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 21

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 21
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 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JACOB D. BEYRER. This gentleman, who resides in German township, owns a fine farm, which attests by its value and productiveness the excellent qualities of thoroughness and system which mark the owner. He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on January 4, 1806, and on a farm in his native country he was reared, his youthful days being spent in assisting his father in the extensive vineyard owned by the latter. He was married in Germany about the year 1832 to Barbara Greiner, a native of the old country, and in 1851 they came to America, and made a settle- ment in Berrien county, Mich., on a farm near the Indiana State line, where the

135

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

father is still residing at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He has been prosperons and successful, for he was a hard worker during his earlier years, and in time added forty acres to his first purchase of eighty acres. This land he improved and cleared by his own efforts and made of it a valuable and productive farm. During the early days of his residence there he bought an old style lynch-pin wagon from the Studebaker Bros. which Mr. Beyrer assisted in making. The Studebakers at that time had a small blacksmith shop and wagon factory on the site of the pres- ent postoffice building in South Bend. Mr. Beyrer, in later years, had quite an extensive vineyard, raised considerable fruit of all kinds, and as a tiller of the eoil was intelligent and practical. At the present time he is making his home with his children, his wife having died May 28, 1883. They became the parents of nine children: Jacob, Dora, John (deceased), William, Christina, Caroline, John G., Mary, and Amanda, who died in Germany. Before Mr. Beyrer's removal to Amer- ica he did military duty for six years in his native land, according to the law of that country, and there also acted in the capacity of sheriff for eight years. Will- iam Beyrer, his son, was born in Germany, August 19, 1839, and in 1851 came to America with his parents, and for a few months attended the district schoole, but as the family was poor and striving to make a home in America, William was obliged to remain on the farm the most of the time and assist in clearing and developing the same. He also worked out by the month, and one season of nine months earned $130, of which he saved $120 and gave to his father to assist in the improvement of the homestead. He was married on August 4, 1860, to Miss Ellen Shetterly, who was born June 9, 1841, in Snyder County, Penn., her father and mother being George and Eliza (Keeley) Shetterly. Two years after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beyrer they settled on a farm in German Township, and in 1882 purchased 100 acres of land, on which they resided for several years, having disposed of their other property. In March, 1888, the residence with all the household effects, includ- ing over $400 in money, was destroyed by fire. It was early in the morning and Mrs. Beyrer and children barely escaped in time from the burning building, being obliged to walk in their bare feet and thinly clad over the frozen ground to the neighbors. This was a severe blow to Mr. Beyrer, as his family was left almost destitute for a time, having lost all their clothing and were without ready money. Kind and generous neighbors immediately came to their relief and supplied them bountifully with all such necessaries, a thoughtfulness and unselfishness which the family will always remember. Mr. Beyrer was trustee of the township at the time, and all the books, etc., were also destroyed. The indomitable will and energy, characteristic of the man, asserted itself, and he at once set to work with renewed vigor to retrieve his lost fortunes, and the manner in which he has succeeded is illustrated by the handsome residence which now adorns the site of the old one, and the comfortable appearance and prosperity of the place on all sides. Mr. and Mrs. Beyrer are the parents of five children: Charles, Mary, Ida (deceased), Hattie, Lillie. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Beyrer sold the farm in German township for $100 per acre, purchasing property in South Bend, whither the family moved in order to give their children better educational facilities. During his residence in the coun- try he was trustee of German township for four years, and filled this office with ability and credit to himself. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, is a Repub- lican politically, but in local affairs is not a partisan.

CAPT. ORVILLE T. CHAMBERLAIN, attorney at law, resident at Elkhart, Ind., is one of that multitude which has achieved no great distinction or renown, but which, nevertheless, constitutes the bone, sinew and brain of the commonwealth. He was born at Leesburg, Kosciusko Co., Ind., September 1, 1841, and when two years old was brought to Elkhart by his parents, Dr. Joseph W. and Caroline (Tryou) Chamberlain. He was here reared to man's estate and has always made Elkhart his home. In his youth he attended the local schools, and besides standing high in his classes, acquired considerable skill and reputation in amateur theatrical

136

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

entertainments conducted by the Omega Society. He clerked in his father's drug store, worked at the printer's trade and then taught three successive winter terms of school at the Bunker Hill school house two miles south of Elkhart. In 1860 he be- came a student at Notre Dame University, and was graduated from the commercial department as Master of Accounts. He did not complete the higher courses of study, which he had begun, because of his enlistment in the army, but in 1868, as a recognition of his high standing and diligence as a scholar, the faculty of the uni- versity bestowed upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. August 6, 1862, he became a private in Company G, Seventy-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was shortly afterward made orderly sergeant, and afterward auccessively promoted second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain of his company. On the field at Chickamauga he was appointed acting adjutant of the regiment, which posi- tion, together with those of company commander and judge advocate of court martial of the division, he held most of the time during the remainder of the war, personally, laboriously and ably discharging the duties incident to all those posi- tions. He participated in the Crab Orchard, Nashville, Tullahoma, Chattanooga, and Atlanta campaigns, in Sherman's march to the sea, the march through the Carolinas and in the Grand Review in Washington at the close of the war. In the battle of Jonesboro, which Gen. George H. Thomas said " struck the finishing blow in the Atlanta campaign, " he assisted in the command of his regiment and led the charge and bayonet fighting which resulted in the capture of the enemy's battery, and earth-works. For his part in this contest Col. Morgan, the regimental commander, and Col. Este, brigade commander, recommended him for appointment in the regular army. Gen. Sherman made an order allowing Capt. Chamberlain to retain the side arms of a guerrilla officer whom he had personally captured, and also recommended him for such appointment. He waa repeatedly tendered appoint- ments such as brigade inspector, provost marshal, etc., but believing he could be more useful where he was, he sacrificed the benefits personal to himself which he would have gained by acceptarice, and remained with his comrades until he was mustered out with his command at the close of the war. Shortly after his return to civil life, the President tendered him a commission as firstlieutenant in the regular army. On the day the commission was received his father died, and because of this event he declined the commission in order that he might care for the stricken family. Engaging in the study of law he was, in time, admitted to the bar and has since actively prosecuted his profession. As an attorney he is noted for his care and in- dustry. His fidelity to the interests of his clients and the integrity and sagacity shown in the management of his clients' interests, have enabled him to occupy a useful position in his profession. In 1874 he made an effort to be nominated as candidate for clerk of the circuit conrt, but was defeated. With that exception he has never in any man-

ner sought any office or vote for himself. He has served as town clerk, as district attorney and as city attorney for several terms, which offices he filled with ability and honor. He has manifested a lively interest in public affairs and improvements, having been a projector in several business enterprises, and is a director in the Opera House Company and president of the Jones & Hill Manufacturing Company. Miss Helen M. Mead became his wife September 1, 1869, and one daughter, Edith, has blessed their union. Captain Chamberlain is a man of fair ability, without any pretense to anything further. He has improved his fair but limited opportunities reasonably well, and while he has reached no particular distinction, he has attained reasonable success in most of his undertakings, and is a prominent and useful man in the community in which he resides. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Re- public and Loyal Legion.

WILLIAM MILLER was born in Franklin county, Va., April 1, 1809. When a year and a half old, he came with his parents, to Union county, Ind. At the age of twenty-four years he was married to Miss Mary Miller, of Union county, daughter of Col. John Miller, also a Virginian, and an officer in the War of 1812. In 1833

137

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

William Miller removed to this, St. Joseph, county, and settled upon a tract of fer- tile land on the west side of Portage Prairie, in what is now German township. Some of the land he bought from the general Government, and a part of it from an Indian. Here he established his home, and developed one of the finest farms in the State. Mr. Miller was a practical and successful farmer, and did much to advance the agricultural interests of the county. His farm, while considered one of the most beautiful and productive, was noted for its fine prairie fields, valu- able oak groves, large orchards, the best breeds of stock of all kinds, and the most improved agricultural implements. He was the purchaser of the first reaping and mowing machine used in the county. In 1844 he was elected to the Legislature, and was regarded ae so valuable a member that he was returned by his constituents for two successive terms. He was very active in the Legislature in the interest of the benevolent institutions of the State, and the asylums for the deaf and dumb, the blind and insane, are largely indebted to his persevering and able efforts in their behalf. In 1858 Mr. Miller, desiring to retire from the arduons duties of active farm life, and to afford his younger children better educational advantages, removed from his farm to South Bend, and purchased the then new and handsome residence on La Fayette street, where he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Miller was for many years a member of the city council, and took an active interest in city affairs. Appreciating the benefits of varied manufacturing industries in building up and maintaining a city, and adding to the wealth and growth of the community, he labored zealously in that direction, and was instru- mental in inducing capitalists to come to South Bend to engage in business, and in lend- ing aid to those who were struggling to establish themselves upon a more solid basis, and it is true that some of the promoters and wealthy owners of the mammoth man- ufacting establishments that are the pride of South Bend to-day, are deeply indebted to Mr. Miller for his encouragement and financial assistance. Mr. Miller was a man of fine presence, his personal appearance commanding respect everywhere. He was above six feet in height, of symmetrical build, with a strong, yet kindly face, hand- somely set off by a wealth of wavy hair and iron-grey beard, that attracted the attention of the artist; truly an ideal of noble manhood. In politics he was an uncompromising Whig, and at the birth of the Republican party, he promptly allied himself with that party, and continued an earnest advocate of its principles through- out his life. He was also an enthusiastic advocate of Odd Fellowship, and was a charter member of the first lodge organized in the county. He died in his home on May 2, 1879, after a long and severe illness, attended by his devoted wife and chil- dren, and his death was sincerely regretted by a large circle of warm friends and old acquaintances. Mrs. Miller died in the same homestead on September 29, 1885, in her seventy-fifth year. She was preeminently a type of onr pioneer women, and while possessing the most womanly instincts, and a most loving and lovable dis- position, and untiring in her devotion to her husband and children, she had the splendid strength of character which was so essential to the successful enjoyment of life on the frontier, as a wife and true helpmate to a sturdy pioneer husband. She died "in the twinkling of an eye" in the fullness of her years, mourned by her sorrowing children, and by a host of kind friends and neighbors who knew her best. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had born to them nine children, six of whom survived them; five sons and one daughter.

John F. Miller, the eldest, was born in Union county, Ind., November 21, 1831, and came to St. Joseph county with his parents, at the age of two years; he remained on the farm till his eighteenth year, when he attended school in South Bend, and later in Chicago, and afterward graduated at the New York State Law School at Balston Spa, in 1852. Upon completing his studies he returned to South Bend and became associated in the practice of law with Norman Eddy, ex-member of Con- gress. After abont three years he went to California and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, continuing till his return, three years later, to South Bend,

138

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

where he resumed practice, and was married to Miss Mary Chess, a native of Penn- sylvania. In 1860 he was elected a member of the State Senate, which position he resigned at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, to accept a commission from Gov. Morton to raise the Twenty-ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Upon hie arrival in Kentucky with his regiment, he was placed in command of a brigade, serving under Gens. Sherman, Buell, Rosecrans and Thomas, and was promoted to brigadier general. Gen. Miller led the famous charge across Stone River, and though severely wounded in the neck by a minie rifle ball, he was in the three days' fight, refusing to go to the rear against the earnest advice of his surgeon. At the skirmish at Liberty Gap, Tenn., he lost an eye by a bullet from a sharpshooter, while advancing at the head of his command. This wound was very dangerous and came near proving fatal. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered, he returned to his command, though he carried the rebel bullet in his head for twelve years, when it became necessary to remove it to save his life. In the battle of Nashville he com- manded the left division of 8,000 men, and was brevetted major general for conspic- uous bravery. The record of Gen. Miller was that of a soldier who knew no fear, and never swerved from the line of strict duty, and as a comrade has said of him: "His bearing in battle was sublime; he had all the dash of a Sheridan, and the coolness of a Grant, and no commander ever inspired his men to a greater degree." Brave as a lion, yet kind and considerate of the welfare of his men, he was their idol, and wherever be led they were eager to follow. At the close of the war he accepted the collectorship of the port of San Francisco, tendered by President John- son. After acceptably filling the position four years, he resigned to organize the Alaska Commercial Company, getting from Congress the exclusive grant of the Alaskan seal fisheries for a period of twenty years. The business of the company, of which he was president, becoming very profitable, Gen. Miller amassed consider- able wealth. His ability as a lawyer was recognized throughout the Pacific Coast, and he was appointed president of a commission to investigate the Chinese question and to devise a method to ameliorate the condition of the people of California in that regard. The report submitted as chairman of that commission was favorably received, and was heartily endorsed by many of the ablest jurists in the country, and the legislation therein suggested was afterward adopted. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1880, and wastheauthor of the famous Chinese Exclusion Act, which became a much-needed law of the land. Senator Miller won the admir- ation and gratitude of the people of California, and enjoyed an immense popularity among his constituents. He was chosen chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, a distinction rarely accorded to a senator so young, and discharged the delicate duties of the position with credit to himself and honor to his country. He was greatly esteemed and respected by his associates in Congress, and though a stanch and unflinching Republican, he was kind and considerate in dealing with political opponents, and his amiable disposition, unobtrusive manners, his ability aod fairness, won him many warm and distinguished friends. He died during his senatorial term, at his home in Washington, after a prolonged illness, leaving a wife and one daughter. His funeral services in Washington were held in the Senate chamber, attended by the President, Supreme Justices, members of the Senate and foreign representatives. His remains were escorted to California by special Government train, and deposited in his tomb by the side of his beloved son, whose death he had never ceased to mourn. Thus at the early age of fifty-five years, John F. Miller, patriot, soldier, statesman, in the zenith of his career, passed away, full of honors, followed by deep regret at his untimely taking off, mourned by his sorrowing family, and by thousands of admiring friends. His widow survived him until December 6, 1890, when she died in Washington City, D. C., and was buried by the side of her dis- tinguished husband. She was a devoted wife and mother, and always shared in the troubles and triumphs of her husband. The daughter, now the wife of Lieut. Rich- ardson Clover, of the United States navy, resides in Washington with her husband and

139

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

only daughter, Mary Eudora Clover, who was born at No. 1301 Conn avenue, Wash- ington, D. C., November 15, 1890. Mrs. Clover inherited many of her father's traits of character, and moving in the highest circles of society, and mingling with the most noted people gathered at the national capital from her early girlhood, and being naturally gifted and liberally educated at home and abroad, she attracts wide and favorable attention everywhere, and counts among her warmest friends many dis- tinguished people.

David, the second son, died at the age of six years.

Isaac Newton, the third son, was born at the home farm in German township, November, 3, 1835. He was a sturdy farmer boy, and spent his youth upon the old farm, and remained there up to his majority, except to attend school in winter in South Bend, and at Wabash College. He has followed the occupation of farmer for nearly the whole of his subsequent life. He was married to Miss Martha E. Ritter, March 25, 1858, and resided upon the home farm for several years, when he removed to South Bend to engage in the milling business until the spring of 1866. He bought a farm in Olive township, St. Joseph county., near the village of New Carlisle, where he now lives. Mr. Miller is one of the most enterprising and success- ful farmers in the county, and owns one of the largest and finest farms in his local- ity, thoroughly equipped with modern farming utensils, and stocked with the best breeds of all kinds of farm stock. Being an unswerving Republican, Mr. Miller has taken an active interest in local politics, and was called upon, in 1882, and again in 1884, to run on the Republican ticket for representative, and when the opposi- tion was in an overwhelming majority in the joint district and county, and though narrowly defeated, he had the satisfaction of greatly reducing the majorities of the successful candidates upon both occasions. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have an interest- ing family of five children: The eldest, Eldon N., was born August 31, 1860, and is, like his father, a live, progressive farmer, and resides upon his farm in La Porte county, near New Carlisle. He was married on March 21, 1883, to Miss Lulu Dickey, of New Carlisle, and they have five bright little girls: Mary E., born June 18, 1884; Ann L., March 13, 1887; Edith, July 11, 1890; Eva, July 11, 1890, and Winnona, born September 17, 1892. John F., the second son of Mr. and Mrs. I. Newton Miller, was born June 9, 1862, and spent the early years of his life with

his parents upon the home farm, till, in early manhood he entered the West Point Military Academy, where he was disciplined for several years, resigning to enter the law department of the Ann Arbor University, and later graduating from the Law col- lege at Valparaiso, Ind. Shortly afterward he left his Indiana home to seek a broader and brighter field for the practice of his chosen profession, and in June, 1887, he located in Seattle, Washington Ter., where, after a residence of but little more than a year, he was elected police judge in November, 1888, and filled the position most acceptably for two years, when the office was vacated by the change from a Terri- torial to a State government. In November, 1890, Mr. Miller was elected district prosecuting attorney in Seattle, which position he now fills with signal ability, and his popularity being such that he is renominated upon the first ballot for reelec- tion. Though young in years and citizenship in the city of his adoption, he is firmly established professionally and socially, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire community. On February 12, 1889, he was married to Miss Mary E. Stewart, of Randolph, Ill. They have a promising little daughter, Leah. Mr. Miller has built an elegant residence in Seattle for a permanent home. The younger children of I. Newton Miller and wife, are Mary E., born April 6, 1877; William R., born March 26, 1880, and Isaac Nelson, born December 27, 1881.

The next son in the order of ages, of William and Mary Miller, is William H., who was born at the old homestead in German township, on August 21, 1838. As with his elder brothers, his boyhood was spent upon the farm engaged in the ardu- ous labors incident to farm life of that period, which was before the introduction of many of the labor-saving inventions of to-day. Arriving at the age of manhood,

140

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

he attended school in South Bend, and later at Wabash College, and following that, at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. After leaving school he spent some time read- ing law in the office of Miller & George, when the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion changed his intended course, and after spending one summer in Ten- nessee, with his brother, Gen. Miller, who was then in command of the post of Nash- ville, he returned to South Bend and engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds and building material, which business he successfully prosecuted for a period of seven years. He was married to Miss Mattie Crockett, December 9, 1864. In the spring of 1875, he became interested in the purchase of some landed property in Fond du Lac, Wis., and removed there to manage the interests, and remained three years engaged in farming, then removed to St. Louis, becoming in- terested in the business of dealing in coal and street sprinkling, where he remained till the fall of 1880, when he returned to South Bend, and engaged in the manu- facture and sale of sprinkling wagons, having made a number of valuable improve- ments in street sprinklers, upon which invention he secured letters patent from the Government. He followed this business successfully alone, till the season of 1890, when its growing demands resulted in the organization of the Miller-Knoblock Wagon Company, and the building of & plant to manufacture the Miller Patent Sprinklers and heavy fifth-wheel vehicles, in which he is one of the heaviest stockholders, and fills the positions of treasurer and superintendent. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Miller have had three children born to them: Edwin Morton, was born May 10, 1870, and died August 29, same year; Mae Miller, was born in South Bend, September 17, 1872; she attended school st St. Joseph's Academy, South Bend, and later at Living- ston Park Seminary, Rochester, N. Y .; Gertrude, was born in St. Louis, March 31, 1879, she is a faithful student in Washington School, South Bend.

Martha E., the only surviving daughter, was born December 6, 1841. In her girlhood she attended school at the La Porte, Ind., Seminary, and later, at the Oxford Young Ladies' Institute, Oxford, Ohio. She was married to Moses E. Butterworth, of La Porte, Ind., February 20, 1866, and has resided in La Porte, and at Kingsbury, La Porte county, ever since, except with a few years' residence in South Bend. Mrs. Butterworth inherited, to a marked degree, the heroic traits of her parents, and possesses an intellectual strength of character and wealth of true womanly senti- ment which makes her presence felt throughout her large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Butterworth have had three sons born to them: William M., was born March 11, 1867. His early boyhood was passed upon the Kingsbury farm. At a suitable age he entered Purdue University, and after finishing his studies there, he returned to La Porte, and enlisted in the ranks of journalism, and soon proved himself to be a ready and accomplished narrator of current events, and his sallies of wit and poetic sarcasm, won for him an enviable reputation among his comrades. He is now a resident of Chicago, engaged in the real estate business, aud in the study of law. He was married to Miss Juliet Fox, of Titusville, Penn., on May 3, 1892. Joseph B., was born December 22, 1868, and died November 27, 1878. Henry T., was born November 20, 1872, and after leaving school attended the La Porte Horological School, and acquired the watchmaker's trade, in which profession he has become well skilled. He is also giving much attention to vocal music, possessing a rich bari- tone voice of wonderful power and compass.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 21

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

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