DR. WILLIAM N. ASH, of Middlebury, Ind., possesses a thorough knowledge of the principles underlying the practice of medicine, and familiarity with the most approved methods of treating the various ailments which the physician is called upon to prescribe for in a general practice; but these are not his only accomplishments, for to these he has added, by close observation and the exercise of native tact, a broad knowledge of mankind in all that the term implies. There is a sunshine in his presence which penetrates and disperses the gloom hanging about the chronic sufferer, and his hearty greeting, coupled with generous sympathy, has a very beneficial result in the sick room. He comes of sterling Scotch and Irish ancestry, for his great-grandfather came from the north of Ireland and settled in Somerset county, Penn., where David, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born on a farm, married, and became the father of eight children: Jacob, David, William, Josiah, Catherine, Elizabeth, Betsey and Aaron. Mr. Ash passed all the active years of his life on the farm, but his declining years were spent at Butler, Ind., where he died at the age of eighty-four years, having been an earnest member of the Evangelical Church and a man of high integrity. His son, Josiah, father of Dr. William N. Ash, was born on the old homestead in Somerset county, Penn., June 21, 1814, and received such education as the common schools of his day permitted. He was married to Nancy, daughter of John Beidler, a wealthy farmer of Dutch stock, who was born ,in Virginia, but removed with his family, consisting of a wife and three children: John, Nancy and Matilda, to Ohio, and died on his farm in Holmes county at the patriarchal age of ninety-seven years, a member of the Church of God. He possessed a fine physique, was six feet in height, well proportioned and possessed an iron constitution. He was temperate in all things, was well known for his high moral attributes and for his honorable traits of character. After his marriage Josiah Ash took up his residence on a farm in Stark county, Ohio, but after a few years removed to Wayne county, of which he was one of the pioneer settlers. He cleared up a farm in each of these places, and being a man of great strength he did a vast amount of hard work, and was a useful pioneer settler of Ohio. In 1879 he retired from active life, and now resides with a daughter in Ashland, Ohio. He became the father of twelve children, six boys and six girls: John, Cyrus, Mary, Martha, Joseph S., Samantha, Ellen, Amanda, Levi V., Agnes, William N. and Elmer E. Mr. Ash became the owner of 300 acres of land by persistent industry; in politics was a Democrat, and he and his estimable wife were members of the Church of God. He was a man of very independent disposition, and would hold no small office, but took an active interest in all public works, and contributed generously of his means to his church and every good cause. During the Civil war he assisted with time and money to secure volunteers, and lent valuable aid to the sanitary commission. He also sent two sons to the war, Joseph S. and Cyrus, both of whom served three years in an Ohio regiment, and were in several battles. Mr. Ash has always pursued a straightforward course through life, is a good citizen and a kind father, but brought up his family in a strict way. He is yet living, a strong and healthy man, but his wife died in 1885. Dr. William N. Ash first saw the light of day on his father's farm in Wayne county, Ohio, February 6, 1859, and in his youth wielded the hoe and followed the plow, attending, as well, the district school until he was sixteen years of age, after which he attended the academy at Smithville, Ohio, for eighteen months, and next became a student in Ashland College, from which he graduated in 1880. Succeeding this he attended medical lectures in the University of Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from the Toledo Medical College in 1883. After a rest of one year at home, he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Northwestern Hospital for the Insane at Toledo, filling this responsible position very capably for five years. Here he had the advantage of an experience which he would never have gained in a lifetime of ordinary practice, and to say that he made good use of his opportunities would be but carrying out the ideas which have been formed by those who know him best and understand his nature. He opened an office in Middlebury in 1889, and here has built up a lucrative practice, as he fully deserved to do. He is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, the Lucas County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Association. He is a patron of the leading medical journals of Europe and America, has a valuable medical library, the latest improved surgical instruments, and in all ways endeavors to keep thoroughly apace with the progress made in his profession. Socially he is a Mason, of Middlebury Lodge, of which he bas been a representative to the Grand Lodge; has filled all the chairs in the K. of P. Lodge; is a member of the Chosen Friends and of the board of health of Middlebury. He stands deservedly high as a physician and a man, and has won the confidence of the people as a man of culture and scientific ability.

“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


JAMES KAVANAGH, grocer of Elkhart, Ind. In compiling an account of the mercantile establishments of the city of Elkhart, Ind., it is the desire of the publishers to particularly mention those classes of houses which are the best representatives of each special line of trade, and which contribute most to the city's reputation as a source of supply. As one of the leading representatives of the grocery line, James Kavanagh may well be quoted, for he is extensively engaged in handling the staple necessaries of life, and the extensive trade which he has built up is the outgrowth of enterprise and commercial sagacity. Mr. Kavanagh has very successfully grappled with the question of supplying the masses with food, and his well-appointed grocery establishment goes far toward a solution of the problem. The business was established in the spring of 1877, by Mr. Kavanagh, but the firm is now known as Kavanagh & Pollard, both gentlemen being well adapted to successfully conduct this extensive business by practical experience and natural aptitude. The premises occupied are of ample dimensions, finely fitted up with a large stock of staple and fancy groceries, fruits, vegetables and country produce, and popular prices prevail. Alert assistants serve customers politely and promptly, free delivery of all orders is made to all parts of the city, in short, no effort on the part of the proprietors is spared to please each and every one of their numerous patrons. Mr. Kavanagh was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., May 26, 1842, to Charles and Helen (Murphy) Kavanagh, who were born, reared and married on the Isle of Erin, the year of their emigration to America being 1839. After a short residence in Wyoming county, N. Y., they went to Brooklyn, N. Y., where the father conducted a wholesale and retail boot and shoe store for about seven years, employing in the meantime from fifty to sixty men. He next returned to Wyoming county and located on a farm, on which he died February 6, 1860, his widow surviving him until November 16, 1886, having borne him eleven children, eight of whom are living, five sons and three daughters: Mrs. Mary A. Kerwin, of Wyoming county, N. Y.; James; Thomas, of Washington, Penn.; Matthew, of Wyoming county, N. Y., where he is engaged in merchandising; Margaret; Charles, of New York; Mrs. Catherine Whalen, of New York, and John E., of Chicago. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public and private schools of Brooklyn, and at an early age learned the trade of a machinist, at which he worked in various places for about fourteen years. He was in the Vulcan Iron Works of Chicago, and in a like establishment in Peoria, Ill. In 1872, Elkhart, Ind., became his home, and here he soon found employment in the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Shops, having charge of three pits at the time of his resignation. In the spring of 1877 he began devoting his attention to his present occupation, and has built up a business on which he may well be congratulated. Being enterprising, energetic and honorable, he is very popular in financial circles, and soon after the organization of the city, was nominated for treasurer, but would not work for the office, and consequently was defeated by a majority of sixty-five votes. During the twenty years that he has been a resident of Elkhart he has attended strictly to business, much preferring to pursue the quiet life of the successful merchant, to the strife and turmoil of the political arena. When the dark and lowering clouds of war burst over the country in 1861, personal considerations were cast aside by Mr. Kavanagh, and his name was soon placed on the rolls of Company A, One Hundred and Fifth New York Infantry, with which he served until September, 1862, when he was taken prisoner at the second battle of Bull Run, was paroled at Point of Rocks, and was taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, after which he returned home, there to remain during the remainder of the struggle. In 1873 he led to the altar Miss Maria A. Goodspeed, of Elkhart, by whom he has an interesting family of three children: Charles H., Ellen M. and John M. The mother of these children died in 1884, and for his second wife, Mr. Kavanagh took Miss Henrietta S. Goodspeed, a sister of his first wife. He is a member of the Order of Red Men, and is well known in social as well as business circles. He is a most useful and progressive mercantile representative, his business is conducted upon the broadest basis of equity, and those who enter into business relations with him may rest assured that their interests will be carefully guarded.

“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


SIMON GRINER is a retired farmer living in Middleburg, Ind., where he has a pleasant home and enjoys the advantages to be derived from a residence in this flourishing city. He is classed among the substantial and respected citizens of the town, and is a descendant of good old Pennsylvania stock. His great-grandfather a native of Germany, was the first of the family to come to America, and made the voyage when a young man. He settled in the town of High Spire, six miles east of Harrisburg, Dauphin county, Penn., and followed the trade of wheelwright. He was married in the town where he settled and became the father of three children: Philip, Barbara and Katie. He built a gristmill which he ran for many years, but finally sold it and purchased a good farm of 150 acres, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He was a religious man and at one time, a two-days' meeting, in the old-fashioned way, was held in his barn. He lived to be quite an aged man. After retiring from his farm he built a shop where he made fanning-mills and washing-machines. He was a substantial farmer in his day and spoke his native tongue. His son, Philip, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., and he was reared to farm life. He married Miss Margaret Wolfsbarger, a daughter of Fredrick Wolfsbarger, a tavern keeper of Campbell's Town, Lebanon Co., Penn. Mr. Griner lived for many years on the old home farm and there his fourteen children were born, twelve of whom reached mature years, married and reared families. They were named as follows: Mollie, Peggy, John, Philip, Fredrick, Mary, Sarah, Barbara, Katie, Betsey, Sophia and Jacob. Their descendants are now scattered over the great West. Those who had children in the Rebellion were as follows: Peggy, who married John Cassel, of Ashland county, Ohio, had four sons in the army and three of them were drowned on a steamboat on the Mississippi River during the war; John, who set¬tled in Wayne county, Ohio, on a farm, had three sons in the war, one died in Louisville, Ky.; Mary married William Marks, of southern Illinois, and had one son in the war. In 1833 Philip Griner moved with his family to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled on a farm where he passed the remainder of his life. He and wife were members of the German Reformed Church and Mr. Griner was a deacon in the same. He was quite a popular citizen and held a number of responsible positions, being appraiser and assessor in Pennsylvania. He had the utmost confidence of the people and was administrator of several estates. He lived to be nearly eighty-three years of age and was the possessor of an excellent property, owning four farms in the Buckeye State, 693 acres altogether. This land he sold to his children. Philip, third son of the above and the father of our subject, was a native of Dauphin county, Penn., born on the old homestead, December 2, 1813, and received but little education, attending the subscription schools of those days a few weeks in winter for a season or two. As the family was large, the boys early began to work and during the winter they assisted in threshing the grain which was tramped out by horses on the barn floor. In 1833, when a young man of twenty years, he went to Ohio with his father, and three years later was married in Wayne county, that State, to Miss Fannie, daughter of Jacob Gochawaur. To them were born three children: Barbara, Mary and Simon. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Griner settled on a farm in Wayne county, Ohio, and here his wife died a number of years later. He subsequently married Salome Moonensmith, daughter of a German Reformed preacher, and five children were the fruits of this union: Harriet, Ann, Kate, Adam and Jane. In 1853 Mr. Griner moved to his present farm in Middlebury township, Elkhart Co., Ind. He bought 295 acres of improved land, for which he paid $5,500, and which had very good improvements for those days. On this farm his second wife died and Mr. Griner returned to Ohio, and was married in Stark county to Mrs. Sarah Neff, formerly Miss Jacoby. Mr. and Mrs. Griner are members of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Griner is the founder of the Griner Lutheran Church. He gave the land upon which it stands and he was also the largest contributor toward the erection of the church. He was one of the building committee, has been deacon for eight years and church trustee since the church was built. He has always been a prosperous man, but what he has accumulated has been by hard labor. At one time he owned 768 acres of land in Indiana, but much of this he has since sold and divided the money among his children. When starting out for himself he had limited means and was obliged to work very hard to get a start. For seven years he was a teamster, and before the railroads were built he drove six horses to a big old-fashioned Pennsylvania wagon, which would hold up tons, and hauled goods from Pittsburg, Penn., to Wooster, Ohio. He also followed threshing for eighteen years, two years in Ohio and sixteen after he came to Indiana. He is now nearly eighty years of age and is yet quite strong and hearty and retains his faculties to a remarkable degree. Such men as he have developed and improved the county and made it what it is. In politics he is a strong Democrat. His son, Simon, our subject, was born on his father's farm in Wayne county, Ohio, April 13, 1842, and at any early age was left motherless, never knowing her care. His stepmother, however, was a very intelligent woman and young Simon, through her kindness, never realized the loss of his own mother, as she treated him as well as she did her own children. His advantages for securing an education were received in Middlebury township, this county, whither he had removed with his parents when in his eleventh year. He learned farming when young and early began life for himself. On March 15, 1861, when twenty years of age, he married and subsequently settled down to farming in Middlebury township, renting land of his father. One year later he moved to La Grange county, Ind., where his father had timber land, partially improved a farm there, but sold this for his father and returned to Middlebury township. For about ten years he rented land of his father and about 1872 he bought forty acres of his father's land, a short distance south of the corporation of Middlebury. Later he sold this land and bought 110 acres further south on the same road. This land he still owns and on this he resided until he came to Middlebury in 1892. By thrift and industry he gradually added to his farm until he now owns 172 acres of good land. In 1892 he bought a pleasant residence in Middlebury and now makes that town his home. Mrs. Griner is a member of the Lutheran Church, and takes much interest in church work. Mr. Griner is a strict Democrat in politics. To Mr. and Mrs. Griner have been born five children: William, Edward, John W., Valentine, Oscar and Frank. The first named married Miss Frances Bedford, and is clerking in Middlebury. They have two children: John W., married Miss Effie Shutt, and is on his father's farm, and Valentine, married Miss Bertha Boles, and is a farmer on the home place. Simon Griner is one of the sterling citizens whose career has been one of industry and frugality. By thrift and perseverance he has accumulated a comfortable property, and today stands deservedly high as an honest, upright man. His word is as good as his bond. He is descended from good old colonial stock and may well take pride in his ancestors.

“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


SAMUEL F. CRIPE is a descendant of one of the oldest pioneers in Elkhart county, Ind., Emanuel Cripe, who is now living on Elkhart Prairie, where he followed farming during the greater part of the active years of his life. He is now in the eighty-sixth year, to which patriarchal age he has attained, without doubt, by correct living and by the possession of a sound constitution, inherited from his German ancestors. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, October 7, 1806, and was a son of David Cripe, a prosperous old farmer of Pennsylvania, but in an early day removed from Somerset county to Ohio, where he carved out a home for himself in the woods of Montgomery county. His father, Jacob Cripe, came from Germany, and until his death was a resident of the Keystone State. Daniel Cripe became a resident of the State of Indiana in the spring of 1829. His wife was Madeline Miller, by whom he became the father of the following children: Samuel, Benjamin, John, Daniel, Emanuel, Betsey, Susan, Kate and Polly, all of whom came to Indiana within a few years of each other, having married in Ohio. Mr. Cripe came to Indiana before the land had been opened for settlement, and the Indians were plentiful but peaceful. They often came to his house, especially in the watermelon season. He owned a good farm of 200 acres on Elkhart Prairie, and was the first Dunkard preacher in northern Indiana. He possessed many Christian virtues, led a simple and unostentatious life, and through his instrumentality many of the substantial, law-abiding and patriotic Dunkard families of that section came to the region. Throughout life he used the German language, and lived to he eighty-eight years of age. His brother Jacob lived to be ninety-nine years of age and also died in this county. Emanuel Cripe was born in Ohio in 1806, was reared on a farm, and after his marriage to Catherine, daughter of Joseph Miksell, he settled on land in Ohio, where their eldest child, Susan, was born. About 1830 he removed to Indiana, and there the remainder of his children were born, as follows: Samuel, Mary, Eli, Betsy, Nettie, Lydia, Rebecca and Noah. Mr. Cripe had driven a team through to this State in 1829 and entered land, which, by hard work and industry, he increased to 600 acres, besides three houses and lots in Goshen. Although his literary education was lacking, he was naturally an intelligent man, and it was owing to this and to his energy and thrift, that he acquired his property. He was a hard worker, retired at dark, rose at 4 o'clock in the morning and lost no time, for on rainy days his time was spent in spinning flax. Realizing the value of a good education, his children were given the advantages of the common schools, and when they started out in life for themselves he gave them a considerable amount of either land or money. In politics he has always been a Democrat. Samuel F. Cripe, his son, and the subject of this sketch, was born on the home farm, two miles from Goshen, July 27, 1832, and in that vicinity was reared to manhood and received some schooling. He was married to Elizabeth M----, daughter of Adam M----, a shoemaker, of Locke township, and to them one child was born. Susan, whose birth occurred September 29, 185-. Her mother died on the 8th of March, 1855, and on the 10th of June, 1857, Mr. Cripe took for his second wife Eliza Stomotis, whose maiden name was Myers, a daughter of Adam Myers, a farmer of Stark county, Ohio. To this second union the following children were born: Amos, born August 5, 18__; Ella Nora, July 11, ____: Jesse, October 28, ____; Ishmael, July 4, 1862; Jefferson, October 31, 1864; Mary C., May 18, 1886. After the death of his second wife, on the 18th of July, 1874, Mr. Cripe married, December 9, 1874, Mary Berkey, born August 30, 1838, daughter of Eliza and Nancy (Miller) Berkey. He was a substantial farmer of Somerset county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Cripe settled on a farm two miles southwest of Goshen, and lived there about fifteen years. By thrift he added to his farm until he was the owner of 300 acres of land, then moved three miles north of Middlebury, where his farm comprised 270 acres. This land he sold however, in 1891, with the exception of eighty acres. Since that time he has owned and conducted a saw-mill in Middlebury, besides forty-one acres of laud south of the town, and four lots and three residences in the town. He has been a member of the Dunkard Church for more than twenty years, and a deacon in the same for some fifteen years. He has been generous with his means in the support of this church, and has reared his children in that faith with the exception of Jefferson. Mrs. Mary Cripe was the mother of five children by her first husband (Mr. Gardener): Anna Eliza, born August 25, 1849; Nancy J., born April 3, 1861; John F., born February 6, 1863; Eliza P., February 2, 1870, and Cora A., August 10, 1873.

“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


DR. BENJAMIN F. TETERS. This professional gentleman, whose skill in the healing art is well known not only through Middlebury township, but also throughout Elkhart county, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, October 16, 1860, and inherits all the sturdy characteristics of the Teutonic ancestors from which he sprang. His great-grandfather was born in Germany, but at an early date came to America and was one of the pioneer settlers of Westmoreland county, Penn. His son, Daniel Teters, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Bedford county, Penn., but subsequently settled in Westmoreland county, Penn., where he reared his family of eight children. His son, Daniel Teters, father of subject, was born in that county and was there married to Miss Leah Stough, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Claypool) Stough. Mr. Stough was born in Pennsylvania and of German descent. At an early date he moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, as a pioneer citizen, and became a wealthy farmer. He was the father of nine children: Leah, Solomon, John, Rachel, Elizabeth, Mary, Jacob, Daniel and Josiah. Mr. Stough was a member of the Lutheran Church and died in that faith when seventy-four years of age. The Claypools were of English descent and descended from an old and wealthy family. Mr. Teters settled in Tuscarawas county where he followed milling, and met with a fair degree of success in that calling. His marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Josiah, John D., Marion F., Leah C., Marion E., Mary E., Barbara and Benjamin F. In politics Mr. Teters is a stanch Democrat and during the war be was a strong Union man. His son, Josiah, enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; John D., another son, in the Eightieth Regiment, and died of typhoid fever at Paducah, Ky., and Marion F., who was first in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, re¬enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was but fifteen years of age when he entered the service. Dr. B. F. Teters supplemented a common-school education received in his native county by attending Mt. Union College for two years. When sixteen years of age he began teaching school in Ohio, followed this for about seven years, and by his own unaided efforts obtained a good practical education. He began his medical studies with Dr. P. P. Pomerene, a distinguished physician of Berlin, Ohio, and remained with him for three years. He then attended Wooster Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio, and completed his medical education at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, receiving his diploma in 1886. He was then associated with his preceptor five years, after which he came to Middlebury. This was in December, 1890, and he has had a fine and lucrative practice since. He has been absorbed day and night in a profession which is perhaps the most trying on brain and body of any in the field of science and his signal success in this calling is well known. Dr. Teters is a member of the Holmes County Medical Society and Ohio State Medical Society. He has a fine medical library and is a patron of the leading medical journals, keeping well posted on all the latest scientific improvements. The Doctor is a self-made man, having worked his way through college by his own exertions, and by ability and efficiency has acquired a flattering reputation as a physician. He was married on September 13, 1883, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Ephraim Adaline (Fisher) Showalter. Mr. Showalter is a substantial farmer of Tucarawas county, Ohio. To Dr. and Mrs. Teters have been born two children: Grace and Melwin.

“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


PETER WINEBRENNER, house painter, of Middlebury, Ind. The name of this gentleman bears an excellent reputation for thoroughness and skill as well as for good taste and much artistic ability. He comes of thrifty German stock, for his paternal grandfather came from the Fatherland to America and began tilling the soil in Blair county, Penn. His son, Andrew, father of Peter Winebrenner, was born on his father's farm in Blair county, Penn., August 17, 1818, on which he obtained a practical insight into the details of agriculture, and in the vicinity of which he secured a fair education in the common schools. Upon attaining manhood, April 11, 1836, he was married to Miss Anna Hoover, whose father, David Hoover, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, but afterward, in 1846, became a resident of Noble county, Ind. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Winebrenner resulted in the birth of fourteen children: Martin, David, Henry, Ellen, Levi, Nancy, Peter, Adaline, Celeste, Donald, Sarah, Agnes and two that died in childhood. Mr. Winebrenner moved to Noble county, Ind., in 1846, and settled on a tract of wild land, which he converted into a good farm after much hard labor. In 1863 he engaged in the drug business in Ligonier, an occupation he continued for seven years, then settled at Lawrence, Kan. After a short time he moved to south west Missouri, but later returned to the Hoosier State and took up his residence in Huntington county, where he died in 1888. His career throughout life was marked by industry, and for many yean:; he had been an earnest member of the Christian Church, and all his lifetime, from the time he attained his majority until his earthly career ended, was in sympathy with the Republican party. Five of his sons served in the Union army during the Civil war: Martin, in Company A, David in Company D, Peter in Company D, of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and Henry in Company C, Eighty-eighth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, of which Levi was also a member. Henry was wounded at Chickamauga and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and Levi died from the hardships incident to army life in January, 1864. Peter Winebrenner was born and reared on his father's farm in Noble county, Ind., his birth occurring January 10, 1848, but his education, which he was securing in the common schools near his home, was cut short by his enlisting, November 3, 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment of Indiana Volun¬teer Infantry at Kendallville, at which time he was but fifteen years and ten months old. His regiment did garrison duty at Nashville, Tenn., until the close of the war and he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Ind. Notwithstanding his youth he made a good soldier, and in June, 1865, was commissioned sergeant. Upon returning home he attended school a short time, after which he began learning the trade of a house painter, to which occupation he has given his attention up to the present time. In 1867 he espoused Miss Ellen Pake, and to them two children were born: Anna and Clara. His second union was consummated on the 22d of August, 1880, at which time Lydia, daughter of Matthias and Maria (Huston) Goodyear, born in Knox county, Ohio, January 11, 1838, became his wife. Mr. Goodyear was born in Crawford county, Ohio, December 28, 1836, on a farm and came of German parents, for his father, Andrew Goodyear, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1804, served three years in the German army. He married Catherine Graftsmiller,and together they came to the United States in 1827, settled in Crawford county on land on which he died December 23, 1889. Andrew Goodyear was a substantial farmer of Crawford county, became wealthy and reached the age of eighty-one years. A family of twelve children were born to him as follows: Christopher, Andrew, Louisa, Matthias, John, Catherine, Caroline, Mary, Barbara, Christena, Daniel and Lueza. Matthias became a resident of La Grange county, Ind., in 1860, and after residing on a farm there for a few years he took up his residence in Clinton township, Elkhart county, where he still resides. He is the father of six children whose names are as follows: Lida E., Andrew, Mary M., John W., Viola B. and Effie A. Both Mr. Goodyear and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is both deacon and elder. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Winebrenner have a daughter, Viva E. Mr. Winebrenner made his home in Ligonier until January, 1881, when he moved to Middlebury, where his home has since been. As a painter and decorator Mr. Winebrenner's work is decidedly artistic and he is a skillful and practical workman, who is highly recommended by architects and builders. He owns a good house and lot in the town and he and Mrs. Winebrenner are highly esteemed as citizens. He has held the office of justice of the peace four years, is a member of the G. A. R. and is a charter member of O. and M. Foster Post, No. 172, of which he was commander for one year. He and his wife worship in the Lutheran Church, in which he holds the positions of deacon and trustee.

“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


GEORGE A. THOMAS, Ph. D. is probably the youngest man in Elkhart, Ind., who is personally conducting a business of his own. His qualifications for managing his own business are such that he is not dependent upon others to manage it for him. Though young, he is full of energy, business qualifications, and thoroughly fitted for the calling he has undertaken. Mr. Thomas has spent nearly all the years of his life in Elkhart and is a favorite in both social and business circles. He was born in Goshen, Ind., December 22, 1857, to Dr. W. H. Thomas, whose sketch appears in this work, and graduated with honors from the Elkhart High School, after which he served a thorough apprenticeship in the drug store of J. G. Wise. Succeeding this he went to Chicago and entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy, which institution is one of the finest in existence, and from which he graduated at the end of two years. During this time he was also employed in the drug store of F. N. Jamison, but upon graduating in 1890, came immediately to Elkhart, and after remaining with E. W. Forbes for a time, he purchased the fine drug store which he now owns and conducts on the corner of Main street and Tyler avenue, opposite the soldiers' monument. His establishment is one of the neatest and coziest in the city, and instead of laying out his money for fancy furniture, he expended it in fitting himself for his profession, and the returns show the wisdom of his choice. He is the only graduate in pharmacy in the city. He carries a fine line of fresh drugs and chemicals, and is constantly receiving new perfumes, toilet articles, etc. Everything pertaining to a first-class drug store can be found here, and he is especially skillful in putting up prescriptions. Night calls are very promptly attended to and every reasonable effort is put forth to meet the demands of the trade. His establishment is very favorably located, and is exceedingly well adapted to its present use, while its equipments in every department are complete. He is a progressive young man of affairs, and socially is a member of the K. of P. and the Order of Red Men.

“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


THE two Pfeiffer brothers and their descendants. Jacob Pfeiffer, Sr., was a native of Bavaria, Germany. His father settled in the village of Muhlbach, having formerly lived in another portion of Bavaria. He had two sons and two daughters: Philip, Jacob, Elizabeth and Catharine. Philip and Jacob immigrated to America in 1833. They moved in private conveyance through France to Havre de Grace, from which place they sailed for New York. From New York, being on the way thirty-six days, they traveled by steamer and canal boat via Albany, Buffalo and Cleveland to Massilon, Ohio, thence to Wooster, and finally settled on a new farm in Chester township, Wayne Co., Ohio. The two sisters married and remained in Germany, where they both died. In 1845, Jacob sold his share of the farm for $1,200, and moved with his family to Elkhart county, Ind. He settled on eighty acres of timbered land in Section 33, Middlebury township, where he built a log house and commenced to clear up a farm. In June, 1851, his house burned with all his goods. He then settled on another eighty acres near by, and this he sold in 1865 for $5,000. From this time until his death he lived with his children. He died at the residence of his oldest son in 1874, in his seventy-fourth year. Before he moved to America he was married to Elizabeth Knapp, who preceded him to her final rest. She was the daughter of Henry Knapp, of Muhlbach, Bavaria, and was the oldest of sixteen children. Mr. Pfeiffer was a Democrat, although he never took an active part in politics. Both he and his wife were, all their lives, members of the Lutheran Church. They had ten children. Of these, Jacob, Philipine, Caroline and Frederick were born in Germany. The other six: Elizabeth, Henry, Christian, Philip and William, and one who died in infancy, were born in Wayne county, Ohio. Jacob Pfeiffer, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was born November 2, 1826, in the village of Muhlbach, Bavaria, Germany. He came to America with his parents in 1833, when in his seventh year, and remembers quite distinctly when they all left the old country and can relate a great many interesting circumstances that took place during the trip. At an early age he was put to work at clearing the land upon which his parents had settled, and in order to help the family make a living. For this reason his school education was very limited. Yet by means of hard work and perseverance, with such books as he could get, he managed to acquire a tolerably good education for those days, and when he grew to manhood he taught several terms of school. In 1855 he was married to Susanna Stiver, daughter of John B. Stiver, formerly written Stover. John B. Stiver was a grandson of Casper Stiver, who served in the Revolutionary war. Casper Stiver's father came from Germany and was the first Lutheran minister in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Pfeiffer have in their possession a large German Bible which was published in 1710, and which the old pioneer preacher brought from Germany. Jacob Pfeiffer, Jr., has three children: Ella J. was born March 12, 1856. She married Nicholas Pickrell, who died in 1876, leaving two children, Clyde E. and Edna I. Seven years after Mr. Pickrell's death she was married to Thomas P. Artley, by whom she has four children. Amanda C. was born April 9, 1860, and is the wife of David F. Cartwell, by whom she has two children. William H. was born December 12, 1864; married Emma Schrock and has one child. He is also a farmer. Jacob Pfeiffer has followed farming the greater part of his life, and at one time had over 400 acres of land, but he has sold off and divided among his children until he has only 136 acres left, which is farmed by a tenant. Mr. Pfeiffer has purchased a handsome residence in the village of Middlebury, where he now lives as a retired farmer. He and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church, of Goshen, Ind. He was raised a Democrat and voted the Democratic ticket until the organization of the Republican party, since which time he has been a Republican. He has served as constable, township assessor eight years, and appraiser of real estate three terms. During the war, 1861 to 1865, he was enrolling officer for Middlebury township, and helped to organize several military companies and contributed in many ways for the prosecution of the war. Of Mr. Pfeiffer's brothers and sisters, Philipine died at the age of five years, soon after coming with her parents to America. Caroline was married to Pickrell, by whom she had seven children: Jacob F., Ida E., Henrietta, Lewis, Frank G., Frederick C. and Willard. Mrs. Pickrell died in 1873. Frederick Pfeiffer married Mary Flory and resides in Middlebury; they have no children. Elizabeth was married in 1861, to Moses Bartholomew, and died June 29, 1888. She had five children: Henry S. K., Nevada E., Ella M., Clara V. and Cora V. The latter died when one year old. Henry Pfeiffer enlisted in the Union army and served four years. He took part in many important engagements and was with Sherman in the celebrated march to the sea. After the war he married Sarah Millington, they had two children, Edward O. and Clara. He died in April, 1874. Christian, Philip and William were burned to death when their father's house was destroyed by fire in 1851. Philip Pfeiffer (brother of Jacob), died on the farm where he first moved when he came to America, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte and served two years. He raised quite a large family, most of whom still live in Wayne county, Ohio, where they first settled.

“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


DR. FRANKLIN L. PUTT is an old soldier and for many years past has been a successful practicing physician, for his genial personality and a kindly sympathy with those who come to him as invalids, brought him a clientele perhaps even larger than would have been attracted by his recognized ability and the success which attended his efforts. He belonged to that class of physicians who recognized the fact that there was something more than a barren ideality in "ministering to a mind diseased," or in other words that the mental condition of the patient had in many eases much to do with his physical condition, and always endeavored to leave his patients in a happy and hopeful frame of mind where the nature of the disease rendered this possible. The Doctor comes of Dutch stock, for his grandfather, George Putt, fled from Holland to avoid serving in the Schleswig-Holstein war, to which he was opposed on account of religious principles. He was a member of a large family of children and was one of thirteen brothers, one of whom was a general in the above mentioned war and one a prominent surgeon. The remaining brothers all fled to America and experienced many difficulties in effecting their escape and in reaching this country. George Putt settled near Philadelphia, where he married a lady with whom he had become acquainted on the voyage to this country. Later he took up his residence in Coshocton county, Ohio, which, at that time was an almost total wilderness, and here he cleared a good farm, lived to be eighty years of age, and reared a family of eight children: George, Frank, Daniel, Harmon, Philip, Lewis, Elizabeth, Hannah and one daughter that died unmarried. Lewis, son of George and father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, but receive a no education in those early days, as there were no schools, but learned to read and write both English and German. He married a Miss Heluick, who bore him two children, one of whom died young, and Benjamin who lived to marry and rear a family and finally died in New Orleans. After the death of the mother of these children, Lewis Putt took for his second wife Susannah Buzzard, who bore him eight children: Lewis, Daniel, Margaret, John, Joseph, Franklin L., Sarah, Levi, all of whom are living except Lewis. Mr. Putt settled on a farm in Portage county, Ohio, where he died at the age of thirty-eight years from the effects of an accident. He was a substantial farmer, a good citizen and a drum major in the old militia. Dr. Franklin L. Putt is a product of Portage county, Ohio, where he was born on January 16, 1844, and where he obtained a practical education in the common schools. When he was about four and a half years of age his father died and he was reared by Mrs. Joseph Reynolds, a widow, and by her daughter, Mrs. Luther Stohl, with whom he lived for a number of years and with whom he made his home after he had attained the age of six and a half years, both these ladies being to him as parents. When President Lincoln made his first call for 75,000 men to serve three years, young Putt, then but sixteen and a half years of age, gallantly responded and on July 12, 1861, his name could be found on the rolls of Company A, Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, at Akron, Ohio, and as he was not of the required height to serve as a soldier, he raised his heels in his boots and thus added two additional inches to his height. Notwithstanding these precautions he was still under the required height and was declined as a soldier, after which he was obliged to serve as a bugler and was mustered in on August 16, 1861, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained for drill until the following December. His first active duty was at Kansas City, Mo., and in the surrounding country, fighting the guerrillas, and in this severe and dangerous warfare he served for one year, during which time he participated in many severe combats in Missouri with the famous guerrilla leader, Guantrell, among whose men were the Younger and James boys. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge and Cow Skin Prairie, and during the time the James boys acted as scouts for the Union army at the beginning of the war, young Putt became well acquainted with them and saw them frequently. He also became acquainted with the famous Younger brothers in the same way. His first revolver practice was with the James boys and from them he learned to shoot from the saddle, at which they were very expert, and one of their favorite pastimes was to circle round a tree and girdle it with bullets. The Doctor also met the famous Indian fighter, Wild Bill, and after the war met him again at Springfield, Mo. In February he returned to Camp Chase, Ohio, at which place he was in the hospital for some time sick with typhoid fever. Upon recovering from this severe illness he was taken with the dread small-pox, during the progress of which he was in the hospital at Franklin county, Ohio, but upon convalescing he found that his eyesight had been impaired to a given extent. To prove the saying that "Misfortunes never come singly," he was next taken with typhoid pneumonia, which laid him on a sick bed for six weeks. On May 28, 1863, he was honorably discharged on account of disability and remained at home until the 13th of October following when, having fully regained his usual health he re-enlisted in his old regiment as chief bugler, and rejoined them about sixteen miles northeast of Knoxville, Tenn., and the next morning participated in the battle of Rutledge. After this he was in a number of skirmishes, and after a short time the regiment veteranized and was given furlough for thirty days, and young Putt returned to his home. When the regiment re-entered the service it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and while serving with this command, his horse unfortunately fell with him, injuring his head and right shoulder and disabling him for fifteen days. Following this he was in the battles of the Wilderness and Petersburg, in the Wilson raid and was wounded at Stone Creek Bridge in the head by a musket ball, which made a furrow along the top of his head, carrying away a piece of the skull. He was unconscious for four hours, and this wound has ever since given him serious trouble. He was next in the Shenandoah Valley in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek, Wainsborough, Bridgewater and Kernestown; after this his regiment returned to Petersburg with Gen. Sheridan; during this time he was on scouting duty. He was detailed for this work by Col. George Purington and was frequently sent within the rebel lines and several times visited Early's headquarters. He followed this dangerous, yet most necessary work until the close of the war, being with Custer in several raids; was present at Appomattox when Gen. Lee surrendered and took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. After the war he was on duty at Springfield, Mo., and was mustered out of the United States service at St. Louis and honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 25, 1865. During his notable and useful career as a soldier he was in nearly all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, was in Wilson's famous raid and was under Gen. Custer when he took charge of the Third Division. By the explosion of a shell at Harper's Ferry, his clothing was nearly torn from his body and he was rendered deaf in his right ear. No braver or more devoted soldier served during the great Civil war than Dr. Putt, and, although his career in the army was marked by numerous hardships, owing to sickness and wounds, he fearlessly and unhesitatingly discharged every duty, was true to every trust and after hostilities had ceased returned to his home with the consciousness of having lent valuable aid in preserving the Union. For one year after his return from the war he attended school at Greensburg, Ohio, after which he began reading medicine at Roweville under a relative, Dr. W. H. Putt, and from 1867 to 1868 he attended a course of medical lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., then bought out Dr. Putt, of Roweville, and practiced his profession in that place one year. He then entered the college of Medicine and Surgery at Cincinnati, and after graduating in 1869, he came to Millersburg, Elkhart Co., Ind., where he was in the active practice of his profession until March 10, 1870. From that time until 1890, he continued to cure the ills to which man is heir in Middlebury, but owing to ill health, which in a great measure resulted from his service in the army, he was compelled to retire from the active practice of his profession, and in 1888 and 1889 he lectured on microscopic histology in the college of Medicine and Surgery at Cincinnati, his being the first course of lectures on that subject ever delivered in the institution, and was therefore an honorable distinction. Dr. Putt has been a wide reader and is the possessor of one of the largest medical libraries in the county. He was married August 4, 1867, to Rachel, daughter of Peter and Hester Wise, and to their union a daughter has been born named Masy. The Doctor belongs to the civic society of the A. F. and A. M. Lodge, No. 570, of Middlebury, and he is now acting as its secretary. He is a Democrat, he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he has always been a scholarly man of scientific tastes.

“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