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 18

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 18
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 18

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. Albert W., was born April 1, 1845, and died September 13, 1847; Elmira, born August 19, 1847, and died October 14, 1872; Lorenzo D., born October 13, 1850, is now the owner of a woolen and saw-mill at Bainter, Jackson township. The mother of these children died June 16, 1852, and on January 1, 1856, Mr. Rodi- baugh took Rebecca Barioger for his second wife, her birth having occurred in Pennsylvania March 4, 1829, a daughter of David Baringer, who came to Elkhart county, Ind., during the early history of this section. To the second marriage a

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family of nine children were born, as follows: David D., born April 11, 1856, is living at New Paris; Sylvester D., born November 3, 1857, and died May 2, 1881; Andrew J., born May 29, 1859, is married and is residing near the old home; Rebecca J., was born May 20, 1860, and is the wife of Ira Miller, of Jack- son township; Luciuda, was born November 3, 1861, and is the wife of Jacob Wyland; Oliver P. M., was born October 13, 1863, and died October 7, 1865; Su- sanna, was born April 20, 1865, and died October 15, 1865; Lovina, was born Decem- ber 31, 1866, and Emma A., born March 8, 1868, is married to Charles Wyland, of Jackson township. The Baringers were among the early settlers of the county and the mother of Mrs. Rodibaugh is still a resident of Jackson township and has passed the eighty-fifth milestone of life. Mr. Rodibaugh started to farming after his first marriage, is now the owner of a large tract of land and is one of the most responsible men of his township. He has been a Republican in politics, but is now a member of the People's party. He has not been particularly active in the polit- ical arena, but has held a number of township offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Although he started out to fight life's bat- tles with little means, he has been eminently successful and has each of his chil- dren a farm valued at from $10,000 to $12,000, but in the accumulation of his means he has been generous in assisting worthy causes, being especially liberal to schools and churches. Farming and stockraising have been his principal callings throughout life, and the success which has followed him in these lines is an example to others to " go and do likewise."

H. D. JOHNSON is the general superintendent of the immense wagon and carriage manufacturing establishment of South Bend, Ind., and also of the Chicago & South Bend Railroad. To the duties of these offices he brings the special qualifica- tions of a wide range of practical experience, sound judgment and thoroughly prac- tical knowledge. He was born September 8, 1859, in Monroe, Mich., and was the second son of C. G. Johnson, a native of the Wolverine State, and Abbie Cobb John- son, of the State of New York. His rare qualifications for handling large interests ably were mainly inherited from his father, who for eighteen years was cashier of the First National Bank of Monroe, and the owner of two flouring mills and one woolen mill at the same place. He was for years chairman of the Michigan State Board for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. An intelligent, pushing man of affairs, he faithfully, carefully and efficiently discharged the duties of every position he held, and is now one of the wealthy retired citizens of Monroe. Mr. Johnson was reared in Monroe, graduated from the high school of that place, after which he entered Lake Forest Academy, where he remained for two years, and subsequently pursued his studies for two more years at Beloit College. His school life over, he returned to Monroe, where he learned the miller's trade and was presented with one of his fa- ther's steam flouring mills, which he conducted in a successful manner for several years. On March 4, 1882, Mr. Johnson came to South Bend, and entered as an apprentice in the wagon department of Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. Later he purchased an interest in the company, and held successively the positions of assistant superintendent, assistant manager and finally general superintendent, working his own way up to the latter position, which he now occu- pies. He has proved to be the right man in the right place, and under his able supervision the work of these mammoth factories moves along with clock-work pre- cision. Possessing a naturally keen and discerning mind, he has fine business at- tainments and is decidedly practical. In September, 1881, he was married to the daughter of Mr. J. M. Studebaker, vice-president of the company. To them three children have been born. Mr. Johnson is one of the originators of the South Bend & Chicago Railroad, of which he was made general superintendent upon its organiza- tion. He is also a member of the National Union of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and an associate member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Being interested in St. Bernard dogs, he is president of the South Bend Kennel Club, and one of the board of governors of the American St. Bernard CInb.

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LOBENZO D. RODIBAUOH. Among the wide-awake business men of Elkhart county, Ind., it is safe to say that none enjoys a larger measure of success and public con- fidence than Mr. Rodibangh, whose business is as prosperous, in proportion to the capital invested, as that of any other in the county. He was born in the county in which he now resides October 13, 1850, to David and Martha Jane (Shaw) Rodi- baugh, a sketch of whom is given in this volume. Lorenzo D. was reared on the farm on which his father is still residing, and the district schools in the vicinity of his home afforded him s practical education, although he was compelled to assist his father on the farm at an early age. In 1873 he began an independent career, for which he was better fitted than the average young man, for besides possess- ing sound intelligence he was very practical and far-seeing and in his youth had been drilled in the thorough, if rather hard, school. The first wages of his own which he earned was in his father's extensive woolen mills, and there he remained three years, obtaining a practical insight into the details of the business. This mill was the first to be erected in the county and did quite an extensive carding business, which became very much reduced during the war. The mill was then purchased by another party, who greatly improved it in every way and operated it with success for about twelve years. However, in 1872, he sold it to Clark & Rodibangh, and by them it was conducted in a very successful manner until 1877, when Lorenzo D. Rodibaugh bought the interest of Mr. Clark and the firm from 1877 to 1888 was known as Rodibaugh & Son. In the last mentioned year Lorenzo D. Rodibengh became the sole proprietor of the business and has conducted it in such a successful manner that it has become one of the leading establishments of the county and is a great credit to the good judgment and intelligence of the proprietor and manager. Mr. Rodibangh sold his flouring mill to Thomas Clayton, it being the oldest mill in northern Indiana. Mr. Rodibaugh has what is called a two-sets woolen mills and eleven looms. His establishment gives employment to eighteen hands; and fine blankets, flannel and skirtings of a high grade are turned ont in large quantities. In dimensions the mill is 40x90 feet, s substantial frame building, and the dye house is 30x40 feet. The mill is finely fitted up with the latest improved machinery that it is possible to get for the successful conduct of the business. They turn out some of the finest work that is done in the country and there is a large demand for the product of these mills. Everything is thoroughly inspected before leaving the mills, and it is hardly necessary to say that Mr. Rodibangh in all cases uses the very best material he can buy. Under the able management of its present proprie- tor the business has experienced a prosperons and reassuring growth and is looked upon as one of the best conducted and most reliable of its kind in the country. For some time past Mr. Rodibaugh has also been interested in the lumber business and has a well-equipped saw mill which has a capacity of 8,000 feet per day. He makes a specialty of manufacturing hardwood, especially osk, and in this establish- ment five or six men are employed. Both plants are supplied with water power from the Elkhart River. Politically Mr. Rodibaugh has always been a Republican up to withiu a few years when he began supporting the Democratic party. He is a public-spirited and enterprising man of affairs; is an acquisition to the county, and is deservedly s worthy and esteemed citizen. . In 1874 he was married to Miss Alice Lower, who was born in Elkhart township, September 13, 1855, 8 danghter of Daniel and Lydia Lower. Mr. and Mrs. Rodibaugh have four children: Melven M., born September 26, 1874; Clara M., born March 17, 1877; Myrtle M., born May 2, 1881; Lawrence, born April 21, 1883; and have a pretty and comfortable home in a fine portion of the town. They are popular and well liked and move in the highest social circles of the section in which they reside. Mr. Rodibaugh is a self-made man and one whose good name has remained untarnished.

-E. B. RUSSELL, secretary of the Indiana Traveling Men's Accident Association of South Bend, Ind., is a native of Genesee county, Mich., his birth occurring at Mt. Morris, July 10, 1859, but in the beautiful city of Detroit he was principally reared.

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His father, J. B. Russell, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is now superannnated and a resident of Scotts, Mich. He was born in Niagara county, N. Y., and for over thirty years was an active laborer of his church, and for a number of years a prominent member of the Detroit conference. He was married to Miss Margaret J. Ferrill, and to them were given two children: E. B. and Carrie, the former of whom was educated in the State Normal School of Ypsilanti, Mich., which institution he left a short time before graduating. He then went on the road for Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., as their Michigan representative, and after hold- ing this position for three years, he entered the employ of the Detroit Evening Journal, of which he was superintendent of circulation and acting business manager for four years, resigning this position to take the western office of the Chicago Daily News, located at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He remained thus employed for five years, or until July, 1892, when he resigned to engage in his present work, and since that time has been one of the progressive and prominent business men of South Bend. He organized the Indiana Traveling Men's Accident Association July 23, 1892, of which substantial organization the following officers were elected: Albert Listen- berger, president; Leighton Pine, vice-president; M. B. Staley, treasurer; E. B. Russell, secretary; H. T. Montgomery, surgeon. Board of Directors: C. B. Stephenson, chairman; H. G. Miller, Cary Owen, A. H. Stephenson, J. C. Birdsell, Jr., Albert Listenberger, Thad. S. Taylor, E. B. Russell, C. B. Hibberd, George H. Hummell. Vice-presidents: A. A. Holcomb, Kansas; William A. Meyer, Iowa; C. A. Prior, Michigan; J. W. Raynor, Ontario; B. F. Hevener, Pennsylvania; E. R. Lightcap, Illinois; R. J. Wollett, Indiana; E. T. Wilson, Nebraska; J. G. Stankey, Oklahoma Territory; Mont. Tillotson, New York; H. B. Watterman, Indiana; H. A. Rounds, Maine; T. J. Swan, Wyoming; E. J. Richardson, Washing- ton, D. C .; E. J. Ruggles, Massachusetts; G. Comstock, Texas; N. J. Rice, Missouri; C. A. Gould, Kentucky; D. J. Caine, Ohio; C. W. Beall, Minnesota. The member- ship at this writing is over 5,000. Mr. Russell has taken great pains and much interest in forming this association, and under his most capable supervision it has had the most rapid growth of any similar association ever organized in the world during a corresponding period. The association is for the benefit of traveling men only, and is not, as its name would imply, a local organization, but has members in every State and Territory in the Union, and even foreign countries are contributing to its membership. It is believed that this association will be one of the largest of its character in the world, and as it takes only the most preferred risks known to accident insurance companies, it is believed that the cost to the members will never exceed $5 per annum, for $5,000 accident insurance. In event of death by accident the association pays the beneficiary $5,000. In event of temporary disability, the insured receives $25 per week, not exceeding fifty-two weeks. For loss of both arms, both legs or both eyes by accident, the insured receives $5,000; for one hand or one foot he receives $1,250, and if disabled for a period of two years or over he is considered permanently disabled, and receives $2,500. This association has been of great value to the city of South Bend, and will continue to be so, through the advertising that the city will receive by virtue of the home office being permanently located here. Mr. Russell deserves much credit for this enterprise, and is a deservedly popular man in South Bend.

DANIEL LOWER. During the forty odd years that this gentleman has been a res- ident of Elkhart county, Ind., he has thoroughly identified himself with every in- terest of the same, and has been very public-spirited and progressive. He was born in Berks county, Penn., April 24, 1825, the eldeet but one of eight children born to John and Mary (Mullen) Lower, the former of whom was also a product of Berks county, where he was born in 1801. His parents, Christian and Christina Lower, were descended from early settlers of this section, Christian's father, who bore the same name as himself, having been born in Germany. He came to this country long before the opening of the Revolution, and upon his farm in Berks

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county, a fort was erected during that war which stood for many years. When the subject of this sketch was nine years of age thia fort was still standing and he well remembers the construction of the building. It was also used in early daya aa a protection from the Indians. The great-grandfather, Christian Lower, rearad three sons: Christian, John and Benjamin, but John died when young and only the other two reached mature years. The eldest of these, Christian, became a large land holder and prominent in the pioneer life of Pennsylvania. Benjamin was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was captain of a company. Both Christian, Sr., and Chris- tian, Jr., died on the old home farm in Pennsylvania, the latter becoming the father of three sons: Christian, John and Daniel. He died in the harvest field from drinking cold water when overheated. Each of his children married and reared familes of their own. The older members of the family were Tories and Democrats. John Lower grew to manhood in Pennsylvania, married there Mary Miller and in the old fort on hia grandfather's farm his two eldest children were born. His wife's parents were Solomon and Mary Miller, native Germans, who early became residents of Berks county, Penn. Mrs. Lower was born in 1803, and with her husband removed to Ohio and until 1854 was a resident of Stark county, Ohio, then came to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled near Goshen. The father died there in 1859 and the mother in 1876, both being earnest members of the church at the time of their death. The father was a Democrat throughout life. The children reared by this worthy couple were as follows: William, who died in 1872, was a farmer of this county; Daniel; John is a man of family and is residing in Elkhart county; Leah died in 1880; Evaline waa married to Andrew Youst, of Jefferson township; Eliza is the wife of Henry Rhodes, of Harrison township; Lavina is the wife of Isaac Kile, of Harrison townahip. The family came from Ohio to Indiana by wagon and here became identified as the leading citizens of their adopted county. Daniel Lower attended the subscription schools of his day and was reared by his worthy parents to be honest and industrious. In 1847 he waa married in Ohio to Lydia Snyder, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 31, 1828, a daughter of George A. and Lydia (Bear) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Maryland, a son of George and Rebecca (Young) Snyder, and became one of the first residents of Ohio. Lydia Bear was a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Devalo) Bear, who alao removed from Maryland to Stark county, Ohio. The parenta of Mrs. Lower were married in Stark county, Ohio, and in due course of time became the parents of eight children: Catherine the wife of Jacob Schuman, of Elkhart county; Mi- chael who ia a farmer of Marshall county, Ind .; Lydia (Mrs. Lower), Mary, who became the wife of Henry Shirk, of Elkhart township; William, who is residing in Stark county, Ohio; Josiah, whose home is in Elkhart county; John, who is living in Stark county, Ohio, and Edward, who lives in Marshall county, Ind. The father and mother of these children died in Goshen in 1882 and 1891 respectively, having been residents of this county from 1864. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and the father was a farmer and a Democrat politically. All their children attained mature years. Mrs. Lower was reared on the old homestead in Stark county, but for many years has been a resident of Elkhart county and until 1882 resided on a farm, but since that time has lived at 517 South Main street, Goshen. Although Mr. Lower met with many hardshipa in early life he has been successful, all of which is owing to his own determination and push. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and has held the office of township trustee for four years. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church and in this faith have reared their children, whose names are as follows: Edward, who was born October 15, 1848, ia a carpenter of Goshen, is married and has a family; Daniel S., who was born April 18, 1850, is a cabinet-maker of Goshen, is married and has no children; Christina was born September 12, 1852, is the widow of John Evans, and haa three children; Lydia A. was born Auguat 23, 1854, and is the wife of L. D. Rodibaugh; Mary J., born December 13, 1856, is the wife of Perry Miller, of

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Elkhart township and has three children; Frances, born June 19, 1858, is the wife of Jeremiah Holsmyer and has two children; George, born September 28, 1864, is married to Addie Alasander, and is a hardwood finisher of Goshen, and Minnie, who was born August 17, 1867, is the wife of Ralph Higy, a machinist of Gosheu. Mr. Lower is in good circumstances and owns a good farm of 143 acres in Elkhart township, and the fine residence property on which he lives in Goshen.

B. F. WALDORF, ex-county surveyor of St. Joseph county, Ind., was born in Morrow county, Ohio, March 25, 1852, a son of Samuel D. and Maria (Coleman) Waldorf, who were born in New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. The pater- nal grandfather, Philip Waldorf, was a German by birth and when about six years of age was brought to this country and in the State of New Jersey spent the re- mainder of his days, from which State he enlisted in the war of 1812. He was & farmer by occupation. Samnel D. Waldorf, his son, was also a farmer and in an early day removed to Ohio, where he was married and resided until 1858, when he made a home for himself and family on a farm in St. Joseph county, Ind. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Hopkins, by whom he had one son and two daughters: James, who served in the Second Minnesota Regiment during the war; Mary and Sarah, both of whom are deceased. The mother of these children was of Scotch descent. After a twenty years' residence in Center township he re- moved to South Bend, where he, in process of time, was called from this life, in 1884. His widow survived him five years, having borne him eight children, of whom four sons survive: C. S., B. F., J. M. and J. D. The subject of this sketch was reared in this county, and obtained a good education in the county and city schools. He was an ambitious youth, anxious to obtain money, and when quite young he hired out to John Brownfield, a dealer in dry goods and one of the first business men in the city, and in his employ remained for some time. He then, with his brothers, embarked in the grocery and agricultural implement business and for a number of years they carried on a successful business, winning the respect and confidence of a large number of patrons. In 1888 he was elected by the Democratic party, which he had always supported, to the office of county surveyor, was hon- ored by a re-election in 1890, and retired from the office in 1892, carrying with him the good will and respect of his constituents as well as of his political op- ponents. He is now following the calling of a salesman, and his agreeable manners and desire to please have made him quite popular. He is a member of that worthy order the K. of P. His marriage was celebrated in 1876, Miss Mary E. Hopkins becoming his wife. Two sons and two daughters have been given them: Nellie, now in the high school of South Bend; Guy, Walter and June.

SAMUEL S. PERLEY, the capable manager of the Coqnillard Wagon Works and acting trustee of the Coquillard estate, was born in Portland, Me., October 8, 1861, son of Jonas H. and Fannie S. (Smith) Perley, natives of Maine and Massa- chusetts respectively. The Perleys are of English stock and came to this country about the year 1700, locating in Massachusetts, where members of the family passed through the Revolutionary war and later the War of 1812. The majority of the male members of the family were ministers of the gospel, and were eloquent and faithful workers of the Christian cause. Jonas H. Perley was president of the Board of Trade in Portland, Me., for four years, being the second man to hold that office, and for many years he was an influential member of society in that city. In 1869 he removed to Detroit, Mich., where he embarked in business with Charles Merrill and Thomas Palmer, and until 1875 they successfully conducted a large lumber trade. At the above mentioned date Mr. Perley retired from the business, later came to South Bend on a visit to his children and was here called from life in March, 1892, after a long and well-spent life. He left the heritage of an unsullied name to his children, which was rather to be desired than great riches. He was the father of nine children, seven of whom survive him: Mrs. George W. Van Dyke, of Detroit; Dr. H. O., of Washington, D. C., a surgeon in the regular army;

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Clayton J .; Maude, the widow of Alexis Coquillard; Samnel S .; Arthur P. and Kirk W. The subject of this sketch was principally brought up in Detroit, his residence in Portland, Me., comprising the first ten years of his life. He was edu- cated in the famous university of Notre Dame, at Sonth Bend, graduating in 1881, and immediately thereafter entered the office of the Coquillard Wagon Works, his first position being that of book-keeper. He was soon after promoted to cashier and private secretary, which position he held until Mr. Coquillard's death, when Mr. Perley was made trustee of the estate under his will, and also manager of the wagon factory. Very ably has he discharged his trust and the business has been unusually prosperous under his management, and the patronage has rapidly in- creased, which is the result, without doubt, of his wide range of practical ex- perience, sound judgment and thorough knowledge of the requirements of the trade. None but skilled hands are employed and the materiale used are of the best, while the designs are new and artistic, and the workmanship substantial and graceful. Although Mr. Perley is young in years he has shown remarkable business judgment and has successfully developed and handled the great business and estate since it came into his hands. He is also connected with one of the largest hardwood Inmber businesses in the State, which is owned and controlled by himself and his two brothers, Arthur P. and Kirk W.

MARK B. THOMPSON was one of the leading pioneers of Elkhart county, Ind., and as a public-spirited citizen, a kind and accommodating neighbor and an honor- able man of business, he had not his superior in this section of the country. He was among the very first settlers of Jackson township, Elkhart county, coming thither from Wayne county, Ind., in 1829, where he had lived for a number of years. He was a native of Orange county, N. Y., where he was born November 17, 1802, of Scotch-Irish descent, and a son of John Thompson, who made an early settlement in the State of New York. The latter was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was in the battle of New Orleans. His occupation was that of a raftsman of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and while on one of his trips died in the city of New Orleans. The Thompsons removed from New York to Butler county, Ohio, in 1803, and there devoted their attention to tilling the soil until after the death of the mother, when the father, Mark B. Thompson, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., December 17, 1802, emigrated to Indiana, and npon his arrival in Elkhart county, pre-empted the east half of section 2, Jackson township, which was in a primitive condition and heavily covered with timber. The nearest neighbors at that time were Col. John Jackson, Elias Riggs, William Simpson, Major Violett, William Latta and Asel Sparkling. He was first married to Jane Thomas, a daughter of John Thomas, a native of Wales, and took for his second wife Harriet Howell, a widow, by whom he became the father of five children: Charles E., Catherine J., Mark B., Lafayette H., and a daughter that died in early childhood. The father was called from life on the 6th of May, 1872.

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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 18

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

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