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 42

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 42
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 42

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).

BARNEY C. SMITH. The creditsble condition of mercantile life in South Bend, Ind., is due in a great extent to the enterprise, energy and intelligence of her prominent merchants and manufacturers. Among these may be mentioned the firm of Smith & Jackson, dealers in saeh, doors, blinds and lumber, and these gentlemen have built up a trade of extensive proportions, and an enviable reputation for strictly honorable dealings on all occasions. They are located in convenient and suitable

277

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

premisea that are appropriately fitted up and they keep in stock every description of lumber in their line, which they are compelled to do by the heavy demands made upon them. Mr. Smith is & native of Germany where he was born in 1854, and when one year old he was brought by his parents, Jacob and Catherine (Beach) Smith, to the United States and with them located on a farm near South Bend, on which place the father died in 1869. On this farm Barney C. Smith was reared and during his boyhood many days of hard labor were spent in clearing land and tilling the soil. In 1875 he took up his residence in South Bend and until he engaged in busi- ness for himself worked in a planing-mill belonging to N. Jackson, during which time he became familiar with the lumber business in all its phases and was well prepared to take upon himself the duties of that business when he did so. On the 30th of April, 1879, he was married to Miss Julia (Kimball) Harmon, widow of Edwin Harmon and daughter of Freeman Kimball. She is the mother of one child by her first husband, Cora Harmon, and she and Mr. Smith have an adopted daughter, taken from the Orphan's Home in 1885, and who is now eleven years of age. Mrs. Smith is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Smith is a member of the K. of P. and Uniform Rank.

JOHN S. INKS, M. D. The value to any community of a professional man is not marked merely by his learning and skill, his proficiency in medical and surgical practice, but also by his character, both private and professional, his honorable ad- herence to medical ethics and his personal integrity and benevolence of purpose. When a physician combines these characteristics it is with pleasure that we record his life work, and such a man do we find in Dr. John S. Inks. This gentleman, who is one of the prominent physicians of Elkhart county, has been practicing the healing art in the town of Nappanee for the last four years, and his skill and signal success in this calling are well known. He was the eldest child born to the union of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moore) Inks (the father of one of the pioneers of Elkhart county), and in addition to a common-school education, he attended high school at Bristol, Ind., Elkhart and Mishawaka Normal and the Valparaiso Institute. He subsequently attended the Chicago Medical College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated from the same in the year 1884. The same year he began practicing in and continued there until 1888, when he removed to Nappanee, of which city he has been a resident since. He has ever been public spirited and is interested in all enterprises for the advancement and progress of the city. He is a member of the State and district medical association, and has obtained a position placing him in the front rank of the medical fraternity. The political views of the Doctor have brought him into affiliation with the Democratic party and he is an earnest upholder of its principles and policy. For a number of years he was a resident of St. Joseph county, Ind., and while a resident of the same he held the office of justice of the peace thirteen years. During that time he taught school thirteen terms and was well known as one of the most popular educators of the county. The marriage of Dr. Inks with Miss Mary E. Yant took place in 1869, and to them have been given three interesting children, as follows; Henrietta, now Mrs. Gore, is the mother of one child, Agnes; Charles, who is now sixteen years of age is still in school; and Nellie who died at the age of two years. Mrs. Inks ia the daughter of Andrew and Eva (Lower) Yant, early pioneers of Elkhart County. She was born in Ohio and was a small girl when she came with her parents to Elkhart county. Dr. and Mrs. Inks are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and have a pleasant home on West Market street.

THOMAS INKS. England has ever numbered many representatives among the best class of citizens in Indiana. There is a sterling quality about the nationality that particularly fits them for pioneer life and we as Americans are greatly indebted to settlers of English origin for the rapid advancement made in our civilization. The Inks family came originally from England, the first representatives in this country being three brothers, John, William and George, who settled in Pennsyl-

278

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

vania at a period antedating the Revolution, married, and reared large families. John Inka, the grandfather of our subject, was one of these brothers. To his mar- riage eight children, two sons and six daughters, were born, as follows: Thomas, John, Nancy, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Sarah, Parmelia and Eleanor. John, the second in order of birth of these children, all of whom are deceased, was the father of our subject. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1777, and there passed his boyhood and youth. At an early date he emigrated with the rest of the family to Ohio, and was there married to Miss Eleanor Camton, a native of New Jersey, born in 1779, and one of five children: Job, John, Eleanor, Sarah and Nancy, born to the marriage of John Compton. Soon after his marriage John Inks went to Indiana and settled one mile below Benton, in Elkhart county, on Elkhart River. This was in 1828, and the following year he built the first saw mill in the county, and sawed the first lumber. In the fall of that year he returned to Ohio and brought his family to the almost unbroken wilds of Elkhart county. Five years later he moved to Goshen, then a small town, and made his home there until 1840, when he bought a farm near Mil- ford. Later he sold this and moved to Olive township, where he operated a saw-mill until his death in 1853. He was one of the very earliest pioneer citizens and a man of good judgment and sound, practical sense. His wife also passed away in 1853. Their union was blessed by the following children: William, John, Sarah, Ezekiel, Joseph, James, Beecher and Thomas (subject). Mr. Inks was a member of the United Brethren and his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he was a Whig. His children were all born in the Buckeye State, and the older ones were married there. Joseph and Thomas are the only ones living. Thomas Inks was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1823, and attended the subscription schools of that early day. When six years of age he came with his parents to Elk- hart county, Ind., and is now probably one of the oldest pioneers of this county. When twenty-one years of age he started out on his own responsibility, and in 1845 was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Moore, a native of New York State, born in 1825, and the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Anderson) Moore. She was one of a large family, John, Thomas, Hugh, William, Margaret, Mary and Jane. The parents of these children came to the county in pioneer times, and the father died here in 1855 and the mother in 1867. Thomas Inks and wife settled on a farm in this county, and in connection with his farming interest Mr. Inks was engaged in the marble business for many years, being a stone cutter, and has met with fair suc- cess in all his undertakings. During the Rebellion Mr. Inks enlisted in Company K, Thirtieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faith- fully for three years. He was a faithful soldier and ever ready for duty. Some of the principal engagements in which he participated were: Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and the siege of Atlanta. During service his eyesight was injured and he is now almost blind. He was discharged on September 26, 1864, and returned to his home and family. For the past ten years he has retired from the active labors to which he devoted himself after his return from the war, and now lives in the enjoyment of the comfortable home which he owns in Nappanee, where he has resided for the past two years. His marriage resulted in the birth of six children, who are named as follows: John S., one of the leading physicians of Nappanee; Elbridge; Anthony W .; Mary; Emma, and Cora, all living, and four residents of Elkhart county at the present time. In politics Mr. Inks is a Democrat, and he and his wife are worthy and exemplary members of the United Brethren Church. He comes of good old fighting stock, his ancestors serving in the Revolution, his father in the War of 1812 and he himself in the Civil war.

NEWTON JACKSON, wholesale lumber dealer of South Bend. The lumber inter- ests of South Bend, Ind., are second to no other city of the same size in the State, and one of the foremost houses, whose reputation has gone abroad, is that of New- ton Jackson, who has been familiar with the lumber business from early manhood, for his father was for many years engaged in saw-milling about fourteen miles west

279

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

of South Bend, and there young Newton was initiated into the details of lumber. He was born in Senecs county, Ohio, May 9, 1840, but with his parents became a resident of Indiana in 1854, and located on a large tract of timber land in St. Joseph county, which he assisted in clearing. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Eager) Jackson, the former of whom was Scotch and the latter of Irish descent. In 1874 Newton Jackson engaged in the furniture business in Elkhart and Mish- awaka, the house being known as the Mishawaka Furniture Company. Upon mov- ing to South Bend he opened a hard wood lumber yard in this city, and at the same time opened one in Des Moines, Iowa, but closed out the latter yard in 1879, how- ever, continuing business iu South Bend until 1886, when he sold his yard and en- gaged in the wholesale lumber business, which he has conducted in the most satis- factory manner up to the present time. He is an energetic and live business man, well known in commercial and financial circles and does a very large and constantly increasing business. He is a man of unquestioned reputation and is well deserving the success he enjoys. He was married in early manhood to Miss Caroline Deppen, by whom he became the father of four children: Charles H., Ella A., Sibyl and Irwin. The mother of these children died in July, 1877, and on September 19, 1878, he took for his second wife, Miss Ellen Smith who has borne him three chil- dren: Clement, Hallie and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Methodist Church, and are highly respected by the citizens of South Bend. In 1881 Mr. Jackson was elected a county commissioner and filled the duties of this position with great credit for one term. Socially, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

HENRY STAUFFER is the eldest son of that worthy pioneer, Jacob Stauffer, and in his native county, Columbiana, Ohio, he was reared and educated. He was a good scholar, and grew to be a man of sound judgment and a substantial citizen, the worthy follower of such a man as his father. He came with his parents and brother John to Elkhart county, Ind., in 1852, but prior to that time, on October 5, 1850, he had married him a wife in Ohio, her maiden name being Mary A. Winder, who was born in the county in which they were then residing, July 9, 1829. She was a daughter of Joseph and Amy (Taylor) Winder, the former of whom was born in Crawford county, Penn., April 22, 1805, a son of James and Ann (Kirk) Winder. Ann Kirk's parents were Joseph.and Judith (Knight) Kirk, the former a descendant of Roger Kirk. Joseph Winder became one of the early residents of Ohio, and there he followed agricultural pursuits and taught school, being successful in both occupa- tions. He was also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was very active in his field of labor. His wife was born in Crawford county, Penn., and in that State they were married, later moving to Portage county, Ohio, where the father was called from life in 1851, the mother's death occurring at Nappanee in May, 1891. To them ten children were born, seven of whom were reared; Mary A., who died in 1885, was the wife of Henry Stauffer; Sarah A., who is Mrs. Minor, living in Locke township, Elkhart Co., Ind .; Abigail, wife of John Stauffer; James N., who died at the age of three years; Hannah L., who is Mrs. Swartz, of Nappanee; John, who died when yonng; Nancy L., who is living in Ohio; Sophia A., who is deceased, was the wife of Mr. Miller, of Elkhart, her demise occurring in 1874; Samuel is a man of family and is living in Kansas; and Joseph, who is deceased. Mrs. Winder came to Elkhart county about twenty-five years ago and located in Harrison township, of this county, but eventually passed from life in Union township. When Mr. Stauffer came with his people to this section he and his father and brother John put their money into a farm of 160 acres, on which they lived a number of years, during which time they accumulated means, and were undeniably successful in all ther undertakings, owing to the fact that they did not hesitate to put their hands to any work they were called upon to do, showed good judgment in their ventures and were prudent in their expenditures. He is now living s retired life in the town of Nappanee, having been called upon to mourn the

280

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

desth of his wife on March 7, 1885. She was very highly respected and esteemed by all who knew her, and her loss was deeply felt by all, especially by her husband and children to whom she had been all in all for so many years. The family reared by Mr. Stauffer and his wife are as follows: Walter, who was born in Ohio, May 25, 1852, is now living in South Whitley county, Ind., a successful medical practitioner, is married to Miss Lydia Shaffer and has three children living, Owen, Mabel and Floyd, little Beulah having died in infancy (in addition to his practice he is also the efficient editor of the South Whitley News); Joseph E., the next in order of birth, was born in Elkhart county, September 13, 1854, is married to Catherine Halley, by whom he has one child, Mande, and they are residing in the State of Washington; Ids L. is the wife of A. V. Guiss, of Nappanee, by whom she has one child, Carie D .; Leonard was born January 13, 1860, and died September 30, 1866; Elmer E. was born May 13, 1864, and died February 23, 1865, and Jessie, who was born November 25, 1869, and died January 26, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer gave their children good and useful educations, which fitted them for the practical lives they have thus far led, and they are now among the substantial residents of the county. Mr. Stsuffer owns & large and valusble farm in Union township, but has not tilled it for many years, preferring to spend his declining years in the enjoyment of the com- petency which his early industry earned. He is & public-spirited man, takes an active interest in politics, and has for years affiliated with the Republican party, although he has never aspired to hold anything but township offices. He is the worthy son of a worthy father, and in his retirement carries with him the high regard of his fellow-citizens and the best wishes of his numerous friends.

FRANCIS BLACK, Mishawska, Ind. One of the few men, now living, who served his country not only in the Civil war, but also in the Mexican war, is the gentle- man of whom this sketch is written. His father, John Black, was s native of County Down, Ireland, and by trade was a weaver. He married and was the father of eight children, as follows: Isabel, Samuel, Mary, John, David, James, Hugh and Francis. In 1828 Mr. Black came to America, bringing with him his family, land- ing in Quebec and settling at St. Joseph, Mich. He came to Mishawaka in 1840 and made his home with his son, Samuel, and died in Middlebury, Ind., at the age of eighty-seven years at the home of his son, Francis, our subject. His wife had died in Ireland and both of them had been members of the Presbyterian Church. He was an industrions man, honest and respected by all who knew him. Francis Black was born in County Down, Ireland, May 17, 1824, and was four years of age when brought to this country by his parents. He received a limited common-school edu- cation in Mishawaka and learned the carpenter's trade. February 24, 1847, he enlisted in the Mexican war, in Capt. W. H. Walker's company. Sixth Regiment of Infantry and served until July 31, 1848. The winter of 1847-48 he was quar- tered with his company at Milwaukee, Wis., which, in the spring went to Newport, Ky., and thence down the Mississippi to New Orleans and then crossed the gulf. He participated in the battles of Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, Castle of Chapultapec and the siege and capture of the City of Mexico. He served under Gen. Worth and was present when Gen. Scott made his triumphant entry into Mexico. Mr. Black was quartered in the St. Francis Convent in Mexico for eight monthsand was then quartered sixty miles south of Taluca, Mexico, until peace was declared, when he came home with his regiment. The last two months of his service he served as cook for Gen. Hancock. for whom he has always entertained a high regard. After he returned to Mishawaka, he worked at his trade for some five months, but in 1849 he started across the plains to California, and was six months and four days on the way. He Was one of the " Bristol Company," which consisted of sixteen wagons, esch drawn by three yoke of oxen. They had no trouble with the Indians, although they met them. On one occasion they met a band of Sioux, and, after paying toll to the chief, of beads, tobacco, etc., amounting to about $6, they smoked the pipe of pesce and were permitted to pass on their way. One of the young men ran a race with a

281

MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

young Indian, who wagered a buffalo skin against & satin vest, and the white man won the wager, much to the surprice of the Indians. Mr. Black mined for gold on the Bear River, Deer Creek, South Yuba River and at Coyote Diggings, in all about one year, but was not very successful. He then went to San Francisco and worked at his trade of carpenter, receiving $100 per month for nine months and then returned home, arriving in Mishawaka, December 28, 1852. He married Han- nah, daughter of Jonathan and Annie (Mead) Buck, after which Mr. Black spent one year at Adrian, Mich., and then went to Middlebury, Ind., where he bought land and worked at his trade, remaining at this point eleven years. Following this he removed to Plymouth, Marshall Co., Ind., where he bought land and lived for eighteen years. On December 14, 1861, our subject enlisted in Company G, Forty- eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. He was promoted to the office of orderly sergeant and participated in the battle of Inka, Miss., but was taken sick at Paducah, Ky., and sent home on furlough, finally being discharged on account of disability. However, after he recovered he re-enlisted in 1865, entering the One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served as sergeant for three months, being promoted May 25, 1865, at Tullahoma, Tenn., to the position of second lieutenant, remaining in the service until the close of the war. In May, 1865, his wife died and Mr. Black sent in bie resignation and was honorably discharged. He continued to reside in Marshall county until 1882. Here he married Hannah, a daughter of Simeon Cudney, but she died and he later married Henrietta Ely, a widow, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Mosyer) Paul. In 1882 he came to Mishawaka and retired from active work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Black are members of the Presbyterian Church and socially he is a member of the G. A. R., being its present commander, having been the senior vice-commander and officer of the day of this post. He is much respected by all who have his acquaintance and has the confidence of the people, being one of the trustees of the town of Mishawaka. For many years he was a stanch Republican in his political opinions, but since his old commander became a candidate for the presi- dency he has voted the Democratic ticket. He was one of the members of the old lodge of Odd Fellows in Mishawaka. Mr. Black owns his residence and receives a liberal pension from the Government for his services to his country. He has always been an honored citizen and his patriotic services should entitle him to honorable consideration. He preserves his recollection of the stirring events through which he has passed, the like of which will never be seen on American soil again. Amoog the interesting reminiscences of his Mexican war experience Mr. Black tells of an occasion, while he was acting as orderly for Gen. Scott, of the stationing of the troops in the halls of the Monteznmas. He was present on the morning when the American army retired from the City of Mexico, the American flag was lowered and the Mexican flag again waved over the ancient fortress. An earthquake occurred while the troops occupied the City of Mexico, which greatly alarmed the garrison and so injured the aqueduct that the water supply was for a time cut off. Con- cerning his early experience upon the great western plains, he tells of three men who died of cholera in their party. When the first gold agitation was started, he, with many others, went some one hundred and eighty miles beyond the Mississippi River on the way to Pike's Peak, but they met so many discouraged men returning that they gave up the trip. At that time buffalo were still plentiful. The first husband of the present Mrs. Black, was Isaac Ely, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, in 1831, and married Henrietta Paul, born December 25, 1836, iu Richland county, Ohio, the marriage taking place October 8, 1857, and to them were born seven children. Two of these died in infancy, the names of all being: Louisa V., Alfa- retta, Don C., William C., Charles, Ora and Orma. Mr. Ely was a blacksmith, by trade, lived in Ohio awhile after marriage, then came to Indiana and settled in Walkerton, St. Joseph county. He enlisted in 1862 in Logan county, Ohio, in the Fourteenth Ohio Battery, served over one year and was then discharged on account

282

PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

of disability. He re-enlisted February 25, 1864, in Company G, Seventeenth Regiment, and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, May 13, 1865, having taken part in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and Chattanooga. He died in 1876, in Marshall county, Ind., a member of the United Brethren Church, leaving behind him a record of an honest man and true patriot soldier. His health was destroyed in the army. Philip Paul, father of Mrs. Black, was born in Pennsylvania, learned the trade of tailor and married Elizabeth Moyer. They reared & family of twelve children: Daniel W .. Susan, George, Lewis, Eliza, Henrietta, Julian and Joseph. This was a patriotic family, three of the sons, George, Lewis and Joseph serving through the war, George giving up his life. Three other nephews of Mrs. Black,

John, James and -, sons of her sister, Susan MeDaniels, testified to their loyalty by becoming soldiers when the nation needed them. Philip Paul died in Richland county, Ohio, on the farm at the age of forty-one years, and his daughter, Julian, died unmarried.

J. M. DELOTTER is a well-known citizen of Elkhart county, whose intelligence, enterprise and energy, with many other estimable qualities have secured for him a popularity not derived from any factitious circumstance, but & permanent and spontaneous tribute to his merit. He was born in Kosciusko county, Ind., in 1850, - and his father, Lewis Delotter, was one of the early pioneers of that county. The latter was born in Maryland, as was also the grandfather, George Delotter, who w86 of German and French parentage. Lewis Delotter was the third child in & family of six children, and was resred to farm life. Later he learned the blacksmith's trade, and this was his chief occupation through life. Thinking to better his condition he left his native State and settled within the borders of Preble county. Ohio, in 1830. He was married to Mise Lydia Wysong, and in the Buckeye State reared most of his children. In 1849 he moved with his family to Kosciusko county, Ind., settled on a farm one mile west of Milford. but in 1850 moved to Goshen, and there died five years later. A member in good standing in the Lutheran Church, an early pioneer in both Ohio and Indiana, he was one of the county's best citizens. He always supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and we public spirited and progressive. He was married twice, first in Ohio to Miss Margaret Staver, who bore him four children, all of whom grew to mature years, and were named as fol- lows: Aaron, residing in Goshen, was a soldier in the Civil war; Joseph (deceased); Henry (died in the army), and Catherine, now Mrs. Burns, of Illinois. The mother of these children died in Ohio, and Mr. Delotter was afterward married in that State to Miss Lydia Wysong, four children resulting from this union: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Samuel Malto, of Goshen; Anna, Mrs. Darrell, of Goshen; Sylvanne, a stone mason, residing in Nappanee, and James M. (subject). Mrs. Delotter wss born in Ohio, and was s sister of Robert Wysong, of Union township (see sketch). After the death of her husband in 1855, she was married to Israel Wyland, who was an early pioneer of Elkhart county, and county recorder eight years. To this mar- riage two children were born: Emma, who is now Mrs. Henry Fisher, of Nappanee (see sketch), and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Wyland died in Goshen April 9, 1892. and was a lady whose intelligence and many excellent qualities made her a favorite with all. James M. Delotter, the original of this notice, was reared in Goshen, attended the public schools of that town, and learned the trade of molder in a machine shop. This he followed for eighteen years, and in 1876 went to Mont- gomery county, Ohio, where he started a saw-mill and tile factory, operating the same for six years. He became well versed in the uses and composition of various clays, and in 1884 came to Nappanee, Ind., where, seeing the great necessity for increased tiling on the adjacent low land of this section of country, be began pros- pecting for a favorable site to erect a tile plant. He found one about one-half mile from the corporate limits of the town on the west side. This plant he ran for a period of three years up to 1887, when the increasing demands made by the farming community around necessitated the building of a larger plant which should include

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

Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of northern Indiana and of the whole state, both living and dead, Part 42

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

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