Biography of Elias Schopf, pages 778/779/780. History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always 
honored and respected even from childhood deserves more 
than mere mention. One may take his place in public life 
through some vigorous stoke of public policy, and even 
remain in the hearts of neighbors and friends,  but to take 
the same position by dint of the practice of an upright 
life, and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, 
is worthy of the highest praise an commendation. The late 
Elias Schopf, one of the successful men and public-spirited 
citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, who departed this life 
on January 31, 1911, and who was well known throughout this 
community, was a man honored and respected, not because of 
the vigorous training of his special talents,  but because 
of his daily life, each day having been one that was above 
criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true 
manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his 
fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also 
gained the good will and confidence of both his associates 
and the general public,  ever retaining his reputation 
among men for integrity and character, no matter how trying 
the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is 
the birthright of a gentleman.  Consequently his influence 
for good in the general life of his community was most 
potent, and he will long be sadly missed from the various 
circles in which he moved and over which his influence was 
like sunshine on a field of ripened wheat. Elias Schopf was 
a native of the old Keystone state of Pennsylvania having 
been born in Lancaster county on the 5th day of April, 
1831. He was a son of Henry and Elnora Schopf, who, in 
1840, loaded their household effects into a covered wagon 
and brought their children with them to Wayne county, 
Indiana. there the subject of this sketch grew to manhood 
and in 1860 was married. Three years later he and his wife 
came to DeKalb county, locating on a farm about one mile 
south of where Garrett is now located,  buying the place 
where Mrs. Schopf now lives, consisting of eighty acres. At 
that early day but little of this land had been cleared, 
the major part of the tract being swampy and densely cover 
with timber and undergrowth. Through this wild solitude 
deer were still to be seen and many other wild animals were 
found, some of whom found a place in the larder of the 
pioneer families.  The first home of the family here was an 
old log cabin, but soon afterward a more comfortable and 
attractive frame house was erected, and in 1891 Mr. Schopf 
erected a substantial, well-arranged and attractive brick 
house which is still standing and in which Mr. Schopf now 
lives. Early in life Mr. Schopf had learned the trade of 
cigar making, which, for a time, he followed here in the 
early days, but the soon abandoned that work and gave his 
entire attention to farming.  In this he was successful, 
for he was energetic and methodical in his work, giving 
attention to every detail of the improvement and 
cultivation of his land until he had developed it into one 
of the best farms in this locality. Personally, Mr. Schopf 
was a man of intelligence and high character, whose life, 
though quiet, was eminently useful to the community in many 
ways. He was a man among men, standing “four-square to the 
wind that blew,” and all who knew him realized that he was 
the possessor of good attributes which could be relied 
upon. Broad-minded and sagacious in his views of men and 
things, he was generous in his relations with all causes 
which appeared to him to be for the betterment of the 
community and in the early life of DeKalb county he was 
ever ready to perform his share in helping to lighten the 
burdens of his fellow pioneers. He was strongly domestic in 
his tastes and to his wife he was a loving, thoughtful 
husband, with whom he shared the joys and sorrows of life 
for over a half century, while to his children he gave that 
thoughtful care and kindly attention which endeared him to 
them. His death was the first in this large family, as all 
the children and grandchildren survive him.  On November 
15, 1860, Elias Schopf married Catherine Strouse, who was 
born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1841, a 
daughter of Philip and Sarah (Long) Strouse. When she was 
about eighteen years of age she came to Wayne county, 
Indiana, to join a brother who had preceded her and with 
whom she lived until her marriage to Mr. Schopf. To them 
were born ten children, four sons and six daughters, 
namely: Boston Walter, born August 12, 1861, loves on the 
home farm; Savannah Elizabeth born October 18, 1862,  is 
the wife of Irving Smith, of Hillsdale, Michigan; Viola 
Ellen, born March 28, 1864, married Daniel Lung and lives 
in Butler township; this county; Sarah Catherine, born 
December 28, 1867 is the wife of Percy Cornell, of Jackson, 
Butler township, this county; Philip Monroe, born November 
18, 1869, married Louise Miller and they lived in Garrett, 
this county; Carilla Larah, born May 18, 1872, is the wife 
of William Heitz, and lives in Fowlerton, Indiana; Anise 
Maria, born March 22, 1875, is the wife of Bert Fitch, of 
Garrett; Sylvester Sydney, born January 12, 1877, married 
Semma Knott, who is now deceased, and he lives on the old 
home place, being in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad Company; Preston Darius, born April 15, 1879, and 
who is a watchmaker by vocation is living at home. Almeda 
Stella, born April 27, 1881, is the wife of Albert 
Barringer, of San Francisco, California. The following 
grandchildren are included in this family record. Mrs. 
Savannah Smith’s two children, Russell and Raymond; Mrs. 
Daniel Lung’s five children,  Alta, Archie, Arlie, Frankie 
and Edna; Mrs. Sarah Cornell’s four children, Ethel, 
Esther, Ernest and Myrtle; Mrs. Anise Fitch is the mother 
of four children, Ivan, Oscar, Thelma and Floretta; 
Sylvester has a son, Danford; Mrs. Lung’s daughter, Alta 
married Walter Downend, and they have two daughters, 
Catherine and Laurine, and Mrs. Lung’s son, Frank, married 
Myrtle Mowrey, and they have one son, Lester.   In 1868 Mr. 
and Mrs. Schopf became members of the Reformed Mennonite 
church, and their lives ever afterward were fairly 
consistent with the profession they thus made. Generous, 
charitable and kind in all their relations with their 
fellows, none of the old residents of this community ever 
enjoyed the confidence and respect of all more than this 
worthy couple, and Mrs. Schopf is now beloved by all who 
know her because of her kindly qualities and the thoughtful 
regard which she entertains for all who come tin contact 
with her.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

 Agoodwin@ctlnet.com