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 28
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 28
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116
NORMAN BECKLEY, whose name and fame are so familiar in railroad circles, and
1
181
MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.
who has been so prominently connected with the welfare of the city of Elkhart, was born at Barry, Vt., April 15, 1823, being the eldest in a family of three sons and two daughters born to the marriage of Samuel Beckley and Roxana Colby. Zebedee Beckley, his grandfather, was said to have been of Scotch-Irish ancestry and was & soldier in the war of the Revolution and also the War of 1812. With but few excep- tions the family have been a race of farmers, and were particularly noted for their magnificent physical development. A peculiar characteristic trait is a positive tem- perament, a strict adherence to friendship and morality, and for generations con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Norman Beckley was reared upon his father's farm in Vermont, and while his opportunities were of a limited nature, his boast was that he could not be excelled in his books or in anything he would undertake. During the winter season, and sometimes during the fall, he was enabled to attend select schools and at the age of fourteeu years accomplished a man's work in the field. When eighteen years of age he began teaching district school during the winters, and from the proceeds of his labor defrayed the expense of one term's tuition at the academy in Montpelier and two terms at Newberry Sem- inary, during which time he boarded himself. Practically he began for himself at fourteen years of age; in fact, since that time he has never failed in accomplish- ing a man's work. It was this time he worked for the then remunerstive wages of $9 per month. Oo attaining his majority he started South for the purpose of find- ing employment as s teacher, but owing to ill health, caused by the heat, and the Catholic riots of that time, he was compelled to remain iu Philadelphia for a time, and from there changed his course to the great West. Staging for three days through swamps and over hills to Chicago from Marshall, Mich., he there found employment in a lumber office in the growing young city, but owing to chills, fever and ague, 80 prevalent then, he was compelled to relinquish his position and return to the East. Arriving in Vermont, he worked one month getting out stone and building culverts for the Vermont Central Railway, after which he was foreman of a construction force two years. Immediately after the road was built he became paymaster of the con- tractor who was building the secoud track of the Fitchburg Railroad, then became section foreman of a division of the Vermont Central Railway. Then his appoint- ment as roadmaster of the Montpelier-Burlington division occurred, and after serv- ing as such for a time was transferred to the same position, and on the same road, of the Vermont-Canada division. In 1858 Mr. Beckley came West and became roadmaster of the Chicago division of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail- way, with headquarters at LaPorte, which position he retained three' years, but resigned to accept the superintendency of the Sycamore, Courtland & Chicago Rail- way, now a part of the Northwestern system. For thirteen years he served in this capacity, but in 1874 became Michigan division superintendent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, with headquarters at Elkhart, Ind. In 1878 he resigned this position to become general manager of the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railway. At this time the road was in about as bad condition as was possible for it to get. The stock had practically no market value whatever. It was 110 miles in length, unfenced, much of the right-of-way was unpaid for, numerous suits for damages were pending, the road bed, equipped with iron rails, was in so bad shape as to render life unsafe in traveling over it, and the only rolling stock owned by the corporation was one solitary engine. It was under such discouraging circum- stances that Mr. Beckley assumed management. Through his personal efforts, and in time, the pending suits were all compromised, the right-of-way perfected, ninety- five miles of additional road was built, steel rails replaced the iron ones, the road became fenced, the road bed leveled and placed on a substantial foundation, the entire system became equipped with the best rolling stock and motor power and the stock possessed the market value of one hundred cents on the dollar. To Mr. Beckley alone belongs the credit of this wonderfully successful fest of rail- road managing. From a road on the verge of bankruptcy and without credit, he
182
PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
produced for his employers a road as well equipped as any in the State and whose stock value was at par. His experience with this road was practically his experi- ence with the Sycamore, Courtland & Chicago road. His method was one of unswerving honesty, careful contracts, strict business economy and keeping in his employment only men of good morals and sobriety. A severe disciplinarian, he was also lenient when the occasion warranted. Through his influence gambling, drink- ing and kindred evils were much restricted in the city, and many a young man who had been in the habit of spending his earnings in fast living, was induced to lay it aside to be invested in a home. Many a home has thus been made in Elkhart, and many wives and mothers to-day look upon Mr. Beckley as procurer of their homes and happiness. Owing to failing health Mr. Beckley resigned his position as general manager, but until April, 1892, assumed in the less active position of treas- urer of the company. October 2, 1848, occurred his marriage with Miss Rosette, daughter of Reuben and Abagail (Goodwin) Wills, who were Vermont people and of Scotch ancestry. To their marriage three children have been born: Emma E. (Mrs. M. H. Westlake), Edgar H. and Edward E. A Republican in politics, Mr. Beckley was nominated for mayor of Elkhart in 1884 and was dnly elected. From his mother, when a boy, the principles of Christianity and morality were thoroughly instilled into his mind and for many years he and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was elected a delegate to the Northern Indi- ana Conference in April, 1892, and by that body was elected a delegate to the Gen- eral Conference at Omaha in May, 1892.
CASSIUS M. INMEL, Millersburg, Ind. It was during the colonial history of this country that the Inmel family tree took root on American soil, the members of which braved the dangers and hardships of life in a wild and unsettled country that they and those that might come after them could have a home free of the degradinginflu- ence of religious persecution. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born on the soil of Pennsylvania, and inherited many of the most commendable attributes of his sturdy English ancestors. He was a participant in the War of 1812. and in that struggle showed himself to be brave and loyal to the core to America. His son, Isaiah, was born on the home farm in Pennsylvania, and like a dutiful son, cheerfully assisted his father in the duties of the farm. Although his early advan- tages were limited, he possessed an active and original mind, and he was not con- tent with merely securing the advantages which the common schools afforded, and as he was very fond of reading he greatly added to his store of learning, and by self-application became an exceptionally well- informed man. When a young man he removed to Ohio, and in the city of Chillicothe he was united in the bonds of mat- rimony to Miss Rosina Jones, soon after which event he removed to the " Hoosier State " and settled at Waterford Mills, Elkhart county, where he at once began working at the blacksmith's trade and also engaged in the manufacture of pumps. He soon became associated with W. D. Platter, now of Goshen, Ind., in the conduct of the first pump factory in northern Indiana. Realizing the fact that the soil of In- diana was exceptionally fertile and well adapted to the raising of agricultural products, he, in 1865, made a purchase of some land in Clinton township, and there, through per- sistent effort, he cleared and improved a good farm. His marriage resulted in the birth of ten children, whose names are as follows: Isabel A., Winfield P., Charlie A., Edwin C., Isaiah P., Marietta, Cassius M., Charles E., Frank M. and Ulysses S. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Inmel married again, taking for his second wife Miss Mary Barger. He has always been a stanch supporter of Republican principles, his judgment has always been recognized and for a period of twenty years he adjusted his neighbors' difficulties with impartial fairness in the capacity of justice of the peace. At one time he was a resident of Millersburg for four years, and during this time he held the positions of trustee and marshal. He is a man whose reputation is untarnished, and in the capacity of an American citizen he is a model in every respect, for he is enterprising, public spirited and patriotic.
J. B. Stol.
185
MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.
He stands high in the section in which he resides, for his many acts of disinterested generosity have brought him into high favor with his neighbors. He has always recognized the benefits to be derived from a good education, and in this respect he has fitted his children for the battle of life. Cassius M. Inmel, his son, was born at Waterford Mills, January 12, 1862, and like the majority of farmers' boys, his youthful days were divided between attending the district schools in the vicinity of his rural home and in wielding the hoe on the home farm. At the age of eight- een he left the shelter of the parental roof and began working in the factory of E. W. Walker, of Goshen, in 1879, where he remained a few months, then spent six weeks in the public schools of the town. He was then taken quite sick and was compelled to return home. In December of the following year, after fully recov- ering, he entered the Normal College of Valparaiso, Ind., but after three month's attendance was again taken ill. He was carefully nursed by his parents at his old home, and when convalescent he once more entered the employ of Mr. Walker, with whom he remained for some time. Following this he again began attending school at Valparaiso, his vacations being devoted to the occupation of teaching in order to obtain means with which to defray his expenses while pursuing his studies. In 1884 he graduated from the Valparaiso Normal College and being a very fine pen- man, he began teaching that science and has since followed it very successfully at Goshen, under the name of Vernon & Inmel Commercial Institute, during which time many young men were fitted to fill important positions in life. He has also followed his calling at Nappanee, Millersburg, New Paris and Milford, and has won a reputation of the most favorable kind for thoroughness and ability. In 1885 he set- tled down in Millersburg and began devoting his attention to the general insurance business, representing especially the Home Fire Insurance Company, of which he is a special department agent for six counties, having about twenty-three agents under his control. He has a one-half interest in the firm of Inmel, Keen & Rodgers, which business he established, and he is doing a general office business, is a notary public and attends to the settling of estates as an administrator. He wooed and won for his wife Miss Minerva Prickett, their uniou being consummated September 23, 1883, at Goshen, Ind. His wife is a daughter of Nimrod and Anna (Ott) Prickett, the former of whom is an old and honored resident of the county and is in the insurance business at Goshen, his father being one of the very earliest pioneers of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Inmel two children have been born: Lois C. and Ralph W. Mrs. Inmel is a lady of much intelligence and is an earnest member of the Christian Church. Mr. Inmel is a Republican politically and has always mani- fested much interest in the cause of education; and, in the capacity of a member of the board of education of Millersburg his work was most praiseworthy. Socially he is a member of the honored order of the K. of P. He is a young man who occu- pies a prominent position in the estimation of those who know him, for his record has been remarkably clean and his course through life manly and straightforward. He is a very agreeable gentleman to meet, either socially or in a business way and is in every sense of the word a self-made man. He has made his own way in life from a boy, and is an example of what a young man can accomplish who pursues a correct course in life.
BYRON E. MERRITT (deceased) was a progressive and useful citizen of Elkhart county, Ind., and his untimely death was deplored not only by his immediate and sorrowing household, but by all who knew him either personally or by reputation. His birth occurred at Porter. Cass Co., Mich., May 24, 1851, he being next to the youngest in the family of the late William R. and Adelia T. Merritt. He received the usual schooling of the boy of his period, that is, he attended the district schools, and after remaining at home until 1873 he went to Kansas and entered the employ of his brother James. After a very short time, however, he returned home at the request of his father, and in the spring of 1874 entered into co-partnership with him in the mercantile business in Bristol. Here he remained 12
186
PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
until the year 1881, when he assumed the entire responsibilities of the business. It was during this period of active mercantile pursuits that he developed those remarkable qualities which gained him the well-earned reputation of the "successful merchant." He continued to prosper as a business man until failing health com- pelled him to resign his interests to the charge of his brother Charles in May, 1888. He lingered with that dread disease, consumption, until December 17, 1890, when he enccumbed to the inevitable and passed to his long home. He was a gentle- man both by instinct and training, and his walk through life was characterized by a desire to do right, in consequence of which he was highly regarded by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was sincere and earnest in his friendships, kind and considerate in his family, generous in his contributions to worthy causes, in fact, a model American citizen. It was only necessary to know, to admire and respect him, and as a pushing, successful business man, a keen and shrewd poli- tician, an exemplary citizen, & dutiful son or a devoted and affectionate husband, he had in every capacity won golden opinions for himself. On the 28th of February, 1882, he was married to Miss Elnora, daughter of the late Joseph W. Lee, who has one son, Harry, an employe in the Elkhart National Bank. Mrs. Merritt was left in comfortable circumstances and is now a resident of Elkhart. She posseeses the same kind heart and genial disposition, for which her husband was so well known, and has many warm and true friends to comfort and cheer her in her journey through life.
ABRAHAM HOOVER. The founders of the family of Hoover, in America, were three brothers of the name who came from Germany during the second immigration to Penn- eylvania, in the time of William Penn. These brothers belonged to that religious sect known as the Mennonites, who were being persecuted in Germany on account of their belief, and they determined to take advantage of the most generous offers made by the great benefactor and law-giver, and finally sought a home in America. Two of these brothers reared families in America, but the other brother remained a bachelor. Henry Hoover, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., near Strasburg; was married to Mary Newswanger, and became the father of six children: John, Christian, Abraham, Susan, Barbara and Elizabeth. Henry Hoover became a substantial farmer of York county, Penn., and was also & well-known minister of the Mennonite Church, in which capacity he did a great deal for the cause of Christianity. All measures of morality found in him a strong supporter, and he was universally respected wherever known. Abraham Hoover, his son, was born on the old home farm in York county, in 1789, and although he unfortunately received no schooling, by his own efforts he learned to read and write during the spare moments that he could secure from his farm duties. He was married to Christina, daughter of Henry and Annie (Sander) Martin, and after their marriage settled on a farm from which he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1832. After he had attained to an advanced age he removed to Indiana and located on a small farm in Clinton township, Elkhart county, on which the remainder of his days were spent, his death occurring at the age of seventy years. He became the father of seven children that grew to maturity: Henry; Mary, who died at the age of sixty-two years; Abraham; John; David, who died when fifty-six years old; Annie, who died when fifty-eight years of age, and Martin. Abraham Hoover was very industrious and pushing, and possessing sound judgment, he became a wealthy farmer of Ohio. Full of pluck, energy and perse- verance, from his early boyhood, he made his entree into the business world at a time when those qualities were worth more to their possessor, especially if he were a young man, than any other kind of capital. Although he accumulated a comfort- able competency, his fortune might have been much greater had not his strict integ- rity, his generosity and kindness of heart interfered. Abraham Hoover, Jr., his son, was born March 9, 1822, in York county, Penn., but only attended the common schools near his home for a short period each year. His early life did not differ
187
MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.
materially from that of the average boy of his time, who was expected to contribute to his own support as soon as he became physically able to perform any kind of manual labor, and the most important part of whose education is supposed to be his industrial training. October 2, 1845, he led to the hymeneal altar Martha Garber, who was born January 20, 1827, to Jacob and Esther (Rusch) Garber, the former of whom was a carpenter of Wayne county, Ohio. He and his wife became the parents of nine children: Mary, Fannie, Jacob, Abraham, Henry, Martha, David, Christian and Hester. Mr. Garber removed to Indiana after he had reached an advanced age and settled in Elkhart county, where he became known as an honorable man and a worthy member of the Mennonite Church. After his marriage, Mr. Hoover, in 1847, bought a farm of 120 acres in Middlebury township, this county, on which he located, and which he cleared from the heavy timber that covered it, there having been but little improvement made at the time of his purchase. On this farm he resided for forty-two years, and here all his children were born except Henry, the eldest, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, February 16, 1847, the other members being Jacob, born September 12, 1849; Elizabeth, December 15, 1851; Annie, October 24, 1853; Fannie, December 2, 1855; Sarah, November 20, 1857; Christina, December 25, 1859; Joseph, October 21, 1861; David, September 17, 1863, and Samuel, April 19, 1868. Like his ancestors before him Mr. Hoover has been industrious, thrifty and progressive. He has made the most of every opportunity that presented itself for the accumulation of a competency, although never at the expense of others, and to his own good judgment and perseverance is attributable his present independent circumstances. He has been a minister of the Mennonite Church for the past twenty years, of which church his wife was also a worthy member; and as an expounder of the gospel he has been earnest, zealous and conscientious. He became a resident of Millersburg, where he now resides, in 1889, and besides his residence there owns forty acres of land and other property in farm mortgages. His wife died on Jan- nary 6, 1879, at the age of fifty-two years, and on November 9, 1884, he wedded Mrs. Mary (Grimer) Frederick, daughter of Philip Grimer. Mr. Hoover has always been a Democrat. His son, Henry, married Mary Hutchinson, by whom he became the father of three children. He was filling the office of deputy county clerk at the time of his death, at the age of thirty-seven years. Jacob married Lucinda Wert, by whom he has one child. He is conducting a meat market in Millersburg. Eliza- beth married John Pletcher, who conducts a meat market in Elkhart, by whom she has four children. Annie married John Wert, who has a meat market in Millersburg, and is the mother of one child. Fannie married Adison Dohner, who was accident- ally killed in Kansas, by whom she has one child. Sarah married William Wert, a carpenter of Middlebury, and has one child. Christina married George Frederick, a grocer of Elkhart, and has three children. Joseph married Minnie Burns, and is a clerk in a bank at Oberlin, Kan. David married Harriet Kauffman, is a Methodist minister of Wichita, Kan., and has three children. Samuel who is single, has attended college at Quincy, Ill., and is now a resident of Decatur, Ill., teacher in a business college. These children are all honorable and useful citizens, and are a credit to the parents who reared them.
D. CARPENTER, proprietor of Carpenter's Transfer Line of Elkhart, Ind., is a prosperous and pushing man of affairs, who has made his own way in life and is in the enjoyment of a competency that has been obtained through his own exertions. The town of Lancaster, Penn., gave him birth on the 8th of September, 1852, his par- ents being Emanuel and Rebecca (Breckinridge) Carpenter, natives, respectively, of Lancaster, Penn., and Kentucky, the latter being a relative of Gen. Breckinridge, who is well known in Southern history. Emanuel Carpenter was a skillful brick manufacturer and followed this calling at Naples, Ill., whither he moved from Penn- sylvania, and during this time furnished brick for a number of Chicago houses. He became a resident of Elkhart, Ind., in 1860, and there he eventually passed from life, his widow still surviving him. They were the parents of seven children, two
188
PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
sons and one daughter of whom are now living: Stephen, David and Mary. Emanuel Carpenter served in the Civil war as a teamster, having charge of the teams of the Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, was wounded in an engagement, and this evento- ally caused his death. While the family was residing at Naples, Ill., although the sub- ject of this sketch was only about seven years of age, he hauled brick to Chicago with an ox team. The principal part of his education was acquired in the public schools of Elkhart, but at an early age he left school to engage in railroading on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, the first three years of his service being spent as a switchman. After the great Chicago fire he had charge of the sand trains from Whitings to Chicago for one year and seven months, after which he gave up railroad life and started the United States Express and transfer business in Elkhart, his first purchase to this end being an old white horse for which he paid $100 and which was, at that time, the sport of the town. During the twenty-two years that he has remained in the business he has built up a very extensive enterprise, now has six fine teams and the rickety one-horse wagon in which he first began doing his hauling has given place to handsome vehicles which do nearly all the transfer business of the city. He has been connected with the Opera House of Elkhart, and for two years was with the King & Franklin troupe, and for two years had charge of the Lloyd & Thomas Reptile Company. For one season of thirty-five weeks he was the manager of the Georgia Minstrels, in which capacity he showed himself most efficient, and is now stage manager of the New Bucklin Opera House, of Elkhart. He has shown more than ordinary aptitude for this work, but to whatever enterprise he has turned his attention he has shown himself to be shrewd, far-seeing and intelligent. He has always been possessed of much energy, and in the battte of life has made all his work count, although he has always been the soul of honor in all his business trans- actions. He was chief of the fire department of Elkhart for nine years, and for the past twelve years has been foreman of the hook and ladder company. In fact, he is an enterprising citizen and no worthy enterprise is started but what receives his hearty support. His present position has not been attained without severe and con- tinued struggling, which clearly shows the pluck and indomitable energy of the man. He belongs to the civic societies of the K. of P., the Foresters and the I. O. O. F., in each and all of which he is a leading and popular member. He was married to Miss Jennie Guard, who died in 1889, after a lingering illness of two years, her death being caused by a horse falling on her. She bore her husband three sons and one daughter: Walter, Harry, Joshua and Lottie M. Mr. Carpenter is one of the old landmarks of Elkhart, for at the time of his location here his residence was surrounded by woods, but is now almost within the heart of the city. His career is well worthy of emulation, for it shows what a poor boy can do, with plenty of that mysterious article called pluck, energy. perseverence and faithful attention to business and to the trusts that are reposed in him.
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.