History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Jacob Ritter was born in Ohio in 1806; located in Wayne county, Ind., in 18J 7, and in 1830 came to St Joseph county and settled on Portage Prairie, where he has continued to reside ever since. He was married in Wayne county, Ind., in 1827 to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Montgomery county, Ind., in 1809. He had by this marriage 11 children, 5 boys and 6 girls. Mr. Ritter has held a number of offices of trust and importance in the county, and is a member of the Odd Fellows order in this city.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Alex. Rixa, M. D., was born in Hungaria in 1847; pursued his medical studies in his native land, graduating at the Medical College of Amestroburg in 1871; came to this county in 1875, and for a number of years practiced in the large hospitals of New York and Chicago, and then located in this city, and has had remarkable success in his practice; has had many difficult cases in surgery, which have been highly spoken of by the press of this city. His office is now on the corner of Main and Washington streets. He was married in Chicago in 1880 to Miss Hattie Lemien, who was born in Illinois in 1852.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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John D. Robertson was born in Virginia in 1791; his early life was spent at home on the farm; was taken by his parents to Kentucky in 1795, and the next year they moved to Ohio, where they cleared up and entered Government lands. Mr. Robertson bad but little school advantages; his father being a poor man, he was obliged to work hard and assist in the support of the family. He was married in Ohio in 1813 to Miss Betsy Gogle, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1791; they had 4 children, 3 now living. He came to this county in 1834 and cleared up a farm and engaged wholly in agricultural pursuits; he afterward moved to South Bend and was for many years a Justice of the Peace; was afterward elected one of the Judges of the Sessions, which office he held a number of years. He carne to this county without any means and with little or no education, and has acquired a large property, consisting of over 1,000 acres of choice land, a considerable portion of it being near and in the city limits; and while working during the day to make a home he did not neglect the culture of his mind, and devoted his evenings to hard study; and he is reaping the rich reward of his early industry.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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William Ruckman was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, and is the son of William and Margaret (Colwell), Ruckman, natives also of the same State; his father is of English and his mother of Scotch descent. He came to this State in 1844, locating in this county, where he has since resided. His early life was spent on a farm, which business he continued until he was 35 years of age; dealt in real estate ten years. In 1872 he went into building and "contracting," which he still continues; he has erected most of the principal public and private buildings in South Bend, among which are the county jail, erected in 1861, and the First M. E. church in this city. He also built all the sewers in South Bend, and graded, graveled and paved all the business streets. He was married in Pennsylvania in 1846 to Caroline Silsby, who was born in that State in 1834. They have 4 children now living, William S., Mary, Jennie and Edward. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically, he is a Republican.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Peter E. Rupp, the youngest son of Peter and Helena Rupp, natives of Pennsylvania, was born in the same State in 1829. His early life was spent at school until the age of 19, when he began the study of medicine in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and graduated in 1851. He than began the practice of medicine in Leesville, Ohio, where he remained five years. He then moved to Williams county, Ohio, where he continued the practice of medicine for 14 years. He then came to South Bend, and engaged in the drug trade, and has one of the finest drug stores in the city. In 1876 he also resumed the practice of medicine. His store and office is located at 75 Washington street.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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John C. Sack, M. D., was born in Germany in 1822. He began the study of medicine when 28 years of age, at the Wittemberg Medical College, and graduated in 1855. He came to this country and located in South Bend, Ind., in 1855, and commenced the practice of medicine and surgery, which he still continues. He was married in this city in 1856 to Margaret Koenig, a native at Germany; they have 3 children now living: Anna M., wife of F. M. Miller, of this city; Rosa A. and Thekla E. The Doctor has always enjoyed a large and successful practice.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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John F. Sell, M. D., was born in Ohio, received a liberal education, and at the age of 19 began the study of medicine in Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1872. He located in South Bend in 1879, where he has since continued the practice of medicine and surgery, with fine success. He was married in Ohio in 1875 to Miss Mary J. Keith, who was born in Ohio in 1854. Their 2 children are Minnie and Sarah.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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B. F Shively, editor and proprietor of the South Bend Era, was born near Osceola, this county, in 1857, and was brought up on a farm; at the age of 16 he commenced teaching school during the winters, which he followed for several years, while he worked upon the farm during the summer months. The Industrial Era in South Bend having been suspended in February, 1880, the ensuing month Mr. S. occupied the situation with his present paper, a further notice of which is given elsewhere. Mr. S's father, Joel, was born in Stark county, O., of German ancestry, and his mother, Elizabeth, nee Penrod, was a native of Somerset county, Pa., of English ancestry; in 1855 they settled near Osceola, where they now reside.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Alexander T. Stephenson was born in North Carolina in 1813; at 17 years of age he emigrated to Henry county, Ind., where he lived ten years, teaming and farming. He then moved to Grant county, Maine, where he remained several years; he then returned to this State and located in South Bend in 1838, and engaged in packing pork and the grocery business, which he continued some time. He was married in this city in 1839 to Miss Priscilla King, who was born in Ohio in 1823. He has as the result of this marriage 5 children now living. In 1840 he removed to Wabash county, this State, where he resided 13 years, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1856 he returned to this city and has since resided here. For a number of years he followed buying and shipping stock. In 1868 he engaged in the manufacture and sale of pumps, gas-fitting and plumbing, in connection with his sons, the firm being "A. T. Stephenson & Sons." Mr. Stephenson is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Rev. Michael W. Steffey was born in York county, Pa., April 27,1821, and is a son of Jacob N. Steffey, also a native of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated at Manchester College. He took a theological course in the conference of the German Evangelical Association. He entered the ministry in that denomination in 1852, and has been in active service ever since. He was Pastor of the Church at Dayton, O., Fort Wayne, Ind., and other large places. He organized the first class of that faith in South Bend, and also organized the Ft. Wayne Church. He was Presiding Elder of the following districts, for four years each : Wabash, South Bend, Ft. Wayne and Elkhart. He became Pastor of the Church at Elkhart in 1872, which charge he now has. His labors have been very successful. He was married in 1843 to Miss Anna Fisher, by whom he has had 13 children; 7 of these are living, viz.: Martin L., Sarah J., Alice, Josiah H., Gideon W., Milton M. and Ida May. Five are married, and the two youngest, Milton and Ida, remain at home.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Sarah F. Stockwell, M. D., is the daughter of James and Sarah Kocher, natives of Pennsylvania, her father of French and her mother of Welsh descent. She was born in Lagrange county, Ind., Nov. 11, 1841; received a liberal education and afterward she entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and graduated in 1876. She commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Buchanan, Mich., where she remained a short time; she then removed to this city and commenced the practice of her profession here. Her office is at No. 61 Washington street, and she has an extensive patronage. She was married in 1857 to James Stockwell, of Lagrange county, this State. They have 2 children, Adelbert, born Feb. 28, 1859, and Lillian S., born Sept. 6, 1861.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Clement Studebaker, Presidept of the Studebaker Manufacturing Company, is a son of John and Rebecca (Mohler) Studebaker, natives of Pennsylvania; his father was born in Adams county in that State, and moved to South Bend in 1851.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Henry Studebaker, the eldest son of John Studebaker, and brother of the preceding, was born in Pennsylvania in 1826. He moved with his parents to Ohio when nine years of age, where he spent his early life, working most of the time with his father in the blacksmith shop. His schooling consisted of a few months' attendance at the district school in the winter. In 1852 he came to Indiana with his father, locating in South Bend. His father engaged in blacksmithing and wagon-making, and continued this business here for many years. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of five brothers, and was the founder of the now celebrated "Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Company," who have the largest wagon and carriage manufactory in the world. He was connected with this institution for about seven years, when his health failed him and he was obliged to withdraw from the company. He then purchased a farm near South Bend, and has since been engaged in farming, having one of the best farms in the tp. He was married in this county in 1853 to Miss Susan, daughter of Samuel Studebaker, who was one of the first settlers on the St. Joseph river. She died June 8, 1871. They had 6 children by this marriage. In 1873 he was married to Miss Precilla Gresbaum, of Elkhart county, Ind. They have 3 children. Mr. S. is a self-made man. His father, being a poor man, could not give his children the advantages of an education, and the only legacy he left them was a thorough schooling in the blacksmith trade, and, when they started in business, gave them a set of blacksmith's tools. With this small beginning Henry Studebaker began life, and by strict attention to business, and untiring efforts, he laid the foundation for the mammoth Studebaker shops that are now the largest of the kind in the world. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never taken an active part in political affairs.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Peter E. Studebaker, of the firm of Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., wagon and carriage manufacturers of South Bend, Ind., is a native of Ashland, Ohio, and was born April J, 1836; was educated as a merchant. He came to South Bend in 1852, and clerked for a considerable time at fifteen dollars per month, boarding himself. When by dint of great economy he had saved one hundred dollars, he began merchandising as a peddlar. This he continued until his marriage, in 1856, when he went to Goshen and entered into partnership as a merchant with his brother-in-law, P. A. Welch. In 1860 he left that line of business and began handling wagons in Goshen for his brothers, and also dealing; in horses. Being quite successful in introducing the Studebaker wagon, and pushing its acquaintance among the farmers in that section of Indiana, overtures were made to Mr. Studebaker by his brothers, then the makers of the wagon, Clement Studebaker and J. M. Studebaker, to join them. These were accepted by him, and he became an equal partner with his brothers named in the business. This partnership was consummated in 1864, and in January, 1865, he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and opened at that point a branch, which proved a very important move for the firm, St. Joseph at that time being the great outfitting town for the mines and the far West. The foothold then obtained enabled the company to extend its trade into all the States and Territories of the West and Southwest. Mr. Studebaker returned from St. Joseph in 1872, and has since then filled the position of treasurer of the company in the home office.

Mr. Studebaker was first married in October, 1856, to Miss Dora Handley, a native of Ohio, brought up as an adopted daughter of Dr. Chase, of Cincinnati. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her death occurred in 1865, in South Bend, making motherless 3 children: Wilbur F., born in 1857; Mary R., 1860, and Dora L., 1863. The two former were born in Goshen, the latter in South Bend. In 1866 Mr. Studebaker married Mrs. Alice W. Mitchell, widow of Caleb B. Mitchell, a native of White Pigeon, Mich., and a daughter of Mr. Woodbury, of the State of New York. She was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and died in 1869. In 1872 the subject of this sketch married Mrs. Mary L. Guthrie, of South Bend, a native of Logansport, Ind., daughter of Judge Charles Ewing. Mrs. Studebaker is also a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

The Presidential campaign of 1880 was regarded by Mr. Studebaker as an important one, involving the business interests and general prosperity of the country, and he therefore took earnest hold of the cause in favor of the election of the Republican nominees. He wrote for the press and delivered public addresses. One of his speeches, delivered especially to working men, in South Bend, about the middle of September, was copied by both Western and Eastern newspapers, and was widely circulated as a campaign document, no doubt assisting materially in bringing about the general awakening of business men everywhere in the country, especially noticeable toward the last of the campaign, and which resulted in the success of the Republican ticket.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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George W. Sumption was born in this county Feb. 20, 1832, the youngest son of George and Elizabeth (Rush) Sumption, the former a native of Lexington, Ky., and the latter of Somerset county, Pa.; has resided here all his life, and is now the oldest native resident of the county. He has therefore experienced all the phases of pioneer life elsewhere described in this volume. He was brought up in farm life, but ever since he was 22 years of age he has been a merchant and salesman. He followed merchandising in South Bend for several years; was salesman for a wholesale house in New York for a time, and for the last 16 years he has been salesman for the Studebakers. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been City Assessor, Deputy Sheriff, etc. He has voted at every election since he became of age. June 23, 1853, he married Sarah Jane Throckmorton, a native of Ohio. She died Sept. 26, 1863, in this county, leaving 3 children: Albert, born April 13, 1854; Martha, Jan. 23, 1856; and Bion, Feb. 1, 1858, all living, the two sons married and residing in South Bend. Jan. 24, 1865, Mr. S. married Miss Lizzie, daughter of Miranda and Jane Peck, a native of Ohio, and the children by this marriage are now 2 in number, Orrie and Harry.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Alexander N. Thomas was born in Pennsylvania in 1839 and came to this county in 1854. He is the son of Fred and Ann Thomas, natives of Pennsylvania. His early life was spent on the farm at home, attending school during the winter months. At the time of the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, he was attending the Northern Indiana College, then located in this city. In 1862 he enlisted in the 73d Ind. Vol. Inf., and was taken prisoner while on a raid and confined in Libby prison one year; was taken from there to Macon, Georgia, and then to Columbus, where he succeeded in making his escape and joined Sherman's forces in the rear of Savannah. After his return from the army he kept a grocery for a short time. In the fall of 1867 he was elected County Recorder, which position he held for two terms of four years each. He was Councilman for two years, and in 1876 was elected Mayor of South Bend, which office he held for two years. He was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1876, and has since been engaged in the practice of law and general insurance business. Mr. Thomas has taken a deep interest in the Sunday-schools of South Bend, and has been identified with every movement in their behalf. He is one of the Elders of the Disciple Church in this city, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with that denomination.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Elliott Tutt was born April 7, 1812, in Culpepper county, Va., son of Charles M. and Joanah (Royston) Tutt, the former a native of Spottsylvania county, Va., born June 15,1779, and died May 4, 1825; the latter was born in Caroline county, Va., Aug. 17, 1778, and died in 1814. Mr. Elliott Tutt came to South Bend in October, 1832, with a sister (Mrs. Lewis) and several brothers, mentioned on former pages. Having been a resident here ever since his immigration here, he must be counted among the oldest resident pioneers. In his younger days he learned the tanner's trade, which, as well as farming, he prosecuted for a number of years, his farm being just east of the river. He has held the office of Township Trustee for 20 years, that of School Trustee several years, and has been a member of the City Council. March 4, 1852, he was married by Rev. John L. Smith to Mrs. Sarah M. Monson, widow of Albert Monson and daughter of Samuel C. Sample, so well known in the history of this county, and their children are: Mary Howard, who died Feb. 22, 1854; Mary Katharine; Elizabeth Elliott, who died Sept. 15, 1860; Lucy Howard and Lillian Lewis. The second of these married Charles H. Fowler, and had 2 children, now deceased. Mr. Fowler also died, and she subsequently married Wm. H. Lewis, at Indianapolis. Mr. Monson's children were Anna Rose, Walter Sample and Ella Albert; the latter died at the age of 8 years, and the two former are married. Mrs. Tutt was born in Connersville, this State, her parents having moved there from Maryland in May, 1824. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Politically, Mr. Tutt is a Republican, and is a leading citizen, comfortably situated in the southern suburbs of the city of South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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F. R. Tutt, brother of the above, is also one of the early settlers of South Bend. He was born in Virginia, July 25, 1810. He remained at home and worked on the farm up to the time of his father's death, which occurred when he was 14 years of age. He was then apprenticed by his guardian to a saddler, where he worked seven years. Having a dislike for the institutions of slavery, at the age of 21 he determined to remove to a free State, and went to Columbus, Ohio, where he opened a shop and worked at his trade for a short time. He then sold out, purchased a pony and started West on horseback, passing through Indianapolis, Logansport and Lafayette, then small villages, and reached the city of South Bend in the spring of 1832, where he located. In the fall of the same year, he returned to Ohio for his family. South Bend, at this time, was in its infancy, and Mr. Tutt took an active part in the improvement and building up of the young town. He opened, and operated for two years, the first harness and saddle store in the place. In 1834 he was elected the first Assessor of the tp., which office he held one term. He was then elected Justice of the Peace for two terms of seven years each, and one term of four years. While acting as Justice he began the study of law, and resigning his office during the third term, he engaged in the active practice of law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1850, and has been engaged in active practice since. Mr. Tutt is a self-made man; he began life without money, and with but little education, and by persistent efforts has acquired a large property and is a man of culture and refinement. He married Miss Martha, daughter of Obadiah and Grace (Cox) Hackney, and they have 3 children: Alice B., wife of Dr. Windle, of Des Moines, Ia.; Charles H. and Grace. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a strong adherent of the Republican party.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Thomas R. Tutt, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Virginia in 1814. He came to Indiana in 1834, locating in this county. He was married in this county in 1837 to Miss Mary Hardy, who was born in Virginia in 1820, and they have 9 children. He is a member of the First M. E. Church in this city, and has a fine farm near the city limits.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Israel Underwood, M. D., was born in Wayne county, Ind., in 1819. He is the son of John and Mary Underwood, natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this county in 1868, and located in South Bend in 1873. He began the study of medicine when 30 years of age, graduated at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati in 1853, and commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in La Porte county, this State, in 1854. The Doctor has a large practice in this city, and is one of the leading physicians of the place. He was married in La Porte county, Ind., in 1854, to Catherine, daughter of William and Patience Frederickson. They have one daughter, Clara L., wife of Frank P. Sturges, of Colorado. Mrs. Underwood is a graduate of a medical college in Philadelphia, and is also engaged in the practice of medicine. The Doctor and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is also a Freemason.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Martin L. Wenger was born in Lebanon, Pa., in 1820, and is the son of .Martin and Elizabeth Wenger, natives of that State. His early life was spent on a farm, receiving such education as the common schools of that day afforded. He located in this county in l84l, and for four years was engaged in threshing grain, running eight machines. He then bought a piece of timbered land and cleared up a farm of 160 acres. He lived on this farm for three years and then moved to the farm he now occupies, on sec. 13, Portage tp. He began his married life in a one story frame house 16x18, where the first three years were spent. His present farm consists of l60 acres, upon which he has built a fine residence, at a cost of about $8,000. He was married Feb. 18, 1845, to Miss Christina, daughter of Samuel Studebaker. She was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1824. 8he came to this State with her parents in 1831. Her father entered and settled on the farm where she now lives. The first saw-mill in the county was erected by her father on what was then known as the "Studebaker creek." They have two children living: Mary Etta and Charles M. They are members of the German Baptist Church.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Alfred Wheeler, third son of Thomas and Eunice (Williams) Wheeler, was born in the town of Ridgeway, Orleans county, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1874. He came with his father and family to Quincy, Mich., in 1835, and in 1836 they moved to Bristol, Ind. In 1840 he left home, carne to South Bend and entered the Free Press printing office as an apprentice. In the fall of 1843 he left on a "tramp," and from that time until the fall of 1857 resided in various places in the Northern and Southern States, engaged in various pursuits, such as fancy, chance or necessity dictated. In the fall of 1851 he returned to South Bend, and from that time until the fall of 1865 he was connected with the St. Joseph Valley Register, first as pressman and compositor, then as foreman, and afterward as associate editor and business partner with Hon. Schuyler Colfax, and then as editor and business partner with Alfred Hall. From 1867 to 1875 he held the office of County Auditor, elected on the Republican ticket; first term by 820 majority, second term by 1,010 majority; at each election polling many more votes than his party strength. In 1876 he became a stock-holder in the South Bend Tribune Printing Company, and for a time acted as treasurer and bookkeeper, but failing health soon compelled his retirement from active service. He was married at Bloomington, Ind., April 24, 1849, to Elizabeth Ruth Garrison, by whom he has had 8 children; 7 of these are now living: 1, Charles Robert, married and living in Oregon; 2, Agnes Irene; 3, Frederick, married and living in Kansas; 4, Ada Inez, deceased; 5, Richard Alfred; 6, Eunice Evelyn; 7, Almon; 8, Brent Marshall. Mr. Wheeler is one of the enterprising, leading men of South Bend, and one of the prominent leaders of the Republican party in St. Joseph county.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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Orlando S. Witherell was born in Washington county, N. Y., April, 1824; in 1830 he went with his parents to Auburn, N. Y., where he resided until 1842; he then went to Boston, where he resided three years, when he returned to Auburn and remained until 1850 ; then he removed to Owego, Tioga Co., and in 1855 came to South Bend, where he has since resided. He followed mercantile business for a time, and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1855, and in 1861 was appointed U. S. Paymaster, which position he held until November, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service. In 1867 he resumed the practice of law, in which business he has since been engaged. He held the office of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1868 to 1872, and acted as City Attorney from 1868 to 1870. Mr. Witherell has always taken an active part in political affairs, and has been a life-long Republican. He was married in the State of New York Oct. 30, 1847, to Mary D. Green, daughter of John H. Green, Esq.; she was born in New York in 1828. They have one daughter, Emma, wife of Dr. G. F. Nevins, of this city.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Chicago, 1880
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