CASSIUS M. INMEL, Millersburg, Ind. It was during the colonial history of this country that the Inmel family tree took root on American soil, the members of which braved the dangers and hardships of life in a wild and unsettled country that they and those that might come after them could have a home free of the degrading influence of religious persecution. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born on the soil of Pennsylvania, and inherited many of the most commendable attributes of his sturdy English ancestors. He was a participant in the War of 1812, and in that struggle showed himself to be brave and loyal to the core to America. His son, Isaiah, was born on the home farm in Pennsylvania, and like a dutiful son, cheerfully assisted his father in the duties of the farm. Although his early advantages were limited, he possessed an active and original mind, and he was not content with merely securing the advantages which the common schools afforded, and as he was very fond of reading he greatly added to his store of learning, and by self-application became an exceptionally well informed man. When a young wan he removed to Ohio, and in the city of Chillicothe he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Rosina Jones, soon after which event he removed to the "Hoosier State" and settled at Waterford Mills, Elkhart county, where he at once began working at the blacksmith's trade and also engaged in the manufacture of pumps. He soon became associated with W. D. Platter, now of Goshen, Ind., in the conduct of the first pump factory in northern Indiana. Realizing the fact that the soil of Indiana was exceptionally fertile and well adapted to the raising of agricultural products, he, in 1865, made a purchase of some land in Clinton township, and there, through persistent effort, he cleared and improved a good farm. His marriage resulted in the birth of ten children, whose names are as follows: Isabel A., Winfield P., Charlie A., Edwin C., Isaiah P., Marietta, Cassius M., Charles E., Frank M. and Ulysses S. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Inmel married again, taking for his second wife Miss Mary Barger. He has always been a stanch supporter of Republican principles, his judgment has always been recognized and for a period of twenty years he adjusted his neighbors' difficulties with impartial fairness in the capacity of justice of the peace. At one time he was a resident of Millersburg for four years, and during this time he held the positions of trustee and marshal. He is a man whose reputation is untarnished, and in the capacity of an American citizen he is a model in every respect, for he is enterprising, public spirited and patriotic. He stands high in the section in which he resides, for his many acts of disinterested generosity have brought him into high favor with his neighbors. He has always recognized the benefits to be derived from a good education, and in this respect he has fitted his children for the battle of life. Cassius M. Inmel, his son, was born at Waterford Mills, January 12, 1862, and like the majority of farmers' boys, his youthful days were divided between attending the district schools in the vicinity of his rural home and in wielding the hoe on the home farm. At the age of eighteen he left the shelter of the parental roof and began working in the factory of E. W. Walker, of Goshen, in 1879, where he remained a few months, then spent six weeks in the public schools of the town. He was then taken quite sick and was compelled to return home. In December of the following year, after fully recovering, he entered the Normal College of Valparaiso, Ind., but after three month's attendance was again taken ill. He was carefully nursed by his parents at his old home, and when convalescent he once more entered the employ of Mr. WaIker, with whom he remained for some time. Following this he again began attending school at Valparaiso, his vacations being devoted to the occupation of teaching in order to obtain means with which to defray his expenses while pursuing his studies. In 1884 he graduated from the Valparaiso Normal Col1ege and being a very fine penman, he began teaching that science and has since followed it very successfully at Goshen, under the name of Vernon & Inme1 Commercial Institute, during which time many young men were fitted to fill important positions in life. He has also followed his calling at Nappanee, Millersburg, New Paris and Milford, and has won a reputation of the most favorable kind for thoroughness and ability. In 1885 he settled down in Millersbnrg and began devoting his attention to the general insurance business, representing especially the Home Fire Insurance Company, of which he is a special department agent for six counties, having about twenty-three agents under his control. He has a one-half interest in the firm of Inmel, Keen & Rodgers, which business he established, and he is doing a general office business, is a notary public and attends to the settling of estates as an administrator. He wooed and won for his wife Miss Minerva Prickett, their union being consummated September 23, 1883, at Goshen, Ind. His wife is a daughter or Nimrod and Anna (Ott) Prickett, the former of whom is an old and honored resident or the county and is in the insurance business at Goshen, his father being one or the very earliest pioneers or this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Inmel two children have been born: Lois C. and Ralph W. Mrs. Imnel is a lady of much intelligence and is an earnest member of the Christian Church. Mr. Inmel is a Republican politically and has always manifested much interest in the cause of education; and, in the capacity of a member of the board of education of Millersburg his work was most praiseworthy. Socially he is a member of the honored order of the K. of P. He is a young man who occupies a prominent position in the estimation of those who know him, for his record has been remarkably clean and his course through life manly and straightforward. He is a very agreeable gentleman to meet, either socially or in a business way and is in every sense of the word a self-made man. He has made his own way in life from a boy, and is an example of what a young man can accomplish who pursues a correct course in life.

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BYRON E. MERRITT (deceased) was a progressive and useful citizen of Elkhart county, Ind., and his untimely death was deplored not only by his immediate and sorrowing household, but by an who knew him either personally or by reputation. His birth occurred at Porter, Cass Co., Mich., May 24, 1851, he being next to the youngest in the family of the late William R. and Adelia T. Merritt. He received the usual schooling of the boy of his period, that is, he attended the district schools, and after remaining at home until 1873 he went to Kansas and entered the employ of his brother James. After a very short time, however, he returned home at the request of his father, and in the spring of 1874 entered into co-partnership with his father in the mercantile business in Bristol. Here he remained until the year 1881, when he assumed the entire responsibilities of the business. It was during this period of active mercantile pursuits that he developed those remarkable qualities which gained him the well-earned reputation of the "successful merchant." He continued to prosper as a business man until failing health com¬pelled him to resign his interests to the charge of his brother Charles in May, 1888. He lingered with that dread disaase, consumption, until December 17, 1890, when he succmnbed to the inevitable and passed to his long home. He was a gentleman both by instinct and training and his walk through life was characterized by a desire to do right, in consequence of which he was highly regarded by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was sincere and earnest in his friendships, kind and considerate in his family, generous in his contributions to worthy causes, in fact, a model American citizen. It was only necessary to know, to admire and respect him, and as a pushing, successful business man, a keen and shrewd politician, an exemplary citizen, a dutiful son, or a devoted and affectionate husband, he had in every capacity won golden opinions for himself. On the 28th of February, 1882, he was married to Miss Elanora, daughter of the late Joseph W. Lee, who has one son, Harry, an employe in the Elkhart National Bank. Mrs. Merritt was left in comfortable circumstances and is now a resident of Elkhart. She possesses the same kind heart and genial disposition, for which her husband was so well known, and has many warm and true friends to comfort and cheer her in her journey through life.

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ABRAHAM HOOVER. The founders of the family of Hoover, in America, were three brothers of the name who came from Germany during the second immigration to Pennsylvania, in the time of William Penn. These brothers belonged to that religious sect known as the Mennonites, who were being persecuted in Germany on account of their belief, and they determined to take advantage of the most generous offers made by the great benefactor and law giver, and finally sought a home in America. Two of these brothers reared families in America, but the other brother remained a bachelor. Henry Hoover, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., near Strasburg; was married to Mary Newswanger, and became the father of six children: John, Christina, Abraham, Susan, Barbara and Elizabeth. Henry Hoover became a substantial farmer of York county, Penn., and was also well-known minister of the Mennonite Church, in which capacity he did a great deal for the cause of Christianity. All measures of morality found in him a strong supporter, and he was universally respected wherever known. Abraham Hoover, his son, was born on the old home farm in York county, in 1789, and although he unfortunately received no schooling, by his own efforts he learned to read and write during the spare moments that he could secure from his farm duties. He was married to Christina, daughter of Henry and Annie (Sander) Martin, and after their marriage settled on a farm from which he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1832. After he had attained to an advanced age he removed to Indiana and located on a small farm in Clinton township, Elkhart county, on which the remainder of his days were spent, his death occurring at the age of seventy years. He became the father of seven children that grew to maturity: Henry; Mary, who died at the age of sixty-two years; Abraham; John; David, who died when fifty-six year old; Annie, who died when fifty-eight years of age, and Martin. Abraham Hoover was very industrious and pushing, and possessing sound judgment, he became a wealthy farmer of Ohio. Full of pluck, energy and perseverance, from his early boyhood, he made his entrée into the business world at a time when those qualities were worth more to their possessor, especially if he were a young man, than any other kind of capital. Although he accumulated a comfortable competency, his fortune might have been much greater had not his strict integrity, his generosity and kindness of heart interfered. Abraham Hoover, Jr., his son, was born March 9, 1822, in York county, Penn., bur only attended the common schools near his home for a short period each year. His early life did not differ materially from that of the average boy of his time who was expected to contribute to his own support as soon as he became physically able to perform any kind of manual labor, and the most important part of whose education is supposed to be his industrial training. October 2, 1845, he led to the hymeneal altar Martha Garber, who was born January 20, 1827, to Jacob and Esther (Busch) Garber, the former of whom was a carpenter of Wayne county, Ohio. He and his wife became the parents of nine children: Mary, Fannie, Jacob, Abraham, Henry, Martha, David, Christian and Hester. Mr. Garber removed to Indiana after he had reached an advanced age and settled in Elkhart county, where he became known as an honorable man and a worthy member of the Mennonite Church. After his marriage, Mr. Hoover, in 1847, bought a farm of 120 acres in Middlebury township, this county, on which he located, and which he cleared from the heavy timber that covered it, there having been but little improvement made at the time of his purchase. On this farm he resided for forty-two years, and here all his children were born except Henry, the eldest, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, February 16, 1847, the other members being Jacob, born September 12, 1840; Elizabeth, December 15, 1851; Annie, October 24, 1853; Fannie, December 2, 1855; Sarah November 20, 1857; Christina, December 25, 1859; Joseph, October 21, 1861; David, September 17, 1863, and Samuel, April 19, 1868. Like his ancestors before him Mr. Hoover has been industrious, thrifty and progressive. He has made the most of every opportunity that presented itself for the accumulation of a competency, although never at the expense of others, and to his own good judgment and perseverance is attributable his present independent circumstances. He has been a minister of the Mennonite Church for the past twenty years, of which church his wife was also a worthy member; and as an expounder of the gospel he has been earnest, zealous and conscientious. He became a resident of Millersburg, where he now resides, in 1889, and besides his residence there owns forty acres of land and other property in farm mortgages. His wife died on January 6, 1879, at the age of fifty-two years, and on November 9, 1884, he wedded Mrs. Mary {Grimer) Frederick, daughter of Philip Grimer. Mr. Hoover has always been a Democrat. His son, Henry, married Mary Hutchinson, by whom he became the father of three children. He was filling the office of deputy county clerk at the time of his death, at the age of thirty-seven years. Jacob married Lucinda Wert, by whom he has one child. He is conducting a meat market in Millersburg. Elizabeth married John Pletcher, who conducts a meat market in Elkhart, by whom she has four children. Annie married John Wert, who has a meat market in Millersburg, and is the mother of one child. Fannie married Addison Dohner, who was accidentally killed in Kansas by whom she has one child. Sarah married William Wert, a carpenter of Middlebury, and has one child. Christina married George Frederick, a grocer of Elkhart, and has three children. Joseph married Minnie Burns, and is the clerk in a bank at Oberlin, Kan. David married Harriet Kauffmn, is a Methodist minister of Wichita, Kan., and has three children. Samuel, who is single, has attended college at Quincy, Ill., and is now a resident of Decatur, Ill., teacher in a business school. These children are all honorable and useful citizens, and are a credit to the parents who reared them.

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D. CARPENTER, proprietor of Carpenters Transfer Line of Elkhart, is a prosperous and pushing man of affairs, who has made his own way in life and is in the enjoyment of a competency that has been obtained through his own exertions. The town of Lancaster, Penn., gave him birth on the 8th of September, 1852, his parents being Emanuel and Rebecca (Breckinridge) Carpenter, natives, respectively, of Lancaster, Penn., and Kentucky, the latter being a relative of Gen. Breckinridge, who is well known in Southern history. Emanuel Carpenter was a skillful brick manufacturer and followed this calling at Naples, Ill., whither he moved from Pennsylvania, and during this time furnished brick for a number of Chicago houses. He became a resident of Elkhart, Ind., in 1860, and there he eventually passed from life, his widow still surviving him. They were the parents of seven children, two sons and one daughter of whom are now living: Stephen, David and Mary. Emanuel Carpenter served in the Civil war as a teamster, having charge of the teams of the Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, was wounded in an engagement, and this eventually caused his death. While the family was residing at Naples, Ill., although the subject of this sketch was on1y about seven years of age, he hauled brick to Chicago with an ox team. The principal part of his education was acquired in the public schools of Elkhart, but at an early age he left school to engage in railroading on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, the first three years of his service being spent as a switchman. After the great Chicago fire he had charge of the sand trains from Whitings to Chicago for one year and seven months, after which he gave up railroad life and started the United States Express and transfer business in Elkhart, his first purchase to this end being an old white horse for which he paid $100 and which was, at that time, the sport of the town. During the twenty-two years that he has remained in the business he has built up a very extensive enterprise, now has six fine teams and the rickety one-horse wagon in which he first began doing his hauling has given place to handsome vehicles which do nearly all the transfer business of the city. He has been connected with the Opera House of Elkhart, and for two years was with the King & Franklin troupe, and for two years had charge of the Lloyd & Thomas Reptile Company. For one seasons of thirty-five weeks he was the manager of the Georgia Minstrels, in which capacity he showed himself most efficient, and is now stage manager of the New Bucklin Opera House, of Elkhart. He has shown more than ordinary aptitude for this work, but to whatever enterprise he has turned his attention he has shown himself to be shrewd, far-seeing and intelligent. He has always been possessed of much energy, and in the ballet of life has made all his work count, although he has always been the soul of honor in all his business transactions. He was chief of the fire department of Elkhart for nine years, and for the past twelve years has been foreman of the hook and ladder company. In fact, he is an enterprising citizen and now worthy enterprise is started but what receives his hearty support. His present position has not been attained without severe and continued struggling, which clearly shows the pluck and indomitable energy of the man. He belongs to the civic societies of the K. of P., the Foresters and the I. O. O. F., in each and all of which he is a leading and popular member. He was married to Miss Jennie Guard, who died in 1889, after a lingering illness of two years, her death being caused by a horse falling on her. She bore her husband three sons and one daughter: Walter, Harry, Joshua and Lottie M. Mr. Carpenter is one of the old landmarks of Elkhart, for at the time of his location here his residence was surrounded by woods, but is now almost within the heart of the city. His career is well worthy of emulation, for it shows what a poor boy can do, with plenty of that mysterious article called pluck, energy, perseverance and faithful attention to business and to the trusts that are reposed in him.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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WILLIAM B. DONALDSON. The man from Pennsylvania has always been a potential element in the civilization and development of Indiana, and in early days along the woodsman’s trail came men of all avocations and in every degree of social life. No better blood ever infused pioneer life; no sturdier arm ever set about the task of subduing the wilderness and no less vigorous mental activity could have raised a great commonwealth amid the unbroken elements of nature within the limits of half a century. The distinctive Americanism which Indiana has maintained almost co-equally with the older Easter States, against an unparalleled tide of immigration from every nation upon the earth, is due to the virility of the pioneer stock in which the Keystone State was so strongly represented. He, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Cannonsburg, Penn., August 12, 1843, but the founder of the family in America was John Donaldson, who was born in Earlstown, shire of Merse, Scotland, March 17, 1784, with which section his family had been identified for many years. Upon coming to the New World he settled in Cannonsburg, Penn., where he set himself energetically to work at the wheelwright’s trade, a calling which received the greater part of his attention until his death in 1831. He was the father of four children: William, Robert, Elizabeth and Mary. Robert, was born February 1, 1811, in Cannonsburg, and in the common schools of that place he acquired his knowledge of the world of books. He learned the trade of a bricklayer, to which occupation his attention was given until November 11, 1871, when he was called to his long home. November l4, 1835, he married Sarah Brown, who was born March 9, 1813, a daughter of John Brown, and to them were born eight sons and three daughters: Mary, September 28, 1836; John, November 27, l838; Jane, May 14, 1841; William B., August 12, 1843; Joseph, December 15, 1845; Robert, November 27, 1847; James, February 20, 1850; Franklin P., July 22, 1852; Sarah, June 30, 1855; George, April 5, 1858, and Henry, January 1, 1861, all of whom are living, married, and have families. The mother of these children was a member of the Presbyterian church, but the father was a Methodist. He was a Democrat politically, held the position of mayor of Cannonsburg, and socially belonged to the I. O. O. F. He was endowed by nature with such gifts as characterize true manhood in all that the work implies, was a useful, thriving, industrious citizen, and showed by his example that an honest and upright life is the best guarantee of success. A Democrat politically, he was a strong Union man during the Civil war, and sent three sons to battle for country and right: John B., who was in a Pennsylvania regiment; Joseph E., who was also in that regiment, and William B. The last mentioned received a common-school education, and learned the trade of shoemaker. August 12, 1862, in response to a call from President Lincoln for 300,000 men, he enlisted in company D, Tenth Regiment, P. R. V. C. He had attempted to enlist the previous year, but had been refused on account of his youth. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and was almost continually in active service for two years and ten months, or until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg - when his division opened the fight under Gen. George G. Meade, and he was also in the great battles of Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, siege of Petersburg, and many battles and skirmishes of minor importance. He was wounded in the battle of Petersburg, August 19, 1864, in the left side, the ball striking a rib and passing around the body, coming out near the back bone. For one month thereafter he was in the Fairfax Seminary Hospital, and after again entering the service he was wounded a second time October 2, 1864, before Petersburg, in the left thigh, and was in Lincoln Hospital, Washington, D. G., until the following spring, when he returned to his regiment and served until the war ended. He was faithful in the discharge of his duties, and no braver soldier ever trod the crimson turf of a Virginia battlefield. HE returned home, bearing with him some honorable scars as an illustration of his loyalty and patriotism, and was married February 22, 1866, to Miss Annie Ferguson, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hiles) Ferguson, the former of whom was of Scotch descent, and an old settler and farmer of Washington county, Penn. To Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson one child was born: Luella S., whose advent into this world occurred November 24, 1866. Soon after the celebration of his nuptials, Mr. Donaldson moved with his family to Middlebury, Elkhart Co., Ind., where he remained until the spring of 1881, when he became a resident of Millersburg. In 1867 he began clerking for Christian Stutz, a prominent merchant, with whom he remained for thirteen years, after which he became a partner in a general store with Mr. Stutz, in Millersburg, of which he took charge in 1881, and which has proved a profitable enterprise. The Masonic fraternity has long numbered Mr. Donaldson among its most worthy members, and he is a member of Randall Post, No. 320, of the G. A. R., in which he held the position of quarter-master three years. He is a Democrat in his political convictions, has been town clerk of Middlebury three years, was a member the council one year, and in Middlebury has been town treasurer five years. He and his wife and daughter belong to the German Reformed Church, and under all circumstances he has been recognized as a public-spirited citizen, who cou1d be relied upon to aid every worthy enterprise. His record as a soldier and citizen speaks for itself, and his many years of service for one firm shows his integrity to be untarnished. Of him it may be said, he is a model American citizen, and is in every way entitled to “The grand old name of gentleman.”

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DR. JAMES W. JENNINGS. For considerably over a score of years Dr. Jennings has been the faithful and efficient professional servant of the public, in a community which has become more and more attached to him as the years have rolled by, while in neighboring towns and cities his skill is recognized, his services are in demand, and his face has for many years been a familiar and welcome one. He comes of sturdy English stock, for from that country his grandfather, Gideon Jennings, came about the opening of the Revolutionary war, and in the struggle with the British Government for liberty, he aided the colonists, and was a participant in the famous battle of Brandywine. Although he could read and write the English language, his education was quite limited, but this did not prevent him from making a substantial citizen. He was married to Grace Dary, and after a short residence in Rockingham county, Va., he removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he entered and bought a large tract of land at what is now New Philadelphia. He was the very first settler of that region, at which time the timber was "very heavy - principally large beech trees - and in order to raise any kind of a crop of corn, he was compelled to climb the trees and trim off the branches to let in the sunlight. The Indians at that time were very plentiful, and numerous were the encounters he had with them, but, he was wary and watchful, thoroughly skilled in woodcraft, and when pursuing his labors about his place, he carried his trusty rifle strapped to his back, and was seldom, if ever, taken by surprise. His home was twenty miles from any neighbor, but he soon became known as a famous hunter throughout that region, and lived on fish and game that fell victims to his rod and gun. Mr. Jennings made his home on that land for many years, cleared a good farm and became one of the prosperous fanners of Tuscarawas county. He built one mile of the Ohio State canal, which passed that distance through his farm, and in a very early day he built the first grist mill in his section of the country, which was a very primitive structure indeed. It consisted of a stone hollowed out, and the corn was pounded out with mortars. He became the father of nine children, seven of whom were sons: James, Aaron, William, John, Jonathan, Gideon, David, Polly and Druscilla. Mr. Jennings was an early Methodist, and his home was the headquarters for the early itinerant ministers of that denomination who labored so zealously to spread the Gospel throughout the West. He assisted both with purse and influence to erect the early churches throughout that section, and being strong in his religious convictions, he did a great deal to spread the Christian faith. After his family had grown up he again moved to the wilderness and this time took up his abode in Allen county, Ohio, and in 1832 purchased 1,100 acres of land three miles north of Lima, on Sugar Creek, where he once more carved him out a home from the forest. He gave each of his sons 100 acres of laud, as well as his daughters, Druscilla, who married Silas Williams, receiving 160 acres of the old homestead. Polly married Benjamin Williams, a brother of Silas, and also received her just portion of her father's property. Druscilla became the mother of Bishop Williams of the Methodist Church, who was present at the Quadrennial Convention of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at Omaha, Neb., in 1892. Gideon Jennings lived to the age of four score years, dying on his farm August 28, 1843, and is now sleeping his last sleep in a cemetery which was laid out on his farm, his tombstone being the first that was brought to that part of Ohio. He was one of the ideal American pioneers - that class of people who paved the way to the present magnificent state of civilization - and possessed all the courage, fortitude and energy necessary for a successful 1ife on the frontier. He was six feet in height, very strong and active, and his prominent traits of character were great determination, honest purpose and strict honor. David Jennings was his seventh son, and was born near New Philadelphia, Ohio July 13, 1813; and acquired a partial knowledge of the three R's in an old time log school house; which had been built by his father on the home farm, and this institution of learning was presided over by a teacher who wore a buckskin suit, consisting of a hunting shirt and leggins. In those days it was considered the proper thing for the teacher to treat the scholars, and this was generally done in whisky, or whisky and apples. In 1832 David Jennings married, In the same neighborhood where he was born, Elizabeth Laughlin, who was born February 12, 1814, in Allegheny county, Penn., a daughter of James Laughlin, a pioneer farmer of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestors, and of an old colonial family. To their union ten children were given, all of whom lived to hon¬orable manhood and womanhood: Susannah was born January 18, 1832; Solomon was born January 1, 1834; Abel B., April 13, 1836; James W., May 4, 1838; Isabel, March 4, 1840; Mary, June 27, 1842; Aaron, August 7, 1844; Druscilla, October 30, 1840; Samuel, November 22, 1849; Charles W., January 1, 1853. Abel died in 1888; Aaron in 1878; Samuel in 1870, and Charles W. in 1872. In 1833 David Jennings removed to Sugar Creek, near Lima, Ohio, settled on some land and cleared up a farm, although, like all pioneers, he had to labor early and late in order to clear his land of timber and brushwood. The forests were very dense in that section, and were roamed at will by deer, bear and wolves. On this farm David Jennings lived for many years, but in 1863 he moved to Williams county, Ohio, and bought a farm near Bryan, where he passed the remainder of the days allotted to him. Like his father, he was a man of imposing stature, standing over six feet two inches in his stockings, and in his prime he was considered the strongest man on Sugar Creek. He was a faithful laborer, and was well known for his integrity and honor. He was very faithful in his friendships, and his generous disposition and warm heart often led him into the error of signing bonds for his friends which he was compelled to pay, and in this way his wealth was very much decreased. He and his wire were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as a consistent Christian he was very prominent in religious work. Politically, he grew up with the old line Whig party, but was one of the organizers of the Republican party in his county, and retained his connection with that organization during the remainder of his life. He lived to the age of sixty-six years, dying in Millersburg, Ind., in 1877, while visiting his son, Dr. Jennings. In all the relations of life his career was one to be studied with interest and emulated with profit, for under the adverse circumstances of pioneer life he secured a competency and reared his family in comfort. Energy, force of character, sterling integrity and deep piety were his distinguishing characteristics, and during the war he was a stanch supporter of the Union, and assisted with his means in raising men in his county for the Federal service, Dr. James W. Jennings, his son, was born on Sugar Greek, in Allen county, Ohio, May 4, 1838, and his earliest recollections are of assisting his father in the duties of the farm. In the district schools near his home he acquired a thorough practical education, and at the early age of sixteen years he began teaching school, devoting the winter seasons to this calling for six years. He then entered Oberlin College, and finally the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which institution he was graduated. Succeeding this he continued to pursue his studies under Drs. Kenkins of Pendleton, and Booth of West Cairo, Ohio, after which he practiced his profession in connection with his brother, Dr. Solomon Jennings, until 1869. He then opened an office at Millersburg, Ind., and has since pursued his profession with unvaried success, which could hardly be otherwise, as he has always been thoroughly in love with the profession, and regards it as a high and holy calling. He believes it to be the duty of the physician to cure the ills of mankind when called upon, if it lies within his power to do so, and in his own practice no effort has been spared to attain that end, whatever the social or financial condition of the patient who seeks his service. The human body is to him a temple, with the architecture of which the physician should be thoroughly familiar, and which he is charged with the responsibility or keeping in order. To this work he bas devoted himself with conscientious zeal, and when he is called into a family as physician, he becomes a sympathetic friend and counselor. He is a reader and patron of the best medical and surgical publications of the day, is a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, and is one of the oldest members of the Elkhart Medical Society. In 1863 he enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and was on duty at Forts De Bussie, Simmons, Stevenson, and at Washington was present and under fire when Gen. Early made his raid on that city. He served two years. February 9, 1866, he was married in Defiance county, Ohio, to Samantha Fisher, who was born March 17, 1844, to Jesse and Nancy (Fowler) Fisher, the former of whom was born in Franklin county, Penn., of substantial Dutch stock, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. After a short residence in Franklin county, Penn., he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where he was a pioneer, and made himself a good home. He was the fathter of twelve children: Conrad, John, Archie, Philip, Lucretia, Sallie, Nancy, James, Jennie, William, David and Samantha, all of whom lived to rear families. Later in life Mr. Fisher settled in Defiance County, Ohio, on uncleared land, where he made a good home. He died April 3, 1872, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife died April 30, 1864. Both were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a Republican, politically, was a warm Union man during the war, and one of his sons, David, served three years in an Ohio regiment, his principal duty being to guard rebel prisoners on Johnson's Island. After his marriage, Dr. Jennings first practiced at West Milton, Ohio, but for many years past has been a resident of Millersburg, Ind. To him and his wife three children have been born: Eva D., born December 24, l870; Effa Mae, born September 27, 1872; and Charles W., born October 27, 1874. The Doctor is a member of the K. or P. Lodge, No. 328, is a charter member of the G. A. R, Randall Post, No. 320, of which he is surgeon, and politically is a Republican. His brother, Dr. Solomon Jennings, is practicing medicine near Dayton, Ohio, and is a distinguished surgeon. Another brother, Abel B., became an attorney, but died soon after being admitted to the bar. Aaron B., another brother, now deceased, was also an eminent physician. Two brothers-in-law, one S. B. Junkin, practices in North Webster, Ind., and Dr. C. J. Sprague, (deceased) formerly practiced in Syracuse, Iud.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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ABRAHAM SCHROCK is descended from one of the old and historic colonial families of America, the founders of which were two brothers who left their native land of Germany to seek a home on a foreign shore. They were members of the Amish Mennonite Church, which sect was strongly opposed to war in every form, and to escape military service they, in company with another brother, set out on foot for Russia, but the third brother becoming footsore, was obliged to remain on the shore of the Black Sea while the other brothers took passage on a vessel for America and in due time reached the shores of Canada. Later they took up their abode in Pennsylvania where William Penn had established an asylum for the oppressed religious sects of the world. They married and reared families. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Caspar Schrock, was a farmer of the “Keystone State” and was the follower of the religion of his fathers. John Schrock, his son, tilled the soil at a place called “The Glades” in Somerset county and there brought up a family of six children: Peter, Daniel, Michael, Joseph, Rosina, and Kate. He was a substantial farmer and lived to be an old man. His son Peter was also a product of Somerset county, Penn., his birth occurring on his parents' farm in 1801. He followed in his father's footsteps as to his occupation, and while still single, at the age of twenty-three years, he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled on 160 acres of land which his father, with his usual foresight, had entered for him. He cleared this land from timber, improved it very much in the way of fences, buildings, etc. during the eighteen years that he remained on it, and by his own untiring efforts made it a very valuable piece of property. A short time after settling in that locality he was married to Fannie, daughter of Jacob Plank, a miller by occupation, and in 1842 they removed to Elkhart county. Ind., and were worthy agriculturists of Middlebury township until the father's death in 1884. His character was above reproach and he was a man who won respect from all with whom he came in contact. He was of a very religious nature and for many years was a deacon in the Amish Church. His wife bore him twelve children, whose names are as follows: John, Jacob, Abraham, Cornelius, Joseph, David, Peter, Mary, Rachel, Martha and two infants that died. The mother of these children a most estimable and intelligent old lady, has attained to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Abraham Schrock, the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day on his father's farm in Wayne county, Ohio, August 10, 1823, and in his youth was given educational advantages, which his discriminating judgment led him to improve. When a mere boy he began life for himself as an assistant teacher, and this calling he followed with the best of success for over three years. During this time he had been gaining a thorough knowledge of the intricacies of farming and also of the carpenter and joiners trade so that when he began his independent career, he was better fitted than the average farmer's boy to make his own way in the world. He came to Indiana with his parents when fourteen years of age and was married in La Grange county, November 8, 1849, to Polly Miller, who was born June 20, 1833, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Zoder) Miller, the former of whom was born in Somerset county, Penn., in 1808, was a farmer by occupation, and was a member of the old Amish Church. He and his wife became the parents of five children: Lydia, Polly, Rachel, Daniel and Joseph. Mr. Miller became a resident of La Grange county, in 1851, and in time became the owner of 310 acres of land. In addition to discharging these duties he was an active minister of his children, organized many new congregations and was a power for good. After his marriage Mr. Schrock settled on Section 16, Middlebury township, on 107 acres of land and with the aid of his faithful and industrious wife he has increased it to 187 acres. Ten children have been born to them: John, born September 20, 1850, was married to Lucy Snellsboyer, is a farmer of Kansas and is the father of three children; Fannie, born January 16, 1853, married Samuel Balyeat, a farmer of Kansas and has six children: Libbie, born September 20, 1854, became the wife of Jacob Garver, a farmer of Clinton township, and died in her twenty-eighth year, after having become the mother of two children; Mary, born May 24, 1857, became the wife of John Nusbaum, a lawyer, and died in her thirty-third year; Joseph, born May 4, 1860, married Jennie Carmine, is a farmer but was formerly in a furniture store in Goshen and is the father of two children, Abraham, born June 8, 1862, died October 6, 1863; Rachel, born January 9, 1864, married Henry Alshouse, a farmer, and has three children; Emma, born February 14, 1869, married Henry Pfieffer, a farmer, and has one child; Edson, born August 17, 1871, and Franklin, born October 10, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Schrock are members of the Amish Church and being industrious, honest, public-spirited and law-abiding they are valuable residents of the community in which they reside and are considered the best of neighbors. They have reared their children to believe in Christianity, have given them good common-school educations and have; handed down to them their own numerous virtues and an untarnished name.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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YOST SCHROCK is one or the old settlers of Middlebury township and possesses all the characteristics of the native Hollander from which race of people he is descended, although he was born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 28, 1827. His grandfather, Jasper Schrock, came to America from the old country and settled in Somerset county, Penn., where he successfully tilled the soil, and was eventually married to Miss Catherine Stouky. This union resulted in the birth of nine children: Michael, Abraham, Jacob, John, Christian, Henry, Catherine, Peter and Joseph. Jasper Schrock was a member of the Amish Church and died in Somerset County. His son Peter was born in that county, and there was initiated into the mysteries or farming. When a young man he removed to Holmes county, Ohio, and was there married to Sarah, daughter of Yost Miller, who was a pioneer settler of that county and a substantial farmer. In time a family of eight children gathered about their hearthstone: Catherine, Elizabeth, Susannah, Yost, Elias, Benjamin, Sarah and Mary. Soon after his marriage Mr. Schrock removed to Wayne county, Ohio, at which time the region was very sparsely settled. He had a neighbor, Samuel Lens, who hauled forty bushels of wheat to Worchester, selling it for two shillings per bushel, receiving as payment one barrel of salt. Although he and his family suffered many hardships, which always attend the life of the pioneer, they enjoyed good hea1th, made the best of their lot, were industrious and in time a good home was developed from the wilderness, containing of 123 acres. Mr. Schrock was an earnest Christian and for many years was a minister of the Amish Church. He died on his farm at the age of fifty-one years, his death being much regretted by those who knew him. His son Yost was brought up as he, himself, had been and obtained a thorough knowledge of agriculture and a fair common-school education. In those early days the farmers tramped out the wheat on the barn floor with horses, and the task usually assigned to young Yost was to ride the lead horse at this work. This slow process occupied weeks of the fall and winter. In October, 1848, at the age of twenty-one, he was married to Magdalena, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Kurtz) Plank, the former of whom was one of the first settlers of Wayne county, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Schrock resided on the old homestead for three years and here his two eldest children were born. The names of his offspring are: Christian, Isaac, Elizabeth, Elias, Emeline, Mary J., Sarah A., Nancy E., William and Clara A. In 1851 Mr. Schrock and his family moved to Indiana and settled in Middlebury township, Elkhart county, the following spring taking up his residence on his present farm. The improvements on this place have been made by himself, consisting of a tasteful and comfortable residence, good barns and out-buildings, excellent fences, etc., and the farm presents a beautiful and thrifty appearance. His land, consisting of 160 acres, has all been cleared by his own efforts, with the exception of three acres. He has always been kind and considerate in his family, and has assisted his children to a good start in life, dividing about $10,000 among them. He and his wife are members of the Dunkard Church and politically he is a Republican. He has always taken an active interest in the promotion of good schools and roads, and has been a member of the board of education of his township. His children are established in life as follows: Christian married Susannah Hostetler, by whom he has two children and is a minister or the Dunkard Church; Isaac is a farmer of Middlebury township, is married to Mariah Burns and has three children; Elizabeth married Joseph Troyer, a carpenter of Goshen, by whom she has four children; Elias married Annie Hoover, is a farmer of this township and has two children; Emeline married Levi Weaver, a farmer of this township and has five children; Mary J. married Amos Cripe, a farmer of this section, and has seven children (three pairs of twins); Nancy E. married Frank Priser, a farmer of the township, and has one child; William married Lula Van Dorsen, and is at present residing on the home farm. He is a school teacher by profession but at present is attending a Normal College, of Springfield, Ohio; Clara married John Zimmerman, a farmer, and has one child. It will thus be seen that Mr. Schrock is the grandfather of twenty-five children. All the members of the family are reputable citizens and are an honor to the parents who reared them to useful manhood and womanhood.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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JONATHAN BALYEAT. The agricultural part of any community is the bone and sinew from which come the strength and vigor necessary to carry on the affairs of manufacture, commerce and the State. When the farming people are composed of men and women of courage, enterprise, intelligence and integrity, prosperity will attend all departments of activity and this is pre-eminently the case in Elkhart county, Ind., and among those who hold high rank as a tiller of the soil is Mr. Balyeat, who springs from a good old colonial family of Pennsylvania. The family tree took root on American soil when a number of brothers came from the river Rhone in France and settled in "Penn's Woodland." They were young men, were married in the land of their adoption and three of the brothers settled in Philadelphia where they engaged in the foundry business, and the other brother became a farmer. From these three brothers descended all the Balyeats in the United States, who are now scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land, and among their numbers may be found prosperous farmers, business men and members of the learned professions. The Balyeats have been patriots and soldiers in all the American wars. George Balyeat, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, was a farmer of Schuylkill county in the Mauch Chunk Valley. He was the father of twelve children: Stephen, Leonard, George, Henry, Daniel, Eve, Jonas, Jacob, David and Joseph, besides two whose names can not be recalled. They all lived to a ripe old age and reared families, the death of Stephen occurring at the age of ninety-four years. George Balyeat died on his farm in Pennsylvania, an aged and respected man. Jonas, his son, was born on the old homestead in Schuylkill county, Penn., July 25, 1798, and, for his day, received a fair German education, and afterward became a German school teacher in the State of his birth. The Balyeats had, for generations, inter-married with the Germans of Pennsylvania, and in this way lost all knowledge of the French language, and the spelling of their name also became corrupted from the French name Balliet, to Balyeat and other forms. When a young man of twenty, Jonas Balyeat went to Westmoreland county, Penn., to collect a note of $300 which his father gave him, and thinking he could find the party, he proceeded on foot through the wilderness to western Pennsylvania, but did not succeed in finding his man. He found a wife, however, in the person of Miss Catherine Hum, their marriage being celebrated in Westmoreland county. Their marriage resulted in the birth of a very large family of eighteen children, fifteen of whom reached honorable manhood and womanhood: David, Jacob, Abraham, Jonathan, Sarah, Aaron, Eliza, Phoebe, Moses, Joshua, Benjamin, Emanuel, Reuben, Mary and Marquis. After residing one year in Westmoreland county, Jonas Balyeat (in 1820) moved to Richland county, Ohio, where he settled in the wilderness, cleared up a farm, reared his family and passed the remainder of his days. He and his wife were devout members of the Baptist Church, and he assisted in founding the Baptist Church in Richland county, in which he was deacon for fifty-eight years, and gave liberally of his means in its support. He was principally noted for his religious character and honorable course in life, and by his own efforts became the owner of 300 acres of land, which comprised the homestead, as well as a large amount of wild land in Van Wert county, Ohio, on which a number of his children have since settled and are now living. He assisted his children to a start in life, and upon his death left an estate to be divided among them and the heritage of an untarnished name. The latter years of his life were spent in retirement from the active work in the town of Van Wert, Ohio, where he died in the eighty-eighth year of his life, universally lamented. Throughout life he was a stanch Republican in his political views, was a strong Abolitionist during the war and was a stanch supporter of the Union cause, four of his sons and one grandson serving in the Federal army. Abraham was a lieutenant in the 100 days' service, and was stationed in Maryland at Point Lookout; Benjamin was an orderly sergeant in the same service and died of sickness contracted while discharging his duties; Reuben M. was an orderly sergeant, also stationed. at Columbus on guard duty, and Marquis L. was in Battery D, Ohio Light Artillery, served two years and was in several battles, among which was the Wilderness. Following this battle he was taken sick from exposure, after which he was made hospital steward. Jonathan Balyeat, the son of Jonas and the subject or this notice, was born on his father's farm in Richland, Ohio, February 22, 1824; was reared a farmer, and for the times in which he lived received a good common-school education. On June 26, 1845, he was united in marriage to Margaret, the daughter of John and Catherine (Lewis) Gates, the former of whom was a son of John Gates, who was of English descent and came of old colonial stock, the family having resided in the vicinity of Trenton, N. J., for generations. At the age of sixteen years he became a soldier in the Revolutionary war, after which he was married to Margaret Marion, a native of Germany, who came with her parents to America at the age of four years. John Gates was a farmer and after a time moved with his family to Ohio, of which State they were among the pioneers. He reared a family of twelve children and lived to the extreme old age of ninety-nine years, his wife attaining the very advanced age of one hundred and one years. John Gates, Jr., the father of Mrs. Balyeat, was born in Sussex, N. J.; was there married and by his wife became the father of seven children: Martin, Elizabeth, Margaret, Samuel, Jacob, Fannie and Huldah. Mr. Gates was a substantial farmer of Richland county, Ohio, and here he passed all his days and died at the age of sixty-five years. He was a man of strict integrity of character, was sheriff of his county and held other responsible positions also. After his marriage Jonathan Balyeat settled on some wild land in Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1846; cleared his land from timber and made a good farm of 120 acres. He did a vast amount of hard work during the nineteen years that he resided on that farm, but the farm became very valuable ere he sold it. There all his children were born: Elizabeth A., John W., Catherine J., Ansavilla, Marion .A., (who died at the age of twenty-seven years), Walter R., Edmund A. and Frank E. John W. was a soldier in an Ohio regiment during the Civil war; served in the 120 days' service and did guard duty at Point Lookout, Md. In 1865 Mr. Balyeat settled on his present farm, which has been his home ever since. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he has filled the office of treasurer. His good judgment is respected by the people, and he has filled the office of justice of the peace for four years, and has adjusted the difficulties of his neighbors with im¬partiality and intelligence. The principles of the Republican party are the ones which most fully recommend themselves to his judgment as worthy of his sanction, and his general information is extensive and enlightened. His son, John W., who is a farmer of Iona county, Mich., married Miss Sarah Cramer, by whom he has two children. Catherine J. married John S. Scott, a lumberman of Goshen, and is the mother of one child. Ansavilla married William Myers, a farmer of the township and has one child. Walter R. is a prominent young business man of Nappanee and was born in 1865; after spending many years in clerking in Elkhart and Goshen, he went to Nappanee where he opened a grocery store, and has since been prominently identified with the mercantile interests of the place; since 1892 he has been associated in business with his brother-in-law, L. Kohler, and the firm is known as Balyeat & Kohler; in 1887 he was married to Ella Snaveley, a daughter of E. and Elizabeth Snaveley, of Millersburgh. Edmund A. received a liberal education at Hillsdale, Mich., and in medicine in Chicago, and is now a practicing physician of Kalamazoo, Mich.; he married Mary Walton. Frank E. married Mary Rasie, by whom he has one child, and is a druggist of Arkansas City, Kan. Elizabeth is at home with her parents.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and the Whole State, Both Living and Dead”
Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago
1893
John Morris Co. Printers and Binders


Deb Murray