elkbioref-28

DANIEL D. SHROCK. The Shrock family is one of the most respected in Elkhart county, Ind., and is descended from sturdy German stock, the great-grandfather of our subject, Casper Shrock, having emigrated from Germany to America when a single man. He came with a brother and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married and reared a family. His son John, the grandfather of our subject, was born in that State and there married a Miss Miller, who bore him a large family of children, only five of whom are remembered: John, Henry, Andrew, Lizzie and Daniel. After residing in his native State for many years John Shrock moved to Holmes county, Ohio, and was one of the early settlers of the same. His son, Daniel, father of subject, was also a native of the Keystone State, and was a young man when the family settled in Holmes county, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and learned the carding business, but was also engaged in the saw-mill business. He married Miss Margaret, daughter of John Bontrager, and six children blessed this union, viz.: Mary, John, Jacob, Eli, Daniel and Moses, all natives of Holmes county, Ohio. Mr. Shrock owned a good farm in Holmes county, also a saw-mill and carding-mill, and was a very prosperous man. Both he and wife were members of the Amish Mennonite Church, as were their forefathers. In 1841 Mr. Shrock moved to Elkhart county, Ind., with a four-horse team, was eleven days in making the journey, and reached Elkhart Prairie June 6. He rented an old log house in which the family lived for a few days, and then bought 300 acres in a body, part of which is now occupied by his son, our subject. At that time there were but seven acres cleared and he moved on his farm the 12th of June. With the assistance of his sons, he began clearing his place and as there was a saw-mill on his place when he bought it, he did a great deal of sawing, business coming from a considerable distance, it being the only saw-mill in the county. After the death of his first wife Mr. Shrock married Miss Melissa De Francis. He was seventy-six years of age at the time of his death, which occurred three miles east of Goshen, and he was a man whose uprightness and honesty placed him among the representative citizens of the county. In politics he espoused the principles of the Democratic party and held the office of county commissioner several terms. His son, Daniel D. Shrock, the original of this notice, owes his nativity to Holmes county, Ohio, born September 6, 1830, and while growing up received very little education, learning to read and write after his marriage. He was eleven years of age when he came to Indiana with his father and well remembers the journey. His youthful days were passed in his father's mill and in March, 1850, he married Miss Susannah Schrock, daughter of Peter and Barbara (Miller) Schrock (see sketch of G. Schrock). To our subject and wife were born six children who lived to mature years, as follows: David, Jonathan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Levina and Daniel. After his marriage Mr. Shrock settled on a farm in Clinton township, four miles east of Goshen, 120 acres of land, thirty acres of which had been cleared, and began immediately to improve and develop the remainder. He soon had a good farm, but only resided on this for six years; sold for 53,000; and in 1856, he went to St. Joseph county, Mich., and bought 160 acres of land to which he added 120 acres a year later, making 280 acres in all. On this he resided for six years and then, in 1862, traded this for the farm now occupied by Samuel Troyn, which consisted of 214 acres, and here made his home for fifteen years. He moved to his present farm and mill in 1876, rented his farm, which consisted of 428 acres to his sons, David and Jonathan, and he himself ran the mill. He carries on the business at the present time and his sons are carrying on the farm. He now owns, besides his mill, about 200 acres. He gave his children each $1,700 to start in life and has been liberal to them in other ways. All his property has been accumulated by hard work and industry and he can now enjoy the fruits of a life well spent. He has about $3,600 at interest. He and wife are members of the Amish Mennonite Church and Mr. Shrock has been deacon for twelve years. He is an honest, hard-working man, and he and family are highly esteemed in the community.

�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

WILLIAM D. PLATTER. Probably there is not a man in Elkhart or the adjoining counties better known that this gentleman. He is a native of the Buckeye State, his birth occurring in Ross county, September 14, 1831. Five years later he was brought by his parents to Indiana, and with them located in Elkhart county, about twelve miles from Goshen, near the present site of Nappanee, which was so far beyond the settlement that before teams could be driven to Goshen it became necessary to fell trees and make a roadway for fully five of the twelve miles. The hardships and privations they endured were such as the present generation knows nothing about and can not even realize. For some time after making their location the family lived in a rude log structure without doors or windows, the fire used for cooking and warming purposes being built in the center of the house with a bole in the roof for the smoke to escape. There were but few neighbors and but few advantages for obtaining an education. Under these circumstances William D. Platter passed his boyhood and early manhood. Few were the opportunities that were presented even for the most energetic and thrifty to obtain more than a bare living, but young Platter, with a zeal and energy that have been characteristic of his life ever since, decided to dare and do, and, if such a thing were possible, to gain a competency, and with this end in view set energetically to work to accomplish his purpose. His first decided efforts in this direction were when he began in a modest way to manufacture pumps. He would select the timber standing in the woods and from this, with his own hand and unaided by the many magnificent devices of the present time, manufacture his own pumps. It was "making them from the stump" in the fullest sense of the term. From this small and slow beginning he steadily increased his business until it has culminated in both the Goshen and I. X. L. Pump Manufactories of Goshen -two enterprises that reflect great credit upon their originator and that are of great pecuniary benefit to the town in which they are located. Besides these industries he has been closely identified with many other concerns that have materially assisted in making Goshen the great manufacturing and commercial town that it is. In fact, he is of the stuff of which model citizens are made, for besides being industrious and enterprising he is public spirited to a degree. He has always been keenly alive to his own interests, but never to such a degree as to defraud or take advantage of his fellows, his record being especially spotless in this respect. Although he has always been a stanch Republican he has never aspired to office. He is a member of the Reformed Church and has lived the life of a consistent Christian. He takes an active interest in educational and religious objects, and he is notably a generous man in his gifts and benefactions to the poor and needy. He was elected vice-president and director of the State Bank of Goshen, which was formerly the Farmers' & Citizens' Bank, and in this capacity showed himself to be the right man in the right place. He was a strong Union man during the war and contributed liberally of his means to carry it on. The output of his pump manufactories and other concerns, lumber included, amounts to about $150,000 annually. On June 5, 1852, Miss Mary Stutsman, a most worthy lady, became his wife, but was called from life October 8, 1879. The parents of William D. were George and Ann (Andrews) Platter, the former of whom was born in Ross county, Ohio, and the latter in Maryland. They were married in Ohio and became the parents of eight children, four of whom are yet living. Chrisley Platter, the father of George, was a native of Germany, but left the Fatherland to seek a home in a new country and among a strange people. He eventually drifted to Ohio where he married and reared a family. He served as a soldier in the colonial army during the Revolution. Both George and Ann Platter are deceased. After the death of his first wife William D. Platter took for his second wife, in 1883, Lucy Mishler, a native of Johnstown, Penn. He is now one of the trustees in building a Reformed Church in Goshen and has agreed to pay one-half of the cost of building the new church, which will amount to about $8,000 when completed.

HON. JOHN B. WALK. The vocation of the pharmacist is unquestionably a highly important one in any and every community, for upon his care and skill, almost as much as that displayed by the medical profession, oftentimes depends the physical welfare of the sick and ailing. Mr. Walk has an attractive store in Goshen, which is deservedly accorded the recognition of the medical profession and the liberal patronage of the general public. His store is fitted with every convenience, especially as regards its prescription department, and his stock of drugs includes everything needed in the trade, consisting of pharmaceutical supplies, patent medicines, physicians' supplies, fine perfumeries and such fancy articles as are usually found in a first-class pharmacy. Mr. Walk was born in Stark county, Ohio, September 24, 1847, a son of Jacob M. and Catherine (Staub) Walk, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and the latter in Germany. She came to the United States with her parents when three years old and was reared in this country. She was called from life in Ohio after having borne a family of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living but are widely separated throughout life. Jacob M. Walk followed the occupation of farming, and on the old homestead in Ohio the subject of this sketch spent his early days, his initiatory education being obtained in the common country schools, but which was supplemented by a two years' attendance in Mount Union College. Upon leaving this institution he became a clerk in a drug store in Canton, but in 1872, in company with his brother, Henry M., he came to Goshen and embarked in the drug trade, their partnership successfully continuing for twelve years. At the end or this time John B. purchased his brother's interest and has since conducted the establishment alone. He is an expert, thorough, conscientious pharmacist, who thoroughly understands the business, and his charges are always reasonable. On the 27th of November, 1871, Miss Mary Lewis became his wife. She was born in Armstrong county, Penn., in January, 1850, and has borne her husband one child, Wilma, who was born on the 27th of March, 1875. Mr. Walk has been a lifelong Republican and has taken an active part in his party's councils and aided in all ways in his power in its battles. He has held the office of city clerk, and is the present most efficient, trusty and faithful mayor of Goshen. In the last mentioned capacity he is alive to the interests of the town, has done a great deal to improve it in many ways, and is considered one of the most capable and faithful men that ever filled that chair. He is a member of the Masonic order and has taken the Council degrees. He has held the office of master, high priest and illustrious master, and is the present master of Goshen Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M. Mr. Walk is progressive in his ideas and tendencies and favors all reforms and enterprises that tend to build up the locality in which he resides, or that will benefit his fellow man.

A. P. KENT, one of the publishers and proprietors of the Elkhart Review, a local newspaper that appeals to all classes, was born in Adrian, Mich., May 19, 1847, but his parents, Burton and Caroline (Palmer) Kent, were born in Derry, N. H., and Unadilla, N. Y., respectively. The father was a civil engineer by profession, and for many years followed this occupation in Adrian, Mich., whither he moved in 1844, and where he is still living. A. P. Kent was educated in Hammon College of Clinton, N. Y., at which institution he graduated in 1870. The year following this he came to Elkhart, and with the intention of devoting his life to journalism, purchased an interest in the Weekly Review. It is published in the interests of the community, and especial attention is paid to local affairs. Moreover, it reviews intelligently the public issues of the day, its editorials are ably written, and Mr. Kent does not hesitate to express his views in forcible and convincing language, especially upon any question of reform. Its advertising columns are well filled and show that the merchants of Elkhart appreciate it as a medium for making themselves known to the public. In 1872 the proprietors established the Daily Review, which has been published continuously ever since, and which has met with undoubted success. During the years that he has been a resident of Elkhart, he has won his way to a high place in the estimation of its citizens; in fact, he has the happy faculty of winning friends, and keeping them after they are won. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch friend, and from 1879 to 1882 he ably filled the position of superintendent of the public schools of Elkhart, during which time he made unceasing efforts to raise the standard of education. He has made a success of enterprises to which he has directed his attention. In 1874 Miss Emma L. Newell, who was born in Concord, N. H., in 1856, became his wife.

JOHN HIMBAUGH is one of the foremost business men of Goshen, Ind., and runs the largest dairy in the city. He is a descendant of good old Pennsylvania stock, his father, George Himbaugh, as well as his grandfather, George Himbaugh, Sr., being natives of Snyder county, Penn. The grandfather was a large farmer in his county and became quite well to do. His marriage resulted in the birth of seven children: Henry, John, Jacob George, Peter, Michael, Catherine and Mary. The father of these children was a Lutheran in his religious belief and died on his farm in Pennsylvania. He was an honorable and industrious man. George Himbaugh, Jr., father of subject, received a common school education and when sixteen years of age went to Ohio. He learned the stone mason's trade, but his principal occupation in life was tilling the soil and he was unusually successful in this. He was one of the pioneers of Portage county, Ohio, and cleared up a farm from the heavy timber, eighty acres, to which he added from time to time until he owned 120 acres of excellent land. He was married in the Buckeye State to Miss Margaret Shick, who bore him twelve children as follows: Catherine, Peter, Mary, Levi, John, Lavina, Henry, Christian, Reuben, Margaret, Benjamin (deceased), and Nathan. Mr. and Mrs. Himbaugh are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics the former was a stanch Democrat. In 1852 Mr. Himbaugh came to Elkhart county, Ind., brought his family, and settled in Concord township, on a partly cleared farm of 160 acres. This he finished clearing and made a good home, having excellent buildings and other improvements. His death occurred on this farm when sixty-six years of age. He was a hard-working, industrious man, and a liberal supporter of his church, having assisted with his means in building the Lutheran church in Concord township. His son, John Himbaugh, was born on the old home place in Portage county, Ohio, November, 25, 1840, and the common schools afforded him a fair education. When twelve years of age he came with his parents to Elkhart county, Ind., and another twelve years saw him wedded to Miss Martha A., daughter of Hezekiah Jameson. Two children, Charles (born December 9, 1865) and Myrtle (born December 3, 1869), were the fruits of this union. After marriage Mr. Himbaugh remained on his father's farm for a number of years and then moved to Jefferson township, this county, where he remained until 1873. From there he moved to Goshen, and in 1879 he embarked in the dairy business. He is now the largest dairyman in Goshen, usually keeps a herd of thirty cows, and has a prosperous business. In 1886 he bought a farm near Nappanee of 120 acres and this he rents. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Himbaugh died in 1871 and Mr. Himbaugh married Miss Margaret A. Dausman, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Snyder) Dausman. Mr. Dausman came from Germany to this country when sixteen years of age, and married here. To Mr. and Mrs. Himbaugh have been born two children: W. A., born July 13, 1876, and Orlo C., born April 7, 1878. Mr. Himbaugh is a practical agriculturist and runs a farm of 150 acres besides his dairy business. He is a substantial citizen and a man of integrity of character. Mr. Himbaugh and wife are believers in education and are sending their children to the graded school of Goshen. Mrs. Himbaugh�s father was a tailor by trade and could speak the German and French language. He settled in Indiana, was married there to Miss Margaret Snyder, daughter of Jacob and --- Snyder, of Huntington, county, Ind. Jacob Snyder was of pioneer Dutch stock and descended from an old colonial family. He was one of the pioneers of Huntington county, Ind., and cleared up a farm from the timber. He was the father of a large family of children and died in Huntington county, Ind., when quite aged. Immediately following his marriage Mr. Dausman settled on land in Mt. Etna, Ind., and cleared up a farm. A number of years later he moved to Elkhart county, Ind., settling in Concord township. His death occurred when fifty-six years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dausman were members of the German Reformed Church and he was a Democrat in politics. Ethan A., son of Mr. Dausman and brother of Mrs. Himbaugh, was born in Elkhart county, January 3, 1862, and received a common-school education. He also attended the Valparaiso Normal School and read law with Daniel Zook, Esq., of Nappanee. He began the practice of his profession in the last named town in 1886 and met with flattering success from the start. In May, 1892, he came to Goshen and has built up a practice. In politics be is a stanch Democrat and has been a candidate for State senator on that ticket. He is entirely a self-made man, having gained his education by his own efforts and his record is untarnished. Mrs. Himbaugh is a member of the Reformed Church and a lady of unusual ability.

GEORGE FREESE, SR., was born in Rhanderfahn, East Freesland, Germany, January 2, 1831, being a son of Bernhard Freese, a sailor, who lost his life in the North Sea, and was buried on the Island of Hilgerland in 1841. George was one of four children, the eldest of whom was drowned at the same time as his father and buried by his side. The second child was John, who is still in the old country; the next was the subject of this sketch, and the youngest was a daughter who never came to this country. George Freese was but ten years of age at the time his father was drowned, soon after which he was taken to raise by an uncle, but, inheriting the love of salt water from his father, he ran away at the age of twelve years and went to sea. For fourteen years he was a sailor on the ocean, and during that time visited many different countries of the New and Old Worlds, such as South America, the Holy Land and other countries. He made his first trip to this country when a boy of fourteen years, after which he made a number of trips to New York City, and finally took up his residence there, and was married on January 9, 1855, to Miss Catherine Bohn, who was born in South Germany on the beautiful river Rhine. She came to this country with some lady friends a few years before her marriage. She was born February 11, 1829. George Freese continued to follow the sea after his marriage, but was persuaded by his wife to abandon it, and the incident leading thereto is worthy of mention. He was to sail on the Washington steamer, and the same was about to leave port with a large cargo for foreign parts, which consisted of gunpowder and various other things. His wife was with him on the docks, and had their only child, Bernhard, in her arms. She implored him not to go, saying that something told her that he would never come back, and he finally gave up his intended trip and returned with her to their home. Two weeks later this steamer was lost at sea, being blown up. This was the turning point in the life of George Freese, and he began working in a butter and egg house in New York City, and a few years later he bought out the business and continued alone for some time. After selling out his establishment he moved to Freeport, Ill., where he opened a like establishment, but was not satisfied with the business done at that point, and sold out for the purpose of returning with his family to New York City, but on reaching Elkhart, Ind., the thought struck him that this would be a good business point, and here, in 1859, he established a butter and egg emporium, which he successfully conducted for eight years. He then sold his business and with his family took a trip to his native land, and on account of the ill health of his wife remained about four months. They then returned to America and settled at Crown Point, Ind., where he once more began dealing in butter and eggs, but, not liking the place, sold out and bought out a business in Goshen, Ind., and for eighteen years was a resident of that town. In 1880 he sold out to Turpen & Harris, of Union City, Ind., and moved to Cresco, Iowa, where he started in business by buying out a butter concern, but did not remain there long. He returned to Goshen, opened a real estate office, and erected a number of buildings. He was not satisfied with his choice of business, so disposed of it and came to Nappanee, where, in company with J. B. Eckhart, he became interested in a butter tub factory, and at the end of one year bought out Mr. Eckhart and carried on the business alone. In the meantime he started a general store in company with Mr. Fluegel, which continued four years. During this time Freese, Fluegel & Co. started a creamery business, and four years later George Freese bought out the interest of the company and began looking after the entire business. In 1887 he sold his butter tub factory to B. Uline, and in 1886 disposed of his mercantile business also. He continued to conduct a creamery and egg business until his death. In 1890 he changed the name of the business to George Freese & Sons, giving the three eldest sons equal shares, and before his death he asked that the name of the firm should not be changed. He died on August 23, 1890, at the age of fifty-nine years, his widow still surviving him in her sixty-fourth year. She is the mother of six children: Bernhard, born in New York City December 18, 1856; Kittie, also born there in 1858, is a widow (Mrs. Fales), and resides in Nappanee with her mother, having one son, George; George, Jr., was born at Elkhart, Ind., April 21, 1861; John F. was born at Elkhart in 1865; Lucinda died when ten months old; Edward, the youngest, was born at Goshen in 1872, and is living with his mother. Mrs. Freese is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. About twenty-five years before his death her husband became connected with the Methodist Church, and remained true to that faith until the last. Although his early life was in great contrast to his later career, he ever conducted himself in a manner becoming an honorable man, and had scarcely an enemy, but on the contrary numerous friends. He was an active worker in church affairs, was very generous in the use of his money for the furtherance of the Christian doctrine, and in his native town of Germany he erected a Methodist Church at a heavy cost to himself. In politics he was first a Republican, but later became a Prohibitionist, and was much interested in temperance work. His energy brought him in ample returns, and he left not only a large amount of money to his children, but also the heritage of an unsullied name. He was genial and generous in disposition, those who had business relations with him were his friends, and at all times his voice was loud in advocating good causes. His example was felt by all who knew him, and he reared his sons to believe in truth, justice and right, and to become honest and industrious business men. He sent his two eldest sons to be educated in the German Wallace College of Berea, Ohio, the two youngest receiving their educations in the high schools of Goshen and Nappanee. The health of Mrs. Freese has not been good for some years, but she greatly enjoys the society of her children and her many friends. Mr. Freese handled butter and eggs for so long that his name became well known throughout the county, and any tub of butter marked with his name was a sufficient guarantee that the article was of the best, as well as that the tub contained the correct number of pounds. He established a plant in the way of a creamery that was capable of making 2,000 pounds of butter per day, and has invented many ways and means to facilitate the handling of butter and eggs. The business, which is now carried on by his son, is prosperous, and is managed on the plan which was established by the father.

Bernhard Freese, the eldest son, was a child when his father settled in Elkhart and in the schools of that city and Goshen he received his early education, later attending college in Ohio as above stated. As soon as old enough he began assisting his father in business, all his time when out of school being spent in his father's place of business. He has followed in the footsteps of his father in his views of politics, and was first a Republican and now a Prohibitionist. He is public spirited, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now a trustee in the same at Nappanee. He is a member of the K. of P. and is a young man of excellent habits, and is classed among the best business men of the thriving town of Nappanee. November 11, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Fluegel, who was a daughter of William and Louisa Fluegel, both of whom were born in Germany, and came to this country about 1855, settling in Goshen, Ind. There the father died on June 21, 1886, the mother being still a resident of that place. She bore nine children, the following of whom are living: William, Louisa, Lena, Amelia and Ida. The rest died in infancy. Mrs. Freese was born in Goshen, March 5, 1859, and in the public schools of Goshen obtained her education. She has borne her husband one child, Karl, who was born November 18, 1883. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is deeply interested in church work, and she and her husband are classed among the substantial residents of Nappanee.

George Freese, Jr., is no less prominent in business circles than was his father, and is well known throughout northern Indiana. He is the second son and third child born to his parents, and first saw the light of day on April 21, 1861. Besides attending the public schools of his native place he attended college in Ohio, and by applying himself closely to his studies while there he was a well-informed young man upon leaving the institution. He has since devoted himself to the business founded by his father, and his early efforts have borne abundant fruit, for his reputation as a business man has extended all over the northern part of the State. He acts as traveling salesman for the firm of George Freese's Sons, and in that capacity had advanced the business to a remarkable degree. He is practical, far-seeing and shrewd, yet has always carried out the pronounced principles for which the firm has always been distinguished, and is strictly honorable in all his business transactions. He is far above the average man in business ability, and manifested these practical qualities when he, at an early day, first entered upon his duties in his father's establishment. From his noble father he learned lessons of honesty, industry and prudence which have been his stepping stones to success. He is cordial and genial in his manners, is an agreeable companion and his friends are innumerable. He is a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, is generous in contributing to enterprises that deserve his consideration, and socially is a member of the K. of P. Lodge of Nappanee, in which he occupies a prominent place. He is well-known along the line of the Balti�more & Ohio Railroad, as well as various other roads, and all the towns in northern Indiana are familiar with the butter made at the creamery of George Freese's Sons. He is a stanch Republican, is much interested in politics, and is well posted on the leading questions of the day. He selected for a wife Miss Sadie Edger, who was born in Syracuse, Ind., November 30, 1862, being one of nine children born to Thomas and Julia (Atterburg) Edger, the former of whom was born in the State of New York and came to Indiana at an early day, settling at Leesburg. He was a soldier in the late war and died in 1879, his widow's death occurring in 1891. Their children were as follows: William, Margaret, Sadie, Charles, Thomas, Pearl, Mary, Lou and Fred. Mrs. Freese was reared in Leesburg, and there obtained her education. She is an accomplished needlewoman and is also skilled in painting. She and her husband are living in a cozy and comfortable home on Main street, where their many friends are ever welcome.

John F. Freese, the fourth child born to George Freese, was born in August, 1865, in Elkhart, and is at present an active member of the well-known firm of George Freese's Sons. He attended the schools of Goshen and Nappanee, where he thoroughly fitted himself for the practical business life he has led. Like his brothers, when quite young, he entered the business house of his father, and there gained a practical insight into the details of the establishment, and he is by no means a silent partner of the concern. He also acts as a traveling salesman of the firm, and does business in the various towns of the county, as well as in those of the adjoining counties. He is a young man of good habits, is of a social disposition, and his friends are many wherever he is known. He is a member of the Prohibition party, and socially is a member of the K. of P. of Nappanee. He is very fond of fine horses, has a number of thoroughbreds, and is considered an exceptionally good judge of horse flesh. He was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hemminger, daughter of Jacob Hemminger, and by her has one daughter. They reside on Main street in Nappanee.

Edward Freese is the youngest son of George Freese, and is a native of Goshen, where he was born in 1872. He is well educated, and is showing himself to be a young man of fine business qualifications, and his prospects for a successful future are bright. He is unmarried and is living with his mother and sister at the family residence on Main street. He takes an active interest in the affairs of the firm, owns an equal share in the business, and is a young man of excellent habits.

JOHN LUSHER, SR., now living in La Porte, Ind., is a worthy representative of that honest, industriol1s and law-abiding class that has helped make America the most favored nation on the face of the globe. Of poor but honest parentage, his birth occurred in Canton Argau, Switzerland, January 29, 1813, being one in a family of two sons and two daughters born to the marriage of Jacob Lusher and Mary Walty, who lived and died in their native country. The compulsory school laws of Switzerland enabled John Lusher to secure a more than common education, and when yet a boy he mastered the machinist's trade. For a wife he selected Mary, the daughter of John Rudolph Luthy, her mother's maiden name being Blackman, and their early wedded life was passed by Mr. Lusher in working at the blacksmith's trade. Finding that he could only barely provide the necessities of life for himself and family by working early and late, he determined to risk everything by leaving the land of his birth to seek a new home in the great Republic across the sea. Together with his wife and five children he left Switzerland for London, and from there they took passage on the British sailing vessel "Henry," bound for New York. The barbarous cruelty of the captain in providing only the poorest rations, and not half enough of them, for his steerage passengers, caused a great deal of sickness, and to Mr. and Mrs. Lusher it meant the death of one child, Rudolph, who was buried at sea. Six weeks were consumed in making the voyage, and upon arrival in this country they first settled near Tiffin, Ohio, where Mr. Lusher worked at his trade. Later he moved to Clyde, Ohio, where he followed blacksmithing, but his ignorance of the language and customs of America resulted in loss by reason of dishonest persons taking undue advantage of him. From here he moved to Adrian, Mich.; La Porte, Ind.; and Iowa, residing a short time in each place, losing in the latter State every dollar he possessed, and being compelled to borrow money with which to purchase transportation back to Indiana. Again locating in La Porte, he has ever since made it his home, and has won the respect of all his neighbors by reason of his industry and honesty. For years he was engaged in the railroad car shops at this place, but, owing to his advanced age, is now living a practically retired life. Being of an inventive turn of mind he conceived and had patented an ingenious device for slicing vegetables, which, for simplicity and utility, at once commends itself to the public. From the sale of this invention Mr. Lusher realizes a comfortable income. Mrs. Mary Lusher, the wife of John Lusher, Sr., was always a faithful wife and devoted mother. She shared the adversities of life with Christian fortitude and reared her children in the belief that the proper mode of life was to do good, be honest, and above all to follow that divine injunction: "Do unto others as you would be done by." After living a long life of usefulness she died at La Porte on Tuesday, November 29, 1892, and was buried two days later. Mr. Lusher yet survives her, a hale, hearty old man, carrying the weight of eighty years on his shoulders with the ease that many men do when twenty years younger. Of the fourteen children born to him and wife only seven are now living. A brief sketch of each of these seven is here given: John Lusher, born in Switzerland on November 9, 1840, became a resident of La Porte, Ind., when twenty years old, where be worked in railroad shops ten years. Since 1873 he has been a general merchant at Elkhart, Ind., where he is considered one of the substantial and well-to-do men of the place. In 1859 he married Cynthia Garland, who died after bearing a family of six children. In 1874 he married his present wife, who was formerly Rhoda Herrold. Samuel Lusher was born November 27, 1842, and has been twice married first to Sarah Garrett, who bore him seven children, and his second wife being Bertha Owens. He is now engaged in business at Sac City, Iowa, where he is recognized as one of the leading citizens. Mary Lusher was born May 28, 1847, married Gilbert R. Tyrrell, is the mother of two sons and resides in La Porte, Ind. Rosa Lusher was born January 11, 1854, wedded Matthew Herrold, by whom she is the mother of one son and three daughters, and is a resident of Elkhart, Ind. Rudolph Lusher was born April 26, 1857, at Adrian, Mich., was reared to manhood in La Porte, Ind., where he received a common-school education, and where he learned, and for a time worked at the machinist's trade. In company with his brother Frank he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Sac City, Iowa, for a time, but for the past few years has been successfully engaged in merchandising at Elkhart, Ind. Julia Lusher was born April 2, 1860, and is the only one of the children living at the old home in La Porte, Ind. Frank Lusher is the youngest one of the family now living. He was born at La Porte, Ind., October 14, 1862, and attended school until about fourteen years old. For about a year he then clerked at Elkhart for his brother John; then, in company with Rudolph, opened a grocery and crockery store at Sac City, Iowa. Their motto was to sell for cash, make many sales and small profits. Their business was a success, but in order to be near their parents, who were growing old, they sold out and returned to Indiana. For the past few years Frank and Rudolph, under the firm name of Lusher Bros., have conducted a profitable mercantile business in Elkhart. Being young men of energy and ability, they have justly attained the rank of being among the foremost merchants of Elkhart.

JOHN H. WALTERS is a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, where he was born July 7, 1852. When only nine months old he was brought to the State of Indiana, and on a farm in Elkhart county he grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the district schools near his rural home. He followed farming until about 1884, commencing for himself about 1878, but in the former year he abandoned the work and began dealing in grain at Teegarden in Marshall county, where he lived for six years. Following this be came to Nappanee and after working four years in the box factory of Coppes Bros., he entered the store of his brother, in whole drug store he has since remained. He was married in 1875 to Miss Christina Weaver, whose birth occurred in Ohio, January 14, 1855, she being a daughter of David and Bardric (Kauffman) Weaver, who were of German descent and natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Indiana from Ohio about 1870. The result of Mr. Weaver's union has been seven children: Ammial, Rebecca, Christena, Mary, Lucinda, David and Susan. Mr. and Mrs. Walters have three children: Melvina, who was born January 14, 1876; Nora, born March 22, 1878, and Daniel, born January 26, 1879. The family attend the Amish Mennonite Church, and in his political views Mr. Walters is independent, voting for the man rather than the party. He is devoting his earnest attention to the drug business, is now doing well financially, and has a good home in the eastern part of Nappanee. He met with reverses in the grain business, having been burned out, and thus lost everything that he owned. He is actively identified with school and church matters, as well as kindred enterprises for the benefit of his community, and is a well-respected citizen.

JAMES A. ROACH inherits the sturdy perseverance of his English ancestors, for from that country the founders of the family came and settled in the woods of Pennsylvania, where they identified themselves with the religious sect -the Quakers - and tradition says they were among the original settlers of the Keystone State. The paternal great-grandfather of James A. Roach lived in Virginia, where he followed the calling of a gunsmith and made many of the old-fashioned flint-lock guns for the continental army during the Revolutionary period. Mahlan Roach, the grandfather, was born in Lancaster county, Va., and in early life followed the calling of a miller. He was married on Virginia soil, and by his wife became the father of one child, Francis. About 1816 he moved to Warren county, Ohio, and settled on a large tract of wild land which he bought, and there he cleared up two good farms, becoming a substantial and wealthy farmer. His second wife was Elizabeth Young, of the city of Washington, daughter of Abraham Young and one of the proprietors of the original tract of land on which the city of Washington now stands. He was also wealthy and died in 1798. The second union of Mr. Roach resulted in the birth of seven children: James, William, John, Charles, Abraham, Ann and Sarah. The father of these children attained to the advanced age of eighty-four years, his death occurring in 1852. He was a Quaker and his second marriage was out of the church, since which time the family has not identified itself with that religious denomination. He was a man whose judgment was respected by the people and for many years he discharged the duties of justice of the peace and adjusted the difficulties of his neighbors with great fairness. James A. Roach, his son and the father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born on his father's farm in Loudoun county, Va., January 2, 1811, and was given such educational advantages as could be had in his day, at the same time learning the details of farming. At the age of about seven years he was taken by his parents to Ohio where he attained man's estate and led to the altar Mariah, daughter of Jeremiah Hamplon, one of the early settlers of Warren county, Ohio from Virginia, and the father of a large family of children. To Mr. and Mrs. James Roach eight children were born: Mahlan F., Thomas W., James A., Elizabeth (who died at the age of eighteen years), John A., Charles (who died when fifteen years of age), Franklin F. (who died during the Civil war while serving in Company I, Seventy-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry), and Sarah J. After his marriage Mr. Roach resided in Ohio until his three eldest children were born, moving to Elkhart county, Ind., in the fall of 1840, and settling on a farm near Benton, March 4, 1841, which then consisted of 120 acres, only five acres of which were cleared. By the exercise of brain and brawn he increased his land to 520 acres and gave each of his children eighty acres, or nearly that amount. He was interested in and a patron of the public schools, was first an old line Whig in politics and afterward a Republican, and died at the age of forty-eight years, October 14, 1858, a highly honored citizen. He left a well-respected family of children who are now honorable citizens of the county. James A. Roach, whose name heads this sketch, is a product of Warren county, Ohio, his natal day and year being March 18, 1838, and was not yet three years of age when brought by his parents to Indiana. When quite a small boy he began to assist his father on the farm, for much labor was required to clear the heavy timber land of that region, but in the meantime he acquired a practical education in the pioneer schools of his day and afterward attended school at Goshen and Hillsdale, Mich. Being extremely patriotic, he was one of the first to respond to his country's call for troops. He returned home from school and in the fall of 1861, on the 16th of October, he enlisted in Company K, Thirtieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, the fortunes of which he followed for three long years. He was in the battles of Liberty Gap, Tenn., siege of Corinth, siege of Atlanta and in numerous skirmishes. In the latter siege of Atlanta his regiment was under fire for 105 days, out of 125 days. He was also in the battles of Jonesboro and Peach Tree Creek. The first time he was taken ill during his service he was in the hospitals at Nashville and Louisville and received a furlough home for three days. He rejoined his regiment just prior to the siege of Corinth, but was again taken sick and four weeks were spent in the Louisville hospital. Upon convalescing he again rejoined his regiment. He did gallant and faithful service while in the army, fearlessly faced rebel bullets and was true to every trust reposed in him. On November 17, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Paulina, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Woods) Baker, the former of whom was born in Madison county, Ohio, of English parents. He was the father of six children who lived to grow up: Abigail, Mary R., Ann E., Josephine, Paulina and Commodore P. Mr. Baker was a farmer of Kosciusko county, Ind., but became a farmer of Elkhart county in 1844, his land amounting to 120 acres, all of which he cleared and improved. He and his wife were members of the Church of God, in which be was class leader for six years. He died in 18__ at the age of fifty-three years, a substantial farmer, and an industrious, progressive and useful citizen. He was a Republican politically. Mrs. Roach was born Febru�ary 11, 1845, and after her marriage she and her husband settled on their present farm, which then consisted of 130 acres of partly cleared land, to which he has since added forty acres more. This land is fertile, well tilled and nicely improved with buildings, fences, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Roach have two children: Carrie D., born August 13, 1872, and Albert, born October 6, 1875; the former of whom attended the normal school at Valparaiso, Ind., and has successfully taught six terms of school, her first term being taught at the extremely youthful age of fourteen years. Mrs. Roach is a member of the Church of God, and Mr. Roach is a Republican politically. He occupies a high position in the estimation of the people and is known as a man of strict integrity of character.

DR. AMOS C. JACKSON is one of the highly respected and honored citizens of Goshen, and has been identified with the medical profession as one of the oldest pioneer physicians of Elkhart county. In 1846 he began the practice of medicine at Goshen, but this was two years later than his preceptor and business associate, Dr. M. M. Latta, another pioneer physician of this city. Dr. Jackson is a descendant of good old American colonial Virginia stock of Scotch descent. His grandfather, Peter Jackson, was born in Greenbrier county, Va., and was married there. He was the father of two sons - John and William - and several daughters. At an early day Mr. Jackson moved to Ross county, Ohio, and was one of the pioneers of that county, settling on Deer Creek, where his death occurred at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was a man of strong constitution, and when quite aged rode horseback to this county to visit his relatives. This was in 1838, and he returned in the same manner after a visit of a few months. His nephew Ira and niece Elizabeth accompanied him on his return trip, the journey being about 300 miles. Mr. Jackson was a substantial farmer of Ross county and a respected and much-esteemed pioneer citizen. His judgment was respected by the people and he was one of the early justices of the peace. His son, Colonel John Jackson, the father of the original of this notice, was born in Greenbrier county, Va., in 1790, and went to Ross county, Ohio, with his father when a boy. He was reared amid the pioneer scenes of that county and received a very good common-school education for his day. He married Catherine Carr, daughter of Gideon Carr, of Dutch descent, and to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born ten children: Mary, Elizabeth, Ira, Amos, Henry (who died young), Hagee, Martha, William, Peter and Ann. This is the order of birth. Mr. Jackson cleared his farm in Ross township of the heavy timber and made a good home. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was one of the men who was in the expedition to break up the Pottawattomie Indian village at the south end of Elkhart Prairie in 1812, on the farm now occupied by John E. Thompson. These soldiers were from Fort Defiance on the Maumee River, in Ohio. During this expedition Colonel Jackson was captain of a company. The night before the soldiers arrived at this village the Indians fled and left much of their property. Thus Colonel Jackson became acquainted with Elkhart Prairie, and being much pleased with the country, he selected the spot where he afterward built his log cabin. In 1825 he made a visit to this region, but it was not until January, 1829, the roads being then hard with frost, that Colonel Jackson came out with some hired men and two ox teams of four oxen each, to make a settlement and get ready for the spring work. As before mentioned, he built a log cabin, and with the ox teams broke up the virgin soil. The seed-corn was dropped between sods and was therefore called sod-corn. A good crop was made without further cultivation. In the fall Colonel Jackson returned to Ohio, and with the first frosts of October brought out his family, making the journey with ox teams. This was one of the first families established on Elkhart Prairie, and Colonel Jackson broke the first ground on the prairie. He entered a tract of land and gradually added to it until he was the owner of over one thousand acres. He was one of the prominent pioneer citizens and was colonel of the old militia of this county for many years. He was one of the organizers of Elkhart county and a member of the first board of county commissioners. He entered eighty acres of the original plot of Goshen for the county. In politics he was a stanch Democrat and represented the county in the State Legislature for many years. Being justice of the peace, many of the pioneer cases were tried before him. He was possessed of a remarkably strong constitution and could endure extreme cold and fatigue. Both Colonel and Mrs. Jackson were life-long members of the Methodist Church and their pioneer log cabin was the home of the itinerant Methodist preacher, and Colonel Jackson was one of the founders of Methodism in this county. Of a social and genial disposition and possessed of an unusually good heart, he was very popular among the early settlers and was well known throughout northern Indiana. He died in 1872 at the advanced age of eighty-three, and his descendants may well take pride in the stanch and patriotic soldier and sturdy pioneer from which they sprang. Dr. Amos C. Jackson, son of the colonel, was born December 31, 1821, in Ross county, Ohio, on his father's farm, and was eight years of age when he came with his parents to Elkhart Prairie. He well remembers the trip and the appearance of the country through which they traveled. The journey through the Black Swamp in Ohio was very tedious and consumed much time and patience. The family walked much of the way, occasionally riding in the ox wagons. They camped at night by the wayside and were many days in making the trip. Frequently they would follow Indian trails, then the road of the pioneer who had gone farther west, and these would become indistinct or cease altogether. To render their situation more comfortable in their cabin home, they brought, in their great ox wagons simple household furniture, goods and provisions; after much perseverance and toil they reached their pioneer home. Dr. Jackson describes the appearance of Elkhart Prairie as he knew it when a boy, in all its wild and virgin freshness, as beautiful beyond description and covered with many varieties of highly colored flowers. It was a hunter's paradise. The water of the Elkhart River was then as clear as crystal and full of fine fish. There were no roads, but Indian trails and paths made by the pioneers passed through the country in different directions. Dr. Jackson attended the first school ever held in Elkhart county. The school-house was a rude log structure, built in the center of the prairie for the convenience of the settlers on all sides of this prairie. The floor and seats were made of split logs, called puncheons, and one side of the room was devoted to an immense old-fashioned fireplace from which the smoke escaped by a mud-and-stick chimney. The first school teacher was a Yankee, who rejoiced in the name of Potts, and the next was Capt. Brown, father of the present editors of the Goshen Democrat. In that pioneer school Dr. Jackson gained the rudiments of a common education and in his early twenties attended the Asbury University at Greenville, Ind. for two and a half years. Subsequently he attended the La Porte Medical College at La Porte, Ind. This college is now extinct. From this he graduated in the winter of 1844-5. He also studied medicine under Dr. M. M. Latta and began practicing his profession at Galveston, Kosciusko Co., Ind., where he remained one year. In 1845 he became associated with Dr. M. M. Latta in the practice of medicine and continued in company with him for nearly sixteen years. Since that time he has practiced medicine on his own account. Dr. Jackson is one of the best known of the pioneer physicians of Elkhart county, as at an early day he traveled far and wide, visiting the pioneers in all kinds of weather, both by day and night. In 1853 he married Miss Harriet Clark. There were no children born to this marriage and four years later Mrs. Jackson died. In 1872 the Doctor married Miss Sarah E. Burnham, daughter of Ward Burnham, of New York State. To Dr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born four children: Ward, Kate, John and Mary. Socially Dr. Jackson is a member of the I. O. O. F., having held membership in the same since 1846, and has held all the offices of his lodge. He is a friend of education and has been a member of the school board for some time. For six years he was president of the City National Bank. The Doctor is a man of untarnished integrity of character and is well-known as a man of high moral standing. For many years his medical practice in this county was the largest and most successful of any practitioner of northern Indiana, and his practice brought him very valuable returns. He is now one of the few remaining original pioneers of Elkhart county, and one of the highly honored citizens.

Deb Murray