Nov. 25, 1830, at a special session of the Board of Justices, the following order was passed: "Ordered by the Board aforesaid that from the second principal meridian of the State until the center of range 2 east, shall form and constitute a township in said county, to be known by the name of German township; and that the sheriff is hereby ordered to give public notice to the citizens of said township, according to law, for the qualified voters to meet at the house of David Miller in said township, to elect one Justice of the Peace in and for said township, on the 18th day of December next."
On the appointed day the citizens of said township met at the house of David Miller, and at that meeting elected Lambert McCombs the first Justice of the Peace of German township.
We have been unable to ascertain definitely why the name "German" was proposed for this township; but all supposition in regard to the subject is based upon the fact that at the time of the organization of the township nearly all the inhabitants of it were Germans or of German descent.
From the order passed by the Board of Justices it would be difficult for one to imagine the size of the township. Suffice it to say that it is quite small, being little more than half of a full township. It is township 33 north, range 2 east; is bounded on the north by the State of Michigan, on the east by the St. Joseph river (and beyond it lies Clay township), on the south by Portage, and on the west by Warren township. About one-third of the northern tier of sections of this township lies in Michigan, and on the east the line is quite irregular, owing to the indentations made by the St. Joseph river which marks the eastern boundary.
In noticing early settlements the greatest care must necessarily be exercised, for it is of the greatest difficulty to avoid all mistakes. Upon a few of the pioneer settlers of this township, who have long survived their contemporaries, we are dependent for the authenticity of this part of the history. Their statements differ; hence we kindly ask all those interested to overlook all unavoidable errors. Judging from the best authorities, Lambert McCombs, John Hague and William Brookfield were the earliest permanent settlers of the township; the former two came from Wayne county, Ohio, and settled in this township as early as 1829 or '30; the latter, who was at that time the surveyor of all the Government land throughout this community, chose a situation in the township about 1829, bought land on sections 34 and 35, and laid out a town, mention of which will be made hereafter.
About 1831 Brookfield's family went down the Kankakee river in a boat, and probably went to Texas. John Hague and wife died in Warren township, this county, and are probably buried in German township. Lambert McCombs went to Oregon and died there. Such has been the fate of the three pioneer settlers of German township.
In 1830 a great many made German township their home, of whom the following are a few: John Smith, who settled on section 32; David Miller, also on section 32; Christian Holler, on section 7; Joshua and Benjamin Hardman, who came either in 1830 or in 1831. However, as much as two decades prior to the earliest settlement of the township, in the year 1810, a man passed through the territory, not then kuown as German township, coming from Detroit, Mich., who declared at that time that if ever this country was settled by white men he would be one of them; sure enough, in comparatively a short time the country, once wild and uncultivated, was settled by white men, and the Indians were thereafter soon removed; and true to his firm resolve, that man did come in 1831, and settle on section 27 where he remained two years and then went to La Porte county, and finally died in Wills township; that man was John Cissne, father of Robert G. Cissne, now a very old settler of the township, and to whom we are indebted for a great deal of its early history.
During the same year came Aaron Miller, brother of David, before mentioned, and settled on section 23; in the same year came also J. D. Miller, son of Aaron Miller; Samuel Witter, who settled on section 16, and Samuel Good, on section 28; in the year 1832 came Jesse K. Platts, who settled on section 21, John Witter on section 20, Daniel Wagner on section 16, Jacob and Samuel Ritter. In 1833 came Jacob Miller, a nephew of Aaron Miller, who settled on section 18. Simultaneous with him, and even before, came numbers of others whose names it is not easy to obtain; suffice it to say, that from this date onward the township settled very rapidly, and a country soon began to don the robes of improvement, civilization and progress. Of the old settlers not yet mentioned, the following may be named as having come prior to the year 1836: Jesse Frame, Prosper Nichols, James Nixon, Jacob Ritter, John and James Huston, Henry Denslow, James Good, David Hoover, Michael Smith, William Roe, Charles Roe, John Martindale, Eli Roe, Henry Brown, James R. McGee, Christian Smith, Mr. Overacker, Scott West and John Cripe. Henceforward the township became rapidly settled by an honest, intelligent, industrious class of people who loved the "sons of toil," and who, like them, earned, their daily pittance by the "sweat of their face," and many of whose posterity still survive, well-situated citizens, reaping the reward of their ancestors.
It is altogether probable that Henry Smith, son of John and Nancy (Miller) Smith, was the first white child born in the township and, indeed, even in the county; he was born Sept. 15, 1829, and is now a farmer in the township on sec. 16; P.O., South Bend. The first marriage in the township was probably that of John Harris and Lavina Eiler; they were married, however, in Michigan, but were residents of this township. The first frame house in the township was built by Christian Holler, and is now standing on section 7, on the farm now owned by Jacob M. Whitmer. John Hague is said to have plowed the first furrow in the township.
In the winter of 1832, quite a remarkable little episode occurred, which for a time greatly frightened the few scattering inhabitants of German township: Jacob M. Whitmer, now a resident on section 7, then only a little child three and one half years old, went out one morning in pursuit of his father and accidently became lost. Search for him was immediately instituted by his parents and the neighbors; but all seemed in vain, and for three long days and two nights the lost child still wandered, enduring the bleak winds of winter. His sorrowful parents and 200 anxious friends who were in search of him, had given him up as lost forever and supposed him to have been captured by the Indians. But about this time, when despondency and gloom had settled upon many anxious hearts of that community, Judge McCartney, now deceased, continued the search on horseback, when, lo!, by him the child was found and returned to its anxious, awaiting parents; and where before had been the shadow of gloom and sorrow, was now the sunshine of gladness.
Some time prior to 1836 a grist-mill was built on the St. Joseph river, on section 27, by Shank & Downs, two millwrights; the mill was owned and controlled by William McCartney, who ran it for a while, doing a good business; but the mill did not long stand, on account of dificulty in securing water-power.
A very sad accident happened a short time prior to 1844. Jesse K. Platts, who has been already mentioned as a very early settler of the township, was killed by runaway horses. Upon a certain appointed day all his children were coming home to have a re-union; the day previous Mr. Platts went out into the timber to get some wood; his horses becoming frightened ran away. His cries of anguish were heard by Mr. Good's family, residing near by, who started immediately for his rescue, but only to find the man dead. No one was able to ascertain definitely how he met his sad fate, but they supposed him to have been killed by being crushed between the sled and a log. The following day all his children did come, but oh, what a spectacle met their view!, oh, what a change!, for in lieu of a happy re-union of parents and children there was a sad and sorrowful funeral of a man bemoaned by weeping children and hosts of sympathizing friends.
VILLAGES AND BUSINESS INTERESTS.
There is very little within the limits of German township which adds in any way to its business interests. By a careful examination of statistical records and the removal of the dust from the pages of history of the days of by-gone years, it is found that there were at one time in German township three places which deserved the name of a town. An elaborate history of these towns it is impossible to give, as nothing can be obtained from the records and very little from the old settlers now living.
Aug. 19, 1836, the town of Mount Pleasant was laid out, on what is called the Michigan road, on sections 31 and 32. At this place, during the same year, the first and only postoffice that ever existed in the township was established, with Levi Wills as post master. There was once a dry-goods and grocery store kept by a man named Mar; there was also in the place at one time another small store; also two blacksmith shops, the first one of which was run by Joseph Barker. At one time in the history of the town John Tipton opened a boot and shoe store, and two hotels, the proprietors of which were Christopher Lentz and James R. McGee, once graced the little country village. But all these were of short duration for the town was soon after vacated, and to-day not even a trace of its ruins remain to mark its former existence.
July 12, 1834, the town of Portage was laid out along the St. Joseph river on section 26. This place never became noted as a town. At one time in its history there were two stores in the place, one of which was run by Elisha Egbert; and there was also once a tavern in the place, - an institution very common in those days. And still another place is yet to be mentioned; though last and least in size, it is by no means least in reputation; this place was St. Joseph, at one time the county-seat. In May, 1830, the Board of Justices located the county-seat of St. Joseph county at this place. Sept. 14, 1830, the town was laid out on the St. Josepb river, about two and a half or three miles northwest of South Bend, either on section 27, or on sections 34 and 35. The land on which the town was located was then owned by William Brookfield, the Government surveyor. Nov. 25, 1830, an order was passed by the Board aforesaid for William Brookfield to sell lots in the town of St. Joseph; and one would naturally suppose, upon reading that order, that sales of real estate would be rife for a season; but how different must have been their expectations when not a single house was ever erected in the place. And at the meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, on the second Monday of May, 1831 an order was passed to have the county-seat re-located, the County Commissioners testifying that they were "of the opinion that public interest requires a removal of said seat of justice;" and after careful examination and due deliberation, the place selected was South Bend, then a mere village, now a prosperous city.
"A petition had been circulated among the settlers, and over 125 names were secured in favor of South Bend. The friends were very active and finally triumphed. Bonds were given by L. M. Taylor, Alexis Coquillard, Joseph Rohrer, Samuel Studebaker, Samuel Hanna and David H. Coldrick, in which they obligated themselves to pay the sum of $3,000, if the county-seat be permanently located at South Bend. Fifteen lots were donated by Taylor and Coquillard for the use of the county, and lot No. 341, on said town plat, for the use of the United Brethren to build a church thereon, and lot No. 403 to the German Baptist denomination, and lot No. 234 for the Presbyterians, and four acres of land for a public graveyard."
These liberal offers carried the day, and South Bend became the capital of St. Joseph county permanently, and the town of St. Joseph was vacated, to be remembered only as a thing of the past, bearing the lamentable motto, "It might have been." To-day nothing remains to mark the former existence of any of these towns.
There is a steam saw-mill in the northwestern part of this township, on section 18. There are two dairies in the township: one on section 34, run by John Beyrer, established in 1879. Mr. B. keeps 18 cows, runs one wagon, and sells milk at South Bend; this is known as the "Portage" dairy. The other one is on section 26, on the St. Joseph river, and is conducted by Francis Johnson. He keeps 75 cows, sells milk at South Bend, and runs two wagons, making two trips daily each way; this is known as the "Riverside" dairy. Both are doing a good business.
No railroads cross the township; no lakes of sparkling water dot the prairies; no creeks water the low and timbered land save one; this is a small branch of the river which cuts off a very small portion of the southeastern part of the township. But the surface throughout is beautifully diversified, and the tilled land responds richly and bountifully to the labor of the industrious husbandman. There is just timber enough in the township adequately to supply the wants of the inhabitants and make it one of the best townships in the county. Along its eastern line flows gently and ever onward the beautiful little St. Joseph river, which drains the St. Joseph valley and washes the shore on the eastern boundary of German township.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
As regards the first school taught in the township there are some conflicting statements. Some say it was held in an old log house on section 27, and was taught by Dwight Dennings; others say it was on section 21, in the house of John Martindale who was the teacher in the winter of 1831. The first school-house in the township was a log structure, erected on section 19 by the people of the immediate neighborhood; this was about 1832, and Judge Farren was probably the first teacher in this house. But the "days of small things" in the direction of log houses in German township have long since passed away, and to-day they have five good, substantial buildings, conveniently located throughout the township, where the children of the citizens are afforded eight months' school annually. The present school trustee is W.H.H. Ritter, also a farmer on section 29.
The first minsters of the township were Aaron and David Miller, who settled here very early and were members of the German Baptist Church. John Martindale, a Christian minister, and Robert Martindale, his brother, a Baptist minister, were early settlers and preachers of the gospel. Herein this small township in its early history, these four good men preached the gospel in school-houses and in private houses where their hearers were wont to go and worship God "according to the dictates of their own conscience."
The first church built in the township was the German Baptist, which is a brick building, situated on section 18, and was built in 1851. The first pastor was Elder David Miller, who had organized the congregation about the year 1831. The following are a few of the charter members: David Miller and wife, Benjamin Hardman and wife, Christian Holler and wife, John Ritter and wife, Samuel Jones and wife, Joshua Hardman and wife and Samuel McMullen and wife. The present pastor is James H. Miller, who holds regular services in the church every two weeks. At present the congregation numbers about 100.
Baptist Church. - There was a man by the name of Zigler, a Methodist, who built the church about 1854. The building was put up by the Methodists, but there being some incumbrance upon it, the Baptists took it off their hands and now control it. The Baptist congregation in this township is quite small, and is only a part of the general congregation at South Bend. J.G. Keltner is now trustee of the Church. There is a Sunday-school in the church, of which Mrs. Caldwell and Mr. Sweet are Superintendents. Rev. Mr. Egbert, of South Bend, is the regular pastor and holds services there every two weeks. Elder Campbell was probably the first Baptist minister who ever held regular meetings in the church.
Universalist Church. - An elaborate and complete history of the Universalist Church it is impossible to give, on account of the want of records; suffice it to say that it is located on section 32. The first pastor of the Church was Rev. Jacob Maryfield, from Mishawaka. The Church proper was organized about 1858. At present they have no regular pastor and no regular services.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Politically, German township is Republican. J. G. Keltner was appointed census enumerator for the year 1880, and the population of the township was 579. The present justice of the peace is Mr. Wallace, but he has never qualified, as the business to be transacted does not justify it. The present assessor of the township is William Dietrich, and the office of school trustee, the highest in the township, is held by W.H.H. Ritter.
CEMETERIES.
Although the farming land of German township, most of which is included under the name of Portage Prairie, in the shape of a horse shoe, is most salubrious, yet the cold and icy hand of death, the common leveler of time, the reprover of all humanity has left its trace, and three graveyards, with tombstones and slabs of marble pointing upward to heaven, which mark the final resting place of many of the pioneer settlers, are found in the township. One, known as Portage Cemetery, is on section 18; in it lie buried the following of the early settlers of the township: Jacob Miller and J.D. Miller and wife. The Witter Cemetery, on section 22, was named after W. Witter, already mentioned as an old settler, who donated the ground. The last remains of four old settlers, Samuel Witter and Aaron Miller, Daniel Wagner and wife, lie buried in it. Mount Pleasant Cemetery is located on section 32, near the Universalist church and near where the town bearing the same name was once laid out. Within its limits lie the last remains of the following pioneers of German township: David Miller and wife, John Smith and wife, John Witter and wife. The above named are only a few, many more sleep here too, but the final resting place of many is unmarked by man; yet somewhere they sleep, and let them sleep on; for disturb them, we cannot; but cherish their memory forever we will.
Godfrey Bestle, a farmer on sec. 16; P.O., South Bend; is the
son of David and Elizabeth (Slagel) Bestle, and was born in Germany
in 1826; coming to this country in 1852, he first settled in
Michigan, near the Indiana State line, where he lived until 1864,
when he came to this tp. He was married in 1855 to Dora Beyrer,
a native of Germany, born in 1835; they have 9 children, all
living: Mary, John, William, David, Henry, Charles, Emma,
Adolphus and Frederick. Mr. B. and wife are members of the
German Lutheran Church. His school advantages in Germany,
where he received his education, were good; he now reads both
German and English. He owns in this tp. 140 acres of land and
115 acres in Michigan. Mr. B. has been a hard-working, industrious
man all his life.
Thomas Calvert, farmer, sec. 27; P. 0., South Bend; is the
son of Isaac and Isabella (Bird) Calvert, and was born in England
in 1815; was brought by his parents to America when only four
years old; his father first settled in Pennsylvania, where they
remained till 1834, when they came to this county. He was married
in this county to Sarah Curry, a native of Ohio. They have 4
children living: Isaac, Daniel, Mary J. and Sarah E. Mr. C.'s
educational advantages were limited. Politically, he is a Democrat.
He owns here 183 acres good land worth about $100 per acre.
He had no start in life, and has succeeded remarkably well.
Eli Chamberlain, a farmer on sec. 19, was born in Ohio in
1832; his parents were William and Julia A. (Rush) Chamberlain.
came to this county, Aug. 6, 1848. His educational advantages in
youth were quite limited. He is a Democrat, owns 183 acres of
land on sec. 19, which he values at $85 per acre, and is a man who
is faithful to the demands of industry and frugality.
Robert G. Cissne, a very old settler and prominent man, is a
farmer on sec. 32; P.O., South Bend; is the son of John and Jane
(Glass) Cissne, both of whom died in La Porte county; the former
was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of New Jersey; he
was born Oct. 23, 1811, and is of French descent on his father's
side and Welsh-Irish on his mother's side. He came to this county
with his parents in 1831, and located in this tp. Here they stopped
two years and then moved to La Porte county, where the remained
until 1839, when they returned to this tp. In 1836 Mr. C. was
married to Anna Miller, a native of Ohio, born in 1817; they have
had 11 children, of whom 8 are now living: Sarah J., Mary, Adelia,
John, Joseph, Oliver, Orrilla and George. Mr. C. has held the
office of Justice of the Peace, and Constable in this tp.; he is a
Republican. He and his estimable wife are devoted members of
the German Baptist Church. His educational advantages were
somewhat inferior to those of to-day, being compelled to attend
subscription schools in log houses with paper for windows. He
owns 160 acres of land, which he values at $85 per acre. He is an
industrious man, trying now to take life easy; and the greatest of
all, he has enjoyed Nature's best blessing, good health, not having
been sick over half a day at a time since he was 16 years old.
Wm. B. Dietrich, a farmer, on sec. 28; P.0., South Bend;
was born in Pennsylvania in 1838, and is of Dutch descent. His
parents, Gideon and Boutch (Royel) Dietrich, were natives of
Pennsylvania. He came to this State in 1867 and settled in this
county. He was married in 1859 to Amelia Meyers, a native of
Pennsylvania, born in 1837, and is now the mother of 6 children,
3 of whom are living: Edward C., Katie and Charles W. He owns
170 acres of well-improved land, worth $80 per acre. He has held
the office of Assessor in this tp. He and his wife are members of
the Evangelical Church. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. D.
has been a laboring, industrious man all his life.
Chas. B. Farnam, is a successful farmer on sec. 31; P.O., South
Bend; is the son of Lyman and Ruth (Dean) Farnam, and
was born in New York in 1836, of Welsh descent. His father died
in 1840, and his mother is living with her son, the subject of this
sketch. Mr. F. came to this county in 1854, with an older brother.
In 1865 he was married to Miss Sarah Cissne, who is now 42 years
old, a native of this tp. and the mother of 6 children; of
these 4 are living: Anna, Mary, Fred and Lyman. Mr. F. has
been a resident of this township about 10 years, and has held the
office of Assessor. Politically, he is a Republican. Having been
left upon his own resources at an early age, his education was
necessarily somewhat neglected. He owns, on sec. 31, 74 acres of land,
worth about $100 per acre. He has worked hard all his life and
has been a careful manager, a liberal and successfu1 farmer.
John Gillis, a farmer on sec. 22, was born in Ohio in 1822, and
is of Dutch-Irish descent; his parents were Arthur and Elizabeth
Gillis, now both deceased, who were natives of Virginia. Coming
to this county in 1865, he settled in this tp. He was married in
1843 to Margaret Pool a native of 0., who was born in 1820, and
is the mother of 8 children; 7 of these are living: George A.,
Martha, Robert, Lewis, John, Manda and Ella. Mr. G. and wife
are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
He owns 150 acres of land in this tp., worth about $60 per acre.
He had no start in life, and has earned all he has by honest diligence.
John Huston, a farmer on sec. 15; P.O., South Bend. Mr H.
is the son of Jacob and Catharine (Kingery) Huston, and was born
in Indiana, Feb. 7, 1814, of Dutch-English descent; came to this
county with his parents in 1833; was married in 1835 to Rhoda
Johnson, a native of Ohio, who died at the age of 27 years; she was
the mother of 10 children, of whom 6 are now living: Harriet,
Harrison, Susanna, Caroline, Sarah and Abram. He was married
the second time in 1863, to Harriet Johnson, a sister to his former
wife; she is the motber of 7 children, of whom only one is now living,
Luke. Mr. H. is a member of the Dunkard Church, and his
wife is a Methodist. He is a Republican. His education at an
early age was neglected. He owns 88 acres of land, all of which is
under cultivation, except 18 acres of timber. The only start in life
which Mr. H. had when he began for himself was $50 in money
and a yoke of cattle which his father gave him.
Amos N. Irvin, a farmer on sec. 16; P.O., South Bend; was
born in Ohio in 1831, the son of Amos and Minerva (Munger)
Irvin, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. I. came to this county
in 1855. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Nancy Whitsle, a
native of Indiana, born in 1841. Politically, Mr. I. is a Republican.
His educational advantages were ordinary; reads a good deal
now. He owns 84-1/2 acres of land, on sec. 15, nearly all of which is
under cultivation, worth about $80 per acre.
George Keller, farmer, sec. 20; P.O., South Bend; was born in
Ohio, in 1841; is the son of Jacob and Rosina (Beyrer) Keller. He
came to this county about 22 years ago; he was married in 1868 to
Rica E. Currly, who is the mother of 4 children: Clara, Fred, Hettie
and Dora. He owns here 330 acres of good land, worth about
$75 per acre. Politically, he is a Democrat; wife is a member of
the Methodist Church.
Jacob Keller, brother of the preceding, is a farmer on
sec. 20; was born in Ohio in 1835, and came to this county in 1856. He
was married in 1872 to Mary Snyder, a native of Pennsylvania, who
is now the mother of 3 children: Daniel, Frank and Fiola. His
wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. K. is a Democrat.
He owns 180 acres of land, which he values at $75 per acre,
and all of which is under cultivation except 20 acres of timber.
J.G. Kollar, a farmer, P.O. South Bend, was born in Ohio in
1824; is the son of Adam and Hester (Snihart) Kollar, both now
deceased. He came to this county in 1852; in 1851 he was married
to Elizabeth R. Leach, who is now the mother of 7 children, all
living: Melissa, Adam, Charles, William, Harvey, Clara and Laura.
Mr. K. and wife are members of the Dunkard Church. He owns
220 acres of land, which he values at $100 per acre, all of which is
under cultivation except 10 acres of timber.
James R. Miller, a farmer on sec. 27; P.O. South Bend, is the
son of Jacob and Sarah (Backus) Miller, and was born in this tp. in
1834, of German descent. His father, a native of Ohio, died in
1871; his mother, who is a native of Massachusetts, is now living
in this tp. They came to this tp. in May, 1833. In 1854, James,
the subject of this sketch, was married to Amanda E. Ritter, also a
native of this tp., who was born in 1837. She is the daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Ritter, and is the mother of 5 children,
of whom 4 are, living: Flora E., the wife of Jno. Beyrer, a
resident of this tp.; Dora B., Homer J. and Byron B. Mr. Miller
and wife are members of the Universalist Church. Politically, he is
a Republican. His educational advantages were somewhat inferior
to those of modern times, being limited to a few months during the
winter. He owns here 157 acres of excellent farming land, as good
a farm as there is in the county, which he values at $125 per acre.
His land is well improved, having a beautiful residence which he
built in 1870 at a cost of $4,000, situated but a short distance from
St. Joseph river. The latter is a most beautiful little stream,
carrying onward its bright, pure, sparkling water.
Madison Miller, is the son of James H. and Mary (Huston)
Miller, both of whom are now living in this tp., and was born in
this tp. in 1847; he has been a resident here all his life. In 1868
he was married to Miss Addie Broadhurst, a native of Michigan,
who is now 29 years old and the mother of one child, Edith. Mr.
M. owns on sec. 18, 100 acres of land, all under an excellent state
of cultivation, worth about $100 per acre. He and wife are members
of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Republican. His
educational advantages were fair; he has been a hard~working,
successful farmer all his life.
Elwood Peak, a gardener on sec. 34; P.O., South Bend; is the
son of Samuel and Margaret (Cox) Peak, both of whom are now
living in New Jersey, and was born in New York in 1820; he is of
Scotch-English descent. He came to this county in 1852. Married
the first time Adaline King, a native of New Jersey, who died in
1865; during the same year he was married the second time to
Sarah J. Crane, a native of Ohio, who is now 44 years old.
Politically, Mr. P. is a Republican. He owns, on sec. 34, 20 acres of
land, worth about $100 per acre. He has been industrious all his
life; was formerly a carpenter. He is now a gardener, raising all
kinds of fruit and vegetables.
George Rinehart, a farmer on sec. 10; P.O., South Bend; is
the son of George and Julia A. Rinehart, and was born in Ohio in 1818.
Ho came to this county about 21 years ago. He was married to
Sarah A. Ruth, who died in 1877. He owns 135 acres of good land,
some being timber, which is worth about $60 per acre. Mr. R. is
a member of the Baptist Church; his wife was also a member of
the same. Politically, he is a Democrat. His early education was
limited, but he reads considerable now.
John P. Ritter, farmer, sec. 31; P.O., South Bend; was born in
this tp. in 1833, and is of German descent. He is the son of
Michael and Rachel (Parsons) Ritter, both of whom are now living
in Greene county, Mo.; his father is a native of Ohio, and mother,
of New Jersey. They came to this tp. in 1831. In 1861 Mr. R.
was married to Roxana (Depew) Sweet, a native of New York, born
in 1834 and died April 3, 1875; she was the mother of one child,
Clara J. Sweet. He was married the second time in 1877, to Mabel
Brown, a native of Ohio, born in 1855; she is a Methodist.
Politically, Mr. R. is a Republican. His education was limited to about
three months' winter school annually. He owns 59-1/2 acres of land
in this tp., and 70 acres in Portage, worth about $100 per acre.
W.H.H. Ritter, School Trustee, and farmer on sec. 29; P.O.,
South Bend. Mr. Ritter was born in this tp. in 1840, and is of
German descent; he is the seventh in a family of 14 children, of
whom 10 are now living. Their parents are Jacob and Elizabeth
(Miller) Ritter. They came to this tp. at a very early day. Here
they made their home until 14 years ago, when they retired from
farming and removed to South Bend, where his mother died shortly
after their location there. In 1865 Mr. R. was united in marriage
to Helen M. Suenplion, a native of Indiana, born in 1844; she is
now the mother of 2 children: Gertrude and Bessie. Mr. R. is now
living on his father's place, but owns 100 acres in Portage tp., which
he values at about $60 per acre. He is a Republican, a member of
the Odd Fellows lodge, and he and wife are members of the
Universalist Church. In 1862 he enlisted in the army at South Bend
under the command of W. W. Andrews, of La Porte. He enlisted
as a volunteer in the 21st Battery of Indiana, and was in the service
until 1865, when he was discharged. He engaged in the battles of
Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Nashville and several others.
W.S. Robertson, son of James W. and Mary A. Cord, was born
in this county in 1850, and is of Scotch descent. His father, who
is now living in South Bend, is a native of Ohio; his mother, who
died in 1858, was a native of Indiana. In 1876 Mr. R. was united
in marriage to Josephine Sweet, a native of New York, and is now
25 years old. He owns 100 acres of good land, worth about $100
per acre.
Henry Smith, a farmer on sec. 16; P.O., South Bend; was born
in this tp. Sept. 15, 1829, and is said to be the first white child
born in the county. He is a son of John and Nancy (Miller)
Smith, both of whom are now deceased; they were natives of
Pennsylvania and were of Dutch descent. Mr. S. was married in 1855 to
Mary J. Roof, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1877 leaving 5
living children to mourn her loss; Alice and Awilda (twins), Clara
James W. and Anna. His wife was a devoted member of the Baptist
Church, and all her children are also members of the same.
Politically, Mr. S. is a Republican. His early educational
advantages were quite limited. He owns 120 acres of good land on sec.
16, which he values at about $80 per acre. He had no start in life,
but has earned all he now possesses by hard work and careful and
industrious management. Since he was 20 years of age, he has
crossed the Western plains five times.
Jonathan Smith was born in Ohio in 1817, and is of Dutch
descent; he is the 6th in a family of 14 children, whose parents
were John and Nancy (Miller) Smith. Mr. S. came with his
father's family to this county in 1833; his father had come the
year previous and put in a crop. He was married in 1838 to Susan
J. Runion, a native of Virginia, who is now 61 years old and the
mother of 9 children; 6 of these are living: David, Mary, Henry,
William, Harriet and Jane. He and his wife are members of the
Dunkard Church, and Mr. S. is a Democrat. He owns 410 acres
of land, worth about $90 per acre; he also owns 46 acres in Portage
tp., worth about $100 per acre.
Oliver H. Smith, son of Abram and Mary A. (Hoover) Smith,
now living in this tp., was born here in 1853, and is of Dutch
descent. In 1871 he was married to Mary M. Williams, a native
of Michigan, who is now 27 years old and the mother of 2 children:
Frank and Bird. Mr. S. is a Republican. His education when
young was limited. He is a hard-working, industrious man.
John F. Ulery, an old settler, a prominent and successful farmer
on sec. 30; P.O., South Bend; was born in Germany in 1820. His
parents, Adam and Mary M. (Wittig) Ulery, now both dead, were
natives of Prussia. Mr. U. came to this country when quite young;
his parents first settled in Pennsylvania, and after a few years
moved into Ohio, where they died. He came to this county in
1851, and settled in this tp. In 1840 he was married to Mary D.
Stinchcomb, a native of Ohio, who is now 58 years old and the
mother of 12 children, and 10 of these are living: John C., George
A., David T., William H., Joseph F., Schuyler C., Horace G.,
Mary, wife of Abram Miller, of Michigan; Martha, wife of J.A.
Cissne, a farmer of this tp.; Laura, wife of John Dunn, Superintendent
of County Poor Farm. Mr. U. has been Tp. Trustee. He
and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. His education
when young was limited, but he has acquired a great deal since by
reading and general observation. He has been an industrious man
all his life, and a careful manager; he now owns 505 acres of
excellent land, worth about $75 per acre. He had no start in life; at
the time of his marriage, after paying his expenses he had only
$1.50. Politically, he is a prominent Greenbacker, and was one of
the first in the county. He takes an active part in politics and
manifests an interest in the Government.
John Wertz was born in Ohio in 1831; his parents are George
and Catharine (Raff) Wertz. He came to this county in 1853 and
settled in Centre tp.; he came to this tp. in 1872. In 1855 he was
married to Belinda Kollar, a native of Ohio; she is the mother of
6 children, 5 boys and one girl. Politically, Mr. W. is a Republican;
his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. His educational
advantages were limited. He owns 80 acres of good land worth
about $65 per acre. He is an industrious man, upright and honest.
