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JOHN STEWART. When a citizen of worth and character has departed from this life, it is meet that those who survive him should keep in mind his life work, and should hold up to the knowledge and emulation of the young his virtues and the characteristics which distinguished him and made him worthy of the esteem of his neighbors. We, therefore, present to our readers a narrative of the life of the representative pioneer whose name we have just given. This highly esteemed and eminently useful member of society was a native of the Keystone State, born in Dauphin county, January 13, 1807. There he grew to manhood and learned the weaver's trade, which was his principal occupation during his early years at Harrisburg, although he lived with his parents on a farm. Later in life he purchased a farm, but continued to devote most of his attention to his trade. He was married in March, 1832, to Miss Margaret Rudy, who was born May 20, 1811, and five children were the fruits of this union, viz.: Margaret, married and resides in Nebraska; Samuel; John; David; and Matilda, married resides in Nebraska. The three sons served in the Civil war. In 1850 Mr. Stewart emigrated to Indiana and settled in Cleveland township, Elkhart county, on the farm where his son John now resides, in June of that year. He became the owner of 150 acres of land and was a man universally respected. He and Mrs. Stewart were members of the Evangelical Church, and his death, which occurred on January 7, 1880, was the occasion of universal sorrow, for all felt the loss to be sustained by the departure of such a man. His wife survived him until July 20, 1882. Their son, David Stewart, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., March 1, 1842, and when he was about eight years of age he came with his parents to' Indiana, where he finished his growth and received a good, practical education in the district school. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Thomas, a native of Ohio, born February 22, 1843, and the daughter of John and -- (Mathias) Thomas, natives of the Buckeye State also. Her parents settled in Elkhart county in 1865, and here the father died, but the mother passed the closing scenes of her life in Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were given the following children: Albertus, married Eleanor Peabody and resides in Elkhart; Alvertus, twin of Albertus, is at home; Ida M. and Melvin Mearl. Mr. Stewart bas about one hundred and thirty-five acres of land, about ten acres in timber, and is engaged in general farming and stockraising. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until cessation of hostilities. His two older brothers were also in the army and he could not leave home until their return. He was discharged at Charleston, W. Va., August 30, 1865. In politics he is a stanch adherent of Republican principles.

�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

HON. HENRY D. WILSON, the oldest living member of the bar of Elkhart county now in active practice, and one of the ablest attorneys of northern Indiana, is a native of Champaign county, Ohio, born October 3, 1829. Thomas H. Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, was his father. The grandfather came to the United States prior to the war for American independence. A farmer by occupation, Thomas H. Wilson immigrated westward early in the present century, settling first in Ohio, where he resided until 1836, when he again moved West, and this time found a home in southwestern Noble county, Ind. Being a man of more than ordinary intelligence, he was made one of the associate judges of the court, and afterward he was twice elected to the State Legislature. While living in Ohio he selected Mary Neal as his life helpmate, and of the eight children born to them six are yet living. Mr. Wilson died February 7, 1876, his widow yet surviving him at the advanced age of ninety years. Henry D. Wilson obtained from the pioneer subscription schools his early book learning, but later attended the Ontario Collegiate Institute, the State University at Bloomington, and Wabash College at Crawfordsville, graduating from the regular course of the last named institution in 1854. Having fitted himself for teaching, he followed that occupation for five years. From 1854 to 1857 he was principal of the Female Seminary and the County Seminary, situated at Salem, Ind., but resigned this position to accept the principalship of the Cascade Academy, at Cascade, Iowa. Ill health, caused by overwork, compelled his retirement after three years' service there, and, having previously read law, he returned to Indiana, and June 25,1860, he entered into partnership with Hon. A. Y. Hooper, and embarked in legal practice at Columbia City, continuing in partnership and by himself at this place until November, 1864. He then removed to Goshen, where he bas ever since been in active practice, both alone and associated with some of the ablest lawyers of Goshen. At the present time he is the senior member of the firm of Wilson, Davis & Wilson, composed of himself, Hon. W. J. Davis and his son Harry C. Wilson. A close observer of persons and events, of dignified presence, an excellent judge of law, a close student and an eloquent and ready debater, Mr. Wilson has for years been recognized as one of the foremost members of the legal fraternity in northern Indiana. In 1868 Mr. Wilson was elected the first mayor of the city of Goshen, declining a re-election. Upon urgent solicitation, in 1890, he allowed his Dame to be presented to the voters as the Republican nominee for Congress from the Thirteenth District, but the tidal wave against his party, caused mainly by the recent enactment of the misunderstood tariff law, encompassed his defeat together with hundreds of other Republican candidates. April 26, 1855, occurred his marriage with Miss Annjeannette Trumbull, at Fort Wayne, Ind., the day following her graduation at college, and their children are: Viola A., wife of F. W. Nichols, principal of the Springer School of Chicago; Louise M., wife of C.G. Beers, a business man of Chicago; Harry C., lawyer at Goshen; Clara J., wife of F. W. Wood, agent of the Chicago Varnish Company, with headquarters in New York City; Lawrence H., agent of the Standard Oil Company at Racine, Wis., and Weldon N., deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Wilson has been an elder for thirty-six years.

JOHN W. IRWIN. Of the early settlers of northern Indiana who left homes of comfort in the East to brave the perils and hardships of pioneer life in the great West, who felled the forests and laid the foundations of plenty which the present generation now enjoy, but few are remaining. Occasionally one of these old frontiersmen is met with who has survived the storms and ravages of time, but his silvery locks and his faltering footsteps tell us that ere long he will "pass within that tent whose curtain never outward swings." In no way can the present generation honor so well these old heroes of the early times as by imitating their virtues, and preserving inviolate the lessons guaranteed unto us in the civil, religions and educational institutions, founded and fostered by their wisdom and self sacrifice. Among the first to seek homes within the borders of what now constitutes Elkhart county, was the Irwin family. The pioneer was Alexander Irwin, a soldier of the War of 1812, and a son of Isaac Irwin of Franklin county, who was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and one of the defenders of the colonies in their struggle for independence. The advent of the Irwins in this country was probably about the year 1750, and settling in Franklin county, they afterward removed to Allegheny county, Penn, and resided there many years. It was here Alexander Irwin wedded Elizabeth McConnell, who bore him a family of children, and after her death married Mrs. Elizabeth (Wycoff) Daily, mother of the subject of this sketch. In 1832 he immigrated with his family to northern Indiana, and settled on Elkhart Prairie in the "Goshen settlement," the only other one then in Elkhart county being the "Elkhart settlement." Three years later he succumbed to an attack of malarial fever prevalent in those days, coupled with treatment of bleeding, purging and heroic doses of calomel prescribed by the pioneer doctors. Of the five children born to his second marriage, three sons now reside in Goshen. John W. Irwin, one of these, is the immediate subject of this sketch. He was born September 24, 1822, and, like the majority of the Irwins was reared on a farm. The indifferent subscription schools of pioneer days furnished his early education which was later supplemented with about two years' attendance at the State University in Bloomington. Beginning the study of law, when yet a boy, under the tutelage of Judge Chamberlain and others, he attended lectures at the law department of the university at Bloomington, and in 1849 located at Goshen to begin the practice of his profession, or, as he termed it, "to begin the starving process." Goshen has ever since been his home, and for years he confined his occupation to probate and ex parte practice. In 1856 he, together with W. A. Thomas, Gen. Milo S. Hascall, Edward Metcalf, Charles Murray, Thomas G. Harris, Judge Joseph Mather and others, organized the Republican party in Elkhart county from the disaffected ranks of the Democrats, and from the defunct Whig and Free Soil parties In 1860, as a Republican, he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and later was re-elected, serving two terms. In 1854 he became associated with Hon. Robert Lowrey in the legal practice, but prior to this time had served two years as deputy county clerk for Owen Coffin, a year and a half having exclusive charge. At the expiration of his term as treasurer he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue; but during this time (1865) formed a partnership with Gen. Milo S. Hascall, in the purchase of the business and good will of the Salem Bank at Goshen, from John Cook; and this partnership continued uninterruptedly twenty-five years, lacking a few months. Since then Mr. Irwin has conducted the business alone, although he and Gen. Hascall are yet partners in the hardwood lumber trade at East Chicago. During the troublous time when rebellion threatened the overthrow of the Union, Mr. Irwin took an active part in the raising of troops for the war, and his loyalty was of so pronounced a character as never to be questioned. During his half century of residence in Elkhart county, Mr. Irwin has been connected with some of the most noteworthy enterprises of Goshen, and the pride of his declining years is that no one can point to a single act that in the least reflects discredit upon his name. He was one of the organizers of the Elkhart County Agricultural Society, and was continued as its secretary for twenty-five years, serving twenty-three years without compensation, when he declined further service. He left the society the owner of thirty-two acres of ground, and buildings thereon and $500 in cash, all made and saved from the receipts from year to year, the property valued at $15,000. Notwithstanding his busy life, he has found time for extended reading and travel, and has twice crossed the Atlantic to Europe visiting all noteworthy places of interest in the Old World. He has the largest miscellaneous library in the county. October 11, 1855, occurred his marriage with Miss Hagar Jackson, the third daughter of Co1. John Jackson, one of the pioneers of Elkhart county, and two children have been born to this union: Frank, and May, now Mrs. F. E. Baker. Aside from being one of the oldest living pioneers of the county, Mr. Irwin unquestionably is one of its foremost citizens. Gifted with intelligence, of unswerving integrity, he today, on the evening of his life labors, commands the respect of his fellow men, and numbers his friends only by his number of acquaintances .

SAMUEL SCOLES. For many years, or since boyhood Mr. Scoles has given the occupation of farming his principal time and attention, and that a lifetime spent in pursuing one calling will result in substantial success, especially if energy and perseverance are applied, is particularly true in his case. Like many other of the representative citizens of the county, Mr. Scoles is a native of the Buckeye State, born November 13, 1814, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Scoles) Scoles, natives of Maryland, where they were reared and married. At an early day the parents emigrated to Ohio, and in 1819 settled in Knox county, whore they passed the remainder of their days, living to be quite aged people. The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Esther (Bing) Scoles, the former a native of the Green Isle and the latter of England. Both came to America at a very early day and John was a soldier in the Revolution. The death of Thomas Scoles occurred in 1858 and that of his widow in January, 1866. The original of this notice was but five years of age when his parents located in Knox county, Ohio, and as the educational facilities of that early day were not of the best, his scholastic training was limited. About the year 1845 he removed to Marshall county, Ind., and February 22, 1846, he was married to Mrs. Barbara Huntsinger, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, born October 3, 1819, and the daughter of Henry and Mary (Kessler) Huntsinger, the former born in Tennessee and the latter in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Huntsinger settled in St. Joseph county, Ind. May 5, 1831, and were among the pioneers of that county, there passing the closing scenes of their lives, Mrs. Huntsinger dying in 1848 and her husband in 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Scoles were born these children: Jesse B., Matilda W., Lewis, Melissa (deceased), and Enoch (who died when five years of age). In 1852 Mr. Scoles located in Elkhart county, Ind., settling on a farm in Baugo township, and there he resides at the present time. With the exception of about ten years spent in Elkhart, Mr. Scoles has resided on this farm ever since and is one of the old and much esteemed citizens of the township, and takes a deep interest in the welfare and progress of the county. While Mr. Scoles is a member of the Methodist Episcopal, his wife holds membership in the Baptist Church, and both are active workers in their respective churches. In politics he has voted the Republican ticket ever since the organization of that party, and is a firm advocate of its platform. His son, Lewis Scoles, was born in Marshall county, Ind., March 23, 1847, and when about five years of age was brought to Elkhart county by his parents. Here his youthful days were spent and in addition to a common-school education received in Baugo township, he attended the public schools of Elkhart, where the family moved in 1862. Here Lewis attended school for four years and then returned to the farm where he has resided ever since with the exception of three years spent in Elkhart. He was married June 23, 1867, to Miss Louisa Bowman, a native of Stark county, Ohio, born December 25, 1847, and the daughter of Peter and Julia (Esseck) Bowman, natives of Ohio, who came to Elkhart county in 1855, where they passed the remainder of their days. To Lewis Scoles aud wife have been born five children, three of whom are living: Carrie A., Clarence P., died when two years of age; Nora B. and George O. and Georgie E., the latter dying at the age of six months. His father and mother make their home with him. Mr. and Mrs Scoles are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Scoles is steward of the same. In politics he is an ardent Republican.

LEONARD H. FRANK. The old country has contributed to the new many estimable citizens, but she has given us none more worthy of respect and esteem than the subject of this sketch, who is one of the representative men of the county. He was born in Germany on February 7, 1870, and his parents, George L. and Margaret (Kapp) Frank, were natives of that country also and there passed their entire lives. Leonard H. Frank's early life was characterized by the energy and industry so common among those of German nativity. On April 6, 1854, he decided that America was the Mecca to which so many were turning, and he decided to cross the ocean to this land of promise. He landed in New York on May 17 of that year with but $2 in his pocket, but with any amount of energy and pluck. Two days in New York reduced his $2 to a cipher and he was obliged to borrow $2 to get to Philadelphia. Thus he started out for himself $2 poorer off than nothing. Immediately upon reaching that city he procured employment on a farm across the river in New Jersey and received $10 for his first month's services. The next month he received $11, but during the winter he received but $9 per month, not being so busily employed. The following spring he received $13 and continued on the farm until the fall of 1855, when he decided to travel toward the setting sun. He was offered $15 per month to remain, but in spite of all this he started for Ohio. For three years he resided in Wyandotte county and then went to Crawford county, that State, where he purchased his first land, seventeen acres, upon which he settled and began improving. Two years later he added sixteen acres to this and made his home here until the spring of 1867, when he disposed of his farm and came to Indiana. He purchased eighty acres in St. Joseph county, Ind., but as it was not all paid for he disposed of this and bought sixty acres in the same county. In January, 1886, he came to Elkhart county, purchased his present farm of 145 acres, in Baugo township, and is one of the successful and prosperous men of the county. Mr. Frank celebrated October 15, 1855, by taking to himself a wife in the person of Miss Mary Zancinger, a native of Germany, born December 2, 1833. They are the parents of eleven children, who were named in the order of their births as follows: William (deceased), George, Caroline, Emaline, William (deceased), Lewis, Andrew, Tracy, Kate, John and Edward (deceased). Worthy and exemplary members of the Lutheran Church, Mr. and Mrs. Frank contribute liberally to its support. They have a fine two-story brick residence and a large barn, erected in 1888 at a cost of $1,800. As we know he started out with limited means, in a strange country, and what he has accumulated is the result of great industry and perseverance. He says he could never have accomplished so much in any other country, and that the United States is the country for a struggling young man to amount to something.

LESTER SAWYER. A noble class of men has built up the agricultural interests of Baugo township, Elkhart Co., Ind., and has made it a garden spot in the great commonwealth of the State. Among those who have been active and efficient in the work is he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He has been identified with the farming interests of the county for many years and in every walk of life has conducted himself in an honorable, upright manner. His fine farm of 132 acres is one of the most attractive agricultural spots of the district, being conspicuous for the management that while making it neat and attractive, still shows prudence and economy. Mr. Sawyer owes his nativity to Ohio, born in Portage county May 23, 1832, and is a son of Levi and Catherine (Beers) Sawyer, the former a native of the Old Bay State and the latter of Ohio, born in Portage county. Levi Sawyer was born on January 1, 1801, and his parents, Asa and Eunice (Priest) Sawyer, were natives of Massachusetts. Asa Sawyer emigrated to Ohio at an early date, settled in Portage county and there followed his trade, cooper, in connection with farming. He was a very successful agriculturist and became quite wealthy. He was captain in the War of 1812, under Col. Carter, in a company known as the "Floodwood." His death occurred about the year 1846, but for several years previous to his death he had no use of his limbs, being a paralytic. His wife survived him until about 1860, her death occurring in Portage county on the homestead. Levi Sawyer was reared and educated in his native county and there learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for many years. He was married to Miss Catherine Beers, who bore him these children: Luke, served in the One Hundredth Ohio Regiment during the war; Lewis, Lester and William, were cavalrymen during the war, in the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Regiment; Lucy is in Kansas, and Louisa died in 1866; Lewis and Leroy died in 1855. In 1854 Levi Sawyer came to Indiana, located in Elkhart county, and for many years was justice of the peace in Jefferson township. Previous to this, in 1845, Mrs. Sawyer died in Portage county, Ohio, and in 1846 Mr. Sawyer married Eliza Kelso, a native of Portage county, and whose death occurred in Iowa in 1880. Three children were the result of this union: Charles, Franklin and Byron, two of whom, Charles and Franklin, served in the Union army. Mr. Sawyer was a man of energy and strict integrity and was universally respected. His death occurred on August 30, 1889, at the home of his son, Lester, in Baugo township, this county. Lester Sawyer was trained to the duties of the farm at an early age and received his education in the common schools. Although the advantages were not of the best, he improved every opportunity and for several years after coming to Elkhart county was a school teacher during the winter months. In 1853 Mr. Sawyer came to Indiana, settled on a farm in Baugo township, this county, and resides on this at the present time. Thirty of the 132 acres that he owns is in timber, but the remainder is in a high state of cultiva�tion. Mr. Sawyer has served his township as clerk and trustee at various times, and has always been identified with the Democratic party in politics. Our subject celebrated his marriage to Miss Olive E. Newman, at Elkhart, December 11, 1856. She was born in Tioga county, N. Y., April 1, 1834, being the daughter of James E. and Catherine (Hart) Newman, natives of the Empire State, but of English-German descent respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Newman emigrated to Indiana in 1840, settled in Baugo township, Elkhart county, and there followed farming on the land now owned by our subject. Mr. Newman was one of the pioneers of Baugo township, but did not live long after settling here, his death occurring on August 25, 1840. His wife survived him until February 4, 1872, her death oc�curring at Elkhart. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer; Clara E., born June 17, 1866; Mina E., born June 4, 1868; Nora F., born December 1, 1870; William. E., born January 31, 1874; and Herbert, born January 9, 1861, and died March 4, 1865.

EDMUND MICHAEL (deceased). The sketch here given is that of a former citizen and resident of Baugo township, Elkhart county, Ind., and is a tribute paid to his many virtues and to the lesson which, as a father, be impresses upon the minds of his children by the example of a noble and honorable life, which, although it was fraught with hard labor and patient industry, was a model to his heirs of the sterling qualities that characterized a man who lived nearer to nature in its purity than to the artifices of society. His death, which occurred on the 25th of January, 1869, was the occasion of universal sorrow, for all felt the loss sustained by the departure of such a man. Mr. Michael was born in the Buckeye State, Miami county, February 27, 1820, and is a son of Solomon and Sarah (Jacobs) Michael, natives of the Old North State. At a very early date the parents moved to Miami county, Ohio, and were among the pioneers of that county, experiencing all the hardships and privations of the early settlers. In 1830 they removed to Indiana, settled in St. Joseph county, on the banks of the river of that name, and there entered eighty acres of land. Upon this they erected a rude log cabin, and here passed the remainder of their days, the father dying about 1848 and the mother in 1854. They were honest, upright citizens and an honor to any community. Our subject was ten years of age when his parents came to St. Joseph county, and there he finished his growth. He was early inured to hard labor, for he assisted his father in clearing the farm and settling the county. His educational advantages were of course sadly neglected and he never attended school more than one day in his life. Being possessed of a naturally quick mind and a fertile brain, and being a man of observation, he became as well posted perhaps as many men who have had much better advantages. On the 1st of March, 1840, he was married in St. Joseph county to Miss Eliza Noffsinger, a native of Ohio, born June 14, 1818, and the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Syler) Noffsinger, natives of the Old Dominion, who settled in Dart county, Ohio, at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Noffsinger cleared a farm in the wilderness and resided on this for many years. In 1830 they removed to Elkhart county, Ind., and on December 27 settled in Baugo township where they entered 240 acres of land. In the spring of that year Mr. Noffsinger had cleared about four acres, planted some corn, and erected a log cabin, 12x12 feet, into which he moved his family on the 5th of August. Here the family lived for many years, improving the land and making a home. Mrs. Noffsinger died in 1856, and in June, 1859, he followed her to the grave. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Michael they settled on eighty acres of land presented to Mrs. Michael by her father (where J. Proudfit now lives) and here they made their home for several years. They then disposed of the farm and purchased the property where Mrs. Michael now resides. The following children were given Mr. and Mrs. Michael: William, Jonathan (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Mary J. (deceased), Ann N. and Ada, at home. When the war cloud hung darkly over the nation Mr. Michael enlisted in Company F, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 1862, and participated in the battles of Corinth and Pittsburg Landing. He served about nine months, when an accident occurred which eventually resulted in his death. He was a consistent Christian, a kind father and loving husband. Mrs. Michael has 120 acres of land, about fifteen of which are timber. She is a member of the Baptist Church and a lady possessed of many womanly virtues.

JOHANN K. BOSS. The material for the manufacture of first class, durable brick for building and paving purposes in and around Elkhart is inexhaustible, and there are a number of old and established yards in and around the city. One of the most noted and successful concerns in the county, extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick of all kinds, is that conducted by Johann K. Boss and located in Baugo township, on the banks of the St. Joseph river, Section 11. This flourishing industry has been established for many years and the brick is unrivaled for durability, finish and uniform excellence, and is a general favorite with our leading contractors and builders. An immense stock of choicest brick is constantly on hand and every effort is made to give complete satisfaction to patrons. Mr. Boss engaged in the manufacture of brick on the present site in 1881, although he had studied this industry for many years and had established a manufactory of this nature in Baugo township as early as 1871. He has all the latest improved machinery for the successful manufacture of pressed brick on a large scale, including a machine with a capacity of 50,000 per day, but the demands of the market at present do not require the making of only about one-half that amount and about sixteen men are employed. For a number of years Mr. Boss has carried on an immense business, the average output for the past ten years exceeding 2,500,000 bricks per year. During the years from 1883 to 1886 the output exceeded 3,000,000. The present season has been a very trying one for the business (1892), making it impossible to fill all orders. Mr. Boss was born amid the beautiful scenes of the Alps mountains, Switzerland, August 9, 1831, and his parents, Christian Boss and Anna Boss, were natives of that country also. Born of poor but honest parents, our subject had very limited educational advantages and was reared to labor early and late on a farm and to practice the most rigid economy in order to gain a livelihood. The principles thus instilled into his youthful mind have followed him closely through life, winning for him victories at critical periods, and bringing him bravely to the front. Having arrived at the age of twenty years and realizing the meager advantages offered in his native land for the acquirement of a home, he decided to cross the ocean and seek his fortune in the land of untold possibilities to the energetic, persevering student of industry and of which he had heard so much. At the time of his departure, April 14, 1851, his capital stock consisted of a faithful dog which he had raised and which he disposed of for $4. Through the generosity of an uncle he was enabled to secure passage to America and with this uncle landed in New York City a few weeks after taking passage. In consideration for the expense his voyage cost his uncle, young Boss was to give him his services until the debt was wiped out. Owing to the careful attention and consideration he manifested toward his uncle during the voyage, that gentleman generously donated the expenses of the trip and informed our subject that he could consider himself free to act for himself. Upon arriving in the city of New York this hopeful young man had about 10 cents in money and he immediately invested that in a straw hat. Later, in company with his uncle, he came to -----, Indiana, which was then the terminus of the railroad. An overland trip was then made to Kosciusko county, our subject .walking the entire distance, about sixty miles. Six months later he came to Elkhart county and worked at whatever employment he could find. In 1852 he began working in a brick yard and here laid the foundation for his subsequent prosperous career. He applied himself energetically and became thoroughly conversant with every detail of the business. He began as general utility man and, gradually progressing, was given an opportunity to take a hand at the molds. He made 6,000 bricks by hand the first day, and since that time he has made millions of them. In 1863, in company with a brother, he invested in sixty acres of land in Concord township. On this property he labored at night, being employed during the day in the rail shops at Elkhart at $1.10 per day and the money thus earned enabled him to pay the balance on his farm. During the summer of 1863 he cultivated twenty acres of corn, two acres of potatoes and performed all the work by hand after returning from his labors of the day at Elkhart. His energy was unbounded and he was gifted with an endurance and constitution seldom bestowed upon man. In this way he made a start, being a careful, economical and persevering student of all that he undertook. His parents, having come to America in 1862 and being advanced in years, now made their home with our subject. The father was born November 22, 1795, and the date of his mother's birth was June 2, 1798. They were married June 20, 1820. Their lives were spared but a short time after coming to the States. A strange coincidence occurred in connection with the death of the father, which took place December 31, 1863. On October 19 of that year Christian Boss attended the funeral of a brother and on returning from the same made the remark that he was the last of the family and would not live to see the new year ushered in. He was advanced in years, quite feeble, and the middle of the following December found him in bed with the premonition that his life was fast ebbing away. While not suffering from disease of any kind he steadfastly refused to have medical attendance, sincerely believing that he was past the aid of human help. From that time on his decline was rapid, all his strength and vitality passing away from him, and in the last hours of the last month of the year his predictions were fulfilled. He passed quietly and peacefully away. During the early days of our subject's farming experience he had but few implements for carrying on the work and the stock on the place consisted of one horse and a cow. On many occasions when the work was too severe for the horse he would call into requisition the services of the cow and drive them together. Mr. Boss recalls an incident when he took a load of wood to Elkhart with this oddly improvised team. The sight of it caused great amusement for the town people, especially the children, who followed him about the street in great glee. The principal event of his1ife took place January 10, 1864, when he was united in marriage to Mrs. Julia A. Reidmeyer, whose husband had been killed on the railroad, leaving her with five children to provide for. She has proven a helpmate, indeed, to her husband, and to her economy, untiring assistance and co-operation in hours that were darkest, Mr. Boss attributes his success. Four sons have been born to them: Jacob, Albert, J. O. Christian and Edward A. In 1871 Mr. Boss engaged in the manufacture of brick, purchasing five acres of land in Section 11, Baugo township, at a cost of $1,000. He borrowed the money and mortgaged his farm for this. For seven years he made brick by hand and then invested in a small machine. Three years later a larger machine was found necessary, which he added at an expense of $1,000 cash. In 1882 the demands of the time called for increased facilities and he purchased the machine which he uses at present and which is valued at $2,000, with a capacity of 50,000 bricks per day. At this time he also purchased eight and one- fourth acres of land, on which is an almost inexhaustible supply of superior clay and where his manufacturing interests are now located. Since Mr. Boss engaged in the manufacture of brick with modern appliances his advancement has been rapid, and he has been eminently successful in this business. In 1880 he was $4,000 in debt, but since that time he has not only paid off all debts contracted, but has kept abreast of the demands of the times in the purchase of modem machinery; has purchased 188 acres of fine land and is entirely free from encumbrances of any character. He has also been a generous and indulgent father to all his children and for seven years gave his three step-sons a comfortable home and $500 cash each year. At the time of their marriage he presented each of them with $100 in gold, over $10,000 being disbursed in this way. He is equally generous to his own children who are still with him, enjoying the comforts and benefits of a model home, a modern two-story brick residence having been erected. Mr. and .Mrs. Boss are consistent members of the Evangelical Church and in politics Mr. Boss is a Democrat. He is a loyal, patriotic citizen in all that the word implies and blesses the day that inspired him to come to this country. He ardently believes that there is no other such country on the face of the globe.

SOLOMON STUMP. Among the representative and venerable citizens of Elkhart county, and one who is a splendid type of the enterprise, industry and self-reliance of the early Indiana pioneer, it is a pleasure to introduce to the readers of this volume the subject of this sketch. More than half a century ago he braved the dangers, trials and privations of pioneer life in order to establish a home and competency for his growing family, and where now are waving fields of grain then stood the mighty monarch of the forest. He was born in Canada August 26, 1830, being the tenth of thirteen children reared by Daniel and Sally (Smith) Stump, the father having been born in Pennsylvania, May 1, 1790, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, in Elkhart county. His parents, Abraham and Mary (Meekley) Stump reared a family of two daughters and six sons, and at the time of their removal to Canada, Daniel was only fourteen years old He was reared on British soil with his brothers and sisters whose names are as follows: Solomon, David, Samuel, Jacob, Joseph, Lizzie and Susan, he being the second of the family. Upon reaching man's estate he was married, and in 1838 moved to Elkhart county, Ind., making the journey thither by wagon, as did many other Canadian families, and as he had been brought up to a knowledge of farming it was but natural that he should devote his attention to that calling upon taking up his residence in this section. His marriage with Miss Smith resulted in the birth of the following children: John, who is farming in Kosciusko county, has a large family; Mariah, who married Joshua Yoder, who is deceased; Abraham is also deceased; Samuel, deceased; Jacob is living in Nebraska; Daniel, deceased; Susan, Joseph and Benjamin died in Canada; Solomon; Sally, now Mrs. Brown, of Union township; Jonathan; Noah is farming in Noble county. Upon the arrival of the Stump family in this section "they settled on the farm on which the subject of this sketch is residing, and they began energetically to clear the land and break the soil. They erected a log house with a puncheon floor, and they had considerable means upon coming here. The early life here was not marked with as many hardships as usually fall to the lot of the pioneer settler, although they had to put up with many inconveniences and were compelled to labor early and late in order to clear the large amount of land which they owned, which consisted of thirteen eighty acre tracts. The founder of the family in this section paid the last debt of nature on May 7, 1877, having for many years been a bishop of the River Brethren Church, having charge of a circuit at the time of his death. Although Solomon Stump was born and spent the first eight years of his life under the protection of the British lion, he is nevertheless a patriotic son of Uncle Sam, and since becoming a resident of Elkhart county he has identified himself with her every interest and has ever cast his influence on the side of justice and right. He is a public-spirited man, and during the fifty-four years that he has been a resident of this county, naught has ever been said derogatory to his honor. He has witnessed the growth of the country from a primitive wilderness to its present flourishing agricultural condition, and has done his full share in bringing about this most desirable result. He was twenty-six years of age when he was married to Mary Troup, who was a native of the county, born in 1836, and their union resulted in the birth of four children: Ephraim, Sally, Susan and Jesse. Ephraim married Margaret Wiltfong; Sally married Jacob D. Pippenger, and Susan married Chris Umbaught. The mother of these children died November 24, 1883, and for his second wife Mr. Stump took Eliza Borger, July 19, 1885, her birth having occurred in Lancaster county, Penn., April 22, 1837, a daughter of Philip and Saloma (Slussen) Borger, Pennsylvanians, who are both now deceased. Their family consisted of ten children: Netta (deceased), Amelia, Mary, Lydia (deceased), Jacob, Eli, Esther, Eliza, Macine and Caroline. Solomon Stump remained with his father until the death of the latter, when the estate was divided up and eighty acres surrounding the old home fell to his share, each of his other children falling heir to a like amount. He and his worthy wife have ever been observant of all the amenities consistent with their sphere and position in life and have always been noted for their generosity and largeness of heart. Mr. Stump has always been prudent and wisely economical in his manner of living and now is enabled to enjoy the fruits of his early labor and of a life well spent.

EPHRAIM STUMP is the eldest son of Solomon Stump. He was born on the home farm in Elkhart county, Ind., October 2, 1857, where he was reared to manhood and received his education in what is known as the Stump school, which was in the vicinity of his home. He remained with his father until he reached manhood and in 1887 began farming for himself on the place where he now lives, which consists of eighty acres. In 1888 he united his fortunes with those of Margaret Wiltfong who was born in Olive township of this county on September 20, 1864, a daughter of Elias and Anna B. Wiltfong, being the second daughter of the family that consisted of four children: Kate, Margaret, Susan (who died at the age of two years) and Nancy. Soon after their marriage Ephraim Stump and wife began bending their energies to the improvement of their home, and since then he has been reasonably successful as a general farmer. He has a fertile tract of sixty-eight acres under cultivation, and if it is very carefully tilled it will yield as large an income as the general average farms; the rest of his land is covered with timber and is con�sidered valuable. Mr. Stump's union has resulted in the birth of two children: Herman who was born December 26, 1888, and Mary A. born August 12, 1890.

DANIEL BECHTEL (deceased). Among the noble men of Elkhart county, Ind., who fulfilled their destiny and are now no more, may be mentioned Daniel Bechtel, whose walk through life was characterized by the most honorable business methods, by his devotion to his family, and by the interest he took in the welfare of his fellow men. He was the founder of one of the most prominent families in the county, and although the history of this section is filled with the deeds and doings of self-made men, no one in Elkhart county is more deserving the appellation than Mr. Bechtel, for he marked out his own career in youth and steadily followed it up to the time of his death, which occurred in Harrison township, this county, June 16, 1890. He was born in Huntington county, Penn., October 15, 1822, and was the only child born to the union of Henry and Barbara Bechtel. Henry Bechtel's parents were born in Germany, but at an early date crossed the ocean to the "land of the free" and settled in the Keystone State, where Henry was born. The latter was an early pioneer of Huntington county, was highly respected as an upright, honorable citizen, and reared his five children to be esteemed and respected citizens. He was twice married, the mother of our subject dying when the latter was but a child, and Mr. Bechtel became the father of four children by a subsequent marriage. These children are all living, reside in Blair county, Penn., and are named as follows: Susan, Barbara, Mary and John; all are honest, upright citizens. Daniel Bechtel was reared on the old home place in Pennsylvania and there learned habits of industry that remained with him through life. Early taught the duties of the farm, he continued to discharge them on the home place until the age of twenty-one, when he married. Soon after this he emigrated to the Buckeye State, settled in Stark county, and there resided for a year and a half. In 1854 he emigrated to Elkhart county, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land, on which he settled and lived a pioneer life until he succeeded in clearing the land, which was covered with timber. This took years to accomplish, and as he had very little means to start with, he went in debt for the first land he bought. By much hard work and any amount of perseverance he succeeded in clearing his farm and converting it into one of the finest ones in the township. So well did he manage his agricultural affairs that he not only paid off all his indebtedness, but bought more land, and at the time of his death owned a very large estate - over 500 acres - and was worth about $75,000. He remained on the old home place until about 1884, when he moved to one of his other farms near the original tract. His wife is still living and resides on this place. Mr. Bechtel was a man possessed of generous, true-hearted and hospitable instincts, and being kind and sociable in disposition he won numerous friends and rarely lost them. He was very liberal with his means in contributing to enterprises of worth, and being a man of intellect, who kept himself thoroughly posted on the current topics of the day, his wealth was used to a good advantage. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Sarah Neterer, a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford county, October 21, 1821, and the daughter of Jeremiah and Peggie (Rouderbuck) Neterer. Mr. Neterer was a prominent man in Pennsylvania and made a good citizen. The mother was born in the same State and died there when about thirty-five years of age. She was the mother of five living children: Michael, Levi, Samuel, Sarah and Mary. The father was married the second time and two children were born to this union: Elizabeth, and one who died in infancy. Of these children the only ones now living are Mrs. Bechtel and Samuel. The parents of Mrs. Bechtel were born in Bedford county, Penn., the former the son of Jacob Neterer and the latter the daughter of Michael Rouderbuck. Both families were early settlers of that county, very prominent people, and of German descent. Mr. Neterer died in Pennsylvania in 1865, when seventy-six years of age. He had followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, was a member of the Dunkard Church, and in politics a Dem�ocrat. Mrs. Bechtel spent her early life in Pennsylvania and after marriage emigrated to Ohio. Nine children were born to her marriage, six of whom are living: Mary A., who died at the age of fifteen years; Samuel, who died in July, 1887 (see sketch); Henry; Jeremiah; John; David (see sketch of all); Caroline, married Henry Nye and died in 1886, leaving five children; Lonella; Sadie; Amanda; Daniel and Rosa. Sarah married Mr. McDonald and Amanda married Wilson Starbaugh (see sketch). Mrs. Bechtel is now seventy years of age, is an intelligent and well-posted lady, and by her many womanly qualities of mind and heart has won a host of warm friends. Her children are all worthy citizens and classed among the best people of the county. She has attended 130 births in the county, and most of these in the neighborhood where she lives.

Deb Murray