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 53

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 53
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 53

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Politically he is a stanch Republican. He is & reliable citizen and has served the township in the office of trustee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gaines are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which organization he has held the office of trustee. Before closing thie sketch it is only justice to refer to the war record of Mr. Gaines, which is one of the best in the county. On June 17, 1864, our subject, who was color sergeant, had charge of several colored corporals, called the colored guard. In front of Petersburg, his regiment made two different charges, and in one of these charges one of the guards was killed and six of them were wounded. At another time, the flag staff was shot off and the flag fell. This flag is now in the State House of Lansing, Mich. Mr. Gaines was in one of the first battles of the war, Blackman's Ford, Va. Of the full company of 100 men who enlisted at Constantine, Mich., and were mustered in as Company

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G, Second Michigan Infantry, Lieut. Gaines was the only man who was mustered out of the same company in 1865. The other original members were either miss- ing or had been discharged or killed.

JOHN YANT, mason contractor. An important branch of industry is that repre- sented by Mr. Yant, whose name is prominently identified with the building inter- ests of South Bend, and has become s synonym for sterling honesty and conscien- tions fulfilment of contracts. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 30, 1843, a son of Valentine and Catherine (Platz) Yant, the former of whom was born in Ohio, the latter in Pennsylvania, both being of German extraction. The paternal grandfather, John Yant, was s patriot of the Revolution, was one of the early settlers of Ohio and died in Stark county when past the age of four-score years. Like his father before him, Valentine Yant, was a farmer and devoted his attention to this occupation in Elkhart county from 1861 until he removed to the city of Elkhart, where he was called from life in 1882. The mother died in South Bend, four of the seven children born to her surviving: Emeline, John, Melissa and Mary. Sarah, Nancy and Frances are deceased. John Yant was occupied with the details of farming in Stark county, Ohio, until he was nineteen years of age, but owing to the scarcity and inferiority of the schools of that period, he did not secure as good an education as he desired. About one year prior to coming west he worked at the mason's trade, and upon locating in Kendallville, Ind., he followed this calling for six years. In 1864 he dropped his trowel in order to fight his country's battles and became a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty- ninth Indians Volunteer Infantry, with which he served five months. In 1865 he was married to Miss Mary J. Weaver, of Kendallville, and in 1866 took up his resi- dence in the town of Goshen, where he was successfully engaged in contracting until the fall of 1869, when he came to South Bend, where he has since made his home. His career as a contractor has been a very prosperous one, and he has successfully carried to completion many large contracts, among which may be mentioned the Oliver Opera House and nine dwellings for Mr. Oliver, which took about 24,000 yards of plaster. He has filled many other prominent contracts in a skillful work- manlike manner, and his services are in such requisition that he is kept constantly busy. His buildings are just ornaments to and among the best equipped and appointed in South Bend, and he is rightly considered an important factor in the welfare, happiness and prosperity of the place. He has always supported the doctrines and platforms of the Republican party, by which he was elected a member of the city council in 1884, and during the four years that he held that office he never missed a meeting of that body. In 1888 he was elected township trustee, held the position two years and four months, and his name was a candidate for sheriff of the county at the November election of 1892 and resulted in his election. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the K. O. T. M., the Royal Arcanum, the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R. He is the father of two daughters: Laura I. and Bessie M.

SAMUEL HOOVER (deceased). It is with pleasure that we represent in this vol- ume one of the most prominent and early pioneer families of Elkhart county, and one of its most honored members was the lamented gentleman whose name we have just given. This highly esteemed and eminently useful member of society was a native of Franklin county, Penn., born August 19, 1819, and the son of David and Esther (Lehman) Hoover. Samuel moved with his parents to Ohio, settled with them on a farm in Mahoning county, and there grew to mature years and married. His wife, whose maiden name was Mery A. Wisler (see sketch of her father, John Wisler), was born in the Buckeye State in 1820. After marriage Samnel and wife settled in Ohio, where two children were born to them, and then moved to Indiana, where three more children were born. They came to the Hoosier State in 1850, making the journey with wagon, and were several weeks on the way. They settled on a farm Mr. Hoover had bought, and on which his sons now live, and as this tract of land, consisting of eighty scres, was all in the woods but a small garden spot,

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he began immediately to make improvements and clear the land. A small log house was on the place, their limited household goods were arranged in this, and in a very frugal manner they began their career as pioneers. Mr. Hoover owned very little when he first came to the county, and paid $300 for his original farm, but he was possessed of any amount of energy and perseverence and became one of the well- to-do farmers. Just prior to his death, which occurred in 1879, he added ten acres to the original tract of land. He was considerable of & hunter, was known sa one of the best shots in the county, and many deer have fallen at the report of his unerring rifle. A man much attached to his home, at the same time he was one of the most public-spirited citizens of Union township, and contributed liberally of his means to further all laudable enterprises. When a boy he had but poor chances for a schooling, but in spite of that fact he obtained a good education and became a good business man. He was possessed of a genial, social disposition and loved to have his friends about him. At the time of his death, June 25, 1879, he was a worthy member of the Mennonite Church, and in politics was a Republican. He and his estimable wife had experienced all the trials of pioneer life, and contributed their share toward the advancement and development of the county. Mrs. Hoover was reared on her father's form in Ohio, and died in Indiana, July 9, 1859. She was the mother of five children: Susanna, born in Ohio, December 4, 1846, married Frank Anglemyer (see sketch); John W., born in Ohio, November 25, 1848, married and resides on a farm near Wakarusa; one child died in infancy; David W., born on the farm where he now lives in Indiana, June 18, 1853; and Jonas R., born in Union township, December 22, 1857. David W. Hoover attended the district schoola of his neighborhood and the Goshen High School, after which he attended normal, thus securing & good, practical education. He subsequently taught six terms of school in the county, worked at the carpenter's trade for four or five years, and at the death of his father he and his brother, Jonas R., bought the farm. David was married in 1879 to Miss Barbara E. Myers, a native of this county, born April 2, 1856, and one of a family of eight children born to Jonas and Mary (Berkey) Myers. Her father is living on a farm in Locke township, this county, and is a prominent farmer. She was educated in the schools of Locke township, and is a member of the Men- nonite Church. In politics David Hoover is a Republican. Besides general farm- ing he and his brother are engaged in atockraising, and have some fine cattle, sheep and hogs. Jonas R. Hoover was also educated in the district schools, and his train- ing was good for a farmer boy. In 1883, when twenty-six years of age, he was married to Miss Lydia Myers, who was born March 7, 1860, in Elkhart county, and who received her education in the district schools of Locke township. She was a member of the Mennonite Church, and died May 9, 1892. Like his brother, Jonas, ia a Republican in politics, and is much interested in political affairs. He is wide awake and thoroughgoing, and ia interested in the development of the county.

ADOLPH KAMM is a prominent business man in Mishawaka, Ind., ia a worthy citizen in all the relations of life, and has always been interested in the advancement of the different affairs of his section. He is a successful business man; his generosity keeps pace with his prosperity, and he contributes liberally of his means to the advancement of worthy enterprises, in which respect his generosity has been recog- nized and appreciated. He is one of the proprietors of the Kamm & Schellinger Brewing Company, andowes his nativity to Germany, his birth occurring in Wurtem- berg, at Zoebingen Oberant Elwangen, June 13, 1842, his parents being Frank J., born August 17, 1814, and Antonia Maris (Wurstner) Kamm born March 26, 1820. To them were born five children, four of which lived to mature years: Adolph, Philomena, who was born January 4, 1845; Mathilda, who was born December 15, 1845, Maria Antonia who was born April 20, 1847, and died October 10, 1848; Amalia, who was born May 24, 1857.

Mr. Kamm, the father was a carpenter by trade, but about 1848, came to the very sensible conclusion that America offered better opportunities for advancement

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and the accumulation of a fortune, than his native land, and thither he came with his family, taking up his residence at Fryburg, Auglaize county, Ohio, where he lived until Adolph became sixteen years of age. The latter received but few educational advantages, as he began to work on his father's farm when young. At this age he started in the world to do for himself, making his first stop at Delphos, Ohio, where he began working in a brewery, and remained in that place for three years, after which he followed the same occupation at Ft. Wayne, Ind., and from there to Toledo, Ohio.

In 1870 Mishawaka, Ind., became his home, and having, by thrift and economy saved up some money, he formed a partnership with Clemens Dick (who accompanied him from Toledo), under the firm name of Dick & Kamm, and with him purchased the business of John Wagner, which had been established by that gentleman in 1853. Ten years later Mr. Dick sold his interest in the business to Mr. Kamm and Nicholas Schellinger, and in 1887 it was incorporated with a capital stock of $65,000, and officered as follows: Adolph Kamm, president; Nicholas Schellinger, treasurer, and Laura Kamm, secretary. The company built new and commodious buildings, more substantial and suitable to the business, and from time to time put in the most im- proved appliances used by brewers for the proper conduct and facilitation of their business. Their trade is principally in the surrounding towns, but is extensive and profitable. The article mannfactured by this firm is of the finest quality, and although at all times freely sold, it is especially in demand during the summer months. Mr. Kamm owns a substantial residence and other real estate of value, all of which has been obtained through his own industry, good management and shrewd business qualities. He was united in marriage to Maria Weber, April 12, 1869, at Toledo, Ohio, and in 1870 brought his wife with him to Mishawaka, Ind., where she died December 31, 1871. The remains were taken to Toledo, Ohio, . where the interment took place. After & period of nearly two years he was again united in marriage to Josephine Schellinger, on July 28, 1873, who was born June 25, 1850, the daughter of Xaver and Elizabeth (Huber) Schellinger, and to them have been born eight children: Laura, born July 12, 1874; Rudolph, born February 2, 1876; Johanna, born April 2, 1878; Paulina, born July 31, 1880; Albin, born December 13, 1882, Marie. born December 8, 1886; Adolph. Jr., July 26, 1889, and Eugene, born August 11, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Kamm are devout members of the Catholic Church and in politics he is a stanch Democrat. He is one of the self- made men of Mishawaka, for he began the battle of life with no means and by thrift and hard work has made his property. In addition he always exercised his judicious economy, although he has never been in the least niggardly in his support of enterprises that have recommended themslves to his excellent judgment. He is 8 patron of education and has taken pains to give his children good educational advantages. His daughter Laura obtained her education in Father Oechtering's parochial school and the St. Elizabeth Academy at St. Louis, Mo., and now keeps the books in her father's firm, being very capable for her age and a practical, busi- ness-like young woman. His son Rudolph is receiving his education in St. Jerome's College, at Berlin, Ontario, Canada, and Johanna is being educated in the St. Joseph Academy at Chicago, Ill.

On July 17, 1882, an infant child was found in front of Mr. Kamm's residence, which received the name of Arthur W. Kamm; the child lived but a short time, dying October 31, 1882; its parents are still unknown.

Xaver Schellinger, the father of Mrs. Kamm, was born in Muehlheim, Wur- temberg, October 25, 1817; he was & miller by trade and was in comfortable cir- cumstances. He was married to Elizabeth Huber, who was born November 11, 1817, and died in her native land September 7, 1861. On November 11, 1863, he was married to the widow of Severin Fischer; they came to America in 1868 and settled at Mishawaka, where she died May 28, 1888. Mr. Schellinger by his first wife is the father of six children: Leopold, who was born July 21, 1846; Nicho-

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las, born November 4, 1847; Edward, born May 1, 1855; Gustave, born March 16, 1857; Joseph born October 7, 1860, and Josephine (Mrs. Kamm), who was born June 25, 1850. Mr. Schellinger is living at the age of seventy-five years, is a Catho- lic in religions belief, and a man of very honorable character.

LOUIS IFFERT. Among the well known farmers and stockraisers of Union town- ship, none has a better or more thoroughly cultivated farm than he whose name is now given. He is a son of one of the early pioneers, Martin Iffert, who was born in Ger- many, October 9, 1812, and who was a son of John and Ann M. (Eckhart) Iffert. John Iffert and his wife died in the Fatherland. He was a soldier in the German army, and was for many years blind, having lost his sight in the service. Martin was also a soldier in the German army, and a shoemaker by trade. He was mar- ried in the old country to Miss Anna E. Miller, who was born June 3, 1817, and who was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hartman) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of two children. Martin Iffert and his wife settled down in the old country after marriage and he followed his trade there until 1844, when the family took passage for the United States. They landed at Baltimore but went from there to Ohio, and settled in Columbiana county, where Mr. Iffert worked at his trade for eight years. In 1852 he emigrated to Elkhart county, Ind., and located in Harrison towoship on eighty acres of land, where he resided until 1860. He then moved to Union township and bought a farm upon which he and his esti- mable wife are now living. They are a worthy old couple and highly respected. By industry and frugality they have accumulated considerable property and can pass their declining years in ease and comfort. Their children are all around them and are prosperons citizens. Both Martin Iffert and the sharer of his joys and sorrows, are members of the German Reformed Church and active in all good work. The children born to them were named as follows: John M., born October 22, 1837, is a prosperous farmer of Jackson township, Elkhart county; Catherine, born Decem- ber 6, 1843, is now the wife of John Yoder; Anna R., born December 20, 1844, is now Mrs. Samuel Smith, of Union township; Louis, the subject of thie sketch; Christian, born December 6, 1848, is farming in Union township; Daniel, born Janu- ary 29, 1851, is farming in Union township; and Edward, born April 11, 1855, is also farming in Union township. The father of these children is a strong Repnb- lican in his political views and is a prominent old citizen. Louis Iffert was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 28, 1845. and was but four years of age when the family moved to this county. He attended the district school and worked on the home place until twenty-five years of age, and then, on September 26, 1871, he married Miss Mahala Weaver, a native of the Buckeye State, born June 9, 1852, and the daughter of Abraham and Frances (Berkey) Weaver. Mr. Weaver was born in Ohio, and moved with his family to Elkhart county in 1861. There he made his home until 1875, when he moved to Kansas and he and his wife are residing in that State at the present time. Their children were named as follows: Mahala (Mre. Iffert); Elizabeth, now Mrs. Albert Beechly, of Kansas; and Samuel M., a farmer of Kansas. Louis Iffert and wife are the happy parents of six children, as follows: Ida, born September 30, 1872, is the wife of Albert Anglemyer (see sketch of John An- glemyer); Almira, born March 25, 1876; Martin M., born January 28, 1879, at home; Henry L. and Henrietta, born July 11, 1882; Henry died when nineteen months old; and Laura, born September 6, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Iffert are members and regular attendants of the German Baptist Church, and are active in all good work. Mr. Iffert is a Republican in his political views. He has 100 acres of choice land, and is deeply interested in the breeding of good stock, as is also his brother, who owns a farm in the same neighborhood. As a business man and gentleman, he en- joys the respect of his associates, being regarded as one of the most intelligent and leading members of society in his locality.

M. B. STALEY is president of the A. C. Staley Manufacturing Company, of South Bend, Ind .. which is one of the most noteworthy institutions of thecounty and is con-

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ducted in a highly successful manner under its present president. This gentlemanis a product of Marshall county, Ind., where he was born August 4, 1847, a son of Alex- ander C. and Mary (Welch) Staley, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. This family is of German and English origin. The paternal great-grandfather came from Germany at an early day and settled near Harper's Ferry, Va., where he died. He was a soldier of the Revolution. The grandfather, Jacob Staley, was a soldier of the War of 1812, as was also the maternal grandfather, Joseph Welch. Both these gentlemen were early settlers of Ohio and were tillers of the soil, but Mr. Staley was also engaged in milling in an early day. He died in Mareball county, Ind. The father of the subject of this sketch came to St. Joseph county, Ind., in 1862 to establish s woolen-mill, and soon had a race put in, & mill erected and in operation on the site of the present establishment, having brought his machinery thither from Plymouth, Ind., in 1855. The establishment was conducted by A. C. Staley until 1888, when a stock company was formed and he was made president, a position he faithfully and capably filled until his death in 1889. The mother died in 1877. To their union seven children were given, four of whom are living: Mrs. Ellen Sapp, M. B., Byron A., & farmer of Harrison county, Mo., and Mrs. William Mack. The father was s very prominent man of this section, was a member of the city council several terms and trustee of the water works four years. M. B. Staley, whose name is at the head of this sketch, may be said to have been bronght up in the woolen business, but at the same time received a good education in the common schools and the Northern Indiana College. After the death of his father, as he had been in the woolen-mill off and on from his ninth year, he was made president of the concern, and this position he still continues to fill. This establishment gives em- ployment to about fifty men and women, not counting a number of traveling sales- men who are kept constantly on the road. Mr. Staley is one of the most enterpris- ing men of the city, and as his honor is unimpeachable he has many friends and patrons. In 1875 Miss Eva, daughter of Judge Thomas S. Stanfield, s very promi- nent man of the State, became his wife. Mrs. Staley is an accomplished and smi- able lady and is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church.

WINKLER BROTHERS. Fred and Leonhard Winkler are extensively engaged in the manufacture of wagons, carriages, heavy truck wagons, and are making a specialty of street sprinklers. In addition to this extensive business they are also coal, wood and grocery merchants, and are all-round, pushing and prosperous business men, who have the intelligence to see and grasp all opportunities for bettering their condition, although they never do so st the expense of others. Their house was established in 1877, and since that time they have carried on an enormous business, the excellent character of their product winning them wide recognition. Fred, the senior member of the firm, was born in Putnam county, Ohio, July 12, 1854, Leon- hard's birth occurring st the same place November 11, 1858, their parents being Charles and Barbara (Brakeman) Winkler, both of whom were native Germans, the birth of the former occurring November 11, 1831. He braved the dangers of the ocean in 1848 and came to America, landing in New York City, from which place he soon after immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio. Having been brought up in the mercantile business, he followed that occupation after coming to this country, but in 1852 went back to his native land. There he remained only a short time, wedding Miss Brakeman, and with his young bride returned to America in December, 1852. He settled in Putnam county, Ohio, and there once more entered upon & mercantile career st Gilboy, which business occupied his time and attention for some time. Having purchased a farm he located thereon and tilled the same with anccess until 1857, spending the two succeeding years in Sonth Bend, Ind. At the end of this time he returned to Ohio, thence to Cass county, Mich., and for over twenty-five years resided on a farm in the vicinity of Niles. In March, 1891, he again came to South Bend, where he expects to spend the rest of his days. He is the father of six children, five living. Fred, the oldest son, was principally educated in Michigan,

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but completed his knowledge of the "world of books" in Notre Dame University, from which he graduated in 1874. He was brought up on a farm and helped to till the soil, but he and his brother Leonhard learned their trade at Niles. They started in business for themselves at that place with a capital of 15 cents, but being full of energy, courage and enthusiasm, they devoted their attention to their work, and as their credit was of the best, they soon began to see their way clear to success. After a visit to South Bend they decided that this would be an excellent manufact- uring point, and here determined to locate. They moved their property thither, and although total strangers here the merit of their work soon became universally recognized and their patronage began to assume satisfactory proportions. Their success was soon assured and they now occupy a high standing in financial and business circles. Their grocery, coal and wood yard are also paying enterprises, and speak in an eloquent manner as to the push and determination of these gentle- men. Fred was justice of the peace in Niles, Mich., for three years. He was married May 7, 1880, to Miss Emma J. Gardner, and has three children: Sadie, Genevieve and Alfreda. Mr. Winkler never smoked a cigar or took a chew of tobacco in his life, and in every respect is a temperate man and a model American citizen. Leonhard, the junior partner, was educated in the common schools and began learning his trade at the age of fourteen years in Nilee, serving a three-year apprenticeship. After a time he purchased his employer's business, associated with him his brother Fred, and since then has been an active man of affairs. Miss Mary Cavanaugh became his wife, and to their nnion one son has been given, Edward. Charles Winkler, a brother of Fred and Leonhard, was born in Putnam county, Ohio, Decem- ber 21, 1861, and in the common schools, the high school of Niles and the high school of South Bend he secured a good education. He is now a grocer of South Bend, and like his brothers, is & shrewd and successful man of business. Miss Alice Knoblock became his wife in 1889, and they have two children (twins): Carl and Crystle. Frank Winkler, brother of the above named gentlemen, was born in Cass county, Mich., March 4, 1871, obtained a public-school education and was reared on a farm. In 1891 he came to South Bend and has since been engaged in the livery business. Anna N. Winkler, a sister, is deceased, and Maggie, another sister, was born in Cass county, Mich., in 1886. The standing of the Winkler Brothers is exceptionally good, both as regards business capacity and true American enter- prise, and they justly merit the representative position they have attained in their important industry.

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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 53

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

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