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W. R. HOBBS, furniture dealer of South Bend, Ind. Of the marked improvement on the culture and general good taste of the public no more convincing proof is to be found in South Bend than by a visit to the furniture warerooms of W. R. Hobbs at 122 South Michigan street, which is conducted in an able and efficient manner and is in the enjoyment of a prosperous career. Mr. Hobbs owes his nativity to Yorkville, Ill., where he was born January 25, 1859, a son of Nathaniel and Caroline (Graham) Hobbs, the former of whom was born in Portland, Me., and the latter in Haverhill, Mass. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were of English descent and were early settlers of New England. The great-grandfather, Josiah Hobbs, was a colonel in a Maine regiment during the Revolutionary war. The early members of the family were engaged in mercantile pursuits. Nathaniel Hobbs emigrated from Maine to Illinois in 1855, and in the town of Yorkville he built a saw-mill and was engaged in milling and lumbering until the big flood of 1858, when everything he owned was swept away, leaving him totally destitute of means. He then turned his attention to agriculture, purchasing a farm on time one mile from Yorkville, and by good management and hard work in time succeeded in entirely paying off his indebtedness. In 1868 he sold this property and moved to Aurora, Ill., where he opened a furniture establishment which he conducted in a successful manner until 1887, at which time he sold his stock to his two sons, W. R. and Albert J., and from that time until his death in 1889, lived a retired life. His widow survives him and lives on the old homestead in Aurora. She bore her husband four children: Albert J.; George; Mrs. Flora E. Hammond, of Aurora, Ill.; and William R., of South Bend, Ind. The subject of this sketch was but five years of age when his parents left the farm and in the city of Aurora, Ill., he received his education, graduating from the high school in 1876, at the age of seventeen. The subsequent three winters he taught school in the vicinity of Aurora and in the summer worked for Gannon & McGrath, of Chicago, at which place he learned the upholsterer's trade. After becoming a thoroughly competent upholsterer he entered his father's establishment with whom he remained associated until he purchased an interest in the business upon his father's retirement, but in 1890 sold out to his brother and soon after purchased his present store and has since conducted a prosperous and creditable business. The premises are suitably arranged for sale and work purposes and he carries the largest stock of furniture in Indiana, north of Indianapolis. He is not only thoroughly conversant with the details of the business, but also with the demands of the public, whom he zealously and successfully strives to serve to their best mutual advantage, and under his keen, careful supervision the house has attained a position in the foreground in its line. Mr. Hobbs was married in 1880 to Miss Eliza Smedley, of Aurora, Ill., by whom he has four children: W. R. Hobbs' career has not been one of a varying nature, it has been a safe, healthy, energetic, progressive career, in proof of which he builds this year a double, four story, ornamental brick block on the corner of Michigan and Wayne streets, to which, when completed, he will move his present 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

E. R. VANDERHOOF. A well-stocked and thoroughly equipped drug store is a great convenience in any community, and Mr. Vanderhoof is fully alive to the requirements of the public in his line of business, and the able manner in which he conducts it proves at once that he is fully abreast of the times and is a thoroughly qualified druggist. His place of business is located at 216 West Washington street. He was born in Louisville, Stark county, Ohio, October 31, 1853, a son of Aaron and Mary F. (Moffitt) Vanderhoof, who were also born in the Buckeye State. The Vanderhoof family originally came from the land of windmills and they and the Moffitts were among the first settlers of Stark county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Patrick Vanderhoof, was a farmer and donated forty acres of land to the Catholic Church of Louisville, Ohio. The father of the subject of this sketch came to South Bend many years ago and became book-keeper for Studebaker Bros., and also for the Oliver Plow Works and at one time was engaged in the grocery business. He died in this city and here his widow still lives with her six children: Edward R., Albert, Amy, Mary, John and Stella. Edward R., whose name heads this sketch, was partially reared in Louisville, Ohio, but when a lad came to South Bend with his father and obtained a good education in St. Patrick's Parochial School, after which, for eleven years, he was a clerk in a drug store. At the end of this time he became a dairyman and at the same time farmed until 1887, when he opened a drug store of his own in South Bend in partnership with G. R. Summers, with whom he has since been connected. They keep an excellent stock of pure, fresh drugs and all the various articles belonging to the business. The store is neatly and tastefully appointed and supplied with every modern convenience, and is made attractive by handsome show windows. Their business is large and constantly increasing and their establishment is recognized as one of the prominent business institutions of the city. Dr. Vanderhoof also owns a fine farm of 120 acres in Clay township and is quite an extensive dealer in fine stock, being particularly fond of fast trotters, of which he owns some creditable and exceptionally speedy animals. His cattle are also finely bred. He rents his land, as he has no time or inclination to look after it himself. In 1880 he was married to Miss Mary A. Summers, and their union has resulted in the birth of two sons and two daughters: Catherine, Mamie, Edward and John. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church and are highly regarded in the social circles of South Bend.

MILO A. SMITH. The State of Vermont is always suggestive of the honest, hard and rugged characters in human life. It presents to the mind pictures of the bold Green Mountain Boys and brave Ethan Allen before the gates of Ticonderoga. It was people like those who won their independence from the British king and erected the basis of this great American nation. It is their descendants who have come out in the West and formed the nucleus, of a great territory and a great people. Milo A. Smith, of South Bend, Ind., came of this stock. He was born in Rutland county, Vt., in 1838. His father was also a native of the same county but his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah T. Hall, was born in Richmond, Va. Both, however, were of the good old English Puritan stock who had the courage in the cause of Christian liberty to break the heart strings which bound them to home and kindred and come to a "rock-bound coast" in search of a spot where they could exercise the true rights of man and womanhood. The father of Milo A. Smith took up the practice of law in his native State, a profession he followed for many years. His legal connections brought him to a certain extent into the political arena and he was elected for several successive terms to the State Legislature. When Milo was fourteen years old, his family came west locating first in Plymouth, Marshall county, Ind. This was 1852 and transportation facilities were not then what they are to-day. It is true, part of the trip was made by rail but the greater portion of the route was by water. Mr. Smith's stay in Plymouth, however, was of but a few years' duration, but while there he resumed the practice of law and became a justice of the peace. In 1858 he removed to Mishawaka in the same State, and here, too, he meted out justice to offenders from the judge's bench. Death, however, cut short his career in Mishawaka. He died there in 1862. His wife survived him twenty-one years, dying in 1883. Milo Smith was one of a family of six children. Like any lad of fourteen, Milo enjoyed the novelty of his trip from the land of Green Mountains to the land of Hoosierdom. His education was received mainly in his old Vermont home. He did not come West to obtain an education but to grow up with the country and add his muscle and brain to the hosts striving to win fortune in new and untried fields. At the early age of eighteen, in 1856, he began his business career. Some inducements were offered him and he went south to Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged in the grocery and commission business. In that enterprise he showed his business ability, for he made a success of it and kept it in a healthy and prosperous condition until 1861. It was then the troublous times between the North and the South finally culminated in the Rebellion. There were many Northerners south of Mason and Dixon's line, and many were engaged in successful business enterprises. The war alarm reached their ears, but they could not believe the country was to be thrown into a fearful fratricidal war. But the boom of the cannon which fired upon Fort Sumter came, and its dreadful note could not be mistaken; it spoke in words too plain to be doubted that the crisis had come. Just at this time sickness and death caused Mr. Smith to return to Mishawaka, where he remained until the spring of 1862. His ambition was too great, however, to permit of his staying in that small Indiana village. He became restless to once mere engage in the selling of merchandise where the field was larger and where he had greater scope for success. He moved to Chicago and was soon established in the commission business, a field he had found very profitable while in the South. For four years was he thus occupied until 1866, when circumstances made it desirable for him to once more go back to Indiana. This time, however, he pitched his tent in South Bend, a town of some considerable prominence and only a short distance from his old home, Mishawaka. Here Mr. Smith opened a book and stationery store and there be has remained ever since. His business instinct led him to do this at a time when success was very promising. His establishment has grown steadily and prospered and is to-day one of the leading mercantile enterprises of an enterprising town. Personally Mr. Smith is looked upon as one of the representative business men of South Bend. He has dealt fairly and honestly with his trade, and traits such as those coupled with keen business ability, knowing first how to buy goods, that he might sell them at a profit and still underbid his competitors, and studying carefully the wants of his customers could have but one result - success and prosperity in a high degree. This Mr. Smith has desired and this he has obtained. Milo A. Smith has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Helen VanPelt, of Memphis to whom he was united in 1864. Four children were the result of this union, two boys and two girls. The former are named Milo H. and Clarence A. and the latter Annie and Helen M. In 1887 he escorted to the altar Miss Alice C. Patterson of Mason county, Ky., who at the time resided in South Bend and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. To a man of Mr. Smith's tastes clubs, orders, societies and politics can have but few charms. Being an American, he regards his franchise as a gift not to be cast away. He therefore votes conscientiously, but he has never been an office seeker nor a politician in any sense. As for societies, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and that covers the entire list. It is men like Milo A. Smith who are the strength and backbone of this great country. Blood will surely tell, and men who come from the good old Puritan stock and are reared in an atmosphere of honesty, and good principles will assuredly make their mark in whatever field of life's labor fate may destine them to work.

WILLIAM INWOOD, vice-president of the Sandage Steel Skein Company, of South Bend, was born in Center township, St. Joseph county, Ind., October 1, 1847, a son of Richard and Catherine (Rush) Inwood, the former a native of England, the latter of Ohio. The Rush family were pioneers of Pennsylvania and there settled on a Tomahawk claim. Benjamin Rush, an early member of this family, was a prominent man of his day and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in the vicinity of Dayton, but some of the name are still residents of the Keystone State. The maternal grandfather, Leonard Rush, had two sons, Jacob and Israel, Jr., who came from Ohio to St. Joseph county, Ind., about 1830 and located in what is now Olive township, on Terre Coupee Prairie, of which they were among the very first settlers, and where they entered quite a large tract of land, theirs being among the first land entries on record. Jacob Rush plowed the first furrow on this prairie and was the first to cultivate the land in that section. Israel Rush built the first log cabin there, and soon afterward their father followed and took up his residence with them. The Black Hawk Indians were still numerous throughout that region, and at one time a fort was erected for protection against them, but their alarm was needless and the whites were never molested. Jacob Rush took a contract from the Government to open the Michigan Military Road, receiving in return then for 160 acres of land for each mile of road opened. He opened this celebrated road from Plymouth to South Bend and the old homestead was a part of the grant. Leonard Rush was subsequently elected to the position of State representative. The grandfather Rush became the father of twelve children and accumulated a comfortable fortune, being at one time the owner of 3,000 acres of land in northern Indiana, the most of which was in St. Joseph county. He died on Terre Coupee Prairie. Richard Inwood. the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Holy Born, England, not far from the city of London, and when twenty-one years of age, in company with his brother William and two sisters, set sail for America in search of their fortunes. He went at once to Ohio, in which State he found himself in 1832, but the following year moved to St. Joseph county, Ind., leaving his two sisters in Ohio. A few months after settling in St. Joseph county, his brother Wil1iam started for Ohio to bring the sisters to their new home, and on the way there was murdered near Fort Wayne, his corpse being found some three months after. Richard located in Mishawaka, where he secured employment in the iron works as a clerk. He subsequently became a partner in the mercantile establishment of Rush, Garst & Co., and continued thus associated for a number of years. Later he removed to a farm in Center township, to which occupation he devoted his attention for a few years, then retired from the active duties of life and until his death, January 9, 1878, was a resident of South Bend. His first wife died in 1858, having borne him three children: George, of Vancouver, British Columbia; William, the subject of this sketch, and Mary, wife of George Matthews. His second union resulted in the birth of one child: Richard G., who is now a practicing lawyer in South Bend. William Inwood's early life was spent like that of the average farmer's boy, that is, he attended school during the winter months and assisted his father on the farm in the summer time. Upon starting out in life for himself it was perhaps but natural that he should choose that of farming, to which he had been reared, and to this occupation his attention was devoted with remarkable success until 1881, when he moved to South Bend and engaged in the coal, wood and lime business and at one time ran two of the principal yards in the city. In 1881 he purchased an interest in the Sandage Steel Skein Works and was shortly afterward made its vice-president, which position he has held ever since. This business has been very successful under its present management and Mr. Inwood has personally made a success of his career. He owns a fine farm in Greene township, which he looks after in connection with his other business. His success is attributable not only to innate business tact, but by his strict attention to his own affairs, by his never-failing courtesy and by his desire to do right by everyone, be they poor or rich, man, woman or child. On September 7, 1875, he was married to Miss Maggie Byers, a native of St. Joseph county, by whom he has four children: John R., Nellie, Paul B. and Carrie M. Mr. Inwood is a member of the A. F. & A. M.., the K. O. T. M., the A. O. U. W., the Grangers, and is a trustee of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always been Ii Republican in his political views.

DR. JOHN BOROUGH has devoted the greater part of his life to the calling of a physician, and as a practitioner of the "healing art" has met with more than an average degree of success, and by his skill and talent has driven the grim destroyer from many a home. He was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, March 17, 1843, his parents being Henry and Sarah (Critz) Borough. His great-grandfather came from the border countries between Germany and France, inheriting both French and German blood, and was the founder of the family in America, settling at Georgetown, D. C., where Frederick, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1769. He was given a common-school education, and learned the trade of a tailor, which he followed in after life. When a lad he saw Gen. Washington, and voted for him for his second term as president. He was married to Regina Kozer, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., her parents having come from Germany. To this worthy couple these children were born: John, Catherine, Peter, Abraham, James, Samuel, Jacob, Henry, Lydia, Elizabeth, and one that died at the age of fifteen years. Frederick Borough settled in Martinsburg, Va., where he lived for some years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and while a tailor made a uniform for Gen. Jackson, which line of work he made a specialty. In 1829 he moved with his family to Wayne county, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneers, but after a few years be began making his home with his children in Wyandot county, Ohio. He possessed a remarkably fine constitution, and worked at his trade until over eighty-five years of age, and regaining his second sight, he used no glasses. He reached the advanced and remarkable age of one hundred and four years, and died near Toledo, Ohio, at the home of his son James. His wife lived to be eighty-eight years old, seventy-two years of which time she was the wife of Mr. Borough. At the time of her death she had over one hundred and forty-seven descendants. Both Mr. and Mrs. Borough were members of the Evangelical Church, and Mr. Borough throughout his life took the greatest interest in church work. His sons, James and John, were preachers in that church. Henry Borough, his son and the father of Dr. John Borough, was born at Martinsburg, Va., January 2, 1821, received a common school education, and was reared to the calling of a farmer. He was but seven years of age when taken by his parents to Ohio, and in Wyandot county of that State he met, and afterward married, Sarah, daughter of William Critz, their union being celebrated about 1841. William Critz was of German stock, born in Pennsylvania, but became a pioneer of Stark, and also of Wyandot, counties, Ohio. He was in Stark county during the Indian troubles, and from that State enlisted in the War of 1812, serving on the lake frontier, and was in a number of engagements. He moved to the wilderness of Wyandot county to get more land, and secured a 160 acre tract for himself and 120 acres for each of his eight children: Abraham, Henry, Samuel, Catherine, Lydia, Jonas, Sarah and George. Mr. Critz was a substantial farmer and lived to the age of eighty-six years, dying in Sandusky county at the home of his daughter Catherine. He was a member of the Evangelical Church, and had the respect of all who knew him for his integrity of character. After his marriage Mr. Borough took up his residence on a farm in Wyandot county, where he remained until 1866, in the meantime clearing up a good farm of 120 acres. He came to St. Joseph county, Ind., at the above-mentioned date, settling on a farm in Portage township three miles southwest of South Bend, becoming the owner of a fine farm of 184 acres. In 1891 he moved to South Bend, where he bought himself a good home. To Mr. and Mrs. Borough were born a family of ten children, who lived to grow up: William, John, Regina, Carrie, Victor E., Mattie, George W., Lew, Clara (who died a married woman), and Mary C. (who also died after her marriage). In politics Mr. Borough was always a stanch Republican, and during the Civil war was an ardent Union man, two of his sons, William and John, being in the United States Signal Corps, and both with Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. Borough and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. Dr. John Borough, son of this worthy couple, was born March 17, 1843, in Wyandot county, Ohio, and there made his home until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving the advantages of the common schools, a select school at Findlay, Ohio, and the Northern Indiana College at South Bend, Ind. During his vacations, and for about seven years, he followed the occupation of teaching, and also clerked in a drug store in South Bend for about a year and a half, after which he began the study of medicine under a preceptor, Dr. Partridge, of South Bend. In 1874 he graduated from the Homeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland, Ohio, and soon after began practicing his profession with his former preceptor at South Bend, with whom he remained as�sociated a few months. He then established himself at Mishawaka, where he has since been an exceptionally successful practitioner of the "healing art." Dr. Borough is a patron of the leading medical periodicals, has a well stocked medical library, and is one of the leading physicians of the county, deservedly high in the estimation of the public. In 1876 he was married to Edith H. Close, who left him a widower in 1886. For the past six years he has taken an active interest in Masonry and has taken all the degrees except the thirty-third. He is a member of Mishawaka Lodge, No. 130, is A. M. of Mishawaka Chapter, No. 83, is senior warden of the Blue Lodge, master of Mishawaka Council, No. 19, and past eminent commander of the South Bend Commandery, No. 13. K. T. He is also an Odd Fellow, and a member of Mentor Lodge, No. 203. Politically he has always been an active Republican. The Doctor has made his way in life by his own exertions, and is respected alike for his integrity of character and professional ability. On March 17, 1864, he enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, in the signal corps, and served until the close of the war. He was first in the camp of instruction at Washington, D. C., and from there went to Rome, Ga., joining Sherman's army, being a participant in the siege of Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, Ga., and marched with Sherman to the sea. He wound up his military career with the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., after which he returned home and to the peaceful pursuits of civil life.

DR. JAMES F. GRIMES. Integrity, intelligence and system are qualities which will advance the interests of any man or any profession and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Dr. Grimes' life in the professional arena has been characterized by constancy of purpose, conscientiousness, undoubted ability and energy, and as a natural result his time is fully taken up with the duties of a profession which is the most arduous of any in the field of science. He is of Irish, English and German descent. His grandfather, Samuel Grimes, was a resident of Frederick county, Md., and for his second wife married a Miss Grimes, of English stock, but not known to be related to him. To them seven children were given: Reuben, James, Samuel, Noah, Lena, Alvira and William. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Grimes again married, his third wife presenting him with eleven children: Warren, Noah, Ann, Dorcas, Catherine, being the only ones remembered. Samuel Grimes was a prominent farmer and stockraiser of his day and on his fine farm in Frederick county, Md., he was called from life at the age of eighty-two years. His son, James Grimes, first saw the light in Frederick county, Md., and owing to the breaking up of the home by the death of his mother, he was apprenticed to a miller, but was fortunate enough to receive a common-school education. He became a soldier in the War of 1812 and was a participant in the battle of Blandensburg. He was united in marriage with Rebecca, daughter of George and Rebecca Ott, of German descent, and around their hearthstone a family of nine children eventually gathered, all of whom lived to mature years: Matilda, David, Joseph, Joshua, Catherine, James F., Susanna, Elias and Lydia. James Grimes followed the calling of a miller in Maryland until forty years of age, at which time he became a farmer in the old Ott homestead, and in 1833 moved to Seneca county, Ohio, where he entered and purchased land until he was the owner of 280 acres. He pursued the calling of a farmer the remainder of his days, and lived to the advanced age of four-score years and four. He was a man of much intelligence, and his judgment was respected by the people of his section to such a degree that for twenty-eight years he discharged the duties of justice of the peace to the satisfaction of all concerned. Dr. James F. Grimes, his son and the subject of this sketch, was born on the old Ott homestead in Frederick county, Md., April 13, 1825, and when a youth received a practical education in the common schools. He was taken to Seneca county, Ohio, when a child of eight years, and when about nineteen years of age, with his father's consent, he began the study of medicine with the family physician. Dr. Norton, and later pursued his investigations with Drs. Myers and Harris, of Bellevue, Ohio, after which he practiced one year. He then entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1853, after which he almost immediately located at Mishawaka, Ind., of which place he has since been an active practitioner. During the Civil war he was the only physician in Mishawaka, and in the early days of his practice traveled far and wide on horseback, carrying his medicines with him in a saddlebag. At that time the roads had hardly been cut out of the thick woods and were almost impassable south of Mishawaka, but this intrepid physician managed somehow to respond to the calls of suffering humanity, although his health, and even his life itself, was often endangered by his long rides through wind and weather, and his services were required almost day and night. There was much more sickness in those early days than at the present time, for the marshes had not yet been drained, the people were not as well clothed and fever and ague abounded. Dr. Grimes was married in Seneca county, Ohio, to Miss Caroline E., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lay) Harris, and to their union four children were given: Rebecca E., Harriet, John H. and Mary A. Dr. Grimes keeps well posted in his profession, takes many of the leading medical journals of the day and owns a valuable medical library. He is a physician of forty years' experience, during which time he has met with excellent success and has a large practice, the most of which his son, Dr. John H., now attends to, the latter being a graduate of the Bennett Medical College of Chicago. He is married to Rose Fisher and has two children. Rebecca E. married Orlando Welklow (deceased) and is now residing at Port Chester, Alaska Territory. She has been for many years a successful teacher in the graded schools of South Bend and Mishawaka. Harriet, E. is married to E. Volney Bingham, an attorney of Mishawaka, and has four children. Mary A., married William Bortwick, who is with the Mishawaka Manufacturing Company and has one child. Dr. Grimes is one of the respected citizens of the county, and owing to the many years that he has devoted to the cause of humanity he has won the gratitude and affection of all. There is but one other physician in the county who has a longer record as a resident physician: Dr. Harris, of South Bend, his brother-in-law who came to this section the fall before he did.

VERY REV. AUGUST B. OECHTERING, of Mishawaka, is the youngest son of Gerhard H. and Theresa (Benningmeier) Oechtering, who was born in the province of Westphalia, Prussia, September 8, 1837, and completed his education in the College of Rheine in 1858. In July of the same year he came to America to prepare himself for the extensive mission of the Catholic Church, for which he always had a strong inclination, and for this purpose the newly appointed Bishop Luers of Ft. Wayne, Ind., to whom he had applied for admission into his diocese, sent him to the Seminary of Mt. St. Mary's of the West near Cincinnati, where he completed his theological studies in May, 1861. On the 17th of the same month he was ordained priest of the Cathedral of Ft. Wayne by Bishop Luers, and soon after his ordination was appointed rector of the much neglected mission of St. Joseph's Church at Delphi, Ind., where, from May 26, 1861, till December 22, 1865, he labored with good success, building up a good congregation and school. At the same time he also attended several small missions in the surrounding country. In 1864 he accompanied his kind friend, the Bishop Luers, to Europe, where, after an absence of six years, he visited his aged parents, who at that time celebrated their golden wedding, holding a reunion of their eight children and their families. In 1865 he was appointed rector of St. Mary's Church at Avilla, Ind. While there he labored eighteen months with eleven different congregations in four counties. In Waterloo a new church was erected, at Kendallville an old one was nicely repaired. He also labored in other places during this time, and during his short stay in Avilla he delivered many lectures upon the Catholic subjects such as "Confessions," "Popery" and the "True Church," in his different missions, thus clearing away many prejudices and silencing many false accusers. In 1867, at the request of the Bishop, he took charge of the St. Joseph's Church at Mishawaka, where he has since labored with good success. In December, 1879, the Bishop of Ft. Wayne, Dr. Dwenger, tendered him a much larger and more remunerative field of labor, Huntington, but he declined, as he had formed an attachment to the citizens of Mishawaka and preferred remaining at his old post. In 1875 he again went to Europe, visited Rome and had an audience with the venerable and saintly Pius IX. He also traveled through France, England and Ireland. This last visit was a very profitable one to him in various ways and was a source of much pleasure. In 1886 the Catholic Church of Mishawaka was entirely inadequate to supply the wants of the congregation and a fund for the building of a new church was started by Father Oechtering, and in 1890 active preparations were been for the erection of a new church, but it was deferred on account of the pastor's poor health, and five months of that year were spent in traveling through Europe in search of health, and he was much benefited by the change. Upon his return he began active work again, and in the beginning of 1891 the foundation was laid and the corner-stone placed in position by Rt. Rev. Joseph Rademaucher, of Nashville, Tenn., the ceremony taking place August 30, 1891, before an audience of about 10,000 people. The total cost of the new church will be nearly $50,000. It is 160x60 feet, its spire rising to the height of 180 feet. It will be occupied in October, 1893. Father Oechtering has been president of the Catholic School Board of the diocese of Ft. Wayne, also one of the consulters to the Bishop of Ft. Wayne, which is a prominent position. He is dean of the Fifth District of Fort Wayne, presiding at their semi-annual meetings. He is rich in the love of his people, and of him it may be said, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

WILLIAM B. WRIGHT, justice of the peace of South Bend, Ind., was born in Orleans county, N. Y., December 29, 1852, a son of Berkley and Margaret (Kelley) Wright, also natives of the Empire State, the father being a shoemaker by trade, who pursued that calling in New York until his career was closed by death. Four of his eight children survive him, of whom William B. is the eldest. He was reared in the county of his birth and while pursuing the paths of learning in the common country schools, which he attended only a short time each year, he learned the details of agriculture on the home farm. Owing to the fact that his father was by no means wealthy, he was compelled to make his own way in the world from early manhood and followed that occupation until he attained his majority, at which time he began working in a shoe factory and for a few years thereafter turned his hand to any honorable employment that he could find to do. In 1883 he came to South Bend and worked for different firms for some time, but in April, 1888, he was elected to his present office, and honored with a re-election in 1890, his term of office expiring in 1896. He has discharged the duties of this position in an able and efficient manner and adjusted the difficulties of his neighbors in a way that won him universal approval. Although he has had to fight the battle of life for himself from an early day, he has fought the fight bravely and has now a competency. His correct manner of living has made him many friends, and in every respect he is a worthy, honored and useful resident of South Bend. Socially he is a member of the K. 0. T. M. He was married in 1877 to Miss Anna Metzger, by whom he has two children: Willie I. and Dollie May.

WILLIAM H. OREN, of the firm of Oren & Baker, wholesale and retail grocers of South Bend, is a very enterprising business man, and has a patronage that extends to all parts of the city, as well as throughout the surrounding country. All his goods may be relied upon as being in fine condition, as well as of high-class quality. He is a native of York county, Penn., where he was born September 11, 1849, a son of John and Elizabeth (Durand) Oren, also Pennsylvanians, but of German descent. The father was an honored "son of the soil" and he and his wife spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania, being now survived by four of the eleven children born to them, of whom William H., the subject of this sketch, is the youngest. His early life was spent in Pottsville, Penn., in the public schools of which place he received his education, and when about fourteen years of age he began clerking in a grocery and dry goods house of that place, but received a very small compensation for his services. In 1870 Horace Greeley's advice seemed to him to be sound, and he turned his footsteps westward and soon found himself in Decatur, Ill., where he followed the calling of a clerk for a few years. He next opened a general store at Latham, Ill., which he conducted with fair success for about five years, but in 1880 disposed of his stock to remove to South Bend, Ind., and here he soon after purchased the grocery and baker shop owned by J. C. Knoblock and began business under the firm name of Keasey & Oren, but it only continued thus for a short time when A. D. Baker purchased Mr. Keasey's interest and business has since been successfully continued under the firm name of Oren & Baker. Their business has been conducted all this time at their present stand, 116 West Washington street, but is under the immediate management of Mr. Oren as Mr. Baker is vice-president of the South Bend Chilled Plow Company and manager of the same. Mr. Oren's knowledge of his chosen avocation is perfect, and with his abundant resources, influential connections and superior organization, he would appear to be but entering on a career whose future contains promise of the most encouraging character. These gentlemen conduct a bakery in connection with their store which is also a paying business. These gentlemen are widely known and greatly esteemed, not alone within the lines of this important trade, but by a wide circle among the community generally. Mr. Oren was married in 1874, Miss Sallie Baker, daughter of G. W. Baker, of Decatur, Ill., becoming his wife and the mother of his five children: Maude, Arthur, Jessie, Kizzie and Jed. Mr. Oren is a member of the K. O. T. M., the National Union and the Royal Arcanum. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN N. LEDERER, real estate and insurance agent. To no class of people is the prosperity of a city due more than to the real estate men. It is his energy and vim that induces capital to invest, and houses spring up under the magic wand of his power in inducing people to locate. South Bend is very much under obligations to this class of business men, and to none more than to Mr. Lederer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 16, 1833, to Frederick and Barbara (Kunstman) Lederer, who were also native Germans, the father being a blacksmith and wagon maker by trade. He and his wife died in their native land, having become the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living. John N., was the fifth in order of birth and was reared in his native land where he was also educated. After attending the public schools he entered college at Wunsiedel, a Latin school, and later entered an institution at Hof, which was called The Gymnasium, graduating from the latter institution. In 1853, when in his twentieth year, he sailed for America, taking passage in a sailing vessel at Bremen, and landed at New York City after a voyage of thirty-seven days. From the American metropolis he came directly to South Bend, where he had acquaintances, and soon after his arrival, entered the employ of Harper & Deyo, who were engaged in milling. He at first received a compensation of $8 per month, and after remaining with this firm until the spring of 1854, he left the mill and began working on the Air Line Railroad. At the end of two weeks the contractor ran away and he and his fellow workmen were left without their money. He then made his way to La Porte and secured employment in the gravel pit at Hudson Lake, where he labored faithfully for four months. He next secured a position as a clerk in a grocery in South Bend, which position he filled for six years, his agreeable manners and willing spirit meeting with the unreserved approval of his employer. Following this he opened a meat market and butchering establishment on the ground where his present buildings are, which business occupied his attention for twelve years. By this time he had accumulated considerable means, and in 1880 he built the substantial brick building at 110 West Washington street. In 1872 he went to Europe and was absent one season, and immediately upon his return opened a grocery store, in connection with John C. Knoblock, the firm name being Knoblock & Lederer, In 1876 he made the race for county treasurer and was defeated. The succeeding year he sold out his interest in his grocery, and embarked in his present business, his long residence in this section making him thoroughly familiar with real estate values. He is the general agent for steamship lines, and represents a number of the best insurance companies. He is active and energetic, and has hosts of friends in business and social circles, and is well liked by all who know him, either in a business or social way. He is a whole-souled, genial friend and acquaint�ance, and one of the shrewdest business men of South Bend, whose judgment in real estate and insurance matters can be safely relied upon. He has held the position of school trustee four years, is the originator of the Turner's Society of this place, which was started in 1860; is treasurer of the Northern Indiana Hedge Fence Company, and socially is a member of the A. F. & A. M. In 1860 he was married to Miss Antoinette Bauer, who bore him two children: Anna, now of St. Louis, Mo., and Hugo, who died of diphtheria in May, 1864. His second marriage took place in 1880, Miss Maggie Kunstman becoming his wife and the mother of the following children: Herbert, Alma and Irma. Agnes is deceased.

Deb Murray