WILSON SLABAUGH. Prominent among the early pioneers of Elkhart county, Ind., were the Slabaughs, who were descendants of a prominent German family and inherited all the thrift and enterprise characteristic of the Teutonic element. The great great-grandfather of our subject, William H. Slabaugh, was born in Alsace, Germany, was married there to Miss Elizabeth, and five children were born to them: John, Christian, George, Philip and Maria, all of whom grew to mature years in the old country, but finally emigrated to the "land of the free." The father lived to be ninety-nine and the mother one hundred years of age. The five children, thinking to better their condition, emigrated to America and settled in Lancaster county, Penn., at a very early date. There they married and reared families and received their final summons. The great-grandfather of our subject was George, who married in Pennsylvania a Miss Rosina Eshleman, who was also born in the Fatherland, but who came to this country with her parents when but seven years of age. The following children were born to this union: John, Jacob, Lewis and Christian. The youngest of these children, Christian, the grandfather of our subject, was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Nancy Rhodes, a daughter of Henry Rhodes, who was of German birth and an early pioneer of Pennsylvania. Thirteen children were the fruits of this union, and the most of them were reared in Columbiana county, Ohio, whither the family had moved at an early date. In the Buckeye State the father died at the age of fifty-three and the mother at the age of sixty-five. They were well-to-do people and highly respected. Up to the last generation the Slabaughs were all farmers and prominent in their calling. The children of the last mentioned couple were named as follows: Christian (father of subject), Elias, John, Amos, George, a farmer in Union township; Henry, Isaac, Fianna, the wife of Solomon Berlin of the county (see sketch); Julia, wife of Josiah Berlin; Mary, wife of Patrick Richmond, who died in the late war, and later the wife of P. S. Hare, of Nappanee; Elizabeth, married Henry Eby, of Locke township, this county; Lucy, wife of L. Miller (deceased), subsequently married William Rosenberger, of Nappanee; and Samuel, died in Ohio, when young. Christian, the second child and the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and when seven years of age was brought by his parents to Ohio, growing to manhood on his fathers farm in that State. When twenty-nine years of age he married Miss Sophia Walters, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born in 1833, and the daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Witmyer) Walters. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters and named as follows: Enoch, Jacob, David, Sophia, Abraham, Samuel, Eli, Rebecca, Fannie, John, Joseph, Henry and Catherine. All these children are living with the exception of Rebecca and Fannie, and all married and reared families except the latter, who died young. After marriage Christian Slabaugh and wife emigrated to Elkhart county, Ind. This was in 1854 and they settled on the farm where they now live. Mr. Slabaugh had only enough money to buy eighty acres and for many years he and wife were obliged to economize in every way. They experienced all the hardships and trials of the early settlers but brighter days were before them. Their children, three in number, were born in Ohio. The eldest, Lydia, was born August 5, 1849, became the wife of J. W. Albin, of Union township (see sketch). Wilson (subject), the second in order of birth, was born in September, 2, 1851, in Portage county, and Franklin, born February 22, 1853, died when fifteen years of age. The house in which all the children were born is still standing in Portage county, Ohio, and is an old landmark, now over one hundred years old and built on the Western Reserve. Christian Slabaugh and wife are still living on the old home place and are much respected by all favored with their acquaintance. Although well advanced in years they have not given up the active duties of life and the father still carries on the old farm. He has ever been interested in the progress and improvement of the county and is a good citizen and public-spirited man. For the past four years Wilson Slabaugh, the subject of this sketch, has made his home in Nappanee, and is the on1yone of the family who has branched out from the beaten track of agricultural pursuits. He is at present a member of the firm of Walters & Slabaugh, which is doing a thriving business in lumber and the saw and planing mill business in this town. Mr. Slabaugh was only two years old when they moved to Elkhart county, and he was reared in the woods of Union township and attended the schools of the neighborhood. He obtained a good business education, which he has applied to a good purpose, and assisted his father on the farm until 1880, when he started out to till the soil for himself. After following this occupation until 1887 he came to Nappanee and embarked in the lumber business, which has since grown to large proportions. He first began by burning charcoal and after following this successfully for some time, engaged in the lumber business with Mr. Jacob Walters. They are now doing a good business and are wide-awake, enterprising business men. Mr. Slabaugh takes a deep interest in church matters, and in politics is a Prohibitionist, although formerly a Democrat. Public spirited and warm hearted, he has a vast number of friends. On December 15, 1882, he married Miss Amanda A. Bechtel, a native of Elkhart county, Ind., born November 16, 1860, and one of nine children born to Daniel and Sarah (Neiter) Bechtel. To Mr. and Mrs. Slabaugh have been born five children, all sons, as follows: Floyd B., Franklin E., Daniel W., Chris E. and John W. Mr. and Mrs. Slabaugh attend the Methodist Episcopal Church and are classed among the leading people of Nappanee.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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REV. AMOS BECHTEL, in addition to looking after the spiritual welfare of his fellows, is devoting much of his attention to tilling the soil in Harrison township, of which section he has been a resident for thirty years. He was born in Waterloo county, Canada, September 28, 1836, a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Warner) Bechtel, the former of whom owes his nativity to Lancaster county, Penn., being a son of Jacob Bechtel, who was a native of that State also, but who became one of the early settlers of Canada. He reared eleven children: John, Henry, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Nancy, Elizabeth, Mary, Hannah, Catherine and Magdalana. Abraham was two years of age when taken to Canada, grew up, married and lived there, but in 1863 came to Elkhart county, Ind., and died in 1884, at which time he was eighty-seven years of age. He was a member of the German Baptist Church. His wife died in Canada in 1863. Of the large family of sixteen children born to this worthy couple, twelve are still living: Mary, Nancy, Abraham, William, John, Jacob, Magdaline, Noah, Amos, Lydia, Isaac and David. They all grew up in Canada, but a number moved to the States. Rev. Amos Bechtel received his education in the district schools of Canada, and in his youth became inured to pioneer life, but his early struggles taught him self-reliance, energy and thrift. On September 27, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary A. Funk, who was born in that section August 24, 1836, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Sedcrist) Funk, the former of whom was of Buck's county, Penn. He was a son of John Funk, who removed from that State to Canada in an early day, but died in Michigan some years since. He was married twice, and his first wife was the mother of Mrs. Bechtel, whom she left an orphan at the age of nine years. She was one of five children: Mary A., John, Samuel, Hannah, and Sarah who died young. The second marriage resulted in the birth of five children also: Libbie, Henry, Margaret, Dennis and Stella. Mrs. Bechtel was reared in the woods of Canada, but about thirty years ago came to this country with her husband, and with this section they have been identified ever since. They are earnest members of the Brethren in Christ Church, in which he has been a minister for the past fourteen years. He is a zealous worker for the cause of Christianity and has been since he was thirty years of age. He worked by the day in Harrison Center upon first coming to this township, but in a few years succeeded in purchasing eighty acres of land, but since 1885 has owned his farm of ninety-three acres where he is now living. He is a successful farmer and stockraiser, and is one of the most prominent of the county's many worthy citizens. They have reared eight children and lost two: Leah was born in Canada, March 9, 1860, and is the wife of John Stump, living in Union township, by whom she has six children: Clara, Charles, Harvey, Vernie, Oscar and Milton; Rachel was born in Canada, November 27, 1861, is the wife of Jacob Fulmer, of Concord township, and has four children: Maude, Walter, Saloma and Truman; Harriet was born in Canada, May 13, 1863, and died in Elkhart county, October 2, 1870; Lavina was born in this township, April 16, 1866, is the wife of John Kehr, of Harrison township, and has three children: Roscoe, Ray and Dora; Daniel was born April 15, 1869, and died August 29, 1875; Mary A., was born March 10, 1872, and is the wife of Samuel Troup, of Jackson township, and has one child: Ralph; Amos F. was born December 22, 1873; Dora was born March 12, 1876; Rufus was born April 20, 1878, and Alpha was born September 22, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel occupy a leading position among the citizens of their township, and are among the foremost in all good works. They are kind and charitable, generous in the use of their means in worthy causes, have been faithful and considerate in their family, and their children rise up and call them blessed. About fifteen years ago Mr. Bechtel met with quite a serious accident while felling timber in the woods, by the tree falling on his right leg, and since then he has been slightly crippled. He and his wife have cheerfully borne the burden and heat of the day, and are still ready to put their heart in the work that is found for them to do. They are a worthy couple in every respect, and possess numerous friends.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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JOHN STERNBERG is one of the leading citizens of Harrison township and for nearly forty years has taken an active interest in the affairs of that section and has done his full share in making it the fine agricultural region that it is. This substantial citizen was born in Dauphin county, Penn., on April 8, 1830, and was the eldest of seven children reared by Peter C. and Nancy (Finley) Sternberg, both of whom were born in Dauphin county, Penn., the former in 1809 and the latter in 1804. Peter C. Sternberg was a son of German parents, who came to this country and settled in the State of New York, later taking up their residence in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather was a carpenter by trade and reared a family of three sons and four daughters: Jacob, Peter, Henry, Susan, Polly, Lydia and one whose name is not known. Peter C. learned the trade of carpenter and followed it all his life. About 1850 he removed to Stark county, Ohio, and in 1858 to Elkhart county, Ind., settling on a farm in Harrison township, and in addition to tilling the soil and working at his trade, sold pumps. He died in December, 1890, at the age of eighty-one years, his wife's death occurring at the age of eighty-two years. They were members of the United Brethren Church and politically he was a stanch Republican. His wife was much respected by all who knew her and took an active part in church work. She was one of three children, Martha being the only one remembered. Mrs. Sternberg bore her husband children as follows: John; Mary A., who is the widow of John Smith and is living in Baugo township; Jesse C. was a farmer of Concord township, and has been dead twenty-six years; Nancy, wife of Samuel Powden of Concord township; Jacob died in this county in 1880; Benjamin F. is living in Harrison township; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Ipe, resides in Olive township and is the mother of eleven children. John Sternberg was a resident of the State of his birth until he was nearly twenty years of age and in the subscription and free schools obtained his knowledge of books. When he was old enough he was hired out by his father to work on a farm, and followed this calling until about eighteen years of age, when he began learning the carpenter's trade with his father and at the age of twenty removed with the family to Ohio. In 1855 he went to Minnesota but only remained there five or six months, as he did not like the country, and returned east as far as Indiana, settling in Elkhart county, where he followed his trade until he once more took up farming in 1859. In 1857 he married Miss Leah Dillman, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., on October 22,1837, being one of eleven children born to Jacob and Mary (Young) Dillman, their names being as follows: Catherine (Mrs. Wehr), living in Jefferson township; John. who died about thirty-seven years ago; Sarah, who is the widow of David B. Mischler, is living in this county; Elizabeth (Mrs. Huffman) is living in Clinton township; Reuben is a resident of Harrison township; Mary (Mrs. Luft) lives in this county; Leah (Mrs. Sternberg); Molly, who has been dead about twenty-four years, was the wife of Daniel Leer of Elkhart township; Samuel, who is living in Elkhart township, and two children that died in infancy. The Dillmans are among the early pioneers of the county, and Jacob, the father of this family, was born in Lancaster county, Penn. He came of German parents and was a wagon and carriage maker by trade, a calling he followed until he came to Ohio. In 1853, he removed from Stark county of that State to Indiana and thereafter was a farmer of Elkhart township until his death in July, 1877. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, was interested in all church work and held office in the same. Politically he was a Republican, was public-spirited and energetic and reared his children to habits of thrift and industry. His wife was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1799, and died in Elkhart county, Ind., in 1854. Mrs. Sternberg was a girl of fifteen years when she came with her parents by wagon to Indiana, the journey thither occupying about sixteen days. She attended school in Ohio and in this State also and in 1856 was united in marriage with Mr. Sternberg and with him settled on the farm on which they now live in 1859. Although they were compelled to work very hard at first they gradually got ahead and from time to time increased their landed possessions until they are now the owners of 329 1/2 acres of finely improved land, which is divided into three farms, their son Jesse residing on one of 120 acres, of which he owns half. Mr. Sternberg is what may be called a self-made man, for what he has in the way of worldly goods is the result of his own and his wife's hard work. They are the parents of six children: Mary, born November 13, 1857, became the wife of Henry Dick, and died October 29, 1884; Loretta E. was born August 22, 1859, and is the wife of Franklin Burns of Goshen; Jesse, born July 1, 1861, is a young farmer of Harrison township, is a Republican in politics, is a public-spirited young man and is married to Hattie Snyder, daughter of George Snyder of Elkhart township; Benjamin was born March 8, 1863, and died at the age of six weeks; Phoebe was born August 1, 1865; and Harvey, who was born June 14, 1870, is assisting his father on the old home place. He is a popular and active young business man. Mr. and Mrs. Sternberg are active and worthy members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has held the office of trustee and sexton. He is one of the most successful agriculturists of the county, is tilling 166 acres of land and is quite extensively engaged in raising stock. He has held one township office, has been active in the affairs of his section and politically is a Republican.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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PAUL H. KURTZ. The name of this gentleman is a familiar one throughout Elkhart county, Ind., and is synonymous with the saw-mill and farming interests of his section. He has been a resident of Harrison township for nearly forty years and during this period he has kept his escutcheon untarnished. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, on June 18, 1828, being the fourth child born to Henry and Catherine (Loehr) Kurtz, the former being a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, where he was born in 1796, lived to be seventy-seven years of age and died in Columbiana, Columbiana Co., Ohio. He remained in his native land until about twenty years of age, then became an emigrant to America and took up his residence in Bucks county, Penn., where he followed the calling of a school teacher. He was married there and there made his home until 1825, when they moved to Pittsburg and in 1827 to Stark county, Ohio. He was a minister of the Lutheran Church until 1826, then changed his doctrine and began expounding the faith of the German Baptist Church; which he continued to do until death closed his career. From 1842 he was a resident of Columbiana county, Ohio, and in addition to preaching the gospel, he also tilled the soil. The old homestead in Ohio is still owned by his son, George H. Kurtz. He was successful in a business way, and published a paper called the Gospel Monthly Visitor, for some years. This paper he established in 1850 and the enterprise is still in existence under the name of the Gospel Messenger. He devoted the most of his energies to religious work, was also a patron of education and was himself a fine scholar and a polished gentleman, having thorough command of five or more different languages. He wielded a widespread influence for good, ever supported the cause of justice and right, and as a natural consequence his friends were numerous and faithful. His widow survived him until 1884, when she, too, passed from life in Mahoning county. She was a daughter of Henry Loehr, who was a well-known farmer and school teacher of Northampton county, Penn., where he was eventually called from life, his widow dying in Ohio at the home of her son Jacob Loehr, in Hancock county. The paternal grandfather of Paul H. Kurtz, George Kurtz, was born October 14, 1745, and died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was Henricka Miller, who died on June 15, 1857, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. The grandfather Loehr died on December 25, 1834, when eighty-one years of age. The mother of Paul H. Kurtz resided in Pennsylvania until her marriage, and being an earnest member of the German Baptist Church for fifty-eight years she was of great assistance to her husband in his church work. Out of seven children born to them only four are living: Harry, who died in Pennsylvania in childhood; Henrietta, who was born in Pennsylvania, died in Ohio when nine years of age; George H. was born in Pittsburg, Penn., and is living on the old home farm in Mahoning county, Ohio; Paul H.; Christian H., who died young; Henry J., who is living at Covington, Ohio, a man of no family. These children received excellent training, were taught to revere the Bible, and have lived to be a credit to the parents who reared them. Paul H. Kurtz spent his early life in Stark county, Ohio, but from the time he was fourteen years of age until he attained his twentieth year, his time was spent on a farm in Columbiana county, Ohio. After spending two years as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade, he began working at that calling and in 1850, with the idea of bettering his financial condition, he came to Elkhart county, Ind., and took up his residence near New Paris. From that time until 1853 he erected many houses and barns throughout the county and won an excellent reputation as a man who thoroughly understood his calling. In 1852 Mary P. Shively, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 4, 1829, became his wife, she being a daughter of Isaac and Susanna (Snyder) Shively, the father having come to this section from Stark county, Ohio, in 1847, his death occurring here in 1848, leaving a family of nine children: Jonas, Daniel, Mary P., Margaret, Susan and Barbara (twins), Joseph, Lydia, Esther, all of whom are living. The mother of these children, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, died in Jackson township this county, in 1857. The Shivelys were connected with the German Baptist Church, in which Isaac Shively was a deacon. Mrs. Kurtz was eighteen years of age upon her arrival in this county, and here she resumed an acquaintance with Mr. Kurtz which had been commenced when they were children in Ohio. After their marriage they kept house in New Paris for one year and from that time until 1855 they resided on an eighty-acre farm in Kosciusko county. They then located at Harrison Center in this county where Mr. Kurtz began giving his attention to the saw-mill business with his brother-in-law, Moses Teegarden. While in Kosciusko county Mr. Kurtz built a number of saw-mills and after going into that business for himself, he operated two mills at once. In 1864 he bought his present farm of 160 acres and now has a well-improved place. As a business man he has been successful, and this has not been only owing to his intelligent method of conducting his affairs, but to the fact that he has been very energetic and enterprising. He has always been a Republican in politics and in this respect, as well as in various other ways, his sons have followed in his footsteps. He has interested himself in public matters, thoroughly understands the issues of the day, and is a patriotic, whole souled and intelligent gentleman. He and his wife hold to the faith of the German Baptist Church, in which he has been a deacon for a number of years. He has been on the committee for the building of two churches, but other worthy enterprises also occupy his attention. Nine children have been born to this union: Amanda P., born August 2, 1853, died when fifteen months old; Lewis P. was born September 10, 1855, and is still with his parents, while his twin sister Catherine is the wife of Henry Sherman, of Harrison township, and is the mother of seven children: Charles, Minerva, Nettie, Oliver, Jerome, Luella and Vernon. Henry P. was born August 5, 1857, and is living at Milford, Ind.; Lovina was born February 21, 1850, is the wife of Charles Warstler, residing east of Elkhart and has one child, Ira; Sarah A., born December 18, l860, and died in infancy; Daniel P., born November 25, 1863; Leander P., born April 10, 1865, and Ida, born July 29, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz were married January 17, 1852. They have a commodious and substantial brick residence, which was erected in 1867, which is very conveniently arranged. Here they dispense a generous hospitality to the numerous friends they have gathered about them.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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PETER LOUCKS, who is one of the oldest pioneers of Elkhart county, Ind., has attained to the advanced age of four-score years and seven, for his birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Penn., September 21, 1805. He was married there February 1, 1827, to Miss Anna Berkey, who was also a Pennsylvanian, born September 1, 1808. Soon after their marriage they removed to Ohio, and after resid¬ing successively in Holmes, Medina and Wayne counties of that State, they, in 1851, came to this State and county and settled on the farm where their youngest son, Jonas, is living. They purchased 160 acres of woodland, on which a small log cabin had been erected, and on that farm Peter Loucks has resided ever since. He followed the calling of a shoemaker in Ohio, but since his residence in this county the most of his attention has been given to farming. He has been a life-long member of the Mennonite Church, is deeply interested in Christian work, and in the various affairs of the county he is very public spirited. He is now the oldest pioneer of Harrison township and as he has always endeavored to do what is fair and right, he has made numerous friends and few, if any, enemies. He is a man of strong convictions, and has ever been a stanch Republican in politics. For the past quarter of a century he has been retired from the active duties of life, and well deserves this rest after so faithfully and ably bearing the burden and heat of the day. His wife was called from life April 1, 1890, at the age of eighty-two years. She had been a life-long member of the Mennonite Church, was an exemplary Christian, a noble, kind and faithful wife and mother. She bore her husband seven sons and five daughters, of which family nine are living: Susanna, born April 28, 1828, died when four years old; Anna, born August 23, 1829, married David Swope, after his death John Buzzard, and died in 1890; Jacob, born September 9, 1831, is living in Olive township; William, born August 20, 1833, is living in St. Joseph county, Ind.; John, born September 18, 1835. is living in Olive township; Sarah, born November 29, 1837, is the wife of Tobias Myers; Martin, born March 11 ,1840; is a resident of Olive township; Isaac, born June 19, 1842, is living in southeast Nebraska; Catherine, born July 4, 1844, died after her marriage to Henry J. Culp, Peter, born January 22, 1847, is living in Kansas; Mary, born April 24, 1850, is the wife of William Holdeman and is living in Concord township, and Jonas, who was born January 3, 1853, lives on the old home place. This worthy old couple spent many years of hard work on their pioneer farm, but their work gradually told and they at last subdued the forces of nature and were in possession of a magnificent and valuable farm. Jonas Loucks, their youngest son, has resided on the old home farm in Elkhart county all his life and in his youth not only obtained a thorough education in the common schools near his home, but also learned lessons of industry, thrift and economy that have made him the well-to-do man that he is. He took the management of the home farm on his shoulders when about twenty-four years of age, and in 1890 bought the place of his father, who still makes his home with him. The place contains 160 acres, and although it is one of the oldest farms in the county, it has been so carefully managed that it is one of the most fertile of farms. Jonas Loucks is a sturdy young farmer of good business ability and devotes his farm to the raising of stock and grain. In 1876 he was married to Miss Anna Ramer, a native of this county, born March 9, 1854, a daughter of Tobias and Esther (Hoover) Ramer, the former of whom came to this section from Pennsylvania, married here, and here reared a family of five children: Fannie, Annie, Samuel, Martin and Susan. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks have four children: Susanna, born November 27, 1878; Martin, born March 25, 1881; Emma, born December 21, 1884, and Esther, born August 23, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks are members of the Mennonite Church, and he has been a preacher of that denomination for the past six years. He is a well-informed and intelligent man and the principles of the Republican party have always commended themselves to his judgment. The good of his section is of paramount interest with him, and he has done his full share in making it the desirable place of residence that it is.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
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1893
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JACOB LOUCKS, a well-known, practical and successful farmer of Elkhart county, Ind., was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 9, 1831, and is a son of Peter Loucks, whose sketch precedes this. The maternal grandparents were John and Susanna (Buzzard) Berkey, who removed from Pennsylvania to Holmes county, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days and reared twelve children: Christian, George, Isaac, Peter, John, Anna, Elizabeth, Barbara, Margaret, Mary, Rachel and Catherine. Peter Loucks was one of eight children as follows: Martha, John, Jacob, Henry, Peter, Sally, Mary and Catherine. Besides his own children Peter Loucks has sixty-four grandchildren and sixty-two great-grandchildren. The early life of Jacob Loucks was spent in Ohio, where he attended the district schools and assisted his father in tilling the soil, clearing land, grubbing, etc. After coming to this State he was married to Miss Catherine Freed, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Holdeman Freed, the former of whom was born in Virginia, a son of Jacob and Mary (Bideler) Freed. The grandfather, Jacob, was a resident of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, was there married, but became a resident of Holmes county, Ohio; here he died at the age of eighty-four years. Jacob, the father, was a young man when the family moved to Ohio and there he married Anna Freed, who bore him two sons, John and Andrew, both of whom became residents of Elkhart county, Ind., the latter being deceased. The mother of these children died in Ohio in 1833, and three years later the father married Margaret Holdeman, who was a daughter of Christian Holdeman, who removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, from Bucks county, Penn., where he died. His wife passed from life in Elkhart county in 1865. From this couple sprang all the Holdemans of this section. Jacob and Margaret (Holdeman) Freed first settled in Holmes county, Ohio, but in 1852 came to Elkhart county and began farming in Locke township. The father died April 2, 1869, at the age of seventy-two years, having been a minister of the Mennonite Church for many years. His wife passed from life May 30, 1887, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was first married to Samuel Yoder, by whom she had five children: John, Elizabeth, Jacob, Nancy and Samuel, her second marriage resulting in the birth of four children: Catherine, Mary, Joseph and Christian. Joseph was a soldier in the Civil war, participated in a number of engagements and during his service died at Jeffersonville, Ind. Mary is the wife of Anthony Whisler of Kansas, and Christina is the wife of Joseph Landis of this county. Mrs. Loucks has been a resident of this county since she was fifteen years of age, her birth occurring September 14, 1837, and at the age of seventeen she was married. She and her husband lived in St. Joseph county, this State, unti11891, when they bought the farm on which they are now living, in Olive township. They have built a new house and barn thereon and have in other ways greatly improved, the fences and outbuilding being repaired, etc. Their children are as follows: William H., born April 26, 1851, is married to Elnora Topper, is a resident of St. Joseph county and has five children: Franklin, Anna, Jarius, Nora and Dora; Sarah S., born March 23, 1860, is married to John R. Mikel and has one child: William H.; Mary E. was born April 8, 1862, is the wife of Joseph Dills and has five children: Minnie C., Eva M., Emma A., Alva E., and Sarah E., who is deceased; Andrew M. was born June 6, 1865, and died when one year old; Jacob O. was born October 15, 1867, is married to Barbara E. Anthony, and is living in St. Joseph county and has one child: Bertha E.; Anna Margaret, born August 22, 1870, and Jonas E., born October 12, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks are members of the Mennonite Church, and Mr. Loucks has been ordained a minister in the same. As a business man he has been prosperous and in the conduct of his affairs he has shown good judgment and much intelligence. He has a finely improved farm of 300 acres and still owns his old home in St. Joseph county. What he has in the way of worldly goods has been won by hard work, and he deserves much credit therefor. He is a Republican politically, and he has held official position in St. Joseph county.

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


FREDERICK TRISINGER is one of the stockholders and a prominent member of the Wakarusa Lumber Company, which is one of the most active firms in its line of work in the county. Mr. Trisinger was born in Canada, September 11, 1853, to Adam and Julia A. (Ohlheiser) Trisinger, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1826, or about that time, and was a son of Frederick and Julia A. Trisinger, who came to America with their family and settled in Canada, where a number of years were spent. They then came to Elkhart county, Ind. (in 1860), but the grandfather died during the trip and the grandmother passed from this life in St. Joseph county, Ind., about 1872. They reared a family of five children: Adam, Jacob, John, Philipbena and Lena, all of whom are living, but only one resides in this section of the county - Lena. The grandfather was a farmer throughout life and succeeded in accumulating a valuable property. Adam Trisinger was the second child born to his parents, and prior to their leaving Germany they acquired a good education in the schools of that country. He grew up on a farm in Canada, but also learned the butcher's trade, which calling he followed the greater part of his life. He was married in Canada and three of his children were born there. In 1856 he located in Elkhart county, Ind., and took up his residence in the vicinity of Wakarusa, after a short residence on that place, and till after the Civil war tilled a farm in Harrison township. He then moved to Bremen, Marshall county, where he conducted a butcher shop two years; then once more returned to Wakarusa, where he resided until his removal to Michigan. From that place he went to St. Joseph county, Ind., and for the past four or five years he has lived in that county. His children are as follows: Jacob, who died at the age of four years; Frederick, the subject of this sketch; Lena, who died in childhood; Mary, who was born in Indiana, is the wife of Jacob Harrington, and is a resident of Olive township, Elkhart county; and Catherine, who was born in Indiana, died in childhood. The mother of these children died in 1864, having been born in Germany. Like her husband she removed to Canada where her early life was spent. She was a life-long member of the German Lutheran Church, was a noble mother and a faithful and affectionate wife. After her death the father took for his second wife Miss Julia A. Burlingcourt, who is still living and has borne him five children: Lucinda, who is married and lives in South Bend, Ind.; Elizabeth, who also resides there; John, Solomon and William. Mr. Trisinger is a member of the German Baptist Church, in politics is a Republican, and is well known for his public spirit and intelligence. Frederick Trisinger was a child of three years when he was brought to Elkhart county, and in the public schools of this section he received a good practical, business education. He left home when only thirteen years of age, and since that time has made his own way in the world, and until he was twenty years of age his earnings were given to his father. He learned and worked at the carpenter's trade, succeeded well in his undertakings, and in 1877 engaged in saw-milling, and became a member of the Smeltzer Sons & Co., and since 1879 has helped to operate the business successfully. They manufacture all kinds of lumber for building purposes, and make a specialty of this kind of lumber. The members of this well-known firm are: Jacob H. Dell, John Smeltzer, H. J. Smeltzer, Fred Trisinger and Anthony Smeltzer. The mill has a capacity of 7,000 feet per day, for which a ready and profitable market is found. Mr. Trisinger was married on January 7, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Smeltzer, a daughter of John Smeltzer. She was born June 29, 1860, and has presented her husband with two children, only one of whom is living, Maudie J., who was born on March 20, 1885. The other child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Trisinger are members of the Christian Church at Wakarusa, and in politics Mr. Trisinger is a Republican, the interests of which he has always furthered to the best of his ability. As a man of affairs he has shown remarkable foresight and it is owing to his good judgment and business acumen that he has accumulated the handsome property of which he is now the owner. He and Mrs. Trisinger are considered among the first people of Wakarusa, and their hospitable home is a favorite resort for their numerous friends.

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


JEREMIAH HAUN, who since 1866 has made his home in Olive township, was born in Fayette county, Penn., February 12, 1830, the third in a family of twelve children reared by John and Martha (Shank) Haun, the former of whom was born in that county and State also, his birth occurring May 1, 1801. He was a son of one of the early pioneers of that county, and of that section he remained a resident until he was twenty-five years of age, but owing to the fact that he was forced to begin working at a very early age, his opportunities for obtaining an education were limited. He was married in Fayette county and in 1837 moved to Holmes county, Ohio, where, in addition to tilling the soil, he followed the occupation of threshing for many years, and succeeded in becoming well to do. He was active in the political affairs of his section and was a life-long Republican. He is now living a retired life in Holmes county, and has attained to the advanced age of ninety-two years. Notwithstanding the fact that the snows of many winters have passed over his head, he is quite active for one of his age and his mind shows but little the ravages of time. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is interested in Christian work, and reared his children to honest and industrious manhood and womanhood. His wife was born in Fayette county, Penn., in 1807, a daughter of Christian Shank, and resided with her husband and children in Ohio until her death in 1889, at the age of eighty-three years. She had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, was a helpmate, indeed, to her husband, and was devotion itself to the following children which she bore her hus¬band: James is a farmer, a man of family and resides in Holmes county, Ohio; Mary is the wife of Christian Kilmer, of Holmes county; Jeremiah (the subject of this sketch), is a farmer and lives in Elkhart county, Ind.; Peter, died at the age of fifteen in Holmes county; Nancy, who is the wife of John L. Moyer, of Clay county, Ind.; Uriah, who died at the age of seventeen years; Mahala, who died in childhood; two that died in infancy; Harry, whose residence was in Holmes county, but who died in Missouri in 1890. He had been a member of Company G, Nineteenth Ohio Regiment, was in battles, and was taken a prisoner of war at Chickamauga, and was kept in captivity at Andersonville for eighteen months, during which time he suffered untold hardships and privations; Jacob, who was a soldier in the One Hundred and Second Ohio Regiment, was taken a prisoner in Alabama, and was kept in captivity for six months, during which time he was treated very cruelly. His regiment was blown up on a boat near St. Louis about the close of the war. He died in 1877, leaving a family in Wayne county, Ohio, where he for many years followed the occupation of farming. Solomon, living in Wayne county, is a farmer and a man of family. Jeremiah was six years of age when taken to Ohio, and on a woodland farm in that State he grew to manhood. He received a fair education in the district schools but at the age of twenty-one he started out for himself and settled on a farm in Holmes county, where he was married to Mariah, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Showalter) Longnecker, who were early settlers of that region. The father died at Mr. Haun's home in Elkhart county, his wife's death occurring in Owen county, Ind. They were about seventy-five years of age and he was a member of the Mennonite and she of the Dunkard Church. Their children were: Isaac, of Ohio; Sarah, married Jacob F. Lentz, and is deceased; Mariah: Rebecca, wife of F. Coppage, of Terre Haute, Ind.; Leah is the deceased wife of William Stevie, of Ohio; Lovina is the wife of Eugene Doriot, of Fulton county, Ohio; Rhoda is the wife of F. M. Barnhart, of Clay county, Ind.; Adaline is the wife of Jacob F. Rohrer, of Elkhart county; Elizabeth died unmarried; Joseph died at two years of age; Amanda became the wife of George Leferer, of Elkhart county. The parents of these children became prominent residents of Ohio in 1836. They made a good property and reared a family that commanded the respect of all. He was a Republican in politics. Mrs. Haun was born in Fayette county, Penn., February 13, 1835, and was a child when the family settled in the woods of Ohio. She and Mr. Haun grew up in the same neighborhood and attended the same school. In 1866 they came to Elkhart county, Ind., and as Mr. Haun had previously been very successful in business, he was enabled to purchase 161 acres of land in Olive township, and this has since been his home. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church; he is one of its stewards and politically is a member of the Republican party, which he has always enthusiastically supported. In 1868 he was elected trustee of Olive township, and held the position three successive terms. He bas been very successful as a stock raiser, and as a tiller of the soil has been no less prosperous for he brings to bear sound judgment and practical experience. To himself and wife have been born a good old fashioned family of fourteen children: Mary, born February13, 1853, died December 17, 1854; Martha E., born September 16, 1854, is the wife of Allen Maurer, of Marshall county, Ind., and has these children: Dora, Jeremiah, Daisy, Allen, Marvin; Joel (who died at the age of twelve); Clementine (died at four years), and three died in infancy; Almira, born February 11, 1855, and died December 17, 1864; Isaac H., born November 8, 1857, died December 22, 1864; Joel S., born March 6, 1859, died December 12, 1864; Lorenzo R., born April 10, 1861, died April 10, 1878; Harrison R., born April 30, 1863, died December 19, 1864; Joseph G., born November 26,1864, is living in Olive township, married to Caroline Marker, by whom he has a daughter : Olga L., and two children who died in infancy; Pera E., born March 17, 1867, is the wife of Wayne F. Fichler, of Wakarusa, and is the mother of two children: Ruby and Vernon J.; Homer was born June 21, 1869, and died June 22,1869; Adelpha, born April 7, 1872, is the wife of Ruel R. Reinebold, of St. Joseph county, by whom she has one child: Volney G.; John M. was born July 17, 1874; Pardon was born July 11, 1877, and died at the age of four months; and Lulu M. was born March 4, 1882. Five of their children died inside of two weeks, in 1864, of diphtheria. Mr. and Mrs. Haun are among the best known citizens of their section of the country, and through their own industry are now enjoying their comfortable and pleasant home. Mr. Haun raises a high grade of draft horses and a fine breed of sheep.

“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


CHRISTIAN BLOCHER has been a resident of Elkhart county, Ind., for the past twenty-seven years, but was born in Erie county, N. Y., December 15, 1836, a son of Christian and Catherine (Beam) Blocher, the former of whom was of Lancaster county, Penn., born December 16, 1806, a son of John Blocher, who was a native of Switzerland and was brought to Lancaster county, Pa., when two years old, but later became a resident of Erie county, N. Y., where he died at a ripe old age. His wife, who was a Miss Frick, died in Erie county also. They reared a family of eleven children: John, Jacob, Tison, Christian, Peter, David, Martha, Susan, Sophia, Elizabeth and Polly, of whom Sophia is the only survivor. Christian was reared on a farm in York State, there grew up and married and there paid the last debt of nature March 27, 1852. When a young man he had married Catherine Beam, a daughter of Christian Beam, of the same county in New York, but her birth occurred in the same county as that of her husband October 2, 1799, and died in Indiana with her son, Christian, on July 2, 1877. She was the mother of six children: David, born July 27, 1831, and died in Erie county at the age of forty-six years; Peter was born February 1, 1834, and died June 11, 1892, in Pennsylvania; Christian; John C., who was born July 18, 1839, and is a resident of Bloomington, Ill.; Catherine, born September 24, 1842, is the wife of Jacob Bessey. The father and mother were members of the Mennonite Church and politically he was a Whig, and as a tiller of the soil succeeded in accumulating some property. In the public schools of New York State, Christian Blocher received a good business education, and owing to the death of his father, he began making his own way in the world at the age of fifteen years. He worked on different farms in Erie county until he was nineteen years of age, then went to Michigan and began devoting his attention to the lumber business. After remaining there a short time he began tilling the soil and continued it until the firing on Fort Sumter caused him to abandon his plow in order to fight his country's battles and the same year his name could be found on the rolls of Company G, Seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry, he being one of the first men to enlist in his country's service. He held the rank of corporal and was promoted to sergeant, a position he was filling at the time he quit the army three years later. He was with the Army of the Potomac and was at Fair Oaks, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, where his regiment had 216 men wounded and thirty-nine killed. Mr. Blocher was wounded in both heels by a gunshot and was in the hospital for some time before he was able to rejoin his regiment. He was also at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and on May 6, 1864, was struck by a spent ball which knocked him down but did not injure him. When his term of service had expired he received his discharge on the field, but after remaining at home about two months he returned to the service. When the war was over he returned to New York and was there married on June 18, 1865, to Susannah Martin, who was born in Erie county June 6, 1837. She was a daughter of Abraham and Mariah (Herst) Martin, both of whom died in York State, the former having been born in Pennsylvania. After his marriage Mr. Blocher removed with his wife to Ohio, but came to Elkhart county, Ind., a few months later and after renting for some time purchased a farm of eighty-five acres which had been partly improved. He and his wife began devoting their energies to improving this land and it is now a well improved and well-cultivated tract. His wife is a member of the Mennonite Church and he has always been an active Republican in politics. He has held the office of township supervisor for eight years and since 1886 has held the office of township trustee two terms. He is interested in the much needed improvement of the public roads, and has always been a patron of the public schools. He raises nearly all the cereals on his farm, and stockraising has received considerable attention at his hands. He and his family are highly regarded in their community and he is well known to the agriculturists of Elkhart county. He has a family of four children: Martin A., who was born July 22, 1866, is married to Maggie Winger, has one child, and is a farmer of Olive township; John M., born June 7, 1868, has been a school teacher for a number of years and has become quite prominent as an educator; Anna E. was born January 19, 1870, is married to J. W. Moyer, of Olive township, and Ida A., who was born February 14, 1872, is at home with her parents.

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


Deb Murray