USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 58
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Mr. Carpenter returned east via the isth- mus of Panama to New York city, thence to Kosciusko county, which he reached in due time. In 1861 he started a wagon shop at Webster. He operated for a limited period alone, subsequently working at the business in connection with undertaking, in both of which his success was very encouraging.
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.Viter several years he closed the wagen shop to devote his entire attention to under- taking, which he continued to follow with large financial profits until May. 1901.
Meantime, on the 30th day of March, ter's brick yard and later turned his atten- 1 1802, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage tion to carpentry, in which he soon acquired great efficiency and skill. After working a few years for other parties, he bought out one of his employers, from which time for- ward he took contracts and in a short time became widely and favorably known as a successful builder. to Miss Catherine C. Austin, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Austin, who moved to this part of Indiana a number of years ago from the state of Ohio. Immediately after his marriage he rented a small house in North Webster, but two years later pur- chased the property where he now resides. improving the place in many ways until it became one of the most beautiful and at- tractive homes in the town. He continued to look after his various business interests until 1865. in March of which year he enlisted in Company G. Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, joining the command at Indianap- olis and proceeding forthwith to the Caro- linas, where the regiment did guard duty principally until the close of the war. Mr. Carpenter served until the cessation of hos- tilities. receiving his discharge October 4. 1865. after which he returned home and again resumed the peaceful pursuits of civil life. By industry, close application and ju- dicious management of his business affairs he succeeded in accumulating a handsome competency and since the spring of 1901 has been practically retired from active life.
To Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter were born five children, namely: Alice C .. born De- cember 13, 1868, died December 10, 1897: Hattie J .. December 28, 1871, married C. A. Light, a merchant of Wilmot, Indiana. and they have one child Alice Ruth, born February 13. 1900. the only grandchild: Stella A., March 26, 1873. lives at home and keeps house for her father; James ....
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March q. 1870, also lives at home, and Nor- man il., whose birth occurred September .I. 1882, is still a member of the home circle. The mother of these children departed this life on the 15th day of January, 1888. She was at most estimable lady devoted to her home and family and by her sweet disposi- tion and beautiful moral nature won the love and esteem of a large circle of friends. She was a pious Christian, a member of the Methodist church, and her religions faith, which did so much to make life cheerful and bright, sustained and soothed her when she exchanged earth for immortality.
Mr. Carpenter has always been more or less interested in public affairs and his in- clinations and reading naturally led him into the domain of politics, although he has never been what is popularly termed a partisan. Ilis father and, indeed, the entire Carpenter family were originally Whigs and later Re- publicans and on attaining his majority he wielded the elective franchise in support of the latter party. From his twenty-first year until 1876 he voted the Republican ticket, but from that time his political course be- gan to be somewhat independent. Bound by no party ties, he supported the candidates who in his judgment were best fitted for the offices sought, but this did not prevent his nomination by the local Democracy in the spring of 1879 for the office of township trustee. Possessing peculiar qualifications for the position, he developed great strength and. his friends from all parties rallying to his support, he was triumphantly elected, al- though the township had usually gone Re- publican by an overwhelming majority. So faithfully and efficiently did Mr. Carpenter discharge his official functions that he was chosen his own successor in 1883, but two
years later he failed of election by only four votes. During his first term he did much in the way of general improvements, among which were two fine school houses, and be- fore the expiration of his second term the number of new school buildings had been in- creased to five. It is generally conceded, ir- respective of party ties, that the township has never been served by an abler or more popular public servant, his official record be- ing without a blemish. In addition to the trusteeship, he also filled the office of con- stable a number of terms and had he seen fit to permit his name to go before the county convention he doubtless would have been rewarded with more important official sta- tions than those which he ably filled. From 1854 to 1858 Mr. Carpenter carried the mail between Warsaw and Millersburg, a dis- tance of thirty-one miles. He made two trips each week, going one day and return- ing the following day. Starting at Warsaw he took in on the route Oswego, North Web- ster, Syracuse. Benton and Millersburg.
Mr. Carpenter was made a Mason in 1865 and has been an active and enthusiastic member of the Mystic Tie ever since, hold- ing several important official positions in the local lodge with which he is identified, serv- ing for a period of twenty years as secretary, thirteen of which were in succession. While subscribing to no religious creed, he is a be- liever in revealed religion and has always considered the church a great and potential factor for the moral and spiritual uplifting of humanity. He is a liberal contributor to all ecclesiastical organizations and benevolent enterprises, although liberal in his views and tolerant of the opinions of others. As a man Mr. Carpenter is easily the peer of any of his fellow citizens in all that constitute up-
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right living and correct citizenship. He is a , sive and representative men of the county of close and intelligent observer, has read Kosciusko. Mr. Kline is widely and favor- ably known in commercial circles. Having started in a lowly capacity, he has forged to the front and, by faithful service and prompt discharge of long duty devolving upon him, finally acquired a fortune and be- came one of the financially strong and re- liable men of this part of the state. much, and takes pains to keep himself well informed upon current events. He is quiet in demeanor, a thinker, and a man of deeds rather than words. He is essentially a man of the people, because he has large faith in humanity and is optimistic in all of his views. The high esteem in which he is held by the people of his community is a worthy tribute to a most excellent man and his name has and always will occupy a conspicuous place on the roster of Kosciusko county's progres- sive and representative citizens.
JOHN KLINE.
Conspicuously identified with the busi- ness and material interests of North Web- ster and the township of Tippecanoe is the subject of this sketch and he has won for himself an honorable position in the business world and is a distinctive type of the suc- cessful self-made man. Not a pretentious or exalted life has been his, but one that has been true to itself and to which the biog- rapher may revert with feelings of respect and satisfaction. Identified in a prominent way with agriculture and the mercantile business and having attained prestige by successive steps from a modest beginning. it is eminently fitting that a sketch of his life, together with an enumeration of his leading characteristics, be given in this con- nection, as he is recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community along material lines and today is recognized as one of the progres-
The Kline family had its origin in Ger- many. His father, Henry Kline, was born in that country and when a lad of tender years came to America in company with a brother, Jacob, and settled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. In his native land he had early been apprenticed to a tailor and after coming to this country worked at the trade in an Ohio town, where he became acquaint- ed with a young lady by the name of Chris- tina Bangher, who worked in the same shop in which he found employment. She was also from the fatherland and came to the United States when quite young. The ac- quaintance ripened into a tender attachment, which in due time terminated in marriage. soon after which. in the spring of 1847. the young couple migrated to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and settled in the township of Tip- pecanoe.
Henry Kline came to this county a poor | man, but rich in a well defined purpose to make the most of such opportunities as pre- sented themselves. For some time he worked at clearing land for the insignifi- cant sum of thirty cents a day and would frequently work at his trade far into the night when he could find any tailoring to do. He had a vigorous constitution and his capacity for work was the wonder of the neighborhood in which he lived. Shortly after his arrival in Tippecanoe township his
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wife received a small amount of money which she inherited from a relative in Ger- . many, and this enabled him to purchase fifty-six acres of land a short distance north- west of the town of Webster. Moving to | his purchase Mr. Kline addressed himself manfully to the task of clearing and pre- paring it for cultivation, and while thus en- gaged he continued of nights to ply the needle, by means of which sufficient money was earned to meet the modest expenses of his family. After clearing a goodly por- tion of the land he concluded to engage in the mercantile business at Webster, as the location was a favorable one for trade and the opening at that time decidedly auspi- cious. Accordingly he purchased a general stock and by carefully studying the wants of his customers, as well as by his agreeable manners, soon built up a large trade, which continued to grow in magnitude until he became one of the most successful country 1 merchants in the county. Investing his profits from time to time in land which in- creased rapidly in value with the growth and development of the country, he soon found himself on the high road to prosperity. He prosecuted his business successfully as long as he was able to manage his affairs and at his death, which occurred in 1886, his wealth was estimated as something over thirty-five thousand dollars.
Mr. Kline was a typical representative of the successful German-American citizen and his influence upon the material and moral development of the community was decided and far-reaching. His liberal con- tributions to all religious and benevolent en- terprises became proverbial, and as a man and citizen none stood higher in public es- teem or did more to benefit his town and
neighborhood. He was a pillar in the local Evangelical congregation and by far its largest contributor, giving freely his means to support the gospel and looking after the church with a kind and fatherly interest as long as he lived. In politics he was a Demo- erat, but he never had any inclination to en- ter actively into political affairs, contenting himself with voting his principles and let- ting others manage campaigns and hold the offices. Mrs. Kline survived her husband about two years, dying in 1888. respected by everybody in the neighborhood. She was an earnest Christian woman, zealous in church and charitable work, and proved a valuable helpmeet to her husband in his days of ad- versity and sharing in a modest and becom- ing manner the prosperity which came to him in later years.
Of the twelve children born to Henry and Christina Kline all are deceased but the subject of this sketch, who was the tenth in order of birth.
John Kline, of this review, was born December 3. 1846, in Tuscarawas county. Ohio. When an infant he was brought !> Kosciusko county, Indiana, and his earliest recollections are of the country home where. as soon as old enough, he was put to work in the woods and fields. He grew to young : manhood strong and vigorous of body and thoroughly familiar with the important les- son of self-reliance. When only ten years old he began taking an active interest in the affairs of the farm, assisting to the extent of his ability his father, who at that time was in humble circumstances and strug- gling manfully to get a start in the world. Owing to the large amount of work to be done on the place, young John's education was neglected and he grew to maturity with
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only a limited knowledge of books. Be- youd the ability to read fairly well and write a tolerably legible hand. his training did not go, but later, when he began life for himself, he took down his old arith- metic and by close and careful study, aided occasionally by others, he mastered the or- dinary rules and became quite skillful as an accountant. The ease and rapidity with which he could solve intricate problems, es- pecially those pertaining to business, led his neighbors to offer many of their affairs to him for correct solution, especially such as calculating interest, making estimates and Other matters requiring more than ordinary mathematical skill. He also read with avidity such books and papers as fell into his hands and thus in time became not only practically well educated, but widely in- formed upon general matters and current events.
In 1867. when a little past twenty-one years of age, Mr. Kline chose a companion in the person of Miss Elizabeth Zintzmas- ter. a native of Germany, who bore him seven children; the oldest of these was Henry T .. who married Alta Willis and re- sides in North Webster: Frederick mar- ried Martha Hunt and resides in Pierceton ; William married Margaret Makemson and makes his home in Whitley county, this state: Edwin E., who married Minnie Hunt, is a merchant doing business at Cromwell. Indiana: John J., a miller b; trade, lives in North Webster: Mary C., unmarried, is still an inmate of the parental home: and Elizabeth P., the youngest, died when about five months old. Mr. Kline af- forded his children advantages of which he was denied in youth, and they are all well educated.
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About 1871 Mr. Kline began merchan- dising in North Webster and, like his fa- ther before him, soon won the confidence of the people and obtained a liberal share of patronage. He carried a large and care- fully sciected stock of general merchandise and for a period of fifteen years did a very Iterative business, becoming in that town one of the leading merchants of the county. Possessing naturally a business mind. he easily adapted himself to circumstances and by careful management and judicious in- tercourse with the people built up a trade of large proportions. At the expiration of seventeen years of active and successful commercial life he retired with a fortune of fifty thousand dollars, much of which has been invested in real estate in various parts of the county, his lands at the pres- ent time numbering nine hundred acres, representing a value of over thirty thou- sand dollars. He also owns good business property in Webster, besides a beautiful and well-appointed modern home, and is di- rectly interested in enterprises which add very materially to his large income. Mr. Kline has met with success far beyond that which attends the average tradesman and he is cheered by the consciousness that nearly every dollar of his fortune came to him as the legitimate result of close appli- cation to business and judicious manage- ment. As a financier he has few equals. knowing well how to make investments so as to insure the largest possible returns. While behind the counter he made a careful study of human nature and won his numer- ous customers by his suave and agreeable manner as well as by fair and honorable dealing. He is popular with all classes of people and by legitimate means has earned
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the high esteem in which he is today held by the citizens of his town and surrounding country.
On February 17, 1886, Mr. Kline was called upon to part with the wife of his youth, the faithful companion whose will-
She taught many terms and became widely and favorably known for her efficiency and skill in handling pupils and her ability to impart instruction.
Mr. Kline is a Democrat in politics and, without being termed a partisan, has taken ing assistance and patient sacrifices did so : considerable interest in party affairs. ile much to cheer and encourage him in the [ is a charter member of the Masonic lodge days before fortune crowned his efforts. at North Webster and for several years held the office of secretary in the same. His religious belief is in accord with the Evan- gelical creed, of which church he and wife are leading members and to the success of which they have contributed liberally of their means. They are active in religious and benevolent work and endeavor in their daily walk and conversation to live up to their high ideal of Christianity. They have a comfortable home and ample means to make life pleasant, and plenty of warm friends and agreeable associates. Their lot is indeed a pleasant one and the future has nothing to cause them a single fear. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have made the most of the world and the happiness which they now enjoy is the legitimate result of lives di- rected and controlled by high moral re- solves and correct principles. On April 27. 1889. he was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth A. Lindamood, whose parents, Noah and Lovisa ( Foltz) Lindamood. were natives of Virginia. From that state they moved to Ohio. thence, after a six years' residence, to Kos- ciusko county, Indiana, settling on a farm northwest of North Webster. Noah Lin- damood became one of the large land own- ers and wealthy farmers of this section and was the first man to introduce drain tile into the township of Tippecanoe. He was an industrious man, in fact a hustler, and at his death left an estate worth somewhere in the neighborhood of nineteen or twenty thousand dollars. He was one of the lead- ing Republicans of Kosciusko county, a lib- eral contributor to churches and benevolent organizations, and left a reputation as an earnest Christian which his descendants prize more than they do the ample fortune which he accumulated. He departed this life on the 27th of May, 1889, and eight FRANK MOREHEAD. years later his wife followed him to the silent land. They had a family of five chil- This gentleman now figures as one of dren, namely : Elizabeth A., Mary V., Ber- ! the enterprising farmers of Tippecanoe township, but in former years, during the troublous period from 1861 to 1866, his record as a brave defender of the national union helped to make up the history of the most sanguinary struggle ever waged be- tween the forces of freedom and treason. linda C .. Ophelia O. and Thomas B., the ' last two named being deceased. Mrs. Kline was educated in the schools of Pierceton and Ligonier and for a number of years en- joyed the reputation of being one of Kosci- usko county's most successful teachers.
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In the peaceful pursuits of civil life he has " tical character received while working in faithfully done his share in the development of his section of the state and as a native son of Kosciusko county few have done more to advance its resources, materially and otherwise. Such men as he constitute the mainstays of the commonwealth, ac- cordinghy it should be the duty of every true lover of his country to encourage the formation of character that builds up and stistains the best interests of the state.
Joseph Morehead, father of the subject of this sketch, was one of the earliest set- thers of Kosciusko county. He came here in 1839 from his native state, Virginia, and entered two tracts of land. one consisting of eighty-four and a fourth acres and the other. a little to the south, containing a quarter-section. He erected his cabin on the former tract and began the life of a pioneer, subjected to all the hardships and vicissitudes characteristic of that early period. He remained where he originally settled until his death. The family subse- quently changed their residence to the other place heretofore mentioned. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Champion. lived until the year 1897, spending the lat- ter part of her life with her son, the sub- ject of this review. They were the parents of six children, five sons and one daugh- ter. the majority of whom grew to mature years.
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1 the woods and fields and later by reading such books and papers as he could procure. Ile proved a valuable assistant on the farm until the breaking out of the great Rebel- lion, when he responded to his country's call for volunteers, enlisting September 20. 1861, in Company B, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Fort Wayne and, proceeding thence to the state capital, was soon sent to the front in Kentucky, the Thirtieth forming part of Buell's command during the campaign fol- lowing the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Morehead met the enemy on many bloody fiells, among the more noted of which may be cited Corinth, Stone River. Chickamauga, and nearly all of the hotly contested en- gagements of the celebrated Atlanta can- paign to Jonesboro, where his period of en- listment expired. After his discharge he returned home, but, the war continuing in all its fury and the government needing the services of every able-bodied man, especially trained soldiers, he felt it his duty to again tender his aid towards crushing the for- midable hosts that were putting forth every effort to dismember the Union. Accord- ingly, after a brief stay, he entered the army the second time as member of Company G. Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers, which was assigned to duty at Alexandria. Virginia. but which did not participate in much active service. Returning to Indianapolis at the close of the war, he was there discharged. after which he came home and once more resumed the pursuit of agriculture in his native county.
Frank Morehead was born on the orig- inal homestead in Tippecanoe township. May 24. 1842, and spent his childhood and youthful years in close touch with nature as a farmer's boy. In such schools as were then common throughout northern Indiana Mr. Morehead passed through many [ dangerous and trying experiences and was he received a limited education, his prin- cipal learning being of an intensely prac- 'twice wounded, the first time in the foot at
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In the peaceful pursuits of civil life he has faithfully done his share in the development of his section of the state and as a native son of Kosciusko county few have done more to advance its resources, materially , and otherwise. Such men as he constitute the mainstays of the commonwealth, ac- cordingly it should be the duty of every true lover of his country to encourage the formation of character that builds up and stistains the best interests of the state.
Joseph Morehead, father of the subject of this sketch, was one of the earliest set- thers of Kosciusko county. He came here in 1839 from his native state, Virginia, and entered two tracts of land. one consisting of eighty-four and a fourth acres and the other. a little to the south, containing a quarter-section. He erected his cabin on the former tract and began the life of a pioneer, subjected to all the hardships and vicissitudes characteristic of that early period. He remained where he originally settled until his death. The family subse- quently changed their residence to the other place heretofore mentioned. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Champion. lived until the year 1897, spending the lat- ter part of her life with her son. the sub- ject of this review. They were the parents of six children, five sons and one daugh- ter. the majority of whom grew to mature years.
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tical character received while working in the woods and fields and later by reading such books and papers as he could procure. Ile proved a valuable assistant on the farm until the breaking out of the great Rebel- lion, when he responded to his country's call for volunteers, enlisting September 20, 1861, in Company B, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Fort Wayne and, proceeding thence to the state capital, was soon sent to the front in Kentucky, the Thirtieth forming part of Buell's command during the campaign iol- lowing the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Morehead met the enemy on many bloody fiells, among the more noted of which may be cited Corinth, Stone River. Chickamauga, and nearly all of the hotly contested en- gagements of the celebrated Atlanta cam- paign to Jonesboro, where his period of en- listment expired. After his discharge he returned home, but, the war continuing in all its fury and the government needing the services of every able-bodied man. especially trained soldiers, he felt it his duty to again tender his aid towards crushing the for- midable hosts that were putting forth every effort to dismember the Union. Accord- ingly, after a brief stay, he entered the army the second time as member of Company G, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers, which was assigned to duty at Alexandria. Virginia. but which did not participate in much active service. Returning to Indianapolis at the close of the war, he was there discharged. after which he came home and once more resumed the pursuit of agriculture in his native county.
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