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 86

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 86
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 86

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JABOB B. WELDY is one of the prominent farmers of Elkhart county, Ind., snd his five farm, consisting of nearly one hundred and fifty-six acres on Section 34, is equaled by few and excelled by none in the county in the way of improvemente. This gentleman owes his nativity to the Buckeye State, born in Holmes county, February 25, 1849, and was the youngest child born to the marriage of John and Anna (Kitch) Weldy. The father was a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., born in 1799, and was of Swiss descent. The ancestors of the family emigrated from Switzerland to this country, and probably made a settlement in Pennsylvania about the beginning of the eighteenth century. John Weldy was about twelve years of age when he moved with his father, Abraham Weldy, to the woods of Ohio, and he was there reared smid rude surroundings and in a primitive, simple manner. (See sketch of John Weldy.) Jacob B. Weldy was but two years of age when bis parents came to St. Joseph county, Ind. He received his education in the schools of Madison township, St. Joseph County, and remained under the parental roof until after the death of the father, 1871. The same year he was married and shortly afterward rented the old home place on which he remained for six years. He then

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bought his present property in Locke township, this county, and has since improved and developed to such an extent that there is no better farm in the county. In hie political affiliations Mr. Weldy is a stanch Republican, and has held the office of director in the district. He is a member of the Mennonite Church. and is much interested in religious and educational matters. His wife, formerly Miss E. Kreider, was born April 8, 1854, and is the daughter of David and Magdaline (Hoover) Kreider. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Weldy: Anna, born Novem- ber 26, 1874, is fitting herself for a teacher; Amanda, born July 22. 1878; John, born August 12, 1877; David, born June 8, 1877, died at the age of eight years, and two died when still younger. Mr. Weldy is well known throughout the county as a public-spirited, progressive citizen, and in connection with farming is actively engaged in raising cattle and sheep. He is well known and well respected in the county.

JOHN K. WELDY, son of John and Anna (Kitch) Weldy, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 7, 1847, and although but a child when he came with his parents to · Indiana, very well remembers the journey which took ten days. He was reared on a farm in St. Joseph county, received his early education in the subscription schools, but later attended the district schools during the winter months, being obliged to assist on the farm in the summer season. Until twenty-two years of age he remained under the parental roof, and then started out to make his own way in life. He settled on the farm where he now lives, eighty acres, which were covered with timber and very few improvements made, only twenty acres being cleared. Success fol- lowed hard work and perseverance, and he became a wealthy man. When a boy he learned the carpenter's trade, has followed it more or less all his life, and superin- tended the building of the substantial barn on his place. Mr. Weldy is the owner of 210 acres of well-improved land, all in one tract, has it well tiled and fenced, and everything about the place indicates the owner to be a man of energy and enter- prise. He has been a resident of this county since 1869, and what he hae of this world's goods has been accumulated since that time. He is a wide-awake, pushing business man, and one of the most prominent farmere of the county. In politics he advocates the principles and policy of the Republican party, and his first presiden- tial vote was for Gen. U. S. Grant. His ancestors were Whigs. Mr. Weldy has held the office of school director, and has ever been interested in school work. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, takes a deep interest in church affairs, and in fact is active in his support of all worthy enterprises. In 1886 Mr. Weldy built a fine brick house at a cost of about $3,000; his out-buildings are all in first-class condition, and he has good orchards on his place. In connection with farming he is quite extensively engaged in buying and feeding stock, and annually sells many Shorthorn cattle, sheep, Poland-China hogs and horses. In the year 1869 Mr. Weldy married Miss Susan Mumaw, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and their nuptials were celebrated in that county. Mrs. Weldy was born March 15, 1847, and is one of a family of eight children reared by George and Catherine (Brene- man) Mumaw. Mr. Mumaw came originally from Westmoreland county, Penn., and settled in Ohio at an early day. To his marriage were born these children: Susan (Mrs. Weldy), Henry, a physician in Elkhart; Amos, a minister of the Mennonite Church, residing in Olive township, this county: Rachel, residing in Wayne county, Ohio; Fannie residing in Ohio; John in Wayne county, Ohio; Mary, at home, and one died in infancy. The father and mother of these children died in Ohio a number of years ago. The former was a strong Republican. Mrs. Weldy came to Indiana with her husband, and has been a true helpmate to him in every way. Eleven children have been born to them and are named as follows: George, born November 21, 1869, married Miss Lucretia Whitman and they have one son, Edgar (he and wife are residing in Olive township); Jacob I. was born December 31, 1871, is at home assisting on the farm, and in politics is a Republican; Daniel S. was born December 19, 1873, and is in the printing office of the Men-

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nonite Publishing Company; Amos A., born Jannary 11, 1876; Silas, born Novem- ber 27, 1877; Martin, born March 21, 1879; Ira, born March 8, 1881; Walter, born September 22, 1883; Homer, born December 28, 1885; Elmer, born December 10, 1887; and Ruth Ann, the only daughter, was born March 29, 1890. Mr. Weldy haa given his children good educational advantages, and they all excel in music, and are good singers.

HENBY HOKE has been a resident of Elkhart county, Ind., from early childhood, and the lesson derived from his career of energy, perseverance and public spirit, carrying a youth from humble circumstances to a manhood of nobility and comfort- able circumstances, needs no word or comment to make it significant and impressive. He is a son of Isaac and Eliza (Weaver) Hoke, both of whom were born in Columbus county, Ohio, the former in 1822. He was a son of Heury and Elizabeth (Mayer) Hoke, the former of whom was a Pennsylvanian and an early pioneer of Colum- biana county, Ohio. He was an active politician of Republican proclivities, was public spirited and energetic, and was well known throughout the section in . which he resided. He reared a family as follows: Samnel, Martin, Jonas, George, Isaac, Sarab, Margaret and Lydia. The father of these children died in Columbi- ana county, Ohio, but his widow came to Elkhart county, Ind., and resided in Union township with her son Samuel. All her children came to this section except Jonas, who resides on the old farm in Ohio, and Sarah, who lives in Pennsylvania. Martin resides in Hughes county, this State; George is a resident of Harrison township, this county; Samuel resides in Union township; Margaret is the wife of an Indi- ana man and lives in Union township; Isaac Hoke grew to sturdy manhood on the farm in Ohio, and in the district schools received a anfficiently thorough education to fit him for the calling of a teacher, which he followed for some time. He was married in Ohio in 1849, emigrated to Indiana and settled in Elkhart county, two and one-half miles southwest of Goshen, where he purchased a farm of 130 acres, which was partly improved. On this farm he continued to make his home until his death in September, 1889. He became a wealthy farmer, for he was a man of good judgment and was also enterprising and industrions, and throughout the greater portion of his life his sympathies were with the Republican party. He lived to be sixty-eight years of age, but the last few years of hia life was an invalid. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, and was always active in church mat- ters, and for some time held the office of deacon in his church. He was a man of strong convictions, and during his residence of over forty years in this county, he became well known and held a high place in public estimation. His wife was a daughter of Christian Weaver, a Pennsylvanian, who was one of the early settlers of Columbiana county, Penn. Mrs. Hoke was a life-long member of the German Bap- tist Church and was a faithful and affectionate wife and mother. She bore her husband three sons and one daughter: Levi, born in Ohio, in 1849, is living near Goshen, and is a gardener by occupation; Henry and Christian were twins and the latter died at the age of twelve years; Mary is the wife of Samuel ----- , and lives in Union township, being now forty years of age. After the death of his first wife the father married a second time, and by his wife, Susanna Miller, became the father of five children. She was a daughter of David Miller, a pioneer of Harrison township, and has been dead a number of years. Her children were named aa fol- lowa: Saloma, Elizabeth, Sarah, Samuel and Daniel. David the youngest, died at the age of twelve years. Henry Hoke was born October 26, 1847, and was about two years of age when his parents moved to this county. He assisted his father on the farm until he was legally free, and when choosing a calling for himself it was but natural that he should choose that to which he had been reared, and when about twenty-four years old settled on the farm on which he is living at the present time, but the first year farmed it on shares. Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of Jacob Y. Miller and Catherine (Rarrick) Miller became his wife in 1871, being one of five children born to her parents, who came to this section from Obio. Their children

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are: Levi R., who lives on the old home farm; John R., who resides in Locke town- ship. Mary, wife of D. Aughey, became the wife of David Killian after the death of her first husband; Andrew, of Nappanee. Mrs. Hoke was born in Ohio January 24, 1848 and is the mother of five children: Martha, born December 17, 1872; Mary, born May 31, 1876; Vernon, born November 28, 1879; Ellen, born November 17, 1884, and Mabel, born February 15, 1890. The eldest daughter finished her educa- tion in Mount Morris Academy and is an intelligent and accomplished young lady. Mr. Hoke has shown much good judgment and prudence in the management of bis business affairs, has carefully avoided purely speculative ventures and has been con- tent with a slower but surer prosperity. He has ninety-six and a half acres where he now lives, and forty-five acres on the old home place in Elkhart township. He is popular with all classes, and in a quiet way has been charitable to educational and religious projects. He has long been a member of the German- Baptist Church and has always taken an active interest in church work. He is a politician only in the aense of endeavoring to secure for the community in which he lives good government, and in discharging all the obligations of good citizenship. He is interested in the culture of fruit, has a fine large orchard, and for about ten years past has raised large quantities of strawberries. He is a model American citizen, being patriotic, law-abiding and liberty-loving.

WILLIAM D. BLOUGH has been a resident of Harrison township, Elkhart Co., Ind., since 1873, but was born in Summit township, Somerset Co., Penn., on December 19, 1845, the eldest child born to David J. and Matilda (Griffith) Blough, which family is descended from a fine race that originated in Ger- many. The founder of the family in America came from Blackforest, Germany, and settled in Lebanon county, Penn., where he married and reared a family of five children, two being sons. From these two sons are descended those of the name in this country and Canada. The two sons, Christian and Jacob, moved to Summit, Somerset Co., Penn., and settled in a valley between a range of the Alleghany and Laurelhill Mountains, where they both became well-known citizens and reared families. Christian was the great-great-grandfather of the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch. He reared a family of six sons and one daughter: Jacob, John, Christian, Peter, Henry, David and Martin; Christian, the third child, being the great-grandfather of William D. He became a man of influence in Summit, Somerset county, and reared a good old-fashioned family of six daughters and four sons: Jacob, John, Benjamin, Joseph, Nancy, Sally, Susan, Polly, Rachel and Frances, all of whom became well-to-do and highly respected people of Somer- set county. The eldest of these children, Jacob, was the grandfather of Willism, and his family consisted of seven sons and four daughters: Daniel, Michael, David J., Jacob, Solomon, John, Levi, Sarah, Catherine, Elizabeth and Nancy. The most of these children married and reared families in Somerset county, where they occupied prominent positions and were held in high esteem. David J., the third son, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1822 and in his native county of Somerset, Penn., grew to manhood on a farm, and almost from his cradle learned habits of industry, honesty and thrift, which were his stepping stones to success in later years and remained with him throughout life. He was married in his native county to Miss Matilda Griffith, a native of that county also and a daugh- ter of David and Mary (Hensil) Griffith, the former of whom was a descendant of one of the old-time English families of Pennsylvania. To David J. Blough and his wife six sons and four daughters were born: William D., Nelson D., Henry, David, Josiah D., Elmore, Catherine, Sarah M., Anna M. and Mary. The father and mother still reside on the old homestead in Summit, Somerset coun- ty, and are in the enjoyment of a hale old age and are held in high esteem by the many who know them. They reared a large family to industrious and honor- able manhood and womanhood, and only oue is deceased-Mary-who was drowned when about one year old. All are married but Elmore and Sarah, who are still living

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with their father and mother. David J. Blough served nine months in the Union Army during the Civil war and in politics is independent, voting for whom he con- siders the best man. The Bloughs belong to one of the old-time families of the country, for they settled here in colonial days and were patriots during the Revolu- tion. Sarah, the daughter of David J. Blough, was at Johnstown at the time of the great flood snd the house in which she was staying was swept away and she nearly drowned. She was swept downward about three-quarters of a mile and by a miracle was saved. William D. Blongh has been familiar with farming from his boyhood, but while occupied in the duties of a farmer's boy he found time to at- tend the district school near his home, in which he acquired a good practical education. He started out to do for himself by making s trip westward, taking a boat down the Ohio, and up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to St. Joseph and Omaha, and while in the West worked on a farm. From that point he hired out to cross the plains but at the end of about a yesr returned to his old home with a sick comrade, who had been with him in his wanderings, and there remained for two years. At the end of this time he went to Illinois, and set- tled in Washington county, bnt one year later went to Franklin county, Kan., and until 1873 was s resident of Ottaws. In the fall of that year he came to Elkhart county, Ind., but was not a permanent resident of the place until 1877. Since then he has made his influence felt in his section, and is consid- ered a substantial, prosperous and public-spirited citizen. He is the owner of s good farm of eighty acres, besides a number of houses and lots in Elkhart. He has shown much discernment as a business man, and ss a result has ac- quired a good property. What he has in the way of worldly goods has been acquired by his own efforts and he has every reason to be proud of his achieve- ments. He has always been strongly opposed to the liquor traffic, is a strict temperance man and in politics is a Prohibitionist. He is interested in the improve- ment of country roads. He is a member of the Evangelical Church, in which he is trustee, and is a worker for the Christian cause. November 29, 1877, he was mar- ried to Mary R. Hoover, daughter of David L. Hoover (see sketch). She was born July 31, 1858, in Elkhart county, and is the mother of five children: Laurs Belle, born May 23, 1879; Rosa May, born October 27, 1881; Arvilla Matilda, born October 6, 1884; David F., born December 9, 1877, and Nelson H., born June 17, 1891. This family is one of the most substantial of the county and is an influence for good in the section in which they reside.

DAVID L. HOOVER belongs to that class of American citizens who manifest a de- cided sptitude for business enterprise, and who rise in & few years from a condition of poverty and obscurity to one of prominence, and the possession of considerable wealth. During the forty years that he has resided in Elkhart county, Ind., he has shown himself to be public-spirited, enterprising and honorable, and has gathered about him many warm frieuds, as the result of his correct mode of living. He is a son of David and Esther (Lehman) Hoover, the former of whom was born in Lan- caster county, Penn., in 1781, s son of Samuel Hoover, who was also a native of the Keystone State, and was of Swiss descent. John Hoover was a farmer, reared a large family, and he and his wife were called from this life in Pennsylvania. David was their youngest son, and grew up on his father's farm, and in the State of his birth he united his fortunes with those of Miss Esther Lehman, and with her moved to Mahoning connty, Ohio, about 1820, where he tilled the soil until his death which occurred at the age of fifty-two years. His wife died in 1851, having been born in Franklin county, Penn., s daughter of Daniel and Frances Lehman, both of whom died in Franklin county, Penn. She was born in 1787, one of twelve children, and herself became the mother of twelve children: Mary, who married Jacob Wisler, and died many years ago; Magdaline, who married Jacob Yoder, and is also dead; Rebecca, deceased; Susannah, decessed; Elizabeth, deceased; Catherine, who mar- ried Jacob Stauffer, and died in Ohio; Samuel (see sketch); Daniel, who died in this

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county, leaving a family of children; Anna, who is the wife of Christian C. ---; Esther, who is the wife of John Mall of Columbiana connty, Ohio; Francia who is living in Harrison township, this county, and David L., who is the youngest of the family. The parents of these children were life-long members of the Mennonite Church, and the father was a practical and well-to-do farmer of Republican procliv- ities. David L. Hoover was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, February 20, 1830, and in addition to acquiring a thorough knowledge of farming in his youth, also learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for many years. He came to Elkhart county when twenty-five years of age, and was married three years later to Susanna Rohrer, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Ferry) Rohrer. Mrs. Hoover was born in Medina county, Ohio, May 29, 1839, and after her marriage she settled with her husband on a farm in Harrison township, where he tilled the soil and worked at blacksmithing for ten years. He then bought the farm on which he now lives, and for the past thirty years has resided on the same. He has been successful in his business ventures, and has also been active in the political affairs of his section, being a stanch Republican. He has been a member of the Mennonite Church for a number of years, in fact, his career is one well worthy of emulation. He experi- enced the hardships of life in a new country, and although he was compelled to labor early and late for some time, his means gradually increased, and he is now in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency. He and his wife have reared three children and lost two: Mary, born June 30, 1858, is the wife of William D. Blough, and has five children; Laura Belle, Rosy May, Aurilla M., David F. and Nelson; Samuel was born July 4, 1860, married Lucinda Curtis, are living on the old home farm, and have one child, Avilla; Amanda, born June 11, 1862, died at the age of three months; one died in infancy; and Noah who was born June 10, 1873, resides on the home farm. Mr. Hoover has been a successful stockraiser, as well aa farmer, and commands an ample income.

DANIEL SMOKER is one of the practical and successful farmers of Elkhart county and is a son of Jacob Smoker who is one of the honored and prominent citizens of this locality. Our subject was born on his father's farm in Elkhart township, Octo- ber 15, 1854, and the common district schools afforded him an education. Like many of the best citizens of the county he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and on March 11, 1880, when twenty-five years of age, he was married to Miss Rebecca Schwin. She was born February 13, 1859, to Simon and Martha Schwin. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smoker: Mabel, born June 7, 1882, and Ada, born September 24, 1883. Mr. Smoker and his wife are worthy members of the Amish Church, and Mr. Smoker is one of the directors. In politics he is a stanch Prohibitionist, and like many other representative citizens, realizes the great injury that is done the people by the open saloon, and casts his vote fearlessly and in- dependently for what he believes to be the right cause. Heis a friend of education and takes an active interest in having good schools in the community. He lives on Elkhart Prairie, and owns a farm containing 100 acres of land. All his life has been passed in tilling the soil, and he is one of the industrious, hard-working men of his locality. He follows his chosen calling with an honest pride and au intelligent method, being a model and practical farmer. He is a descendant of good old Penn- sylvania stock and one of the fourth generation from the original pioneer settlers who came from Germany. He may well take pride in the honored, religious family from which he sprang. Mrs. Smoker's father, Simon Schwin, is one of the foremost agriculturists of the county and is of Swiss origin. His father, Jacob Schwin, was born nine miles northeast of the city of Schoffhausen and within hearing of the celebrated falls on the river Rhine. He had a good German education and was reared to farm life. He served as a soldier under the great Napoleon during the celebrated Russian campaign and was present at the burning of Moscow. He was also in the disastrous retrent of the French army through the snow and ice of the Russian winter, was taken prisoner by the Russians, and suffered incredible hard.

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ships. He married Miss Sophronia Berlinger and eleven children were the fruits of this uuion: Agnes, Annie, Alexander, Catherine, Simon, John, Barbara, Margaret, Jacob, Fredrick and Elizabeth. The six eldest children were born in Switzerland and came with their parents to America in 1833. They landed in the city of New York, but went from there to Ohio and settled upon wild land, living for some time in a log cabin. After five years Mr. Schwin moved to another farm. He died in 1854. He and his wife were Lutherans in their religious belief, but as there were no churches of that denomination near, they joined one of the other churches in Ohio. By industry and hard work Mr. Schwin succeeded in accumulating a com- fortable competence, and was one of the much-esteemed residents of the community in which he lived. His son, Simon Schwin, father of Mrs. Smoker, was born Septem- ber 15, 1825, in Switzerland, and was abont seven years of age when he came to this country. He soon began working out in a German family and attended a Ger- man school for some time. In 1844 he came to Indiana with a farmer and settled in Elkhart township, where he remained for one year. "Returning to Ohio he remained in that State five years, or until 1850, when he again entered the Hoosier State, and to Elkhart township, Elkhart county. He worked for Adam Yoder, who had mar- ried his sister Annie, and continued with him for two years. He married Mire Martha Kauffman (see sketch of Solomon Kauffman), and pine children were the fruits of this union: Leah, Elizabeth (died at the age of thirty), John (died at the age of thirty-five), Rebecca, Sarah, Fred, Lydia, Emma and Eddie (died at the age of six years). Shortly after his marriage Mr. Schwin settled on eighty acres of land in the timber and for this he paid $500. After clearing ten acres of this he sold it for $700 and rented a farm on Elkhart Prairie where he resided for five years. He then bought the original farm for $2,200, and after residing on it for six years and improving it, sold out for $4,000. His next move was to buy his present farm and by industry, economy and good management he has added to the original tract until he now owns 217 acres. He has also an excellent residence and good out-buildings. Mrs. Schwin, who was a devont member of the Amish Mennonite Church, died on May 25, 1890. She was a true Christian, a very industrione woman and an excellent mother to her children. Mr. D. Smoker is also a member of that church. The oldest son, John S., married Miss Fannie Hartzler, and until his death, July 26, 1892, caused by an accident, was a farmer of this township. One child, Jay, was born to this union. Rebecca married Daniel Smoker (our subject), Fred H. married Miss Belle Norris and is on the home farm; Lydia married David Smoker, brother of Daniel, and lives on Elkhart Prairie. The remainder of the family are at home. Mr. Schwin ranks as one of the wide-awake, progressive farmers of the township, and what he has accumulated of this world's goods are the fruits of his own honest efforts. In politics he supports the principles of the Republican party.

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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 86

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

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