USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 78
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county: Rosa J., who is now Mrs. Howard R. Goodman, lives on the old farm with her father : Bernard. the youngest, is single and has never left the parental home.
SAMSON JACKSON NORTHL.
The man whose history is given below. legitimate result of industry and well-di- iis of direct English descent. Three broth-
ers of the North family in England came to America early in the nineteenth century. one settling in New England, one in Pennsyl- vania, and one, Thomas, in Virginia. Later the latter came to Pickaway county, Ohio. where in 1805 his son Joseph was born. The latter grew to manhood and married Sarah Russell, of Fairfield county. Ohio. and to them was born. near Marysville. Union county, Ohio, on November 30. 1835. the subject of this sketch, Samson Jackson North.
When the subject was six years old his parents moved to a farm in Delaware coun- ty, Ohio, and in his sixteenth year they trav- eled overland to Iowa, but in less than a year started back to Ohio, reaching Milford in the spring, but as the roads were break- ing they could go no further, Joseph rented a farm and settled there, where they con- tinued to live, renting and farming, until he retired from active work on account of advanced age. Politically he was a strong and decided Jacksonian Democrat, but never held nor desired a public place. His last years were spent with his son Samson. He died June 8. 1885, at the age of eighty, hav- ing outlived his wife twenty-three years. her death occurring in 1862.
Samson grew up on the farm, remaining
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sabes parents anti. He was twenty-one. He was educated in the common schools and was particularly fortunate in having good endless. He Himself became a teacher at the age of eighteen, teaching the first school of the district, in a schoolhouse built in the ' woods ner where Nappanee now is, in Kos- ciusko county. He continued to teach in the ander and worked on the farm in the sum- over Engraving his spare hours while teach- ing by reading law, this industrious appli- carton gaining for him admittance to the hat early in 1861. About the middle of the summer of 1862 the call reached this county for more soldiers to aid in the suppression of the Rebellion and Samson was one of the first to respond. On July 29 he began to raise a company, Lieutenant Timothy Lugar having commenced to recruit in the camy, and Milford was made the central recruiting point. At the election of officers. August :8th. Samson North was made cap- tin of Company F, Seventy-fourth Indi- aux Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Chapman. Richard Il. Hall, one of Sam- ses former teachers, enlisted in the same company, was made orderly, later became Heater ant and was killed at Chickamauga. Samson served throughout the war, remain- : ing in command of the company until they were mustered out in June, 1865. During the entire service he was absent from his o mpany but sixty days and then was in the hospital with typhoid fever. He was a Radikal soldier, seeing much hard service, and has numerous provis of many narrow escapes. He was wounded in the first battle. hat the effect was not permanent. He was once knocked breathless by a spent ball striking him in the stomach. Ilis sabre and scabbard are scarred and misshapen by
bullets and the holes in his belt strap and the sleeves of his coat testify to his presence in the thickest of the fight. He was in the battles of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, in all of the Atlanta campaign and at Jonesboro. The company lost heavily at Chickamauga because its position was one of the most hotly contested of the whole war. Ile was in charge of a foraging party of twenty-eight men selected from four regi- ments for the march to the sea, but rejoined his company at the sea and remained with Sherman to the close of the war. Ile marched to Washington and took part in the grand review in that city.
Upon returning from the war Mr. North resumed his law practice at Milford and. being qualified to practice in all courts, he has devoted his full time and energies to the interests of his clients. In political belief he was a Democrat, following the example of his father, until 1882. Since 1884 he has been a Prohibitionist, taking an active part in conventions, making speeches during campaigns and giving his help and influence to all kinds of temperance work. As a man interested in public improvement he has not been idle. Ile assisted in securing the right of way for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. was related to the locating of the Michigan division of the Big Four and took part in the making of a ditch six miles long from 1.cesburg to Turkey creek, which draine 1 land a mile in either direction. In addition to this line of improvement he has purchased other lands and has brought four hundred and eighty acres to a condition of fertility. increasing its worth from five dollars to fifty dollars per acre. About thirteen acres of this tract is devoted to onion growing.
Mr. North was married August 14.
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ISos, before going to the war, to Miss Mary .A. Egbert, of Mitford, daughter of John and Abigail Egbert. She was born near Jonesville, Michigan, but was reared at Mil- ford! where her father kept hotel for several years, and ever since she was a child she has ' Uvedl in the same block in Milford, remain- ing in charge of her husband's interests dur- ing the war. She was a member of the Bay- det charch at the time of her marriage, but wishing to be in the same church with her husband she transferred her membership to the Methodist church, of which he has been a member since 1879, and is now a trustee of the local church.
Mr. and Mrs. North have two children living. Clara B., wife of Robert L. Raley. of Milford, and Mary I. North, an art states, now the wife of Frank U. Wagner, . nel B., born . August 24. 1872.
of Chicago, an employee of the Ilinois Cen- ::: Railroad. Clara was a school teacher before her marriage, also a music teacher. She has five children, Robert M., Agnes L .. Bertha Elizabeth, Mary J. and Birtney Jackson.
JOHN F. HANEY.
This gentleman, a native of Indiana and vi Swiss descent, has resided on his eighty- acre farm in Scott township, Kosciusko o staty, Indiana, since November, 1881, and be won for himself a fine reputation as a ....... and didzen. He was born in Elk- hart county November r. 1854. His father, Abraham Haney, was born August 16, 1826, atle his wife. April 29, 1831. They were harried in Switzerland in 1851, and came there to America in 1852, landing in New York city in April. From New York they
went to Columbiana county, Ohio, but the same year came to Indiana and for a few months lived in Whitley county. In 1853 they removed to Elkhart county, and in 1860 came to Kosciusko county and resided in Jefferson township until 1884, when they removed to Marshall county, where the death of the father occurred October 15. 1867. The mother still resides in Marshall county, greatly venerated by all her neigh- bors. These parents had a family of nine children, namely: Jacob .A., born April 21, 1853: John F., November 1, 1854: Cathar- ine, January 10, 1857: William, April 9. 1859: Anna M., December 2, 1860: Daniel. September 30, 1864 ; died .August 31, 1898 ; Peter and Edward, twins, born July 29. 1866, Edward dying in infancy, and Eman-
John F. Haney was reared a farmer and : after working on the home farm until twelve years okl, hired out until his eighteenth year as a farm laborer, in the meanwhile faith- fully turning over his earnings to his par- ents. He then continued to work on his own account as a monthly laborer until 1881. when he purchased a part of his present farm, and later bought the remaining part, and has converted the whole into one of the most productive farms of its dimensions in the township.
The marriage of Mr. Haney took place in Kosciusko county, October 23, 1881, 20 Miss Mary L. Summe, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, July 20. 1800, and is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine ( Rough ) Summe. Her parents were among the early pioneers of Kosciusko county, Indiana, but now reside in Franklin township, about four and a half miles northeast of Akron, Fulton county, Indiana. They have a family of ten
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Madre, Born in the Following order : Mary E ... . Ambos, Leonard, Malinda J. ( deceased ), Frederick, Franklin. Alva and Alta (twins ). .... Elmer. The union of John F. and Mary !.. Habey has been crowned by the birth of two children, viz: Elsie O., born January 12. 1887, and Iven F., born November S. Soge both now attending school. In poli- Hey Mr. Haney is a Democrat, but has never been an office seeker.
Mr. Haney has sixty-five acres of his farm under an excellent state of cultivation and all inder fence. He has placed upon it A. the improvements, which compare favor- ably with others in the neighborhood, and has been quite successful in all his under- takings.
ISAAC SHENEMAN.
Jacob, Joseph, Henry, Frederick, Moses, Isaac, John, Samuel and Zachariah.
Isaac Sheneman came to Indiana with his parents in 1860. He had been reared on a farmi and as a farmer has met with a sat- isfactory returns. In 1866, in Elkhart coun- wy. he married Miss Mary Cripe, but this lady was called away in 1870, and Mr. Sheneman nest married, in February, 1872. Mrs. Lucy .A. Brubaker, widow of Joel Bru- baker and daughter of John B. and Sarah Neff. In 1871 Mr. Sheneman settled in Kosciusko county, and came in possession of a farm through his wife, and immediately after marriage took possession of his prem- ises and started housekeeping, his amiable helpmate having ever since made it one of the happiest homes in the township. By . neither marriage has Mr. Sheneman been blessed with children.
Mr. and Mrs. Sheneman are members of One of the most progressive agriculture i the German Baptist church and do all in their power to advance its work of evangei- ism, contributing freely of their means also towards its temporal maintenance. They have lived in consonance with its doctrines. and have gained an enviable reputation among their neighbors and many warm- hearted friends for their personal good qualities.
Its of Scott township, Kosciusko county, indiana, although not one of the most exten- sive, is Isaac Sheneman, whose farm pre- sents to the eye of the passer-by every indi- cation of being under the control of an ex- perienced and skillful manager. Mr. Shene- man was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 22, 1842, and is the ninth of the twelve children born to Frederick and Eliza- Mr. Sheneman's compact farm of eighty acres is a model in itself, all, with the ex- ception of fourteen acres, being in a state of excellent cultivation and improved with all necessary buildings to make farm life de. sirable and, under his experienced manage- 1 ment, decidedly profitable. beth (Fredfine) Sheneman, who were born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. There their marriage took place, and they later imigrated to Holmes county, Ohio, Where they resided until 1860, when they came to Indiana and settled in St. Joseph county, there passing the remainder of their lives. In politics Mr. Sheneman affiliates with the Republican party, which he actively aids Their twelve children were named, in order of birth, as follows: Mary, George, David, pon all occasions, but never has sought re- !
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con cise in the way of seeking public ofice. He has in his possession a valuable relic in the shape of an old parchment deed, dated September 2, 1839. and bearing the signa- ture of President Martin Van Buren.
.mong the successful farmers and self- Hadde men of Kosciusko county the subject of this sketch occupies a conspicuous place. ile is a aative of Indiana and son of John and Catherine Ann ( Chrue ) Rohrer, the fa- ! ther lern in Proble county, Ohio. September 3. 1820, and the mother in the same state February 18, 1827. When six years old John Rohrer was brought to Elkhart county and has spent his life since that time on the Sang minthood. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Ann Unrue, has borne hit ten children whose names and dates of births and other facts connected with their respective histories are as follows: (1) Francis M. was born October 1, 1849; he took for his wife Mary Brothers and is the father of two children, Romaine and one that died in infancy; he is a carpenter by Bride and lives in De giy of Goshen, Indi- ana. ( 2) William W., a carriage painter working at his trade at New Paris, Elkhart costey. was born May 7, 1851. and married Cart. Eisworth. (3) Rebecca A., born February 15, 1853. is the widow of the late D. W. Peoples, who was killed some years ago by a railroad locomotive : not seeing the rapidly approaching train, he drove to the track and was struck by the engine and thrown nearly one hundred and eighty feet, his body being mangled almost beyond rec-
ognition. Mrs. Peoples is the mother of these children, Nellie, Melvin, Clara, Mande. Blanch and Zuc. (4) James M. and (5) Thomas R. are twins, their births occurring on the gth day of October, 1855. James married Phoebe Johnson and has a family of children. Cart, Irvin, Ernest and Hazel; he THOMAS J. ROHRER. was formerly a carpenter, but of recent years has devoted his attention to farming. (6) Sarah A. was born February 16, 1858, and died March 31, 1850. (7) Mary E. born Jannary 24. 1860, is the wife of Henry Yotter, a shoemaker of Union Mills. this state. (8) John M. was born February 28. 1862, married Linnie Harper and has two children, Ruth and Glenwood : he is a farmi- er of Elkhart county. (9) Emma, wife of Melvin Sheline, was born . August 5. 1864. and has children as follows: Goldie, Glady- place which he cleared and developed in his - and Gordon. (10) Ira, a manufacturer of
tents and awnings at Boise City, Idaho, is a single man, born January 2. 1867.
John Rohrer, the father, cleared about one hundred acres of land by his own labor and is now a farmer of Elkhart county, also an extensive raiser of live stock, devoting greater part of his attention to the latter. He is a prosperous man and prominent citi- zen of his community. In politics he is a Haugh supporter of the Republican foip. in religion a member of the Allbright church ; his wife is a Methodist.
Thomas J. Rohrer first saw the light of day on the family homestead in Elkhart county and grew to manhood with a practi- cal understanding of what is meant by hon- est toil and frugal thrift. His educational discipline, acquired in the common schools, has been effectually supplemented by a thor- ough training in active life and today he is an intelligent, well-rounded man, fully quali-
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Red Ar the usages and experiences which the world brings to individuals of his physi- cal and mental stamp. Like a dutiful son be rendered valuable assistance to his father until Lis twenty-sixth year, when he left home and entered upon his own career as a farmer. October 10, 1882, was the day when Thomas J. Rohrer and Miss Della, daughter of George and Mary (Davison) Adana, were united in the bonds of holy wollock, a union blessed with the following CAdrex: Otto Lee, Forn January 17. 1884; George Bu Dor May 28, 1887; Lura A., September 1. 1889: Raymond D. and Ruba Me twins, where births took place on the Ist day of April. 198.
After his marriage Mr. Rohrer rented a farm near the village of Syracuse, this coun- tv, and one year later moved to the county of Elkhart where he continued to cultivate leased land for a period of five years. Re- turning to Kosciusko county he rented the place where he now lives until 1900. when he sold eighty acres of land in Elkhart county which he then owned and invested the pro- ceeds in his present home, consisting of one hundred and eighty and a half acres. Nine- ty acres of Mr. Rohrer's farm is in cultiva- tion, the balance being valuable timber land from which in due time he expects to realize a respectable sum of money. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place, the good fences, substantial buildings and other evi- dences of prosperity attest the interest Mr. Rohre: has manifested in his work and man- agement, the farm and everything it con- tains bespeaking the presence of a scientific and up-to-date agriculturist. In the fields may be seen a herd of full-blooded short- horn cattle, among the best in the county. a large drove of fine swine, in addition to
which there are from eight to ten valuable Norman horses well adapted to heavy drait work and general farming purposes. Mr. Rohrer has met with well-merited success as a raiser of stock and grain, and he also gives considerable attention to the usual vegetable crops and fruits, without which no farm is complete.
Like his father, Mr. Rohrer is an un- compromising adherent to the Republican party and takes pains to keep himself fuly informed upon state and national legislation and the great issues which to a large degree shape and control the destiny of the country. Fraternally he holds membership with Camp No. 6373. Modern Woodmen of America, at Milford, aside from which he is not identified with any benevolent or relig- ious organization. Mr. Rohrer is decidedly a self-made man, having accumulated the ample fortune which he now enjoys by hard and long-continued toil, assisted by his faith- ful wife, who has been his active colaborer and wise counsellor ever since the two started upon life's journey together. They are highly esteemed by their neighbors and friends and in every respect have shown themselves worthy the respect in which they are held. Mr. Rohrer is a good man and true and it is to such as he that the county of Kosciusko is largely indebted for its wonderful advancement along agricultural. industrial and other lines.
HENRY J. BERGER.
One of the most thoroughly practical and successful agriculturists of Scott town- ship. Kosciusko county, Indiana, is Henry
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& was born in Marshall county 26 3850. His parents. Henry and ! Zameri Berger, were respectively Vem any July 1. ENTy. and Decem- came to the United Started with their parents in 1832 and were Podiars and were married in Mar- May. : 8,3. after which event Hey bettel on a farmi wear Bremen, on resided until weSo, when they re- tel in the village: there the father died. Jord gu 899. and there the mother still has her residence. Eleven children were born is there parents and were named in order of Birth, as follows: Catharine, Sophia (de- cassel, Henry J. Jacob, George, Elizabeth, Matilda, Charles, John C., and two who die ! in britney annamed.
of whom they named, in order of birth, as follows: Christian, John, Catherine, Eliza- beth. Mary, Lydia, Jacob, Peter, Louisa. Rosa and Samuel; two died in infancy nn- named.
A Well, 1876, Mr. Berger purchased his present farm in Scott township. Kości- usko county, on which he settled immediate- Is after his marriage. Of the one hundred and six acres which this farm comprises Mr. Berger has placed about eighty acres aider cultivation. all of which he has fenced in. Hle has erected also a comfortable dwelling and commodions outhouses on the place, and now has as pleasant a home as there is in the township. Here, on an income-produc- ing farm, in company with his wife and eight children, he is passing the happy hours away, contented with his lot in life and com- placent in the happiness of his children, who are named Ervin E. Stella S., Laura 1 ... Ada S., Milton IL., Minnie B., Rosa M. and Cora M.
Heury J. Berger was born on a farm id was reared as a farmer, which has been the business of his whole life: and judging from his success, no other calling would better have suited him. He was educated Mr. Berger is a Republican in his politi- cal views, and religiously he and wife are members of the Evangelical Association. To the latter they are liberal contributors financially and are conscientious in follow- ing its teachings. They maintain a high position socially and their influence is ever exerted for the moral and material advance- ment of their neighbors and fellow-citizens. in the schools of his home district and filially added on the home farm until his twenty- Fourth year. October 2, 1873. he married. i :. Marshall county, Miss Margaret Knob- lock, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Voltar Knoluck, and to this union Wat ore the child, Sarah E., now deceased. .I.s. Margaret Berger passed away, her Beach taking place March 9, 1875. and as second choice for a life partner Mr. Ber- gor led to the marriage altar, January 9. ;.. Miss Mary Ringgenberg, who was JACOB HEPLER. Con. in Marshall county. April 27, 1853. this a daughter of Christian and Catherine This enterprising and well-to-do farmer was born on the farm which he still occu- pies in section 12, Scott township, Koscius- Margener , Kinggenberg. The latter were maong Marshall county's early settlers, and were the parents of thirteen children, eleven " ko county, Indiana, October 18, 1842, and
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is a son of David C. and Magdalena ( Yaul- ky) Hepler, of whom mention is also made in the biographical notice of an elder brother. Samuel C.
Jacob Hepler is the sixth child in a fam- ily of eight children, was born on a farm and was educated in a common school. Until he reached his twenty-seventh year he re- sided on the home place, assisting his father in its cultivation, but was married February 18, 1804. to Miss Nancy N. More, also a na- tive of Kosciusko county and a daughter of William and Anna More, early settlers.
After ceasing to work for his father, Jacob and his brother Isaac purchased the old homestead, which they divided, Jacob taking the north one hundred and forty -. seven acres and forty acres in Scott town- ship, and Isaac the south part. In 1877, jacob erected a handsome dwelling, in which. he has since resided. He also built a fine bank barn, 40x70 feet, in 1883, and all other necessary outbuildings.
county. Mir. and Mrs. Rose had a family of ciglu children, viz: Catherine, Amelia A., Rachel, Mary, Emanuel, Israel, Joseph K. and one that died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Hepler has been born one son, Irvin. Mr. and Mrs. Hepler are consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran church and have so lived as to win the respect of the entire com- munity, to whom they have endeared them- selves by their many amiable personal quali- ties and kindly acts. Mr. Hepler may well be classed as a pioneer, having lived in this county over half a century.
Mr. Hepler is a Democrat in politics and at present he is a member of the advisory board. He has in his possession an old parchment deed, executed during the admin- istration of President Van Buren.
JAMES E. HOLLAR.
Devoting his energies to agriculture, the Mrs. Nancy N. Hepler was called away March 6. 1877, leaving seven children; namely: Mary, Daniel, Rosa .1., Mar- garet E .. William, Albert A. and Nancy. November 4, 1877, Mr. Hepler led to the marriage altar Miss Amelia A. Rose, who. was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, March 23. 1856, a daughter of Joseph J. and Elizabeth ( AArters ) Rose, natives of the subject of this sketch enjoys distinctive pres- tige as one of the most enterprising farmers in the county of Kosciusko. He is one of the largest land owners in Jefferson town- ship and in point of general improvements, especially in the matter of buildings, his place is not excelled by any farm in this part of the country. Mr. Hollar came to Indiana with but a limited amount of capital. With sante state and born respectively in 1830 and .: a liberal endowment of self reliance. a clear 1825. They were married in Cambria coun- brain, a strong will and a determined pur- circumstances which marked his arrival, re- moved the numerous obstacles from his pathway, gradually forged to the front and in the course of time found himself in pos- enjoys. ty. Pennsylvania, and came to Kosciusko @ pose, he overcome the many discouraging county, Indiana, in 1864, but remained here a short time only and then went to Elkhart county. There they resided two years and then eume back to Kosciusko county, where the mother died September 28, 1883. The session of the ample fortune which he today father now resides in Nappanee, Elkhart
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Mir. Hohar's people were among the teen years of age, spending the rest of the car'y German inhabitants of Virginia. His time in the fields at such work as is required Father. . Mexander Ilolar, was born in that state, as was also his mother. Eva Price. After their marriage these parents settled in the county of Shenandoah. where they spent the remainder of their days on a farm, the father being one of the well-known citi- zes of the community where he lived. Their eight children were named as follows : Amos, Sarah, Harvey, Joseph. James E .. Levi. Stas and George W. on a Virginian farm. When nineteen he en- tered upon an apprenticeship to learn car -. pentry and in this engaged about six months at a monthly remuneration of six dollars. Being naturally skilled in the use of tools, he soon acquired much more than ordinary efficiency as a workman, and after receiving instruction for the above length of time he was sufficiently advanced in the trade to un- dertake buikdling upon his own responsibil- ity. In the spring of 1870 he left home and started into the world to make his own liv- ing and if possible acquire something more than a mere existence, as he was determined to achieve success if it lay within his power so to do. Like the majority of young men, he set up his goal in the west and with little means at his command started afoot upon his journey in which there was no deviation or break until he reached Licking county, Ohio, where he stopped temporarily to earn a little money, doing a job of clearing for a farmer. After working two weeks and re- ceiving his pay, the young pedestrian pro- ceeded on the journey until he came to a lit- tle village by the name of Melmore, in the county of Seneca, where he hired to one Samuel Brooks, a local carpenter, in whose employ he continued about one year. At the expiration of that time he entered into a partnership with that gentleman and until 1873 worked in several parts of Seneca county, the meanwhile adding to his reputa- tion as an architect and builder.
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