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 43

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 43
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 43

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the mannfacture of brick also. In order to do this Mr Delotter must have more capital, and hence in that year he sold a half interest to Mr. J. C. Melliuger, cashier of the Farmer's & Trader's Bank, and their present plant was accordingly erected a short distance from the original, but nearer to the track of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which renders loading much easier. This year (1892) they have turned out over a million of brick alone at this factory, and these are of & superior quality too. Now that orders are coming in from outside, this company will be in a posi- tion by next season to turn out twice the product of this year, as the right kind of machinery to manipulate the clay properly, has been secured after over three years' careful experimenting with sundry patents in this line. The tile factory is a solid two-story brick structure 40x80 feet, and has an inside shed capacity for 40,000 tiles together with an attached outside shed capacity for 35,000 tiles. There are two "down draft kilns" with a capacity of 18,000 tiles each, and here are made the various tiles from three inches up to twelve inches, with all sizes between. Work is carried on in winter as well as summer, the arrangements for steam heating and drying being of the most modern style. The plant is situated at one side of a forty- acre plat of ground owned by this company, and is assuming a fast increasing valne by virtue of the growing demands for brick and tile in this and surrounding terri- tory. Sewer pipe clay thirty-five feet in depth is here to be found in abundance. The present ontput of tile this year has been 360,000, although of brick and tile, 3,000,000 can be easily turned out annually. Sixteen hands are here employed earning good wages, but the coming season's demands will need at least thirty men to do the work which is fast increasing. While in Montgomery county, Ohio, he married Miss Lucinda Smith, and they have had two children, Lizzie and Sherman D., both now deceased. Mr. Delotter is a pushing business man and one of influ- ence in Nappanee. Hs and Mrs. Delotter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Delotter was born in Moutgomery county, Ohio, May 3, 1853, and was the second in order of birth of seven children born to Daniel B. and Elizabeth (Early) Smith. Daniel Smith was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and the son of William and Rebecca (Drear) Smith, who were the parents of eight children: David. William, Prucilla, John, Jacob, Eliza- beth and Daniel. Daniel is still living on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, and is deacon in the United Brethren Church. In politics he is a Republican. His wife was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Early, and a native of Virginia. She came with her parents to Ohio at an early day, and was one of twelve children: Anna, Susan, Elizabeth, Martin, Jacob, Lydia, Lucinda, Noah, Catherine, Joseph, John and Esther. The last two named were by a second marriage. To Daniel B. Smith and wife were born seven children as follows: Jacob, Lucinda, Martha J., Orion F., Mary E. and Emma; one deceased. Mrs. Delotter is the only one of the family in the county. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she and her husband are highly esteemed in the town.

DARWIN H. BAKER (deceased). There is no inheritance so rich as the records of the worthy lives of those who have parted from this world and have gone to receive the reward which awaits them in Heaven. We all have strivings after a high ideal, but an ideal alone is of little valne if not re-enforced by the example of those who, like ourselves have human frailties, yet have been enabled to so overcome them as to lead lives of usefulness, integrity and true godliness. That death loves a shining mark was painfully realized when it became known that Darwin H. Baker, one of South Bend's best known citizens and most successful business men, had passed to that bourne from whence no traveler returns. He had been ailing for about two weeks, but nothing about his case was considered alarming and he was expected soon to be able to be about again, but it was ere long found that those about him were mis- taken, for it soon became evident that he was a very sick man. Any improvement in his condition seemed to be but transitory and it soon became certain that he was slowly and surely growing worse. Symptoms of the deadly Bright's disease were

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noted and the complication of extreme nervousness with the most aggravating of stomach disorders rapidly weakened the patient. The best physicians were employed, and although those who understood the condition of the patient had practically given up hope, none were prepared for the great shock that all experienced when they learned that Mr. Baker had been summoned to his final reward. The deep grief of the family bereft of a loving husband and father can not be described. Darwin H. Baker was born at Holly, New York, about April 1, 1832. His father was from Connecticut, and was born in 1793, while his mother was born in New York in 1797. He was the youngest of eight children, and the youngest of three brothers in this city, his other brothers in South Bend being Lester F., the oldest member of the family, and Albert N., who had been a partner with our subject in the boot and shoe business since 1861. Darwin Baker was an apt student, and finished his education at the age of fifteen years, when he went to Akron, Ohio, where he began his career in the boot and shoe trade, in which he continued up to the time of his death. He and his brother, Lester F., were attracted westward, and in 1852 came to South Bend, Ind., where they had friends and acquaintances, and entered into the business in which Mr. Baker spent three-forthe of his busy life. Both had gone to the then comparatively insignificant but growing city of Chicago, to look up business chances there, and had been offered land in what is to-day the best location in that city, but decided at last to cast their lot in South Bend. Mr. Baker often remarked that in not going to Chicago he had missed a grand opportunity, as there was a splendid field then opening up in that city. But South Bend was greatly the gainer and Mr. Baker became at once one of that city's busiest, most enterprising and public- spirited citizens. Success was with him from the start, and most earnestly did he labor to deserve and win that snecese. In the spring of 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Kate Roberts, who survives the death of her husband to whom she was devotedly attached, and in whose success in life she had so greatly assisted. To them were born three children, who survive a kind, loving and indulgent father. They are: William R., Alice M. and Lizzie. Soon after coming to South Bend Mr. Baker identified himself with the First Methodist Church. From the start he was an active member and one whose abilities were ere long recognized in his appoint- ment to an official position as steward of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1864, and trustee in September, 1879. He was for a long period recording steward and then became treasurer of the church, which position he faithfully filled up to life's close. He was an official member twenty-seven years and his farsightedness and able financial management has been a prominent factor in the success of the church of his choice. Mr. Baker was deeply interested in Sunday-school work and for a long term of years had served as teacher of the Bible class, which had, during Mr. Baker's connection with it as teacher, contained many of our leading citizens in its membership. The deceased had a wide knowledge of the Scriptures which abun- dantly fitted him for the position. In church or out Mr. Baker was a considerate and con- sistent Christian. His able labors and valuable experience have been greatly missed by the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Besides his regular duties in the general business and as an official member of the church, Mr. Baker was one of the organiz-

ers of the South Bend National Bank, which became one of the city's banking institu- tions in 1870. He was a director from the outset, being first associated with the late lamented John Brownfield, also ex-Mayor William Miller, Benjamin F. Price and Lucins G. Hubbard in that official capacity. Later he became vice- president of the bank and on the retirement of the late John Brownfield succeeded that gentleman as president, in which position he remained until the last. In this banking institution Mr. Baker's splendid business facilities were often shown and duly recognized. He was also a director in the old State Bank. About 1882 the manifold duties of one of the trustees of the immense estate left by the late Mr. S. M. Beeson, of Niles, imposed great additional burdens upon an already very busy man. But this did not deter Mr. Baker from accepting the responsible trust placed upon hisshoulders, and in

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this as in every other position the confidence shown in his ability as a sagacious busi- ness man was fully sustained in the able manner in which every dnty was performed, every interest carefully guarded. He was a trustee of this estate to the last. Mr. Baker was a man of the highest degree of business ability and integrity. He was a success in all his undertakings. In 1860 be built the residence now occupied by his widow on South Main street, and it was then without a superior and scarcely an equal in South Bend. The firm of D. H. Baker & Bro. have built np an immense business in their line and have been at all times considered among the soundest of South Bend's business institutions. His life was, however, too busy a one for his own physical endurance. After a sudden sickness a few years ago, Mr. Baker was not himself, so far as health was concerned, but all this time his duties were not lessening. Despite the fact that he had twoor three ordinary men's duties devolving upon him, necessarily wearing npon his physical condition, bis intimate friends would never have thought him to be within a month of sixty years of age. Mr. Baker was one of South Bend's most prominent Democrats, but never a seeker for office. He has been greatly missed on both sides. South Bend can ill afford to lose such a man. His son, William R. Baker, owes his nativity to South Bend, born October 24, 1861, and received his education in the schools of that city. In 1880 he entered his father's store and has been actively engaged in the boot and shoe business since. After his father's death he became a director in the South Bend National Bank and is connected with this at the present time. He was married on March 27, 1888, to Miss- Anna M. Vinson, a native of this county and the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Vinson, old settlers of this vicinity. They have one child, Ada Lucile, born April 27, 1889. Like his father he is a Democrat in politics, and socially he is a member of the K. of P., Crusade Lodge, No. 14. Mr. Baker is one of the prominent busi- ness men of the city and is as popular in social as in business circles.

GEORGE H. RIDDELL. . Few western cities of Indiana are more highly favored in respect to grocery establishments-in size, purity and general excellence of stock, etc .- than South Bend. Among the leading wholesale grocery establishments of this city is that of Riddell & Riddell, which for the extent of its trade, the variety of its stock and the superiority of its goods, is entitled to more than ordinary prominence and recognition. Mr. George H. Riddell was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., July 23, 1856, and is a son of Robert and M. Jennie (Beckwith) Riddell, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, born in 1810, and the latter of York, England, born in 1812. The father came to the United States in 1833, settled in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and was there engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. He was also actively engaged in farming and the real estate busi- ness, and became quite wealthy. He died in St. Lawrence county in 1889, follow- ing to the grave his wife who died in that county in 1881. They were the parents of seven children, of whom George H. Riddell was the youngest. He remained and assisted his father on the farm until ten years of age, and supplemented a common education, received in the district schools, by attending the high schools of Ham- mond, N. Y. When eighteen years of age he went to Manchester, Iowa, and for four years was clerk in his brother's store. In 1879 he engaged in general mer- chandising at Newell, Iowa, continued there for five years, or until 1884, when he came to La Porte, Ind., and for three years was engaged in the dry goods business under the firm name of Alexander & Riddell. In 1887 he came to South Bend and engaged in the wholesale grocery business under the firm name of D. W. Russ & Co., thus continuing until 1891, when Mr. Russ died of consumption. Dwight W. Russ was one of the most successful and prominent wholesale grocers in South Bend, and was a man highly respected for his upright, honorable career. He was born in Indiana about 1839 and came to South Bend, from La Porte, Ind., early in the sixties. He had lived a long time at La Porte, and began there in the gro- cery business, in which he continued up to the time of his death. He was first in business here under the firm name of Russ & Deal, and in after years the late Will

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Foote was associated with him in a storeroom just south of the Studebaker Carriage Works office. In 1885 he began in the wholesale grocery business on South Mich- igan street, nearly opposite his retail establishment, and two years later George H. Riddell became associated with him in the business, and is still with the firm. Mr. Russ left a wife and one daughter, the latter, Mrs. W. W. Worden, of this city. On account of failing health he had gone to New Mexico, but died there of con- sumption in March, 1891. His surviving brothers and sisters are: S. A. Russ, of this city; Eugene Russ, Three Oaks, Mich. ; Mrs. Robert Kern, Kansas City; Mrs. William Austin, Nashville, Kan .; Chauncey, a half brother, at Hope, Dak., and Mrs. A. W. Calbreth, a half sister, at Rolling Prairie. Mr. Russ was a member of the Christian Church. He was one of the most active and successful business men. He had been in failing health for several years, but did not retire from active busi- ness until November, 1890, when his health required it. Since his death Mr. Rid- dell has continued the businese under the firm name of Riddell & Riddell, and is doing a very extensive business, buying direct from the mannfacturers. He was married in 1882. to Miss Alta M. Roe, of Chicago, but a native of La Porte, Ind. One child has blessed this union, James D. R. Politically Mr. Riddell is a Repub- lican, and in religion he is identified with the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the leading business men of the city.

LOUIS H. VAN DINTER, Mishawaka, Ind. The Van Dinter Pipe Organ Factory is the only pipe organ factory in the State of Indiana, and is well known, having built some of the largest organs in the West. Mr. Van Dinter has a high reputation in his profession. He is from Holland ancestry, his father having been a noted organ builder in Holland, and the family of his mother were organ builders who resided many years in the town of Weert, Limburg, Holland. The maternal an- cestor of our subject, Hubert Ver Menlen, was an old organ builder in Holland, having inherited his business from his father. The grandfather built as many as fifty large and fine organs in Holland, was famous in his day and was renowned for his skill and workmanship, and organs of his make are still in use in many Holland churches at the present time. Many of these instruments are more than a century old. Mr. Van Dinter has the drawings of the front of an organ, built by his grand- father which shows a great amount of ornamentation. The grandfather lived to be eighty years of age, was a land owner and a member of the Catholic Church. Mathew H. Van Dinter, the father of our subject, was born December 25, 1821, and was well educated, speaking three languages: Dutch, French and German. He partly learned the trade of organ builder from his father, whose name was Francis Van Dinter, of Limburg, Holland, the family being a noble and wealthy one of that province. He was ruined by the Napoleon wars and thus became a repairer, and a tuner of organs. Mathew H. Van Dinter, his son, further learned the trade of manufacturing organs, of Hubert Ver Menlen, afterward married his daughter, Elizabeth, and as his father-in-law had no son, remained with him many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Dinter were born six children: Louis H., Frank, John, Charles, Alphonso and Theresa. In 1871 Mr. Van Dinter came to America and located in Detroit, where he began the manufacture of orgaus, being the first one engaged in that business in that city. Here he continued five years and then sold ont to his son, Lonis, and retired from business, still living in Detroit, where he is a devout member of the Catholic Church and a much respected citizen. Louis Van Dinter, son of the above and our subject, was born in the town of Weert. Holland, February 20, 1851, received a good education, speaking. reading and writing four languages, these being Dutch, German, French and English. He learned from his father and grandfather the principles of his business and became a skillful workman. In 1870 he came to America, a young man of twenty, and engaged in work in the organ fac- tory of Henry Erban, a noted organ manufacturer, and thus gained many new ideas and saw how organs could be differently built. Six months later he came to Detroit and engaged in the tuuing and repairing of organs. His father came the year after,

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with his family and together they began the manufacture of organs on their own account. After five years, Mr. Van Dinter bought his father out and remained in Detroit until 1877, when he came to Mishawaka and established his business. He had previously built the organ in the Presbyterian Church and the one in the Cath- alic Church of that city and has since done a successful business, gaining a high reputation in the manufacturing of pipe organs. Mr. Van Dinter gives every organ his personal attention, especially the voicing being all done by himself, and his long experience, his skillful and artistic work enable him to command a good price. He has a fine record, having built more than fifty large organs, those at the following places testifying to his ability: St. Mary's Church, Fort Wayne, Ind., at a cost of $6,000; St. John's Baptist Church, at Joliet, Ill., at a cost of $5,000; St. Peter's Cathedral at Marquette, Mich., at an expense of $4,000; St. Vincent's at Elkhart, Ind .; St. Peter's at La Porte; St. Joseph's at Mishawaka, Ind .; St. Albert's at Detroit, Mich .; Sacred Heart, at Detroit; Our Lady of Help, at Detroit; St. John's at Jackson, Mich .; Sacred Heart, at Hudson, Mich. ; St. Mary's at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. ; Immaculate Conception, at Niles, Mich .; Holy Cross, at Marine City, Mich .; Church of the Immaculate Conception, at Lonisville, Ky .; St. Catherine's Church at New Haven, Ky., and St. Francis, at Hollandtown, Wis. His work is in a great measure for the Catholic Churches, but he does much also in Protestant Churches, his contracts being as many as he is able to fill. He manufactures every part of an organ except the metal pipes, using the best of material. He is much respected in Mishawaka and the citizens recognize their indebtedness to him for introducing a new industry in their midst. He has accumulated a handsome property, his real estate in Detroit being valued at $15,000, while his residence and a house and lot on Fourth street, in Mishawaka are valued at $5,000; besides he is owner of his extensive factory buildings. In 1874 Mr. Van Dinter married Mary, only daughter of Francis and Virginia (Matyn) Pletz. Mr. Pletz was born in Belgium, married there aud came to America in 1856. He was a merchant tailor in Detroit and a successful business man and now is living with Mr. Van Dinter. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Dinter were born the following children: Mamie, Louis Jr., Charlotte (who died at the age of eight years), Rose, Theophilns, Josephine, Elizabeth and John. Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Dinter are members of the Catholic Church. Politically he affil- istes with the Democratic party, and is one of the best citizens of Mishawaka, es- teemed by every one and recognized as an artist in his profession.

CLEM STUDEBAKER, South Bend, Ind. The manufacture of wagons and car- riages is carried on to some extent in almost every village and hamlet in this country. In some cities there are plants of great magnitude which produce enormous numbers of vehicles, but there is but one Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Company. Their buildings have donble the extent of any other works of the kind in the world, and there is no other concern in existence which has such splendid facilities for the pro- duction and sale of buggies, carriages and wagone. Clem Studebaker was born in Adams county, Penn., March 12, 1831, about six miles east of the locality afterward famous in history as the Gettysburg battle field. When four years old, the family emigrated to Ashland county, Ohio, which was before the days of railroads, and they crossed the Alleghany Monntains in a wagon built by John Studebaker, the father. The subject of this sketch passed his youthful days in and near Ashland, where the father followed the calling of a blacksmith and wagon maker, and in the primitive Studebaker shop of that day he taught his sons to make wagons and to make them the best. In 1850 Clem Studebaker removed to South Bend. Ind., where he taught a country school during the winter of 1850-1. In the spring of the latter year he found employment in the blacksmith department of the works at South Bend for the manufacture of threshing machines, receiving his board and 50 cents a day as wages. He reached the town with a cash capital of $2, but by careful saving, in February, 1852, he was enabled to start in business for himself with his elder brother, Henry, as a partner. They began blacksmithing on Michigan street,

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immediately north of the present postoffice, and their account of stock embraced two sets of blacksmith tools, and cash to the amount of $68. Here they shod horses, did general repair work and at off hours managed during the year to build two Studebaker wagons. They bought their iron and other materials of local dealers, and there are residents in South Bend who well remember seeing these ambitious workers blowing the bellows, plying the hammer at the anvil, carrying supplies of iron from the hardware store to their blacksmith shop, and, in general, performing every task, however, laborious or menial, for the operation of their business. The preseut great Studebaker factories in South Bend, the works and repository in Chi- cago, and branches in various cities of the Union, are the outgrowth from the little Michigan street blacksmith shop in which work was first begun a little over forty years ago. Like the tall oak this giant grew from a little seed. In the main office of the works may be seen an oil painting which with grest vividness portrays a log shop, while a board sign on the shop reads "John Studebaker, blacksmith." The energy of the members of the firm brought them success and notwithstanding that their works were twice destroyed by fire they prospered. The name of Stade- baker Bros. in connection with the manufacture of wagons and carriages has been heralded throughout the civilized world, and yet comparatively few persons have any conception of the magnitude of the institution. The plant occupied by the wagon manufacturing interest covers eighty acres of ground, the flooring capacity of the building proper measuring thirty-four acres. The mere froot-

age of the factory buildings on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and on Lafayette and Tutt streets, makes an unbroken line of half a mile in length, although many of the most considerable factory buildings are not included in this frontage. The buildings are of brick, mostly four stories in height, and add greatly to the architectural beauty of the southern part of the city. The wagon works include the old plant, which has been in use for years, together with additions more or less extensive made each year since. In the various departments may be seen nearly 700 machines of different kinds which are running by power furnished by engines, two of them aggregating 700 horse-power, and two batteries of boilers of 1,000 horse-power, under which is burned crude oil with steam jet, and the refuse matter from the wood shops which is carried in by air blast. In a walk through the various shops the visitor may see welding by electricity; a trip-hammer department, where forgings of all kinds are made. There is a plumbing department, a pattern shop, and a room where such plating as they need in gold, silver, or nickel is done. At one end of the room is the steel skein works, where the Studebaker patent steel skein is produced in enormous quantities, both for their own use and for the trade. In the wood shops may be seen enormous stocks of wood in all stages of preparation for use in a wagon, and the lamber yards contain the largest stock of hard wood lumber of all kinds in the country. All the wood is thoroughly seasoned from two to four years. Many special machines may be seen in the various departments, which do the work of hundreds of hands. Iron is secured from the great manu- facturing districts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the average amount used being some twenty tons daily. From two to four thousand pounds of steel are daily used in the different departments which require this article. The electric light plant con- sists of one large engine of 250-horse power, and six dynamos, two for welding and four supplying the current to 200 Thompson-Houston 2,000 candle power arc lights. In addition there is a dynamo for supplying the machine shops and offices with 250 sixteen-candle power incandescent lights. Electricity is also the silent moni- tor of the watchman's faithfulness, and the fireman's activity. The company has a thoroughly organized fire brigade of itsown, consisting of thirty or forty men, who are regularly drilled in their work. A number of the fire brigade sleep in the hose house, and the men can get a stream of water on a fire in three minutes at any hour of the day or night. They have numerous other plants besides those mentioned, all of which are supplied with the very latest and most approved machinery. This mam-

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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 43

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

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