Rev. Joseph Celestine Carrier was born July 14, 1833, at St. Joire, a small town in France, near the confines of Switzerland, and the beautiful city of Geneva. He was the youngest of ten children. His education was commenced at home, and conducted from his fourth to his ninth year under the care of a private tutor, who taught him the elements of Latin. He afterward spent six years in the College of Belley (Ain) and stood high in all his classes. The French Revolution in 1848 found him in rhetoric. Eighteen months later, at the age of 17, he accepted the professorship of physics (natural philosophy) in a small college near Geneva, at Ferney, a village well known in history as the residence of Voltaire. During the autumn vacation of 1850 he traveled through Italy and Switzerland. In 1855 he crossed the Atlantic to America; studied divinity; in 1860 he came to Notre Dame, and in the following year made his profession in the Order of the Holy Cross, and was ordained priest. Since then he has filled several functions, - prefect of religion, professor of Latin and Greek, pastor of South Bend, Chaplain of the Sixth Missouri Regiment, master of Josephite novices, and professor of natural sciences.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


Lucius G. Tong, L.L. B., the eldest of a family of 5 children, was born in Carroll, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Aug. 1, 1842; was sent early to college, and to the age of 21 spent his time between school and assisting his father in business; he because a convert to the Catholic religion, and is now a zealous and devoted member of that Church. In 1863, after having engaged in business in Columbus, Ohio, for a short time, he began teaching at Notre Dame, which position soon terminated in a regular professorship, which has been held ever since.

n 1873 he married in Lafayette, Ind., to Miss B. C. Ball, eldest daughter of James Ball, of that city. About this time he located permanently in South Bend, commencing the business of law and insurance.

In 1878 Prof. Tong received the Republican nomination for Mayor of the city of South Bend, and he was elected by a good majority. During his term he gave satisfaction to all parties, and so popular was his administration that the Democratic paper of that city proposed his renomination in very hearty terms. But party lines were drawn and Mayor Tong was defeated. Prof. Tong is a thorough Republican and a temperance advocate. He holds several important positions in the various associations with which he is connected. He is a smooth and ready writer, and has in manuscript, and is putting to a practical test in the school-room to perfect every detail, a new system of bookkeeping, which has met with the approval and will probably be brought out by one of the largest book firms in the United States.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


Rev. J. A. Zahm was born near New Lexington, Perry county, Ohio, June 14, 1851. Lived there until the fall of 1863, when he removed with his parents to Huntington, Ind. During his youth he spent most of his time at school, always having had a special taste for study. Entered Notre Dame University as a student, Dec. 2, 1867. Took up the studies of the classical and scientific courses, graduating in the former June, 1871, and in September entered the novitiate, and made his religious profession as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross Nov. 1 of the following year. In the autumn of 1872 he was appointed assistant professor of physical sciences and curator of the museum, an appointment which he did not relish at first as his tastes were rather for language and philosophy than science. In the fall of 1874 he was appointed superior of the scholasticate and at the same time curator of the museum, and professor of physics and chemistry. June 4, 1875, he was raised to the priesthood, having been ordained deacon two days previously, and subdeacon the fall before. September, 1876, he was appointed vice president and director of studies, still retaining his old position as curator of the museum and professor of physical science. His Superiors seeing he had more than he was able to attend to, relieved him at the end of the year of the vice-presidency, in order that he might devote his entire time to the development of the scientific department. In the summer of 1877 he visited the principal colleges of Canada and of the Eastern States with a view of studying the methods of teaching science adopted in those institutions, and in the following year went to Europe with the same end in view, visiting the chief universities. Here on his return home he was expecting to carry out a large programme, but his plans were soon frustrated by the burning of the college, and with it, of the large and valuable museum in which he was beginning to take some pride. He was among those who put their shoulder to the wheel in the rebuilding of the college, and still occupies his old position as curator of the museum and professor of the physical sciences. All his energies are now directed toward replacing the old museum and making it, as well as the laboratory and physical cabinet, of which also he has charge, more extensive and valuable than ever. With the assistance of kind friends he lives in hope of one day seeing a large and spacious building for the exclusive use of the scientific department, the development of which will in future engage his attention more than ever before.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


Mrs. Flora L. Stanfield, writer and poetess, was born in Cleveland, O., in October, 1848, the daughter of T. G. and Laura O. Turner; exhibited the talents of an authoress at a very early age; when 13 years of age she indited a very fine poem; has contributed to the N. Y. Independent; many of her articles have appeared over the nom de plume of “Malcolm Duncan;” and she was chiefly instrumental in founding both the Pleiades and Women’s Literary Clubs.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


Prof. T. E. Howard, author, was born near Ann Arbor, Mich., Jan. 27, 1837, reared as a farmer; taught school; completed his education at Notre Dame University; served in the war, receiving a bullet wound in the neck, at the battle of Shiloh; was appointed professor rhetoric and English literature in Notre Dame University; is author of “A Grammar of the English Language,” for beginners; of “Excelsior, of Essays on Politeness and Education,” and “Uncle Edward’s Stories,” a small volume of moral tales for the young. He has also written many excellent poems. Politically, Prof. Howard is a Democrat.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


Daniel Kotz, painter, was born March 21, 1848, in Clay township, this county, and is the son of J. C. and Christina Kotz, natives of Wirtemberg, Germany, from which place they emigrated to America in 1840, settling in Mishawaka in 1846, and the next year in Clay township. At 16 years of age Mr. Kotz made his first attempt at painting; he was at work in the studio of H. F. Spread in Crosby’s Opera House, Chicago, when the great fire of 1871 broke out; he then attended college two and a half years at Naperville, Ill,; in 1874 he opened a studio in South Bend; eight months subsequently he returned to Chicago, entering the studio of H. A. Elkins; at the end of 11 months he opened a studio for himself again at 108 Dearborn street; while there he painted the “Trapper’s Last Camping Ground” and “October Woods,” two excellent pictures. In 1878 he opened an art school in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he painted the “Wayside Spring,” from a sketch he made near Mackinaw; but his best and largest painting is the “Monarch of the Meadows,” now in possession of P. E. Studebaker. In the summer of 1879 Schuyler Colfax gave him a commission to paint a special scene, - the St. Joseph River and the Road to Mishawaka, which he had executed by the middle of November following. At present Mr. Kotz is a resident of Chicago.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


Prof. Luigi Gregori, from Rome, Italy, spent about five years at Notre Dame, where he executed some of the finest paintings in the country, among which are portraits of Father Sorin and Judge Stanfield.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


Alfred Bryant Miller, poet, was born in South Bend in February, 1845; educated principally in the old county seminary; served in the war, where he was promoted Lieutenant; afterward was editor-in-chief of the South Bend Register, and managing editor of the South Bend Tribune. Mr. Miller is a graceful writer, and he has been a regular correspondent of, or contributor to, several of the most prominent newspapers of the United States.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


E. Burke Fisher, journalist, was born in Philadelphia; contributed to several periodicals before he was 15 years of age; clerked in the office of the Saturday Evening Post; associated with Horace Greeley on The New Yorker; edited and published the Saturday Evening Visitor at Pittsburg, and The Literary Examiner and Monthly Review; practiced law in Cleveland, O.; in 1853 he located in South Bend, continuing the practice of law, and died in that city April 12, 1863.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Biographical Sketches


As we look over this beautiful part of St. Joseph county, we can hardly realize that so few years have elapsed since it was a howling wilderness, inhabited only by the wild beasts of the forest, and a race of people almost equally wild.

Centre township is bounded on the north by Portage, on the east by Penn and Madison, on the south by Union, and on the west by Greene. It is four miles from east to west, and five from north to south, and contains 20 square miles. It was laid out Sept. 7, 1831, at which time there were only two or three settlers in what is now Centre township. The following spring a few more adventurers settled in different parts of the township, and of the six men then living here but own remains, Col. Smith. Nathan Rose was the first to contract for land. He first came here in the summer of 1829, and purchased his land of the Pottawatomie Indians. He then returned and worked in a saw-mill on the Tippecanoe River, near Rochester, Ind., to pay for the land. It was located in section 36, and is now owned by I. Roseberry, J. K. Dice, and Jon. Forneman. Mr. Rose moved his family in the fall of 1830 on the place now owned by J. K. Dice. Here he lived, enduring all the privations of pioneer life, until 1852, when he removed his family to St. Joseph, Missouri. He lived but a few years after this; he and his wife both died on the same day, and were buried in the same grave. Their children are now scattered over different parts of the West. James and Ashur Palmer came in the summer of 1830 and settled on Palmer’s Prairie, thus giving it the name. They and their families have all left the township, removing to Lake county, where they died a few years ago. Andrew Milling came about the same time and located on section 35, where Mr. Hilderbrand now lives. He seems to have been a man of energy and intelligence, but has long since passed away. The family have all gone, and the name once so familiar in this community, will perhaps in another generation be almost forgotten.

In September, 1830, Henry Stull bought this land in the north part of the township. The land office at this time was at Fort Wayne. He came here by the way of Elkhart and Goshen. It must be remembered that at this time the city of Elkhart had not made its appearance, and Goshen contained by one house. There were no wagon roads north of Logansport. Mr. Stull was a native of Virginia, but becoming dissatisfied with his native State, and being of a daring, yet careful disposition he loaded a boat with what he called skillets and pots, and started down the Ohio river, landing in the southern part of this State. This was while Indiana was yet a Territory. For a number of years afterward Mr. Stull was engaged in buying stock in Kentucky, and driving them to Eastern Pennsylvania for market. After he came to this county he engaged in farming. He was a man of good business talent, very careful and accurate in all his transactions, and respected and honored by all that knew him. It is said that he never had his name on any man’s books, his motto being “Pay as you go.” Being a man of temperate habits he lived to be a very old man, and died but a few years ago, in this township. John Rose settled the same year, on section 36. His son William is still living in the township. It was about this time that the Rupels came to the county. They came from Pennsylvania, and stopped at Elkhart in 1830. While there, Peter Rupel secured his patent for his land in section 26. His son, E. H. Rupel, still has the original deeds made at the land office in Fort Wayne, and signed by Andrew Jackson. He lives on the old home farm. They removed from Elkhart to this township in 1831. They had a family of 7 children, most of whom are still living near the old farm.

After the year 1831 settlers began to come to the township very fast. In the year 1832-‘3 the Smiths came; Isaac Lamb, Abiel Hungerford, Tyra N. Bray in 1833; James and Richard Inwood came in 1835 and settled in the southwestern part of the township. William Phillips came about the same time; Wm. H. Roerston settled on section 2, in October, 1836. It was about this time that the Odells, Ulerys and Rushes came; and it was not long after this time till the giant forests began to disappear very fast from the hills and vales of Centre tp., and in their place came well cultivated fields, bringing forth their bounteous harvests to reward the hardy woodman for his long and patient toiling. The narrow, winding wood road gradually disappeared; and in its place came the beautiful broad highway which now traverses the township in every direction.

The first child that was born in the township was Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Nathan Rose, and was born where J. K. Dice now lives, on section 36.

The first election was held in Smith’s school-house on section 2. The elections are still held at the same place. The first Justice of the Peace was Mathias Stover.

The people of this township are very quiet and social, - so much so that they have not needed a Justice of the Peace or Constable for the past 20 years, although they comply with the requirements of the law and elect them. They do not qualify them, so they do not serve.

The people at an early day saw the need of education, for we see the little band of pioneers as early as 1835 joining together and erecting a school-house on section 36, between the section line and the Michigan road, on Nathan Rose’s farm. This building, although it may have been rude in appearance, showed the progressive character of the minds that these few hardy pioneers possessed. The building was built of round logs, with cabin roof; was small, and had a puncheon floor. The seats were rough benches made of slabs. For desks they had pins around the walls with boards on them. Blackboards, now considered so indispensable to a school-room, were not dreamed of. Stove it had none, but in its stead at the end of the room was a large fire-place; and on the outside could be seen the chimney towering above the roof, built of sticks and mortar. No doubt that many of these pioneer children who have grown to manhood often think of the merry faces and the laughing jokes that passed around the merry party as they stood about that fire-place on a frosty winter morning warming their fingers and toes. This building was used for six or seven years, when the country, becoming more densely settled, demanded something better and larger; and a frame was erected on J. Smith’s land in section 2. This stood till the brick house was built some years ago. The first teacher in the log school-house was Mary Mellings. After her came Benjamin Gibbons and Daniel Robertson, now living in Greene township.

The second district was organized in about 1840 or 1842, and the house was built on section 36, on the farm now owned by I. Roseberry. It was of logs but soon gave way to a frame, and this to a beautiful brick structure which now occupies the old site.

The township now has five school-houses; and the education of the young receives a great deal of attention.

At present the township contains but one church organization – the German Baptist. They built their church house in the summer of 1859, on section 2. It is know as the Palmer Prairie church, in the South Bend district. The elders at the time the church was built were David Miller and Christian Winger. At that time they had about 70 members, now they have 120.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Francis Donaghue was born in Ireland, April 4, 1828; came to America some time in 1844; lived in Brooklyn about a year, then removed to Cincinnati, where he clerked in a grocery for another year. The next year he spent in Southern Michigan. He came to this tp. In 1847, and married Miss Rosann, daughter of John and Elizabeth Henson, of this tp., both natives of Virginia. They had 10 children, 5 of whom are living: John, Bridget, Mahala, Louisa and Rhoda. Mr. Donaghue was with the first company that went to the Golden State to seek their fortunes. He was also at Pike’s Peak in 1860. When Mr. D. was a young man in his native country, he had made preparations to go to Van Diemen’s Land, but on account of the wishes of his mother he changed his plans and came to America. He used to tell his family that he could not be too thankful that he did so. Mr. D. was a member of the Catholic Church in South Bend. He died in April, 1876. Mrs. Donaghue still lives on the farm on which they first settled when they came to this tp. She is a lady respected by all.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Abraham B. Frick, son of Henry and Mary (Colder) Frick, of Westmoreland county, Pa., was born July 5, 1820, and was married Sept. 2, 1841, to Sarah Cring, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Cring, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Frick came wit his parents to Stark county, O., in 1826, where his father died in 1849, and his mother in 1860. He came to this tp. in 1854. They have 10 children: Samuel, Polly, Joseph, Manuel, Alfred, Mary E., Frederick, Willard, Emma E. and Harvey. Mr. Frick is a Democrat and served three years in the 21st Ind. Battery in our late war; has been Justice of the Peace several terms; owns a well improved farm of 236 acres.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Michael Himebaugh, son of George and Christina Himebaugh, of Pennsylvania, was born in the same State Sept. 16, 1818. His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in the Keystone State. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Stark county, O., when a boy nine years old, where he was married in 1842 to Margaret Fouse, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Fouse, of the same county. Mrs. H. was born in 1817. This marriage was blessed with 6 children, viz.: Mary, William, Jacob, Catharine, Simon and Benjamin. Of these all are now dead except Catharine. Mr. Himebaugh was married a second time to Mary Weaver, daughter of Michael and Catharine (Coleman) Weaver; she was born in Pennsylvania, April 21, 1823. Mr. Himebaugh’s son, Jacob, was in the 73d Regiment in the late civil war. He went from South Bend and was under Colonel Wade, of La Porte. He died in the house of a rebel near Glasgow, Ky. Mr. H. has now been a resident of St. Joseph county for 24 years, and is a man respected by all that know him. In his religious belief he is a firm Presbyterian, and is now living a contented and happy life on hs pleasant farm of 46 acres in sec. 35. P.O. South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


William Inwood, son of Richard and Katy A. (Rush) Inwood, was born Oct. 1, 1847, on the farm on which he now resides, in Centre tp., and has ever since made this his home. Sept. 7, 1875, he was married to Maggie Byers, daughter of John and Anna Eliza Byers, of Greene tp., the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of New Jersey. They have 2 children: John R., born Oct. 28, 1876, and Nellie, born May 27, 1880. Mr. Inwood’s father came from England and was one of the first settlers in the tp. Mr. Inwood received his education in the common school, and has, at different times, traveled over the greater part of our country, thus gaining a practical education which distinguishes him in his business. At the time of the war he was a member of the Union League, and also of the Home Guard. In politics he is a Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Inwood are members, in high standing, of the M. E. Church at Maple Grove. Live on sec 10. 10.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Frederic Wm. Klinkner was born Aug. 26, 1827, in Kaisersceh, Prussia. His parents were John and Sophia (Stull) Klinkner. He was married Feb. 17, 1852; to Katherine Schmits, of the same place, who was born June 16, 1827. In the spring following their marriage they came to New York, and subsequently to Detroit, and finally to Centre tp., in November, 1854. This couple have 3 children: Jacob, born in April, 1856, Pauline, born in June, 1861, and Willie, born April 9, 1864. His vocation is farming. He kept a grocery on his farm for several years, and had a very good business. Sept. 8, 1874, his son Jacob, while out in the woods hunting with some of his companions a mile or two from his home, accidentally discharged his gun, the shot taking effect in his side, from which he did not recover for several years. Mr. Klinkner being the seventh son born in his family, he received $100 in gold from his king, according to the custom of the country. Mr. K. owns 119 acres in sec. 18.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Samuel Kreisher was born in Lebanon county, Pa., in April, 1859. His parents, William and Elizabeth Kreisher, removed to this county in 1862. They were married in 1840, and have 6 children, William, Samuel, Amelia, Susan, Elizabeth and Emma. All are living in the county except Emma, who lives in Napoleon, O. Mr. K. died in February, 1879. They own several hundred acres of fine farming land. Samuel, the subject of this sketch, is living on the old farm with his mother, and follows farming. P.O., South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


William Kreisher, brother of the preceding, was born Jan. 2, 1851; was married Jan. 5, 1875, to Lydia Warner, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hartman) Warner, of this county. She was born Jan. 10, 1855. They have 3 children, Frank, born July 15, 1877; Charley, born March 18, 1876; and Bertha, Aug. 9, 1879. Mr. K. is a Republican, and owns 204 acres in sec. 34, Union tp.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Catharine Miller was born in Hanover tp., Lebanon county, Pa., Dec. 18, 1812, a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Wanger. She was married Sept. 15, 1831, to John Miler, in Lancaster county, Pa., who was born April 18, 1807, a son of William C. and Mary M. Miller. They removed to Ohio in 1831, and in May, 1847, came to this county and settled on the farm, which she still owns, in sec. 30, consisting of 160 acres, valued at $100 an acre. Mrs. Miller still lives in the same house into which they moved when they first came to the county 33 years ago, but they have added many improvements. They have 10 children, Sarah, Mary M., Martin, Elizabeth, William C., John H., Susan A., Ellen and Sylvania C. Mrs. Miller is a member of the German Baptist Church, as was also her husband. P. O. South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Sarah Ann Robbins was born June 18, 1819, in Washington county, Ind.; came to Morgan county in 1829, and married Thomas Robbins in 1842, of the same county; he was born June 5, 1818. They came to this county in 1849 and settled near South Bend on the farm now owned by Henry Studebaker; came to the place on which she now lives in 1850. Mr. Robbins was a member of the 48th Regiment in the late war. He died in 1863. They have 4 children living, Harrison B., Martha J., Isabel and Francis M. Mrs. R. has a farm of 80 acres in sec. 3. For many years she has been a good and respected member of the Christian Church.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Mrs. Charlotte T. Rohrer, daughter of David and Martha (Cowen) Picket, who came from near Rochester, N. Y., and settled in the township about 1843, and now reside in Minnesota, was married to John Rohrer, Dec. 29, 1840, who was born Jan. 27, 1816, the son of John and Mary Rohrer, early settlers of this county. They have one child, Laura (now Mrs. W. H. Stull), born Dec. 13, 1843. Mrs. Rohrer has a farm of 101 acres, worth $100 per acres, in sec. 25.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


William Rose. Among the first settlers of this county were the parents of the subject of this notice, John M. and Evaline Rose, the former a native of Woodstown, N. J., and the latter of Butler county, Ohio. They were married in March, 1831, and removed to this county in September, 1832. They had eight children, of which only two lived to attain the age of manhood, Richard and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rose died very suddenly, the former on May 4, 1866, aged 67 years, and the latter Sept. 9, 1862, aged 51 years. Richard is now living in Cass county, Mich. William, the subject of this sketch, was born Sept. 9, 1832, and was married Nov. 30, 1854, to Mary A. Barnes, daughter of John E. and Harriet (Trit) Barnes, natives of Maryland. Their children are: Frank A., born July 15, 1855; Schuyler C., born Feb. 22, 1860; Lillian B., born Oct. 5, 1866. Frank A. was married to Mary bond, May 23, 1878. They have one child. They are living on his father’s farm. Mr. Rose obtained his education in the common schools of the county. Has traveled through the West a great deal, and visited numerous tribes of Indians. His politics are Republican; he was formerly a Whig. He has 73 acres of land on sec. 35, valued at $80 per acres; P. O. South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Isaiah Roseberry was born in Clermont county, Pa., Aug. 5, 1809. His parents, William and Sophia (Rease) Roseberry, came from New Jersey and settled in Pennsylvania about 1800. He was married in October, 1836, to Sarah Ann Cribling, daughter of William Cribling, of Pennsylvania; she was born Dec. 11, 1813, and they had nine children, five of whom are living: Sophia, Mary E., William H., Melvina and Sarah A. Lemuel, born Jan. 3, 1841, was a member of Co. B, 48th Ind. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Dallas, Georgia, while working on an entrenchment. Mr. R. came to Ohio in 1837, moved to this township in April, 1850; owns a well improved farm of 137 ˝ acres in sec. 26, valued at $100 per acre; P. O., South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Bazel Rupel, son of Peter and Christina Rupel, of this county, was born Jan. 29, 1833. He was married May 25, 1854, to Sarah J. Bronson, of this tp. Her parents are George W. and Mary (Corcons) Bronson. They have 3 children, James T., Born Oct. 20, 1855; M. L., born Oct. 3, 1857; and N. I., born Oct. 15, 1864. Mrs. Rupel was born Dec. 6, 1838. They are worthy members of Pleasant Grove Grange, No. 1550. Mr. R. is a Democrat. He received his education in the common schools of the county. Was at Pike’s Peak in 1860. Owns 50 acres of land. Mrs. Rupel’s mother, nee Calkins, was born in Jamestown, N. Y., June 21, 1818, and her father, Caleb Calkins, was born in Vermont, Aug. 27, 1790, and her mother, nee Susan Beardsley, was born in Rhode Island, Nov. 27, 1790; they were married in 1812. Geo W. Bronson was born in Wayne county, O., Aug. 25, 1814, and was married in 1835, in Cass county, Mich. Mr. Bronson’s mother nee Nancy Cathcart, was born in New Jersey March 6, 1786, and his father, Reuben Bronson, was born in Vermont Sept. 7, 1781; the two latter were married in 1804. Mr. R’s P. O. is South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Elisha H. Rupel, son of Peter and Christina Rupel, formerly of Pennsylvania, but later of this county, was born Oct. 29, 1827, in Somerset county, Pa.; moved to this tp. in 1830; was married in 1853 to Jane Vanderhoof, daughter of Jules and Catherine Vanderhoof, of this tp. They have 2 children, Clarissa, born in 1855, and Harrietta, born in 186 0. Mr. R is a Democrat; his first vote was cast for Andrew Jackson. He owns 187 acres of fine land, worth about $100 an acre, in sec. 26.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Hiram Rupel, living on sec. 26, was born in Elkhart county, in September, 1830; his parents Peter and Christina (Shumal ) Rupel, were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rupel was married in 1854 to Laura Creedvell, formerly of New York State. They have 3 children, Dicintha, Oscar William and Louis Edyker. Mr. Rupel is a farmer and has a beautiful and well tilled farm of 26 2/3 acres, valued at $100 per acre; P. O., South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Martin Slough, son of Martin and Barbara Slough, who emigrated to America from Wirtemburg, Germany, in 1832, and settled in Protage county, Ohio. Here, Sept. 28, 1832, the subject of this sketch was born. He came to Woodland, this county, in 1850. in 1853 he removed to Union tp., where he ran a saw-mill till 1868, when he removed to his farm in sec. 18, this tp., where he still resides. His father died at the age of 75 years, in the spring of 1877; his mother died in July, 1869, aged 63, both in this tp. Mr. Slough was married in October, 1868, to Jane Gibbens, daughter of William and Ann Gibbens, of this county. They have 5 children: Alvira C., Melvina A., John W., Charles H. and Etta M. Mr. Slough is a Republican. His business is farming, and he owns 80 acres in this tp., on sec. 18, and 80 acres in Madison tp.; P. O., South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


John S. Stull, son of Henry and Rebecca Stull, late of this county, was born in Jennings county, this State, Nov. 21, 1821; was married in 1857 to Margaret Lock who came to the county in 1842, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. They have 2 children, Mary R. and Edward C. Mr. Stull came with his folks to this county in 1830, and has witnessed it change from a dreary wilderness to as beautiful a county as America can boast of. He owns a good farm, on sec. 26, and has it well improved. P. O., South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


W. H. Stull was born in Jennings county, Ind., in 1826. He came with his parents, Henry and Rebecca Stull, to the county in 1830. His father entered the farm he now lives on in 1830, the land office at that time being at Fort Wayne. Mr. Stull was married in November, 1850, to Sophronia Day. She died, and left 2 children, Josephine and Mary. Mr. S. was married again, in 1865, to Louisa Rohrer, daughter of John and Charlotte Rohrer, of this tp. They have 2 children, John and Agnes L. Mr. S. is a farmer, a Granger and a Democrat. Has several fine farms. Residence, sec. 26. P. O., South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


David Whitman, son of Abraham and Elizabeth Whitman, the former of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Germany, but now of this county was born in Ohio, Oct. 3, 1852; was married Oct. 3, 1876, to Christina Loring, of this tp. Her parents, Fred and Mary Loring, were among the early settlers of the county. They have one child, Edna, born Jan. 13, 1879. Mr. W. is a farmer and received his education in the common schools of the county. P. O., South Bend.

History of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Chicago, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
published in 1880
Centre Twp.


Deb Murray