elkbioref-31

JOSEPH YODER is one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of Elkhart township, and is well known as one of its best citizens. All his property has been accumulated by honest toil and good management and he is now the owner of one of the best farms in his section. He comes of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock and his grandparents, Joseph and Betsy (Speiker) Yoder, were natives of Somerset county, Penn. The grandfather was a distiller by occupation and was a wealthy and prosperous man. To his marriage were born the following children: Tobias, Jacob, Joseph, Lizzie, Isaac and Levi. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder lived to be quite aged people, the latter dying when nearly ninety years of age, and both held membership in the Amish Church. Their son, Isaac Yoder, was also born in Somerset county, Penn., and is now a substantial and prosperous farmer of that county, owning 240 acres of the best land. He is a man of education and is an excellent penman. In his choice of a wife he selected Miss Susan Michler, daughter of Christian and Barbara (Eash) Michler, and five living children blessed this marriage, as follows: Joseph, Polly, Elizabeth, Barbara and Catherine. Mr. Yoder is still living and is about sixty-eight years of age. He is a member of the Amish Church and is an industrious, religious man, respected by all. His son, Joseph Yoder, subject of this sketch, was originally from Pennsylvania, born in Somerset county, August 14, 1847, and there received a fair common school education. He learned farming when young and in 1867, when twenty years of age, he turned his face toward the setting sun, and subsequently found himself in Elkhart county, Ind. For some time he worked on a farm, but later returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he remained until the next year. He selected his wife among Indiana's fair daughters and was married on the 11th of February, 1868, to Miss Catherine Cripe, who was born January 26, 1847, and who is the daughter of Daniel and Sallie (Ulery) Cripe. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder are the parents of two living children: Sarah A., born April 10, 1869, and Frank E., born December 1, 1882. After his marriage Mr. and Mrs. Yoder settled on the Daniel Cripe farm and have since made their home there. He is the owner of 181 acres, and all his farming operations are conducted in a thorough and systematic manner. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are worthy members of the Dunkard Church. His daughter, Sarah A., married David Gorsuch, a farmer of Harrison township, and one child is the result of this union, Mabel May.

�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

The foundation of the present Mennonite Publishing Company of Elkhart, Ind. was laid in the month of May, 1867, by John F. Funk, when he established a printing office in the town, it being the second establishment of the kind to be founded therein. A substantial three-story brick building had been erected about this time by Isaac Bucklen, the first floor of which he occupied as a drug store and the front basement of this building, a room 20x30 feet, was rented by Mr. Funk and in it was placed about 1,200 pounds of type with necessary stands, cases etc., and a Taylor cylinder press propelled by hand power, the entire outfit costing about $2,500. This was the first cylinder press brought to the county and the first paper printed on the same was the Herald of Truth, for the month of May, 1867. Mr. Funk continued this work until 1870, when he associated with him a brother, A. K. Funk, under the firm name of J. F. Funk & Bro. They then began the publication of books, etc., also the Martyr's Mirror, a large octavo edition in German, consisting of 971 pages, which was brought out in 1870 and was probably the largest volume ever published in Indiana at that time. In 1875 the Mennonite Publishing Company was incorporated, and since that time a business has been conducted of great magnitude. The company now has a building, 21x54 feet, with three floors and a basement, in which they have five presses, two paper cutters, folding machines and a first-class plant for doing all kinds of printing and binding. They employ about thirty-five hands and make no extravagant claims when they say that there is no better or more extensive office in northern Indiana. Seven papers are published with an aggregrate circulation of not less than 30,000 copies per month, and Sunday-school lesson leaves increase the circulation to over 40,000 copies annually, besides which they publish an almanac which has an annual circulation of over 15,000 copies. They have published many books of different kinds, one of their largest and best being an English edition of Martyr's Mirror, a royal octavo, double-column volume of over 1,100 pages illustrated, and requiring an outlay of $6,000. The entire business of the company is largely devoted to the work and interests of the Mennonite Church, although they also enjoy a large and lucrative jobbing trade. The company is capitalized at $50,000 and has the following officers: John F. Funk, president; A. K. Funk. secretary and treasurer; Joseph Summers, vice-president; A. B. Kolb, Samuel Yoder, Lewis Culp and John Martin, directors. John F. Funk, president of the Mennonite Publishing Company, was born in Hilltown, Bucks Co., Penn., April 6, 1835. He worked on the farm and went to school in the winter until his nineteenth year, when he commenced teaching in his native township, and taught during the winter for three successive years. He also attended school at Freeland Seminary in the summers of 1855 and 1856. In the spring of 1857 he went to Chicago, Ill., and engaged in the lumber business, in which be continued nine years. In the winter of 1860 be became a member of the Mennonite Church at Line Lexington, Bucks Co., Penn. In January, 1864, he commenced, in Chicago, the publication of the Herald of Truth and Herold der Wahrheit, and on the 19th of the same month was married to Salome Kratz, daughter of Jacob Kratz of Hilltown, Bucks county, Penn. On the 28th of May, 1865, he was ordained to the ministry in the Mennonite Church, near Gardner, Ill. In April, 1867, he removed from Chicago to Elkhart, Ind., and established the business house now known as the Mennonite Publishing Company, first under his own name and afterward under the firm name of John F. Funk & Bro. In 1875, when the Mennonite Publishing Company was incorporated, he became its president and has ably filled that responsible position ever since. In the fall of 1892 he was elected a bishop in the Mennonite Church. Abraham K. Funk, secretary and treasurer of the company, was born in Hilltown, Bucks Co., Penn., January 20, 1840. His youthful days were spent on his father's farm. He attended the district winter schools near his home a month or two during the summer, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching in the public schools of the county, after following which occupation for some time he entered the Freeland Seminary at Freeland (now Collegeville, Montgomery county), in 1859, and the Excelsior Normal Institute at Carversville, Bucks county, in 1861. After spending five years in farming during the summer seasons and teaching school during the winter months, he went to Chicago, Ill., in the spring of 1863, and engaged in the lumber business, but after a residence of five years in that city he took up his abode in Elkhart, Ind., and entered into a co-partnership with his brother as above stated. In 1875 he became one of the principal stockholders in the Mennonite Publishing Company, and has since held the positions of secretary and treasurer. He was married March 11, 1872, to Anna M. Landis, who was born in Bucks county, Penn., in October, 1840, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Geil) Landis, and to their union the following children have been given: Mary M., Edna J. and Esther W. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are members of the Mennonite Church, and in politics he is a Republican. He is a stockholder in the Garden City Stationery Company.

ADAM RAFFENSPERGER. In tracing back the genealogy of the Raffensperger family it is found that two brothers of that name left the land of their birth, Germany, and crossed to the United States at a very early date. Tradition has it that a large estate in Germany belongs to the heirs of this family. These brothers settled in York county, Penn., and there followed the trade of blacksmith. The grandfather of our subject, Josiah Raffensperger, was a descendant of one of these brothers. He married and reared a family, but only four of his children are remembered: George, Christian, Henry and Jeremiah; the last named was born in York county, Penn., and married Miss Nancy, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Brown) Mummert. Mr. Mummert was a wagon-maker by trade, but also owned a good farm in York county, Penn. He was a German Baptist in his religious belief. Eight children were born to his marriage, as follows: Isaac, Richard, George, Nancy, Catherine, Rachel, Hanna, and one who died young. Mr. Mummert lived to be nearly eighty years of age and died in York county highly esteemed by all. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Raffensperger was born one child, Adam, our subject, whose birth occurred in York county, Penn., November 23, 1832. The advantages of a common-school education were afforded him and at an early age he began learning the tailor�s trade. When a few years older he gave this up and served an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith's trade, learning the trade thoroughly in that time. In 1853, when about twenty-one years of age, he came to Elkhart county, Ind., with a letter in introduction from Joseph Beck, a friend living in his neighborhood who had married a sister of John Studebaker, the latter the founder of the wagon works of South Bend, Ind., and the father of the Studebaker Brothers. By means of this letter Mr. Raffensperger procured a situation in the blacksmith shop of the Studebakers. The business was then small and Clement and Henry Studebaker worked at the forge. Our subject remained with them for four months and then came to Goshen, Ind., where he worked at his trade for two months. He subsequently took up the carpenter's trade, soon became very skillful at this, and was engaged as contractor in Goshen. He erected many good buildings, among the most prominent being the English and German Methodist Churches of that city. He erected twenty-four bridges in Elkhart county, Ind., and sixteen school-houses, one of which is the school-house at White Pigeon, Mich., which cost $16,400. He became well and widely known as a most reliable contractor and builder and had all the work he could attend to. On September 12, 1858, Mr. Raffensperger married Miss Hettie Cripe, who was born March 17, 1841, and who was the daughter of Emanuel Cripe, one of the pioneer settlers. Following his marriage Mr. Raffensperger settled on the Emanuel Cripe farm and there remained for three years. In 1862 he came to his present farm, made many improvements and resides on this at the present time. His marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Catherine, born March 2, 1859; Lydia, born October 12, 1862; Hattie, born December 24, 1864; Mary Ida, born February 15, 1867; Levi, born May 21, 1869; Emanuel, born August 6, 1872; Cora, born November 21, 1875, and Samuel, born January 15, 1878. Mr. Raffensperger and his estimable wife are members of the German Baptist Church, and in politics he is a strong Democrat. He has given his children good practical educations and has every reason to be proud of them. His daughter Hattie for eight years has taught in the country schools; Catherine married Frank Miles, a farmer near Bristol, and is the mother of three children; Mary Ida married Christian Trager, a harness-maker, of South Bend, Ind. Mr. Raffensperger has a certain remedy for goiter which has cured many people of this unsightly and distressing disease. It is simple, no injury is done to the system, and he has cured the worst cases among the people of Elkhart county.

ABRAHAM I. REED is one of the early pioneers of the county, and his fine farm speaks for itself as to his thrift and successful methods in his chosen calling. He claims Virginia as his native State, and was born in Rockingham county, July 1, 1818, being the eldest one of a family of seven children born to William S. and Christina (Wenger) Reed. Of these children five grew to mature years. William S. Reed was also a native of the Old Dominion, born in Fauquier, and reared in Rockingham county, and the son of Sanders and Julia (Hatfield) Reed. The Reed family came originally from Ireland, and were early settlers of this country. William Reed followed agricultural pursuits in Virginia, on a farm of seventy acres, until 1830, when finding that Ohio afforded great attractions, he emigrated to that State and settled in Columbiana county. He followed farming in that State until 1850, when he came to Indiana and took a farm in Union township, Elkhart county. He also bought a partly improved farm. On his farm in Union township Mr. Reed passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1874. He was one of the most prominent men in the township, held office at different times, and was postmaster at South West at an early day. All his life was passed in hard labor, but he made and left to his heirs a good property. Mr. Reed was twice married, first to a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hoover) Wenger. Her parents died in Virginia, and Mrs. Reed died soon after coming to this country, December 20, 1850. She was sixty-five years of age, and left five children: Abraham, Margaret, Mary A., Harriet and Elizabeth. Besides there were two who died young. The five children above named are all living but one, Mary A. Blosser, died at the age of sixty years, in Union township, about six or seven years ago. One sister, Mrs. Good, has her home in Nappanee; Harriet and Elizabeth both live in Union township on farms. After his first wife's death William Reed was married to the Widow Guinther, of Goshen, and two children were born to them: Daniel and Emeline. Mr. Reed's second wife has been dead for several years. Abraham Reed was twelve years of age when the family moved from Virginia to Ohio, and he was reared in the latter State. On March 20, 1845, he was wedded to Miss Mary Weaver, a native of Pennsylvania, born March 2,1817, and the daughter of Samuel and Anna (Bowman) Weaver. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were pioneers of Ohio, and both died in Columbiana county, Mrs. Weaver September 11, 1843, aged forty-nine years, and her husband nine years later at the age of sixty-eight years. Abraham Reed and wife lived in Ohio until 1861, when they sold out and moved to Indiana, purchasing their present farm in Elkhart county. In 1851, while in the timber business in the Buckeye State, Mr. Reed met with an accident by which he lost his left leg. For forty years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits without the use of that leg, and that, of course, has made his work much harder. He and his worthy companion have a good farm of eighty acres in Union township, and are highly respected members of the community. They are conscientious Christians and active members of the Mennonite Church. In politics Mr. Reed has ever been a Republican. He is a man interested in the public good, and in his younger days was a teacher, following that profession for twelve years and teaching both English and German. Mr. Reed and wife have reared five sons and three daughters, as follows: Henry, born June 20, 1846, now resides on a dairy farm at Mishawaka; Noah, born October 7, 184:7, is a farmer and is also engaged in the saw-mill business in Union township; Aaron, born December 15, 1848, is a farmer and carpenter of Harrison township; Abraham, born February 4, 1851, is a farmer of Union township; Elias, born July 27, 1855, resides in Mahoning county, Ohio, near where he was born; Anna, born December 15, 1848, married Samuel Ramer and resides in Morgan county, Mo.; Lydia, born December 12, 1852, is also married to a Samuel Ramer, and resides on a farm in Union township, and Mary, married Joel Snyder and resides on the old home place. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have about thirty-five grandchildren.

REV. BENJAMIN F. STUTSMAN. For many years the name of Mr. Stutsman has been inseparably linked with the religious history of Elkhart county, whose annals bear testimony to the integrity of his character and the brilliancy of his intellect. He is a descendant of one of the oldest pioneer families of this county, his grandfather, Samuel Stutsman, having settled on Elkhart Prairie in 1832. The latter was born in Pennsylvania, near Johnstown, and was of German descent, his grandfather having emigrated from Germany to this country at an early day. In religious belief his ancestors were German Baptist Dunkards. Samuel married a Miss Ulery and they were the parents of four children: Daniel, Susannah, Elizabeth and Jacob. Mr. Stutsman followed the occupation of a farmer and land owner in Pennsylvania for many years, but subsequently moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, and there resided until 1832, when he moved to Elkhart county, Ind., as above stated. He entered land on the prairie and added to this from time to time until he owned 300 acres of excellent prairie land. Later he entered a large tract of woodland east of the prairie. He became a wealthy and substantial farmer and resided on this farm until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-four years of age. He and wife were members of the German Baptist Church and reared their children to that belief. During the early pioneer days Mr. Stutsman was a famous hunter and fisherman, and many a deer, bear and wild cat fell victims to his unerring aim. He was one of the original pioneers who assisted in founding the county, and made a good home in the wilderness. His son, Jacob Stutsman, was originally from Ohio, born in Montgomery county about 1814, and received a fair common-school education for his day. When eighteen years of age he came with his parents to this county, and made the journey with horse teams. He married Miss Hannah Studebaker, daughter of Rev. Jacob Studebaker, and afterward settled on the old Studebaker farm, consisting of 260 acres of fine land, which he had inherited from his father. On this he resided until fifty-four years of age, when he moved to Macoupin county, Ill., and bought a farm of 280 acres, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He died when fifty-six years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Stutsman were born ten children: John, Samuel, Lydia, Henry, Benjamin, Susannah, Hannah, Valentine, David and Levi, all born on the homestead on Elkhart Prairie. Mr. Stutsman was a devout member of the German Baptist Church and was a deacon in the same for many years. His wife was also an active member of that church. He was one of the founders of the Conservative German Baptist Church, and was one of the most liberal contributors to the church. He gave his children good educational advantages and ever instilled into their minds the Christian religion. Nearly all became members of the German Baptist Church. His son, Rev. Benjamin F. Stutsman, was born May 2, 1846, on Elkhart Prairie, and in addition to a common-school education, attended Goshen College for three years. By his own efforts he fitted himself for the ministry and has given the principal part of his life to this noble work. His marriage with Miss Clarinda McConoughey, daughter of Alexander McConoughey, occurred February 27, 1868, and one living child blessed this union: Etta B. Mrs. Stutsman died October 24, 1876, and December 29, 1880, Mr. Stutsman married Miss Mary J. Dewey. Two children have been born to this union: Charles Noble, born January 5, 1883, and Sadee Irene, born May 13, 1887. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Stutsman went to the Sucker State, resided there three years and a half, and then returned to Elkhart county, where he has since resided. He owned eighty acres on the prairie and resided on this until 1890, when he came to his present farm. He has been a preacher in his church for twelve years, being ordained March, 1880, and since then he has carried on his ministerial duties in this county. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and Independent, and stands deservedly high among his people as a minister as well as a citizen. Mrs. Stutsman's great-grandfather, Noah Dewey, was from Vermont and of English descent. He was married in the Empire State to Miss Hannah Wiggins and three children were born to them: Charles, Aaron and Jane. Mr. Dewey was a shoemaker by trade and resided for many years in Preble county, Ohio, but finally came to Indiana and made his home with his son, Charles B., until his death at the age of sixty years. Charles B. was the grandfatber of Mrs. Stutsman, and was born, reared and educated in Preble county, Ohio. When a young man he taught school and was one of the early educators of the county. He was married in Ohio to Miss Mary A. Benjamin, daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah (Johnson) Benjamin, and seven children were born to them, as follows: Benjamin F., Henry C., Noah W., Charles N., Hannah, and Sarah and Mary (twins). In 1842 Mr. Dewey came to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled on land which his father-in-law, Nathaniel Benjamin, who was a substantial farmer of Preble county, Ohio, had entered for him. This land was covered with timber and Mr. Dewey cleared 160 acres and made a good home. He died in August, 1862, when forty-five years of age. He was a substantial farmer and an honorable citizen. His son, Benjamin F. Dewey, brother of Mrs. Stutsman, was born December 22, 1847, in Clinton township, this county, and received a common-school education. He married Miss Samantha Longcor, daughter of Silas Longcor, and three children were the result: Adella, J. M. and Warren. Mr. Dewey has always resided on the old homestead and now owns 213 acres of land. In politics he is a Republican.

A. B. MICHAEL, a representative farmer and stockraiser of Elkhart county, Ind., is like many of the citizens of the county, of German descent, and a man of much energy and ability. He was born in Elkhart county, Harrison township, December 30, 1853, and was the third in order of birth of nine children born to the marriage of George Michael. The latter was born in Germany in 1824, the son of Paul Michael, and was an early settler in Union township, Elkhart county, Ind., settling there as early as 1849. A. B. Michael, the subject of this sketch, passed his boyhood and youth on his father's farm in Harrison township, and received a limited education in the Bowser School, being obliged to assist his father on the farm at an early age. After his twenty-second birthday he married Miss Sarah Weber, a native of Locke township, Elkhart county, Ind., and the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Weber) Weber, the latter still living. Mrs. Michael was born January 11, 1858, and was reared in Locke township. Her people were among the pioneers of the county. After marriage Mr. Michael started out to fight life's battles for himself on the place where he now lives, which then consisted of eighty acres of partially improved land. There were no buildings on this, and it was nearly all covered with woods. He cleared most of this, erected a fine residence at a cost of $2,000, and put up other buildings. In 1891 he added another eighty to this land and now has a fine farm, all well fenced, and with the best improvements on it. He is engaged in general farming and stockraising and raises much grain. As a farmer and stockraiser he has been unusually successful and has accumulated a comfortable fortune. In political belief Mr. Michael is a stanch Democrat and a public-spirited young man, being interested in every enterprise that has for its object the growth and prosperity of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Michael have been born three children, as follows: Minnie, born July 30, 1878, and died when but one month old; Myrtie, born July 2, 1880, and Mervin (a boy), born February 15, 1885. Mrs. Michael is a member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Michael are worthy citizens of the county and are universally respected. Jacob Weber (father of Mrs. A. B. Michael) was born in Germany on February 22, 1830. In 1835 he came to this country with his parents and located in Ohio. In 1851 he was married to Catherine Weber and moved to Indiana with his family in 1855. He was a private in Company E, Thirteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and died May 16, 1865, in South Carolina, while engaged in the patriotic discharge of his duty to his adopted country. Catherine Weber, wife of Jacob Weber, and mother of Mrs. A. B. Michael, was born in Germany on November 26, 1832. In 1836 she came with her parents to this country, and in 1851 was married to Jacob Weber, with whom she came in 1855 to Indiana, and at present resides at Nappanee. To Mr. and Mrs. Weber have been born eight children, as follows: Elizabeth, born November 12, 1852; Catherine, born November 29, 1853; Barbara, born April 24, 1856; Sarah, born January 11, 1858; Susan, born June 30, 1859; Mary, born March 9, 1861 (died February 19, 1888); Infant, born December 22, 1862, and died March, 1863, John, born March 3, 1864.

SOLOMON PEPPLE, the fifth in order of birth of ten children born to William and Nancy (Wademan) Pepple, first saw the light of day on his father's farm in De Kalb county, Ind., January 1, 1858. William Pepple was born in the Buckeye State in 1815, and his wife was a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in the former State and made their home there until 1860, when they came to this State. After a two years' residence in De Kalb county they moved to Elkhart county and settled on the farm where they now live. In connection with agricultural pursuits Mr. Pepple ran a threshing machine for twenty years. He is a good business man and has accumulated a good property. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and a public-spirited citizen. At one time he was a member of the Lutheran Church. When he first came to Elkhart county Mr. Pepple was among the early settlers, and located on a partly improved farm in Union township. He now has 160 acres of as good land as any in the township, and is prosperous and contented. Only four of the following children born to them are now living: William, who died at the age of twenty-one; Albert, a farmer of Noble county, Ind.; Katie, wife of Noah Reed, died in August, 1892; Delarma, married and followed farming in Noble county until his. death; Harry, died at the age of sixteen; Solomon (subject); Lizzie, wife of D. C. Reed, of Chicago; Hiram, at home, single; David, and Daniel, who died young.

Solomon Pepple was only a child when the family moved to this county, and his youthful days were passed in assisting on the farm and in attending the district school, his principal schooling being during the winter months. On account of the many duties on the farm, his educational advantages were limited, but he possessed a naturally bright mind, and by reading and observation has become one of the well posted men of the county. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he married and started out to make his own way in life as a tiller of the soil. He first farmed the old home place, and was fairly successful until 1886, when he bought the old Miller farm, which he has resided on since. This is one of the oldest settled farms in the county, and was taken as Government land by Mr. David Miller. Mr. Pepple is it�s second owner. He has 160 acres of good land, 100 acres under cultivation, and the remainder in good timber. He has made a complete success as an agriculturist, and besides his own quarter section of land has charge of 100 acres belonging to his father. Our subject selected his wife in the person of Miss Malinda Miller, and three children were given them: Clyde, born May 23, 1881, and died December 15 of the same year; Mervin, born April 9, 1883, and Mary, born March 22, 1886. Mrs. Pepple was the daughter of Daniel Miller. She died in the year 1887, and in her death a good and true woman passed to her reward. On September 18, 1889, Mr. Pepper married Miss Elmira Rahrer, who was born January 27, 1869, and who was the eighth in order of birth of twelve children, all but two now living, born to Joseph and Harnet (Mawyer) Rahrer. She was reared in Harrison township at the old home place of her parents, who were early pioneers of the county, and received her education in the school at South West. Mr. Pepple is devoting all his time to general farming, and is authority on all subjects relating to his occupation.

DAVID CONRAD is an energetic and enlightened farmer of Union township, Elkhart Co., Ind., and is the owner, all told, of 170 acres, nearly all of which is improved, fourteen acres of which is heavily covered with timber. Eighty acres comprise the home farm. Mr. Conrad was born on his father's farm in Jackson township, Elkhart county, March 12, 1846, the eldest of four children born to Solomon and Mary (Whitehead) Conrad, but he and his brother John were the only ones reared. The father was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, December 31, 1823, and was a son of Adam Conrad, who was born in Virginia, but was an early pioneer of Ohio, in Tuscarawas county, later in Wayne county, Ind., and still later in Illinois, paying the last debt of nature in McLean county in 1869. His wife died some years before in Indiana. They had a family of twelve or thirteen children in all, and only three sons, Solomon, William and George, all of whom married and reared families. Adam Conrad was probably a Whig at an early day, but later turned Republican. He was a farmer of moderate circumstances. Solomon Conrad was born in Ohio, came to Indiana with his father. He was left motherless at about the age of sixteen years and his father married again. At that time Solomon started to do for himself as a farm hand and rail splitter, but upon attaining his majority he went to Montgomery county, Ohio, and was there united in marriage to Miss Mary Whitehead, who was a native of that county, born January 18, 1824, a daughter of Valentine and Mary Whitehead. This family was originally from Pennsylvania, and was among the first to settle in Ohio, from which section Valentine Whitehead emigrated to Elkhart county, Ind., when quite aged, and here passed from life at the age of eighty-three years, his wife's death having occurred in Ohio. All their children grew to mature years, married and reared families. After the marriage of Solomon and Mary (Whitehead) Conrad they started west in the old-time emigrant wagon, their sole property consisting of their team and wagon, a few household effects and $14 in money. They settled on an eighty-acre farm in Jackson township, Elkhart county, which Mrs. Conrad's father had entered, and built thereon a log cabin, after which they at once set to work to improve the place. On that farm Mr. Conrad resided until his death, December 8, 1883. In church matters he was always ready to lend a helping hand, in fact, all worthy enterprises found in him a hearty supporter. He was well posted on the current topics of the day, and the principles of the Democratic party recommended themselves to his excellent judgment, and by that party he was elected to a number of positions of trust in Jackson township. His thrift and industry won him good returns, he acquired valuable property, and throughout his life manifested great interest in his home. He was conscientious and public spirited and a valuable and useful citizen. From the age of sixteen years he had to depend upon his own resources, so with truth may be called a self-made man. His wife died at her home in Jackson township November 2, 1886. For twenty-five years before her death she was a member of the German Baptist Church, and up to the time of her death was a true helpmate to her husband. She bore her husband four children: David, born March 12, 1846; John, born January 13, 1849, who now lives in Union township, a farmer and a man of family; Susan, born June 7, 1851, and died December 1, 1852, and Sarah E., born June 2, 1854, and died September 24, 1854. Mrs. Conrad was a noble mother to her children and in every respect a true Christian and a considerate and generous neighbor. David Conrad, her son, attended the home school and also several terms of the Goshen High School, and received a good practical business education. He taught one winter term of school in Union township with good success, and until he attained his majority assisted his father on the home farm, after which he went to Illinois and spent several months. He then returned to Indiana and married Irene Wyland, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, May 26, 1845, being one of eleven children reared by Daniel and Margaret (Howard) Wyland, who moved to that section from Pennsylvania, their marriage taking place in Greene county, where the mother was reared, although she was born in Maryland. After the celebration of their union they settled in Miami county, Ohio, where all their children were born, the youngest being five years of age at the time of their removal to Indiana in 1850. They took up their residence on a farm in Jackson township, Elkhart county, where they lived for a number of years, later moving to Concord township, where the father paid the last debt of nature in 1882. The mother had died in 1865, both being worthy members of the German Baptist Church. The father was a Democrat and a well-to-do farmer. His children are as follows: Mary A., wife of Owen Cromer, of Troy, Ohio; Susanna, wife of Simon Miller, of Milford, Kosciusko county; George, who is married and lives in Shelby county, Ohio; Jane, who is the wife of Thomas Yates, of Goshen; Harriet, who is the wife of Henry Yates, of Kosciusko county; Catherine, who was the wife of George Wertz, of Oregon, but who died in 1884, leaving one child; Margaret, the widow of John Schreckengaust, who was a soldier in the Civil war, lost two children; Moses, a resident of Jackson township; John, who also resides there; Irene, the wife of David Conrad; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Whitehead, of Jackson township. After his marriage Mr. Conrad became a resident of the farm on which he now lives, which he has greatly improved and nicely cleared. It is one of the neatest and best kept places in the county and the buildings are exceptionally fine. There are in all 170 acres which he is tilling, and in addition to this much of his time is devoted to the raising of a food grade of stock, for he has found it a congenial and profitable business. He is well known as a prominent member of the Democratic party, and for twenty years has held the office of township assessor. He is interested in church, school and public matters generally, and socially is a member of the American and State Horticultural Society. Mr. Conrad has been successful as a financier and is considered an exceptionally good judge of stock. He has been a prosperous lumberman, and in this branch of business has made much of his money. He and his wife have a family of five children: William, who was born September 29, 1868, lives on the farm in Jackson township and is married to Rose Weaver, a daughter of David Weaver a pioneer of Union township (in politics William is a Democrat); George B., who is now in Dakota, but makes his home with his father, was born July 31, 1870, and is also a Democrat; Mary E., born April 28, 1873, is still at home; Leroy A. was born March 20, 1880; and Delta Hazel, January 31, 1885. Mr. Conrad has traveled a great deal throughout the United States and has made the most of what he has seen and heard, and can recount his experiences in a graphic and pleasing manner.

JOHN H. RARICK. This gentleman, whose residence is in Elkhart township, is a prominent farmer, stockraiser and horse breeder, and his fine farm, attests by its thrift and productiveness, the excellent qualities of thoroughness and system which mark the owner. He inherits all his industry and enterprise from his German ancestors, no doubt, and is progressive and thoroughgoing in a marked degree. His father, John Rarick, was born in Pennsylvania and was married in that State to Miss Barbara Heater. Ten children were the fruits of this union: Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary, Nancy, Sallie, Eliza, George, John, Eli and Noah. At an early date Mr. John H. Rarick moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, and was engaged in tilling the soil there until 1848, when he moved to Elkhart county, Ind., settling four miles west of Goshen. He became the owner of a good farm and resided on the same the remainder of his days, dying when seventy-two years of age. He was a Lutheran in his religious belief and a man universally respected. His father was a native of Maryland and was a saddler by trade. Our subject was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, December 23, 1818, and had but a limited common-school education in the old subscription schools of his day. He was reared on a farm and married Miss Esther Kritzer, who was born on the 27th of September, 1825, and who was a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Baisler) Kritzer. Nine children were born to our subject and wife as follows: Noah, born September 24, 1852; Caroline, born February 8, 1853; Catherine, born May 3, 1856; Mary, born October 3, 1857; George, born February 21, 1859; Jonathan, born June 25, 1862; Martha, born October 8, 1863; Sarah, born June 14,1865; and Hariet, born June 7, 1867. Our subject had a brother, Noah, who served in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Vicksburg, and he named his eldest son after this brother. Soon after marriage, or in 1845, Mr. Rarick moved to Elkhart county and settled on eighty acres of wild land, covered with heavy timber in Harrison township. He began at once to improve and clear his farm, and after many years of hard work and great industry he cleared up a good farm. To the original tract he added from time to time until he owned 300 acres. In 1880 Mr. Rarick moved to his present farm, consisting of seventy-four acres, but still owns the original tract in Harrison township and eighty acres in Union township, making 554 acres in all. He has been engaged extensively in the raising of horses, keeping at one time three Belgian stallions, costing $6,000. He sold two of them and now keeps one weighing 1,800 pounds, an imported horse and one of the best in the county. Mr. Rarick is a self-made man and owes all his prosperity to his own exertions and those of his excellent wife. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of his section and has made all his property by economy and self-denial. He has been honorable and upright in all his dealings and stands high in the estimation of all as a citizen and neighbor. Both he and wife hold membership in the Lutheran Church, and he was at one time elder in the same. In politics he advocates the principles of the Democratic party. His daughter, Caroline, married John Searer, a farmer of Elkhart county; Mary married George Neterer, a farmer of Elkhart township, and is the mother of three children; Catherine married Erias Snyder, a farmer of Elkhart county, and has four children; and Martha, married Abraham Searer, a fanner of Harrison township, and has two children.

JAMES M. LATTA. His earliest known ancestor was an Irish nobleman whose estates were near Donegal, Ireland. William, his son, emigrated to America in 1740 and settled first in New Jersey, subsequently in Westmoreland county, Penn. He served during the Revolution in Morgan's cavalry. Robert, his fourth son, was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Penn., April 28, 1773, and married Isabella Johnston, an aunt of the Governor of that State, on April 28, 1792, and emigrated to Champaign county, Ohio, where his family of four sons and four daughters were born and raised. In 1830 he visited Indiana and bought 6,400 acres of land in the now famous Haw Patch region, lying in Noble and La Grange counties. He was a man of warm impulses, a great student with remarkable executive ability, which was illustrated by his colonizing his vast purchase of land, by selecting one or more young married men of almost every profession and trade (excluding the legal profession) and presenting each of them with a deed to eighty acres of this land on condition they emigrate with him and live on the land, thereby surrounding himself with a completed community from the start. He did not neglect the ministry, for which he erected a church building at his own cost, also a school-house. The wisdom of his selection was shown in the fact that not one abandoned his trust. He was the arbitrator in all disputes, and none thought of an appeal to the courts from his decision. He also held scholarships in the leading institutions of learning of the State which he dedicated to the use of the children of his colony - excluding his own grandchildren. He was a man of very distinguished appearance, being six feet four inches in height and weighing 300 pounds, straight as an arrow, temperate in all things but his temper, with smooth shaven face of sublime benignity, pink-white complexion and clear grey eyes. After living twenty-six years on the land he settled, and witnessing the fruition of his cherished plans, he died April 28, 1859. His wife survived him many years and died at the age of eighty-seven years. They were both members of the Methodist Church. He was an ardent Whig in politics. William, his second son, was born November 6, 1801, died November 6, 1847. He married November 26, 1826, Matilda Prudence Layton, of Clark county, Ohio, and in 1828 emigrated to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled on the land on which he died, now the home of the subject of this sketch. He was judge of probate for a number of years, a director and vice-president of the State Bank, was one of the prime movers in projecting what is now known as the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad and its first president, and contributed largely to the early development of the country. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics a Whig. He was a man of good business judgment and at the time or his death was con�sidered one of the wealthiest men in the county. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1872. They had a family of eleven children. The subject of this sketch was the second son, born July 4, 1833. His youth was spent at hard work on the farm. After receiving an academic education he entered the law school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and later Harvard University, after which he began practicing law at Goshen, Ind., in partnership with James M. Defree. On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he was appointed legal adviser of the Tax Commission of Florida, which position he held for three years. He was also the civil provost marshal of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida during most of that time. On September 22, 1864, he married Elizabeth Potter Jack, of Greensburg, Penn., whose father served many years in the lower house of Congress, as also on the bench, and whose grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary war. It was a singular incident his selecting his wife from the town in which his grandfather was born more than ninety years previous. After the war he located in Washington, D. C., in the practice of his profession, but soon became interested in real estate, to which he subsequently devoted his entire attention with conspicuous success. He bought the old homestead and has added to it in area and improvements until it is the finest country seat in northern Indiana, known as "Fairlawn." His energy and enterprise have been farreaching, having furnished the entire wooden material for 550 miles of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in New Mexico and Arizona, supplying horses for the United States Government for the war in Utah; owns extensive cattle ranches in New Mexico, a business block in the heart of Kansas City, Mo., and very valuable pieces of property in Chicago; is the chief owner, and for some time president, of the Gas Company of Albuquerque, N. M.; president of the Muskegon Machine & Foundry Company of Michigan; president of the City National Bank of Goshen; president of the Pottawattomie Club; president of the Gas Company and of the Citizens Electric Company; was one of the founders of the Ariel Bycicle Company, and its first president, etc. He has always been a Republican in politics, never very active and never held a political office. In 1873 he visited Europe as a special commissioner to the Vienna Exposition. After spending fourteen years in Washington he moved to Boston, where he spent six years in educating his family. Mr. Latta has been signally successful in all his business enterprises and very happy in his domestic relations, to which he now devotes most of his time. He has a family of five sons and one daughter. The benefactions of his wife and himself, especially to the Episcopal Church, have been conspicuous, not alone in Goshen, where his wife gave the ground and built the beautiful parsonage at a cost of $4,500 and liquidated most of the debt of the church, but in other places and in many ways.

SAMUEL MOYER is a real estate dealer and treasurer of the Electric Galvanic Belt Company, of Elkhart, enjoys the highest of reputations for honorable methods and sterling integrity, and is neatly aided in maintaining that high standard of financial probity for which the real estate market of the place is noted. He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, October 2, 1842, to Daniel and Catherine (Swartz) Moyer, native Pennsylvanians, who were of German ancestry. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Moyer, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and by occupation was a farmer, a calling he followed in Pennsylvania until his death. Samuel Moyer was born in 1770 in Bucks county, Penn., was married to Sophrana Sechler, 1792. Their union was blessed with ten children. In 1819 his wife died, and in 1821 he emigrated to Butler county, Penn, with his family. He was again married, to Susan Boyer, and had three children. In 1851 he died at the age of eighty-one years. The names of his children are: Debora, who married David Shauer, and had six children; Benjamin who married Mary Boyer, and had eight children; Sarah, who married George Boyer, and had fifteen children; Samuel, who married July Ann Rice, and had eighteen children; Catherine, who married Abraham Tinsman, and had eleven children; Jacob, who married Lyda Shauer, and had sixteen children; Abraham, who married Martha Trausue, and had eight children; Mary, who married Samuel Boyer, and had six children; Elizabeth, who married William Lutz, and had nine children; Daniel, who married Catherine Swartz, and had five children; Joseph, who married Rebecca Rice, and had four children; Susan, who married Henry Bixler and had four children; Nancy, who married David Bookwalter, and had three children. Daniel Moyer followed in his worthy father's footsteps, and throughout life tilled the soil, an occupation he found congenial and therefore profitable. He removed with his family by wagon to Ashland county, Ohio, where they remained unti11848, when they packed their household goods and started overland to Elkhart county, Ind., where they purchased an eighty-acre tract of land, for which $12 per acre was paid. This acreage he afterward greatly increased, and became the owner of a large amount of land. In 1864 he started to Canada on a ministerial trip, being an earnest and eloquent minister of the Mennonite Church, but was killed in a railroad accident near Hillsdale, Mich. His widow died in 1884, having borne him five children, four of whom are living: William, Samuel, Daniel and David. Samuel was but six years of age when he came to Elkhart county, and in his early life became inured to hard labor on the farm. He continued to follow the plow until 1882, having for fifteen years prior to this time been a resident of Cass county, Mich. At the above mentioned date the city of Elkhart became his home, and for three or four years he discharged the duties of street commissioner. In the spring of 1892 he, with E. P. Willard, embarked in the real estate business, which they still successfully carry on. He is the owner of considerable town property, and they are also joint proprietors in one of the most wonderful inventions of the age - that of an electric belt, an account of which will be found in another part of this work. As a real estate dealer Mr. Moyer is thoroughly posted in his locality, and has a complete and intimate knowledge of every section, and those contemplating the purchase of property can fully rely upon his sound judgment and judicious advice to secure the most desirable and remunerative investments. In March, 1865, he was married to Miss Maria I. Funk, by whom he has one child living whose name is Mason and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EDWIN W. KINNISON. In tracing back the ancestors of the Kinnison family we find that the great-grandfather of our subject, Charles Kinnison, came originally from England and settled in Pocahontas county, W. Va., where he became an extensive land owner. He was married in this country to Miss Mattie Day and seven children were born to this union as follows: David. Amos, Nathaniel, Mark, Mattie and two not remembered. Mr. Kinnison followed agricultural pursuits in West Virginia, cleared a farm, and became the owner of 2,000 acres of land. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was engaged in the secret service in a battle with the Indians at West Point. His sons cleared up tracks from the 2.000 acres owned by Mr. Kinnison, and became prosperous citizens. Mr. Kinnison lived to be seventy-eight years of age and was one of the old-time pioneers of West Virginia, and an early member of the Masonic fraternity. His son, Mark Kinnison, the grandfather of our subject, was born in West Virginia, and there secured but a limited education. He was married to Miss Nancy Davis, daughter of William Davis (who was a near relative to Jefferson Davis) and Priscilla (Grimes) Davis. The Davis family is of Welsh ancestry. To Mark Kinnison and wife were born eight children: Davis, Charles, Mark, Archibald, Hiram, Ruth, Elizabeth and Nancy. Mr. Kinnison settled on a part of his father's farm in Pocahontas county, W. Va., cleared this and made a good farm. In November, 1833, he came to the Hoosier State; settled at Haw�patch, La Grange county, where he remained one year, and then came to the farm now occupied by our subject. This was all wild land at that time, and Mr. Kinnison cleared up a good farm of eighty acres, assisted by his sons especially Hiram. He lived to be seventy-seven years of age and was a member of the Methodist Church. In politics he was a Democrat and an Abolitionist. He was a hardworking, pioneer citizen and was universally esteemed. His son, Archibald Kinnison, father of subject, was born in West Virginia and was but a boy when he came to Benton township, Elkhart county with his father. The pioneer schools of those days afforded him a limited education, reading, writing and spelling, but most of his time was spent in assisting his father on the farm. After reaching man's estate, he married Miss Charlotta Wood, daughter of Niah Wood, one of the pioneers of Noble county, Ind., and a descendant of one of the colonial families. His father was colonel in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Kinnison settled on land now owned and occupied by our subject soon after their marriage, and to the original tract added from time to time until they became the owners of 160 acres. Mr. Kinnison cleared this farm and became one of the most substantial farmers and stockraisers of his section, all the result of industry and good management on his part. He and John D. Elsea introduced the first herd of Durham Short Horn cattle in the county and in other ways he has contributed to the advancement of the county. He visited Europe in 1878, traveled through the countries of France, Germany, Switzerland and England. He ever attended strictly to business and never cared to hold office of any kind. The first church built in the township received liberal contributions at his hands and he was ever active in all good work. He died on his farm when sixty-seven years of age, and gave each of his sons $4,000 in cash. He was a man whose uprightness and honesty were above reproach and whose career would serve as an example to all. He was the father of four children: George, James, Edwin and Willis. The third in order of birth of these children, Edwin W. Kinnison, is a native of this county, born April 25, 1852, and like the average farmer's boy, his time in youth was divided between attending the common school and in learning to work on the farm. In selecting a companion for life he chose Miss Tillie F. Brown, daughter of William and Mary (Bean) Brown, and one child, Edith, who was born May 11, 1881, has blessed this union. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kinnison settled on the home farm, where our subject was born and which has been in the hands of the family for nearly forty years, and they are now the owners of 230 acres of land. Mr. Kinnison is a practical farmer and stockraiser and is one of the prosperous young tillers of the soil in the county. In politics he supports the Republican party. His brother George was in the Civil war and served in an Indiana regiment. Our subject is a genial, well-posted man, is deservedly popular, and capable of holding any office in the gift of the people of his county. In the year 1892 he was elected county commissioner of his county.

Deb Murray