GEORGE H. RIDDELL. Few western cities of Indiana are more highly favored in respect to grocery establishments - in size, purity and general excellence of stock, etc. - than South Bend. Among the leading wholesale grocery establishments of this city is that of Riddell & Riddell, which for the extent of its trade, the variety of its stock and the superiority of its goods, is entitled to more than ordinary prominence and recognition. Mr. George H. Riddell was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., July 23, 1856, and is a son of Robert and M. Jennie (Beckwith) Riddell, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, born in 1810, and the latter of York, England, born in 1812. The father came to the United States in 1833, settled in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and was there engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. He was also actively engaged in farming and the real estate business, and became quite wealthy. He died in St. Lawrence county in 1889, following to the grave his wife who died in that county in 1881. They were the parents of seven children, of whom George H. Riddell was the youngest. He remained and assisted his father on the farm until ten years of age, and supplemented a common education, received in the district schools, by attending the high schools of Hammond, N. Y. When eighteen years of age he went to Manchester, Iowa, and for four years was clerk in his brother's store. In 1879 he engaged in general merchandising at Newell, Iowa, continued there for five years, or until 1884, when he came to La Porte, Ind., and for three years was engaged in the dry goods business under the firm name of Alexander & Riddell. In 1887 he came to South Bend and engaged in the wholesale grocery business under the firm name of D. W. Russ & Co., thus continuing until 1891, when Mr. Russ died of consumption. Dwight W. Russ was one of the most successful and prominent wholesale grocers in South Bend, and was a man highly respected for his upright, honorable career. He was born in Indiana about 1839 and came to South Bend, from La Porte, Ind., early in the sixties. He had lived a long time at La Porte, and began there in the grocery business, in which he continued up to the time of his death. He was first in business here under the firm name of Russ & Deal, and in after years the late Will Foote was associated with him in a storeroom just south of the Studebaker Carriage Works office. In 1885 he began in the wholesale grocery business on South Michigan street, nearly opposite his retail establishment, and two years later George H. Riddell became associated with him in the business, and is still with the firm. Mr. Russ left a wife and one daughter, the latter, Mrs. W. W. Worden, of this city. On account of failing health he had gone to New Mexico, but died there of consumption in March, 1891. His surviving brothers and sisters are: S. A. Russ, of this city; Eugene Russ, Three Oaks, Mich.; Mrs. Robert Kern, Kansas City; Mrs. William Austin, Nashville, Ran.; Chauncey, a half brother, at Hope, Dak, and Mrs. A. W. Calbreth, a half sister, at Rolling Prairie. Mr. Ross was a member of the Christian Church. He was one of the most active and successful business men. He had been in failing health for several years, but did not retire from active business until November, 1890, when his health required it. Since his death Mr. Riddell has continued the business under the firm name of Riddell & Riddell, and is doing a very extensive business, buying direct from the manufacturers. He was married in 1882 to Miss Alta M. Roe, of Chicago, but a native of La Porte, Ind. One child has blessed this union, James D. R. Politically Mr. Riddell is a Republican, and in religion he is identified with the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the leading business men of the city.

“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


LOUIS H. VAN DINTER, Mishawaka, Ind. The Van Dinter Pipe Organ Factory is the only pipe organ factory in the State of Indiana, and is well known, having built some of the largest organs in the West Mr. Van Dinter has a high reputation in his profession. He is from Holland ancestry, his father having been a noted organ builder in Holland, and the family of his mother were organ builders who resided many years in the town of Weert, Limburg, Holland. The maternal ancestor of our subject, Hubert Ver Meulen, was an old organ builder in Holland, having inherited his business from his father. The grandfather built as many as fifty large and fine organs in Holland, was famous in his day and was renowned for his skill and workmanship, and organs of his make are still in use in many Holland churches at the present time. Many of these instruments are more than a century old. Mr. Van Dinter has the drawings of the front of an organ, built by his grandfather which shows a great amount of ornamentation. The grandfather lived to be eighty years of age, was a land owner and a member of the Catholic Church. Mathew H. Van Dinter, the father of our subject, was born December 25, 1821, and was well educated, speaking three languages: Dutch, French and German. He partly learned the trade of organ builder from his father, whose name was Francis Van Dinter, of Limburg, Holland, the family being a noble and wealthy one of that province. He was ruined by the Napoleon wars and thus became a repairer, and a tuner of organs. Mathew H. Van Dinter, his son, further learned the trade of manufacturing organs, of Hubert Ver Meulen, afterward married his daughter, Elizabeth, and as his father-in-law had no son, remained with him many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Dinter were born six children: Louis H., Frank, John, Charles, Alphonso and Theresa. In 1871 Mr. Van Dinter came to America and located in Detroit, where he began the manufacture of organs, being the first one engaged in that business in that city. Here he continued five years and then sold out to his son, Louis, and retired from business, still living in Detroit, where he is a devout member of the Catholic Church and a much respected citizen. Louis Van Dinter, son of the above and our subject, was born in the town of Weert, Holland, February 20, 1851, received a good education, speaking, reading and writing four languages, these being Dutch, German, French and English. He learned from his father and grandfather the principles of his business and became a skillful workman. In 1870 he came to America, a young man of twenty, and engaged in work in the organ factory of Henry Erban, a noted organ manufacturer, and thus gained many new ideas and saw how organs could be differently built. Six months later he came to Detroit and engaged in the tuning and repairing of organs. His father came the year after, with his family and together they began the manufacture of organs on their own account. After five years, Mr. Van Dinter bought his father out and remained in Detroit until 1877, when he came to Mishawaka and established his business. He had previously built the organ in the Presbyterian Church and the one in the Cath¬olic Church of that city and has since done a successful business, gaining a high reputation in the manufacturing of pipe organs. Mr. Van Dinter gives every organ his personal attention, especially the voicing being all done by himself, and his long experience, his skillful and artistic work enable him to command a good price. He has a fine record, having built more than fifty large organs, those at the following places testifying to his ability: St. Mary's Church, Fort Wayne, Ind., at a cost of $6,000; St. John's Baptist Church, at Joliet, Ill., at a cost of $5.000; St. Peter's Cathedral at Marquette, Mich., at an expense of $4,000; St. Vincent's at Elkhart, Ind.; St. Peter's at La Porte; St. Joseph's at Mishawaka, Ind.; St. Albert's at Detroit, Mich.; Sacred Heart, at Detroit; Our Lady of Help, at Detroit; St. John's at Jackson, Mich.; Sacred Heart, at Hudson, Mich.; St. Mary's at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.; Immaculate Conception, at Niles, Mich.; Holy Cross, at Marine City, Mich.; Church of the Immaculate Conception, at Louisville, Ky.; St. Catherine's Church at New Haven, Ky., and St. Francis, at Hollandtown, Wis. His work is in a great measure for the Catholic Churches, but he does much also in Protestant Churches, his contracts being as many as he is able to fill. He manufactures every part of an organ except the metal pipes, using the best of material. He is much respected in Mishawaka and the citizens recognize their indebtedness to him for introducing a new industry in their midst. He has accumulated a handsome property, his real estate in Detroit being valued at $15,000, while his residence and a house and lot on Fourth street, in Mishawaka are valued at $5,000; besides he is owner of his extensive factory buildings. In 1874 Mr. Van Dinter married Mary, only daughter of Francis and Virginia (Matyn) Pletz. Mr. Pletz was born in Belgium, married there and came to America in 1856. He was a merchant tailor in Detroit and a successful business man and now is living with Mr. Van Dinter. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Dinter were born the following children: Mamie, Louis Jr., Charlotte (who died at the age of eight years), Rose, Theophilus, Josephine, Elizabeth and John. Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Dinter are members of the Catholic Church. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and is one of the best citizens of Mishawaka, esteemed by every one and recognized as an artist in his profession.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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CLEM STUDEBAKER, South Bend, Ind. The manufacture of wagons and carriages is carried on to some extent in almost every village and hamlet in this country. In some cities there are plants of great magnitude which produce enormous numbers of vehicles, but there is but one Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Company. Their buildings have double the extent of any other works of the kind in the world, and there is no other concern in existence which has such splendid facilities for the production and sale of buggies, carriages and wagons. Clem Studebaker was born in Adams county, Penn., March 12, 1831, about six miles east of the locality afterward famous in history as the Gettysburg battle field. When four years old, the family emigrated to Ashland county, Ohio, which was before the days of railroads, and they crossed the Alleghany Mountains in a wagon built by John Studebaker, the father. The subject of this sketch passed his youthful days in and near Ashland, where the father followed the calling of a blacksmith and wagon maker, and in the primitive Studebaker shop of that day he taught his sons to make wagons and to make them the best. In 1850 Clem Studebaker removed to South Bend, Ind., where he taught a country school during the winter of 1850-1. In the spring of the latter year he found employment in the blacksmith department of the works at South Bend for the manufacture of threshing machines, receiving his board and 50 cents a day as wages. He reached the town with a cash capital of $2, but by careful saving, in February, 1852, he was enabled to start in business for himself with his elder brother, Henry, as a partner. They began blacksmithing on Michigan street, immediately north of the present post office, and their account of stock embraced two sets of blacksmith tools, and cash to the amount of $68. Here they shod horses, did general repair work and at off hours managed during the year to build two Studebaker wagons. They bought their iron and other materials of local dealers, and there are residents in South Bend who well remember seeing these ambitious workers blowing the bellows, plying the hammer at the anvil, carrying supplies of iron from the hardware store to their blacksmith shop, and, in general, performing every task, however, laborious or menial, for the operation of their business. The present great Studebaker factories in South Bend, the works and repository in Chicago, and branches in various cities of the Union, are the outgrowth from the little Michigan street blacksmith shop in which work was first begun a little over forty years ago. Like the tall oak this giant grew from a little seed. In the main office of the works may be seen an oil painting which with great vividness portrays a log shop, while a board sign on the shop reads "John Studebaker, blacksmith." The energy of the members of the firm brought them success and notwithstanding that their works were twice destroyed by fire they prospered. The name of Studebaker Bros. in connection with the manufacture of wagons and carriages has been heralded throughout the civilized world, and yet comparatively few persons have any conception of the magnitude of the institution. The plant occupied by the wagon manufacturing interest covers eighty acres of ground, the flooring capacity of the building proper measuring thirty-four acres. The mere frontage of the factory buildings on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and on Lafayette and Tutt streets, makes an unbroken line of half a mile in length, although many of the most considerable factory buildings are not included in this frontage. The buildings are of brick, mostly four stories in height, and add greatly to the architectural beauty of the southern part of the city. The wagon works include the old plant, which has been in use for years, together with additions more or less extensive made each year since. In the various departments may be seen nearly 700 machines of different kinds which are running by power furnished by engines, two of them aggregating 700 horse-power, and two batteries of boilers of 1,000 horse-power, under which is burned crude oil with steam jet, and the refuse matter from the wood shops which is carried in by air blast. In a walk through the various shops the visitor may see welding by electricity; a trip-hammer department, where forgings of all kinds are made. There is a plumbing department, a pattern shop, and a room where such plating as they need in gold, silver, or nickel is done. At one end of the room is the steel skein works, where the Studebaker patent steel skein is produced in enormous quantities, both for their own use and for the trade. In the wood shops may be seen enormous stocks of wood in all stages of preparation for use in a wagon, and the lumber yards contain the largest stock of hard wood lumber of all kinds in the country. All the wood is thoroughly seasoned from two to four years. Many special machines may be seen in the various departments, which do the work of hundreds of hands. Iron is secured from the great manufacturing districts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the average amount used being some twenty tons daily. From two to four thousand pounds of steel are daily used in the different departments which require this article. The electric light plant consists of one large engine of 250-horse power, and six dynamos, two for welding and four supplying the current to 200 Thompson-Houston 2,000 candle power arc lights. In addition there is a dynamo for supplying the machine shops and offices with 250 sixteen-candle power incandescent lights. Electricity is also the silent monitor of the watchman's faithfulness, and the fireman's activity. The company has a thoroughly organized fire brigade of its own, consisting of thirty or forty men, who are regularly drilled in their work. A number of the fire brigade sleep in the hose house, and the men can get a stream of water on a fire in three minutes at any hour of the day or night. They have numerous other plants besides those mentioned, all of which are supplied with the very latest and most approved machinery. This mammoth establishment gives employment to about 1,500 men. Besides their South Bend works they have a factory and repository at Nos. 203, 204, 205 and 206 Michigan avenue, Chicago, where they employ a battery of boilers of 1,000-horse power, an engine of 100-horse power, a 45-arc light dynamo, and 125 incandescent lights. In consequence of the eminent success achieved by the brothers, a personal mention will not be out of place. They are men who exercise cool and deliberate judgment, tempered with sterling sense, and are industrious and keenly observant. They have the faculty while making the rounds of the works to take in the full scope and intent of everything over which their eyes have range. They are forward and liberal in giving aid to public enterprises, and in the support of churches, charities and other agencies for good. Many of the most attractive buildings in the city have been erected by them. Their sales are made in every State and Territory of the Union as well as in many foreign countries, and the company has 1,500 agencies and a large force of traveling men. The officers are Clem Studebaker, president, who has held the office since its organization as a stock concern in 1868; J. M. Studebaker, vice-president; R. E. Studebaker, second vice-president and treasurer (in charge of the Chicago house), and George M. Studebaker, secretary. Clem Studebaker has filled many positions of trust, usefulness and honor, public and private, and has for many years been a member of the New York book concern of the Meth¬odist Episcopal Church, to the general conference of which church he has twice been a lay delegate. He has twice been a delegate in national Republican conventions. He was a United States commissioner for Indiana to the Paris Exposition; to the New Orleans Exposition, and is now president of the Indiana Board of World's Fair Managers. He has been president of the Carriage Builders' National Association and a member of that body since its organization, and was one of the ten delegates; appointed by President Harrison to represent the United States in the Pan-American Congress at Washington during the winter of 1889-90. He is also a member of the board of trustees in De Pauw University of Indiana, and a member of the board of managers of Chautauqua. When it is further remembered that he gives constant oversight and direction to the home office of the Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Co. of South Bend, and to the general affairs of the company, it will be seen that he furnishes another illustration of the fact that the men who are busiest in the conduct of their private affairs. are those who can best be depended upon to find leisure for important work claiming the attention of the patriot and philanthropist.

“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


WILLIAM N. SCHINDLER is the principal owner of the St. Joseph Mills, is a thorough master of his calling and is in every respect one of the substantial citizens of Mishawaka. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 20, 1857, his father being Andrew Schindler (see sketch of John J. Schindler). He received an excellent education in his youth, first attending the common schools, then St. Frances Seminary near Milwaukee, Wis. When about fifteen years of age he came to Mishawaka, and when about nineteen years of age he began learning the miller's trade under his uncles, Kuhn Bros., who built the St. Joseph Mills, in 1861. On July 5, 1883, he embarked in the milling business with his brother John J., becoming the joint owners of the St. Joseph Mills, since which time they have greatly improved it by putting in the improved roller process as well as other valuable machinery. By industry and attention to business this firm prospered, and although they began with a heavy indebtedness, this has been paid off and they are now doing a business which is in every way satisfactory to them and their numerous patrons. The mill has a fine water power, being so situated that it has an eight-foot fall, which renders it one of the best mill properties in northern Indiana, and in the hands of its energetic manager it will develop to its fullest extent. January 8, 1889, Mr. Schindler took for his wife Miss Marie A. Echtering, daughter of Clement Echtering, of Hanover, Germany, she being a sister of Rev. Father J. H. Echtering, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. Mr. Schindler has always been a Republican up to the Harrison administration, when for several conscientious reasons he went over to the Democratic party. He has always been a devout member of the Catholic Church. He is secretary of the building committee of the new St. Joseph Catholic Church and handles all the funds and makes all disbursements. The church has been in process of erection for the past two years and will cost $36,000 exclusive of the windows and furniture. The whole cost will amount to about $50,000, and will, when finished, be the finest building of the kind in the northern part of the State. This structure will be a credit to the building committee and to the Catholic people of Mishawaka. Its appearance is most tasteful and picturesque and a fine tower rising gracefully to a grand height is well proportioned and presents a beautiful appearance. Mr. Schindler is one of the most wide-awake, enterprising and successful business men of St. Joseph county, and throughout a long business career his good name has never been assailed. Mr. Schindler, besides being interested in the St. Joseph Milling Company, of which he is president and treasurer, is also interested in several other enterprises throughout the State which are all bringing him handsome returns. He is well liked by all people who have the pleasure of making his acquaintance, either socially or in business, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens.

“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


HENRY D. HIGGINS, Mishawaka, Ind. Our subject is one of the old settlers of Mishawaka, who was born on a farm in Onondaga county, N. Y., March 15, 1822. His father, William Higgins, was born in New Haven, Conn., and descended from one of three brothers who came to America in old colonial days, from England, and settled in Connecticut, one of the three selecting Massachusetts as his location, and the other the State of Maine. Darius Higgins, grandfather of our subject, was a painter by trade, and passed all of his life in New Haven. His son, William, was taken to the State of New York by one of his uncles, was there reared, but received very limited schooling. He learned the trade of wagon making, and also was practically taught farming. He married Hannah Willard, a widow, who had been a Miss Avery, of Onondago county, N. Y., and they were the parents of six children, as follows: Perleyette, Delphina, Henry D., Lucy, Phoebe and Maria. Mr. Higgins owned a small farm in Onondaga county, and here passed all of his life, having served his country in the War of 1812. Politically he was a Democrat at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-four years, but he had formerly been an old line Whig. He was an honorable, industrious man, much respected. Henry D. Higgins, son of the above, and our subject, received a common school education and learned the trade of carpenter. He went to Oswego county, N. Y., and there married Nancy Barnes, daughter of Charles and Susan (Spofford) Barnes. Charles Barnes was a farmer, owning his land, and passed all of his days upon his farm, living to the age of sixty-nine years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His family consisted of the following children: Sophia, Ann and Everett. Two weeks after marriage, in 1846, Mr. Higgins moved to Mishawaka and engaged in the painting business, doing all branches of it, as houses, signs, carriages, etc. He then opened up in the jewelry business, and was one of the first in this line in Mishawaka, so continuing for many years, until failing health forced him to retire from active life. For fifteen years he drove a jewelry wagon throughout the county and sold jewelry, clocks, etc. Socially, Mr. Higgins is a member of I. O. O. F. Mrs. Higgins was a member of the Methodist Church, but her death occurred in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Higgins were born three children, Sarah; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Susie. Mr. Higgins has always been a respected and industrious citizen, and has accumulated a substantial property. He owns his residence and also land in Charlevoix county, Mich. He has always attended strictly to his own business, and by thrift and industry has made his property. His daughters are happily married and settled, Sarah marrying Joseph De Lovinger, a jeweler, has three children and resides in Mishawaka, and Susie married Martin V. Beiger, president of the Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Company. Mr. Higgins is a stanch Republican, was a strong anti-slavery man, and a Union man during the late war. He has been shown great confidence in his lodge, having held the offices of noble grand, secretary and treasurer, besides holding the minor offices. He is a temperance man also, and is a member of the organization of Sons of Temperance.

“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. C. A. DAUGHERTY. Perhaps no member of the medical fraternity in South Bend enjoys a more extensive practice or is more widely known than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He has built up a large practice by steady devotion to duty and the constant exercise of energy and judgment. He was born in Worcester, Wayne Co., Ohio, November 23, 1850, but his parents, James and Ann E. (Stauffer) Daugherty, were Pennsylvanians. The family is of German and Irish stock, and the first of the family to come to America, settled in “Penn's Woodland.” The parents of the subject of this sketch were united in marriage in Wayne county, Ohio, but removed from there to Defiance, Ohio, and in 1861 took up their residence in St. Joseph county, Ind., where they have since resided. The father has efficiently filled the office of county sheriff, and is now in a like manner discharging the duties of county commissioner. He has a fine farm and a comfortable home in Pennsylvania township, where he reared three of the nine children born to him. Dr. C. A. Daugherty was fourteen years of age when he came to this county with his father and mother. He was first given the advantages of the public schools in the vicinity of his rural home, but afterward became a high-school pupil at Mishawaka and later a college student at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich. He assisted his father on the home farm until he began the study of medicine at the age of twenty -one years, and in 1873 he graduated from the Bennett Eclectic Medical College of Chicago. Immediately thereafter he located at Lakeville, Ind., for the practice of his profession, and during the four years that he remained there he acquired a good practice. He then entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, from which he was graduated in 1879, locating immediately thereafter in South Bend, where he has been practicing continuously ever since, with the exception of a part of one year which was spent in traveling through Europe. While in Vienna he studied some special branches of his profession, his trip abroad being for this purpose, as well as sight-seeing, and he has since made a specialty of surgery, in which he is extremely proficient and skillful. Dr. Daugherty has built up a large and lucrative practice and has a handsome and finely furnished office in the Oliver Block. He is surgeon for the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad, the Vandalia Railroad and the Michigan Central. He was elected president of the city school board in 1883, and has held this office continuously ever since, having a short time since been elected for a term of three years. Politically he is a Democrat and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F. He was married in Lakeville, Ind., in May, 1874, to Miss Julia Clay, by whom he has two children: Maud E., aged fourteen years and Helen F., aged one year. Mrs. Daugherty is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

“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


JOHN McMICHAEL, of Mishawaka, has long been retired from the active duties of life and is in the enjoyment of the respect of the community wherein he has long resided. He is a native of Northumberland county, Penn., where he was born September 10, 1813, a son of John and Mary (McFee) McMichael, who were also Pennsylvanians and of Scotch-Irish descent. The grandfather, Alexander McMichael, crossed the ocean and settled in Pennsylvania, where he became a member of the continental army and participated in the Revolutionary war. Two members of the family were soldiers in the War of 1812. Alexander was a prominent merchant of the continental period and lived to be one hundred and eight years old, dying in Pennsylvania. His wife was blind for twenty years prior to her death. John McMichael, the father of him, whose name heads this sketch, came west by wagons in 1833, crossing the black swamps near Cleveland, Ohio, and as there were very few bridges in those days he had to swim his horses across the Maumee River. He came to St. Joseph county. Ind., and located on Harris Prairie, where he purchased eighty acres of land. He erected a hewed-log house, the neighbors turning out for miles around to assist, and in this they lived until better improvements could be made. Their trading point at that time was Niles, Mich., and afterward Bertrand. In order to break sod he used the old wooden mold-board plow, to which were attached three yoke of oxen, and continued thus to till his land until better implements were introduced. Their clothing was all home-made and the women folk were kept busy at the spinning wheel and loom, while the men were employed in cultivating and improving the land. The father died on Harris Prairie about 1843, and the mother near Edwardsburg, Mich. They were the parents of four sons and five daughters, only two of whom are living at the present time: John, whose name heads this sketch, and Margaret Dennis. James, who recently died, served throughout the Civil war in the Mulligan Brigade, Company F, Twenty-third Illinois. John McMichael, the subject of this sketch, was twenty years of age when he came to this country. He had received fair common-school advantages, and having been brought up to the occupation of farming he devoted his attention to this business upon starting out in life for himself. Early in the fifties he had charge of the warehouses on South Race, Mishawaka, where the boats landed, and he continued thus employed, in connection with buying wheat, stock. etc., for a number of years, during which time he did an extensive business and became widely known. He is known as one of the pioneers of St. Joseph county, for he has witnessed the growth of the country from its primitive condition to its present magnificent state of agricultural perfection. For a number of years past he has lived in retirement, and although still active, hale and hearty, he may be said to have earned his holiday. He was first married in 1837 to Miss Mary Lavelle, of Kentucky, who bore him thirteen children, of whom eight survive: William C. (clerk of St. Joseph county), Rachel (Stoy), John A., Alfred R., Margaret E., Adoniram B., Cora A. and James A. (a township clerk, Toledo, Ohio). Mr. McMichael's second marriage took place in 1869, Nancy A. Sisson becoming his wife. She was born in York State, but was brought to Indiana at the age of eleven years. Both Mr. and Mrs. McMichael are members of the Presbyterian Church, and politically he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. William C. McMichael, his son, and clerk of St. Joseph county, was born in Harris township of this county April 27, 1841, and received the education usually given the pioneer farmer's boy. He attended school in Mishawaka for four terms and during his vacations worked on the Mishawaka Free Press, now the Enterprise, where he acquired a practical insight into the printer's art. He became an employe on the South Bend Forum, afterward on the Register, which was managed by Schuyler Colfax, and for four years was foreman of the Ave Maria, of Notre Dame, being connected with this office for five years. While filling this position, his leisure time was devoted to the study of law, and eventually the degree of bachelor of law was conferred upon him. In 1874 he was elected to the State Legislature from St. Joseph and Marshall counties, in which body he served efficiently for one term. At this time he was foreman of the Register office of South Bend, and at the expiration of his term as legislator he went to Washington, D.C., and for three years was in the document rooms of the Government printing office, and the following year was in the general post.office, in the Finance Department, under Postmaster-General Keys. At the end of this time he went to Chicago and read proof on the city directory for a considerable period, then once more became a resident of Mishawaka, and for two and a half years filled the position of deputy recorder. In 1884 he was again elected to the Legislature, and in 1886 began discharging the duties of his present position, to which he was re-elected in 1890. He has been a beau ideal public officer, faithful to every interest of his section, and his career in the political arena has been without a blemish. He has always been a stanch Democrat and is popular with all classes, whether of his political creed or not. He was married in 1881 to Miss Minnie E. Roberts, who is a worthy member of the Episcopal Church.

“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
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JOHN Q. SWANGER is an old and highly-respected citizen of the community in which he now resides. His great-grandfather was born in Germany and came to America before the Revolutionary war, in which he afterward became a participant. He settled near Pittsburg, Penn., from there went to Wayne county, Ohio, and in 1833 took up his residence in Richland county of the same State, where he became very wealthy as a tiller of the soil and lived to the advanced age of one hundred and two years, having for a great many years been a believer in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. Jacob Swanger, his son, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and was married there to Mary Lasher, to which union thirteen children were given: Peter and Jacob (twins), Elizabeth, Michael, John, Betsey, David, Catherine, George, Susan, Abram, Martha, and one that died young. After the birth of his three eldest children Mr. Swanger moved to Wayne county, Ohio, but in 1833 became a resident of Richland county, where he bought and resided on a farm of 120 acres nntil1851, the nine subsequent years being spent in Berrien county, Mich. He then returned to Richland county, Ohiot and there was called from life at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, at which time he was a member of the Lutheran Church. He was a sol¬dier in the War of 1812 and was with Perry on Lake Erie, also participating in other engagements. He was an industrious man and a good mechanic, besides being a successful tiller of the soil, a practical shoemaker, a good weaver, a manufacturer of cradles for the cutting of wheat and also of wooden mold-board plows, obtaining his material for them from twisted trees. Peter Swanger, his son and father of the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day on April 21, 1801, in Lancaster county, Penn., but unfortunately received but little education in his youth, his services being required on the home farm. He went to Ohio with his father and was married in Wayne county to Mary Boydson, who died after bearing him two children: John Q. and George W., the latter dying while serving in the Union army during the Civil war. After the death of his wife Mr. Swanger moved to Richland county, Ohio, in 1835, there wedded Martha Johnson and by her became the father of eight children: William (who died while serving in the Civil war), Hester A., Mary, Alexander J., Sarah, Margery, Loving C. and Franklin B. Mr. Swanger still resides on his farm in Richland county and has attained to the age of ninety-two years. He has always been highly respected by the citizens of Richland county and for many years has been a member of the Christian Church. Formerly an old line Whig in politics he is now a Republican, and during the Civil war was an enthusiastic supporter of the Union, four of his sons enlisting to fight their country's battles: John Q., George W., William J. and Alexander J. John Q. Swanger owes his nativity to Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born May 3, 1832. At an early age he was called upon to assist in the duties of the farm, therefore he received a very limited education. At the age of twenty-one years he came to South Bend, and after learning the carpenter's trade worked at it in Berrien county, Mich., the most of the time until the opening of the Civil war. January 6. 1856, he married Elsa J., daughter of Isaac and Electa (Scott) Tripp, the former of whom was a native of Niagara county, N. Y., and was a plow manufacturer and farmer. He was the father of ten children: Nelson, Augustus, Helen, Elsa J., Lucinda, Anna E., Isaac, Silas, Mahala and Franklin. Mr. Tripp died at the age of seventy-six: years at the home of his daughter, Mahala, in Michigan. He was well educated, a man of good general information and at one time read law. He for some time served as sheriff of his county. After Mr. Swanger's marriage he lived in Steel county, Minn., on some wild land for four years; in 1859 returned to Berrien county and there rented a farm. August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry and served faithfully and well until he was honorably discharged June 24, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C., and received pay and was mustered out at Jackson, when he returned to New Troy, Mich. He was in the following engagements: Tibbs Bend, July 4, 1865, Kingston, London, Knoxville, Tenn., Mossy Creek, Rocky Face Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Altoona, Cilps Farm, Kenesaw Mountain, Eutaw Creek, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Duck River Ford, Nashville, New Brunswick, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Raleigh and Greensboro and at the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnston, besides which brilliant array of battles he took an active part in forty skirmishes. He was a good soldier, and although sick several times he was never in the hospital and escaped without wounds, but now suffers a great deal from rheumatism which, without doubt, was caused by exposure and a disabled left wrist resulting from a fall at the battle of Kingston, Tenn. Mr. Swanger's marriage has resulted in the birth of ten children: Myron F., who was in the regular service of the United States for five years, was in a number of engagements with the Indians, is married to Clara Harris, resides at Safford, Ariz., and has three children: Levi E., died at the age of eighteen years; Homer married Candace Bullard, is a resident of Mishawaka and has four children; Lenora died when twenty-eight years of age; William J. is married and is in the hardware business in Marion, Ind.; Ella married Edward Nolan, a foreman in a shirt factory of South Bend; John Q. married Effie Lawler and is a tinner of Mishawaka; Grant died when nine years of age; May and Louie. Mr. Swanger has been a resident of St. Joseph county since the war, at first being an employe in the wagon factory of Alex Coquillard. Nine years later he entered the Studebaker Bros. establishment, after which he turned his attention to manufacturing cement sidewalks, which is still his chief occupation and of which he is a thorough master. This occupation has proved a profitable one and Mr. Swanger is kept constantly busy. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and in the G. A. R., of which he is a member, he is a junior vice-commander. He has always been a Republican politically. He is with reason considered a man of his word and is in comfortable circumstances.

“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
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LUCIUS K. ROBINSON, a well-known resident of Mishawaka, Ind., is descended from an old colonial family of New England, and is of English and Scotch descent. Daniel G. Robinson, the founder of the family in America, came from Scotland and was one of the original settlers of Connecticut, and from him descended the family of that name in New England, ex-Governor Lucius Robinson, of New York, being of the same stock, which has become distinguished throughout the East. Parley Robinson, the great-grandfather of Lewis K., was born in New England, but became a resident of New York. He was a soldier of the Revolution and the War of 1812, and was present at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He married and became the father of Betsey, Parley, Joseph, Burton, Alexander, Lyman and Emeline. He was one of the first residents of Lawrence county, Mich., but afterward located and died in Ingham county, having met with success as a farmer. Lyman P. Robinson, his son, was born in sight of the Green Mountains in Vermont, and in this State he obtained a common-school education, and later, being a natural mechanic, he followed the trade of carpenter. He removed to Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y., and was there married to Nancy Wilson, by whom he became the father of these children: Lucius K., Emeline, Mary R., Lyman C., Orin C. and Wilton P. In the spring of 1845 he settled in Paw Paw, Van Buren Co., Mich., and there died in 1847, at the age of thirty-six. He was a man of powerful physique, was very industrious and was much respected for his honorable character. Lucius K., his son and the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y., December 25, 1833, and was taken to Michigan by his parents when but two years old. After serving three years to learn his trade he attended school, receiving a common-school education. March 30, 1856, he married Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Ruthuer) Sternberg, who were of German stock, and to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson two children were born that lived to grow to mature years: Annabel E., and Latan Willard, who was born July 7, 1860, and died January 15, 1862. Mr. Robinson was married and settled at Lawton, Van Buren Co., Mich., and in October following the firing on Ft. Sumter he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Regiment Michigan Volunteer, Infantry, as a private. He was first made second lieutenant, but was mustered in as orderly sergeant. He took part in the battle of Shiloh and the siege of Corinth, after which he was taken very ill and was sent home with an honorable discharge, dated July 9, 1862; was elected corporation trustee of the village of Lawton, and served in 1865-6. After his return he resided at Lawton until October 15, 1866, then went to South Haven and bought a hotel with livery in connection, which he conducted for four years, at which time he traded this house for a much larger hotel at Dowagiac, Mich., remaining proprietor of the same for one year. In 1872 he came to South Bend, Ind., and for some time worked in a cooper shop and conducted a large boarding house, but in the latter part of the same year he opened a cooper shop at Briston, Ind. Since May 12, 1875, he has been a substantial citizen of Mishawaka, where he has been very successful as a cooper and is the owner of a fine brick residence, 409 East Second street, a good frame house next to it, and an office and shop on East Division street. Both he and his wife are members of the First Methodist Church. Politically he has always been a Republican, and while in Van Buren county, Mich., he held the position of constable and deputy sheriff. He is a member of the G. A. R.. Hatan Post, 128, Department of Indiana, has been officer of the day and junior vice-commander. He is an upright, industrious citizen and has proven a valuable addition to the town.

“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
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WILLIAM L. JETTON is one of the old settlers of St. Joseph county, Ind., and formerly a substantial fanner of Harris township, but now a prominent and respected resident of Mishawaka. His paternal grandfather came from France and settled on the Delaware River in the State of Delaware, where he followed the calling of a medical practitioner for many years. He also owned a large farm in Newcastle county, Del. He was married after coming to this country and became the father of the following children: Peter, Thomas and Martha. Dr. Jetton passed from life in the State of his adoption. His son, Thomas, was the father of the subject of this sketch, and was born in the Blue Hen State, was there reared and educated and also married, his wife being Miss Rebecca Thomas, and their union resulted in the birth of the following children: Charity, Martha, Margaret, Mary, Lewis, William L. and a twin, who died in infancy. Thomas Jetton was a farmer by occupation and was called from life when just in the prime of manhood, at the untimely age of thirty-six years. William L. Jetton, his son and the subject of this biography, was born on his father's farm, near the Delaware River, in Newcastle county, September 6, 1819, and as there were no free schools in that section during his boyhood he secured only a very limited education, this being also in a measure owing to the fact that his father died when he was but two years old, and his mother when he had attained the age of seven years. William L. was thus thrown on the mercy of the world, but was kindly cared for by a cousin until he reached the age of fifteen years. When very young many small duties were laid upon his shoulders, and these increased with his years until he was thoroughly familiar with all the details of farm work. On February 6, 1844, he took a wife in the person of Miss Sarah J., daughter of Zachariah and Deborah (Derickson) Derickson, the former of whom was a well-to-do farmer of Newcastle county, Del., he and his wife being the parents of the following children: Joseph, Ellen, William, Hannah, Sarah J., John P. and Lydia. Mr. Derickson died on his farm at the age of sixty-eight years. In 1844, soon after his marriage, Mr. Jetton came to St. Joseph county, Ind., the same year raised a crop of wheat in Harris township, and in March settled on the eighty acres of land which he had purchased. To this properly he added at various times, as his means would permit, and he eventually became the owner of 240 acres of fertile farming land, which he not only improved by cultivation but also by the erection of good buildings of all descriptions, everything about his place indicating that a man of intelligence, thrift and industry had the management of affairs. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and politically he is a stanch Republican, having in early times been an old line Whig. To his marriage two children have been born: Thomas J., born January 1, 1856, and Rebecca D., born December 23, 1851. At the present time Mr. Jetton owns only 160 acres of land, having sold the rest. He has always been a hard worker and is in every sense of the word self-made. At the time of his arrival in this county he had $400 and a good span of horses, and from this small begin¬ning has built up his present excellent property. His journey to this State occupied about twenty-five days. After crossing the Alleghany Mountains in a stage he went down the Ohio River to Wheeling, W. Va., and then walked to Mishawaka, returning to Delaware for his wife the following fall on horseback. His son, Thomas J., is married to Lydia Brooker and resides on the home farm, while Rebecca D., who married Eugene W. Baldwin, a bricklayer of Chicago, has two children.

“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 OLIVER. Who has not heard of the Oliver chilled plows and their famous inventor? Truly it is not always that" circumstances make the man," for James Oliver is a shining example to the contrary; and there is no one who envies the success he has achieved because his indefatigable toil and hours of patient thought and study have brought about a just reward. A native of Liddisdale parish, Rocksburyshire, Scotland, his birth occurred August 28, l823. When twelve years old he was brought by his parents to the United States, and after about a year's stay in Seneca county, N. Y., the family settled at Mishawaka, Ind. His parents being limited in means, James at the age of thirteen assumed the responsibilities of manhood and began doing for himself. Early in youth two prominent characteristics made themselves manifest in him -a willingness to work at any honorable calling and an aptitude for mechanics. From 1845 to 1855 he was employed by the St. Joseph Iron Company, but in the latter year moved to South Bend, where, in a small way, he began manufacturing plows. Although many trials and adversities were met with during his beginning of a manufacturing career, his inherited Scotch pluck and perseverance, kept his business together, and slowly but gradually it increased in prosperity. For years his mind had been occupied with the one great object of producing a perfectly chilled plow, and although thousands of dollars had been spent by others in unsuccessfully trying to solve this problem, Mr. Oliver still continued his studies and experiments in this direction. Owing to so many others having failed, his friends began to look upon him as half invention mad, while those who had befriended him previously, with money and influence, withdrew their support and left him to struggle alone with black clouds of defeat and failure hanging over him. Day and night, for years, he thought of nothing else, bending every energy to this one great object. His patience and perseverance were at last rewarded, the glorious sun of success dispelled the clouds of despair, and he awoke to find himself famous and riches pouring in upon him. His invention had made him a benefactor to the agriculturists, and his name will never be forgotten by future writers on mechanics and inventors.

“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
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DR. SAMUEL L. KILMER is one of the foremost medical practitioners of St. Joseph county, Ind., but first saw the light of day in Ashland county, Ohio, April 12, 1849, being the youngest of a family of five children. In his veins flows sturdy German blood, for at an early day his ancestors emigrated from Hesse Darmstadt to Pennsylvania, in which State, in the county of Juniata, both his parents were born. His father, Isaac Kilmer, was a man of much force of character and great determination, and possessing a rare power of discrimination, his counsel was much sought by his neighbors and friends. He was an industrious and successful farmer, charitable to a fault, and no alms-seeker was ever turned away from his door hungry or empty-handed. He died in Elkhart county, Ind., in 1883, at the age of sixty-nine years, of heart disease engendered by hard labor and exposure during his active farming days. Dr. Kilmer's mother, Anna Kilmer, was a woman of singularly gentle and amiable disposition, charitable to the faults of others, no harsh word of censure or criticism ever being heard from her, for she believed that similar causes and circumstances might have produced similar actions in others also. She was greatly beloved by all who knew her. She died in Elkhart county in 1892, at the advanced age of eighty--one years, of la grippe and pneumonia. Both parents were life-long members of the Mennonite Church and died as they had lived, consistent Christians. When the subject of this sketch was four years old, his parents moved to Elkhart county, Ind., in what was then a new country, and purchased and proceeded to clear up a heavily timbered tract of land of 240 acres and bring it into a state of cultivation. In this work young Samuel assisted as soon as he was physically capable of rendering any aid, and upon this farm, and engaged in its arduous labors and duties, he grew into manhood, availing himself of the meager educational facilities afforded at the time, which consisted principally of three months' district school each year. He learned readily, and this, combined with studiousness, placed him with great regularity at the head of his classes. After attending a term at the normal school, in Goshen, Ind., he began a career as "Hoosier Schoolmaster," teaching his first term at the age of eighteen. The ensuing season he attended an academy at Smithville, Ohio, and again taught district school in Indiana in the several succeeding winter seasons. As a teacher he was a signal success, having a reputation as a rigid disciplinarian and practical instructor of useful knowledge extending into surrounding counties, which made his services much sought after. A special, or select school, taught by him in the village of Jamestown being so markedly successful that it was attended by teachers of public schools for many miles around, who were happy to avail themselves of his practical methods of teaching for their own improvement in the same occupation. In those days it was the delight and ambition of many of the larger and ruder pupils in the schools to overawe the teacher and break up the school, and numerous were the attempts of the rougher element to break up the evening "spelling schools." Neither of these things ever occurred in a school taught by S. L. Kilmer, his firmness and impartiality always enabling him to win. In those days to "spare the rod" was believed to "spoil the school," and although ever endeavoring to rule by kindness, at no time did he hesitate to use the rod when it was plain that the interest and welfare of the school demanded it . In 1871 he graduated at the Northwestern Business College and Institute of Penmanship, at Madison, Wis., presided over by that well-known educator, Prof. B. M. Worthington, and subsequently was book-keeper and clerk at the Vilas House in that city, which gave him an opportunity to learn much of business life and a wide acquaintance with the prominent public men of Wisconsin and the traveling public generally. Later he held the position of professor of book-keeping and penmanship in some of the leading business colleges of the country, viz.: The Bryant & Stratton, of Philadelphia, and The Nelson, of Cincinnati. At the latter institution his abilities as an instructor were again quickly demonstrated, inasmuch as a practical business class which he organized in connection with the college, in consequence of a woeful lack of knowledge of a practical character manifested by the college students, soon outgrew all expectations, numbering over two hundred students, from all classes in life, the clerk, book-keeper, artisan and merchant, and from all ages, from boys to men of forty years or more, the number in the class being limited only by the capacity of the hall. Having now, by industry, frugal living and economy, acquired some money, he began the study of medicine, and here again, as formerly, his habits of assiduous application to his studies carried him readily and rapidly along in the front ranks of his classes, and after three years' study, in 1879, he graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., being well known and noted for his proficiency in all the branches taught in that famous institution. For two sessions he acted as assistant demonstrator of anatomy there, and in consequence of his thorough knowledge of this important branch, was invited by the celebrated surgeon, Prof. Charles T. Parkes, to become his prosecutor of anatomy also during his last term at college. Of this opportunity he availed himself, which threw him much into the company and society of that great surgeon and enabled him frequently to assist him in his immense surgical practice. Although requested to remain in Chicago and retain his college positions, with the assurance of promotion to a regular professorship as rapidly as vacancies existed, be declined the tempting offer, and the day after his graduation he left at once for his chosen field of labor - South Bend, Ind., where he associated himself in the practice of medicine with the late Dr. J. A. Kettring, whose wide reputation as a skillful physician had created a practice far beyond his physical ability to attend, and who, from the knowledge of the excellent record made by Dr. Kilmer at college, and the unusual prominence and distinction he had attained in his classes and with the faculty, in consequence of his thorough knowledge of the subjects taught, was desirous of securing him as his professional associate, and to that end he had invited him to join him in a copartnership for the practice of medicine. A very pleasant professional association thus formed was abruptly terminated some months later by the imperative necessity on the part of Dr. Kettring of taking his wife abroad for the benefit of her health. Dr. Kilmer then entered upon an independent professional career and his success was phenomenal, especially in surgery, for which branch of his profession he had a decided preference, and to perfect himself in this line he returned to Rush Medical College the following winter and during the entire session devoted his time to the study of surgery and gynecology. Returning to South Bend, he resumed his practice, and has followed it with signal success ever since, except one session that he spent at the Post Graduate Medical College, in New York City, during which time he availed himself of the unrivaled facilities there found in connection with all the best hospitals and most competent instructors and operators for pursuing the study of the details of his specialties. His success as a surgeon and gynecologist is thoroughly established and he numbers his patients from many of the surrounding States, while his celebrated remedies have an established reputation and sale all over the world. He has the faculty of taking advantage of crises as they arise, and being possessed of an inventive mind, is able to design and construct such original appliances as the cases may require. He is a great observer, always seeking for and quick to avail himself of the benefits to be derived from the discoveries and developments made in the rapid strides in progress of the science and practice of medicine and surgery, whether the discovery was made by himself or others, and is always ready to give credit and do honor to the fortunate individual who discovers any means of alleviating suffering. He is a frequent contributor to medical journals and the articles from his pen are accorded the honor of being copied far and wide, thus giving him a wide professional acquaintance and frequent correspondence from foreign countries. Numerous publishers of medical literature have requested him to become a regular contributor to their publications. Professorships in medical colleges have been tendered him, but as be prefers the practice of medicine to the teaching of it, he has always declined. He has positive opinions upon the subject of temperance, as it affects the health, and has frequent invitations to deliver lectures thereon. He is the author of a physician's pocket account book which gives universal satisfaction. He has been for years surgeon of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, and medical examiner for numerous life insurance societies. His abhorrence of and opposition to all forms of cruelty are well known, and he has for years been president of the South Bend Humane Society. The Doctor is a Republican, and although taking no active part in politics, in two separate political campaigns he could have had a unanimous nomination for the State senatorship, his party insisting upon him accepting it. He has also been requested to accept a nomination to the mayoralty of South Bend, but as it would interfere too greatly with his professional labors to engage actively in politics, all political honors have been declined. Dr. Kilmer was married in 1881 to Miss Margaret Knott, of Sumption Prairie, Ind., a most estimable lady and a member of one of the best families in the county. She is a great favorite in social circles. Their married life has been exceptionally happy. They have been blessed with one child, a bright and lovely daughter, Bessie, now seven years of age, the joy and idol of her parents, and universally esteemed by her playmates. Although not a member of any church, the Doctor has a pew in the First Presbyterian Church, for whose pastor, the Rev. Dr. Henry Johnson, he has a profound reverence, and where, with his family, he attends when his professional labors do not prevent.

“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