best informed men in the county on all subjects, for he read for a purpose. Even in his yonth he showed a genius for invention and construction, and instead of wasting his time on the playground he wonld hurry home from school and work in his little shop in his father's barn, where he constructed engines, wagons, sleighs and the like. He made complete, while a boy, the first swell hox sleigh that appeared in this county, and the cutter is still doing service in Mishawaka, for it was substantial in con- strnction and well proportioned. In after life he could make almost anything that he turned his hand to. Before attaining his majority, he entered the store of John W. Chess, and was a salesman there when the Civil war opened. He enlisted in the Twenty-first Indians Battery August 14, 1862, and was discharged June 26, 1865. He served as second lieutenant of the battery and its quartermaster. He was at Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and many other noted engagements of the Army of the Cumberland, and was mnstered out at Nashville. His record was that of a brave and loyal soldier, and those who fought in their country's defense had no better friend in after years." Upon returning home he entered the store of Hon. John Brownfield, and from that exemplary man and model merchant he took his pattern in business matters. Mr. Miller's ambition was to be an editor, and he worked hard to reach this goal. He studied late at night and wrote a great deal in the shape of short stories and poems for Harper's Monthly, Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, the Home Journal, and other periodicals. He also wrote for the local press. During the war he acted as correspondent for several papers, and his letters are thrilling and interesting. The late Vice-President Colfax, who was Mr. Miller's first Sunday school teacher, took a great interest in the talented boy, and on every occasion possible sought to help him along in his ambitions. This close friendship was only broken hy the statesman's death. Io 1869 Mr. Miller and his brother-in- law, Elmer Crockett, bought a half interest in the St. Joseph Valley Register, the paper founded by Mr. Colfax, and he assumed the editorship. In 1872 the two sold their interest in this journal and formed a corporation which eventually became the Tribune Printing Company. with Messrs. J. H. Banning and E. W. Hoover as the other members. The result of this movement was the starting of the South Bend Weekly Tribune, the first issue of which appeared March 9, 1872, with Alf B. Miller's name at the head as editor. Great public interest was manifested in this enterprise and the venture was a success from the start. In less than a year the paper had a subscription list of over three thousand, and its influence was felt far and near. Mr. Miller's ability as a writer and newspaper manager was shown in every department of the paper. . He gave it his sole attention and worked early and late with wonderful energy to achieve the great success attained. His policy was as

Gov. IRA J. CHASE

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follows in his introductory: "Onr aim is to make it the best family journal possible, a wide-swske and reliable newspaper; earnestly devoted to the great principles upon which the Republican party was founded, but independent in utterance and impar- tial in criticism." During the twenty years that he conducted the paper there was no deviation from this rule. In May following the establishment of the paper, st the earnest solicitation of Mr. Colfax and other leading citizens, the South Bend Daily Tribune was established, which afforded Mr. Miller another opportunity to develop his journalistic talents. For many years he did the editorial work of the two papers, often working far into the night each day, to meet the demands of its columns, and keep up the interesting departments he had inangurated when the papers were started. He was never found wanting, and never failed to get his paper out on time and have something in it that would sttract and interest the resder. The Tribune was first started in the third story of the brick building 127 West Washington Street, but as the business grew the entire building was occupied, and the Tribune store, now the leading establishment of the kind in the State, was begun. Aside from his editorial duties, Mr. Miller found time to devote considerable atten- tion (and continued this to the day he laid sside his earthly labors) to advance the interests of this establishment. Messrs. Hoover snd Banning eventually retired from the company and their places were taken by J. M. Deffenbaugh and R. S. Tarbell, brothers-in-law, and later, his son, Fred A. Miller, became a member of it. After making one or two changes the store was moved to its present quarters on North Main and Centre streets. Although Mr. Miller made his foremost success as a general newspaper man, he had also business qualifications of a high order. He was a shrewd politician, and his advice was songht by the leaders of the party in the State and nation, and when followed was generally found to be correct. He was an aggressive political writer and believed in attack instead of remaining behind the breastworks fighting. It was not in him to confine himself to one particular branch of his work, for he was very versatile and full of resources, and some of his poems will take rank among the literary gems of the age. He was progressive, always looking for new ideas, and himself originated many. He could write with equal rapidity and ease a double-column advertisement for a business that he knew little about, s local item of a runaway team, a poem, an obituary of some leading citizen, an editorial on the tariff, or a Christmas story. He could also write best under pres- sure, when crowded for time and plenty of confusion going on about his desk. It was his ides that an editorial room should be in the most conspicnons part of a newspaper establishment, where the people could see and get at the editor with ease. No amount of interruption ever confused him in his work. He loved to meet the farmers of the county as they came in for their weekly papers. and always had a cheery word with them. He probably knew more of the personal history of the resi- dents of this county than any other man in it, and this was particularly valuable to him when it came to writing obituaries of old citizens or of events of olden days. He took great pride in his native town, and used every means at his command to further its interests, and was often foremost in furthering measures that were adopted and proved of great value. He at one time wrote an article in the Tribune advocating the establishment of a savings bank which so much impressed Mr. T. J. Sexias that he at once went to work, and the result is the St. Joseph County Savings Bank of to-day, one of the leading institutions of the State. Scores of other inci- dents might be related. Mr. Miller was suave and polite in manner, modest, unsel- fish, careful of the feelings of others, a fine conversationalist, approachable at all times, very neat in his personal appearance, a particular friend to young journalists, generous to a fault, and exceptionally charitable. Himself a tireless worker, he had no patience with an idler and could not bear to see talents going to waste. His beautiful home on South Michigan street is a monument to his energy and taste, and there he spent a great deal of his time in remodeling his own house, to preserve that of his parents, the place where he was born and where they died. His death 43

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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 111

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

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