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 54

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 54
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 54

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M. V. BEIGER is a well-known citizen of St. Joseph county, Ind., for he is the presi- dent and one of the large stockholders of the Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Company and a wide awake and public spirited citizen. He was born February 3, 1847, in the county in which he is now residing, his father being Jacob Beiger, a native German, who came to America in 1844, bringing his family with him. He settled on a tract of land which he succeeded in clearing by hard work and persistent effort, and in time his efforts were rewarded to such an extent that he was justly considered a well-to-do man. He died in Beltenhousen, Wortemburg, the old home of his birth, where he was making a visit in 1874, at which time he was sixty-one ' years of age. His family had been residents and natives of that town for genera- tions and were highly regarded in that community. To himself and wife a family of ten children was given: Elizabeth, Sarah. Mary, Theresa, Daniel, Henry J., Martin V., Grascence (who died at the age of eighteen years), John (who died at the age of eleven years), and Sophia (who also died when eleven years old). Mr. Beiger was one of the progressive German-American citizens of this country and in politics was a stanch Republican. Martin V. Beiger, the subject of this sketch and son of Jacob, received & good and practical education in the district schools in the vicinity of his rural home, which he supplemented by & four-year scientific course in Wabash College. At the early age of thirteen years he began clerking in the general store of A. B. Judson and finally had charge of his bank for three years prior to his

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twenty-first year. In 1864 he enlisted in the service of the United States as & private soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Indians Volunteer Infantry. He rendered efficient service and was not sick or in the hospital while in the army. After his return to Mishawaka he, in 1868, at the age of twenty-one years, became a member of the firm of M. V. Beiger & Co. and engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloth. In 1864 a stock company was formed. Mr. Beiger was placed in the management of the woolen factory and became an expert manufacturer, hie goods becoming widely and favorably known. In 1872 he made s tour of England, France, Germany, Scotland and Switzerland, and made s thorough study of the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1886, seeing the successful sale of the felt boot, Mr. Beiger conceived the idea that wool boots could be made by knitting instead of felting, and began the industry of manufacturing an all-wool knit boot. The manufacture of the knit boot required special machinery for it, and Mr. Beiger associated with him Mr. Adolphus Eberhart, of Mishawaka, a skillful and practical mechanic, and these two men invented the required machinery and the process of making the all-wool knit boot, which is now generally used and considered one of the important inventions of the day. The business is now incorporsted as the Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Company, with a capital stock of $200,000 and with officers as follows: M. V. Beiger, president: F. G. Eberhart, vice-president; J. C. Eberhart, secretary: A. Eberhart, superintendent; and Marion Campbell, treasurer. The directors are: C. Studebaker, J. M. Studebaker, M. V. Beiger, A. Eberhart, Marion Campbell. The business furnishes employment to about 150 persons and is a credit to Mishawaka as & busi- ness and manufacturing center and s credit to the enterprise and businese push of the managers. The company has a capacity of about 250,000 pairs of boots per year and are doing a profitable and successful business. Mr. Beiger votes the Republican ticket, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held the office of trustee and steward for many years. His union occurred on the 30th of December, 1875, Mr. Beiger married Miss Susie Hig- gins, and they own and reside on one of the most beautiful and tasteful residences in Mishawaka, which is furnished in a tasteful and comfortable manner and is con- sidered one of the most hospitable homes of the city. Mr. Beiger also owns valuable real estate in Mishawaka, a one-half interest in the Tromp & Beiger block, and is the sole owner of two farms in Penn township. Mr. Beiger is of & decidedly prac- tical turn of mind, possesses keen commercial instincts, and these attibutes, coupled with great industry and perseverance and also strictly honorable methods, have been the means of building up & valuable and substantial business, & handsome property and an excellent reputation.

C. FASSNACHT, contractor and builder, South Bend, Ind. This work would be incomplete were mention not made of those artisans whose skill and labor have been utilized in the construction of ber buildings and public institutions; and foremost among the number is C. Fassnacht, who has been closely identified with the modern architecture of South Bend. He has his office at 125 St. Joseph street, and resides st No. 1 Park avenue (Chafin place). He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, March 4, 1850, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Fassnacht, the former of whom was quite a prominent figure in the section in which he lived, and held a number of political positions. In 1859 he, with his family, took passage at Havre, France, for America, and arrived at New York City after a thirty-seven days' ocean voyage on a sailing vessel. From New York they came directly to St. Joseph county, where they joined friends who had preceded them. Mr. Fassnacht located five miles south of Mishawaka, where he lived until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1888. His widow still makes her home on that farm. They were the parents of the following children: Andrew, of Chattanooga, Tenn .; Frederick, a farmer of St. Joseph county; Hannah, wife of William Belle; Mrs. George Collmer, and Christopher. The sub- ject of this sketch was only nine years old when brought to this country, but prior to that time had attended school for three years in his native country, and finished hie

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education in the English common schools of St. Joseph county. He assiated his father on the farm until nineteen years of age, when he began working at the car- penter's trade, completing his trade in South Bend under Henry S. Evana, after he had attained his twentieth year. He worked as journeyman until 1877, at which time he bought out Mr. Evana, and has since been doing an extensive contracting business on his own account. Among the numerous structures that are a eredit to his skill may be mentioned the Baptist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the resi- dence of Clem Studebaker, the Oliver office building, the G. Ford residence, the Wyman store, the Coquilard School building, the residence of J. M. Studebaker, the residence of J. F. Studebaker, the residence of Mr. Fish, the St. Joseph County Savings Bank and many other of the most prominent buildings of the city. Hia career has been one of honor and profit to himself, and although a poor boy he ia now in good circumstances, the outcome of honest and earnest toil. He was a mem- ber of the city council two years, and politically, has always been a Republican. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 29, Encampment No. 9. He has been married since 1877, at which time Miss Caroline E. Freyermuth became his wife and in time the mother of his two children: Walter and Homer.

ALEX CURTIS, of Mishawaka, Ind., is well known to the citizens of St. Joseph county, as the proprietor of the well-known hostelry known as the Melburn House, which is a popular resort of the traveling public. The paternal grandfather of this gentleman was of English descent, and from an old and prominent colonial family of North Carolina. He followed the honorable and useful calling of a farmer and on his extensive plantation he reared a family of ten children: James, Alexander, David, Jacob, Andrew, Noah, William, Mary, Sarah and Ann. At an early day James Curtis removed with his family to Miami county, Ohio, and took up his residence on a farm near Troy, of which place he was among the very first to settle, and owing to the fact that Indians were plentiful and sometimes hostile a stockade for defense was built. Mr. Curtis was a substantial and useful citizen, highly honored in the section in which he lived, and attained the advanced age of eighty years, dying in Miami conoty. James Curtis, his son, was the father of the subject of this sketch, and was born in Miami county, Ohio, January 7, 1807, and on his father's farm in that county he was reared to manhood, obtaining such a thorough and practical knowledge of the work that upon entering upon the calling on his own account he made of it a success. He was married in his native county to Miss Nancy Byrkit, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Byrkit, of Penn township, St. Joseph Co., Ind. A family of eleven children was given to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis: William, Jacob, Alexander, Edmund, Alfred, James (who died at the . age of four years), David, Mary E., George, Frank and Loren, all of whom were born in Penn township with the exception of the two eldest children, William and Jacob, who were born in Miami county, Ohio. July 11, 1831, Mr. Curtis came to St. Joseph county, Ind., bringing his family with him, the journey being made by wagon, and made a location in the eastern portion of what is now Penn township, at which time there were no settlers in that section. Mr. Curtis took up forty acres of land, cleared a small tract and built thereon a log cabin into which he and his wife and children at once moved. He then labored faithfully early and late to clear his land, and by judicious management increased it until he became the owner of 320 acres of excellent land, all of which he greatly improved in the way of build- ings, fences and clearing, making it one of the most valuable pieces of property in the county. The Indians were numerous in the country at the time of hie settle- ment, and the bones of a prominent Indian chief are moldering in an Indian bury- ing ground on the Curtis farm. Mrs. Curtis was a member of the Baptist Church, and was called from life at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Curtia was one of the reliable pioneer settlers of the township and brought up s respecta- ble family of children. One son, Alfred, was in the Civil war, Company F, Forty-

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eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Burkett, and was in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, and several skirmishes during the eighteen months that he was in the service. Alex Curtis was born on the old homestead in St. Joseph county, November 25, 1834, was brought up amid the wilds of s pioneer farm and obtained his knowledge of books in the old-time log school-house, his attendance being lim- ited to a few months each winter, the rest of the time being spent in the usual duties attendant upon clearing a woodland farm. The limited education he ob- tained was greatly increased in after years by a varied and extensive course of reading and by valuable experience gained in the management of his business affairs. At the age of twenty-three years, on May 14, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Eggins, a daughter of John and Isabel (Rogers) Eggins, and in time s family of five children gathered about their board: Flora E., Martha J., James D., William W. snd Alex Buford, all of whom were born on their father's farm in Penn township. For some time prior to his marriage Mr. Curtis followed carpentering as well as farming, but after his marriage he settled on s farm in Fulton county, Ind., where he lived one snd s half years, after which he purchased land in Penn township, St. Joseph county, Ind. Seven years later he bought s fine tract of land comprising eighty scres southeast of Mishawaka, about forty acres of which he suc- ceeded in clearing and on which he made his home until his removal to Mishawaka in 1881, when he purchased an excellent residence property in the town and worked at his former occupation of carpentering until 1885, when he became the proprietor of the Milburn House, which he has ever since successfully managed. His house has become noted for the successful manner in which it is conducted, for the neat- ness and homelike appearance of the rooms as well as for the abundant and whole- some meals provided the guests, whose wants are carefully looked after by the st- tentive and gentlemanly host. Mr. Curtis is a man of high character and he con- ducts his business affairs on the soundest principles, and deservedly has the confidence and liking of the public in general and the traveling public in particular. He has been a hard worker sll his life, and through honest merit has become one of the best known citizens of Mishawaka. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and politically he is a Democrat. He filled the office of city marshal of Mishawaka in a very satisfactory manner during 1882-3 and since June, 1886, has filled the office of justice of the pesce. His daughter, Mattie, who was an accomplished and promising young lady, died January 5, 1880, aged eighteen years, six months and twelve days. His daughter, Flors E., married John C. Boyer, a traveling salesman of Mishawaka, by whom she has one child-Hattie. The sons are in business. James D. has been deputy county clerk four years and obtained s good education in the public schools of Mishawska; William M. is secretary of the Kamer & Schil- linger Brewery Company of Mishawaka, and was a graduate of the South Bend Commercial College; Alex Buford has a good education and graduated at the South Bend Commercial College, is especially gifted in music and is s pianist of rare sbility.

IRVING A. SIBLEY. A widely known business house of Sonth Bend is that owned by Mr. Sibley, who is a practical, experienced man, thoroughly conversant with the businese in all its branches, and his establishment is a most reliable one with which to enter into commercial relations. He ie a native of Erie county, N. Y., his natal day being June 27, 1852. His parents, Dr. William A. and Margery J. (Churchill) Sibley, were also natives of the State of New York, and of English-Scotch ancestry. The paternal grandfather, Abijah Sibley, was a worthy tiller of the soil of Erie county, N. Y., where he was called from life. Dr. William A. Sibley was s gradu- ate of the Castleton (Vermont) Medical College, and practiced his profession in Col- lins Center, N. Y., where he lived and died. His widow, who resides in Buffalo, N. Y., and two of his three children survive him, the names of the latter being William E. and Irving A. The latter was reared and educated in his native county, but at about the age of thirteen years he was left fatherless, and thereafter was com-

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pelled to depend almost wholly upon his own exertions for a livelihood. For some time thereafter he worked as a farm hand, received the munificent compensation of $7 per month, but this work he discontinned at the end of one summer, went to Buffalo and graduated from the public schools. Immediately following this he entered a broker's office, where he remained a few months, then entered the high school of Buffalo to finish his education. Three months later he left school to enter a retail shoe store owned by William R. Taylor, of Buffalo, and for two years was in the employ of this gentleman. When in his sixteenth year he was given the opportu- nity of going on the road as a salesman, which he eagerly grasped, and for two and one-half years traveled for George B. Tripp, which occupation was a thorough and practical school and of great benefit to him. In October, 1871, he engaged in the manufacture of shirts at 300 Main street, Buffalo, continuing this business with fair success until January 1, 1875. It was only a short time after engaging in this business that he had from thirty to forty girls in his employ and two traveling salesmen constantly on the road. At this time one of his brothers was traveling for a Chicago boot and shoe house, which sought the services of Irving Sibley and offered him $2,000 and expenses to travel for the house, but he immediately refused; whereupon he at once received a telegram offering him $2,500. He went to Chicago, not with the intention of closing with the offer, but he became so impressed with their manner of doing business that he accepted the position and traveled for them for three years. The first year he continued to conduct his shirt factory, then sold it. He next traveled for M. D. Wells & Co. for two years, then for Greens- felder, Rosenthal & Co. for five years. In 1882 he purchased a three-fourths interest in the Denel County Bank of Gary, S. D., of which he was president until he came to South Bend. This investment doubled the money he put in it in three years. In 1885 he made up his mind to quit the road, having saved between $15,000 and $18,000 in ten years, and having been prevailed upon to go into the hardware business by a friend of his, and after spending some time in looking up a suitable location they finally settled on South Bend, and in January, 1885, their house was established on a sound financial basis. The partnership of Thayer & Sibley continued for two years when Mr. Sibley became the sole owner of the estab- lishment, and now carries one of the most complete and best stocked stores of the kind in the city. He has proved a valuable addition to the city, and owing to his numerous worthy qualities as a man of affairs he is largely patronized and is doing a remarkably prosperous business. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Cora E. Curtis, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., and three sons have been given them: Irving A., Jr., William C. and Frank.

GOTTLIEB FORSTBAUER, an old and prominent resident of Mishawaka, Ind., is a native of the city of Tuebingen, Wuertemburg, Germany, of which place his family have been residents for many generations and were among its prominent and wealthy citizens. His grandfather, William Forstbauer, was a manufacturer of soap, in which occupation he became wealthy. He lived all his days in his native town and he and all his family were members of the Lutheran Church, with which they con- nected themselves after the great Reformation. He became the father of five chil- dren: Gottlieb, Ferdinand, Frederick, Fredericka and Louisa. Gottlieb Forstbauer, his son, was born at the old family seat Tuebingen, in 1810, and was so fortunate as to secure s very liberal education in the seminary of his native town, acquiring a thorough knowledge of Latin, French and German. He was educated for the min- istry but his taste did not tend in that direction and instead he became a brewer and a tavern keeper, at which he acquired a large amount of property. He was married to Katherina Eisenhart, and Gottlieb and Ferdinand were the fruits of their union. Mr. Forstbauer spent his life in the land of his birth and lived to be an old man. His son Ferdinand was a soldier in the war between Austria and Prussia and was shot and instantly killed at the battle of Tauber Bishoffsheim, Baden, and was buried on the battlefield. Gottlieb, the subject of this biography, was born in the old

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native town of his forefathers, September 8, 1839, and for eight years was an attend- ant of the common schools of his native land. In 1853, before he was fourteen yeare of age, he came to America and in New York learned the art of wood carving. After the firing on Fort Sumter he, on April 26, 1861, enlisted in Company A, Seventh Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and served until September 29, 1862, being honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. He was in the engagement at Big Bethel, Va. Part of his regiment was detailed to the artillery service and care- fully drilled, and at the naval engagement between the Confederate ram "Merrimac" and the United States frigate " Cumberland " at Newport News; and did good service when the "Cumberland" was in a sinking condition. The next day the famous battle between the " Merrimac" and "Monitor" was fought, to which stirring historical event Mr. Forstbaner was an eye witness. In May, 1862, the regiment joined the Peninsular campaign, was engaged in the battle of Fair Oaks and also in the seven days' fight in the following engagements: Cold Harbor, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Charles City Cross Road and Malvern Hill. Mr. Forstbauer being shot in the last-named engagement, in the under part of his elbow, by a piece of grape canister, and was in the hospital from July 7, 1862, until the 26th of September, when he was honorably diecharged. He thereupon returned to New York and until 1866 worked at his trade, when he went to Detroit, Mich., where he secured employ- ment as a wood carver in a factory for one year, since which time he has successfully followed his trade in Mishawaka, Ind. June 28, 1868, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Martin and Catherina (Freudeman) Sauer, the former of whom came to this country from Germany in 1845, residing first in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1846, settling in Stark county, Ohio, and in 1852 in St. Joseph county, Ind., becoming the owner of a farm in Madison township on which he is still living, a substan- tial and well-to-do farmer. He and his wife became the parents of ten children: Martin, Christina, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Caroline, Catherina, Paul and Paulina (twins) and Anna. Mr. Sauer is a Lutheran in religious belief and politically is a Democrat. Since his marriage Mr. Forstbaner has been a resident of Mishawaka. He and his wife have the following children: Edward, Catherina, Adolph, George and Bertha. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a supporter of Republican principles. He has always been very industrious and owns the property in which he lives. He is a very skillful carver and is foreman of the carving department of the Roper Furniture Factory.

DR. HENRY J. DEFREES, a young but promising physician of Nappanee, Ind., although still in the dawn of the success which has attended hie efforts in a profes- sional way, has already given abundant evidence of the ability which qualifies him for a high place in the medical profession. Truly ambitions, and with an ambition whose aim is pure and unsullied, there seems no reason why his unquestioned abil- ity should not find full ecope in relieving the pains which a suffering world is heir to. He was born in Elkhart county, Ind., September 27, 1861, on his father's farm, and was the eldest child born to Jared and Josephine (Fisher) Defrees (see sketch following this). The Doctor's early life was passed on his father's farm, and in the district school he acquired a good education. From an early age he manifested a strong desire for the medical profession, and in 1881 entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy, which he attended one year. Following this he began the study of medicine with Dr. Sensenich, of Wakarusa, subsequently entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, graduating from that well-known institution in 1888. Imme- diately after this he began practicing at Milwood, Ind., continued there until 1891, and then located at Nappanee, where he almost immediately entered upon a success- ful practice. He is a young man of unusual talent, and has met with good success. He enjoye the confidence of all who know him, and his future prospects are bright indeed. In politics he is a stanch advocate of Republican principles. In the year 1889 he was married to Mise Maggie Leatherman, of Wakarusa, who was born January 4, 1865, and who was the danghter of Isaac Leatherman. She was one of

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eleven children, and was reared on her father's farm, receiving her education in the district school. To the Dr. and Mrs. Defrees has been born one bright little child, Forrest, whose birth occurred November 20, 1890. The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Society, and a member of Kosciusko County Medical Society. He is also s member of the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Defrees holds membership in the Mennonite Church, and is interested in all good work.

JARED DEFREES. Mr. Defrees possesses those qualities of industry and energy so characteristic of the native Hollander, and is one of the most progressive and substantial farmers and stockraisers of Locke township, Elkhart Co., Ind. He was born in Freeland, Holland, January 8, 1832, and his parents, Stafold and Hannah (Whisphway) Defrees, were natives of the old country, and there passed their entire lives. The father was born December 5, 1791, and died September 17, 1860, and the mother was born October 11, 1800, and died September 20, 1851. This worthy couple reared a family of seven children: Harvey, Henry, John, Jared, Andrew, Darke and John C. Two of these children died, but the remainder came to the United States, and settled in Michigan and Indiana. Henry, Jared and Andrew settled in Locke township, Elkhart county, and became farmers and prominent citi- zens. Henry died in 1890, leaving a family in Locke township. Jared Defrees, the subject of this sketch, became familiar with the dnties of farm life when a boy, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade. At the age of twenty-one years, he emigrated to America, and landed at Quebec, Canada. He crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel of 700 passengers, of whom ninety died while at sea. After reach- ing Quebec, our subject worked at his trade for some time, but subsequently went to Montreal, and thence to Detroit, Mich. From there he found his way to Elkhart county, Ind., in the fall of 1854, and worked at his trade, and on a farm until 1861. At that date he moved to the farm on which he now lives, and here he has resided ever since. He has met with fair success in his different occupations and has ever been upright and honorable in all his dealings. In the year 1860 Mr. Defrees was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Fisher, a native of Holland, born February 27, 1843, and the daughter of Class H. and Hannah (Simensina) Fisher, natives of Holland also. Mr. Fisher pursued the occupation of a fisherman, and followed the sea until 1842, when he married, and later crossed the ocean to Amer- ica. He settled in Jackson township, Elkhart Co., Ind., with his wife and four chil- dren, and there, in connection with farming, carried on the dairy business. After tilling the soil for many years, he thonght to better his condition by securing more land, and went to Oregon in 1891 to visit their children, and there they now reside. His children, nine in number, were named as follows: Josephine, Henry, Jacob, John, Matthew, Martha, William, Anna and Benjamin, all now residents of Oregon except Mrs. Defrees, and her brother Jacob, who is now residing in Union township. The Fisher family held membership in the Mennonite Church. Mr. and Mrs. Defrees have experienced many hardships as pioneer settlers, and found it very hard to get a start in the land of their adoption. Hard work, ceaseless activity, and great fru- gality brought them throngh, and they now own a good farm and a comfortable home. Mr. Defrees worked st his trade and received but 50 cents a day, when he first came to this country, but economy and industry soon brought him to the front. Mr. Defrees is a member of the Mennonite Church, his wife of the United Brethren, while their children belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the public-spirited men of his section. As a stockraiser he has met with much success, and he has also been quite successful in raising grain. He is a well-to-do, honest, farmer, and is well liked in the community. To his marriage were born six children, as follows: Henry, a leading physician of Nappanee, was born September 27, 1861; Jacob, attending Parsons' Horological Institute, at Peoria, Ill., was born February 8, 1863; William, born November 29, 1865, married Miss Mary Montgomery, who bore him two children, Clarence and Edith, the latter dying in infancy; Hannah, was born April 22, 1870, and died at the age of sixteen years; Franklin, born Octo-

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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 54

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

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