HENRY STAUFFER is the eldest son of that worthy pioneer, Jacob Stauffer, and in his native county, Columbiana, Ohio, he was reared and educated. He was a good scholar, and grew to be a man of sound judgment and a substantial citizen, the worthy follower of such a man as his father. He came with his parents and brother John to Elkhart county, Ind., in 1852, but prior to that time, on October 5,1850, he had married him a wife in Ohio, her maiden name being Mary A. Winder, who was born in the county in which they were then residing, July 9, 1829. She was a daughter of Joseph and Amy (Taylor) Winder, the former of whom was born in Crawford county, Penn., April 22, 1805, a son of James and Ann (Kirk) Winder. Ann Kirk's parents were Joseph and Judith (Knight) Kirk, the former a descendant of Roger Kirk. Joseph Winder became one of the early residents of Ohio, and there he followed agricultural pursuits and taught school, being successful in both occupations. He was also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was very active in his field of labor. His wife was born in Crawford county. Penn., and in that State they were married, later moving to Portage county, Ohio, where the father was called from life in 1851, the mother's death occurring at Nappanee in May, 1891. To them ten children were born, seven of whom were reared: Mary A., who died in 1885, was the wife of Henry Stauffer; Sarah A., who is Mrs. Minor, living in Locke township, Elkhart Co., Ind.; Abigail, wife of John Stauffer; James N., who died at the age of three years; Hannah L., who is Mrs. Swartz, of Nappanee; John, who died when young; Nancy L., who is living in Ohio; Sophia A., who is deceased, was the wife of Mr. Miller, of Elkhart, her demise occurring in 1874; Samuel is a man of family and is living in Kansas; and Joseph, who is deceased. Mrs. Winder came to Elkhart county about twenty-five years ago and located in Harrison township, of this county, but eventually passed from life in Union township. When Mr. Stauffer came with his people to this section he and his father and brother John put their money into a farm of 160 acres, on which they lived a number of years, during which time they accumulated means, and were undeniably successful in all their undertakings, owing to the fact that they did not hesitate to put their hands to any work they were called upon to do, showed good judgment in their ventures and were prudent in their expenditures. He is now living a retired life in the town of Nappanee, having been called upon to mourn the death of his wife on March 7, 1885. She was very highly respected and esteemed by all who knew her, and her loss was deeply felt by all, especially by her husband and children to whom she had been all in all for so many years. The family reared by Mr. Stauffer and his wife are as follows: Walter, who was born in Ohio, May 25, 1852, is now living in South Whitley county, Ind., a successful medical practitioner, is married to Miss Lydia Shaffer and has three children living, Owen, Mabel and Floyd, little Beulah having died in infancy (in addition to his practice he is also the efficient editor of the South Whitley News); Joseph E., the next in order of birth, was born in Elkhart county, September 13, 1854, is married to Catharine Halley, by whom he has one child, Maude, and they are residing in the State of Washington; Ida L. is the wife of A. V. Guiss, of Nappanee, by whom she has one child, Carie D.; Leonard was born January 13,1860, and died September 30, 1866; Elmer E. was born May 13, 1864, and died February 23, 1865, and Jessie, who was born November 25, 1869, and died January 26, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer gave their children good and useful educations, which fitted them for the practical lives they have thus far led, and they are now among the substantial residents of the county. Mr. Stauffer owns a large and valuable farm in Union township, but has not tilled it for many years, preferring to spend his declining years in the enjoyment of the competency which his early industry earned. He is a public-spirited man, takes an active interest in politics, and has for years affiliated with the Republican party, although he has never aspired to hold anything but township offices. He is the worthy son of a worthy father, and in his retirement carries with him the high regard of his fellow-citizens and the best wishes of his numerous friends.

“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
John Morris Co. Printers and Binders


J. M. DELOTTER is a well-known citizen of Elkhart county, whose intelligence, enterprise and energy, with many other estimable qualities have secured for him a popularity not derived from any factitious circumstance, but a permanent and spontaneous tribute to his merit. He was born in Kosciusko county, Ind., in 1850, and his father, Lewis Delotter, was one of the early pioneers of that county. The latter was born in Maryland, as was also the grandfather, George Delotter, who was of German and French parentage. Lewis Delotter was the third child in a family of six children, and was reared to farm life. Later he learned the blacksmith's trade, and this was his chief occupation through life. Thinking to better his condition he left his native State and settled within the borders of Preble county, Ohio, in 1830. He was married to Miss Lydia Wysong, and in the Buckeye State reared most of his children. In 1849 he moved with his family to Kosciusko county, Ind., settled on a farm one mile west of Milford, but in 1850 moved to Goshen, and there died five years later. A member in good standing in the Lutheran Church, an early pioneer in both Ohio and Indiana, he was one of the county's best citizens. He always supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and was public spirited and progressive. He was married twice, first in Ohio to Miss Margaret Staver, who bore him four children, all of whom grew to mature years, and were named as follows: Aaron, residing in Goshen, was a soldier in the Civil war; Joseph (deceased); Henry (died in the army), and Catherine, now Mrs. Burns, of Illinois. The mother of these children died in Ohio, and Mr. Delotter was afterward married in that State to Miss Lydia Wysong, four children resulting from this union: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Samuel Malto, of Goshen; Anna, Mrs. Darrell, of Goshen; Sylvanus, a stone mason, residing in Nappanee, and James M. (subject). Mrs. Delotter was born in Ohio and was a sister of Robert Wysong, of Union township (see sketch). After the death of her husband in 1855 she was married to Israel Wyland, who was an early pioneer of Elkhart county, and county recorder eight years. To this marriage two children were born: Emma, who is now Mrs. Henry Fisher, of Nappanee (see sketch), and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Wyland died in Goshen April 9, 1892 and was a lady whose intelligence and many excellent qualities made her a favorite with all. James M. Delotter, the original of this notice, was reared in Goshen, attended the public schoo1s of that town, and learned the trade of molder in a machine shop. This he followed for eighteen years, and in 1876 went to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he started a saw-mill and tile factory, operating the same for six years. He became well versed in the uses and composition of various days, and in 1884 came to Nappanee, Ind., where, seeing the great necessity for increased tiling on the adjacent low land of this section of country, be began prospecting for a favorable site to erect a tile plant. He found one about one-half mile from the corporate limits of the town on the west side. This plant he ran for a period of three years up to 1887, when the increasing demands made by the farming community around necessitated the building of a larger plant which should include the manufacture of brick also. In order to do this Mr Delotter must have more capital, and hence in that year he sold a half interest to Mr. J. C. Mellinger, cashier of the Farmer's & Trader's Bank, and their present plant was accordingly erected a short distance from the original, but nearer to the track of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which renders loading much easier. This year (1892) they have turned out over a million of brick alone at this factory, and these are of a superior quality too. Now that orders are coming in from outside. this company will be in a position by next season to turn out twice the product of this year, as the right kind of machinery to manipulate the clay properly, has been secured after over three years' careful experimenting with sundry patents in this line. The tile factory is a solid two-story brick structure 40 x 80 feet, and has an inside shed capacity for 40,000 tiles together with an attached outside shed capacity for 35,000 tiles. There are two "down draft kilns" with a capacity of 18,000 tiles each, and here are made the various tiles from three inches up to twelve inches, with all sizes between. Work is carried on in winter as well as summer, the arrangements for steam heating and drying being of the most modern style. The plant is situated at one side of a forty acre plat of ground owned by this company, and is assuming a fast increasing value by virtue of the growing demands for brick and tile in this and surrounding territory. Sewer pipe clay thirty-five feet in depth is here to be found in abundance. The present output of tile this year has been 360,000, although of brick and tile, 3,000,000 can be easily turned out annually. Sixteen hands are here employed earning good wages, but the coming season's demands will need at least thirty men to do the work which is fast increasing. While in Montgomery county, Ohio, he married Miss Lucinda Smith, and they have had two children, Lizzie and Sherman D., both now deceased. Mr. Delotter is a pushing business man and one of influence in Nappanee. He and Mrs. Delotter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Delotter was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, May 3, 1853, and was the second in order of birth of seven children born to Daniel B. and Elizabeth (Early) Smith. Daniel Smith was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and the son of William and Rebecca (Drear) Smith, who were the parents of eight children: David, William, Prucilla, John, Jacob, Elizabeth and Daniel. Daniel is still living on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, and is deacon in the United Brethren Church. In politics he is a Republican. His wife was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Early, and a native of Virginia. She came with her parents to Ohio at an early day, and was one of twelve children: Anna, Susan, Elizabeth, Martin, Jacob, Lydia, Lucinda, Noah, Catherine, Joseph, John and Esther. The last two named were by a second marriage. To Daniel B. Smith and wife were born seven children as follows: Jacob, Lucinda, Martha J., Orion F., Mary E. and Emma; one deceased. Mrs. Delotter is the only one of the family in the county. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she and her husband are highly esteemed in the town.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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CHRISTIAN STAHLY. Among the honored and wealthy pioneers of Union township, Elkhart county, Ind., is Christian Stahly, who resides one-half mile north of Nappanee. His many years of hard labor have been rewarded with abundant means and he is now in the enjoyment of a comfortable income. He was one of four brothers and one sister, all of whom were born in Germany, sons of Henry and Barbara (Sumner) Stahly, the former of whom was also born in Germany in 1750, or about that time. He was a farmer by occupation and followed this calling up to the day of his death, which occurred in his native land in 1825. He was a man of means, a member of the Amish Church, and a man of strict integrity of character. He was married twice, his first wife bearing him one child, Magdaline. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Wiseburg, in Germany, in 1770, and died in Indiana at the home of her son, having, after the death of the husband and father, cared for her five children and one step-child. She left Kaiserslautern, Germany, for this country in the month of August. 1835, landed at New York City, but removed soon after to Stark county, Ohio, where they remained during the winter, then took up their residence in Wayne county, of the same State. All the members of this family: John, Catherine, Henry and Jacob, were weavers and worked at this trade in Ohio; Christian was a farmer. John, the eldest son, came from Germany about 1830, which was about five years before the rest of the family turned their footsteps thither. The subject of this sketch was born in July, 1820, in Germany, and in 1835 moved with his mother, three brothers and one sister to America. On February 3, 1842, he was married to Fanny Hansauer in Wayne county, Ohio, and the same year moved to Elkhart county, Ind. He entered eighty acres of land for himself and a like amount for his brother, Jacob, in Elkhart county, all of which was located on Section 31, and here he set energetically to work to improve his land and lay by means for a rainy day. His wife was a daughter of Peter and Mariah (Keck) Hansauer, native Germans who came to this country in an early day (1817) and were among the pioneers of Wayne county, Ohio. There the father was called from life in 1857, but the mother paid the last debt of nature at the home of the subject of this sketch in Elkhart county, Ind., in 1866, having become the mother of ten children, nine of whom are living: Moses, Peter, Jacob, Martin, Christian, Matty, Mary, Fany and Anna. Mrs. Stahly was born in Ohio, August 27, 1822, and she and her husband, Christian Stahly, who is one of the oldest pioneers of his section, are residing on the farm of 187 acres on which they first settled and which is one of the oldest farms in the township. Their children are as follows: Peter, born October 30, 1842; Barbara, born February 22, 1844; Jacob, born July 3, 1845 and died June 3, 1867; John, born September 23, 1846; Anna M., born December 7, 1847, and died November 7, 1855; Moses, born July 27,1849; Magdaline, born November 10, 1851; Solomon, born July 17, 1853; Catherine, born November 16, 1854, and died April 20,1861; Levi, born February 3, 1856, and died April 28,1858; and Samuel, born February 29, 1858. When Mr. Stahly settled in this county it was a wilderness, and in a few years all the members of this family had arrived in Elkhart county, where, like the thrifty Germans that they were, they set about securing means with which to keep the wolf from the door, and eventually became well-to-do citizens. On his land Christian Stahly built him a little log cabin, but while this was in process of erection had to live in his wagon - a period of about three weeks. He came by ox team to this county and although the journey was slow and tedious and their future uncertain, they were hopeful for the future, for they were in the enjoyment of good health and possessed unbounded energy - attributes which go far toward accomplishing a desired object. During their first winter's residence some progress was made in clearing the land immediately about their cabin home, and the family was supplied with meat by Mr. Stahly's trusty rifle. During his early struggles with adversity he worked out by the day for some time, and although this was a slow way of accumulating means, it was much better than remaining idle. In time his efforts were prospered. As a farmer he has been decidedly successful and is in every respect a self-made man, for he began with little means and is now in good circumstances. He became the owner of a large amount of real estate, the most of which he has given to his children, reserving for himself only a sufficient amount to keep him in comfort the remainder of his days. Politically he supports the Republican party and to every enterprise tending to benefit the section in which he resides he gives substantial aid. His son, Peter, married Elizabeth Smoker and is living on a farm near Stutgart, Ark. He has the following children: Barbara, Manasses, Jessie, Adam and Fanny living, and Mattie and Chauncey deceased. Barbara was married to Daniel Metzler and has the following children: John, Jonas, Lizzie, Mary, David, Jessie, Fannie, Daniel, who died, and Anna. Daniel Metzler died in 1878. Barbara then married Johnas Stineman in 1885. Jacob Stahly died at the age of twenty-one years; John was married to Elizabeth Johns, is residing in La Grange county, Ind., and is the father of nine children: Daniel, Christian, Samuel, John, Mary, Fannie, Elizabeth, Levi and Catherine. Moses, the next child of Mr. Stahly, is living in Reno county, Kan., is married to Mary Nisely and has these children: Mattie, Emeline, Fannie, Abraham, Bessie, Alice and Ezra. Magdaline married Yostel Yoder, lives in Kosciusko county on a farm and has eight children: Israel, Fannie, Christian, Elizabeth, Moses, Levi, Rudolph, Mahala, living, and Jonas and an infant deceased. Solomon married Sarah Nisley and has five children living: Amanda, Andy (died), Saloma, Samuel (died), Daniel, Jessie and Enos. Samuel married Minny Ward and has one child, Fern. Henry, the brother of Christian Stahly, came to this county in 1846 and settled on the land on which Nappanee now stands. Like his brother he was a substantial citizen and the name of Stahly will long be honored throughout Elkhart 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


PETER H. STAHLY is a prominent farmer living about one mile north of Nappanee, in Locke township, Elkhart Co., Ind., and is a son of one of the very early pioneers, Henry Stahly, who is still living on the old homestead just north of Nappanee. Henry Stahly was born in Germany in 1809, and is a brother of Christian Stahly, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. He came to this country in early life, and after residing for some time in Ohio, became a resident of Elkhart county, Ind., in 1846. He was married in Germany to Magdaline (Ehresman) Johnson, a widow with one child, John, and with them he came to this country, and settled first in Stark county, Ohio, afterward in Wayne county, and finally in Elkhart county, Ind. His first tract of land comprised eighty acres north of Nappanee, but he afterward became the owner of the land on which Nappanee now stands, and tilled that soil successfully for many years. He and his wife (who died in 1879) were members of the Amish Mennonite Church, and in that faith reared their children, whose names are here given: Barbara, who married John Ringenberg, and is now deceased; Mary, who is now the widow of T. J. Yoder, and is a resident of Indiana; Christian H., who is living east of Nappanee; Magdaline, who married Andrew Bliley, is deceased; Henry H., lives east of Nappanee; Peter H., the subject of this sketch, who is living one mile north of Nappanee; Simon, who is also living north of Nappanee, and Daniel, who still makes his home with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Stahly also reared her son by her first marriage, John Johnson. Peter H. Stahly, the sixth child of Henry Stahly, was born November 24, 1847, in Elkhart county, and was reared on the farm on which the town of Nappanee, Ind., now stands. He obtained his education in the district schools near his home, during the winter months, and like all farmer's boys, assisted on the farm during the summer, after he had attained an age where his services would be valuable. At the age of twenty-one years he started to do for himself, and for three years worked in the saw-mill belonging to John King, and in 1873 began tilling the soil on rented land on Elkhart Prairie. In 1875 he bought the farm where he now lives, and the following year took up his residence thereon, and this land he has tilled with success ever since. His farm consists of 120 acres, and the most of it has been cleared through his own efforts. He has a commodious and handsome residence, a good barn for his grain and stock, good granaries and outbuildings of all descriptions. He does a general line of farming, and is quite extensively engaged in raising horses and cattle, which he has found to be a profitable source of revenue. Like his father before him he is a member of the Amish Mennonite Church, and is also interested in church and school matters, as well as all other enterprises of an elevating and worthy nature. He is considered by all to be one of the most public-spirited of men, and is regarded as one of the first citizens of his section. He supports the principles of the Republican party, but has not been an aspirant for public preferment. He was first married in 1872, to Catherine Yoder, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1846, a daughter of Joseph Yoder and his wife, Mariah (Farnwald) Yoder. She was reared in Ohio, and was one of a family of ten children: Emanuel, born September 11, 1834; Joseph, born January 26, 1840; Henry, born September 15, 1844; Solomon, born December 11, 1851, died young; Joseph, died in Tennessee during the war; Anna, born May 27, 1836; Barbara, December 10, 1837; Mariah, born August 28, 1842; Catherine, born August 29, 1846; Fannie, born February 5, 1849, and Susan, born July 24, 1854. Mr. Stahly was called from life June 16, 1877, having become the mother of two children: Frank, who was born August 18, 1873, and now assists his father on the farm, and Ida, who was born February 15, 1875. The mother of these children was a member of the Amish Mennonite Church the most of her life, was an earnest Christian, a kind and careful mother, a devoted wife and a faithful friend. In 1878 Mr. Stahly married Fannie, the sister of his first wife, her birth having occurred in Wayne county, Ohio, February 5, 1849. Joseph and Mariah Yoder were from Pennsylvania, but of German descent, and after leaving their native State, they first settled in Ohio, and were married in Wayne county, where the father was called from life in 1886, and where his widow is still residing. Mr. Stahly's present wife is also a member of the church, and in that faith they will endeavor to rear their children, who are as follows: Cora, born October 1, 1881; Nora, born August 22, 1883; Ervin, born September 12, 1885, and Iva, born August 11, 1888. Mr. Stahly, at the present time, has one of the finest farms in the county, if not in northern Indiana, a result of earnest toil, persistent effort and sound judgment. Joseph Yoder and Mariah Farmwald were married in Ohio, November 5, 1833, the latter being a daughter of John and Anna (Wagler) Farnwald, both of whom were born in Germany, were married in the old country, and in 1818 came to America and became residents of Wayne county, Ohio, where they reared a family, tilled the soil, and later moved to Iowa, when it was a new country, and there spent the remainder of their days. Their children were as follows: John, Adam, David, Magdaline, Barbara, Elizabeth, Catherine, Mariah and Fannie, the last two being the only members of the family living. Joseph Yoder was born in 1801, in Summit county, Penn., of Solomon and Barbara (Miller) Yoder. The latter couple, moving with their family to Wayne county, Ohio, and after a residence of about thirty years, came to Elkhart county, and were here called from life, he at the advanced age of ninety-one years, ten months and twenty-seven days, and she at the age of eighty-four years, ten months and two days. To them eight children were born: Yost, Joseph, Peter, Adam, Susan, Leah, Elizabeth and Rachel.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago
1893
John Morris Co. Printers and Binders


JOHN C. MELLINGER, who is one of the substantial citizens of Elkhart county, Ind., belongs to that army of intelligent, persevering, courageous people, who have gone forth from the State of their birth to build up new industrial empires in various portions of the West. Although of American parentage, he is of English and German descent, and has inherited the dogged perseverance of the former, and the energy, thrift and integrity of the latter race of people, attributes which were the stepping-stones to the prosperity which he now enjoys, and which have been the means of placing many a struggling young man in an independent financial position. Mr. Mellinger is, as was his father, Melchor Mellinger, a product of Mahoning county, Ohio, where he was born in 1849, and his boyhood was spent in the usual style of his day, his summers being devoted to assisting his father on the home farm and his winters to attending a few months' term of school. Melchor Mellinger's advent into this world was in the year 1805, and in Mahoning county he was reared and educated and became familiar with farming in his boyhood days. He later learned carpentering, which he followed in connection with tilling the soil the greater portion of his life. In early life he married Elizabeth Culp, and by her became the father of a large family of children, eight in number living, although ten were born to them: Mary, who died at about the age of fifty-five years, was first married to Tobias Yoder and secondly to Joseph Bixler, becoming the mother of one child by Yoder, and three children by Bixler, her second husband (her child, Malinda Yoder, was a wife and mother in her thirteenth year, was married to John Bixler, her marriage taking place at the age of twelve years, which is an occurrence never before known in the United States); Henry C., a lumberman of West Virginia, is married and is the father of six children; Jacob, a farmer of Mahoning county, Ohio, has a family of nine children; Samuel C. is a lumber merchant, and conducts a saw and planing-mill at Leetonia, Columbiana Co., Ohio, having four children of which two are dead; Elizabeth is now the Widow Stafford, and is residing in Mahoning county with her two living children, two others having died; Daniel is a lumber and planing-mill man of Salem, Ohio, and is the father of four children; Melchor died in infancy; Magdaline also died young; John C. is a well-known resident of Nappanee, Ind., and Noah, who resides two miles from Nappanee, in Locke township, is a farmer, and has a wife and four children living and one dead. He has been a resident of Elkhart county since 1888, and from the first has occupied a high position in the estimation of the people throughout that section. Elizabeth (Culp) Mellinger, the mother of the above mentioned children, was a native of Mahoning county, born in 1810, and died in her native county in 1889, an earnest member of the Mennonite Church, as was her husband, who died in 1888, at which time he left a comfortable fortune, as well as an unblemished name, as a heritage to his children. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Melchor, was among the early pioneers of Mahoning county, Ohio, where he followed the honorable, useful and independent life of the farmer, and reared a family of eleven children, all of whom married and reared families of their own, but seven of them are now deceased. There were seven boys and four girls in this family and their descendants are scattered throughout many of the States of the Union. The maternal grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth (Klepper) Culp, were from Virginia, and Mr. Culp came of sturdy German stock. He was a farmer and lived to be eighty years of age, dying in the sixties. Although John C. Mellinger was denied the privilege of a liberal education, he applied himself in a sufficiently earnest manner to his books, when opportunity offered, and at the age of twenty years, when he started to make his own way in the world, he was well fitted to fight the battle of life successfully. The occupation of carpentering occupied his attention until 1873, when, in company with B. F. Myers, he left his native county and came to Elkhart county, Ind., and in the village of Nappanee started a saw-mill, which was the first erected in the neighborhood. In the spring of 1875 he purchased Mr. Myer's interest in the establishment which he continued alone for one year following. At this time J. B. and Frank Coppes, became his associates in business, and the firm became known as J. C. Mellinger & Co., and continued as such until 1879, when Samuel Coppes entered the firm. In 1882 Mr. Mellinger disposed of his interest in this establishment, after which he began devoting his attention to dealing in grain, but finding it not sufficiently profitable, discontinued it at the end of one year. In 1885 he identified himself with the Farmers' & Traders' Bank, in which he has been one of the tellers since that time. In this, as in every other position he has filled, he has shown himself to be a man of excellent abilities, who has worked hard - not only because work was a necessity with him, but also because it was a pleasure - and whatever he has accumulated in the way of worldly goods has been acquired through persistent labor. He has been successful in all his business ventures, for his sound judgment has ever been his aid and guide, and upon everything to which he has devoted his attention he has left the impress of his personality and the marks of study and thought. He owns a half interest in the tile and brick factory which is known as Delotter & Co., which manufactures large quantities of drain tile and building brick. This establishment gives employment to about fifteen men and are shipping their goods to various points in the vicinity as well as to various localities in the East. Mr. Mellinger is the owner of some laud throughout the county, and, financially, is well-to-do. On the 4th of August, 1870, he was married, in Elkhart county, to Lucinda Coppes, a daughter of Jacob Coppes, and to them four children were born: Ella I., born in 1871, is the wife of Harvey Banter, by whom she has three children; Sarah E., who died at the age of fifteen months; Emma, who resides with her parents, and Jeanette also. Mr. Mellinger and his family are members of the German Baptist Church, and in politics his good judgment has led him to uphold the Republican party. He is treasurer of the town of Nappanee, held the office of county commissioner, in 1884 and again in 1886, resigning the position in 1887. A typical business man, he sustains the part. of a citizen admirably. Although the foregoing is but a meager outline of a busy and useful life, it nevertheless teaches a useful lesson. To those who can gauge character from events, even this is sufficient to show that Mr. Mellinger is a talented business man, and a leader in the section in which he resides. Nor is his full work yet done, as those who know him best look upon this much as but a preparation for even better work in the future. His judgment is sound on questions of paramount importance, and he has no faith in any road to success not made by individual effort, and is a firm believer in the old saying that “There is no royal road to fortune.” He has no faith in the value of a result not reached by independent research, and his own attainments are due to laborious application, and even his education, which is sound and comprehensive, has been acquired without the advantage of more than a very limited school training.

“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


PROF. BYRON J. BOGUE. The rapid advancement made of late in matters pertaining to popular education is due in no small part to the brilliant leaders who have arisen here and there, and who have dedicated their labors and energies to the upbuilding of the school interests of their respective States. Among these, none perhaps has won wider recognition in Indiana than Byron J. Bogue, who early began the career of a teacher and is now filling creditably the position of superintendent of schools of Mishawaka. He is of Scotch descent and comes of one of the early families of this county that settled in Connecticut in the colonial period. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the war for Independence, serving seven years, and his son Henry, who was born in Connecticut, and there tilled the soil very successfully, was an active participant in the War of 1812. He was married to Sarah Fletcher, and to them five children were given: Rowena, Celestia, Daniel, Newel and Fletcher. Mr. Bogue, with his family, was the seventh family to settle in Brunswick township, Medina Co., Ohio; cleared up a good farm from the wilderness and became one of its most substantial citizens. He was one of the prominent men of his section, was public spirited, and the people showed their respect for his views by placing him in a number of positions of trust, which he filled in a most creditable manner. He was a man of lofty character, was the soul of honesty in his business transactions and the respect in which he was held was unbounded. He retained his youthful activity until late in life and died at the age of eighty-one. Daniel Bogue, his son, first saw the light in Colebrook, Litchfield Co., December 15, 1815, and was a mere infant when taken to Ohio by his father, who drove through with an ox team, leaving Connecticut June 20, 1816, arriving at his destination, August 28. He received the advantages of the pioneer school, and, in addition to becoming well versed in farming, he also learned the trade of a carpenter. Upon reaching manhood he was married to Hittie, daughter of Henry and Sarah Lewis, the former of whom was a farmer of Portage county, Ohio, although formerly from New York, and a cousin of Maj. Lewis, of the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition, which was the first to cross the mountains. To Daniel Bogue and his wife were born the following named children: Emma (who died in infancy), Ellen, Henry L., Newel E., Byron J., Milo, Augustus H., Emma A., Edwin L., and Charles D. After his marriage Mr. Bogue settled on a farm of 140 acres in Rootstown town¬ship, Portage Co., Ohio, a part of a tract of land belonging to his grandfather, which he cleared from the forest and on which he made numerous very valuable improvements in the way of buildings, etc. He was always a Democrat, a patron of all enterprises tending to the advancement of his section, the cause of education finding in him an especially enthusiastic supporter. He gave his children common-school advantages, and encouraged two of his sons to obtain exceptionally liberal educations. He was interested in the County Agricultural Society, of which he was vice-president and director for some years, and being a man of active mind and possessing a large fund of useful general information, his advice was sought on all matters of importance in the county. He has a high standard of honor, is much respected for his integrity of character, and his word is justly considered as good as his bond. He is yet living on the old homestead in Ohio, and for the past fifteen years has been a director of the Portage & Summit Company Pioneer Association. Byron J. Bogue was born on this farm June 17, 1850, and, as soon as he had attained a proper age, he was placed in the district school near his home, in which he obtained a common education. He began teaching in the district schools at the age of nineteen years, after which he attended Buchtel College, of Akron Ohio, in 1872, of which institution he was one of the first students, for it was founded in 1870-1. While in college he continued to teach and work on the farm during vacations, in order to obtain means with which to defray his collegiate expenses, and he also did considerable janitor work about the college buildings, while pursuing his studies, and in 1877 he was rewarded by being graduated. Following this he taught select and district school for a time and in 1879 went to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he taught in the Methodist Episcopal College until the fall of the same year, when he came to Mishawaka, and for three years was one of the successful teachers of the high school, being principal. For five years following he was superintendent of the public schools of La Grange, Ind., but for the past six years has occupied the same position in the schools of Mishawaka, where he has given undisputable evidences of his fitness and popularity. He has thirteen teachers under him. Public education in Indiana has no more earnest advocate and co-operator than he; no one who more thoroughly understands and appreciates its needs and interests, and perhaps no one better qualified, through experience, to bring it to that high state of perfection which its present rapid advancement assures. The school library has been enlarged under his management from 400 to 1,200 volumes. A flourishing and popular Lyceum has been organized, completed and dedicated; a grand piano added, besides other furnishings, making an attractive place for young people to assemble for literary work. The school apparatus has been greatly increased and consists of a highly improved kind. On the 7th of July, 1881, Mr. Bogue was married to Maria S., daughter of George and Electa (Lee) Colvin, the former of whom removed from the State of New York to Michigan, and, until his death, at the age of sixty-one years, he followed the occupation of a lumberman and millwright. Maria S. Colvin was born October 10,1855, in Palmyra, Lenawee Co., Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Bogue have an adopted son, Morgan Weir. Mrs. Bogue is highly educated, is a graduate of the Adrian High School, and in 1873 began teaching school in Michigan. After her graduation, in 1876, she was a very successful teacher in the grammar grades of the Mishawaka schools for a term of six years. She is now greatly interested in Orphans Home work and is secretary of the board of the Children's Aid Society, of Indiana. Mr. Bogue and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. Politically he is a Democrat and socially is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. F. & A. M. He is in good circumstances and has a comfortable home in Mishawaka. He has accumulated a very valuable library of reference books, among which may be found such giants as "Encyclopedia Britannica," "The American," Zell's Cyclo's," "The Century Dictionary," "Webster's International Dictionary," and other reliable works. Personally Mr. Bogue is a cultured and polished gentleman, and his agreeable manners and genial qualities have won for him hosts of friends among the prominent people of the county. To the young men under his tutorship he stands a shining example of what a youth may accomplish by energy, industry and brains.

“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


ISAAC WILLIAMS is descended from a family who settled in Pennsylvania during the colonial history of this country and for many years resided near the Alleghany Mountains, where they braved the dangers and endured the hardships of life in a new and unbroken country, inhabited by the prowling bear and what was far worse - the red man. The paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was burnt to death at the stake by the Indians. Benjamin Williams, the father of Isaac, was born in Allegheny county, Penn., but when a young man removed to Ohio, where he was married to Levina Shipley to whom were given an old-fashioned family of fourteen children, thirteen of whom lived to grow up: William, Mariah, Samuel, Lewis, John, Martha J., Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Huldah, Margaret, Phoebe and Solomon. About 1847 Mr. Williams went to Wisconsin and settled on wi1d land and died in Waupaca county when quite advanced in years. He cleared up a good farm and assisted his sons to a good start in life. He did considerable surveying in an early day and being hard working and pushing he was proportionately successful. He was a member of the Baptist Church and politically was a Republican, being a strong Union man during the Civil war. One of his sons, William, was in the Mexican war and four in the Civil war; Isaac in Company D; Lewis in Company I, Thirty-second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, served three years and was in many battles; Samuel and John who were in the same regiment. Isaac Williams was born in Richland county, Ohio, October 16, 1838, and was about ten years of age upon his removal to Wisconsin, the journey to that State being made by wagon, driving about thirteen head of cattle and horses ahead of them. Isaac was educated in the pioneer schools of Wisconsin, in a house which was built by his father, who also hired the teacher. He became well versed in farm work during his youth, a calling he continued to follow until August 20, 1862, when he enlisted as a private from Waupaca, Wis., and served in the company and regiment above mentioned until the spring of 1864, when, on account of disability, he was sent to Mound City, Ill., thence to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. He was in the engagements at Moscow, Lafayette, Holly Springs, Davis' Mills and numerous skirmishes, but his health was undermined by exposure, and he was honorably discharged June 3, 1865. Upon his return home he went to Wabash, Ind., and for two years was unable to do any work on account of ill health. He then became better and began learning the trade of a mason at Elkhart, Ind., and to this occupation his attention has since been devoted. He came to Mishawaka in 1879 and has worked at masonry whenever his health would permit, which is about half the time. However, he is in comfortable circumstances. He was married at Lafayette, Ind., in 1864, to Sarah Young, daughter of James and Malinda (Longfellow) Young, the former of whom was also a soldier in the Civil war in an Indiana regiment and died from sickness at Napoleon, Ark. He had two sons who were also in that war, William and Calvin. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Williams has resulted in the birth of five children: Clarence, Ella, Clara, Harvey and Harry. The mother of these children is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a citizen Mr. Williams has been whole-souled and public spirited, and his numerous worthy qualities have made him popular and well liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He is a member of the G. A. R. and politically is a stanch Republican.

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


DR. A. L. THORP. In pursuing the very important and noble calling of medicine, Dr. A. L. Thorp has met with a degree of success, flattering in the extreme. He has not only shown that he is wall posted in his profession, but that he can practically apply his knowledge, and as a very natural consequence his services have been greatly in demand, and he is kept busy almost day and night. His ancestors were among the first settlers of Connecticut, from England, and one of them, on the maternal side, was the founder of the noted Yale College. Nathaniel Thorp, the grandfather of Dr. A. L., was born in Connecticut, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and later held the rank of lieutenant in the War of 1812, and was killed at the battle of Black Rock, N. Y. He was married in the State of his birth to Miss Sarah Payton, and at an early day moved to Rochester, N. Y., thence to Cleveland, Ohio, at which time there were no white settlers in the place and no houses - only a few Indian huts. He remained there but a short time, then moved with his family to Ashtabula county, from which place he enlisted in the last war with the British. His son Basil was born in an Indian hut at Cleveland, being the first white child born within the present confines of that city; then came Julia, Warren, Abigail, Dayton and Ferris. Dayton Thorp's birth occurred in Ashtabula county, Ohio, April 29, 1800, and he was brought up to the hardships of a pioneer life. Although his early education was limited, he returned to the old home of his parents, Connecticut, when a young man, where he pursued the study of medicine and became a physician. Catherine Countryman, who resided near Cleveland, Ohio, and a daughter of Conrad Countryman, of German stock, became his wife. Her paternal ancestors settled in Black Hawk Valley, N. Y., before the Revolution, and during an Indian massacre that occurred, her father, who was a small boy, hid in the brush for some time, subsisting as best he could. He was a blacksmith by trade, afterward settled at Cleveland, and died in Michigan. His wife was Cornelia Van Plank, of New York City, whose ancestors were among the original Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam. Seven children were born to Dayton Thorp and his wife: Alexander L., Sylvester A., Mary E., Charles W., Calvin J., Julia M. and Paulina N. Mr. Thorp finally moved to Cass county, Mich., in 1833, where he cleared up a farm, and passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1879. He was a substantial tiller of the soil, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, and took a deep interest in religious matters, he being an exhorter in that church for over forty years. He was a Democrat until the Civil war, then became a Republican. Dr. A. L. Thorp was born near Cleveland, Ohio, November 9, 1827, secured a good education in Cleveland Academy; after which he read medicine with his father, then entered the Eclectic Medical College, of Cleveland, Ohio. Later he attended lectures in New York City and at Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1850 he began practicing at Vandalia, Mich., where he conducted a very successful practice for thirty-five years. Since September, 1885, he has been a resident of Mishawaka, Ind., and through sheer ability has built up a very large practice. He is a skillful and successful surgeon and medical practitioner, and has successfully battled with several severe epidemics, mostly in 1851 and 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1863, 1873, 1876 and 1881. In 1850 he married Sarah, daughter of H. S. Madding, of southern Illinois, but was called upon to mourn her death in 1851, after she had borne him a child; Baron O. November 14, 1855, he married Martha E. Case, a widow, daughter of David Burdick, and she has also borne him one child: Carrie L. Dr. Thorp is respected wherever he is known, and has been clerk of Penn township, was clerk of Cass county, Mich., for nineteen years, was justice of the peace twelve years, and was commissioner of highways for six years. He has been an active patron of educational matters, has always been a strong Republican, and was one of the organizers of the party under the oaks at Jackson, Mich. He has a well selected medical library, and is a patron and reader of the principal medical journals. As a citizen he is all that could be desired, for he is patriotic, progressive and public spirited, and by an who have business relations with him he is justly considered that noblest work of God - an honest man. Dr. Thorp is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, the Elkhart County (Ind.) Medical Society, and is a charter member of the St. Joseph County Medical Society and the Indiana State Medical Society. His son, Baron C., is a physician of Canton, Neb.

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


Deb Murray