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 84

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 84
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 84

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Catherine, Thomas, Mary (Mrs. Phillips), Robert, Nancy J. and Elizabeth, all na- tives of Ohio except the youngest, who was born in Elkhart county. Catherine and John were twins. He is deceased and she is the wife of Andrew Kick, of Teagar- den, Marshal county. Thomas is living at Warsaw, Kosciusko county, and a man of a family; Robert resides on a farm in Locke township and has seven children; Nancy J., now Mrs. Jacob Peffly, is residing in Goshen, and Elizabeth married James Heaton and is living in Locke township, this county. Mrs. Phillips was only seven years of age when the family came to this county and she grew up in the neighborhood, attending the early schools of this county. By her marriage to Mr. Phillips she became the mother of one child, Reuben T., whose birth occurred August 24, 1854, on the old farm in Locke township. For twenty-five years Mrs. Phillips has been a member of the United Brethren Church and is a lady possessed of many excellent qualities. For the past few years she has had quite poor health. She is the oldest settler in Locke township, having settled in the same in 1839, and is highly esteemed by all acquainted with her. She has experienced all the hard- ships of pioneer times, but as she came of good old pioneer stock, braved the trials and vicissitudes of those early days with a fortitude truly wonderful. She has been deeply interested in church and Sunday-school work and contributes liberally to the support of the same. Mrs. Phillips died September 23, 1892. Her son, Reuben T. Phillips, one of the most enterprising young farmers of Elkhart county, ie re- siding on the old home place and also owns the old farm taken up by his grand- father Berry, which consists of 158 acres and is in the same neighborhood. Reuben attended the district school of his township during the winter seasons, but in spring and summer was actively engaged in assisting on the farm. In 1875 he took charge of the farm and since then he has been busily employed in farming and stockraising. His father passed away on September 2, 1890, when quite an aged man. Reuben, as a farmer, has met with success, although he is not enjoying the best of health. He psys strict attention to agricultural pursuits, hae fine orchards and groves on his place, and is advanced and progressive in his ideas. He takes a deep interest in politics and is a strong supporter of the principles of his party. In all enterprises to benefit the people, such as good roads, schools, drainage, etc., he is prominently identified, and as a member of the United Brethren Church, he takes a leading part, being steward at the present time and secretary of the Sunday-school. He is a public-spirited young man, honest, industrions and upright, and no one stands higher in the estimation of the people. On January 30, 1876, he was married to Miss Mary E. Pletcher, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Swisher) Pletcher. Henry Pletcher was born in Ohio and was the son of Jacob and Barbara (Nesslerode) Pletcher, hie father coming from Ohio where he was born, and settling in Olive township, Elkhart Co., Ind., at an early day. (See sketch of Henry Pletcher.) Mrs. Phillips was born on March 31, 1858, and grew to womanhood on her father's farm in Olive township. She was one of twelve children. By her marriage to Mr. Phillips she became the mother of four children, as follows: John I., born April 8, 1878, a bright boy of fourteen years, is much help to his father on the farm and promises to become a good business man; Cornelius T., born January 7, 1880, is also assisting on the farm and attending school; Henry M., born December 10, 1883, is in the school-room; and Chloe Ethel, born September 9, 1887. Mrs. Phillips is a member of the United Brethren Church and is a lady possessed of many excellent qualities.

DANIEL LEER. This is one of the oldest and most respected families of Elkhart county, Ind., and its members are men and women of more than ordinary intelli- gence. Jacob Leer, grandfather of the man whose name heads this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, grew to manhood there and was there married. To his union were born six children, who lived to mature years, viz. : Abraham, Jacob, David,. Samuel, Polly and Hannah. Believing that he could do better by emigrating west- ward, he left his native State and settled in Montgomery county, Ohio. He was an

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old-fashioned pioneer citizen and a man who won and held the confidence of all. He died in the Buckeye State and was a worthy member of the Dunkard Church. His son, Jacob Leer, was also a native of the Keystone State, and received a limited common-school education in both the German and English language. Prior to his marriage he came to Indiana and followed the shoemaker's trade, which he carried on for several years. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Mary Statsman, and this union was blessed by the birth of four children, as follows: Catherine, Daniel, Lydia and John. After his marriage Mr. Leer settled on 160 acres of land, which he had entered and which was covered with timber, and he immediately began clearing the same. After years of hard labor his efforts were rewarded and he was the owner of a very comfortable and attractive home. Both he and wife were mem- bers of the Dunkard Church, and for many years he was a preacher in the same. He was one of the honorable, highly-esteemed pioneer settlers, and contributed his full share toward improving and developing the country. He lived to be eighty years of age. His son, Daniel Leer, was born May 6, 1836, and his early scholastic training was received in the primitive log school-house of pioneer days. As his youthful days were spent on a farm, and he was thoroughly familiar with every phase of that occupation, it was but natural that when starting ont for himself he should choose that as his calling in life. When twenty-three years of age he was married to Miss Mollie, daughter of Jacob Dillman, and one child, Mary, was born to this union. After the death of his wife Mr. Leer married Miss Hannah Cripe, daughter of Benjamin Cripe (see sketch), and eleven children were born to them, seven of whom reached mature years. They were named as follows: Ira, John, Cora A., Hattie, Norman, Robert and Charles. Mr. Leer settled on his father's farm after his marriage, received for his share abont 50 acres, and is now in com- fortable circumstances. In politics he is a Democrat. All his children have had good educational advantages and are upright, esteemed citizens. Mary married Noah Rensberger, a teamster of Goshen, and they have two children. Cora A. married Andrew Danger, and they reside in Goshen. They have one child. Mr. Leer is an honorable, industrious man, and one of the respected old settlers. He is now residing on land owned by his father more than a half century ago.

JOHN LOWRY. It is with the utmost gratification that the life history of one of our brave pioneers is included in this work for he has contributed hie full share toward developing the country and changing the wilderness into the beautiful and prosperous State which Indiana is to-day. Since 1849 Mr. Lowry has been a resi- dent of Elkhart county, Ind., and during that time his career as an upright, honor- able and industrions citizen has remained untarnished. Like many of the represent- ative citizens of the county he is a native of the Green Isle of Erin and is the son of Robert and Eliza (Kelley) Lowry. The grandfather, William Lowry, was a Scotch- Irishman and a successful farmer of County Down, Ireland. He occupied a tract of land that was leased for ninety-nine years and on this the Lowry family had resided for a number of generations, some of the descendants now living on this farm. The Scotch-Irish people are a long-lived, sterling class of people and take an honest pride in their family and descendants. William Lowry gained a fair education for his day and married a lady whose maiden name was Miss Martin. Six children were born to them: William, John, Hugh, Robert, Eliza and Catherine. Mr. Lowry and family were Scotch Presbyterians and he was deacon in the church for many years. After a long and useful life, he died at the age of eighty-two years. His wife was a descendant of a prominent Belfast family of lumber merchants and ship owners. After his death the lease descended to his son, William Lowry, Jr. An- other son, Robert, father of our subject, was born on the old farm in County Down, and he too was fairly educated for his time and day. Early in life he learned the mercantile business in the town of Killileagh, and was married in that neighbor- hood to Miss Eliza Kelly, daughter to William Kelley. Twelve children were given them and named as follows: William, Eliza, John, Mary, Anjane, George,

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Robert, Alexander, James, David, Hngh (died in infancy), and Anna. Mr. Lowry followed merchandising for many years, was unusually successful in this and became quite wealthy. His children had good educational advantages, his eldest son Will- iam, receiving a college education. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry held membership in the Scotch Presbyterian church and were upright, straightforward people. Like his father, Mr. Lowry lived to a good old age, dying when eighty-four years of age. Five of his sons and one daughter settled in America: Alexander (a prosperous farm- er in Missouri), James, Robert, David (a successful merchant in Keokuk, Iowa), John and Mary, all of whom married and reared families and are prosperous and respected people. Robert Lowry, son of the above ex-congressman was for many years judge at Ft. Wayne and is a lawyer still in active practice. . James Lowry (deceased) re- sided for many years in Milwaukee, Wis., and was a master mechanic on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. John Lowry, another son of the above, and our subject, was born in - County Down, Ireland in 1815, and received a good common-school education. He began for himself by working in the cotton mills of his native country and in 1840 came to America, settling in Maryland, where he worked in the cotton-mills at Ellicott City, ten milles from Baltimore. There he married Miss Madeline Roach and two children were born to this union: Eliza, who died at the age of six years, and Lucy whose death occurred when twenty. two years of age. In 1849 Mr. Lowry came to Elkhart county, Elkhart township, and settled on a partly cleared farm of sixty acres, which, by industry he cleared and made a good home. About 1879 he moved to Goshen and since that time he has made his home here. Mrs. Lowry died on August 26, 1891, and had been an exemplary member of the Methodist Church for years. Mr. Lowry has also been a member of that church for many years. He is a substantial man and owns two houses and lots in Goshen. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Lowry has now reached the age of seventy-six years, and although the frosts of many winters have whitened his hair and laid their impress in the lines of his face, his intellect is un- impaired and many years are still before him. The stock from which he sprang has furnished America some of her most prominent men.

ISAAC LIVENOOOD. Of the many prominent farmers of Elkhart county, Ind., Mr. Livengood is well worthy of mention, for he has resided in this section since he was one year old and has ever had its interests at heart. A product of Dark county, Ohio, born January 17, 1827, he was a son of Abraham and Catherine (Nofsinger) Livengood, who were born in Columbia county, Penn., both the Livengood and Nof- singer families being of Dutch extraction. The paternal grandfather, Peter Liven- good, emigrated to Dark county, Ohio, during the early history of that section and there he was called from life. The maternal grandfather took up his abode in Elk- hart county, Ind., in 1828, and settled just below the Beardsley paper-mill on the St. Joe River, where he entered some land. After a few years he concluded that pioneer life in Indiana did not suit him and he removed to Iowa, in which State be died. Abraham Livengood moved to Elkhart county in 1829 and settled on the farm which is still in possession of the family. A man by the name of Skinner bad a claim on this property, but Mr. Livengood gave him a yoke of steers and $3 in silver, which liquidated this claim, and then paid $12.25 per acre for the remainder. The place comprised 160 acres; on it were erected two little log cabins, and after coming into possession of this property Mr. Livengood Was a very proud and happy man. He broke ten acres of sod with a yoke of cattle, and his plow became so dull that he took it to a blacksmith to have it sharpened, but the efforts of the latter did not improve it any and he eventually took it all the way to Niles, Mich., for repairs. An old Indian trail passed through his farm and Indians often stopped at his home to stay over night and to sell huckleberries. Mr. Livengood soon began to make better improvements, and now has one of the best farms in the county. In early days he was compelled to go to Niles to mill and had to ford the St. Joe River. The first year he had but ten acres of corn and grain, and

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the meat which he had was obtained principally from the surrounding woods aad the neighboring streams. The father lived a very useful and energetic life and died in 1879. He was married twice, his first wife bearing him six children, five of whom are living: Isaac, Christopher, who is in Oregon; Ira, of Kansas; Ann and Joseph, of Kansas. Mr. Livengood took for. bis second wife Mary Whittig, by whom he had a large family: Edgar E., of Kansas; Ellen, of Indiana; William F., of Indiana; Alma, of Kansas; Rebecca, of Kansas; Edith, of Indiana; Albert E., of Indiana, and Frederick, of Ohio. Isaac Livengood became thoroughly familiar with farmiag and pioneer life in his youth, and many a day was spent in hard labor in assisting his father to clear the home farm. He did not enter a school-room until he was ten years of age, then began learning the rudiments ia a little log house, over whom Joha Hardy presided. Later he entered school at Jamestown, but the facilities for acquiring an education were very poor and he acquired oaly a fair kuowledge of the "three R's." His early playmates were little Indian boys and with them he practiced shooting with the bow and arrow, ia which he became quite expert. He wore homespan clothing and low old-fashioned shoes, but not- withstanding this was happy and care free. At the age of twenty-two years he began learning the miller's trade at Kingsbury, La Porte Co., Ind., and for thirty years devoted his attention to this occupation at different points, but bad always made his home on the old place. He was married in 1856 to Miss Hannah Ligget, by whom he has two children: Samuel E., of Halstead, Kan , and Sophia E., wife of William Farr, of Kankakee county, Ill. The mother of these children died in 1861, since which time Mr. Livengood has remained unmarried. He is a member of the Masoaic fraternity, and is one of the oldest, most reliable and respected citizens of the county.

JOHN KRAU has been a very progressive and enterprising farmer in his day, but is now retired from the active duties of life and is enjoying the fruits of his early years of hard labor. A native of Germany, he was born at Landenhausen Bezirck Lauterbach-Grossherzogthum Hessen-Darmstadt, December 25, 1826, and is one of five surviving members of a family of sevea children born to George and Elizabeth Krau, who spent their lives in Germany. John Krau was educated in the land of his birth and upon attaining suitable years began learning the paper-maker's trade and from 1848 to 1855 traveled through Germany, Switzerland and part of Italy and France making paper and pasteboard by hand and machinery. On May 25, 1855, he left Paris for Havre de Grace, where he took passage on a sailing vessel for America and landed at New York City on July 10, of the same year after a forty-two day's voyage. From New York he proceeded to Buffalo, went from there by boat to Detroit, from which place he went to South Bend, Ind., where he remained for about six months. In the spring of 1856 he began working in the paper-mill at Three Rivers, where he remained for over one year. In 1856 he was married to Miss Christina Dick, a native of Germany, and the year succeeding his marriage went to Rocktoa, Ill., where he worked at his trade until the firm with which he was connected became insolvent. Milwaukee, Wis., next became the scene of bie operations, but after remaining there only a few months he went to Beloit, where he made his home until March 1, 1862, when his health failed and he came to Goshen and still. later to Elkhart, taking up bis residence in the latter place in October, 1862, where he has since been engaged in butchering and stock dealing as well as giving much of his attention to buildiag. He came to this country without capital, baving oaly enough to pay his expenses for a few days, but his industry and perse- veraace carried bim over this time and he soon found himself out of deep water and ia receipt of an income which has so increased in proportiona that he is now con- eidered a wealthy man. He is the owner of two exceptionally fiae farms, both well improved. consisting of 452 acres, for which he paid $30,000. He has done coasid- erable building in Elkhart and is the owner of some fine and valuable residences and business blocks in the city. He is a gentleman who has always been very eaterpria-

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ing, has always been industrious and pushing and has done much toward building up and improving the city of Elkhart. He has four sons: John, William, Charles and George, all of whom are intelligent and self-supporting young men and natives of Elkhart. Mr. Krau speaks several different languages and is well known for his intelligence and sound and practical views on all subjects of importance.

DANIEL P. KURTZ is the third son of Paul and Mary (Shively) Kurtz, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Daniel P. was born in Harrison township, near Har- rison Center School-house November 25, 1863, was reared to a knowledge of farm life and acquired his literary education in the common country schools. While acquir- ing his knowledge of the "world of books" he assisted his father on the farm and from his industrions, thrifty and honorable parents learned lessons that have been of great benefit to him in his walk through life. He remained with his parents until twenty years of age, then engaged in the erecting of wind-pumps, a calling which occupied his attention for two yeara at Ashland, Aahland Co., Ohio, but his earnings went to bia parents until he became of age. He returned to his native State and fol- lowed the same occupation until in the fall of 1887, when he went to California and located in Los Angeles county, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for over a year. He was quite successful while in that State, and was much impressed by the beauty and fertility of the country, but in 1889 returned to his native State and county and took up the occupation of threshing, which occupation he followed for two seasons in company with hia brother, L. P. Kurtz, and found it a profitable source of revenue. In 1891 they traded their outfit for the property owned by C. M. Boutreger & Son, ou which a saw-mill waa located, and since that time have been successfully engaged in sawing lumber and in the general saw-mill business. This mill is well equipped and has a capacity of 20,000 feet per day, and they make a specialty of finishing lumber. The plant ia located on the Southeast corner of Sec- tion 4 and is one of the most valuable of its kind in the county. Besides sawing lumber they make large quanities of lath and alao grind feed. They have shown themselves to be enterprising and energetic young men and have the entire confidence of all who know them in a business way. Daniel P. is a young man who is deeply interested in the current issues of the day, is well-read and is decidedly public-spirited. He was married June 19, 1892, to Miss Christie Hay, the daughter of John Hay (see sketch). They are now living near the mill. Mrs. Kurtz is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an intelligent and amiable lady. She was reared on her father's handsome and valuable farm west of Goshen. She and her husband are much respected in the neighborhood, where they reside and enjoy a wide circle of friends. They give every promise of becoming wealthy and fully deserve such good fortune for they are industrious, thrifty and honorable. The younger member of the firm L. P. Kurtz, was born on the old home farm in Harrison township, April 10, 1865, attended the Kurtz School and embarked in busi- ness with his brother, Daniel P. as above stated. He is an honorable and industri- ous young man, and for some time has been married to Miss Julia Berkey, daughter of the well- known, Peter D. Berkey. They also reside near the mill and are doing well. The efforts of the brothers are being rewarded, and their business is con- stantly on the increse. He has never hesitated to put his hand to any honorable work and is fully deserving of the esteem in which he is held in his section of the county. His career is well worthy of emulation.

EDWARD CLARK. A glance at the lives of representative men whose names appear in this volume will reveal many aketches of honorable and influential citizens who have resided many years in this county, but among them none are more worthy or deserving of mention than Mr. Edward Clark, who is a true type of a successful Indiana farmer. He is not only one of the county's oldest settlers, but one of its most worthy and prosperons men. His fine farm, consisting of 160 acres, is situ- ated four and a half miles south of Goshen and is kept in the best condition by Mr. Clark, who thoroughly understands everything connected with agricultural

Samuel. S. Perley

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pursuits. Mr. Clark's grandfather, who was the progenitor of the Clark family in the United States, was born in Ireland, but at a period antedating the Revolutionary war he crossed the ocean to America, settled in Hampshire county, Va, and became a large farmer, owning several hundred acres. He joined with the colonists and fought for independence but was captured and held by the Indians for three months. The four sons born to this marriage were named aa follows: Thomas, William, Daniel and Hendricks. Mr. Clark lived to be an aged man and received his final summons in the Old Dominion. His son, Hendricks, father of subject, was also a native of that grand old State, Virginia, born in Hampshire county in 1793, and there received a limited education. In connection with farming he also followed the occupation of a miller for many years. His marriage with Miss Polly Bailey resulted in the birth of five children, who were named as follows: Ellen, Nancy, Edward, John and William, all born in Virginia. The fertile soil of the West tempted him to turn his face toward the setting sun and in 1835 he settled within the borders of Stark county, Ohio. He became the owner of eighty acres of land and resided on this until 1844, when he moved with his family to Indiana. He first settled on Elkhart Prairie, but subsequently moved to St. Joseph county, thia State, where his death occurred when sixty-four years of age. He and wife were worthy members of the German Baptist Church, and he was a preacher in the same for many years. At the time of his death he was the owner of 240 acres in St. Joseph county. His son, Edward Clark, was born in Hampshire county, Va., April 28, 1821, and received his education in the common schools of that day. Agricultural pursuits had been the principal occupation of hia ancestors for genera- tions, and it was but natural that he should select that as his chosen calling. Besides, he had been trained to the arduous duties of the farm from early boyhood. He was twenty-three years of age when he came with the family to Elkhart county, Ind., and two years later he married Miss Catherine Weybright, daughter of Martin and Christina (Rasor) Weybright. Ten children were born to our subject and wife, as follows: Hendricks, Christina (deceased), Lavina, Ellen (deceased), John, Sophronia, Amanda, Alice, Anna and Mary. After marriage Mr. Clark settled on the Wey- bright farm, resided there four years and then bought land in Kosciusko county, Ind., where he resided until 1852. From there he moved to his present farm, then con- sisting of 160 acres, and to this, by thrift, economy and hard labor he has added until he owns at present about 600 acres. He has given his children 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are active members in the German Baptist Church and in politics he is a Republican. Mr. Clark's reputation as a successful farmer is deservedly high, but no higher than his reputation for uprightness and honesty. He is highly es- teemed throughout the community and his word is considered as good as his bond. Mrs. Clark's father, Martin Weybright, was born in Pennsylvania and waa the son of Martin Weybright, Sr., whose father came to this country from Germany in old colonial days. Martin Weybright, Sr., was the father of these children: Martin, Jacob, Frederick, Elizabeth, Susan, Polly, Sallie and Charlotte. The eldest of these children, Martin, emigrated to the Buckeye State when a young man and was mar- ried there to Miss Christina Rasor, who was alao of prominent Pennsylvania stock. Nine children were the fruits of this union, all of whom lived to mature years, as follows: Jacob, Daniel, Martin, Jobn, Michael, David, Elizabeth, Sallie and Cath- erine. All these children were born in Montgomery county, Ohio, where Mr. Wey- bright was a successful agricultorist for many years. He was one of the old pioneers of that county and settled ten miles from Dayton, where he cleared up a farm from the heavy timber. Both Mr. and Mrs. Weybright were members of the Baptist Church. In 1829. when Mrs. Clark was about fifteen months old, Mr. Weybright sold his farm in Ohio and came to Elkhart county, making the journey with a yoke of oxen and a three-horse team, and being on the way seventeen days. In the spring of that year they first settled on the land now occupied by Jonas Dierdorf, and put ont a crop of sod corn. Two weeks later he moved to the farm now owned by Will-

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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 84

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

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