Marshall County, Indiana - Chapter 29: German Township, 1881

Chapter 29: German Township

the boundary lines as follows: " Ordered, that all the territory lying and being in he northeast corner of said county, and bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of said county, thence west on the county line dividing the counties of St. Joseph and Marshall to the center of Township 33 north, of Range No. 3 east; thence south on a straight line dividing Marshall and Kos ciusko Counties, thenee north on said line to the place of beginning, shall form a civil township for judicial purposes; and be it further ordered, that said township be known by the name of German Township."

March 9, 1853, Franklin Township was organized by dividing to southward by the range line, dividing Ranges 3 and 4, and embracing all that part of German Township lying east of said range line. January 7, 1855, the name of Franklin Township was

Clayton

Clayton was the name of the first town site located in German Township. This was August 21, 1837. The proprietors were Lathrop M. Taylor and Henry Augustine, of South Bend. Mr. Taylor was at that time Clerk of St. Joseph County. The location was about three miles east of the present town of Bremen. Its form was a diagonal, cut up into gorgeous streets and avenues. But the center of gravity did not seem to be in that region, and the project of building a town there was abandoned.

The town of Bremen, the present seat of justice of German Township, was platted and laid out by George Beiler October 21, 1851. The original plat contained forty-eight lots. Since that time, the following additions have been made to the original plat: Deitrick's, Heim's, Ringle's, Bauer's first and second, Foltz's continued, Mast's, L. R. Martin's, D. Ringle's, Koontz's, Vanner's and J. P. Huff's. The town was organized under the law authorizing the corporation of towns, at the March term, 1871, of the Board of Commissioners. It was divided into six districts. The officers first elected were: Lewis Theobold, Clerk and Treasurer; David Guyer, Marshal; Chris Seiler, Assessor; John Heckaman, Charles Lehr, Chris Hans, John Koontz, Jacob Walter and Chris Schilt, Trustees. In 1572, the town was re-districted, and the

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1880 - Charles H. Lehr, Clerk and Treasurer; Charles Mochelmeister, Marshal; John Walters, Chris Hans, Jr., John Koontz, Samuel Landerman and John Huff, Trustees.

The Fire Department

_ The fire department was established September 8, 1874, at which time bonds to the amount of 52,100 were issued to purchase the necessary apparatus. These bonds have since been redeemed. and the town is clear of debt.

Hoosier Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 was organized June 5, 1874. The first officers were Adam Hans, Foreman; J. Walters, Assistant Foreman; J. H. Foltz, Secretary and Treasurer.

The company took the first prize at the firemen's tourmament at Bourbon in September, 1877, running 300 yards, stacking ladder and putting man over top; time, thirty-four and a half seconds.

Union Engine Company was organized October 15, 1874, and the following officers elected: John Walter, Foreman; Peter Voegli, Assistant Foreman; JohoR. Deitrich, Secretary and Treasurer. ~

The following are the numes of the present members: John Walter, Peter Voegli, John Huff, C, Stanb, V. Fisher, A. Dellbrenner, C. Foltz, Samuel Foltz, Henry Hantz, Jo McConnell, M. Fink, George Angry, J. P. Huff, J. F. Bowman, David Landerman, John Bauer, Jr., Jep Turner, Samuel Landerman, Fred Gruber, H. H. Miller, Jacob Freese, Peter Stine, J. R. Deitrich, John H. Koontz, Henry Golatz.

Union Hose Company, No. 1, organized October 14, 1874, by the election of the following officers: Charles Glass, Foreman; George Weil, Assistant Foreman; H. Schuester, Secretary; George Keifer, Treasurer; David Vol!mer, Jacob Hans, Pipemen.

The following is a list of members to date: Henry Schuester, J. Vollmer, D. Vollmer, George Hans, Samuel Rosenfeld, Thomas Walters, Chris Koeptle, F. Steveson, Josiah Foltz, H. Schilt, C. Keifer, J. Young, C. Hans, Theo Koch, Frank Wahl.

Union Hose Company, No. 2, was organized June 13, 1878, by the election of the following officers: Frank Yuckey, Foreman: John Hans, Assistant Foreman; Peter Deitrich, Treasurer; Ed Beihl, Secretary; Charles Hans and Theo Walters, Pipemen.

The following are the members: William Koontz, Ed Beihl, Theo Walters, Ed. Heckaman, F. Foltz, Josh Walters, Abe Fries, J. F. Koontz, Bush Walters, H. Bachman, Noah Haas, the best time, running 100 yards, laying fifty feet of hose, and throwing water tifty feet: time, thirty-four and one-fourth seconds. They were awarded the first prize. amounting to SSI),

The Post Office

The post office was established in Bremen about 1847. George Pomeroy was the first Postmaster, so far as can be ascertained, although probably there might have been some one acting as Postmaster prior to that time. The snecessors of Mr. Pomeroy are as follows: Joseph Parker, John Prottsman, John Svice, Jonas Miller, Dr. William Stange, Phillip Kinnegar, Henry Hartsock, and Moses Keyser, the present incumbent. Mr. Keyser has had charge of the office for the past thirteen years. The office was made a money-order office July 1,1577. Money orders have been issued since that time as follows: 1877, 336; 1878, 725: 1579. 1,101; January 1 to May, 1580, 409. Burglars entered the post office at one time, securing for their trouble stamps and small change amounting toabout $20. The office is now supplied with tsyo daily and one weekly mails.

The religious, benevolent and other societies usually found in places of its size are fully represented here. The religious denominations maintaining organizations are Methodist Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Brethren, Congregational, Evangelical, Catholic and Allbrights. Each of the evangelical denominations maintain a Sunday school, having an aggregate membership of about three hundred pupils.

The United Brethren Chureh was organized in 1853. 5. W. Wells, minister in charge. Since that time, the following have acted as Presiding Elders of the organization; H. Freeman, J. 5. Yodd, G. W. Fast, J. B. Bash, John Surran, H. A. Snep, N, Castle, J. M. Harshey, George Sickafoose, J. A. Cummins.

The stated preachers have been 8. W. Wells, J.8. Todd, Preston Wells, A. Richhart, H. Tack, Fletcher Thomas, D. Williamson, M. Hutt, A. Reed, J. Surran, John Good, J. ©. Larue, A. M. Cummins, Eph Best, J. 8. Todd and N. F. Surface.

The Congregational Church - The following, copied from the records of the church, contains all the information obtainable m relation to the history of this organization:

"Tn the fall of 1872, the excitement of the political campaign led some ardent Republicans to desire a hall in which they might meet without leave of the opposite party. A committee was appointed te canvass the matter, and - the matter rested, Soon, the only hall in town passed into the hands of a Republican, and the committee did not report. Time passed. The originator of the hall project was not satisfied. The political question was not the only one involved. The English-speaking people had no church in town. The schoolhonse was closed against Sunday

"Tn the fallof 1873, a number of families connected with what was known as the Michigan Mill Company came to Bremen. In the conrse of the winter, Mr. Baldwin interested himself, and the family in which he boarded, Mr. and Mrs. Morris (his own family resided in Michigan City}, in reading Dr. Talmadge's sermons on Sabbath afternoons. The interest naturally extended to Mr. Loney's family, thence to Mr. Wright's and others, and the reading developed a regular service, occurring Sabbath evenings, alternately at Mr. Wright's and Mr. Loney's. Meantime, Mr. Wright's long-cherished plan of erecting a hall was working itself out. Despairing of any aid without an organization, and at the same time of any organization without a place of meeting. he concluded to appropriate a partof his shop te higher uses. The work of entting off and fitting up a room, thirty-six by forty feet, on the second story of the shop was commenced. The hall having been completed, and comfortably and tastily furnished, chiefly by Mz. Wright's enterprise, by invitation, Rev. Everts Kent, of Michigan City. preached to a large congregation, morning and evening, Sunday, April 12, 1874. At 2 o'clock, communion service was held, and the church was organized, Congregational in polity, consisting of J. J. Wright and wife, W. D. Wright, their son, Mr. and Mrs. Loney, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Macomber, and D. J. Baldwin. Up to this date (1580), forty persons have been admitted to membership. Only one has died - Mrs. ©. L. Schilt. The church has been depleted by removal until it now has enrolled twenty-eight, of whom nine are reported absent The services of the church have been maintained by lay readers, the officers of the chureh officiating, except that, during the summer of 1576, Rev. E. D. Kelser supplied the pulpit four months. Ministerial aid has been supplied by the courtesy of benevolent societies resident at Chicago and neighboring Pastors, and for the last two years by State Missionary Rev. L. P. Rose.

The Sunday school was organized on the Sunday following the organization of the church. Sinall at first, it grew in numbers and interest to an enrollmentof about one hundred. For the last three years, the chureh and Sunday school have worshiped in a hall centrally located, but a house of worship has just been completed, centrally located, convenient of access and pleasing in design. The official board has consisted of two Deacons and aClerk. Diaeonates have been held by J. J. Wright, D. J. Baldwin. A. Monroe, J. W. Moody, and H, J. Macomber, Clerk.

Bremen Lodge, No, 414, F. & A, M - Bremen Lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M, was organized under dispensation, on the 2d of March, 1869, The officers named in the dispensation were Lewis Theobold, W. M.; Jacob Schilt, 8. W.; Moses Keyser, J. W. A charter was granted and the lodge regularly organized June 16, 1870, by E. R. Shook, of Plymouth, Deputy Grand Master. The following have served as Masters up to the present time: A. B. Youkman, 1869-70; Lewis Theobold, IS70-71; A. B. Youkman., 1571-72; Charles H. Lehr, 1873-74; Moses Keyser, 1875; Charles H. Lehr, 1876; Daniel Fore, 1877; Charles H. Lehr, 1S78: A. B. Yonkman, 187-80. The lodge contains an affiliated membership of thirty-one.

Bauer, Jr., Gotleib Rosenbaum, Jacob Walter. The following are the Past Grands: A. C. Holtzendorff, Andrew Berger, John Bauer, Jr., Gotleib Rosenbaum, Jacob Walter, Christian Erickson, John Walter, Charles Berg, Charles Franks, John L. Place, Valentine Fisher, Jacob Conrad, Jacob Miller. The meetings are held in the German and English languages alternately.

The following have served as Trustees and Clerks of German Townships since 1853. Up to 1858, there were three Trustees and a Clerk in each township. Since that time, the law raquires but one:

The Bremen Turnverien Germania

The Bremen Turnverien Germania was organized January 24), 1875. Its objects are " for the purpose of the building and strengthening of the body and mind by gymnastic exercises and schooling."

The Burial-Ground

The burial-ground situated on a rolling piece of ground near the northeast part of the town plat, is owned by an association of charitable people, residents of Bremen. The first person buried there was a man by the name of Youst. The eoffin in which he was placed was a trough, dug out of a poplar log, and his remains were taken to their last resting-place by a yoke of oxen driven by Daniel Ringle.

Public Schools

German Township has twelve public school buildings, valued at $13,325. Each has been provided with a bell bythe late Trust. ee, John P. Huff. Shade trees have been planted, and the grounds generally placed in good repair.

A high-school building has been erected, at a cost of $2,500. It contains four rooms, seated with patent seats, and has a capacity for the accommodation of 200 pupils. The teachers now in

Daniel Ringle is supposed to be the oldest inhabitant of German Township now living. Among other old inhabitants now living here whose names were furnished are Phillip Kinnigar, Joseph Guinzelman, George Beiler, Jacob Beiler, Alex Leeper, John A. Leeper, the Knoblock family. Among the early settlers in this region were William Hughs, John B. Rausted George Pomeroy, John Ringle, Michael Berger, Peter Beiler, George Metcalf, Henry Augustine, Abraham Augustine, John Steel, Jacob Koontz, A. B. Ellis, Jacob Heekaman, Henry Yockey, Jacob Yockey, Michael Moritz, George Lashbangh, John Lashbaugh, John Coil, Thomas Martis, David Brothers.

Philip Dumph

The subject of this sketch was born in Germany July 22, 1527, and came to the United States at the age of five years, with his parents, Barnhart and Christian Dumph. They settled in Pennsylvania, and, after residing there for a yer, removed to Carroll County, Ohio. Subsequently, they removed to Hocking County, Ohio, and later to Ross County, in the same State, where the father died. He was a farmer, and an industrions, frugal man.

Philip, his son, grew up with a better knowledge of hard work than of books, and for his education he was compelled to depend almost entirely upon his own efforts. He remained at home assisting his father until he attained his majority, and, in February, 1849, started out to earn his living independently, He at first found employment as a farm laborer in Licking County, Ohio, and, about a year later, accepted a similar position with a farmer in Ross County. Subsequently, he rented a farm in Ross County, cultivating it for a share of the products - or, in technical Jlaneuage, "farming on the shares." This proved much more profitable than his former occupation, and he was enabled to lay by a portion of his earnings each year. He continued this line of employment for about fourteen years, and, at the close of that period, purchased a portable steam saw-mill, and was extensively engaged in the lumber trade, in connection with farming. In 1856, he purchased some land in Marshall County, Ind.. a portion of which he afterward sold. In 186%, he came with his family to reside upon the land, where he has ever since made his home, in German Township, bringing his mill with him. His estate at preseut comprises 110 acres, and it is cultivated in a manner that indicates skill and a thorough lmowledge of detail on the part of the proprietor. Industry has been a marked trait of his character, and, by a busy life of hard work, he has aceumulated an ample fortume; yet he is not content to rest, and feels a commendable pride in doing, at the aye of fifty-four years, as much work in the field as younger men. His personal characteristics have gained him many friends, and he is esteemed by all who know him as 4 good neighbor, a worthy citizen and an honest man.

In 1878 he was elected, on the Demoeratic ticket, as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Marshall County, and is still acting in that capacity. He was married, in February, 1551, to Miss Christina Tedrow. Of the five children who blessed this union, two only are now living, viz., Andrew J. and Louis W.

Mr. Dietrich, of the firm of J. R. Dietrich & Co., Bremen, Marshall Co., Ind., was born in Switzerland, near Canton Bern, September 20, 1848, and in 1852 came with his parents to the Unitod States and settled in German Township, Marshall Co., md. For a number of years Mr. Dietrich has been engaged in merchandising. He began on a very small scale, by opening a store where he kept a kind of general stock. At present, he is the owner of the large brick building where he carries on business, and is the senior member of the firm, his father and his brother being copartners

Mr. Dietrich was married, November 13, 1873, to Miss Annie Neff, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. This lady was born January 26, 1855. They have one child only--John Irvin, who was born March 15, 1875.

Mr. Dietrich's father, John Dietrich, was a native of Switzerland, and was born April 25, 1819. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Feits, was a native of the same country, and was born in April, 1822. His parents were married in March, 1846. They have raised a family of seven children, all of whom are living. The subjectof this sketch is a man of fine ability as a business man, stands high in the esteem of the people, and is accumulating property very rapidly.

John H. Koontz

and settled in German Township, Marshall County. He was married to Miss Mary E. Person, who died May 5, 1855. They had five children, all of whom are residents of Marshall County except one son, who lives inTennessee. John's father, Jacob L. Koontz, was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1821, and was married to Miss Salome Snyder, who was born in Germany in 1818. This couple had six children, three of whom are living, their names being John Henry, Mary Elizabeth and John Frederick.

The subject of this sketch was born in Kosciusko County, Ind., March 7, 1850, and came with his parents to Bremen, Marshall County, in 1852. After his mother's death, and while at the age of seven, he went to live with his uncle, George Felden, with whom he lived until he reached his fourteenth year, at which time he began to do business for himself, and at sixteen began the trade of house-painter, until twenty-one years of age, when he entered Hillsdale Colleye. After completing his education, he engaged in farming for a couple of years, and then opened a grocery and drug store, and next engaged in the manufacture and sale of pumps, and is a member of the famous Bremen Pump Company, of Bremen, Ind. He was married to Miss Margaret Hass, February 25, 1876. Mrs. Koontz is the daughter of Adam and Phillipena Hass, and was born February 2f, 1558, in German Township. Mr. and Mrs. Koontz have one little daughter, Erza, who was born June 5, 1879. Mr. Koontz has held the office of Township Assessor, and was.in 1880, a candidate for the office of County Treasurer on the National or Greenback ticket. Mr. Koontz is a prominent business man, and is making his mark as such in the community in which he lives. ,

Bremen Pump Company

This company was organized June 26, 1879, at Bremen, Marshall Co.,Ind., the style of the firm being Koontz, Lehr & Co., but was changed, November 25, 1880, to Bremen Pump Company. Its members are John H. Koontz and Jonathan Weaver. This company now stands at the head, with increased facilities for the manufacture of all kinds of wood pumps, tubing, pump fixtures, ete. They are located in the midst of a heavily timbered country, and buy all their timber on the stump, having their own mills and doing their own sawing. They have the advantage of inspecting their timber even before it is sawed, and select none but the very best for pump lumber, while other manufacturers are con:pelled to buy, in open market, what lumber they can get. Often, when there is a scarcity of lumber, they are compelled to buy a very

A J. Knoblock & Co. Proprietors Choice Brands Of Family Flour Kept Constantly On Hand

A. J. Knoblock & Co., '' Yellow River Flouring Mills," Bremen, Marshall County, Ind. The erection of these buildings was commenced June 1, 1875, were completed, and the machinery set in motion by the 2d day of September of the same year. The members of the above firm are A. J. Knoblock, H. W. Schilt and Jacob Milleman, who are equal partners in the concern. These mills have a capacity of one hundred barrels per day. They are running a straight family flour, also a good extra, and find ready sale for all their manufacture. They make a fine grade of bolted corn-meal, corn-flour, and keep constantly on sale all manner of feed for stock. In short, they are merchant millers, and doing an extensive trade. During 'the past year, they shipped over 60,000 bushels of grain, and ground about 80,000 bushels. These are all enterprising, thrifty gentlemen, and are classed amongst the best business men of the county.

customers. Immediately after their timber is sawed, it is thoroughly steamed with live steam, under a pressure of 12) pounds, thus preventing it from checking on exposure, and making the timber more durable in every respect. This improvemert alone should be sufficient to induce every man to buy no other but the Bremen improved pump. 'Their handles and rods are made of seasoned hard wood; buckets and valves, of rock and hickory elm: and their handles, or ear-plates, are made of hard maple. They use the wooden ear, because practical experience has demonstrated that it gives better satisfaction than the iron ear, Each of their pumps is supplied with a frost-slide, and they use none but heavy welded iron bands on all their pumps and couplings. they being far superior to the light hoop bands used by many other factories. They call especial attention to their attachments for driven wells, which are so constructed that they can be attached to any driven well pump. Their pumps are handsomely chamfered, painted and varnished with the best material in the market. This, in connection with the manner in which their timber is prepared, makes their pump one of the most handsome and durable ever brought into the market.