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 96
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 96
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Edna J. and Esther W. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are members of the Mennonite Church, and in politics he is a Republican. He is a stockholder in the Garden City Stationery Company.
ADAM RAFFENSPERGER. In tracing back the genealogy of the Raffensperger family it is found that two brothers of that name left the land of their birth, Germany, and crossed to the United States at a very early date. Tradition has it that a large estate in Germany belongs to the heirs of this family. These brothers settled in York county, Penn., and there followed the trade of blacksmith. The grandfather of our subject, Josiah Raffensperger, was a descendant of one of these brothers. He married and reared a family, but only four of his children are remembered: George, Christian, Henry and. Jeremiah; the last named was born in York county, Penn., and married Miss Nancy, danghter of Samuel and Hannah (Brown) Mummert. Mr. Mummert was a wagon-maker by trade, but also owned a good farm in York county, Penn. He was a German Baptist in his religious belief. Eight children were born to his marriage, as follows: Isaac, Richard, George, Nancy, Catherine, Rachel, Hanna, and one who died young. Mr. Mummert lived to be nearly eighty years of age and died in York county highly esteemed by all. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Raffensperger was born one child, Adam, our subject, whose birth occurred in York county, Penn., November 23, 1832. The advantages of a common-school education were afforded him and at an early age he began learning the tailor's trade. When a few years older he gave this up and served an apprenticeship of three years st the blacksmith's trade, learning the trade thoroughly in that time. In 1853, when about twenty-one years of age, he came to Elkhart county, Ind., with a letter in introdnc- tion from Joseph Beck, a friend living in his neighborhood who had married a sister of John Studebaker, the latter the founder of the wagon works of South Bend, Ind., and the father of the Studebaker Brothers. By means of this letter Mr. Raffen- sperger procured a situation in the blacksmith shop of the Studebakers. The bnsi- ness was then small and Clement and Henry Studebaker worked at the forge. Our subject remained with them for four months and then came to Goshen, Ind., where he worked at his trade for two months. He subsequently took up the carpenter's trade, soon became very skillful at this, and was engaged as contractor in Goshen. He erected many good buildings, among the most prominent being the English and German Methodist Churches of that city. He erected twenty-four bridges in Elkhart county, Ind., and sixteen school-houses, one of which is the school-house at White Pigeon, Mich., which cost $16,400. He became well and widely known as a most relia- ble contractor and builder and had all the work he could attend to. On September 12, 1858, Mr. Raffensperger married Miss Hettie Cripe, who was born March 17, 1841, and who was the daughter of Emanuel Cripe, one of the pioneer settlers. Following his marriage Mr. Raffensperger settled on the Emannel Cripe farm and there remained for three years. In 1862 he came to his present farm, made many im- provements and resides on this at the present time. His marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Catherine, born March 2, 1859; Lydia, born October 12, 1862; Hattie, born December 24, 1864; Mary Ida, born February 15, 1867; Levi, born May 21, 1869; Emannel, born Angust 6, 1872; Cora, born November 21, 1875, and Samuel, born January 15, 1878. Mr. Raffensperger and his estimable wife are members of the German Baptist Church, and in politics he is a strong Dem- ocrat. He has given his children good practical educations and has every reason to be proud of them. His daughter Hattie for eight years has taught in the country schools; Catherine married Frank Miles, a farmer near Bristol, and is the mother of three children; Mary Ida married Christian Trager, a harness-maker, of South Bend, Ind. Mr. Raffensperger has a certain remedy for goiter which has cured many people of this unsightly and distressing disease. It is simple, no injury is done to the system, and he has cured the worst cases among the people of Elkhart county.
ABRAHAM I. REED is one of the early pioneers of the county, and his fine farm speaks for itself as to his thrift and successful methods in his chosen calling. He
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olaims Virginia as his native State, and was born in Rockingham county, July 1, 1818, being the eldest one of a family of seven children born to William S. and Christina (Wenger) Reed. Of these children five grew to mature years. William S. Reed was also a native of the Old Dominion, born in Fauquier, and reared in Rockingham county, and the son of Sanders aod Julia (Hattield) Reed. The Reed family came originally from Ireland, and were early settlers of this country. William Reed followed agricultural pursuits in Virginia, on a farm of seventy acres, until 1830, when finding that Ohio afforded great attractions, he emigrated to that State and settled in Columbiana county. He followed farming in that State until 1850, when he came to Indiana and took a farm in Union township, Elkhart county. He also bought a partly improved farm. On his farm in Union township Mr. Reed passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1874. He was one of the most promi- nent men in the township, held office at different times, and was postmaster at South West at an early day. All his life was passed in hard labor, but he made and left to his heirs a good property. Mr. Reed was twice married, first to a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hoover) Wenger. Her parents died in Virginia, and Mra. Reed died soon after coming to this country, December 20, 1850. She was sixty- five years of age, and left five children: Abraham, Margaret, Mary A., Harriet and Elizabeth. Besides there were two who died young. The five children above named are all living but one, Mary A. Blosser, died at the age of sixty years, in Union township, about aix or seven years ago. One sister, Mra. Good, has her home in Nappanee; Harriet and Elizabeth both live in Union township on farma. After bia first wife's death Willliam Reed was married tothe Widow Guinther, of Goshen, and two children were born to them: Daniel and Emeline. Mr. Reed's second wife has been dead for several years. Abraham Reed was twelve years of age when the family moved from Virginia to Ohio, and he was reared in the latter State. On March 20, 1845, he was wedded to Miss Mary Weaver, a native of Pennsylvania, born March 2, 1817, and the daughter of Samuel and Anna (Bowman) Weaver. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were pioneers of Ohio, and both died in Columbiana county, Mrs. Weaver September 11, 1843, aged forty-nine years, and her husband nine years later at the age of sixty-eight years. Abraham Reed and wife lived in Ohio until 1861, when they sold out and moved to Indiana, purchasing their present farm in Elkhart county. In 1851, while in the timber business in the Buckeye State, Mr. Reed met with an accident by which he lost his left leg. For forty years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits without the use of that leg, and that, of course, has made his work much harder. He and his worthy companion have a good farm of eighty acres in Union township, and are highly respected members of the com- munity. They are conscientious Christians and active members of the Mennonite Church. In politics Mr. Reed has ever been a Republican. He is a man interested in the public good, and in his younger days was a teacher, following that profession for twelve years and teaching both English and German. Mr. Reed and wife have reared five sons and three daughters, as follows: Henry, born June 20, 1846, now resides on a dairy farm at Mishawaka; Noah, born October 7, 1847, is a farmer and is also engaged in the saw-mill business in Union township; Aaron, born December 15, 1848, ja a farmer and carpenter of Harrison township; Abraham, born February 4, 1851, is a farmer of Union township; Elias, born July 27, 1855, resides in Ma- honing county, Ohio, near where he was born; Anna, born December 15, 1848, mar- ried Samuel Ramer and resides in Morgan county, Mo .; Lydia, born December 12, 1852, is also married to a Samnel Ramer. and resides on a farm in Union township. and Mary, married Joel Snyder and resides on the old home place. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have about thirty-five grandchildren.
REV. BENJAMIN F. STUTSMAN. For many years the name of Mr. Statsman has been inseparably linked with the religious history of Elkhart county, whose annals bear testimony to the integrity of his character and the brilliancy of his intellect. He is a descendant of one of the oldest pioneer families of this county, his grand-
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father, Samuel Stntsman, having settled on Elkhart Prairie in 1832. The latter was born in Pennsylvania, near Johnstown, and was of German descent, his grandfather having emigrated from Germany to this country at an early day. In religious belief his ancestors were German Baptist Dunkards. Samuel married & Miss Ulery and they were the parents of four children: Daniel, Susannah, Elizabeth and Jacob. Mr. Statsman followed the occupation of a farmer and land owner in Pennsylvania for many years, but subsequently moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, and there resided until 1832, when he moved to Elkhart county, Ind., as ahoved stated. He entered land on the prairie and added to this from time to time until he owned 300 acres of excellent prairie land. Later he entered & large tract of woodland esst of the prairie. He became a wealthy and substantial farmer and resided on this farm until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-four years of age. He and wife were members of the German Baptist Church and reared their children to that belief. During the early pioneer days Mr. Stutsman was a famous hunter and fisherman, and many a deer, bear and wild cat fell victims to hia unerring aim. He was one of the original pioneers who assisted in fonnding the county, and made & good home in the wilderness. His son, Jacob Stutsman, was originally from Ohio, born in Montgomery county about 1814, and received a fair common-school educa- tion for his day. When eighteen years of age he came with his parents to this county, and made the journey with horse teams. He married Miss Hannah Stude- baker, daughter of Rev. Jacob Studebaker, and afterward settled on the old Stude- baker farm, consisting of 260 acres of fine land, which he had inherited from his father. On this he resided until fifty-four years of age, when he moved to Macoupin county, Ill., and bought & farm of 280 acres, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He died when fifty-six years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Stutsman were born ten children: John, Samuel, Lydia, Henry, Benjamin, Susannah, Hannah, Valen- tine, David and Levi, all born on the homestead on Elkhart Prairie. Mr. Stutsman Was a devout member of the German Baptist Church and was & deacon in the same for many years. His wife was also an active member of that church. He was one of the founders of the Conservative German Baptist Church, and was one of the most liberal contributors to the church. He gave hia children good educational ad- vantages and ever instilled into their minds the Christian religion. Nearly all be- came members of the German Baptist Church. His son, Rev. Benjamin F. Stuts- man, was born May 2, 1846, on Elkhart Prairie, and in addition to & common-school education, attended Goshen College for three years. By his own efforts he fitted himself for the ministry and has given the principal part of his life to this noble work. His marriage with Miss Clarinda McConoughey, daughter of Alexander Mc- Conoughey, occurred February 27, 1868, and one living cbild blessed this union: Ett& B. Mrs. Stutsman died October 24, 1876, and December 29, 1880, Mr. Stuts- man married Miss Mary J. Dewey. Two children have been born to this union: Charles Noble, born January 5, 1883, and Sadee Irene, born May 13, 1887. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Stutsman went to the Sucker State, resided there three years and a half, and then returned to Elkhart county, where he has since resided. He owned eighty acres on the prairie and resided on this until 1890, when he came to his present farm. He has been a preacher in his church for twelve years, being ordained March, 1880, and since then he has carried on his ministerial duties in this county. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and Independent, and stands deservedly high among his people as a minister as well as a citizen. Mrs. Stutsman's great- grandfather, Noah Dewey, was from Vermont and of English descent. He was mar- ried in the Empire State to Miss Hannah Wiggins and three children were born to them: Charles, Aaron and Jane. Mr. Dewey was & shoemaker by trade and resided for many years in Preble county, Ohio, but finally came to Indiana and made his home with his son, Charles B., until his death at the age of sixty years. Charles B. was the grandfather of Mrs. Stutsman, and was born, reared aud educated in Preble county, Ohio. When a young man he taught school and was one of the early edu-
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cators of the connty. He was married in Ohio to Miss Mary A. Benjamin, daugh- ter of Nathaniel and Hannah (Johneon) Benjamin, and seven children were born to them, as follows: Benjamin F., Henry C., Noah W., Charles N., Hannab, and Sarah and Mary (twins). In 1842 Mr. Dewey came to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled on land which his father-in-law, Nathaniel Benjamin, who was a substantial farmer of Preble county, Ohio, had entered for him. This land was covered with timber and Mr. Dewey cleared 160 acres and made a good home. He died in August, 1862, when forty-five years of age. He was a substantial farmer and an honorable citizen. His son, Benjamin F. Dewey, brother of Mrs. Stntsman, was born Decem- ber 22, 1847, in Clinton township, this county, and received a common-school educa- tion. He married Miss Samantha Longcor, daughter of Silas Longcor, and three children were the result: Adella, J. M. and Warren. Mr. Dewey has always resided on the old homestead and now owns 213 acres of land. In politics he ie a Repub- lican.
A. B. MICHAEL, a representative farmer and stockraiser of Elkhart county, Ind., is like many of the citizens of the county, of German descent, and a man of much energy and ability. He was born in Elkhart county, Harrison town- ship, December 30, 1853, and was the third in order of birth of nine children born to the marriage of George Michael. The latter was born in Germany in 1824, the son of Paul Michael, and was an early settler in Union township, Elkhart county, Ind., settling there as early as 1849. A. B. Michael, the subject of this sketch, passed his boyhood and youth on his father's farm in Harrison township, and received a limited education in the Bowser. School, being obliged to assist his father on the farm at an early age. After his twenty-second birthday he married Miss Sarah Weber, a native of Locke township, Elkhart county, Ind., and the daughter of Jacob Mrs. Michael was born Janu-
and Catherine (Weber) Weber, the latter still living. ary 11, 1858, and was reared in Locke township. Her people were among the pioneers of the county. After marriage Mr. Michael started out to fight life's battles for himself on the place where he now lives, which then consisted of eighty acres of partially improved land. There were no buildings on this, and it was nearly all covered with woods. He cleared most of this, erected a fine residence at a cost of $2,000, and put up other buildings. In 1891 he added another eighty to this land and now has a une farm. all well fenced, and with the best improvements on it. He is engaged in general farming and stockraising and raises much grain. As a farmer and stockraiser he has been unusually successful and has accumulated a comfortable fortune. In political belief Mr. Michael is a stanch Democrat and a public-spirited young man, being interested in every enterprise that has for its object the growth and prosperity of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Michael have been born three children, as follows: Minnie, born July 30, 1878, and died when but one month old; Myrtie, born July 2, 1880, and Mervin (a boy), born February 15, 1885. Mrs. Michael is a member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Michael are worthy citizens of the connty and are universally respected. Jacob Weber (father of Mrs. A. B. Michael) was born in Germany on February 22, 1830. In 1835 he came to this country with his parents and located in Ohio. In 1851 he was married to Catherine Weber and moved to Indiana with his family in 1855. He was a private in Company E, Thirteenth Regiment Indiana Volun- teers, and died May 16, 1865, in South Carolina, while engaged in the patriotic dis- charge of his duty to his adopted country. Catherine Weber, wife of Jacob Weber, and mother of Mrs. A. B. Michael, was born in Germany on November 26, 1832. In 1836 she came with her parents to this country, and in 1851 was married to Jacob Weber, with whom she came in 1855 to Indiana, and at present resides at Nap- panee. To Mr. and Mrs. Weber have been born eight children. as follows: Eliza- betb, born November 12, 1852; Catherine, born November 29, 1853; Barbara, born April 24. 1856; Sarah, born January 11, 1858; Susan, born June 30, 1859; Mary, born March 9, 1861 (died February 19, 1888); Infant, born December 22, 1862, and died March, 1863, John, born March 3, 1864.
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CHARLES G. TOWLE is one of the prominent old settlers of St. Joseph county, Ind., and has been identified with its growth and prosperity. He inherits Irish blood of his ancestors, for his grandparents came from the Isle of Erin and took up their residence in the State of New Hampshire, John Towle, the grandfather, being a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Gilman Towle, the father of Charles G., was born in the Granite State in 1808, was given the advantages of a common- school education, and in his youth learned the tanner's trade, at which he worked after his removal to western New York with his mother, his father having died when he was but four years of age. He successfully followed his line of work in Brockport, N. Y., and was there married to Miss Magdaline Beekman, by whom he became the father of two children: Charles G. and Henry S. In 1837, with the desire to better his financial circumstances, he removed to St. Joseph county, Ind., and opened up a mercantile establishment in Mishawaks, but gave up this business in 1842, although he had met with good success, and moved on to & farm one and one-half miles north of the town. He was a man of great dis-
crimination, possessed very practical and intelligent views and for twenty-four years he acted in the capacity of county commissioner and town trustee. At first an old line Whig in politics, he afterward became a Republican, and during the war was s very strong Union man. He was a man of great energy, in every respect self-made, and possessed the confidence of the citizens of St. Joseph county to & marked degree. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-three years, dying in 1888, respected snd esteemed by all who knew him. In 1856 he retired from farming and the remainder of his days were passed in Mishawaka. His wife was a member of the Methodist Church. Charles G. Towle owes his nativity to Brockport, N. Y., where he first saw the light on the 28th of September, 1832. At about the age of five he was brought by his parents to Mishawaka, Ind., and in the common district schools in the vicinity of his home he obtained a practical education, in the meantime becom. ing thoroughly versed in the details of farming. In 1856 he chose for his com- panion through life Lucy Doolittle, daughter of Hiram Doolittle, an old pioneer settler of the township from the State of New York, he having been & farmer in the vicinity of Lockport. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Towle has resulted in the birth of three children: Herbert, Carrie and Mary, the eldest of whom married Anns Besm, and died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving two children. After his marriage Mr. Towle resided on the home farm until 1877, when he became a citizen of Mishawaks and from 1878 to 1887 he held the position of county commissioner and for seven years was also town trustee, discharging the duties of these offices in a highly satisfactory manner and very much to his credit. He has always supported the measures of the Republican party, is highly regarded in Misha- waka as a public-spirited citizen and has also an enviable reputation throughout the county.
SOLOMON PEPPLE, the fifth in order of birth of ten children born to William and Nancy (Wademan) Pepple, first saw the light of day on his father's farm in De Kalb county, Ind., January 1, 1858. William Pepple was born in the Buckeye State in 1815, and his wife was a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in the former State and made their home there until 1860, when they came to this State. After a two years' residence in De Kalb county they moved to Elkhart county and settled on the farm where they now live. In connection with agricultural pursuits Mr. Pepple ran a threshing machine for twenty years. He is a good business man and has accumulated a good property. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and a public-spirited citizen. At one time he was a member of the Lutheran Church. When he first came to Elkhart county Mr. Pepple was among the early settlers, and located on a partly improved farm in Union township. Ho now has 160 acres of as good land as any in the township, and is prosperous and contented. Only four of the following children born to them are now living: William, who died at the age of twenty-one; Albert, a farmer of Noble county, Ind. ; Katie, wife of Noah Reed, died
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in August, 1892; Delarma, married and followed farming in Noble county until his death; Harry, died at the age of sixteen; Solomon (subject); Lizzie, wife of D. C. Reed, of Chicago; Hiram, at home, single; David, and Daniel, who died young.
Solomon Pepple was only a child when the family moved to this county, and his youthful days were passed in assisting on the farm and in attending the district school, his principal schooling being during the winter months. On account of the many duties on the farm, his educational advantages were limited, but he possessed a nat- urally bright mind, and by reading and observation has become one of the well- posted men of the county. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he married and started out to make his own way in life as a tiller of the soil. He first farmed the old home place, and was fairly successful until 1886, when he bought the old Miller farm, which he has resided on since. This is one of the oldest settled farms in the county, and was taken as Government land by Mr. David Miller. Mr. Pepple is its second owner. He has 160 acres of good land, 100 acres under cultivation, and the remainder in good timber. He has made a complete success as an agriculturist, and besides his own quarter section of land has charge of 100 acres belonging to his father. Our subject selected his wife in the person of Miss Malinda Miller, and three children were given them: Clyde, born May 23, 1881, and died December 15 of the same year; Mervin, born April 9, 1883, and Mary, born March 22, 1886. Mrs. Pepple was the daughter of Daniel Miller. She died in the year 1887, and in her death a good and true woman passed to her reward. On September 18, 1889, Mr. Pepper married Miss Elmira Rahrer, who was born January 27, 1869, and who was the eighth in order of birth of twelve children, all but two now living, born to Joseph and Harriet (Mawyer) Rahrer. She was reared in Harrison township at the old home place of her parents, who were early pioneers of the county, and received her education in the school at South West. Mr. Pepple is devoting all his time to general farming, and is authority on all subjects relating to his occupation.
DAVID CONRAD is an energetic and enlightened farmer of Union township, Elk- hart Co., Ind., and is the owner, all told, of 170 acres, nearly all of which is improved, fourteen acres of which is heavily covered with timber. Eighty acres comprise the home farm. Mr. Conrad was born on his father's farm in Jackson township, Elk- hart county, March 12, 1846, the eldest of four children born to Solomon and Mary (Whitehead) Conrad, but he and his brother John were the only ones reared. The father was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, December 31, 1823, and was a son of Adam Conrad, who was born in Virginia, but was an early pioneer of Ohio, in Tuscarswas county, later in Wayne county, Ind., and still later in Illinois, paying the last debt of nature in McLean county in 1869. His wife died some years before in Indisna. They had a family of twelve or thirteen children in all, and only three sons. Solomon, William and George, all of whom married and reared families. Adam Conrad was probably a Whig at an early day, but later turned Republican. He was a farmer of moderate circumstances. Solomon Conrad was born in Ohio, came to Indiana with his father. He was left motherless at about the age of sixteen years and his father married again. At that time Solomon started to do for him- self as a farm hand and rail splitter, but upon attaining his majority he went to Montgomery county, Ohio, and was there united in marriage to Miss Mary White- head, who was a native of that county, born January 18, 1824, a daughter of Valen- tine and Mary Whitehead. This family was originally from Pennsylvania, and was among the first to settle in Ohio, from which section Valentine Whitehead emigrated to Elkhart county, Ind., when quite aged, and here passed from life at the age of eighty-three years, his wife's death having occurred in Ohio. All their children grew to mature yesrs, married and reared families. After the marriage of Solomon and Mary (Whitehead) Conrad they started west in the old-time emigrant wagon, their sole property consisting of their team and wagon, a few household effects and $14 in money. They settled on an eighty-acre farm in Jackson township, Elkhart
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