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 81
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 81
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SOLOMON STUMP. Among the representative and venerable citizens of Elkhart county, and one who is a splendid type of the enterprise, industry and self-reliance of the early Indiana pioneer, it is a pleasure to introduce to the readers of this volume the subject of this sketch. More than half a century ago he braved the dangers, triale and privations of pioneer life in order to establish a home and competency for his grow- ing family, and where now are waving fields of grain then stood the mighty monarch of the forest. He was born in Canada Angnst 26, 1830, being the tenth of thirteen children reared by Daniel and Sally (Smith) Stump, the father having been born in Pennsylvania, May 1, 1790, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, in Elkhart county. His parents, Abraham and Mary (Meekley) Stump rsared a fam- ily of two daughters and six sons, and at the time of their removal to Canada Daniel was only fourteen years old. He was reared on British soil with his brothers and sisters whose names are as follows: Solomon, David, Samuel, Jacob, Joseph, Lizzie and Susan, he being the second of the family. Upon reaching man's estate he was married, and in 1838 moved to Elkhart county, Ind., making the journey thither by wagon, as did many other Canadian families, and as he had been brought up to s knowledge of farming it was but natural that he should devote his attention to that calling upon taking up his residence in this section. His marriage with Miss Smith resulted in the birth of the following children: John, who is farming in Kosciusko county, has a large family; Mariah, who married Joshua Yoder, who is deceased; Abraham is also deceased; Samuel, deceased; Jacob is living in Ne- braska; Daniel, deceased; Susan, Joseph and Benjamin died in Canada; Solomon; Sally, now Mrs. Brown, of Union township; Jonathan; Noah is farming in Noble county. Upon the arrival of the Stump family in this section they settled on the farm on which the subject of this sketch is residing, and they began energetically to clear the land and break the soil. They erected a log house with a puncheon floor, and they had considerable means upon coming here. The early life bere was not marked with as many hardships as usually fall to the lot of the pioneer settler, al- though they had to put up with many inconveniences and were compelled to labor early and late in order to clear the large amount of land which they owned, which consisted of thirteen eighty-acre tracts. The founder of the family in this section paid the last debt of nature on May 7, 1877, having for many years been a bishop of the River Brethren Church, having charge of a circuit at the time of his death. Although Solomon Stump was born and spent the first eight years of his
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life under the protection of the British lion, he is nevertheless a patriotic son of Uncle Sam, and since becoming a resident of Elkhart county he has identified him- self with her every interest and has ever cast his influence on the side of justice and right. He is & public-spirited man, and during the fifty-four years that he has been a resident of this county, naught has ever been said derogatory to his honor. He has witnessed the growth of the country from a primitive wilderness to its present flourishing agricultural condition, and has done his full share in bringing about this most desirable result. He was twenty-six years of age when he was married to Mary Troup, who was a native of the county, born in 1836, and their union result- ed in the birth of four children: Ephraim, Sally, Susan and Jesse. Ephraim
married Margaret Wiltfong; Sally married Jacob D. Pippenger, and Susan msr- ried Chris. Umbaught. The mother of these children died November 24, 1883, and for his second wife Mr. Stump took Eliza Borger, July 19, 1885, her birth having occurred in Lancaster county, Penn., April 22, 1837, s daughter of Philip and Saloma (Slussen) Borger, Pennsylvanians, who are both now deceased. Their family consisted of ten children: Netts (deceased), Amelia, Mary, Lydia (de- ceased), Jacob, Eli, Esther, Eliza, Macine and Caroline. Solomon Stump remained with his father until the death of the latter, when the estate was divided op and eighty acres surrounding the old home fell to his share, each of his other children falling heir to s like amount. He and his worthy wife have ever been observant of all the amenities consistent with their sphere and position in life and have always been noted for their generosity and largenese of heart. Mr. Stump has always been prudent and wisely economical in his manner of living and now is enabled to enjoy the fruits of his early labor and of a life well spent.
EPHRAIM STUMP is the eldest son of Solomon Stump. He was born on the home farm in Elkhart county, Ind., October 2, 1857, where he was reared to manhood and received his education in what is known as the Stump school, which was in the vicinity of his home. He remained with his father until he reached manhood, and in 1887 began farming for himself on the place where he now lives, which consists of eighty acres. In 1888 be united his fortunes with those of Margaret Wiltfong who was born in Olive township of this county on September 20, 1864, a daughter of Elias and Anna B. Wiltfong, being the second daughter of the family that con- sisted of four children: Kate, Margaret, Susan (who died at the age of two years) and Nancy. Soon after their marriage Ephraim Stump and wife began bending their energies to the improvement of their home, and since then he has been res- sonably successful as & general farmer. He has a fertile tract of sixty-eight acres under cultivation, and if it is very carefully tilled it will yield as large an income as the general average farms; the rest of his land is covered with timber and is con- sidered valuable. Mr. Stump's union has resulted in the birth of two children: Herman who was born December 26, 1888, and Mary A., born August 12, 1890.
DANIEL BECHTEL (deceased). Among the noble men of Elkhart county, Ind., who fulfilled their destiny and are now no more, may be mentioned Daniel Bechtel, whose walk through life was characterized by the most honorable business methods, by his devotion to his family, and by the interest he took in the welfare of his fellow men. He was the founder of one of the most prominent families in the county, and although the history of this section is filled with the deeds and doings of self-made men, no one in Elkhart county is more deserving the appellation than Mr. Bechtel, for he marked out his own career in youth and steadily followed it up to the time of his death, which occurred in Harrison township, this county, June 16, 1890. He was born in Huntington county, Penn., October 15, 1822, and was the only child born to the union of Henry and Barbara Bechtel. Henry Bechtel's parents were born in Germany, but at an early date crossed the ocean to the "land of the free" and settled in the Keystone State, where Henry was born. The latter was an early pioneer of Huntington county, was highly respected as an upright, honorable citi- zen, and reared his five children to be esteemed and respected citizens. He was
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twice married, the mother of our subject dying when the latter was but s child, and Mr. Bechtel became the father of four children by a subsequent marriage. These children are all living, reside in Blair county, Penn., and are named as follows: Susan, Barbara, Mary and John; all are honest, upright citizens. Daniel Bechtel was resred on the old home place in Pennsylvania and there learned habits of indus- try that remained with him through life. Early taught the duties of the farm, he continued to discharge them on the home place until the age of twenty-one, when he married. Soon after this he emigrated to the Buckeye State, settled in Stark county, and there resided for a year and a half. In 1854 he emigrated to Elkbart county, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land, on which he settled and lived a pioneer life until he succeeded in clearing the land, which was covered with timber. This took years to accomplish, and as he bad very little means to start with, he went in debt for the first land he bought. By much hard work and any amount of perse- verance he encceeded in clearing his farm and converting it into one of the finest ones in the township. So well did he manage his agricultural affairs that he not only paid off all his indebtedness, but bought more land, and at the time of his death owned a very large estate over 500 acres-and was worth about $75,000. He remained on the old home place until about 1884, when he moved to one of bis other farms near the original tract. His wife is still living and resides on this place. Mr. Bechtel was a man possessed of generous, true-hearted and hospitable instincts, and being kind and sociable in disposition he won numerous friends and rarely lost them. He was very liberal with his means in contributing to enterprises of worth, and be- ing a man of intellect, who kept himself thoroughly posted on the current topics of the day, his wealth was used to a good advantage. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Sarah Neterer, s native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford county, October 21, 1821, and the daughter of Jeremiah and Peggie (Rouderbuck) Neterer. Mr. Neterer was a prominent man in Pennsylvania and made a good citizen. The mother was born in the same State and died there when about thirty-five years of age. She was the mother of five living children: Michael, Levi, Samuel. Sarah and Mary. The father was married the second time and two children were born to this union: Elizabeth, and one who died in infancy. Of these children the only ones now liv- ing are Mrs. Bechtel and Samuel. The parents of Mrs. Bechtel were born in Bedford county, Penn., the former the son of Jacob Neterer and the latter the daughter of Michael Rouderbuck. Both families were early settlers of that county, very prominent people, and of German descent. Mr. Neterer died in Pennsylvania in 1865, when seventy-six years of age. He had followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, was a member of the Dunkard Church, and in politics a Dem- ocrat. Mrs. Bechtel spent her early life in Pennsylvania and after marriage emi- grated to Ohio. Nine children were born to her marriage, six of whom are living: Mary A., who died at the age of fifteen years; Samuel, who died in July, 1887 (see sketch); Henry; Jeremiah; John; David (see sketch of all); Caroline, married Henry Nye and died in 1886, leaving five children; Louella; Sadie; Amands; Daniel and Rosa. Sarah married Mr. McDonald and Amanda married Wilson Starbaugh (see sketch). Mrs. Bechtel ie now seventy years of age, is an intelligent and well-posted lady, and by her many womanly qualities of mind and heart has won a host of warm friends. Her children are all worthy citizens and classed among the best people of the county. She has attended 130 births in the county, and most of these in the neighborhood where she lives.
SAMUEL BECHTEL (deceased). It is always a pleasure to deal with the history of one who is a member of one of those grand old families who have for generations been distinguished for patriotism, the genuine spirit of Christianity and the strong characteristics which have made them men of mark. Samuel Bechtel was born in Blair county, Penn., December 27, 1844, and was a descendant of one of the repre- eentative families of Elkhart county, Ind. He was the eldest son born to Daniel Bechtel (see sketch), and when but a boy was brought by his parents to Elkhart
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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.
county and reared amid the pioneer surroundings of Harrison townehip. He obtained a good business education in the common schools of that township, but being of a studious turn of mind, he was mainly self-educated, all his spare time being spent with his books. He Was a man possessed of excellent business acumen, generous, true-hearted and hospitable instincts, and, being kind and sociable in disposition, be won numerous friends and rarely lost them. His death, which occurred July 1, 1887, was the occasion of universal sorrow, for all felt the lose to be sustained by the departure of such a friend. As a business man he had few equals and, although he was self-made and started at the bottom of the ladder, he climbed to the top round of success in social and business circles. When the tocsin of war sounded to Brms during the late unpleasantness between the North and South our subject donned his suit of blue, shouldered his musket and August 13, 1862, enlisted in Company E, Seventy-Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The only time be ever disobeyed his father was when he enlisted. He served until June 9, 1865, and was then dis- charged at Washington, D. C. He was a good and faithful soldier, participated in many battles and was wounded once in the band. A prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, he was much interested in this order and was a member of the lodge of Nappanee at the time of his death. He was also a member of the G. A. R. lodge. For eleven years before his death he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and assisted in building the new church at Nappanee. He took a great interest in all worthy movements and none were allowed to fail for want of eupport on his part. In 1884 he and his father and brother Henry established the Farmers' & Traders' Bank of Nappanee, the first bank in that town, and it is now owned by Samuel Coppes & Son. This be operated successfully until his death. Mr. Bechtel wss a shrewd, far-seeing business man, a banker of the soundest judgment and a public spirited and progressive citizen. He made a good property and at the time of his death left a large estate of land and town property. He was accidentally killed in a gravel bank near Nappanee. May 1, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary Myers, a native of Hillsdale, Mich., born July 13, 1854, and a daughter of Andrew and Rosena (Negline) Myers, both natives of Germany. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Myere came to this country and settled in Michigan, where they lived at Hillsdale. Shortly after the birth of their daughter Mary they moved to Elkhart county, settling in Goshen. Since that time Mr. Myers has been a resident of this county. He was the father of six children, as follows: John G. S. Myers, M. D., who ie well known in Indiana; George F., a resident of Indiana; Anna L., wife of Frank Plank of New Paris, Elkhart county; M -- , the wife of Jacob Nald, of Nappanee; Andrew, resid- ing in Chicago and Mrs. Bechtel. The latter was a child when she came to this county and has passed nearly all her life in Goshen. She taught in the schools of that town for some time and is a woman of fine character and much learning. After marriage she and her husband made their home in Goshen nntil 1884, when they moved to Nappanee and there resided until the death of Mr. Bechtel, when she returned with her children to Goshen. The children are named as follows: Daniel M., born November 12, 1878, attending school; Esther, born December 18, 1880; Joy G., born May 23, 1884; Samuel B., born June 30, 1886, and died September 13, 1887. Mrs. Bechtel believes in the Christian religion, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a regular attendant at its services.
JOHN BECHTEL is not only a gentleman in every sense of the word but ae a busi- ness man is shrewd, practical and far-seeing, well qualified to discharge the nec- essary duties of life and well adapted to the active life he has led. He comes of one of the finest families of the county, being next to the youngest brother born to Daniel and Sarah (Neterer) Bechtel, whose sketch precedes this. He is a product of the county in which he now resides, his natal day occurring on June 11, 1854, on the old family homestead in Harrison township, on which his brother-in-law, Martin McDonald, is now residing. The common country schools in the vicinity of his home furnished him with a fair edncation, but the general routine of his life
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PICTORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's boy, for bis wintera were thus spent in hia efforts to secure an education and hia summers in assisting on the home farm. He remained with his father until he was twenty-five years of age, then started out to do for himself and with his brother Jeremiah, began working in the saw-mill in Union township. During the four years that he followed thia occupation hia efforts were crowned with anccesa, but at the end of that time he purchased ninety acrea where he now lives, which even then was a well-improved place. The work of farming has proved a congenial occupation to him, and as he ia of a very energetic temperament, his worldly possessions have continued to in- crease in size, until he is now regarded as one of the wealthy farmera of the town- ship. He also gives a considerable portion of hia attention to the raiaing of cattle and especially sheep, an occupation for which his farm seems well adapted, and for which he seems to have a decided taste. He has always taken an active part in politics, has held the office of justice of the peace for four years and was re- elected, but not caring to devote hia time to the office did not qualify. As he has always been interested in the public-school question, he has been appointed by the court, on various occasions, aa trustee for different heira and guardians. His succesa in life is owing to his own push and enterprise and also to the fact that in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He ia a man whom to know is to honor, and his numerous frienda testify to his many worthy qualities aa a citizen, friend and neighbor. In the fall of 1884 he united his fortunes with those of Misa Susan Clouse, who was born in Harrison township, Elkhart Co., Ind., December 6, 1863, and in this connty grew to womanhood. She is the mother of one danghter, Myrtle, who was born on June 17, 1891. Mr. and Mra. Bechtel may well be classed among the prominent young people of the county, for they are well known and com- mand respect from all who have the honor of their acquaintance. They have a very fine farm and the improvementa thereon are much above the average, being a very anbstantial and attractive kind. They have a large brick residence, a fine and com- modioua bank barn which will hold a large amount of hay and grain and will accom- modate a great deal of his stock. Mrs. Bechtel ia the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Jones) Clouse, the former of whom is now a resident of Kosciusko county, Ind., and is residing on a farm near Milford. Daniel was born in Pennsylvania to John and Susan Clouse, also of that State, who early became residenta of Ohio and later of Elkhart county, Ind. Daniel waa one of nine children: Sarah, Susan, Mary, Daniel, Benjamin, William, Lina, Lavina and Rebecca. In the State of Ohio Daniel Clanse and Mary Jonea were married, after which they removed to Elkhart county, Ind., and for many years resided in Harrison township on a farm, but later took up their residence in Kosciusko connty. They had a family of three sons and four daughtera: Eliza, Caroline, Chauncey, Joseph, Noah, Susan (Mrs. Bechtel), Melissa. Mrs. Clouse is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Humenell) Jones, who were early settlers of Madison county, Ohio, and the parents of six children: Mary, Levi, Henry, Eliza, David and Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been residents of Harrison township, Elkhart connty for many years and have long been members of the Mennonite Church. Mr. and Mrs. Clonse lived in Ohio for some years, but have long been residenta of Elkhart county, and here reared their family of ten children: Eliza, who married Louis Clipp, a well-to-do farmer, has six children; Caroline, wife of David Greenham, of Nappanee, haa eleven children; John, died at the age of fifteen years; Chauncy is a farmer of Kosciusko county, is married and has three children; Joseph is living in the same county, is married and has two children; Noah lives there also, and be and his wife have one child; Daniel died at the age of two years; Susan is the wife of John Bechtel and was born on December 6, 1863; Melissa is the wife of Milton Brumbaugh, haa two children; and Lewis who died at the age of eighteen months. The parents of these children are still living on a farm and are in the enjoyment of a large circle of friends. Mr. Clouse is a Democrat, politically, and has always manifested much interest in the development of his aection.
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MEMOIRS OF INDIANA.
HENRY BECHTEL. There is something essentially American in the life and character of the gentleman who is the subject of this eketch. The United States has given rare opportunities to men with courage, honesty of purpose, integrity and energy, to achieve anccesa. The bulk of the men who have legitimately achieved fortune have been men with the above characteristics, and Mr. Bechtel is sui generis one of that stamp. His success as a business man and citizen has come of his devotion to right and his tenacity of purpose. There is no man in Elkhart county, Ind., who stands higher in the estimation of the people, both in business and social circles, than he, and no man has done more to advance the interest of the county. Mr. Bechtel was the third child and second son born to Daniel Bechtel (see aketch), his birth occurring in Blair county, Penn., April 6, 1846, and was only s child when his parents made the trip to the Buckeye State. Later they moved to Elkhart county, Ind., and he there gained a practical education in the district school of Harrison township, but much of his time was given to clearing the farm, for he was put to work as soon as possible. Until twenty-one years of age he labored manfully on his father's farm, clearing and grubbing in the woods, thus gaining a thorough knowledge of the lumber trade; and the only break in this monotonous employment was when he enlisted in the army when seventeen years of age. He went out to service in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty- sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was in active duty for 100 days, the term of his enlistment, and Was then discharged. Six days later be re-enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served twelve months, taking part in a number of hard-fought battles and many skirmishes. His first engagement was at Pulaski, Tenn. Later he was in the bloody battle of Franklin, Tenn., and in the battle of Nashville, that State. Upon his second enlistment he was promoted to corporal, and held that position until cessation of hostilities. He was a brave and gallant officer, was ever to be found at the front and discharged his duties in an able and most efficient manner. He was never wounded or taken prisoner. His discharge was received in Texas at the close of the war and he returned home, where he remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. He was one of the youngest soldiers from Elkhart county, and his conduct during that trying period ie spoken of in the highest praise by all his surviving comrades. When he reached his majority Mr. Bechtel started out to fight the battle of life, and after a few years as an agricnlturist he branched out in the saw-mill and lumber business. In that he met with excellent success and for twenty years was engaged in that line, but at the same time he embarked in other business enterprises, all of which have netted him substantial results. He has carried on agricultural pursuits in a very successful manner, and as a stockman he has few equals and no superiors in the county. He is now residing in one of the best improved farms in Elkhart county, Harrison township, and since 1888 has been a member of Elkhart County Draft Horse Importing Company. He, in company with John Whisler, Peter Tallens and Emil Goormachtigh, own the Spring Brook Stock Farm, and this company is one of the strongest and most popular enterprises in the county. This company is engaged in importing Belgium Draft and German coach horses, and they have a large barn on Spring Brook Farm where they can accommodate several hundred head of horses. Mr. Bechtel is a reliable business man, is held in the most favorable repute, owing to his en- terprise and his upright, honorable business methods. He formerly had an interest in the Farmer's & Trader's Bank at Nappanee, and is now a stockholder in the State Bank of Goshen, organized in 1892. For the past few years he has been en. gaged in many paying enterprises with Mr. John Whisler. Mr. Bechtel is the proprietor of an extensive carriage factory at Wakarusa, managed by John Witmer and there manufactures all kinds of carriages and buggies, also carts, and harness of all kinds. This business under Mr. Bechtel's supervision has grown to be a com- plete success and many hands are employed. In politics our subject supports the principles of the Republican party and takes a deep interest in the political issues
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