A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana

Preface

1 hat Americans are l)ecijining aware of the fact that they ha\e a histor}' is a matter of frequent ol).ser\ati(ni and remark anmni;^ writers and men of affairs gcnerall_\-. It was ijue of the chan.j;es in American thought ciirisidcred -worthx- of esjiecial ni>te bv HdU. James lirxce, nn his recent \isit to this ciuintrx" after an absence of t\\entv-ti\e vears. This keen student uf .\merican institutions thus expresses the resuh iif liis ci1iser\-ation : " J\e\erence fur the jiast and a desire tn maintain e\er}' si at ni cunneclinn witli it is a strung and gruwing Inrce amnUL; e(hicated jjeiiple." J-'mlhermiue, this is one nf the hii]>eful signs nf the times. W'eH it is, fur the nalinn as fur the inih\i(hial. when its career is anchored at Initb ends. i> descended f ri im a sturd\- ;ind \irilc aiicestrx' and looks forward in a n^it less \\nrtli\- p^steritx. rejuices bulh in the memories of a splendi<l past and in the Imiies nf a brilhant future. Sucli a natiiin or indi\'idnal linlds true in the course nf best ideals and endea\(irs. is in the line of progress of the greater destin\-.

It is this grijwmg re\'ercnce fur the past that renders such a \\nrk as the History of Elkhart I'mnit)- bnth \alual)le and timely. lAen n><w the personalities and achie\emeuts nf the cnuntv's ])i(pueers ;u"e m.atters of written record nnlw and, tno often, tlmse rccnrds are scaut\- and insnthcient and dihicult nf access. 'J"n gather u]i and ])iece tngctber in historical form and accnrding to relatixe impnrtauce these recnrds is the purpose of this work, in tiie ])re]iaration of which the cnnstaut endeavor iia.s been to make a standard, comprehensive and authentic histnry. which, while narrating in all completeness the wnnderful ^tnr\- nf the past, describes also the iiresent. in its industrial, commercial and social aspects, with such thoroughness as to make this work a historical ■"base-line" from which ;dl subse(|nent ci\ic gmwth and i)rngress maxbe computed.

In recent years genealogical nr family history h.as fonnd it> prop'er recognition, and is in constant and general clemanfl. l)eing sought for in the great libraries, bv linok and m.agazine writers and lecitu-ers and iv I'RI^l^'ACE

other investigators. I'nun fureiyn lands a> well a.s fioni all iimtions of our own countr_\-. and is in daily use in all newspaper oliices. Biography teaches by e.\'ani])le. and when the custodian of records concerning the useful men of preceding generations and of their descendanl-- who ha\e lived hon(}ralile and worthy li\es ])laces his k'nowledge in ])reser\ahle and accessihle form, he ]>crforms a ])uhlic ser\ice in rendering lionor to whom honor is due. and in inculcating the most \aluahle lessons of patriotism and good citizenship. .\11 sketches ha\e been Mihmitted in typewritten form t(j the ])arties concerned for correction, and no effort has heen spared to secure accuracw

In the comiiilation of this wurk the editor and his assistants ha\'e e\er\\\here received the hc;irl\' co-opcr:ition of citizens all o\"er the county, and the interest shown hv them is additional iiroof of the value of such an undertaking. The indi\"idual coiitrilmtors have heen in each instance gi\en credit, whether they h;i\e furnished a complete chapter or <p.iotations ha\c heen drawn froui their writings. Particular acl<nowledgmeut is diie the I'.lkhart County Ilistorical Society for the use of its records and historical ii.ajiers. The new S]iai)ers of the county glad.lv oti'cred the use of their hies, and the editors and puhlisher.s ha\-e more than once gone out of their wa\' in extending material aid to the .successful comjiletion of the lustier}-.

Table Of Contents

CHAPfER I— NA'I'URE.

Elkhart county in a state of nature— An early description— 'ropography— Glacial period — Soil classification — Prominent features of landscape — Natural divisions —Rivers and streams— The lakes and their origin— Wells and s-prings- Oil and gas 1

CHAPTER n— ORIGIXAL INHAniTAXTS.

Index

I'.llis, Ccorof W.. 4'>.V l'"llis, Jacob, 174. i:iHs. John W., 173. 1mi(1ci>^. John, 442. iM-ans. IChncr R.. 697.

Farmers Bank, 1 ic. h'arniers & 'l'ra(Ur> I'.ank, 227.

Farrcll, George W., 515.

Farvcr, Moses A.. 718. h'ettcrs. Simon, 566.

F'lcmins", George \V., 583. l-'lemins. J. C, 4.^8.

I'i.llcr, 11. C, 4f'7- I'it-hllion-c. John W.. 486.

Fink, John J., 757.

First National Bank, 226. iMrst State Bank, 227.

Fisher Brothers, t2t.

Fisher. Daniel II., .VO- F'ishcr, Flias, 427.

Fisher. Flias E., 627.

I'"isher. George A., 749.

Fisher, :\lrs. Lanra A., 7.W. l'"i-.her Nicholas I'., 777- l''rai;k. Charles i: , 492. rra>:ier. Menrv iv. .^('7 Freed, |ns.,,,h A,. 418.

I-reed, Joseph N,. 4,^1.

Freese's, George & Sons, 241.

Frink, Charles \\'., 48.V

G.-irI.er. Tacol, M, ()77.

Ganr.an, John II., 7.^4- Gattshall. Joshiia B.. 700.

Goshen Buggy Top Co.. 234.

Goshen Churn S; l.,ackler Co.. 232 (ioshen Gas Co.. 229.

Goshen Manufacturing Co., 235.

Goshen ^[il'ing Co.. 228.

Goshen Opera Mouse, 233, Goshen Pharmacal Co., 232.

Goshen Rubber Co., 231.

Goshen Ruljber Works. 229.

Greenan. Fucius J.. 7^8.

Greene. C. T.. 54-'.

Grinc \MlIi.im 1'... 7-7-

I lale, John, 40_|.

II a'!, Hugh M.. O-S- Flarinan, Jj.mcs I,.. 708.

Ibrpcr, George R.. .^99.

Harper. Mrs. Flizahelh, 604.

Flarris, T. & Co., 22T.

Flartman, .\dani R., 425. llartnian. Jacoli, 459. llartnian, John, 467. llartnian, Tobias, 433.

Il;isc->11, Frank A.. 22s.

Hauen>;tein. George \V.. 466 Hawks Electric Co., 229.

Ilawks F'uruiture Co., 2.?o.

Hawks, Joel P.. 502.

Hav, Geor.ge W., 414- H.i/ebon, Walter S., 424.

I 111 I rich, Louis, 766, llerrnig, iM-ederick A., 499- He-, !•:. W.. 489- 1 liil)i-h, Thomas, 760. llilr. William B„ 4.S0.

Ijni.l.rer. Christ, 7.^1.

Hire. Henrv, 680.

Holt/. S;inuiel, 70<> Hnhhell. Schuyler C. .:;S5.

Huffman. Peter. 765.

FInghes. John. 6co.

Hunsberger. Christian, Jr.. 639. llunsherger. Christian, Sr., 6,38.

Hunsberger Peter. 64T.

Inimel. Israel. 477.

Indiana Piuggv Co.. 2.39.

Ipe, .-\nanias, 606.

Iruiu. hVank J., 5.^7.

Irwin. John W., ^35.

1 N-1. &• G.ishen Pump Co.. 23T.

Jackson. Frank. 452.

Jackson. Ira, 453, Johnson. Homer .\., 601.

Jones. Emery P.. 493.

Juday. James .\., 672.

Kantz. Ernest. 7=;7.

Kantz. Harvey \\'.. -2K

Kantz. Hiram, 7=;<>.

Kavanagb. James, .S7.t.

Kelly Foundry & ^lacbine Co.. 234.

Kidder. Hiram F.. 700.

Kinney. Martin 11., 464,

Knickerbocker, W. H., .=;50-

Koons, Mrs. Catharine, 614.

Kran. John, s.V-

Kreider, IMartin K.. ,soo.

Kreider, William P., 500.

Fake Shore & Michigan Southern R. R.

Lamb. Charles L.. 724.

I.amh. Georse L.. 406.

FaiiL^hiin. .\. .\ . ^W Laytoii. Willis .\'., 644. l.eatberman, Jacob S., 761.

I.ecdy. Ezra G.. .399.

Echmau. Amos C, 415.

INDEX l.csb. Jos^i.h II.. 59 1 ■ Lienli;ut, Edward. 445.

Lons;. Natliaiiirl. 615.

Lowry. .Mfrcd. .?SS.

.\l;iiiiinr<. A. C, -'10. .\lamiinu. A. Elmer, 468. .\larkcl. Harden D., 545.

Marks. Jn.scplnis C. 698.

Mather. Joseph D.. 746. .\hithe\vs. James. 714. ..Men;>ps. .\ustin E.. 770. .\k-diirc. John F., .«_>. .McCkire, Li'wis K.. 389.

MeCormick, R. S., 656. .Mc^[aslors. George R.. f)6i.

McNaughton, John. 378.

Millinrn, George, 768.

Mile-s, Franklin, 420.

Miles Medical Co., Dr.. 238.

Miller. Charles W., 428.

Miller. David F., 398.

Miller. John W.. 710.

Miller, Sol, =26.

Milchel. Michael, 730.

Mitchei, William M., 732.

Monger. Charles L., 482.

Aloore. Charles H., 400.

Morris. Cornelius, 6,34.

Mosier. Horace H.. 740.

Mnnn-"cr!. Elmer E., 512.

Mnrray. Charles L., 656.

Murray, (Gordon N.. 659.

Mutschler. .\lherl. 413.

Mutschler. Charles, 664.

Mutschler. George, 787.

Mvers. Charles R.. 67S. .Myers. Elani I',., (X37.

Neal. William .\., 5T0.

Neff. Henrv. ,■^94.

Neidi"-. Charles E.. 686.

Neidia. David W., 402.

Newell. James E.. 788.

Newell. Natlianiel C. 706.

New Pans Mutual Telephone Uniin. 546.

Nicholson, Ross, 763.

Nnyes Carriage Co.. 230.

I'.iLie. William ?,.. 719.

I'ahuiter. Ch;irles ]'.. 430.

I'aiil. Pieniamin F., 6^o.

Pence. John A., 579.

Piatt. C. C. 610. ■ Pippenger. Levi E.. 364.

Pr.att. Frederick B.. 671.

Pratt. William B.. 40^ Pnlerhaugh. Orville C. 4S8.

Rerlden. William. ,S7.

Replogle, Charles 6.15.

Replogle, J...siah D.. 70J.

Rheubottom. D. A.. O46.

Riblet, William H.. 48> Riddle. John, 410.

Kolner. John. 648.

K.,n(l, Wils.in H.. s^4.

Riiw . Ileniamin. 692.

Rowdabaiigh. John W., 384- Rowdabaugh. Solomon. 381.

Rucker. Fdmtmd P.. 7,^1.

Salem Bank. JJ-,.

Sanders. Daniid \.. .lo'i.

Sanders, Harry M.. 408.

Sanders S; I'.gberl Co., -'30. .Sage, Norman. 362.

Searer, Abraham L., 618.

Seller, Cyrus. 496.

Shaniory. Oliver H.. 767.

Sherwin, Chauncey D.. 5S4.

Sheltel. Augustus G.. 737- .Shookman. M., 754.

ShuUz, William H.. 717.

Silvers. Charles E.. 601.

Simmons. Elmer E.. 778.

Skinner. Earnest A., 580. .Slate. George B., 498.

Smith. George A., 695.

Snapp, James A., 49.S. .Spolin, Samuel F., 490.

Stanton. W. F., 419.

Starr, Martin V., 739.

State Bank of Goshen, 225.

State. James H., 609. .Stauffer. Harlan A.. 632. .Stauffer. John. 432.

Stephens. Andrew, 617.

Stephens. Henry E.. 618.

Stiver. Chauncey B.. 491.

St. Joseph Valley Bank. 227.

Stonex. Wilber L.. 397.

Stuckman. George. 456.

Stuckman, Peter W.. 6.53.

Stutsman. Charles S., 781. .Swart. Frank. 625.

Swezev. C. J.. 6=2.

Sykes,' Henry P... 6[0.

Thomas-. \lbright C,,., j,-^j.

Thomas. D. W.. 666.

Thomas. Solomon P.. 6S7.

Thomas. Thomas. 61.

Thomas. Warren H., 622.

Thompson, John E., 568.

Thornton, Solomon. 699.

Troup, Mrs. Elizabeth. ,^65.

Trover. Daniel T.. 458.

Turner Perry P.. 654. rurner. Purler. 602.

xii . 1X1 )KX

I'm, 111. I"lic New Pa^i^ .\liitu:il Tele- W hipiiy. L. lUirr, ;(ij.

Wineuar. Qnincv 1).. 7^^-

Wak.irn-a ENchanoe ]'.ank. i_7.

W.-ilmer. John V.. 7,«. ^'ale^. .Mliert. 7S0.

^\^•M■(lell. John L., 705, Yates. 'Ilioiiias S,. 474.

Warstler. John 11.. 3S5. Yodcr. A. B.. 40<:).

Walls, Orrin. 5og. Yodcr, .\!herl C.. 41.?.

Wehniever. Charles .\.. 476. Yodcr. .\hrahani li.. 391.

^\■ehnlever, George W., sg6. Yodcr, N. 15., ^76.

Weldv. J.-icoh. s.sS. ' Yonim, (;cor?e"}il.. =,fi\. Weiiger. Michael. :;70.

^\■evi.ri^hl. n. M., ,?7-'. Zio'er. Rduard IV. f/,j.

R. G

MAP OF ELKHART COUNTY