Union Township

Union Township

This townsliip was organized in 1S35, and it now contains about 42 sections. Many of the old settlers, in passing through it on their way to some of the other townships, thought it an almost worthless tract of land on account of the marshes. During the wet season of the year it seemed as if the greater part of the country was a vast pond, with here and there a dry piece of land. It was not settled as early as some of the other townships in the county, on this account. When the Michigan road was put throngh the township, men began to settle along that; and as the western part is somewhat more rolling than the rest, they soon began to build their log cabins through there. As the country became cleared, and openings were made, the marsh land began to disappear, and in its place we find some of the finest farms that the county can now boast uf. At present through the south central part there is a good deal of low and useless land. In every part of the township we find small swamps and marshes; but they are fast disappearing, and every year more of the low land is coming under cultivation.

Just south of Lakeville are several small lakes, the largest of which are called Pleasant and Eiddle's lakes. The ground around them is quite miry and muck}'. One of them is said to be quite deeji. Along the east part of the township a ridge runs across it. It is mostry a black, sandy soil. The Turkey creek road follows this ridge, through the township and along it are some very fine farms. On sections 6 and 8 have been found a great many Indian relics. Among other curiosities discovered by the removal of the surface of the earth are round holes dug in the ground and nicely walled up with stones in the shape of a common kettle. Some of them have been found to be four or five feet in depth. For what purpose they had been made the people of the neighborhood are unable to surmise. A great many arrowheads, tomahawks and other things of like nature have been found here and in other parts of the township, thus bringing to our minds that but a short time ago another race^of people inhabited this region, perhaps no less industrious in their way than the people who have just come and taken possession of the country.

The first settlement in the township was in the spring of 1833, when Elijah Lineback moved his family here. He erected a cabin on section 35. The same year came John Henderson with his family and settled on section 25. John, Jacob and Mark Eector came on section 1 some time in 1833. Hubbard Henderson came in 1834 and settled on section 35. In the fall of 1834 John Moon (950) came but staid only a short time. He returned in the spring of 1835, accompanied by his brother James. John took up land ou section 28, James on section Si. Eli Moon came some years later and entered land in section 27. Although James Moon came in 1835 he did not make it his permanent home till in 1841, when he removed with his family to the farm on which he now resides. James Annis came about 1836, on section 9, and Michael Hupp, Abijah Mills, William H. Robertson, Henry Hardy, Esau Lamb and Daniel Glenn settled here the same year. Amos Heston, Henry and John Riddle came in 1837. James Watson, John Shively, William Huglis, Joseph Morris, W. Nickek-on, David Whitinger, John Long, Mr. Byers and Mr. Gibson are among the old settlers.

Thus we see that these sturdy pioneers have in less than 50 years turned what tlien appeared to be an almost worthless countrj' to a blooming garden, a country which is now prepared to support a dense population, in comparison with what it was then, in ease and prosperity.

The greater part of the townsliip was heavily timbered with walnut, ash, oak, hickory, white-wood and various other timber peculiar to this climate. Lumbering and milling, as a natural consequence, became quite a good business as the railroads opened up a market for their lumber.

The township contains but one village, - Lakeville. It is a pleasant little village, located about the center of the township, and contains several hundred inhabitants. The people are kind, intelligent and social. Although they have no railroad, a large business is carried on by the merchants. The village contains two good country stores, a drug and hardware store, a hotel, a couple of shoe-shop and three or four blacksmith shops, a saw-mill and grist-mill, - all doing well. It has also two'churches, with a good school, while three M. D's attend to the afflicted in the town and vicinity.

The first election was held in Earl's tavern, in April of 1836. All the voters in the township were present, and 30 votes were polled. John Henderson and Jacob Rector were elected for Justices of the Peace, and one supervisor was elected. Previous to this they had gone to South Bend to vote.

The Schools

The schools of this township are in an excellent condition. None but good teachers are hired, and to them fair wages are paid during the winter terms. Most of the people take a great pride in education, and consequently a great many of the young people have been and are now being educated in our colleges and normal schools. The school buildings are mostly in good condition.

The first school-house in the township was a log structure built in 1836, on the corner of James Moon's farm. It was a good house at that day, but would hardly fill the bill for one of our modern buildings. Tlie first scliool was taught in the winter of 1836-'7, by James Eobersou, of Soutli Bend. This was a subscription school, and was attended by about 20 scholars. The second teacher was John Hardy.

Tlie first church was built in ISiS, bj the Methodists, under the pastorship of Eev. Lawson Munson. It was built of hewed logs, on section 3-i, one mile north of LakevilJe. This served for a place of worship until the present church was erected in Lakeville. The old house is still standing, and is occupied by a family for a dwelling liouse. The J\[. E. church building in Lakeville was commenced in 1857 and finislied in 1S5S. The trustees were John and James Moon. Hubbard Henderson, Martin Page and William Biglow. Mr. Harrison was the first traveling minister sent to this circuit. This was in 1839, and about the time that the society was organized. Tliey tlien held their meetings in private houses, and among their members were Hubbard Henderson and wife, Milford Leonard and wife, George Hardy and wife, John D. Roberson and wife, John Price and his sister. Their first class-leader was George Hardy. They have now about 50 members in their society. As this is in the same circuit as Sumption's Prairie, for a list of their ministers see sketch of that Church in the history of Greene township.

About the same time that the Methodists started here, United Brethren ministers came in and began their labors. Tliey soon formed a society about two miles north of Lakeville. Here they continued to hold their meetings for a number of years, when they removed to Olive Branch and turmed the society which is known by that name. They worshiped in the school-house till a few years ago. The new church at Olive Branch was commenced in April of 1S78 and finished in a short time. The trustees were: Joseph Shuppert, John H. Bennett, H. A. Manuel, W. Lower, Rev. N. F. Surface. Jolin Todd was the Pastor at that time. The church is 30 by 40, and is a very neat, pretty buildiiig. Its cost was about $1,000. The society numbers now about 50 members, is out of debt and flourishing.

The Advent Chiirch. - Previous to 1862 this sect had held a few meetings in the school-house at Olive Branch. In August of tliat year they erected a tent and held meetings for two weeks, the ministers being J. W. Himes, D. R. Mansfield and Philip Holler. At the close of the meetings the following persons were baptized: Elijah Aultman and wife, Isaac Wright and wife, and Hattie Wright. These, with the following persons, who were members at that time, joined themselves togetlier into a society at the close ot the meetings: Edward Cordray and wife, Albert Cordray and wife,

Iiistoky Of St. Joseph County

B. F. Cordray and wife. Edward Cordray was the Elder. He and Mr. Ferris have been the Elders in the society most of the time since. Two years later another tent meeting was held, with good success. They now number about 60 members, and have a fine church building well finished, in whicli to worship. It was commenced about March 1, ISSO, with about $700 raised by subscription. Its size is 32 by 46, and cost $1,162. On the day on which it was dedicated, July IS, 18S0, they raised money enough to pay all debts and §100 over.

The Christian Church has a society in Lakeville, Mr. Snow being their present Pastor. They have a good building in the village and include in their membership many of the best citizens.

The citizens of the northeastern part of the township, regardless of sect, erected a union church house in 1875. It is a good frame building, and speaks much for the enterprise of the people.

In Lakeville there is a Masonic lodge. It was started in 1867 with the following charter members: Robert Moor, W. Clenny, John Cunningham, Mahlon Heston, Michael Hupp, Isaac C. Price, Alexander Reynolds, Henry Van Lien, M. Mahon, W. Roberson. They now have a good society of about 52 members.

Peks0N4.L Sketches

Samuel Annis was born in June, 1851, in this tp. His father, Jehiel Annis, was among the old settlers of this county. He was married in the fall of 1875, to Plarriet Lock, daughter of William Lock, of Portage Prairie, and they have one child, Irene. Mr. Annis is engaged in farming and lumbering sec 5; P.O., South Bend.

John n. Bennett, son of Stephen and Catharine (Hotf) Bennett, -was boi-n in West Virginia Feb. 12, 1816. He left Virginia in May, 1833, going to Morrow county, Ohio ; here, in 1835, he married Elizabeth Flickey, and they had 10 children. Mrs. Bennett died in 1856, and he was married a second time, to Margaret Ann (Jones) Hardy, July 5, 1859; she was born in Shelby county, Ind., Jan. 6, 1824. Her parents were Thomas and Polly (Burns) Jones, and were among the first to settle in Union tp. She had been married in 1845 to .Joseph Hardy and by him had 6 children, 4 living, James Delilah, Emeline and Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had 9 children, 7 of whom are living: Winfield, Charlottie, Ida, Ada. Rosa, Sherman and Naomi. Mr. Bennett had a son in the 96th O. V. in Co. C; Mrs. B. also had a son in the Rebellion 3 years, James Hardy. Mr. B. is a member of the U. B. Church at Olive Branch. Mr. Bennett came a poor boy to Ohio; he soon entered 80 acres of land in Morrow county. He got money to pay for it by splitting rails and clearing. After a few years he sold it for $1,800, and coming to this county, bought his present farm of 103 acres, the present value of which is $5,000.

Ruth Brook was born in North Carolina, June 7, 1802. When she was about thi-ee months old, her parents removed to Kentucky, and about the year 1806 they came to Montgomery county, 0.; in

1809 they went to Xenia, in Greene county, ()., and after living there for about eight years they went to Ross county, O., near the city of Chillicothe. Her parents were William and Merah (Anthony) Frazier; the former died in Germautown, Ohio, in 1853, and the latter died in 1828, and is buried at Eichmond, Ind. Mrs. Brock was married in Ross county, O., to Nathan i3ranson, of Highland county, in 1821. The children were: William, Mary, Jane and Nathan, all dead. Nathan married Elizabeth Ranful, of Randolph county, Ind., and they had 1 child, Jane Branson, who married George Cook of this tp. in 1871; they have 2 children: Carrie Bell, born May 6, 1872, and Elias W., born Jan. 26, 187-4. Mrs. Brock left Ohio in 1826, going to Wayne county, Ind., where her husband died Sept. 19, 1829. She then returned to Ohio aud lived with her father. Some years afterward she returned to Wayne county, where her son Nathan died Dec. 6, 1854. She was married a second time, in Wayne county, Ind., Sept. 25, 1860, to Andrew Brock; the}' removed to Dewitt county. 111., where he died March 5, 1865; a few years later she removed to her farm in Libert}- and Union tp. of this county, where she still resides. Mr. Brock was a native of North Carolina; they removed to Ohio in 1804, from thence to Illinois, in 1829, where he entered the land on which he was living at the time of his death. He was well acquainted with Mr. Lincoln when he was a young man. The Brock famil}' are among the wealthy and influential men of Illinois. WiU!<t')n Glennij was born Feb. 8, 1824. in Randolph county, Ind.; his maternal ancestors were of English descent, and came to America previous to the achievement of our national independence; his paternal grandfather moved from Pennsylvania to South Carolina previous to the war, and about ]S30 emigrated to Indiana, where he died. Both of his grandfathers were in the war. In 1801 his father emigrated to Warren county, Ohio, and thence to Wayne county, Ind., in 1807 or 1808; he was a native of North Carolina; he was married in Preblecounty, Ohio, April 12, 1813, to Mary Milner, who was born in Virginia, and their children were Martha and Elizabeth, twins, Catharine, Mary, .Jane, William, Michael, Sarah A., John and Rebecca; all married and had families except Rebecca. He was in the war of 1812, and died Feb. 22, 1872. Mr. C.'s mother died in 1854; tbey were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. C. was married in 1849 to Sarah Garrett, daughter of Michael and Mary Garrett, of Randolph county, Ind., and their children were Mary E. and Martha, both dead. Mrs. C. died in December, 1858. In 1859 he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Brumfield) Branson, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Brumfield, and their children are Melissa, born in 1861, an infant, and William; the last two are dead. Mrs. Clenny had one child by Mr. Branson, named Sarah J., who married George Cook, son of Rev. E. Cook, and has Carrie Belle and Elias W.; she died a few years ago. Mr. Clenny left Randolph county, Ind., in the spring of 1853, coming to this county and buying his farm south of Lakeville, which was then in the woods. He received his education in tlie public schools; aided his father on his farm until he attained his majority ; then worked at the carpenter's trade for the next eight years. For several winters after he commenced his trade, he attended sciiool, boarding with some of the neighl)oring farmers and doing chores night and morning for liis board. He moved to the village of Lakoville in 1873, and has long been one of the faithful workers in the M. E. Church and Sunday-sciiools at that place; he is also a Mason. By good, frugal and industrious habits, Mr. Clenny has raised himself from a poor boj' to one of the influential citizens that reside in St. Joseph county.

Edward Cordray, son of Nathan and Mary A. Cordray of this county, was born in Ohio July 7, 1830. May 18, 1854, he married Elizabeth Rinehart, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Rinehart, of Coshocton county, Ohio, whose native State is Pennsylvania. Their children are Almira Jane, born Jan. 25, 1855; Mary Ellen, March 15, 1857; Althea C, Dec. 18, 1858; Alice M., March 31, 1862 ; Charley W., March 23, 1872. Almira married George Boyler ; Althea married William Skyles, Liberty tp. ; they are living with Mr. Cordray. Mr. C. owns 40 acres of good land in this tp.; he is a carpenter and teacher. P. O., Lakeville.

Nathan Cordray was born on the north branch of the Potomac river, Alleghany Co., Md., Feb. 10, 1800. He came with his father to Ohio in 1810, and settled in Coshocton county. His parents are Isaac and Mary (Henderson) Cordray; he was married Dec. 9, 1824, to Miss Mary Ann Oflicer, daughter of David Officer, of Holmes county, Ohio; their children are Elizabeth, deceased; Harry, Edward, Benjamin, Liddie Ann, Albert and Mary J., deceased. Mr. C. aided his father on his, farm until he had attained his majority, when he apprenticed himself to David Carroll for 18 months to learn the tinner's trade. At tiie expiration of that time he again apprenticed himself for three years to Jacob Bollzley to learn the cai-penter's trade. He received his education in the subscription schools in Ohio, as did all of his children except Aliiert. He was one of the men in Ohio that got up a petition to have the German language taught in the public schools of that State, which was sent to Gov. Slsannon and was granted; thelawis still in effect in that State. His family are all well educated and are among the foremost citizens of the county. The boys are all carpenters except Benjamin. During the late war Edward was drafted, but he being unwell, his father feared that he could not long endure the fatigue of a soldier's life; so he went to South Bend and was examined by the officers there relative to taking his son's place in the army, but his wish was not granted, he being too old for the service; he then accompanied his son to Indianapolis; he staid over night in camp, and the next day, by paying $200, secured his son's discharge. He came to Union tp. from Ohio in IStil. He is a Democrat; gave his first vote for Johnson. Residence, sec. 21; P. O., Lakeville.

Ohio; settled on his farm in Union tp. in 1855; his parents are Jonathan and Esther Fisher. In ISiQ he was married in Holmes county, O., to Harriett McCulloy; they had 4 children, 3 living. Mrs. F. died in September, 1854, and April 19, 1855, he married Phebe E. Pickral, of Holmes county, O. The second wife died in 1856 leaving no children. July 25, 1856, he was again married to Elizabeth Snyder, of Marshall county, Ind., by wliom he had 8 children; she died, and he was married Nov. 30, 1875, to Agnes Kempsburger, of South Bend. Until he came to this county Mr. Fisher had been engaged in a woolen factory; but since coming here he has been carrying on a broom factory and farming; has a good farm of 235 acres in Union tp. P. O., Lakeville.

Valentine Fishe7' was born in Somerset county, Pa., Jan. 22, 1822; lie came with his parents, Peter and Mary (Johnson) Fisher, to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1824; in the fall of 1848 they removed to this tp. His parents were natives of Virginia, and were members of the Lutheran Church; they died in this county a few years since. Mr. Fisher was married in Ohio in August, 1847, io Mary Penrod, daughter of John and Mary Penrod, of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, but formerly of Pennsylvania; she was born in August, 1832; they have had 12 children, 7 of whom are yet living: Alfred, Oliver, Schuyler, Henry, Winfield, Eliza E. and Mary A. Mr. Fisher is a blacksmith, but since coming to the county, has been engaged in farming; when he came here he had but $3 in mone}', and but one acquaintance in the county; he now owns a fine farm of about 200 acres, well improved, oh sec. 24. P. O., Lakeville.^

Emanuel Ericlc, son of Abraham and Sarah Frick, of this county, was born in Stark county. Ohio, June, 1847. He came to this county when a young man; was married in 1871 to Mary Kreisher, daughter of William and Elizabeth Kreislier, of Centre tp.; she was born in January, 1838, and they have 4 children: Allie, Willie, Emma and Clara. Mr. Frick was educated in the public schools of this county, is a farmer on sec. 12 and has been living in this tp. for about four years. P.O., Lakeville.

Allen Hardy was born in Drake county, Ohio, October, 1826; came to Indiana with his parents when a small boy; they removed to Lakeville and settled on the Jackson farm in 1835. Mr. Hardy was married Feb.20. 1847, to Mary J. Meredith, daughter of Jonathan Meredith; they have two children, Lusina, born in 1850, and Ezra W., born in 1851. Lusina married J. Boyler, and lives in Kansas. Mrs. Hardy died, and in the spring of 1856 he married Nancy Selby (Flucky). who had one child, Harriet J. Selby, born 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy have 4 children: Abigail, born 1857; Victoria, born Feb. 8, 1859; Mary C, born Aug. 8"^ 1863; Amarazetta, born Sept. 16, 1868. Mrs. Hardy was born in November, 1824. Mr. Hardy has been living on his farm on sec. 22 for 35 years; they are both worthy members of the U. B. Church at Olive Branch. P. O., Lakeville.

History Of St. Joseph County

Cyrus Hardy is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Eake) Hardy, who were among: the first to settle in St. Joseph county; his father was a native of Fredericton, Md., and died in Lakeville, in 1851, aged 74 years; his mother was born in Northumberland county, Pa., and died in this tp., March 13, 1865, aged 81 years. Mr. Hardy was born in Drake county, Ohio, August, 1821 ; came with his parents to Indiana about 1831, and to Lakeville in 1835. He was married April 6, 1849, to Amanda Fisher, daughter of Samuel and Mary Fisher; they have 2 children: Mary E.. born in 1852, and Albina J., born in 1858. The^' are members of the M. E. Church at Maple Grove; he has been a member of the church for 40 years; owns 60 acres of land in sec. 22. P. O., Lakeville.

Mahlon Ueston, son of Amos and Nancy A. (Kurk) Heston, was born in Henry county, Ind., Sept. 5, 1826; his parents were natives of Pennsylvania; they moved to Berrien county, Mich., about 1838 or 1839, and from there to this tp., coming to his present farm about 1841, where he has been residing since, with the exception of a few years spent in South Bend. Mr. Heston was married Dec. 10, 1850, to Nancy Eastburn, daughter of John and Catharine Eastburn, at that time residents of Johnson county, Ind. He was married a second time to Harriet Barkley, daughter of Allen and Nancy Ross, who were natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in Westmoreland county. Pa., March 19, 1832. By her marriage with Mr. Barkley, she had 4 children: James W., born April 27, 1853; Franklin, born Nov. 22, 1854; Alice E., born March 21, 1858; Milton C, born May 29, 1860; James and Franklin were l)orn in Hamilton county, O.; Alice and Milton in Marshal county, Ind. Mr. Heston has a fine farm of 100 acres in sec. 10; he is a member of the Christian Chui-ch at Lakeville, also of the Masonic Lodge at the same place. P. O., Lakeville.

Andreio Huggart, son of Moses and Marj^ Huggart, was born in Eockbridge county, Va., Jan. 16, 1816. He left Virginia in 1836, going first to Dayton, Ohio, and in a few years to Piqua, in Marion county, O. ; he came to this county in 1850. He was married July 3, 1839, to Jane Clark, daughter of Cager and Marj' Clark, who was born in Amherst county, Va., in 1810; they have had 5 children: Wesley, born Aug. 23, 1840; Mary A., deceased, born March 30, 1842; James M., born Aug. 18, 1843; Sarah M., born June 12, 1850; Samuel M., born June 23,1852. By trade, Mr. Huggart is a shoemaker, but has been engaged in farming since coming to this county. He joined the Baptist Church at Lancaster, Ohio, and is now a member at Sumption's Prairie. He has a wellimproved farm of 80 acres on sec. 29. Their children are all married; James is living in South Bend; Wesley and Samuel are living on their farms in this tp. Mrs. H.'s paternal grandfather was a fifer in the war of the Kevolution. P. O., South Bend.

Joseph T. Jackson was born in Knox county, Ohio, January, 1831. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Eager) Jackson, were natives of Columbia conntv. Pa., and were of Irish and Scotch descent; they left Pennsylvania in October, 1828, going to Ohio, and from tliere to this county in the spring of 185i. His father settled on the place on which Mr. Jackson is now living, in sees. 13 and 18, of this tp.; he died here in the year of 1805, aged 59 years; his mother died on Dec. 17, 1879, at the advanced age of 79 years. In 1862 Mr. Jackson married Mary Hupp, daughter of Michael and Caroline Hupp, of this tp.; they had 4 children: Edward, Carrie B., Grace and Maud.

Mrs. J. died Nov. 18, 1877. and in June, 1879 he was married to Louisa Young, daughter of Philo and Susan Young, formerly of Marshall county, Ind., but living in Kansas. His son, Edward, is attending school at Valparaiso, Ind. Mr. Jackson is one of the successful farmers of this tp. ; has 315 acres of good farming land P. O., LakeviUe.

A. H. Jester was born in North Carolina April 8, 1824; his par ents, James and Jane (Williams) Jester, were natives of the same place; he came from there to Wayne county, Ind., in 1826. Dec 23, 1849, he married Phoebe Reynolds; they have 5 children: Cal vin, born Nov. 18, 1850, married Sarah Snow, and is now living in South Bend; Mary E., born Sept. 7. 1852, married Henry Longaker, and is living in Marshall county; Jane A., born Dec. 2, 1854; M " ton, born Aug. 6, 1856; Lilian, born Feb. 4, 1870. Mr. J., when a young man, learned the hatter's trade and followed it for 10 or 12 years; since then has been farming; has 85 acres in sec. 17.

Aaron Reynolds, ]\Irs. Jester's father, was born in North Carolina April 6, 1798 ; he left there in 1836, going first to Parke county, then to Wayne county, Ind., and to this county in 1850, when he "bought the farm Mr. Jester now owns. In 1852 he removed his family to this place. He was married when about 20 years of age to Mary Pickett; they had 3 children: Ruth, Hannah and Malinda; Mrs. R. died in April, 1826; March 27, 1829, he married Elizabeth Harway, daughter of Nathan and Agnes Harway. He came from Penns3dvania when he was yet a boy, and bought the land in North Carolina on which he lived and died. Mrs. R. was born July 3, 1799. Their children are Phoibe, John M. and Mary. Mr. R. is a miller by trade; he is yet a hale and hearty old man, and lives with his daughter, Mrs. Jester. The family belong to the society of Friends.

John A. Lamb was born Nov. 16, 1843, in this tp.; his parents, John A. and Lovina (Hungerford) Lamb, were among the first to settle in this county, coming here when Indians and wolves still ruled the country. He was married Nov. 29, 1868, to Sarah E. Clay, daughter of A. J. and Nancy Clay, of this tp. ; she was born Oct. 20, 1848; they have had 2 children: William, deceased, and George A., born Jan. 25, 1874. Mr. Lamb enlisted in 1861, in Co. K, 2itth Reg. Ind. Vol. ; he was wounded at the battle of Stone River, got his discharge and came home; after remaining at home for about a year he again enlisted with the nine-month men; he took part in the Battle of Shiloh. Since the close of the war Mr. Lamb

Frederic Losch, son of Solomon and Gustianna (Rupert) Losch, of the Province of Saxony in Prussia; was born March 7, 1827; he left Saxony in May, 1862, going to Racine, Wis.; in 1869 he came from that place here. He was married in 1852 in Prussia, to Wilhelmina Rammelt, daugliter of Samuel and Dora Rammelt, who was born June 4, 1824; their children are Charley, born Jan, 26, 1854; Osa, Feb. 28, 1857; Henry, Sept. 1, 1861. Charley married Hattie Skyles, of Liberty tp. Mr. Losch was educated in the old country, and when a young man learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed until he came to Wisconsin, where he worked in a sash and blind factory. On coming to this tp. he engaged in farming and carpentering. Daring the late war he served in Co. H, 32d Reg. of Wis. Vol. He owns 86 acres in sec. 20. P. O., South Bend.

Jonathan Liuehach was born Jan. 11, 1830, son of Elijah Lineback, who was born in Madison county, Ind., in 1803, of German origin, and came to this country at an early day, settling in one of the Atlantic States. They soon scattered abroad, and some of them went to Kentucky. Mr. Lineback's father emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana while it was yet a Territory; he lived in Hancock county for fifteen or twenty years, and then moved to Iowa, where he died some years after. Mr. Elijah Lineback moved from Hancock county to Elkhart county, Ind., where he stopped for a short time and then moved to Sonth Bend. He and his wife and child came on horseback through the wilderness; and his wife, now the widow Rector, says she was frequently thrown from her horse while on the journey, but never hurt the baby. When they reached South Bend they found but three log cabins. Mr. L. went to work and erected his cabin, and engaged on the Michigan road as a laborer at $5 per month. He left South Bend some time after, and took up a quarter section of Michigan-road land about half a mile north of Lakeville, in Union tp., and for the first night he put up his bed under a sugarmaple tree, "And the next day," says Mrs. Rector, " I had to get oinner for seven of the Michigan-road hands." They erected a twofaced camp, and were soon in comfortable quarters. This was in the spring of 1833. They were the first family in the tp., and Mrs. Rector, formerly the wife of Mr. Lineback, is the oldest settler now living in the tp.

Mr. Lineback married Elizabeth Little, who was born in January, 1809, and was a native of Wayne county, Ind. Their family is as follows: Jacob, who died when a year old; Jonathan, the subject of this sketch; Rose Ann, who died in infancy; George R., born Nov. 9, 1833, and married xVmanda J. Hibey, of Marshall county, Ind.; Mary, born Feb. 10, 1836, and married John Boyes, a native of New York; he was raised in Ohio and came to Indiana in 1850; Nancy J., born Nov. 8, 1838, and died when young. Mr. Lineback died July 4, 1839, a worthy member of the U. B. Church, and highly respected by the community and all who knew him. His widow married Mark Rector, an old settler in St. Joseph county, and by him has had Irene, Isam and Harriet. Mr. Rector died in March, 1853. He was one of tiie first settlers and earned his homestead farm by working on the Michigan road at $5 permontli. The subject of this sketch married Anna J. Moon, daughter of James Moon, of this tp. They have 10 children, 8 of whom are living: Irene, Mary J., James, Clara A., Franklin, Laura, Susan and Florence. Irene married Douglas L. Rush, son of Squire L. Rush, formerly of this township. They have one child. Mr. L. is engaged in farming. He was three years old when his father moved to this section, and well remembers the Indians and wild beasts that infested the country at that time. When he was 15 years of age he worked in Michigan at §5 per month until he had saved enough to buy 40 acres of land in sec. 36 of this tp., now owned by D. J. Fisher. He went to the Golden State in 1850, by the overland route, when it took six months to get there. He there euijaged in mining, with a good deal of success, and returned in about four years. He has a good farm of SO acres in sec. 34. P. O., Lakeville. James Moon, sec. 34; P. O., Lakeville; was born in Wayne county, Ind., March, 6, 1816, of English origin; his first American ancestors came to this country nearly a century before the Revolution, and settled first in New York, but soon scattered abroad into Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia. His grandfather was a Quaker, and consequently did not participate in the war. He married, and his children were James, John, Mary, Malachi, Simeon, Richard and William, all of whom emigrated to Ohio, married, and had families. Malachi married Mary Fisher, whose ancestors came from Scotland, and his children were Sarah, Elizabeth, Hannah, Eliza, Susanna, James, John, Mary, Eli, Nancy, John and one who died in infancy. He settled in Wayne county, Ind., in 1811; his nearest white neighbors on the north were at Fort Wayne, 90 miles distant. During the Indian troubles in 1812, he left the county for six months, but returned and died there in 1830. Mr. Moon, the subject of this notice, married Mary James in 1838. His children are: Ann J., who married Jonathan Lineback; John R., who volunteered in the 29th Ind. Reg. and died in camp in Kentucky; David, who died unmarried, aged 23; Malachi, who died unmarried, aged 22; Ansel E., who married Amanda Hupp, whose children are Emma and Jennie; Calvin, born May 16, 1849, and resides in Mishawaka. Mrs. Moon died in 1861, and Mr. Moon married Susanna Woentz, and by her has one son, Albion. He first came to this county in 1834, from Warren county, Ind., walking all the way. At this time there were but few villages between here and that place, and still fewer houses. When he arrived he had only $9, but he went to work for Mr. John Rush on the Michigan road, at $14 per month. Although he was a stranger to Mr. Rush he entered his land for him, paying for it himself and waiting till Mr. Moon could earn it by work. Mr. M. continued to work in this section during the summer, returning to liis home in "Warren county in the winter. He removed his family here in 1841, and has since that time been a resident of tliis tp. He was Township Treasurer for nine or ten years, and held the othee of Town Trustee for about the same length of time. He is well known and respected all over his county; has been a member of the M. E. Church since he was a young man. He is an earnest advocate for every enterprise that lias for its object the advancement of his county.

John Moon was born June 6, ISIS, in New London tp., Wayne countj', Ind. (For his ancestry see preceding sketch.) He was married Aug. 22, 1S39, to Lydia James, daughter of David and Jane James, of Wayne county, Indiana, but formerly of North Carolina. They have 4 children living: Henrietta, born Sept. 14, 1848; Josiah, born Sept. 22, 1845; Nancy, born Jan. IS, 1852; and Louisa, born in January, 1854; Anderson was born in 184S and died in Lakeville in 1S72; he served two years in the late war in the 128th Ind. Reg.; Elias died at the age of 19 in 1865. Jessie and Ada died when young.

Oliver H. Perry was born in Edwardsburg, Mich., Oct. 16, 1836. His parents, Henry and Lorma Perry, were early settlers in this county; they removed to this tp. before the Turkej'-Foot road was yet cut out. Mr. Perry was married Feb. 3, 1858, to Hannah Bayley, daughter of Louis Bayley, formerly of this county; tliey had 2 children, one of whom is living, namely, Horace. He was married a second time to Sally Bassett, daughter of George and Dorcas (Taj'lor) Bassett, of this county; they have 4 children: Lorma, George, Edith and Louisa. Mr. P. was in Co. 1, 155th Ind. Vol., in the late war; was out nine months. His father was in the service three years, in Co. H, 29th Ind. Vol. Mr. and Mrs. Perr}' are both worthy members of the U. B. Church. Mr. P. commenced here in the woods with but little capital, except a persevering will to succeed ; he now has a good home.

Moses Plmches was born 'in Fayette, Seneca county, N. Y., March 2, 1822; his parents left New York in the fall of 1832, going to Geauga county, Ohio; here they lived for about three years, when they moved to Stark county, O., and from there, in the spring of 1841, to Seneca county, Ohio. Here Mr. Pimches lived until he came to this tp., in the fall of 1855. He was married in April, 1851, in Seneca county, O., to Miss Jane Jackson, daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Jackson, of this tp. : she was born Oct. 27, 1825, in Columbia county. Pa., and their children are John J., born Feb. 15, 1852; Mary J., born in December, 1856; Josephine, in September, 1854; Betsey, in January, 1858; Hiram B., in October, 1869. John J. was' married Feb. 16, 1873, to Marietta Annis, of this tp., and has Amy M., Mary J., Grace and Floyd. He lives in Marshall county and is engaged in milling. Mary J. married Levi Gears, and has Homer and Dora; he resides in Marshall conntv; Betsev married llufus Cunningham, and is living in Marshall county. When the war broke out in 1861, Mr. Pimches was among the first to respond to tlie call of liis country, serving four years in Co. C, 48th Ind. Vol.; lie participated in the battles of Champion Hills, Jackson, Vicksburg, and was with Sherman on his march to tlie sea. Has 80 acres of land. Business, farming and blacksmithing.

A. W. ShiddJer was born in October, 1830, in Stark county, Ohio; his parents were George W. and Catharine (Wise) Shiddler, both natives of Washington county, Pa. Nov. 6, 1853. Mr. Shiddler was married to Miss Kloffenstine, daugliter of Christoplier Kloffenstine, of Stark count}', Ohio, wlio was a native of France, coming to this country in 1826 or 1827. They have a family of 9 children: Bell, Francis S., Emma L., Author, Schuyler, Alice. John W., Adam and Eleanor V. Mr. S. left Ohio in the spring of 185J-, coming to this tp. ; he built Coquillard's Mill that summer, and ran it for about ten years. In 1864 he removed to his present farm, where he had a saw-mill until a few years ago, when he removed it to Marshall county. He has been engaged in farming and lumbering all his life. He looks at farming from an analytical point, and makes it a study; and for his forethought and prudence he is amply rewarded in his abundant crops. On an 80- acre lot, during the last five years, lie has raised each year from 1,100 to 1,400 bushels of wheat, 600 to 900 bushels of corn, about 300 bushels of oats and 20 to 25 tons of hay; he does not pasture any of this ground. In his business affairs Mr. S. has been quite successful. They are members of the Christian Church at Lakeville. He is a Mason and a Republican. P. O., Soutli Bend.

Paul Shuppert, son of Joseph and Susanna Shuppert, of South Bend, was born Jan. 25, 1854, in thistp. May 1, 1873, he was married to Miss Minnie Steim, daughter of Frederic Steim.of this tp.; she was born in 1853; they have 4 children: Adam, deceased, Ida, Hattie, Egbert and an infant. Mr. S. was educated in the public schools of this tp., and is a farmer on sec. 29. P. O,, South Bend.

Adam Snyde7\ farmer, sec. 21; P. O., Lakeville, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, May 14, 1837; his parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Lowery) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania. He was married Dec. 4, 1859, to Elizabeth Moon, daughter of .John and Elizabetli (Rone) Moon, of Coshocton count}', O.; they have 3 children: Leander, Nancy Ann and James E. Mr. Snyder removed from Ohio to this tp. in 1866; he commenced working at the carpenter's trade when 18 years of age. and followed it until a few years ago.

Daniel StonehiU, son of Solomon and Catharine Stonehill, natives of Pennsylvania, was born in Stark county, Ohio, in January, 1825; he left that count}' in the spring of 1854, coming to this county and settling on the farm on which he now resides. He was married in June, 1850, to Miss Adaline Brothers, of Stark county, Ohio, who was born in June, 1828; they have 4 children: Elizabeth, Cynthia, Marion and Warren. Elizabeth married Martin Miller, and resides in this tp. ; Cynthia married Calvin Moon, and lives in Misbawaka. Mr. Stoneliill served 6 months in Co. I, 155th Ind. Keg., in the late Kebellion; he has a good farm in sec. 30; P. O., South Bend.

Alfred F. Shdl, son of Conrad and Hester (Snyder) StuU, natives of Pennsj'lvania, and who vs^ere among the first to settle in Stark county, Ohio, was born in that county, June 26, 1838; he left Ohio in the spring of 1858 and came to this county; here he engaged in milling and lumbering, and has been in that business ever since. He was married Oct. 20, 1859, to Susan Shively, daughter of John and Margaret Shively, of Stark county, Ohio. They, also, were among the first to settle in Eastern Ohio. Her mother was a native of Maryland, and her father of Pennsylvania. Her great grandfather came from Germany. Their children are: Ellis B., deceased, born June 22, 1861; Judson L., born Oct. 9, 1862; Dwight M., born Jan. 28, 1868. Mr. Stull is a member of the Masonic lodge at Lakeville; has 124 acres of well-improved land in sec. 19; P. O., South Bend.

Charles J. Sioeezey, was born in Yates county, N. Y., June 3, 1839 ; his parents were David and Elizabeth (Gillett) Sweezey, natives of Orange county, N. Y.; his ancestors on his father's side were of "Welsh descent, and on his mother's Englisli, they having come to this country several generations ago. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Mr. S. moved to Plymouth, Ind., in the fall of 1859. When the war broke out he enlisted and served three years in Co. K,29th Ind. Vol. ; was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, Ga.; was paroled and taken to Camp Chase in Sept., 1863. At the close of the war he returned to Seneca county N. Y., where he lived till he removed to Mishawaka in the fall of 1869. July 4, 1865, he was married to Harriet E. Lyon, daughter of James and Sophia Lyon, of Marmount, Ind. Mr. S. came to Lakeville in 1875, and engaged in the mercantile business; he has a large country store and is doing a good business; has been Postmaster, but now holds the office of Township Trustee; he is a member of Monitor Lodge, I. O. O. P., No. 29, at Mishawaka; also member of the M. E. Church at Lakeville.

Michael Trump was born in Stark county, Ohio, March 7, 1811; his parents, Michael and Margaret (Huftman) Trump, were natives of Adams county. Pa. He was married in March, 1834, to Sarah Simmons, of Stark county, Ohio. She was born in Pennsylvania June, 1814. Her parents were John and Susan (Brame) Simmons, of Pennsylvania. They have a family of 9 children: Silas, Amos, Margaret, Amanda, John, Sarah, Michael, Henry and Luetta; most of them are married. They came here from Stark county, O., in the spring of 1^69. Mr. T. has a good farm of 80 acres; they are wortiiy members of the U . B. Church; residence, sec. 16.

Netherlands to America, among the first emigrants, and settled in New Jersej', and for four or five generations are interred in the cemetery of Middlebrush, near the city of Brunswick, in that State; his grandi'ather's family were Sansbury, Ogden, Henry, John, Ellen, Dennis, Julia and Dunbar. His father's family is as follows; Alpheus O., John, Julia E., Thomas, deceased, and Thomas L. John married Emma Robinson; has one child, Etta; and is a railroad agent at Ada, Ohio. Mr. VanLieu married, June 2, 1872, Mary M. DuComb, daughter of Vincent and Harriet C. DuComb, formerly of this county; they have 3 children: Dora Maud, born April 12, 1875; Aggie May, born June 14, 1877; Dan Foster, born Aug. 17, 1S79. Mr. Y. came to this county in January, 1867; he attended school in South Bend until 1S70. July 5, 1871, he engaged in the drug business in Lakeville. He realized that if one would be successful in business, he must attend to it closely; and so attentively did he apply himself to bis business that at one time he was not out of the village but a few times, and then but a couple of miles, for tliree years. He is now doing a good business in drugs and hardware. Mr. V. has been Township Trustee from 1876 to 1880.