JOSEPH H. LARIMER, ex-clerk of the Miami Circuit court and one of the leading members of the Miami county bar, is a native of Deer Creek township, this county, where he was born February 3, 1854, and is the fourth son of Joseph D. and Mary A. (Miller) Larimer, natives of Fairfield and Perry counties, Ohio, respectively. Joseph D. Larimer was born in the year 1826, emigrated to Indiana in 1846, and settled on a farm in Deer Creek township, where his death occurred August 11, 1877.

The subject of this sketch spent his early life on the farm, received in the common schools a good English education, and at the age of twenty began teaching and followed this profession for six years. During his career as teacher he commenced reading law with John W. Curran, of Kokomo. In 1880 he read law with Farrars & Carpenter and was admitted to the bar in October of the same year. He did not at once engage in the active practice of his chosen profession, but took charge of the Bunker Hill Press, a weekly paper, of which he was editor and proprietor from November, 1880, to November, 1881. Severing his connection with said paper, he returned to Peru, where he engaged in the active practice of law, which he continued until elected clerk of the Circuit court. He made the race for this office against one of the most popular candidates placed in the field and after an exciting contest was elected by a decided majority. He took the office in 1887, was reelected to the office and served continuously until August, 1895. He was selected as president of the Peru street fair in 1895. Since leaving the clerk's office he has been engaged in the practice of law. He and his partner, David E. Rhodes, are building up a large and lucrative law practice.

Mr. Larimer was united in marriage November 21, 1882 with Miss Lillie M. Bliler, of Cass County, Indiana.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


JOS. A. NICOLES was born December 29, 1850, on the old homestead by the township house in Pipe Creek township. His father was of English and German descent, born in Virginia, in 1804. He emigrated to Ohio in an early day. He was married to Elizabeth Davidson in 1830 and moved to Indiana and settled first near Twelvemile in the '30's. By this union were born four sons and one daughter: Aleniah W., November 18. 1831; Samuel J., October 3. 1833; Wm. H., December 13, 1839; Francis M., March 31, 1841; Susannah, May 25, 1836. Elizabeth died June 11, 1841.

His father remarried in October 23, 1842, to Mary E. Maxey. By this union were born Mariah E., August 11, 1843; James C., November 18, 1844; Jacob N., November 3, 1846; George J., November 9, 1848; Jos. A., December 29, 1850; Desdemona A., March 24, 1853; Nathaniel A. and Arthur D., May 19, 1855; Thomas A. October 23, 1858. In 1848 he moved to Pipe Creek township, on the farm now owned by Wm. Tillett, where he remained till his death, which occurred November 21, 1878. His father's second wife Mary, died June 8, 1877. Jos. A., received his education principally at the home district school. He attended the spring term of 1872 at the state normal and took a course at the Terre Haute Commercial college the same year. He clerked in a grocery owned by Wm. Hensel, of Tere Haute, for eight months - during the spring and summer of 1873, then clerked for T. H. Riddle during the summer of 1874, who carried in stock notions, millinery, jewelery and fancy goods. Then he took up school teaching which he followed for a period of four years. Having taught four terms in Indiana and one term in Illinois. The Illinois school was a spring term. These terms were in 1875, '76, '77 and '78; spring term in 1876. He was married to Amanda J. Erbaugh on April 12. 1877, - a daughter of Philip Erbaugh. To this union four sons are born: Pliney C., February 9, 1878; Arthur W., September 3, 1884; Claud E., January 22, 1887; Warren E., April 4, 1896; Amanda J. was born September 22, 1857.

Jos. A., has been engaged principally since marriage, in farming, however in the spring 1888, he engaged in the hardware and grocery business, having bought out a stock of hardware owned by B. Sullavan & Son, of Bunker Hill and a stock of groceries of Jacob Apgar. In the fall of the same year he added dry goods and continued in the business until the spring of 1890, closing out on account of poor health. He sold the hard ware and implements to John Isler and the dry goods and groceries to R. Miller & Co. Mr. Nicoles was elected trustee of Pipe Creek township April, 1890, and served in that capacity with credit and honor to himself and his constituants.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


THE REV. B. F. CAVINS, D. D., the pastor of the Baptist church at Peru, was born at Bloomfield, Indiana, March 25, 1838. He attended college at Greencastle, Indiana, and graduated from the law department of the State University at Bloomington in 1859. Immediately thereafter he located in Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he remained in the practice of law until the war of the rebellion broke out. He early enlisted in the service in the 2nd Indiana cavalry and remained in the service until the close of the war. In 1869 he united with the Baptist church and was ordained to the ministry in June, 1870. In June, 1871, he became pastor of the Baptist church at Vincennes, Indiana. After remaining there nearly two years, the church at Madison extended him a call to be its pastor, which call was accepted. After being at Madison several months, the Baptist church at Greensburg, Indiana, offered him the pastorate of that church. Accepting this call he remained pastor for seven years. In March, 1882, he received and accepted the call to become the pastor of the First Baptist church of Peru, where he has continued his work up to this date. He found the church small in members, but with many earnest workers, so that from a babe, the church has grown to a giant. Under this pastorate the old house was torn down and the present magnificent structure reared.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


JOHN H. RUNKLE, the present county superintendent of schools, and the author of the chapter on school history of this book, was born near Macy, Miami county, Indiana, October 20, 1861. His father, Jacob Runkle, was a native of Perry county, Ohio, and his mother, Mary (Leyse) Runkle was a native of Switzerland. She, with her parents, emigrated to this country in 1852. They made the voyage in a sail boat, taking 36 days to cross the Atlantic. Mr. Runkle, the subject of this sketch, lived on the farm with his father until he was 21 years of age. He received a common school education at Germany school house in Allen township and attended his first county normal under the supervision of W. C. Bailey in 1883. He taught his first school at the Zartman school house in the fall and winter of 1883-'84. Mr. Runkle is what the American people call a "self-made man." By his own individual energy and will he has ascended to the important position which he so successfully maintains. Being limited in means he taught in the winter and attended school at Valparaiso in the summer. He was elected trustee of Allen township over an opposing party majority in 1890, and in the winter of 1890-'91 taught school at Gilead and attended to the duties as trustee at the same time. In the spring of 1891, he resigned his office as trustee of Allen township to run for county superintendent and was elected to this office in June of that year on the 96th ballot. He was re-elected in June, 1898, and again in 1895.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


CHARLES W. PALMER, the subject of this sketch, and author of the history of Allen township, was born on October 8, 1866. He is the son of Wilson and Nancy E. (Packard) Palmer, the former a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. Mr. Palmer was reared on a farm, and until he reached his majority attended the district schools of the township in winter and worked on the farm in summer. After graduating from the graded schools of Macy he took up the avocation of teaching, and has taught successfully for the past ten years, which fact is verified by his having only been employed in three different schools in that time. Mr. Palmer having a taste for legal knowledge employed his spare time in the study of law, and is at present the deputy prosecutor of Allen township. Besides looking after violators of the criminal law in his locality, he enjoys a good civil practice and if no unseen circumstances appear to bar his progress will in the near future be one of the leading attorneys of the county.

In 1887 Mr. Palmer was married to Ettna E. Collins, and to them have been born two children: Walter S. and Doris F., Walter S. dying in infancy.

Mr. Palmer is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. fraternites, having been secretary of the former for more than four years. He is a member of the Christian church and a democrat in politics, having for many years taken a deep interest in both religious and political matters.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


COL. H. F. UNDERWOOD, the writer of the military history in this book, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1813. He was brought up on a farm, worked nine months in a year and attended school in a log schoolhouse the balance of the year. During said school period he had to perform the necessary morning and evening work on the farm.

In October, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 43rd regiment, Ohio volunteers. In October, 1862, at the battle of Corinth, Miss., he was wounded, resulting in the loss of his left hand. He was discharged and attended school for one year at the Fairfield Union academy at Pleasantville, Ohio, when he returned to the army, in the transportation department, at Chattanooga, Tenn., where he remained until Aug. 1, 1865.

In April, 1866, he came to Miami county, Indiana. He was absent for a time at Oberlin, Ohio, attending school, returning in the latter part of 1867. On the first day of August, 1868, he commenced to read law in the office of Shirk & Mitchell at Peru, and was admitted to practice at the bar in 1869. At that time and for many years he gave his attention to the practice in the departments at Washington, D. C., in which business he is still engaged.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


DR. JAMES A. MEEK, writer of the history of Bunker Hill in this book, was born in Lexington, Scott county, Indiana, Aug. 18, 1828. His parents were Robert and Lydia B. (Haas) Meek, and were natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. At an early age he was left by the death of his father to rely on his own resources for a living. At the age of 20 he began the study of medicine at Laporte, Ind., in the office of his uncle, Dr. T. D. Lemon. After dilligent study for two years and attending a course of lectures from the Laporte Medical college, he began the practice of medicine in New Marion, Ripley county, in 1850. On the first day of March, 1852, he, with others, left for the gold fields of California, making the entire trip with ox teams, the last 100 miles leaving their worn-out and broken-down teams and traveling over the Sierra Nevada mountains on foot, carrying their blankets and other camping utensils, reaching Placerville, or Haughton as it was then called in four days. In the fall of 1854 he returned to the states and was married to Matilda E. Davis, of South Bend, Ind., Dec. 25, locating in Peru two days later. In 1866 he was elected recorder of the town of Peru. In 1858 he removed from Peru, locating in Bunker Hill, where he has since resided.

Mrs. Meek died Dec. 9, 1866, leaving two children, Mary L. Hartman (deceased) and Thomas E. Meek, of Chicago. In 1868 the doctor was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary B. Gilmore, widow of Dr. A. W. Gilmore, who was the mother of two children, Daniel T. of the state of Washington, and Mary F. Bolton, of Chicago. Mrs. Mary B. Meek died Oct. 2, 1891. In 1859 the doctor was appointed the first postmaster of Bunker Hill, and is now holding the office, having been appointed in 1893.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


JAMES L. KLING, the veterinary surgeon, was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, Jan. 25, 1852. His parents moved to this county when he was about 2 years old and located at Waupecong . They remained there for about four years, and then moved to a farm southwest of Waupecong. Here the subject of our sketch grew to manhood and developed a hardy, rugged constitution. While quite young he was engaged in assisting his father in managing and operating one of the old horse-power threshing machines, and, when older, he and his brothers bought and operated the first steam-power thresher in that section of the county, in which business they have had a continuous interest. Now the firm of Kling & Sarns own three first-class traction engines and threshing outfits, also a heavy portable saw mill.

Mr. Kling was married to Sarah C. Strebin, Jan. 27, 1877, to which union one son was born, which died in infancy.

During his boyhood Mr. Kling developed a love for horses and domestic animals, and soon learned the art of castrating, a business he has successfully followed for over eighteen years, during which time he developed himself by reading and assimilating the hest standard works on veterinary practice until he was competent to treat almost any ailment of the horse. Not being satisfied with the knowledge thus acquired he has taken a thorough course of study at the Chicago Veterinary college, from which he lacks only a few weeks of graduation. He is at present engaged in practice at his home two miles south of McGrawsville, spending Fridays and Saturdays at Converse.

Mr. Kling is a thorough citizen and is very highly respected by his large acquaintance, which extends throughout this and adjoining counties.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


DAVID G. JACOBS, of Pipe Creek township, was born in Miflin county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 24, 1846. His parents, David and Rebecca J. (McKinstry), both living, are natives of that state, born 1811 and 1817, respectively. His ancestors for generations have been tillers of the soil. His father's mother was born in Ireland, and came to the United States at the age of 12, just prior to the revolutionary war. His mother's grandfather, Bratton, was a soldier in that war.

David's parents came to this county in the fall of 1849, bought the piece of property on West Third street where Billy Levi now lives, rented land near town and harvested crops on the present site of Grant street and the woolen mills. After two or three years the residence was traded to E. H. Shirk for a farm of 206 acres, where they now live in Pipe Creek township. Seventy-eight acres were purchased later. Part of the farm is river-bottom land.

David's father was one of the early trustees, when there were three elected, and when the law was changed to make one eligible to the office a year at a time he was chosen eight years in succession. The business of the township was the subject of conversation frequently at home and this enabled the son to early obtain a knowledge of such affairs. At the age of 22 David was elected assessor and served two years, and then after several years was chosen to a four years term. In the fall of 1894 he was elected for the short term, and has assessed the real estate of Pipe Creek township twice and the personal property eight times.

Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage in November, 1868, to Elizabeth Garber. This union has been blessed with five children - Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Charles Lees; Carrie B., Maggie M., John William and Edna. The youngest, Edna, is 15 years old. But few couples are blessed with such an excellent family.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896


George Rettig, Sr. came to this city in August, 1838. (Peru, IN). The latter was a native of Alsace, the a province of France but now a part of the German empire. He learned the mason's trade and was married in his native land to Miss Mary Snyder, and in 1830 he crossed the Altantic to America with his wife and two year old child. (George Jr.). After a short stay in Philadelphia the family removed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and subsequently went to Columbus, Ohio, where Mr. Rettig was engaged on the constructi on of the new capitol. He remained in that city about two years, and ten removed to Marion county, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of wild land, clearing the same of the heavy growth of timber which covered it. In 1838 he came with his family to Peru, where he engaged in work at his trade. When a boy in his native land he had worked some time at the baker's trade, and believing that this would prove a good field for an enterprise of that character, owing to the fact that many men were employed on the construction of the Erie & Wabash canal, he established a bakery, which he conducted until 1852. In the meantime he invested the profits of his business in land and thus became possessed of two valuable farms. He now removed to one of these, where he passed the remainder of his active business life. His wife died in 1860, and he spent his last years in the homes of his children, dying at the home of his daughter in Peru, in 1866. He is well remembered by many of the old residents of the county as an honest, upright citizen, worthy of all confidence. His cash capital at the time of his arrival in America consisted of only five French coins of the denomination of five francs, which amounted to five dollars. By industry and economy, however, he secured a comfortable competence and by his honorable business methods won the public confidence. He spoke both German an French fluently. In religious faith he and his wife were Lutherans. In their family were six children, and with the exception of George Jr. all were born in America.

Carolyn Beron
Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana.
Family information will be available at the Miami Co., IN > Historical Society genealogy dept. in Peru, Indiana. Copies will be > mailed upon request.


George Rettig, Jr.. was about ten years of age when he came with the family to Peru in 1838. He received such literary instruction as the subscription school of the place afforded in the early days, and in 1850 he went to California where he was associated in business in the mining regions with J. O. Cole, of Peru, spending about two years on the Pacific slope. In the spring of 1853 he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Van Camp, and immediateley thereafter took charge of his father's bakery business. On selling that enterprise he erected a brewery and in 1866 was joined in the conduct of the same by his former partner, Mr Cole. In 1868 he sold his interest to Mr. Cole, who became sole proprietor. Mr. Rettig is the pioneer ice dealer of the town, being the first to engage in that business in Peru. It was in 1852 that he began the sale and delivery of ice to citizens, and in a short time he built up a good business. About 1880 he went to Cincinnati, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber. Later he erected an ice plant at Anderson, Indiana, and for about two years was engaged in the manufacture of ice in that place. On the expiration of that period he sold his plant, but established a similar enterprise in Norfolk, Virginia, in connection with the Columbus Iron Works. His son Frand was associated with him in that undertaking, but later they disposed of that interest and established an ice factory in Chattanooga, Tennes see of which the son still has charge. while the father has retired for the more active duties of business life. In 1856 Mr. Rettig was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife who died leaving one child, Lorena, now the wife of Frank M. Talbot, of Indianapolis. In 1858 Mr. Rettig married Georgianna Pefferman, a native of Ohio and two sons and two daughters have been born of this marriage. Mr. Rettig has ever been recognized as an estimable citizen. Peru has been his home for sixty years and he has witnessed its growth from a mere hamlet to a city of wealth and importance. His support has ever been given to measures for the public benefit, and at the same time, by judicious management and enterprise, he has won a handsome competence, which enables him to put aside the more arduous duties of life and rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

J.O. Cole was a gold prospector in California in the 1850 's. He found enough to buy into the Rettig brewery and have a family fruit farm. The firm of Rettig & Cole is referenced in official documents in August 4, 1877 as owners of land that through which a ditch would pass.

Franklin J. Blair was killed in an explosion at Cole's Brewery on July 18, 1885.

George Rettig is listed as having "interests in brewery, pork packing & real estate" in 1888 according to the book "Here We Live Over the Last Fifty Years", Peru and Miami County, 1885-1935 by Patricia Jones Settle.

There is reference to J.O. Cole being the proprietor of Peru Brewery in 1905.

The Cole brewing operation ended with prohibition. By that time the family had a traveling circus and also continued the Cole Bros. Natural Spring Water using the same spring that supplied the brewery.

Cole Porter, born 1891, was given his his mother's maiden name (J.O. Cole's daughter).

"Last Friday noon we made a little run over to Peru and returned in the evening. - - - On our drive we expected to take in Col. Sol. Hathaway, of Indianapolis, one of the rock-ribed (sic) Hoosier newspaper men, but after putting himself outside of one of Bob Pelkey's ten pound dinners it was thought unsafe to subject him to a shaking up behind Kratzer's careering steeds. From the water works we drove across the river to Omer Cole's (formerly Rettig's) mammoth brewery, where it is said the purest and best beer in Indiana is manufactured." The Rochester Sentinel, February 7, 1879 Early Students at Notre Dame Rettig, George - Rettig, George - IN - - 1876/77

1880 Federal Census
George RETTIG Self M Male W 52 OH Farmer --- ---
Georgiana RETTIG Wife W Female W 41 OH Keeping House PRUSSIA PRUSSIA
Otto RETTIG Son S Male W 18 IN At Home OH OH
Isabel RETTIG Dau S Female W 15 IN At Home OH OH
Georgiana RETTIG Dau S Female W 6 IN At Home OH OH
Lenora BARE Other S Female W 20 VA Servant VA VA
Source Information:
Census Place South Peru, Miami, Indiana
Family History Library Film 1254298
NA Film Number T9-0298
Page Number 588C

Carolyn Beron
Per information from: Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana.
Family information will be available at the Miami Co., IN > Historical Society genealogy dept. in Peru, Indiana. Copies will be > mailed upon request.


Deb Murray