Genealogy Trails
ELKHART COUNTY, INDIANA
OBITS


Martin Eller age 74, a veteran of the Mexican War and of the war of rebellion, died at his home here this morning of heart trouble. He was prominently connected with the early history of this place, and was a well known river man when steamboats ran on the St. Joseph.
Elkhart, IN. Jan. 24,1898

Mrs. James Richards.
Elkhart, Ind., April 29 - Special Telegram - Mrs. James Richards, aged 42, died here today after a long illness.

An old man named Douglas from Goshen, suicided in the bar room of the city Hotel, in Elkhart, at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening. He took chloroform in a glass of liquor and died in 35 minutes.
Indianapolis Sentinel 1878-10-25

WOLF, MRS. MARY A.
Mrs. Mary A. Wolf, formerly Mary A. Richards, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1826 and died at her home two and one half miles northwest of this place June 22, 1887, aged 61 years, 2 months and 26 days. She married L. J. Wolf at Richville, Elkhart County, Ind., November 26, 1854. She joined the M.E. Church at 16 years of age. She and her husband moved to Garfield County in December 1886. She leaves a husband and three children, two here and one in Warsaw, Ind. (The Ravanna Chieftain, June 30, 1887)
(contributed by Peggy Thompson)

Mrs. Nancy J. Crary, widow of the late John L. Crary, died Thursday evening at 6:40 o'clock at her home, 308 North Main street, of the infirmities of age, her lingering illness having extended over a year. Deceased was over 79 years of age, having been born at Jacobsburg, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1822. She came to Goshen in 1839 and had since resided here. She was married John L. Crary July 17, 1851, who died Sept. 25, 1889. Four children were born to this union, John W., Wm. E., Chas. G., and Mary Jane. One son, Charles, is the only survivor of the family. Deceased also leaves a sister, Mrs. Martha Mayfield of this city. Mrs. Crary joined the Methodist church when she was fifteen years of age and has in all the intervening years lived a consistent Christian life. The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the residence, Rev. C. C. Cissell officiating. Interment will be at Oak Ridge cemetery.
(Goshen Daily News-Times February 14, 1902 Contributed by Peggy Thompson )

Jacob Franklin Arnold was born in Elkhart County, Ind., Aug. 7, 1850, where he lived with his parents until the time of his marriage, Sept. 11th, 1877. Three years later, he with his family, went west for a short time and on returning located at Milford Junction, where for ten years he was proprietor of the hotel. In September, 1896, fire destroyed the hotel and they immediately removed to Goshen, where until about a year ago, Mr. Arnold was in the employ of the Indiana Railway Co. During the last year of his life he had been in failing health, which culminated in typhoid fever, which proved fatal. He has always been a kind husband and father, with the welfare of his family always at heart, but it was during the last days of his life that he came to true repentance (sic) and faith in Christ and received the sacrament of baptism and departed in peace, left the present life on Friday evening, Sept. 20th at 7 o'clock. He left to mourn his loss a wife and five children, Clarence L., Glennie P., Blanche V., Herbert F., and Wilma Joy, his father and mother, Mr and Mrs John Arnold, one brother.  September 27 1901 Contributed by Peggy Thompson

Patent Medicine Killed Him. Elkhart, Ind.. July 24.
A. C. Orr, aged seventy-three, was found dead at the home of Emanuel Eddermant. in Baugo township, near here, Saturday afternoon, he was a widower and made his home with Mr. Eddermant Patent medicines were his hobby, and when discovered dead he was lying in bed with his clothing and eyeglasses on. his arms and hands holding rigidly at the proper angle for reading a glaring patent medicine advertisement. An immense number of letters were found among his effects by the coroner, all received from medicine firms answering questions he had asked in regard to their remedies. Trustee Holdeman took charge of the funeral arrangements, as the old man had no relatives In this section, all being in Pennsylvania.
Date: July 26, 1899 Location: Indiana Paper: Indiana State Journal

Rev, John Samuel Coffman, a Famous Mennonite Preacher. Elkhart, lnd., July 24
John Samuel Coffman, one of the best-known ministers of the Mennonite Church, died at his home in this city at 5:30 Saturday, after a long and puzzling illness of the stomach. The diagnosis was cancer of the stomach, but at the autopsy yesterday it was found that the ailment could not be definitely decided, and portions of the stomach were sent to Battle Creek, Mich., for microscopic examination.  Mr.  Coffman  was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, fifty years ago, and moved to Elkhart, in 1879, to become the editor of the Herald of Truth, one of the Mennonite publications. Four years before this he became a minister and spent some time in evangelistic work. Three years ago he became president of the Elkhart Institute, and has had charge of its business management. Two years ago he resigned as editor of the Herald of Truth Mr. Coffman leaves a widow and seven children.
Date: July 26, 1899 Location: Indiana Paper: Indiana State Journal

Date: 1872-08-05; Paper: Indianapolis Sentinel
William Wilkinson, one of the oldest citizens of Elkhart County, died last Wednesday, from injuried received in a fall. he for many years kept the Prairie Hotel, a favorite pleasure resort, in the neighborhood of Irwin and Moorehead.

James Kilday was fatally injured by an Elkhart trolley car, Saturday night.
Weekly Indiana State Journal January 29, 1896

Death of the Venerable Martin Stuckman
(no newspaper given - Date was 11 May 1909)
The venerable Martin Stuckman, the oldest man in Elkhart County, died at the homestead in Union Township about 11 o'clock Monday. May 11th. at the age of 93 years. 9 months, and 3 days. The funeral takes place this forenoon at Union Center, where the interment will also be made by DeWitt and Kensinger.
Deceased was born in Bedford County. Pa., July 13. 1810, his parents, George and Christiana Stuckman, moved to Stark County. Ohio, when he was 13 years of age. They came to Elkhart County from Crawford county. Oh., in 1836. With the exception of a few years, when the family owned the southeast quarter of Section 23. deceased made his home on the farm known as the Stuckman homestead where resides one of his sons - John Stuckman.
He is survived by four sons and two daughters, viz: George. John Henry, and Rev. Peter Stuckman, and Dr. Brumbaugh's wife, and Mrs. John Hunsicker. of Fischer. North Dakota.
This is the family by his first wife, Martha Elson whom he married in 1837. His second wife was Ellen Shane, to whom he was married in 1866.

Death of Mrs. Mary Haverstick
(Nappanee News - March 20. 1895)
Mrs. Mary Haverstick, relict of the late George Haverstick, of Union township, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs Samuel Winder, at Ottawa. Kansas. Monday, March 18th,
Deceased had been making her home with her daughter, Mrs F. G. Bryson, at Waukesha, Wis., a portion of the time since leaving Nappance; and when death came was visiting at Ottawa. Kansas. Mr. Winder being a relative of Mr. John Stauffer of Nappanee. a dispatch to the latter from Mr. Wash Haverstick announcing the death of his mother, and the request that the remains be cared for at the home of Mr. Stauffer was received by him Monday.
Accordingly, the request for the funeral arrangements have been compiled with and it will be held tomorrow. Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. at the M.K. church. The remains are expected to arrive her to-day.

Death of Mrs. Hawks
(Goshen Daily News - October 31. 1892)
Mrs. Cephas Hawks, whose life had been in the balance for a number of days, is no more. Her spirit took its flight last night at 9 o'clock. She approached death with all the patience and fortitude of a sincere Christian and the last days of her life were comparatively free from pain. Since Friday she had been in a state of coma and dissolution came while she slept, a calm and peaceful ending. Death was due to a complication of diseases, hastened by an attack of la grippe. In her death the hearts of a happy family circle are plunged in deep sorrow and society loses a useful member. She was particularly a worthy woman, a kind mother and a loving wife. The aged husband thus bereft of his life companion, her careful attention and counsel, will have much sympathy.
Delinda Bliss Hawks was born at Vershire, Vermont, March 3d, 1817. She was the daughter of Rev. Ezra Bliss, and came to Middlebury, this county, in 1838. January 28th, 1841. she was married to Cephas Hawks, who was then in business in Waterford. Two sons and four daughters were bom of the union, three of whom are living. They are. F.E.C. Hawks, secretary of the Goshen Milling co., E. W. Hawks, of the Hawks Furniture Co.. and Mrs, John Conner
Deceased united with the Presbyterian church at the age of 18 years and lived a faithful member. She has three sisters living, namely, Mrs. Emily Moore, who is 85 years of age; Mrs, Eliza Robie, aged 95 years, of Bangor, Me.; and Mary Swan.
The funeral will occur tomorrow at 2:30 from the family residence, 208 South Sixth street.

Rigby
(Goshen Dairy Democrat - September 30,1903)
Mrs. David Rigby died at the Elkhart Sanitarium yesterday, aged 61 years, 3 months and 14 days. She is survived by her husband, her son. Edwin Rigby. who is the son of her first husband, who was a brother of her second husband.

Mortuary Record
(Goshen Daily News Times - December 12,1905)
Isaiah Rush, aged 77 years, who claims to be the first white child born in Elkhart county, died at the Clark hospital in Elkhart at 8 p.m. Sunday. He had wandered to town Sunday from his home three miles southwest of Elkhart where he lived alone. His twin sister, Mrs. Alford Faar. and a daughter by his second marriage, Mrs. Charles Stewart of Wakarusa, survive. He was married four times.

Death of George K. Hoke
(Goshen Weekly Midweek Times - January 22. 1897)
George K. Hoke, an Elkhart county pioneer, and a citizen of Elkhart, died in San Diego. Cal., Jan. 19, two weeks after he left Elkhart on his western trip. He was 88 years of age. Mr. Hoke was born Jan. 23.1809, in Columbiana county, Ohio. Growing up to manhood and following the occupation of carpenter, he was married in the Buckeye State to a Miss Goettle and to this union seven children were born. five of whom survive. They are Jacob Hoke, of San Diego, Josiah Hoke of Waldron, III., and Mrs. Mary Carpenter. Samuel Hoke and Mrs. Caroline Clark, of Elkhart. Mr. Hoke's second wife was Mrs. Ellen Keller, who preceded him in death some ten years ago. The only surviving child of this union is Mrs. Minnie Zimmerman, of Elkhart. Mr. Hoke came lo Elkhart county in 1846, and settled on a farm he purchased in Baugo township. There he resided until 1868, when he purchased and removed to his late residence, a farm on the West Franklin street road near Elkhart.

Death of W. B. Cowan
(Nappanee News - December 11,1884)
Another pioneer of Elkhart County has gone to his long home—William B. Cowan, who died at his home in this place, December 8th, 1884. aged 63 years 11 months and 18 days. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, and came to this county in 1835 and settled near New Paris. He learned the mill wright trade which he followed for a number of years. In 1855 he married Elizabeth, daughter of the late Martin Keshner, to whom were born three children, Nettie, Samuel S. and Jennie, the former now dead.
The deceased was a citizen of this place since 1875. and was engaged in the hardware business. He was a man that commanded great respect and was held in high esteem. He was sociable and kind-hearted. During his residence near New Paris he served as Justice of the Peace fourteen consecutive years, and during his residence here he held the office of trustee two terms.
Some over a year ago he was stricken with something like paralysis, impairing his mind to some extant, and this led to his death. His funeral was preached at the United Brethren Church by the Rev. A. K. Zartman. of Goshen, and the remains interred in the Brick Church Cemetery, north-east of town.

Goshen, Ind. Nov. 28 -- Mrs. John M. Berkey of Goshen, wife of a retired farmer, today received a War Department message informing her that her adopted son, Merl J. White, an infantryman, was killed in action in France Nov. 4.
 Indianapolis Star, Friday November 29, 1918
Transcribed by K. Torp

ELKHART; Ind. Nov. 6—Benjamin Hughes, aged seventy-two years, whose home and wagon shop were lost in the fire that destroyed fifteen buildings at Wakarusa, this county, on Sunday, Oct. 29. is dead. He had not been well for some time and since his recent loss has failed rapidly. He was a veteran of the civil war, having served in Company G. Seventy-fourth  Indiana Infantry. He left a widow and four daughters.
Date: 1899-11-08; Paper: Indiana State Journal Elkhart County



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