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 74

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 74
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 74

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JOHN B. DAVENPORT, the popular incumbent of the recorder's office of Elkhart county, is the youngest in a family of four children, the father being the old pio-

S.M. Cummins.

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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

neer, John Davenport, a biography of whom precedes this. He was born August 27, 1839, in the city of Elkhart, Ind., which yet serves him as a place of residence, and which, with but a few years' exception, has always been his home. His educa- tion was mostly obtained from the schools of his native city, but he spent nearly one year in the State University at Ann Arbor, Mich. When the war between the loyal and disloyal States of the Union broke out he was attending that institution, and aa his elder brother had enlisted in his country's cause, John B. was prevailed apon to return home and assist his father in the discharge of a heavy mercantile basiness which he was then conducting. Having thus embarked in merchandising when a young man, Mr. Davenport has made that his life's occupation, and steadily fol- lowed mercantile pursuits in this city natil 1891. Ia 1890 he was selected as the nominee of the Republican party for the office of county recorder, and at the en- suing election had a majority of about four hundred votes and nearly three hundred votes in Elkhart county more than the State ticket. No one who knows Jobn B. Davenport ever considera him anything but a gentleman in every respect. His innate dignity and affability make him deservedly popular with the public; and the painstaking care with which he discharges the duties of his office, ranks him second in value to no recorder ever elected to the office in Elkhart county. In January, 1868, Miss Charity A., daughter of Dr. David H. and Amanda (Torry) Ranyon, became his wife, and to their union two children have been born-Richard B. and Mary L. Mr. Davenport was in mercantile parsuits and shipping grain while in La Grange, from 1875 to 1880.

JACOB WAHL (deceased). The sketch which is given below ia that of a gentle- man who, though passed to his final reward, still lives in the gracious influence that emanated from him while on earth. We find no one more worthy of mention or whose long life of usefulness is more worthy to be chronicled than thia gentleman, whose honesty and integrity were proverbial in the community. All bia character- istics of industry and perseverance were inherited from his German ancestors and all his accumulationa were the result of many years of hard labor. He was a native of Germany, born in Wurtemberg, February 7, 1809, and was a son of George and Catherine (Kaiffer) Wahl. When twenty-two years of age, Jacob Wahl came to America (a sister having come two years previons), and settled in Mahoning county, Ohio, where he worked at carpentering, having learned that trade in his native country. On August 23, 1838, he was married in Mahoning county to Miss Annie King, who was born in Armstrong connty, Penn., August 23, 1816, and who waa the daughter of George and Sarah (Silfoot) King, both natives of the Keystone State, where they were reared and married. There the parents passed their entire livea, the father dying when Annie was about six years of age, and the mother when she was about twelve. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. King, as fol- lows: Jonathan, born January 5, 1804; Stena, Elizabeth, Henry, Polly, Annie and Phoebe, who was born November 18, 1818. All are now deceased except Jonathan, Henry and Annie. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Wahl removed to Elkhart county, Ind., purchased eighty acres of land in Cleveland township, and there Mrs. Wahl still resides. After settling in that township, Mr. Wahl cleared a great deal of land and afterward added to the same until he owned a farm of 160 acres. To his marriage were born the following children: Catherine, Sophia, Jonathan, Jacob, David, Will- iam F., Malinda A. (deceased), and Royal H. (deceased). Mr. Wahl was a member of the Evangelical Church for many years and was a liberal contributor to the same. He was active in all good work, was public spirited, and was universally respected. He was a man whose sterling worth of character was recognized by all and his death, which occurred on April 8, 1889, was deeply deplored by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, as well as his own immediate and sorrowing household. He was a good and kind father, a loving husband, and his memory will remain green long after his body has moldered to dust. He was a hard-working and industrions man during his entire life, was a careful manager and a man of excellent judgment

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in business affairs. His aged wife, who now resides on the home place, is also a member of the Evangelical Church, and although time has laid his whitening hand upon her brow, she is still comparatively active and independent.

HARRY S. CHESTER, clerk of the courts of Elkhart county, is a native of the State of Massachusetts, his birth occurring at Westfield on January 23, 1862. He is one of a family of seven children, five of whom are yet living, born to the marriage of John B. Chester and Elizabeth E. Ellis, who were natives of Liverpool and London, England, respectively. The parents were married in their native country and immi- grated to the United States in 1851, locating in the New England State of Connec- ticut, where the father followed his trade of cigar manufacturer. Later the family

removed to Massachusetts, and from there, in January, 1880, to Elkhart county, Ind., locating in the city of Elkhart, where the father yet resides, employed at his trade. Mrs. Chester died in September, 1892. Although practically a new-comer in Indiana, Henry S. Chester, by his superior business qualifications and his identification with the material welfare and progress of Elkhart county, is justly recognized as one of its foremost citizens. It does not necessarily follow that because the boy received but little scholastic advantages, the man must necessarily be uneducated. Although Mr. Chester never attended school after thirteen years of age, he nevertheless pos- sesses a polished education, acquired by exhaustive study and reading when hia school days were a thing of the past. When nineteen years old he followed his parents to the Hoosier State and has since made his home in Elkhart. Having learned cigar-making of his father, he followed that occupation until 1884, when he became a student of Blackstone in the law office of Capt. Henry C. Dodge, with whom he remained nearly three years. In 1886 he began his political career as the Democratic candidate for the office of city clerk of Elkhart, and to this he was elected by a majority of eighteen ballots. Two years later he was re-elected to this posi- tion, increasing his previous majority to 736 votes. This remarkable proof of approval, on the part of the public, gained for him, in 1890, the nomination for the county clerkship. It must be a source of no little satisfaction for a man to know that the approval of his official acts and his personal popularity caused a change of over one thousand votes in a county like Elkhart. Thie is true in Mr. Chester's case and is demonstrated by the fact that as a Democrat he was elected connty clerk by a majority of 786 votes, when the usnal Republican majority in the county is at least 300. Mr. Chester's popularity is, in a measure, no doubt, the logical result of his official qualifications and the invariable rule he puts into execution of obliging those who seek his assistance, and the gentlemanly courtesy extended to all, regard- less of politics or religion. As a further mark of favor, on the part of his party, he was elected one of the two delegates from the Thirteenth Congressional District of Indiana to the National Democratic Convention, at Chicago, in 1892, that resulted in the nomination of Cleveland and Stevenson. Mr. Chester is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is the present supreme reporter of the Knights of Maccabees, is grand foreman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has served as an official in the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM F. WAHL. Among the worthy residents of Elkhart county, Ind., it is but just to say that Mr. Wahl occupies a conspicuous and honorable place, for he has always been honest, industrious and enterprising, and as a result has met with more than ordinary success. He is a man well known in agricultural circles, and is recognized as a careful, energetic farmer, who by his advanced ideas and pro- gressive habits has done much to improve the farming interests of his section. No man takes a greater interest in the agricultural and stock affairs of Elkhart county than Mr. Wahl, and no one strives more actively to promote and advance these inter- ests to a higher plane. He has a native pride in this county, for he was born here, in Cleveland township, and it is but natural that he should strive to see all its mat- ters placed on a footing equal, if not superior, to the affairs of other counties in the State. He was born on the 28th of October, 1852, and is a son of Jacob and Ann

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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

(King) Wahl, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. The original of this notice was reared in Cleveland township and there received a good practical education. Inheriting the thrift and industry of his German ancestors he began when quite young to make his own way in life, and learned the cabinet- maker's trade in Elkhart. This was in 1874, and later he went to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he worked for about nine years. Returning to Cleveland township, he was married there on the 29th of September, 1885, to Miss Viola Landon, who was born May 12, 1856, and who was a daughter of Columbus C. Landon. To Mr. and Mrs. Wahl have been born two children: Clement L., born Angust 5, 1886, and Wilmot, born April 1, 1888. Mr. Wahl was elected justice of the peace in 1890, but as all his time was devoted to his farming interesta, he did not qualify. He is a member of the Knights of Labor and Patrone of Industry. He is the owner of 119 acres of good land, most of which is under cultivation, and everything about the place indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and sound, practical sense. In politics he is a Democrat.

GEORGE MILBURN, the present efficient auditor of Elkhart county, is a fair rep- resentative of the better class of men, who began life's battle at the lower rounds of the ladder, and through his own efforts has gained the topmost round. Practically speaking, he to-day is in comfortable financial circumstances, and the position he now occupies is direct evidence that he is the possessor of the confidence and esteem of his fellow man. When the correct view of life is taken, what more could be ex- pected of mortal man? The acquirement of sufficient wealth to keep one's family in comfort, and the fulfilment, to the best of one's ability, of the Divine command: "Do unto others as you would be done by," has been one of Mr. Milburn's principal efforts throughout his career. The fact that he occupies one of the most responsible and lucrative offices within the gift of the people of Elkhart county, is undisputable evidence that he has the confidence of the public. George Milburn is a native of Canada, his birth occurring in the Province of Ontario, May 13, 1839, and is a son of John and Martha (Rose) Milburn. The father was born in England, but moved to Canada when a boy and there married, his wife beiug a native of Canada, and a de- scendant of the early Dutch colonists of the New England States. He followed merchandising through life, and died leaving a widow and four children surviving him. Two children born to his marriage died in infancy; one son died in Cass county, Mich., at the age of twenty-two years; two sons (Thomas and John D.) are prom- inently connected with the manufacturing interests of Memphis, Tenu., and the only surviving member of hia family in Indiana is the subject of this sketch. The mother died in Memphis in 1878, of Yellow fever. George Milburn received a good common education in youth, which was more of the practical than theoretical order. When about sixteen years old, he came to the States and began clerking for his uncle, after whom he was named, at Mishawaka, Ind., and remained with him until 1865. Dur- ing this time he acquired an interest in the celebrated Milburn Wagon Works at that place, but after the big fire which destroyed a large part of the property, after the close of the war, Mr. Milburn disposed of his interests and moved to Bristol. Purchasing a small tract of land, he engaged in fruit growing, and from time to time as his increasing means permitted, added to his posessions until he now owns 170 acres of valuable land, all but seventy acres being exclusively devoted to fruit enlt- ure. Although a Democrat in politics, Mr. Milburn ia in no sense what is termed a politician. He believes in the policy of his party, but never aggressively urges his views on others; he invariably makes use of the inalienable right of the American citizen, but illustrates by action the method of attending strictly to his own business, and not meddling with matters of no concern to him. These qualities made him unusually popular, and when he became the candidate of his party for county auditor in 1890, he not only overcame the reliable Republican majority of 400 votes against the Democrats, but secured a popular majority of 465 votes over his opponent. Ability and courtesy have characterized his administration,

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and he unquestionably has given satisfaction to all, regardless of politics. In 1864 Mr. Milburn married Miss Mary E. Hanford, who died without issue two years Ister. In 1868 he wedded Miss Elizabeth P. Congdon, who has borne him six children, five of whom survive (Lanra dying in January 1892): Henry H., Mary E., Laura, Helen, Florence and Rollin G. Mrs. Milburn is a member of the Episcopal Church.

ISAAC SHINN. The entire life of Mr. Shinn has been passed in ceaseless activity, and has not been without substantial evidences of success, ss will be seen from a glance at his rather small, but very productive farm. His career is an example of industry, perseverance and good management, rewarded by substantial results, well worthy the imitation of all who start out in life as he did with no capital except a good constitution and liberal supply of pinck and energy. Mr. Shinn was born in Lincoln county, Ohio, June 26, 1835, and is s son of Stacy and Esther (Fowle) Shinn, both natives of New Jersey. The parents emigrated from their native county to Ohio in 1835, settled on a farm, and there Stacy Shinn died shortly afterward. His wife survived him until about four years ago, and was about seventy years of age at the time of her death. These children were born to their union: William, Amos, Nathan, Stacy, Elizabeth, Rachel and Isasc; Nathan, Rachel and Isaac being the only ones now living. The youthful days of our subject were spent on the farm in Ohio, and as his father died before he was born, at a very young age he was obliged to start ont to battle in life for himself. He had very limited advantages for receiving an education, but as he was industrious and reared to hard labor, he obtained a competency and has many of the comforts and conveniences of life. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Swartz, who died October 27, 1881, lesv- ing five children, who are named as follows: Amos, Sarah C., Celia H., George W. and Nettie S. Mr. Shinn'e second marriage occurred January 29, 1885, st Elk- hart to Miss Mary M. Keefer, who was born in Ohio, September, 1834, and who is a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Rihert) Keefer, both natives of the green isle of Erin, and both of whom died in Elkhart county. Mr. Shinn has eighty acres of land, about eight acres of which is timber, and is one of the most industrious and thoroughgoing agriculturiste of this section. He and wife are worthy and exemplary members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a stanch supporter of Dem- ocratic principles.

WILLIAM A. BEANE, editor and proprietor of the Goshen Democrat, was born in Preble county, Ohio, October 5, 1828. He came with his parents to Elkhart county in July, 1836, where he attended the common schools of that time up to 1841, the teachers being Cant. Henry Besne, E. D. Smith, John Dautrow, Sylvester Webster, and last the Hon. Nelson Prentiss, of Albion, Noble county, who is now living st the age of eighty years. In the fall of 1843 he came to Goshen, and that winter attended the school of A. C. Carpenter. In March, 1844, he commenced the print- ing business with the Iste Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, in the old Democrat office, which then stood upon the same ground now occupied by his son, W. R. Ellis, immedi- ately north of the Court House. After working two years at the trade he took a position in the store of the Iste John Winder, where he remained until March, 1850, a period of four years. After working at the printing business again, in different places, as a "jour" printer, for s couple of years, he settled down again in the Democrat office, where he has been almost uninterruptedly ever since. He first became the sole proprietor of the office in August, 1860, and has been connected with it so closely since that any short vacation is hardly worth mentioning. His life is honnd up in his favorite business as much as his files are inside of the covers of his books. Mr. Beane married in July, 1854, and has raised six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Mrs. W. E. Geddes, of Chicago; Charles E. Beane, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Frank W. Beane, of Blackfoot, Idaho; Joseph A. Beane and Mrs. H. R. Whitmer, of Goshen, and Mrs. D. E. Studabaker, of Decatur, Ind., thus leaving him where he commenced thirty-eight years ago. Mr.

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Beane had three sisters and two brothers, all of whom are dead except his brother. C. C. Beane, of Leesburg, Ind., who was elected representative for Kosciusko county in November, 1892, on the Republican ticket. Mr. Beane's father, William Beane, died in Benton, in March, 1840, at the early age of thirty-eight years. His mother afterward married the late Mark B. Thompson, by whom she had five children. Mrs. Thompson died in May, 1872, and her husband followed her in about six weeks afterward. The subject of this sketch has always had a strong attachment for Goshen, where he has spent the best years of his life, and the probability is that here is where his body will rest after "life's fitful fever is over." He has attained considerable fame as an editor and a forcible, trenchant writer. Under his management the Goshen Democrat is a pronounced financial success, and is justly recognized as one of the best and most readable papers pub- lished in Indiana.

HON. DANIEL W. VOORHEES, whom In liana Democrats so delight to honor, is a native of Ohio, his birth occurring in Butler county, September 26, 1827, and is a son of Stephen Voorhees, a native of Kentucky, and a grandson of Peter Voorhies, of New Jersey nativity. When only two months old his parents moved to Fountain connty, Ind., and this State has ever since been his home. Asbury University grad- uated him in 1849, and here he obtained a wide reputation as an orator of superior ability, and the high regard of the faculty. He studied law and in 1852 was solic- ited by Hon. E. A. Hannegan, formerly United States senator, to become his part- ner, which he accepted. In 1853 he was appointed State's attorney of his circuit by the governor, and thus obtained the foundation of his justly earned reputation as a superior criminal lawyer. In 1856 he was the Democratic nominee for Congrese, and although defeated, reduced the opposing majority nearly eighteen hundred votes. In 1857 he moved to Terre Haute, and the year following was appointed United States district attorney by President Buchanan. In 1860 and in 1862 he was elected to Congress, and in 1864, although declared elected, his election Was successfully contested. In 1868 he was again elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1870. In November, 1877, he was appointed United States senator to succeed Governor Morton, and has ever since occupied this position by election. Unqnes- tionably Mr. Voorhees is one of the most brilliant men that has ever held office within the State's jurisdiction. Not only has he an established reputation as a great statesman, but his fame as a criminal lawyer is equally as brilliant. He has always been an unswerving, uncompromising Democrat. His great ability as a statesman and lawyer is respected and acknowledged by all, regardless of politics. Mr. Voorhees married Miss Jane Hardesty in 1850, and four children have blessed their union. " The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash," as he is known, occupies a prominent page in the volume devoted to America's greatest sons.

JOHN MONROE (deceased). To keep green the memory of the departed whose lives were worthy and filled up with good deeds, is an object deserving much effort. Not only do the children of those who have passed on to the other world desire to perpetuate their memory, but their neighbors and friends may well feel that they are benefited by rehearsing the incidents of the life that has closed. He, of whom we write, was born in the Empire State, and in New York City, January 16, 1817. His parents, Abraham and Sarah (Butters) Monroe, were natives of that State also, and there onr subject grew to mature years, receiving no educational advantages. Glowing accounts of the fertility of the soil of the Buckeye State reached his ears, and in 1837 he emigrated to Columbiana connty, Ohio, where he was married in 1842 to Mary Topper. The following children were the fruits of this union: William T., Elizabeth, Margaret, James and Lucinda. In October, 1850, they removed to St. Joseph county, Ind., settled on a farm in Madison township, but subsequently moved from there to Peun township, where Mr. Monroe passed away, July 9, 1882. Mrs. Monroe still survives him and makes her home with her son, William. She has lost the use of her limbs and has been confined

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to her bed for more than six years. She is now quite aged, being over seventy-six years old. Her son, William T. Monroe, was born in Columbiana connty, Ohio, March 21, 1847, and when three years of age he was taken by his parents to St. Joseph county, where he was reared. He had limited educational advantages, but being naturally of a studious turn of mind, most of his education was received by diligent study at home. On the 7th of July, 1872, in Elkhart county, he was married to Miss Alma Noffsinger, who was born October 12, 1855, and who was a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Overlees) Noffsinger, the former a native of Elkhart county, born May 26, 1831, and the latter of Ohio, born June 25, 1836. Jacob Noffsinger died June 7, 1882, but his widow is still living and makes her home in Elkhart. To Mr. and Mrs. Monroe have been born two interesting children; Jennie L., born November 28, 1874, and Pearl A., born December 17, 1876. Mr. Monroe hag sixty-one and a half acres of land, about three acres of which is timber land, but the balance is under cultivation. He has a good residence and his out-buildings are all in good condition. Previous to his settlement in this county Mr. Monroe resided north of Osceola, in St. Joseph county, where he owned forty acres of land. In 1881 he came to Elkhart county, where he has made a permanent settlement. In politics he is a Democrat and his two children are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

JAMES L. KERSTETTER, secretary and manager of the Goshen Woolen Mills Com- pany, and one of Elkhart county's best known citizens, is a native of Stark county, Ohio, his birth occurring February 6, 1837. He is one of a family of eight children, three (James L., Edmund R. and Chauncey W.) yet living, born to the marriage of Peter Kerstetter and Mary Rogers. The father was & Pennsylvanian by birth and descended from German ancestry. When but a boy he was bound out to a saddler, but because of harsh trestment ran sway, and when next heard from was at Minerva, Ohio, engaged in the harness and saddlery business. He there married, but in the year 1839 moved to York township, Elkhart Co., Ind., and became the pioneer in the manufacture of fanning-mills. In 1844 he moved to Goshen, where he after- ward engaged in stock dealing. Being of a social disposition, he made many ac- quaintances, and invariably an acquaintance became a friend. He was honest and open in his dealings, and in politics was a Whig, Free Soiler and Republican. He died in 1875, followed by his widow nine years later. When two years old James L. Kerstetter was brought to Elkhart county, and when fifteen he began doing for himself. His education was obtained from the common schools, college at Kalama- zoo, Mich., and Wabash College at Crawfordsville, this State. His father and brother Edmund having enlisted for the war he returned to Goshen, after having taught school and clerked for a time after coming out of college, in order to assist his mother. For four years he was engaged with A. L. Hubbell in the grocery trade, and later continued a like business alone. Upon the close of the war he accepted his brother, Edmund R., as a partner, and dry goods were added to their stock of groceries. When his brother was elected sheriff of the county, the brothers still continued as partners in the general income. Owing to there being ample work for both in the sheriff's office, their stock of goods was sold, and, still continuing 88 partners, the brothers conducted the affairs of the office to which Edmund R. had been elected, two terms. Afterward, James L. engaged in saw-milling until he was burned out in 1874, when he went to La Porte and was employed by his wife's uncle, Frederick C. King, in & woolen-mill. He remained there five years, then returned to Goshen, where he has since resided, and is identified with what is now the Goshen Woolen Mills Company. This institution gives employment to about forty-five hands and annually transacts business amounting to nearly $60,000. When a young man Mr. Kerstetter clarked in a store at La Grange, Ind. He there met, and October 13, 1861, wedded Miss Susan E., daughter of Benjamin King, and by her is the father of four children: Jessie, Florence, Frederick and Fanny. Mr. Kerstetter cast his first vote for Lincoln in 1860, and he has ever since affiliated with the Republican party. He is one of Goshen's most enterprising and public-spirited men.

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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 74

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

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