“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”
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1893
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W. F. WICKWIRE deserves special mention in this work from the fact that he is one of the oldest business men of Elkhart, Ind., and an industrious and shrewd man of affairs. He was born in Connecticut, near Long Island Sound, in New London county, March 25, 1828, and is the only one living of three sons and six daughters and is the youngest born of Willard and Theoda (Chapel) Wickwire, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation, and so far as is known those of that name have followed agricultural pursuits. Connecticut, the land of his nativity, was also the place of his rearing. His educational advantages were limited to the common school and was more on the practical order than otherwise. Until about eighteen years of age he assisted in the work on the home farm, then, disregarding his father's advice to go to an academy to school, he went to New London and embarked in the butchering business, where he remained five years, and later continued the same business at Norwich six years. In 1857 he started west to Michigan on a visit to relatives, with the expectation of remaining only a short time, but remained eleven months, during which time he imbibed such a favorable opinion of the country that upon returning to the East he remained there only a short time, when he again shouldered his grip-sack and started West, his mind being taken up with the possibilities of western life, and here he determined to make his future home. In May, 1858, he accordingly returned to Lawton, Mich., at which place he opened a hotel which he conducted three years, then took up his residence in Elkhart, and ever since June, 1861, he has resided on the southeast corner of Jackson and Second streets, where he has kept the well-known hostelry known as the Elkhart House. It is altogether likely that there is not another case on record in the history of Elkhart when any of her business men have continued in the same place, at the same business and the same length of time as Mr. Wickwire, and but very few business men are now engaged in active pursuits that were here when he came. While Mr. Wickwire has never made any boasts that his house is equal to the Palmer House, of Chicago, yet his thirty-one years of successful business has pronounced him and his house in the category of A No.1 country hotels. While taking no active part in politics he has always read and kept posted as to the news of the day, has served in local positions of trust, and is a Democrat. Besides his town property he owns land in Cleveland and Osolo townships amounting to 112 1/2 acres. He was married in 1850 to Miss Myra A. Church, and by her he is the father of one son, Frank W. Besides this son Mr. and Mrs. Wickwire have two adopted daughters.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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JESSE D. VAIL is a prominent pioneer of Benton township, Elkhart Co., Ind., and is a direct descendant of a family that dates back to the early settlement of the Middle States, some of its members being well-known and sterling men of affairs, who have made records for themselves in business life. His remote ancestors came from Wales and settled in Long Island, and two of the founders of the family in this country reared families. They were Quakers, and took advantage of the liberal and noble offer made to all religious sects by William Penn, and decided to seek a home in American wilds. One of the brothers eventually settled in New York State, while the other one removed to New Jersey, and there founded the family of which the subject of this sketch is a descendant. Samuel Vail, the great-grandfather of Jesse D., was born in New Jersey, on Bound Brook near Plainfield, where he owned a farm, reared a family and died. His son, Abraham, was born on this farm near Plainfield, about 1743, was reared to the life of a farmer, and in the State of New Jersey was married to Margaret Randolph, a cousin of the noted John Randolph, of Roanoke, the American statesman. To Mr. and Mrs. Vail seven children were born: Benjamin, Robert, Stephen, Samuel, Taylor, Mercy and Catherine. Eventually Mr. Vail became the owner of 300 acres of land in Fayette county, Penn., which was what was called a "tomahawk right," and was purchased by him second handed, he receiving a patent from the Government. He cleared this land and Jived on the same for many years, until his house was burned down in March, 1833. His wife died at the age of eighty years, and the last six years of his life were spent with his son Samuel, his demise occurring in 1839, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His farm is still in the possession of his grandsons, James and Oliver, children of Taylor Vail. Mr. Vail was a Quaker, a substantial farmer, a respected man of great integrity of character, and until he was eighty years of age was success fully engaged in the tilling of the soil. When in his prime he possessed a fine physique and was very strong and vigorous. A physician was never called in to attend him until he was over eighty, at which time he was badly hurt by falling from a horse. His son Samuel was born on the old farm near Plainfield, N. J., and as his youth was devoted to the tilling of the soil he had but few advantages for acquiring an education. At the age of nineteen years he went with his father to Fayette county, Penn., and was married in Washington county to Agnes, daughter of Joseph and Agnes Griswold, the former of whom was a farmer of that county, and died a comparatively young man. After marriage Samuel Vail and wife settled on a farm adjoining that of the former's father who gave him $1,500, his wife, Agnes, having an equal amount. With their $3,000, 260 acres of land was bought, and on this they resided the rest of their natural lives and reared a family of nine children: Charles, Priscilla, Mercy, Hannah, Joel, Jesse, Abraham (who died at the age of five years), Margaret (who died a married woman) and Martha (who died at the age of four years). Samuel Vail was a substantial farmer, respected by the people, and held many township offices. He and his wife were devout adherents of the Quaker Church, and Mrs. Vail was a preacher or that faith, regularly appointed. She was a woman who wielded much influence in church affairs, but her career was cut short at the age of thirty-eight years, when just in the zenith of her usefulness. After her death Mr. Vail married her cousin Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Griswold, and to this union four children were given: Edward, Agnes, Abraham and Lydia. Mr. Vail lived to the patriarchal age of ninety-four years, which was no doubt owing to the strictly temperate and healthful life that he led, as he did not inherit a very rugged constitution. He was noted for his great honesty, his simplicity of character, his faithfulness to his convictions, his loyalty to his friends, and for his affections and consideration in the family circle. He was an old line Whig in politics. Jesse D. Vail, his son, was born in Fayette county, Penn., March 31, 1814, in the common schools of which county he received a fair education, which was afterward greatly improved by contact with the world and the business affairs of life. He was reared a farmer, and worked for his father until he was twenty-three years of age, but in the spring of 1837 came to Indiana, passing through Buffalo during the great financial panic of that year, and witnessed the suspension of the banks, May 7. He had purchased a stock of general merchandise in Philadelphia, in company with his brother Charles, and upon reaching Elkhart county they located at Benton on May 15, 1837, where they conducted a general store for two years under the firm name of C. D. & J. D. Vail. C. D. Vail sold his share of the goods to James Banta, and the firm was then Vail & Banta. These gentlemen purchased a stock of goods owned by Albert Banta, but at the end of two years, owing to the financial panic of 1837-41, they were obliged to discontinue business, as there was so little money in circulation. Mr. Vail then borrowed money and bought 171 acres of land, which is now a part of his present farm. This was school land, and be lived on it two years and cleared a part of it. When in Fayette county, Penn., he had married, August 24, 1838, Miss Elma Cope, who was born in 1816, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Willits) Cope, and to them five children were given: Melissa and Margaret (who died in infancy), Samuel, Sarah and Lewis. In 1843 Mr. Vail returned to Pennsylvania with his family, and for about six years resided on a farm. In 1849 he returned to Benton township, Elkhart county, Ind., to his land, which he at once set about clearing and improving, and through industry and perseverance has made it a model farm. He has added to it at different times until he now owns 215 acres, all of which is very finely improved. Mr. Vail was county commissioner from December, 1860, until the fall of 1865, and has ever been a strong Republican in politics. His father was a strong Abolitionist and his house was a station on the Underground Railroad, where he used to assist slaves to reach their goal - Canada. Jesse D. Vail was a strong Union man during the war, and was a member of the military board and assisted to raise men and money to carry on the war. He was enrolling officer in his township, and at one time helped to raise $11,500. He was a member of the Republican Central Committee of Elkhart county for twenty-four years, and for many years has been a delegate to every Republican State convention, and was one of the founders of the party in this county. After the death of his wife he was married to Miss Emily, daughter of Jesse and Nancy (Stevens) Coldren, the mother a direct descendant of Thaddeus Stevens. This wife died thirteen months after their marriage, and for his third wife Mr. Vail took Mrs. Sarah Prickett, daughter of Peter and Isabel (Jackson) Diddy, the former of whom was an old pioneer of this county, and settled at Two Mile Plain, on the St. Joe River, in 1829. He was a very prosperous farmer, and was one of the first associate judges in the county. Mr. Vail's third wife bore him two children: Elma, who died at the age of three years, and Emily. He has given all his children good educational advantages, and his youngest daughter has just graduated at the graded school of Goshen; Samuel C. attended college at South Bend; Lewis W. attended Earlham College at Richmond, Ind. Mr. Vail is now approaching eighty years, with mental faculties unimpaired, is erect in stature, and his eyes are yet clear and undimmed. The man himself is richer and nobler and grander for the experiences that each successive decade has brought him, and personally is one of the most popular of men, his amiable disposition and courteous manner endearing him to all who are so fortunate as to enter the wide circle of his friendship.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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SILAS BALDWIN, deceased, was a native of East Bloomfield, N. J., his birth occurring September 23, 1811, and was one in a family of three sons and six daughters born to the marriage of David S. Baldwin and Elizabeth Kent. In 1821 the family moved from New Jersey to a place near Pittsburg, Penn., from where they removed two years later, to Warren county, Ohio. The following interesting account of their moving farther westward is taken from the history of Cass county, Mich: David S. Baldwin and his two sons, Silas and Josephus, left Warren county, Ohio, in March, 1828, for what was then known as the St. Joseph country, and arrived in April, camping on the south-west corner of Beardsley Prairie. They found food for both man and beast very scarce and had to resort to felling trees for brouse for the cattle, and to the woods and streams for food for themselves. They brought with them one horse, three yoke of cattle, one cart loaded with provisions, camp equipage, breaking plow, log chains, axes, iron wedges, etc. The weather, while on the journey, was so wet and cold, the roads so bad, and traveling so very disagreeable that their progress was greatly retarded. Through St. Mary's Swamps they made but three miles per day. There was only one house between Fort Wayne and Benton at which place they found the Elkhart River so badly swollen from long continued rains that a canoe had to be dug out of a white wood tree before they could cross. The two sons, Silas and Josephus, then fifteen and sixteen years old respectively, after remaining until June, returned to Ohio, their outfit consisting of one horse which they rode alternately, a supply of provisions and a five dollar bill. In the fall of 1830 the boys came back with the rest of the family. Silas removed to Elkhart in April, 1843. He was a lieutenant in the Black Hawk war and his reminiscences of that struggle are well worth publication . Prior to coming to Elkhart Mr. Baldwin followed merchandising at Edwardsburg, Mich., and then, on the 15th of February, 1837, he wedded Miss Jane Gephart. For a number of years he followed mercantile pursuits in Elkhart and was twice burned out. He was postmaster from 1844 to l848 and was then succeeded by the late Hon. B. L. Davenport. In 1850 he took an active part in the struggle for the passage of the Michigan Southern (now the Lake Shore) Railroad through the county, acted as agent for the company in securing the right of way from Baugo to Bristol, collected the subscriptions himself, and upon the completion of the road was made the first station agent at Elkhart. In 1856 he became interested in the Elkhart Bank, but later, with his associates, organized the First National Bank of which he was elected cashier. Ill health compelled his resignation a number of years later and from that time on was practically retired from active business pursuits, confining his attention in looking after his varied interests. Beginning life's battle a poor boy, he selected honesty, industry and frugality as his guide, and by strict adherence to these principles acquired an honored name, a spotless reputation and a fair competency of this world's goods. In his early career he was what is termed an old "Jacksonian Democrat," but his political views changed with the assault upon Fort Sumter, and he ever afterward was identified with the Republican party and its principles. His life's labors were supplemented by the aid of an intelligent and devoted wife, who yet survives him. To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin four children were born as follows: Helen Jane, who died July 24, 1865, the wife of Col. John W. Shaffer; Frank J., killed at the battle of Stone River when only eighteen years of age, being at that time a lieutenant in the Union army, a rank he had attained by distinguished gallantry; Edwin A., who died in infancy; and Elizabeth F., now Mrs. A. R. Beardsley, of Elkhart. Mr. Baldwin died May 22, 1889. The following appropriate lines were taken from a local paper containing a notice of his death: "He has done the work of a true man; Crown him, honor him, love him; Weep over him tears of woman; Stoop manliest brows above him."

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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HENRY GEISINGER. The history of Elkhart county, Ind, is filled with the deeds and doings of self-made men, and no man residing therein is more deserving the appellation than Mr. Geisinger, for he marked out his own career in youth, and has steadily followed it up to the present time; has grasped at all opportunities for bettering his financial and social condition, and as a natural result soon found himself on a smooth sea and floating with a prosperous tide. He is well known in the section in which he resides, and the respect that is accorded him is but a natural tribute to his merit. He is descended from a substantial German family that settled in Bucks county, Penn., in which section Jacob Geisinger, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, became a well-to-do farmer. He was married there and became the father of six children: Henry, Philip, Betsey, Polly and Barbara, and one whose name can not be recalled. He removed with his family to Markham township, Upper Canada, now Ontario, where he cleared a farm, on which he resided until he met an untimely death by the falling of a tree. He was a member of the Mennonite Church, follower of Simon Mennon, and while in Germany had been persecuted on account of his religion and fled to the asylum that had been provided by William Penn in the wilds of America. He was a non-combatant during the Revolutionary war, and owing to his religious belief, would not take up arms, but nevertheless was loyal to the King of England, and after the termination of that war, like many other Loyalists or Tories, he removed to Canada, and was granted a tract of land by the King for his loyalty. His son, Henry, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucks county, Penn., and in his early boyhood removed to Canada with his father, where he grew to manhood, and was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Curts, a native of Bucks county, Penn., and of German descent, whose family left Pennsylvania at the same time as did the Geisingers. They became the parents of fifteen children, all of whom lived to grow up except one, and the following are the members of this large family: Jacob, John, Henry, Samuel, Daniel, David, Joseph, Susan, Barbara, Polly, Nancy, Elizabeth, Catherine, Fannie and Sarah. In 1827 the father of these children returned to the States and settled in Medina county, Ohio, where he bought 160 acres of land, which, by hard work and good management, he eventually cleared from timber and brush. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six years, having reared his family in the belief of the Mennonite Church. He acquired a comfortable competency, and being public-spirited, enterprising and honest, he had a very extended circle of friends and acquaintances. Henry Geisinger, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Markham township, Upper Canada, January 25, 1815, and was twelve years of age when he came to Ohio with his parents. Like the majority of farmers' boys in those early times, he received but few advantages for acquiring an education, but during the two months that he attended the common schools of the Buckeye State he learned to read and write, and acquired a slight knowledge of arithmetic. Like a dutiful son he cheerfully assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and after starting out for himself learned the trade of car¬penter. He was married in Wayne county, Ohio, on August 31, 1839, to Miss Mary Garber, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., September 1, 1814, daughter of Jacob Garber, farmer of Wayne county, Ohio, who lived to an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Geisinger's union resulted in the birth of the following children: Fannie, born in Wayne county, July 22, 1840; Mariah, born in Wayne county, November 20, 1842; Anna, also born there April 3, 1845; Lucinda, a native of that county, born June 11, 1847; Sarah, born in Medina county, Ohio, March 30, 1850; Henry, born in Medina county May 28, 1852; Catherine, born in Elkhart county, Ind., May 27, 1855, and David, born in Elkhart county, May 10, 1858. After his marriage Mr. Geisinger resided in Wayne county and worked at his trade for six years, after which he moved to Medina county and bought 120 acres of land, heavily covered with timber, which he partly cleared before selling it in 1852. In the fall of that year he came to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled on the land on which he is now residing, at which time there were only fifteen acres cleared. He cleared the remainder himself, and through industry was at one time the owner of 240 acres of fine land. He is in good circumstances, has been identified with the progress and development of Elkhart county, and has met with substantial results in the conduct or his affairs. His good name is above reproach, and he possesses those traits of character which mark the honorable business man, the progressive and public-spirited citizen, and the kind, considerate and faithful family man. He is a member of the Mennonite Church of which his wife, who died on March 14, 1867, was also a member.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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DAVID BERKEY. The remote ancestor of this family came from Switzerland to America at a very early date and settled in Berks county, Penn., where they were engaged in tilling the soil. The paternal grandfather of our subject left Berks county and settled in Somerset county, Penn., where he reared his family of seven children: John, Peter, Tobias, David, Fannie, Anna and Jacob. Berkey was one of the early settlers there and owned a good farm on which his death occurred. In religion he was a Mennonite. His son, John Berkey, was born on the old homestead in Somerset county, and like the average country boy, received his education in the common schools. When starting out for himself, young Berkey selected agricultural pursuits as his calling in life and married Miss Annie Berkeypile, daughter of Andy Berkeypile, a farmer of Somerset county, who reared a large family of children, most of whom lived to be very old people. John Berkey settled on a farm four miles south of Johnstown, Cambria Co., Penn., shortly after his marriage, and on this he and his worthy companion passed the remainder of their days. Six children were born to his first union, as follows: Jacob, Mary, Eva, Peter, David and Fannie. After the death of his wife, Mr. Berkey did not wish to remain on the large farm, consisting of 700 acres, and the children were brought up principally by relatives, except Peter, who remained with his father. Mr. Berkey went to reside at Johnstown and there invested in a bridge crossing Stony River into Johnstown, where he kept the toll house for many years. Soon after settling in Johnstown he married Miss Elizabeth Ebbert, and two children were born to them: Chauncy and Clara. Mr. Berkey lived to be fifty-three years of age and died in Johnstown . He was a devout member of the Christian Church. His first wife was a member of the Lutheran Church and his last wife a Baptist in religion views. Mr. Berkey was a man of great integrity and for many years was judge of the elections. Thus he was called Judge Berkey. In politics he was an old line Whig. His children became honorable and respected men and women, and worthy citizens of any community in which they settled. His son, Peter, was well educated and is now a wealthy banker of St. Paul, Minn., and one of the leading men. Another son, Jacob, became a Dunkard preacher and came to Elkhart county, Ind., about 1845. He was here made a preacher and assigned to a part of the district of Daniel Cripe, who was the original founder of the Dunkard Church in northern Indiana. James Tracy, another pioneer preacher, was associated with him. Jacob Berkey carried on his ministerial duties here many years, and then moved to Texas, where he was accidentally drowned. David Berkey, son of John, and the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day October 14, 1824, in Somerset county, Penn. (now Cambria county), and received, all told, about four months' schooling. He became familiar with agricultural pursuits at an early age, and in the fall of 1843, when about twenty years of age, came to Indiana. He bought an ax and engaged in clearing in this and La Grange counties, continuing this for two years and thus accumulating some means. On the 5th of February, 1846, he married Miss Elizabeth Bonner, a native of Ross county, Ohio, born near Washington Courthouse, April 27, 1825, and the daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Imen) Bonner. Solomon Bonner was born in Virginia and was of Irish descent. He was married first in Virginia, and by this wife was the father of four children: Susannah, born December 6, 1799; Henry, born June 15, 1802; Chloe, born April 10, 1804, and Enoch, born March 14, 1806. This wife died in Virginia, and Mr. Bonner went to Ross county, Ohio; settled in the wilderness, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Imen who bore him these children: Ethlinda, born March 14, 1811; Moses, born August 28, 1813; Catherine, born June 28, 1815; Hannah, born October 20, 1816; Solomon, born May 13, 1819; Abijah, born April 13, 1821; Rebecca, born March 27, 1823, and Elizabeth, who was born April 27, 1825, as given above. Solomon Bonner died in 1851, when seventy-seven years of age, on his farm in the township where our subject now lives. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and a pioneer farmer of Ross county, Ohio, where he owned a good farm. Later he came to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. This was in 1832 and he moved his family with a horse and wagon and drove cattle and hogs. He was a member of the Dunkard Church and a man of great honesty and respectability. After marriage David Berkey and wife settled in Elkhart Prairie; remained there two years, and then moved to a farm now owned by John Myers, in Clinton township, where they made their home for ten years. Mr. Berkey then bought the old homestead of Eliza Bonner and has since resided on this. Three children were born to them: Peter, born April 28, 1847; Mary J., born September 24, 1848, and Martha A., born August 28, 1850. Like many others, Mr. Berkey went to California in 1850, to search for gold, and with a party from his neighborhood crossed the plains with teams. They were six months on the way, and Mr. Berkey remained there about eighteen months, meeting with good returns. Mr. and Mrs. Berkey are members of the Baptist Church, and he has assisted with his means to support his church and in building the Dunkard Church in his township. His son, Peter, married Miss Lydia Stutzman and is the father of ten children. He is a substantial farmer near St. Paul, Minn. Mary J. married James Riley, of Goshen, Ind., agricultural implement business, and they have three children. Martha A. married Henry C. Dewey, of Goshen, and they have five children.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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JONATHAN R. MATHER. The family of which the subject of this sketch is a representative, is one of the oldest and best known in this country; and, unlike the majority of American families, they have carefully preserved their history which is recorded and published in book form. The progenitor in this country was the Rev. Richard Mather, born in 1596 in Lancashire, England; he was an Episcopal minister, but was silenced as an unconformist. He immigrated to the colonies in 1635, landing at Boston, August 17, where he became pastor of the Old North Church. After his death he was succeeded in his pastorate by his son, the Rev. Increase Mather, and he, in turn, by his son, the Rev. Cotton Mather. These were men far above the average in point of intelligence and learning; were well-known in New England States, and were famous for their piety and their valuable contributions to the church and general literature of the day. Rev. Increase Mather was delegated by the colony of Massachusetts to go to England for the purpose of procuring a new charter. He was invited to dine with the reigning Queen, a courtesy rarely accorded, and so successfully did he perform his mission that upon his return a meeting for rejoicing and thanksgiving was held. Rev. Cotton Mather became noted in history during the witchcraft period and his name became almost as familiar as a household word. Rev. Richard Mather was the father of six sons, two of them returning to England, one became preacher to the lord mayor of London and the other preacher to the lord mayor of Dublin. The other four sons were preachers also. The heads of families, in a direct line of descent from Rev. Richard Mather to and including the immediate subject of this memoir, are as follows: Timothy, Dr. Samuel, Rev. Nathaniel, Increase, Nathaniel, Samuel, Jonathan and Jonathan R. The name of Increase is a common one with the Mathers and was originally obtained because of the rapid increase and growth of the colony of Massachusetts, and one of this name was for a long time president of Harvard College. Members of the family have been noted as ministers, and their names are found as efficient soldiers and officers in the Revolutionary war, the War of 1812, the war with Mexico and the war of secession, and many have achieved fame in letters and as authors of note. Jonathan Mather was a farmer of Orange county, N. Y.; was prominently identified there in local matters, and for a wife wedded Anna Bishop, who bore him ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and only one of whom is now living. This one is Jonathan R. Mather, of Elkhart, Ind. The father came to Elkhart county in 1860 and died in December of the same year. One of his sons, David B., settled at Middlebury, in 1837, was a farmer and a famous auctioneer, and was sheriff of the county. Another son, Joseph, came to the county in 1842 when seventeen years old, read law and was admitted to practice when nineteen; was elected prosecuting attorney at twenty-one, was a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1852 and at the time of his death in 1859 was judge of this judicial district. Jonathan R. Mather was born May 25, 1821, in Orange county, N. Y., and resided there until 1856. He secured but a common-school edu¬cation, was reared on the farm, and January 13, 1849, was united in marriage with Miss Jane, daughter of James D. and Naomi Swortwout. In 1846, and again in 1858, he visited Elkhart county, and in 1859 moved to a farm two miles east of Elkhart, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. After about seven years' stay there he sold his farm at an increased price, reinvested his means in land, moved to the city of Elkhart and has since made this his home. In 1853, owing to unfortunate circumstances, having been burned out, Mr. Mather was $5,000 in debt. His determination to meet all just debts and make life a horror has been crowned with success in every sense of the word and he has the satisfaction of knowing that this state of things has been brought about entirely through his own exertions. Mr. Mather has been active in promoting the best interests of his community. He was instrumental in procuring the grounds upon which the shops of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway were built. He is a Republican, has served in various local positions of trust, but prefers confining his attention to his varied business interests to that of an official career. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church and are the parents of four children: Sarah (born May 18, 1853, wedded Edward Fieldhouse, who died in 1873; remarried to T. J. Woodward and died April 10, 1886; James S. (born August 31, 1855, married Mary F. Shook, who has borne him four children - John R., Le Roy S., Harry C. and James Increase - and resides in Elkhart); Carrie Naomi (married Edward E. Beckly, by whom she has one daughter - Winona Jane - and resides in Elkhart), and John Coe, who died in infancy. Jonathan R. Mather is one of Elkhart county's best citizens.

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W. C. MILLER, of Millersburg, Ind., farmer. The occupation of farming is one that has received attention from the earliest ages, and it is not to be wondered at that it has become the art that it is at the present time. Among those who have shown a satisfactory knowledge of this calling, and whose operations were conducted in a very progressive manner may be mentioned W. C. Miller, who is the owner of a valuable farm in Center township. Like so many of the settlers in this section of the country, he comes of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, his ancestors having settled in Lancaster county of that State during the colonial days of this country. Abraham Miller, the father of W. C. Miller, was born in Lancaster county, and in the State of his birth he was married to Miss Nancy Lichty, by whom he became the father of six children: Henry, Barbara, William C., Sarah, Fannie and Anna, all of whom were born in the same county as himself. In 1830 he removed with his family to Montgomery county, Ohio, but for a long time thereafter found it very hard to provide the necessary comforts for his family, as he was in poor circumstances, and wages were very low. Many were the days that he worked at threshing with a flail for 37 1/2 cents a day, but he was very industrious and pushing and managed to provide very well for his children, and to give them the advantages of the common schools, at least during the winter months. In 1389 he took up his residence in Center township, Elkhart county, Ind., where he entered forty acres of wild land in the western part of the township. This land he cleared with the help of his son, William C., and by economy and thrift secured enough means to purchase forty acres more adjoining this, which he also cleared, and at a later period he purchased another forty acres of La Grange county timber land, all of which made him a good and comfortable home. Mr. Miller was a member of the Dunkard Church, while his wife was in sympathy with the German Reformed Church. He was a strong Democrat politically, and although a man of little education, he possessed a naturally fine mind, had sound and practical views on all subjects, and was respected by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance as a man of honesty and upright character. He lived to be over seventy-five years of age. William C. Miller was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1823, and although his early advantages were not of the best, he managed to learn to read and write. At that time educational advantages were not so fully appreciated as at this day, and the facilities for obtaining them were by no means what they are now. He did not have the opportunities to make up, in some degree, for this misfortune, owing to the fact that his youth and early manhood were wholly absorbed in the conflicts and rough experiences that mark the life of the first settlers of a new country. Yet sound sense and discriminating judgment were not lacking, and every opportunity that presented itself he grasped at, and thus, in time, became a well-informed and intelligent man. He became a resident of Ohio at the age of seven years, and of Indiana when seventeen years of age, and during this time was reared to the life of a farmer, which occupation still continued to receive his attention after he had started out in life for himself. He was married to Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Arnold) Beckner, the former of whom was born in Rockingham county, Va., and became a resident of Center township, Elkhart Co., Ind., about 1835, bringing with him his family, which consisted of his wife and following children: Elizabeth, Catherine, Eliza, Martin, William, Jacob, Samuel, Eli, Mary, Margaret, Sally and Susana. Mr. Beckner settled in the timber in the center of his township, where he made a good farm of 160 acres, and on which he resided the remainder of his days, dying at the age of about eighty-five years. He and his wife were members of the Dunkard Church, and he held the position of trustee and school director. He was an upright and honorable pioneer citizen, and had a wide circle of friends. After his marriage Mr. Miller settled in the vicinity of his present farm on forty acres of land, which he cleared from timber with his own hands. He became the owner of his present farm, which consists of 200 acres, but at the time of his purchase it was heavily covered with timber. Mr. Miller wielded his ax to a good purpose, and in time had his land entirely cleared from timber. By industry and thrift he gradually paid for this land, and now owns 260 acres, well improved, and with no claim against it. He has always been hard working and industrious, and has obtained a competency which he now thoroughly enjoys. To himself and wife the following children have been born: Mary A. (deceased), was married and left five children; Martin; Fannie; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Margaret; Aaron, and Jacob. The mother of these children died in November, 1858, and on March 25, 1860, Mr. Miller took for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth King, whose maiden name was Burns, and by her Mr. Miller became the father of six children: Abraham, Andrew, Ellen, Lydia, Harvey, who attended the Normal College of Terre Haute, Ind., and is now a successful school teacher, and John. Mr. Miller's second wife had one small child when he married her, named Mahala King, whom he brought up as his own, and who is now married to Jonas Horn, a farmer of this township. Mr. Miller is a stanch Democrat in politics, is highly respected in the community in which he resides, and has held a number of minor offices in his township. He and his first wife were Dunkards, as is his present wife, and he has assisted liberally with his means to build the Dunkard Church in his township. Mr. Miller is considered a desirable acquisition to the section in which he resides, and his reputation for integrity is all that could be desired. He is essentially a self-made man, and his fine property has been acquired through his own efforts and at the expense of no one.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and the Whole State, Both Living and Dead”
Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago
1893
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BEARDSLEY FAMILY. No name is more familiarly known in Elkhart county than that of Beardsley, and it is so thoroughly interwoven with its history that a work of this character would be incomplete without frequent reference to some member of the family. Dr. Havilah Beardsley was the pioneer and the first white owner of the land on which the city of Elkhart is now located. A native of New Fairfield, Conn., and of Welsh ancestry, his birth occurred April 1, 1795, being the fifth son of Elijah and Sally (Hubbell) Beardsley. He removed with his parents, at a very early day, to Ohio, and, when yet a boy, was a volunteer in the War of 1812 against Great Britain. When twenty-one years of age he began the study of medicine at Urbana, and subsequently entered the medical department of the Transylvania University, which graduated him March 21, 1825. For several years he practiced his profession in Ohio, but the large practice proving both detrimental to health and uncongenial, he determined to abandon it. For these reasons he emigrated westward and having heard of the famous "St. Joseph Country" he drifted thitherward, and in 1830 settled on the north bank of the St. Joseph River and near the head of what is now Main street, in the city of Elkhart. Owing to the fact that no physicians were then in this country, it was impossible to turn a deaf ear to the calls of distress from his fellow-man, and his fame and practice extended more than fifty miles in every direction. Recognizing the vast advantages of water power at and near the confluence of the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers, he purchased a large tract of land from the Indian chief, Pierre Morain, the transfer occurring in April, 1831. One year later the land was regularly plotted and the birth of Elkhart became an accomplished fact. Erecting saw, oil, woolen and other mills, Dr. Beardsley put his whole energy into making the village a city. When the future of the place was an assured success, a rival claimant of the land by the name of Godfrey appeared, basing his claims on the ground that he had traded for the land prior to the time Dr. Beardsley had secured possession. Litigation followed, and as neither had patents from the Government, the title of the property was imperfect and for years the prosperity of the place was retarded. Upon Godfrey's failure he transferred his claim to his attorney at Detroit, and finally the suit was compromised by Dr. Beardsley transferring all right and title to the water power of the Elkhart River and a tract of land contiguous thereto to his opponent, he retaining as his part all the remainder of the property under dispute. A man of limitless energy he was instrumental in the establishment of all the early industries of the place. He was an old line Whig in politics, and while not a man of brilliant attainments, was possessed of more good sound sense than usually falls to the lot of man. While not a member of any religious denomination, he was, in all that is essential, a Christian, dying in 1856 a believer in the Swedenborgian faith. His widow (formerly Rachel Calhoun) died in April, 1891, aged over ninety years. There were four sons and one daughter born to these parents: Edwin, Charles, James Rufus, Richard and Frances. The daughter is the widow of Hon. B. L. Davenport, and resides in Elkhart. Edwin resides in Illinois. Charles died at Elkhart leaving a widow (since remarried) and one son. Richard was in the United States navy during the Rebellion; his health failing by reason of his arduous duties, was appointed United States Consul at Jerusalem and subsequently Consul-General to Egypt where he died. J. R. Beardsley is the only male representative of his father's family now living in Elkhart. When nine months old his parents came to this place and he has never known any other home than Elkhart. After securing a fair education of the practical order from the common schools, he assisted his father in his various manufacturing enterprises, and manufacturing has been his principal employment. For a time he was president of the First National Bank and is at the present time a director in the same. He is the owner of a paper mill, the half owner of a flouring mill and a storeowner in a starch factory at the present time. J. R. Beardsley is a Republican in politics, and in that, as in all other matters, is of that positive, vigorous and robust type of manhood that insures success in most matters undertaken. He was the city's second mayor, and besides having filled various other positions of local honor and trust, was twice elected to represent his county in the Senate of the State, first in 1866 and again four years later. On Christmas day, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Ray, the daughter of Martin M. Ray, one of the foremost lawyers of Indianapolis, and to their union have been born three children: Ray, Wallace and Ellen.

“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

JACOB D. SCHROCK. This gentleman is regarded as one of the most enterprising pioneers of his district, and it is a pleasure to chronicle here the events that mark his life as one of usefulness. Material wealth must not exclude the riches of character and ability in recounting the virtues which have been brought to this country by its citizens, and among its most precious treasures must be estimated the lives of those citizens who have by their intelligence and their eminence in the higher walks of life, assisted in raising the standard of life and thought in the communities in which they have served. No one has probably done more in this line than Mr. Schrock, who is descended from Pennsylvania Dutch stock, his grandfather having come to this country from Germany, settling in Mifflin county, Penn., with his family, where he made his home for a number of years. He then took up his abode in Holmes county, Ohio, at which time it was a wilderness of woods inhabited by the red man and hosts of wild animals. He entered a farm of 160 acres which, by hard work, he managed to clear of timber and brush and convert into a fertile farm, where he and his family lived in comfort. He lived to be quite aged, and on the farm where the greater part of his life was spent, he was called to his long home and is sleeping his last sleep near Carlisle, Ohio. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite Church, was a Christian by both precept and example, was kind and considerate in his family and, contrary to the custom of his day, “spared the rod,” but his children were by no means “spoiled” by such treatment. He was very upright in his walk through life, and consequently universal respect was accorded him. His son David, the father of the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day in Mifflin county, Penn., and on his father's farm in that State he resided until he was about eighteen years of age, at which time he went with his parents to Ohio, in which State he afterward married Margaret, daughter of John Bonitrager, a farmer and wheelwright, located on the line between Holmes and Tuscarawas counties. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years, having come of hardy German stock. To Mr. and Mrs. David Schrock five children were given, who lived to attain mature years: John, Mary, Jacob D., Daniel and Elias. After his marriage Mr. Schrock located on 160 acres of land near Shawsville, Ohio, of which section he was one of the pioneers, and by the exercise of both brain and brawn he succeeded in clearing it and putting it in a good state of cultivation. He was very industrious, pushing and intelligent, and at one time was the owner of 320 acres of land, on which he erected a saw and carding mill. He was a far-seeing, shrewd, and intelligent man of business, decidedly practical instead of theoretical, and every opportunity for bettering his financial condition was grasped at, but his operations were never conducted at the expense of others. In 1841 he came with his family to Indiana, and in Clinton township, Elkhart county, he purchased a tract of land comprising 260 acres, and as it was heavily covered with timber, he also bought a saw-mill and disposed of his timber by sawing it into boards and selling it. He showed good judgment in the conduct of his affairs, and found his saw mill a paying enterprise. After the death of Mrs. Schrock he married again, Melissa Ball becoming his wife. After a time he found the duties of the farm becoming rather irksome, and to escape therefrom he took up his residence in Goshen, where he embarked in the lumber and grocery business, both of which proved disastrous financially, but like an honorable and upright man as he was, he paid his debts, dollar for dollar. He was influential and much respected, and he was at one time one of the commissioners of Elkhart county. Politically he was a Democrat. Jacob D. Schrock, his son, and the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead in Holmes county, Ohio, December 15, 1823, but in his youth received few advantages for obtaining an education, although he acquired some knowledge of both the German and English languages. His youthful days were devoted to wielding the hoe or following the plow, and he acquired a thorough knowledge of and liking for the calling of agriculture, becoming familiar with the duties of saw-milling also. He was eighteen years of age upon his arrival in Indiana, and during the many years that he has resided in this State he has become horoughly "Hoosierized." He started out to make his own way in the world at the age of eighteen years, and when he had attained his majority he purchased his fathers saw mill, which he successfully operated until 1853, when he bought his present farm of 206 acres, to which he has since added seventy acres. In 1853 he began gun-smithing, and being a natural mechanic succeeded well in this business, his time being fully occupied with the enterprise. He did all kinds of repairing and made 700 new rifles and many single and double-barreled guns. He was married in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 7, 1849, to Miss Lydia Kenagy (or, as it was spelled originally, Kenaghe), born February 22, 1820, Rev. David Zook officiating, and their union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Sarah A., born November 8, 1847; Melinda, born May 3, 1850; Manassa, born February 21, 1853; Eli, born May 12, 1857; Harvey Joseph, born April 1, 1862. Mrs. Schrock is a daughter of David and Rebecca (Hartgler) Kenagy, the former of whom was of German descent, a native of Dauphin county, Penn., who removed to Mifflin county, of the same State, with his father, Jacob Kenagy; was married there and settled on a farm nine miles east of Lewistown, where he died at the age of seventy-seven years, having been a substantial and honored citizen. He became the father of twelve children, whose names are as follows: Absolom, Nancy, David, Solomon, Lydia, Jacob, Sarah, Eli, Jonathan, Mary, Christian and Elizabeth. He was an old-fash¬ioned Amish Mennonite, whose word was as good as his bond. The great-grandmother of Mrs. Schrock was Anna Lapp, the great-great-grandmother was Anna Rickbough and the great-great-great-grandmother was Anna Fayerlichty. Mr. and Mrs. Schrock are members of the Amish Church and politically he is a Democrat. He has been a patron of education and has given his children good educational advantages, Henry J.'s education being obtained in a normal college. Sarah is the wife of Samuel F. Ullery, by whom she has two children; Eli married Ada Whitmore; Manassa married Ella Hazel, by whom he has two children; Harvey J. married Millie Hazel. Mr. Schrock and his faithful wife have always been very industrious and are considered among the foremost citizens of 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

NORMAN BECKLEY, whose name and fame are so familiar in railroad circles, and who has been so prominently connected with the welfare of the city of Elkhart, was born at Barry, Vt., April 15, 1823, being the eldest in a family of three sons and two daughters born to the marriage of Samuel Beckley and Roxana Colby. Zebedee Beckley, his grandfather, was said to have been of Scotch-Irish ancestry and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and also the War of 1812. With but few exceptions the family have been a race of farmers, and were particularly noted for their magnificent physical development. A peculiar characteristic trait is a positive temperament, a strict adherence to friendship and morality, and for generations con¬nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Norman Beckley was reared upon his father's farm in Vermont, and while his opportunities were of a limited nature, his boast was that he could not be excelled in his books or in anything he would undertake. During the winter season, and sometimes during the fall, he was enabled to attend select schools and at the age of fourteen years accomplished a man's work in the field. When eighteen years of age he began teaching district school during the winters, and from the proceeds of his labor defrayed the expense of one term's tuition at the academy in Montpelier and two terms at Newberry Seminary, during which time he boarded himself. Practically he began for himself at fourteen years of age; in fact, since that time he has never failed in accomplishing a man's work. It was this time he worked for the then remunerative wages of $9 per month. On attaining his majority he started South for the purpose of finding employment as a teacher, but owing to ill health, caused by the heat, and the Catholic riots of that time, he was compelled to remain in Philadelphia for a time, and from there changed his course to the great West. Staging for three days through swamps and over hills to Chicago from Marshall, Mich., he there found employment in a lumber office in the growing young city, but owing to chills, fever and ague, so prevalent then, he was compelled to relinquish his position and return to the East. Arriving in Vermont, he worked one month getting out stone and building culverts for the Vermont Central Railway, after which he was foreman of a construction force two years. Immediately after the road was built he became paymaster of the contractor who was building the second track of the Fitchburg Railroad, then became section foreman of a division of the Vermont Central Railway. Then his appoint¬ment as roadmaster of the Montpelier-Burlington division occurred, and after serving as such for a time was transferred to the same position, and on the same road, of the Vermont-Canada division. In 1858 Mr. Beckley came West and became roadmaster of the Chicago division of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, with headquarters at LaPorte, which position he retained three years, but resigned to accept the superintendency of the Sycamore, Courtland & Chicago Rail¬way, now a part of the Northwestern system. For thirteen years he served in this capacity, but in 1874 became Michigan division superintendent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, with headquarters at Elkhart, Ind. In 1878 he resigned this position to become general manager of the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railway. At this time the road was in about as bad condition as was possible for it to get. The stock had practically no market value whatever. It was 110 miles in length, unfenced, much of the right-of-way was unpaid for, numerous suits for damages were pending, the road bed, equipped with iron rails, was in so bad shape as to render life unsafe in traveling over it, and the only rolling stock owned by the corporation was one solitary engine. It was under such discouraging circumstances that Mr. Beckley assumed management. Through his personal efforts, and in time, the pending suits were all compromised, the right-of-way perfected, ninety-five miles of additional road was built, steel rails replaced the iron ones, the road became fenced, the road bed leveled and placed on a substantial foundation, the entire system became equipped with the best rolling stock and motor power and the stock possessed the market value of one hundred cents on the dollar. To Mr. Beckley alone belongs the credit of this wonderfully successful feat of railroad managing. From a road on the verge of bankruptcy and without credit, he produced for his employers a road as well equipped as any in the State and whose stock value was at par. His experience with this road was practically his experience with the Sycamore, Courtland & Chicago road. His method was one of unswerving honesty, careful contracts, strict business economy and keeping in his employment only men of good morals and sobriety. A severe disciplinarian, he was also lenient when the occasion warranted. Through his influence gambling, drinking and kindred evils were much restricted in the city, and many a young man who had been in the habit of spending his earnings in fast living, was induced to lay it aside to be invested in s home. Many a home has thus been made in Elkhart, and many wives and mothers to-day look upon Mr. Beckley as procurer of their homes and happiness. Owing to failing health Mr. Beckley resigned his position as general manager, but until April, 1892, assumed in the less active position of treasurer of the company. October 2, 1848, occurred his marriage with Miss Rosette, daughter of Reuben and Abagail (Goodwin) Wills, who were Vermont people and of Scotch ancestry. To their marriage three children have been born: Emma E. (Mrs. M. H. Westlake), Edgar H. and Edward E. A Republican in politics, Mr. Beckley was nominated for mayor of Elkhart in 1884 and was duly elected. From his mother, when a boy, the principles of Christianity and morality were thoroughly instilled into his mind and for many years he and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was elected a delegate to the Northern Indiana Conference in April, 1892, and by that body was elected a delegate to the General Conference at Omaha in May, 1892.

“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