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 79

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 79
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 79

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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

Since then Mr. Irwin has conducted the business alone, although he and Gen. Has- call are yet partners in the hardwood lumber trade at Esst Chicago. During the troublons time when rebellion threatened the overthrow of the Union, Mr. Irwin took an active part in the raising of troops for the war, and his loyalty was of so pronounced a character ss never to be questioned. During his half century of res- idence in Elkhart county, Mr. Irwin has been connected with some of the most note- worthy enterprises of Goshen, and the pride of his declining years is that no one can point to a single act that in the least reflects discredit upon his name. He was one of the organizers of the Elkhart County Agricultural Society, and was continued as its secretary for twenty-five years, serving twenty-three years without compensation, when he declined further service. He left the society the owner of thirty-two acres of ground, and buildings thereon and $500 in cash, all made and saved from the receipts from year to year, the property valued at $15,000. Notwithstanding his busy life, he has found time for extended reading and travel, and has twice crossed the Atlantic to Enrope visiting all noteworthy places of interest in the Old World. He has the largest miscellaneous library in the county. October 11, 1855, occurred bis marriage with Miss Hagar Jackson, the third danghter of Col. John Jackson, one of the pioneers of Elkhart county, and two children have been born to this union: Frank, and May, now Mrs. F. E. Baker. Aside from being one of the oldest living pioneers of the county, Mr. Irwin unquestionably is one of its foremost citi- zens. Gifted with intelligence, of nnswerving integrity, he to-day, on the evening of his life labors, commands the respect of his fellow meu, and numbers his friends only by his number of acquaintances.

SAMUEL SCOLES. For many years, or since boyhood Mr. Scoles has given the occu- pstion of farming his principal time and attention, and that a lifetime spent in pur- suing one calling will result in substantial soccess, especially if energy and perse- verance are applied, is particularly true in his case. Like many other of the representative citizens of the county, Mr. Scoles is a native of the Buckeye State, born November 13, 1814, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Scoles) Scoles, natives of Maryland, where they were reared and married. At an early day the parents emigrated to Ohio, and in 1819 settled in Knox county, where they passed the remainder of their days, living to be quite aged people. The-paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Esther (Bing) Scoles, the former a native of the Green Isle and the latter of England. Both came to America st a very early day and John was a soldier in the Revolution. The death of Thomas Scoles occurred in 1858 and that of his widow in January, 1866. The original of this notice was but five years of age when his parents located in Knox county, Ohio, and as the educational facili- ties of that early dsy were not of the best, his scholastic training was limited. About the year 1845 he removed to Marshall county, Ind., and February 22, 1846, he was married to Miss Barbara Huntsinger, s native of Montgomery county, Ohio, born October 3, 1819. and the daughter of Henry and Mary (Kessler) Huntsinger, the former born in Tennessee and the latter in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt- singer settled in St. Joseph county, Ind., May 5, 1831, and were among the pioneers of that county, there passing the closing scenes of their lives, Mrs. Huntsinger dying in 1848 and her husband in 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Scoles were born these children: Jesse B., Matilda W .. Lewis, Melissa (deceased), and Enoch (who died when five years of age). In 1852 Mr. Scoles located in Elkhart county, Ind., settling on a farm in Baugo township, and there he resides st the present time. With the exception of abont ten years spent in Elkhart, Mr. Scoles has resided on this farm ever since and is one of the old and much esteemed citizens of the township, and takes a deep interest in the welfare and progress of the county. While Mr. Scoles is a member of the Methodist Episcopal, his wife holds membership in the Baptist Church, and both are active workers in their respective churches. In politics be has voted the Republican ticket ever since the organization of that party, and is a firm advocate of its platform. His son, Lewis Scoles, was born in Marshall county,

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Ind., March 23, 1847, and when about five years of age was brought to Elkhart county by his parents. Here his youthful days were spent and in addition to a common-school education received in Bango township, he attended the public schools of Elkhart, where the family moved in 1862. Here Lewis attended school for four years and then returned to the farm where he has resided ever since with the exception of three years spent in Elkhart. He was married June 23, 1867, to Miss Louisa Bowman, a native of Stark county, Ohio, born December 25, 1847, and the daughter of Peter and Julia (Esseck) Bowman, natives of Ohio, who came to Elkhart county in 1855, where they passed the remainder of their days. To Lewis Scoles and wife have been born five children, three of whom are living: Carrie A., Clarence P., died when two years of age; Nora B. and George O. and Georgie E., the latter dying at the age of six months. His father and mother make their home with him. Mr. and Mrs Scoles are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Scoles is steward of the same. In politics he is an ardent Repub- lican.

C. W. MooN, general merchant and grain dealer of Lakeville, Ind., was born in Union township of this county January 9, 1845, at the home of his parents in the northwest part of the township, being one of their ten children. His parents were Eli and Lonisa (Hathaway) Moon, the former of whom was born in Wayne county, Ind., in April, 1822, a son of Malachi Moon, who came thither from his native State of North Carolina in an early day and died in Wayne county when his son Eli was a small child. The grandmother Moon also died in Wayne county, having become the mother of eight children: John, James, Eli, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy, Mary and Jane, all of whom are dead except James, who is about eighty years of age. All the early members of the family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, all followed farming and became well to do. Eli Moon spent his early life in Wayne county and when about fifteen years of age came to St. Joseph county and until eighteen years of age worked as a farm hand. He then started to farming on his own account on some land which he purchased in Union township, but in 1873 he retired from that business and took up his residence in Lakeville, where he lived until his death in 1874. " He held office in the United Brethren Church, of which he was a member, and until 1856 was a Democrat in politics, after which he became a Republican. His farm of 155 acres was well improved, but it required many years of hard labor to bring it to its present admirable state of cultivation. He was a well-known and useful citizen, and his death was a source of much regret to all who knew and respected and admired him for his many sterling traits of character. His union with Miss Hathaway took place in 1840, she being a native of the State of New York and a daughter of Jesse and Hannah Hathaway who were born in the State of New York, but were of English descent. They early became residents of St. Joseph county and here passed from life, he before the war and she about 1873. They held to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, were well to do and reared the following children: Henry, Gaylor, Abner, Peter, Ezra, Phoebe, Hannah, Louisa, Electa, Ovanda, of which family five members are living. Louisa Hatha- way was born in 1823 and died in 1859, an earnest member of the United Brethren Church. She also became the mother of ten children: William H., Charles W., Andrew, Jesse F., George R., Mary, Ruth, Alice, Emeline and Lucina. William, Henry, Alice and Emeline are decessed. William was a soldier in Company H, Seventy-third Regiment Indiana Volunteers and was killed at the battle of Stone River December 3, 1862, at the age of twenty years. He had participated in a num- ber of severe engagements, in which he acquitted himself creditably. He was buried on the battlefield. All the living members of the family reside in St. Joseph connty except Lncina, who is a resident of Nebraska. C. W. Moon, the subject of this sketch attended the common schools and the Northern Indiana College of South Bend, and thus gained a good practical education. He remained with his father on the farm until he wastwenty-one years of age and then started to do for himself and for fonr

Costaballena .

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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

years thereafter was engaged in teaching school. He then began clerking in the store belonging to Mr. Shively of South Bend and still later in Lakeville, and in 1869 embarked in the mercantile businees for himself, opening up a general store at Lakeville, which he operated for fifteen years, then gave up the business and once more became a pedagogne in Union township. Three years later he again opened & mercantile store in Lakeville and since that time has followed the business constantly and with good results. He keeps everything that can be required in & general store and for the past three years has also handled grain, making a specialty of wheat. Mr. Moon is a Republican in politics and has been active in the political affairs of his section. He has been justice of the peace for the past ten years and with impartial fairness has adjusted his neighbors' difficulties. Although a member of the A. F. & A. M., in which he attained quite a high rank, he has not attended lodge for some time past. November 16, 1870, he married Miss Mary E. Crosby, of Whitley county, Ind., her birth occurring November 4, 1847, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Shults) Crosby, who came from the State of New York to this section in 1852, and took up their residence in Huntington county and later in Whitley county, where the father died in 1876. The mother is still living. They were the parents of three children: Wellington, Seward and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Moon have three sons: Edmund B., born October 6, 1872; Arthur, born January 3, 1876, and Marvin, born April 13, 1878. Edmund was & school teacher for some time and is now studying veterinary surgery in Toronto, Canada. When thirteen years of age he graduated from the public schools, being the youngest graduate in the county, and since that time he has not disappointed his friends in regard to his progress. He possesses superior mental gifts and the determination to make the most of his opportunities and talents. Arthur graduated at the age of fourteen years and is now & successful teacher of the county, and Marvin, who also graduated at the age of thirteen years, continues to attend school and assist his father in the store. Mr. Moon has always taken much interest in educational matters and has given his children good oppor- tunities to become well informed men and useful citizens.

DAVID WHITMER, farmer and stockraiser. It is always a pleasure to deal with the history of one who is a member of one of those substantial old families who for many years have been distinguished for patriotism, the genuine spirit of Christianity and the strong characteristics which have made them well and favorably known in the sections in which they have resided. Such a man is David Whitmer, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, October 18, 1830, a son of Abram Whitmer, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. When about two years old David was brought to St. Joseph county, Ind., by his parents, and in the old-time schools of this section succeeded in obtaining a practical education, which has since been of much benefit and satisfaction to him. In his youthful days game was very plentiful hereabouts and continued to remain so for many years after their settle- ment. He was raised to a healthful and vigorous manhood on his father's farm and learned lessons of industry, honor and sobriety which have remained with him to the present day. On Febnary 2, 1854, he took for his wife Miss Celia A. Fnson, and their union resulted in the birth of five children: Melisa A., Alms L., Wilbert L., William A. and Abram W. All are married and live in St. Joseph connty. The mother of these children was called from life on November 14, 1872, and until Febuary 18, 1874, his daughters kept house for him, when he was married to Miss Phoebe J. Miller, of Dutch descent, who was reared in St. Joseph county. Her father is still living in South Bend, of which place he is a respected and esteemed citizen. The principles of the Republican party have always recommended them- selves to the judgment of Mr. Whitmer, but he has never held office of any kind nor aspired to do so, the proper conduct of his fine farm completely occupying his atten- tion. During the long term of years that Mr. Whitmer has resided in St. Joseph county, the people have had every opportunity to judge of his character, and no whisper has ever been breathed against his fair name. He is an honor to the race 31

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from which he sprung, and is one of the most successful agriculturiste of his section, being the owner of a fine farm of 260 acres, all the improvements on which were made by himself. His wife is a worthy member of the Dunkard Church, and in every sense of the word is a true Christian.

ISAAC WHITMER, farmer. This gentleman has been prominently connected with the welfare of Green township, St. Joseph Co., Ind., is one of its best known and most influential citizens, and is one of the most enterprising of farmers, using the best methods of fertilizing the soil and improving the land. He was born on the farm which he now occupiea, December 14, 1835, a aon of Abram and Catherine (Bowman) Whitmer, the former a native of the Keystone State and the latter of Ohio. The Whitmer family is of German origin, and this blood can be readily seen in the members of the family, for their chief characteristics are energy, perseverance, honesty and thrift. Abram Whitmer came from Ohio to St. Joseph county, Ind., in 1831, and first resided about four miles south of South Bend on Turkey Creek road, but remained there only a year or ao, when he moved to where his son Issac, the subject of this sketch, now resides, entering 160 acres of wild land. On this property he built a little log cabin, in which he and his family moved, and in order to at once begin the work of farming he "scratched" a small tract of land on which he sowed some grain, and around which he built a sort of pen in order to hold his claim. In those days the face of the red man was more fre- quently seen than that of the white, and wild game of various kinds roamed the forests and frequently gave the early settlers considerable tronble by killing and carrying off their stock and destroying their fielda of grain. Mr. Whitmer set en- ergetically about the work of improvement and although he for some time had hard work to keep the wolf from the door, hia labors at last began to be rewarded and funds became more plentiful. In time he added eighty acres to his homestead tract and also forty acres of heavy timber land. On thia valuable farm he breathed his last on December 13, 1872. In early days he did his trading and milling at Bert- rand and Michigan City and although these hardships and privationa were annoying, there was no such, word aa "fail"' in hia vocabulary, and when the country began to be thickly settled his reward came. He was an elder in the Dunkard Church, and was a man who possessed many sterling attributes. His nnion reaulted in the birth of eleven children, one of whom died in infancy, the living membera being: Jacob; David; John; Susan; Isaac; Ann; Daniel, an elder in the Dunkard Church; Henry, Mary and Lydia. Christina is decessed. Isaac was born and reared on the farm he now owns, but his educational advantages were limited, owing to the poor facili- ties in his boyhood days. He attended the winter terms, which lasted abont three months and were held in the log cabins of pioneer days. When not in achool hia time was spent in clearing the farm and with horses tramping ont whest on the barn floor. There were plenty of deer at that time and being a fair marksman the family did not lack for fresh meat. In 1859 he crossed the plains to California in search of gold, but in January of the following year returned home via the Isthmna of Panama, only to again cross the plains to California in the apring of 1860. This time he was absent two and a half years, during which time he not only tilled the aoil but also hauled freight over the mountains, making his headquarters at Sacramento. In the fall 1862 he once more returned to the home of his birth, rid- ing a pony acrosa the plains. He was subsequently married and moved to near La Porte, Ind., but in March, 1869, settled on his present farm-his birthplace- where he owns 271 acres of land, nearly all of which is under cultivation. He deala in stock to some extent, but the most of his attention is given to tilling the soil. He was elected township trustee in 1884 and served s term of four years. He is one of the enterprising and representative men of Green township, ia a Republican in politics and is a member of the Dunkard Church. He was married in 1863 to Miss Sarah M. Greene, daughter of Nathan and Rebecca Greene, and his union has re- stilted in the birth of three children: Eva, A. L. and Mary M. Eva, the oldest, has

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taught school nine years; A. L., the second child and only aon, has taught three years; both are now attending College, while Mary M., the youngest, after graduating in the common schools, is now attending the high school of South Bend, Ind.

LEONARD H. FRANK. The old country has contributed to the new many estimable citizens, but she has given us none more worthy of reapect and esteem than the subject of this sketch, who is one of the representative men of the county. He was born in Germany on February 7, 1870, and his parents, George L. and Margaret (Kapp) Frank, were natives of that country also and there passed their entire lives. Leonard H. Frank's early life was characterized by the energy and industry so common among those of German nativity. On April 6, 1854, he decided that America was the Mecca to which so many were turning, and he decided to cross the ocean to this land of promise. He landed in New York on May 17 of that year with but $2 in his pocket, but with any amount of energy and pluck. Two days in New York reduced his $2 to a cipher and he was obliged to borrow $2 to get to Philadelphia. Thus he started out for himself $2 poorer off than nothing. Immediately upon reaching that city he procured employment on a farm across the river in New Jersey and received $10 for his first month's services. The next month he received $11, but during the winter he received but $9 per month, not being so busily employed. The following spring he received $13 and continued on the farm until the fall of 1855, when he decided to travel toward the setting sun. He was offered $15 per month to remain, but in spite of all this he started for Ohio. For three years he resided in Wyandotte county and then went to Crawford county, that State, where he purchased his first land, seventeen acres, upon which he settled and began improving. Two years later he added aixteen acres to this and made his home here until the spring of 1867, when he disposed of hia farm and came to Indiana. He purchased eighty acres in St. Joseph county, Ind., but as it was not all paid for he disposed of this and bought sixty acres in the same county. In January, 1886, he came to Elkhart county, purchased his present farm of 145 acres, in Baugo town- ship, and is one of the successful and properoua men of the county. Mr. Frank celebrated October 15, 1855, by taking to himself a wife in the person of Miss Mary Zancinger, a native of Germany, born December 2, 1833. They are the parents of eleven children, who were named in the order of their births as follows: William (deceased), George, Caroline, Emaline, William (deceased), Lewie, Andrew, Tracy, Kate, John and Edward (deceased). Worthy and exemplary members of the Lutheran Church, Mr. and Mrs. Frank contribute liberally to its support. They have a fine two- story brick residence and a large barn, erected in 1888 at a cost of $1,800. As we know he started out with limited means, in a strange country, and what he has accumulated is the result of great industry and perseverance. He says he could never have accomplished ao much in any other country, and that the United States is the country for a struggling young man to amount to something.

LESTER SAWYER. A noble class of men has built up the agricultural interests of Bango township, Elkhart Co., Ind., and has made it a garden spot in the great commonwealth of the State. Among those who have been active and efficient in the work is he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He has been identi- fied with the farming interests of the county for many years and in every walk of life has conducted himself in an honorable, upright manner. His fine farm of 132 acres is one of the most attractive agricultural spots of the district, being conspicu- ons for the management that. while making it neat and attractive, still shows prudence and economy. Mr. Sawyer owes his nativity to Ohio, born in Portage county May 23, 1832, and is a son of Levi and Catherine (Beers) Sawyer, the former a native of the Old Bay State and the latter of Ohio, born in Portage county. Levi Sawyer was born on January 1, 1801, and his parents, Asa and Eunice (Priest) Sawyer, were natives of Massachusetts. Asa Sawyer emigrated to Ohio at an early date, settled in Portage county and there followed his trade, cooper, in connection

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with farming. He was a very successful agriculturist and became quite wealthy. He was captain in the War of 1812, under Col. Carter, in & company known as the "Floodwood." His death occurred about the year 1846, but for several years previoua to hia death he had no use of his limba, being a paralytic. His wife aur- vived him until about 1860, her death occurring in Portage county on the home- atead. Levi Sawyer waa reared and educated in his native county and there learned the ahoemaker'a trade, which he followed for many years. He was married to Miaa Catherine Beers, who bore him these children: Luke, served in the One Hundredth Ohio Regiment during the war; Lewis, Lester and William, were cavalrymen during the war, in the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Regiment; Lucy ia in Kansas, and Louisa died in 1866; Lewis and Leroy died in 1855. In 1854 Levi Sawyer came to Indiana, located in Elkhart county, and for many years was justice of the peace in Jefferson township. Previoua to thia, in 1845, Mrs. Sawyer died in Portage county, Ohio, and in 1846 Mr. Sawyer married Eliza Kelao, a native of Portage county, and whose death occurred in Iowa in 1880. Three children were the result of this union: Charles, Franklin and Byron, two of whom, Charles and Franklin, served in the Union army. Mr. Sawyer waa & man of energy and strict integrity and waa universally respected. His death occurred on Angust 30, 1889, at the home of his son, Leater, in Baugo township, this county. Lester Sawyer was trained to the duties of the farm at an early age and received his education in the common achoole. Although the advantages were not of the best, he improved every opportunity and for several years after coming to Elkhart county was a school teacher during the winter months. In 1853 Mr. Sawyer came to Indiana, settled on a farm in Baugo township, this county, and reaides on this at the present time. Thirty of the 132 acres that he owns is in timber, but the remainder is in a high state of cultiva- tion. Mr. Sawyer has aerved his township as clerk and trustee at various times, and has always been identified with the Democratic party in politics. Our subject celebrated his marriage to Mias Olive E. Newman, at Elkhart, December 11, 1856. She was born in Tioga county, N. Y., April 1, 1834, being the daughter of James E. and Catherine (Hart) Newman, natives of the Empire State, but of En- glish-German deacent respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Newman emigrated to Indiana in 1840, settled in Baugo township, Elkhart county, and there followed farming on the land now owned by our subject. Mr. Newman waa one of the pioneers of Baugo township, but did not live long after settling here, his desth occurring on August 25, 1840. His wife survived him until February 4, 1872, her death oc- curring at Elkhart. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer: Clara E., born June 17, 1866; Mina E., born June 4, 1868; Nors F., born December 1, 1870; William E., born January 31, 1874; and Herbert, born January 9, 1861, and died March 4, 1865.

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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 79

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

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