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 29

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 29
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 29

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WILLIAM B. DONALDSON. The man from Pennsylvania has always been a potential element in the civilization and development of Indiana, and in early days along the woodsman's trail came men of all avocations and in every degree of social life. No bet- ter blood ever infused pioneer life; no sturdier arm ever set about the task of subduing the wilderness and no less vigorous mental activity could have raised a great common- wealth amid the unbroken elements of nature within the limits of half a century. The distinctive Americanism which Indiana has maintained almost co-equally with the older Eastern States, against an unparalleled tide of immigration from every nation upon the earth, is due to the virility of the pioneer stock in which the Key- stone State was so strongly represented. He, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Cannonsburg, Penn., August 12, 1843, but the founder of the family in America was John Donaldson, who was born in Earlstown, shire of Merse, Scot- land, March 17, 1784, with which section his family had been identified for many years. Upon coming to the New World he settled in Cannonsburg, Penn., where he set himself energetically to work at the wheelwright's trade, a calling which

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received the greater part of his attention until his death, in 1831. He was the father of four children: William, Robert, Elizabeth and Mary. Robert was born February 1, 1811, in Cannonsburg, and in the common echools of that place he acquired his knowledge of the world of books. He learned the trade of a brick- layer, to which occupation his attention was given until November 11, 1871, when he was called to his long home. November 14, 1835, he married Sarah Brown, who was born March 9, 1813, a daughter of John Brown, and to them were born eight sons and three daughters: Mary, September 28, 1836; John November 27, 1838; Jane, May 14, 1841; Willian B., August 12, 1843; Joseph, December 15, 1845; Robert, November 27, 1847; James, February 20, 1850; Franklin P., July 22, 1852; Sarah, June 30, 1855; George, April 6, 1858, and Henry, January 16, 1861, all of whom are living, married and have families. The mother of these children was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but the father was a Methodist. He was a Democrat politically, held the position of mayor of Cannonsburg, and socially belonged to the I. O. O. F. He was endowed by nature with such gifts as character- ize true manhood in all that the word implies, was a useful, thriving, industrious citizen, and showed by his example that an honest and upright life is the best guarantee of success. A Democrat politically, he was a strong Union man during the Civil war, and sent three sons to battle for country and right: John B., who was in a Pennsylvania regiment; Joseph B., who was also in that regiment, and William B. The last mentioned received a common-school education, and learned the trade of shoemaker. August 12, 1862, in response to a call from President Lincoln for 300,000 men, he enlisted in Company D, Tenth Regiment, P. R. V. C. He had attempted to enlist the previous year, but had been refused on account of his youth. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and was almost continually in active service for two years and ten months, or until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg-when his division opened the fight under Gen. George G. Meade, and he was also in the great battles of Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, siege of Petersburg, and many battles and skirmishes of minor importance. He was wounded in the battle of Petersburg, August 19, 1864, in the left side, the ball striking a rib and passing around the body, coming out near the back bone. For one month thereafter he was in the Fairfax Seminary Hospital, and after again entering the service he was wounded a second time, October 2, 1864, before Petersburg, in the left thigh, and was in Lincoln Hospital, Washington, D. C., until the following spring, when he returned to his regiment and served until the war ended. He was faithful in the discharge of his duties, and no braver soldier ever trod the crimson turf of a Virginia battlefield. He returned home, bearing with him some honorable scars as an illustration of his loyalty and patriotism, and was married February 22, 1866, to Miss Annie Fergusoo, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hiles) Ferguson, the former of whom was of Scotch descent, and an old settler and farmer of Washington county, Penn. To Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson one child was born: Luella S., whose advent into this world occurred November 24, 1866. Soon after the celebration of his nuptials, Mr. Donaldson moved with his family to Middlebury, Elkhart Co., Ind., where he resided until the spring of 1881, when he became a resident of Millersburg. In 1867 he began clerking for Christian Stutz, a prominent merchant, with whom he remained for thirteen years, after which he became a partner in a general store with Mr. Stutz, in Millersburg, of which he took charge in 1881, and which has proved a profitable enterprise. The Masonic fraternity has long num- bered Mr. Donaldson among its most worthy members, and he is a member of Randall Post, No. 320, of the G. A. R., in which he held the position of quarter- master three years. He is a Democrat in his political convictions, has been town clerk of Middlesbury three years, was a member the council one year, and in Mid- dlesbury has been town treasurer five years. He and his wife and daughter belong to the German Reformed Church, and under all circumstances he has been recognized

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as a public-spirited citizen, who could be relied upon to aid every worthy enterprise. His record as s soldier snd citizen speaks for itself, and his many years of service for one firm shows his integrity to be untarnished. Of him it may be said, he is a model American citizen, and is in every way entitled to "The grand old name of gentleman."

SAMUEL GOOD (deceased). There is no inheritance so rich as the records of the worthy lives of those who have departed this life and who had human frailties, yet were so enabled to overcome them as to lead lives of usefulness, integrity and true godliness. Such a man was Samuel Good who was one of the pioneers of St. Joseph county, Ind., but was born in Virginia on October 2, 1794. The parents of Samnel were Virginians who owned s large plantation and had a large number of slaves. About 1800 they freed them all and removed to Champaign county, Ohio, and were among the first settlers in the vicinity of Urbana. Here the parenta of Samnel resided until their death. The father was a successful farmer and acquired considerable property prior to his death. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Samuel was quite small when his parents settled in Ohio and there he waa reared, and October 12, 1818, was married to Hester Russell, who was born September 2, 1800, in Maryland, a daughter of Caleb and Lydia (Devore) Russell, who were pioneers of Champaign county, Ohio, from Maryland, the remainder of their days being spent in the Buckeye State. Caleb Russell was a farmer and an 1812 soldier, his death occurring shortly after the termination of that conflict. After the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Good they settled on a farm in Champaign county, but in the spring of 1830 they removed to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled on the St. Joseph River, near where the city of Goshen now standa, and near where an Indian village then stood. That summer was spent in camp life and they succeeded in raising a fair crop on the prairie near by. In the fall Mr. Good huilt & log cabin in which they passed the winter. Another crop was raised in 1831, but that fall the family came to St. Joseph county and took up their residence two miles south- west of South Bend where Mr. Good had entered 240 acres of land in 1830. He also entered 240 acres in Portage Prairie in German township where he afterward settled. Later he removed to South Bend and engaged in slaughtering and the aale of meat. He was a successful farmer and an sctive business man but was cut off in the prime of life, his death occurring October 21, 1836. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring at the home of her daughter on the old home- stesd southwest of South Bend. Mr. and Mrs. Good were the parents of seven children: Mary J., who was born in Ohio, February 2, 1820, died November 24, 1836; Lydia A., wife of Joshna D. Miller; William S. was born October 4, 1823, and when a young man went to California, in 1849, and engaged in mining and transportation business, at which he was very successful. In 1853 he returned to Indiana and purchased a large drove of horses, and while returning to California was taken sick in Carson Valley, Nev., and died on September 15, 1853, being buried there. Joseph was born September 22, 1825, snd married Mary Estridge. He was a successful farmer of St. Joseph county and died in September, 1890; Martha E. was born October 7, 1828, and died November 21, 1836; Lucinda C. was born January 22, 1832, married Adam Konzen and resides in Portage township; Samuel G. was born January 26, 1836, in German township, was reared in his native county, principally in German township, where he resided most of his life. He was married November 21, 1871, to Minerva C. Stocker, who was born on May 15, 1846, in German township. daughter of Peter and Mary (Adams) Stocker. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Good they settled on a farm in German town- ship, an occupation which Mr. Good still follows. He is one of the most successful and reliable farmers of the township and county, owning over 500 acres of land. In the spring of 1872 he located on a farm where he now resides, one-half mile north of the city limits of South Bend, consisting of 300 acres of land, on which is a fine residence and farm buildings of all descriptions. During his earlier yeara

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Mr. Good was one of the first to go to Colorado, in 1859, where he spent two and one-half years engaged in transporting supplies, provisions, etc., from Denver to the mining districts, in which line of work he was remarkably successful. He was in Leadville during the early days of the mining excitement and had many strange experiences. He took the first load of supplies from Denver to California Gulch in the spring of 1860, and the prices received for many articles seem almost incredible at the present day. He readily disposed of boots at $25 per pair, flour at $20 per sack and other articles in proportion. Returning from Denver to South Bend he made the trip by team in thirty-three days. Mr. and Mrs. Good are the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy. The one living is Mabel M., who was born April 21, 1875, and is being educated at St. Mary's Academy. In politics Mr. Good is a Republican, and at all times supports his party's principles. He is one of the first citizens of the county and is deservedly popular with all classes.

DR. JAMES W. JENNINGS. For considerably over a score of years Dr. Jennings has been the faithful and efficient professional servant of the public, in a community which has become more and more attached to him as the years have rolled by, while in neighboring towns and cities his skill is recognized, his services are in demand, and his face has for many years been a familiar and welcome one. He comes of sturdy English stock, for from that country his grandfather, Gideon Jen- nings, came about the opening of the Revolutionary war, and in the struggle with the British Government for liberty, he aided the colonists, and was a participant in the famous battle of Brandywine. Although he could read and write the English language, his education was quite limited, but this did not prevent him from making a substantial citizen. He was married to Grace Dary, and after a short residence in Rockingham county, Va., he removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he entered and bought a large tract of land at what is now New Philadelphia. He was the very first settler of that region, at which time the timber was very heavy-prin- cipally large beech trees-and in order to raise any kind of a crop of corn, he was compelled to climb the trees and trim off the branches to let in the sunlight. The Indians at that time were very plentiful, and numerons were the encounters he had with them, but he was wary and watchful, thoroughly skilled in woodcraft, and when pursuing his labors about his place, he carried his trusty rifle strapped to his back, and was seldom, if ever, taken by surprise. His home was twenty miles from any neighbor, but he soon became known as a famous hunter throughout that region, and lived on fish and game that fell victims to his rod and gun. Mr. Jennings made his home on that land for many years, cleared a good farm and became one of the prosperous farmers of Tnscarawas county. He built one mile of the Ohio State canal, which passed that distance through his farm, and in a very early day he built the first grist mill in his section of the country, which was a very primitive structure indeed. It consisted of a stone hollowed out, and the corn was pounded out with mortars. He became the father of nine children, seven of whom were sons: James, Aaron, William, John. Jonathan, Gideon, David, Polly and Druscilla. Mr. Jennings was an early Methodist, and his home was the headquarters for the early itinerant ministers of that denomination who labored so zealously to spread the Gospel throughout the West. He assisted both with purse and influence to erect the early churches throughout that section, and being strong in his religious con- victions, he did a great deal to spread the Christian faith. After his family had grown up he again moved to the wilderness and this time took up his abode in Allen county, Ohio, and in 1832 purchased 1,100 acres of land three miles north of Lima, on Sugar Creek, where he once more carved him out a home from the forest. He gave each of his sons 160 acres of land, as well as his daughters, Druscilla, who married Silas Williams, receiving 160 acres of the old homestead. Polly married Benjamin Williams, a brother of Silas, and also received her just portion of her father's property. Druscilla became the mother of Bishop Williams of the Meth-

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odist Church, who was present at the Quadrennial Convention of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at Omaha. Neb., in 1892. Gideon Jennings lived to the age of four score years, dying on his farm August 28, 1843, and is now sleeping his last sleep in s cemetery which was laid out on his farm, his tombstone being the first that was brought to that part of Ohio. He was one of the ideal American pioneers-that class of people who paved the way to the present magnificent state of civilization-and possessed all the courage, fortitude and energy necessary for a successful life on the frontier. He was six feet in height, very strong and active, and his prominent traits of character were great determination, honest purpose and strict honor. David Jennings was his seventh son, and was born nesr New Phil- adelphia, Ohio, July 13, 1813, and acquired a partial knowledge of the three R's in an old time log school-house which had been built by his father on the home farm, and this institution of learning was presided over by a teacher who wore s buckskin suit, consisting of a hunting shirt and leggins. In those days it was considered the proper thing for the teacher to treat the scholars, and this was generally done in whisky, or whisky and apples. In 1832 David Jennings married, in the same neigh- borhood where he was born, Elizabeth Laughlin, who was born February 12, 1814, in Allegheny county, Penn., a daughter of James Laughlin, & pioneer farmer of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestors, and of an old colonial family. To their union ten children were given, all of whom lived to hon- orable manhood and womanhood: Susannah was born January 18, 1832; Solomon was born January 1, 1834; Abel B., April 13, 1836; James W., May 4, 1838; Isabel, March 4, 1840; Mary, June 27, 1842; Aaron, August 7, 1844; Druscilla, October 30, 1846; Samuel, November 22, 1849; Charles W., January 1, 1853. Abel died in 1868; Aaron in 1876; Samuel in 1870, and Charles W. in 1872. In 1833 David Jennings removed to Sugar Creek, near Lima, Ohio, settled on some land and cleared up a farm, although, like all pioneers, he had to labor early and late in order to clear his land of timber and brushwood. The forests were very dense in that section, and were roamed at will by deer, bear and wolves. On this farm David Jennings lived for many years, but in 1863 he moved to Williams county, Ohio, and bought a farm near Bryan, where he passed the remainder of the days allotted to him. Like his father, he was a man of imposing stature, standing six feet two inches in his stockings, and in his prime he was considered the strongest man on Sugar Creek. He was a faithful laborer, and was well known for his integrity and honor. He was very faithful in his friendships, and his generous disposition and warm heart often led him into the error of signing bonds for his friends which he was compelled to pay, and in this way his wealth was very much decreased. He and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as & con- sistent Christian he was very prominent in religious work. Politically, he grew up with the old line Whig party, but was one of the organizers of the Republican party in his county, and retained his connection with that organization during the remainder of his life. He lived to the age of sixty-six years, dying in Millersburg, Ind., in 1877, while visiting his son, Dr. Jennings. In all the relations of life his career was one to be studied with interest and emulated with profit, for under the adverse circumstances of pioneer life he secured a competency and reared his family in comfort. Energy, force of character, sterling integrity and deep piety were his distinguishing characteristics, and during the war he was a stanch supporter of the Union, and assisted with his means in raising men in his county for the Federal service. Dr. James W. Jennings, his son, was born on Sugar Creek, in Allen county, Ohio, May 4, 1838, and his earliest recollections are of assisting his father in the duties of the farm. In the district schools near his home he acquired a thorough practical education, and at the early age of sixteen years he began teach- ing school, devoting the winter seasons to this calling for six years. He then entered Oberlin College, and finally the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which institution he was graduated. Succeeding this he continued to pursue

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his studies under Drs. Kenkins of Pendleton, and Booth of West Cairo, Ohio, after which he practiced his profession in connection with his brother, Dr. Solomon Jen- nings, until 1869. He then opened an office at Millersburg, Ind., and has since pursued his profession with unvaried success, which could hardly be otherwise, as he has always been thoroughly in love with the profession, and regards it as a high and holy calling. He believes it to be the duty of the physician to cure the ills of mankind when called upon, if it lies within his power to do so, and in his own prac- tice no effort has been spared to attain that end, whatever the social or financial condition of the patient who seeks his service. The human body is to him a temple, with the architecture of which the physician should be thoroughly familiar, and which he is charged with the responsibility of keeping in order. To this work he has devoted himself with conscientious zeal, and when he is called into a family as physician, he becomes a sympathetic friend and counselor. He is a reader and patron of the best medical and surgical publications of the day, is a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, and is one of the oldest members of the Elkhart Medical Society. In 1863 he enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and was on duty at Forts De Russie, Simmons, Stevenson, and at Washington was present and under fire when Gen. Early made his raid on that city. He served two years. February 9, 1866, he was married in Defiance county, Ohio, to Samantha Fisher, who was born March 17, 1844, to Jesse and Nancy (Fowler) Fisher, the former of whom was born in Franklin county, Penn., of substantial Dutch stock, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. After a short residence in Franklin county, Penn., he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where he was a pioneer, and made himself a good home. He was the father of twelve children: Conrad, John, Archie, Philip, Lucretia, Sallie, Nancy, James, Jennie, William, David and Samantha, all of whom lived to rear families. Later in life Mr. Fisher settled in Defiance county, Ohio, on uncleared land, where he made a good home. He died April 3, 1872, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife died April 30, 1864. Both were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a Republican, politically, was a warm Union man during the war, and one of his sons, David, served three years in an Ohio regiment, his principal duty being to guard rebel prisoners on Johnson's Island. After his marriage, Dr. Jennings first practiced at West Milton, Ohio, but for many years past has been a resident of Millersburg, Ind. To him and his wife three children have been born: Eva D., born December 24. 1870; Effa Mae, born September 27, 1872; and Charles W., born October 27, 1874. The Doctor is a member of the K. of P. Lodge, No. 328, is a charter mem- ber of the G. A. R., Randall Post, No. 320, of which he is surgeon, and politically is a Republican. His brother, Dr. Solomon Jennings, is practicing medicine near Dayton, Ohio, and is a distinguished surgeon. Another brother, Abel B., became an attorney, but died soon after being admitted to the bar. Aaron B., another brother, now deceased, was also an eminent physician. Two brothers-in-law, one S. B. Junkin, practices in North Webster, Ind., and Dr. C. J. Sprague, deceased, formerly practiced in Syracuse, Ind.

JOSHUA D. MILLER, South Bend, Ind. The earliest record of the Miller family at hand commences with the life of Jacob Miller, who was the grandfather of many of the well-known citizens of St. Joseph county, who settled here during the earliest history of northern Indiana. Jacob Miller was born in Franklin county, Penn., in 1735, his parents being natives of Germany. He united with the German Baptist Church early in life, in which he became a uoted minister in later years. When quite a young man he married and removed to Franklin county, Va., where he reared a family of nine sons and three daughters. He labored in his ministe- rial capacity in that locality and built up a large church, which is standing to this day. In 1800 he took up his residence near Dayton, Ohio, on the west side of the Great Miami River, at which time the country was a dense forest, inhabited by nu- merous tribes of Indians. Elder Miller frequently visited them in their wigwams,

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sang and prayed with them, and his kind and friendly treatment led the savages to reverence and respect him and to offer him their protection under all circum- stances. They called him the "Good Man" the Great Spirit had sent them from the east. He reared a very exemplary family of children, some of whom became worthy ministers in the church. He died at his home in Ohio in 1815, at the age of eighty years, full of honors and monrned as a most devout Christian and able minis- ter of the gospel, leaving behind him a name and record of which his descendants may well feel proud. The sons and daughters of Elder Jacob Miller were: Isaac, who married Hannah Webb and lived in Greene county, Ohio; he was a soldier in the War of 1812, enlisting in 1813, and died while in the service of his country; Samuel died in Virginia, aged about twenty-five years; Daniel married a Miss Shideler, by whom he reared a large family, was a worthy minister of the German Baptist Church, and died in Iowa; Mary married Samuel Doost, lived in Ohio and had four sons: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and John, who were able ministers of the church, the first mentioned dying in Miami county, Ohio, in 1829 and the latter in the same county in 1875 at the age of eighty six years, having been a minister in the German Bap- tist Church for more than fifty years; Eve married a Mr. Moss and after his death became the wife of Joseph Kingery, residing in Preble county, Ohio; Anna married a Mr. Lybrook and lived in Union county, Ohio; John, the eldest son, married Phoebe McClure, after which he spent his life in Union county, Ind., where he died, having reared a large family of children. Jacob married Sarah Chapman, reared a family, and lived and died in Virginia. Aaron Miller, another son of Elder Jacob Miller, was born April 8, 1785, in Virginia, and moved to Ohio with his parents in the year 1800. He married Elizabeth Hardman December 1, 1805, and.reared a family of seven sons and four daughters. In 1818 they moved to Wayne county, Ind., and in 1829 came to South Bend when it was only a trading post, with A. Co- quillard and L. M. Taylor as traders. Mr. Miller settled on the banks of the St. Jo- seph River, four miles north of South Bend, in the spring of 1831. He was one of the first ministers of the gospel to preach in this county, and the eleven children which he reared were all brought up in the faith of the German Baptist Church. David, the eldest, was a gifted minister of the gospel. He reared a large family and died at the age of seventy-two years. Benjamin also reared a family and re- moved to California during the early history of that State. Solomon lived for many years in South Bend, was a merchant for several years, and held the office of county treasurer acceptably. He died many years ago leaving a family. Isaac was mar- ried and reared a family. He was in the mercantile business with his brother Solo- mon, but when the Rebellion opened he showed his patriotism by at once enlisting in the Union army, and lost his life while serving his county, his death occurring in the South. Joshua B. came to St. Joseph county in an early day, and still resides in South Bend. John married, reared a family, and moved to northwestern Iowa. Aaron, the youngest son, married and moved to Kansas when that State was in its infancy. He was married to Evaline Roe, and eight children were born of this union. He died in Lyon county, Kan., in 1892, having lived an exemplary life. All the daughters married and reared families, moved West, and one resided in Ore- gon for several years and died at the age of eighty-two years. Tobias, Abraham and David, also sons of Elder Jacob Miller, are mentioned at length elsewhere in this vol- ume. Joshua D. Miller was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. January 25, 1818, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Hardman) Miller. In the spring of 1818 the family re- moved to Wayne county, Ind., and settled on a farm near Richmond. Here he made his home until abont thirteen years of age, attending the old-time subscription schools which were held in log school-houses during the winter months until he reached man - hood. In the spring of 1831 he came with his parents to St. Joseph county, settling on the river in German township, four miles north of South Bend. He witnessed the transformation of a wilderness into a cultivated, improved country, dotted with rich and finely-cultivated farms and densely populated districts. In 1845 he removed to

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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 29

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

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