“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

ELDER JAMES H. MILLER, a well-known resident of South Bend, Ind., is a Preble county Ohioan, born August 25, 1814, a son of Abraham and Nancy (Huston) Miller. When a mere lad his parents settled in Franklin county, Ind., where he grew to manhood on a farm which his father entered in the forests of that community. His education was a limited one, confined to what could be obtained during the winter months in the subscription schools held in log cabins, and at the age of seventeen years he left home and began to work on a farm by the month, owing to his father's large family and the comparatively small farm embraced in the homestead. In 1832 he came to St. Joseph county with his brother Jacob, returning to Franklin county with the team he had used in moving Jacob and his family. The following year he came to St. Joseph county, making his home with his brother several years thereafter. He was married in March, 1841, to Mary Huston, who was born in Ohio January, 1818, after which he settled on a farm of about 150 acres in German township. Later he purchased additional land near by, on which he made his home and reared his family. He was a successful farmer, a generous father, divided his hinds among his children, and generally assisted them in various ways to establish homes of their own. When about twenty-six years of age Mr. Miller was elected minister of the German Baptist Church, and for over forty years was an active and energetic worker in that society. In his ministerial capacity he has done a great deal of traveling through Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, during which time he has baptized over 2,000 persons, conducted innumerable funeral services, far and near, and united in marriage many couples. His religious labors, according to the customs of the church, have been without money and without price. His assistance in the construction of churches has been called upon times without number, and he helped to erect the finest meeting-house in the town of South Bend, which was a Baptist Church. He has been an arduous laborer in the cause of religion for many years, and is highly honored and respected by all who have come in contact with him and had the honor of his acquaintance, for he is a most exemplary man. In business matters he has been successful and has accumulated considerable property. He is one of the few of the early pioneers still residing in St. Joseph county. His union resulted in the birth of the following children: Phoebe J., Jacob, Sylvester, Madison and Fannie O.; of these Sylvester and Fannie O. are deceased. Mrs. Miller died December 23, 1888, and since that time Mr. Miller has remained unmarried. Madi¬son Miller, son of Elder James H. Miller, was born in St. Joseph county March 18, 1847, and on the homestead in German township his early days were spent. After obtaining a good education in the common schools he entered the Northern Indiana College at South Bend, from which institution he graduated in 1863. He shortly afterward engaged in farming in German township, where he purchased 100 acres of land, and there be lived and carried on a successful business until 1881, when he moved to South Bend, where he devoted his time to looking after various business interests. In 1888 he engaged in the mercantile business in South Bend, under the firm name of Brodbeck & Mil1er, carrying a grocery stock. In September, 1892, the business of the firm was closed out and Mr. Miller retired from active business pursuits for a short time. He has disposed of his farming interests and at the present time looks after the valuable city property of which he is the owner. He has just completed a handsome residence at a cost of about $2,500, and there he is enjoying life with his amiable wife and two promising children. His marriage occurred November 24, 1867, to Margaret A. Broadhurst, who was born July 24, 1851, a daughter of Levi and Emeline (Myler) Broadhurst. Mr. and Mrs. Miller's children are: Edith, born January 24, 1864, and Blanche, born Jn1y 28, 1889. The elder daughter, as well as her parents, is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Miller is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in politics is a Prohibitionist, although not a partisan. He is in every respect a worthy man, and is a useful and influential member of society.

“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

FREDERICK LANG, Mishawaka, Ind. In a town of any size or importance the lumber business is a very essential one, and those who are engaged in it receive an ample return for the money invested. Mr. Lang is one who has given this line of business his attention, and in its conduct he has met with more than an ordinary degree of success and thoroughly understands its most minute details, which is without doubt a secret of his prosperity, together with the fact that he is always found at his post. He was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, May 9, 1834, where, like all German youths, he received a good common-school education, which was supplemented afterward by a two years' course in a Latin school. At the age of sixteen years he left home to make his own way in the world and celebrated his sixteenth birthday on the Atlantic ocean while on his way to America. After reaching this country he resided for three years in Pittsburg, Penn., during which time he worked in a wholesale grocery store, then came to Mishawaka, Ind. His father, Frederick Lang, came to this country with his family, which consisted of his wife (Barbara Nummer, his second wife) and two children, Fredericka and Christina, and an adopted son. He settled in Penn township, St. Joseph Co., Ind., five miles south of Mishawaka on a partly cleared farm of 160 acres, which he finished clearing and improving and on which he resided until his death in 1873. He was considered a substantial citizen, and after coming to this country supported the principles of the Republican party. Upon coming to this county, Frederick Lang, the subject of this sketch, took up his residence with his father, whom he assisted in the numerous and laborious duties of the farm for ten years. In 1857 .Miss Ernestine M. Frank became his wife and to them the following children were given: Emma, who died a married woman; Otto E.; Minnie J. and Otilla J. In 1864 Mr. Lang, Charles Keney and others formed a company and engaged in the manufacture of hardwood lumber and wagon stuff, building a saw-mill in Madison township, which they conducted in a successful manner, financially, until 1889. These enterprising gentlemen, in 1867, opened a lumber yard in Mishawaka and the following year Mr. Lang removed to the town and has had charge of the same ever since and has conducted it in a highly successful and satisfactory manner ever since. He has always supported the men and measures of the Republican party and in 1880 the citizens of the county showed their appreciation of his merits by electing him to the responsible position of county treasurer, which office he filled with marked ability until 1884. From 1876 to 1880 he held the office of township trustee, the duties of which he also discharged in a remarkably successful manner. He has been a member of the town council of Mishawaka for two years. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mishawaka Lodge, No. 286. He is one of the substantial men of the county and is the owner of a good farm and some valuable real estate in Mishawaka, Ind. He stands deservedly high as a man of integrity of character and probity and in the business affairs of life has shown himself to be prudent, far-seeing and practical. His son, Otto E., is a hardware merchant in partnership with Henry Egleston.

“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 B. STOLL was born March 13, 1843, in the Black Forest region of Wurtemberg. His father, Bernard Stoll, was an extensive landholder and a man noted for unusual physical strength and genial social qualities. In the fall of 1842, before John B. was born, the father, while watering his horses in the river Murg, was drowned. A second marriage of his mother resulted in the dissipation of the greater part of the estate left by his father, and a removal of the family to another part of Wurtemberg. The boy, being an only son, and a favorite with his grandparents, was kept at the latter's residence, chiefly under his grandmother's influence. At the age of six he commenced going to school, a distance of something over three miles. It is said of him that he never missed a day's attendance nor a single lesson. About the only spending money he had was that obtained from some of his ambitions but, educationally, less successful schoolmates, who would, on special occasions, arrange to have him yield his rank in the class to them, the standing in scholarship determining the class location of the pupil in those days. He was usually from two to three years ahead of his class, and on competitive examinations invariably stood first. As is usual with strong natures, the boy was naturally religious; and when his young mind was particularly burdened with difficult lessons, the study of which was largely made while on his way to school, he often knelt at the wayside, turning his soul to God and earnestly praying for help from the Almighty. Like the father, his boyhood days developed a remarkable physical strength. It is said that while going to school, he never took advantage of his muscle in boyish combats, and never allowed himself to enter a contest unless his opponent was at least three years his senior. In such tests of muscular strength John usually came off with flying colors. At ten years of age he emigrated with his mother, a woman of courage and sterling worth, to America. Locating, they found a new home in Harrisburg, Penn. In two years sickness, aggravated by cares and too much responsibility, came, and the boy was left an orphan. Already that most thorough but sternest of all teachers, experience, was teaching self reliance. Shortly before and after the death of his mother, he made his living by taking advantage of the means nearest to hand. The first employment obtained was setting up ten-pins in a bowling-alley; next he earned his way by peddling peppermint drops, stick candy, pins and needles, and hooks and eyes; next work was found on a farm managed by a tenant of Gen. Simon Cameron, a short distance east of Harrisburg; then employment in a bakery for six months was tried, and out of this he went into the office of the Harrisburg Telegraph and Der Vaterlands- Waechter, published by the then State printer, George Bergner. Learning to read English in a Lutheran Sunday-school, and intuitively realizing the necessity of a broad education, the youth now industriously applied himself to a wide reading and a practical study of the requirements of newspaper work. For weeks and months he pursued his studies late after midnight. He attended every political meeting held in the evenings, every lecture to which he could have access, and as many theaters as circumstances permitted. He went to church twice every Sunday, and to Sunday-school, and eagerly devoured the contents of all the exchange papers he could lay his hands on. In this way he acquired a wide vocabulary, an acquaintance with different styles of oratory, and a knowledge of leading opinions on topics of the day. Blessed with a remarkable memory, he not only knew the surname of nearly every prominent politician in the State, but also his initials, place of residence, etc., so much so that whenever the editor of the paper on which he worked was in doubt as to this or that prominent individual's name, the "Printer's Devil" could always furnish accurate information. During this three years' apprenticeship service young Stoll was prepared for membership, by confirmation, in the Lutheran Church. While attending catechetical lectures, his pastor, the Rev. William Parr, became profoundly impressed with the belief that this earnest student ought to qualify himself for the ministry. Rev. Parr strongly insisted on ibis, even going so far as to provide for the young Printer’s admission to Gettysburg College. This was a severe struggle for young Stoll. He became enthusiastic over the opportunity of going to college, and at one time fully determined to avail himself of his pastor's favor and friendship. But about this period, the quarrel in the Democratic party broke forth over the Kansas-Nebraska controversy, and he became warmly enlisted on the side of the anti-administration wing of the party which strenuously protested against forcing the institution of slavery on an unwilling people. Politics became more and more an infatuation, so he finally decided not to study for the ministry at Gettysburg, but to plunge, with all the impetuosity of his nature, into the political vortex. General reading, together with independent observation, resulted in his having opinions of his own. Ardently as he espoused the cause of "Buck and Breck" in the campaign of 1856, even more vehemently he opposed the pro-slavery policy of the Buchanan administration. At the end of the apprenticeship, the boy of sixteen accepted a position as journeyman in the office of the Middleburg, Penn., Volksfreund (people's Friend). A year later, by industry and strict economy, he was able to purchase an interest in the Independent Observer, at Johnstown, Penn. Through the rascality of his partner, this venture proved a financial failure, so his connection with this paper was severed. Maturing early, his associations from boyhood were with young men from five to ten years older than himself. That he might improve by superior knowledge and experience he, at times, wholly abjured the company of young men, and sought association with men of middle age. Appearing older than his years, men came to repose confidence and responsibility on the young shoulders. These trusts were assumed with dignity, and duty was faithfully discharged, so, when it was determined to hold a Douglas State convention to effect a thorough State organization of the Douglas Democracy, and two delegates were chosen from Cambria county to represent the sentiment of that faction, it was no surprise to see young Stoll chosen one of that number. The older heads of the Democratic party of Johnstown were nearly all associated with the Breckinridge element. This had no depressing effect on young Stoll who now threw himself in the breach and enthusiastically championed the cause of Stephen A. Douglas. At the ratification meeting called shortly after the Baltimore convention, he was the only speaker. It was the largest and most enthusiastic meeting held there during the entire campaign. The large hall was densely packed, and the audience was in hearty accord with the youthful orator. This was really the occasion of, his first political speech; and though perfectly conscious of a nervous organism, he spoke to the people for two hours, without notes, and so direct was his address that he held the perfect attention and secured the unreserved sympathy of his hearers. At the opening of the war, when men hesitated to express pronounced views, Mr. Stoll took a decided stand for the suppression of the Rebellion. In response to President Lincoln's proclamation calling out 75,000 men to put down the Rebellion, a great meeting was held at which young Stoll was the principal speaker. As a Democrat he said no patriot could occupy an equivocal position in regard to the duty of the hour. The Rebellion must be put down and the integrity of the Government maintained. He regretted that President Lincoln did not call for 300,000 instead of 75,000 men. The storm that had been brewing for thirty years was upon them and patriotism demanded immediate and decisive action. As a true citizen of the Republic, he freely gave voice and hand to support his views, and through his direct influence many hesitating Democrats were prompted to enlist. He himself enlisted in one of the eight companies that were organized at Johnstown, within less than ten days after the fall of Sumter, but his company was rejected and disbanded finally on account of the overflowing quota. Late in the spring of 1861, Mr. Stoll, returning to Middleburg, resumed his former position on the "People's Friend." About the close of 1863 he bought the paper of his employer, improved it, and greatly increased its patronage. In the early part of 1864, a few days after attaining his twenty-first year, he was elected a member of the school board of Middleburg and chosen its president. In the autumn of the following year he was elected county auditor, and had at his disposal a legislative nomination a year later. Business considerations and an irresistible inclination to go west and grow up with the country, caused a removal to Indiana in the spring of 1866. At twenty-three Mr. Stoll quietly but surely laid the foundation of Democratic journalism in a corner of Indiana that was steeped in Republican ideas and sentiments. Possessed of that repose which characterizes phys¬ical and mental health, he allowed no amount of scathing criticism to disturb the even tenor of his ways. The Ligonier Banner, the child of the new soil, was established in Noble county, May 3, 1866. He became successively editor-in-chief of the La Porte Argus, which he established in the spring of 1869; the South Bend Courier, a German paper (1875); the Elkhart Daily and Weekly Democrat, the name of which he changed to Elkhart Monitor (1881); all of which prospered in his hands and rapidly gained in circulation. During all this time he maintained his residence at Ligonier. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Stoll removed to South Bend, and though for years continuing to contribute to the columns of the Ligonier Banner he centered his newspaper work in the Times. Though attempted by men of acknowledged newspaper ability, because of the predominating Republican influence, repeated failures had been the history of previous efforts to establish daily Democratic papers in South Bend. By steady, well-defined effort and clear apprehension of what a progressive community demands of the newspaper, the Times prospered and became a social necessity. Mr. Stoll conceives the high mission of the press in diffusing moral tone and progressive ideas on economic, educational, political and ethical problems of the day; and he also recognizes the fact that the best class of people is hungering for just this sort of diet. He maintains that the purpose of a good family paper, daily or weekly, is not to scatter the seeds of discord, to find fault with pretty much everybody and everything, nor to tear down, to array neighbor against neighbor, or to create discontent, but rather to counsel harmony and unity in building up, to commend that which is commendable, to teach people that it is right to render unto Cresar what rightfully belongs to Cresar, to counsel the proper direction of constructive forces, and to point the way of success by teaching habits of industry and frugality. Previous to 1869 the press of northern Indiana dealt too largely in personal journalism. A consideration of this impelled Mr. Stoll in that year to become instrumental in organizing the Northern Indiana Editorial Association, the chief object of which, besides a general improvement of the newspaper business, was to eliminate this evil. From the beginning of this organization, he served as its president for six consecutive years. It is hardly necessary to state that since the founding of this association the newspaper business has radically improved, both financially and morally. In June, 1892, Mr. Stoll was again made the presiding officer of this organization. Because of the disastrous results of the campaign in 1880, and the failure to elect Gen. Hancock, a Democratic State Press Association seemed to be needed, in order that the press might be more efficient and effective in disseminating Democratic principles; therefore, on January 8, 1881, Mr. Stoll, together with a few interested friends, founded the Democratic State Editorial Association, served as its first president and is now chairman of the executive committee. His interests during these years were not confined to journalism, but his large sympathies have personal support to the grave political issues, which in his youthful years possessed so much attraction. His pen and tongue had spoken in no uncertain terms of the principles which he believed to be right. His diction was always forcible and his arguments clear and sweeping. He not only gained prominence as a public speaker, but became an acknowledged leader of public opinion. In December of 1866, by special direction of President Johnson, he was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue, in recognition of his unwavering support of the President's reconstruction policy. In 1868, after two years' residence in the State, he was tendered the Democratic nomination to Congress, but declined, and the same year he was elected chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Noble county, filling the position from 1868 to 1876 and again in 1880. In January, 1870, he became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for State auditor, and, though less than four years a resident of the State, came within twenty-nine votes of securing the nomination against heavy odds. Two years later, he received the nomination for that office against his successful competitor of 1870, but at the election, with the bulk of the Democratic ticket, was defeated by 172 votes, most of the other candidates on the ticket suffering a much heavier defeat. In 1876 Mr. Stoll was sent as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis, of which body he was elected one of the vice-presidents. Accepting the nomination of his party for Congress in 1878, he made a vigorous campaign and reduced the Republican majority from 2,300 in 1876 to 1,600. Many will remember the heated political contest of 1884. In the two months before the election Mr. Stoll made a thorough canvass of St. Joseph county, as well as other parts of the State, and spoke almost every day. St. Joseph county in the preceding election had cast a majority vote of 498 for Garfield, and elected the entire Republican ticket. In 1884 the Democrats carried it by about the same figures, and have since controlled it. Considerable comment was occasioned by this election, in and out of the State, and in appreciation of Mr. Stoll's vigorous and valuable labor, both in person and through the columns of his bright paper, he was presented by the citizens of Dodd, Tex., a fine and valuable, gold-headed cane and a large list of subscribers. In recognition of his many services to the Democratic cause, the Indiana Congressional delegation, in 1885, seconded by Vice-President Hendricks, unanimously recommended Mr. Stoll for the office of public printer, the largest printing establishment in the world. His candidacy was endorsed by all the Democratic members of the Indiana Legislature, except one; the supreme judges. State officials and many influential Democratic politicians, besides the active support of Congressmen from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other States. The contest over the public printership lasted about eighteen months. Mr. Stoll, in the fall of 1885, requested his friends of the Indiana delegation to withdraw his name, for the reason that the delay had already proven expensive and vexations, and that the President had had ample time to reach a conclusion. Senator Voorhees did go to the White House to request the withdrawal of Mr. Stoll's papers, but Mr. Cleveland protested against this, and asked for a "little more time" to look into the matter. From that on, however, Mr. Stoll lost interest in the contest, and made repeated requests to end the matter; but his immediate friends at the national capital refused to give their consent to this, insisting that since the fight had been waged for so long a time no retreat could be ordered, and the President himself must terminate the issue. The last request made of the President by Vice-President Hendricks was that Mr. Stoll be appointed to this position. About a year after this final request had been made, Mr. Cleveland appointed T. E. Benedict, of the State of New York. (In justice to al1 concerned and to secure a full understanding of the case, it should be stated that after President Cleveland had formed his cabinet, and Indiana bad not received recognition, the President informed the Indiana delegation that if they could unite on a man for public printer that important position should be at their disposal. The delegation took decisive action at once by unanimously agreeing upon Mr. Stoll with the result as above stated.) It is said by those having this matter in charge that no applicant for appointment from Indiana had as strong endorsements from the best men in the State, as those filed with the President in Mr. Stoll's behalf. Something of an idea of the character of these endorsements may be gained from the letters of three eminent public men, among more than a hundred testimonials from other distinguished Indiana men. Supreme Judge J. A. S. Mitchell, late of Goshen, a gentleman who enjoyed the unbounded esteem and love of his fellow-citizens, and who knew Mr. Stoll more thoroughly than perhaps any other prominent man in the State, wrote in these strong terms to the President:

Indianapolis, April 15, 1885.To His Excellency, The President:
It gives me great pleasure to recommend to you for appointment to the office of public printer, Hon. John B. Stoll, of South Bend, Ind. My acquaintance with Mr. Stoll commenced when we were both young men, about the year 1866, and I have known him well and intimately ever since, and I speak from personal knowledge when I say that he is in every way worthy and competent for any public trust requiring intelligent application to duty, business capacity and industry. He has had a large experience in editing and publishing newspapers, having for years managed two important public journals with success, besides I know Mr. Stoll to be an upright, conscientious man, thoroughly devoted to what he undertakes and ambitious and capable of success. He is active, zealous and influential in his State, in high standing with all the best elements of his party, who would receive his appointment as a compliment to a deserving and worthy gentleman. Very respectfully,
J. A. S. MITCHELL, Judge Supreme Court.

Supreme Judge William E. Niblack, for many years a representative in Congress from the Vincennes district and for two terms a member of the supreme court of Indiana, gave this estimate of Mr. Stoll:

Indianapolis, April 23, 1885.
Referring to pending application of Hon. John B. Stoll, of South Bend, in this State, for the office of public printer at Washington, I take pleasure in saying that I have had the honor of his acquaintance for nearly twenty years, during all of which time he has been connected with the public press of northern Indiana. He is a gentleman of recognized ability, of industry and great force of character. He is, moreover, apt, shrewd and appreciative in all matters relating to public affairs, with earnest convictions and the courage to do what he believes to be right. Taking all in all, I have regarded him for many years as one of the foremost newspaper men in the State, and, in some respects, in the lead of all the rest.

Terse and significant were the words of Col. Charles Denby, whom President Cleveland appointed as minister to China, and who still holds the position: "I take pleasure in recommending Mr. John B. Stoll for any appointment to which he may aspire."

The estimates of these gentlemen have been given on these pages as a reflex of their judgment and a commentary on the subject of this sketch. In March, 1889, Mr. Stoll was elected trustee of the Indiana Institute for the Education of the Blind at Indianapolis, was appointed treasurer of the board, which position he still holds, having been unanimously renominated by the Democratic legislative caucus in 1891for a period of four years. In local interests as well as State, Mr. Stoll has been active and useful, and his resources have ever been in demand by local clubs and business organizations. For two years he was treasurer and three years president of the Noble County Agricultural Society; was a member of the Ligonier town council for five consecutive years; was president of the two building, loan and sav¬ing associations of Ligonier; was secretary of the Ligonier school board, and is at present president of the Working Men's Building & Loan Association of South Bend. Flattering inducements, from time to time, have been offered Mr. Stoll in the journalistic field. Prior to locating in Indiana he was offered the management of a widely circulated paper at Easton, Penn.; in the seventies he was urged to accept the editorship of a newly established paper at Indianapolis; in 1874 tempting offers came from Minneapolis, Minn.; and in 1885, a particularly inviting offer came from a number of prominent Democrats of Chicago to accept the editorial responsibility of a Democratic paper in that city, but, after due consideration, he decided to remain in South Bend and devote his attention to his business centered there. In Middleburg, Penn., Mr. Stoll met the lady who became his wife in 1861. From this marriage, out of eight, but four children are living: Ella C., Eva B., Edgar A. and Elmer Roscoe. Four children died in infancy, among them John B. While the father was absent on a campaign tour in the southern part of the State in 1870, Johnny succumbed to that terrible and dreaded malady, diphtheria. A precocious and unusually interesting child of four summers, beloved by the entire community, his loss was a most severe grief to the community at large and a crushing blow to the family. There are three distinctive measures of public policy in the advocacy of which Mr. Stoll has for years been especially active and zealous. These are: Restricting immigration so as to prohibit the landing upon American shores of criminals, paupers, imbeciles and anarchists; a graduated income tax:, and the election of United States senators by the people. Mr. Stoll has filled the years with materials for peace and prosperity. His unselfish, thoughtful consideration of others has won for him an unusually large circle of warm friends and many delightful acquaintances. Time has dealt kindly with him in preserving physical and mental strength, and as the fruit of time well spent, he enjoys at present a steadily growing business and the comforts of a beautiful home.

“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. E. VOLNEY BINGHAM, Mishawaka, Ind. Among the members of the St. Joseph county bar there is no man who has been more the architect of his own fortunes, as a representative and prominent citizen, than Mr. Bingham. In his chosen profession he occupies a high position which he has acquired by arduous study and a strict adherence to an honorable cause. As a citizen he is well and favorably known to his fellow townsmen, having passed all his life in their midst, while as a politician he is deservedly popular with the leaders of his party, as well as with the masses. He is descended from sterling Scotch ancestors and from an old American colonial family who were among the early settlers of New England. Elisha Bingham, his grandfather, was born in Vermont, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He was married in that State to Phoebe Wright and afterward settled in western New York. As a citizen, he was present and took part in the battle of Plattsburg. After some years he moved to Ashtabula county, Ohio, of which he was one of the pioneer settlers and where he resided many years. In his old age he came to St. Joseph county, Ind., and passed his declining years with his son Alfred, dying at the age or seventy-seven years. He was a member of the Baptist Church and an earnest Christian gentleman. He was the father of Alva, Elisha, John, Lorinda, Mary, Alfred, Harriet and William Bingham. Alfred Bingham was born in western New York, February 16, 1810, and received the common-school education of his day. He was reared a farmer and was married in New York to Lucy Judson, by whom he became the father of two children who died young. Later they moved to Ashtabula county, Ohio, but between 1834-5 he removed to Branch county, Mich., and in 1835-6 came to St. Joseph county, Ind., and settled on a tract of wild land in Penn township. After a short residence on this land he located in Mishawaka and became an employe in the St. Joseph Iron Company, with which he remained for many years. Since that time he has engaged in various pursuits, but is now retired from active life, having reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. He has ever held a high place in the estimation of the public, for his career has been marked by honesty, energy and candor, and he has held a number of minor offices in his township. He possesses an active and inquiring mind, has always been a great reader, an independent thinker and of very decided opinions. After the death of his first wife he married Ann, daughter of Francis Miller, who was born in Ireland and came to America at the age of twelve years, settling in Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farming and operated a carding-mill. Mr. Bingham's second union resulted in the birth of the following children: Newton, Francis, E. Volney, Sarah, Lydia J., Eliza L., Hattie and Ellen. He was a strong Union man during the great Civil war and had three sons in the army. Newton enlisted in Company F, Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry at Mishawaka in 1861, as a private. He was elected orderly sergeant, was promoted to second lieutenant at the battle of Iuka for bravery on the field, and was assigned to Company G. He was then commissioned first lieutenant, but never filled this office as he received his commission as captain at the same time. Later he was made major and after serving in this capacity for a short time was made lieutenant colonel and finally colonel. He was a brave and gallant soldier, an efficient officer and served his country until the war closed, dying soon afterward of consumption. Francis enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served about one year. E. Volney was in Company G, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was born in Penn township, St. Joseph Co., Ind., August 1, 1844, on his parents' farm, but was reared in Mishawaka, in the public schools of which he received his education. When quite young he began working in a furniture factory. From his earliest boyhood he was a great reader and when quite young began reading law, but his studies were interrupted by the Rebellion, and in February, 1864, he enlisted in the United States service, in which he remained until the war terminated, being with Sherman on his march to the sea, and from Savannah to Richmond, and terminated his military career with the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. After being mustered out and honorably discharged at Indianapolis he returned to Mishawaka with the rank of sergeant major, being a non-commissioned officer on the regimental staff. After his return to Mishawaka he clerked for two years, after which he became a traveling salesman. During this time he had remained true to his determination to become a lawyer and as a means to this end he carried a law book with him on the road, and his leisure hours were devoted to its perusal. Owing to failing health he quit the road and for two years thereafter was unable to follow an active business life, but this time was by no means wasted, for it was spent in posting himself in his chosen profession. Upon regaining his health he was elected to the position of justice of the peace and held this position three terms, or twelve years, although the township was strongly Republican, and the Republicans always elected their ticket. While filling this position he naturally resumed the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1875, since which time he has been a successful practitioner. He has recently been elected by a good majority on the Democrat ticket to the State Senate, and although he is an active Democrat he has been by no means an office seeker. He was postmaster of Mishawaka for four years under President Cleveland and has been a member of the school board and of the board of school trustees' of the town. He is entirely a self-made man and owes his success in life to his own unaided efforts. His education and knowledge of law was gained by painstaking study, which was pursued under many and trying difficulties, but with characteristic energy he persevered and is now independent. He stands deservedly high as a member of the St. Joseph county bar and it is needless to say that his integrity is unimpeachable. December 7, 1872, he was married to Hattie E. Grimes, daughter of Dr. J. F. Grimes, a sket.ch of whom appears in this volume, and to them four children have been born: Katie R., Hattie B., James F. and Charles W.

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

GEORGE BECK, the successful ice dealer of South Bend, Ind., is a German by birth, born in the Fatherland on the 14th of July, 1821, to John and Sebina (Habner) Beck, who were also born in that country. The father was a soap-maker by trade in Rawitch, Bavaria, and being an industrious and prudent man, he became possessed of a considerable amount of worldly goods. Three of their sons and four daughters still reside in Germany. George Beck was the second eldest of the family and in his father's establishment learned the details of soap making. The outlook for acquiring a competency in that country was too slow and uncertain to suit one of his energetic and ambitious disposition, and accordingly in 1853 he turned his footsteps westward with the intention of making a home for himself in America and in 1858 became a resident of South Bend. He at once established a factory here for the manufacture of soap, which he continued with satisfactory financial results until 1876. He manufactured what was known as the Germany Model soap, the demand for which became large and remunerative. In 1876 he gave up this line of work to engage in the ice business, which has since occupied his time and attention. His patronage extends to all parts of the city, and as he keeps a pure line of ice, fills his orders promptly and at reasonable prices, he is fully deserving of the large patronage which is his. In the winter of 1891-2 he and his son put up about 8,000 tons, but the June following the ice house was burned, the loss amounting to about $10,000 and there was no insurance. They have rebuilt their ice house and will do even a more extensive business in the future than they have done in the past. The education of Mr. Beck was obtained in the land of his birth and while there he was a soldier for six years in the regular army. He was married soon after he was released from the service, and for four years thereafter was engaged in making soap on his own account, this experience and the apprenticeship which he had served under his father admirably fitting him for the successful conduct of such an enterprise. His wife was Miss Johanna Margarette, from the same locality as himself and their union resulted in the birth of two sons and five daughters, of whom one daughter is deceased: Minnie is the wife of Henry Fatish; Nomie is the wife of Mr. Grandes; Emma is a milliner of South Bend; Johanna is at home; John W. is in business with his father and George W. is a successful lumberman of Hobart, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are worthy church members and his first presidential vote was cast for James Buchanan. He is one of the substantial business men of South Bend, is honest and upright and has deservedly built up a large trade in the ice business.

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

SIMON YENN is one of the prominent and self-made men of St. Joseph county, Ind., whose conduct in business matters and in the discharge of the duties belonging to the various relations of life, have brought him into prominent notice and has resulted in his being elected to the responsible position of county treasurer of St. Joseph county on the Democrat ticket. He comes from worthy German stock, for his grandfather, Theobald Yenn, was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, and throl1ghoutlife followed the calling of a mason. His son, Theobald, the father of Simon Yenn, was born in that country also, January 21, 1813, being the date of his birth. After receiving a good education in the common schools of his native land, he learned the mason's trade of his father, and eventual1y became a contractor. He was married to Miss Christina Greewey, and to them a family of eight children was given: Casimer, who died in infancy; Simon; Christina was Mrs. Peter Weber, who died in America; Agnes, who was born in Alsace, is the deceased wife of John Gooley; Edward, who died in infancy; Cecilia, born in Stark county, Ohio, married to Daniel Pealy and lives on part of the old homestead in St. Joseph county; another one (Edward) died in Stark county, at the age of four years. In 1845 Mr. Yenn crossed the ocean to America, and after residing in Canton, Ohio, for one year, he purchased land in Stark county, on which he made his home until the spring of 1864, when he came to St. Joseph county, Ind., and purchased a farm of 120 acres in Green township. For three years before his death, which occurred October 20, 1891, he lived with his son Simon. He was a man of great energy and industry and became a substantial and well- to-do citizen through his own earnest efforts. In his religious views he was a Catholic, and political1y always gave his support to the Democratic party. Simon Yenn was also born in Alsace-Lorraine, May 11, 1840, and ever since his fourth year has been a subject of Uncle Sam, having come to the "land of the free" at that time. As soon as old enough he was placed in the public schools, and possessing a bright mind and a retentive memory he made rapid progress in his studies and eventually taught school for two years in Stark county, Ohio. He was also married there, September 23, 1862, to Josephine, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Pohl) Roth, the former of whom was a German by birth, but at that time a successful farmer of Stark county, Ohio, and later of St. Joseph county, Ind., becoming a resident of this section in 1862. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Yenn has resulted in the birth of the following children: Simon M., Mary J., Hattie E., Clara C., William H. and Francis J. (twins), George, August B. and Augusta G. (twins), the latter dying at the age of six months. In 1863 Mr. Yenn came to Mishawaka, driving a team for John Wagner, and afterward managed the farm of his father for four years. Since the spring of 1868 he has been a resident of Mishawaka, and in the same fall established his present store, which he has conducted in a most satisfactory and successful manner. He has hosts of friends in consequence of his ability and integrity, justly merits the abundant success that has attended his well directed efforts, and has spared no pains to please and satisfy each and everyone of his patrons. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat politically, by which party he has been elected to the position of town trustee of Mishawaka four terms. He has ever been a patron of education, and has given his children good advantages. His son, Simon M., attended Canisius College at Buffalo, N. Y., and the Propaganda in Rome; Italy, and has been located as priest at Goshen, Ind., for the past three years; William H. is attending the same institution after one year's attendance at Notre Dame, Ind.; Mary J., married August Hoerstmann, a music teacher and organist, by whom she has two children; Hattie E. married John Herzog, who clerks in his father's shoe store in Mishawaka and is also city clerk. Three sons assist Mr. Yenn in his store: Frank, George and August; Mary, Hattie and William have clerked in the post office at different times, and the entire members of the family are intelligent and enterprising. Mr. Yenn is now holding the office of county treasurer.

“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

URIAH CHANDLER, Mishawaka, Ind. The bustling towns, thriving villages and cultivated farms of St. Joseph county, Ind., have so long been common objects to our sight, that it seem, almost beyond belief that we have in our midst an honored citizen who was one of those hardy pioneers who saw this county when it was a primeval wilderness. At that time there were no settlements within its bounds except the tents of two Indian traders at South Bend and the rude wigwams of the Pottawattomie Indians. The name of this resident is Uriah Chandler, a descendant of English stock. His grandfather, Daniel Chandler, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and fought the British at the battle of Bunker Hill. Later he became a pioneer of Kentucky and was a contemporary of Daniel Boone. Of his origin there is little known except that he came from the State of South Carolina, where he followed the trade of wheelwright, removing from there to Owen county, Ky., where he lived for some years and later came to Jennings county, Ind., where he died at the age of seventy-five or eighty years. He was the father of Braddock, Edward, George, William, Lucy, Elizabeth, Polly and Susan. Braddock Chandler, the father of our subject, was born in South Carolina about 1788, and went with his father to Kentucky when he was a young man, and there became an overseer on the estate of the great Kentucky statesman, Henry Clay. He married and was the father of nine children, as follows: Uriah, Fannie, Nancy, Sarah, John, Henry, William, Alfred and Mary. Braddock Chandler was a soldier in the War of 1812, fought with Gen. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe and became acquainted with the Indiana country. Soon after the war he made several trips to this part of Indiana. On October 2, 1829, he arrived with his family at La Porte, and here he remained until the next spring, and in 1830 moved to South Bend, where he lived for two years. About 1832 he settled in Penn township, and here he cleared up a small farm from the forest, but in 1850 he went to California, crossing the great plains. In 1851 he returned to this county, where he died the next January, at the age of sixty-two years. He was one of the original pioneer settlers of this county, living here when the Pottawattomie Indians were the principal occupants. He was a great hunter, and many deer, beard and wolves fell before the unerring aim of his rifle. In Kentucky he had many adventures with the Indians, but in Indiana, after the war was over, he had no further trouble. He was a typical American pioneer hunter and trapper. Physically he was a large, powerful man and had more education than was usual with men of his class, as he could "figure as far as the double ru1e of three." Originally he was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, but in Indiana he and wife became members of the Methodist Church. The most of the old-time American pioneers have passed away. They were sturdy and fearless, inured to toil and privation and possessing an adventurous turn of mind, they were perpetually on the frontiers, leaving the scattered settlements in search of still newer countries, where they could still find game in plenty and homes where they would be untrammeled by the restraints of civilization. These men were the founders of new States, subdued the savage tribes, conquered the still more savage wilderness, reared their humble cabins and turned the virgin soil with their plowshares. The smoke from the chimney of their humble cabins was often the only guide through the wilderness to their clearings, but around their huge fireplaces, large families of healthy, happy children were gathered and these became the parents of the sons and daughters who now are the leading spirits in American civilization. Uriah Chandler was born August 16, 1816, on the Henry Clay estate, Ky., where his father was an overseer. He had no opportunity for gaining an education and at the age of thirteen years came to Indiana with his father, arriving as before stated, October 2, 1829. He then hired his time of his father until he was twenty-one years of age and engaged as an ox teamster at a saw-mill which was located two miles east of Michigan City, continuing in this employment for two years. During the first year he was sent to mill at Fort Wayne, Ind., a distance of over one hundred miles through a trackless wilderness, if we may except the Indian paths extending from point to point. Uriah was then but a little past fourteen years old and drove four yoke of oxen hitched to an enormous wagon, the wheels of which had a tread or width of tire of one foot. The character and trustworthiness of young Uriah is well illustrated by the fact that his employer gave him $125, with which to purchase wheat to have ground at the mill. The wagon and the eight head of oxen of his team were of considerable value. The country swarmed with Indians with whom there were always many white desperadoes, and that so young a lad should have so successfully completed a task fraught with so many difficulties, seems remarkable to us of this generation; but in the pioneer days, boys became men while yet in their teens and the old annals of those times are full of instances of undertakings which would now be scarcely attempted by strong men, but were then accomplished by boys in years. Uriah followed the Indian trails alone until he reached South Bend, thus accomplishing about one-third of the journey. At night he would unyoke the cattle and they would browse upon the branches of the trees and the grass by the wayside, this constituting their sole food. After they had eaten sufficiently, they would come back to the wagon, and soon the little party would be sound asleep. At that time Uriah found at South Bend but two white men, Alexis Coquillard and Col. Lathrop M. Taylor, Indian traders. Both of them occupied tents, while the neighboring bottoms were covered with Indian wigwams. When young Uriah drove among them he asked for Col. Taylor, who received him kindly, gave him good advice about agreeing peaceably with the Indians, eating with them whatever they offered, sharing tobacco with them, and in all ways seeking to give these dangerous people no cause of offense. That night a wagon came in for furs, and by midnight was loaded ready to return to Fort Wayne. This gave Uriah company for the trip, and he left on his journey at the same time. At Wolf Lake they met a party of Indians and took supper with them, having dog and boiled corn for supper. Being hungry and remembering the advice of Col. Taylor, the visitors eat with a relish. This side of Fort Wayne Uriah bought of a farmer 125 bushels of wheat for 37 cents per bushel. On his arrival at the mill he found many teams ahead of him and was obliged to wait two weeks for his turn to come in grinding. He returned home safely by the same route, having consumed five weeks on this remarkable journey. He accounted honestly for all of the money with which he had been intrusted, and as his employer had expected him to pay $1 per bushel for the wheat, he had considerable money left. Two years after this he again drove to mill with four yoke of oxen, this time to the falls of the Kankakee River and returned safely from that trip. For two years he accompanied a surveyor's party in Wisconsin, assisting in the State survey, but later returned to Indiana. He also worked as a boatman on the keel boats which for years were in use on the St. Joseph River, Uriah "pushing" on these boats for three seasons between Lake Michigan and Three Rivers. He then engaged in farm work, mostly on Portage Prairie, where he married, just before he was twenty-one years of age, May 5, 1836, Mary, daughter of William Hughes, a farmer and pioneer of St. Joseph county. He remained two years on Portage Prairie and then went to Marshall county, Ind.; and two miles from Bremen, entered eighty acres of land in the heavy timber. He remained there but one year, and then came to Mishawaka and assisted in the building of the present dam. Following this came a season of hard labor, chopping wood, teaming, etc., but about 1843 he settled on land in Penn township, consisting of 100 acres of heavy timber. This he cleared and made here a good home, living first in a log house which he found on the place, later building a comfortable frame house, barns, etc., and there he principally reared his family. His children are as follows: William B., born March 14, 1838; Elizabeth J., born March 14, 1840; Sarah E., born October 25, 1842; Frances H:, born November 20, 1844; Martha, born October 6, 1846; John H., born February 23, 1849; Alfred, born January 28, 1851, and Uriah, born August 27, 1853. By industry and thrift Mr. Chandler added to his farm until he owned 300 acres, and beside this his residence in Mishawaka with one acre surrounding it. He has given his children sixty-seven acres of his land, retaining the remainder. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chandler were members of the Methodist Church, and he assisted with his means to build the Methodist Church in Mishawaka and has filled the office of church trustee. Political1y our subject is a stanch Republican. At the opening of the Civil war he came into the town, living here for fifteen years, engaged in hauling wheat and flour, but then he returned to his home on the farm, remaining until three years since, when he returned to the town again, as he had retired from farming. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., having been a member of the old St. Joseph Lodge, the first one in Mishawaka. Mrs. Chandler died July 30, 1890. The children are married and settled, as follows: William B. married Alsie Hutchinson and has three children, is a farmer of Penn township, and is located two miles south of Mishawaka; Elizabeth J. married John Hutchinson, they have seven children and reside in this place; Sarah E. married Hugh Noyes, they have four children and reside in Osceola; Frances H. married Martin Fulmer, they have three children and reside in Penn township, where he is a farmer; Martha married George Laughman, of South Bend, who is the treasurer and secretary of the Sandige Steel Skein Works, and has been mayor of South Bend; John H. married Martha J. Brelsford (deceased after four years of wedded life), he married again, in 1877, Villie H. Perkins, and has two children (he is a farmer and resides in Mishawaka); Alfred married Effie Cole, has four children and resides in the same town; and Uriah married Mary Shearer, is a farmer of Penn township and has one child. Thus Mr. Chandler has eight children, twenty-four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is now seventy-six years of age and retains his faculties, although his life has been one of almost constant hard labor. Having had no education he had to make his hands and his natural shrewdness, combined with industry and perseverance make his way in life. Besides bringing up a large family, he accumulated a handsome property, and succeeded far better than many men of much better chance in life. He always followed a straightforward course, and his many descendants can take an honest pride in the sturdy ancestry from which they have sprung. He has taken great interest in the Methodist Church and hewed the logs with which the First Methodist Church in South Bend was built, and his uncle, Alfred Wright, was one of the scorers. The father of Judge Stanfield had a brickyard, and his wife told young Chandler and others who were working there that a Methodist preacher was coming in three days from Sunday and suggested that they build a log church for him. This they did, the church being thirty feet square, of hewed logs, and was not only the first Methodist but the first Protestant Church in St. Joseph county. Among these men were found the now well-known names of John Eaton and William Magnus. The minister came and was pleased at the preparations which had been made and the meeting was attended for miles around. In 1831 Mr. Chandler passed through Chicago on his way to Wisconsin, and relates that he found nothing but a whisky saloon and old Fort Dearborn. Many are the interesting reminiscences that this old pioneer can relate of days which must possess an interest for every American reader.

“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

CHARLES G. TOWLE is one of the prominent old settlers of St. Joseph county, Ind., and has been identified with its growth and prosperity. He inherits Irish blood of his ancestors, for his grandparents came from the Isle of Erin and took up their residence in the State of New Hampshire, John Towle, the grandfather, being a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Gilman Towle, the father of Charles G., was born in the Granite State in 1808, was given the advantages of a common school education, and in his youth learned the tanner's trade, at which he worked after his removal to western New York with his mother, his father having died when he was but four years of age. He successfully followed his line of work in Brockport, N. Y., and was there married to Miss Magdaline Beekman, by whom he became the father of two children: Charles G. and Henry S. In 1837, with the desire to better his financial circumstances, he removed to St. Joseph county, Ind., and opened up a mercantile establishment in Mishawaka, but gave up this business in 1842, although he had met with good success, and moved on to a farm one and one-half miles north of the town. He was a man of great discrimination, possessed very practical and intelligent views and for twenty-four years he acted in the capacity of county commissioner and town trustee. At first an old line Whig in politics, he afterward became a Republican, and during the war was a very strong Union man. He was a man of great energy, in every respect self-made, and possessed the confidence of the citizens of St. Joseph county to a marked degree. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-three years, dying in 1888, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. In 1856 he retired from farming and the remainder of his days were passed in Mishawaka. His wife was a member of the Methodist Church. Charles G. Towle owes his nativity to Brockport, N. Y., where he first saw the light on the 28th of September, 1832. At about the age of five he was brought by his parents to Mishawaka, Ind., and in the common district schools in the vicinity of his home he obtained a practical education, in the meantime becoming thoroughly versed in the details of farming. In 1856 he chose for his companion through life Lucy Doolittle, daughter of Hiram Doolittle, an old pioneer settler of the township from the State of New York, he having been a farmer in the vicinity of Lockport. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Towle has resulted in the birth of three children: Herbert, Carrie and Mary, the eldest of whom married Anna Beam, and died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving two children. After his marriage Mr. Towle resided on the home farm until 1877, when he became a citizen of Mishawaka and from 1878 to 1887 he held the position of county commissioner and for seven years was also town trustee, discharging the duties of these offices in a highly satisfactory manner and very much to his credit. He has always supported the measures of the Republican party, is highly regarded in Mishawaka as a public-spirited citizen and has also an enviable reputation throughout the county.

“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