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 41

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 41
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 41

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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

at that time. At the age of twenty-one years he obligated himself to care for his parents during their life time in consideration of the eighty acres in the homestead and gave them one-third of the profits of the land in cash. For several years he had s hard time, and at one time, after his marriage, being in need of more land, he offered the eighty acres for $800 without finding a purchaser. He afterward sold the same for double the amount. In 1853 be purchased 150 acres of land and the following year settled on the same, where he still resides. He has since added to this land until he now owns 225 acres. Mr. Eaton was trustee of Clay township for sixteen years and has been county commissioner seven years, being elected on the Democrat ticket, which he has always supported. At his last election he received 800 votes majority and is now acting as president of the board. He is the eldest resident of Clay township at the present time, and is one of her most highly honored citizens. He was married August 6, 1846, to Elizabeth Barnes, who was born on October 27, 1820, in Frederick county, Md., she being a daughter of John E. and Hannah (Yates) Barnes, the former a native of Virginis and the latter of the same. John Barnes settled in Penn township, St. Joseph county, in 1837 and afterward removed to Berrien, Marion Co., Mich., where his death occurred. His first wife died before he came to Indiana, and before his death he had married three times, all of his wives dying before he did. The following children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Eston: Emma S., Edwin D. and Johanna W. living, and Clarissa M., Amelis A., Norman E. and Mark D. deceased. The three living, reside at home., Mr. Eaton sttended school four winters after coming to Indiana, each term lasting three months, all of which were conducted on the subscription plan and were held in log cabins, consequently his advantages for gaining an education were not of the best, but be is, nevertheless, one of the most intelligent men of the county. There were but five families residing in Clay township at the time the Eatons located here, and were scattered along the St. Joseph River, where they could have access to the springs.

CORNELIUS A. FRENCH. The inventive genius of this progressive age has found one of its most fertile fields in devising implements designed to lighten the labor of the agricultorist; and the progressive farmer of the day is provided with ma- chines which, to a great extent, relieve him from heavy manual labor. Among the prominent dealers in this line of business is the firm of Neff & French, which, in addition to a large stock of agricultural implements, shelf and heavy hardware, tin roofing and spouting, make a specialty of the Osborn & Milwakey binder, Imperial plow. Flying Dutchman sulky plow, Standard mower, Nappanee buggy and road wagon and the Steel Star wind mill. The business house of the firm is 31x132 feet, affording ample accommodation for their increasing business, and the members of the firm are fully alive to the times and are vigilant to watch all details. The bnsi- ness was established in 1891 and from the first the trade was excellent. Mr. French was born April 5, 1851, in Saratoga county, N. Y., and his father, Cyrus French, was a native of the same county, born in 1819. The grandfather, George E. French, wss s native of Massachusetts, born in 1785, and was of good old Puritan stock. He was a blacksmith by trade and at an early dste moved to New York State where his desth occurred in 1862. He was a noted man of his time. In politics be affil- isted with the Democratic party. The four children born to his marriage were named as follows: Sarah, still a resident of New York State; Hiram, died in 1858; Malinda, still living, and Cyrus. The latter, the father of our subject, was a black- smith by trade, and followed thst business up to the time of his death, February 20, 1860. In politics he was first s "Know Nothing," but later an Anti-Slavery Demo- crat. In his choice of a life companion he selected Miss Phoebe J. Stancliff, who was born in 1818 and who was the daughter of Louis M. and Jane (Gillis) Stan- cliff. Her mother was born in Scotland and the father was reared by a Scotch lady. The latter served in the Revolutionary war. After the death of her husband, Mrs. French removed to Indiana, settling in Elkhart county, Jefferson township, on a farm

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of 500 acres, known as the Stancliff farm, and there reared her family of eight children, as follows: Alma J., now Mrs. S. J. Smith, of Jefferson township; Al- mira L., wife of Anthony C. Manning, of Elkhart City; George E. died April 25, 1877; Louis J., residing in Emmet county, Mich. ; Seth died at three years; Covert died when one year of age, and Phebe J., died when four years of age. Mrs. French was highly respected by all acquainted with her. Her death occurred on June 20, 1874. The original of this notice remained with his mother on the farm until 1874, when he married Miss Sally M. Ashley. Shortly afterward he moved to Elkhart, thence to Goshen and finally, in 1881, to Nappanee, where for some time he was engaged in carrying on a meat market. Later he embarked in the hardware business with Mr. Neff, and this he has since continued. He is a member of the city council, bearing in part the great responsibility of its present manage- . ment, that of instituting a complete system of water-works, electric light, etc. He takes an active part in all public enterprises and is one of the representative men of the city. A Republican in politics, he is loyal to his party and an ardent sup- porter of its platform. His wife is a native of the Buckeye State, born June 14, 1853, and the daughter of Rev. Jonas and Polly (McGee) Ashley. She was reared on a farm in Cass county, Mich., and was one of twelve children, nine of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. French had born to their marriage four children, as follows: Edith L., Ardella L., Phebe B. and Cyrus J.

D. A. LEHMAN. D. A. Lehman, founder of the Lehman Medicine Company, was originally from the Buckeye State, born in Williams county, June 4, 1843, and is the son of Benjamin and Susan (Spitnole) Lehman. Benjamin Lehman was born in Lancaster county, Penn., to the marriage of Daniel and Esther (Burkholder) Lehman, and was of German descent, his father being a native of the old country. Grandfather Lehman came to America with his parents at an early day, settled in Lancaster county, Penn., and there married, and reared a family of nine children, as follows: John, Jacob, Mary, Benjamin (father of subject), Solomon, Abraham, Samnel, Anna and Nancy. The father of these children moved from Pennsylvania to Williams county, Ohio, when that county was but sparsely settled, located on a farm, and became well known as a substantial and wealthy farmer. He was con- nected with the Mennonite Church, in which he was an active worker, and in politics was a Republican. Of his children six are living in Ohio. one in Illinois and two in Elkhart county, Ind. Nancy married Jacob Christophel. The mother of the above-mentioned children was a pious woman and one widely and favorably known for her many estimable qualities. Benjamin Lehman left Ohio and came to Indiana in 1853, settling on a farm of 120 acres in Elkhart conuty, where he resides at the present time. His farm has been greatly improved and is one of the best in the township. In religious and educational matters Mr. Lehman takes a decided interest, and he is public-spirited and enterprising. He is a member of the Mennonite church, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He married Miss Susan Spitnole, a native of Maryland, who was left an orphan at an early age and who was reared by the family of Joseph Myers, in Putnam county, Ohio, with whom she lived until her marriage. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lehman, viz .: Daniel A. (subject), Fanny (who is living with her father on the old home place), Joseph S. (practicing medicine in Erie county, N. Y., and a mar- ried man), David (a farmer of Marshall county, Ind., died in 1887), Hattie A. (wife of B. F. Letherman, of Marshall county, Ind.), Jacob (married, and resides on the old homestead), Menno (single, a music teacher, resides in Elkhart county), and George W. (a school teacher). The mother of the above-mentioned children is now deceased. The eldest of this family, Daniel A. Lehman, came with his father to Elkhart county, Ind., at an early day, and received a good practical education. When eighteen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed this for seventeen years, after which he took up the study of medicine as a manufacturing chemist. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Culp, a native of

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Mahoning county, Ohio, born in 1844, and the daughter of Anthony and Susan (Bixler) Culp. She came to Elkhart county, Ind., with her parents, in pioneer days, and was here married. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leh- man, as follows: Henry B. and Susan U. (twins), born November 18, 1867; Albert A., born July 5, 1869; Solomon E., born September 24, 1871; David F., born August 10, 1874; Lydia A. and Joseph M. (twins), born July 28, 1877, and Mar- tha M., born Angust 16, 1883. Henry, the eldest of these children, married Miss Catherine Cook, and resides in Kansas City, Mo. He is professor of penmanship in Spaulding's Commercial College. Susan U. married Joseph Hamshire, and has three living children, Frank, Mary and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman are active members of the Mennonite Church, and he is superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was at one time elected a member of the city council, but resigned. He is interested in all worthy movements or anything that benefits the community. In politics he is & Prohibitionist.

REV. VALENTINE CZYZEWSKI, C. S. C., is a native of the Talkinny Government, Survalki, Russian Poland, his birth occurring on February 14, 1846, & son of Joseph and Eve (Zylinski) Czyzewski. The subject of this sketch was partly educated in his native Poland, but completed his knowledge of the "world of books" in that famous institution of learning, Notre Dame University. On January 28, 1876, he was ordained a priest, and was placed in charge of St. Joseph's par- ish, but in 1879 the church was blown down. He, with characteristic energy, immediately began the erection of a new place of worship, which is now called St. Hedwige's, located at 331 South Scott street, South Bend, Ind. Rev. Czyzewski's boyhood days were spent on a farm, and for two years he was employed in official work, which experience was of great benefit to him. Upon his first arrival in the United States he turned his attention to farming and black- smithing as a means of livelihood, by which means he saved enough money to enable him to enter school, and, being intelligent and apt, he was soon the master of the English language, which enabled him to assist in teaching while attending school at Notre Dame. Since his pastorate in South Bend he has not allowed the work of the church to be at a standstill, either spiritually or practically. He has made himself familiar with the various phases of life to which his parishioners are born and reared, hence he is in peculiar sympathy with them and well qualified to be the leader of his flock. He has built up four churches and two school- houses, ie active in good work, conscientions in the discharge of his duty, and is deservedly popular with his congregation.

JOHN H. QUIGG is the oldest citizen in point of residence now living in Misha- waka, Ind., and in the history of the late Civil war he did not bear an unimportant part in that eventful struggle. He is descended from the "Canny Scot," for the early membere of his family removed from Scotland to Ireland with a colony of people. The maternal grandfather came from the Emerald Isle and was of Irish descent. He settled in Kentucky, became a soldier of the Revolution, and later took part in the War of 1812. Henry Quigg, father of John H. Quigg, was a farmer of Wayne county, Ind., on the border line between Indiana and Ohio and there converted a tract of woodland into a well-cultivated farm. He was married to Amanda Ireland, by whom he became the father of the following children: Sarah, who died after her marriage; John H. and Armilda. Henry Quigg died at the age of forty-four years, having been an industrious, honorable and respected citizen. John H. Quigg was born on his father's farm November 25, 1830, and received such educational advantages as were bestowed upon the youth of his day. He was left fatherless at the age of three years and in 1833 wae brought by his mother to Mishawaka and here began the battle of life for himself by doing such odd jobs as came in his way. At the age of eighteen years he became a deck hand on the steamer "Algoma," which plied from the mouth of the St. Joseph River to Three Rivers, Mich., and afterward worked on the steamer "Michigan," continuing this

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work for eight seasons. He next became a clerk in a grocery store and after a time opened a stationery and dry goods establishment in a small way, which business gradually prospered. In 1857 he married Mrs. Ida A. Mix, daughter of John Julian, a resident of Oswego, N. Y., and after his marriage he settled with his wife in Mishawaka and continued his business pursuits. In 1862 he was appointed by the United States Government, provost marshal, in which capacity be served until 1864, during which time he was actively employed and did good work, meeting with some stirring adventures with bounty jumpers and deserters. On May 16, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the service as second lieutenant, serving faithfully until October, when he was honorably discharged on account of severe illness. He was taken ill at Stephenson, Ala., and laid for two weeks in a freight house at Anderson, Tenn., and as he had no care his was considered a hopeless case. However, his naturally good constitution triumphed, and upon convalescing he returned home with his regiment and wae mustered out of the service at Indianapo- lis. After some time spent in clerking, he opened a grocery establishment of his own in 1876 and in 1879 added a stock of dry goods and became associated with H. G. Beemer, now of Canada, an old resident of Mishawaka, and the firm was known as Quigg & Beemer and soon held an enviable position in popular favor. He is now one of the prosperous business men of the town and carries a stock of goods valued at from $12,000 to $15,000, his being the only dry goods house of the place. Mr. Quigg has been a Mason since 1854 and is a member of Mishawaka Lodge, No. 130. He has always been a Democrat and before the war was a strong anti-slavery man. He served very acceptably in the capacity of deputy sheriff for eight years and at the same time was provost marshal. He is one of the well-known men of the county and during his almost life-long residence at Mishawaka he has stood deservedly high in the estimation of the public and has numerous warm friends. His wife, an estimable and intelligent lady, is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

SAMUEL LEEPER, one of the well-known and prominent residents of South Bend, Ind., owes bis nativity to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he was born on the 10th of December, 1862. to Samuel and Susan (Metzger) Leeper, the former of whom was a pioneer of South Bend, and is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and the latter a native of Stark county, Ohio, born on the 16th of June, 1832, daughter of Sebastian Metzger, whose native birthplace was Alsace, France. Samuel Leeper has been a resident of St. Joseph county since be was about one year old, and in the public schools of South Bend he obtained his literary education, the old homestead being located adjacent to the town. He passed his earlier years in following the occu- patioos which usually fall to the lot of the farmer boy, and until 1888 assisted in tilling the home farm, then decided that other occupations would suit him better, and in company with James D. Reid he established a brick manufactory, which is now carried on by bim under the firm name of Leeper & Reid. Mr. Reid retired from the firm in January, 1892. The plant consists of the latest improved machinery, with a capacity of turning out 60,000 pressed brick per day, which gives employment to about fifty men. The annual output is about five millions, and as he is & manu- facturer of the soundest judgment and marked executive capacity, he is specially qualified to guide aright such important interests as these. On the 9th of January, 1888, he was married to Miss Della M. Earl, who was born on the 16th of July, 1866, in Michigan, a daughter of David and Elsa (Relyea) Earl, natives of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Leeper are the parents of two children: Lena Leota, born October 6, 1889, and Kittie, born November 11, 1891. Mr. Leeper is a member in good standing of those worthy organizations, the K. of P. and Elks, and in politics is a Republican. The business with which he is connected is deserving of success, its product being preferred by the best class of trade, and Mr. Leeper may be considered an expert in all that concerns brick making.

Omlet. Chamberlain.

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JOHN J. SCHINDLER is a well known official of Penn township, St. Joseph Co., Ind., and a son of Andrew Schindler, who was born in Baden, Germany, but who, in 1848, became a resident of the United States (at which time he was but sixteen years of age) and for some time thereafter he worked at the tailor's trade in Buffalo, N. Y. Upon reaching manhood Andrew Schindler was married to Miss Rosa Kuhn, a native of Switzerland, and a family of eight children was given to them, four of whom died young, and fonr lived to maturity: John J., Andrew J., William N. and Joseph J. Mr. Schindler and his family resided in Buffalo until 1864, when he removed to Dunkirk, N. Y., where his home continued to be until 1869, during which time he was successfully engaged in the hotel business. In that year Misha- waka became his home, and on Main street he opened a grocery and hotel, and by the exercise of much energy and by careful management he accumulated a sub- stantial property. He died August 25, 1879, at the age of forty-nine years, an earnest member of the Catholic Church, of which his wife was also a member. John J. Schindler was born at Buffalo, N. Y., February 11, 1851, and received a good commercial education in St. Joseph Academy, of his native city. After coming to Mishawaka, at the age of twelve years he entered the service of his uncles, the Kuhn Bros., proprietors of the St. Joseph Flouring Mills, and continued with them for eight years, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the details of the flouring business. After the death of his father, he assumed the management of the hotel and grocery establishment, and successfully conducted both until 1879, when he engaged in the same business for himself and followed it until 1887, in addition to which he also did a general fire insurance business, was a steamship agent, and con- ducted a foreign exchange. In 1876 he was a notary public and conveyancer, in which office he continued until elected township trustee in 1888, by a majority of five votes. In 1890 he was re-elected by a majority of 419 votes, which would indi- cate that he has filled the office to the general satisfaction of the people. He was also admitted as an attorney in the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, in 1880, and by his untiring efforts he has had the best of success in securing pen- sions, bounty and war claims generally, which have brought relief to many an ex- soldier, his widow, or dependent relatives, and have earned for him many warm and lasting friends. He is secretary of the county board of education, has taken an active interest in the cause of education and organized the township libraries in the district schools, besides introducing the first books for these libraries, which are now in a flourishing condition, there being now over two thousand in circulation. The school at Osceola contains over four hundred volumes, and it is not unusual for the other districts of the township to have two hundred volumes in their libraries. The power for good wielded by these libraries, and the lasting influence they produce, can not be overestimated. In 1887 Mr. Schindler bought his present property of Dr. Van Pelt, consisting of a commodious residence and lot. He has largely increased his insurance business, and now represents twenty-five leading companies: the Royal, of Liverpool, England; The North British & Mercantile, of London and Edinboro; The Liverpool & London & Globe, of England; The Ætna, of Hartford, Conn. ; Continental, of New York, and the Girard, of Philadelphia, being the principal onee. He also represents eight steamship companies, and issues letters of credit and bills of exchange on all the principal cities of Europe. His wife holds the office of notary public. They were married May 20, 1879, Mrs. Schindler's maiden name being Christina Fierstos, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Fierstos. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schindler: Aloysius J., born May 4, 1880; John W., born November 7, 1884, and Clara M., born October 26, 1887. Mr. Schindler is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, a benevolent and insur- ance company. He is a stanch Democrat, and he and his wife are devout Catholics. He possesses many noble traits of character, is entirely self-made, and owes his success in life, and the high estimation in which he is held by all who know him, to his manly course through life. He is interested in all good causes, and is one of 17

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the public-spirited men of Mishawaka. His integrity is above question, and the fine property of which he is the owner, has been well earned. Besides his residence property he owns & one-third interest in the St. Joseph Flouring Mills, and a busi- ness block in the town, in connection with his brothers, all of whom reside in Mish- awaka except Andrew, who is a machinist of Chicago. Mrs. Schindler's father and mother came from Germany, the former becoming a farmer near Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, where they reared the following children: Elizabeth, Mary, Lena, Theress, Martin, Joseph, George, Caroline, Christina and Mena.

SAMUEL A. HILLIER is the very efficient and trusted secretary and treasurer of the South Bend Lumber Company, and owes his nativity to Burlington, N. J., where he was born October 30, 1850, to Richard A. and Frances (Stoll) Hillier, the mother being a native of Switzerland. Richard Hillier was born on the ocean while his parents were en route for America on a visit, but until he was about eighteen years of age he resided in England, and there obtained his scholastic education, although the practical part of his knowledge was obtained after his removal to America. He first settled in Philadelphia, where he conducted a shoe store for a number of years. Here he was married to Frances Stoll, who had come to this country with her par- ents at the age of nine years. A few years after his marriage Mr. Hillier removed to Burlington, N. J., where he at first devoted his attention to the shoe bnsi- ness, but not long afterward engaged in the real estate business, which he followed until his death, being classed among the successful business men in his line of his day. He was called from life in the month of March, 1872, his widow surviving him until October, 1890, when she too was called from this life. They were the parents of nine children: Harry, Joseph, Richard, Samuel, Anns, Fannie, Emelia, Maggie, Louisa. The subject of this sketch remained in his native town until he was eighteen years of age, then came to South Bend, and having been apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, he entered the employ of George Gore to complete the same, and at the expiration of two years began working for himself, continuing for about one year. Following this he began contracting and fulfilled bis contracts in such a manner that he became very well and favorably known. He carried on this business with success for seven years, but in January, 1880, formed a partnership with W. R. Boyd, under the firm name of Boyd & Hillier. and en- gaged in the lumber business in connection with operating a planing-mill, in which business he is still engaged. The business is now conducted under the firm name of the South Bend Lumber Company, of which Mr. Hillier is secretary and treas- urer. He is proving the right man in the right place, for he is faithful, industrious, painstaking and honest. The business is conducted on sound commercial princi- ples, and as their prices are based an a scale of strict moderation, satisfaction is at all times assured. Mr. Hillier is a gentleman of rare business ability and the high- est standing and is undoubtedly one of the leaders in his line of work in the city of South Bend. On the 8th of February, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Elder, who was born January 7, 1851, in South Bend, s daughter of John and Emily (Sweet) Elder, the former a native of Scotland and latter a native of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Hillier are the parents of five children: Ada, Edith, Forest, Glenn, Samuel D. In addition to his business in South Bend and his residence property, Mr. Hillier owns a half interest in a farm of 105 acres, south of the city limits, which is a valuable property. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and in politics is a Republican. He has brought a wide range of practical experience to bear upon the lumber business and is proportionately prosperous.

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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 41

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

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