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 35
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 35
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and Marion F., who was first in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, re- enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was but fifteen years of age when he entered the service. Dr. B. F. Teters supplemented a common-school education received in his native county by attending Mt. Union Col- lege for two years. When sixteen years of age he began teaching school in Ohio, followed this for about seven years, and by his own unaided efforts obtained a good practical education. He began his medical studies with Dr. P. P. Pomerene, a dis- tinguished physician of Berlin, Ohio, and remained with him for three years. He then attended Wooster Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio, and completed his med- ical education at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, receiving his diploma in 1886. He was then associated with his preceptor five years, after which he came to Middlebury. This was in December, 1890, and he has had a fine and lucrative practice since. He has been absorbed day and night in a profession which is perhaps the most trying on brain and body of any in the field of science and his signal success in this calling is well known. Dr. Teters is a member of the Holmes County Medical Society and Ohio State Medical Society. He has a fine medical library and is a patron of the leading medical journals, keeping well posted on all the latest scientific improvements. The Doctoris a self-made man, having worked his way through college by his own exertions, and by ability and efficiency has acquired a flattering reputation as a physician. He was married on Septem- ber 13, 1883, in Tuscarawas connty, Ohio, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Ephraim Adaline (Fisher) Showalter. Mr. Showalter is a substantial farmer of Tucara- was county, Ohio. To Dr. and Mrs. Teters have been born two children: Grace and Melwin.
THOMAS B. CHALFANT. The gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch, although no longer of earth, still holds a firm position in the memory and affection of his family and the numerous friends he won by his correct manner of living. He waa born in Wayne county, Ind., February 18, 1820, son of Evan and Anna (Bulla) Chalfant, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania August 24, 1796, and in that section was reared. When a young man he took up his residence in Wayne county, Ind., where he met and married Anna Bulla, a North Carolinian by birth, who was born December 26, 1799. Evan Chalfant arrived with his family in St. Joseph county, Ind., November 1, 1832, and settled on a tract of land in Section 31, Clay township, where he made his home until his death, January 19, 1870. The land which he entered and upon which he settled borders on the corporate limits of South Bend on the north, but at that time was an unbroken wilderness, which Mr. Chalfant brought under cultivation through his own persistent efforts. When the family reached South Bend they passed through the village, and on Saturday night before the presidential election of 1832 they camped on the ground where the Notre Dame University building now stands, and the following week selected a farm. Mr. Chalfant was left a widower in March, 1849. The subject of this sketch, Thomas B. Chalfant, was a lad of twelve years when his parents moved to St. Jo- seph county. He was one of a family of aix children, and upon the old home- stead iu Clay township he grew to manhood, with the exception of three years that were spent in working at the carpenter's trade in South Bend. He was first mar- ried in 1848 to Miss Jane Melling, who was born in Ohio in 1825 and died in 1861, having become the mother of four children, two of whom are living: Nancy J. and Evan T. On April 21, 1864, Mr. Chalfant took for his second wife Miss Elean- or C. Alford, who was born August 5, 1840, in Elkhart county, Ind., a daugh- ter of Robert and Sarah (Cart) Alford, the former being a native of Green- brier conuty, Va., born April 28, 1804, settling in Harrison township, Elk- hart county, Ind., in 1842. He afterward became a resident of Elkbart town- ship, where many years of his life were spent. His death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Chalfant, April 25, 1888, in Clay township. St. Joseph Co., Ind. Mrs. Alford was a native of Virginia, born May 5, 1808, and her
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death occurred February 17, 1880. Mrs. Chalfant bore her husband three children: Anna L., Mary L. and Robert G. Mr. Chalfant was a farmer of the progressive kind, and became the owner of about 165 acres of land adjoining the city limits of South Bend, which under his intelligent and progressive management became a model farm in every respect. He was a member of the county Grange, and for a long time was its treasurer. Coming from the Quaker settlement of Richmond, and related to some of the most influential Quakers there who were members of the famons "Underground Railroad," he was naturally a Republican in politics and very active. From the organization of that party he was rarely absent from the coun- cils of his party, and ever exercised his right of franchise. He served one or more terms as trustee of Clay township, bnt was rather averse to holding office. He had the respect and esteem of all who knew him, for all respected and ad- mired his many noble qualities, his generosity and his natural kindness of heart. He died on the farm where so many of the active years of his life were passed July 20, 1892, deeply mourned by his family and friends. His brother, Evan Chalfant, was a soldier in the Mexican war, and while serving his country efficiently and faithfully was called from life. Mrs. Chalfant is still residing on the home farm, is in good financial circumstances, and enjoys the esteem of many friends. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which faith she was reared by her parents, who were members of that church for many years. A brother, John Chalfant, of Missouri, is the only living member of the family.
PETER WINEBRENNER, honse painter, of Middlebury, Ind. The name of this gentleman bears an excellent reputation for thoroughness and skill as well as for good taste and much artistic ability. He comes of thrifty German stock, for his paternal grandfather came from the Fatherland to America and began tilling the soil in Blair county, Penn. His son, Andrew, father of Peter Winebrenner, was born on his father's farm in Blair county, Penn., August 17, 1818, on which he obtained a practical insight into the details of agriculture, and in the vicinity of which he secured a fair education in the common schools. Upon attaining manhood, April 11, 1836, he was married to Miss Anna Hoover, whose father, David Hoover, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, but afterward, in 1846, became a resident of Noble county, Ind. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Winebrenner resulted in the birth of fourteen children: Martin, David, Henry, Ellen, Levi, Nancy, Peter, Adaline, Celeste, Donald, Sarah, Agnes and two that died in childhood. Mr. Winebrenner moved to Noble county, Ind., in 1846, and settled on a tract of wild land, which he converted into a good farm after much hard labor. In 1863 he engaged in the drug business in Ligonier, an occupation he continued for seven years, then settled at Lawrence, Kan. After a short time he moved to southwest Missouri, but later returned to the Hoosier State and took up his residence in Huntington county, where he died in 1888. His career throughout life was marked by industry, and for many years he had been an earnest member of the Christian Church, and all his lifetime, from the time he attained his majority until his earthly career ended, was in sympathy with the Republican party. Five of his sons served in the Union army during the Civil war: Martin, in Company A, David in Company D, Peter in Company D, of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and Henry in Company C, Eighty-eighth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, of which Levi was also a member. Henry was wounded at Chickamauga and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and Levi died from the hardships incident to army life in January, 1864. Peter Winebrenner was born and reared on his father's farm in Noble county, Ind., his birth occurring January 10, 1848, but his education, which he was securing in the common schools near his home, was cut short by his enlisting, November 3, 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment of Indiana Volun- teer Infantry at Kendallville, at which time he was but fifteen years and ten months old. His regiment did garrison duty at Nashville, Tenn., until the close of the war and he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Ind. Notwithstanding his youth
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he made a good soldier, and in June, 1865, was commissioned sergeant. Upon returning home he attended school a short time, after which he began learning the trade of a house painter, to which occupation he has given his attention up to the present time. In 1867 he espoused Miss Ellen Pake, and to them two children were born: Anna and Clara. His second union was consummated on the 22d of August, 1880, at which time Lydia, danghter of Matthias and Maria (Huston) Goodyear, born in Knox county, Ohio, January 11, 1838, became his wife. Mr. Goodyear was born in Crawford county, Ohio, December 28, 1836, on a farm and came of German parents, for his father, Andrew Goodyear, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1804, served three years in the German army. He married Catherine Graftsmiller and together they came to the United States in 1827, settled in Crawford county on land on which he died December 23, 1889. Andrew Goodyear was a substantial farmer of Crawford county, became wealthy and reached the age of eighty-one years. A family of twelve children were born to him as follows: Christopher, Andrew, Louisa, Matthias, John, Catherine, Caroline, Mary, Barbara, Christena, Daniel and Lueza. Matthias became a resident of La Grange county, Ind., in 1860, and after residing on a farm there for a few years he took up his residence in Clinton township, Elkhart county, where he still resides. He is the father of six children whose names are as follows: Lida E., Andrew, Mary M., John W., Viola B. and Effie A. Both Mr. Good- year and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is both deacon and elder. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Winebrenner have a daughter, Viva E Mr. Winebrenner made his home in Ligonier until January, 1881, when he moved to Middlebury, where his home has since been. As a painter and decorator Mr. Winebrenner's work is decidedly artistic and he is a skillful and practical work- man, who is highly recommended by architects and builders. He owns a good house and lot in the town and he and Mrs. Winebrenner are highly esteemed as citizens. He has held the office of justice of the peace four years, is a member of the G. A. R. , and is a charter member of O. and M. Foster Post, No. 172, of which he was com- mander for one year. He and his wife worship in the Lutheran Church, in which he holds the positions of deacon and trustee.
GEORGE A. THOMAS, Ph. G. is probably the youngest man in Elkhart, Ind., who is personally conducting a business of his own. His qualifications for managing his own business are such that he is not dependent upon others to manage it for him. Though young, he is full of energy, business qualifications, and thoroughly fitted for the calling he has undertaken. Mr. Thomas has spent nearly all the years of his life in Elkhart and is a favorite in both social and business circles. He was born in Goshen, Ind., December 22, 1857, to Dr. W. H. Thomas, whose sketch appears in this work, and gradnated with honors from the Elkhart High School, after which he served a thorough apprenticeship in the drug store of J. G. Wise. Succeeding this he went to Chicago and entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy, which institution is one of the finest in existence, and from which he gradnated at the end of two years. During this time he was also employed in the drug store of F. N. Jamison, but upon graduating in 1890, came immediately to Elkbart, and after remaining with E. W. Forbes for a time, he purchased the fine drug store which he now owns and conducts on the corner of Main street and Tyler avenue, opposite the soldiers' monument. His establishment is one of the neatest and coziest in the city, and instead of laying out his money for fancy furni- ture, he expended it in fitting himself for his profession, and the returns show the wisdom of his choice. He is the only graduate in phramacy in the city. He carries a full line of fresh drugs and chemicals, and is constantly receiving new perfumes, toilet articles, etc. Everything pertaining to a first-class drug store can be found here, and he is especially skillful in putting up prescriptions. Night calls are very promptly attended to and every reasonable effort is put forth to meet the demands of the trade. His establishment is very favorably located, and is exceedingly well adapted to its present use, while its equipments in every department are complete.
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He is a progressive young man of affairs, and socially is a member of the K. of P. and the Order of Red Men.
ANDREW J. GREENWOOD. In scanning the lives and careers of the citizens of Clay township, it is pleasant to note the exercise of enterprise in every walk of life, and the achievement of success in every department of business. This one is enabled to discern in the career of Mr. Greenwood, who has for many years been a successful farmer and carpenter of St. Joseph county. He was born in Cumber- land county, Penn., October 3, 1836, son of William and Susan (Pancake) Green- wood, the former's birth occurring in Cumberland county also, on September 27, 1809. A considerable portion of his youth was spent in learning the wagon maker's trade, and for thirty years he was engaged in the manufacture of wagons and agri- cultural implements in his native county. During his residence there he was first lieutenant of the Cumberland Guards. His father, John Greenwood, was born in England about the year 1781, and when a child of three years was brought to this country by his parents, who settled in the city of Philadelphia. Here John was reared and learned the shoemakers' trade, to which occupation hie attention was devoted for many years. He was married to a Miss Ferguson, a relative of Major Ferguson, who was killed at King's Mountain during the Revolutionary war. To them seven children were born, five sons and two daughters. John Greenwood died at the home of his son William, abont 1850, his wife's death having occurred about seven years prior to that time. In the spring of 1857 William Greenwood removed to Ohio, and after three years' residence in the vicinity of Worcester, removed to Ashland county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm. He afterwards lived in Richland county, and May 7, 1888, died in Independence, Ohio. His widow survives him and resides in Independence, having become the mother of seven children: Andrew J., Henrietta, Adaline, Van Buren (deceased), Ann, Emma and William. Andrew J. Greenwood was reared in his native State, and during his youth learned to make wagons and plows in his father's manufacturing establish- ment. When twenty-one years of age he removed to Ohio, and in the spring of 1858, came to St. Joseph county, landing in South Bend on the 22d of June of that year. He worked at the carpenter's trade with undoubted success for about thirty years after coming to this county, and many of the finest residences and barns in this section are the monuments of his skill and thorongh knowledge of his calling. In 1862 he located in German township, where he bought some land and made his home during the years that he devoted to his trade. In 1860 he went with a party of twelve to Colorado; crossing the plains overland to Pike's Peak, where he engaged in mining. He was married October 31, 1861, to Permelia Longley, born April 2, 1836, in Madison township, St. Joseph county, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Ruple) Longley, natives of Somerset county, Penn., and pioneers of St. Joseph county, becoming residents of Madison township in 1833. In 1888 Mr. Greenwood settled on the farm where he now resides in Clay township, which consists of 120 acres of well improved land. They not only enjoy a com- fortable competency, but the friendship of all who know them, and are honored residents of the section in which they have so long made their home. They are members of the German Baptist Church, and Mr. Greenwood is a Democrat polit- ically. He and his wife are the parents of six children: Charles (deceased), Grace, Gertrude, May, Homer C. and Eva, the living members of which family do credit to the parents who reared them.
THE two Pfeiffer brothers and their descendants. Jacob Pfeiffer, Sr., was a na- tive of Bavaria, Germany. His father settled in the village of Mühlbach, having formerly lived in another portion of Bavaria. He had two sons and two daughters: Philip, Jacob, Elizabeth and Catharine. Philip and Jacob immigrated to America in 1833. They moved in private conveyance through France to Havre de Grace, from which place they sailed for New York. From New York. being on the way thirty-six days, they traveled by steamer and canal boat via Albany, Buffalo and
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Cleveland to Massilon, Ohio, thence to Wooster, and finally settled on a new farm in Chester township, Wayne Co., Ohio. The two sisters married and remained in Germany, where they both died. In 1845, Jacob sold his share of the farm for $1,200, and moved with his family to Elkhart county, Ind. He settled on eighty acres of timbered land in Section 33, Middlebury township, where he built a log house and commenced to clear up a farm. In June, 1851, his honse burned with all his goods. He then settled ou another eighty acres near by, and this he sold in 1865 for $5,000. From this time until his death he lived with his children. He died at the residence of his oldest son in 1874, in his seventy-fourth year. Before he moved to America he was married to Elizabeth Knapp, who preceded him to her final rest. She was the daughter of Henry Knapp, of Muhlbach, Bavaria, and was the oldest of sixteen children. Mr. Pfeiffer was a Democrat, although he never took an active part in politics. Both he and his wife were, all their lives, members of the Lutheran Church. They had ten children. Of these, Jacob, Philipine, Caro- line and Frederick were born in Germany. The other six: Elizabeth, Henry, Christian, Philip and William, and one who died in infancy, were born in Wayne county, Ohio. Jacob Pfeiffer, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was born November 2, 1826, in the village of Muhlbach, Bavaria, Germany. He came to America with his parents in 1833, when in his seventh year, aud remembers quite distinctly when they all left the old country and can relate a great many interesting circumstances that took place during the trip. At an early age he was put to work at clearing the land upon which his parents had settled, and in order to help the family make a liv- ing. For this reason his school education was very limited. Yet by means of hard work and perseverance, with such books as he could get, he managed to acquire a tolerably good education for those days, and when he grew to manhood he taught several terms of school. In 1855 he was married to Susanna Stiver, daughter of John B. Stiver, formerly written Stover. John B. Stiver was a grandson of Casper Stiver, who served in the Revolutionary war. Casper Stiver's father came from Germany and was the first Lutheran minister in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Pfeiffer have in their possession a large German Bible which was published in 1710, and which the old pioneer preacher brought from Germany. Jacob Pfeiffer, Jr., has three children: Ella J. was born March 12, 1856. She married Nicholas Pickrell, who died in 1876, leaving two children, Clyde E. and Edna I. Seven years after Mr. Pickrell's death she was married to Thomas P. Artley, by whom she has four children. Amanda C. was born April 9, 1860, and is the wife of David F. Cartwell, by whom she has two children. William H. was born December 12, 1864; married Emma Schrock and has one child. He is also a farmer. Jacob Pfeiffer has followed farming the greater part of his life, and at one time had over 400 acres of land, but he has sold off and divided among his children until he has only 136 acres left, which is farmed by a tenant. Mr. Pfeiffer has purchased a handsome residence in the village of Middlebury, where he now lives as a retired farmer. He and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church, of Goshen, Ind. He was raised a Democrat and voted the Democratic ticket until the organ- ization of the Republican party, since which time he has been a Republican. He has served as constable, township assessor eight years, and appraiser of real estate three terms. During the war, 1861 to 1865, he was enrolling officer for Mid- dlebury township, and helped to organize several military companies and contrib- uted in many ways for the prosecution of the war. Of Mr. Pfeiffer's brothers and sisters, Philipine died at the age of five years, soon after coming with her parents to America. Caroline was married to Pickrell, by whom she had seven children: Jacob F., Ida E., Henrietta, Lewis, Frank G., Frederick C. and Willard. Mrs. Pickrell died in 1873. Frederick Pfeiffer married Mary Flory and resides in Middlebury; they have no children. Elizabeth was married in 1861, to Moses Bartholomew, and died June 29, 1888. She had five children: Henry S. K., Nevada E., Ella M., Clara V. and Cora V. The latter died when one year old. Henry Pfeiffer enlisted
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in the Union army and served four years. He took part in many important engage- ments and was with Sherman in the celebrated march to the sea. After the war he married Sarah Millington, they had two children, Edward O. and Clara. He died in April, 1874. Christian, Philip and William were burned to death when their father's house was destroyed by fire in 1851 Philip Pfeiffer (brother of Jacob), died on the farm where he first moved when he came to America, at the age of sixty- two years. He was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte and served two years. He raised quite a large family, most of whom still live in Wayne county, Ohio, where they first settled.
G. FRANK KIEFER. One of the successful agricultorists of Clay township, St. Joseph Co., Ind., who is as conspicnous for his modest and retiring nature as for his intelligence and ability, is he whose name is at the head of this sketch Although his farm comprises but ninety-eight acres, it is a part of the old homestead and is so admirably tilled and every detail so carefully and intelligently looked after, that it is much more profitable than many other larger farms. Mr. Kiefer is a native of Clay township, his birth occurring February 2, 1858, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Protsman) Kiefer, the birth of the former taking place in Germany, July 8, 1818. He was a son of Peter Kiefer, who came to America in 1825, settling in Stark county, Ohio, and a few years later in St. Joseph county, being among the pioneers of Harris township. John Kiefer was married in Michigan to Elizabeth Protsman, a native of Ohio, and after their marriage they located on the homestead in Harris township, and during the thirties purchased a farm in Clay township, on which the son, G. Frank Kiefer, now lives. At the time of Mr. Kiefer's settlement the only improvement which had been made on the place was a small log cabin, and on him devolved the clearing and cultivation of the farm, and in this he was remark- ably successful, and made one of the finest farms in the conuty, well improved with substantial and commodious buildings. Here he made his home until his death, January 24, 1892, his wife's death having taken place September 23, 1881. They were the parents of eight children: Jacob H., Eliza A., John W., D. Wesley, D. Cyrns, G. Frauk, and Harvey, and Clara who died in infancy. The eldest son, Jacob H., enlisted in Company D, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1862, and took part in all the engagements in which his regiment participated. He was taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville, where he died from starvation and exposure. G. Frank Kiefer was reared in Clay township, and in the schools of the same was educated. He was married March 26, 1884, to Millie L. Young, who was born March 5, 1860, in Harris township, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Kocher) Young. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer has resulted in the birth of one child: Ethel May, who was born in South Bend, Ind., Angust 25, 1885, and ie an intelli- gent and promising child. Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a stanch Republican.
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