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 80

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 80
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 80

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JEREMIAH H. SERVICE. The best security ia, after all, individual integrity and personal responsibility, for, however strict laws have been made, it has too often been ahown that some one has turned out sharp enough to heat them. So-called private banks, though comparatively few, are yet useful spokes in the wheel of com- mercial relationa, and one of the strongest buttressea of social happiness. They are unrestricted in their manner of doing business, and their operations rest entirely upon the judgment of their owners and officials. In various ways they can satisfy the public easier than institutions which are bound down by laws, and to-day the largest banks in the world are private banks, and the individual loaner is, and has always been, the principal lubricator of the engines of commerce. As a striking example of this summary, the bank which is conducted under the title of Service & Son may be mentioned, the place of its location being New Carlisle, Ind. Mr. Ser- vice was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., November 15, 1812, his native town being Norway. He comes of a highly respected and well-known family, being the eldest son and second child in a family of four children born to Philip and Clara (Hall) Service, the former of whom was born in New Jersey in 1788, being one of the fol-

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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.

lowing children: William, Philip, Eva, Mary and Elizabeth, born to William and Sophia (Young) Service, who were also natives of New Jersey, the former being a son of German parents, who came to this country and settled in the State of New Jersey, from which State William Service enlisted in the Revolutionary war, serving in the continental army. Upon his removal to New York State he took up his resi- dence in Schoharie county, and about 1800 became & resident of Herkimer county. He died in that county some years ago, having been a public-spirited citizen, and a farmer by occupation. His children grew to honorable maturity, reared families, some of them quite large, and nearly all died when quite advanced in years. The grandmother was & native of Germany, came to this country at an early day, and died in the State of New York. William Service was an old line Whig and & man of unblemished reputation. Philip Service removed to the State of New York with his parents, and having been brought up on a farm, he followed that calling through- out life and died st his home in the Empire State in 1863. He was drafted in the War of 1812, but sent a substitute and devoted his attention to his farm. He was first an old line Whig in politics, but afterward became a Republican, and supported the principles up to the time of his death. His wife was a daughter of Jeremiah Hall, who was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and an early and prominent resident of Herkimer county, who was a stanch supporter of the Whig party. Mrs. Service was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., and was there called from life in 1828, having become the mother of four children: Mary, who became Mrs. Jacob Edbirt, has been dead many years; Jeremiah, the subject of this sketch; Harriet M., who became the wife of Moses W. Frazier, died about two years ago; and Clarissa, who is the deceased wife of John Frazier. Jeremiah Service was resred in the county of his birth, and on the old homestead he learned habits of industry and energy which were of great use to him when he started out in life for himself. His education w88 obtained in the district schools, and, like most farmers' boys of his day, he only attended during the winter months, but fortunately afterward for some time attended the grammar school of Syracuse, N. Y. At the age of twenty years he began to make his own way in the world and for four years thereafter worked on a dairy farm in New York. He then turned his footsteps westward, and during the two years that he spent in Huron county, Ohio, he taught school during the winter, and worked as & farm hand during the summer months, and in & brick yard. On April 12, 1837, he found himself in St. Joseph county, Ind., and that season made some of the first brick that was ever manufactured in this section. He followed this calling two years, then made a short visit to his old home in New York, after which he returned to this section where his home has been, with the exception of from 1843 to 1846, when he lived at Buchanan, Mich. After selling his brick yard he opened & general store at & small town called Hamilton, in Olive township, then resided three years in Michigan, but since 1846 has been an active and influential business man of New Carlisle. Upon retiring from the mercantile business in 1867 he established a bank which has been in successful operation ever since, and is estab- lished on a sound basis. He has ever been a far-seeing man of business, and is well known ss one of the most prominent business men of the county, and in politics has ever been a strong Whig and Republican. His intelligent views on all subjects, his honorable methods of conducting his business affairs and his agreeable and courteous manners led to his election to the State Legislature from St. Joseph county, in 1852, and for one term he discharged his duties in s faithful and able manner. Healso held the office of justice of the peace for four years in early times, and when at Terre Coupee served " Uncle Sam " faithfully as postmaster. As a business man he has been remarkably successful, and since 1880 he has " kept the faith " in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is now trustee. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge, of New Carlisle, No. 204, and for a number of years has been com- mander of the same. He is very public spirited and has ever manifested much inter- est in educational work, and for a number of terms has been a trustee of the school

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of New Carlisle. June 24, 1847, he was married to Mias Sarah A. Flanegin, who waa born in Butler county, Ohio, March 12, 1822, a daughter of Hugh C. and Mary (Jones) Flanegin, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, was an early pioneer of Butler county and became a resident of St. Joseph county, Ind., in 1834, locating on a farm in the northern part of Olive township. He was a Whig in pol- itics, a man prominent in public affaira, held the office of justice of the peace, and in an early day represented St. Joseph county in the State Legislature. He was a charter member of South Bend Lodge, No. 45, of the A. F. & A. M. He was killed by lightning in 1846, hia widow surviving him until 1884, when she died at New Car- lisle. She was born in Butler county, Ohio, a daughter of William Jones, a native of Walea, whose wife, Sarah, was also from that country. Hugh C. Flanegin and wife became the parenta of the following children: Sarab A., the wife of Mr. Service; Laura, who is Mra. Vaughn, of Greeley, Iowa; Caroline, who is Mra. Sparks, of Buchanan, Mich. ; Adaline, who ia Mrs. Drulnier, of La Porte connty, Ind .; William T., who ia living in New Carlisle; Marcella became a Mrs. Perkina and is now dead; Joseph P. ia living in New Carlisle, and Charles, who was a soldier in the Second Colorado Regiment, was killed during Price's raid. Mr. and Mrs. Service are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have many friends throughout the sec- tion in which they reside. Their children are: George H., born June 17, 1848, ia a leading merchant of New Carlisle; Mary J., born Angust 4, 1850, ia the wife of Charles Walverton, of South Bend, by whom she baa three children: Hattie E., Walter J. and Clarence; Hattie waa born in 1861, and died at the age of two years; Carrie M. was born April 6, 1857, is married to Edward H. Harria, a groceryman of New Carlisle, and John C., who was born Jannary 21, 1859. George H. Service, one of the above-named children, has the principal charge of the banking and mer- cantile business of Service & Son, and he may in every respect be said to.be a " chip of the old block," for he is enterprising, energetic, a shrewd financier but thoroughly reliable and honorable. He was brought up in the mercantile and banking businesa, but received fair educational advantages in the district schools of Terre Coupee and in Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Chicago. In 1867 be assumed the man- agement of the mercantile store belonging to his father, which has been under his capable control over aince. It is one of the leading establishments of New Carlisle, and the annual business done is large. He assisted in organizing the New Carliale Bank in 1873, in which be has an interest, and aside from this and his mercantile business, he ia interested in buying all kinds of grain, especially wheat. Politically he has always been a Republican, is interested in the affaira of his section, and ia a member of the city council and the city school board. Socially be belongs to the A. F. & A. M. of New Carlisle Lodge, No. 204. He was married in 1876 to Mary J. Howe, of La Porte, Ind., who was born there May 1, 1850, a daughter of Robert B. and Mary (Spaulding) Howe, which family came from Pennsylvania, the father being one of the first merchanta of La Porte for many years. He died in 1890, his widow atill surviving him. To them were born seven children: Robert A., who lives in Oakland, Cal .; William H., a real estate man of Kansas City; James A., who is book-keeper in the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad office of Chicago; Charles D., a physician of Pullman, Ill .; Mary (Mrs. Service); Lizzie, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Kittie, who is a type-writer operator in the office of the La Porte Carriage Company. Mr. and Mrs. George Service have three children: Clara L., born April 4, 1877; Anna S., born in 1880, and Lizzie M., born in 1882. Mr. Ser- vice and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are leaders in the social circles of New Carlisle.

EDMUND MICHAEL (deceased). The sketch here given is that of a former citizen and resident of Baugo township, Elkhart county, Ind., and is a tribute paid to his many virtues and to the lesson which, as a father, he impresses upon the minds of his children by the example of a noble and honorable life, which, although it was fraught with hard labor and patient industry, was a model to bia heirs of the sterling

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qualities that characterized a man who lived nearer to nature in its purity than to the artifices of society. His death, which occurred on the 25th of January, 1869, was the occasion of universal sorrow, for all felt the loss sustained by the departure of such a man. Mr. Michael was born in the Buckeye State, Miami county, Febru- ary 27, 1820, and is a son of Solomou and Sarah (Jacobs) Michael, natives of the Old North State. At a very early date the parents moved to Miami county, Ohio, and were among the pioneers of that county, experiencing all the hardships and privations of the early settlers. In 1830 they removed to Indians, settled in St. Joseph county, on the banks of the river of that name, and there entered eighty acres of land. Upon this they erected a rude log cabin, and here passed the remainder of their days, the father dying about 1848 and the mother in 1854. They were honest, upright citizens and an honor to any community. Our subject was ten years of age when his parents came to St. Joseph county, and there he finished his growth. He was early inured to hard labor, for he assisted his father in clearing the farm and set- ling the county. His educational advantages were of course sadly neglected and he never attended school more than one day in his life. Being possessed of a naturally quick mind and a fertile brain, and being a man of observation, he became as well post ed perhaps as many men who have had much better advantages. On the 1st of March, 1840, he was married in St. Joseph county to Miss Eliza Noffsinger, a native o Ohio, born June 14, 1818, and the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Syler) Noff- singer, natives of the Old Dominion, who settled in Dart county, Ohio, at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Noffsinger cleared a farm in the wilderness and resided on this for many years. In 1830 they removed to Elkhart county, Ind., and on December 27 settled in Bango township where they entered 240 acres of land. In the spring of that year Mr. Noffsinger had cleared about for acres, planted some corn, and erected a log cabin, 12x12 feet, into which he moved his family on the 5th of August. Here the family lived for many years, improving the land and making a home. Mrs. Noffsinger died in 1856, and in June, 1859, he followed her to the grave. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Michael they settled on eighty acres of land presented to Mrs. Michael by her father (where J. Proudfit now lives) and here they made their home for several years. They then disposed of the farm and pur- chased the property where Mrs. Michael now resides. The following children were given Mr. and Mrs. Michael: William, Jonathan (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Mary J. (deceased), Ann N. and Ada, at home. When the war cloud hung darkly over the nation Mr. Michael enlisted in Company F, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 1862, and participated in the battles of Corinth and Pittsburg Landing. He served about nine months, when an accident occurred which eventually resulted in his death. He was a consistent Christian, a kind father and loving husband. Mrs. Michael has 120 acres of land, about fifteen of which are timber. She is a member of the Baptist Church and a lady possessed of many womanly virtues.

ASA KNOTT (deceased). The name which is here given was for many years counted as among the leading farmers and business men of St. Joseph county, and although he has now passed from earth's activities it is but just and satisfactory that his life's narrative be recounted among those who have done excellent service in subduing the wilderness and bringing it into its present splendid condition physic- ally, morally and socially. Born in Greene county, Ohio, May 27, 1834, he was brought to St. Joseph county, Ind., when but four years of age, the names of his father and mother being David and Margaret (Brearley) Knott, who were born in New Jersey, and who emigrated to Ohio in an early day. In 1838 they settled in Greene township, at which time the country was wild and unimproved, populated by Indians, wolves and panthers; but while growing up Mr. Knott saw it transformed from a wild state to a thickly peopled region and magnificent farms. He obtained & fair education, and after reaching manhood followed lumbering in Marshall county for some time. He then returned and purchased the home farm and commenced

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farming and dealing in live stock and real estate, which business he continued through life. On January 7, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. Duffield of South Bend, and to their union five children were given: Charles, born January 16, 1869; William D., born Angust 25, 1870; Asa G., born July 13, 1873, and is now deceased; Nellie, born November 19, 1878; and Robert, born November 9, 1886, and is deceased. Mr. Knott was the owner of 1,200 acres of land 1,000 of which was under cultivation. He also owned the 100-barrel flouring mill and grain elevator at Walkerton, Ind., which he operated with the help of his two sons, and which did a large and flourishing business. On the organization of the Forty- eighth Indiana Volunteers during the Civil war, Mr. Knott was chosen first lieuten- ant of Company B., and while doing his duty in the service of his country contracted the diseases which afterward caused his death. He was one of the organizers and first treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was afterward elected president, which office he held until his death which occurred February 23, 1891. Mr. Knott was, along with the late Jndge Stanfield, drainage commissioner, and during their term of office they reclaimed over 25,000 acres of marsh and swamp land in St. Joseph county. Although not a candidate for office Mr. Knott was an influential and loyal Republican and always helped to develop a healthy public sentiment. He was prominent in Grange and G. A. R., circles, and always ready to assist in any liberal and public-spirited movement. He was a man of strong character, sound judgment, and his integrity was unimpeachable, and he set an example of honor and industry that all will do well to emulate.

JOHANN K. Boss. The material for the manufacture of first class, durable brick for building and paving purposes in and around Elkhart is inexhaustible, and there are a number of old and established yards in and around the city. One of the most noted and successful concerns in the county, extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick of all kinds, is that conducted by Johann K. Boss and located in Baugo township, on the banks of the St. Joseph river, Section 11. This flourishing indns- try has been established for many years and the brick is unrivaled for durability, finish and uniform excellence, and is a general favorite with our leading contractors and builders. An immense stock of choicest brick is constantly on hand and every effort is made to give complete satisfaction to patrons. Mr. Boss engaged in the manufacture of brick on the present site in 1881, although he had studied this industry for many years and had established a manufactory of this nature in Baugo township as early as 1871. He has all the latest improved machinery for the suc- cessful manufacture of pressed brick on a large scale, including a machine with a capacity of 50,000 per day, but the demands of the market at present do not require the making of only about one-half that amount and about sixteen men are employed. For a number of years Mr. Boss has carried on an immense business, the average output for the past ten years exceeding 2,500,000 bricks per year. During the years from 1883 to 1886 the output exceeded 3,000,000. The present season has been a very trying one for the business (1892), making it impossible to fill all orders. Mr. Boss was born amid the beautiful scenes of the Alps mountains, Switzerland, August 9, 1831, and his parents, Christian Boss and Anna Boss, were natives of that country also. Born of poor but honest parents, our subject had very limited educational advantages and was reared to labor early and late on a farm and to practice the most rigid economy in order to gain a livelihood. The principles thus instilled into his youthful mind have followed him closely throngh life, winning for him victories at critical periods, and bringing him bravely to the front. Having arrived at the age of twenty years and realizing the meager advantages offered in his native land for the acquirement of a home, he decided to cross the ocean and seek his fortune in the land of untold possibilities to the energetic, persevering student of industry and of which he had heard so much. At the time of his departure, April 14, 1851, his capital stock consisted of a faithful dog which he had raised and which he disposed of for $4. Through the generosity of an uncle he was enabled to secure

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passage to America and with this uncle landed in New York City a few weeks after taking passage. In consideration for the expense his voyage cost his uncle, young Boss was to give him his services until the debt was wiped out. Owing to the care- ful attention and consideration he manifested toward his uncle during the voyage, that gentleman generously donated the expenses of the trip and informed our snject that he could consider himself free to act for himself. Upon arriving in the city of New York this hopeful young man had about 10 cents in money and he immediately invested that in a straw hat. Later, in company with his uncle, he came to Indians, which was then the terminne of the railroad. An overland trip was then made to Kosciusko county, our subject walking the entire distance, about sixty miles. Six months later he came to Elkhart county and worked at what- ever employment he could find. In 1852 he began working in a brick yard and here laid the foundation for his subsequent prosperons career. He applied himself ener- getically and became thoroughly conversant with every detail of the business. He began as general utility man and, gradually progressing, was given an opportunity to take a hand at the molds. He made 6,000 bricks by hand the first day, and since that time he has made millions of them. In 1863, in company with a brother, he invested in sixty acres of land in Concord township. On this property he labored at night, being employed during the day in the rail shops at Elkhart at $1.10 per day and the money thus earned enabled him to pay the balance on his farm. Dur- ing the summer of 1863 he cultivated twenty acres of corn, two acres of potatoes and performed all the work by hand after returning from his labors of the day at Elk- hart. His energy was unbounded and he was gifted with an endurance and consti- tution seldom bestowed upon man. In this way he made & start, being a careful, economical and persevering student of all that he undertook. His parents, having come to America in 1862 and being advanced in years, now made their home with our subject. The father was born November 22, 1795, and the date of his mother's birth was June 2, 1798. They were married June 20, 1820. Their lives were spared but a short time after coming to the States. A strange coincidence occurred in connection with the death of the father, which took place December 31, 1863. On October 19 of that year Christian Boas attended the funeral of a brother and on returning from the same made the remark that he was the last of the family and would not live to see the new year ushered in. He was advanced in years, quite feeble, and the middle of the following December found him in bed with the premo- nition that his life was fast ebbing away. While not suffering from disease of any kind he steadfastly refused to have medical attendance, sincerely believing that he was past the aid of human help. From that time on his decline was rapid, all his strength and vitality passing away from him, and in the last hours of the last month of the year his predictions were fulfilled. He passed quietly and peacefully away. Dur- ing the early days of our subject's farming experience he had but few implements for carrying on the work and the stock on the place consisted of one horse and a cow. On many occasions when the work was too severe for the horse he would call into requisition the services of the cow and drive them together. Mr. Boss recalls an incident when he took a load of wood to Elkhart with this oddly improvised team. The sight of it caused great amusement for the town people, especially the children, who followed him about the street in great glee. The principal event of his life took place January 10, 1864, when he was united in marriage to Mrs. Julia A. Reid- meyer, whose husband had been killed on the railroad, leaving her with five children to provide for. She has proven a helpmate, indeed, to her husband, and to her economy, untiring assistance and co-operation in hours that were darkest, Mr. Boss attributes his success. Four sons have been born to them: Jacob, Albert, J. C. Christian and Edward A. In 1871 Mr. Boss engaged in the manufacture of brick, purchasing five acres of land in Section 11, Baugo township, at & cost of $1,000. He borrowed the money and mortgaged his farm for this. For seven years he made brick by hand and then invested in s small machine. Three years later & larger

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machine was found necessary, which he added at an expense of $1,000 cash. In 1882 the demands of the time called for increased facilities and he purchased the machine which he uses at present and which is valued at $2,000, with a capacity of 50,000 bricks per day. At this time he also purchased sight and one-fourth acres of land, on which is an almost inexhaustible supply of superior clay and where bis manufacturing interests are now located. Since Mr. Boss engaged in the manufact- ure of brick with modern appliances his advancement has been rapid, and he has been eminently successful in this business. In 1880 he was $4,000 in debt, but since that time he has not only paid off all debts contracted, but has kept abreast of the demands of the times in the purchase of modern machinery; hae purchased 188 acres of fine land and is entirely free from encumbrances of any character. He has also been a generous and indulgent father to all his children and for seven years gave his thres step-sons a comfortable home and $500 cash each year. At the time- of their marriage he presented each of them with $100 in gold, over $10,000 being disbursed in this way. He is equally generous to his own children who are still with him, enjoying the comforts and benefits of a model home, a modern two-story brick residence having been erected. Mr. and Mrs. Boss are consistent members of the Evangelical Church and in politics Mr. Boss is a Democrat. He is a loyal, patriotic citizen in all that the word implies and blesses the day that inspired him to come to this country. He ardently believes that there is no other such country on the face of the globe.

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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 80

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

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