USA > Indiana > Adams County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 44
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 44
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GEORGE E. WEMHOFF. Possessing excellent business ability and judgment, George E. Wemhoff, of Decatur, general manager of the Wemhoff Monumental Works, is widely known throughout Western Indiana for his monumental achievements, beautiful marble and granite creations from his shop being seen in many of the best known cemeteries of this section of the state. A native of Adams County, he was born, in 1873, in Decatur, being a son of the late Bernard F. Wemhoff.
Bernard F. Wemhoff was born at Munster, Westphalia, in November, 1843, and died at his home, in Decatur, Indiana, June 12, 1906. Brought up in his native land, he learned the trade of a marble cutter when young, and afterward worked for three years on that magnificent work of art, the Cologne Cathedral. Immigrating to the United States just before the close of the Civil war, he located first in Kendallville, Indiana, there joining his brother, Rev. John A. Wemhoff, a Roman Catholic priest, who, in 1873, was instrumental in laying the foundation for the present Roman Catholic Church of Decatur. From Kendali- ville Bernard F. Wemhoff went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and later, with others, became interested in establishing monumental works in the newly organized town of Decatur, and in this now flourishing city, in 1889, he established the Wemhoff Monumental Works, going into bnsi- ness on his own account, after having been associated with partners for many years. Ile met with excellent success from the first, the many beautiful monuments that he erected in the cemeteries of this vicinity bearing evidence of his skillful workmanship.
Bernard F. Wemhoff married, ain Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mary A. McClean, who was born in America, of Irish parents. She is now living, a bright and active woman of four score years. Both she and her hus- band are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and after locating in Decatur became identified with Saint Mary's Church. Mr. Wemhoff became an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Eight children were born of their union, as follows: George E., of this sketch ; Edith, wife of Charles Pilliod. of Ohio. has three daughters: Oswald. of Decatur, travels in the interest of the Wemhoff Monumental Works; Estella, a most capable business woman, is secretary for a lumber com- pany, in which she is a stockholder, at Fort Wayne; Frank, a resident
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of San Francisco, California, is the western manager of the Wayne Oil, Tank & Pump Company; Otto, traveling salesman for the local Monu- mental Works; Celesta, a graduate of the Fort Wayne Business College, is with the Bowers Realty Company, of Decatur; John R., of Fort Wayne, an accountant for the Wayne Oil, Tank and Pump Company.
Brought up in Decatur, George E. Wemhoff, in common with his brothers and sisters, received his early education in the parochial schools, and as a boy began working in his father's marble works, becoming familiar with the details of the business. Since the death of his father, eleven years ago, Mr. Wemhoff has been general manager of the Wemhoff Monumental Works, and under his careful supervision the business is large and constantly increasing, having within recent years reached such proportions that a branch office was opened at Fort Wayne, in the Bass Block. This enterprising firm has filled many large orders, among others having erected the W. E. Mossman Monument in Fort Wayne, it being very tall and handsome; the beautiful statue erected to the memory of William Niblick, of Decatur; a similar piece of statuary erected in Saint Johns Cemetery, at Fort Wayne; and at Decatur a sol- diers' monument of rare artistic beauty, designed by Charles Mulligan, a noted Chicago sculptor.
As an ex-president of the National Monumental Association, and the assistant editor of its great trade magazine, Mr. Wemhoff has met many artists, sculptors, and draftsmen of note, all of whom look upon him as a true friend. Mr. Wemhoff has among his most valued heirlooms an old German bull's eye watch, once owned by his paternal grandfather, and which, from its markings is known to be far more than a century old.
Mr. Wemhoff married, in Decatur, Indiana, Osa France, a daughter of Henry France, an ex-county auditor, now deceased. Mrs. Wemhoff was born and educated in Decatur, and has always been active and prominent in social circles. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wemhoff, namely: Adrian, bookkeeper for the Alfo Company, in Decatur; Eulalia, Robert, Arthur, and Bernard. The family are all members of the Roman Catholic Church, In his political affiliations Mr. Wemhoff is a democrat.
HORACE E. BUTLER. One of the fine homestead farms of Root Town- ship is owned and occupied by Horace E. Butler, whose place in the agricultural history of Adams County is not difficult to define, since he has been at once successful and thoroughly progressive and alive as a publie spirited citizen to all the needs and demands placed upon him in community affairs.
Mr. Butler was born in Adams County September 10, 1870, son of Jesse and Catherine (Earhart) Butler. His father was a native of Wayne County, Indiana, and his mother of Pennsylvania, and after their marriage they lived for a time on a farm in Wayne County, then pioneered to western Iowa and settled in Page County, and after devel- oping a farm there traded it and all its improvements for 200 acres of land in Adams County, Indiana. Jesse Butler was one of the promment farmer citizens of Adams County, was well known as a stock dealer in later years, was an exceptionally diligent worker and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his name everywhere is spoken with the respect it deserves. He and his wife had children named : Mary, Edna, Albert, Benj. F., William, John, Samuel, Melvin J. and llorace E.
Horace E. Butler was educated in the common schools of Root Town- ship and has made farming his chief business throughout his active
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career. In 1914 he located on his present place of 140 acres, and here has the facilities, the soil and the individual experience necessary for growing bountiful erops of all kinds. Mr. Butler is a republican voter, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.
September 10, 1892, he married Miss Ella O. Fisher, danghter of William and Sarah Fisher. Mrs. Butler has brothers named Daniel, Lemuel, Jonas and Amos and one sister named Mary. The three chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Butler are Velma, Clyde and Naomi. The dangh- ter Velma is now the wife of Giles Porter of Adams County and they have one daughter, Vera.
H. HENRY BREMERKAMP. Through a long and honorable business career, participation in enterprises that have brought added prestige to the city if his birth, straightforward dealing in all the avenues of life, and citizenship of a high order, H. Henry Bremerkamp has come to be justly accounted one of the foremost citizens of Decatur. The success which he has attained in life has been of his own making, for he was given few advantages in his youth and has had to work ont his own problems withont assistance. As president of the Fornax Milling Com- pany he is the directing head of one of the important enterprises of Decatur, and when he took this position at the organization of the com- pany, in November, 1915, it came as a climax to a long career passed in the milling business.
Mr. Bremerkamp was born near the City Conrt House, on West Madison Street, Decatur, December 31, 1853, a son of John Henry and Magdalena (Hartman) Bremerkamp, the former born in Westphalia and the latter in Hildesheim, Germany. John Henry Bremerkamp was a tailor in his native land, and after coming to the United States fol- lowed that occupation at Cincinnati, but after the epidemie of cholera came to Decatur, where he became the owner of a general store. He died here in 1869, aged sixty-eight years, while Mrs. Bremerkamp sur- vived until 1913 and was ninety years old at the time of her death. By her first marriage she had two children, one of them, Mrs. Fullenkamp, a widow, is engaged in the dry goods business at Decatur. By her last marriage she had three children : H. Henry ; Mrs. Magdalena Dinniger, a milliner of Decatur; and Mrs. E. X. Echinger, cashier of the old Adams County Bank.
Henry H. Bremerkamp received only limited educational advan- tages in his youth, for from the time he was nine years of age he was expected to serve as clerk behind the counter in the store of his father, who died when he was thirteen years old. He was ambitious and indus- trious, however, and often studied late into the night, educating him- self and training himself in business methods, so that at his father's death he was able to take charge of the business and to keep its books in good order. Mr. Bremerkamp remained as a merchant nntil 1885, and then interested himself in the milling business. In 1888 he became connected with what is known as the South Mill of the Fornax Milling Company first as a member of the firm controlling its operation, in partnership with two different members, and after several years becom- ing sole proprietor by purchase. During the years that followed he strengthened his position in the milling industry in various ways, and in November, 1915, became one of the prime movers in the organiza- tion of the Fornax Milling Company, when he was made president ; Clarence G. Striekler, vice president, and IFerman Gillig, secretary and treasurer, all active in the business, and all well known residents of Decatur. This concern manufactures the famous Golden Dove, Bob
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White and Blue Ribbon brands of flour, which have an extensive market in Ohio and Indiana, and kiln dried cornmeal and feedstuffs. The mills are known as Nos. 1 and 2, or the North and South Mills. The latter was a milling plant more than sixty years ago and has always been known as the Fornax Mills. The first mill was built four blocks below the present one on the St. Mary's River. The present South Mill was burned out in 1905, but was rebuilt the same year with modern machinery and equipment, including roller and precipitation and the universal bolting system, and since its installation the South Mill has a capacity of eighty barrels daily and the North Mill ninety barrels. Messrs. Gillig and Strickler are practical millers and have been for the past fifteen years. Recently another partner was admitted to the busi- ness, he being George Shosenburg, a local resident and a farmer near Salem. In business circles Mr. Bremerkamp is considered a man of shrewd judgment and foresight, a man whose integrity is unquestioned, and who has a high ideal of business principles.
Mr. Bremerkamp was married at Decatur, Indiana, to Miss Barbara Kleber, who was born in that city, in 1857, and there reared and educated. She grew up in a Roman Catholic German family, early settlers of Fort Wayne, and her father, Christoph Kleber, died in that city. Her mother, Mrs. Barbara Kleber, died at the home of her daugh- ter at Decatur. To Mr. and Mrs. Bremerkamp there have been born the following children : Anselm, of Decatur, who married Miss Blosson and has two children, Margaret and Helen; Otto, who is single and lives at Dayton : Raymond, a photographer of Fort Wayne, who married Clara Minch and has a daughter, Gretchen; Stella, who is the wife of A. W. Cron, a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, and a photographer by vocation, and has two children, William and Barbara; Clarence, at Fort Wayne, Indiana; Earl, who is single and resides at home; and Eugene, a volunteer in the United States army, who is now in training as an electrician at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. The members of the family all belong to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and Mr. Bremer- kamp and two of his sons belong to the Knights of Columbus. They are democrats in their political allegiance.
ORLEY L. LANCASTER. An interesting and profitable feature of the modern, up-to-date farm is the breeding of pure blooded stock and along this line as others Orley L. Lancaster, one of Chester Township's well known agriculturists, has met with much success. Mr. Lancaster is an intelligent, college-bred man, who carries on his farm industries scientifically, and the results prove that his agricultural knowledge is sound and his methods reliable.
Orley L. Lancaster was born on a farm in Chester Township, Wells County, Indiana, May 5, 1880, and is the youngest of a family of seven children born to Nathan and Mary (Starr) Lancaster. His father was born in Van Buren Township, Grant County, Indiana, October 25, 1836, and his mother in Wells County, Indiana, February 5, 1847. The father died October 27, 1909. The mother is living and resides in Chester Township where the home was established many years ago. Mrs. Lan- caster is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church as was her husband.
Orley L. Lancaster was reared on the old Lancaster farm that lies one half mile south of Keystone, Indiana. In boyhood he attended the Chester Township schools and then entered the Keystone High School, from which he was creditably graduated. In 1902 he entered the Indiana State University, in which institution he remained a student for over two years, at the end of his university course being elected
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principal of the Keystone High School. Mr. Lancaster was entirely successful in the educational field, but scientific agriculture interested him to a greater degree and after he married this work claimed his entire attention. His farm of eighty acres has been brought to a high state of cultivation, through his knowledge of selection and adaptation of crops to soil. and his use of economic methods never thought-of in old days, and also the introduction of labor and crop saving modern machinery. On his farm only high grade stock is produced and many rine hogs are raised, while his pure blooded cattle are a source of large income. Mr. Lancaster enjoys his work and all his experiments that add zest to it are governed by the good judgment that make failure practically impossible.
Mr. Lancaster was married in 1906 to Miss Chloe Roll, who was born, reared and educated in Blackford County, Indiana, and prior to her marriage was a successful and popular teacher in that county. They have a wide circle of friends and enjoy life and the hospitality of their beautiful home is known to many.
While Mr. Lancaster has never been a politician in any sense, as an intelligent and educated man he is keenly alert to publie conditions at home and abroad and as far as his personal influence extends endeavors to be a model citizen. He is a great advocate of good roads, and he votes with the republican party. For a number of years he has been a mem- ber of Montpelier Lodge No. 60, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and at times has been interested in agricultural organizations.
HENRY GILLIOM has long been a factor in business affairs at Bluff- ton and is a member of the firm Gilliom Brothers, well drillers, who have handled contracts in that line all over Northeastern Indiana.
Mr. Gilliom was born on a farm in Adams County, Indiana, Decem- ber 25, 1879, a son of Isaac and Melvina ( Hanna) Gilliom. Both parents are now deceased. The father was a native of the United States and the mother of Switzerland. They spent their active years on a farm in Adams County.
Henry Gilliom grew up on the farm and remained at home in Adams County until he was twenty years of age. His education was acquired by attendance at the district schools. He served an apprenticeship at the harness-making trade at Bluffton, and followed that work at dif- ferent places for ten years. He then joined a brother in his present business, and the firm is a very prosperous one.
Mr. Gilliom married Nellie Bennett, and they have one child, Lloyd. Mr. Gilliom is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past chief patriarch of the Odd Fellows Encamp- ment. In politics he is somewhat independent, but at the present time is classified as a democrat.
SHERMAN A. WATSON. It is with the younger and more progressive element of Adams County that the name of Sherman A. Watson is properly classed. He is living on the old Watson homestead where he was born, and has shown the ability to make good in his old and familiar environment. He is a practical and progressive farmer, has 320 acres of land under his management and directs the operations with a high degree of success and profit. Mr. Watson always keeps on hand some high grade livestock and they furnish a large part of the profits from the annual operations.
On this farm in Hartford Township Mr. Watson was born November 30, 1885, a son of John W. and Phoebe (Pontius) Watson. His grand- parents were Thomas and Sarah (Wright) Watson. It was his grand-
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father who entered 320 acres of land in Adams County in early days, having moved here from the vicinity of Portland, Indiana. All this part of Adams County was then a wilderness and no inconsiderable share of the credit for pioneer and modern operations and improve- ments is due to the successive generations and work of the Watsons. Grandfather Thomas Watson died soon after coming to Adams County. He was the father of four sons, of these John W. is the father of Sher- man A. and Anthony, is a resident of Jay County, Indiana.
John W. Watson married Phoebe Pontius and had three children : Charles T. Watson, a resident of Adams County, Hartford Township; Bertha, wife of John Ilammitt, of Bryant, Indiana; and Sherman A. John W. Watson was formerly a stockholder in the Bank of Geneva, Indiana.
Sherman A. Watson was reared on the old farm, attended the district schools, and at the age of fifteen went to work as a regular hand at home. On December 24, 1908, Mr. Watson married Minnie North, daughter of Henry and Florida North. To their marriage have been born two children, Versal and John W. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Friends Church at White Oak and he is on the official board and church treasurer. Politically he is a stanch republican.
HERMAN A. COLCHIN has been a factor in Decatur business affairs for a number of years as a cigar manufacturer. His factory is No. 127 in the sixth internal revenue district of Indiana. It is located at 250 North Second Street, where he engaged in business on a modest scale thirteen years ago. At present his factory is conducted in a brick building of his own. Mr. Colchin is an expert in his line, and has four or five skillful workmen under him. Outside of a large local trade his goods are han- dled through a jobber over a large territory. His leading brand of cigars, a straight five cent product, is NHC, named after the local organ- ization known as the Night Hawk Club. He also manufactures a fine ten cent cigar, La Sena, which has been on the market for eight years and has enjoyed a steady popularity. Several other brands are manu- factured, and he uses the best domestic and Havana fillers while the cigars are wrapped in genuine Sumatra. Mr. Colehin is a practical cigar maker, having learned the trade in Decatur and then started out on his own account.
He was born at Decatur June 17, 1883, and was reared and educated in the city, where he has spent practically all his life. His parents were Peter H. and Magdalena (Schoen) Colchin. They were of German nativity, probably born in Alsace-Lorraine and when children came with their respective parents to America. Both the Colchin and Schoen families came to Adams County, Indiana, where the grandparents spent their remaining years. They were farming people and on both sides were active adherents of the Catholic Church. Peter H. Colchin and his wife were married in Adams County and then located on a farm, which received their best energies for many years. Their home was in . Washington Township, where Peter Colchin died twelve years ago when past sixty, and his wife died in October, 1895, at the age of fifty-five. They were for many years members and supporters of St. Mary's Catholic Church and in politics he was a democrat. In their family were seven sons and two daughters. Both daughters died very young and one of the sons died at the age of six, and another, Henry, at the age of thirty-five, leaving two sons and two daughters. The living sons are John S. of Decatur, who is married, but lost his only child. and has two adopted daughters; Frank, a farmer in Oklahoma, is married and has a family ; William P. is living retired at Decatur and while he and his wife
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have no children of their own they have adopted a son and two daugh- ters; Anthony is a grocery merchant in Oklahoma and has a family of sons and daughters.
Herman H. Colchin, the youngest of the family, has never married. He was educated in the local parochial schools and is an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He has taken the fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus and he and all his brothers are democrats. For eight years he has been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
CHRISTIAN EICHER. It was due to his possession of good judgment and those qualities which make a man successful in spite of the handi- caps of fortune which caused his fellow citizens to bestow upon Chris- tian Eicher the honor and responsibilities connected with the office of county commissioner of Adams County for two successive terms of three years each. Mr. Eicher did his work in the county well and with credit to himself and those who had elected him, and his official service is one of several things that stand to his credit as a representative citizen.
Mr. Eicher was born in Wabash Township of Adams County, March 5, 1872, a son of Christ and Elizabeth (Goldsmith) Eicher. His father was also born in Adams County and died when his son Christian was only seven months old. The mother, a native of De Kalb County, Indi- ana, died when her son was eight years old. Thus Christian Eicher was left without the care of parents and has had to make his own way in the world from an early age. He spent part of his boyhood in De Kalb County, where he attended the common schools as opportunity offered. All through his boyhood he has a memory of work in some capacity or other fitting his strength, and for a number of years he worked out as a farm hand by the year.
Mr. Eicher married in Hartford Township of Adams County Catherine Mosser. They started out brave and determined though with practically no capital and soon bought the farm where they now live. Not having the money to pay for it they depended upon their hard work to meet their obligations and in time they succeeded in getting the land paid for and in building and improving until their place of 100 acres would now bear favorable comparison with any farm of similar size in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Eicher have six children : John A., Raymond, Victor, Alice, Martha and Solomon.
Mr. Eicher is a democrat in politics, and has done much for the cause of the party and for local good government. His wife is active in the Missionary Church and one of the workers in its varions causes and benevolences.
ALONZO SHANKS. As a result of circumstances over which he had no control Alonzo Shanks came to mature age with nothing more than a common school education, with considerable experience in hard work, and with practically no capital. Hard work has been the only means he has known for gaining success and advancement, and by strict re- liance upon that principle he has finally achieved a modest competence and one of the good farms of Hartford Township.
Mr. Shanks, whose home is two miles south and one mile west of Linn Grove, was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, May 6, 1861, a son of Daniel and Susan J. (Reynolds) Shanks. Both parents were natives of Virginia, and they married after they came to Ohio. Daniel Shanks enlisted in the Union army and lost his life during the war. The widowed mother in 1868 moved to Adams County, Indiana, and spent
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her last years in French Township. When a small boy Alonzo was sent to the home of an uncle, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He attended school during the winter terms, and for his work at the age of twenty-one was given a horse, saddle and bridle. After that he spent some years working at the carpenter's trade, and on October 4, 1887, married Clarissa Runyon. Mrs. Shanks was born in Adams County, July 15, 1863, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Nichols) Runyon. Her father was formerly a county com- missioner. Mrs. Shanks was reared in Hartford Township, and was educated in the local schools.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shanks went to Geneva, where he was employed in a grocery store for two years and afterwards worked at different occupations. He finally moved to a farm beginning as a renter, and in the course of time was able to buy the land which now constitutes his home. Mr. Shanks has been steadily making improve- ments on his farm and has kept apace with the growing demands upon his agricultural profession. He is a successful breeder of Chester White hogs and has a fine type of this strain at the head of his herd known as Petroleum Wonder. He also keeps good grades of other livestock.
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